Boxing device and boxing method

Abstract

To provide a device and a method for boxing articles into exterior boxes suitable for high speed.SOLUTION: A boxing device 1 includes: a conveying machine 4 having a support surface 4S and for conveying articles W placed on the support surface 4S; a moving machine 5 for moving the conveying machine 4 between a receiving position where the articles W are received from the upstream side in a conveying direction of the conveying machine 4 and a delivery position below which an exterior box V storing the articles W are arranged; and a holding machine 7 having a suction head 7A capable of suctioning the articles W from the conveying machine 4 at the delivery position and a lifting machine 7B for raising and lowering the suction head 7A.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This specification discloses a cartoning apparatus and a cartoning method. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, foods such as potato chips, candy, beans, soup, and detergents are often handled as products packed in bags or boxes. These products are often further packed in outer boxes such as cardboard boxes or dozen boxes before being shipped. A packaging device for such outer boxes is disclosed in JP 2008-143572 A.

[0003] In this boxing device, a conveyor transports articles to a collection position. A pusher pushes the articles from the collection position to a placement position. A suction device sucks the articles at the placement position. An opening / closing device opens the floor of the placement position. The suction device packs the articles into outer boxes placed below the opened floor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-143572 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In this boxing device, a pusher pushes out items from the accumulation position to the placement position. Pushing out by the pusher at high speeds can cause damage to the items. A possible method that does not use this pusher is to use a suction device to move items from the accumulation position to the placement position. In this method, the suction device moves the items vertically and also horizontally from the accumulation position to the placement position. However, moving the items with the suction device at high speeds can cause the items to fall. Thus, it is not easy to pack items into outer boxes at high speeds.

[0006] The applicant's intention is to provide an apparatus and method for packing articles into outer boxes that are suitable for high speed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present specification discloses a packing device a conveyor having a support surface and conveying an article placed on the support surface; a moving machine that moves the conveyor between a receiving position where the conveyor receives the article from the upstream side in the conveying direction of the conveyor and a delivery position below which an outer box containing the article is disposed; and, The apparatus includes a holder having a suction head capable of suctioning the article from the conveyor at the delivery position, and an elevator for raising and lowering the suction head.

[0008] The present disclosure provides a method for packing boxes, conveying an article placed on a support surface with a conveyor having the support surface; The conveyor with the article placed on the support surface is moved from a receiving position where the article is received from the upstream side of the conveyor in the conveying direction to a delivery position where an outer box containing the article is disposed below the receiving position; a holder for lifting the article lifts the article from the conveyor at the delivery position; Moving the conveyor from the delivery position; The holding machine stores the articles in the outer box. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The packing apparatus may speed up packing of items. Similarly, the packing method may speed up packing of items. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a packing device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the packing device of FIG. 1 as seen from the left. [Figure 3] 3A is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which an outer box conveyor provided in the packing device of FIG. 1 is used, and FIG. 3B is an explanatory diagram showing another state in which the outer box conveyor is used. [Figure 4] FIG. 4A is an explanatory diagram showing the use state of the positioning conveyor and the moving machine that moves the positioning conveyor provided in the packing device of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram showing the use state of the outer box conveyor located below the positioning conveyor of FIG. 4A. [Figure 5] FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the retainer provided in the packing device of FIG. 1 is used, and FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram showing another state in which the retainer is used. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate.

[0012] Fig. 1 shows a packing apparatus 1. The left-right direction in Fig. 1 is the front-rear direction of the packing apparatus 1, the up-down direction is the right-left direction of the packing apparatus 1, and the direction perpendicular to the plane of the page is the up-down direction of the packing apparatus 1. Fig. 2 shows the packing apparatus 1 as seen from the left. In Figs. 1 and 2, multiple items W with contents packed into bags are shown by two-dot chain lines, and an outer box V that contains the items W is also shown by two-dot chain lines.

[0013] 1, the packing device 1 includes an alignment conveyor 2 that aligns the articles W, a standby conveyor 3 that keeps the articles W waiting, a positioning conveyor 4 that positions the articles W, and a moving machine 5 that moves the positioning conveyor 4. The packing device 1 further includes an outer box conveyor 6 that conveys outer boxes V, a holding machine 7 that lifts the articles W and places them in the outer boxes V, and a controller 8.

[0014] 2, the packing device 1 further includes a sensor 9 that detects an item W placed on the alignment conveyor 2, a sensor 10 that detects an item W placed on the standby conveyor 3, and a sensor 11 that detects an item W placed on the positioning conveyor 4. Note that the sensors 9, 10, and 11 are omitted from FIG. 1.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 1, the aligning conveyor 2 has a belt 2A that conveys the placed articles W forward, and a pair of guides 2B located on the left and right of the belt 2A that guide the articles W in the width direction. As shown in Fig. 2, the aligning conveyor 2 has a frame 2C, a pulley 2D supported by the frame 2C and around which the belt 2A is stretched, a gate 2E, and an elevator 2F that moves the gate 2E between a position where it does not protrude from the belt 2A and a position where it does protrude from the belt 2A. In Fig. 2, the gate 2E in a position where it does not protrude from the belt 2A is shown by a solid line, and the gate 2E in a position where it protrudes from the belt 2A is shown by a two-dot chain line.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 1, the standby conveyor 3 has a belt 3A that conveys the placed article W forward, and a pair of guides 3B located on the left and right of the belt 3A that guide the article W in the width direction. As shown in Fig. 2, the standby conveyor 3 has a frame 3C and pulleys 3D and 3E that are supported by the frame 3C and between which the belt 3A is stretched. Note that the standby conveyor 3 may have a gate and an elevator that raises and lowers the gate, similar to the alignment conveyor 2.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the positioning conveyor 4 includes a belt 4A that conveys the placed article W forward, a pair of guides 4B located on the left and right of the belt 4A to guide the article W in the width direction, and a guide driver 4C that moves the guide 4B in the width direction. The positioning conveyor 4 also includes a stopper 4D located at the front and a stopper driver 4E that positions the stopper 4D in the front-to-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the positioning conveyor 4 includes a frame 4F and pulleys 4G and 4H supported by the frame 4F and between which the belt 4A is stretched. The positioning conveyor 4 has an article W placed on a support surface 4S, which is the surface of the belt 4A. The positioning conveyor 4 conveys the article W using the support surface 4S on which the article W is placed. Note that the guide driver 4C is not shown in FIG. 2.

[0018] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the positioning conveyor 4 has four guide rollers 4J (see Figure 1) arranged on the left and right, front and rear of a frame 4F, a support 4K (see Figure 2) attached to the frame 4F and supporting the guide rollers 4J, and a pair of guide rails 4L (see Figure 1) extending in the left-right direction. Each guide roller 4J is rotatable. The positioning conveyor 4 is movable in the left-right direction. In Figure 1, the positioning conveyor 4 is in a receiving position to receive an article W from the standby conveyor 3.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the movable unit 5 includes a frame 5A, a timing belt 5B, and pulleys 5C and 5D supported by the frame 5A and around which the timing belt 5B is stretched. The movable unit 5 also includes a rail 5E attached to the frame 5A and extending laterally, a linear guide 5G having a block 5F that is movable along the rail 5E, and an arm 5H that connects the timing belt 5B to the frame 4F of the positioning conveyor 4. The base end of the arm 5H is connected to the timing belt 5B and the block 5F of the linear guide 5G, and the tip end of the arm 5H is connected to the frame 4F of the positioning conveyor 4. As shown in FIG. 2, the movable unit 5 includes a servo motor 5J attached to the frame 5A. The servo motor 5J is capable of driving the pulley 5C.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the outer box conveyor 6 has multiple rollers 6A that convey the loaded outer box V forward and a stopper 6B that positions the outer box V in the storage position for the item W. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the outer box V in the storage position for the item W is shown by a two-dot chain line. The outer box conveyor 6 has a guide frame 6C positioned above the outer box V in the storage position for the item W, an opening guide 6D positioned near the opening V1 of the outer box V, and a drive mechanism 6E attached to the guide frame 6C for moving the opening guide 6D. The opening guide 6D is located outside the opening V1 in the horizontal plane. As shown in FIG. 2, the outer box conveyor 6 has a frame 6F and an elevator 6G attached to the frame 6F for raising and lowering the guide frame 6C. The guide frame 6C is lowered by the elevator 6G to a lowered position near the opening V1 of the outer box V. The outer box conveyor 6 further has a rear guide 6H that restricts the rear end position of the outer box V in the front-to-rear direction within a predetermined range. Although the outer box conveyor 6 has multiple elevators 6G, the number of elevators 6G may be one.

[0021] The supporter 7 shown in FIG. 1 includes a suction head 7A including multiple suction devices, an elevator 7B supporting the suction head 7A so that it can be raised and lowered, a frame 7C to which the elevator 7B is attached, and an air suction device 7D connected to each of the suction devices. The elevator 7B is not particularly limited. To facilitate control of the elevation position of the suction head 7A, the elevator 7B may be raised and lowered using, for example, a ball screw and a servo motor. Alternatively, the elevator 7B may be raised and lowered using a servo motor and a timing belt. As shown in FIG. 2, the suction head 7A is positioned above the item W and above the outer box V located in the storage position for the item W. The suction devices can suck air by suction from the air suction device 7D. The suction devices can suck the item W by contacting the surface of the item W and sucking air. The suction devices can release suction of the item W by stopping air suction.

[0022] The controller 8 has a circuit for controlling each device provided in the packing device 1. The controller 8 can control the alignment conveyor 2, the standby conveyor 3, the positioning conveyor 4, the moving machine 5, the outer box conveyor 6, and the holding machine 7. The controller 8 can control the sensors 9, 10, and 11, and can receive detection signals from the sensors 9, 10, and 11. The controller 8 may be a single controller that performs centralized control, or may be a combination of multiple controllers that cooperate with each other to perform decentralized control.

[0023] FIG. 3A shows the outer box conveyor 6 in use. In this state, an outer box V is placed on the rollers 6A. The outer box V is located between the stopper 6B and the rear guide 6H, and is in a position to store the item W. The guide frame 6C is located in an elevated position away from the outer box V by the elevator 6G. The guide frame 6C can be raised and lowered by the elevator 6G between this elevated position and the lowered position shown in FIG. 2. The opening guide 6D is located in an inner position within the opening V1 of the outer box V when viewed from above. The opening guide 6D can be moved between this inner position and the outer position shown in FIG. 2 by the driver 6E. The elevator 6G is not particularly limited. The elevator 6G may be raised and lowered by an air cylinder, a servo motor and a ball screw, or a servo motor and a timing belt.

[0024] 3B shows another usage state of the outer box conveyor 6. In this usage state, the outer box V is placed on the rollers 6A and is located between the stopper 6B and the rear guide 6H, in a position to store the item W. The guide frame 6C is in a lowered position by the elevator 6G. The opening guide 6D is in an outer position as viewed from above by the driver 6E. The opening guide 6D spreads the flap V2 extending from the opening V1 of the outer box V outward from the opening V1.

[0025] Fig. 4A shows the standby conveyor 3, positioning conveyor 4, and moving machine 5 in use. Fig. 4B shows the outer box conveyor 6 positioned below the positioning conveyor 4 in use in Fig. 4A. Note that the rollers 6A positioned within the guide frame 6C of the outer box conveyor 6 in Fig. 4B are omitted. In Fig. 4B, the outer box conveyor 6 is in use in the same state as in Figs. 2 and 3B described above.

[0026] In the use state of Figure 4A, the positioning conveyor 4 is in the delivery position with the outer box V placed below it. In this use state of the moving machine 5, the positioning conveyor 4 is in the delivery position, and the block 5F and arm 5H are located to the left of the use state of Figure 1. The part of the timing belt 5B connected to the base end of the arm 5H is located to the left of the position in Figure 1.

[0027] In the use state of Fig. 4A, the article W is held in a predetermined position in the front-to-rear direction by the stopper 4D. The article W is held in a predetermined position in the width direction by the guide 4B. The article W is located above the opening V1 of the outer box V, which is in the storage position of Fig. 4B.

[0028] Figure 5A shows the use states of the positioning conveyor 4, the mover 5, the outer box conveyor 6, and the holder 7. The positioning conveyor 4 and the mover 5 are in the use state of Figure 4A. The positioning conveyor 4 is in the delivery position. The outer box conveyor 6 is in the use state of Figure 4B. The suction head 7A of the holder 7 is suctioning the item W. The suction head 7A lifts the item W from the positioning conveyor 4 and holds it.

[0029] Figure 5B shows another usage state of the positioning conveyor 4, the mover 5, the outer box conveyor 6, and the holder 7. The positioning conveyor 4 and the mover 5 are in the usage state of Figure 1. The positioning conveyor 4 is in the receiving position. The outer box conveyor 6 is in the usage state of Figure 4B. The suction head 7A of the holder 7 is suctioning the item W. The suction head 7A is positioned inside the outer box V. The suction head 7A is inserting the item W into the outer box V.

[0030] 1 to 5, a packing method will be described using the packing device 1. This packing method is executed by a controller 8 controlling the alignment conveyor 2, the standby conveyor 3, the positioning conveyor 4, the moving machine 5, the outer box conveyor 6, the holding machine 7, the sensor 9, the sensor 10, and the sensor 11.

[0031] In the outer box conveying machine 6, the elevator 6G positions the guide frame 6C in the raised position shown in FIG. 3A. The driver 6E positions the opening guide 6D in the inner position. The outer box conveying machine 6 conveys the outer box V. A driver (not shown) moves the stopper 6B and the rear guide 6H to positions in front of and behind the outer box V. The outer box V is positioned between the stopper 6B and the rear guide 6H. This places the outer box V in a position to store the item W. In this way, the outer box conveying machine 6 is in the usage state shown in FIG. 3A. From the usage state shown in FIG. 3A, the elevator 6G lowers the guide frame 6C to the lowered position. The driver 6E moves the opening guide 6D to the outer position. In this way, the outer box conveying machine 6 is in the usage state shown in FIG. 3B.

[0032] In the aligning conveyor 2, the elevator 2F causes the gate 2E to protrude from the belt 2A. The aligning conveyor 2 transports the articles W forward. The articles W placed on the belt 2A are blocked by the gate 2E and aligned in the front-to-back direction. In Figure 1, three articles W are aligned. The sensor 9 detects the aligned articles W. The controller 8 receives a detection signal for the articles W. The controller 8 causes the elevator 2F to move the gate 2E to a position where it does not protrude from the belt 2A. As a result, the aligned articles W are sent from the aligning conveyor 2 to the standby conveyor 3.

[0033] The standby conveyor 3 conveys the received item W forward. The sensor 10 detects the item W. The controller 8 receives a detection signal for the item W. When the positioning conveyor 4 is in the receiving position of FIG. 1 and has not received a detection signal for the item W from the sensor 11 shown in FIG. 2, the controller 8 causes the positioning conveyor 4 to send out the item W from the standby conveyor 3.

[0034] In the positioning conveyor 4, the stopper driver 4E positions the stopper 4D to a predetermined waiting position in the front-to-back direction. The guide driver 4C positions the guide 4B to a predetermined waiting position in the width direction. After receiving the item W, the positioning conveyor 4 guides the item W placed on the belt 4A to a predetermined range defined by the stopper 4D and guide 4B in the front-to-back and width directions. The sensor 11 detects the item W. The controller 8 receives a detection signal for the item W. The stopper driver 4E positions the stopper 4D to a predetermined position in the front-to-back direction from a predetermined waiting position. The guide driver 4C positions the guide 4B to a predetermined position in the width direction from a predetermined waiting position. As a result, the item W is positioned at a predetermined position on the positioning conveyor 4 in the front-to-back and width directions.

[0035] The controller 8 causes the mover 5 to move the positioning conveyor 4 while conveying the article W toward the predetermined position. The mover 5 moves the positioning conveyor 4 from the receiving position (see FIG. 1) to the delivery position (see FIG. 4A). The positioning conveyor 4 in the delivery position is positioned above the outer box conveyor 6 in the use state of FIG. 4B. The article W in the predetermined position on the positioning conveyor 4 in the delivery position is positioned above the opening V1 of the outer box V. In this way, the packing device 1 is in the use state of FIGS. 4A and 4B.

[0036] The elevator 7B of the holding machine 7 lowers the suction head 7A, which is in the position shown in Figure 5A. The suction head 7A descends toward the positioning conveyor 4, which is in the hand-out position. The elevator 7B lowers the suction head 7A to a position where it will contact the item W, which is in a predetermined position on the positioning conveyor 4. The suction head 7A picks up the item W. The suction head 7A holds the item W. The elevator 7B raises the suction head 7A. The suction head 7A lifts the item W. In this way, the packing device 1 is brought into the use state shown in Figure 5A.

[0037] The moving machine 5 moves the positioning conveyor 4 from the delivery position to the receiving position. The elevator 7B lowers the suction head 7A. The suction head 7A places the item W into the outer box V. In this way, the packing device 1 is put into use as shown in Figure 5B. The controller 8 releases the suction of the suction head 7A that has lowered to a predetermined position. The elevator 7B raises the suction head 7A that has released the suction. The suction head 7A returns to the position shown in Figure 5A. The controller 8 controls the elevator 7B to change the predetermined position within the outer box V to which the suction head 7A descends, depending on the number of times the item W has been placed into the outer box V.

[0038] In this boxing device 1, the controller 8 controls the alignment conveyor 2, standby conveyor 3, positioning conveyor 4, mover 5, holder 7, sensor 9, sensor 10, and sensor 11 to repeatedly store articles W in the outer box V until a predetermined number of articles W are stored in the outer box V. The outer box V that has stored the predetermined number of articles W is sent out from the storage position for the articles W together with the stopper 6B and rear guide 6H by a drive machine that moves the stopper 6B and rear guide 6H, while positioned between the stopper 6B and rear guide 6H. Thereafter, the outer box conveyor 6 transports another empty outer box V and places it in the storage position.

[0039] In this way, the packing device 1 is equipped with a moving device 5 that moves the positioning conveyor 4 and the item W between the receiving position of the positioning conveyor 4 and the delivery position below which the outer box V is placed. This packing device 1 places the item W on the support surface 4S and moves it from the receiving position of the positioning conveyor 4 to the delivery position. This packing device 1 can move the item W between the receiving position and the delivery position without using a push-out device or suction device. The packing device 1 can prevent damage to the item W caused by pushing the item W at high speed with a push-out device. The packing device 1 can prevent the item W from falling due to transporting the item W at high speed with a suction device.

[0040] This boxing device 1 can prevent damage to the items W caused by pushing out the items W at high speed, and is therefore suitable for boxing items W that contain items that are easily broken such as potato chips, items that are easily deformed or biased, items that are easily biased such as prepared foods, and items that are easily spilled such as soup.

[0041] This positioning conveyor 4 drives the belt 4A to convey the article W by the support surface 4S on which the article W is placed. This allows the positioning conveyor 4 to suppress damage to the article W caused by conveying the article W at high speed, such as by pushing the article W out at high speed. From this perspective, it is preferable that the positioning conveyor 4 conveys the article W by the support surface 4S on which the article W is placed. Note that the positioning conveyor 4 is not limited to conveying the article W by the support surface 4S. Furthermore, even in a positioning conveyor 4 that conveys the article W by the support surface 4S that supports it, the positioning conveyor 4 is not limited to having a belt 4A. The positioning conveyor 4 may have a roller conveyor, for example, like the outer box conveyor 6.

[0042] In this packing device 1, the mover 5 moves the positioning conveyor 4 in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the positioning conveyor 4 conveys the articles W. The packing device 1 can arrange the outer box conveyor 6 in a direction intersecting the conveying direction of the positioning conveyor 4. This allows the packing device 1 to shorten the movement distance between the receiving position and the outgoing position of the positioning conveyor 4. From the viewpoint of speeding up the packing of the articles W, it is preferable that the mover 5 moves the positioning conveyor 4 in a direction intersecting the direction in which the positioning conveyor 4 conveys the articles W in a plan view.

[0043] In the packing device 1, the mover 5 moves the positioning conveyor 4 that is currently conveying the item W. This allows the packing device 1 to convey the item W to above the opening V1 of the outer box V in a short period of time. From this perspective, it is preferable that the mover 5 moves the positioning conveyor 4 that is currently conveying the item W to the hand-out position. Note that in this packing device 1, the mover 5 may move the positioning conveyor 4 from the receiving position to the hand-out position after conveying the item W to a predetermined position on the positioning conveyor 4.

[0044] By detecting the article W with the sensor 11, the packing device 1 can reliably and quickly confirm that the article W has been placed on the positioning conveyor 4. From the viewpoint of quickly moving the positioning conveyor 4 from the receiving position to the sending position while preventing malfunction, it is preferable that the packing device 1 is provided with the sensor 11.

[0045] In the positioning conveyor 4, guide 4B guides the conveyed article W within a predetermined range in the width direction. At the delivery position, the positioning conveyor 4 can guide the article W onto the opening V1 of the outer box V. From this perspective, it is preferable that the positioning conveyor 4 has guide 4B that guides the article W to a predetermined position in the width direction. From the same perspective, it is preferable that the positioning conveyor 4 has stopper 4D that positions the article W within a predetermined range in the front-to-rear direction.

[0046] Furthermore, the positioning conveyor 4 can change the widthwise position of the guide 4B using the guide driver 4C. Similarly, the positioning conveyor 4 can change the front-rear position of the stopper 4D using the stopper driver 4E. The positioning conveyor 4 can change the widthwise position of the guide 4B and the front-rear position of the stopper 4D in accordance with the shape and number of the articles W, the size of the opening V1 of the outer box V, etc. From the perspective of being able to accommodate various articles W and outer boxes V, it is preferable that the positioning conveyor 4 has the guide driver 4C and the stopper driver 4E.

[0047] The mover 5 moves the positioning conveyor 4 using a timing belt 5B and a servo motor 5J. By using the timing belt 5B and the servo motor 5J, the positioning conveyor 4 can be moved at high speed and positioned accurately. From this perspective, it is preferable that the mover 5 has a timing belt 5B and a servo motor 5J. However, the mover 5 is not limited to having a timing belt 5B and a servo motor 5J. For example, the mover 5 may have a ball screw and a servo motor.

[0048] In the mover 5, the base end of the arm 5H connected to the positioning conveyor 4 is connected to the timing belt 5B and the block 5F of the linear guide 5G. By connecting the base end of the arm 5H to the timing belt 5B and the block 5F, the mover 5 can move the positioning conveyor 4 at high speed and position it accurately. From this perspective, it is preferable that the mover 5 has a linear guide 5G including the block 5F connected to the timing belt 5B.

[0049] [Disclosure items] Each of the following sections discloses a preferred embodiment.

[0050] [Item 1] a conveyor having a support surface and conveying an article placed on the support surface; a moving machine that moves the conveyor between a receiving position where the conveyor receives the article from the upstream side in the conveying direction of the conveyor and a delivery position below which an outer box containing the article is disposed; and, A boxing device comprising a holder having a suction head capable of suctioning the article from the conveyor at the delivery position, and an elevator for raising and lowering the suction head.

[0051] [Item 2] Item 2. The packing apparatus according to item 1, wherein the mover moves the conveyor in a direction that intersects with a direction in which the conveyor conveys the items in a plan view.

[0052] [Item 3] 3. The box packing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mover moves the conveyor that is currently conveying the item to the release position.

[0053] [Item 4] 4. The packing device according to any one of items 1 to 3, further comprising a sensor for detecting the items placed on the conveyor.

[0054] [Item 5] 5. The boxing device according to any one of items 1 to 4, further comprising a guide that guides the article conveyed by the conveyor to the center in the width direction of the conveyor.

[0055] [Item 6] 6. The packing apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 5, wherein the moving machine has a timing belt connected to the conveying machine and a servo motor that drives the timing belt.

[0056] [Item 7] A controller is provided, The controller: moving the conveyor from the receiving position to the delivering position after placing the article on the support surface; The suction head is lowered, The article is sucked onto the suction head from the conveyor at the delivery position; The suction head is raised, Moving the conveyor from the delivery position; 7. The boxing device according to any one of items 1 to 6, wherein the suction head is lowered to accommodate the article in the outer box.

[0057] [Item 8] conveying an article placed on a support surface with a conveyor having the support surface; The conveyor with the article placed on the support surface is moved from a receiving position where the article is received from the upstream side of the conveyor in the conveying direction to a delivery position where an outer box containing the article is disposed below the receiving position; a holder for lifting the article lifts the article from the conveyor at the delivery position; Moving the conveyor from the delivery position; The box packing method includes placing the article in the outer box using the holding machine. [Industrial Applicability]

[0058] The packing device and packing method described above are suitable for packing articles into boxes at high speed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1. Packing device 4. Positioning conveyor (conveyor) 4B Guide 4S...support surface 5. Mobile device 5B Timing belt 5J servo motor 7...Holding machine 7A···Suction head 7B···Elevator 8. Controller 11. Sensor V...Outer box W...Goods

Claims

1. a conveyor having a support surface and conveying an article placed on the support surface; a moving machine that moves the conveyor between a receiving position where the conveyor receives the article from the upstream side in the conveying direction of the conveyor and a delivery position below which an outer box containing the article is disposed; and, A boxing device comprising a holder having a suction head capable of suctioning the article from the conveyor at the delivery position, and an elevator for raising and lowering the suction head.

2. The boxing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the mover moves the conveyor in a direction intersecting a direction in which the conveyor conveys the articles in a plan view.

3. The boxing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the mover moves the conveyor that is currently conveying the article to the delivery position.

4. The boxing device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a sensor for detecting the articles placed on the conveyor.

5. 3. The boxing device according to claim 1, further comprising a guide for guiding the articles conveyed by the conveyor to a center in the width direction of the conveyor.

6. 3. The packing machine according to claim 1, wherein the moving machine has a timing belt connected to the conveying machine and a servo motor for driving the timing belt.

7. A controller is provided, The controller: moving the conveyor from the receiving position to the delivering position after placing the article on the support surface; The suction head is lowered, The article is sucked onto the suction head from the conveyor at the delivery position; The suction head is raised, Moving the conveyor from the delivery position; 3. The boxing device according to claim 1, wherein the suction head is lowered to accommodate the article in the outer box.

8. conveying an article placed on a support surface with a conveyor having the support surface; The conveyor with the article placed on the support surface is moved from a receiving position where the article is received from the upstream side of the conveyor in the conveying direction to a delivery position where an outer box containing the article is disposed below the receiving position; a holder for lifting the article lifts the article from the conveyor at the delivery position; Moving the conveyor from the delivery position; The box packing method includes placing the article in the outer box using the holding machine.

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