Boxing device

Abstract

The invention relates to a boxing device. The invention aims to provide a boxing device capable of preventing folding wings of a box from falling to the inner side. The boxing device is provided with a box moving part, a flap supporting part and a press-in part. The box moving unit moves a box from a box supply position to a boxing position. The tank has flaps. The flap is connected to a side wall defining the opening. The tank is supplied from the outside at the tank supply position. A plurality of articles are packed into the opening at the packing position. The flap support portion supports the flap. The press-in part is used for pressing an article group formed by arranging the plurality of articles conveyed by the article conveying part in order into the box at the boxing position. Before the press-fitting unit presses the article group into the box, the box moving unit moves the box so that the posture of the box is changed from a first posture in which the opening of the box faces in the lateral direction at the box supply position to a second posture in which the opening of the box faces upward at the boxing position. The flap support portion supports the flap when the posture of the box is changed from the first posture to the second posture.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a crating device. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-61904) describes a boxing device that packs articles from the side into a corrugated cardboard box with its opening facing sideways, and then rotates the cardboard box 90 degrees and stands it up with its opening facing upward.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-61904 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0007] In the boxing device disclosed in Patent Document 1, when a corrugated cardboard box is opened upward and then loaded with items, the flaps of the corrugated cardboard box may fall inward. If the box is packed with the flaps inward, the box may not be packed smoothly and the contents may be damaged.

[0008] The present invention aims to provide a box packing device capable of preventing the flaps of a box from falling inward.

[0009] Technical solutions to technical problems

[0010] The packing device of the first aspect includes a box moving unit, a flap supporting unit, and a pressing unit. The box moving unit moves the box from a box supply position toward a packing position. The box has flaps. The flaps are connected to the side walls that define the opening. The box is supplied from the outside at the box supply position. A plurality of articles are packed into the opening at the packing position. The flap supporting unit supports the flaps. The pressing unit presses a group of articles neatly arranged by the article conveying unit into the box at the packing position. Before the pressing unit presses the group of articles into the box, the box moving unit moves the box so that the posture of the box changes from a first posture in which the opening of the box faces horizontally at the box supply position to a second posture in which the opening of the box faces upward at the packing position. The flap supporting unit supports the flaps when the posture of the box changes from the first posture to the second posture.

[0011] In this box packing device, the flaps of the box can be prevented from falling inward.

[0012] In the packing device according to the second aspect, the flap support portion includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The first portion extends in a vertical direction. The second portion extends in a direction inclined relative to the vertical direction. The third portion extends in a horizontal direction.

[0013] In the boxing device according to the third aspect, the box moving section moves the box from the box supply position toward the boxing position while causing the box to follow the flap support portion.

[0014] In the box packing device according to the fourth aspect, the press-in portion includes an opening and closing member. The opening and closing member includes a protrusion on a surface facing the box.

[0015] The boxing device according to the fifth aspect further comprises a box transport unit that transports the box containing the article group, and moves from a standby position toward a lower portion of the box after the box is changed to the second posture.

[0016] In the boxing device according to the sixth aspect, when the box moves from the box supply position to the boxing position, the flap support portion causes the flap on the rear side in the moving direction of the box to fall toward the outside of the box. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 It is a schematic configuration diagram of a packaging and boxing production line including a boxing device 300 according to one embodiment.

[0018] Figure 2 It is a side view of the boxing device 300.

[0019] Figure 3 It is a three-dimensional diagram of box C.

[0020] Figure 4 It is a perspective view of the boxing device 300.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the boxing device 300 as viewed from below.

[0022] Figure 6 It is a perspective view of the third flap support portion 40.

[0023] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the opening and closing member 51 as viewed from below.

[0024] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram for explaining the change of the vertical position of the box conveying unit 60.

[0025] Figure 9 It is a block diagram of the control unit 80.

[0026] Figure 10 It is a side view explaining the movement of the box C and the box moving unit 10.

[0027] Figure 11 It is a side view explaining the movement of the box C and the box moving unit 10.

[0028] Description of Reference Numerals

[0029] 10: Box moving part; 20: Flap support part; 21a: First part; 21b: Second part; 21c: Third part; 30: Second folding wing support part; 40: Third folding wing support part; 50: Pressing part; 51: Opening and closing part; 51a: Protrusion; 60: Box conveying part; 201: Article conveying part; B: Article; B1: Article group; C: Box; C10: Flap; C20: Side wall; O: Opening; P1: Box supply position; P2: Box loading position; S1: First posture; S2: Second posture. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the same symbols are used for the same elements in the description of the accompanying drawings and repeated descriptions are omitted. In the following description, for convenience, the front and back, up and down, and left and right directions relative to the boxing device 300 are used. In some drawings, orthogonal axes representing these directions are shown. The front and back directions and the left and right directions are directions extending horizontally. The up and down directions are equal to the vertical direction. In addition, expressions such as the same, horizontal, and parallel are sometimes used, but they include not only situations where they are completely identical, horizontal, and parallel, but also situations where they are substantially the same, horizontal, and parallel.

[0031] (1) Overall composition

[0032] Figure 1 1 is a schematic diagram of a packaging and boxing production line 1 including a boxing device 300 according to an embodiment. The packaging and boxing production line 1 includes a packaging machine 100, an inspection device 200, and a boxing device 300. Figure 1 3 shows the boxing device 300 covered with a cover.

[0033] The packaging machine 100 packages a predetermined amount of product A manufactured by a manufacturing device (not shown) with packaging material. Hereinafter, the article obtained by packaging product A with the packaging material is referred to as article B. The packaging machine 100 includes a combination metering machine 101 and a bag-making and packaging machine 102. The combination metering machine 101 is arranged above the bag-making and packaging machine 102. The combination metering machine 101 measures the amount of product A to be contained in one article B and drops it toward the bag-making and packaging machine 102. The bag-making and packaging machine 102 is a vertical pillow bag-making and packaging machine that packages the product A measured by the combination metering machine 101 into article B (vertical pillow bag) and supplies it to the inspection device 200. Product A may be, but is not limited to, a snack.

[0034] The inspection device 200 inspects the weight, presence of pinholes and / or foreign matter, etc. of the articles B supplied from the packaging machine 100 , and supplies the articles B to the boxing device 300 via the article conveying unit 201 .

[0035] The boxing device 300 gathers the articles B supplied from the article conveying unit 201 to form an article group B1, and performs a boxing operation of packing the article group B1 into a box C. Figure 2 As shown, the box packing device 300 includes a box moving unit 10, a flap support unit 20, and a second flap support unit 30 (see Figure 5 )、third flap support portion 40, press-in portion 50, box transport portion 60, second box transport portion 70 (refer to Figure 4 ) and the control unit 80 (refer to Figure 9 ). In addition, Figure 4 As shown, the box packing device 300 includes a box supply position P1, a box packing position P2, and a box sealing / distribution position P3.

[0036] like Figure 3 As shown, the box C has a flap C10 and a side wall C20. The side wall C20 defines the opening O. The flap C10 is connected to the side wall C20. In this embodiment, the flap C10 includes a main flap C11 and a small flap C12. In this embodiment, there are two main flaps C11 and two small flaps C12. The main flap C11 is connected to the side wall C20 opposite to each other in the left-right direction. The small flap C12 is connected to the side wall C20 opposite to each other in the front-back direction.

[0037] like Figure 4 As shown, the box C has a first posture S1 and a second posture S2. In the first posture S1, the opening O of the box C faces sideways. Specifically, in the first posture S1, the opening O faces rearward. In the second posture S2, the opening O of the box C faces upward.

[0038] During the packing process, box C moves sequentially to box supply position P1, box packing position P2, and box sealing / distribution position P3. At box supply position P1, box C assumes a first posture S1 and moves vertically. At box packing position P2 and box sealing / distribution position P3, box C assumes a second posture S2 and moves horizontally. Article group B1 is packed into opening O. Therefore, during the packing process, flaps C10 must be opened outward from box C until the specified number of article groups B1 have been loaded.

[0039] like Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the box supply position P1 is located near the front-rear center of the boxing device 300. At the box supply position P1, boxes C are supplied from outside the boxing device 300. Specifically, at the box supply position P1, boxes C are supplied from above the boxing device 300 in the first posture S1.

[0040] The boxing position P2 is located rearward of the box supply position P1. It is positioned lower than the box supply position P1. At the boxing position P2, the article group B1 is loaded into the box C through the opening O. At the boxing position P2, the box C is in the second posture S2. Because the opening O of the box C faces upward, the article group B1 is loaded into the box C from above the opening O.

[0041] The box sealing / distribution position P3 is located forward of the box supply position P1. It is located lower than the box supply position P1 and at the same height as the box packing position P2. The boxes C are sealed and distributed at the box sealing / distribution position P3.

[0042] (2) Detailed composition

[0043] (2-1) Box moving unit

[0044] The box moving unit 10 moves the box C from the box supply position P1 to the box loading position P2 . The box moving unit 10 is controlled by the control unit 80 .

[0045] The box moving portion 10 includes a box holding body 11 , a first cam 12 , a second cam 13 , a transmission member 13 a , a first cam track 14 , and a second cam track 15 .

[0046] The first cam track 14 is configured from the box supply position P1 to the box loading position P2. Specifically, the first cam track 14 is configured in front of the box supply position P1 of the box loading device 300. The first cam track 14 includes a vertical portion 14a extending in the vertical direction, an inclined portion 14b inclined relative to the vertical direction, and a horizontal portion 14c extending in the vertical direction in the horizontal order. The vertical portion 14a extends in the vertical direction from near the box loading port located at the top of the box loading device 300. The vertical portion 14a is connected to the inclined portion 14b, and the inclined portion 14b is connected to the horizontal portion 14c.

[0047] The first cam 12 is connected to the vicinity of the suction portion of the box holder 11. The first cam 12 is movable along the first cam track 14 in the vertical direction, in a direction inclined relative to the vertical direction, and in the horizontal direction, in that order, and in the reverse order. The detailed operation of the first cam 12 and other components will be described in detail later in the section on the box packing operation.

[0048] The second cam rail 15 is arranged at the boxing position P2 . Specifically, the second cam rail 15 is arranged below the press-fit portion 50 along the front-rear direction.

[0049] The transmission member 13 a is disposed between the first cam 12 and the second cam 13 .

[0050] The second cam 13 is connected to the box holding body 11 via a transmission member 13a. The second cam 13 moves along the second cam track 15. The second cam 13 is arranged to abut against the second cam track 15 due to gravity.

[0051] The box holder 11 moves the box C. The box holder 11 has a suction unit (not shown) in its center. The suction unit sucks the right side surface of the box C to laterally hold the box C. The box holder 11 holds the box C by clamping the vertically opposing surfaces of the box C from the outside.

[0052] The box holder 11 follows the movement of the first cam 12 and the second cam 13, moving in the vertical direction, a direction inclined relative to the vertical direction, and the horizontal direction in this order, thereby moving the box C from the box supply position P1 to the box loading position P2. When the box C is transported by the box conveyor 60, the box holder moves in the horizontal direction, a direction inclined relative to the vertical direction, and the vertical direction, returning to the upper part of the box supply position P1.

[0053] The box moving unit 10 moves the box C, which has been supplied in a first posture S1, vertically downward. Before the pressing unit 50 presses the article group B1 into the box C, the box moving unit 10 moves the box C so that the posture of the box C changes from the first posture S1 to the second posture S2. The box moving unit 10 moves the box C from the box supply position P1 toward the box loading position P2 while aligning the flap support portion 20 (described later). When moving from the box supply position P1 toward the box loading position P2, the box C moves in an arc-shaped trajectory when viewed from the side.

[0054] (2-2) Flap support

[0055] The flap support portion 20 supports the flap C10. The flap support portion 20 supports the flap C10 when the posture of the box C changes from the first posture S1 to the second posture S2.

[0056] The flap support portion 20 is a plurality of rod-shaped members. The attachment location of the flap support portion 20 is not particularly limited, and the flap support portion 20 is attached to, for example, the box moving portion 10. The flap support portion 20 does not necessarily need to always abut against the flap C10.

[0057] like Figure 5 As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, the flap support portion 20 is a three-bar member. Specifically, the flap support portion 20 includes two main bars 21 and one secondary bar 22.

[0058] The two main strips 21 cause the main flaps C11 of the box C to fall toward the outside of the box C respectively.

[0059] The two main bars 21 have the same shape. They are arranged parallel to each other. They are positioned adjacent to each other in the left-right direction, spaced apart, at locations where they abut different main flaps C11 of the box C. The width between the main bars 21 is greater than the left-right width of the opening of the box C. This allows the main bars 21 to tilt the main flaps C11 toward the outside of the box C.

[0060] The main bar 21 includes 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.

[0061] The first portion 21a is disposed at the box supply position P1 and extends vertically from the vicinity of a box loading port located at the upper portion of the box packing device 300 .

[0062] The second portion 21b is configured from the box supply position P1 to the box loading position P2. The second portion 21b is an R portion that extends in an arc from the front side to the rear side when viewed from the side. The curvature R of the second portion 21b can be R3 or greater (radius 3 mm or greater), but is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, for example, the curvature R of the second portion 21b can be R100 (radius 100 mm). The second portion 21b extends in a direction inclined toward the rear relative to the vertical direction at the connection portion with the first portion 21a. The second portion 21b extends toward the rear in a manner close to the horizontal direction at the connection portion with the third portion 21c.

[0063] The third portion 21 c is disposed at the boxing position P2 and extends horizontally from the lower portion of the press-fit portion 50 to the rear end of the press-fit portion 50 .

[0064] The sub-strip 22 tilts the small flap C12 of the box C toward the outside of the box C. In particular, when the box C moves from the box supply position P1 toward the box loading position P2, the sub-strip 22 tilts the small flap C12 on the rear side of the box C in the moving direction toward the outside of the box C.

[0065] The sub-strip 22 is arranged between the two main strips 21 so as to be parallel to each main strip 21. The sub-strip 22 is arranged with a gap between each main strip 21. The sub-strip 22 is arranged at a position where it contacts the small flap C12 of the box C.

[0066] The sub-bar 22 includes 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.

[0067] The fourth portion 22a extends in parallel with the first portion 21a in the vertical direction from the vicinity of the box loading port located at the upper portion of the boxing device 300. The fourth portion 22a is arranged rearward of the first portion 21a in a side view.

[0068] The fifth portion 22b is an R portion that extends in a manner that describes an arc from the front side toward the rear side when viewed from the side. The curvature R of the fifth portion 22b may be greater than R3 (radius greater than 3 mm), but is not particularly limited. In the present embodiment, for example, the curvature R of the fifth portion 22b may be R100 (radius 100 mm). The curvature R of the fifth portion 22b may be smaller than that of the fifth portion 22b of the second portion 21b. Thus, when the box C changes from the first posture S1 to the second posture S2, the fifth portion 22b does not hinder the movement of the box C and can easily press the small flap C12. The fifth portion 22b extends in a direction inclined toward the rear side relative to the vertical direction at the connection portion with the fourth portion 22a. The fifth portion 22b extends toward the rear side in a manner close to the horizontal direction at the connection portion with the sixth portion 22c.

[0069] The sixth portion 22c extends horizontally in parallel with the third portion 21c to the front end of the press-fit portion 50. The sixth portion 22c is not disposed below the press-fit portion 50. The height of the sixth portion 22c is the same as that of the third portion 21c.

[0070] (2-3) Second flap support portion

[0071] The second flap support 30 is disposed behind the opening and closing member 51 so as to face the small flap C12 on the rear side of the box C. The second flap support 30 is a plate-shaped member extending in the front-to-back direction. The second flap support 30 supports the small flap C12 on the rear side of the box C when the box C is in the boxing position P2.

[0072] (2-4) Third flap support portion

[0073] like Figure 2 As shown, the third flap support 40 is positioned in front of the box packing device 300 and outside the arc-shaped track when the box C changes position. The third flap support 40 prevents the flaps C10 of the box C from falling inward when the box C moves from the box packing position P2 to the box sealing / dispensing position P3. The third flap support 40 is controlled by the control unit 80.

[0074] like Figure 6As shown, the third flap support portion 40 includes two components. Each component includes a fixed portion 41 and a movable portion 42. The installation location of the fixed portion 41 is not particularly limited, for example, the fixed portion 41 is fixed to the lower portion of the sealing portion 71. One end of the movable portion 42 is pivotally connected to the fixed portion 41, and one end is configured to be movable in the up and down directions. The movable portion 42 is pivotally rotated in the up and down directions by a cylinder. The two movable portions 42 are arranged parallel to each other with a gap. The distance between the opposing surfaces of the two movable portions 42 is smaller than the length of the opening portion O of the box C in the left and right directions. Therefore, the small flap C12 of the box C can be pressed. The distance between the left and right outer side surfaces of the two movable portions 42 is larger than the length of the opening portion O of the box C in the left and right directions. Therefore, the main flap C11 of the box C can be pressed.

[0075] like Figure 6 As shown in the left side of the figure, during the movement of the box C from the box supply position P1 to the box loading position P2, the end of the movable portion 42 is lowered. As a result, the third flap support portion 40 does not hinder the path of the box C. Figure 6 As shown in the figure on the right side of the figure, while the box C is moving from the packing position P2 to the box sealing / distribution position P3, the end of the movable portion 42 rises upward and presses the flap C10 of the box C from above. Therefore, even if a part of the path of the box C coming down is used to move the box C from the packing position P2 to the box sealing / distribution position P3, the third flap support portion 40 will not hinder the movement of the box C.

[0076] (2-5) Press-in portion

[0077] The pushing unit 50 pushes an article group B1 formed by aligning a plurality of articles conveyed by the article conveying unit 201 into the box C located at the boxing position P2 . The pushing unit 50 is controlled by the control unit 80 .

[0078] The push-in section 50 is disposed at the terminal end of the article transport section 201. The push-in section 50 includes an opening and closing member 51. The opening and closing member 51 is positioned above the opening O of the box C when the box C is located at the boxing position P2.

[0079] The opening and closing member 51 is located at the terminal end of the article conveying unit 201 and supports the article group B1 conveyed and accumulated from the article conveying unit 201. The opening and closing member 51 deposits the article group B1 into the box C. Specifically, the opening and closing member 51 opens suddenly from the center to the left and right, depositing the article group B1 into the box C at once. The opening and closing member 51 opens to the extent that the internal dimensions of the box C are sufficient.

[0080] like Figure 7 As shown, the opening and closing member 51 includes two protrusions 51 a on the surface facing the box C. Figure 7 The opening and closing member 51 is shown in a state where it is opened to the left and right.

[0081] One protrusion 51a is located at each end of the center portion of the opening and closing member 51. The protrusion 51a extends in the front-to-back direction. The protrusion 51a is high enough to abut the upper end of the side wall C20 of the box C in the box loading position. The protrusion 51a moves along with the center portion of the opening and closing member 51, thus moving approximately the width of the box C's internal dimensions.

[0082] The protrusion 51a centers the box C and securely expands the opening O of the box C to the left and right. The front end of the protrusion 51a is tilted rearward and downward. Therefore, even if the box C is moved horizontally to be placed in the packing position P2, the protrusion 51a is prevented from catching on the flap C10 of the box C.

[0083] (2-6) Box Delivery Department

[0084] The box transport unit 60 transports the box C into which the article group B1 is placed. The box transport unit 60 is controlled by the control unit 80. The box transport unit 60 is driven by a servo motor.

[0085] The box conveying unit 60 includes a conveying mechanism and a box lifting mechanism (not shown).

[0086] The transport mechanism includes a conveyor. The box transport unit 60 uses the transport mechanism to transport the box C containing the article group B1. The box transport unit 60 is positioned at a standby position P4, movable in the forward and backward directions. The standby position P4 is located in front of the boxing device 300. The standby position P4 is adjacent to the box sealing / distribution position P3.

[0087] After the box C is positioned in the second position S2, the box transport unit 60 moves from the standby position P4 toward the box loading position P2 below the box C. This allows the next box C to be unloaded while the box C is moving from the box loading position P2 to the box sealing / dispensing position P3. This shortens the time it takes to replace the box C. Once the article group B1 has been delivered to the box C, the box transport unit 60 transports the box C forward. The box transport unit 60 then transfers the box to the second box transport unit 70.

[0088] The box lifting mechanism can move up and down according to the height of the box C. Figure 8 As shown, when box C moves to the loading position P2, the box transport unit 60 moves downward toward box C. The box lift mechanism then moves the box transport unit 60 upward. This allows the flap support 20 to contact the flap C10, reliably opening the flap C10 outward. Furthermore, the box lift mechanism allows for handling of even shorter boxes C. Once the article group B1 has been loaded into box C, the box transport unit 60 moves downward via the box lift mechanism.

[0089] (2-7) Second box delivery department

[0090] The second case conveying unit 70 seals and distributes the cases C conveyed by the case conveying unit 60 . The second case conveying unit 70 is controlled by the control unit 80 .

[0091] The second case transport unit 70 includes a case sealing unit 71 and a sorting unit 72. The case sealing unit 71 covers the opening O of the case C with flaps C10 and secures it with a tape. The sorting unit 72 sorts the boxes C from acceptable boxes that have passed packing and unacceptable boxes that have failed packing, sorting them, and outputting them to the outside of the case packing device 300. The sorted boxes C are output, for example, from the front end of the case packing device 300.

[0092] The sorting unit 72 sorts the boxes into acceptable and defective boxes. The method for determining acceptable or defective boxes is not particularly limited. For example, the control unit 80 determines whether the weight of the box C is within a specified range based on the output signal of the load cell. If it is determined to be outside the specified range, a defect signal indicating this is sent to the sorting unit 72. Based on the defect signal from the control unit 80, the sorting unit 72 sorts the defective boxes onto a defective box collection conveyor (not shown).

[0093] The distribution unit 72 is a conveyor. The conveyor transports the box C in the front-to-back direction. The second box transport unit 70 is arranged in front of the box transport unit 60. The second box transport unit 70 can rotate. Therefore, if the box C is transported to the box sealing position, the next box packing can be performed immediately without waiting for the box sealing to be completed. In the box transport unit 60, the box can be transported based on the folded-in surface of the flap, which makes it easy to control the flap. When outputting the sealed box, the conveyor height can be changed based on the height of the conveyor in the latter section, thereby increasing the freedom of box transportation. Since the unit for sealing the box and the unit for distributing the box C can be arranged in the same position, the interval occupied by these units can be shortened in the box packing device 300.

[0094] The rotating lever that rotates the second case transport unit 70 is equipped with a mechanical locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is, for example, a stopper on a leaf spring. The second case transport unit is positioned below the case sealing unit 71. The second case transport unit distributes the cases C. If a case C passes inspection, the second case transport unit moves the case C forward. If a case C fails inspection, the locking mechanism mechanically locks the case.

[0095] (2-8) Control Unit

[0096] The control unit 80 controls the various components of the box packing device 300 to perform the box packing operation. The box packing operation includes box movement, box packing, box delivery, and box sealing / distribution. The box packing operation will be described in detail below. Figure 9 This 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 supporting unit 40, the pressing unit 50, the box conveying unit 60, and the second box conveying unit 70 so as to be able to transmit and receive control signals and detection signals.

[0097] The control unit 80 is implemented as a computer. It includes a control arithmetic device and a storage device. The control arithmetic device can be a processor such as a CPU or GPU. The control arithmetic device reads a program stored in the storage device and performs predetermined arithmetic processing according to the program. Furthermore, the control arithmetic device can write arithmetic results to the storage device or read information stored in the storage device according to the program.

[0098] (3) Packing action

[0099] The boxing process involves repeatedly packing a predetermined number N of items B into boxes C. This process includes moving boxes, packing boxes, delivering boxes, and sealing and distributing boxes. For example, the boxing process begins when the packaging and boxing production line (not shown) is activated.

[0100] When the box packing operation starts, the control unit 80 starts the box moving process. The box moving process is a process for moving the box C from the box supply position P1 to the box packing position P2.

[0101] In the box moving process, the box C is supplied from the outside of the box 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 holding body 11 attracts the sides of the supplied box C, holds the box C from the sides and the top and bottom, and maintains the first posture of the box C. At this time, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown, the first cam 12 is located on the vertical portion 14a of the first cam track, and the second cam 13 is located on the second cam track 15. The first cam 12 moves downward along the vertical portion 14a, and the second cam 13 moves rearward along the second cam track 15. Following the movement of the first cam 12 and the second cam 13, the box holder 11 moves downward while holding the box C.

[0102] Next, if Figure 10 As shown, before the push-in section 50 pushes the article group B1 into the box C, the first cam 12 moves to the inclined portion 14b of the first cam track, and the second cam 13 moves further rearward along the second cam track 15. The box holder 11 is tilted relative to the vertical direction while holding the box C.

[0103] Next, if Figure 11As shown, the first cam 12 moves to the horizontal portion 14c of the first cam track, and the second cam 13 moves further rearward along the second cam track 15. The box holder 11 is now holding the box C in a horizontally extended position. As a result, the position of the box C changes 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 track 15. The box holder 11 follows the movement of the first and second cams 12, 13, causing the box C, now in the second position S2, to move toward the packing position P2.

[0104] While the box C is moving from the box supply position P1 to the box loading position P2, the flap support portion 20 is always in contact with the flap C10 of the box C. Therefore, the flap C10 of the box C is reliably maintained in a state of being opened to the outside of the box C. When moving from the box supply position P1 to the box loading position P2, the box C moves in an arc-shaped trajectory when viewed from the side.

[0105] While the box C is at the box supply position P1, the box transport unit 60 waits at the standby position P4. Simultaneously with the box C moving to the box loading position P2, the control unit 80 moves the box transport unit 60 to the position below the box C. Once the box transport unit 60 reaches the box loading position P2, the box lifting mechanism moves upward, raising the box C to a desired height for loading. This causes the flaps C10 of the box C to contact the flap support 20 and the second flap support 30, allowing the flaps C10 of the box C to reliably open outward from the box C.

[0106] When the box C reaches the boxing position P2, the control unit 80 starts the boxing process. The boxing process is a process of packing the article group B1 into the opening O of the box C.

[0107] The control unit 80 controls the pressing unit 50 so that the opening and closing member 51 of the pressing unit 50 opens left and right from the center. This allows the pressing unit 50 to deposit the article group B1 into the box C. As the opening and closing member 51 opens left and right, the protrusion 51a also moves left and right. This ensures that the protrusion 51a securely expands the opening O of the box C left and right.

[0108] When the delivery of the article group B1 is completed, the control unit 80 starts the box transport process. The box transport process is a process for delivering the box C containing the article group B1.

[0109] The box conveying unit 60 is controlled by the control unit 80 to move downward in such a manner that the height of the box C is an arbitrary discharge height through the box lifting mechanism. The arbitrary discharge height is, for example, the height when the box C is discharged. The box conveying unit 60 carries the box C and moves horizontally toward the box discharge direction, that is, the front, and moves to the standby position P4. If the standby position P4 is reached, the box conveying unit 60 hands over the box C to the second box conveying unit 70. The box conveying unit 60 ends its forward movement and simultaneously delivers the next box C2. At the same time as the next box C2 becomes horizontal, the box conveying unit 60 passes under the box C2 and moves to the bottom of the box C2. The box conveying unit 60 moves upward through the box lifting mechanism to raise the box C2 to an arbitrary position for packing.

[0110] When the box C reaches the box sealing / distribution position P3, the control unit 80 starts the box sealing / distribution process. The box sealing / distribution process is a process of closing the flaps C10 of the box C, applying tape, and sorting the acceptable boxes into defective boxes.

[0111] The second case transport unit 70 performs case sealing of the cases C. The second case transport unit 70 distributes the sealed cases C and carries the cases C out of the boxing device 300 .

[0112] (4) Characteristics

[0113] (4-1)

[0114] The packing device 300 of this embodiment has a box moving unit 10, a flap support unit 20, and a pressing unit 50. The box moving unit 10 moves the box C from the box supply position P1 toward the packing position P2. The box C has a flap C10. The flap C10 is connected to the side wall C20 that defines the opening O. The box C is supplied from the outside at the box supply position P1. A plurality of articles B are packed into the opening O at the packing position P2. The flap support unit 20 supports the flap C10. The pressing unit 50 presses the article group B1, which is a plurality of articles B neatly arranged and conveyed by the article conveying unit 201, into the box at the packing position P2. Before the pressing unit 50 presses the article group B1 into the box C, the box moving unit 10 moves the box C so that the posture of the box C changes from the first posture S1 in which the opening O of the box C faces horizontally at the box supply position P1 to the second posture S2 in which the opening O of the box C faces upward at the packing position P2. The flap support portion 20 supports the flap C10 when the posture of the box C changes from the first posture S1 to the second posture S2.

[0115] The box packing device 300 of this embodiment can prevent the flaps C10 of the box C from falling inward.

[0116] (4-2)

[0117] In the boxing device 300 of this embodiment, the flap support 20 includes 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 direction. The third portion 21c extends horizontally.

[0118] The boxing device 300 of the present embodiment can prevent the flaps C10 of the box C from falling inward while the box C is moving from the box supply position P1 to the boxing position P2.

[0119] (4-3)

[0120] In the boxing device 300 of the present embodiment, the box moving unit 10 moves the box C from the box supply position P1 toward the boxing position P2 while the box C is being moved along the flap support portion 20 .

[0121] In the boxing device 300 of the present embodiment, the flap support portion 20 can support the flap C10 according to the movement trajectory of the box C.

[0122] (4-4)

[0123] In the boxing device 300 of this embodiment, the press-in portion 50 includes an opening and closing member 51. The opening and closing member 51 includes a protrusion 51a on a surface facing the box C.

[0124] Because the protrusion 51a opens the box C left and right, no additional components are required to accurately center the box C. Furthermore, the protrusion 51a allows the opening and closing member to be opened to a width that nearly matches the internal dimensions of the box C, improving the tolerance for packing. Furthermore, even when using a return box, the protrusion 51a forcibly opens the box C to the specified internal dimensions, thus preventing defects such as items B from occurring.

[0125] (4-5)

[0126] The boxing device 300 of this embodiment further includes a box transport unit 60. The box transport unit 60 transports the box C containing the article group B1. After the box C is changed to the second posture S2, the box transport unit 60 moves from the standby position P4 toward the bottom of the box C.

[0127] Since the next case C2 can be lowered while the case transport unit 60 is moving in the front-rear direction, the time required to replace the case C can be shortened.

[0128] (4-6)

[0129] In the boxing device 300 of this embodiment, when the box C moves from the box supply position P1 to the boxing position P2, the flap support portion 20 tilts the small flap C12 on the rear side of the box C in the moving direction toward the outside of the box C.

[0130] The boxing device 300 of this embodiment can prevent the small 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 boxing position P2.

[0131] (5) Modification

[0132] (5-1) Modification A

[0133] In the above embodiment, in the flap support portion 20 of the packing device 300, the second portion 21b extends in a direction inclined toward the rear relative to the vertical direction at the connection portion with the first portion 21a, but the present invention is not limited to this. The second portion 21b may also extend in a direction inclined toward the front relative to the vertical direction at the connection portion with the first portion 21a. In other words, the second portion 21b may also have a shape that expands toward the front and describes a portion of a circle when viewed from the side.

[0134] In this modified example, when the container C changes from the first position S1 to the second position S2, the rails of the container C expand slightly outward when viewed from the side. In other words, the rails of the container C expand forward and form a partial circular shape when viewed from the side. If the second portion 21b expands forward and forms an arc shape when viewed from the side, it can abut against the flap C10 even when the container C changes from the first position to the second position, providing more reliable support for the flap.

[0135] (5-2) Modification B

[0136] In the above embodiment, the flap support portion 20 is three, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the flap support portion 20 may include two main bars and two sub-bars, for a total of four bars.

[0137] (5-3) Modification C

[0138] In the above embodiment, the box holder 11 is disposed only on the right side of the box packing device 300 , but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0139] (5-4) Modification D

[0140] In the above embodiment, the pushing portion 50 places the article group B1 into the box C, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The pushing portion 50 may place the article B into the box C individually.

[0141] (5-5) Modification E

[0142] In the above embodiment, the boxes C in the first position S1 are supplied from the upper portion of the box packing device 300 and are delivered from the box sealing / distribution position P3. However, this is not limiting. The boxes C may be supplied from the box packing position P2 or the box sealing / distribution position P3. The boxes C may also be delivered from the box packing position P2.

Claims

1. A packing device comprising: A box moving unit (10) moves a box (C) from a box supply position (P1) toward a box loading position (P2), wherein the box has a flap (C10) connected to a side wall (C20) defining an opening (O), the box is supplied from the outside at the box supply position (P1), and a plurality of articles (B) are loaded into the opening at the box loading position (P2); a flap support portion (20) supporting the flap; and The pressing section (50) presses the article group (B1) formed by neatly arranging a plurality of the articles conveyed by the article conveying section (201) into the box located at the boxing position, Before the pressing unit presses the article group into the box, the box moving unit moves the box so that the posture of the box is changed from a first posture (S1) in which the opening of the box is facing horizontally at the box supply position to a second posture (S2) in which the opening of the box is facing upward at the box loading position. The flap support portion supports the flap when the posture of the box changes from the first posture to the second posture.

2. The box packing device according to claim 1, wherein: The flap support portion includes a first portion (21a) extending in a vertical direction, a second portion (21b) extending in a direction inclined relative to the vertical direction, and a third portion (21c) extending in a horizontal direction.

3. The box packing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The box moving unit moves the box from the box supply position to the box loading position while the box is arranged along the flap support portion.

4. The box packing device according to claim 1, wherein: The pressing portion has an opening and closing component (51), The opening and closing member includes a protrusion (51a) on a surface facing the box.

5. The box packing device according to claim 1, wherein: The box packing device further comprises a box transporting unit (60) for transporting the box in which the article group is packed. The box transport unit moves from the standby position (P4) to below the box after the box is changed to the second posture.

6. The box packing device according to claim 1, wherein: When the box moves from the box supply position toward the box loading position, the flap support portion causes the flap on the rear side in the moving direction of the box to fall toward the outside of the box.

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