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United States Patent Application	20050173295
Kind Code	A1
Muraoka, Takaharu	August 11, 2005

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Foreign Application Data

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Date	Code	Application Number
Feb 9, 2004	JP	2004-31548

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Claims

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What is claimed is:

1. A packing method, wherein an item to be packed is housed in a packing container, in a state of being pressed from above and below by a lower and upper side of recessed faces of recessed housing parts which are provided on and under the item to be packed, respectively.

2. A packing method, wherein an item to be packed is housed in a packing container, in a state of being pressed from above and below by a recessed-bottom outer face and a recessed-bottom inner face of recessed faces of recessed housing parts for housing the item to be packed, which are provided on and under the item to be packed, respectively.

3. A packing device, comprising: a plurality of spacer members each having a singular or plurality of recessed housing parts for housing items to be packed, the spacer members being provided on and under the items to be packed, and arranged in a vertically laminated state such that the item to be packed being housed in the housing part can be press-held from below by a recessed-bottom inner face of one housing part, and press-held from above by a recessed-bottom outer face of the other housing part; and a packing container capable of housing a plurality of items to be packed in a vertically laminated state, with the spacer members interposed therebetween.

4. The packing device according to claim 3, wherein the housing part of the spacer member is formed of a recessed face comprising a cone face, whose planar shape corresponds to a planar shape of the item to be packed, such as a circular shape or a rectangular shape.

5. A packing device, comprising recessed spacer members for individually housing the items to be packed; and a packing container capable of individually housing items to be packed in a laminated state, with the spacer members interposed therebetween.

6. The packing device according to claim 3, wherein downwardly open, groove-shaped laminating parts to be fitted to one another in a vertical direction are formed on the peripheries of the spacer members.

7. The packing device according to claim 3, wherein the spacer member is formed of a plastic such as PET, cardboard, or a pulp-mold material.

8. The packing device according to claim 3, wherein the spacer member can be repeatedly used.

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Description

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention:

[0002] The present invention relates to a packing method and a packing device to be used in the method, which facilitate packing of relatively small-sized interior goods such as tableware and carved ornaments made of glass, ceramic and the like, and other items to be packed, and further allow safe and damage-free carriage of those items after packing. The packing method and device are usable mainly for transfer such as moving of ordinary families, and further for delivery of sold goods of the kind above described from distributors such as department stores and tableware shops.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art:

[0004] There have been used the following conventional methods for packing various small-sized items into a packing container for example in moving or in delivery of the small-sized items after being purchased: a method of wrapping each item to be packed with packing papers made exclusively for moving or newspapers or the like, and placing the wrapped items one upon another to be housed in a packing container; a method of partitioning a packing container with partitions into a plurality of box-shaped spaces, inserting each item to be packed into a separate packing bag formed for example of a recycled foam sheet member, and placing each of the packing bags into the separate box-shaped space in a packing container.

[0005] As cardboard-made packing containers used for such packing, for example, standardized packing containers having dimensions of 330 mm deep, 330 mm high, and 330 mm (for Size-S), 510 mm (for Size-M), or 680 mm (for Size L) width, and the like, are in production and use. For example, in moving of a family of four, normally, about 100 standardized packing containers are loaded onto a four-ton truck, and about 20 to 30% of those containers are used for packing tableware and the like which require "careful handling" as being fragile.

[0006] Further, there have also been packing containers for packing and transporting relatively small-sized precision instruments, which comprise: an upper spacer member and a lower spacer member, both provided with a warpable sheet part at the center thereof; and a packing container for housing an item to be packed in a state of being sandwiched from above and below by the sheet parts of the spacer members.

[0007] However, in the case of using the above-mentioned conventional packing method in which items to be packed are individually wrapped with packing papers made exclusively for moving or newspapers or the like, and then placed one upon another to be housed in a packing container, such wrapping is highly bothersome when carried out by an individual person. Hence, at present, part-time workers employed by an expert moving company or the like often carry out such a wrapping operation, and the labor cost for such workers constitutes a relatively high proportion of the total cost. Moreover, when items to be packed are intended to be packed with no space therebetween in a packing container, the items are force-packed, to cause a considerable increase in weight of the packing container after packing, and thereby carriage thereof involves heavy labor. Further, such force-packing might cause damage of the packing container during carriage since it is mainly composed of papers.

[0008] Further, in the case of using the method in which each item to be packed, inserted into a bag made of a recycled foam sheet member, is placed into each box-shaped space formed with partitions in packing container, although the packing container itself can be made lightweight, each of the items to be packed rattles in the box-shaped space, and thereby the items to be packed might be damaged. Furthermore, in a case where operators from a moving company carry out the insertion of items to be packed into bags made of a recycled foam sheet materials, it is a very bothersome operation for them.

[0009] Further, in the case of using the method in which an item to be packed is sandwiched from above and below by respective sheet parts of an upper spacer member and a lower spacer member for housing in a packing container, the packing container which houses the items to be packed can be made relatively lightweight since the two spacer members form an excess space on each of the top and bottom sides of the item to be packed. However, the sheet parts cannot stably support the item to be packed when it has a certain weight. This might cause damage of the sheet part of the spacer member during carriage of the packing container. Moreover, since this packing method is intended for relatively high-priced items such as precision instruments, it cannot be applied readily and at low cost to packing of various small-sized items at ordinary families or moving thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Accordingly, the present invention has been made in consideration of the foregoing situations. It is an object of the present invention to provide a packing method and a packing device using the method, which can solve the problem of rattling of an item to be packed that is housed in a packing container made of cardboard or the like, to prevent damage of the item to be packed during carriage, and further allow for relatively enough space between items to be packed when housed in a packing container having the same volume as that of a conventional container, to make the packing container lightweight even after packing and thus easy to carry.

[0011] In order to solve the foregoing problems, in a first aspect of the packing method of the present invention, an item to be packed is housed in a packing container, in a state of being pressed from above and below by a lower and upper side of recessed faces of recessed housing parts which are provided on and under the item to be packed, respectively.

[0012] Further, in a second aspect of the packing method of the present invention, an item to be packed is housed in a packing container, in a state of being pressed from above and below by a recessed-bottom outer face and a recessed-bottom inner face of recessed faces of recessed housing parts for housing the item to be packed, which are provided on and under the item to be packed, respectively. The planar shape of the recessed housing part is circular or rectangular.

[0013] Meanwhile, a packing device for use in the packing method of the present invention comprises: a plurality of spacer members each having a singular or plurality of recessed housing parts for housing items to be packed, the spacer members being provided on and under the items to be packed, and arranged in a vertically laminated state such that the item to be packed being housed in the housing part can be press-held from below by a recessed-bottom inner face of one housing part, and press-held from above by a recessed-bottom outer face of the other housing part; and a packing container capable of housing a plurality of items to be packed in a vertically laminated state, with the spacer members interposed therebetween.

[0014] The housing part of each of the spacer members is formed of a recessed face comprising a cone face, whose planar shape corresponds to a planar shape of the item to be packed, such as a circular shape or a rectangular shape. Specifically, the cubic space of the housing part can be formed so as to have a space shape capable of housing the item to be packed, such as a hemispherical, rectangular-solid, cone or plant-cone shape, and to further have steps therein.

[0015] Further, downwardly open, groove-shaped laminating parts 5 to be fitted to one another in a vertical direction can be formed on the peripheries of the spacer members.

[0016] Moreover, the packing device can be configured by comprising: recessed spacer members which have a cup shape or a tray shape, for example, and individually house the items to be packed; and a packing container capable of individually housing items to be packed in a laminated state, with the spacer members interposed therebetween.

[0017] The spacer members are formed of a plastic such as PET, cardboard, or a pulp-mold material, and can be repeatedly used.

[0018] In the packing method and the packing device using the method which are configured in the above-mentioned manner according to the present invention, the items to be packed housed in stages in the packing container are stably held in a laminated state by the spacer members, and further, excess space is formed between the items to be packed by the spacer members. Therefore, when using the packing container having the same volume as that of a conventional packing container, the packing container after packing can be made totally relatively lightweight, unlike the case of the conventional packing container.

[0019] The housing part of each of the spacer members, which is formed of the recessed face whose planar shape corresponds to the planar shape of the item to be packed, such as a circular or rectangular shape, is corresponded to any of various tableware with different shapes, such as bowls, pots, dishes, cups and glasses, small-sized items having various shapes, and other various items to be packed. Further, the cone faces of the housing parts are individually corresponded to the items to be packed with different dimensions so that those items are fitted in the housing parts to be housed therein.

[0020] In a state where the items to be packed are housed in the housing parts, the laminating parts 5 formed on the peripheries of the spacer members serve to prevent mutual displacement of the spacer members, and further ensure holding of the items to be packed between the housing parts to be stabilized.

[0021] The recessed spacer members for housing items to be packed individually hold and are corresponded to items to be packed with various shapes, including tableware such as bowls, pots, dishes, cups and glasses.

[0022] The spacer members made of a plastic such as PET, cardboard, or a pulp-mold material enables a singular or plurality of housing parts to be integrally molded, thereby alleviating external shock and vibration to protect the items to be packed. Further, those spacer members can be repeatedly used, thereby enhancing the versatility thereof.

[0023] According to the present invention, it is possible to eliminate rattling of the item to be packed housed in the packing container so as to prevent damage of the item to be packed from occurring during carriage. Further, since excess space can be formed even after housing, it is possible to make the packing container after packing lightweight even the packing container has the same volume as that of a conventional packing container, thereby to facilitate direct carriage by a packing operator.

[0024] This is because, according to the present invention, an item to be packed is housed in a packing container, in a state of being pressed from above and below by a lower and upper side of recessed faces of recessed housing parts which are provided on and under the item to be packed, respectively. With this configuration, the item to be packed can be tightly held in the packing container without rattling, thereby allowing transport of the item to be packed in a stable and safe manner without damage, even when the item to be packed is made of glass, ceramic or the like, which are relatively vulnerable to external shock, vibration and the like.

[0025] An item to be packed is housed in a packing container, in a state of being pressed from above and below by a recessed-bottom outer face and a recessed-bottom inner face of recessed faces of recessed housing parts for housing the item to be packed, which are provided on and under the item to be packed, respectively. With this configuration, the items to be packed can be housed in the packing container in the state of being not contacted with, or separated from, one another. Moreover, since excess space is formed between the items to be packed, the packing container itself can be made lightweight after housing the items to be packed even it has the same volume as that of a conventional packing container. Furthermore, various items can be housed regardless of dimensions thereof as long as each of the items to be housed has such dimensions as to be capable of being sandwiched between the inner surface and the outer surface of the recessed bottoms, namely as long as each of the items to be housed capable of being housed in the sandwiching space. Even in the case of packing items with various dimensions and shapes altogether, simply housing each of those items in the space of the recessed face of the housing part enables most of packing operations to be completed, thereby significantly reducing the operation time.

[0026] The packing device comprises: a plurality of spacer members each having a singular or plurality of recessed housing parts for housing items to be packed, the spacer members being provided on and under the items to be packed, and arranged in a vertically laminated state such that the item to be packed being housed in the housing part can be press-held from below by a recessed-bottom inner face of one housing part, and press-held from above by a recessed-bottom outer face of the other housing part; and a packing container capable of housing a plurality of items to be packed in a vertically laminated state, with the spacer members interposed therebetween. With this configuration, the spacer members can completely absorb rattling of the items to be packed in the packing container, and can also prevent damage of items to be packed due to external shock, vibration and the like. Further, a large number of items to be packed can be put into the packing container by simply laminating the spacer members in stages in the packing container, with the items to be packed individually held in the housing parts of the spacer members.

[0027] The housing part of each of the spacer members is formed of a recessed face comprising a cone face, whose planar shape corresponds to a planar shape of the item to be packed, such as a circular shape and a rectangular shape. With this configuration, not only various tableware such as bowls, pots, dishes, cups and glasses, but interior goods with various shapes, regardless of difference in shape and dimensions thereof, can be fitted in the housing parts to be housed therein without rattling of those items housed.

[0028] Downwardly open, groove-shaped laminating parts 5 to be fitted to one another in a vertical direction are formed on the peripheries of the spacer members. With this configuration, even when the spacer members are laminated in a state where the items to be packed are housed in the housing parts, mutual displacement in a horizontal direction of those spacer members does not occur, and thereby the items to be packed can thus be stably held in the housing parts. As a matter of course, if the spacer members can be laminated with the laminating part 5 and the entire lamination can be appropriately fixed by, for example, binding, it is possible not to use the packing container.

[0029] The packing device comprises: recessed spacer members for individually housing the items to be packed; and a packing container capable of individually housing items to be packed in a laminated state, with the spacer members interposed therebetween. With this configuration, it is possible to use the packing device in the state of corresponding to a shape, a dimension and the like of each of the items to be packed, by housing various tableware such as bowls and dishes individually and also housing the spacer members in stages in parallel with one another in the packing container.

[0030] The spacer members are formed of a plastic such as PET, cardboard, or a pulp-mold material. With this configuration, the housing parts can be integrally molded, and those spacer members themselves can be made lightweight and produced at low cost. In this manner, in combination with repeated use of the spacer members, resources can be utilized without waste thereof.

[0031] It is to be noted that the item to be packed is not restricted to tableware or small-sized items to be packed in moving of an ordinary family, but can also be applied to delivery of purchased items and the like, and further to carriage of agricultural products such as fruits, transportation of precision components and members for various electric and electronic equipment, and the like. The item to be packed is not restricted based on its substance, shape, configuration, mode, and the like, as long as can be housed in the housing part.

[0032] It is to be noted that reference characters provided in the sections on the means for solving the problem, the effects of the Invention, and the like, are intended to facilitate reference to corresponding constituents shown in drawings. The present invention is thus not restricted by configurations and shapes shown with reference characters in the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] FIG. 1 is an exploded oblique view showing one of the best embodiments of the present invention;

[0034] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a packed state showing the same;

[0035] FIG. 3 is a specific example of spacer members showing the same: FIG. 3(A) is a plane view having one housing part at the center, whose planar shape is circular; FIG. 3(B) is a plane view having two housing parts on the right and left sides, whose planar shapes are rectangular; FIG. 3(C) is a plane view having housing parts arranged in two lines and in three rows;

[0036] FIG. 4 is an exploded oblique view showing another embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a used state showing still another embodiment of the present invention; and

[0038] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a used state showing still another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0039] In the following, one of the best embodiments of the present invention is described with reference to the drawings. Reference characters 1A and 1B to 1G in the drawings denote spacer members to be housed into a packing container P after entering a state of pressing the items to be packed Q from above and below by faces thereof, or to be inserted in a laminated state into the packing container P while housing the items to be packed Q, after once the items to be packed Q are housed into the packing container P. The packing container P is made for example of cardboard. The spacer members 1A and 1B to 1G are made for example of a plastic such as PET, cardboard, or a pulp-mold material and formed in a substantial plane shape, having recessed housing parts 2. There are standardized packing containers in sizes S, M and L in production. A size-S packing container has dimensions of 330 mm deep, 330 mm high, and 330 mm width (a=b=c=330 mm). A size-M packing container has the same dimensions as above except for a relatively large width being 510 mm (a=330 mm, b=330 mm, c=510 mm). A size-L packing container has the same dimensions as above except for the largest width being 680 mm (a=330 mm, b=330 mm, c=680 mm). As shown in FIG. 1, the spacer members 1A and 1B to 1G are formed in advance of packing by being individually corresponded to the widths of the packing containers: c=330 mm, 510 mm and 680 mm, so as to be housed in the packing containers P of the respective sizes with no longitudinal and horizontal space between the spacer members 1A and 1B to 1G and the packing containers P.

[0040] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the spacer members 1A and 1B to 1G are inserted in a vertically laminated state into the packing container P. For example, the item to be packed Q is housed in the packing container P, in a state of being pressed from above and below by the recessed-bottom outer face and the recessed-bottom inner face of the recessed faces of the hemispherically recessed housing parts 2 which are provided on and under the item to be packed Q, respectively. Herein, the recessed housing parts 2 formed by, for example, pressure molding by pressing or the like are arranged in the spacer members 1A and 1B to 1G. For example, four housing parts 2 having the shape of a hemisphere or the like, each having a cone face for housing the item to be packed Q, are arranged. Further, on the periphery of each of the spacer members 1A and 1B to 1G, a bent part 3 being bent upward is provided. The bent parts 3 are designed to keep the spacer members 1A and 1B to 1G horizontal by being brought into contact with the inner wall face of the packing container P. Further, the bent part 3 can be inserted into or taken out of the packing container P when held by an operator with his or her fingers or the like. It is to be noted that, although not shown in the figure, handling holes might be formed in portions, other than the housing part 2, of the spacer members 1A and 1B to 1G. Through those handling holes, the fingers or the like are inserted into the packing container P when the spacer members 1A and 1B to 1G are handled inside or outside the packing container P.

[0041] The cone face of the housing part 2 is designed to fit to the item to be packed Q to be housed in the housing part 2, regardless of dimensions of the item to be packed Q, the presence or absence of a handle of tableware such as a cup or glass, and the like. In some cases, steps may be formed in the housing part 2.

[0042] On the most bottom face and the peripheral side face of the recessed face of the housing part 2, air vents 4 may be formed for improving air permeability. Further, even when the housing parts 2 have common dimensions and shape, the number of the housing parts 2 are arbitral, e.g. there may be one, two, three, four or more housing parts 2. Moreover, various housing parts 2 may be indicated with different colors according to the kinds thereof. Furthermore, the planar shape of the housing part 2 is not necessarily circular, but may be rectangular, square, triangle, or other polygonal. The shape of the housing part 2 is, specifically, hemispherical, rectangular solid, cone-shaped, plant cone-shaped, or the like, which is a space shape capable of housing the item to be packed Q. Naturally, the planar shape and the depth of the housing part 2, and further the presence or absence as well as the shape of the air vent 4 in the peripheral side wall of the housing part 2, and the like, are arbitrarily selectable.

[0043] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, one housing part 2 whose planar shape is circular is formed at the center of each of the spacer members 1A and 1B to 1G (cf. FIG. 3(A)) so as to preferably house a large-sized item to be packed Q whose planar shape is substantial circular. Further, housing parts 2 whose planar shapes are substantial rectangular are formed in parallel on the right and left sides of each of the spacer members 1A and 1B to 1G (cf. FIG. 3(B)) so as to preferably house medium-sized items to be packed Q whose planar shapes are substantial rectangular. Moreover, six housing parts 2 whose planar shapes are substantial circular are formed in two lines and in three rows in vertical and horizontal directions (cf. FIG. 3(C)) so as to preferably house smaller-sized items to be packed Q whose planar shape are substantial circular. As thus described, by previous preparation for the spacer members 1A and 1B to 1G corresponding to differences in dimensions, shapes and the like of the items to be packed Q, it is possible to make the spacer members 1A and 1B to 1G corresponded to such differences of the items to be packed Q, and to house the items to be packed Q into the packing container P in a laminated state through the spacer members 1A and 1B to 1G placed therebetween. As a matter of course, the item to be packed Q whose planar shape is substantial circular may be housed in the housing part 2 whose planar shape is substantial rectangular, and conversely, the item to be packed Q whose planar shape is substantial rectangular may be housed in the housing part 2 whose planar shape is substantial circular.

[0044] Next, a method for using the above-mentioned configuration according to the present invention is described. One of such a method is as follows. The spacer member 1A is first placed into the packing container P whose upper part opening side has been opened. The item to be packed Q is housed in a housing part 2 of the spacer member 1A, and another spacer member 1B is then inserted into the packing container P to be arranged such that the lower face side of the housing part 2 of the spacer member 1B is placed on the item to be packed Q. Further, another item to be packed Q is housed in the housing part 2 of the upper spacer member 1B, and still another spacer member 1C is then inserted into the packing container P to be arranged such that the recessed-bottom outer face side of the housing part 2 of the spacer member 1C is placed on the item to be packed Q housed in the housing part 2 of the spacer member 1B. This arrangement may be repeated to house various items to be packed Q in the packing container P. As a matter of course, in a state where the items to be packed Q are individually housed in the spacer members 1A and 1B to 1G, the bent parts 3 may be held with the fingers so as to house the spacer members 1A and 1B to 1G in a laminated state into the packing container P.

[0045] It should be noted that, when a slight space is formed on the upper side in the packing container P, the spacer member 1G as the top stage may be inserted into the packing container P and placed where the space has been formed, according to need. This allows stable housing of the items to be packed Q in the packing container P without rattling, in a state where the items to be packed Q are pressed from the above and below by the recessed parts 2 of the spacer members 1A and 1B to 1G, namely, each of the items to be packed Q is pressed from above by the recessed-bottom outer face of the housing part 2, and from below by the recessed-bottom inner face of the housing part 2.

[0046] Further, FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment formed is relatively small-sized spacer members 1A and 1B to 1G, each of which is recessed for example in a cup shape or a tray shape, made for example of a plastic such as PET, cardboard, or a pulp-mold material, and capable of corresponding to one item to be packed Q. The items to be packed Q are housed in a state of being held in a laminated state through the spacer members 1A and 1B to 1G placed therebetween. Herein, the spacer members 1A and 1B to 1G having either a cup shape or a tray shape may be selected for use, according to the shapes, dimensions and the like of the items to be packed Q. The items to be packed Q placed in a laminated state through the spacer members 1A and 1B to 1G having a cup shape are housed in the packing container P adjacently and in parallel with the items to be packed Q in a laminated state through the spacer members 1A and 1B to 1G having a tray shape.

[0047] It should be noted that, when a slight space is formed on the upper side in the packing container P, a plurality of laminated spacer members (not shown in the figure) may be inserted into the packing container P and placed on the top spacer member 1G, according to need. This arrangement allows the items to be packed Q to be pressed from above and below by the spacer members 1A and 1B to 1G so as to be stably housed in the packing container P without rattling.

[0048] Although not shown in the figure, the spacer members 1A and 1B to 1G in a cup shape or a tray shape each having one housing part 2 corresponding to one item to be packed Q may be vertically and horizontally connected with an arm-shaped or a bar-shaped connecting member.

[0049] Further, FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, downwardly open, groove-shaped laminating parts 5 to be fitted to one another in a vertical direction are formed on the peripheries of the spacer members 1A and 1B to 1G. The laminating parts 5 are fitted to one another in a laminating direction while the items to be packed Q are housed in the housing parts 2. The planar shape of the laminating part 5 is a groove shape, and the width thereof gradually and slightly increases from the back part to the opening. Making the laminating parts 5 fitted to one another prevents mutual displacement in a horizontal direction of the spacer members 1A and 1B to 1G, and allows stable holding of the items to be packed Q between the housing parts 2 in a vertical direction.

[0050] It is to be noted that, with the use of the spacer members 1A and 1B to 1G with the laminating part 5 formed thereon, the items to be packed Q can be packed not only by placing them in a laminated state in the packing container P, but the item to be packed Q can also be packed without using the packing container P, by appropriately binding the items to be packed Q in a laminated state in the laminating direction.

[0051] Further, FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the present invention. The housing parts 2 formed in the spacer members 1A and 1B to 1G are not restricted to the upwardly open form. In this embodiment, an upper covering part 2A, for covering over the item to be packed Q positioned below, is connected with a lower covering part 2B, for housing the lower part of the item to be packed Q positioned above, through a boundary part 2C, so as to be vertically arranged. Herein, the boundary part 2C individually protects the item to be packed Q which is housed and packed above and the item to be packed Q which is housed and packed below, and the boundary part 2C may take a closed or open shape. It is to be noted that, in this vertically continuous type housing parts 2, the boundary part 2C may agree with either the main part of each of the spacer members 1A and 1B to 1G, or the opening edge of the upper covering part 2A or the lower covering part 2B. Further, by making the upper covering part 2A symmetric with the lower covering part 2B, it is possible to use the housing parts 2 without selecting the upper or lower direction thereof.

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