Box making machine

Abstract

A carton making machine includes a folding section that forms a corrugated box by folding a paperboard to join end portions to each other, a defective product removal section that removes the corrugated box determined to be a defective product from a production line, a counting and discharging section that counts and stacks the corrugated box determined to be a good product and then discharges the corrugated box in a predetermined number, and a conveyance device that conveys the corrugated box removed by the defective product removal section under the counting and discharging section and to an outlet side of the counting and discharging section.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a box-making machine for processing cardboard to manufacture flat-shaped corrugated boxes. Background Technology

[0002] A box-making machine manufactures boxes (corrugated cartons) by processing cardboard materials (e.g., corrugated cardboard). A box-making machine includes a paper feeding section, a printing section, a paper output section, a cutting section, a folding section, and a counting and output section.

[0003] Carton-making machines sometimes produce defective corrugated boxes during manufacturing. Examples of defects include poor paper feeding in the paper feeding section, poor printing in the printing section, poor slotting in the paper output section, poor punching in the punching section, and poor gluing or joining in the folding section. Therefore, carton-making machines include a defect removal unit. This unit removes corrugated boxes deemed defective by the inspection device from the production line. For example, the carton-making machine described in Patent Document 1 is one such example.

[0004] Previous technical documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 5173341 Summary of the Invention

[0007] The technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0008] As described above, the inspection device identifies various processing defects, but strict judgments are made to maintain the consistent quality of corrugated boxes. Therefore, sometimes even a portion of corrugated cardboard that is judged to be acceptable is removed from the production line by the defect removal unit. Thus, operators visually inspect the corrugated boxes removed from the defect removal unit; if the boxes are not defective, they are required to be shipped as acceptable products.

[0009] During the operation of the box-making machine, operators perform various tasks at the exit side of the corrugated cartons that are discharged as qualified products from the counting and discharge section. On the other hand, the defective product removal section is located at the entrance side of the counting and discharge section, removing corrugated cartons determined to be defective from the production line. Therefore, when operators visually confirm the corrugated cartons removed by the defective product removal section, they need to move from the exit side of the counting and discharge section to the entrance side, resulting in poor work efficiency.

[0010] The present invention addresses the aforementioned problems and aims to provide a box-making machine that improves the efficiency of corrugated cardboard box manufacturing.

[0011] means for solving technical problems

[0012] To achieve the above objectives, the box-making machine of the present invention comprises: a folding section for joining the ends of cardboard together by folding cardboard to form a corrugated carton; a defective product removal section for removing the corrugated cartons determined to be defective from the production line; a counting and discharge section for counting the corrugated cartons determined to be qualified while stacking them and then discharging them in a predetermined quantity; and a conveying device for conveying the corrugated cartons removed by the defective product removal section through the underside of the counting and discharge section and to the outlet side of the counting and discharge section.

[0013] Invention Effects

[0014] The box-making machine according to the present invention can improve the efficiency of corrugated carton manufacturing. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of the box-making machine according to this embodiment.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic side view showing the defective product removal section and the counting and discharge section.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a schematic top view showing the defective product removal section and the counting and discharge section.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a control block diagram representing the control system of a box-making machine. Detailed Implementation

[0019] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and in the case of multiple embodiments, it also includes configurations combining various embodiments. Moreover, the constituent elements in the embodiments include elements readily conceived by those skilled in the art, substantially identical elements, and elements of so-called equivalent scope.

[0020] <Box Making Machine>

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the box-making machine of this embodiment. Hereinafter, the horizontal direction for conveying the corrugated cardboard S and the corrugated carton B will be referred to as the conveying direction D, and the horizontal direction orthogonal to the conveying direction D will be referred to as the width direction W.

[0022] like Figure 1As shown, the box-making machine 10 manufactures corrugated cartons (box bodies) B by processing corrugated cardboard S. The box-making machine 10 includes a paper feeding section 11, a printing section 21, a paper discharge section 31, a punching section 41, a folding section 51, and a counting and discharge section 61. The box-making machine 10 is configured as a production line for corrugated cartons B by arranging the paper feeding section 11, printing section 21, paper discharge section 31, punching section 41, folding section 51, and counting and discharge section 61 in a straight line along the conveying direction D.

[0023] The paper feed section 11 feeds corrugated cardboard S sheet by sheet at a constant speed to the printing section 21. The paper feed section 11 includes a worktable 12, a front stop member 13, a supply roller 14, a suction device 15, and a paper feed roller 16. The worktable 12 can hold multiple sheets of corrugated cardboard S and is supported for lifting. The front stop member 13 positions the front end of the corrugated cardboard S stacked on the worktable 12, ensuring a gap between the lower end and the worktable 12 for one sheet of corrugated cardboard S to pass through. Multiple supply rollers 14 are arranged corresponding to the worktable 12 and along the conveying direction D of the corrugated cardboard S. When the worktable 12 descends, the corrugated cardboard S at the bottom of the stacked sheets is fed forward. The suction device 15 draws the stacked corrugated cardboard S downwards, towards the worktable 12 and the supply roller 14. The paper feed roller 16 supplies the corrugated cardboard S fed by the supply roller 14 to the printing section 21.

[0024] The printing unit 21 performs multi-color printing (four-color printing in this embodiment) on the surface of the corrugated cardboard S. In the printing unit 21, four printing units 21A, 21B, 21C, and 21D are arranged in a row, using four different ink colors to print on the surface of the corrugated cardboard S. Each printing unit 21A, 21B, 21C, and 21D has almost the same structure and includes a printing cylinder 22, an inking roller (anilox roller) 23, an inking section 24, and a support roller 25. A printing plate 26 can be mounted on the outer periphery of the printing cylinder 22.

[0025] The paper discharge unit 31 has the functions of performing grid processing, cutting processing, and slotting processing on the corrugated cardboard S. The paper discharge unit 31 includes a first grid roller 32, a second grid roller 33, a cutting head 34, and a slotting head 35. Multiple first grid rollers 32 are arranged at predetermined intervals (four in this embodiment) in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the conveying direction D of the corrugated cardboard S (the width direction W of the corrugated cardboard S), and can be rotated by a drive device (not shown). Multiple second grid rollers 33 are arranged at predetermined intervals (four in this embodiment) in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the conveying direction D of the corrugated cardboard S, and can be rotated by a drive device (not shown). The first grid roller 32 and the second grid roller 33 perform grid processing on the back (lower surface) of the corrugated cardboard S.

[0026] Multiple cutting heads 34 and slotting heads 35 are arranged at predetermined intervals in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the conveying direction D of the corrugated cardboard S (five in this embodiment), and can be rotated by a drive device (not shown). One cutting head 34 is provided corresponding to the end of the corrugated cardboard S in the width direction W, and cuts the end of the corrugated cardboard S in the width direction W. Four slotting heads 35 are provided corresponding to predetermined positions of the corrugated cardboard S in the width direction W, and perform slotting and coating sheet processing at predetermined positions on the corrugated cardboard S.

[0027] The punching section 41 performs punching processing on the corrugated cardboard S, including the application of hand-held holes. The punching section 41 has a pair of upper and lower feed cylinders 42, an anvil roller 43, and a cutter roller 44. The feed cylinders 42 clamp and convey the corrugated cardboard S from above and below, and are rotatable. The anvil roller 43 and the cutter roller 44 are both circular in shape and can rotate synchronously via a drive device (not shown). In this case, the anvil roller 43 has an anvil formed on its outer periphery, while the cutter roller 44 has a die formed at a predetermined position on its outer periphery.

[0028] The folding section 51 folds the corrugated cardboard S while moving it along the conveying direction D, joining the two ends in the width direction W to form a flat corrugated box B. The folding section 51 includes an upper conveyor belt 52, a lower conveyor belt 53, and a gluing machine 54. The upper and lower conveyor belts 52 and 53 clamp and convey the corrugated cardboard S from above and below. The gluing machine 54 folds the corrugated cardboard S while bending each end in the width direction W from below inwards. Furthermore, the folding section 51 is equipped with a glue applicator 55. The glue applicator 55 has a glue gun that sprays glue at predetermined times to apply glue to predetermined positions on the corrugated cardboard S.

[0029] The counting and discharge unit 61 counts the corrugated cardboard boxes B while stacking them, and then discharges them in batches of a predetermined number. The counting and discharge unit 61 has a frame 62 that divides the stacked corrugated cardboard boxes into batches of a predetermined number. A lift 63 is flexibly installed below the frame 62. The lift 63 lowers the batched corrugated cardboard boxes B to the downstream lower conveyor 64. Additionally, the counting and discharge unit 61 has a front baffle and a corner straightener (not shown) that serve as forming mechanisms.

[0030] Furthermore, a defective product removal unit 101 is disposed between the folding section 51 and the counting and discharge section 61. The defective product removal unit 101 removes corrugated cardboard boxes B that have become defective products from the production line.

[0031] <Defective Product Removal and Counting Discharge Section>

[0032] Figure 2 This is a schematic side view showing the defective product removal section and the counting and discharge section. Figure 3 This is a schematic top view showing the defective product removal section and the counting and discharge section.

[0033] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the defective product removal unit 101 is disposed between the folding section 51 and the counting and discharge section 61. An upper conveyor 102 and a lower conveyor 103 are disposed between the folding section 51 and the counting and discharge section 61. The corrugated cardboard box B formed by the folding section 51 is conveyed while being held by the upper conveyor 102 and the lower conveyor 103, and supplied to the counting and discharge section 61. The defective product removal unit 101 is disposed below the lower conveyor 103.

[0034] The defective product removal unit 101 includes a switching lever 104 and a housing 105. The switching lever 104 is disposed upstream of the lower conveyor 103. The base end 104a of the switching lever 104 is rotatably supported by a support shaft 106 along the width direction W, and the front end 104b extends upstream in the conveying direction D. The switching lever 104 is rotatable about the support shaft 106. When the front end 104b is in a horizontal position, corrugated cardboard boxes B are supplied between the upper conveyor 102 and the lower conveyor 103. On the other hand, when the front end 104b of the switching lever 104 is in an upward inclined position, the corrugated cardboard boxes B are supplied to the housing 105.

[0035] In addition to the wall frame 62, the elevator 63 and the lower conveyor 64, the counting and discharge unit 61 also includes a hopper unit 111, a delivery device 112 and an air supply device 113.

[0036] The hopper section 111 stacks corrugated cardboard boxes B. The feeding device 112 continuously feeds the corrugated cardboard boxes B to the hopper section 111. The air supply device 113 supplies air from above to the corrugated cardboard boxes B conveyed on the hopper section 111.

[0037] The counting and discharge section 61 is equipped with a feeding device 112 at the inlet. The feeding device 112 has a pair of upper and lower feeding rollers 121 located downstream of the upper conveyor 102 and the lower conveyor 103. The upper and lower feeding rollers 121 feed the corrugated cardboard boxes B conveyed by the upper conveyor 102 and the lower conveyor 103 to the hopper section 111. The hopper section 111 has a space for forming a stack T. The stack T is a bundle of corrugated cardboard boxes B formed by stacking multiple corrugated cardboard boxes B in the vertical direction. The counting and discharge section 61 is equipped with a straightening plate (correcting plate) 122 that presses down on the rear end of the stack T on the upstream side of the hopper section 111.

[0038] A flexible front stop 123 is disposed on the downstream side of the hopper section 111 in the conveying direction D of the corrugated cardboard box B. The front stop 123 slows down and stops the corrugated cardboard box B by colliding with the corrugated cardboard box B delivered by the feeding device 112. A lift 63 is disposed below the hopper section 111. The lift 63 is disposed horizontally below the feeding device 112 in the conveying direction D. The lift 63 can be raised and lowered vertically by the lifting device 124. While descending, the lift 63 receives the stack T accumulated from the wall shelf 62, and receives the corrugated cardboard boxes B that fall off the stack T after colliding with the front stop 123, accumulating the corrugated cardboard boxes B to form a stack T of a specified number of sheets.

[0039] The counting and discharging section 61 has side supports 125 on both sides in the mechanical width direction downstream of the corrugated cardboard box B in the conveying direction D, which is closer to the hopper section 111. A horizontal track 126 is provided on the side supports 125, and a wall frame support 127 is supported on the track 126 on both sides in a way that allows movement. That is, the wall frame support 127 can move back and forth in the conveying direction via a wall frame forward and backward movement mechanism, which consists of a roller 128 that travels on the track 126, a pinion gear (not shown) that meshes with a rack (not shown) provided along the track 126, and a drive motor 129 that drives the pinion gear.

[0040] The wall shelf support 127 is equipped with a horizontally extending wall shelf 62 via a lifting mechanism having a drive motor 130. Although not shown, the lifting mechanism consists of a rack and pinion mechanism and a drive motor 130 that rotates the pinion. Therefore, the wall shelf support 127 can be raised or lowered by rotating the drive motor 130 in both directions.

[0041] The ledge 62 receives corrugated cardboard boxes B that fall upon contact with the front stop 123 and accumulates them to form a stack T. Midway through the stack T formation, the ledge 62 hands over the stack to the elevator 63, where the corrugated cardboard boxes B are accumulated. If the stack T reaches a set number of sheets, the ledge 62 resumes operation, receiving corrugated cardboard boxes B to replace the elevator 63 and form the next stack T.

[0042] In the ledge 62, the pressure bar 131 that presses down on the stack T is supported by a lifting mechanism with a drive motor 132, enabling it to be raised and lowered. The lifting mechanism also consists of a rack and pinion mechanism and a drive motor 132 that rotates the pinion. Therefore, the pressure bar 131 can be raised and lowered by rotating the drive motor 132 in both directions.

[0043] The lower conveyor 64 is positioned at the same height as the upper surface of the elevator 63 when it is at its lowest point. A transfer conveyor 133 is positioned downstream of the lower conveyor 64. The lower conveyor 64 and the transfer conveyor 133 are located at the same height. The transfer conveyor 133 is configured such that the transfer conveyor 134 is continuous downstream. The transfer conveyor 133 and the transfer conveyor 134 transfer the stack T along the transfer direction D.

[0044] An air supply device 113 is disposed around the periphery of the hopper section 111 and blows air onto the corrugated cardboard box B delivered from the delivery device 112. The air supply device 113 has a first air supply device 135 and a second air supply device 136. The first air supply device 135 blows air from above toward the front end of the corrugated cardboard box B delivered to the hopper section 111. The second air supply device 136 blows air from above toward the rear end of the corrugated cardboard box B delivered to the hopper section 111. By blowing air from above onto the corrugated cardboard box B delivered to the hopper section 111, the air supply device 113 ensures that the corrugated cardboard box B lands on the ground in a stable posture.

[0045] The defect removal unit 101 activates the switching lever 104 based on the inspection results from the inspection device (not shown). The inspection device detects quality defects in the corrugated cardboard S (corrugated carton B) conveyed on the production line and determines the defects of the corrugated cardboard S based on the inspection results. For example, the inspection device determines defects in the paper feeding section 11, printing defects in the printing section 21, slotting defects in the paper discharge section 31, punching defects in the punching section 41, and glue application defects in the glue application device 66. Furthermore, the inspection device determines defects in the joining position of the folding section 51. Additionally, the detection device can be equipped with position sensors, image sensors, electrostatic capacitive sensors, cameras, etc.

[0046] If the inspection device determines that the corrugated cardboard S (corrugated carton B) is a qualified product, the defective product removal unit 101 moves the switching lever 104 to a horizontal position. Then, the corrugated carton B supplied from the folding unit 51 is conveyed to the upper conveyor 102 and the lower conveyor 103, and supplied to the counting and discharge unit 61. On the other hand, if the inspection device determines that the corrugated cardboard S (corrugated carton B) is a defective product, the defective product removal unit 101 moves the switching lever 104 to an inclined position. Then, the corrugated carton B1 supplied from the folding unit 51 passes under the switching lever 104 and is removed from the production line, and supplied to the receiving housing 105.

[0047] <Transmission Device>

[0048] The conveying device 150 conveys the corrugated cardboard boxes B1 containing defective products removed from the production line by the defective product removal unit 101. The conveying device 150 causes the corrugated cardboard boxes B1 containing defective products to pass under the counting and discharge unit 61 from the inlet side of the counting and discharge unit 61 and to the outlet side of the counting and discharge unit 61.

[0049] If the inspection device determines that the corrugated cardboard S (corrugated carton B) is defective, the defective product removal unit 101 removes the defective corrugated carton B1 from the production line and temporarily stores it in the receiving housing 105. The corrugated carton B1 stored in the receiving housing 105 is treated as a defective product. However, due to deviations in the inspection device's judgment of pass / fail, sometimes corrugated carton B1 stored in the receiving housing 105 may be processed as a passable product. Operators visually confirm that the corrugated carton B1 stored in the receiving housing 105 as a defective product is not defective; if so, it is required to be shipped as a passable product.

[0050] Box making machine 10 (reference) Figure 1 An operation panel 200 is provided on the exit side of the counting and discharge section 61. The operation panel 200 can control the operation of the paper feeding section 11, printing section 21, paper discharge section 31, punching section 41, folding section 51, counting and discharge section 61, defective product removal section 101, etc. The operation panel 200 is operated by the operator 201. Therefore, during the operation of the box making machine 10, the operator 201 is mostly near the operation panel 200. When the operator 201, located near the operation panel 200, visually confirms that the corrugated carton B1 removed from the production line by the defective product removal section 101, the operator 201 needs to move from the vicinity of the operation panel 200 to the entrance side of the counting and discharge section 61, resulting in poor work efficiency. Therefore, in this embodiment, the corrugated carton B1 removed from the production line is conveyed to the exit side by the conveying device 150 passing under the counting and discharge section 61. Therefore, the operator 201, located near the control panel 200, can easily visually confirm the corrugated carton B1 being removed from the production line with almost no movement.

[0051] The conveying device 150 includes a conveyor 151 located near the ground G below the counting discharge section 61. Here, "near the ground G" includes a position where the conveyor 151 can contact the ground G, or a position where the conveyor 151 is located at a predetermined distance above the ground G. The conveyor 151 can be a roller conveyor or a belt conveyor. In this embodiment, a pair of conveyors 151 are arranged at intervals in the width direction W, but the number is not limited. Furthermore, the conveying device 150 is not limited to the conveyor 151; for example, it can be a traveling trolley or a gripper device. The conveyor 151 moves the corrugated cardboard box B1 supplied to the housing 105 along the conveying direction D and conveys it to the outlet side of the counting discharge section 61, i.e., near the operation panel 200.

[0052] Furthermore, the conveyor 151 constituting the conveying device 150 is configured to convey the corrugated carton B1 along the conveying direction D, but is not limited to this structure. For example, as a conveyor, a first conveyor (conveyor 151) that conveys the corrugated carton B1 along the conveying direction D of the corrugated carton B and a second conveyor 152 that conveys the corrugated carton B1 in the width direction W that intersects with the conveying direction D of the corrugated carton B can be provided. The upstream portion of the second conveyor 152 is arranged adjacent to the downstream portion of the first conveyor (conveyor 151). Therefore, the corrugated carton B1 supplied to the housing 105 is conveyed to the outlet side of the counting discharge section 61 by the first conveyor (conveyor 151), and then conveyed to one side in the width direction W by the second conveyor 152, and then conveyed to the closest position of the operation panel 200.

[0053] Operator 201 can visually inspect the corrugated cardboard box B1 transferred to the outlet side (near the operation panel 200) of the counting and discharge unit 61, and then determine its pass / fail status again. A pass / fail table 202 is provided adjacent to the operation panel 200. If operator 201 visually inspects the corrugated cardboard box B1 and finds it acceptable, the corrugated cardboard box B1 is placed on the pass / fail table 202 and processed as an acceptable product. Conversely, if operator 201 visually inspects the corrugated cardboard box B1 and finds it to be defective, the corrugated cardboard box B1 is discarded as a defective product.

[0054] <Elevator>

[0055] The defective product removal unit 101 has a lift (lifting device) 161.

[0056] The elevator 161 is disposed inside the housing 105 and is supported within the housing 105 for free lifting. The elevator 161 can be raised and lowered by a drive device (not shown). In the raised position, the elevator 161 receives the corrugated carton B1; in the lowered position, it moves the corrugated carton B1 to the lowered position, and in the lowered position, it transfers the corrugated carton B1 to the conveyor 151. The elevator 161, for example, includes a conveyor (not shown), which transports the corrugated carton B1 to the conveyor 151. Furthermore, in... Figure 3 In the illustration, the elevator 161 is schematically depicted as rectangular, but in reality, the elevator 161 is shaped with a notch to prevent interference with the conveyor 151 during descent, thereby enabling it to descend to the same height as the conveyor 151. However, it is also possible to configure the elevator 161 to be omitted, and the corrugated cardboard box B1 can be directly housed in the housing 105.

[0057] <Control System of Carton Making Machine>

[0058] Figure 4 This is a control block diagram representing the control system of a box-making machine.

[0059] The box-making machine 10 is connected to a control device 171. The control device 171 can control the operation of the box-making machine 10. The control device 171 is connected to an operating device 172, a display device 173, and a storage device 174. The control device 171, the operating device 172, the display device 173, and the storage device 174 are located on the operation panel 200.

[0060] The operating device 172 can be operated by an operator. The operator inputs operating commands through the operating device 172, thereby the control device 171 controls the carton-making machine 10 according to the input commands. The display device 173 can display the operating content of the carton-making machine 10. The operator inputs display commands through the operating device 172, thereby the control device 171 switches the display content of the display device 173 according to the display commands. The storage device 174 stores operating data of the carton-making machine 10, etc.

[0061] In addition, the control device 171 is a controller, which is implemented by using RAM as a working area to execute various programs stored in the storage unit, for example, by using a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and an MPU (Micro Processing Unit).

[0062] <The Operation of the Box Making Machine>

[0063] like Figure 1 As shown, in the box-making machine 10, the paper feeding unit 11 feeds out corrugated cardboard S sheet by sheet at a constant speed along the horizontal direction. The printing unit 21 performs multi-color printing on the surface of the corrugated cardboard S. The paper discharge unit 31 performs grid processing, cutting, and slotting on the corrugated cardboard S. The punching unit 41 punches holes such as hand-held holes on the corrugated cardboard S. The folding unit 51 folds the corrugated cardboard S, joining the two ends in the width direction to form a flat corrugated carton B. The counting and discharge unit 61 counts the corrugated carton B, stacks them, divides them into predetermined batches, and discharges them.

[0064] like Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the inspection device determines, for example, whether the corrugated cardboard sheet S is acceptable or not. The defective product removing section 101 operates the switching lever 104 in accordance with the inspection result from the inspection device. When the corrugated cardboard sheet S (corrugated cardboard box B) is a non-defective product, the defective product removing section 101 sets the switching lever 104 to a horizontal position, and supplies the non-defective corrugated cardboard box B to the counting discharge section 61 via the upper conveyor 102 and the lower conveyor 103. On the other hand, when the corrugated cardboard sheet S (corrugated cardboard box B) is a defective product, the defective product removing section 101 sets the switching lever 104 to an inclined position, removes the defective corrugated cardboard box B1 from the production line and supplies it to the housing case 105. The corrugated cardboard box B1 supplied to the housing case 105 falls onto the elevator 161.

[0065] The elevator 161 receives the corrugated cardboard box B1 at an ascending position, then descends to a descending position and transfers the corrugated cardboard box B1 to the conveyor 151. The conveyor 151 conveys the received corrugated cardboard box B1 to an outlet side after passing under the counting discharge section 61. An operator 201 picks up the corrugated cardboard box B1 conveyed to the outlet side of the counting discharge section 61 and visually determines whether it is acceptable or not. If the operator 201 can process the corrugated cardboard box B1 as a non-defective product, he or she places it on the non-defective product table 202; if it is a defective product, he or she disposes of it.

[0066] In this embodiment, the conveyor 151 conveys, sheet by sheet, the corrugated cardboard boxes B1 supplied to the housing case 105 and descended by the elevator 161 to the outlet side of the counting discharge section 61. In this case, a program for lifting control of the elevator 161 is preset. If one corrugated cardboard box B1 is detected on the elevator 161 by a sensor (not shown), the elevator 161 descends and delivers the corrugated cardboard box B1 to the conveyor 151 at the descending position. In this case, the conveyor 151 may operate continuously, or may operate when a corrugated cardboard box B1 is placed thereon.

[0067] However, the conveyor 151 may also be configured to convey the corrugated cardboard boxes B1 to the outlet side of the counting discharge section 61 in a preset predetermined number of sheets. For example, a program for lifting control of the elevator 161 is preset. If a predetermined number of corrugated cardboard boxes B1 is detected on the elevator 161 by a sensor (not shown), the elevator 161 descends and delivers the plurality of corrugated cardboard boxes B1 to the conveyor 151 at the descending position. In this case, the conveyor 151 may operate continuously, or may operate when corrugated cardboard boxes B1 are placed thereon.

[0068] Furthermore, the conveyor 151 can be configured such that, upon inputting a conveying start command, it conveys the corrugated carton B1 to the outlet side of the counting and discharge section 61. For example, an operator 201 located near the control panel 200 can use the operating device 172 (see reference) during their free time. Figure 4 Input the start command for conveying corrugated carton B1. The elevator 161 then descends, delivering corrugated carton B1 to the conveyor 151 at the descended position. In this case, the conveyor 151 remains operational.

[0069] like Figure 4 As shown, the control device 171 inputs the pass / fail judgment result of the corrugated cardboard S (corrugated carton B) from the inspection device. The pass / fail judgment result of the corrugated cardboard S (corrugated carton B) is stored in the storage device 174 at any time. The pass / fail judgment result of the corrugated cardboard S (corrugated carton B) stored in the storage device 174 represents the defective content when the corrugated cardboard S (corrugated carton B) is judged to be a defective product.

[0070] When one or more corrugated cartons B1 are conveyed to the exit side of the counting and discharge section 61 via the conveyor 151, the control device 171 reads the defect judgment result of the corrugated cartons B1 from the storage device 174 and displays the defective contents of the corrugated cartons B1 on the display device 173. In this case, when multiple corrugated cartons B1 are conveyed to the exit side of the counting and discharge section 61, the display device 173 displays the defective contents of the multiple corrugated cartons B1 in a conveying order list. The operator 201 can refer to the defective contents of the corrugated cartons B1 displayed on the display device 173 to determine whether the corrugated cartons B1 conveyed to the exit side of the counting and discharge section 61 are acceptable or not. That is, the operator 201 can identify the defective contents of the corrugated cartons B1, and therefore can quickly perform a visual-based acceptance / disacceptance judgment.

[0071] In addition, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, in the above embodiment, the display device 173 is disposed on the operation panel 200, but it is not limited to this. Figure 4 The display device 173, for example, can be located on the outlet side of the counting discharge section 61, indicated by a double-dotted line. In this case, the display device 173 is located away from the operation panel 200. Furthermore, as... Figure 3The control device 171 displays the defective contents of the corrugated carton B1 on the display device 173 located on the outlet side of the counting and discharge section 61, indicated by a double-dotted line. Even when the operator 201 is located downstream of the corrugated carton B1 in the conveying direction, away from the control panel 200, they can still refer to the defective contents of the corrugated carton B1 displayed on the display device 173 to determine whether the corrugated carton B1 conveyed to the outlet side of the counting and discharge section 61 is acceptable. In other words, the operator 201 can identify the defective contents of the corrugated carton B1, thus enabling rapid visual-based acceptance / disacquisition.

[0072] [Effects of this implementation method]

[0073] The box-making machine according to the first method includes: a folding section 51, which folds the corrugated cardboard S to join the ends together to form a corrugated carton B; a defective product removal section 101, which removes corrugated carton B that are determined to be defective from the production line; a counting and discharge section 61, which counts the corrugated carton B that are determined to be qualified and stacks them, and then discharges them in a predetermined number; and a conveying device 150, which causes the corrugated carton B removed by the defective product removal section 101 to pass under the counting and discharge section 61 and be conveyed to the outlet side of the counting and discharge section 61.

[0074] According to the box-making machine of the first method, the defective product removal unit 101 determines whether the corrugated cardboard S (corrugated carton B) is qualified or not based on the inspection results of the inspection device. When the corrugated cardboard S (corrugated carton B) is defective, the defective corrugated carton B1 is removed from the production line. The conveying device 150 causes the corrugated carton B1 removed from the production line to pass under the counting and discharge unit 61 and be conveyed to the exit side. Therefore, the operator 201 can visually determine the qualification or non-qualification of the corrugated carton B1 again at the exit side of the counting and discharge unit 61, reducing the amount of operator movement and thus improving the efficiency of the corrugated carton B manufacturing operation.

[0075] The box-making machine in the second embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment. Further, the conveying device 150 includes a conveyor 151 located near the ground G below the counting discharge section 61. Therefore, by providing the conveying device 150 as a conveyor 151, the conveying device 150 can be positioned in the narrow space below the counting discharge section 61, eliminating the need for significant changes to the counting discharge section 61 and suppressing structural complexity.

[0076] The box-making machine involved in the third method is the same as the box-making machine involved in the second method. Further, the conveyor system includes a first conveyor (conveyor 151) that conveys the corrugated carton B in the conveying direction D of the corrugated carton B, and a second conveyor 152 that conveys the corrugated carton B in a direction intersecting with the conveying direction D of the corrugated carton B. The upstream portion of the second conveyor 152 is arranged adjacent to the downstream portion of the first conveyor. Therefore, the corrugated carton B1 can be conveyed to the outlet side and side of the counting and discharge unit 61 via the second conveyor 152, thereby improving the workability of the operation by visually judging whether the work is qualified or not.

[0077] The fourth method involves a box-making machine that is any one of the box-making machines involved in the first to third methods. It further includes a lift (lifting device) 161 that moves the corrugated carton B1 removed by the defective product removal unit 101 towards the upstream side of the conveyor 150. Thus, after receiving the corrugated carton B1 removed by the defective product removal unit 101, the lift 161 can descend to a lowered position and accurately transfer the corrugated carton B1 to the conveyor 151.

[0078] The box-making machine involved in the fifth method is any one of the box-making machines involved in the first to fourth methods. Further, the conveying device 150 causes the corrugated boxes B1 to pass one sheet at a time below the counting and discharge section 61 and conveys them to the outlet side of the counting and discharge section 61. Thus, the corrugated boxes B1 are conveyed one sheet at a time within the space below the counting and discharge section 61, thereby preventing the need to increase the size of the device and thus avoiding the need to increase the space.

[0079] The box-making machine involved in the sixth method is any one of the box-making machines involved in methods 1 to 5. Further, the conveying device 150 causes the corrugated cartons B1 to pass below the counting and discharge section 61 and be conveyed to the outlet side of the counting and discharge section 61 according to a predetermined number of sheets. Thus, by collecting and conveying the predetermined number of corrugated cartons B1 to the outlet side of the counting and discharge section 61, the operator can collectively determine the pass / fail status of multiple corrugated cartons B1, thereby improving workability.

[0080] The box-making machine involved in the seventh method is any one of the box-making machines involved in methods 1 to 5. Further, if a conveying start command is input into the conveying device 150, the corrugated carton B1 is conveyed below the counting discharge section 61 and to the outlet side of the counting discharge section 61. Therefore, the operator can convey the corrugated carton B1 to the outlet side of the counting discharge section 61 at a preferred time, thereby improving workability.

[0081] The box-making machine involved in the eighth method is any one of the box-making machines involved in the first to seventh methods. Further, a display device 173 is provided on the outlet side of the counting and discharge unit 61. The display device 173 can display the defective contents of the corrugated carton B1 removed by the defective product removal unit 101. Therefore, the operator 201 can refer to the defective contents of the corrugated carton B1 displayed on the display device 173 to determine whether the corrugated carton B1 is acceptable or not, thereby improving the workability of the acceptance / disacceptance determination operation.

[0082] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the control device 171, operation device 172, display device 173, and storage device 174 are provided on the operation panel 200, but it is not limited to this. The operation panel of the defective product removal unit 101 or the conveying device 150 can be configured as separate units. In this case, the operation panel is located on the outlet side of the counting and discharge unit 61.

[0083] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the structures of the paper feeding section 11, printing section 21, paper discharge section 31, punching section 41, folding section 51, counting and discharge section 61, and defective product removal section 101 are not limited to the structures of the embodiments, but can be appropriately configured according to the specifications and manufacturing process of the corrugated cardboard box B.

[0084] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the box-making machine 10 is composed of the paper feeding unit 11, the printing unit 21, the paper discharge unit 31, the die-cutting unit 41, the folding unit 51, the counting and discharge unit 61, and the defective product removal unit 101, but it is not limited to this structure. For example, the box-making machine 10 can be composed of the folding unit 51, the counting and discharge unit 61, and the defective product removal unit 101. That is, various operations can be omitted or implemented as other processes depending on the specifications of the corrugated carton B and the operating method.

[0085] Symbol Explanation

[0086] 11-Paper Feeding Section, 21-Printing Section, 31-Paper Discharge Section, 41-Dieting Section, 51-Folding Section, 52-Upper Conveyor Belt, 53-Lower Conveyor Belt, 54-Gluing Machine, 61-Counting and Discharge Section, 62-Shelf, 63-Elevator, 64-Lower Conveyor, 101-Defective Product Removal Section, 102-Upper Conveyor, 103-Lower Conveyor, 104-Switching Rod, 105-Receiving Housing, 111-Hopper Section, 11 2-Discharge device, 113-Air supply device, 133-Conveyor, 150-Conveying device, 151-Conveyor (first conveyor), 152-Conveyor (second conveyor), 161-Elevator (lifting device), 171-Control device, 172-Operating device, 173-Display device, 174-Storage device, D-Conveying direction, W-Width direction, S-Corrugated cardboard, B, B1-Corrugated carton.

Claims

1. A box-making machine, comprising: The folding section is formed by folding the cardboard to join the ends, thus creating a corrugated cardboard box. The defective product removal unit removes the corrugated cardboard boxes that are determined to be defective from the manufacturing production line; The counting and discharge unit counts the corrugated cardboard boxes that have been determined to be qualified products, stacks them, and discharges them in the prescribed quantity; and The conveying device causes the corrugated cardboard boxes removed by the defective product removal section to pass under the counting and discharge section and be conveyed to the outlet side of the counting and discharge section.

2. The box-making machine according to claim 1, wherein, The conveying device has a conveyor located near the ground below the counting and discharging section.

3. The box-making machine according to claim 2, wherein, The conveyor includes: a first conveyor that conveys the corrugated cardboard box in a direction along the conveying direction of the corrugated cardboard box; and a second conveyor that conveys the corrugated cardboard box in a direction intersecting the conveying direction of the corrugated cardboard box, wherein the upstream portion of the second conveyor is disposed adjacent to the downstream portion of the first conveyor.

4. The box-making machine according to claim 1, wherein, A lifting device is provided to move the corrugated cardboard boxes removed by the defective product removal section towards the upstream side of the conveying device.

5. The box-making machine according to claim 1, wherein, The conveying device causes the corrugated boxes to pass one by one under the counting and discharge section and to the outlet side of the counting and discharge section.

6. The box-making machine according to claim 1, wherein, The conveying device causes the corrugated cardboard boxes to pass under the counting and discharge section in a predetermined number of sheets and to the outlet side of the counting and discharge section.

7. The box-making machine according to claim 1, wherein, When a conveying start command is input, the conveying device causes the corrugated carton to pass under the counting and discharge section and be conveyed to the outlet side of the counting and discharge section.

8. The box-making machine according to claim 1, wherein, A display device is provided on the outlet side of the counting discharge section, and the display device is capable of displaying the defective contents of the corrugated carton removed by the defective product removal section.

Images