Transport jig and transport method for double-row self-aligning roller bearing

A method for individually packing and transporting a double-row self-aligning roller bearing having a flange, using a plurality of transport jigs, the method comprising:

• placing a respective transport jig of the plurality of transport jigs at each of opposite end surfaces of each double-row self-aligning roller bearing such that each of the transport jigs is in contact with a respective rolling element of a plurality of rolling elements of the double-row self-aligning roller bearing, wherein each of the transport jigs is formed in a ring shape having an inner diameter and an outer diameter that allow the transport jig in its entirety to be accommodated, in a radial direction of the double-row self-aligning roller bearing, between an outer circumferential surface of an end portion of an inner ring of the double-row self-aligning roller bearing and an inner circumferential surface of an end portion of an outer ring of the double-row self-aligning roller bearing, and each of the transport jigs is formed from a material that is softer than the plurality of rolling elements of the double-row self-aligning roller bearing;
• covering the double-row self-aligning roller bearing together with the transport jigs placed at opposite sides with a packaging material in a form of a film over an inner circumferential surface, an outer circumferential surface, and the opposite end surfaces of the double-row self-aligning roller bearing;
• and
• attaining a state where portions of the transport jigs that protrude in an axial direction of the double-row self-aligning roller bearing beyond end surfaces of the inner ring and the outer ring are pressed toward a center side in the axial direction of the double-row self-aligning roller bearing, by the packaging material, wherein each of the transport jigs is shaped such that one side surface of the transport jig comes into contact with an end surface of a respective rolling element of the plurality of rolling elements and another side surface of the transport jig protrudes beyond the end surfaces of the inner ring and the outer ring in the axial direction of the double-row self-aligning roller bearing.