JPH11301741A - Product packaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve workability in packaging operation in a product packaging device of which both ends are fitted into indentation sections of a shock absorbing material and put into a packaging box to perform packaging operation. SOLUTION: Both ends of a toner cartridge 10 of product are put into indentations 17 to cover them and then shock absorbing members 13, 14 are fitted to these both ends. After this operation, each of protrusions 13a and 14a of these shock absorbing members 13, 14 is fitted to each of holes 19, 20, a connecting member 15 is brought over between these shock absorbing members. Each of other protrusions 13b, 14b of the shock absorbing member is fitted to each of holes 21, 22 and another connecting member 16 is bridged over between these shock absorbing members. After this operation, a hand hook section 15 at the intermediate part of one connecting member 15 is held by a hand and its entire assembly is put into a packaging box 12. The connecting members 15, 16 are made of card-board, for example.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a product packaging apparatus for packaging a product, for example, a toner cartridge used in a copying machine or the like, in a packaging box. In particular, the present invention relates to a product packaging apparatus for packaging a product by so-called side-packing, in which both ends are fitted and covered in concave portions of a cushioning material made of styrene foam or the like and placed in a packaging box.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a product packaging apparatus, in consideration of ease of handling and cost of a cushioning material at the time of packaging and unpacking, the cushioning material is covered not on the entire product but only on both ends. The product can be protected from external forces such as impact.

[0003] For example, as shown in FIG.
In the case of the toner cartridge shown in FIG. 5, the recesses 4 are formed in two cushioning members 2 and 3 made of styrene foam so that the ends of the toner cartridge 1 fit into the outer shape of the cushioning material.
To form Then, when packaging, the both end portions 1a of the toner cartridge 1 are fitted into the recesses 4 respectively, and then the toner cartridge 1 is put in a packaging box 5 made of a cardboard box and sealed.

[0004]

However, conventionally, in such a side pack system, when the product is put into a packaging box at the time of packaging, the end of the product and the cushioning material are loosely fitted. The cushioning material may easily come off the product.In such a case, it is necessary to put the product into the packaging box while holding the cushioning material by hand so that the cushioning material does not come off, and the workability of packaging is poor There was a problem.

[0005]

Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the toner cartridge 10 is provided in the recesses 17 of the cushioning members 13 and 14, respectively, as in the embodiment described with reference to the following drawings. A product packaging apparatus 1 for fitting both ends of such a product into a packaging box 12 for packaging.
1, wherein connecting members 15 and 16 are provided to bridge between the cushioning members 13 and 14 on both sides to connect them.

[0006] When packaging the product, both ends of the product are fitted into the recesses 17 of the cushioning materials 13 and 14, and the connecting members 15 and 16 are hung between the cushioning materials 13 and 14. Put in 12.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the product packaging apparatus according to the first aspect, as in an embodiment which will be described with reference to the following drawings, for example, the product packaging device is latched by fitting concave and convex portions on both sides. It is characterized in that the connection members 15 and 16 are stretched over the cushioning materials 13 and 14.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the product packaging apparatus according to the first aspect, for example, as in an embodiment described with reference to the following drawings, the connecting member 15 is provided with a handle 15a. , Characterized in that.

Then, the user puts his / her hand on the handle 15a and puts the product into or out of the packaging box 12.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a toner cartridge which is an example of a product, and components of a product packaging apparatus of the present invention for packaging the toner cartridge. In the drawing, reference numeral 10 denotes a toner cartridge, and reference numeral 11 denotes a product packaging apparatus.

The toner cartridge 10 is a product which contains toner therein and is attached to a developing device provided in a copying machine or the like and used for supplying toner.

The product packaging apparatus 11 includes a packaging box 12 made of, for example, a cardboard box, and left and right cushioning members 13 which are put into the packaging box 12 together with the toner cartridge 10.
14 and upper and lower connecting members 15 and 16.

The cushioning members 13 and 14 are formed in a square block shape using styrofoam, cardboard, or the like, and concave portions 17 are formed on the inner surfaces of the cushioning members 13 and 14 in accordance with the outer shape of the toner cartridge 10 so that the ends of the toner cartridges 10 enter the respective blocks. On the other hand, the projections 13a, 13b, 14
a and 14b are provided integrally.

The connecting members 15 and 16 are each made of a corrugated cardboard, hard paper, resin or the like into a long plate shape, and both ends are bent at right angles to form bent portions 15b and 16a. A central portion in the length direction is formed to be long and narrow, and a handle portion 15a is formed therein, and round holes 19 and 20 are provided in the bent portion 15b. The lower connecting member 16 is
The bent portion 16a is provided with round holes 21 and 22. Hole 19
22 are projections 13a, 13b, 14a, 14 respectively.
The hole diameter is slightly smaller than b.

The handle 15a is provided with a display 24 indicating "hand handle" on the front side, for example, by printing so that its use can be easily recognized.

When the toner cartridge 10 is packaged, both end portions thereof are fitted into the concave portions 17 of the cushioning members 13 and 14, respectively, and then the cushioning members 13 and 14 are placed on the connecting member 16. Then, the projections 13b and 14b are press-fitted into the holes 21 and 22, respectively, and the connecting member 16 is spanned between the cushioning members 13 and 14.

Further, the connecting member 15 is placed on the cushioning members 13 and 14, and the projections 13a and 14
a is press-fitted and fitted, and the connecting member 15 is spanned between the cushioning materials 13 and 14. Thus, as shown in FIG. 2, the left and right cushioning members 13 and 14 are connected by the upper and lower connecting members 15 and 16 so as not to come off from the toner cartridge 10.

Then, the user puts his hand on the handle 15a, lifts the whole, puts it in the packaging box 12, and seals it.

On the other hand, when unpacking, unsealing the packaging box 12 and opening the box, and then holding the handle 15 shown in FIG.
a, and lift the toner cartridge 10 out of the packaging box 12. And the projections 13a and 1
The coupling members 15 and 16 are removed from the cushioning members 13 and 14 by disengaging the fittings 3b, 14a and 14b from the holes 19 to 22. Then, the left and right cushioning members 13 and 14 are removed from the toner cartridge 10, respectively.

In the illustrated embodiment described above, the projections are provided on the cushioning members 13 and 14, and the holes are provided on the connecting members 15 and 16. On the contrary, as shown in FIG. 14 are provided with holes 26 and 27 vertically, and projections 28 and 2 are provided at both ends of the upper and lower connecting members 15 and 16 respectively.
8, 29, 29 may be provided. When the holes are provided, the holes may be through holes or non-through holes.

Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the cushioning members 13 and 14 and the connecting members 15 and 16 are stopped by fitting of the unevenness, and the cushioning members 13 and 14 are
Are connected so as not to come off from the toner cartridge 10.

Further, in the illustrated embodiment described above, the upper and lower
The two right and left cushioning members 13 using the two connecting members 15 and 16
The four connecting members 14 are connected to each other. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, two such connecting members may be formed in an integrated shape, and one connecting member 30 may be used to connect two cushioning members. Good. In addition, one upper or lower connecting member is
It is also possible to connect two cushioning materials.

[0023]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when packaging a product, after fitting both ends of the product into the recesses of the cushioning material, the connecting member is stretched between the cushioning materials. Since the cushioning material is connected, it is possible to prevent the cushioning material from coming off the product when the product is put in the packaging box, even if the end of the product and the cushioning material are loosely fitted. As a result, it is not necessary to put the product in the packaging box while holding the cushioning material by hand as in the conventional case, and the packaging operation can be simplified accordingly.

According to the second aspect of the present invention,
Since the cushioning member and the connecting member are hooked and connected by the fitting of the unevenness, the attaching and detaching of the connecting member at the time of packaging and unpacking can be easily performed.

According to the third aspect of the present invention,
Since the handle is provided on the connecting member, the product can be easily taken in and out of the packaging box by holding the handle by hand during packaging and unpacking. In addition, it is also possible to eliminate the possibility of damaging the product by directly taking in and taking out the fragile product by hand.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a toner cartridge, which is an example of a product, and components of a product packaging apparatus of the present invention for packaging the toner cartridge.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state after packaging.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing components of another example of the product packaging apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state after packaging.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another example of the connecting member.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing components for packaging and components of a conventional side-pack type product packaging apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Toner cartridge (product) 11 Product packaging apparatus 12 Packaging box 13.14 Buffering material 15.16 Connecting member 15a Handle part 17 Concave part of buffering material

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A product packaging apparatus in which both ends of a product are fitted into recesses of a cushioning material, respectively, and are packed in a packaging box for packaging. Product packaging equipment provided. 2. The product packaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said connecting member is hung by fitting of unevenness and is hung over said cushioning material on both sides. 3. A connecting member provided with a handle portion.
The product packaging device according to claim 1.