PACKING MEMBER

Abstract

A packing member for packing a sheet feeding device includes a packing bag, a first cushioning material, a second cushioning material, a connecting member connecting the first cushioning material and the second cushioning material, a third cushioning material, and a tubular member. The first cushioning material and the second cushioning material are contacted to an inner surface of the tubular member by an elastic force of the connecting member and tension of the packing bag generating with mounting of the first cushioning material, and the second cushioning material and the third cushioning material.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION AND RELATED ART

The present invention relates to a packing member for packing a sheet feeding device or the like mounted in an image forming apparatus.

A product such as the sheet feeding device mounted in the image forming apparatus is packed by the packing member in order to prevent vibration during transportation and breakage due to impact when the sheet feeding device is shipped from a factory. In the packing member, a cushioning material is provided.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a packing member disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application (JP-A) 2010-89836. As shown in FIG. 7, a packing member 200 is constituted by a packing box (tubular member) 103 having a rectangular cylindrical and box-like shape of which bottom is open and by a base member 102 and cushioning materials 105, and packs a product 101. These members are integrated into a unit by engaging joint members 106 in engaging holes 102a of the base member 102 and engaging holes 103a of the packing box 103.

Further, at side surfaces of the packing box 103, engaging pieces 103a capable of being bent inwardly are provided. The engaging pieces 103a are caught and engaged in groove portions 105a formed on the cushioning materials 105 by being bent. By such a constitution, the packing box 103 holds the cushioning materials 105 by the engaging pieces 103a and is capable of being removed together with the connecting members 105 when the packing box 103 is dismounted during unpacking.

However, in the constitution disclosed in JP-A 2010-89836, in order to reuse the packing member (material), there is a need to repeat bending and stretching of the engaging pieces 103a of the packing box 103. In this case, there is a liability that the engaging pieces 103a of the packing box 103 become fatigued and are broken.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished in view of the above-described circumstances, and a principal object of the present invention is to provide a packing member in which a tubular member and connecting members are simultaneously unpacked and which is easily reused.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a packing member for packing a sheet feeding device for feeding a sheet, wherein the sheet feeding device includes an upper surface having a substantially rectangular shape and a bottom having an area larger than an area of the upper surface, the packing member comprising: a packing bag made of polyethylene or polypropylene and configured to pack the sheet feeding device; a first cushioning material including a first engaging portion and mounted to a corner portion of the upper surface of the sheet feeding device in a state in which the sheet feeding device is packed in the packing bag; a second cushioning material including a second engaging portion and mounted to a corner portion of the upper surface of the sheet feeding device in the state in which the sheet feeding device is packed in the packing bag, wherein the corner portion to which the second cushioning material is mounted is adjacent to the corner portion to which the first cushioning material is mounted; a connecting member connecting the first cushioning material and the second cushioning material and including a first bent portion bent so as to engage with the first engaging portion and a second bent portion which is bent so as to engage with the second engaging portion and which opposes the first bent portion through the sheet feeding device in a bent state; and a third cushioning material mounted to the bottom of the sheet feeding device in the state in which the sheet feeding device is packed in the packing bag; and a tubular member accommodating the sheet feeding device in a state in which the first cushioning material, the cushioning material and the third cushioning material are mounted to the sheet feeding device, wherein the first cushioning material and the second cushioning material are contacted to an inner surface of the tubular member by an elastic force of the connecting member and tension of the packing bag generating with mounting of the first cushioning material, the second cushioning material and the third cushioning material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a packing member.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an upper portion cushioning material.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view cushioning materials of the upper portion cushioning material.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the packing member in which a sheet feeding device is packed.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an upper portion cushioning material.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of cushioning materials of the upper portion cushioning material.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional packing member.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

First Embodiment

<Packing Member>

In the following, first, a general structure of a packing member according to First Embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Incidentally, dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangement and the like of constituent described in the following embodiments are not intended such that the scope of the present invention is limited only thereto unless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a packing member 50. As shown in FIG. 1, the packing member 5 is constituted by a packing box 42, an upper portion cushioning material 30, a packing bag 41, a lower portion cushioning material 20 and a base member 11. Further, in the packing member 50, a sheet feeding device 100 to be mounted to a lower portion of an unshown image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet.

The sheet feeding device 100 is an option product to be externally attached to the unshown image forming apparatus and is a device for feeding the sheet toward an image forming portion for forming the image on the sheet. The sheet feeding device 100 includes a sheet cassette (not shown), a sheet feeding roller (not shown), and a conveying roller (not shown), and sends the sheet, stacked on the sheet cassette, toward the image forming portion by the sheet feeding roller and the conveying roller.

Further, the sheet feeding device 100 includes an upper surface 100a having a substantially rectangular shape and has a shape such that an area of a bottom (surface) 100b is larger than an area of the upper surface 100a. Incidentally, the substantially rectangular referred to herein includes a shape such that corner portions of a rectangle are curved surfaces and a shape such that the corner portions are chamfered. Further, to the bottom 100b, caster 100c for moving the sheet feeding device 100 are attached.

The packing bag 42 (tubular member) is a member having a rectangular cylindrical and box-like shape of which bottom is open. The packing bag 42 is formed with a packing material such as corrugated cardboard (plate) including plastic corrugated cardboard. The packing bag 42 is constituted by a top plate 42b covering the upper surface 100a of the sheet feeding device 100 and four side plates 42a covering side surfaces of the sheet feeding device 100.

The base member 11 is formed with a pallet or the like made of wood so as to withstand and a weight of the sheet feeding device 100. At the four side surfaces of the base member 11, fork inserting portions 11a for permitting insertion of a fork of a fork-lift are formed, respectively.

The packing bag 41 is a so-called plastic being made of polyethylene or polypropylene. The packing bag 41 packs the sheet feeding device 100 and prevents contamination and scars of the sheet feeding device.

The upper portion cushioning material 30 is constituted by four cushioning materials 34 (34a to 34d) mounted to the four corner portions, respectively, of the upper surface 100a of the sheet feeding device 100 in a packed state in which the sheet feeding device 100 is packed in the packing bag 41 and by a connecting member 35 connecting the four cushioning materials 34. The cushioning materials 34 are formed with expanded (foamed) polystyrene. The connecting member 35 is formed with a packing material such as corrugated cardboard including plastic corrugated cardboard. The upper portion cushioning material 30 not only suppresses application of an external force to the sheet feeding device 100 but also prevents deviation of a position of the sheet feeding device 100 inside the packing member 50.

The lower portion cushioning material 20 (third cushioning material) is constituted by two cushioning materials 21 (21a and 21d) mounted to the bottom 100b of the sheet feeding device 100 in the packed state in the packing bag 41 and by an intermediary member 23 provided between the two cushioning materials 21. The cushioning materials 21 are formed with expanded (foamed) polystyrene. The intermediary member 23 is formed with a packing material such as corrugated cardboard including plastic corrugated cardboard. The lower portion cushioning material 20 not only suppresses application of an external force to the sheet feeding device 100 but also prevents deviation of a position of the sheet feeding device 100 inside the packing member 50. Incidentally, by bending a part of the intermediary member 23, an interval between the cushioning materials 21a and 21b can be defined.

<Upper Portion Cushioning Material>

Next, a structure of the upper portion cushioning material 30 will be described specifically.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the upper portion cushioning material 30. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cushioning materials 34 of the upper portion cushioning material 30.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cushioning materials 34a-34d are provided with slits 34x and chamfered portions 34z. Further, the connecting member 35 is provided with a first bent portion 35a bent downward at one end portion thereof and a second bent portion 35b bent downward at the other end portion thereof. The first bent portion 35a and the second bent portion 35b oppose each other through the sheet feeding device 100.

The first bent portion 35a engages in the slits 34x (first engaging portion) formed in the cushioning materials 34a and 34c (first cushioning material) mounted to adjacent (two) corner portions of the upper surface 100a of the sheet feeding device 100. The second bent portion 35b engages in the slits 34x (second engaging portion) formed in the cushioning materials 34b and 34d (second cushioning material) mounted to adjacent (two) corner portions of the upper surface 100a of the sheet feeding device 100. Thus, the four connecting members 34 are connected with each other by the connecting member 35. Further, by adjusting bent portions of the connecting member 35, an interval of the cushioning materials 34a and 34c with the cushioning materials 34b and 34d can be defined.

That is, the connecting member 35 includes the first bent portion 35a bent so as to engage in the slits 34x formed in the cushioning materials 34a and 34c and includes the second bent portion 35b bent so as to engage in the slits 34x formed in the cushioning materials 34b and 34d. Further, the first bent portion 35a and the second bent portion 35b oppose each other through the sheet feeding device 100 in a bent state. Further, the cushioning materials 34b and 34d are mounted to the corner portions different from the corner portions to which the cushioning materials 34a and 34c are mounted.

<Packing Method>

Next, a packing method the packing member 50 will be described.

When the sheet feeding device 100 is packed by the packing member 50, first, the two cushioning materials 21 of the lower portion cushioning material 20 are placed on the base member 11 so as to oppose each other. Then, the intermediary member 23 is placed at a position between the two cushioning materials 21.

Next, the sheet feeding device 100 is packed by the packing bag 41. Thereafter, the cushioning materials 21a and 21b are mounted to the bottom 100b of the sheet feeding device 100 in the packed state, so that the sheet feeding device 100 is placed on the lower portion cushioning material 20.

Next, the four cushioning materials 34 of the upper portion cushioning material 30 are mounted so as to cover the four corner portions of the upper surface 100a of the sheet feeding device 100. Thereafter, the connecting member 35 is bent corresponding to intervals of the four cushioning materials 34, so that the first bent portion 35a and the second bent portion 35b are formed. Then, the first bent portion 35a and the second bent portion 35b are engaged in the slits 34x of the cushioning materials 34.

Next, an open portion of the packing box 42 is disposed downward, and the above-prepared structure is covered with the packing box 42 from above. That is, the packing box 42 accommodates the sheet feeding device 100 which is packed in the packing bag 41 and which is in a state in which the lower portion cushioning material 20 and the upper portion cushioning material 30 are mounted to the sheet feeding device 100. Here, the cushioning materials 34 are provided with the chamfered portions 34z, and therefore, the structure is easily covered with the packing box 42 from above. Thus, a packing operation is completed.

<Forces Acting an Packing Member>

Next, forces acting on the packing member 50 in the packed state of the sheet feeding device 100 will be described.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the packing member 50 in the state in which the sheet feeding device 100 is packed in the packing member 50. As shown in FIG. 4, in the state in which the sheet feeding device 100 is packed in the packing member 50, dimensions of the four cushioning materials 34 mounted to the sheet feeding device 100 are set so as to contact an inner surface of the top plate 42b and inner surfaces of the side plates 42a of the packing box 42, respectively.

Here, as regards the connecting member 35, an elastic force for causing the bent portions to open acts on the first bent portion 35a and the second bent portion 35b.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, an interval between a contact surface of the cushioning materials 34a and 34c with the side plate 42a and a contact surface of the cushioning materials 34b and 34d with the other (opposite) side plate 42a is D2. Further, an interval, which is an interval between the inner surfaces of the opposing side plates 42a of the packing box 42, between a contact surface of the packing box 42 with the cushioning materials 34a and 34c and a contact surface of the packing box 42 with the cushioning materials 34b and 34d is D1. At this time, in the case of D1<D2, when the structure is covered with the packing box 42, a portion between the first bent portion 35a and the second bent portion 35b of the connecting member 35 is flexed in an up-down direction, so that an elastic force by which the flexed portion is returned to an original position acts on the connecting member 35.

These elastic forces of the connecting member 35 act, through the cushioning materials 34, as forces for pressing the inner surfaces of the side plates 42a of the packing box 42 outward. Incidentally, D1<D2 is satisfied, so that although the structure is not readily covered with the packing box 42, this problem can be solved by proving the chamfered portions 34z of the cushioning materials 34. Further, with mounting of the upper portion cushioning material 30 and the lower portion cushioning material 20 to the sheet feeding device 100, at a portion 41a between a portion of the packing bag 41 contacting the lower portion cushioning material 20 and a portion of the packing bag 41 contacting the upper portion cushioning material 30, tension is generated by stretching of the portion 41a by the lower portion cushioning material 20 and the upper portion cushioning material 30. This tension acts as a force for pressing the cushioning materials 34 toward the inner surfaces of the side plates 42a of the packing box 42.

That is, the elastic force of the connecting member 35 and the tension of the packing bag 41 which are described above act as a force F1 (FIG. 4) pressing the cushioning materials 34 against the packing box 42. That is, the cushioning materials 34 are press-contacted to the inner surfaces of the side plates 42a of the packing box 42 by this force F1. On the other hand, the cushioning materials 34 are mounted to the sheet feeding device 100, and therefore, although a force F2 (FIG. 2) for pressing the cushioning materials 34 toward the sheet feeding device 100 through the packing bag 41 also somewhat acts, the force F2 is smaller than the force F1.

For this reason, when a maximum static frictional force: fmax1=μ1×F1 between the cushioning material 34 and the packing box 42 and a maximum static frictional force: fmax2=μ2×F2 between the cushioning material 34 and the packing bag 41 are compared with each other, fmax1>fmax2 is satisfied. Here, μ1 represents friction coefficient between the cushioning material 34 and the packing box 42, and μ2 represents friction coefficient between the cushioning material 34 and the packing bag 41.

Thus, the cushioning materials 34 are press-contacted to the packing box 42, whereby a frictional force between the cushioning materials 34 and the packing box 42 becomes strong, and the upper portion cushioning material 30 is held by the packing box 42. Accordingly, when the packing box 42 is dismounted from the sheet feeding device 100 during unpacking of the packing member 50, the upper portion cushioning material 30 can be dismounted together with the packing box 42.

Incidentally, in general, the corrugated cardboard is higher in friction coefficient than the plastic bag. An actually measured value of the friction coefficient μ1 between the cushioning material 34 and the packing box 42 which are used in this embodiment is μ1=0.31, and an actually measured value of the friction coefficient μ2 between the cushioning material 34 and the packing bag 41 which are used in this embodiment is μ2=0.21. However, in the case where the packing box 42 made with the plastic corrugated cardboard is used, a principal material of the plastic corrugated cardboard is polypropylene, and therefore, the friction coefficient between the cushioning material 34 and the packing box 42 can be equivalent to the friction coefficient between the cushioning material 34 and the packing bag 41. Even in this case, the above-described relationship F1>F2 is satisfied by the elastic force of the connecting member 35 and the tension of the packing bag 41. For that reason, fmax1 which is the maximum static frictional force between the cushioning material 34 and the packing box 42 is larger than fmax2 which is the maximum static frictional force between the cushioning material 34 and the packing bag 41 (fmax1>fmax2). Accordingly, when the packing box 42 is dismounted, the upper portion cushioning material 30 is dismounted together with the packing box 42, but the packing bag 41 is left as it is.

Further, the cushioning materials 34 are held by the packing box 42 by the above-described frictional force, and therefore, when the packing box 42 is dismounted from the sheet feeding device 100 and when the sheet feeding device 100 is covered again with the packing box 42, these operations can be performed without bending the packing box 42 and the upper portion cushioning material 30. Accordingly, the packing box 42 and the upper portion cushioning material 30 do not readily become fatigued, and thus are reused easier than a conventional constitution. Thus, according to the constitution of this embodiment, not only the packing box 42 and the upper portion cushioning material 30 can be simultaneously dismounted (unpacked) from the sheet feeding device 100, but also the packing member 50 can be easily reused.

Further, with respect to a dismounting direction (upward direction in FIG. 4) of the packing box 42, a contact distance of the cushioning material 34 and the inner surface of the side plate 42a of the packing box 42 is L1 (FIG. 4), and a contact distance of the cushioning material 34, the packing bag 41 and the sheet feeding device 100 is L2 (FIG. 4). At this time, L1>L2 may preferably be satisfied. In this embodiment, L1=110 mm and L2=60 mm. As a result, as in the case where the plastic corrugated cardboard is used as the material of the packing box 42, even in the case where the force F1 and the force F2 are substantially equal to each other and the values of the friction coefficient are the substantially same, when the packing box 42 is dismounted, the contact distances L1 and L2 are decreased correspondingly. As a result, in the case where the cushioning materials 34 are separated from the sheet feeding device 100 packed by the packing bag 41 (L2=0), the packing box 42 and the cushioning materials 34 maintain a contact state therebetween in a region of L1−L2 (≠0), and therefore, the cushioning materials 34 are in contact state with the packing box 42. Accordingly, the cushioning materials 34 can be easily held by the packing box 42.

Incidentally, after the packing box 42 is dismounted during the unpacking of the packing member 50, the sheet feeding device 100 placed in a packed state by the packing bag 41 is dismounted from the lower portion cushioning material 20 by being raised from the lower portion cushioning material 20. Thereafter, the packing bag 41 is removed from the sheet feeding device 100. As a result, the unpacking of the packing member 50 is completed. Further, when the packing member 50 is collected, the packing bag 41 is placed on the lower portion cushioning material 20 and is covered with the packing box 42 placed in a state in which the upper portion cushioning material 30 is held, so that the packing member 50 is collected.

Second Embodiment

Next, Second Embodiment of a packing member according to the present invention will be described. A portion overlapping with the First Embodiment in description will be omitted from description by using the same drawings and by adding the same reference numerals or symbols.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views of an upper portion cushioning material 30 according to this embodiment and cushioning materials 34 of the upper portion cushioning material 30, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in addition to the constitution of the First Embodiment, cushioning materials 34a to 34d are provided with slits 34y cut-away in a direction perpendicular to the slits 34x. That is, each of the four cushioning materials 34 is provided with the slit 34x and 34y.

Further, the upper portion cushioning material 30 includes a second connecting member 36 in addition to the constitution of the First Embodiment. The second connecting member 36 is formed with the packing material such as the corrugated cardboard including the plastic corrugated cardboard. Incidentally, a packing member 50 according to this embodiment is different from the constitution of the First Embodiment only in the constitution of the upper portion cushioning material 30, specifically in that the slits 34y are formed and that the second connecting member 36 is provided. The second connecting member 36 is provided with a third bent portion 36a bent downward at one end portion thereof and a fourth bent portion 36b bent downward at the other end portion thereof. The third bent portion 36a and the fourth bent portion 36b oppose each other through the sheet feeding device 100.

The third bent portion 36a engages in the slits 34y (third engaging portion) formed in the cushioning materials 34a and 34b (fourth cushioning material) mounted to adjacent (two) corner portions of the upper surface 100a of the sheet feeding device 100. The fourth bent portion 36b engages in the slits 34y (fourth engaging portion) formed in the cushioning materials 34c and 34d (fifth cushioning material) mounted to adjacent (two) corner portions of the upper surface 100a of the sheet feeding device 100. Thus, the four connecting members 34 are connected with each other by the connecting member 35. Further, by adjusting bent portions of the second connecting member 36, an interval of the cushioning materials 34a and 34b with the cushioning materials 34c and 34d can be defined. Incidentally, the connecting member 35 and the second connecting member 36 are disposed in an overlapping manner.

That is, the second connecting member 36 includes the third bent portion 36a bent so as to engage in the slits 34y formed in the cushioning materials 34a and 34b and includes the fourth bent portion 36b bent so as to engage in the slits 34y formed in the cushioning materials 34c and 34d. Further, the third bent portion 36a and the fourth bent portion 36b oppose each other through the sheet feeding device 100 in a bent state. Further, the cushioning materials 34c and 34d are mounted to the corner portions different from the corner portions to which the cushioning materials 34a and 34b are mounted.

Here, on the second connecting member 36, an elastic force similar to the elastic force acting on the connecting member 35 described in the First Embodiment acts. That is, the elastic force of the second connecting member 36 acts as a force for pressing the cushioning materials 34 against the inner surfaces of the side plates 42a of the packing box 42, and by this force, the cushioning materials 34 are press-contacted to the inner surfaces of the side plates 42a of the packing box 42 with a further strong force.

Thus, by providing the second connecting member 36 in addition to the connecting member 35, a frictional force between the cushioning materials 34 and the packing box 42 is further strengthened. Accordingly, a force for holding the cushioning materials 34 by the packing box 42 is strengthened, so that the upper portion cushioning material 30 is easily dismounted together with the packing box 42 during unpacking of the packing member 50.

Incidentally in the First and Second Embodiments, as a product-to-be-packed of the packing member 50, although the sheet feeding device 100 was described as an example, the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, when the product-to-be-packed is a member which includes an upper surface having a substantially rectangular shape and which has a shape in which an area of a bottom is larger than an area of the upper surface, an effect similar to the above-described effect even when other articles are used as the product-to-be-packed.

Further, in the above-described embodiments, the constitution including the four cushioning materials 34 (34a-34d) was employed, with a constitution in which a single cushioning material is mounted to two corner portions of the upper surface 100a of the sheet feeding device 100 may also be employed. In this case, by providing two cushioning materials, four corner portions of the upper surface 100a of the sheet feeding device 100 can be covered with the two cushioning materials. Even in such a constitution including the two cushioning materials, by connecting the two cushioning materials with the connecting member 35 as described above, an effect similar to the above-described effect can be achieved.

According to the present invention, not only in the packing member, the tubular member and the cushioning materials can be unpacked simultaneously, but also the packing member can be easily reused.

While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-139114 filed on Jul. 25, 2018, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Claims

1. A packing member for packing a sheet feeding device for feeding a sheet, wherein the sheet feeding device includes an upper surface having a substantially rectangular shape and a bottom having an area larger than an area of the upper surface, said packing member comprising:

a packing bag made of polyethylene or polypropylene and configured to pack the sheet feeding device;

a first cushioning material including a first engaging portion and mounted to a corner portion of the upper surface of the sheet feeding device in a state in which the sheet feeding device is packed in said packing bag;

a second cushioning material including a second engaging portion and mounted to a corner portion of the upper surface of the sheet feeding device in the state in which the sheet feeding device is packed in said packing bag, wherein the corner portion to which said second cushioning material is mounted is adjacent to the corner portion to which said first cushioning material is mounted;

a connecting member connecting said first cushioning material and said second cushioning material and including a first bent portion bent so as to engage with said first engaging portion and a second bent portion which is bent so as to engage with said second engaging portion and which opposes said first bent portion through the sheet feeding device in a bent state; and

a third cushioning material mounted to the bottom of the sheet feeding device in the state in which the sheet feeding device is packed in said packing bag; and

a tubular member accommodating the sheet feeding device in a state in which said first cushioning material, said cushioning material and said third cushioning material are mounted to the sheet feeding device,

wherein said first cushioning material and said second cushioning material are contacted to an inner surface of said tubular member by an elastic force of said connecting member and tension of said packing bag generating with mounting of said first cushioning material, said second cushioning material and said third cushioning material.

2. A packing member according to claim 1, wherein said first cushioning material and said second cushioning material are slits in which said bent portion and said second bent portion engage, respectively.

3. A packing member according to claim 1, wherein with respect to a direction in which said tubular member is dismounted from the sheet feeding device in the state in which the sheet feeding device is packed in said packing bag, a contact distance of said first cushioning material and the inner surface of said tubular member is longer than a contact distance of said first cushioning material, said packing bag and the sheet feeding device, and a contact distance of said second cushioning material and the inner surface of said tubular member is longer than a contact distance of said second cushioning material, said packing bag and the sheet feeding device.

4. A packing member according to claim 1, wherein in a state before the sheet feeding device is accommodated in said tubular member, an interval between a contact surface of said first cushioning material with the inner surface of said tubular member and a contact surface of said second cushioning material with the inner surface of said tubular member is broader than an interval between a contact surface of the sheet feeding device with said first cushioning material and a contact surface of the sheet feeding device with said second cushioning material.

5. A packing member according to claim 1, further comprising,

a fourth cushioning material which is mounted to a corner portion of the upper surface of the sheet feeding device in the state in which the sheet feeding device is packed in said packing bag and which includes a third engaging portion engaging with said first bent portion, said corner portion to which said fourth cushioning material is mounted is different from said corner portions to which said first cushioning material and said second cushioning material are mounted, and

a fifth cushioning material which is mounted to a corner portion of the upper surface of the sheet feeding device in the state in which the sheet feeding device is packed in said packing bag and which includes a fourth engaging portion engaging with said second bent portion, said corner portion to which said fifth cushioning material is mounted is different from said corner portions to which said first cushioning material, said second cushioning material and said fourth cushioning material are mounted.

6. A packing member according to claim 5, further comprising,

a second connecting member connecting said first cushioning material, said second cushioning material, said fourth cushioning material and said fifth cushioning material and including a third bent portion so as to engage with said first cushioning material and said fourth cushioning material and a fourth bent portion which is bent so as to engage with said second cushioning material and said fifth cushioning material and which opposes said third bent portion through the sheet feeding device in a bent state,

wherein said fourth cushioning material and said fifth cushioning material are press-contacted to the inner surface of said tubular member by an elastic force of said second connecting member and the tension of said packing bag.