Abstract
An optimum cushioning design method for reducing the cushion volume and for properly
designing the cushion shape has been
Firstly, the present optimum design method was modified to be applicable to products with
protuberance. Secondly, the effect of the protuberance length on the optimum shape of
cushions calculated by this newly developed design method was investigated
The results are summarized as follows.
(1) The protuberance length shorter than a certain value does not affect the optimum shape
of cushion.
(2) The thickness and the volume of cushion as well as the cost of packaging materials
increase linearly with the length of protuberance. On the other hand, the strain decreases
linearly with the length of protuberance.
(3) The strain of cushion required for minimizing its volume is larger than that required
for maximizing its thickness. Furthermore, the area of cushion and the cost of packaging
material at minimum volume is smaller than those at maximum thickness.
(4) The height of products dose not affect the optimum shape of cushion.
