Manufacturing method of envelope type package

Abstract

To provide a manufacturing method of an envelope type package which can surely guide, when folding the material sheet while transferring the material sheet where the uneven pattern is set to be downward, a front end of a material sheet with an uneven pattern on one side into a folding guide part, and can secure a transporting force.SOLUTION: A manufacturing method of an envelope type package comprises the steps of: providing a material sheet with an uneven pattern on one side in which a rectangular rear surface part 3 is continuously connected through a folding line to a lower end edge of a rectangular surface part 2; cutting out the surface part so that connection flaps 4 are continuously connected through folding lines to both side end edges of the surface part 2 to be an extensive form of an envelope; folding the surface part 2 toward the rear surface part 3 so that the uneven pattern of the material sheet 1X is to be at an inner side. The manufacturing method of the envelope type package includes at the time of folding: a guide step where the surface part 2 is guided into a lower side while the material sheet 1X is transferred; a support step where the rear surface part 3 is supported from the lower side to horizontally move straight; and a folding step where the folded surface part 2 is folded toward the rear surface part 3 that is horizontally transferred.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an envelope-type package using a material sheet having a concave-convex pattern on one side, such as single-sided corrugated cardboard. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, with the spread of online shopping and other mail-order sales, products are often delivered via postal services and home delivery services. Among these, there is an increasing demand for envelope-type packaging that can be dropped into postboxes.

[0003] Various types of cushioned envelope-type packages have been proposed for packaging items that are sensitive to shock, such as electrical components, jewelry, cosmetics, and CDs. For example, a cushioned envelope with a plastic bubble sheet cushioning material inside the envelope is well known.

[0004] However, when disposing of such a cushioned envelope with a plastic bubble sheet cushioning inside, the envelope (paper) and the plastic bubble sheet cushioning must be separated, which is troublesome. Also, in terms of manufacturing, it takes time and effort to place a separate plastic bubble sheet cushioning inside the envelope, which requires a lot of material and time, resulting in high costs.

[0005] In order to solve these problems, in recent years, an envelope-type package using a material sheet such as a single-sided corrugated cardboard having cushioning properties has been proposed. In a manufacturing method of such an envelope-type package, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, when a material sheet 1Y of a single-sided corrugated cardboard is cut into an envelope-like developed shape in which a rectangular back part 3 is connected to the left end side of a rectangular front part 2 in the left-right direction (left-right direction in FIG. 10) via a first fold line a1 and connecting flaps 4 are connected to both ends of the front part 2 in the up-down direction (up-down direction in FIG. 10) via a second fold line a2, when the envelope-like shape is formed, in order to strengthen the adhesion between the connecting flaps 4 and the back part 3, the wavy unevenness of the connecting flaps 4 on both sides of the front part 2 is crushed. As a result, the wavy unevenness of the connecting flaps 4 that will be the adhesive part is made flat. In addition, an upper end flap part 5 is connected to the left end side of the front part 2 in the left-right direction (left-right direction in FIG. 10) via a third fold line a3.

[0006] Further, conventionally, as a manufacturing device for envelope-type packages, a jacket folding device in a box making machine or the like for manufacturing flat boxes such as record jackets from paper material sheets has been proposed (Patent Document 1).

[0007] The jacket folding device in a box making machine or the like disclosed in Patent Document 1 first folds both glue tabs inward while horizontally conveying a material sheet forward with a conveyor belt serving as a conveying device. Next, adhesive is applied to the glue tab. Then, while conveying the material sheet, the front flap is folded upward and backward and adhered to the glue tab. A guide device for folding the front flap is provided above the conveyor belt. Also, an air outlet provided at the bottom of the conveying device, i.e., between the two conveyor belts facing upward, blows air upward, and the air pushes the front end of the front flap upward, causing it to enter the guide device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-156972 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] However, in recent years, with the spread of mail order sales, there are cases where information including different barcodes is printed on each package of a product delivered by post or courier. In this case, it is convenient for an inkjet printer to print while conveying the product from above the conveyor belt. In particular, in the case of a material sheet having an uneven pattern on one side such as single-sided corrugated cardboard, information including a barcode must be printed on the smooth surface (surface of the liner paper) of the material sheet, so when conveying a material sheet having an uneven pattern on one side such as single-sided corrugated cardboard, it is necessary to convey the uneven pattern facing downward. Therefore, there is a problem that the method of folding the front flap upward and backward, as in the jacket folding device in a box making machine or the like disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, cannot be used to deal with this problem.

[0010] Furthermore, when conveying a material sheet having an uneven pattern on one side such as single-sided corrugated cardboard, if the uneven pattern is conveyed facing downward, it is necessary to fold the front flap downward and backward to form an envelope shape. When folding the front flap upward and backward as in the jacket folding device in a box making machine or the like disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the rear end of the material sheet is pressed against the lower conveyor belt which has a driving force, so that the conveying force can be secured, but if the front flap is folded downward and backward, the material sheet is pushed forward, so that the rear end of the material sheet floats and separates from the lower conveyor belt which has a driving force, so that the conveying force cannot be secured.

[0011] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a manufacturing method for an envelope-type package that, when manufacturing an envelope-type package using a material sheet having a textured pattern on one side such as single-sided cardboard, can reliably guide the front end of the material sheet to the folding guide section when folding the material sheet while transporting it facing downward, and can ensure a transport force. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The manufacturing method for an envelope-type package of the present invention is a manufacturing method for an envelope-type package using a material sheet having a textured pattern on one side, and includes a conveying step of conveying the material sheet cut into an unfolded shape of an envelope, in which a rectangular back portion is connected to the lower edge of a rectangular front portion via a fold line and connecting flaps are connected to both side edges of the front portion via fold lines, horizontally with the textured pattern facing downward to a downstream process, and a folding step of folding the front portion toward the back portion so that the textured pattern of the material sheet is on the inside, and the folding step includes a guiding step of guiding the front portion downward while conveying the material sheet by the conveying step, a supporting step of supporting the back portion from below so that it moves horizontally and straight, and a folding step of folding the folded front portion toward the back portion (hereinafter referred to as the ``first manufacturing method for an envelope-type package of the present invention'').

[0013] In the first method for manufacturing an envelope-type package of the present invention, a material sheet having a concave-convex pattern on one side is cut into an envelope shape in which a rectangular back side is connected to the lower edge of a rectangular front side via a fold line and connecting flaps are connected to both side edges of the front side via fold lines, and the front side is folded toward the back side so that the concave-convex pattern of the material sheet in the obtained envelope shape is on the inside. When folding, the material sheet is conveyed in a conveying process while guiding the front side downward, and the back side is supported from below so that it moves horizontally straight, and the folded front side is folded toward the back side conveyed horizontally, so that the front end of the material sheet can be reliably guided to the folding guide when folding, and the rear end of the material sheet is prevented from floating and separating from the lower conveying belt having a driving force due to folding, and the conveying force can be secured. In addition, since the front side is folded toward the back side so that the concave-convex pattern of the material sheet is on the inside, the inner surface of the envelope-type package can be provided with cushioning properties.

[0014] In addition, in the manufacturing method of the first invention for an envelope-type package, it is possible to print information including a barcode on the upper surface of a material sheet having a textured pattern on one side while conveying the textured pattern facing downward. In other words, printing using an inkjet printer becomes easy. It is possible to print information including a different barcode on each package.

[0015] Therefore, according to the first method for manufacturing an envelope-type package of the present invention, the front end of the material sheet can be reliably guided to the folding guide portion when folding, and the conveying force can be secured. Also, it is possible to print information including a barcode on the upper surface of the material sheet having a textured pattern on one side while conveying the material sheet facing downward. Furthermore, by using a material sheet having a textured pattern on one side, it is possible to obtain an envelope-type package that has cushioning properties and is environmentally friendly and can be recycled at low cost.

[0016] In the first method for manufacturing an envelope-type package of the present invention, in the guiding step, while the material sheet is transported by the conveying process, the front surface portion is pressed from above by a pressing means and lowered diagonally downward in the direction of travel to guide it to a folding guide section, in the supporting step, the back surface portion is supported from below by a lifting means to lift the pressing means so that the back surface portion moves horizontally in a straight line, and in the folding step, after the front end of the front surface portion abuts against a stopper of the folding guide section, it is preferably folded toward the back surface portion which moves horizontally in a straight line (hereinafter referred to as the "method for manufacturing an envelope-type package of the second invention").

[0017] In the second manufacturing method of the envelope-type package of the present invention, in the folding step of the first invention, while the material sheet is being transported, the front surface portion is pressed from above by a pressing means and lowered diagonally downward in the direction of travel and guided into the folding guide section, and the back surface portion is supported from below by a lifting means that lifts the pressing means so that the back surface portion moves straight horizontally, and after the front end of the front surface portion abuts against the stopper of the folding guide section, it is folded towards the back surface portion which moves straight horizontally, thereby ensuring that the front end of the front surface portion drops downward and enters the folding guide section while also ensuring the transport force.

[0018] Therefore, in the second method of manufacturing an envelope-type package of the present invention, in the folding step, the pressing means is used to lower the front surface of the material sheet downward and guide it into the folding guide, and the lifting means is used to support the back surface from below so that the back surface moves horizontally and straight, so that the front end of the front surface can be reliably dropped downward and entered into the folding guide, and the conveying force can be secured, thereby enabling folding while being smoothly conveyed.

[0019] In the second method for manufacturing an envelope-type package of the present invention, it is preferable that the pressing means presses the front surface portion from above while the front surface portion passes, and the lifting means rises from below after the front surface portion has passed and supports the back surface portion from below so as to lift the pressing means (hereinafter referred to as the "third method for manufacturing an envelope-type package of the present invention").

[0020] In the method for manufacturing an envelope-type package according to the third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the pressing means presses the front surface portion from above while the front surface portion passes, and the lifting means supports the back surface portion from below so as to rise from below and lift the pressing means after the front surface portion has passed. In other words, after the front surface portion has passed, the lifting means supports the back surface portion from below and releases the pressing force of the pressing means, so that the front end of the front surface portion can be reliably dropped downward and allowed to enter the folding guide portion, and at the same time, a conveying force is secured and the adjacent back surface portions can be moved horizontally and straight.

[0021] Therefore, according to the third manufacturing method of the envelope-type package of the present invention, the front end of the front surface portion can be reliably dropped downward and entered into the folding guide portion, and at the same time, the conveying force is secured when the pressure is released, allowing the adjacent back surface portion to move straight horizontally.

[0022] In the manufacturing method for the envelope-type package of the first to third aspects of the present invention, it is preferable that the method further includes a printing step of printing information including a barcode on the upper surface of the back surface portion by a printing means installed upstream of the folding step, a crushing step of crushing the embossed pattern of the connecting flaps on both sides of the front surface portion folded in the folding step, a glue application step of applying glue to predetermined positions on the upper surface of the connecting flaps from which the embossed pattern was crushed in the crushing step, and a bonding step of folding the connecting flaps onto the upper surface of the back surface portion and bonding them to the back surface (hereinafter referred to as the "manufacturing method for the envelope-type package of the fourth aspect of the present invention").

[0023] In the first to third methods for manufacturing an envelope-type package of the present invention, by having a printing step of printing information including a barcode on the upper surface of the back surface by a printing means installed upstream of the folding step, it is possible to print information including a barcode on the upper surface while conveying the material sheet having a concave-convex pattern on one side facing downward. Also, by having a squashing step of squashing the concave-convex patterns of the connecting flaps on both sides of the front surface folded in the folding step, a glue application step of applying glue to predetermined positions on the upper surfaces of the connecting flaps whose concave-convex patterns have been squashed in the squashing step, and an adhesion step of folding the connecting flaps onto the upper surface of the back surface and adhering them to the back surface, it is possible to suppress the concave-convex patterns of the connecting flaps from returning to their original shape by squashing the concave-convex patterns of the connecting flaps just before applying the glue, and ensure the adhesive strength of the adhesive part.

[0024] Therefore, in the envelope-type package of the fourth invention, information including a different barcode can be printed on each envelope-type package, and printing with an inkjet printer is easy. In addition, the uneven pattern of the connecting flap is crushed just before applying glue, so that the crushed uneven pattern is prevented from returning to its original shape, and the adhesive strength of the adhesive part can be secured. In addition, the manufacturing process of the envelope-type package can be performed continuously, and production efficiency can be improved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 2A to 2C are diagrams showing main manufacturing steps of an embodiment of a manufacturing method for an envelope-type package of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view showing an envelope-type package manufactured using the method for manufacturing an envelope-type package of the present invention; [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a development view of a material sheet constituting an envelope-type package formed in a cutting step of the method for manufacturing an envelope-type package of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a first side view showing a folding step of the manufacturing method for an envelope-type package of the present invention, illustrating the operating state of the pressing means and the state in which the front surface of the envelope-type package is guided downward. [Diagram 5]FIG. 2 is a second side view showing the folding process of the manufacturing method of the envelope-type package of the present invention, illustrating the operating state of the lifting means and the state in which the front end of the surface portion of the envelope-type package enters the folding guide portion and abuts against the stopper. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a third side view showing a folding step in the method for manufacturing an envelope-type package of the present invention, illustrating a state in which the front surface of the envelope-type package is folded toward the back surface that is being transported horizontally. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the crushing step of the manufacturing method of the envelope-type package of the present invention, in which (A) is a side view showing the configuration of the crushing means, (B) is a partial cross-sectional view seen from the direction of arrow A showing the configuration of the crushing means, and (C) is an enlarged local view. [Figure 8] 1 is a plan view illustrating the state in which the uneven pattern of the connecting flap is crushed in the crushing step of the manufacturing method of the envelope-type package of the present invention, and the state in which glue is applied in the glue application step. FIG. [Figure 9] 3A to 3C are plan views showing the state of the material sheet processed in each step of the manufacturing method for the envelope-type package of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a plan view showing an example of a conventional method for manufacturing an envelope-type package, and is a development view of a single-faced cardboard that constitutes an envelope-type package formed in a cutting process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] Hereinafter, with reference to Figures 1 to 9, we will explain a method for manufacturing an envelope-type package according to one embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter simply referred to as "this embodiment") and an envelope-type package 1 manufactured using this method for manufacturing an envelope-type package.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, the method for producing an envelope-type package of this embodiment includes a cutting step S1 in which a material sheet 1X (e.g., single-sided corrugated cardboard) having a concave-convex pattern (corrugated portion) on one side is cut into an envelope-like developed shape in which a rectangular back portion 3 is connected to the lower edge of a rectangular front portion 2 via a fold line and connecting flaps 4 are connected to both side edges of the front portion 2 via fold lines; a conveying step S2 in which the material sheet 1X in the envelope-like developed shape obtained in this cutting step is conveyed to a downstream step in a horizontal state with the concave-convex pattern facing downward; the printing process S3 for printing information including a barcode 7 on the upper surface while conveying the material sheet 1X by a roller; a folding process S4 for folding the front surface 2 towards the back surface 3 so that the embossed pattern of the material sheet 1X faces inward; a squashing process S5 for squashing the embossed patterns of the connecting flaps 4 on both sides of the front surface 2 folded in the folding process S4; a glue application process S6 for applying glue to predetermined positions on the upper surfaces of the connecting flaps 4 whose embossed patterns have been squashed in the squashing process S5; and a bonding process S7 for folding the connecting flaps 4 on both sides of the front surface 2 onto the upper surface of the back surface 3 and bonding them to the back surface 3.

[0028] The envelope-type package 1 manufactured by the method for manufacturing an envelope-type package according to the present embodiment is an envelope-type package made of one single-sided cardboard and having a cushioning property on the inner surface, as shown in FIG. 2. That is, the envelope-type package 1 is made up of a rectangular front surface portion 2 (corresponding to the front surface of the envelope), a back surface portion 3 (corresponding to the back surface of the envelope) connected to the lower edge of the front surface portion 2, a pair of connecting flaps 4 (corresponding to the glue tab of the envelope) connected to both side edges of the front surface portion 2, and an upper end flap portion 5 (corresponding to the sealing piece of the envelope) connected to the upper edge of the front surface portion 2. In addition, an opening zipper 6 is formed on the upper end flap portion 5. The opening zipper 6 is provided with two parallel breaking lines. Both ends of the opening zipper 6 are formed with gripping portions that can be gripped with fingers. Furthermore, a barcode 7 is printed on the back surface portion 3.

[0029] The envelope-type package 1 is made of a material sheet 1X cut from a substantially rectangular single-sided corrugated cardboard as shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows the surface having the uneven pattern (corrugated portion) of the single-sided corrugated cardboard. The left side of the material sheet 1X in FIG. 3 becomes the surface portion 2 of the envelope-type package 1 when assembled into the envelope-type package 1 as shown in FIG. 2, the right end side of the surface portion 2 in the left-right direction (left-right direction in FIG. 3) becomes the back portion 3 of the envelope-type package 1 when assembled into the envelope-type package 1 as shown in FIG. 2, both sides of the surface portion 2 in the up-down direction (up-down direction in FIG. 3) become a pair of connecting flaps 4 of the envelope-type package 1 when assembled into the envelope-type package 1 as shown in FIG. 2, and the left end side of the surface portion 2 in the left-right direction (left-right direction in FIG. 3) becomes the upper end flap portion 5 of the envelope-type package 1 when assembled into the envelope-type package 1 as shown in FIG. 2. Furthermore, the corrugations of the single-faced corrugated board are arranged in the length direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 3).

[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, the material sheet 1X has a first fold line a1 that divides the front surface portion 2 and the back surface portion 3. The front surface portion 2 and the back surface portion 3 are connected via the first fold line a1. The material sheet 1X also has a second fold line a2 that divides the front surface portion 2 and the pair of connecting flaps 4. The front surface portion 2 and the pair of upper end flap portions 4 are connected via the second fold line a2. The material sheet 1X also has a third fold line a3 that divides the front surface portion 2 and the upper end flap portion 5. The front surface portion 2 and the connecting flap portion 5 are connected via the third fold line a3. The upper end flap portion 5 also has a strip-shaped opening zipper 6 formed of two parallel break lines whose both ends are connected.

[0031] Hereinafter, a process for assembling an envelope-type package 1 using the method for manufacturing an envelope-type package of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, in the process of assembling an envelope-type package 1 from a material sheet 1X, first, in a cutting step S1, a single-faced corrugated cardboard is cut into an unfolded envelope shape as shown in FIG.

[0033] Next, in the conveying step S2, the material sheet 1X in the unfolded shape of the envelope obtained in the cutting step S1 is conveyed one by one to each downstream step (printing step S3, folding step S4, squashing step S5, glue application step S6, bonding step S7) by the conveyer belt using the conveyer belt, with the material sheet 1X horizontally arranged with the concave-convex pattern facing downward. In this case, the material sheet 1X is placed on the conveyer belt so that the front part 2 to which the upper end flap part 5 is connected faces forward and the back part 3 faces backward. The conveying device 10 has an upper conveying belt 11 and lower conveying belts 12a, 12b. The lower conveying belts 12a and 12b are installed at a predetermined interval in the folding section 30. Each of the upper conveying belt 11 and the lower conveying belts 12a, 12b is composed of two belts running parallel to each other at a predetermined interval. The material sheet 1X is placed across these two belts and conveyed. The lower conveyor belts 12a and 12b are driven by motors, while the upper conveyor belt 11 does not have a driving force and is therefore pressed against the lower conveyor belts 12a and 12b by a plurality of pressing rollers 13 installed on the upper surface, so that it moves in the conveying direction.

[0034] Next, in the printing step S3, an inkjet printer 20 installed above the conveyor belt prints information including a barcode on the upper surface of the material sheet 1X while the material sheet 1X is conveyed downward by the conveyor device 10. In this case, for example, information including a different barcode may be printed for each envelope-type package. Then, the material sheet 1X on which the information including the barcode has been printed is conveyed to the folding step S4.

[0035] Next, in a folding step S4, the front surface portion 2 is folded toward the back surface portion 3 so that the uneven pattern of the material sheet 1X faces inward. This folding step S4 is performed in a folding section 30 (a dividing section of the lower conveyor belt) of the conveyor device 10. The folding section 30 is provided with a folding guide section 31 at the bottom between the lower conveyor belts 12a and 12b of the conveyor device 10 (the exit side of the folding section 30), a pressing means 32 at the entrance side of the folding section 30, which presses the front surface portion 2 of the material sheet 1X from above while lowering it diagonally downward in the traveling direction and guiding it to the folding guide section 31, a lifting means 33 which supports the back surface portion 3 of the material sheet 1X from below so that the back surface portion 3 moves horizontally straight and lifts the pressing means 32, and a timing sensor 34 for detecting the material sheet 1X being conveyed.

[0036] The folding guide section 31 is used to fold the surface portion 2 of the material sheet 1X downward and backward. It is mainly composed of a guide plate 31a, a guide member 31b, and a stopper 31c that is attached so that its position can be adjusted in the vertical direction along the surface of the guide plate 31. The pressing means 32 is composed of a pair of pressing rollers 32a that can press downward the two belts running parallel to each other of the upper conveyor belt 11. The pair of pressing rollers 32a are biased downward by a spring or the like, and press downward the surface portion 2 passing through the conveyor belt 11. The lifting means 33 is composed of a pair of lifting rollers 33a, a rotating arm 33b, and an air cylinder 33c. The operation of the air cylinder 33c is controlled based on the detection signal of a timing sensor 34. For example, when the leading edge of the material sheet 1X is detected, the timing sensor 34 turns on (NO), and after the material sheet 1X moves a predetermined distance (after the front surface 2 has passed), the air cylinder 33c retracts, lifts the pair of lifting rollers 33a, and supports the back surface 3 from below, while lifting the pair of pressing rollers 32a via the back surface 3 and the upper conveyor belt 11, so that the upper conveyor belt 11 returns to a horizontal position. After the material sheet 1X moves a further predetermined distance (after the back surface 3 has passed), the air cylinder 33c pushes out and lowers the pair of lifting rollers 33a, so that the pair of pressing rollers 32a press the front edge of the front surface 2 downward via the conveyor belt 11 by the biasing spring. An air outlet 35 for blowing air downward is provided above the folding section 30. Air is controlled to be blown out from an air outlet 35 while the surface portion 2 of the material sheet 1X is entering the folding section 30, and the air blown out from the air outlet 35 functions as an auxiliary means together with a pressing means 32 to push the front end of the surface portion 2 downward, causing it to enter the folding guide section 31.

[0037] In this folding step S4, first, as shown in Fig. 4, while conveying the material sheet 1X in the unfolded shape of an envelope, the front end of the front surface portion 2 to which the upper end flap portion 5 is connected is lowered obliquely downward and guided to the folding guide portion 31. Here, the pair of pressing rollers 32a press the front end of the front surface portion 2 downward via the conveyor belt 11 by the biasing force of the biasing spring (for example, pressing width d in Fig. 4). In addition, air is blown downward from the air blowing port 35 provided above the folding guide portion 31, and this air presses the front end of the front surface portion 2 downward. This causes the front end of the front surface portion 2 to enter the folding guide portion 31. Next, as shown in FIG. 5, when the entire front surface portion 2 enters the folding section 30 (i.e., when the back surface portion 3 connected to the front surface portion 2 enters the folding section 30), the air cylinder 33c operates to lift the lift roller 33a, lift the pair of pressing rollers 32a via the back surface portion 3 and the upper conveyor belt 11, and return the upper conveyor belt 11 to a horizontal position, while sandwiching the back surface portion 3 between the upper conveyor belt 11 and the lift roller 33a, and supporting the back surface portion 3 from below so that it moves horizontally and straight. This ensures a conveying force, and realizes stabilization of conveyance in the folding process. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, after the front end of the front surface portion 2 that has entered the folding guide portion 31 abuts against the stopper 31c, the front surface portion 2 is folded toward the back surface portion 3 moving straight on the conveyor belt, and is folded along the first fold line a1. In this case, the uneven pattern of the back surface portion 3 remains facing downward, while the uneven pattern of the front surface portion 2 faces upward, and the connecting flaps 4 on both sides of the front surface portion 2 are exposed from both side ends of the back surface portion 3. Then, in this folded state, it is transported to the squashing process S5.

[0038] Next, in a squeezing step S5, the uneven patterns of the connecting flaps 4 on both sides of the folded surface portion 2 are squashed. This squeezing step S5 is performed by a squeezing means 40 installed downstream of the folding unit 30. As shown in Fig. 7, the squeezing means 40 includes three squeezing rollers 41a, 41b, 41c with different clearances, three support rollers 42a, 42b, 42c provided below the three squeezing rollers 41a, 41b, 41c, and three adjustment screws 43a, 43b, 43c for adjusting the clearances of the three squeezing rollers 41a, 41b, 41c. In the squeezing step S5, as shown in Fig. 7(A) and (B), the connecting flaps 4 on both sides of the surface portion 2 pass under three squeezing rollers 41a, 41b, and 41c with different clearances in order, and the uneven pattern of the connecting flaps 4 is gradually squashed by these three squeezing rollers 41a, 41b, and 41c. Here, as shown in Fig. 7(C), the clearance of the first roller 41a from the upstream side of the conveyance is set to h1, the clearance of the second roller 41b is set to h2, and the clearance of the third roller 41c is set to h3, so that h1>h2>h3. In addition, the clearances of the three squeezing rollers 41a, 41b, and 41c can be adjusted by adjustment screws 43a, 43b, and 43c, respectively. In this embodiment, for example, when the thickness of the material sheet 1X is A, the clearance of the first roller 41a is h1≧A, the clearance of the second roller 41b is h2≦h1, and the clearance of the third roller 41c is h3≦h2. This ensures that the uneven pattern of the connecting flap 4 is crushed and becomes relatively flat. The crushed portion is used as the adhesive surface (see FIG. 8). In addition, the clearance of the three crushing rollers 41a, 41b, and 41c can be adjusted according to the thickness of the material sheet 1X to be used.

[0039] Next, in the glue application step S6, glue 8 is applied to a predetermined position on the upper surface of the connecting flap 4 whose uneven pattern has been crushed in the crushing step S5, as shown in Fig. 8. Here, the back surface portion 3 is transported while being positioned on the front surface portion 2, and glue is discharged from a pair of glue discharge nozzles 50 installed above the transport belt, so that the glue 8 is applied in lines to the upper surface of the connecting flap 4 whose uneven pattern has been crushed on both sides of the front surface portion 2.

[0040] Finally, in a bonding step S7, the connecting flaps 4 provided on both sides of the front portion 2 are folded onto the upper surface of the back portion 3 by a folding means 60 having a folding guide and a crimping portion, and are crimped and bonded to the back portion 3. In this way, the envelope-type package 1 is assembled, and is in the state shown in FIG.

[0041] FIG. 9 shows the state of the material sheet processed in each step of the manufacturing method of the envelope-type package of the present invention. In FIG. 9, the state seen from above the conveyor belt is shown. FIG. 9(A) shows the state in which information including the barcode 7 is printed on the upper surface of the back surface portion 3 in the printing step S3. FIG. 9(B) shows the state in which the front surface portion 2 is folded under the back surface portion 3 in the folding step S4. In this case, the connecting flaps 4 on both sides of the front surface portion 2 are exposed from both side ends of the back surface portion 3. FIG. 9(C) shows the state in which the uneven patterns of the connecting flaps 4 on both sides of the front surface portion 2 are crushed in the squashing step S5. FIG. 9(D) shows the state in which glue 8 is applied to both side ends of the front surface of the back surface portion 3 in the glue application step S6. FIG. 9(E) shows the state in which the connecting flaps 4 on both sides of the front surface portion 2 are folded and adhered to the upper surface of the back surface portion 3 in the adhesion step S7. In this way, an envelope-type package 1 having cushioning properties on the inner surface can be obtained by using a material sheet 1X having an uneven pattern on one side that has been cut in advance into the unfolded shape of an envelope.

[0042] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0043] In the manufacturing method of the envelope-type package of this embodiment, a single-sided corrugated cardboard sheet having a concave-convex pattern is cut into an envelope in which a rectangular back portion 3 is connected to the lower edge of a rectangular front portion 2 via a first fold line a1 and connecting flaps 4 are connected to both side edges of the front portion 2 via a second fold line a2, and the front portion 2 is folded toward the back portion 3 so that the concave-convex pattern of the material sheet 1X in the obtained envelope in the unfolded shape is on the inside. When folding, the front portion 2 is guided downward while conveying the material sheet 1X by the conveying means 10, and the back portion 3 is supported from below so that it moves horizontally straight, and the folded front portion 2 is folded toward the back portion 3 conveyed horizontally, so that the front end of the material sheet 1X can be reliably guided to the folding guide portion 31 during folding, and the rear end of the material sheet 1X is prevented from floating and separating from the lower conveying belt having a driving force due to folding, thereby ensuring the conveying force. In addition, the front surface 2 is folded toward the back surface 3 so that the uneven pattern of the material sheet 1X faces inward, so that the inner surface of the envelope-type package 1 can be made cushioned, and an envelope-type package 1 that has a cushioned inner surface and is environmentally friendly and can be recycled at low cost can be obtained.

[0044] Furthermore, in the method for manufacturing an envelope-type package of this embodiment, it is possible to print information including a barcode 7 on the upper surface of the material sheet 1X while conveying the material sheet 1X with the embossed pattern facing downwards. In other words, printing using an inkjet printer becomes easy. This makes it possible to print information including a different barcode for each package.

[0045] Therefore, according to the manufacturing method of the envelope-type package of this embodiment, the front end of the material sheet 1X can be reliably guided to the folding guide portion 31 during folding, and the conveying force can be secured. Also, it becomes possible to print information including the barcode 7 on the upper surface of the material sheet 1X while conveying the uneven pattern of the material sheet 1X facing downward. Furthermore, by using the material sheet 1X, it is possible to obtain an envelope-type package 1 that has cushioning properties and is environmentally friendly and can be recycled at low cost.

[0046] In addition, in the manufacturing method for an envelope-type package of this embodiment, in the folding process S4, while the material sheet 1X is being transported, the pressing means 32 presses the front surface portion 2 from above and lowers it diagonally downward in the direction of travel to guide it into the folding guide portion 31, so that the front end of the front surface portion 2 can be reliably dropped downward and entered into the folding guide portion 31, and the lifting means 33 supports the back surface portion 3 from below to lift the pressing means 32 so that the back surface portion 3 moves horizontally in a straight line, and after the front end of the front surface portion 2 abuts against the stopper of the folding guide portion 31, it is folded toward the back surface portion 3 which moves horizontally in a straight line, so that the front end of the front surface portion 2 can be reliably dropped downward and entered into the folding guide portion 31 and the transport force can be secured.

[0047] Therefore, in the method for manufacturing an envelope-type package of this embodiment, in the folding step S4, the front surface portion 2 of the material sheet 1X is lowered downward using the pressing means 32 and guided to the folding guide portion 31, the front end of the front surface portion 2 is reliably dropped downward and enters the folding guide portion 31, and the back surface portion 3 is supported from below using the lifting means 33 so that the back surface portion 3 moves horizontally and straight, so that the front end of the front surface portion 2 can be reliably dropped downward and enters the folding guide portion 31 and a conveying force can be secured. Therefore, folding can be performed while being smoothly conveyed.

[0048] Furthermore, in the manufacturing method of the envelope-type package of this embodiment, the pressing means 32 presses the front surface portion 2 from above while the front surface portion 2 passes, and the lifting means 33 supports the back surface portion 3 from below so as to rise from below and lift the pressing means 32 after the front surface portion 2 has passed. That is, after the front surface portion 2 has passed, the lifting means 33 supports the back surface portion 3 from below and releases the pressing by the pressing means 32, so that the front end of the front surface portion 2 can be reliably dropped downward and entered into the folding guide portion 31, and at the same time, a conveying force is secured and the adjacent back surface portion 3 can be moved horizontally and straight.

[0049] Therefore, according to the manufacturing method of the envelope-type package of this embodiment, the front end of the front portion 2 can be reliably inserted into the folding guide portion 31, while a conveying force is secured to allow the back portion 3 to move straight and horizontally.

[0050] In addition, in the manufacturing method of the envelope-type package of this embodiment, by having a printing step S3 in which information including a barcode 7 is printed on the upper surface of the back surface 3 by the printing means 20 installed upstream of the folding step S4, it is possible to print information including a barcode 7 on the upper surface while conveying the uneven pattern of the material sheet 1X having an uneven pattern on one side downward. In addition, by having a squashing step S5 in which the uneven patterns of the connecting flaps 4 on both sides of the front surface 2 folded in the folding step S4 are squashed, a glue application step S6 in which glue is applied to a predetermined position on the upper surface of the connecting flap 4 whose uneven pattern is squashed in the squashing step S5, and an adhesion step S7 in which the connecting flap 4 is folded onto the upper surface of the back surface 3 and pressure-bonded to the back surface 3, it is possible to suppress the return of the squashed uneven pattern to its original shape and ensure the adhesive strength of the adhesive part. Since the uneven pattern of the connecting flap 4 is squashed just before applying the glue, it is possible to prevent the squashed uneven pattern from returning to its original shape and ensure the adhesive strength of the adhesive part.

[0051] Therefore, in the manufacturing method of the envelope-type package of this embodiment, information including a different barcode 7 can be printed on each envelope-type package, and printing with an inkjet printer is easy. Also, since the uneven pattern of the connecting flap 4 is crushed just before applying glue, the crushed uneven pattern is prevented from returning to its original shape, and the adhesive strength of the adhesive part can be ensured. Also, the manufacturing process of the envelope-type package 1 can be performed continuously, improving production efficiency.

[0052] Furthermore, in the manufacturing method for the envelope-type package of this embodiment, the crushing process S5 involves gradually crushing the uneven pattern of the connecting flap 4 on both sides of the folded surface portion 2 using three crushing rollers 41a, 41b, 41c having different clearances, thereby crushing the uneven pattern of the connecting flap 4 just before the glue is applied, thereby preventing the crushed uneven pattern from returning to its original shape and ensuring the adhesive strength of the adhesive part.

[0053] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the printing step S3 is performed to print information including a barcode on the upper surface of the material sheet 1X while conveying the material sheet 1X with the embossed pattern facing downwards, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, information including a barcode may be printed in advance before the material sheet 1X is conveyed by the conveying means 10.

[0054] In the above embodiment, the pair of pressing rollers 32a is used as the pressing means 32 in the folding step S4, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the folding unit 30, other configurations may be used that can lower the front surface portion 2 obliquely downward in the traveling direction while pressing the front surface portion 2 from above.

[0055] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the air outlet 35 is provided as an auxiliary means for pushing the front end of the front surface portion 2 downward and causing it to enter the folding guide portion 31 in the folding step S4, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the air outlet 35 does not have to be provided.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the lifting means 33 for horizontally moving the back surface portion 3 in a straight line and for ensuring a conveying force in the folding step S4 is configured with a pair of lifting rollers 33a, a rotating arm 33b, and an air cylinder 33c, but the present invention is not limited to this. Other configurations may be used.

[0057] In the above embodiment, the crushing step S4 is described as an example in which the uneven pattern on almost the entire surface of the connecting flap 4 is crushed, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, only a part of the uneven pattern of the connecting flap 4 may be crushed.

[0058] In the above embodiment, the upper end flap portion 5 of the envelope-type package 1 is provided with the zipper 6 for opening, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the zipper 6 for opening may not be provided.

[0059] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a single-sided corrugated cardboard having a wavy uneven pattern has been described as an example of a material sheet having an uneven pattern on one side, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to use a paperboard or a thin synthetic resin plate that is embossed and has an uneven pattern of a hemispherical shape, a triangular shape, or the like on one side.

[0060] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and its technical scope includes various modified forms of design within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the invention described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1 envelope package 1X, 1Y Material Sheet 2 Surface part 3 Back part 4 Top flap 5 Connecting flaps 6 Zipper for opening 7. Barcode 8 glue 10. Conveyor 11 Upper conveyor belt 12a, 12b Lower conveyor belt 13 Pressing roller 20. Inkjet Printer 30 Bending section 31 Folding guide 31a Guide plate 31b Guide member 31c Stopper 32 Pressing means 32a Pressing roller 33 Lifting means 33a Lifting roller 33b Rotating arm 33c Air Cylinder 34 Timing Sensor 35 Air outlet 40 Crushing means 41a, 41b, 41c Crushing rollers 42a, 42b, 42c Support rollers 43a, 43b, 43c Adjustment screws 50 Glue discharge nozzle 60 Folding Method a1 First fold line a2 2nd fold line A3 3rd fold line

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing an envelope-type package using a material sheet having a concave-convex pattern on one side thereof, comprising the steps of: a conveying step of conveying the material sheet cut into an envelope having a rectangular back surface connected to a lower edge of the rectangular front surface via a fold line and connecting flaps connected to both side edges of the front surface via fold lines, in a horizontal position with the concave-convex pattern facing downward, to a downstream step; and a folding step of folding the front surface portion toward the back surface portion so that the uneven pattern of the material sheet is on the inside, The method for manufacturing an envelope-type package, wherein the folding process includes a guiding step for guiding the front portion downward while transporting the material sheet by the conveying step, a supporting step for supporting the back portion from below so that it moves horizontally and straight, and a folding step for folding the folded front portion toward the back portion.

2. 2. The method for manufacturing an envelope-type package according to claim 1, In the guiding step, while the material sheet is being conveyed by the conveying step, the surface portion is pressed from above by a pressing means, and is lowered obliquely downward in the direction of travel to be guided to a folding guide portion; In the supporting step, the rear surface portion is supported from below by a lifting means so as to lift the pressing means so as to move the rear surface portion horizontally and straight; A method for manufacturing an envelope-type package, characterized in that in the folding step, the front end of the front surface portion abuts against a stopper of the folding guide portion, and then is folded toward the back surface portion which moves horizontally in a straight line.

3. 3. The method for manufacturing an envelope-type package according to claim 2, further comprising the steps of: The pressing means is adapted to press the surface portion from above while the surface portion passes through, A method for manufacturing an envelope-type package, characterized in that a lifting means rises from below after the front surface has passed and supports the back surface from below so as to lift the pressing means.

4. The method for manufacturing an envelope-type package according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising the steps of: a printing step of printing information including a barcode on an upper surface of the back surface portion by a printing means installed upstream of the folding step; a crushing step of crushing the uneven pattern of the connecting flaps on both sides of the surface portion folded in the folding step; a glue application step of applying glue to a predetermined position on the upper surface of the connecting flap where the uneven pattern has been crushed in the crushing step; and a bonding step of folding the connecting flaps on both sides of the front portion onto an upper surface of the back portion and bonding them to the back portion.

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