Boxing device

Abstract

To provide a boxing device that can prevent box flaps from falling inside.SOLUTION: A boxing device has a box moving part, a flap support part, and an in-pushing part. The box moving part moves a box from a box feeding position to a boxing position. The box has flaps. The flap is arranged adjacent to a side wall that defines an opening. At the box feeding position, boxes are supplied from outside. At the boxing position, multiple articles are packed into the opening. The flap support part supports the flaps. The in-pushing part pushes into a box at the packing position groups of articles, in which multiple articles are aligned and conveyed by an article conveying part. Before the in-pushing part pushes the group of articles into the box, the box moving part moves the box so that its posture changes from a first posture in which the opening of the box faces sideways at the box feeding position to a second posture in which the opening of the box faces upward at the boxing position. The flap support part supports the flaps when the posture of the box changes from the first posture to the second posture.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE This disclosure relates to cartoning machines. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 (JP 2014-61904 A) describes a packing device that packs items into a cardboard box from the side with the opening facing sideways, and then rotates the cardboard box 90 degrees so that the opening faces upwards. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] In a boxing device such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1, when trying to pack items into a cardboard box with the opening facing up, the flaps of the cardboard box may fall inward. If the box is packed with the flaps facing inward, the packing may not go well and the contents may be damaged.

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a cartoning device that can prevent the flaps of a box from falling inward. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A first aspect of the cartoning device has a box moving unit, a flap support unit, and a pushing unit. The box moving unit moves a box from a box supply position to a packing position. The box has a flap. The flap is arranged adjacent to a side wall that defines an opening. At the box supply position, a box is supplied from outside. At the packing position, a plurality of items are packed into the opening. The flap support unit supports the flap. The pushing unit pushes a group of items, in which a plurality of items are aligned and transported by the item conveying unit, into a box at the packing position. Before the pushing unit pushes the group of items into the box, the box moving unit moves the box so that its orientation changes from a first orientation in which the opening of the box faces sideways at the box supply position to a second orientation in which the opening of the box faces upward at the packing position. The flap support unit supports the flap when the orientation of the box changes from the first orientation to the second orientation.

[0006] This cartoning device can prevent the flaps of the box from falling inward.

[0007] In a second aspect of the cartoning device, the flap support portion has a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The first portion extends vertically. The second portion extends in a direction inclined relative to the vertical. The third portion extends horizontally.

[0008] In the case of the packing device of the third aspect, the box moving section moves the box from the box supply position to the packing position while aligning the box along the flap support section.

[0009] In a fourth aspect of the cartoning device, the pushing section has an opening / closing member, which includes a protrusion on a surface facing the box.

[0010] The packing device of the fifth aspect further includes a box transfer unit that transfers the box in which the group of articles is packed. The box transfer unit moves from the standby position to below the box after the box has been changed to the second posture.

[0011] In the case of the packing device of the sixth aspect, when the box moves from the box supply position to the packing position, the flap support section folds the flap on the rear side in the moving direction of the box to the outside of the box. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a packaging and boxing line including a boxing device 300 according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 3 is a side view of the packing device 300. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of box C. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the packing device 300. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the packing device 300 from below. [Figure 6] 10 is a perspective view of a third flap support portion 40. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the opening / closing member 51 from below. [Figure 8] 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the change in the vertical position of the box conveying section 60. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control unit 80. [Figure 10] 10 is a side view illustrating the movement of the box C and the box moving unit 10. FIG. [Figure 11] 10 is a side view illustrating the movement of the box C and the box moving unit 10. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that in the description of the drawings, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated description will be omitted. In the following description, for convenience, the front-rear, up-down, and left-right directions relative to the case packing device 300 are used. In some drawings, orthogonal axes indicating these directions are displayed. The front-rear and left-right directions are all directions that extend horizontally. The up-down direction is equivalent to the vertical direction. Furthermore, expressions such as "same," "horizontal," and "parallel" may be used, but these include not only "completely same," "horizontal," and "parallel," but also "substantially same," "horizontal," and "parallel."

[0014] (1) Overall structure Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a packaging and boxing line 1 including a boxing device 300 according to one embodiment. The packaging and boxing line 1 has a packaging machine 100, an inspection device 200, and the boxing device 300. Note that Fig. 1 shows the boxing device 300 covered with a cover.

[0015] The packaging machine 100 packages a predetermined amount of product A produced by a manufacturing device (not shown) into packaging material. Hereinafter, an item produced by packaging product A in packaging material will be referred to as item B. The packaging machine 100 has a combination weighing machine 101 and a form-fill-seal machine 102. The combination weighing machine 101 is disposed above the form-fill-seal machine 102. The combination weighing machine 101 weighs the amount of product A that will fit into one item B and drops it into the form-fill-seal machine 102. The form-fill-seal machine 102 is a vertical pillow type form-fill-seal machine, and packages the product A weighed by the combination weighing machine 101 into item B (vertical pillow bag), and supplies it to the inspection device 200. Although not limited to this, product A is, for example, a snack food or the like.

[0016] The inspection device 200 inspects the articles B supplied from the packaging machine 100 for weight, the presence or absence of pinholes and / or foreign matter, and supplies the articles B to the packing device 300 via the article conveying section 201.

[0017] The packing device 300 performs a packing operation by accumulating the items B supplied from the item conveying section 201 to form an item group B1 and packing the item group B1 into a box C. As shown in FIG. 2, the packing device 300 has a box moving section 10, a flap support section 20, a second flap support section 30 (see FIG. 5), a third flap support section 40, a pushing section 50, a box conveying section 60, a second box conveying section 70 (see FIG. 4), and a control section 80 (see FIG. 9). Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the packing device 300 has a box supply position P1, a packing position P2, and a sealing / sorting position P3.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 3 , the box C has a flap C10 and a side wall C20. The side wall C20 defines an opening O. The flap C10 is disposed adjacent to the side wall C20. In this embodiment, the flap C10 includes a main flap C11 and a minor flap C12. In this embodiment, there are two main flaps C11 and two minor flaps C12. The main flaps C11 are adjacent to the side walls C20 that face each other in the left-right direction. The minor flaps C12 are adjacent to the side walls C20 that face each other in the front-rear direction.

[0019] As shown in Figure 4, the box C can take a first position S1 and a second position S2. In the first position S1, the opening O of the box C faces sideways. More specifically, in the first position S1, the opening O faces backward. In the second position S2, the opening O of the box C faces upward.

[0020] During the packing operation, the box C is moved in the order of box supply position P1, packing position P2, and sealing / sorting position P3. At the box supply position P1, the box C takes a first position S1 and moves vertically. At the packing position P2 and sealing / sorting position P3, the box C takes a second position S2 and moves horizontally. A group of items B1 is packed into the opening O. Therefore, during the packing operation, the flap C10 must be open to the outside of the box C until the insertion of the predetermined number of group of items B1 is completed.

[0021] 2 and 4, the box supply position P1 is located near the center in the front-rear direction of the packing device 300. At the box supply position P1, a box C is supplied from outside the packing device 300. In detail, at the box supply position P1, a box C in a first position S1 is supplied from above the packing device 300.

[0022] The packing position P2 is located rearward of the box supply position P1. The packing position P2 is positioned lower than the box supply position P1. At the packing position P2, the group of items B1 is packed into the box C from the opening O. At the packing position P2, the box C is in the second position S2. The opening O of the box C faces upward, so the group of items B1 is packed into the box C from above the opening O.

[0023] The sealing and sorting position P3 is located forward of the box supply position P1. The sealing and sorting position P3 is lower than the box supply position P1 and is at the same height as the packing position P2. At the sealing and sorting position P3, the boxes C are sealed and sorted.

[0024] (2) Detailed configuration (2-1) Box moving section The box moving unit 10 moves the boxes C from the box supply position P1 to the packing position P2. The box moving unit 10 is controlled by the control unit 80.

[0025] The box moving section 10 has a box holder 11, a first cam 12, a second cam 13, a transmission member 13a, a first cam rail 14, and a second cam rail 15.

[0026] The first cam rail 14 is disposed from the box supply position P1 to the packing position P2. Specifically, the first cam rail 14 is disposed in front of the box supply position P1 of the packing device 300. The first cam rail 14 includes a vertical portion 14a extending vertically, an inclined portion 14b inclined relative to the vertical direction, and a horizontal portion 14c extending horizontally in a vertical direction. The vertical portion 14a extends vertically from near the box insertion opening at the top of the packing device 300. The vertical portion 14a connects to the inclined portion 14b, and the inclined portion 14b connects to the horizontal portion 14c.

[0027] The first cam 12 is connected near the suction portion of the box holder 11. The first cam 12 is movable along the first cam rail 14 in the vertical direction, in a direction inclined relative to the vertical direction, horizontal direction, and vice versa. The detailed operation of the first cam 12 and other components will be explained in detail in the section on packing operations below.

[0028] The second cam rail 15 is disposed at the packing position P2. Specifically, the second cam rail 15 is disposed below the pushing section 50 and extends in the front-rear direction.

[0029] The transmission member 13 a is disposed between the first cam 12 and the second cam 13 .

[0030] The second cam 13 is connected to the box holder 11 via a transmission member 13a. The second cam 13 moves along a second cam rail 15. The second cam 13 is disposed in contact with the second cam rail 15 due to gravity.

[0031] The box holder 11 moves the box C. The box holder 11 has a suction part (not shown) in the center. The suction part sucks the right side surface of the box C and holds the box C from the side. The box holder 11 holds the box C by clamping the opposing surfaces of the box C in the vertical direction from the outside.

[0032] The box holder 11 moves vertically, in a direction inclined relative to the vertical, and horizontally in that order in accordance with the movements of the first cam 12 and the second cam 13, to move the box C from the box supply position P1 to the packing position P2. When the box C is transported by the box transfer section 60, the box holder moves horizontally, in a direction inclined relative to the vertical, and vertically to return to the top of the box supply position P1.

[0033] The box moving unit 10 moves the supplied box C, which has taken on a first position S1, downward in the vertical direction. The box moving unit 10 moves the box C so that the position of the box C changes from the first position S1 to a second position S2 before the pushing unit 50 pushes the group of articles B1 into the box C. The box moving unit 10 moves the box C from the box supply position P1 to the packing position P2 while aligning the box C with the flap support unit 20, which will be described later. When moved from the box supply position P1 to the packing position P2, the box C moves in an arc-shaped trajectory in a side view.

[0034] (2-2) Flap support part The flap support portion 20 supports the flap C10. The flap support portion 20 supports the flap C10 when the orientation of the box C changes from the first orientation S1 to the second orientation S2.

[0035] The flap support parts 20 are made up of multiple rod-shaped members. There are no particular limitations on the location where the flap support parts 20 are attached, but the flap support parts 20 are attached to the box moving part 10, for example. The flap support parts 20 do not need to be in constant contact with the flap C10.

[0036] 5, in this embodiment, the flap support part 20 is a three-bar-shaped member. In detail, the flap support part 20 includes two major bars 21 and one sub-bar 22.

[0037] The two measuring bars 21 respectively fold the main flaps C11 of the box C to the outside of the box C.

[0038] The two measure bars 21 have the same shape. The two measure bars 21 are arranged parallel to each other. The two measure bars 21 are arranged adjacent to each other in the left-right direction with a gap between them, in positions where they each abut against different main flaps C11 of the box C. The width between the measure bars 21 is greater than the left-right width of the opening of the box C. This allows the measure bars 21 to fold the main flaps C11 to the outside of the box C.

[0039] The measure bar 21 has a first portion 21a, a second portion 21b, and a third portion 21c. The first portion 21a is connected to the second portion 21b, and the second portion 21b is connected to the third portion 21c.

[0040] The first section 21a is disposed at the box supply position P1. The first section 21a extends vertically from the vicinity of a box insertion opening at the top of the packing device 300.

[0041] The second portion 21b is disposed from the box supply position P1 to the packing position P2. The second portion 21b is a rounded portion that extends in an arc from the front side to the rear side in a side view. Although not particularly limited, the bending radius of the second portion 21b may be R3 or more (radius of 3 mm or more). In the present embodiment, for example, the bending radius of the second portion 21b may be R100 (radius of 100 mm). The second portion 21b extends in a direction inclined rearward with respect to the vertical direction at the connection portion with the first portion 21a. The second portion 21b extends rearward so as to approach the horizontal direction at the connection portion with the third portion 21c.

[0042] The third portion 21c is disposed at the packing position P2. The third portion 21c extends horizontally below the pushing portion 50 up to the rear end of the pushing portion 50.

[0043] The sub-bar 22 folds the minor flaps C12 of the box C to the outside of the box C. In particular, when the box C moves from the box supply position P1 to the packing position P2, the sub-bar 22 folds the minor flaps C12 on the rear side in the moving direction of the box C to the outside of the box C.

[0044] The sub-bars 22 are arranged between the two major bars 21 so as to be parallel to each of the major bars 21. The sub-bars 22 are arranged at intervals from each of the major bars 21. The sub-bars 22 are arranged at a position where they abut against the minor flaps C12 of the box C.

[0045] The sub-bar 22 has a fourth portion 22a, a fifth portion 22b, and a sixth portion 22c. The fourth portion 22a is connected to the fifth portion 22b, and the fifth portion 22b is connected to the sixth portion 22c.

[0046] The fourth portion 22a extends parallel to the first portion 21a in the vertical direction from the vicinity of a box insertion opening at the top of the case packing device 300. The fourth portion 22a is disposed rearward of the first portion 21a in a side view.

[0047] The fifth portion 22b is a curved portion that extends in an arc from the front side to the rear side in a side view. While not particularly limited, the bending radius of the fifth portion 22b may be R3 or greater (radius 3 mm or greater). In the present embodiment, for example, the bending radius of the fifth portion 22b may be R100 (radius 100 mm). The bending radius of the fifth portion 22b may be smaller or larger than that of the fifth portion 22b of the second portion 21b. This allows the fifth portion 22b to easily hold the minor flap C12 without interfering with the movement of the box C when the box C changes from the first position S1 to the second position S2. The fifth portion 22b extends in a direction inclined rearward with respect to the vertical direction at the connection portion with the fourth portion 22a. The fifth portion 22b extends rearward so as to approach the horizontal direction at the connection portion with the sixth portion 22c.

[0048] The sixth portion 22c extends horizontally in parallel to the third portion 21c to the front end of the pushing portion 50. The sixth portion 22c is not disposed below the pushing portion 50. The height of the sixth portion 22c is the same as the height of the third portion 21c.

[0049] (2-3) Second flap support part The second flap support part 30 is disposed behind the opening / closing member 51 so as to face the minor flap C12 on the rear side of the box C. The second flap support part 30 is a plate-shaped member extending in the front-to-rear direction. The second flap support part 30 supports the minor flap C12 on the rear side of the box C when the box C is in the packing position P2.

[0050] (2-4) Third flap support part As shown in Fig. 2, the third flap support unit 40 is disposed in front of the packing device 300 and outside the arc-shaped trajectory of the box C when the box C changes its position. The third flap support unit 40 prevents the flap C10 of the box C from falling inward of the box C when the box C moves from the packing position P2 to the sealing / sorting position P3. The third flap support unit 40 is controlled by the control unit 80.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 6 , the third flap support part 40 includes two members. Each member includes a fixed part 41 and a movable part 42. The location where the fixed part 41 is attached is not particularly limited. For example, the fixed part 41 is fixed to the bottom of the box sealing part 71. One end of the movable part 42 is pivotally connected to the fixed part 41, and the other end is arranged to be movable in the vertical direction. The movable part 42 pivots in the vertical direction using an air cylinder. The two movable parts 42 are arranged parallel to each other with a gap between them. The distance between the opposing surfaces of the two movable parts 42 is smaller than the left-right length of the opening O of the box C. Therefore, the minor flap C12 of the box C can be held down. The distance between the left and right outer surfaces of the two movable parts 42 is larger than the left-right length of the opening O of the box C. Therefore, the main flap C11 of the box C can be held down.

[0052] As shown in the left diagram of Fig. 6, while the box C is moving from the box supply position P1 to the packing position P2, the end of the movable part 42 is lowered. As a result, the third flap support part 40 does not block the path along which the box C descends. On the other hand, as shown in the right diagram of Fig. 6, while the box C is moving from the packing position P2 to the sealing and sorting position P3, the end of the movable part 42 is raised and presses down on the flap C10 of the box C from above. As a result, even if the box C is moved from the packing position P2 to the sealing and sorting position P3 using part of the path along which the box C descends, the third flap support part 40 does not obstruct the movement of the box C.

[0053] (2-5) Push-in section The pushing unit 50 pushes the group of articles B1, which is made up of a plurality of articles arranged in an aligned order and transported by the article transport unit 201, into a box C located at the boxing position P2. The pushing unit 50 is controlled by the control unit 80.

[0054] The pushing section 50 is disposed at the end of the article conveying section 201. The pushing section 50 has an opening / closing member 51. The opening / closing member 51 is positioned above the opening O of the box C when the box C is in the packing position P2.

[0055] The opening / closing member 51 is located at the end of the item conveying section 201 and supports the group of items B1 that have been conveyed and accumulated from the item conveying section 201. The opening / closing member 51 places the group of items B1 into box C. In detail, the opening / closing member 51 opens in the left and right directions from the center in one go and places the group of items B1 all at once into box C. The opening / closing member 51 opens to the inner dimensions of box C.

[0056] As shown in Fig. 7, the opening / closing member 51 includes two protrusions 51a on the surface facing the box C. Fig. 7 shows the opening / closing member 51 in a state where it is opened to the left and right.

[0057] The protrusions 51a are arranged one by one at the end of the center of the opening / closing member 51. The protrusions 51a extend in the front-to-rear direction. The protrusions 51a are at a height that allows them to abut against the upper ends of the side walls C20 of the box C in the packing position. The protrusions 51a move together with the center of the opening / closing member 51, and therefore move to a size that is almost the same as the internal dimensions of the box C.

[0058] The protrusion 51a reliably widens the opening O of the box C to the left and right while centering the box C. The front end of the protrusion 51a is inclined backward and downward. Therefore, even when the box C moves horizontally to be placed in the packing position P2, the protrusion 51a is prevented from getting caught on the flap C10 of the box C.

[0059] (2-6) Box transfer section The box transfer section 60 transfers the box C into which the group of articles B1 has been placed. The box transfer section 60 is controlled by the control section 80. The box transfer section 60 is driven by a servo motor.

[0060] The box transfer section 60 has a transport mechanism and a box lifter mechanism (not shown).

[0061] The transport mechanism includes a conveyor. The box transport section 60 transports boxes C in which the group of articles B1 is packed by the transport mechanism. The box transport section 60 is arranged at a standby position P4 so as to be movable in the front-to-rear direction. The standby position P4 is at the front of the packing device 300. The standby position P4 is adjacent to the sealing / sorting position P3.

[0062] After the box C has been changed to the second posture S2, the box transfer section 60 moves from the standby position P4 to the packing position P2 below the box C. This allows the next box C to be lowered while the box C is being moved from the packing position P2 to the sealing and sorting position P3. This reduces the time required to replace the box C. Once the item group B1 has been placed in the box C, the box transfer section 60 transfers the box C forward. The box transfer section 60 hands the box over to the second box transfer section 70.

[0063] The box lifter mechanism can move up and down to match the height of the box C. As shown in FIG. 8, when the box C is moved to the packing position P2 and the box transfer section 60 moves below the box C, the box transfer section 60 moves upward by the box lifter mechanism. This causes the flap support section 20 to abut against the flap C10, ensuring that the flap C10 can be opened outward. Furthermore, the box lifter mechanism can handle even low-height boxes C. Once the item group B1 has been placed into the box C, the box transfer section 60 moves downward by the box lifter mechanism.

[0064] (2-7)Second box transfer section The second box conveying unit 70 seals and distributes the boxes C conveyed by the box conveying unit 60. The second box conveying unit 70 is controlled by the control unit 80.

[0065] The second box conveying section 70 includes a sealing section 71 and a sorting section 72. The sealing section 71 covers the opening O of the box C with a flap C10 and secures it with tape. The sorting section 72 separates boxes C into acceptable boxes that have been packed and defective boxes that have not been packed, and separates and transports the individual boxes C to the outside of the packing device 300. The sorted boxes C are transported out from the front end of the packing device 300, for example.

[0066] The sorting unit 72 sorts the boxes into acceptable boxes and defective boxes. There is no particular limitation on the method for determining whether a box is acceptable or defective, but for example, the control unit 80 determines whether the weight of the box C is within a predetermined range based on the output signal of the load cell. If it is determined to be outside the predetermined range, a defective signal indicating this is sent to the sorting unit 72. The sorting unit 72 sorts the defective boxes into a defective box collection conveyor (not shown) in accordance with the defective signal from the control unit 80.

[0067] The sorting section 72 is a conveyor. The conveyor transports boxes C in the front-to-back direction. The second box transporting section 70 is located in front of the box transporting section 60. The second box transporting section 70 is rotatable. This allows the next boxing to be performed as soon as the box C is transported to the sealing position, without waiting for sealing to be completed. In the box transporting section 60, transport can be performed based on the flap folding surface, making flap control easier. When transporting boxes after sealing, the conveyor height can be changed based on the height of the subsequent conveyor, allowing for greater flexibility in box transport. Since the unit that seals the boxes and the unit that sorts boxes C can be located in the same position, the section occupied by these units in the boxing device 300 can be shortened.

[0068] A mechanical locking mechanism is disposed on the rotating lever that rotates the second box conveying unit 70. The locking mechanism is, for example, a leaf spring stopper. The second box conveying unit is disposed below the sealing unit 71. The second box conveying unit sorts the boxes C. If the box C passes, the second box conveying unit moves the box C forward. If the box C fails, the locking mechanism mechanically locks it.

[0069] (2-8) Control unit The control unit 80 controls each unit of the packing device 300 to perform the packing operation. The packing operation includes a box moving process, a packing process, a box transporting process, and a sealing / sorting process. Details of the packing operation will be described later. FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the control unit 80. The control unit 80 is electrically connected to the box moving unit 10, the third flap support unit 40, the pushing unit 50, the box transporting unit 60, and the second box transporting unit 70 so as to be able to send and receive control signals and detection signals.

[0070] The control unit 80 is realized by a computer. The control unit 80 includes a control and arithmetic unit and a storage device. The control and arithmetic unit can be a processor such as a CPU or a GPU. The control and arithmetic unit reads a program stored in the storage device and performs predetermined arithmetic processing in accordance with the program. Furthermore, the control and arithmetic unit can write the results of calculations to the storage device and read information stored in the storage device in accordance with the program.

[0071] (3) Packaging operation The packing operation is an operation of repeatedly packing a predetermined number N of items B into a box C. The packing operation includes a box moving process, a packing process, a box transport process, and a sealing and sorting process. The packing operation is started, for example, when a packaging and packing line (not shown) is started.

[0072] When the packing operation is started, the control unit 80 starts a box movement process. The box movement process is a process for moving the box C from the box supply position P1 to the packing position P2.

[0073] In the box moving process, a box C is supplied from outside the packing device 300 at the box supply position P1. The control unit 80 controls the box moving unit 10 to move the box C. Specifically, at the box supply position P1, the box holder 11 sucks the side of the supplied box C to hold the box C from the side and top and bottom, and maintains the first posture of the box C. At this time, as shown in FIG. 2 , the first cam 12 is positioned on the vertical portion 14a of the first cam rail, and the second cam 13 is positioned on the second cam rail 15. The first cam 12 moves downward along the vertical portion 14a, and the second cam 13 moves backward along the second cam rail 15. Following the movements of the first cam 12 and the second cam 13, the box holder 11 moves downward while holding the box C.

[0074] 10, before the pushing section 50 pushes the group of articles B1 into the box C, the first cam 12 moves to the inclined section 14b of the first cam rail, and the second cam 13 moves further backward along the second cam rail 15. The box holder 11, while still holding the box C, becomes inclined relative to the vertical direction.

[0075] Next, as shown in FIG. 11 , the first cam 12 moves to the horizontal portion 14c of the first cam rail, and the second cam 13 moves further rearward along the second cam rail 15. The box holder 11 extends horizontally while holding the box C. This changes the position of the box C from the first position S1 to the second position S2. The first cam 12 moves rearward along the horizontal portion 14c, and the second cam 13 moves further rearward along the second cam rail 15. The box holder 11 follows the movements of the first cam 12 and the second cam 13, and moves the box C, which has now reached the second position S2, to the packing position P2.

[0076] While the box C is being moved from the box supply position P1 to the packing position P2, the flap support portion 20 is always in a state where it can abut against the flap C10 of the box C. Therefore, the flap C10 of the box C is reliably maintained in an open state facing outward from the box C. When being moved from the box supply position P1 to the packing position P2, the box C moves in an arc-shaped trajectory in a side view.

[0077] While the box C is at the box supply position P1, the box transfer section 60 waits at the standby position P4. At the same time that the box C moves to the packing position P2, the control section 80 moves the box transfer section 60 below the box C. When the box transfer section 60 arrives at the packing position P2, it moves upward by the box lifter mechanism and raises the box C to the desired height for packing. This causes the flap C10 of the box C to abut against the flap support section 20 and the second flap support section 30, and the flap C10 of the box C is reliably opened to the outside of the box C.

[0078] When the box C arrives at the packing position P2, the control unit 80 starts the packing process. The packing process is a process of packing the group of articles B1 into the opening O of the box C.

[0079] The control unit 80 controls the pushing unit 50 so that the opening / closing member 51 of the pushing unit 50 opens left and right from the center. This allows the pushing unit 50 to place the group of articles B1 into the box C. When the opening / closing member 51 opens left and right, the protrusion 51a also moves left and right. This allows the protrusion 51a to reliably widen the opening O of the box C left and right.

[0080] When the loading of the group of items B1 is completed, the control unit 80 starts the box transfer process. The box transfer process is a process of carrying out the box C filled with the group of items B1.

[0081] The box transfer section 60 is controlled by the control section 80 and moves downward using the box lifter mechanism so that the height of the box C becomes a desired discharge height. The desired discharge height is, for example, the height at which the box C is discharged. The box transfer section 60 moves horizontally forward, with the box C still loaded, in the box discharge direction, and moves to standby position P4. Upon arriving at standby position P4, the box transfer section 60 hands over the box C to the second box transfer section 70. As soon as the box transfer section 60 finishes moving forward, the next box C2 is transported. As soon as the next box C2 becomes horizontal, the box transfer section 60 passes under box C2 and moves below box C2. The box transfer section 60 moves upward using the box lifter mechanism, and raises the box C2 to a desired position for packing.

[0082] When the box C arrives at the sealing and sorting position P3, the control unit 80 starts the sealing and sorting process. The sealing and sorting process involves closing the flaps C10 of the box C, attaching tape, and sorting the boxes into acceptable and defective ones.

[0083] The second box conveying section 70 seals the boxes C. The second box conveying section 70 sorts the boxes C that have been sealed, and carries the boxes C out of the packing device 300.

[0084] (4) Features (4-1) The boxing device 300 of this embodiment has a box moving section 10, a flap support section 20, and a pushing section 50. The box moving section 10 moves a box C from a box supply position P1 to a packing position P2. The box C has a flap C10. The flap C10 is arranged adjacent to a side wall C20 that defines an opening O. At the box supply position P1, the box C is supplied from the outside. At the packing position P2, multiple items B are packed into the opening O. The flap support section 20 supports the flap C10. The pushing section 50 pushes a group B1 of aligned items B transported by the item conveying section 201 into a box at the packing position P2. Before the pushing unit 50 pushes the group of articles B1 into the box C, the box moving unit 10 moves the box C so that the orientation of the box C changes from a first orientation S1 in which the opening O of the box C faces sideways at the box supply position P1 to a second orientation S2 in which the opening O of the box C faces upward at the packing position P2. The flap support unit 20 supports the flap C10 when the orientation of the box C changes from the first orientation S1 to the second orientation S2.

[0085] The boxing apparatus 300 of this embodiment can prevent the flaps C10 of the boxes C from falling inward.

[0086] (4-2) In the case packing apparatus 300 of this embodiment, the flap support portion 20 has a first portion 21a, a second portion 21b, and a third portion 21c. The first portion 21a extends vertically. The second portion 21b extends in a direction inclined relative to the vertical. The third portion 21c extends horizontally.

[0087] The packing device 300 of this embodiment can prevent the flaps C10 of the boxes C from falling inward while the boxes C are moving from the box supply position P1 to the packing position P2.

[0088] (4-3) In the case packing device 300 of this embodiment, the box moving section 10 moves the box C along the flap support section 20 from the box supply position P1 to the case packing position P2.

[0089] In the case packing apparatus 300 of this embodiment, the flap support portion 20 can support the flap C10 in accordance with the trajectory of the box C as it moves.

[0090] (4-4) In the case packing apparatus 300 of this embodiment, the pushing section 50 has an opening / closing member 51. The opening / closing member 51 includes a protrusion 51a on the surface facing the box C.

[0091] Because the protrusions 51a open the box C to the left and right, there is no need for a separate member for accurate centering of the box C. Also, the protrusions 51a allow the opening and closing member to be opened to a width that is almost the same as the inner dimensions of the box C, increasing the tolerance for packing. Furthermore, even if a recycled box is used, the protrusions 51a forcibly open the box C until it reaches the specified inner dimensions, thereby reducing the occurrence of defective items such as the item B.

[0092] (4-5) The packing device 300 of this embodiment further includes a box transfer section 60. The box transfer section 60 transfers the box C in which the group of items B1 is packed. After the box C is changed to the second posture S2, the box transfer section 60 moves from the standby position P4 to below the box C.

[0093] Since the next box C2 can be lowered while the box transfer section 60 is moving in the front-rear direction, the time required to replace the boxes C can be shortened.

[0094] (4-6) In the case of the packing device 300 of this embodiment, the flap support section 20 folds the minor flap C12 on the rear side in the moving direction of the box C outward from the box C when the box C moves from the box supply position P1 to the packing position P2.

[0095] The packing device 300 of this embodiment can prevent the minor flap C12 on the rear side in the moving direction of the box C from falling inward while the box C is moving from the box supply position P1 to the packing position P2.

[0096] (5) Variations (5-1) Variation A In the above embodiment, in the flap support unit 20 of the packing device 300, the second portion 21b extends in a direction inclined rearward with respect to the vertical direction at the connection portion with the first portion 21a, but this is not particularly limited. The second portion 21b may extend in a direction inclined forward with respect to the vertical direction at the connection portion with the first portion 21a. In other words, the second portion 21b may have a shape that bulges forward and describes a partial circle in a side view.

[0097] In this modified example, when the box C changes from the first position S1 to the second position S2, the trajectory of the box C in side view bulges slightly outward. That is, the trajectory of the box C in side view bulges forward to describe a partial circle. If the second portion 21b has a shape bulging forward to describe an arc in side view, it can abut against the flap C10 even when the box C changes from the first position to the second position, and the flap can be supported more reliably.

[0098] (5-2) Variation B In the above embodiment, the flap support portion 20 has three pieces, but is not limited to this. For example, the flap support portion 20 may have a total of four pieces, including two main bars and two sub-bars.

[0099] (5-3) Variation C In the above embodiment, the box holder 11 is disposed only on the right side of the packing device 300, but this is not particularly limited. The box holder 11 may be disposed on both the left and right sides of the packing device 300.

[0100] (5-4) Variation D In the above embodiment, the pushing unit 50 puts the group of articles B1 into the box C, but this is not particularly limited. The pushing unit 50 may also put the articles B into the box C individually.

[0101] (5-5) Variation E In the above embodiment, boxes C in the first position S1 are supplied from the top of the packing device 300 and transported from the sealing and sorting position P3, but this is not particularly limited. Boxes C may be supplied from the packing position P2 or the sealing and sorting position P3. Boxes C may also be transported from the packing position P2. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 10: Box moving section 20: Flap support part 21a: Part 1 21b: Part 2 21c: Part 3 30: Second flap support part 40: Third flap support part 50: Push-in section 51: Opening and closing member 51a:Protrusion 60: Box transfer section 201: Goods transport section B:Goods B1: Goods group C: box C10: Flap C20: Side wall O: Opening P1: Box supply position P2: Packing position S1: First posture S2:Second posture [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0103] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-61904

Claims

1. a box moving section (10) that moves a box (C) having a flap (C10) arranged adjacent to a side wall (C20) that defines an opening (O) from a box supply position (P1) where the box is supplied from outside to a packing position (P2) where a plurality of items (B) are packed into the opening; A flap support portion (20) that supports the flap; a pushing unit (50) that pushes an article group (B1) in which the articles are arranged in an aligned manner and transported by an article transport unit (201) into the box located at the boxing position; Equipped with the box moving unit moves the box so that the orientation of the box is changed from a first orientation (S1) in which the opening of the box faces sideways at the box supply position to a second orientation (S2) in which the opening of the box faces upward at the packing position before the pushing unit pushes the group of articles into the box; The flap support portion supports the flap when the orientation of the box changes from the first orientation to the second orientation. Packing equipment.

2. The flap support portion has a first portion (21a) extending along the vertical direction, a second portion (21b) extending in a direction inclined relative to the vertical direction, and a third portion (21c) extending along the horizontal direction.

2. The cartoning device of claim 1.

3. The box moving unit moves the box from the box supply position to the packing position while aligning the box along the flap support unit.

3. The packing device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The pushing portion has an opening and closing member (51), The opening and closing member includes a protrusion (51a) on a surface facing the box.

2. The cartoning device of claim 1.

5. The system further includes a box transport unit (60) that transports the boxes in which the groups of articles are packed, The box transfer unit moves from a standby position (P4) to below the box after the box has been changed to the second posture.

2. The cartoning device of claim 1.

6. When the box moves from the box supply position to the packing position, the flap support portion folds the flap on the rear side in the moving direction of the box toward the outside of the box.

2. The cartoning device of claim 1.

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