Packing Container

Abstract

In one embodiment, there is provided a packing container in which an object is packed. The container includes: side surface portions disposed to surround the object; lower surface portions on which the object is placed; and support portions provided on or near shoulder portions to support the packing container, wherein the shoulder portions are defined by portions where the side surface portions and the lower surface portions intersect with each other.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-033902, filed on Feb. 18, 2011, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Embodiments described herein relate to a packing container

2. Description of Related Art

The size of TV display screens has been increased in recent years. Further, the thickness of the display screens has been reduced.

Furthermore, since TVs have become widespread, TV prices are being lowered. For this reason, there is a demand for the reduction of so-called physical distribution costs relating to TV transportation or storage or the like.

Moreover, in order to reduce the physical distribution costs, there is a demand for the reduction of the thickness of a packing container in which, for example, a TV is packed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A general architecture that implements the various features of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings and the associated descriptions are provided to illustrate embodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are views showing an example of an electronic device that is contained in a packing container according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a view showing the appearance of a general packing container in which an electronic device is contained;

FIG. 3 is a view showing the appearance of the packing container according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of the packing container according to the embodiment;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views of the packing container according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are views showing a part of the structure of the packing container according to the embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a view showing a state where a part of the packing container shown in FIG. 6 is assembled;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are views showing an example of a packing material that forms a part of the packing container according to the embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a view showing an example of a packing container that is assembled from the packing material shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B; and

FIGS. 10A and 10B are views showing a state where a plurality of the packing containers is arranged together.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a packing container in which an object is packed. The container includes: side surface portions disposed to surround the object; lower surface portions on which the object is placed; and support portions provided on or near shoulder portions to support the packing container, wherein the shoulder portions are defined by portions where the side surface portions and the lower surface portions intersect with each other.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be now described with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are views showing an example of an electronic device that is contained in a packing container according to an embodiment.

For example, the description will be made using a TV as an example of an electronic device that is contained in a packing container.

Reference numeral 1 denotes an electronic device (TV), and reference numeral 8 denotes a liquid crystal display (LCD) that is provided in the electronic device (TV).

FIG. 1A is a view of the electronic device (TV) 1 when seen from the front. For example, a user controls the operation of the electronic device (TV) 1 using a remote control 21.

Regarding the electronic device (TV) 1, the orientation of the thin liquid crystal display (LCD) is predetermined in the vertical and horizontal directions, and the liquid crystal display (LCD) is disposed upright in use, as shown in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the electronic device (TV) 1. As shown in FIG. 1B, it can be seen that the electronic device (TV) 1 is made thin.

FIG. 2 is a view showing the appearance of a general packing container in which an electronic device is contained.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a general packing container.

The packing container is formed of packing materials, and has a substantially cubic shape as shown in FIG. 2.

The liquid crystal display (LCD) 8 is packed in the packing container 10 while standing upright, as shown in FIG. 2. Thus, the liquid crystal display (LCD) 8 is packed in a state similar to when the liquid crystal display (LCD) 8 is typically used.

In the packing container 10, the electronic device (TV) 1 is placed on a lower surface portion 16 and side surface portions 12, 13, 14, and 15 are provided around the electronic device (TV) 1.

Further, upper surface portions 11a and 11b are provided in the form of so-called “double doors”, and serve as lids of the packing container 10. In general, a tape is attached and fixed to the “double-door” type lids (the upper surface portions 11a and 11b).

FIG. 3 is a view showing the appearance of the packing container according to the embodiment.

Reference numeral 30 denotes the packing container according to this embodiment.

As described above, this packing container 30 is formed of packing materials.

Even in this embodiment, the packing container 30 has a substantially cubic shape as shown in FIG. 3.

Further, as described above, the liquid crystal display (LCD) 8 is packed in the packing container while standing in a predetermined vertical direction. Thus, the liquid crystal display (LCD) 8 is packed in a state similar to when the liquid crystal display (LCD) 8 is typically used.

It is advantageous that the electronic device (TV) 1 be provided for physical distribution in this state.

In the packing container 30, as described above, the electronic device (TV) 1 is placed on lower surface portions (36a and 36b) and side surface portions 32, 33, 34, and 55 are provided around the electronic device (TV) 1.

Further, in this embodiment, the packing container 30 includes flaps 37a and 37b and upper surface portions 31a and 31b as shown in FIG. 3.

Furthermore, when the lids of the packing container 30 are to be closed, the flaps 37a and 37b are closed first. Subsequently, after the upper surface portion 31a is closed, the upper surface portion 31b is closed so as to be superimposed on the upper surface portion 31a.

FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of the packing container according to the embodiment.

Reference numeral 42b denotes a shoulder-shaped portion formed at a portion where the upper surface portion 31b and the side surface portion 32 intersect with each other, that is, an upper shoulder portion. Reference numeral 41b denotes an upper support portion that is provided at the upper shoulder portion 42b or near the upper shoulder portion 42b.

Reference numeral 42a denotes a shoulder-shaped portion formed at a portion where the upper surface portion 31a (to be described below) and the side surface portion 34 (to be described below) intersect with each other as described above, that is, an upper shoulder portion. Reference numeral 41a denotes an upper support portion that is provided at the upper shoulder portion 42a or near the upper shoulder portion 42a.

Although described below, the upper support portions 41a and 41b are formed so that the upper support portion 41b is low and the upper support portion 41a is high, that is, the size of the upper support portion 41b is different from that of the upper support portion 41a when the height of the upper support portion 41b is compared with that of the upper support portion 41a.

Reference numeral 44b denotes a shoulder-shaped portion formed at a portion where the lower surface portion 36b and the side surface portion 32 intersect with each other, that is, a lower shoulder portion. Reference numeral 43b denotes a lower support portion that is provided at the lower shoulder portion 44b or near the lower shoulder portion 44b.

Reference numeral 44a denotes a shoulder-shaped portion formed at a portion where the lower surface portion 36a and the side surface portion 34 (to be described below) intersect with each other, that is, a lower shoulder portion. Reference numeral 43a denotes a lower support portion that is provided at the lower shoulder portion 44a or near the lower shoulder portion 44a.

The lower support portions 43a and 43b are formed so that the lower support portion 43b is low and the lower support portion 43a is high, that is, the size of the lower support portion 43b is different from that of the lower support portion 43a when the height of the lower support portion 43b is compared with that of the lower support portion 43a.

Further, in this embodiment, the entire packing container 30, or at least a part thereof, is formed of, for example, packing materials.

The packing materials are used to pack cargo for physical distribution, and are formed of, for example, a corrugated cardboard sheet.

A corrugated cardboard is a plate-like paper product that is obtained by forming a paperboard strong in a multilayer structure and by working the paperboard so that the paperboard can be used for a packing material or the like, and the corrugated cardboard sheet is a material of the corrugated cardboard.

A corrugated cardboard generally has a structure where a paper sheet (core) worked in a wavy shape is interposed between front and back paper sheets and attached to the front and back paper sheets so as to have strength. In addition, there are also a cardboard that is worked in a multilayer structure and a single-sided corrugated cardboard of which a wavy paper sheet is exposed to the surface.

Further, a reworked corrugated cardboard box and other corrugated cardboard products may be used as the corrugated cardboard.

Furthermore, the strength of the corrugated cardboard is changed in a direction of a wave of the core. That is, the corrugated cardboard is apt to be folded in the direction parallel to the wave and has strength in the direction perpendicular to the wave.

In this embodiment, the support portions, which can support the packing container 30, are formed so that high strength is obtained in substantially the same direction as the directions of the side surface portions (32, 33, 34, and 35), that is, the direction perpendicular to the wave of the core comes into contact with a mounting surface.

In this embodiment, reference numeral 50 denotes the direction of the wave of the core.

Due to this structure, it may be possible both to reduce the thickness of the packing container (TV packing container) 30 and to obtain stability in a state where a TV is contained in the packing container.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views of the packing container shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5A is a view showing the vicinity of the upper support portions (41a and 41b) when seen in the direction of an arrow 40 of FIG. 4.

In this embodiment, for example, the side surface portion 34, the upper surface portion 31a, and the upper shoulder portion 42a, which are a part of the packing container 30, are integrally formed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5A, for example, the side surface portion 34 and the upper surface portion 31a are bent, so that the upper shoulder portion 42a is formed at the portion where the side surface portion 34 and the upper surface portion 31a intersect with each other.

Furthermore, the upper support portion 41a, which can support the packing container 30, for example, in the vertical direction, is provided at the upper shoulder portion 42a or near the upper shoulder portion 42a.

As described above, the direction perpendicular to the wave of the core faces the upper side so that the strength of the upper support portion 41a is high in substantially the same direction as the direction of the side surface portion 34 (FIG. 4).

Moreover, likewise, for example, the side surface portion 32, the upper surface portion 31b, and the upper shoulder portion 42b, which are a part of the packing container 30, are integrally formed.

For example, the side surface portion 32 and the upper surface portion 31b are bent, so that the upper shoulder portion 42b is formed at the portion where the side surface portion 34 and the upper surface portion 31b intersect with each other.

Further, the upper support portion 41b, which can support the packing container 30, for example, in the vertical direction, is provided at the upper shoulder portion 42b or near the upper shoulder portion 42b.

The direction perpendicular to the wave of the core faces the upper side so that the strength of the upper support portion 41b is high in substantially the same direction as the direction of the side surface portion 32 (see FIG. 4).

Furthermore, the upper support portions 41a and 41b are provided in this way, so that the packing container becomes stable in the lateral direction of an arrow 51. Accordingly, it may be possible to prevent the packing container from falling down.

Likewise, FIG. 5B is a view showing the vicinity of the lower support portions (43a and 43b) when seen in the direction of an arrow 40 of FIG. 4.

In this embodiment, likewise, for example, the side surface portion 34, the lower surface portion 36a, and the lower shoulder portion 44a, which are a part of the packing container 30, are integrally formed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, for example, the side surface portion 34 and the lower surface portion 36a are bent, so that the lower shoulder portion 44a is formed at the portion where the side surface portion 34 and the lower surface portion 36a intersect with each other.

Furthermore, the lower support portion 43a, which can support the packing container 30, for example, in the vertical direction, is provided at the lower shoulder portion 44a or near the lower shoulder portion 44a.

As described above, the direction perpendicular to the wave of the core faces the lower side so that the strength of the lower support portion 43a is high in substantially the same direction as the direction of the side surface portion 34 (FIG. 4).

Likewise, for example, the side surface portion 32, the lower surface portion 36b, and the lower shoulder portion 44b, which are a part of the packing container 30, are integrally formed.

For example, the side surface portion 32 and the lower surface portion 36b are bent, so that the lower shoulder portion 44b is formed at the portion where the side surface portion 32 and the lower surface portion 36b intersect with each other.

Further, the lower support portion 43b, which can support the packing container 30, for example, in the vertical direction, is provided at the lower shoulder portion 44b or near the lower shoulder portion 44b.

The direction perpendicular to the wave of the core faces the lower side so that the strength of the lower support portion 43b is high in substantially the same direction as the direction of the side surface portion 32 (FIG. 4).

Furthermore, the lower support portions 43a and 43b are provided in this way, so that the packing container becomes stable in the lateral direction of an arrow 52. Accordingly, it may be possible to prevent the packing container from falling down.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a part of the structure of the packing container according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6A shows an example of a packing material where the side surface portion 32, the upper surface portion 31b, the upper shoulder portion 42b, the upper support portion 41b, the lower surface portion 36b, the lower shoulder portion 44b, and the lower support portion 43b, which are a part of the packing container 30, are formed.

Here, for example, the side surface portion 32, the upper surface portion 31b, the upper shoulder portion 42b, the upper support portion 41b, the lower surface portion 36b, the lower shoulder portion 44b, and the lower support portion 43b are formed integrally with one packing material.

Reference numeral 60 denotes the vicinity of, for example, the upper support portion 41b. FIG. 6B shows an example of the structure of the upper support portion 41b.

Here, the upper shoulder portion 42b or a portion of the packing material near the upper shoulder portion 42b is cut as shown in FIG. 6B by a press or the like, so that, for example, a slit is formed at the upper support portion 41b.

Further, the lower shoulder portion 44b or a portion of the packing material near the lower shoulder portion 44b is cut as shown in FIG. 6B by a press or the like, so that, for example, a slit is formed at the lower support portion 43b in the same manner.

Since slits are formed at the shoulder portions or near the shoulder portions in this way, it is easy to bend the packing material.

Since the portions where the slits are formed form the upper support portions (41a and 41b) and the lower support portions (43a and 43b) and come into contact with the upper surface or the bottom surface of the packing container 30 in this embodiment, it may be possible to form flat surfaces. Accordingly, with this kind of configuration, it may be possible to obtain an effect of preventing the packing container from falling down.

FIG. 7 is a view showing an example where a part of the packing container according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 is assembled.

A part of the structure of the packing container shown in FIG. 6 is assembled, for example, as shown in FIG. 7.

As shown in FIG. 7, the side surface portion 32 and the upper surface portion 31b are bent, and so that the upper shoulder portion 42b is formed at the portion where the side surface portion 34 and the upper surface portion 31b intersect with each other.

The upper support portion 41b, which can support the packing container 30, for example, in the vertical direction, is provided at the upper shoulder portion 42b or near the upper shoulder portion 42b.

The direction perpendicular to the wave of the core faces the upper side so that the strength of the upper support portion 41b is high in substantially the same direction as the direction of the side surface portion 32.

Further, likewise, the side surface portion 32 and the lower surface portion 36b are bent, so that the lower shoulder portion 44b is formed at the portion where the side surface portion 32 and the lower surface portion 36b intersect with each other.

The lower support portion 43b, which can support the packing container 30, for example, in the vertical direction, is provided at the lower shoulder portion 44b or near the lower shoulder portion 44b.

The direction perpendicular to the wave of the “core” faces the lower side so that the strength of the lower support portion 43b is high in substantially the same direction as the direction of the side surface portion 32.

It is supposed that the packing container 30 is mainly provided for physical distribution in the vertical direction shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 is a view showing an example of a packing material that forms a part of the packing container according to the embodiment.

For example, in this embodiment, the packing container 30 is formed of two packing materials (corrugated cardboard sheets) shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B.

Similar to a part of the structure of the packing container shown in FIG. 6, the side surface portion 32, the upper surface portion 31b, the upper shoulder portion 42b, upper support portions 41b, the lower surface portion 36b, the lower shoulder portion 44b, and lower support portions 43b are formed in the packing material in FIG. 8A.

Further, here, a side surface portion 35, a flap 37b, and a flap 38b are also formed integrally with the packing material as shown in FIG. 8A.

Here, five upper support portions 41b are formed at intervals of 90 mm at the upper shoulder portion 42b or near the upper shoulder portion 42b.

Furthermore, six lower support portions 43b are formed at intervals of 90 mm at the lower shoulder portion 44b or near the lower shoulder portion 44b.

That is, these upper and lower support portions 41b and 43b are alternately formed as shown in FIG. 8A.

Likewise, the side surface portion 34, the upper surface portion 31a, the upper shoulder portion 42a, upper support portions 41a, the lower surface portion 36a, the lower shoulder portion 44a, and lower support portions 43a are formed in the packing material in FIG. 8B.

Moreover, a side surface portion 33, a flap 37a, and a flap 38a are also formed integrally with the packing material as shown in FIG. 8B.

Here, five upper support portions 41a are formed at intervals of 90 mm at the upper shoulder portion 42a or near the upper shoulder portion 42a.

Further, six lower support portions 43a are formed at intervals of 90 mm at the lower shoulder portion 44a or near the lower shoulder portion 44a.

These upper and lower support portions 41a and 43a are also alternately formed as shown in FIG. 8B.

As described above, the slitting of the upper support portions (41a and 41b) and the lower support portions (43a and 43b) is performed at the upper and lower surfaces of the packing container 30. In this case, since the slitting positions are alternately positioned, the protruding portions do not correspond to each other and it may be possible to superimpose a plurality of packing containers 30. As a result, it may be possible to reduce physical distribution costs.

Moreover, here, the flap 37b is formed to be longer than the upper shoulder portion 42b by 6 mm. Likewise, the flap 38b is also formed to be longer than the upper shoulder portion 44b by 6 mm.

Further, each of the upper support portions 41b is formed to be higher than the upper shoulder portion 42b by a height of 3 mm. Likewise, each of the lower support portions 43b is formed to be higher than the upper shoulder portion 44b by a height of 3 mm.

The flap 37a is formed to be longer than the upper shoulder portion 42a by 3 mm. Likewise, the flap 38a is also formed to be longer than the upper shoulder portion 44a by 3 mm.

Furthermore, each of the upper support portions 41a is formed to be higher than the upper shoulder portion 42a by a height of 6 mm. Likewise, each of the lower support portions 43a is formed to be higher than the lower shoulder portion 44a by a height of 6 mm.

According to this embodiment, the flaps 37a, 37b, 38a, and 38b are put into the packing container first when the packing container 30 is to be assembled.

Subsequently, after the lower surface portion 36a is put into the packing container as shown in FIGS. 5A and 58, the upper surface portion 31b is put into the packing container. Accordingly, the lower surface portion on which an object to be packed (for example, electronic device (TV) 1) is placed is formed.

Moreover, after the upper surface portion 31a is put into the packing container as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the upper surface portion 31b is put into the packing container. Accordingly, the upper surface portion on which an object to be packed (for example, electronic device (TV) 1) is placed is formed.

These lower surface portions are easily made flat by making the height of each lower support portion 43a different from the height (size) of each lower support portion 43b, that is, for example, by making the height of each lower support portion 43a higher than the height of each lower support portion 43b. Accordingly, the packing container can be stabilized.

Further, likewise, the upper surface portions are easily made flat by making the height of each upper support portion 41a different from the height (size) of each upper support portion 41b, that is, for example, by making the height of each upper support portion 41a higher than the height of each upper support portion 41b. Accordingly, the packing container can be stabilized.

That is, in this embodiment, for example, the upper surface portions 31a and 31b are adapted to be superimposed.

Furthermore, in this case, fold lines of the upper shoulder portions 42a and 42b are formed so as to be different from each other as shown in, for example, FIGS. 5A and 5B. According to this structure, it may be possible to make the surface, where the upper surface portions 31a and 31b are superimposed, flat.

If fold lines of the flaps 37a and 37b shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B are also formed so as to be different from each other, it may be possible to make the surface, where the flaps 37a and 37b are superimposed, flat.

This structure may be applied to not only lower surface portions 36a and 36b but also the flaps 38a and 38b.

According to this structure, it may be possible to easily work the packing container 30. Further, it may be possible to effectively use the packing material. For this reason, it may be possible to reduce the quantity of packing materials such as a corrugated cardboard sheet to be used. Accordingly, it may be possible to reduce the weight of the packing container 30, cost of the amount of materials, and the environmental burden. Moreover, it may be possible to reduce storage space.

FIG. 9 is a view showing an example of a packing container that is assembled from a part of the packing material shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B.

As shown in FIG. 9, the packing container 30 is assembled from the two packing materials shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are views showing an example where the packing containers are arranged together.

FIG. 10A shows an example where a plurality of packing containers 30 is arranged in a lateral direction.

As described above, a single packing container 30 is also stable for physical distribution. However, if the plurality of packing containers 30 is arranged in this way, the packing containers are more stable.

FIG. 10B shows the structure where a plurality of packing containers 30 arranged in the lateral direction is superimposed on the plurality of packing containers 30 shown in FIG. 10A that is arranged in the lateral direction.

According to this embodiment, when a plurality of other packing containers 30 arranged in the lateral direction is placed on a plurality of packing containers 30 arranged in the lateral direction, a plurality of lower support portions 43b of other packing containers 30 is assembled between a plurality of upper support portions 41b of a certain packing container 30. Accordingly, the packing containers are stable during physical distribution.

Meanwhile, a TV has been used as an example of the electronic device 1 in the above description. However, this embodiment is not limited thereto, and may be applied to packing containers for other electronic devices, such as a display, a personal computer (PC), and a slate-type PC.

According to this structure, in the embodiment of the invention, it may be possible both to reduce the thickness of the packing container of the electronic device and to obtain stability during physical distribution.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the sprit of the invention. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and sprit of the invention.

Claims

1. A packing container in which an object is packed, the container comprising:

side surface portions disposed to surround the object;

lower surface portions on which the object is placed; and

support portions provided on or near shoulder portions to support the packing container, wherein the shoulder portions are defined by portions where the side surface portions and the lower surface portions intersect with each other.

2. A packing container comprising:

an electronic device;

lower surface portions on which the electronic device is placed;

side surface portions disposed to surround the electronic device; and

support portions provided on or near shoulder portions to support the packing container, wherein the shoulder portions are defined by portions where the side surface portions and the lower surface portions intersect with each other.

3. The packing container according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the packing container is formed of a corrugated cardboard sheet.

4. The packing container according to claim 1, wherein the support portions are integrally formed with the side surface portions.

5. The packing container according to claim 1,

wherein at least portions of the support portions and the side surface portions has high strength in substantially the same directions.

6. The packing container according to claim 1,

wherein the shoulder portions comprise: a first shoulder portion; and a second shoulder portion opposite to the first should portion, and

wherein the support portion comprise: a first support portion provided on the first shoulder portion; and a second support portion provided on the second shoulder portion.

7. The packing container according to claim 6, wherein a size of the first support portion is different from that of the second support portion.

8. The packing container according to claim 1, further comprising:

upper surface portions disposed opposite to the lower surface portions such that the object is located between the lower surface portions and the upper surface portions; and

upper support portions provided on or near upper shoulder portions to support the packing container, wherein the upper shoulder portions are defined by portions where the side surface portions and the upper surface portions intersect with each other.

9. The packing container according to claim 8,

wherein the respective support portions are provided to face spaces between the adjacent upper support portions, while the respective upper support portions are provided to face spaces between the adjacent support portions.