Paper for containers, method for molding containers, and apparatus for molding containers

Abstract

To facilitate the molding of boat-shaped urine collection containers. [Solution] Paper 12 stacked in the supply unit 51 is supplied to the shaping unit 52, where it is shaped into a boat shape. The shaped urine collection container 11 is transported to the folding unit 54 by the transport unit 53. In the folding unit 54, it is folded into a flat shape at the center in the width direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a container suitable for urine collection, a container paper for the container, a method for forming the container by bending the container paper, and a container forming apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a urine collection container. Generally, a urine collection container is in the shape of a cylindrical cup, but the urine collection container of Patent Document 1 is in a boat shape as a whole.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The urine collection container disclosed in Patent Document 1 is manufactured by being shaped by bending, but it is difficult to shape it efficiently.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In the container paper of the present invention, a triangular bottom wall partitioned by folding lines on three sides, a pair of first side walls continuous with the bottom wall via the folding lines on two sides and capable of rising from the portions of the folding lines, a second side wall continuous with the bottom wall via the folding line on the remaining one side and capable of rising from the portion of the folding line, and a superimposing portion provided between both the first side walls and between both the first side walls and the second side wall and capable of being superimposed on the first side wall when the first and second side walls rise are formed on a single sheet of paper, and at least the superimposing portion is provided with an adhesive for adhering in a superimposed state.

[0006] The present invention provides a method for forming a container, characterized in that the container paper is folded along the fold lines between an inner mold and an outer mold that are movable toward and apart from each other, thereby forming the container to have a triangular bottom wall, a pair of first side walls that rise from the bottom wall and are connected to each other at one end via the overlapping portion, and a second side wall that rises from the bottom wall and is located between the other ends of the two first side walls.

[0007] In the container molding apparatus of the present invention, an outer mold corresponding to the shape of the outer surface of the container and an inner mold corresponding to the shape of the inner surface of the container are arranged so as to be able to move closer to and further apart from the setting position of the container paper, and a container is formed between the outer mold and the inner mold from the container paper so as to have a triangular bottom wall, a pair of first side walls rising from the bottom wall and connected to each other at the front end, and a second side wall rising from the bottom wall and located between the rear ends of the two side walls, the outer mold is provided with a pressing portion for folding the portion between the two side walls and the portion between the two side walls and the rear wall inward.

[0008] Here, the paper used for containers includes pulp paper, synthetic resin sheets, and woven or knitted fabrics that have been treated to be waterproof and impermeable to water. Therefore, in the present invention, since the container paper is folded along the fold lines to have a bottom wall, side walls, and a back wall, a planar triangular container suitable for urine collection can be easily manufactured. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The present invention offers the advantage of easily manufacturing a container suitable for urine collection that has a planar triangular shape. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] Perspective view of a urine collection container. [Figure 2] A plan view showing valleys and peaks in the unfolded state of the paper used for the container. [Figure 3]A plan view showing the bottom wall, side walls, and rear wall of the container paper in its unfolded state. [Figure 4] Plan view of the urine collection container. [Figure 5] The diagram shows the shaping process of a urine collection container, with (a) being a perspective view of the container paper in the initial stage of shaping, (b) being a partial perspective view of the same, showing the front end in the middle stage of shaping, and (c) being a partial perspective view of the same, showing the rear end in the middle stage of shaping. [Figure 6] This diagram shows the folding process of a urine collection container, with (a) being a perspective view showing the initial stage of folding, (b) being a perspective view showing the middle stage of folding, and (c) being a cross-sectional view showing the middle stage of folding. [Figure 7] This shows a folded urine collection container, where (a) is a side view, (b) is a top view, (c) is a cross-sectional view of the central part between the side walls, and (d) is a rear view of the central part in the front-to-back direction. [Figure 8] A perspective view showing an example of a modified urine collection container. [Figure 9] A simplified diagram showing the usage status of the urine collection container. [Figure 10] A simplified plan view showing the layout of the molding equipment. [Figure 11] A perspective view showing the shaped section. [Figure 12] (a) is a partially cut plan view showing the shaped portion, and (b) is a side view showing an example of a modified shaped portion. [Figure 13] A cross-sectional view showing the shape. [Figure 14] A cross-sectional view showing the completed shaping stage. [Figure 15] A cross-sectional view showing the gripping position of the urine collection container. [Figure 16] A perspective view showing the folding section of the molding device. [Figure 17] (a) is a side view showing the folded part of the urine collection container in the state in which it has been handed over, and (b) is a partial side view showing the folded state of the urine collection container. [Figure 18] A side view showing the pressure applied to the urine collection container by the movable blade device. [Figure 19] A perspective view showing the movable blade member and the fixed blade. [Figure 20]Partial plan view showing the pressing state of the urine collection container in the second embodiment. [Figure 21] Partial plan view showing the folded state as well. [Figure 22] Side view showing the folded portion of the urine collection container in the pressed state as well. [Figure 23] Front view of the folding position as well.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] (First Embodiment) Hereinafter, a first embodiment embodying the present invention will be described based on the drawings of FIGS. 1 to 19. 〈Configuration and Shaping Method of Urine Collection Container 11〉 First, in FIGS. 1 to 8, the configuration of a container paper (hereinafter referred to as paper) 12 and a boat-shaped urine collection container (hereinafter referred to as container) 11 having a plane isosceles triangle shape formed (shaped) from the paper 12 will be described. Also, the usage method of the container 11 will be described in FIG. 9. Further, a method for shaping the container 11 and a folding method for flattening the container 11 will be described according to FIGS. 10 to 19.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the paper 12 of the container 11 is made of natural fiber pulp paper, and a coating resin layer (hereinafter referred to as surface layer) 13 made of synthetic resin as a waterproof treatment is provided on the entire surface that becomes the inner surface of the container 11. This surface layer 13 has a function of not allowing moisture to pass through and a function as an adhesive for adhering the later-described folded portion (overlapping portion). When the paper 12 does not have water permeability, the adhesive may be provided only on the overlapping portion described later.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the container 11 shaped from the paper 12 has a boat shape with a plane isosceles triangle shape, and has a bottom wall 14, left and right side walls 15, 16 as the first side walls, and a rear wall 17 as the second side wall. In the present embodiment, the bow side of the boat-shaped container 11 is the front part (the left side in FIGS. 1 to 4), and the stern side is the rear part.

[0014] As shown in Figure 2, the paper 12 has valley creases 20, 21, 22, and 23 formed on it, extending from the front to the rear. In Figure 2, the valley creases 20, etc., are drawn with thick lines. The valley creases 20 and 21 in the center of the paper 12 are continuous. The valley creases 22 and 23 on the rear side are provided as a pair symmetrically.

[0015] As shown in Figure 2, the paper 12 has creases 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, and 29 formed on it, extending from the front to the rear of the paper 12. Except for the creases 28 and 29 on the rear side, the other creases 24, etc. are provided in pairs in a symmetrical manner.

[0016] Here, a valley fold refers to a fold in which the crease portion protrudes toward the inside of the container 11, forming a valley on the outer surface of the container 11. A mountain fold refers to a fold in which the crease portion protrudes toward the outside of the container 11, forming a valley on the inside of the container 11, that is, a mountain facing toward the outside of the container 11.

[0017] The valleys 20, etc., are formed by pressing a die-cutting blade (not shown) from the outer surface (back side in Figure 2) of the paper 12, which is on the outside of the container 11, toward the inner surface. The peaks 24, etc., are formed by pressing a die-cutting blade from the inner surface of the paper 12, which is on the inside of the container 11, toward the outer surface. The valleys 20, etc., and peaks 24, etc., assist in folding the paper 12, and the die-cutting blade may be pressed from only the front side of the paper 12 or only from the back side.

[0018] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the base wall 14 of the isosceles triangle is demarcated by the mountain lines 25 and 28. One side wall 15 (the part with the sloping leftward diagonal) is demarcated by mountain lines 24, 25, and 30, and the other side wall 16 (the part with the sloping rightward diagonal) is demarcated by mountain lines 25 and 30. The rear wall 17 (the part with the vertical lines) is demarcated by mountain line 28 and a pair of mountain lines 30. One side wall 15 has a pair of bow-side triangular areas 31 as an overlapping section demarcated by mountain lines 24 and valley lines 20, and a quadrilateral area 32 demarcated by mountain lines 24, 25, and mountain lines 26. Also, one side wall 15 is composed of triangular areas 33, 34, and 35 as an overlapping section demarcated by mountain lines 26, 27, valley lines 22, and mountain lines 30. The other side wall 16 is composed of a quadrilateral area 32 demarcated by mountain ridges 24, 25 and 26, and triangular areas 33, 34 and 35 demarcated by mountain ridges 26, 27, valley ridges 22 and mountain ridge 30.

[0019] The rear wall 17 is composed of an arc-shaped region 36 demarcated by left and right mountain ridges 30. One of the pair of triangular regions 31 on the bow side is formed lower, causing its outer edge to drop. As a result, a protrusion 31b (the dotted area in Figure 3) is formed on the outer edge side of the other triangular region 31. The pair of triangular regions 34 on the stern side are formed lower, causing their outer edges to drop. As a result, protrusions 33a and 35a (the dotted areas in Figure 3) are formed on the outer edges side of the adjacent triangular regions 33 and 35.

[0020] Accordingly, the paper 12 of this embodiment has a triangular base wall 14 demarcated by three ridges 25 and 28. A pair of side walls 15 and 16 are provided that are continuous with the base wall 14 via two of the ridges 25 and can rise from the portions of the ridges 25. Furthermore, a rear wall 17 is provided that is continuous with the base wall 14 via the remaining ridge 28 and can rise from the portion of the ridge 28. The side walls 15 and 16 are provided with triangular regions 31, 33, 34, and 35 as overlapping portions that can be overlapped at the side walls 15 and 16 when the side walls 15 and 16 are raised. The entire structure is formed on a single sheet of paper 12, and at least the triangular regions 31, 33, 34, and 35 are provided with a surface layer 13 as an adhesive for bonding in an overlapping state.

[0021] <Method for shaping container 11> Next, a method for shaping the paper 12 to form the container 11 will be described based on Figures 5(a) to (c).

[0022] When forming the paper 12, as shown by the arrows in the initial forming stage in Figure 5(a), the lower triangular area 31 at the front of the paper 12 is pressed from below. As a result, the valley fold 20 is folded inwards, and the mountain folds 24 on both sides of it are also folded inwards. As a result, the lower triangular area 31 and the adjacent triangular areas 31 are folded inwards. Almost simultaneously, as shown by the arrows, the lower triangular area 34 at the rear of the paper 12, between the left and right valley folds 22 and mountain folds 27, is pressed. In this way, the valley fold 22 is folded inwards, and the mountain folds 27 and 30 on both sides of it are also folded inwards. As a result, the triangular areas 34 and 35 on both sides of the valley fold 22 are folded inwards. As these folds occur, the mountain folds 24 and 27 are also folded inwards, causing the quadrilateral area 32 and the triangular area 33 to rise upwards. Additionally, the arc-shaped area 36 between the mountain folds 30 rises upwards.

[0023] Subsequently, as the folding progresses, as shown in Figure 5(b), the two triangular regions 31 on the bow side approach the quadrilateral region 32 on one side wall 15, and are then superimposed on the quadrilateral region 32. Then, as will be described later, one triangular region 31 is bonded to the quadrilateral region 32, and the protruding portion 31b of the other triangular region 31 is also bonded to the quadrilateral region 32. The bonding process will be described later. Also, as shown in Figure 5(c), as the arc-shaped region 36 rises, the triangular regions 34 and 35 on both sides of the stern approach the two triangular regions 33 on the side walls 15 and 16, and are then superimposed on the quadrilateral region 32. Therefore, as will be described later, the triangular region 34 is bonded to the triangular region 33, and the protruding portion 35a of the triangular region 35 is bonded to the protruding portion 33a of the triangular region 33. In other words, the parts that come into contact with the surface layer 13 through overlapping are bonded by the surface layer 13. That is, as will be described later, the parts that come into contact with the surface layer 13 while the surface layer 13 is heated and melted are bonded by the cooling and solidification of the surface layer 13. As a result, the container 11 as a whole has a bottom wall 14, side walls 15, 16 and a rear wall 17, and the ends of the side walls 15, 16 are connected so that the front end is pointed.

[0024] (Method for folding container 11 and method for using container 11) Container 11 can be folded into a flat shape. Figures 6(a) to 6(c) show the folding process. Figures 7(a) to 7(d) show the container in a flat, folded state.

[0025] When the container 11 is folded, as shown in Figure 6(a), the arc-shaped region 36 is folded along the ridge 28, and the ridge 26 is also folded. As a result, as shown in Figure 6(b), the triangular regions 33, 34, 35 and the arc-shaped region 36 are on the inner side of the quadrilateral region 32 and collapse towards the bottom wall 14. At the same time, as shown in Figures 6(b) and (c), the valley ridge 21 in the center of the bottom wall 14 is folded, the arc-shaped region 36 is folded along the ridge 29, and the valley ridge 23 is also folded. Then, as shown in Figures 7(a) and (b), when the quadrilateral regions 32 are placed close together and stacked, the entire container 11 becomes flat, suitable for storage and carrying.

[0026] When using container 11, the folded container 11 is unfolded into a boat shape, as shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 9, when using container 11, the container 11 can be placed against the groin with the arc-shaped area 36 at the stern facing forward, and urine can be collected. After urine collection, the urine in container 11 can be transferred to another container for examination from the front tip, which is the bow.

[0027] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, if a wave-like shape consisting of a series of small circles is applied to the upper opening edge 11a of the container 11, the contact of the upper opening edge 11a with the user of the container becomes softer. <Apparatus for molding container 11> Next, a molding apparatus for forming the container 11 will be described.

[0028] As shown in Figure 10, the molding apparatus comprises a supply unit 51, a shaping unit (shaping device) 52, a transport unit (transport device) 53, and a folding unit (folding device) 54. The supply unit 51 stacks a large number of sheets of paper 12 in a stacked state and supplies the stacked sheets of paper 12 one by one to the shaping unit 52. The shaping unit 52 shapes the supplied paper 12 into a boat shape to form a container 11. The transport unit 53 transports the shaped container 11 from the shaping unit 52 to the folding unit 54. The folding unit 54 folds the transported container 11 into a flat shape. The folded container 11 is sent to a subsequent process such as packaging.

[0029] <Composition of the shaping section 52> Figures 11 to 14 show the shaping section 52. As shown in Figures 11 to 13, the shaping section 52 comprises an outer mold 57 fixed to the apparatus frame 56 of the molding apparatus, a lifting mold 58, and an inner mold 59.

[0030] The outer mold 57 has a mold surface 60 in the shape of a planar isosceles triangle, which has the same outer surface shape as the side walls 15, 16 and rear wall 17 of the container 11, excluding the bottom wall 14, and penetrates it vertically. The outer mold 57 has a built-in heater 61, which heats the surface of the mold surface 60.

[0031] As shown in Figure 11, the lifting type 58 has the shape of a planar isosceles triangle, which is the shape of the bottom wall 14 of the container 11. The lifting type 58 is guided to move up and down inside the mold surface 60 by a guide rod 62 and a guide hole 63 formed in a part of the device frame 56, and is biased upward by a spring 64. Then, as shown in Figure 13, the lifting type 58 is held at the upper limit shown in Figure 11 by a stopper 65 that engages with the device frame 56. At this upper limit, the flat top surface of the lifting type 58 floats above the upper end surface of the outer mold 57, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 13.

[0032] The inner mold 59, which is shaped like a planar isosceles triangle, is positioned close to and apart from the outer mold 57, passing through the inside of the mold surface 60 with the paper 12 set position in between. The outer surface of the inner mold 59 has the same shape as the inner surface of the bottom wall 14, side walls 15 and 16, and rear wall 17 of the container 11. That is, the inner mold 59 has a bottom surface corresponding to the bottom wall 14, a pair of slopes corresponding to the side walls 15 and 16, and a rear surface corresponding to the rear wall 17. The inner mold 59 is connected to the lower end of the piston rod 67a of the first cylinder 67, and is raised and lowered inside and outside the mold surface 60 of the outer mold 57 by the movement of the piston rod 67a. The inner mold 59 is hollow, and cooling air, indicated by the arrow, is sent into its interior via a plug 68 and discharged into the atmosphere through an exhaust port 69. As a result, the outer surface of the inner mold 59 is constantly cooled.

[0033] The lifting type 58 and the inner mold 59 overlap in their vertical projection relationship. The mold surface 60 and the lifting type 58 are arranged in an internal-external positional relationship in the vertical projection direction, and one of their hypotenuses is perpendicular to the direction of movement of the slider 92 of the rodless cylinder 91, which will be described later.

[0034] As shown in Figures 11 and 12(a), guide rails 71 and 72 are provided on both sides of the mold surface 60 at the upper surface of the outer mold 57, and these guide rails 71 and 72 guide the paper 12 from the supply unit 51 to a waiting position above the mold surface 60. Around the mold surface 60, first to third guide rods 73 to 75, a receiving plate 76 having a receiving portion 76a and a regulating portion 76b, a guide block 77, and first to third guide members 78 to 80 consisting of rods are arranged on the upper surface of the outer mold 57. The first guide rod 73 extends along one of the slanted sides. The tips of the second and third guide rods 74 and 75 are close to different slanted sides of the mold surface 60, respectively. The receiving plate 76 is positioned spaced apart from the mold surface 60 between the first and third guide rods 73 and 75. The guide block 77 is located near the bottom edge of the mold surface 60. The first to third guide rods 73 to 75 and the receiving plate 76 are fixed to the apparatus frame 56 of the molding apparatus. The guide block 77 and the first to third guide members 78 to 80 are fixed to the upper surface of the outer mold 57.

[0035] The first guide member 78 is positioned so as to cross the vertex opposite the bottom edge of the mold surface 60 when viewed from above. The second guide member 79 extends along the slanted edge near the aforementioned vertex. A pair of third guide members 80 extend along the slanted edge near the bottom edge of the mold surface 60. The second and third guide members 79 and 80 constitute the pressing portion.

[0036] The tips of the first to third guide rods 73 to 75, the receiving portion 76a of the receiving plate 76, the upper surface of the guide block 77, and the upper end of the first guide member 78 are all at the same height. The upper end of the second guide member 79 and the upper end of the third guide member 80 are at the same height relative to each other and are located higher than the upper ends of the first to third guide rods 73 to 75, etc.

[0037] <Function of the excipient 52> The paper 12 stocked in the supply unit 51 is fed one sheet at a time through the guide plate 55 to the shaping unit 52 by a sheet-feed device (not shown). The paper 12 that has been fed to the shaping unit 52 is guided by guide rails 71 and 72 and is positioned and held in a standby position, which is a set position above the mold surface 60, by the end of the guide rail 71 and the restricting portion 76b of the receiving plate 76. In this standby position, the bottom wall 14 of the paper 12 is in the same position as the projection plane of the lifting mold 58 and the inner mold 59. At this time, the paper 12 is placed on the upper end surfaces of the second guide member 79 and the third guide member 80. If the paper 12 bends downward due to its own weight, the paper 12 is supported by the guide rods 73-75, the guide block 77, the receiving portion 76a of the receiving plate 76, and the first guide member 78.

[0038] In this state, the inner mold 59, which is in the raised position, is lowered. As a result, the bottom wall 14 portion of the paper 12 is pushed down by the inner mold 59. At this time, the upper end surfaces of the second guide member 79 and the third guide member 80 are positioned higher than the other guide members 78, guide rails 71, 72, guide rods 73, etc., and face the lower triangular regions 31 and 34. Therefore, as shown in Figure 5(a), the triangular regions 31 and 34 are folded inward by the second guide member 79 and the third guide member 80, ahead of the other parts. Subsequently, the quadrilateral region 32 and the arc-shaped region 36, etc. are folded inward by engagement with the other guide members 78, guide rails 71, 72, guide rods 73, guide blocks 77, etc. In this way, the paper 12 is shaped into a boat shape through the states shown in Figures 5(b) and (c).

[0039] Then, with the paper 12 received by the lifting type 58, it is pressed between the mold surface 60 of the inner mold 59 and the outer mold 57. Consequently, the lower triangular region 31 and the triangular region 34 are pressed against one of the quadrilateral regions 32, and the protruding portion 31b of the higher triangular region 31 is also pressed against the same quadrilateral region 32. Furthermore, both triangular regions 34 are pressed against both triangular regions 33, and the protruding portions 35a of both triangular regions 35 are pressed against the protruding portions 33a of both triangular regions 33. At this time, the surface layer 13 is melted by the heat of the mold surface 60.

[0040] Subsequently, the inner mold 59 rises and returns to its original position. At this time, the lifting mechanism 58 is raised by the spring 64, so the formed container 11 rises following the inner mold 59. Since the inner mold 59 is cooled by cooling air, when the container 11 comes out of the mold surface 60, the molten surface layer 13 cools and solidifies, and the aforementioned pressure-welded portion also cools and solidifies, bonding them together.

[0041] In this way, the boat-shaped container 11 is formed by molding. As described above, in the molding method of this embodiment, a triangular bottom wall 14 is formed by folding the paper 12 along the ridge line 25, etc., between an inner mold 59 and an outer mold 57 that are able to move closer together and further apart. Then, a pair of first side walls 15 and 16 are formed, rising from the bottom wall 14 and connected to each other at one end via the triangular area 31, etc. Furthermore, a rear wall 17 is formed, rising from the bottom wall 14 and located between the other ends of the two first side walls 15 and 16.

[0042] <Configuration and conveying operation of the conveying unit 53> As shown in Figures 10 and 16, the transport section 53 has a rodless cylinder (hereinafter referred to as R cylinder) 91. The R cylinder 91 is provided with a reciprocating slider 92. As shown in Figures 11 and 15, a claw 93 is attached to the slider 92 so as to be able to enter the guide groove 66 of the inner mold 59 from above, and a retainer 94 made of a leaf spring is attached to the claw 93 so as to contact it with elastic force. The lower end of the retainer 94 is curved so as to be separated from the claw 93.

[0043] As shown in Figures 14 and 15, a guide groove 66 is formed on the upper part of the slope on the slider 92 side of the inner mold 59. The slider 92 is moved in a direction perpendicular to this slope. As shown in Figure 16, at the forward end of the slider 92, a push-down member 97 is fixed to the lower end of the piston rod 95a of the second cylinder 95, which is fixed to the device frame 56. The push-down member 97 has a bifurcated operating part 97a and a single operating part 97b.

[0044] A groove 98 is installed between the shaping section 52 and the folding section 54 so as to be opposite to the reciprocating movement area of ​​the claws 93 and the presser 94. In the above configuration, when the container 11 is pushed up by the lifting mechanism 58 while fitted onto the inner mold 59, the claws 93 enter the guide groove 66 of the inner mold 59 located inside the container 11, and the side wall 15 of the container 11 is gripped between the claws 93 and the retainer 94. Then, when the inner mold 59 rises further, the gripped container 11 is released from the inner mold 59 without rising and becomes suspended in mid-air. In this state, the forward movement of the slider 92 of the R cylinder 91 moves the gripped container 11 toward the folding section 54.

[0045] Then, at the end of its forward movement, the cylinder 95 lowers the push-down member 97 to the folded position 109 of the folding section 54. That is, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 4, the operating parts 97a and 97b of the push-down member 97 push down the bottom wall 14 of the container 11. As a result, the container 11 is pushed down from the gripping position. After that, the push-down member 97 returns to its upright position, and the slider 92 returns to its original position on the shaping section 52 side.

[0046] Because the hypotenuse of the inner mold 59 is perpendicular to the direction of movement of the slider 92, the side wall 15 of the container 11, which is raised together with the inner mold 59, is smoothly gripped between the claw 93 and the retainer 94. Furthermore, even if the grip on the container 11 loosens while the container 11 is being transported by the slider 92, the container 11 is prevented from falling by the trough 98.

[0047] <Configuration of the folding section 54> As shown in Figures 16 and 17, a base 101 is fixed to the end of the device frame 56, and a movable platform 102 is supported on this base 101 so as to be able to move back and forth via rails 100. A third cylinder 103 is supported on the base 101, and the movable platform 102 is moved back and forth via a connecting member 105 as the piston rod 103a of this cylinder extends and retracts.

[0048] A fourth cylinder 107 is rotatably supported at its base end via a shaft 108 on the movable platform 102. A support member 104 is fixed on the movable platform 102. A movable blade member 116 is supported at the front end of this support member 104 via a shaft 112 so as to be able to rise and fall. The tip of the piston rod 107a of the fourth cylinder 107 is connected to a projection 114 on the back of the movable blade member 116 via a shaft 115. As shown in Figure 19, the movable blade member 116 is provided with a pair of movable blades 116a on its front side, and both movable blades 116a are formed in a shape (V-shape) with their upper ends close together. At the folded position 109 of the front end of the movable platform 102, one upward-facing fixed blade 117 is fixed so as to extend in the front-rear direction.

[0049] A guide plate 118 is mounted on the base 101, facing the end of the trough 98 and inclined toward the folded position 109. A pair of guide plates 119 are mounted on the movable platform 102, inclined so that the distance between them narrows from the end of the slider 92's forward movement toward the folded position 109. The guide plates 118 and 119 guide the container 11 toward the lower folded position.

[0050] A pair of pressure rollers 120 are rotatably mounted on the base 101 in front of the fixed blade 117. These pressure rollers 120 are rotated at the same speed in opposite directions (P and Q directions) around a central axis 120a by a motor (not shown). In this embodiment, the folding mechanism is composed of the movable blade member 116, the fixed blade member, and the pressure rollers 120.

[0051] <Function of the folding part 54> As shown in Figure 17(a), the container 11, pushed down to the folded position 109 by the push-down member 97, is placed on the fixed blade 117. At this time, as shown in Figures 4 and 7(c), the groove 21 of the container 11 is positioned along the fixed blade 117. In this state, as shown in Figure 18, the fourth cylinder 107 rotates around the axis 108, and its piston rod 107a protrudes. As a result, the movable blade member 116 rotates downward from the upright position around the axis 115. Consequently, as shown in Figures 6(b) and (c), the movable blade 116a presses against the outer surface of the groove 23, and the groove 21 of the bottom wall 14 is relatively pushed up by the fixed blade 117. As a result, the rear wall 17 of the container 11 is bent towards the bottom wall 14, and the bottom wall 14 is bent around the groove 21. Then, the rear wall 17 is pressed against the fixed blade 117 side via the bottom wall 14, and bent around the ridge 29 and also around the ridge 28.

[0052] Next, as shown in Figure 17(b), after the movable blade member 116 returns to the upright position due to the retraction of the piston rod 107a of the fourth cylinder 107, the movable platform 102 is moved forward by the third cylinder 103. As a result, the front end of the container 11 is introduced between the rotating pressure rollers 120 and is pulled between the two pressure rollers 120 by the rotation of the pressure rollers 120. Consequently, the container 11 is flattened by being squeezed from both sides by the pressure rollers 120 and then discharged forward by the rotation of the pressure rollers 120. The movable platform 102 returns to its original position almost simultaneously with the container 11 being pulled between the pressure rollers 120.

[0053] As described above, in the molding apparatus of this embodiment, an outer mold 57 corresponding to the shape of the outer surface of the container 11 and an inner mold 59 corresponding to the shape of the inner surface of the container 11 are arranged so as to be able to move closer to and further apart from the setting position of the paper 12. Between the outer mold 57 and the inner mold 59, a triangular bottom wall 14 is formed from the paper 12, and a pair of side walls 15 and 16 rise from the bottom wall 14 and are connected to each other at the front end. Furthermore, the mold is shaped to have a rear wall 17 that rises from the bottom wall 14 and is located between the rear ends of both side walls 15 and 16.

[0054] Furthermore, the molding apparatus of this embodiment has a movable blade member 116 and a fixed blade 117 that fold in their entirety at a position passing through the center of the bottom wall 14 of the container 11. (Effects of the first embodiment) This embodiment has the following effects:

[0055] (1) The paper 12, which has been punched into a predetermined shape and has fold lines formed on it, is folded along the fold lines between the outer die 57 and the inner die 59 in the forming section 52. This forms an isosceles triangular bottom wall 14 and a pair of side walls 15 and 16 that rise from the bottom wall 14 and are connected to each other at the front end. At the same time, a rear wall 17 is formed that rises from the bottom wall 14 and is located between the other ends of the side walls 15 and 16. In this way, a boat-shaped container 11 can be automatically formed as a whole.

[0056] (2) The shaping section 52 shapes the paper 12 by squeezing it between the mold surface 60 of the outer mold 57 and the inner mold 59. At this time, the second guide member 79 and the third guide member 80 of the outer mold 57 fold the triangular regions 31 and 34 of the paper 12 inward in advance. Since these triangular regions 31 and 34 are located at the tip of the bow and both ends of the stern of the container 11, the shaping of the boat shape proceeds smoothly.

[0057] (3) When shaping the container 11, the lower triangular area 31, which is the part between the side walls 15 and 16, and the lower triangular area 34, which is the part between the side walls 15 and 16 and the rear wall 17, are folded inward into the container 11. Then, by overlapping and adhering the folded parts to the side walls 15 and 16, an appropriate boat shape can be maintained. At this time, since the triangular areas 31 and 34 are pressed against the side walls 15 and 16, the triangular areas 31 and 34 do not get in the way, and a container 11 that is easy to use for urine collection can be realized.

[0058] (4) The container 11 is constructed from pulp, and a surface layer 13 made of synthetic resin is provided on its inner surface to prevent moisture from passing through. By utilizing the surface layer 13, an adhesive function is provided to maintain the shape of the container 11. Therefore, since there is no need to use adhesive, the container 11 is easy to mold. In addition, since the container 11 is constructed from pulp, the environmental burden during disposal can be reduced.

[0059] (5) The formed container 11 is folded flat as a whole at a point that passes through the center of the bottom wall 14 between the side walls 15 and 16, which is convenient for storing the container 11. (6) The formed container 11 is grasped in the transport section 53 and transported to the folding section 54, where it is folded into a flat shape. Thus, the boat-shaped formation and folding of the paper 12 can be carried out continuously. In other words, the formation and folding can be carried out in an integrated manner, and the molding of the container 11 can be made more labor-saving.

[0060] (Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described based on Figures 20 to 23. In this embodiment, the focus will be on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0061] In the first embodiment, the container 11 was flattened by being pressed by a pair of pressing rollers 120. In contrast, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 20 and 23, a pair of plate-shaped clamping members 122 are used as the folding means instead of the pressing rollers 120, and the container 11 is flattened by these clamping members 122.

[0062] In other words, in this embodiment, the movable platform 102 is not provided with a movable guide plate 119. Fixed guide plates 118 are provided on both sides of the movable platform 102 on the base 101. A clamping member 122 is supported on the piston rod 121a of a pair of cylinders 121 mounted on the base 101, and the pair of clamping members 122 can move closer to and further apart as the piston rod 121a moves in and out. This clamping member 122 is located in front of the movable platform 102. A recess 123 is provided at the front end of the base 101. As shown in Figure 22, an air nozzle 124 for injecting air is installed above the clamping member 122. In this embodiment, the folding mechanism is composed of a movable blade member 116, a fixed blade 117, and a clamping member 122.

[0063] In this embodiment, it operates as follows. As shown in Figure 22, the formed container 11 is placed on the fixed blade 117, similar to the first embodiment, and then pressed by the movable blade 116a of the movable blade member 116, as shown in Figure 20. Next, after the movable blade member 116 returns to its upright position, the movable platform 102 moves forward, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 22, so that the container 11 is positioned between the clamping members 122. Then, as shown in Figure 21, the container 11 is clamped by the clamping members 122 by the drive of the cylinder 121. After that, the clamping members 122 are retracted from the clamping position. Then, the air injected from the air nozzle 124 is injected onto the container 11 from the rear, and the movable platform 102 is retracted. As a result, the flattened and folded container 11 falls through the recess 123 and is contained.

[0064] (Example of change) The present invention is not limited to the first and second embodiments described above, and can also be implemented in the following forms.

[0065] As shown by the dashed lines in Figures 12(a) and 12(b), a guide member 761 is provided on the upstream side of the receiving plate 76 to guide the paper 12 towards the receiving portion 76a and regulating portion 76b of the receiving plate 76.

[0066] As shown by the dashed lines in Figures 10 and 17, a restraining member 120b is provided between the central axes 120a that serve as the rotation centers of both pressing rollers 120. This allows the upper ends of both pressing rollers 120 to receive the force acting in the separation direction when the container 11 is pressed by the two pressing rollers 120, thereby enabling more reliable pressing of the container 11.

[0067] In the molding section 52, the inner mold 59 is positioned in a fixed position, and the outer mold 57 is positioned so as to be able to move closer to and further away from the inner mold 59. • Use water or oil as the cooling medium for the internal mold 59.

[0068] • As paper 12, in addition to waterproof pulp paper, synthetic resin sheets, waterproof woven or knitted fabrics, etc. may be used. In the above embodiment, the overlapping portion is overlapped with the side wall and adhered to the side wall. In contrast, the overlapping portion is overlapped with the rear wall and adhered to the rear wall. Alternatively, the overlapping portion is overlapped with both the side wall and the rear wall and adhered to both the side wall and the rear wall.

[0069] The cylinder 121 and clamping member 122 of the second embodiment are provided downstream of the pressing roller 120 of the first embodiment. As a result, the container 11, which has been flattened by the pressing roller 120, is further compressed by the clamping member 122 to become even thinner, making it easier to handle.

[0070] • Apply adhesive only to the overlapping portion of the paper 12. - Laminating a sheet made of a polymer material that exhibits adhesive properties upon melting onto paper 12.

[0071] (Other technological ideas) The technical concepts that can be understood from the above embodiments are as follows. (A) A method for forming a container according to claim 2, wherein, during the shaping process, the portion between the two first side walls and the portion between the two first side walls and the second side wall are folded inward, and the folded portions are overlapped and bonded to the inner surface. This molding method allows for easy formation of a boat-shaped container.

[0072] (B) A method for forming a container according to claim 2, wherein the formed container is folded flat at a position passing through the center of the bottom wall between the two first side walls. This method makes it possible to form the container in a shape that is convenient for storage and carrying.

[0073] (C) A method for forming a container according to claim 2, wherein after folding the second side wall of the formed container toward the bottom wall, the container is folded at a position passing through the center of the bottom wall between the two first side walls to flatten the entire container. In this way, the container can be easily folded flat.

[0074] (D) A container molding apparatus having a container shaping device and a container folding device according to claim 1. With this configuration, container shaping and folding can be manufactured continuously using the same molding apparatus.

[0075] (E) A container molding apparatus in which, in the technical concept of item (D) above, a conveying device is provided between the forming device and the folding device for conveying the container formed by the forming device to the folding device. With this configuration, the formed container can be conveyed to the folding device. Therefore, the entire process from forming to folding of the container can be carried out in an integrated manner.

[0076] (F) A folding device for a container having a folding mechanism that folds the container, which is shaped to have a triangular bottom wall, a pair of side walls rising from the bottom wall and connected to each other at one end, and a rear wall rising from the bottom wall and located between the other ends of the side walls, into a flat shape at a point passing through the center of the bottom wall between the side walls. Thus, the container can be made into a flat shape that is convenient for storage and carrying. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0077] 11...Container 12…Container paper 14…Bottom wall 15…First side wall 16…Second side wall 17…Back wall 25…Fold lines 28…Fold lines 31…Triangle area 33…Triangle area 34…Triangle area 35…Triangle area 52…Shaping part 54...Folding part 57...Outer mold 59…Inner mold 79…Second guide member 80…Third guide member

Claims

1. A container paper comprising: a triangular bottom wall demarcated by fold lines on three sides; a pair of first side walls continuous with the bottom wall via the fold lines on two sides and capable of rising from the fold lines; a second side wall continuous with the bottom wall via the fold line on the remaining side and capable of rising from the fold line; and overlapping portions provided between the two first side walls and between the two first side walls and the second side wall, which can be overlapped with at least one of the first and second side walls when the first and second side walls are raised, all formed on a single sheet of paper, with adhesive provided at least on the overlapping portions for bonding in an overlapping state.

2. A method for forming a container, wherein the paper for the container described in claim 1 is folded along the fold lines between an inner mold and an outer mold that are movable toward and apart from each other, thereby forming the container to have a triangular bottom wall, a pair of first side walls that rise from the bottom wall and are connected to each other at one end via the overlapping portion, and a second side wall that rises from the bottom wall and is located between the other ends of the two first side walls.

3. A container molding apparatus that arranges an outer mold corresponding to the shape of the outer surface of a container and an inner mold corresponding to the shape of the inner surface of the container so as to be able to move closer to and further apart from the set position of the container paper described in claim 1, and between the outer mold and the inner mold, shapes the container paper so as to have a triangular bottom wall, a pair of first side walls rising from the bottom wall and connected to each other at the front end, and a second side wall rising from the bottom wall and located between the rear ends of the two side walls, A container molding apparatus having a mold provided with a pressing section on the outer mold for folding the portion between the two side walls and the portion between the two side walls and the rear wall inwards.

4. The container molding apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a folding means for folding the entire container into a flattened shape at a position passing through the center of the bottom wall between the two side walls of the container.

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