U.S. patent application number 15/021831 was filed with the patent office on 2016-08-04 for glass tube package.
This patent application is currently assigned to NIPPON ELECTRIC GLASS CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is NIPPON ELECTRIC GLASS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Hitoshi HAYASHI, Kenichi HOSHIBA, Masahiro ICHIKAWA.
Application Number | 20160221736 15/021831 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52665480 |
Filed Date | 2016-08-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160221736 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HAYASHI; Hitoshi ; et
al. |
August 4, 2016 |
GLASS TUBE PACKAGE
Abstract
Provided is a glass tube package that can suppress the
occurrence of damage to glass tubes and prevent degradation of the
quality of glass tubes. A glass tube package is provided with: a
plurality of glass tubes that are arrayed in a plurality of rows
and a plurality of columns; a plurality of spacer members (bottom
side spacer members and top side spacer members) that are arranged
on the bottom side and/or top side of each column of the plurality
of glass tubes; and a film wrapping that is obtained by shrinking
and that covers at least both ends of the plurality of glass
tubes.
Inventors: |
HAYASHI; Hitoshi; (Otsu-shi,
Shiga, JP) ; ICHIKAWA; Masahiro; (Otsu-shi, Shiga,
JP) ; HOSHIBA; Kenichi; (Otsu-shi, Shiga,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
NIPPON ELECTRIC GLASS CO., LTD. |
Otsu-shi, Shiga |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
NIPPON ELECTRIC GLASS CO.,
LTD.
Otsu-shi, Shiga
JP
|
Family ID: |
52665480 |
Appl. No.: |
15/021831 |
Filed: |
August 1, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
August 1, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2014/070310 |
371 Date: |
March 14, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 71/10 20130101;
B65D 2571/00679 20130101; B65D 57/00 20130101; B65D 85/42 20130101;
B65D 71/508 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 71/10 20060101
B65D071/10; B65D 85/42 20060101 B65D085/42; B65D 57/00 20060101
B65D057/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 13, 2013 |
JP |
2013-190912 |
Claims
1. A glass tube package comprising: a plurality of glass tubes
arrayed in a plurality of rows and a plurality of stages; a
plurality of spacer members arranged on a bottom side and/or top
side of each stage of the plurality of the glass tubes; and film
wrappings covering at least both ends of the plurality of the glass
tubes and shrunk.
2. The glass tube package according to claim 1, wherein the spacer
members are arranged at top sides of the glass tubes of an
uppermost stage and/or bottom sides of the glass tubes of a
lowermost stage.
3. The glass tube package according to claim 1, wherein the spacer
members are arranged at positions covered by the film
wrappings.
4. The glass tube package according to claim 1, wherein centers of
the glass tubes constituting each row of the plurality of the glass
tubes are arrayed straightly in a vertical direction.
5. The glass tube package according to claim 1, wherein each of the
spacer members has a planar member and a plurality of projections
which are provided in at least one of surfaces of the planar member
so as to be projected perpendicularly to the surface, and wherein
the plurality of the glass tubes are arranged respectively between
the plurality of the projections.
6. The glass tube package according to claim 1, wherein the spacer
members are made by paper.
7. The glass tube package according to claim 1, wherein an outer
diameter of each of the glass tubes is 5 mm to 12 mm.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an art of a glass tube
package in which a plurality of glass tubes are arrayed in a
plurality of rows and a plurality of stages.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] For example, glass tubes used as a medical ample, a
fluorescent tube or the like are packaged as one glass tube package
by arranging the plurality of the glass tubes with the same length
in a plurality of rows and a plurality of stages. As an art
configuring such a glass tube package, an art shrinking and binding
both ends of a plurality of glass tubes with wrappings is known
(for example, see the Patent Literature 1).
PRIOR ART REFERENCE
Patent Literature
[0003] Patent Literature 1: the Japanese Patent Laid Open Gazette
Hei. 10-114382
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Problems to Be Solved by the Invention
[0004] According to the prior art, since the glass tubes in the
glass tube package contact each other, the glass tubes may be
damaged at the time of conveying the glass tube package so as to
degrade qualities of the glass tubes such as mechanical strength
and external appearance.
[0005] The present invention is provided in consideration of the
above problem, and the purpose of the present invention is to
provide a glass tube package which suppress damage of glass tubes
so as to prevent degradation of quality of the glass tubes.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0006] The problems to be solved by the present invention have been
described above, and subsequently, the means of solving the
problems will be described below.
[0007] According to claim 1 of the present invention, a plurality
of glass tubes arrayed in a plurality of rows and a plurality of
stages, a plurality of spacer members arranged on a bottom side
and/or top side of each stage of the plurality of the glass tubes,
and film wrappings covering at least both ends of the plurality of
the glass tubes and shrunk are provided.
[0008] According to claim 2 of the present invention, the spacer
members are arranged at top sides of the glass tubes of an
uppermost stage and/or bottom sides of the glass tubes of a
lowermost stage.
[0009] According to claim 3 of the present invention, the spacer
members are arranged at positions covered by the film
wrappings.
[0010] According to claim 4 of the present invention, centers of
the glass tubes constituting each row of the plurality of the glass
tubes are arrayed straightly in a vertical direction.
[0011] According to claim 5 of the present invention, each of the
spacer members has a planar member and a plurality of projections
which are provided in at least one of surfaces of the planar member
so as to be projected perpendicularly to the surface, and the
plurality of the glass tubes are arranged respectively between the
plurality of the projections.
[0012] According to claim 6 of the present invention, the spacer
members are made by paper.
[0013] According to claim 7 of the present invention, an outer
diameter of each of the glass tubes is 5 mm to 12 mm.
Effect of the Invention
[0014] The present invention configured as the above brings the
following effects.
[0015] According to the glass tube package concerning claim 1 of
the present invention, damage of the glass tubes can be suppressed
so as to prevent degradation of quality of the glass tubes.
[0016] According to the glass tube package concerning claim 2 of
the present invention, damage of the glass tubes can be suppressed
certainly so as to prevent degradation of quality of the glass
tubes.
[0017] According to the glass tube package concerning claim 3 of
the present invention, binding of the glass tubes can be
strengthened.
[0018] According to the glass tube package concerning claim 4 of
the present invention, shift of the position of the glass tubes in
the horizontal direction can be prevented.
[0019] According to the glass tube package concerning claim 5 of
the present invention, damage of the glass tubes in the horizontal
direction and the vertical direction can be suppressed so as to
prevent degradation of quality of the glass tubes.
[0020] According to the glass tube package concerning claim 6 of
the present invention, damage of the glass tubes by the spacer
member can be suppressed.
[0021] According to the glass tube package concerning claim 7 of
the present invention, damage of the glass tubes of which quality
and accuracy are required is suppressed so as to prevent
degradation of quality of the glass tubes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an entire configuration of a
glass tube package according to a first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a front view of the glass tube package according
to the first embodiment.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a spacer member used in the
glass tube package according to the first embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an entire configuration of a
glass tube package according to a second embodiment.
[0026] FIG. 5 is a front view of the glass tube package according
to the second embodiment.
[0027] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a spacer member used in the
glass tube package according to the second embodiment.
[0028] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an entire configuration of a
glass tube package according to a third embodiment.
[0029] FIG. 8 is a front view of the glass tube package according
to the third embodiment.
[0030] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a spacer member used in the
glass tube package according to the third embodiment.
[0031] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an entire configuration of
a glass tube package according to a fourth embodiment.
[0032] FIG. 11 is a front view of the glass tube package according
to the fourth embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0033] Next, embodiments of the present invention are
explained.
[0034] [Glass Tube Package 10]
[0035] Firstly, a configuration of a glass tube package 10
according to a first embodiment of the present invention is
explained referring to FIGS. 1 to 3. In below explanation, for
convenience, a vertical direction, a lateral direction and a
longitudinal direction of the glass tube package are defined by
arrows shown in each of drawings.
[0036] The glass tube package 10 of this embodiment is configured
by packaging a plurality of glass tubes P while accumulating the
glass tubes P into a stable form. The glass tube package 10 has the
plurality of the glass tubes P arrayed in a plurality of rows and a
plurality of stages. Each of the glass tubes P is a long hollow
glass tube used as a medical ample, a fluorescent tube or the like
for example, and has a cylindrical shape whose outer diameter is 5
mm to 12 mm. The glass tube package 10 of this embodiment is
configured by arranging the eight glass tubes P laterally and the
nine glass tubes P vertically so as to package the seventy two
glass tubes P. In other words, the glass tube package 10 is
configured by packaging the seventy two glass tubes P which are
arrayed in eight rows and nine stages. The method for arraying the
glass tubes P in the glass tube package is not limited to this
embodiment.
[0037] The glass tube package 10 has a plurality of spacer members
S arranged at a bottom side and/or a top side of each stage of the
plurality of the glass tubes P (bottom side spacer members Su and
top side spacer members So). The bottom side spacer members Su and
the top side spacer members So are configured by reversing
vertically the spacer members S of the same shape (see FIG. 3). The
glass tube package 10 according to this embodiment is configured so
that the bottom side spacer members Su (the spacer members S in
which projections 22 are projected upward) are arranged at the
bottom sides of the glass tubes P of each stage, and the top side
spacer members So (the spacer members S in which projections 22 are
projected downward) are arranged at the top sides of the glass
tubes P of the uppermost stage. The top side spacer members So may
be omitted. A configuration in which the bottom side spacer members
Su are arranged at the bottom sides of the glass tubes P of the
lowermost stage and the top side spacer members So are arranged at
the top sides of the glass tubes P of each stage (a configuration
made by reversing vertically this embodiment) may be adopted. It
may be configured that the bottom side spacer members Su are
arranged at the bottom sides of the glass tubes P of the lowermost
stage, the top side spacer members So are arranged at the top sides
of the glass tubes P of the uppermost stage, and both the bottom
side spacer members Su and the top side spacer members So are
arranged between the glass tubes P of each stage. In this
embodiment, the top side spacer members So are shifted
longitudinally so as not to interfere the bottom side spacer
members Su.
[0038] Each of the spacer members S is made by paper (for example,
corrugated paper), and as shown in FIG. 3, the plurality of the
projections 22, which are projected perpendicularly to one of
surfaces (upper surface in FIG. 3) of a planar member 21 (upward in
FIG. 3), are provided in the surface. Each of intervals between the
projections 22 is a little larger than the outer diameter of the
glass tube P so as to arrange the glass tube P therebetween. Since
the eight glass tubes P are arranged in the one spacer member S in
this embodiment, the nine projections 22 are formed in the spacer
member S including ends thereof. Though the spacer members S are
made by paper in this embodiment, another material such as styrene
foam or plastic may be used.
[0039] In the glass tube package 10 of this embodiment, as shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2, the eight glass tubes P are arrayed between the
projections 22 of each of the spacer members S, and the rows of the
glass tubes P are stacked into nine stages so as to configure a
bundle of the glass tubes P. In other words, the plurality of the
glass tubes P are arranged respectively between the projections 22
of the spacer members S. In this state, both ends of the bundle of
the glass tubes P are covered by film wrappings W, and the film
wrappings W are shrunk so as to bind the glass tubes P. In other
words, the glass tube package 10 has the film wrappings W
configured by shrinking and covering both ends of the plurality of
the glass tubes P. Concretely, the film wrappings W which are
heat-shrinkable plastic films are heated while covering the ends of
the bundle of the glass tubes P and the film wrappings W are shrunk
so as to adhere the film wrappings W to the ends of the bundle of
the glass tubes P as shown in FIG. 1.
[0040] The bundle of the glass tubes P may be bound by shrinking
the film wrappings W while the whole bundle of the glass tubes P is
covered by the film wrappings W. Namely, any state in which both
the ends of the glass tubes P are closed by the film wrappings W is
required for preventing foreign matters from entering insides of
the glass tubes P.
[0041] A material of the film wrappings W is not limited especially
and may be any heat-shrinkable plastic such as PVC (polyvinyl
chloride), PP (polypropylene), or PE (polyethylene).
[0042] In the glass tube package 10 of this embodiment, as shown in
FIG. 2, the projections 22 of the spacer members S are interposed
between the glass tubes P in the lateral direction, and the planar
members 21 of the spacer members S are interposed between the glass
tubes P in the vertical direction. Accordingly, the glass tubes P
are prevented from contacting each other at the time of conveying
the glass tube package 10. Namely, the glass tube package 10 of
this embodiment can suppress damage of the glass tubes P so as to
prevent degradation of quality of the glass tubes P.
[0043] In the glass tube package 10 of this embodiment, as shown in
FIG. 1, the spacer members S are arranged at positions covered by
the film wrappings W (positions bound by the film wrappings W) at
the longitudinal ends of the plurality of the glass tubes P.
Concretely, each of the spacer members S is arranged so that a
distance Ds from the end of the glass tube package 10 is shorter
than a length Dw of the film wrapping W after shrunk from the end
of the glass tube package 10. Accordingly, the spacer members are
fixed in the film wrappings W so as to strengthen the binding of
the glass tubes P in the glass tube package 10. As the above, from
a viewpoint of strengthening the binding of the glass tubes P in
the glass tube package 10, preferably, the spacer members S are
arranged a little inside from the ends of the glass tubes P in the
longitudinal direction.
[0044] In the glass tube package 10 of this embodiment, as shown in
FIG. 2, the rows of the glass tubes P in the vertical direction are
arranged lattice-like so that the centers of the glass tubes P
constituting each row are arrayed straightly in the vertical
direction. Accordingly, load of the glass tubes P is applied on the
glass tubes P just below them via the planar member 21 of the
spacer member S and is not distributed laterally. Then, shift of
the position of the glass tubes P in the horizontal direction
(lateral direction) can be prevented.
[0045] In the glass tube package 10 of this embodiment, the spacer
members S are made by the paper. Since the paper is softer than the
glass tubes P, damage of the glass tubes P by the spacer members S
can be suppressed. Since dirt of the paper is hardly to move to the
glass tubes P and any binding member does not adhere to the glass
tubes such as styrene foam, the spacer members S are preferably
made by the paper.
[0046] In the glass tube package 10 of this embodiment, the outer
diameter of each of the glass tubes P is 5 mm to 12 mm. Namely, in
the glass tube package 10 of this embodiment, damage of the
small-diameter glass tubes P having the outer diameter of 5 mm to
12 mm of which quality and accuracy are required is suppressed so
as to prevent degradation of quality of the glass tubes P.
[0047] [Glass Tube Package 110]
[0048] Next, a configuration of a glass tube package 110 according
to a second embodiment of the present invention is explained
referring to FIGS. 4 to 6.
[0049] In below explanation, the same configurations as the glass
tube package according to the above embodiment are shown by the
same reference letters and explanations thereof are omitted, and
different configurations are explained mainly.
[0050] The glass tube package 110 of this embodiment has a
plurality of spacer members arranged at a bottom side and/or a top
side of each stage of the plurality of the glass tubes P (bottom
side spacer members Su, top side spacer members So and middle
spacer members Sm). The bottom side spacer members Su and the top
side spacer members So are configured by reversing vertically the
spacer members S of the same shape. As shown in FIG. 6, each of the
middle spacer members Sm is configured so that two spacer members
each of which is formed by projecting a plurality of projections
122 from one of surfaces of a planar member 121 are reversed
vertically and longitudinal ends of the planar members 121 are
connected to each other. In the glass tube package 110 of this
embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the bottom side spacer members Su
are arranged at the bottom sides of the glass tubes P of the
lowermost stage, the top side spacer members So are arranged at the
top sides of the glass tubes P of the uppermost stage, and the
middle spacer members Sm are arranged between the stages of the
glass tubes P.
[0051] Each of the middle spacer members Sm is made by paper (for
example, corrugated paper), and as shown in FIG. 6, the plurality
of the projections 122, which are projected perpendicularly to both
surfaces (upper and lower surfaces in FIG. 6) of the planar member
121 (upward and downward in FIG. 6), are provided in the surface.
Each of intervals between the projections 122 is a little larger
than the outer diameter of the glass tube P so as to arrange the
glass tube P therebetween.
[0052] According to the glass tube package 110 of this embodiment,
each stage of the glass tubes P cannot be displaced laterally by
the middle spacer members Sm. Accordingly, at the time of conveying
the glass tube package 110, change of the shape of the glass tube
package 110 caused by sliding relatively the stages of the glass
tubes P can be prevented. Namely, in the glass tube package 110 of
this embodiment, the binding of the glass tubes P in the glass tube
package 110 can be strengthened further.
[0053] [Glass Tube Package 210]
[0054] Next, a configuration of a glass tube package 210 according
to a third embodiment of the present invention is explained
referring to FIGS. 7 to 9.
[0055] The glass tube package 210 of this embodiment has a
plurality of spacer members arranged at a bottom side and/or a top
side of each stage of the plurality of the glass tubes P (bottom
side spacer members Su, top side spacer members So and middle
spacer members Sm'). The bottom side spacer members Su and the top
side spacer members So are configured by reversing vertically the
spacer members S of the same shape. As shown in FIG. 9, each of the
middle spacer members Sm' is configured so that a plurality of
projections 222 are projected from both surfaces of a planar member
221. In the glass tube package 210 of this embodiment, the bottom
side spacer members Su are arranged at the bottom sides of the
glass tubes P of the lowermost stage, the top side spacer members
So are arranged at the top sides of the glass tubes P of the
uppermost stage, and the middle spacer members Sm' are arranged
between the stages of the glass tubes P. Namely, in the glass tube
package 210, the upward projections 222 and the downward
projections 222 of each spacer member are arranged so as to face
each other. Heights of each of the upward projections 222 and each
of the downward projections 222 are substantially the same as a
radius of the glass tube P so as to prevent the projections from
interfering the middle spacer members Sm'. In the glass tube
package 210 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the bottom side
spacer members Su are arranged at the bottom sides of the glass
tubes P of the lowermost stage, the top side spacer members So are
arranged at the top sides of the glass tubes P of the uppermost
stage, and the middle spacer members Sm' are arranged between the
stages of the glass tubes P.
[0056] Each of the middle spacer members Sm' is made by paper (for
example, corrugated paper), and as shown in FIG. 9, the plurality
of the projections 222 are provided in both surfaces (upper and
lower surfaces in FIG. 9) of the planar member 221 so as to be
projected perpendicularly to both surfaces (along the vertical
direction in FIG. 9). Each of intervals between the projections 222
is a little larger than the outer diameter of the glass tube P so
as to arrange the glass tube P therebetween. Heights of each of the
projections 222 are substantially the same as the radius of the
glass tube P so as to prevent the projections from interfering each
other.
[0057] According to the glass tube package 210 of this embodiment,
each stage of the glass tubes P cannot be displaced laterally by
the middle spacer members Sm'. Accordingly, at the time of
conveying the glass tube package 210, change of the shape of the
glass tube package 210 caused by sliding relatively the stages of
the glass tubes P can be prevented. Namely, in the glass tube
package 210 of this embodiment, the binding of the glass tubes P in
the glass tube package 210 can be strengthened further.
[0058] [Glass Tube Package 310]
[0059] Next, a configuration of a glass tube package 310 according
to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is explained
referring to FIGS. 10 and 11.
[0060] The glass tube package 310 of this embodiment has a
plurality of spacer members Sw arranged at a bottom side and/or a
top side of each stage of the plurality of the glass tubes P. Each
of the spacer members Sw is made by paper (for example, corrugated
paper), and as shown in FIG. 11, a section thereof is wave-like
shaped. In the glass tube package 310 of this embodiment, as shown
in FIG. 10, the glass tubes P adjacent in the vertical direction
are arranged alternately between the glass tubes P.
[0061] According to the glass tube package 310 of this embodiment,
intervals between the glass tubes P can be made small, whereby the
many glass tubes P can be arrayed in a limited space. In other
words, arrangement efficiency of the glass tubes P can be improved.
Accordingly, when the glass tubes P of the same number are
packaged, the glass tube package 310 can be made compact so as to
improve efficiency of conveyance of the glass tubes P.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0062] The glass tube package of the present invention can be used
for conveying a plurality of glass tubes with the same length used
as a medical ample, a fluorescent tube or the like for example.
DESCRIPTION OF NOTATIONS
[0063] 10 glass tube package [0064] 110 glass tube package [0065]
210 glass tube package [0066] 310 glass tube package [0067] P glass
tube [0068] S spacer member [0069] Sm middle spacer member [0070]
Sm' middle spacer member [0071] So top side spacer member [0072] Su
bottom side spacer member [0073] Sw spacer member [0074] W film
wrapping
* * * * *