Front inner flap folding mechanism, rear inner flap folding mechanism, inner flap folding mechanism and bottom flap folding device

Abstract

To provide a front inner flap folding mechanism capable of stably folding a front inner flap regardless of a weight or arrangement of a packaged item in a box.SOLUTION: There is provided a front inner flap folding mechanism 100 that folds a front inner flap F1 on a bottom side of a cylindrical box that is open at the top and bottom and is placed over a packaged item. The front inner flap folding mechanism 100 has a first conveying section 110 and a first roller section 120 equipped with a first roller 121 that is movable up and down and is provided downstream of the first conveying section 110 via a predetermined gap S1. When a box body B is in the first conveying section 110, the first roller 121 is located below the first conveying section 110, and when the box body B passes above the first roller 121, the first roller 121 moves upward so as to push up an outer surface of the front inner flap F1 of the box body B, thereby folding the front inner flap F1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a front inner flap folding mechanism that folds a front inner flap on the bottom side of a cylindrical box that is open at the top and bottom and is placed over a packaged item, and a rear inner flap folding mechanism that folds a rear inner flap on the bottom side of the box. It also relates to an inner flap folding mechanism equipped with a front inner flap folding mechanism and a rear inner flap folding mechanism. It also relates to a bottom side flap folding device equipped with an inner flap folding mechanism and an outer flap folding mechanism. [Background technology]

[0002] When packaging items in a cardboard box, the items are packaged through the top opening of the box body, which has a bottom. However, in this case, the worker must lift the items up to the top opening of the box body, which places a heavy burden on the worker. Meanwhile, a bottom flap folding device is known which folds the bottom flaps of a cylindrical box that is open at the top and bottom and that is placed over an item to be packaged.

[0003] The packaging device of Patent Document 1 includes the steps of: positioning a cardboard case at a first station so that the lower front inner flap hangs down in the gap between the lifter plate of the first station and the front inner flap folding guide of the second station, and filling the items to be packaged through the bottom opening of the cardboard case; advancing the cardboard case toward the second station (at the same time retracting the lower front inner flap folding guide) so that the lower front inner flap is folded by the lower front inner flap folding guide; advancing the cardboard case to a predetermined position at the third station so that the lower rear inner flap hangs down in the gap between the lower rear inner flap folding guide of the second station and the conveying guide of the third station; and folding the lower rear inner flap by the lower rear inner flap folding guide by retracting the cardboard case. The packaging device of Patent Document 1 can efficiently carry out a series of operations from filling the container with the packaged items to folding in the bottom flaps on a linear conveying path. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2005-14961 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when the box body is moved forward with the front inner flap hanging down in the gap as in Patent Document 1, and the front inner flap is folded by a plate-shaped folding guide having an inclined surface, frictional force is generated between the outer surface of the front inner flap and the surface of the folding guide. This frictional force may cause the front fixed flap to be rolled up toward the bottom side, the fold of the front inner flap to be misaligned, or the corner of the fold to be torn or otherwise damaged. In addition, depending on the arrangement (position of the center of gravity) of the packaged items in the box body, when the box body is moved from the lifter plate of the first station to the front inner flap folding guide of the second station, the packaged items (or the box body) may be tilted in the gap between the lifter plate and the front inner flap folding guide, and the front fixed flap of the box body or the fold of the front inner flap may collide with the inclined surface or corner of the front inner flap folding guide, causing damage to the packaged items or the box body. Such a defect is particularly noticeable when the weight of the packaged items is large.

[0006] The present invention has been researched and developed in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a front inner flap folding mechanism, a rear inner flap folding mechanism, and an inner flap folding mechanism equipped with them, which can stably fold the inner flaps regardless of the weight and arrangement of the packaged items inside the box, and also aims to provide a bottom flap folding device equipped with the inner flap folding mechanism and the outer flap folding mechanism. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The front inner flap folding mechanism of the present invention is a front inner flap folding mechanism that folds the bottom front inner flap of a cylindrical box body that is open at the top and bottom and placed over a packaged item, and has a first conveying section and a first roller that can move up and down and is provided downstream of the first conveying section with a predetermined gap between them, and is characterized in that when the box body is in the first conveying section, the first roller is located below the first conveying section, and when the cylindrical box body passes above the first roller, it rises so as to push up the outer surface of the front inner flap of the box body, thereby folding in the front inner flap. Here, "the first roller is located below the first conveyor" means that the upper end of the first roller is located below the conveyor path (conveyor surface) of the first conveyor.

[0008] The front inner flap folding mechanism of the present invention, when a cylindrical box body passes above the first roller, rises so as to push up the outer surface of the front inner flap of the box body to the upper side and folds the front inner flap, so that the front inner flap can be folded while supporting the moving box body from below. In other words, when the box body reaches above the first roller, the first roller is located below the box body and is not on the conveying path in the conveying direction of the box body. Therefore, the box body and the first roller do not collide in the conveying direction. In addition, since the front inner flap is folded by the first roller, the frictional force acting on the front inner flap can be minimized.

[0009] In the front inner flap folding mechanism of the present invention, it is preferable that the first conveying section is provided with a rear guide that supports the rear inner flap of the box so that it is folded outward when the cylindrical box is placed on the packaged item. In this case, the rear inner flap can be kept in the correct position after the box is placed.

[0010] In the front inner flap folding mechanism of the present invention, it is preferable that the first conveying section includes left and right side guides that support the left and right outer flaps on the bottom side of the box body so that they do not fold inward when the cylindrical box body is placed on the packaged item, and a bottom guide that supports the box body so that it does not sink into the first conveying section when the cylindrical box body is placed on the packaged item. In this case, the box body, including the left and right outer flaps, can be kept in the correct position after the box body is set.

[0011] The front inner flap folding mechanism of the present invention preferably includes a posture correcting unit that is provided downstream of the first roller and corrects the posture of the box body into which the front inner flaps are folded. In this case, even if the box body rises up when the front inner flaps are folded, the box body can be sent out from the front inner flap folding mechanism in the correct posture.

[0012] In the front inner flap folding mechanism of the present invention, it is preferable that the packaged item has a bottom pad. In this case, the packaged item can be stably stored in the box body.

[0013] A first aspect of the inner flap folding mechanism of the present invention is characterized by comprising a front inner flap folding mechanism of the present invention and a rear inner flap folding mechanism that folds a rear inner flap on the bottom side of the box body. A first aspect of the bottom flap folding device of the present invention is characterized by comprising the first aspect of the inner flap folding mechanism of the present invention and an outer flap folding mechanism that folds the left and right outer flaps on the bottom side of the box body.

[0014] In the inner flap folding mechanism of the present invention, the rear inner flap folding mechanism has a second roller that is movable up and down and is provided downstream of the first roller, and a second conveying section that is provided downstream of the second roller with a predetermined gap therebetween, and when the box body is sent from the front inner flap folding mechanism, the second roller is located at substantially the same height as the second conveying section, and after the box body is sent to the second conveying section via the second roller, it descends to the lower side of the second conveying section, and the second conveying section sends at least the rear inner flap of the box body to the downstream side of the second roller, and then retreats the box body, and it is preferable that the second roller rises and pushes upward the outer surface of the rear inner flap of the receding box body to fold the rear inner flap. Here, "the second roller is at substantially the same height as the second conveying section" means that the upper end of the second roller is at substantially the same height as the conveying path (conveying surface) of the second conveying section, and "the second roller is below the second conveying section" means that the upper end of the second roller is below the conveying path (conveying surface) of the second conveying section. Furthermore, "pushing upward the outer surface of the rear inner flap of the box body that rises and retreats, folding the rear inner flap" by the second roller may mean pushing upward the outer surface of the rear inner flap of the box body that retreats after the second roller rises, or may push upward the outer surface of the rear inner flap of the box body that retreats as the second roller rises.

[0015] The rear inner flap folding mechanism of the present invention is a rear inner flap folding mechanism that folds the bottom rear inner flap of a cylindrical box body that is open at the top and bottom and placed over a packaged item, and has rollers that can move up and down, and a conveying section that is provided downstream of the rollers through a gap, and the rollers are positioned at substantially the same height as the conveying section and send the box body to the conveying section, and then descend downward relative to the conveying section, and the conveying section sends at least the rear inner flap of the box body to the downstream side of the rollers, and then retracts the box body, and the rollers rise and push upward the outer surface of the rear inner flap of the retracting box body, folding in the rear inner flap. Here, "the roller is at substantially the same height as the conveying section" means that the upper end of the roller is at substantially the same height as the conveying path (conveying surface) of the conveying section, and "the roller is below the conveying section" means that the upper end of the roller is below the conveying path (conveying surface) of the conveying section. Furthermore, "pushing upward the outer surface of the rear inner flap of the box body that rises and retreats, and folding the rear inner flap" by the second roller may mean pushing upward the outer surface of the rear inner flap of the receding box body after the second roller rises, or may push upward the outer surface of the rear inner flap of the receding box body as the second roller rises. A second aspect of the inner flap folding mechanism of the present invention is characterized by comprising a front inner flap folding mechanism that folds the front inner flap on the bottom side of a cylindrical box body that is open at the top and bottom and is placed over the packaged item, and a rear inner flap folding mechanism of the present invention.

[0016] A second aspect of the bottom flap folding device of the present invention is characterized by comprising the second aspect of the inner flap folding mechanism of the present invention and an outer flap folding mechanism that folds the left and right outer flaps on the bottom side of the box body. Effect of the Invention

[0017] The front inner flap folding mechanism of the present invention folds the front inner flap using the first roller, so that the frictional force acting on the front inner flap during the process of folding the front inner flap can be minimized, and the impact on the box body can be minimized. Also, during the process of folding the front inner flap, the first roller supports the box body while rising from below, so that collision between the first roller and the packaged item (and the box body) in the conveying direction can be prevented, and the impact on the box body and packaged item can be minimized. These effects become more pronounced as the weight of the packaged item increases. The rear inner flap folding mechanism of the present invention uses rollers to fold the rear inner flap, thereby minimizing the frictional force acting on the rear inner flap during the folding process, and minimizing the impact on the box body. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1a is an oblique view showing an example of a cylindrical box used in the bottom flap folding device of the present invention, FIG. 1b is an oblique view showing the state in which the bottom of the box has been formed, and FIG. 1c is a side view showing the packaged item stored in the box. [Diagram 2] 2a and 2b are a side view and an X-X cross-sectional view, respectively, of an embodiment of a bottom flap folding device of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 3a is a side view showing the front inner flap folding mechanism of the bottom flap folding device of FIG. 1, FIGS. 3b and 3c are a side view and a plan view, respectively, showing its first conveying section, and FIG. 3d is a side view showing its first roller section. [Figure 4] 4a to 4d are schematic diagrams showing the front inner flap of the box being folded by the front inner flap folding mechanism. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5a is a schematic diagram showing how the attitude of the box is corrected by the attitude correcting section, and FIG. 5b is a schematic diagram showing another form of the attitude correcting section. [Figure 6] 6a and 6b are a side view and a plan view, respectively, showing the rear inner flap folding mechanism. [Figure 7] 7a to 7d are schematic diagrams each showing the rear inner flap of the box being folded by the rear inner flap folding mechanism. [Figure 8] Figures 8a and 8b are respectively a side view and a plan view showing the outer flap folding mechanism of the bottom flap folding device of Figure 1, Figure 8c is a schematic diagram showing the outer flap folding mechanism folding the outer flap, and Figure 8d is a schematic diagram showing the box body with the bottom formed being pushed outwards. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Next, the present invention will be described based on embodiments, however, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0020] "Box B" First, a cylindrical box B to be fed to the bottom flap folding device of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 1a, the box B is a cylinder having a square cylindrical fixed flap, a bottom folding flap LF provided at its lower end, and an upper folding flap UF provided at its upper end. The bottom folding flap LF is composed of an inner flap consisting of a front inner flap F1 and a rear inner flap F2 facing each other in the front-rear direction, and an outer flap consisting of a left outer flap F3 and a right outer flap F4 facing each other in the left-right direction. The upper folding flap UF will be folded by another device or the like. Also, in FIG. 1a, the arrow indicates the conveying direction. As shown in Fig. 1b, the bottom of such a box B is formed by folding inward the front inner flap F1 and the rear inner flap F2, and then folding in the left and right outer flaps F3 and F4. The bottom is sealed with sealing tape or the like by another device or the like. The box B may be a cardboard case made of paper or synthetic resin.

[0021] "Packaged item G" The packaged item G is not particularly limited, and may consist of one item or multiple items. A preferred example of the packaged item G is a bundle of multiple printed materials. The packaged item G is preferably equipped with a bottom pad P that supports the stored items (see FIG. 1c). Examples of the bottom pad P include a cardboard sheet, a synthetic resin plate, a metal plate, and the like, and a cardboard sheet is particularly preferred. When the packaged item consists of multiple items, the multiple items can be supported by the bottom pad to ensure stable transport. The bottom flap folding device of the present invention can stably fold the flaps of the box even if the packaged item G is heavy. The bottom flap folding device of the present invention is suitable for storing packaged items G in a box, for example, weighing 10 kg or more and 100 kg or less, preferably 50 kg or less, and particularly 30 kg or less.

[0022] "Bottom flap folding device 1" 2a and 2b, the bottom flap folding device 1 includes an inner flap folding mechanism 1a that folds inner flaps (F1, F2) on the bottom side of a cylindrical box B that is open at the top and bottom and that is placed over a packaged item G, and an outer flap folding mechanism 1b that folds left and right outer flaps (F3, F4) on the bottom side of the box B. The inner flap folding mechanism 1a and the outer flap folding mechanism 1b are controlled by a control unit (not shown). In this bottom flap folding device 1, the box body B is transported from an inner flap folding mechanism 1a on the upstream side (left side in Figs. 2a and 2b) to an outer flap folding mechanism 1b on the downstream side (right side in Figs. 2a and 2b) to form the bottom.

[0023] "Inner flap folding mechanism 1a" The inner flap folding mechanism 1a includes an upstream front inner flap folding mechanism 100 that folds a front inner flap F1 on the bottom side of a cylindrical box body B that is open at the top and bottom and is placed over the packaged item G, and a downstream rear inner flap folding mechanism 200 that folds a rear inner flap F2 on the bottom side of the cylindrical box body B.

[0024] "Front inner flap folding mechanism 100" 3a, the front inner flap folding mechanism 100 has a first conveying section 110 and a first roller section 120 that is movable up and down and is provided downstream of the first conveying section 110 with a predetermined gap S1 therebetween. The front inner flap folding mechanism 100 further has a posture correcting section 130 that is provided downstream of the first roller section 120.

[0025] "First conveying section 110" As shown in FIGS. 3b and 3c, the first conveying section 110 includes a first conveying section main body 111, a rear guide 112, a side guide 113, and a lower guide 114. In the first conveying section 110, the packaged item G is placed on the first conveying section main body 111, and a cylindrical box is placed over the first conveying section 110 and the packaged item G. Then, the first conveying section 110 sends the packaged item G and the box B together to the first roller section 120.

[0026] The first transport body 111 includes a plurality of drive rollers 111a and a drive unit (not shown) that drives the drive rollers 111a. The drive rollers 111a are provided with anti-slip rings 111a1 made of rubber, for example. However, the first conveyor body 111 is not particularly limited as long as it can control the movement of the packaged items G and the boxes B in one direction as a whole, and may be, for example, a belt conveyor or the like.

[0027] The rear guide 112 supports the rear inner flap F2 of the cylindrical box B so that it is folded outward when the cylindrical box B is placed over the packaged item G, and has a support surface 112a provided on the upstream side (left side in FIG. 1) of the first conveyor main body 111. Here, the support surface 112a is slightly inclined so as to descend toward the upstream side. In other words, when the cylindrical box is placed over the packaged item G, the inner surface of the rear inner flap F2 is placed on the support surface 112a of the rear guide 112, so that the rear inner flap is supported so as to be folded outward. Here, it is folded outward by about 90 degrees. The width W of the rear guide 112 is substantially the same as the width of the box body B. This serves as a guide when placing the packaged items G on the first conveyor body 111, allowing the packaged items G to be lined up accurately.

[0028] The side guides 113 support the left and right outer flaps F3, F4 of the box B so that they do not fold inward when the box B is placed over the packaged item G. More specifically, the side guides 113 are made of plates provided on both sides (left and right with respect to the conveying direction) of the first conveying section main body 111, and are inclined so as to widen slightly outward in the vertical direction or downward.

[0029] The lower guide 114 supports the box B so that it does not sink into the first conveying section 110 (first conveying section main body 111) when the box B is placed over the packaged item G, or supports the box B so that the folds of the inner flaps F1, F2 (corresponding to the bottom of the box B) do not go below the conveying path of the first conveying section 110. More specifically, the lower guide 114 consists of grooves that protrude outward (to the left and right outward with respect to the conveying direction) at the lower end of each side guide 113 and extend in the conveying direction. The groove of the lower guide 114 is configured so that the groove bottom 114a is located below the lower ends of the outer flaps F3, F4 of the box body B, and the upper end of the outer groove wall 114b is located above the lower ends of the outer flaps F3, F4 of the box body B. In other words, when the box body B is installed, the movement of the outer flaps F3, F4 to the left and right outward in the conveying direction is restricted.

[0030] "First roller unit 120" As shown in FIG. 3d, the first roller unit 120 has a first roller 121, a drive unit 122 that drives the first roller 121 up and down, and a sensor 123. The first roller 121 rotates freely around its center of gravity. The length of the gap S1 (see FIG. 3a) between the first roller 121 and the first conveying section 110 is longer than the length X of the front inner flap F1 (see FIG. 1) and is less than 1 / 2 of the length D of the box body B in the conveying direction (see FIG. 1). Although it depends on the size of the box body B to be handled, the length of the gap S1 is preferably 10 cm to 30 cm, particularly 12 cm to 20 cm. By making the gap S1 longer than the length X of the front inner flap F1, when the front inner flap F1 is folded by the first roller 121, the tip of the folded front inner flap F1 does not collide with the first conveying section 110. In addition, the gap S1 is sufficiently large, making it easier for an operator to set up the box body B. That is, when the box body B is placed over the packaged item G in the first conveyor section 110, the front inner flap F1 can be easily inserted into the gap S1 without getting caught on the first conveyor section 110 or the first roller 121. On the other hand, if the gap S1 is too large, there is a high possibility that the packaged item G will fall into the gap S1. The driving unit 122 drives the first roller 121 up and down. Although not particularly limited, examples of the driving unit include a hydraulic actuator and an electric actuator. The sensor 123 detects the position of the box B sent to the first roller unit 120. The sensor 123 is provided upstream of the first roller 121 and facing upward. The distance between the first roller 121 and the sensor 123 is not particularly limited, and can be adjusted based on the distance between the first roller 121 and the sensor 123, the speed of the box B being conveyed, and the ascending speed of the first roller 121. When the box B is placed over the packaged item G in the first conveying unit 110, there is a risk that the front inner flap F1 will cover the sensor 123, so it is better to place the sensor 123 sufficiently away from the first conveying unit 110.

[0031] Next, the movement of the first roller unit 120 controlled by the control unit will be described. That is, when the box body B is in the first conveying unit 110, the upper end of the first roller 121 is located below the conveying path of the first conveying unit 110. Here, the upper end of the first roller 121 is located between the conveying path of the first conveying unit 110 and the lower end of the front inner flap F1 (see FIG. 4a). Therefore, when the box body B reaches the first roller 121, the outer surface of the front inner flap F1 of the box body B comes into contact with the first roller 121. Then, when the box B passes above the first roller 121, the first roller 121 rises. Here, the sensor 123 adjacent to the first roller 121 detects the box B, and at the same time, the first roller 121 starts to rise (see FIG. 4b). That is, when the downstream end (right side in FIG. 4) of the box B reaches the upstream end (left side in FIG. 4) of the first roller 121, the first roller 121 is still located below the conveying path of the first conveying section 110 and is in a rising state. Around this time, the rising first roller 121 abuts against the outer surface of the front inner flap F1 and pushes up the outer surface of the front inner flap F1 (see FIG. 4c). Then, the first roller 121 rises to the height of the conveying path of the first conveying section 110, so that the front inner flap F1 is folded (see FIG. 4d). After the front inner flap F1 of the box body B is folded in, the first roller 121 returns to its initial position between the conveyance path of the first conveyance section 110 and the lower end of the front inner flap F1.

[0032] Since the first roller section 120 is configured in this manner, when the box body B passes above the first roller 121, the first roller 121 rises so as to push up the outer surface of the front inner flap F1 of the box body B to fold the front inner flap. At this time, the first roller 121 rotates freely around the center of gravity, so that the friction between the first roller 121 and the front inner flap F1 can be minimized, and damage to the box body B can be prevented. In addition, when the box body B passes above the first roller 121, the first roller 121 is located below the first conveying section 110, so that the first roller 121 can support and contact the box body B from the underside. In other words, even if the conveying direction side of the box body B is inclined downward, a collision between the box body B (or the packaged item G) and the first roller 121 can be prevented, and the impact on the packaged item G and the box body B can be minimized.

[0033] "Posture correction part 130" 3a, the attitude correction unit 130 has a rail 131 that holds down the upper end of the box body B. The rail 131 is maintained substantially at the position of the upper end of the box body B (at a position slightly higher). The rail 131 has a main body 131a extending in the conveying direction along the conveying path, and an inclined portion 131b at the upstream end thereof inclined upward toward the upstream side.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 5a, when the box B passes through the first roller section 120, the box B may be inclined depending on the state of the packaged item G. That is, when the packaged item G and the box B are inclined to the first roller 121 in the gap S1 and supported by the first roller 121, the packaged item G is returned to a horizontal position by the rise of the first roller 121, but the box B may be sent from the first roller section 120 while remaining inclined. The posture correction section 130 corrects the posture of the inclined box B in this manner. In detail, as the box B is conveyed downstream, the upper end of the inclined box B comes into contact with the lower surface of the inclined portion 131b and is supported by the lower surface of the inclined portion 131b, so that the box B is corrected to a horizontal position. Furthermore, since the lower surface of the main body 131a extends horizontally, the box B is sent downstream in a horizontal state. In addition, since the rail 131 is substantially located at the top end of the box B (or slightly above the top end of the box B), it does not get in the way, especially when it is not inclined.

[0035] 5b shows another embodiment of the attitude correction unit 130A. This attitude correction unit 130A is adapted to accommodate two different sizes of box bodies B. This attitude correction unit 130A has a rail 131, a drive unit 132, and a height sensor 133. The rail 131 is substantially the same as the rail 131 in Fig. 5a. Note that the rail 131 moves up and down between the height of the upper end of the substantially larger box body B1 and the height of the upper end of the substantially smaller box body B2, and is usually disposed on the upper side (the height of the upper end of the box body B1). The drive unit 132 drives the rail 131 up and down. The height sensor 133 is provided facing horizontally at a height (above the upper end of the box B2) that does not detect the smaller box B2. Because of this configuration, when a box is conveyed and the height sensor 133 detects the box, the control unit recognizes that a large box B1 has been conveyed and does not move the rail 131. On the other hand, when a box is conveyed and the height sensor 133 does not detect the box, the control unit recognizes that a small box B2 has been conveyed and moves the rail 131 downward. In this way, the attitude correction unit 130A corrects the attitudes of the two sizes of box bodies. Although two sizes of boxes have been described here, by increasing the number of sensors and adjusting the driving range of the rail, it is possible to correct the posture of three or more different sizes of boxes. Specifically, for example, by providing two sensors between the heights of the large box and the medium box and between the heights of the medium box and the small box, and making the rail movable at the height positions of the three boxes, it is also possible to correct the posture of three sizes of boxes.

[0036] "Rear inner flap folding mechanism 200" Next, as shown in Figures 6a and 6b, the rear inner flap folding mechanism 200 has a second roller unit 210 that is movable up and down and is provided downstream of the first roller, and a second conveying unit 220 that is provided downstream of the second roller unit 210 with a predetermined gap S2 therebetween.

[0037] "Second roller portion 210" The second roller unit 210 includes a second roller 211 and a drive unit 212 that drives the second roller 211 up and down. The second roller 211 can be switched between a state in which it freely rotates about its center of gravity and a state in which it is driven to rotate. The second roller 211 is provided with an anti-slip ring 211a made of, for example, rubber. The distance between the first roller 121 and the second roller 211 is not particularly limited, but after the first roller 121 of the first roller unit 120 supports the box body B, the box body B is separated so that it comes into contact with the second roller 211. The drive section 212 is substantially the same as the drive section 122 of the first roller section 120 .

[0038] "Second conveying section 220" The second conveying section 220 includes a second conveying section main body 221 and a return sensor 222. Reference numeral 223 denotes a guide that prevents the outer flaps (F3, F4) from spreading outward to the left and right in the conveying direction. The second conveyor body 221 includes a plurality of drive rollers 221a and a drive unit (not shown) that drives the drive rollers. The drive rollers 221a are provided with, for example, rubber anti-slip rings 221a1. The second conveyor body 221 is not particularly limited as long as it can control the forward and backward movement of the delivered packaged goods G and boxes B as a unit, and may be, for example, a belt conveyor. The conveyor path of the second conveyor 220 is at the same height as the conveyor path of the first conveyor 110. The length of the gap S2 between the second conveyor body 221 and the second roller 211 is substantially the same as the gap S1 between the first conveyor body 111 and the first roller 121. However, there is no particular limitation as long as the rear inner flap F2 of the box body B being conveyed can hang down into the gap S2 when the rear inner flap F2 passes through the gap S2. The return sensor 222 detects that at least the rear inner flap F2 of the box body is located downstream of the second roller 211. Here, the box body B is on the second conveyor body 221, and the return sensor 222 is provided at a position where the rear inner flap F2 of the box body B hangs down into the gap S2.

[0039] Next, the movement of the rear inner flap folding mechanism 200 controlled by the control unit will be described. That is, when the box body B is sent to the rear inner flap folding mechanism, the second roller 211 is rotated forward so that the upper end is placed at the same height as the conveying path of the second conveying unit 220 and the box body B advances in the conveying direction (see FIG. 7a). After being sent to the second conveying section 220 via the second roller unit 210, the second roller 211 descends and the upper end of the second roller 211 is disposed below the conveying path of the second conveying section 220. Here, the upper end of the second roller 211 is disposed at a height between the conveying path of the second conveying section 220 and the lower end of the rear inner flap F2 hanging down into the gap S2 (see FIG. 7b). Next, when the box B sent to the second conveyor 220 is detected by the return sensor 222, the box B is moved backward (opposite to the conveying direction) by the second conveyor 220 (see FIG. 7b). Then, the second roller 211 rises at the same time as or before or after the outer surface of the rear inner flap F2 of the retracting box body B comes into contact with the second roller 211. In detail, the outer surface of the rear inner flap F2 of the retracting box body B may come into contact with the second roller 211 before the second roller rises, may come into contact while the second roller is rising, or may come into contact after the second roller has risen to the height of the conveying path of the second conveying section 220. The second roller 211 may also push up the outer surface of the rear inner flap F2 of the retracting box body B upward after the second roller has risen to the height of the conveying path of the second conveying section 220, or may come into contact with the second roller as it rises. At this time, the rail 131 of the posture correction section 130 acts as a support section for the rear inner flap folding mechanism, that is, the retracting box body B is supported by the rail 131, so there is no risk of the box body B tilting. The outer surface of the rear inner flap is pushed upward, and the rear inner flap F2 is folded (see Fig. 7c and Fig. 7d). When folding the rear inner flap F2, the second roller 211 is in a free rotating state. After the rear inner flap F2 is folded, the box body B is moved in the conveying direction from a predetermined position, and the box body B is sent to the next outer flap folding mechanism.

[0040] [Outer flap folding mechanism 1b] 8a and 8b, the outer flap folding mechanism 1b includes a third conveying section 310, an outer flap folding guide 320, and a sending mechanism 330. The sending mechanism 330 is a mechanism for sending the box body B from the bottom flap folding device 1 to a further conveying means.

[0041] The third conveying section 310 is made up of a pair of drive belts that move the box body B in the conveying direction while sandwiching the box body B from the left and right. The third conveying section 310 extends over the entire outer flap folding mechanism 1b. The outer flap folding guide 320 is composed of a pair of left and right oblique bars 321 provided between a pair of drive belts. The oblique bars 321 are configured to move upward in the conveying direction and approach each other. The sending mechanism 330 is provided downstream of the outer flap folding guide 320, and has a push rod 331, a support part 332 that rotatably supports it, and a drive part 333 that drives the entire mechanism back and forth in the conveying direction. The push rod 331 has a pushing portion 331a extending horizontally toward the downstream side, an inclined portion 331b inclined downward toward the upstream side of the pushing portion, and a shaft portion 331c provided on the upstream side of the inclined portion 331b, and is rotatably supported by the support portion 332 via the shaft portion 331c. The push rod 331 is biased by a spring or the like to a state in which the pushing portion 331a is horizontal around the shaft portion 331c between a state in which the pushing portion 331a is horizontal and a state in which the front portion (downstream side) of the pushing portion 331a is inclined toward the downstream (see FIG. 8c). When the pushing portion 331a of the push rod 331 is horizontal, it blocks the conveying path of the box body B, and when the pushing portion 331a of the push rod 331 is inclined, the inclined portion 331b becomes parallel to the conveying path of the box body B, thereby opening the conveying path of the box body B.

[0042] Because of this configuration, the outer surfaces of the left and right outer flaps of the box body B transported to the outer flap folding mechanism 1b come into contact with the inside of the oblique side bar 321 (see FIG. 8c). Then, by moving the box body B in the transport direction, the outer surfaces of the left and right outer flaps are pushed upward and toward the center by the oblique side bar 321. In other words, the left and right outer flaps are folded inward toward each other to form a packaging box B' with a bottom formed. The packaging box B' with the outer flaps F3 and F4 folded in is transported further downstream by the third transport section 310. At this time, the lower end of the transported packaging box B' comes into contact with the inclined portion 331b of the push rod 331 of the sending mechanism 330, causing the push rod 331 to rotate. Then, when the packaging box B' is transported further and is carried to the downstream end of the third transport section 310, the box body B' completely climbs over the push rod 331. At the same time, the biased push rod 331 returns to a horizontal state. As a result, the push rod 331 appears on the transport path again, and as the drive section 333 moves in the transport direction, the push rod 331 pushes the packaging box B' out of the outer flap folding mechanism 1b (see FIG. 8d). The sending mechanism 330 is not particularly limited as long as it sends out the box body B, whose bottom has been formed by folding in the outer flaps, to a further conveying path. [Industrial Applicability]

[0043] In this way, the bottom flap folding device 1 of the present invention can stably fold the bottom flaps without damaging the packaged item G and the box body B. This is particularly suitable for storing packaged items G that are heavy. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] B box body LF Bottom fold-in flap UF Upper fold-over flap F1 Front inner flap F2 Rear inner flap F3 Left outer flap F4 Right outer flap G Items to be packaged P Bottom pad S1 Gap S2 Gap W Rear guide width 1 Bottom flap folding device 1a Inner flap folding mechanism 1b Outer flap folding mechanism 100 Front inner flap folding mechanism 100 110 First conveyor section 111 First conveying unit main body 111a Drive roller 111a1 Ring 112 Rear guide 112a Support surface 113 Lateral Guide 114 Lower guide 114a Groove bottom 114b Groove wall 120 First roller section 121 First Roller 122 Drive unit 123 Sensors 130, 130A Posture correction part 131 Rail 132 Drive unit 133 Height Sensor 200 Rear inner flap folding mechanism 210 Second Roller Section 211 Second Roller 211a Ring 212 Drive unit 220 Second conveyor section 221 Second conveying unit main body 221a Drive roller 221a1 Ring 222 Return sensor 223 Guide 310 Third conveyor section 320 Outer flap folding guide 321 Hypotenuse Bar 330 Delivery Mechanism 331 Extrusion rod 331a Push part 331b Slope 331c Shaft 332 Support part 333 Drive unit

Claims

1. A front inner flap folding mechanism that folds a front inner flap on the bottom side of a cylindrical box body that is open at the top and bottom and is placed over a packaged item, a first conveying section; and a first roller that is provided downstream of the first conveying section and is movable up and down via a gap, the first roller is located below the first conveying section when the box body is in the first conveying section, and when the cylindrical box body passes above the first roller, the first roller rises so as to push up an outer surface of a front inner flap of the box body upward, thereby folding the front inner flap. Front inner flap folding mechanism.

2. The first conveying section is provided with a rear guide that supports the cylindrical box body so that a rear inner flap of the box body is folded outward when the cylindrical box body is placed on the packaged item. The front inner flap folding mechanism according to claim 1 .

3. The first conveying section is provided with left and right side guides that support the left and right outer flaps on the bottom side of the box body so that they do not fold inward when the cylindrical box body is placed on the packaged item, and a bottom guide that supports the box body so that it does not sink into the first conveying section when the cylindrical box body is placed on the packaged item. The front inner flap folding mechanism according to claim 1 .

4. a posture correcting unit that corrects the posture of the box body into which the front inner flap is folded and is provided downstream of the first roller; The front inner flap folding mechanism according to claim 1 .

5. The packaged item is provided with a bottom pad. The front inner flap folding mechanism according to claim 1 .

6. An inner flap folding mechanism comprising: a front inner flap folding mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 5; and a rear inner flap folding mechanism that folds a rear inner flap on the bottom side of the box body.

7. The rear inner flap folding mechanism includes a second roller that is vertically movable and is provided downstream of the first roller, and a second conveying unit that is provided downstream of the second roller via a gap, When the box body is fed from the front inner flap folding mechanism, the second roller is located at substantially the same height as the second conveying section, and after the box body is fed to the second conveying section via the second roller, the second roller descends below the second conveying section, the second conveying unit moves the box body backward after sending at least the rear inner flap to the downstream side of the second roller, The second roller pushes upward an outer surface of the rear inner flap of the box body which rises and retreats, thereby folding the rear inner flap. The inner flap folding mechanism according to claim 6.

8. 7. A bottom flap folding device comprising: the inner flap folding mechanism according to claim 6; and an outer flap folding mechanism for folding left and right outer flaps on the bottom side of the box body.

9. A rear inner flap folding mechanism that folds a rear inner flap on the bottom side of a cylindrical box body that is open at the top and bottom and is placed over a packaged item, A roller that can move up and down and a conveying section that is provided downstream of the roller via a gap, The roller is positioned at substantially the same height as the conveying section and sends the box to the conveying section, and then descends below the conveying section, the conveying unit moves the box body backward after sending at least the rear inner flap of the box body to the downstream side of the rollers, The rollers push upward the outer surface of the rear inner flap of the box body which rises and retreats, and fold the rear inner flap. Rear inner flap folding mechanism.

10. An inner flap folding mechanism comprising: a front inner flap folding mechanism for folding a front inner flap on the bottom side of a cylindrical box body that is open at the top and bottom and placed over an item to be packaged; and a rear inner flap folding mechanism as described in claim 8.

11. A bottom flap folding device comprising the inner flap folding mechanism according to claim 10 and an outer flap folding mechanism for folding left and right outer flaps on the bottom side of the box body.

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