EP2340218B1 - Packing material - Google Patents
Packing material Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2340218B1 EP2340218B1 EP09737478.9A EP09737478A EP2340218B1 EP 2340218 B1 EP2340218 B1 EP 2340218B1 EP 09737478 A EP09737478 A EP 09737478A EP 2340218 B1 EP2340218 B1 EP 2340218B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- flow path
- medium
- air
- cushioning medium
- medium storage
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Not-in-force
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
- B65D81/02—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents specially adapted to protect contents from mechanical damage
- B65D81/05—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents specially adapted to protect contents from mechanical damage maintaining contents at spaced relation from package walls, or from other contents
- B65D81/051—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents specially adapted to protect contents from mechanical damage maintaining contents at spaced relation from package walls, or from other contents using pillow-like elements filled with cushioning material, e.g. elastic foam, fabric
- B65D81/052—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents specially adapted to protect contents from mechanical damage maintaining contents at spaced relation from package walls, or from other contents using pillow-like elements filled with cushioning material, e.g. elastic foam, fabric filled with fluid, e.g. inflatable elements
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
- B65D81/02—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents specially adapted to protect contents from mechanical damage
- B65D81/03—Wrappers or envelopes with shock-absorbing properties, e.g. bubble films
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2581/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
- B65D2581/02—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents specially adapted to protect contents from mechanical damage
- B65D2581/05—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents specially adapted to protect contents from mechanical damage maintaining contents at spaced relation from package walls, or from other contents
- B65D2581/051—Details of packaging elements for maintaining contents at spaced relation from package walls, or from other contents
- B65D2581/052—Materials
- B65D2581/055—Plastic in general, e.g. foamed plastic, molded plastic, extruded plastic
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a packaging material for wrapping an object for shipment. More specifically, it relates to a packaging material having a check valve which allows cushioning medium to flow into the cushioning medium storage portions of the packaging material, but prevents the cushioning medium from flowing backward from the cushioning medium storage portions.
- the conventional check valves such as those described above, are provided with a means for making complicated or narrow the passage, or passages, of the check valve to prevent the cushioning medium from flowing backward from the cushioning medium storage portion.
- these check valves are problematic in that they are low in the efficiency with which the cushioning medium is injected into the cushioning medium storage portions.
- As one of the means for preventing the provision of a check valve from losing the efficiency is to increase a check valve in size, and also, to increase in length. This means is problematic in that the employment of this means results in increase in the amount of the check valve material, which results in increase in the check valve cost.
- US 2008/121307 A1 shows a packing member comprising a medium accommodating portion (air chamber), a non-return valve (air valve) comprised of two inner films, an air inlet, an air passageway and a plurality of cut holes.
- the cut holes may be connected with the air passageway by means of branch passageways.
- the air passageway acting as a flow path comprises a lower portion having a smaller width than an upper portion of the air passageway.
- US 2008/080792 A1 shows a packing member having an air passageway acting as a flow path and comprising an expanded flow path portion which has a width larger than that portion at an entrance or at an outlet of said expanded flow path portion.
- US 2007/065047 A1 shows a packing member comprising a conical flow path portion and an expanded flow path portion at an end part of the conical flow path portion, which has a width larger than that of the conical flow path portion.
- the object of the present invention is achieved by a packing member and a packing material having the features of independent claims.
- a packaging material S1 in this embodiment is made up of two pieces 1 and 2 of flexible plastic film, which are thermally welded in layers.
- the areas 6, 8, and 9 are the areas of the two films 1 and 2, by which the two films 1 and 2 are welded.
- the packaging material S1 has multiple cushioning medium storage portions 3, which are placed side by side.
- Each cushioning medium storage portion 3 is enabled to store cushioning medium, which in this embodiment is air. It is formed by welding the two flexible films 1 and 2 (which hereafter will be referred to simply as films 1 and 2) across the welding areas 8, 6, and 9. It is rectangular, with its longer edges being substantially longer than its shorter edges. Further, each cushioning medium storage portion 3 is separated from the next cushioning medium storage portions by the welding areas 9.
- One of the lengthwise ends of the packaging material S1 is provided with multiple cushioning medium entrances 5 for guiding the external air into each of the multiple cushioning medium storage portions 3 to inflate the cushioning medium storage portions 3. Further, the outward end of each of the cushioning medium (air) entrance 5 is provided with an air injection opening 11. Each air entrance 5 is separated from the next ones by the welding areas 7.
- the welding areas 9 are roughly parallel to the lengthwise direction of the cushioning medium storage portion 3, whereas the welding areas 6 and 8 extend in the direction intersectional to the lengthwise direction of the cushioning medium storage portion 3.
- the welding area 6 is on the opposite lengthwise end of the packaging material S1 from where the abovementioned air entrances 5 are present.
- the films 1 and 2 in this embodiment are flexible, and have three layers. That is, each film is formed by sandwiching a Nylon layer with polyethylene and polypropylene layers. The Nylon layer is very difficult for the cushioning medium to flow through, whereas the polyethylene and polypropylene layers are easy to thermally weld together.
- each cushioning medium storage portion 3 is provided with a check valve 4, which is positioned across the border between the cushioning medium storage portion 3 and the corresponding cushioning medium entrance 5.
- This check valve 4 is for allowing the air to pass only in the direction to enter the cushioning medium storage portion 3. That is, once the air is introduced into the cushioning medium storage portion 3, the check valve 4 utilizes the air pressure in the cushioning medium storage portion 3 to prevent the air in the cushioning medium storage portion 3 from flowing backward, that is, toward the air entrance 5, as shown in Figure 2 , which is a sectional view of one of the cushioning units of the packaging material S1, at Line B-B in Figure 1 .
- Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the combination of the cushioning medium storage portion 3 and corresponding air entrance 5.
- the details of the structure of the check valve 4 are as shown in Figures 2 and 3 .
- the check valve 4 is manufactured through the following steps. To the film 2, the top and bottom check valves 4a and 4b are thermally welded in advance by the welding areas 12a - 12c. Incidentally, the top and bottom check valves 4a and 4b are also formed of plastic film.
- the top check valve 4a is attached to the air entrance portion (5) of the film 1 by the welding area 10, whereas the bottom check valve 4b is attached to the film 2 by the welding area 10.
- the top check valve 4a is provided with a seal portion 4a1, which is coated or printed on the top check valve 4a.
- the seal portion 4a1 is formed of a material which does not melt at the temperature level at which the two films 1 and 2 are welded across the welding areas 8 and 10. Therefore, even if heat is applied to the films 1 and 2 across the welding area 10, it does not occur that the top and bottom check valves 4a and 4b become welded to each other.
- the sealing portion 4a1 may be coated or printed on the bottom check valve 4b instead of the top check valve 4a. Even if the sealing portion 4a1 is attached to the bottom check valve 4b, its functions and performance remains the same.
- the lengthwise direction of the cushioning medium storage portion 3 is roughly the same as the direction in which the air passes through the check valve 4, enabling therefore the air to be efficiently introduced into the cushioning medium storage portion 3.
- the width W1 of each of the air injection openings 11 is narrower than the width W2 of the border area (connective area) between the cushioning medium storage portion 3 and air entrance 5. Further, the multiple air injection openings 11 are positioned so that there is virtually no gap between the adjacent two air injection openings 11, making it possible to reduce in size the air injecting portion of an air injecting apparatus (unshown) for injecting the air into all the air injection openings 11 at the same time. Further, the direction in which the cushioning medium passes through the check valve 4 toward the cushioning medium storage portion 3 is made roughly the same as the direction in which the cushioning medium is introduced through the air injection openings. Therefore, the air is efficiently introduced into the cushioning medium storage portion 3.
- the welding area 7 between the adjacent two air injection openings 11 is tilted, relative to the lengthwise direction of the cushioning medium storage portion, from the border area between the cushioning medium storage portion 3 and the corresponding air entrance 5 toward the central air injection opening 11.
- the welding areas 12a - 12c, across which the top and bottom check valves 4a and 4b are thermally welded to the film 2 will be described regarding their shapes.
- a cushioning medium (air) passage 20 for introducing air into the cushioning medium storage portion 3 is formed by thermally welding the top and bottom check valves 4a and 4b to the film 2 across the welding areas 12a - 12c. Obviously, the width of the cushioning medium (air) passage 20 is less than the width of the check valves 4a and 4b. Referring to Figure 5 , the cushioning medium (air) passage 20 is formed between the top and bottom check valves 4a and 4b, and it is also obvious that the width of the cushioning medium (air) passage 20 is less than that of the cushioning medium storage portion 3.
- the top check valve 4a becomes shaped as drawn with double-dot chain lines in Figure 5 , which is a sectional view of one of the multiple cushioning units, at Plane A-A in Figure 3 .
- the cushioning medium (air) passage 20 has a primary portion 20c, and wide portions 20a and 20b. The wide portions 20a and 20b extend from the primary portion 20c in the direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the cushioning medium storage portion 3.
- the primary portion 20c of the cushioning medium passage 20 is formed in the direction parallel to the lengthwise direction of the cushioning medium storage portion 30. It is the cushioning medium passage for guiding air in the lengthwise direction of the cushioning medium storage portion, and is less in width than the check valves 4a and 4b. It is formed by the welded areas 12a1, 12a2, 12a6, and 12a10, and welding areas 12b1, 12b2, 12b6, and 12b10, respectively. Further, the wide portions 20a are formed of the portions 12a3 - 12a5, and portions 12a7 - 12a9, of the welded portion 12a, which extend in the direction intersectional to the lengthwise direction of the cushioning medium storage portion 3.
- the wide portions 20b are formed of the portions 12a3 - 12b5, and portions 12b7 - 12b9, of the welded portion 12b, which extend in the direction intersectional to the lengthwise direction of the cushioning medium storage portion 3.
- the presence of these wide portions 20a and 20b ensures that the check valves 4a and 4b remain airtightly in contact with each other even after the entering of air into the cushioning medium storage portion 3, preventing thereby the air from flowing backward.
- Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the cushioning medium storage portion 103 of a comparative packaging material, the cushioning medium passage of which does not have the wide portions.
- the films 101 and 102 become arcuate in such a manner that the films 102 and 101 are smallest and largest, respectively, in curvature, as shown in Figure 6 .
- the top and bottom valves 104a and 104b are welded in advance while the film 102 is flat, as described above.
- the portions 104a1 and 104b1 of the top and bottom check valves 104a and 104b, respectively, are made loose from the film 102 and bend inward of the cushioning medium storage portion 3.
- the state of contact between the top and bottom check valves 104a and 104b becomes less airtight.
- the packaging material in this embodiment is provided with welded portions 12a3, 12a5, 12a7, 12a9, 12b3, 12b5, 12b7, and 12b9.
- the provision of the abovementioned welded portions, which extend in the direction intersectional to the lengthwise direction of the cushioning medium storage portion 3 generates such a force that works in the direction intersectional to the lengthwise direction of the cushioning medium storage 3, that is, the direction to extend the top and bottom check valves 4a and 4b in the direction intersectional to the lengthwise direction of the cushioning medium storage 3.
- the top and bottom check valves 4a and 4b are not made loose like the portions 104a1 and 104b1 of the top and bottom check valves 104a and 104b of the comparative packaging material ( Figure 6 ) as shown in Figure 5 . Therefore, it is ensured that the top and bottom check valves 4a and 4b remain airtightly in contact with each other.
- the cushioning medium passage 20 is provided with two wide portions 20a and 20b on each side of the primary portion 20c. However, the wide portion count on each side may be only one. Further, there is a regulating portion 12c on the downstream side of the outlet 20c1 of the primary portion 20c of the cushioning medium passage 20.
- the regulating portion 12c turns the air low so that the air flows in the widthwise direction of the cushioning medium storage portion 3. It is also formed by welding in advance the top and bottom check valves 4a and 4b to the film 2.
- the regulating portion 12c which is formed by welding, also extends in the direction intersectional to the lengthwise direction of the cushioning medium storage portion 3. Therefore, it also functions to ensure that the top and bottom check valves 4a and 4b remain airtightly in contact with each other.
- the regulating portion 12c being structured as described above, as the external air introduced through the air entrance 5 is smoothly filled into the cushioning medium storage portion 3; the provision of the regulating portion 12c does not interfere with the efficiency with which the external air is introduced into the cushioning medium storage portion 3.
- the regulating portion 12c changes the direction of the air flow on the downstream side of the outlet 20c1 of the primary portion 20c of the cushioning medium passage 20 so that the air flows in the widthwise direction of the cushioning medium storage portion 30, it improves the check valves 4 in terms of the prevention of the back flow of the air from the cushioning medium storage portion 3.
- an electrophotographic image forming apparatus is an apparatus for forming an image on recording medium, with the use of an electrophotographic image forming method.
- the examples of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus include an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (laser beam printer, LED printer, etc., for example), a facsimile apparatus, a wordprocessor, etc.
- a process cartridge is a cartridge in which at least one processing means among a charging means, a developing means, and a cleaning means, and an electrophotographic photosensitive member, are integrally disposed, and which is removably mountable in the main assembly of an image forming apparatus.
- the packaging material S1 that is, a piece of packaging material S, which is wide enough to completely wrap (package) a process cartridge 35 (which will be described later), is cut away from a long roll of packaging material S, which is made up of multiple packaging units having the above described cushioning medium storage portion, check valve 4, and cushioning medium (air) entrance 5.
- a pair of scissors K1 is used to cut the packaging material S to obtain the packaging material S1 with a proper width.
- a cutter, or a cutting apparatus dedicated to the cutting of the packaging material S may be used to cut the packaging material S.
- metallic rod K2 in the center of the roll of packaging material S, making it easier to unroll the roll of packaging material S by a necessary length, and also, to cut the packaging material S. Moreover, the presence of the metallic rod K2 makes it easier to set the roll of packaging material S in a preset position of the automatic cutting machine or the like, to cut the packaging material S.
- the packaging material S1 After the cutting of the packaging material S1 away from the roll of the packaging material S, the packaging material S1 is folded in half roughly at the center line in terms of the lengthwise direction of the cushioning medium storage portion 3 so that the rear end portion 53 of the cushioning medium storage portion 3, in terms of the lengthwise direction of the cushioning medium storage portion 3, is placed in the position shown in Figure 8 .
- the top and bottom layers of the folded packaging material S1 are thermally welded together along both edges (welding areas 12 and 13) in terms of the direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the cushioning medium storage portion 3, as shown in Figure 9 .
- the packaging material S1 becomes a pouch, which is open at one of its lengthwise ends.
- the welding areas 12 and 13 extend in the lengthwise direction of the cushioning medium storage portion 3.
- the cartridge 35 which is the object to be packaged, is to be inserted into the pouch through an opening with which one of the lengthwise end of the pouch is provided. That is, the cartridge 35 is inserted so that its lengthwise direction matches the lengthwise direction of the cushioning medium storage portion 3.
- the opening 18 is sealed by thermally welding the top and bottom layers of the packaging material S1 across the welding area 14, as shown in Figure 23 , to prevent the cartridge 35 from popping out of the pouch during the cartridge shipment.
- the location of the welding area 14 is to be selected so that its position overlaps with the sealing portion 4a1, which was described referring to Figure 2 .
- Welding the top and bottom layers of the packaging material S1 so that the welding seam runs across the sealing portion 4a1 makes it possible to inject the cushioning medium into the cushioning medium storage portion 3 even after the closing of the opening 18.
- the air which is the cushioning medium in this embodiment, is to be injected into all the cushioning medium storage portions 3 through the cushioning medium injection openings 11 of the cushioning medium (air) entrances 5; the air is introduced into each of the cushioning medium storage portions 3 through the corresponding check valve 4.
- the reason why the air is introduced after the placement of the cartridge 35 in the pouch made of the packaging material S1 is that the air introduction into each cushioning medium storage portion 3 inflates the cushioning medium storage portion 3, which in turn reduces the pouch in internal measurements, which in turn makes it virtually impossible to insert the cartridge 35 into the pouch.
- the cartridge 35 is securely held in the pouch.
- the cushioning medium may be nitrogen gas, oxygen gas, or the like. Nitrogen gas may be a good choice because nitrogen is large in molecular weight, being therefore unlikely to leak from the cushioning medium storage portion 3, which is made of plastic film or the like. Further, the cushioning medium may be a liquid or a fluid substance other than gaseous substances.
- the check valve 4 had two portions, that is, the top and bottom check valves 4a and 4b. In this embodiment, however, the check valve 4 has only one valve 4d.
- Figure 11 is a plan of one of the multiple cushioning units of packaging material S1, as seen from the direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the unit. It shows the central cushioning medium entrance 5 and corresponding cushioning medium storage portion 3.
- Figure 12 is a sectional view of one of the multiple cushioning units of packaging material S1, shown in Figure 11 , at Plane C-C in Figure 11 , after the introduction of the air into the unit.
- the film 2 has the check valve 4d, which was welded in advance to the film 2 by thermally melting the film 2 across welding areas 12a - 12c.
- the check valve 4d when the films 1 and 2 are welded to each other to create the packaging material S, the check valve 4d is welded to the film 2 across the welding area 10, in the cushioning medium entrance 5.
- the check valve 4d has a sealing portion 4d1 made up of a material which does not melt even at the temperature level at which the films 1 and 2 are thermally welded to each other across the welding areas 8 and 9.
- the sealing portion 4d1 is coated or printed on the check valve 4d. Therefore, even if heat is applied to the films 1 and 2 across the welding area 10, it does not occur that the check valve 4d and film 2 becomes welded to each other.
- the welding areas 12a - 12c, across which the check valve 4d is thermally welded to the film 2 are the same in shape as those in the first preferred embodiment.
- a passage 20 for introducing the air into the cushioning medium storage portion 3 is formed between the check valve 4d and film 2.
- the width of this passage 20 is obviously less than that of the cushioning medium storage portion 3, and is formed between the check valve 4d and the film 2.
- Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of the cushioning medium storage portion 203 of a comparative packaging material, the cushioning medium passage portion of which has no wide portion.
- the films 201 and 202 are arcuately bent as shown in Figure 14 , in such a manner that the film 202 and check valve 204d become smallest and largest, respectively, in curvature.
- the check valve 204d is welded in advance when the film 202 is flat, as described before. Therefore, as the cushioning medium storage portion 203 is filled with the air, the check valve 204d is made to loosely bent inward of the cushioning medium storage portion 203 across its portion 204d1. As a result, the check valve 204d fails to remain airtightly in contact with the film 202.
- the films 1 and 2 in this embodiment are welded to each other across the welding areas 12a3, 12a5, 12a7, 12a9, 12b3, and 12b5, 12b7, and 12b9 of each of the cushioning units of the cushioning material, as the films 1 and 2 in the first preferred embodiment are welded to each other as shown in Figure 4 .
- the provision of the welded portions which extend in the direction intersectional to the lengthwise direction of the cushioning medium storage portion 3 generates such a force that works in the direction to extend the check valve 4 in the direction intersectional to the lengthwise direction of the cushioning medium storage portion 3.
- the provision of the welded portions can keep the interface between the check valve 4 and film 2 airtightly sealed as shown in Figure 13 ; it prevents the formation of loose portions, such as those formed in the case of the comparative example as shown in Figure 14 . In other words, it keeps the check valve 4d and film 2 airtightly in contact with each other.
- the other structural features and effects are the same as those of the packaging material in the first preferred embodiment.
- each cushioning unit is provided with two cushioning medium passages 21 and 22.
- the patterns of the welding areas 24a - 24c across which the check valve 4e is thermally welded to the film 2 are such that each cushioning unit is provided with the two cushioning medium passages 21 and 22, which are positioned side by side.
- the central welding area 24b is integration of the welding areas 12a and 12b in the first preferred embodiment, and is shaped as such.
- the primary portion 21c of the passage 21 is created by welded portions 24a1, 24a2, 24a6, and 24a10, and welded portions 24b1, 24b2, 24b6, and 24b10.
- the primary portion 22c of the passage 22 is created by welded portions 24c1, 24c2, 24c6, and 24c10, and welded portions 24b1, 24b2, 24b6, and 24b10.
- the welding area 24a is made up of portions 24a3 - 24a5, and portions 24a7 - 24a9
- the welding area 24b is made up of portions 24b3 - 24b5, and portions 24b7 - 24b9.
- the welding area 24c is made up of portions 24c3 - 24c5, and portions 24c7 - 24c9, and the welding area 24b is provided with portions 24b3 - 24b5, and portions 24b7 - 24b9.
- the check valve 4e is welded across the areas 23c1 and 23c2, which are on the downstream end sides of the primary portion 21c and 22c, respectively, creating a pair of cushioning medium flow regulating portions 23c1 and 23c2.
- the provision of two cushioning medium passages 21 and 22 improves each cushioning unit in cushioning medium injection efficiency.
- the number of the cushioning medium passages does not need to be limited to two; it may be three or more.
- Figure 17 is a plan of one of the multiple cushioning units of the packaging material, as seen from above.
- Figure 18 is a sectional view of one of the multiple cushioning units of the packaging material, which is inflated with air, at Plane H-H in Figure 17 .
- Figure 19 is a sectional view of one of the multiple cushioning units of the packaging material, which is inflated with air, at Plane G-G in Figure 17 .
- check valve in this preferred embodiment is made up of a top check valve 4f and a bottom check valve 4g is the same as the check valve in the first preferred embodiment is made up of the top and bottom check valves 4a and 4b.
- the manner in which the top and bottom check valves 4f and 4g are thermally welded in advance to the film 2 across the welding areas 12a - 12c of the cushioning medium storage portion 3 is the same as the manner in which the top and bottom check valves 4a and 4b are thermally welded to the film 2 in the first preferred embodiment.
- the fourth preferred embodiment is different from the first preferred embodiment only in that the packaging material in the fourth embodiment is not provided with a cushioning medium entrance passage, and that the top and bottom check valves 4f and 4g themselves have the function of the cushioning medium entrances. That is, the top and bottom check valves 4f and 4g are welded to the film 2 not only across the welding areas 34a - 34c, but also, across the welding areas 34d - 34e, being thereby provided with a cushioning medium (air) injection opening 34g. Thus, the air is directly injected into the top and bottom check valves 4g and 4g. Therefore, the packaging material in this embodiment is superior in cushioning medium injection efficiency to those in the preceding embodiments.
- the shape of the cushioning medium (air) passage 34f is the same as that in the first embodiment.
- the fifth preferred embodiment is different from the preceding embodiments in the shape of the cushioning medium passage.
- the various shapes for the cushioning medium passage in the fifth embodiments are shown in Figures 20 - 22 .
- each of the primary portions 25d - 32d of cushioning medium passages 25 - 32, respectively, is made parallel to the lengthwise direction of the cushioning medium storage portion 3. It is the passage formed between two check valves, or between a check valve and film 2, to guide the air in the lengthwise direction of the cushioning medium storage portion 3.
- Each of the cushioning medium passages 25 - 32 in this embodiment is provided with portions wider than the primary portions 25d - 32d.
- the check valve is welded to the film 2 across the welding areas, which extend in the directions intersectional to the lengthwise direction of the cushioning medium storage portion 3.
- cushioning medium flow regulating portions 25c - 32c for causing the air to flow in the widthwise direction of the cushioning medium storage portion 3 are provided on the downstream side of the outlet of the primary portions 25d - 32d.
- These cushioning medium flow regulating portions 25c - 32c are also formed by welding the check valve, or check valves, to the film 2. They are also provided with the portions which extend in the direction intersectional to the lengthwise direction of the cushioning medium storage portion.
- a process cartridge packaging material which is different from conventional process cartridge packaging materials in the pattern in which a check valve is welded to each of its cushioning medium storage portions, and also, is superior to conventional process cartridge packaging materials, in the efficiency with which cushioning medium can be injected into the cushioning medium storage portions.
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Description
- The present invention relates to a packaging material for wrapping an object for shipment. More specifically, it relates to a packaging material having a check valve which allows cushioning medium to flow into the cushioning medium storage portions of the packaging material, but prevents the cushioning medium from flowing backward from the cushioning medium storage portions.
- There have been designed various packaging materials, the cushioning medium storage portions of which are formed by welding together two or more flexible sheets. There have also been designed various check valves for these packaging materials. Some of these check valves are designed so that they allow the cushioning medium to flow into the cushioning medium storage portions, but, do not allow the cushioning medium to flow backward from the cushioning medium storage portions.
(JP H11-216784A) - The conventional check valves, such as those described above, are provided with a means for making complicated or narrow the passage, or passages, of the check valve to prevent the cushioning medium from flowing backward from the cushioning medium storage portion. Thus, these check valves are problematic in that they are low in the efficiency with which the cushioning medium is injected into the cushioning medium storage portions. As one of the means for preventing the provision of a check valve from losing the efficiency is to increase a check valve in size, and also, to increase in length. This means is problematic in that the employment of this means results in increase in the amount of the check valve material, which results in increase in the check valve cost.
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US 2008/121307 A1 shows a packing member comprising a medium accommodating portion (air chamber), a non-return valve (air valve) comprised of two inner films, an air inlet, an air passageway and a plurality of cut holes. The cut holes may be connected with the air passageway by means of branch passageways. The air passageway acting as a flow path comprises a lower portion having a smaller width than an upper portion of the air passageway. -
US 2008/080792 A1 shows a packing member having an air passageway acting as a flow path and comprising an expanded flow path portion which has a width larger than that portion at an entrance or at an outlet of said expanded flow path portion. -
US 2007/065047 A1 shows a packing member comprising a conical flow path portion and an expanded flow path portion at an end part of the conical flow path portion, which has a width larger than that of the conical flow path portion. - It is an object of the present invention to provide a packing member and a packing material for preventing slackness of a non-return valve within the packing member/material and assuring its tight contact to the member/material in order to surely prevent reverse flow of medium within the packing member/material.
- The object of the present invention is achieved by a packing member and a packing material having the features of independent claims.
- Advantageous further developments according to the present invention are defined in the dependent claims.
- It is an advantage of the present invention to provide a process cartridge packaging material, which is different from conventional process cartridge packaging materials in the pattern in which a check valve is welded to each of its cushioning medium storage portions, and also, which is superior to conventional process cartridge packaging materials, in the efficiency with which cushioning medium can be injected into the cushioning medium storage portions.
- The above and other features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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Figure 1 is a plan of a piece of packaging material in the first preferred embodiments of the present invention. -
Figure 2 is a sectional view of one of the cushioning units of the packaging material in the first preferred embodiment. -
Figure 3 is a plan of one of the cushioning units of the packaging material in the first preferred embodiment. -
Figure 4 is a plan of the cushioning medium passage of one of the cushioning units of the packaging material in the first preferred embodiment. -
Figure 5 is a sectional view of one of the cushioning medium storage portions of the packaging material in the first preferred embodiment. -
Figure 6 is a sectional view of one of the cushioning medium storage portions of a comparative packaging material. -
Figure 7 is a perspective view of a roll of packaging material in the first preferred embodiment, which is on a metallic rod K2. -
Figure 8 is a perspective view of a folded piece of packaging material in the first preferred embodiment, showing the method for wrapping a cartridge with the packaging material. -
Figure 9 is a plan of the folded piece of packaging material in the first preferred embodiment, showing the method for wrapping a cartridge with the packaging material. -
Figure 10 is perspective view of the folded piece of packaging material in the first preferred embodiment, showing the method for wrapping a cartridge with the packaging material. -
Figure 11 is a plan of one of the cushioning units of the packaging material in the first preferred embodiment. -
Figure 12 is a sectional view of one of the cushioning units of the packaging material in the first preferred embodiment. -
Figure 13 is a sectional view of one of the cushioning medium storage portions of the packaging material in the first preferred embodiment. -
Figure 14 is a sectional view of one of the cushioning medium storage portions of the comparative packaging material. -
Figure 15 is a plan of one of the cushioning medium storage portions of the packaging material in the third preferred embodiments. -
Figure 16 is a plan of the cushioning medium passage of one of the cushioning units of the packaging material in the third preferred embodiment. -
Figure 17 is a plan of the packaging portion proper of the packaging material in the fourth preferred embodiment. -
Figure 18 is a sectional view of one of the cushioning units of the packaging material in the fourth preferred embodiment. -
Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view of the cushioning medium storage portion of one of the cushioning units of the packaging material in the fourth preferred embodiment. -
Figures 20(a) - 20(c) are plans of the cushioning medium passage of the check valve of the cushioning units of the packaging material in the fifth preferred embodiment. -
Figures 21(a) and 21(b) are plans of the cushioning medium passage of the check valve of one of the cushioning units of the packaging material in the fifth preferred embodiment. -
Figures 22(a) and 22(b) are plans of the cushioning medium passage of the check valve of one of the cushioning units of the packaging material in the fifth embodiment. -
Figure 23 is a perspective view of the sealed packaging material in accordance with the present invention, which contains a cartridge. -
Figure 24 is a perspective view of the sealed packaging material in accordance with the present invention, which contains a cartridge. - Referring to
Figures 1 and2 , a packaging material S1 in this embodiment is made up of twopieces areas films films medium storage portions 3, which are placed side by side. Each cushioningmedium storage portion 3 is enabled to store cushioning medium, which in this embodiment is air. It is formed by welding the twoflexible films 1 and 2 (which hereafter will be referred to simply asfilms 1 and 2) across thewelding areas medium storage portion 3 is separated from the next cushioning medium storage portions by thewelding areas 9. One of the lengthwise ends of the packaging material S1 is provided with multiplecushioning medium entrances 5 for guiding the external air into each of the multiple cushioningmedium storage portions 3 to inflate the cushioningmedium storage portions 3. Further, the outward end of each of the cushioning medium (air)entrance 5 is provided with an air injection opening 11. Eachair entrance 5 is separated from the next ones by thewelding areas 7. Thewelding areas 9 are roughly parallel to the lengthwise direction of the cushioningmedium storage portion 3, whereas thewelding areas medium storage portion 3. Thewelding area 6 is on the opposite lengthwise end of the packaging material S1 from where theabovementioned air entrances 5 are present. Thefilms - The first lengthwise end of each cushioning
medium storage portion 3 is provided with acheck valve 4, which is positioned across the border between the cushioningmedium storage portion 3 and the correspondingcushioning medium entrance 5. Thischeck valve 4 is for allowing the air to pass only in the direction to enter the cushioningmedium storage portion 3. That is, once the air is introduced into the cushioningmedium storage portion 3, thecheck valve 4 utilizes the air pressure in the cushioningmedium storage portion 3 to prevent the air in the cushioningmedium storage portion 3 from flowing backward, that is, toward theair entrance 5, as shown inFigure 2 , which is a sectional view of one of the cushioning units of the packaging material S1, at Line B-B inFigure 1 .Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the combination of the cushioningmedium storage portion 3 andcorresponding air entrance 5. - The details of the structure of the
check valve 4 are as shown inFigures 2 and 3 . Thecheck valve 4 is manufactured through the following steps. To thefilm 2, the top andbottom check valves welding areas 12a - 12c. Incidentally, the top andbottom check valves - Referring again to
Figures 1 and2 , when thefilms top check valve 4a is attached to the air entrance portion (5) of thefilm 1 by thewelding area 10, whereas thebottom check valve 4b is attached to thefilm 2 by thewelding area 10. Thetop check valve 4a is provided with a seal portion 4a1, which is coated or printed on thetop check valve 4a. The seal portion 4a1 is formed of a material which does not melt at the temperature level at which the twofilms welding areas films welding area 10, it does not occur that the top andbottom check valves welding areas 8, which is the border area between theair entrance 5 and cushioningmedium storage portion 3, the portions of the top andbottom check valves medium storage portion 3 through theair entrance 5, remains secured. Incidentally, the sealing portion 4a1 may be coated or printed on thebottom check valve 4b instead of thetop check valve 4a. Even if the sealing portion 4a1 is attached to thebottom check valve 4b, its functions and performance remains the same. - The lengthwise direction of the cushioning
medium storage portion 3 is roughly the same as the direction in which the air passes through thecheck valve 4, enabling therefore the air to be efficiently introduced into the cushioningmedium storage portion 3. - Next, referring to
Figure 1 , the width W1 of each of theair injection openings 11 is narrower than the width W2 of the border area (connective area) between the cushioningmedium storage portion 3 andair entrance 5. Further, the multipleair injection openings 11 are positioned so that there is virtually no gap between the adjacent twoair injection openings 11, making it possible to reduce in size the air injecting portion of an air injecting apparatus (unshown) for injecting the air into all theair injection openings 11 at the same time. Further, the direction in which the cushioning medium passes through thecheck valve 4 toward the cushioningmedium storage portion 3 is made roughly the same as the direction in which the cushioning medium is introduced through the air injection openings. Therefore, the air is efficiently introduced into the cushioningmedium storage portion 3. Further, because of the above-described structural arrangement, thewelding area 7 between the adjacent twoair injection openings 11 is tilted, relative to the lengthwise direction of the cushioning medium storage portion, from the border area between the cushioningmedium storage portion 3 and thecorresponding air entrance 5 toward the centralair injection opening 11. - Here, the
welding areas 12a - 12c, across which the top andbottom check valves film 2 will be described regarding their shapes. - Referring to
Figure 4 , a cushioning medium (air)passage 20 for introducing air into the cushioningmedium storage portion 3 is formed by thermally welding the top andbottom check valves film 2 across thewelding areas 12a - 12c. Obviously, the width of the cushioning medium (air)passage 20 is less than the width of thecheck valves Figure 5 , the cushioning medium (air)passage 20 is formed between the top andbottom check valves passage 20 is less than that of the cushioningmedium storage portion 3. That is, as air passes through the cushioning medium (air)passage 20, thetop check valve 4a becomes shaped as drawn with double-dot chain lines inFigure 5 , which is a sectional view of one of the multiple cushioning units, at Plane A-A inFigure 3 . Referring toFigure 4 , the cushioning medium (air)passage 20 has aprimary portion 20c, andwide portions wide portions primary portion 20c in the direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the cushioningmedium storage portion 3. - The
primary portion 20c of thecushioning medium passage 20 is formed in the direction parallel to the lengthwise direction of the cushioning medium storage portion 30. It is the cushioning medium passage for guiding air in the lengthwise direction of the cushioning medium storage portion, and is less in width than thecheck valves wide portions 20a are formed of the portions 12a3 - 12a5, and portions 12a7 - 12a9, of the weldedportion 12a, which extend in the direction intersectional to the lengthwise direction of the cushioningmedium storage portion 3. Further, thewide portions 20b are formed of the portions 12a3 - 12b5, and portions 12b7 - 12b9, of the weldedportion 12b, which extend in the direction intersectional to the lengthwise direction of the cushioningmedium storage portion 3. The presence of thesewide portions check valves medium storage portion 3, preventing thereby the air from flowing backward. -
Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the cushioningmedium storage portion 103 of a comparative packaging material, the cushioning medium passage of which does not have the wide portions. As the cushioningmedium storage portion 103 is filled with air, thefilms films Figure 6 . However, the top andbottom valves film 102 is flat, as described above. Thus, as the cushioningmedium storage portion 3 is filled with air, the portions 104a1 and 104b1 of the top andbottom check valves film 102 and bend inward of the cushioningmedium storage portion 3. As a result, the state of contact between the top andbottom check valves - Referring to
Figure 4 , in order to prevent the occurrence of the above-described problem, the packaging material in this embodiment is provided with welded portions 12a3, 12a5, 12a7, 12a9, 12b3, 12b5, 12b7, and 12b9. The provision of the abovementioned welded portions, which extend in the direction intersectional to the lengthwise direction of the cushioningmedium storage portion 3 generates such a force that works in the direction intersectional to the lengthwise direction of the cushioningmedium storage 3, that is, the direction to extend the top andbottom check valves medium storage 3. Therefore, the top andbottom check valves bottom check valves Figure 6 ) as shown inFigure 5 . Therefore, it is ensured that the top andbottom check valves medium passage 20 is provided with twowide portions primary portion 20c. However, the wide portion count on each side may be only one. Further, there is a regulatingportion 12c on the downstream side of the outlet 20c1 of theprimary portion 20c of thecushioning medium passage 20. The regulatingportion 12c turns the air low so that the air flows in the widthwise direction of the cushioningmedium storage portion 3. It is also formed by welding in advance the top andbottom check valves film 2. The regulatingportion 12c, which is formed by welding, also extends in the direction intersectional to the lengthwise direction of the cushioningmedium storage portion 3. Therefore, it also functions to ensure that the top andbottom check valves portion 12c being structured as described above, as the external air introduced through theair entrance 5 is smoothly filled into the cushioningmedium storage portion 3; the provision of the regulatingportion 12c does not interfere with the efficiency with which the external air is introduced into the cushioningmedium storage portion 3. Further, since the regulatingportion 12c changes the direction of the air flow on the downstream side of the outlet 20c1 of theprimary portion 20c of thecushioning medium passage 20 so that the air flows in the widthwise direction of the cushioning medium storage portion 30, it improves thecheck valves 4 in terms of the prevention of the back flow of the air from the cushioningmedium storage portion 3. - Hereafter, referring to
Figures 7 - 13 , the method for wrapping a process cartridge, which is removably mountable in the main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, with the packaging material S will be described. Here, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus is an apparatus for forming an image on recording medium, with the use of an electrophotographic image forming method. The examples of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus include an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (laser beam printer, LED printer, etc., for example), a facsimile apparatus, a wordprocessor, etc. A process cartridge is a cartridge in which at least one processing means among a charging means, a developing means, and a cleaning means, and an electrophotographic photosensitive member, are integrally disposed, and which is removably mountable in the main assembly of an image forming apparatus. - The packaging material S1, that is, a piece of packaging material S, which is wide enough to completely wrap (package) a process cartridge 35 (which will be described later), is cut away from a long roll of packaging material S, which is made up of multiple packaging units having the above described cushioning medium storage portion,
check valve 4, and cushioning medium (air)entrance 5. In the case of the packaging material S in this embodiment, a pair of scissors K1 is used to cut the packaging material S to obtain the packaging material S1 with a proper width. However, a cutter, or a cutting apparatus dedicated to the cutting of the packaging material S, may be used to cut the packaging material S. There is a metallic rod K2 in the center of the roll of packaging material S, making it easier to unroll the roll of packaging material S by a necessary length, and also, to cut the packaging material S. Moreover, the presence of the metallic rod K2 makes it easier to set the roll of packaging material S in a preset position of the automatic cutting machine or the like, to cut the packaging material S. - After the cutting of the packaging material S1 away from the roll of the packaging material S, the packaging material S1 is folded in half roughly at the center line in terms of the lengthwise direction of the cushioning
medium storage portion 3 so that therear end portion 53 of the cushioningmedium storage portion 3, in terms of the lengthwise direction of the cushioningmedium storage portion 3, is placed in the position shown inFigure 8 . - Then, the top and bottom layers of the folded packaging material S1 are thermally welded together along both edges (
welding areas 12 and 13) in terms of the direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the cushioningmedium storage portion 3, as shown inFigure 9 . As a result, the packaging material S1 becomes a pouch, which is open at one of its lengthwise ends. Thewelding areas medium storage portion 3. - Referring to
Figure 10 , thecartridge 35, which is the object to be packaged, is to be inserted into the pouch through an opening with which one of the lengthwise end of the pouch is provided. That is, thecartridge 35 is inserted so that its lengthwise direction matches the lengthwise direction of the cushioningmedium storage portion 3. - Then, the
opening 18 is sealed by thermally welding the top and bottom layers of the packaging material S1 across thewelding area 14, as shown inFigure 23 , to prevent thecartridge 35 from popping out of the pouch during the cartridge shipment. The location of thewelding area 14 is to be selected so that its position overlaps with the sealing portion 4a1, which was described referring toFigure 2 . Welding the top and bottom layers of the packaging material S1 so that the welding seam runs across the sealing portion 4a1 makes it possible to inject the cushioning medium into the cushioningmedium storage portion 3 even after the closing of theopening 18. - Thereafter, the air, which is the cushioning medium in this embodiment, is to be injected into all the cushioning
medium storage portions 3 through the cushioningmedium injection openings 11 of the cushioning medium (air) entrances 5; the air is introduced into each of the cushioningmedium storage portions 3 through thecorresponding check valve 4. The reason why the air is introduced after the placement of thecartridge 35 in the pouch made of the packaging material S1 is that the air introduction into each cushioningmedium storage portion 3 inflates the cushioningmedium storage portion 3, which in turn reduces the pouch in internal measurements, which in turn makes it virtually impossible to insert thecartridge 35 into the pouch. In other words, by injecting the air into the cushioningmedium storage portions 3 after the insertion of thecartridge 35 into the pouch, thecartridge 35 is securely held in the pouch. Incidentally, in this embodiment, it is air that is introduced as the cushioning medium into the cushioningmedium storage portions 3. However, the cushioning medium selection does not need to be limited to the air. That is, the cushioning medium may be nitrogen gas, oxygen gas, or the like. Nitrogen gas may be a good choice because nitrogen is large in molecular weight, being therefore unlikely to leak from the cushioningmedium storage portion 3, which is made of plastic film or the like. Further, the cushioning medium may be a liquid or a fluid substance other than gaseous substances. - Next, referring to
Figure 24 , lastly, the cushioning medium (air) entrances 5 and cushioningmedium storage portions 3 are to be completely sealed by welding shut the cushioning medium injection opening 11 (Figures 11 and19 ) across thewelding area 15. - In the first preferred embodiment, the
check valve 4 had two portions, that is, the top andbottom check valves check valve 4 has only onevalve 4d. -
Figure 11 is a plan of one of the multiple cushioning units of packaging material S1, as seen from the direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the unit. It shows the central cushioningmedium entrance 5 and corresponding cushioningmedium storage portion 3.Figure 12 is a sectional view of one of the multiple cushioning units of packaging material S1, shown inFigure 11 , at Plane C-C inFigure 11 , after the introduction of the air into the unit. - Referring to
Figure 11 , thefilm 2 has thecheck valve 4d, which was welded in advance to thefilm 2 by thermally melting thefilm 2 acrosswelding areas 12a - 12c. - More specifically, referring to
Figures 11 and 12 , when thefilms check valve 4d is welded to thefilm 2 across thewelding area 10, in the cushioningmedium entrance 5. Thecheck valve 4d has a sealing portion 4d1 made up of a material which does not melt even at the temperature level at which thefilms welding areas check valve 4d. Therefore, even if heat is applied to thefilms welding area 10, it does not occur that thecheck valve 4d andfilm 2 becomes welded to each other. Further, even across thewelding area 8, which is the border between the cushioning medium (air)entrance 5 and cushioningmedium storage portion 3, it does not occur that thecheck valve 4d becomes welded to thefilm 2, making it possible to secure a passage P2 through which the air is allowed to enter the cushioningmedium storage portion 3 from the cushioning medium (air)entrance 5. This sealing portion 4d1 does not need to be a part of thecheck valve 4d; it may be coated or printed on thefilm 2. Even if the sealing portion 4d1 is made as a part of thefilm 2, its functions remain the same. - The
welding areas 12a - 12c, across which thecheck valve 4d is thermally welded to thefilm 2 are the same in shape as those in the first preferred embodiment. As thecheck valve 4d is thermally welded to thefilm 2 across thewelding areas 12a - 12c, apassage 20 for introducing the air into the cushioningmedium storage portion 3 is formed between thecheck valve 4d andfilm 2. Referring toFigure 13 , the width of thispassage 20 is obviously less than that of the cushioningmedium storage portion 3, and is formed between thecheck valve 4d and thefilm 2. That is, when the air passes through thepassage 20, thecheck valve 4d becomes shaped as indicated by a pair of double-dot chain lines as shown inFigure 13 , which is a cross-sectional view of the single cushioning unit, at Plane D-D inFigure 11 . -
Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of the cushioningmedium storage portion 203 of a comparative packaging material, the cushioning medium passage portion of which has no wide portion. As the cushioningmedium storage portion 203 is filled with the air, thefilms Figure 14 , in such a manner that thefilm 202 andcheck valve 204d become smallest and largest, respectively, in curvature. However, thecheck valve 204d is welded in advance when thefilm 202 is flat, as described before. Therefore, as the cushioningmedium storage portion 203 is filled with the air, thecheck valve 204d is made to loosely bent inward of the cushioningmedium storage portion 203 across its portion 204d1. As a result, thecheck valve 204d fails to remain airtightly in contact with thefilm 202. - In order to prevent the occurrence of this problem, the
films films Figure 4 . The provision of the welded portions which extend in the direction intersectional to the lengthwise direction of the cushioningmedium storage portion 3 generates such a force that works in the direction to extend thecheck valve 4 in the direction intersectional to the lengthwise direction of the cushioningmedium storage portion 3. Thus, the provision of the welded portions can keep the interface between thecheck valve 4 andfilm 2 airtightly sealed as shown inFigure 13 ; it prevents the formation of loose portions, such as those formed in the case of the comparative example as shown inFigure 14 . In other words, it keeps thecheck valve 4d andfilm 2 airtightly in contact with each other. The other structural features and effects are the same as those of the packaging material in the first preferred embodiment. - In the first preferred embodiment, there was only one
cushioning medium passage 20. The third preferred embodiment is characterized in that each cushioning unit is provided with two cushioningmedium passages Figures 15 and16 , the patterns of thewelding areas 24a - 24c across which thecheck valve 4e is thermally welded to thefilm 2 are such that each cushioning unit is provided with the two cushioningmedium passages central welding area 24b is integration of thewelding areas - To describe in more detail, the
primary portion 21c of thepassage 21 is created by welded portions 24a1, 24a2, 24a6, and 24a10, and welded portions 24b1, 24b2, 24b6, and 24b10. Theprimary portion 22c of thepassage 22 is created by welded portions 24c1, 24c2, 24c6, and 24c10, and welded portions 24b1, 24b2, 24b6, and 24b10. Thus, in order to form thiswide portion 21b of thepassage 21, thewelding area 24a is made up of portions 24a3 - 24a5, and portions 24a7 - 24a9, whereas thewelding area 24b is made up of portions 24b3 - 24b5, and portions 24b7 - 24b9. Further, in order to form thewide portions 22b of thepassage 22, thewelding area 24c is made up of portions 24c3 - 24c5, and portions 24c7 - 24c9, and thewelding area 24b is provided with portions 24b3 - 24b5, and portions 24b7 - 24b9. - Further, the
check valve 4e is welded across the areas 23c1 and 23c2, which are on the downstream end sides of theprimary portion medium passages - The other structural features of this embodiment of packaging material in accordance with the present invention are the same as those of the first preferred embodiment.
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Figure 17 is a plan of one of the multiple cushioning units of the packaging material, as seen from above.Figure 18 is a sectional view of one of the multiple cushioning units of the packaging material, which is inflated with air, at Plane H-H inFigure 17 .Figure 19 is a sectional view of one of the multiple cushioning units of the packaging material, which is inflated with air, at Plane G-G inFigure 17 . - The reason why the check valve in this preferred embodiment is made up of a
top check valve 4f and abottom check valve 4g is the same as the check valve in the first preferred embodiment is made up of the top andbottom check valves bottom check valves film 2 across thewelding areas 12a - 12c of the cushioningmedium storage portion 3 is the same as the manner in which the top andbottom check valves film 2 in the first preferred embodiment. - The fourth preferred embodiment is different from the first preferred embodiment only in that the packaging material in the fourth embodiment is not provided with a cushioning medium entrance passage, and that the top and
bottom check valves bottom check valves film 2 not only across thewelding areas 34a - 34c, but also, across thewelding areas 34d - 34e, being thereby provided with a cushioning medium (air)injection opening 34g. Thus, the air is directly injected into the top andbottom check valves - The shape of the cushioning medium (air)
passage 34f is the same as that in the first embodiment. - The fifth preferred embodiment is different from the preceding embodiments in the shape of the cushioning medium passage. The various shapes for the cushioning medium passage in the fifth embodiments are shown in
Figures 20 - 22 . Basically, each of theprimary portions 25d - 32d of cushioning medium passages 25 - 32, respectively, is made parallel to the lengthwise direction of the cushioningmedium storage portion 3. It is the passage formed between two check valves, or between a check valve andfilm 2, to guide the air in the lengthwise direction of the cushioningmedium storage portion 3. Each of the cushioning medium passages 25 - 32 in this embodiment is provided with portions wider than theprimary portions 25d - 32d. In order to form these wider portions, the check valve is welded to thefilm 2 across the welding areas, which extend in the directions intersectional to the lengthwise direction of the cushioningmedium storage portion 3. Further, cushioning mediumflow regulating portions 25c - 32c for causing the air to flow in the widthwise direction of the cushioningmedium storage portion 3 are provided on the downstream side of the outlet of theprimary portions 25d - 32d. These cushioning mediumflow regulating portions 25c - 32c are also formed by welding the check valve, or check valves, to thefilm 2. They are also provided with the portions which extend in the direction intersectional to the lengthwise direction of the cushioning medium storage portion. - When manufacturing the packaging material for a process cartridge by welding two pieces of film together, devising in pattern the area, or areas, of one of the films, across which the check valve, or check valves, are welded, can make it difficult for the cushioning medium to leak from the cushioning medium storage portion, and also, can make it easier for the cushioning medium to be injected into the cushioning medium storage portion. Further, it makes it simpler to form the check valve.
- According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a process cartridge packaging material, which is different from conventional process cartridge packaging materials in the pattern in which a check valve is welded to each of its cushioning medium storage portions, and also, is superior to conventional process cartridge packaging materials, in the efficiency with which cushioning medium can be injected into the cushioning medium storage portions.
- While the invention has been described with reference to the structures disclosed herein, it is not confined to the details set forth, and this application is intended to cover such modifications or changes as may come within the scope of the following claims.
Claims (12)
- A packing member (S1) for packing an article, said packing member (S1) comprising:a medium accommodating portion (3) accommodating a cushioning medium;a non-return valve (4) for passing the medium toward said medium accommodating portion (3) along a longitudinal direction of said medium accommodating portion (3) and for stopping the medium in an opposite direction away from said medium accommodating portion (3); anda flow path (20) for passing the medium, said flow path (20) being formed by welding said non-return valve (4) to said medium accommodating portion (3), with said flow path (20) having a width smaller than a width of said medium accommodating portion (3) as measured in a crossing direction which crosses with the longitudinal direction, and said flow path (20) including a reference flow path portion (20c) extending in the longitudinal direction and an expanded flow path portion (20a, 20b) formed of welded wide portions (12a3 - 12a5, 12a7 - 12a9, 12b3 - 12b5, 12b7 - 12b9) which extend in the crossing direction from said reference flow path portion (20c) so as to extend the flow path (20),wherein said reference flow path portion (20c) is provided with an inlet (5) for receiving the medium from outside of said medium accommodating portion (3) and an outlet (20c1) for supplying the medium into said medium accommodating portion (3), and said expanded flow path portion (20a, 20b) is disposed between said inlet (5) and said outlet (20c1) in the longitudinal direction.
- A packing member according to claim 1, further comprising a regulating portion (12c) provided downstream of said flow path (20) with respect to a flow direction toward said medium accommodating portion (3) and formed by welding said non-return valve (4) to said medium accommodating portion (3), said regulating portion (12) having a width larger than that of said outlet (20c1), said regulating portion (12) being effective to change a flow direction of the medium having passed through said flow path (20) to a widthwise direction of said medium accommodating portion (3).
- A packing member (S1) according to claim 1, wherein said non-return valve (4) includes two flexible sheets (4a, 4b) welded to said medium accommodating portion (3), and the medium is flowable between said two sheets (4a, 4b).
- A packing member (S1) according to claim 1, wherein said non-return valve (4) includes one flexible sheet (4a) welded to said medium accommodating portion (3), and the medium is flowable between said flexible sheet (4a) and said medium accommodating portion (3).
- A packing member (S1) according to claim 1, wherein expanded flow path portions (21a, 21b, 22a, 22b) are arranged in the crossing direction in said flow path (21, 22).
- A packing member (S1) according to claim 1, wherein expanded flow path portions (20a, 20b) are arranged in the longitudinal direction in said flow path (20).
- A packing member (S1) according to claim 1, wherein said flow path (20) is arranged in the crossing direction.
- A packaging material (S1), comprising:plastic films (1, 2) welded to form a plurality of medium storage portions (3);an air entrance portion (5) with an air injection opening (11) associated with each medium storage portion (3); anda check valve assembly positioned between each air entrance portion (5) and medium storage portion (3), withsaid check valve assembly including:a top check valve (4a) secured to the air entrance portion (5); anda bottom check valve (4b) secured to a plastic film (2) of a medium storage portion (3),with the top and bottom check valves (4a, 4b) forming an air passage (P1) for passing air into the medium storage portion (3) along a longitudinal direction of the medium storage portion (3) and for prohibiting air from flowing in an opposite direction out of the medium storage portion (3),said air passage (P1) having a width smaller than a width of the medium storing portion (3) in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction and having a reference flow path portion (20c) extending in the longitudinal direction and an expanded flow path portion (20a, 20b) formed of welded wide portions (12a3 - 12a5, 12a7 - 12a9, 12b3 - 12b5, 12b7 - 12b9) which extend in a direction transverse to the reference flow path portion (20c) so as to extend the air passage (P1), whereinsaid expanded flow path portion (20a, 20b) maintains airtight contact between the top and bottom check valves (4a, 4b) to prevent air from flowing out of the medium storing portion (3).
- A packing material (S1) according to claim 8, further comprising a regulating portion (12c) provided downstream of said flow path (20) with respect to a flow direction toward said medium accommodating portion (3), said regulating portion (12c) having a width larger than that of said outlet (20c), said regulating portion (12c) being effective to change a flow direction of the air having passed through said flow path (20) to a widthwise direction of said medium accommodating portion (3).
- A packing material (S1) according to claim 8, wherein expanded flow path portions (21a, 21b, 22a, 22b) are arranged in the crossing direction in said flow path (20).
- A packing material (S1) according to claim 8, wherein expanded flow path portions (20a, 20b) are arranged in the longitudinal direction in said flow path (20).
- A packing material (S1) according to claim 8, wherein said flow path (20) is arranged in the crossing direction.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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JP2008241019A JP2010070232A (en) | 2008-09-19 | 2008-09-19 | Packing member |
PCT/JP2009/066876 WO2010032883A1 (en) | 2008-09-19 | 2009-09-18 | Packing material |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP2340218A1 EP2340218A1 (en) | 2011-07-06 |
EP2340218B1 true EP2340218B1 (en) | 2015-01-14 |
Family
ID=41559585
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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EP09737478.9A Not-in-force EP2340218B1 (en) | 2008-09-19 | 2009-09-18 | Packing material |
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Country | Link |
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US (2) | US20100072103A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2340218B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2010070232A (en) |
CN (1) | CN102159470B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2010032883A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (19)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8201690B1 (en) * | 2010-06-04 | 2012-06-19 | Gess Larry C | End user filled protective packaging with self-sealing air bubbles |
US8215487B1 (en) * | 2010-10-30 | 2012-07-10 | Gess Larry C | Inflatable packaging with self-sealing air bubbles |
US8251216B1 (en) * | 2011-03-16 | 2012-08-28 | Yaw Shin Liao | Gas column structure for shockproof sleeve |
US20140130461A1 (en) * | 2011-06-22 | 2014-05-15 | Pronova Ab | Device for producing shock-absorbing inflatable package and method for filling it |
US8936156B1 (en) * | 2012-04-05 | 2015-01-20 | Inflatable Packaging, Inc. | Inflatable packaging cushion with product suspension pocket |
US8708145B2 (en) * | 2012-09-14 | 2014-04-29 | Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd. | Package cushioning structure for module |
WO2015106712A1 (en) * | 2014-01-19 | 2015-07-23 | 上海艾尔贝包装科技发展有限公司 | Packaging box with air buffering performance, and application thereof |
WO2015160861A1 (en) * | 2014-04-14 | 2015-10-22 | Pregis Innovative Packaging Llc | Bi-directional flexible structure with angled perforations |
US10011411B2 (en) * | 2015-01-16 | 2018-07-03 | Papier-Mettler Kg | Plastic pouch and plastic bag, in particular for online delivery trade |
KR101563191B1 (en) * | 2015-03-31 | 2015-10-26 | 주식회사 레코 | Shock-absorbing packs with multilayer air cells |
JP6186526B1 (en) * | 2016-05-25 | 2017-08-23 | 大日本パックェージ株式会社 | Air cushioning material with integrated check valve function |
JP7086950B2 (en) * | 2016-10-24 | 2022-06-20 | シールド・エアー・コーポレイション(ユーエス) | Inflatable pouch with reduced exterior distortion |
KR102665034B1 (en) * | 2016-10-27 | 2024-05-13 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Shock-absorbing packing material |
JP6985855B2 (en) * | 2017-08-30 | 2021-12-22 | 大王製紙株式会社 | Check valve |
WO2020018762A1 (en) * | 2018-07-20 | 2020-01-23 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Flexible shipping package |
US11897682B2 (en) * | 2020-03-13 | 2024-02-13 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Flexible package |
US11858713B2 (en) | 2020-10-30 | 2024-01-02 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Inflation feature for package, inflation rig assembly, and method of inflating |
US20230114889A1 (en) * | 2021-10-11 | 2023-04-13 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Shaped flexible shipping package and method of making |
USD986746S1 (en) * | 2021-10-27 | 2023-05-23 | Kunshan Airbag Packing Corp. | Air column packing bag |
Family Cites Families (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2934851B2 (en) | 1998-02-04 | 1999-08-16 | ダイワ包材株式会社 | Bag body with check valve |
JP2000218718A (en) * | 1999-02-01 | 2000-08-08 | Shinx Ltd | Continuous manufacturing device for bag with check valve |
JP3639834B2 (en) * | 2003-05-19 | 2005-04-20 | キヤノン株式会社 | Packing member, packing method using packing member, and manufacturing method of packing member |
US7445117B2 (en) * | 2005-09-19 | 2008-11-04 | Air-Paq, Inc. | Structure of air-packing device |
US7481252B2 (en) * | 2006-02-10 | 2009-01-27 | Air-Paq, Inc. | Structure of check valve for air-packing device |
US7568508B2 (en) * | 2006-05-10 | 2009-08-04 | Chian Hua Liao | Inflatable pneumatic bag and the manufacture method thereof |
TW200815249A (en) * | 2006-09-29 | 2008-04-01 | Yao-Sin Liao | Air enclosure with strengthened air-tightness function |
TW200819362A (en) * | 2006-10-20 | 2008-05-01 | Yao-Sin Liao | Multi-sectioned air seal body and reverse flow prevention valve device |
TW200823116A (en) * | 2006-11-17 | 2008-06-01 | Yao-Sin Liao | Air enclosure with independent double-layer air chambers |
TWM310867U (en) * | 2006-11-24 | 2007-05-01 | Yao-Sin Liao | Air-sealed body equipped with cut-hole type air check valve, and the cut-hole type air check valve |
TW200827253A (en) * | 2006-12-29 | 2008-07-01 | Chieh-Hua Liao | Block reinforced air enclosure and manufacture thereof |
TWM327855U (en) * | 2007-08-23 | 2008-03-01 | Chieh-Hua Liao | Air-sealing body structure of multi-stage gripping type |
-
2008
- 2008-09-19 JP JP2008241019A patent/JP2010070232A/en active Pending
-
2009
- 2009-09-18 WO PCT/JP2009/066876 patent/WO2010032883A1/en active Application Filing
- 2009-09-18 EP EP09737478.9A patent/EP2340218B1/en not_active Not-in-force
- 2009-09-18 US US12/562,356 patent/US20100072103A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2009-09-18 CN CN2009801358637A patent/CN102159470B/en active Active
-
2014
- 2014-07-23 US US14/338,441 patent/US20140326632A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP2340218A1 (en) | 2011-07-06 |
WO2010032883A1 (en) | 2010-03-25 |
US20100072103A1 (en) | 2010-03-25 |
CN102159470B (en) | 2013-01-02 |
US20140326632A1 (en) | 2014-11-06 |
CN102159470A (en) | 2011-08-17 |
JP2010070232A (en) | 2010-04-02 |
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