TWI854840B - Cushion structure - Google Patents

Abstract

A cushion structure is disclosed and including a first cushion component and a second cushion component. The first cushion component includes a first body, a plurality of engaging structures and a plurality of cushion plates. The first body has a first side to forth side. The engaging structures are disposed on the first side. Each of the engaging structure includes a top portion, a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion. The first engaging portion and the second engaging portion respectively located at the two sides of the top portion. When the first body is bent to make the second side correspond to the forth side, each first engaging portion of the engaging structure is adapted to engage with the second engaging portion of the adjacent engaging structure. The cushion plates are spaced apart to each other and disposed on the third side. The second cushion component is disposed on the first cushion component and includes a second body. The second body includes a fifth side, a sixth side and a plurality of trenches that arranged between the fifth and the sixth sides. The second body is adapted to bend to make the fifth side and the sixth side connect to each other.

Description

Buffer structure

The present invention relates to a buffer structure, and in particular to a buffer structure that can reduce the volume of transported materials and the time required for assembly.

In order to prevent products from being damaged due to collisions during transportation, manufacturers often use three-dimensional buffer structures (such as cylindrical or cubic structures) to cover the corners of products.

However, the traditional three-dimensional cushioning structure is produced by directly cutting the foam cushioning material into several blocks of cushioning material suitable for the product size, and then hollowing out the internal material to form a space to accommodate the product. Such a structure is too large due to the one-piece formation, so that a lot of space in the transportation volume is not effectively utilized. In addition, the remaining materials hollowed out in the traditional three-dimensional cushioning structure to accommodate the product cannot be recycled, resulting in material waste.

The present disclosure provides a flat and quickly assembled buffer structure, which solves the problems of large transportation volume and material waste of traditional buffer structures.

The present disclosure proposes a buffer structure, including a first buffer member and a second buffer member. The first buffer member includes a first body, a plurality of snap-fit structures and a plurality of buffer sheets. The first body has a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side connected to each other, the first side is opposite to the third side, and the second side is opposite to the fourth side. A plurality of snap-fit structures are arranged on the first side, each snap-fit structure has a butting portion, a first snap-fit portion and a second snap-fit portion, the first snap-fit portion and the second snap-fit portion are respectively located on both sides of the butting portion, when the first body is bent so that the second side corresponds to the fourth side, the first snap-fit portion of each snap-fit structure is suitable for snapping into the second snap-fit portion of the adjacent snap-fit structure. A plurality of buffer sheets are arranged at intervals on the third side. The second buffer is arranged on the first buffer and includes a second body. The second body includes a fifth side, a sixth side and a plurality of grooves, the fifth side is opposite to the sixth side, the grooves are arranged between the fifth side and the sixth side, and the second body is suitable for bending to connect the fifth side and the sixth side to each other.

Based on the above, the buffer structure disclosed in the present invention is in a flat state before being bent, and can save a lot of material space by stacking each other during transportation. In assembly, the buffer parts can be quickly assembled into a three-dimensional state through bending and snapping to cover the product, which is not only simple in procedure but also can effectively protect the product.

In order to make the above features and advantages of the present disclosure more clearly understood, embodiments are specifically cited below and described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a top view of the first embodiment of the first buffer member of the buffer structure disclosed herein in a flat state. Fig. 2 is a three-dimensional view of the first embodiment of the first buffer member of the buffer structure disclosed herein in a flat state. Fig. 3 is a three-dimensional view of the first embodiment of the first buffer member of the buffer structure disclosed herein in a bent state.

Please refer to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the buffer structure disclosed herein includes a first buffer member 1 and a second buffer member 2, and the first buffer member 1 and the second buffer member 2 are both cut and formed into an integral structure. The material of the first buffer member 1 and the second buffer member 2 may include polyethylene foam (EPE), ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), expanded polystyrene (EPS) or expanded polypropylene (EPP), but is not limited thereto.

The first buffer member 1 of this embodiment includes a first body 10, a plurality of engaging structures 111 and a plurality of buffer sheets 131.

The first body 10 has a first side 11, a second side 12, a third side 13 and a fourth side 14 connected to each other. The first side 11 is opposite to the third side 13, the second side 12 is opposite to the fourth side 14, and the first side 11 and the third side 13 are vertically connected to the second side 12 and the fourth side 14. In the first embodiment, the first side 11 of the first body 10 is shorter than the third side 13, and the second side 12 and the fourth side 14 are symmetrical oblique lines, so that the overall structure of the first body 10 presents a trapezoid. Thus, when the first buffer member 1 is bent toward the first side 11 so that the second side 12 corresponds to the fourth side 14 to form a disc structure, the second side 12 and the fourth side 14 can correspond to each other in parallel, reducing the gap between them.

A plurality of snap-fit structures 111 are disposed on the first side 11 of the first body 10, and the snap-fit structures 111 are arranged at the same distance from each other. Each snap-fit structure 111 has a butting portion 112, a first butting portion 113, and a second butting portion 114. The butting portion 112 includes a first bevel 1121 and a second bevel 1122. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first bevel 1121 and the second bevel 1122 are slightly straight lines, but not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the first bevel 1121 and the second bevel 1122 may also be curved lines (not shown). The first bevel 1121 is connected to one end of the second bevel 1122 and has an angle 1123 therebetween. Specifically, the first bevel 1121 and the second bevel 1122 are connected to each other in the extension direction of the end away from the first side 11 and have an angle 1123 therebetween. The angle 1123 is about 15 to 60 degrees, so that the shape of one end of the top portion 112 is a pointed top, but the actual angle is not limited to this. In addition, the second bevel 1122 is slightly perpendicular to the first side 11, and the outer angle between the first bevel 1121 and the first side 11 is about a blunt angle greater than 90 degrees. Thus, when the first buffer member 1 is bent toward the first side 11 so that the second side 12 corresponds to the fourth side 14 to form a disc structure, the abutting portions 112 will gather inwards and approach each other. During the gathering process, the adjacent abutting portions 112 will not be unable to bend due to interference because of the pointed abutting portions 112.

The first engaging portion 113 is located at the other end of the first oblique side 1121 away from the angle 1123, and the second engaging portion 114 is located at the other end of the second oblique side 1122 away from the angle 1123. It is worth noting that the first engaging portion 113 of one engaging structure 111 and the second engaging portion 114 of the adjacent engaging structure 111 are mutually adapted engaging structures, so that when the first body 10 is bent, the first engaging portion 113 can be engaged with the adjacent second engaging portion 114. For example, the first engaging portion 113 is an engaging rib, and the second engaging portion 114 is an engaging groove that can be combined with the engaging rib. In other embodiments, the first engaging portion 113 can also be an engaging groove, and the second engaging portion 114 is an engaging rib.

In the first embodiment, for the same engaging structure 111, the structure of the first engaging portion 113 is different from the structure of the second engaging portion 114. That is, on the same engaging structure 111, the first engaging portion 113 is an engaging rib, and the second engaging portion 114 is an engaging groove, and each engaging structure 111 has the same configuration.

Each of the engaging structures 111 further has a connecting portion 115, one end of the connecting portion 115 is connected to the first engaging portion 113 and the second engaging portion 114, and the other end of the connecting portion 115 is connected to the first side 11. In other words, the engaging structure 111 is combined with the first body 10 through the connecting portion 115.

In the first embodiment, the first buffer member 1 may further include a plurality of stoppers 16, which are connected to the first side 11 and disposed between every two engaging structures 111. Specifically, the first engaging portion 113 is an engaging rib and includes a first protrusion 1131 and a second protrusion 1132, and the second engaging portion 114 is an engaging groove, and the shape of the engaging groove is adapted to the engaging rib. A coupling groove 1133 is formed between the first engaging portion 113, the connecting portion 115 and the first side 11. Each stopper 16 is located between the first engaging portion 113 of one engaging structure 111 and the second engaging portion 114 of the adjacent engaging structure 111. The shape of the coupling groove 1133 is approximately triangular, and the shape of the stopper 16 is adapted to the coupling groove 1133. When the first buffer member 1 forms a disc structure, the first engaging portion 113 can be engaged with the second engaging portion 114 of the adjacent engaging structure 111, and the stopper 16 can be located in the engagement groove 1133 and abut against the second protrusion 1132 of the first engaging portion 113. In this way, the first engaging portion 113 and the second engaging portion 114 can be engaged more tightly and are not easily loosened due to external force, thereby increasing the strength of the overall structure.

A plurality of buffer plates 131 are arranged at intervals on the third side 13. When the first buffer member 1 is bent toward the first side 11 to form a disc structure, the plurality of buffer plates 131 will surround the outer periphery of the disc structure to enhance the protection function of the entire buffer member. In one embodiment, the first body 10 may further have at least one cutting line 17. Please refer to FIG. 1 , where the number of cutting lines 17 is a plurality. Each cutting line 17 may be arranged on the third side 13 and connected to the buffer plate 131. In this way, when the first buffer member 1 is bent toward the first side 11, the flexibility of the first buffer member 1 can be increased to achieve the effect of quick assembly.

Figure 4 and Figure 5 are respectively a top view and a three-dimensional view of the second buffer member of the buffer structure disclosed in the present invention in a flat state. Figure 6 is a three-dimensional view of the second buffer member of the buffer structure disclosed in the present invention in a bent state.

Please refer to FIG. 4, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the second buffer 2 includes a second body 20. The second body 20 includes a fifth side 21, a sixth side 22, a seventh side 23, an eighth side 24 and a plurality of grooves 25. The fifth side 21 is opposite to the sixth side 22, the seventh side 23 is opposite to the eighth side 24, and the fifth side 21 and the sixth side 22 are vertically connected to the seventh side 23 and the eighth side 24. The grooves 25 are arranged between the fifth side 21 and the sixth side 22, and the second body 20 is suitable for bending to connect the fifth side 21 and the sixth side 22 to each other. Specifically, the grooves 25 are arranged at fixed distances from each other. The purpose of the groove 25 is to increase the flexibility of the second buffer member 2 when the second buffer member 2 is bent so that the fifth side 21 and the sixth side 22 are connected to each other to form a columnar structure, thereby reducing the difficulty of bending the entire second buffer member 2 to achieve the effect of quick assembly.

In one embodiment, the second buffer 2 further includes a first connecting member 211 and a second connecting member 221. The first connecting member 211 is disposed on the fifth side 21, and the second connecting member 221 is disposed on the sixth side 22 and is adapted to be matched with the first connecting member 211. The first connecting member 211 and the second connecting member 221 are not limited in structure, and can be structures similar to the aforementioned engaging ribs and engaging grooves, as long as the fifth side 21 and the sixth side 22 can be connected to each other to form a columnar structure.

FIG7A is a three-dimensional view of the first embodiment of the first buffer member of the buffer structure disclosed herein before being combined with the second buffer member in a flattened state. FIG7B is a three-dimensional view of the first embodiment of the first buffer member of the buffer structure disclosed herein after being combined with the second buffer member in a flattened state. FIG8 is a three-dimensional view of the first embodiment of the first buffer member of the buffer structure disclosed herein after being combined with the second buffer member in a bent state.

Please refer to Figures 7A, 7B and 8, which are about the combination method of the first buffer 1 and the second buffer 2 disclosed in the present invention. The second buffer 2 can be arranged on the first buffer 1. The first buffer 1 and the second buffer 2 can be fixed together by glue, hot melt glue, or other adhesive methods. In the present embodiment, the second buffer 2 is detachably arranged on the first buffer 1 by snapping. Specifically, the first body 10 may further include at least one slot 15, and the at least one slot 15 may be adjacent to at least one of the plurality of snap structures. The second body 20 may further include at least one insert 26, and the at least one insert 26 is arranged on the seventh side 23 and/or the eighth side 24, and the at least one insert 26 is suitable for inserting into the slot 15. Specifically, the first body 10 may further include at least one engaging member 18. The engaging member 18 is disposed adjacent to the slot 15 and extends toward the slot 15, so that the overall area of the slot 15 is smaller than the area of the insert 26. In this way, when the insert 26 is inserted into the slot 15, the engaging member 18 can hold the insert 26 and fix the insert 26 tightly in the slot 15, thereby making the second buffer 2 more firmly fixed to the first buffer 1, so as to enhance the protection effect of the internal product. In this embodiment, the number of the slots 15 and the insert 26 is plural, but it is not limited thereto, as long as the first buffer 1 and the second buffer 2 can be combined. In addition, in the assembly process of the buffer structure, the first buffer member 1 and the second buffer member 2 may be first combined and then bent, or the first buffer member 1 and the second buffer member 2 may be first bent and then combined, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

FIG. 9 is a top view of a second embodiment of the first buffer member of the buffer structure disclosed herein.

Please refer to FIG. 9 , which is about the second embodiment of the first buffer of the present disclosure. It should be noted that the second embodiment of the first buffer of the present disclosure is different from the first embodiment only in the snap-fit structure, and the rest is exactly the same, so the same parts are not described in detail. In order to distinguish the two more clearly, the suffix of the component symbol of the first buffer 1a and its subcomponents of the second embodiment is added with a. The present disclosure will focus on the snap-fit structure 111a of the second embodiment.

In the first buffer member 1a of the second embodiment, for the same engaging structure 111a, the first engaging portion 113a and the second engaging portion 114a can be both engaging ribs or both engaging grooves. If the first engaging portion 113a and the second engaging portion 114a of one engaging structure 111a are both engaging ribs, the configuration of the first engaging portion 113a and the second engaging portion 114a of the adjacent engaging structure 111a is both engaging grooves. On the contrary, if the first engaging portion 113a and the second engaging portion 114a of one engaging structure 111a are both engaging grooves, the configuration of the first engaging portion 113a and the second engaging portion 114a of the adjacent engaging structure 111a is both engaging ribs.

In addition, the first buffer member 1a may also have two different types of engaging structures 111a arranged alternately with each other. As shown in FIG9 , the two different types of abutting portions 112a have different first bevels 1121a, second bevels 1122a, and angles 1123a. The first bevel 1121a and the second bevel 1122a of one engaging structure 111a are straight lines, and a first distance d1 is provided between the first bevel 1121a and the second bevel 1122a opposite to the angle 1123a. The first bevel 1121a and the second bevel 1122a of the other engaging structure 111a are slightly curved lines, and a second distance d2 is provided between the first bevel 1121a and the second bevel 1122a opposite to the angle 1123a. The second distance d2 is greater than the first distance d1, so the shapes of the two different types of abutting portions 112a are also different.

In the first buffer member 1a of the second embodiment, each engaging structure 111a further includes a third engaging portion 116a and a fourth engaging portion 117a. The third engaging portion 116a and the fourth engaging portion 117a correspond to the first engaging portion 113a and the second engaging portion 114a. The third engaging portion 116a is located between the first engaging portion 113a and the first side 11a, and the fourth engaging portion 117a is located between the second engaging portion 114a and the first side 11a, as shown in FIG. 9. In one of the engaging structures 111a, the first engaging portion 113a and the second engaging portion 114a are engaging ribs, and the third engaging portion 116a and the fourth engaging portion 117a may be engaging grooves. In contrast, in the adjacent engaging structure 111a, the first engaging portion 113a and the second engaging portion 114a are engaging grooves, and the third engaging portion 116a and the fourth engaging portion 117a are engaging ribs. In this way, when the first buffer member 1a is bent toward the first side 11a to form a disc structure, the two adjacent engaging structures 111a can still achieve the effect of engaging with each other through the engagement of the engaging ribs and the corresponding engaging grooves.

In summary, the buffer structure design disclosed in the present invention can reduce material waste by stacking the first buffer and the second buffer in a flat manner during transportation. At the same time, the structure after bending and assembly can also achieve the buffering effect for the product to be protected.

Although the present invention has been disclosed as above by the embodiments, they are not intended to limit the present invention. Any person with ordinary knowledge in the relevant technical field can make some changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall be defined by the scope of the attached patent application.

1,1a: first buffer member 10,10a: first body 11,11a: first side 12,12a: second side 13,13a: third side 14,14a: fourth side 111,111a: snap-fit structure 112,112a: top part 1121,1121a: first bevel 1122,1122a: second bevel d1: first distance d2: second distance 1123,1123a: angle 113,113a: first snap-fit part 1131: first protrusion 1132: second protrusion 1133: joint groove 114,114a: second snap-fit part 115,115a: Connecting part 116a: Third engaging part 117a: Fourth engaging part 131,131a: Buffering piece 15,15a: Slot 16: Stopper 17,17a: Cutting line 18,18a: Engagement piece 2: Second buffering piece 20: Second body 21: Fifth side 211: First connecting piece 22: Sixth side 221: Second connecting piece 23: Seventh side 24: Eighth side 25: Groove 26: Insert

FIG. 1 is a top view of a first embodiment of a first buffer member of a buffer structure disclosed herein in a flat state. FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional view of a first embodiment of a first buffer member of a buffer structure disclosed herein in a flat state. FIG. 3 is a three-dimensional view of a first embodiment of a first buffer member of a buffer structure disclosed herein in a bent state. FIG. 4 is a top view of a second buffer member of a buffer structure disclosed herein in a flat state. FIG. 5 is a three-dimensional view of a second buffer member of a buffer structure disclosed herein in a flat state. FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional view of a second buffer member of a buffer structure disclosed herein in a bent state. FIG. 7A is a three-dimensional view of the first embodiment of the first buffer member of the buffer structure disclosed herein before being combined with the second buffer member in a flattened state. FIG. 7B is a three-dimensional view of the first embodiment of the first buffer member of the buffer structure disclosed herein in a flattened state after being combined with the second buffer member. FIG. 8 is a three-dimensional view of the first embodiment of the first buffer member of the buffer structure disclosed herein in a bent state after being combined with the second buffer member. FIG. 9 is a top view of the second embodiment of the first buffer member of the buffer structure disclosed herein in a flattened state.

1: First buffer

10: The first entity

11: First side

12: Second side

13: The third side

14: Fourth side

111: snap-fit structure

112: Reach the top

1121: First hypotenuse

1122: Second hypotenuse

1123: Angle

113: First engagement portion

1131: First convex part

1132: Second convex part

1133:Joint slot

114: Second engagement portion

115: Connection part

131: Buffer

15: Slot

16: Stopper

17: Secant

18: Snap-on parts

Claims (10)

A buffer structure, comprising: A first buffer member, comprising: A first body, having a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side connected to each other, the first side being opposite to the three sides, and the second side being opposite to the fourth side; A plurality of snap-fit structures, arranged on the first side, each snap-fit structure having a butting portion, a first snap-fit portion and a second snap-fit portion, the first snap-fit portion and the second snap-fit portion being respectively located on both sides of the butting portion, when the first body is bent so that the second side corresponds to the fourth side, the first snap-fit portion of each snap-fit structure is suitable for snapping with the second snap-fit portion of the adjacent snap-fit structure; and A plurality of buffer sheets are arranged at intervals on the third side; and A second buffer member is arranged on the first buffer member and comprises: A second body, comprising a fifth side, a sixth side and a plurality of grooves, the fifth side is opposite to the sixth side, the grooves are arranged between the fifth side and the sixth side, and the second body is suitable for bending to connect the fifth side and the sixth side to each other. As described in claim 1, the first engaging portion of one of the engaging structures includes one of an engaging rib and an engaging groove, and the second engaging portion of the adjacent engaging structure includes the other of the engaging rib and the engaging groove. A buffer structure as described in claim 1, wherein the top portion includes a first bevel and a second bevel, and the first bevel is connected to one end of the second bevel and has an angle therebetween. As described in claim 3, the first engaging portion is located at the other end of the first bevel away from the angle, and the second engaging portion is located at the other end of the second bevel away from the angle. As described in claim 4, each of the locking structures further has a connecting portion, one side of which is connected to the first locking portion and the second locking portion, and the other side of which is connected to the first side. The buffer structure as described in claim 1, wherein the first buffer member further includes a plurality of stop members, the stop members are connected to the first side and are located between every two of the locking structures. A buffer structure as described in claim 1, wherein the second buffer further includes a first connecting member and a second connecting member, the first connecting member is arranged on the fifth side, the second connecting member is arranged on the sixth side, and the second connecting member is suitable for being combined with the first connecting member. A buffer structure as described in claim 1, wherein the first body further includes at least one slot, the at least one slot is adjacent to at least one of the locking structures, and the second body further includes a seventh side, an eighth side and at least one insert, the at least one insert is arranged on the seventh side, the eighth side or both of them, and the at least one insert is suitable for being inserted into the at least one slot to fix the second buffer member to the first buffer member. A buffer structure as described in claim 1, wherein when the first body is bent so that the second side corresponds to the fourth side, the first buffer member forms a disc structure, and when the second body is suitable for bending so that the fifth side and the sixth side are connected to each other, the second buffer member forms a columnar structure. The buffer structure as described in claim 1, wherein the first body further has at least one cut line, and the at least one cut line is located on the third side and connected to the buffer sheet.

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