Sealing device for a box

Abstract

Even in a thin case, not only can the adhesive tape be properly attached to the opposing end portions of a pair of wing portions formed on a surface having an opening portion, but also the adhesive tape can be properly attached to a surface on the side adjacent to the surface having the opening portion. The adhesive tape attaching unit (10) has a pressing portion (16) configured to be movable between a lowered position (Pd) and a raised position (Pu) higher than the lowered position (Pd), the pressing portion (16) pressing the adhesive tape (T) against a front surface (Bf) of the case (B) at the lowered position (Pd) and pressing the adhesive tape (T) against the opposing end portions (Baa) of a pair of wing portions (Ba) of an upper surface (Bu) of the case (B) at the raised position (Pu), the adhesive tape attaching unit (10) being provided with a lifting member (65) that lifts the lower portion (Td) of the adhesive tape (T) in the vicinity (Ar) of the rear side of the pressing portion (16) when the rear side pressing roller (16) is lowered from the raised position (Pu) to the lowered position (Pd).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sealing device for a box, the sealing device comprising: a transport unit that transports the box from the rear to the front of a transport path; and a tape application unit that applies tape along the transport direction to the opposing ends of a pair of wings that protrude toward the center from the outer sides of an opening on the upper surface of the box in the width direction so as to close the opening. Background Technology

[0002] In the past, sealing devices have been developed with the following structure: in order to improve sealing performance, the tape can be pasted not only along the entire front-rear length of the opposing ends of a pair of wings on the upper surface of the box, but also across both ends of the opposing ends to the upper part of the front and rear surfaces of the box (for example, see Patent Document 1 below).

[0003] The sealing device of Patent Document 1 is configured to include: an upstream pressing roller and a downstream pressing roller as pressing parts, which are separately arranged in the transport direction and can press the box body through the tape; and a tape cutter, which is arranged between the upstream and downstream pressing rollers in a manner that can cut the tape.

[0004] Furthermore, when applying tape to the box using the sealing device of Patent Document 1, the lower part of the tape is pre-positioned in a drooping state on the upstream side (rear) of the upstream pressing roller. In this state, when the box moves from the upstream side (rear) of the transport path toward the upstream pressing part (front), the upper part of the front surface of the box is pressed by the upstream pressing part through the lower part of the tape.

[0005] Thus, tape can be adhered to the upper part of the front surface of the box. The lower part of the tape adhered to the upper part of the front surface of the box becomes the starting end of tape adhesion to the box. Then, using the upstream and downstream pressing rollers, tape is continuously adhered to the opposing ends of the pair of wings on the upper surface of the box from the front end to the rear end.

[0006] Then, the tape is cut by a tape cutter while leaving an excess length extending backward from the rear of the box for application to the upper rear surface of the box. On the other hand, the tape remaining on the device side after cutting is positioned near the rear side of the upstream pressing roller with its lower end hanging down, which prepares it for applying tape to the next box to be transported, in the same manner as described above.

[0007] However, when delivering thin items such as books that are about 8mm to 40mm thick, envelopes or plastic bags are currently the most common packaging materials used.

[0008] However, generally speaking, envelopes or vinyl packaging are more flexible and less strong than corrugated boxes, so the items sealed in these envelopes or vinyl packaging are not easy to load and are prone to collapse. Furthermore, due to the main reasons such as easy breakage or wrinkling during delivery, the protective performance of the items may be poor.

[0009] On the other hand, although thin deliveries are sealed in boxes such as corrugated cardboard boxes that are stronger than envelopes and vinyl packaging for delivery, the actual loading capacity of the truck bed is reduced when thin deliveries are sealed in boxes that are too thick relative to the thickness of the thin deliveries (contents), which is disadvantageous in terms of reduced delivery efficiency.

[0010] Against this backdrop, there is a need to make boxes thinner than sturdy envelopes or vinyl packaging such as corrugated cardboard boxes, and to seal the delivery items in these thin boxes for distribution.

[0011] However, in the case of a thin box, the front surface of the box is shorter in the vertical direction. Therefore, when applying tape to this thin box using a sealing device as described above, i.e., when applying the tape to the front surface of the box using the pressing part, the lower end of the tape may remain on the front surface of the box, extending below the lower end of the box. In this case, there are concerns that the remaining lower portion of the tape may unintentionally adhere to the periphery of the transport path, such as the transport rollers, or that the appearance of the box after tape application may be reduced, or that it may become the starting point for tape peeling.

[0012] That is, this is a major reason why the practice of sealing goods in thin boxes for delivery has not become widespread.

[0013] Existing technical documents

[0014] Patent documents

[0015] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-68408 Summary of the Invention

[0016] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0017] The object of the present invention is to provide a sealing device for a box, which, even in a thin box, can not only properly adhere tape to the opposite end of the wing formed on the surface having the opening, but also properly adhere tape to the side of the surface adjacent to the surface having the opening.

[0018] Methods for solving problems

[0019] The sealing device for the box of the present invention includes: a box transport unit that transports the box from the rear to the front of the transport path; and a tape application unit that applies tape along the transport direction to the opposing ends of a pair of wings that protrude toward the center from both outer sides of an opening on the upper surface of the box in the width direction, such that the opening can be closed. The tape application unit has a pressing part that is movable between a lowered position and an upper position above the lowered position. In the lowered position, the tape is pressed against the front surface of the box, and in the upper position, the tape is pressed against the opposing ends of the box. The tape application unit is provided with a lifting member that lifts the lower part of the tape located near the rear of the pressing part when the pressing part descends from the upper position to the lowered position. The lifting member is configured to move in the direction of lifting the tape by increasing the distance between the lifting member and the pressing part based on the movement of the pressing part when it returns from the upper position to the lowered position.

[0020] According to the above structure, when the pressing part returns from the rising position to the falling position, the lifting member moves itself in the direction of lifting the tape. Therefore, compared with the case where the lifting member lifts the lower part of the tape in a fixed position, the lifting member can actively lift the lower part of the tape.

[0021] Therefore, the lower part of the tape can be configured so that it does not droop excessively relative to the pressing part in the descending position.

[0022] Therefore, even if the box is thin, it is possible not only to properly attach tape to the opposing ends of the pair of wings formed on the surface of the box with the opening, but also to properly attach tape to the front surface of the box.

[0023] In addition, in this specification, a thin box refers to a box whose length in the height direction of the face (front surface and rear surface) adjacent to the face having the opening is shorter than the width and length of the face having the opening. For example, it refers to a box suitable for sealing and distributing items such as books (thin items) with a thickness of approximately 8 mm to 40 mm.

[0024] Preferably, in this invention, the tape is laid along a path extending downwards from a position above the lifting member toward the pressing part. The sealing device of the box includes: a swing arm that causes the pressing part to swing between the lowered position and the uppered position; and a connecting arm, one end of which is connected to the swing arm and extends from one end to the other end in a manner traversing the path extending downwards from the tape. The lifting member is disposed on the connecting arm, and the connecting arm is configured to move relative to the path extending downwards from the tape from one end to the other end in conjunction with the displacement of the swing arm when the pressing part descends from the upper position to the lowered position.

[0025] When the pressing part returns to the lowered position from the raised position, the connecting arm and the swing arm move in conjunction. Moreover, by providing the lifting member on such a connecting arm, when the pressing part returns to the lowered position from the raised position, the lifting member itself can move in the direction of lifting the lower part of the tape.

[0026] That is, when the pressing part moves from the rising position to the falling position, compared with the case where the lifting member lifts the lower part of the tape in a fixed position, the lifting member can actively lift the lower part of the tape.

[0027] Furthermore, by providing the lifting member to the connecting arm, even without additionally equipping a drive source or the like for moving the lifting member in the lifting direction when the pressing part descends from the rising position to the falling position, the lifting member can be efficiently moved in the lifting direction as described above by utilizing the movement of the connecting member when the pressing part descends.

[0028] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lifting member is configured to move in a substantially straight line from one end to the other end relative to the path laid below the tape when the pressing part descends from the rising position to the falling position.

[0029] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a tape cutting member is provided near the front side of the pressing portion. This tape cutting member moves between the lowering position and the rising position and cuts the tape when moving from the rising position to the lowering position. The tape cutting member is disposed close to the pressing portion side.

[0030] According to the above structure, the length of the lower part of the tape disposed near the rear side of the pressing part in the descending position can be shortened as much as possible compared to the length of the pressing part hanging downward.

[0031] The aforementioned tape cutting components include, for example, components that use the blades of a cutter, scissors, etc., to physically cut or use heat-based melting to cut.

[0032] Invention Effects

[0033] According to the present invention, even in a thin box, it is possible not only to properly adhere tape to the opposite end of the wing formed on the surface having the opening, but also to properly adhere tape to the surface adjacent to the surface having the opening. Attached Figure Description

[0034] Figure 1 This is an external view of the sealing device for the box in this embodiment.

[0035] Figure 2 This is a right-side view of the sealing device of the box in this embodiment.

[0036] Figure 3 This is a top view of the sealing device of the box in this embodiment.

[0037] Figure 4 This is an enlarged rear view of the sealing device of the box in this embodiment.

[0038] Figure 5 It shows along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the main part of the BB line.

[0039] Figure 6 It shows along Figure 2 An enlarged sectional view of the main part of line AA.

[0040] Figure 7 The diagram shows the appearance of the tape-adhesive unit using partial imaginary lines.

[0041] Figure 8 This is a partial imaginary line showing the appearance of the tape application unit and viewed from the front, left, and bottom.

[0042] Figure 9 This is a partial imaginary line showing the appearance of the tape-attaching unit and viewed from the rear, left, and top.

[0043] Figure 10 This is a right-side view of the tape-applying unit with the pressing part in the lowered position, shown using partial imaginary lines.

[0044] Figure 11 This is a right-side view of the tape application unit with the pressing part in the raised position, shown using partial imaginary lines.

[0045] Figure 12 (a) is to Figure 10The cutter arm in the image is shown as an imaginary line. Figure 10 Enlarged view of the main parts Figure 12 (b) is to Figure 11 The cutter arm in the image is shown as an imaginary line. Figure 11 Enlarged view of the main parts.

[0046] Figure 13 (a) is an illustration showing the action of applying tape to the front surface of the box. Figure 13 (b) is a diagram illustrating the effect of pasting.

[0047] Figure 14 (a) is an illustration showing the action of applying tape to the upper surface of the box. Figure 14 (b) is a diagram illustrating the effect of pasting.

[0048] Figure 15 This is an illustration showing the process of applying tape to the rear surface of the box.

[0049] Figure 16 This is a diagram illustrating the function of using an upward roller to lift the conveyor belt.

[0050] Figure 17 This is an external view of the thin box that is to be sealed. Detailed Implementation

[0051] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described using the accompanying drawings.

[0052] The sealing device 1 (hereinafter referred to as "sealing device 1") of this embodiment is a device in which adhesive tape T (hereinafter referred to as "tape T") is attached to the opposing ends Baa of a pair of wings Ba provided for closing the opening on the upper surface Bu of the box B (in this example, a corrugated cardboard box B). Figure 17 This is used to seal box B, and is suitable for sealing thin boxes within box B.

[0053] like Figures 1-5 As shown, the sealing device 1 of this embodiment has a base 2, a unit support 3, and various units 10, 40, and 50.

[0054] In addition, let L be the front-to-back direction of the device, W be the width direction of the device, and Z be the vertical direction (height direction) of the device. Furthermore, let Lf be the front direction (front side) of the device, Lr be the rear direction (back side) of the device, Wr be the right direction of the device, Wl be the left direction of the device, and Zu be the top direction of the device.

[0055] like Figures 1-3 , Figure 5 As shown, the base 2 has: a box transport platform 21, which automatically transports the box B along the transport path 4; a box supply platform 22, which extends rearward relative to the box transport platform 21; and a box loading platform 23, which extends forward relative to the box transport platform 21.

[0056] The upper surfaces of the box transport platform 21, the box supply platform 22, and the box transfer platform 23 are substantially coplanar. The transport path 4 is formed continuously in a straight line along the front-back direction not only on the upper surface of the box transport platform 21, but also on the upper surfaces of the box supply platform 22 and the box transfer platform 23. In the transport path 4, the rear side (back side) of the device corresponds to the upstream side of the transport direction of the box B, and similarly, the front side (front side) of the device corresponds to the downstream side, transporting the box B from the rear side of the transport path 4 in the forward direction.

[0057] Furthermore, the upper surface of the box supply table 22 is formed by a flat horizontal plane. In contrast, the upper surface of the box transfer table 23 is provided with a plurality of transfer rollers 5 arranged at equal intervals along the transfer path 4. These multiple transfer rollers 5 are capable of rotating freely about an axis extending in the width direction (see reference). Figure 1 , Figure 3 , Figure 5 ).

[0058] like Figures 1-5 As shown, the unit support 3 has: a unit support frame 24, which is erected in the width direction above the upper surface of the box transport table 21 in a manner that spans the transport path 4; and a support column 125, which supports the unit support frame 24 from both sides in the width direction.

[0059] The unit support 3 is formed as a rectangular frame when viewed from above, supporting the tape application unit 10 (described later) and the upper box transport unit 40U. Furthermore, the tape application unit 10 is supported by the unit support 3 and positioned approximately directly above the center of the transport path 4 in the width direction. A pair of upper box transport units 40U are arranged on either side of the tape application unit 10.

[0060] The support column 125 extends vertically, with its central portion mounted on the sides of the box transport platform 21 corresponding to the width direction. Inside the support column 125, a helical shaft (ball screw) extending vertically is disposed (not shown), configured to allow the unit support frame 24 to move vertically. The sealing device 1 is provided with a height adjustment handle (not shown) for adjusting the height of the unit support 3 by rotating the helical shaft.

[0061] like Figures 1-5 As shown, the sealing device 1 of this embodiment includes an adhesive tape pasting unit 10, a box transport unit 40, and a transport path width adjustment unit 50.

[0062] The box handling unit 40 includes an upper box handling unit 40U and a lower box handling unit 40D (see reference). Figure 5 ) and box guide rail 48.

[0063] like Figure 5 As shown, the upper box handling unit 40U is supported on the unit support frame 24, and the lower box handling unit 40D is disposed on the upper part of the box handling platform 21. Figure 6 As shown, both the upper box transport unit 40U and the lower box transport unit 40D have a pair of left and right conveyors 43 along the transport path 4.

[0064] like Figure 5 As shown, the conveyor 43 is configured to include: a driven roller 44 that rotates about an axis extending in the width direction; a drive roller 45 that rotates about an axis extending in the width direction by means of a motor 46; and a conveyor belt 47 that is tensioned in an annular (endless) manner across the driven roller 44 and drive roller 45, which are separately arranged in the front-rear direction.

[0065] like Figure 5 , Figure 6 As shown, the conveyor belt 43 of the upper box transport unit 40U and the conveyor belt 43 of the lower box transport unit 40D are arranged opposite each other on the upper and lower sides of the transport path 4, separated by the transport path 4.

[0066] Moreover, such as Figure 5 As shown, in the lower box transport unit 40D, the box B is supported on the upper surface 47du of the transport belt 47 with the transporter 43. On the other hand, the upper box transport unit 40U is adjusted to a height such that the lower surface 47ud of the transport belt 47 with the transporter 43 of the upper box transport unit 40U can abut against the upper surface Bu of the box B. Thus, by driving the upper and lower transport belts 47 synchronously with respect to the transport path 4, the box B can be automatically transported from the rear to the front of the transport path 4.

[0067] In addition, a work switch 49 is provided on the front side of the unit support frame 24 for operators to turn the motor 46 driving the conveyor belt 47 on (work) or off (stop).

[0068] like Figure 1 , Figure 3 , Figure 6 As shown, the box guide rails 48 of the box transport unit 40 are arranged in pairs on both sides of the transport path 4 in the width direction. They guide the box body B moving along the transport path 4 in the width direction by abutting the side of the box body B from the outside of the width direction through the inner end of each of them in the width direction.

[0069] like Figure 1 , Figure 3 As shown, both of the box guide rails 48 are long strips that extend in a straight line along the transport path 4 in the front-to-back direction, and are formed as plates that are longer in the width direction than in the vertical direction (thickness direction).

[0070] That is, the pair of box guide rails 48 are formed to a thickness thinner than the minimum thickness of the box B in the thin box B that can be handled by the sealing device 1 of this embodiment (i.e., sealing based on tape T). Furthermore, the pair of box guide rails 48 are horizontally arranged along the transport path 4 at a position slightly above the upper surface 47du of the transport belt 47 constituting the lower end of the transport path 4 (refer to...). Figure 4 , Figure 6 , Figure 13 (a)

[0071] like Figures 1-6 As shown, the transport path width adjustment unit 50 consists of a guide rail mounting part 51, a width adjustment link 52, and a width adjustment rod 53. These components 51, 52, and 53 are arranged in a left and right pair corresponding to the box guide rails 48 provided in the width direction.

[0072] Such as Figures 1-6 As shown, the guide rail mounting part 51 extends parallel to the box guide rail 48 in the front-to-back direction and is arranged on the outer side of the box guide rail 48 in the width direction, as shown. Figure 4 As shown, the support box guide rail 48 is installed from the outside in the width direction.

[0073] like Figures 1-4 , Figure 6 As shown, on both sides of the width direction relative to the transport path 4, the guide rail mounting part 51 is supported on the box transport table 21 via the width adjustment link 52.

[0074] like Figure 3 As shown, one end of the width adjusting linkage 52 is axially supported on the upper surface of the box transport table 21 in the width direction, and the other end is axially supported on the guide rail mounting part 51. This configuration allows for a posture where, when viewed from above, one end of the width adjusting linkage 52 is the center and the other end faces rearward (see reference). Figure 3 The width adjustment link 52 (as shown by the imaginary line in the middle) and its posture toward the inside in the width direction (refer to...) Figure 3 The width adjustment linkage 52 (shown by the solid line) swings between the two. This width adjustment linkage 52 is composed of a pair of parallel linkage mechanisms arranged front and rear. Thus, the guide rail mounting part 51 (box guide rail 48) can move outward in the width direction while remaining parallel and horizontal to the transport path 4, and can also move inward in the width direction while remaining parallel and horizontal to the transport path 4, and retract towards the box transport table 21.

[0075] Furthermore, the pivoting of the shaft support portion on the other end of the width adjustment link 52 relative to the guide rail mounting portion 51 can be restricted by operating the width adjustment rod 53 located at the rear of the guide rail mounting portion 51, thereby fixing the position of the box guide rail 48 in a manner that allows the transport path 4 to be of arbitrary width.

[0076] That is, with respect to a pair of box guide rails 48, the width of the transport path 4 can be manually adjusted independently on the left and right sides using the transport path width adjustment unit 50.

[0077] like Figures 7-11 As shown, the tape application unit 10 has a rear swing arm 12, a front swing arm 13, a connecting arm 14, and a tape cutting arm 15.

[0078] The rear swing arm 12 has a rear pressing roller 16 at its lower end and a front end, which will be described later. The rear swing arm 12 is configured to allow the rear pressing roller 16 to be in the lowered position Pd (see reference). Figure 10 ) and the rising position Pu which is ahead and above the falling position Pd (refer to Figure 11 The swinging motion between the two is supported by the shaft 17 extending along the width direction on the rear of the right side wall 11r.

[0079] The front swing arm 13 has a front pressing roller 18 at its lower end and rear end, as described later, and the front swing arm 13 is capable of positioning the front pressing roller 18 in the lowered position Pd (see reference). Figure 10 The rising position Pu, which is located behind and above the falling position Pd (refer to...) Figure 11 The swinging motion between the two is supported by the shaft 19 extending along the width direction on the front of the right side wall 11r.

[0080] The rear swing arm 12 and the front swing arm 13 are connected to each other by a connecting arm 14 extending between them in the front-rear direction.

[0081] Specifically, the rear swing arm 12 is supported by a shaft 14r extending in the width direction (see reference). Figures 9-11 The front swing arm 13 is supported at the rear end of the connecting arm 14, and the front swing arm 13 is supported by the shaft 14f extending in the width direction (see reference). Figures 8-11 The shaft is supported at the front end of the connecting arm 14.

[0082] Thus, the connecting arm 14 links the rear swing arm 12 and the front swing arm 13 in a manner that causes the rear pressing roller 16 and the front pressing roller 18 to move up and down while maintaining approximately the same height. That is, the rear pressing roller 16 and the front pressing roller 18 swing relative to each other in a manner that they are either in the lowering position Pd or the rising position Pu at the same time.

[0083] "Descending position Pd" refers to the position where the rear pressing roller 16, the front pressing roller 18, and the tape cutter 25 are lower than the upper surface Bu of the transported box B, indicating that... Figures 7-10 , Figure 12 The state shown in (a).

[0084] Specifically, the lowering position Pd of the rear pressing roller 16 is such that the rear pressing roller 16 can be used to press the rear side of the rear pressing roller 16 near Ar (refer to...). Figure 13 (a) The lower part Td of the hanging tape T (refer to the) Figure 13 (a) The standby position, where the object is pressed against the front surface Bf of the housing B, refers to, for example... Figure 13 The position shown in (a).

[0085] Furthermore, the lowering position Pd of the front pressing roller 18 is achieved by using the front pressing roller 18 to extend the tape T, which is attached to the opposite end Baa of the upper surface Bu of the housing B, from the rear end of the opposite end Baa to the rearward extension piece Tr (refer to...). Figure 15 The position where the pressure is applied to the rear surface Br of housing B refers to, for example... Figure 15 The location shown.

[0086] On the other hand, the "rising position Pu" is the position where the rear pressing roller 16, the front pressing roller 18, and the tape cutter 25 are higher than the upper surface Bu of the transported box B, indicating that... Figure 11 , Figure 12 The state shown in (b).

[0087] Each rising position Pu of the rear pressing roller 16 and the front pressing roller 18 is the position where the tape T is pressed against the opposing ends Baa of the pair of wings Ba on the upper surface Bu of the box body B. For example, Figure 14 The positions shown in (a) and (b).

[0088] like Figures 7-11 As shown, the tape cutting arm 15 has a tape cutter 25 on its lower front side, and the tape cutting arm 15 is configured to allow the tape cutter 25 to be in a lowered position Pd (see reference). Figure 10 ) and the rising position Pu which is ahead and above the falling position Pd (refer to Figure 11 The oscillating motion between the axes is supported by the left-side sidewall 11l of the shaft 26 extending along the width direction (see reference). Figure 8 , Figure 9 ).

[0089] The tape cutter 25 is wider than the tape T and is formed as a plate with a cutting blade formed along the width direction at the lower end.

[0090] The rising position Pu of the tape cutter 25 is the position where the cutting blade formed at the lower end of the tape cutter 25 faces the tape T adhered to the upper surface Bu of the box B from above, and can cut the tape T when it descends to the falling position Pd. Figure 11 , Figure 14 The positions shown in (a) and (b).

[0091] And, as Figures 7-10 , Figure 12 As shown in (a), the tape cutting arm 15 is equipped with a cutter protection component 27, a cutter push-up component 28, and a cutter mounting position adjustment bracket 29 (see reference). Figure 7 , Figure 12 (a) and the mounting position adjustment bracket 30 of the push-up component.

[0092] The cutter protection component 27 is a component that protects the hand from being cut by the cutter blade by covering the tape cutter 25 from the front relative to the tape cutter 25.

[0093] like Figure 10 , Figure 11 As shown, the cutter protection member 27 is positioned so that it is close to the tape cutter 25 at the bottom (covering the tape cutter 25 at the coverage position Pa (refer to)). Figure 10 The position where the tape cutter 25 is separated from the tape cutter 25 (relative to the retraction position Pb of the tape cutter 25) is referenced. Figure 11 The upper end of the cutter protection member 27 is supported by a shaft on the side of the tape cutting arm 15, allowing it to swing between the two sides. Furthermore, the cutter protection member 27 is equipped with a torsion spring 31 (see reference 27a) at its upper end. Figure 8 A force is always applied to the covered position Pa.

[0094] Furthermore, when the tape cutter 25 is in the lowered position Pd, the cutter protection member 27 is in the covered position Pa, thereby protecting the hand from being cut by the cutter blade, as described above. On the other hand, when the tape cutter 25 reaches the raised position Pu, the cutter protection member 27 abuts against the upper surface Bu of the housing B, thereby reaching the retracted position Pb (see reference). Figure 14 (a) and (b) are in a state where the tape T can be cut using the tape cutter 25.

[0095] The tape cutter push-up component 28 is a cam plate that pushes the tape cutter 25 to the rising position Pu. It is offset to the side (in the width direction, the left side in this example) relative to the tape cutter 25 (see reference). Figures 7-9 ).

[0096] like Figure 12As shown in (b), the cutter push member 28 extends in the front-rear direction with its front end 28f positioned forward of the cutter blade and its rear end 28r positioned rearward of the lower end of the rear pressure roller 16, when the tape cutter 25 and the rear pressure roller 16 are respectively in the raised position Pu. The rear end 28r of the cutter push member 28 extends obliquely in the front-rear direction with the rearward end being positioned higher (see reference). Figure 12 (a) and (b)).

[0097] With the tape cutter 25 in the lowered position Pd, the rear part 28r of the cutter pusher 28 directly abuts against the front and upper corner of the box B being transported from rear to front without any separation from the tape T, thereby pushing the tape cutting arm 15 (tape cutter 25) to the raised position Pu (see reference). Figure 13 (a) and (b)).

[0098] Cutter mounting position adjustment bracket 29 (refer to) Figure 12 (a) The tape cutter 25 is mounted to the tape cutting arm 15 using bolts or the like, and the mounting position of the tape cutter 25 toward the tape cutting arm 15 can be adjusted in the front-to-back direction. That is, the cutter mounting position adjustment bracket 29 can adjust the mounting position of the tape cutter 25 between a position where the tape cutter 25 is close to the rear pressure roller 16 from the front and a position where it is far away from the rear pressure roller 16 from the front.

[0099] The push-up component mounting position adjustment bracket 30 uses bolts or the like to mount the cutter push-up component 28 to the side of the tape cutting arm 15, and can adjust the mounting position of the cutter push-up component 28 toward the tape cutting arm 15 in the front-back direction.

[0100] By appropriately adjusting the mounting positions of the tape cutter 25 and the cutter push-up member 28 in the front-rear direction, the length of the tape T adhered to the front surface Bf and the rear surface Br of the box body B can be adjusted. From the viewpoint of dealing with a thin box body B as in this embodiment, it is preferable to position the tape cutter 25 as close as possible to the rear pressing roller 16 side.

[0101] And, as Figures 7-12 As shown in (a) and (b), the tape application unit 10 includes: a force-applying spring 32 that applies force to the rear pressing roller 16 and the front pressing roller 18 on the downward position Pd side; and a force-applying spring 33 that applies force to the tape cutting arm 15 on the downward position Pd side. Additionally, in Figure 7 , Figure 11 , Figure 12 The illustration of the force-applying spring 33 is omitted in (a) and (b).

[0102] And, as Figures 7-10As shown, the tape application unit 10 includes: pressing rollers 18 and 16 on the front and rear sides, which press the tape T against the housing B being transported from the rear to the front of the transport path 4; and a tape supply roller 35 (see reference). Figure 7 ); and a tape guide structure 60, which guides the tape T supplied from the tape supply roller 35 toward the rearward pressing roller 16.

[0103] like Figure 7 As shown, the tape supply roller 35 is disposed on the upper part of the support plate 36 extending upward from the right side wall 11r, and is configured to be mounted in such a way that the center of the tape raw material TA to be wound with tape T can rotate about an axis extending in the width direction.

[0104] The tape T is pulled out from the outermost layer of the tape material TA mounted on the tape supply roller 35 and laid towards the tape guide structure 60 disposed below. Moreover, the tape supply roller 35 passively rotates based on the tension applied to the tape T from the tape guide structure 60 side, thereby supplying the tape T of the tape material TA to the tape guide structure 60 side.

[0105] The tape guiding structure 60 includes a first guide roller 61, a second guide roller 62, an auxiliary guide roller 63, and a guide component 64 (see reference) capable of guiding the tape T supplied from the tape supply roller 35 to the rear pressing roller 16. Figure 7 , Figure 9 ) and lifting roller 65.

[0106] The first guide roller 61, the second guide roller 62, the auxiliary guide roller 63, and the lifting roller 65 are all supported by shafts so that they can rotate freely about shafts extending in the width direction.

[0107] The first guide roller 61 is located at the upper and rear corner of the right side wall 11r, at the point where the belt supply roller 35 (see reference) is located. Figure 7 During the process of supplying tape T to the rearward pressing roller 16, the roller that guides the tape T at the most upstream side (the tape supply roller 35 side) is connected from the front to the non-adhesive surface Tb of the tape T laid out from the tape supply roller 35 (refer to...). Figure 13 (a) abuts and guides it to the downstream side (side of the second guide roller 62).

[0108] The second guide roller 62 is positioned on the right side wall 11r, further forward than the first guide roller 61, and its bonding surface Ta (refer to) with the adhesive tape T laid out from the first guide roller 61 is located from the rear. Figure 13 (a)) abuts and guides it to the downstream side (guide member 64 side).

[0109] like Figure 6 , Figure 12As shown in (a), the guide member 64 is disposed near the rear pressing roller 16 of the rear swing arm 12 in the lowered position Pd, and is configured to guide the tape T laid out from the upper second guide roller 62 in a state where it is inserted through in the vertical direction to the vicinity of the rear side Ar of the lower rear pressing roller 16 (see Ar). Figure 13 The track shape of (a)). Furthermore, the guide member 64 has the function of holding the tape T in a manner that prevents the tape T inserted through in the vertical direction from flowing upwards in reverse. Additionally, near Ar on the rear side of the rear pressure roller 16, the lower part Td of the tape in its drooping state is configured such that the adhesive surface Ta points rearward.

[0110] The auxiliary guide roller 63 is positioned above and behind the guide component 64 of the rear swing arm 12, and guides the tape T laid from the second guide roller 62 to the guide component 64 from the rear.

[0111] The lifting roller 65 is a roller that lifts the lower part Td of the tape located near the rear side Ar of the rear pressing roller 16 when the rear pressing roller 16 descends from the rising position Pu to the falling position Pd.

[0112] like Figure 16 As shown, the lifting roller 65 is positioned with its front end located ahead of the shortest path (in this example, the imaginary straight line La connecting the second guide roller 62 and the guide member 64) in the case where the tape T is laid from the position of the second guide roller 62 (also known as the "tape supply position") to the area near the rear side of the rear pressing roller 16 located in the falling position Pd.

[0113] Therefore, as will be described later, when the rear pressing roller 16 descends from the rising position Pu to the falling position Pd, the lifting roller 65 comes into contact with the tape T from the rear side, lifting the lower part Td of the tape.

[0114] Here, when the rear pressing roller 16 returns from the rising position Pu to the falling position Pd, that is, when the rear swing arm 12 is in... Figure 16 When the middle arm rotates counterclockwise, the connecting arm 14 moves forward in conjunction. In this embodiment, the lifting roller 65 is disposed on the connecting arm 14 (see reference). Figure 16 Therefore, as Figure 16 As shown, the lifting roller 65 is configured to move in the direction of lifting the tape T based on the movement of the rear pressing roller 16 as it recovers from the rising position Pu to the falling position Pd (moving from the rear retraction position Pr to the front lifting position Pf).

[0115] In addition, such as Figures 8-11As shown, the tape application unit 10 has a lower limit height adjustment section 80, which adjusts the height of the rear pressing roller 16 of the descending position Pd relative to the height of the transport path 4 (transport belt 47).

[0116] The lower limit height adjustment part 80 has: a protrusion 81 that protrudes upward from the middle of the upper side of the connecting arm 14; and a bushing-shaped stop 82 that is formed of an elastic component such as rubber and is mounted on the right side wall 11r in front of the protrusion 81.

[0117] Here, as described above, when the rear pressing roller 16 returns from the rising position Pu to the falling position Pd, the connecting arm 14 and the rear swing arm 12 move forward in conjunction. Furthermore, the stop member 82 is positioned to abut against the protrusion 81 provided on the connecting arm 14 when the rear pressing roller 16 is in the falling position Pd (see reference). Figure 9 , Figure 10 Therefore, the lower limit height adjustment section 80 is configured to limit the rear pressing roller 16 and the front pressing roller 18 from descending further.

[0118] And, as Figures 9-11 As shown, the mounting position of the stop 82 relative to the right side wall 11r can be adjusted in the front-back direction. Therefore, the lower limit height adjustment unit 80 can adjust the height (i.e., the lower limit position) of the rear pressing roller 16 and the front pressing roller 18 at the lowering position Pd by adjusting the mounting position of the stop 82.

[0119] Furthermore, in addition to, such as Figures 9-11 As shown, the tape application unit 10 has an upper limit height adjustment section 85, which adjusts the height of the front pressing roller 18 of the rising position Pu relative to the height of the transport path 4 (transport belt 47).

[0120] The upper limit height adjustment unit 85 is located on the right side wall 11r at a position where it abuts against the front swing arm 13 located in the raised position Pu (see reference). Figure 11 Therefore, the upper limit height adjustment unit 85 is configured to limit the rear pressing roller 16 and the front pressing roller 18 from rising further.

[0121] Furthermore, the mounting position of the upper limit height adjustment unit 85 relative to the right side wall 11r can be adjusted in the vertical direction. Therefore, the upper limit height adjustment unit 85 can adjust the height (i.e., the upper limit position) of the rear pressing roller 16 and the front pressing roller 18 of the rising position Pu.

[0122] In addition, such as Figures 7-10As shown, the tape application unit 10 has a brush 90 on its lower front side, which cleans dust adhering to the opposing ends Baa of a pair of wings on the upper surface Bu of the housing B. However, the brush 90 is not essential, and the tape application unit 10 may also be configured without the brush 90. When the brush 90 is included, it is not limited to being disposed on the lower front side of the tape application unit 10 as in this embodiment; it may be disposed on at least one of the lower front side and the lower rear side.

[0123] Next, use Figure 13 (a), (b) Figure 14 (a), (b) Figure 15 For the use of the sealing device 1 described above, as Figure 17 The process of sealing box B by attaching tape T to the opposite ends Baa of a pair of wings Ba on the upper surface Bu, the main component of box B, as shown, will be explained. Additionally, in Figure 13 (a), (b) Figure 14 (a), (b) Figure 15 In order to make box B clear, a dot is marked on it.

[0124] The operator stands at the back of the sealing device 1, and with the operating switch 49 turned on to drive the conveyor belt 47, while pressing down on both sides in the width direction to prevent the wings Ba of the upper surface Bu of the box B placed on the box supply table 22 from opening accidentally, pushes the box B straight forward (downstream side) of the transport path 4. After arriving at the box transport table 21, the box B is automatically transported by the conveyor belt 47 and moves forward along the transport path 4.

[0125] Soon, as Figure 13 As shown in (a), regarding the box B moving forward in the transport path 4, the lower part Td of the tape located near the rear side of the rear pressing roller 16 at the descending position Pd abuts against the front surface Bf of the box B and is pressed and adhered to the front surface Bf of the box B by the rear pressing roller 16.

[0126] Furthermore, it moves forward via conveyor belt 47 through box B, as... Figure 13 As shown in (b), the rear pressing roller 16 is pushed upward from the lower position Pd to the upper position Pu, and at the same time, the front pressing roller 18, which is linked to the rear pressing roller 16, also rises from the lower position Pd to the upper position Pu.

[0127] Next, the cutter push-up component 28 of the tape cutting arm 15 abuts against the front and upper corner of the housing B, thereby pushing the tape cutter 25 from the lowered position Pd to the rising position Pu (see reference). Figure 13 (b) Figure 14(a)). In addition, at this time, the cutter protection component 27 changes from the covering position Pa to the retracted position Pb.

[0128] Furthermore, because the force (restoring force) of the force-applying spring 32 acts downward on the rear pressing roller 16 and the front pressing roller 18, which are pushed to the rising position Pu, the tape T is pressed towards the box B side using the rear pressing roller 16 and the front pressing roller 18. Thus, as... Figure 14 As shown in (a) and (b), as the housing B moves forward in the transport path 4, the rear pressing roller 16 and the front pressing roller 18 can apply tape T from the front end of the opposite end Baa of the wing Ba of the housing B toward the rear.

[0129] like Figure 14 As shown in (b), after the rear end of the advancing box B passes a position forward of the rear pressing roller 16, the box B no longer bears the pressure from the rear pressing roller 16. Therefore, the extension piece Tr of the tape T extending rearward from the rear end of the box B is held in a stretched state in the front-rear direction by the pressure of the rear pressing roller 16.

[0130] Furthermore, when the cutter pusher 28 of the tape cutting arm 15 is in the raised position Pu, it presses the box body B directly downwards from the side of the tape T without separating it from the tape T. However, if... Figure 14 As shown by the imaginary line in (b), when the rear end of box B passes a position further forward than the rear end 28rr of the cutter push member 28, box B no longer pushes the cutter push member 28 (tape cutting arm 15) upward. Therefore, the tape cutting arm 15 descends from the rising position Pu to the falling position Pd due to the force of the force spring 33. At this time, the rearwardly extending piece Tr of the tape T can be cut using the tape cutter 25 (see reference). Figure 14 (b)

[0131] Next, as Figure 15 As shown, when the rear end of the housing B passes a position further forward than the front pressing roller 18, the front pressing roller 18 is no longer supported by the housing B, and therefore descends to the lowering position Pd due to the force of the force-applying spring 32. At this time, the remaining length of the extension piece Tr of the cut tape T, which extends from the rear end of the housing B to the rear, is pressed by the front pressing roller 18 and adhered to the rear surface Br of the housing B (see reference). Figure 15 ).

[0132] On the other hand, the lower part Td of the cut tape T, held by the guide member 64 and hanging downward from the guide member 64, is configured to be pasted onto the front surface Bf of the box B to be transported next, and is configured in a hanging state near the rear side of the rear pressing roller 16 (see reference). Figure 15 ).

[0133] Furthermore, as described above, when the front pressing roller 18 descends from the rising position Pu to the falling position Pd, the rear pressing roller 16 also descends (recovers) to the falling position Pd in ​​conjunction with the movement of the front pressing roller 18. Moreover, as... Figure 16 As shown, when the rear pressing roller 16 descends from the rising position Pu to the falling position Pd, as the connecting arm 14 moves forward, the lifting roller 65 can move from the rear retracting position Pr to the front lifting position Pf (see reference). Figure 16 The thick arrow DA in the middle will lift the tape from the guide component 64 downwards to the lower part Td (see reference). Figure 16 (The thick arrow DB in the middle).

[0134] Therefore, the lower part Td of the tape disposed near the rear side of the rear pressing roller 16 at the descending position Pd can be configured to not droop excessively relative to the rear pressing roller 16.

[0135] Therefore, when the lower part Td of the tape located near the rear side Ar of the rear side pressing roller 16 is pasted to the front surface Bf of the box body B to be transported next, in accordance with the same principle as the above process, the lower part Td of the tape can be pasted to the front surface Bf of the box body B at an appropriate length.

[0136] Thus, the tape T applied to box B is now complete.

[0137] like Figures 1-5 As shown, the sealing device 1 of this embodiment described above is characterized by having: a box transport unit 40, which transports the box B from the rear to the front of the transport path 4; and a tape application unit 10, which applies tape T along the transport direction (Lf) to the opposing ends Baa of a pair of wings Ba that protrude toward the center from the two outer sides of the opening in the width direction of the upper surface Bu of the box B, in a manner capable of closing the opening (see reference). Figure 17 ),like Figures 7-12 As shown in (a) and (b), the tape application unit 10 has a rear pressing roller 16 (pressing portion), which is configured to move between a descending position Pd and an ascending position Pu that is forward and above the descending position Pd. In the descending position Pd, the tape T is pressed against the front surface Bf of the housing B, and in the ascending position Pu, the tape T is pressed against the opposite end Baa of the housing B, particularly as shown in (a) and (b). Figure 16 As shown, an upward roller 65 (upward lifting member) is provided. When the rear pressing roller 16 descends from the rising position Pu to the falling position Pd, the upward roller 65 lifts the lower part Td of the tape located near the rear side Ar of the rear pressing roller 16.

[0138] According to the above structure, the rear pressing roller 16 is in the rising position Pu (refer to...) Figure 12 When (b) is at the lower position Pd (refer to) Figure 12 (a) is located in the front and above position. Therefore, as Figure 15 As shown, when the rear pressing roller 16 descends from the rising position Pu to the falling position Pd, the lower part Td of the tape located near the rear side Ar of the rear pressing roller 16 wants to move backward and descend together with the rear pressing roller 16.

[0139] On the other hand, according to the above structure, such as Figure 16 As shown, an upward roller 65 is provided in a position ahead of the shortest path (imaginary straight line La) when the tape T is laid from the position of the second guide roller 62 (tape supply position) to the position of the guide member 64. The second guide roller 62 is located above the pressing roller 16 behind the descending position Pd.

[0140] Therefore, when the rear pressing roller 16 descends from the rising position Pu to the falling position Pd, the lifting roller 65 prevents the lower part Td of the tape, located near the rear side Ar of the rear pressing roller 16, from moving backward and descending together with the rear pressing roller 16. In other words, the lifting roller 65 stretches the lower part Td of the tape upward and forward. As a result, the lower part Td of the tape near the rear side Ar of the rear pressing roller 16 can be configured so that it does not droop excessively relative to the rear pressing roller 16.

[0141] Here, when starting to use the rear pressing roller 16 to apply tape T to the box B, as follows: Figure 13 As shown in (a), the lower part Td of the tape disposed near the rear side of the rear pressing roller 16 is adhered to the front surface Bf of the box body B by being pressed by the rear pressing roller 16.

[0142] At this time, since the lower part Td of the tape located near the rear side Ar of the rear pressing roller 16 can be configured as described above so that it does not droop excessively relative to the rear pressing roller 16, even if the box body B is thin, the lower part Td of the tape can be converged within the height of the front part of the box body B (that is, the lower end of the lower part Td of the tape hanging near the rear side Ar of the rear pressing roller 16 is located above the lower end of the front surface Bf of the box body B) for pasting.

[0143] Therefore, in the thin box B, not only can the tape T be properly attached to the opposite end Baa of the wing Ba formed on the upper surface Bu with the opening of the box B, but the tape T can also be properly attached to the side adjacent to the upper surface Bu, that is, the front surface Bf.

[0144] Specifically, there is no need to worry that the lower end of the tape T pasted on the front surface Bf of the box body B will remain below the lower end of the box body B, and that this remaining part will not be unintentionally pasted on the surrounding parts such as the transport roller 5 of the box transport unit 40, or that the appearance of the box body B will be reduced after the tape T is pasted, or that it will become the beginning of the peeling of the tape T pasted on the box body B.

[0145] Furthermore, by eliminating the need to house thin delivery items (contents) in excessively thick boxes B that are too thick for the thickness of the delivery item, the capacity of delivery items can be substantially increased in truck beds during truck transport and in logistics warehouses during temporary storage, thus improving delivery efficiency. Moreover, since thin delivery items can be sealed in boxes B that are appropriately sized for the item, there is no need to store excessive cushioning materials and securing components inside the box B to prevent accidental movement, which helps to reduce resource consumption.

[0146] Furthermore, the sealing device 1 of this embodiment can automate the sealing operation based on applying adhesive tape T to a thin box B, thus enabling the delivery of a large number of items sealed with thin boxes B.

[0147] Therefore, generally speaking, the size (thickness) of the delivery items that can be dropped into the mailbox is less than 40mm for large items and less than 30mm for small items. However, the sealing device 1 of this embodiment can automatically perform sealing operations based on tape T even for such thin boxes B that are required to be dropped into the mailbox.

[0148] Therefore, mailboxes can be used to deliver large quantities of items sealed in thin boxes B, which can significantly reduce the labor and cost of collecting items during delivery.

[0149] As a method of the present invention, such as Figure 16 As shown, the lifting roller 65 is configured to move based on the movement of the rear pressing roller 16 as it recovers from the rising position Pu to the falling position Pd (see reference). Figure 15 And lift the tape T in the direction of moving forward.

[0150] According to the above structure, when the rear pressing roller 16 returns from the rising position Pu to the falling position Pd, the lifting roller 65 moves itself in the direction of lifting the tape T (i.e., from the retraction position Pr to the forward lifting position Pf). Therefore, for example, compared with the case where the lifting roller 65 is in a fixed position (e.g., always fixed in the lifting position Pf) and lifts the lower part Td of the tape, the lifting roller 65 can actively lift the lower part Td of the tape.

[0151] Furthermore, the rear pressing roller 16 returns from the rising position Pu to the falling position Pd at the moment when the tape T for the box B is finished being applied. Moreover, according to the above structure, the lifting roller 65 is configured to lift the tape T at this moment, so that the lifting action of the tape T does not obstruct the tape T application operation for the box B. Furthermore, the lifting roller 65 can lift the lower part Td of the tape located near the rear side Ar of the rear pressing roller 16 to an appropriate hanging length before starting the tape T application operation for the next box B being transported, thus preparing for the tape T application operation for the next box B being transported.

[0152] As a method of the present invention, such as Figure 14 (a), (b) Figure 15 As shown, a front pressing roller 18 (front pressing part) is located in front of the rear pressing roller 16 (rear pressing part). This front pressing roller 18 is configured to move between a descending position Pd and a rising position Pu. In the descending position Pd, it presses the tape T against the rear surface Br of the housing B, and in the rising position Pu, it presses the tape T against the opposite end Baa of the housing B. Figures 7-15 As shown, it includes: a rear swing arm 12 that swings the rear pressing roller 16 between a lowering position Pd and an upward position Pu; a front swing arm 13 that swings the front pressing roller 18 between a lowering position Pd and an upward position Pu; and a connecting arm 14 that connects to the rear swing arm 12 and the front swing arm 13, such that the rear swing arm 12 and the front swing arm 13 are linked in a manner that causes the rear pressing roller 16 and the front pressing roller 18 to move up and down while maintaining approximately the same height, as... Figures 10-12 (a), (b) Figure 16 As shown, the lifting roller 65 is disposed on the connecting arm 14.

[0153] According to the above structure, when the rear pressing roller 16 returns from the rising position Pu to the falling position Pd, the connecting arm 14 moves in conjunction with the rear swing arm 12. Furthermore, by providing the lifting roller 65 to such a connecting arm 14, as... Figure 16 As shown, when the rear pressing roller 16 recovers from the rising position Pu to the falling position Pd, it can cause the lifting roller 65 to move itself in the upward direction towards the lower part Td of the conveyor belt.

[0154] That is, when the rear pressing roller 16 moves from the rising position Pu to the falling position Pd, it can actively lift the lower part Td of the tape compared to the case where the lifting roller 65 lifts the lower part Td of the tape in a fixed position as described above.

[0155] Furthermore, by providing the lifting roller 65 to the connecting arm 14, even without additional drive sources for moving the lifting roller 65 forward when the rear pressing roller 16 descends from the rising position Pu to the falling position Pd, the lifting roller 65 can be moved forward efficiently as described above by utilizing the movement of the connecting arm 14 when the rear pressing roller 16 descends.

[0156] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, such as... Figure 12 As shown in (a) and (b), a tape cutting arm 15 (tape cutting member) is provided near the front side of the rear pressing roller 16. The tape cutting arm 15 moves between the lowering position Pd and the rising position Pu, and cuts the tape T when moving from the rising position Pu to the lowering position Pd. The tape cutter 25 provided by the tape cutting arm 15 is arranged as close as possible to the side of the rear pressing roller 16.

[0157] Here, when the tape cutting arm 15 moves from the rising position Pu to the falling position Pd, the tape T is cut by the tape cutter 25 provided by the tape cutting arm 15 and is positioned in a hanging state near the rear side Ar of the rear side of the pressing roller 16 located in the falling position Pd.

[0158] Moreover, as described above, by configuring the tape cutter 25 as close as possible to the rear pressure roller 16 side, the tape T can be cut using the tape cutter 25 at a position as close as possible to the rear pressure roller 16 side.

[0159] Therefore, it is possible to minimize the length of the lower part Td of the tape disposed near the rear side of the rear pressing roller 16 at the lower position Pd, relative to the length of the tape hanging downwards from the rear pressing roller 16.

[0160] As a method of the present invention, such as Figures 9-11 As shown, the tape application unit 10 has a lower limit height adjustment section 80 (height adjustment member), which adjusts the height of the rear pressing roller 16 of the descending position Pd relative to the height of the transport path 4.

[0161] According to the above structure, the height of the rear pressing roller 16 at the lower position Pd can be adjusted relative to the height of the box B being transported along the transport path 4 using the lower limit height adjustment unit 80. Therefore, even if the box B is thin, the rear pressing roller 16 can press the tape T onto the front surface Bf of the box B at an appropriate height.

[0162] Therefore, even when the housing B is thin, tape T can be properly applied to the front surface Bf of the housing B, and the rear pressing roller 16 can be reliably pushed from the lowering position Pd to the rising position Pu as the housing B moves forward.

[0163] Furthermore, the sealing device for the box of the present invention is not limited to the structure and embodiment of the sealing device 1 of the present embodiment described above.

[0164] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the sealing device 1 is applied to the case where the box B is thin and is to be automatically sealed by attaching tape T to the thin box B. However, it can be applied not only to thin boxes B, but also to ordinary boxes B (thick boxes B).

[0165] That is, the sealing device 1 of this embodiment sets the tape pasting unit 10 and the upper box transport unit 40U to any height by adjusting the height of the unit support 3, so that the box B can be automatically sealed based on tape pasting regardless of the thickness of the box B.

[0166] Furthermore, the lifting member of the present invention is only required to lift the lower part Td of the tape located near the rear side Ar of the rear side pressing roller 16 when the rear pressing roller 16 descends from the rising position Pu to the falling position Pd, and is not limited to the structure of the lifting roller 65 in this embodiment.

[0167] Specifically, the lifting member of the present invention is not limited to a structure disposed on the connecting arm 14. For example, it may be directly disposed on the side wall 11 or disposed on the rear swing arm 12. Furthermore, the lifting member of the present invention is not limited to a structure that moves the lifting roller 65 itself in the upward lifting direction of the lower part Td of the conveyor belt. It may also be configured such that the lifting roller 65 is in a fixed position, and the lower part Td of the conveyor belt is lifted based on the change in the relative position with the rear pressing roller 16.

[0168] The lifting member of the present invention is not limited to a structure that rotates about an axis relative to the mounting part, such as the lifting roller 65 of the above embodiment, but can also be a structure that cannot rotate relative to the mounting part, such as a pin.

[0169] Label Explanation

[0170] 1: Sealing device for the box; 4: Transport path; 10: Tape pasting unit; 12: Rear swing arm (swing arm); 14: Connecting arm; 15: Tape cutting arm (tape cutting component); 16: Rear pressing roller (pressing part, rear pressing part); 18: Front pressing roller (front pressing part); 40: Box transport unit; 65: Lifting roller (lifting component); B: Box; Bf: Front surface of the box; Bu: Upper surface of the box; Br: Rear surface of the box; Baa: Opposite ends of a pair of wings; Lf: Transport direction; T: Tape; Pd: Lowering position; Pu: Rising position; Ar: Near the rear of the rear pressing roller; Td: Lower part of the tape.

Claims

1. A sealing device for a box, comprising: A container handling unit that moves containers from the rear to the front of the transport path; and The tape application unit applies tape along the transport direction to the opposing ends of a pair of wings that protrude towards the center from the outer sides of an opening on the upper surface of the housing in a way that closes the opening. in, The tape-applying unit has a pressing part configured to move between a lowered position and an upper position above the lowered position, pressing the tape onto the front surface of the housing in the lowered position and pressing the tape onto the opposite end of the housing in the upper position. The tape application unit is equipped with a lifting member. When the pressing part descends from the rising position to the falling position, the lifting member lifts the lower part of the tape located near the rear side of the pressing part. The lifting member is configured to move in the direction of lifting the tape by increasing the distance between the lifting member and the pressing part as the pressing part moves from the rising position to the falling position.

2. The sealing device for the box according to claim 1, wherein, The tape is laid along a path extending downwards from a position above the lifting member toward the pressing part. The sealing device of the box includes: a swing arm that causes the pressing part to swing between the lowered position and the raised position; and a connecting arm, one end of which is connected to the swing arm and extends from one end to the other end in a manner that crosses a path under the tape. The lifting component is disposed on the connecting arm. The connecting arm is configured to move relative to the path below the tape from one end to the other end in conjunction with the displacement of the swing arm when the pressing part descends from the rising position to the falling position.

3. The sealing device for the box according to claim 2, wherein, The lifting member is configured to move in a generally straight line from one end to the other end relative to the path laid below the tape when the pressing part descends from the rising position to the falling position.

4. The sealing device for the box according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, A tape-cutting member is provided near the front side of the pressing part. This tape-cutting member moves between the lowered position and the uppered position, and cuts the tape when moving from the uppered position to the lowered position. The tape cutting member is positioned close to the pressing part.

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