Manufacturing method for bottle-shaped container packaging

Abstract

A method for manufacturing a bottle-shaped container package comprising a packaging box, a partition member that divides the inside of the packaging box in a grid-like shape in a plan view, and a plurality of bottle-shaped containers each stored in a storage space partitioned by the partition member, the method for manufacturing a bottle-shaped container package that can appropriately store a plurality of bottle-shaped containers inside the packaging box without requiring a complex mechanism or manual work by an operator, depending on the type of packaging box and bottle-shaped containers. [Solution] The method includes a bottle-shaped container gripping step of gripping multiple bottle-shaped containers together, a bottle-shaped container moving step of moving the gripped bottle-shaped containers to a position directly above the packaging box, a bottle-shaped container supply step of lowering and supplying the bottle-shaped containers into the packaging box, a partition member insertion step of inserting a partition member from above into the packaging box into which the bottle-shaped containers have been supplied, and leaving the partition member in a state where its lower end is inserted into the upper end inside the packaging box, and a vibration step of vibrating the packaging box to cause the partition member to fall toward the bottom surface of the packaging box.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a bottle-shaped container package.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a packaging form for a bottle-shaped container enclosing a liquid content such as drinking water or a seasoning, a rectangular box-shaped packaging box, an inner partition member that partitions the inside of the packaging box in a grid pattern in a plan view, and a plurality of bottle-shaped containers to be respectively stored in each storage space inside the packaging box partitioned by the inner partition member are known. As a method for manufacturing a bottle-shaped container package, mainly, a method of pre-storing an inner partition member inside the package and inserting a plurality of bottle-shaped containers together in accordance with the positions of the respective storage spaces (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as the "inner partition member first insertion method"), or a method of pre-storing a plurality of bottle-shaped containers inside the package and inserting an inner partition member in accordance with the positions of the gaps between a pair of adjacent bottle-shaped containers (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as the "inner partition member later insertion method") can be mentioned.

[0003] Regarding the above inner partition member later insertion method, it is difficult to stably insert the inner partition member toward the bottom surface of the packaging box, and it is generally performed manually by an operator, which is time-consuming. Therefore, there has been a high demand for automation in order to improve productivity.

[0004] On the other hand, regarding the above inner partition member first insertion method, various facilities for automatically performing it are already known. For example, as an example, in Patent Document 1, a container conveyor for conveying a container (bottle-shaped container), a box conveyor for conveying a storage box (packaging box) arranged parallel to the container conveyor, and a transfer mechanism provided between these container conveyor and box conveyor, which holds and hangs a plurality of bottle-shaped containers on the container conveyor together by a grip mechanism and transfers the plurality of bottle-shaped containers to the packaging box on the box conveyor, is disclosed. In the above-described container boxing machine, a container row adjustment mechanism is provided that allows the spacing between rows of multiple bottle-shaped containers (the arrangement pitch in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the container conveyor in a plan view) to be pre-adjusted to the spacing between rows of multiple bottle-shaped containers when they are stored in a packaging box. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-123316 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] When the interior of a packaging box is divided into a grid pattern in plan view by a partition member, the arrangement of multiple bottle-shaped containers stored in the packaging box must be adjusted in advance to match the arrangement of multiple bottle-shaped containers when stored inside the packaging box, not only in terms of the arrangement pitch in one direction (hereinafter referred to as the "Y-direction arrangement pitch"), but also in terms of the arrangement pitch in another direction perpendicular to the Y-direction arrangement pitch in plan view (hereinafter referred to as the "X-direction arrangement pitch"). However, in the container packing machine described in Patent Document 1, while it is possible to adjust the arrangement pitch in the Y direction using the container row adjustment mechanism, the arrangement pitch in the X direction is not adjustable. Therefore, in order to adjust the arrangement pitch in the X direction, it is necessary to provide a separate new container row adjustment mechanism.

[0007] As a means of adjusting the arrangement pitch (X-direction arrangement pitch and Y-direction arrangement pitch) in two mutually orthogonal directions when viewed from above for multiple bottle-shaped containers stored in a packaging box, one possible method is to provide a variable mechanism that allows the arrangement pitch of multiple grips for holding each bottle-shaped container to be varied in each of these two directions during the manufacturing process. For example, to match the pitch when gripping multiple bottle-shaped containers supplied from upstream with the pitch when storing them in a packing box, one method is to use a two-axis motor or the like to variably adjust the X-direction and Y-direction arrangement pitch in the section from when the bottle-shaped containers are gripped to when they are stored in the packing box. However, such variable mechanisms involve structural complexity and weight, which can lead to increased equipment costs and decreased production efficiency.

[0008] On the other hand, as an alternative to adding the variable mechanism described above, for example, in a grip mechanism comprising a movable frame and a plurality of grips protruding downward from the lower surface of the movable frame, an elastic member such as a rubber member can be interposed between the movable frame and each grip, thereby allowing each grip to be tilted freely in any direction relative to the movable frame via the elastic member. When a grip mechanism with such a configuration is adopted, multiple guides are separately placed between the packaging box, which is partitioned in a grid pattern in plan view by a partition member, and the grip mechanism located directly above the packaging box, according to the arrangement pitch of each storage space inside the packaging box. While lowering the movable frame, the bottle-shaped containers held (suspended) by each grip are brought into sliding contact with the guides, and each grip is tilted in an arbitrary direction, thereby adjusting the arrangement pitch of the multiple bottle-shaped containers in the two directions (arrangement pitch in the X direction and arrangement pitch in the Y direction). Therefore, depending on the type of packaging box or bottle-shaped container, the arrangement pitch and size of each storage space inside the packaging box must be changed each time, requiring the replacement of multiple lure guides. As the variety of packaging boxes and bottle-shaped containers increases, the number of lure guides that need to be prepared in advance also increases, requiring sufficient space for storing these multiple lure guides.

[0009] Furthermore, in the case of a grip mechanism as described above, where elastic members are interposed between the moving frame and each grip, for example, when multiple bottle-shaped containers are held (suspended) by each grip and then horizontally moved to a position directly above the packaging box, these grips will tilt relatively significantly relative to the moving frame due to the influence of inertial forces, etc. As a result, it will take time for the lateral swaying of the grips to subside immediately after reaching the position directly above, which may become an obstacle to shortening the cycle time.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the current situation described above, and aims to provide a method for manufacturing a bottle-shaped container package comprising a packaging box, a partition member that divides the inside of the packaging box in a grid shape in plan view, and a plurality of bottle-shaped containers each stored in a storage space inside the packaging box partitioned by the partition member, wherein the method enables the appropriate storage of a plurality of bottle-shaped containers inside the packaging box without having a complex mechanism and without the intervention of manual work by an operator, depending on the type of packaging box and bottle-shaped containers, and provides a method for manufacturing a bottle-shaped container package comprising a separable partition member and a packaging box in which a plurality of bottle-shaped containers are stored. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The problems that this invention aims to solve are as described above, and the means for solving these problems will now be explained.

[0012] That is, a method for manufacturing a bottle-shaped container package according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a bottle-shaped container package comprising a package box, a partition member that divides the inside of the package box into a grid shape in plan view, and a plurality of bottle-shaped containers each stored in a storage space inside the package box partitioned by the partition member, the method comprising: a gripping step of gripping the plurality of bottle-shaped containers together; a moving step of moving the plurality of bottle-shaped containers gripped in the gripping step to a position directly above the package box, which has an open top; and lowering the plurality of bottle-shaped containers moved in the moving step into the inside of the package box and inserting them thereafter, and then releasing the gripping state of the plurality of bottle-shaped containers. The present invention is characterized by comprising: a supply step of supplying the plurality of bottle-shaped containers into the interior of the packaging box; an insertion step of inserting a partition member from above into the interior of the packaging box into which the plurality of bottle-shaped containers have been supplied by the supply step, and leaving the lower end of the partition member inserted into the upper end of the interior of the packaging box; and a vibration step of applying vibration to the packaging box into which the partition member has been inserted by the insertion step, and / or the partition member inserted into the upper end of the interior of the packaging box, and / or at least one of the bottle-shaped containers supplied into the interior of the packaging box, thereby causing the partition member to fall toward the bottom surface of the packaging box. In the above vibration process, the object to which vibration is applied may be any of the following: a packaging box, multiple bottle-shaped containers supplied inside the packaging box, or a partition member inserted into the upper end of the inside of the packaging box, or at least two or more of these packaging boxes, bottle-shaped containers, and partition members. Thus, in the method for manufacturing a bottle-shaped container package according to the present invention, a gripping step, a moving step, and a supply step are performed in order to pre-store a plurality of bottle-shaped containers inside the package, and then an insertion step and a vibration step are performed in order to insert a partition member into a predetermined position inside the package box (for example, the position where the partition member lands on the bottom surface of the package box) in accordance with the position of the gap between adjacent pairs of bottle-shaped containers. Therefore, according to the manufacturing method of the bottle-shaped container package according to the present invention, before supplying a plurality of bottle-shaped containers into the package during the manufacturing process, there is no need to preliminarily adjust the arrangement pitch of the plurality of bottle-shaped containers according to the thickness of the inner partition member partitioned in a grid pattern in plan view, and there is no need to separately provide a complicated mechanism to make the arrangement pitch adjustable. However, at the preparation stage before manufacturing, a mechanism for adjusting the gripping pitch and arrangement pitch of the plurality of bottle-shaped containers may be provided according to the type of the packaging box and the bottle-shaped containers. Further, after supplying a plurality of bottle-shaped containers into the packaging box, by vibrating the packaging box with the inner partition member inserted therein through a vibration process, the inner partition member is moved and arranged to the above-mentioned predetermined position through the gap between a pair of adjacent bottle-shaped containers. Therefore, the inner partition member can be arranged at an appropriate position without the intervention of manual work by an operator, and a plurality of bottle-shaped containers can be appropriately stored for each storage space.

[0013] Moreover, the manufacturing method of the bottle-shaped container package according to Aspect 2 of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above Aspect 1, the vibration process is executed when the packaging box is conveyed in a predetermined direction. Here, regarding the specific timing when the vibration process is executed, as long as the vibration process is executed when the packaging box is conveyed in a predetermined direction, such as immediately after the execution of the above insertion process until immediately before the conveyance of the packaging box specifically starts, or while the conveyance of the packaging box continues, any timing may be used. That is, when the packaging box is being conveyed in a predetermined direction, it is sufficient that the vibration process is continuously executed over the conveyed time (T1), or only for a predetermined time (T2: T2 < T1) shorter than the time (T1). Also, regarding the timing when the vibration starts, it may be any timing when the packaging box is stopped or being conveyed. [[ID= 11]] With this configuration, according to the method for manufacturing bottle-shaped container packaging according to the present invention, for example, after the packaging box in which the partition members and multiple bottle-shaped containers have been placed is transported toward a subsequent process in which the flap is closed and the open top surface is sealed, the supply of bottle-shaped containers, the supply of partition members, and the sealing of the packaging box can be carried out in a continuous series of production processes, thereby shortening the cycle time and improving the overall production efficiency of the equipment.

[0014] Furthermore, the method for manufacturing a bottle-shaped container packaging body according to embodiment 3 of the present invention is characterized in that, in embodiment 1 or embodiment 2, the vibration step is performed by applying vibration to the side and / or bottom surface of the packaging box. With this configuration, according to the method for manufacturing bottle-shaped container packaging of the present invention, when manufacturing bottle-shaped container packaging while transporting the packaging box by means of transporting means such as a belt conveyor or other transporting device having a transport plate, the packaging box can be reliably vibrated by the conveyor belt or transport plate that comes into contact with the bottom surface of the packaging box, and / or by guide members that come into contact with the sides of the packaging box and guide the transport direction, thereby enabling the above vibration process to be carried out stably.

[0015] Furthermore, the method for manufacturing a bottle-shaped container packaging according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention is characterized in that, in any of Embodiments 1 to 3 above, it further comprises a transport step, which is performed after the supply step and before the insertion step, for transporting the packaging box containing the plurality of bottle-shaped containers in a predetermined direction, and a stopping step, which stops the packaging being transported by the transport step at a predetermined position, and the insertion step is performed after the stopping step. By having such a configuration, according to the manufacturing method of the bottle-shaped container package according to the present invention, after supplying a plurality of bottle-shaped containers to the packing box in the supply step, while executing the conveying step and the stopping step, and conveying toward the subsequent step of sealing the upper surface of the above-mentioned packing box, the supply operation of the bottle-shaped containers, the supply operation of the intermediate partition member, and the sealing operation of the packing box can be more reliably performed by a series of continuous production steps, shortening the cycle time, and improving the production efficiency of the entire facility.

[0016] Moreover, in the manufacturing method of the bottle-shaped container package according to Aspect 5 of the present invention, in any of the above Aspects 1 to 4, the insertion step is performed by an insertion device that moves to a position directly above the packing box while holding the intermediate partition member, inserts the lower end portion of the intermediate partition member into the upper end portion inside the packing box, and then releases the holding state of the intermediate partition member. By having such a configuration, according to the manufacturing method of the bottle-shaped container package according to the present invention, by using an insertion device without involving manual work of an operator, automation of the supply operation of the intermediate partition member can be achieved.

Effects of the Invention

[0017] As effects of the present invention, the following effects are achieved. That is, according to the manufacturing method of the bottle-shaped container package according to the present invention, according to the types of the packing box and the bottle-shaped container, without having a complicated mechanism and without involving manual work by an operator, a plurality of bottle-shaped containers can be appropriately stored inside the packing box.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] [Figure 1] It is a partial cross-sectional side view showing the overall configuration of a manufacturing apparatus for a bottle-shaped container package that implements the manufacturing method of the bottle-shaped container package according to the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a process diagram showing the procedures of each process constituting the manufacturing method of the bottle-shaped container package in chronological order. [Figure 3]It is a diagram showing the configuration of the bottle-shaped container package, where (a) is a plan view thereof, and (b) is a cross-sectional side view seen in the direction of arrow Z in Fig. 3(a).

Embodiment for Implementing the Invention

[0019] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3. For the following description, for convenience, the front-back direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction of the manufacturing apparatus 1 of the bottle-shaped container package M will be defined and described according to the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 1. Also, the conveyance direction of the packing box Ma will be defined and described according to the direction of arrow A shown in Figs. 1 and 3(a)(b).

[0020] [Overall Configuration of the Manufacturing Apparatus 1 of the Bottle-Shaped Container Package M] First, the overall configuration of the manufacturing apparatus 1 of the bottle-shaped container package M (hereinafter simply referred to as "manufacturing apparatus 1") for implementing the manufacturing method of the bottle-shaped container package M according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 1 and 3(a)(b).

[0021] The manufacturing apparatus 1 in the present embodiment is an apparatus for continuously manufacturing a bottle-shaped container package M in which a plurality of bottle-shaped containers Mc, Mc,... of a predetermined number are stored inside a packing box Ma partitioned by an intermediate partition member Mb.

[0022] Here, as shown in Figs. 3(a)(b), the bottle-shaped container package M mainly includes a packing box Ma made of rectangular cardboard, an intermediate partition member Mb that partitions the inside of the packing box Ma in a grid pattern in plan view, and a plurality of bottle-shaped containers Mc, Mc,... respectively stored in each storage space Q, Q,... inside the packing box Ma partitioned by the intermediate partition member Mb.

[0023] The packaging box Ma has a pair of upper outer flaps Ma11, Ma11 and a pair of upper inner flaps Ma12, Ma12 that can be opened from the top, and a pair of lower outer flaps Ma21, Ma21 and a pair of lower inner flaps Ma22, Ma22 that can be opened from the bottom (Note that since Figure 3(b) is a cross-sectional side view, only one upper outer flap Ma11 and one lower outer flap Ma21 are shown).

[0024] The packaging box Ma is then placed into the first position P1 (see Figure 1) of the first packaging box transport means 3, which will be described later, with the lower outer flap Ma21 and the lower inner flap 22 closed to seal the bottom surface of the packaging box Ma, and the upper outer flap Ma11 and the upper inner flap 12 opened to open the top surface of the packaging box Ma. Subsequently, through various processes (bottle-shaped container gripping process S01, bottle-shaped container moving process S02, bottle-shaped container supply process S03, partition member insertion process S06, and vibration process S08), multiple bottle-shaped containers Mc·Mc··· and partition members Mb are placed inside the packaging box Ma, and a bottle-shaped container packaging body M is constructed.

[0025] The partition member Mb, like the packaging box Ma, is made of a paper material such as corrugated cardboard. Furthermore, the partition member Mb comprises a plurality (in this embodiment, a pair) of first partition members Mb1·Mb1, each consisting of a rectangular plate-shaped member extending to one side, and a plurality (in this embodiment, four) of second partition members Mb2·Mb2···, each consisting of a rectangular plate-shaped member that is shorter than the first partition member Mb1.

[0026] Here, the shape and material of the packaging box Ma and the partition member Mb are not particularly limited. For example, the material may be a thermoplastic resin member, but in this embodiment, it is made of a paper material such as corrugated cardboard, which transmits vibrations less easily than a resin member, so the effect of the vibration process S08 described later can be felt more clearly.

[0027] Regarding the shape of the packing box Ma, it may be a packing box without flaps (upper outer flap Ma11 and upper inner flap Ma12) on the upper surface, with the upper surface being open, and regarding the lower surface, it may also be a simple integral resin case or a resin folding container without flaps (lower outer flap Ma21 and lower inner flap 22).

[0028] Note that as the shape of the packing box Ma, a packing box with the side and the bottom integrally formed transmits vibration more easily. However, even for a packing box in which the side and the bottom are not integrally formed (for example, a packing box of a type where the bottom is closed with a flap), the intermediate partition member Mb can be efficiently dropped downward in the vibration step S08 described later.

[0029] The length dimension La11 of the first intermediate partition member Mb1 is set to be substantially equal (La11≒La) or slightly smaller (La11<La) than the length dimension La inside the packing box Ma, and its height dimension H11 is set so as not to be larger than the depth dimension H inside the packing box Ma (specifically, about 50 to 100% with respect to the depth dimension H (H11≒H×50 to 100%)).

[0030] On the other hand, the length dimension Lb21 of the second intermediate partition member Mb2 is set to be substantially equal (Lb21≒Lb) or slightly smaller (Lb21<Lb) than the short side dimension Lb inside the packing box Ma, and its height dimension H21 is substantially equal to the height dimension H11 of the first intermediate partition member Mb1 (H21≒H11) and is set so as not to be larger than the depth dimension H inside the packing box Ma (specifically, about 50 to 100% with respect to the depth dimension H (H21≒H×50 to 100%)).

[0031] Here, the respective height dimensions (H21, H11) of the first intermediate partition member Mb1 and the second intermediate partition member Mb2 with respect to the depth dimension H of the packing box Ma are set according to the shape and type of the bottle-shaped container Mc. Specifically, for example, if the shape of a bottle-type container Mc consists of a main body Mc1 which is a hollow cylindrical shape with a bottom, an upper end Mc2 which is a hollow cylindrical shape that is provided coaxially on the upper end side of the main body Mc1 and has a smaller diameter than the main body Mc1, and a shoulder Mc3 which continuously connects the main body Mc1 and the upper end Mc2, then in the case of a bottle-type container Mc (classified as a relatively small bottle-type container in terms of capacity, with a capacity of about 150 to 500 ml) where the distance from the lower end of the shoulder Mc3 to the upper end of the upper end Mc2 is relatively large relative to the overall height of the bottle-type container Mc, then it is not a problem if the height dimensions (H21, H11) of the first partition member Mb1 and the second partition member Mb2 are about 50% of the depth dimension H of the packaging box Ma. Furthermore, in a bottle-shaped container Mc whose outer diameter is approximately the same from the main body Mc1 to the upper end Mc2, or is only slightly reduced in diameter, it is acceptable for the height dimensions (H21, H11) of the first partition member Mb1 and the second partition member Mb2 to be approximately 85-95% of the depth dimension H of the packaging box Ma.

[0032] The pair of first partition members Mb1·Mb1 are arranged parallel to each other in a vertical position. Furthermore, the four second partition members Mb2·Mb2··· are also arranged parallel to each other in a vertical position, similar to the first partition member Mb1. Then, by assembling these pair of first partition members Mb1·Mb1 and four second partition members Mb2·Mb2··· in a grid-like arrangement in plan view, the partition member Mb is constructed.

[0033] By the way, in this embodiment, the partition member Mb, which consists of two types of separable partition members (first partition member Mb1 and second partition member Mb2), is easily deformed in a planar grid shape because the intersections of each partition member are not fixed. Therefore, it is difficult to handle, and it is hard to drop it towards the bottom of the packaging box Ma when inserting it. Furthermore, the configuration of the partition member Mb is not limited to a configuration in which two types of partition members (first partition member Mb1 and second partition member Mb2) are assembled, as in this embodiment. For example, partition members that intersect each other in a grid-like shape in plan view may be constructed as an integrated structure.

[0034] The constructed partition member Mb is inserted into the packaging box Ma with the longitudinal direction of the first partition member Mb1 aligned with the longitudinal direction of the packaging box Ma, and the longitudinal direction of the second partition member Mb2 aligned with the short direction of the packaging box Ma. As a result, the inside of the packaging box Ma is divided in a grid pattern in plan view by the partition member Mb, forming multiple storage spaces Q·Q··· capable of accommodating each bottle-shaped container Mc (15 in this embodiment).

[0035] For convenience, in the following explanation, within the packaging box Ma, the direction along the conveying direction A of the packaging box Ma by the manufacturing device 1 will be defined as the "row direction," and the direction perpendicular to the row direction in a plan view will be defined as the "column direction." In other words, in this embodiment, the partition member Mb divides the inside of the packaging box Ma into multiple storage spaces Q·Q··· arranged evenly in three rows and five columns.

[0036] The bottle-type container Mc is a general-purpose container that contains, or has contained, liquid contents such as drinking water, alcohol, or seasonings, and its material may be glass, ceramic, or any other material. Furthermore, the contents sealed in the bottle-type container Mc are not limited to liquids, but may also be powders or the like, and are not particularly limited.

[0037] As described above, the bottle-shaped container Mc has a bottomed, hollow cylindrical body portion Mc1, a hollow cylindrical upper end portion Mc2 that is coaxially provided on the upper end side of the main end portion Mc1 and has a smaller diameter than the main portion Mc1, and a shoulder portion Mc3 that continuously connects the main portion Mc1 and the upper end portion Mc2, and the open upper end surface (mouth) of the main end portion Mc1 is sealed by a lid member Mc4.

[0038] The outer diameter R of the main body Mc1 is set to be slightly smaller than the row dimension La1 and column dimension Lb1 of each storage space Q inside the packaging box Ma (R <La1、R<Lb1)。 Then, through the bottle-shaped container gripping process S01, the bottle-shaped container moving process S02, and the bottle-shaped container supply process S03, described later, a predetermined number of bottle-shaped containers Mc·Mc··· are held together (15 in this embodiment) without adjusting the arrangement pitch during the manufacturing process and stored inside the packaging box Ma.

[0039] The shape of the bottle-shaped container Mc is not limited to this embodiment; for example, the shape of the main body Mc1 may be rectangular, polygonal, or other streamlined shape in cross-section.

[0040] As shown in Figure 1, the manufacturing apparatus 1 mainly comprises a bottle-type container conveying means 2, a first packaging box conveying means 3, and a second packaging box conveying means 4, which are arranged in order toward the conveying direction A (forward in this embodiment) of the packaging box Ma, and a bottle-type container supplying means 5 and a partition member insertion means 6, which are arranged above the bottle-type container conveying means 2, the first packaging box conveying means 3, and the second packaging box conveying means 4.

[0041] The bottle-type container transport means 2 sequentially transports multiple bottle-type containers Mc·Mc··· toward the first packaging box transport means 3. The bottle-type container transport means 2 consists of, for example, a general-purpose belt conveyor 21, and transports multiple bottle-type containers Mc·Mc·· in multiple rows (five rows in this embodiment) along the transport direction (rightward in this embodiment) to the vicinity of the first position P1, which will be described later, in the first packaging box transport means 3.

[0042] Here, multiple bottle-shaped containers Mc·Mc·· are transported in a predetermined transport direction (to the right) by the bottle-shaped container transport means 2 while in contact with each other, but are not limited to this. For example, each row may be provided with a guide member extending along the transport direction, and the transport direction of each of the multiple bottle-shaped containers Mc·Mc·· may be guided by the guide member. However, in the bottle-type container transport means 2, for example, no adjustment mechanism is provided during the manufacturing process to align the arrangement pitch of the multiple bottle-type containers Mc·Mc·· being transported with the pitch of the grid-like partitions in a plan view formed by the partition member Mb.

[0043] The configuration of the bottle-type container transport means 2 is not limited to this embodiment. For example, it may be configured as a transport device having a transport plate on which a plurality of bottle-type containers Mc·Mc··· can be placed, and which transports the plurality of bottle-type containers Mc·Mc··· in a predetermined direction (to the right) by moving the transport plate.

[0044] The first packaging box conveying means 3 sequentially conveys a packaging box Ma, which has multiple bottle-shaped containers Mc·Mc··· supplied inside, toward the second packaging box conveying means 4. The first packaging box transport means 3, like the bottle-type container transport means 2 described above, consists of, for example, a general-purpose belt conveyor 31 and is arranged to extend along the transport direction A. Furthermore, the first packaging box transport means 3 has a pair of guide members 32·32 extending along the transport direction A on both sides (left and right sides in this embodiment) in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction A in a plan view (in Figure 1, only one guide member 32 is shown because it is a partial cross-sectional side view).

[0045] Although not shown in Figure 1, before supplying the bottle-shaped container Mc to the packaging box Ma, a method for supplying and positioning the packaging box Ma to a predetermined position on the first packaging box transport means 3 is to transfer the packaging box Ma from a transport conveyor for transporting the packaging box Ma to the first packaging box transport means 3 with its top surface open using a predetermined packaging box transfer device, and then position the packaging box Ma at a predetermined position (for example, position P1) using a stopper, transport guide, pusher, etc. Furthermore, in the first packaging box transport means 3, whose overall length is extended upstream (towards the rear in Figure 1), the packaging box Ma may be transferred and positioned upstream of the first position P1, and the positioned packaging box Ma may be transported to the first position P1. The method of supplying the packaging box Ma to the first packaging box transport means 3 and positioning it is not particularly limited and can be designed appropriately according to the layout, etc.

[0046] The first packaging box transport means 3 then transports the packaging box Ma, which is supplied with a plurality of bottle-shaped containers Mc·Mc···, from the first position P1 located at the upstream end (rear end in this embodiment) of the transport direction A toward the second position P2 located at the downstream end (front end in this embodiment) of the transport direction A.

[0047] Here, regarding the configuration of each position, depending on the equipment layout and specifications, the second position P2 may be omitted and the third position P3 may be placed immediately after the first position P1, or a new position may be created between the second position P2 and the third position P3, and the number of positions and other configurations are not particularly limited.

[0048] Furthermore, the first packaging box transport means 3 transports the packaging box Ma while guiding its transport direction, with both sides of the packaging box Ma (in this embodiment, both left and right sides) sliding against a pair of guide members 32, 32.

[0049] Furthermore, the configuration of the first packaging box transport means 3 is not limited to this embodiment. For example, it may be configured as a transport device that has a transport plate on which a packaging box Ma containing a plurality of bottle-shaped containers Mc·Mc··· can be placed, and transports the packaging box Ma in the transport direction A by moving the transport plate.

[0050] The second packaging box transport means 4 sequentially transports the packaging box Ma into which the partition member Mb has been inserted after a plurality of bottle-shaped containers Mc·Mc··· have been supplied, toward a predetermined subsequent process (for example, a sealing process in which, after the packaging box Ma has finished storing the partition member Mb and the plurality of bottle-shaped containers Mc·Mc···, the upper outer flap Ma11 and the upper inner flap Ma12 (see Figure 3) are closed to seal the open top surface).

[0051] The second packaging box transport means 4, like the bottle-type container transport means 2 described above, consists of, for example, a general-purpose belt conveyor 41 and is arranged to extend along the transport direction A. Furthermore, the second packaging box transport means 4 has a pair of guide members 42·42 extending along the transport direction A on both sides (left and right sides in this embodiment) in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction A in a plan view (in Figure 1, only one guide member 42 is shown because it is a partial cross-sectional side view). Furthermore, the second packaging box transport means 4 has a vibration mechanism 43 that vibrates the transport belt 41a of the belt conveyor 41.

[0052] In this embodiment, the vibration mechanism 43 includes, for example, a support rail 43a that supports the upper region 41a1 of the conveyor belt 41a from the back (bottom) side, a biasing member 43b that biases the support rail 43a upward, and a vibration generator 43c that applies vertical vibration to the support rail 43a.

[0053] However, the biasing member 43b may be provided as appropriate, taking into account its necessity, when designing each component of the second packaging box transport means 4. Furthermore, a push guide (not shown) is provided above the second packaging box transport means 4 and is appropriately inclined downward in the transport direction in order to push down the partition member Mb inserted into the upper end of the inside of the packaging box Ma while stopped and / or transporting, and the configuration may further include a vibration generator that applies vertical vibration to the push guide. Furthermore, a bottle-shaped container vibrator (not shown) that can move up and down may be provided above the third position P3 and / or fourth position P4 of the second packaging box transport means 4, after the partition member Mb has been inserted into the upper end of the inside of the packaging box Ma and while the packaging box Ma is stopped, thereby applying vibration from above to the upper end of a plurality or one bottle-shaped container Mc supplied into the inside of the packaging box Ma.

[0054] The vibration generator 43c is, for example, composed of a general-purpose pneumatic piston vibrator in this embodiment, but is not limited thereto. It may be any other type of vibrator, such as an electric piston vibrator or a vibrator mechanism composed of an electric motor and a cam mechanism.

[0055] The second packaging box transport means 4 then transports the packaging box Ma, which is supplied with a plurality of bottle-shaped containers Mc·Mc··· and into which a partition member Mb is inserted, from the third position P3 located at the upstream end (rear end in this embodiment) of the transport direction A toward the fourth position P4 located at the downstream end (front end in this embodiment) of the transport direction A. Furthermore, the second packaging box transport means 4 transports the packaging box Ma while guiding its transport direction, with both sides of the packaging box Ma (in this embodiment, both left and right sides) sliding against a pair of guide members 42, 42.

[0056] Furthermore, the second packaging transport means 4 transports the packaging box Ma while vibrating the transport belt 41a with the vibration mechanism 43. As a result, as will be described later, inside the packaging box Ma into which multiple bottle-shaped containers Mc·Mc··· are supplied, the partition member Mb, which is left with its lower end Mb3 inserted into the upper end of the interior, falls (moves) due to vibrations applied via the conveyor belt 41a as it moves from the third position P3 to the fourth position P4, and is positioned in a predetermined location inside the packaging box Ma (for example, the position where the partition member Mb lands on the bottom surface of the packaging box Ma).

[0057] In this embodiment, the vibration mechanism 43 is provided only on the belt conveyor 41, but this is not limited to this, and for example, the vibration mechanism 43 may be provided on the belt conveyor 41 and / or the guide member 42. In this case, the packaging box Wa is transported by the second packaging box transport means 4 from the third position P3 to the fourth position P4 while vibration is applied to the bottom surface in contact with the transport belt 41a and / or the two side surfaces in contact with the guide member 42.

[0058] Furthermore, the timing for vibrating the conveyor belt 41a by the vibration mechanism 43 is not limited to this embodiment. For example, it may be any timing, such as from before or immediately after the partition member Mb is inserted into the packaging box Ma at the third position P3 until just before the second packaging box conveying means 4 starts conveying the packaging box Ma, or from immediately after the second packaging box conveying means 4 stops at the same time as the packaging box Ma reaches a predetermined position during conveyance until just before the second packaging box conveying means 4 resumes conveying the packaging box Ma.

[0059] The bottle-type container supply means 5 removes multiple bottle-type containers Mc·Mc··· from the bottle-type container transport means 2 and supplies them into the interior of the packaging box Ma on the first packaging box transport means 3 (more specifically, on the belt conveyor 31). The bottle-type container supply means 5 includes a movable frame 51 that can move horizontally and vertically, and a plurality of grips 52, 52, ... that protrude downward from the lower surface of the movable frame 51.

[0060] Each grip 52 is made of, for example, a resin member with a roughly cup shape and has a holder portion 52a that is positioned with an opening at the bottom, and a suction mechanism (not shown) that can suck the inside of the holder portion 52a. The upper end portion Mc2 of the bottle-shaped container Mc (see Figure 3(b)) is inserted into the holder portion 52a, and the bottle-shaped container Mc is gripped by sucking it with the suction mechanism.

[0061] Furthermore, the mechanism for gripping the bottle-shaped container Mc is not limited to the suction method described above. For example, a method in which an elastic body is pressurized and the expansion of the elastic body grips the outer diameter of the bottle neck may be used, or a chuck method in which the inner surface or outer surface of the bottle neck is chucked and gripped may be used.

[0062] The grips 52-52-... are provided in the same number as the multiple (15 in this embodiment) bottle-shaped containers Mc-Mc-... stored in one packaging box Ma. Furthermore, these multiple grips 52·52··· are evenly arranged in three rows and five columns in a plan view, corresponding to the arrangement pitch of the multiple storage spaces Q·Q··· inside the packaging box Ma.

[0063] Then, the bottle-shaped container supply means 5 descends from a position directly above the downstream end in the transport direction (rightward) of the bottle-shaped container transport means 2, inserts the upper ends Mc2, Mc2, ... of the multiple bottle-shaped containers Mc, Mc, ... which are in predetermined positions, into the multiple holder portions 52a, 52a, ... and then, by activating the suction mechanism, grasps these multiple bottle-shaped containers Mc, Mc, ... together. Furthermore, the bottle-type container supply means 5 rises after gripping a plurality of bottle-type containers Mc·Mc···, and then moves horizontally toward the position directly above the first position P1 (i.e., the position directly above the open-topped packaging box Ma in the first packaging box transport means 3).

[0064] Upon reaching the position directly above the first position P1, the bottle-shaped container supply means 5 immediately descends and inserts the multiple bottle-shaped containers Mc·Mc··· into the packing box Ma. Subsequently, the operation of the suction mechanism is stopped, and the gripping state of the bottle-shaped containers McMc... by the multiple holder parts 52a... is released. Then, the bottle-shaped container supply means 5 rises and begins to move horizontally again toward the position directly above the downstream end in the transport direction (rightward) of the bottle-shaped container transport means 2 as described above. As a result, the bottle-type container supply means 5 supplies multiple bottle-type containers Mc·Mc··· together inside the packing box Ma.

[0065] The partition member insertion means 6 is an example of an insertion device according to the present invention, and inserts a partition member Mb from above into the inside of a packing box Ma into which a plurality of bottle-shaped containers Mc·Mc·· are supplied. The partition member insertion means 6 includes a movable frame 61 that is movable in both the horizontal and vertical directions, and at least a pair of gripping mechanisms 62, 62 that protrude downward from the lower surface of the movable frame 61.

[0066] Each gripping mechanism 62 consists of, for example, a general-purpose pneumatic chucking device and is configured to grip the upper end of the partition member Mb by clamping it. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b), the pair of gripping mechanisms 62-62 are arranged to grip one end X at the upper end of one first partition member Mb1 ("first partition member Mb1a" in Figure 3(b)) and the other end Y at the upper end of the other first partition member Mb1 ("first partition member Mb1b" in Figure 3(b)). In other words, the pair of gripping mechanisms 62-62 are configured to grip the ends of the partition member Mb at positions that are diagonally opposite to each other in a plan view, making it difficult for the structure of the partition member Mb to collapse when gripped.

[0067] Furthermore, the position for gripping the partition members Mb is not limited to the above position; the gripping position and the number of members to grip should be determined appropriately according to the size, shape, and number of partition members Mb.

[0068] Then, as shown in Figure 1, the partition member insertion means 6 grasps the partition member Mb, which is prepared in advance at a supply position (not shown), with a pair of gripping mechanisms 62, 62, and rises, and then moves horizontally toward the position directly above the third position P3 (i.e., the position directly above the packing box Ma in the second packing box transport means 4 where the multiple bottle-shaped containers Mc, Mc, ... are supplied).

[0069] Upon reaching the position directly above the third position P3, the partition member insertion means 6 immediately descends and inserts the partition member Mb into the packaging box Ma so that the center of each storage space Q, which is partitioned in a grid pattern in plan view by the partition member Mb, and the center of each bottle-shaped container Mc are approximately aligned. When the lower end Mb3 of the partition member Mb is inserted into the upper end of the inside of the packaging box Ma, the gripping state of the partition member Mb by the pair of gripping mechanisms 62, 62 is released. Subsequently, the partition member insertion means 6 rises and begins to move horizontally again toward the supply position. As a result, the partition member insertion means 6 inserts the partition member Mb into the packaging box Ma into which the multiple bottle-shaped containers Mc·Mc··· are supplied, and leaves the partition member Mb with its lower end Mb3 inserted into the upper end inside the packaging box Ma.

[0070] As shown in Figure 3(b), in this embodiment, the position where the partition member Mb is left is the position where the lower end portion Mb3 of the partition member Mb is in contact with the shoulder portion Mc3 of the bottle-shaped container Mc, but this is not the only position. In other words, the position where the partition member Mb is left is at least as described above, as a position where the partition member Mb can fall (move) due to the vibrations added by the second packaging box transport means 4. For example, it may be a position where the lower end Mb3 of the partition member Mb is in contact with a small area at the upper end inside the packaging box Ma, but it is preferable to insert it up to the position of the upper end Mc2 of the bottle-shaped container Mc.

[0071] [Manufacturing method for bottle-shaped container packaging M] Next, the manufacturing method of the bottle-shaped container packaging M embodied in this embodiment will be explained with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

[0072] The manufacturing method for the bottle-shaped container packaging M in this embodiment is carried out by the manufacturing apparatus 1 described above and mainly comprises a bottle-shaped container gripping step S01, a bottle-shaped container moving step S02, a bottle-shaped container supply step S03, a first transport step S04, a transport stopping step S05, and a partition member insertion step S06, which are carried out in order over time, and a second transport step S07 and a vibration step S08 which are carried out simultaneously after the execution of the partition member insertion step S06.

[0073] The bottle-shaped container gripping step S01 is an example of a gripping step according to the present invention. The bottle-shaped container gripping step S01 is a step in which a plurality of bottle-shaped containers (15 bottles) consisting of a predetermined number of bottles, Mc·Mc···, are gripped together at the downstream end of the bottle-shaped container transport means 2 in the transport direction (rightward). The bottle-shaped container gripping step S01 is performed by the bottle-shaped container supply means 5.

[0074] The bottle-shaped container transfer process S02 is an example of a transfer process according to the present invention. The bottle-shaped container moving process S02 is a process of moving the multiple bottle-shaped containers Mc·Mc··· that were grasped in the bottle-shaped container gripping process S01 to a position directly above the open-topped packaging box Ma supplied to a predetermined position in the first packaging box conveying means 3 (specifically, a position directly above the first position P1). The bottle-shaped container transfer process S02 is also performed by the bottle-shaped container supply means 5, similar to the bottle-shaped container gripping process S01 described above.

[0075] The bottle-type container supply process S03 is an example of a supply process according to the present invention. The bottle-shaped container supply process S03 involves lowering and inserting the multiple bottle-shaped containers Mc·Mc··· that were moved in the bottle-shaped container moving process S02 into the interior of a packaging box Ma with an open top that has been supplied to a predetermined position, and then releasing the gripping state of the multiple bottle-shaped containers Mc·Mc··· to supply the multiple bottle-shaped containers Mc·Mc··· into the interior of the packaging box Ma. The bottle-type container supply process S03 is also performed by the bottle-type container supply means 5, similar to the bottle-type container gripping process S01 described above.

[0076] The first transport process S04 is an example of a transport process according to the present invention. The first transport process S04 is a process that is performed after the bottle-type container supply process S03 and before the partition member insertion process S06, and involves transporting the packaging box Ma, which is supplied with a plurality of bottle-type containers Mc·Mc···, in a predetermined direction (transport direction A) toward, for example, the predetermined subsequent process (partition member insertion process S06) described above. The first transport process S04 is performed by the first packaging box transport means 3.

[0077] The transport stop process S05 is an example of a stop process according to the present invention. The transport stopping process S05 is a process of stopping the packaged body Ma, which is being transported by the first transport process S04, at a predetermined position. In this embodiment, it is a process of stopping the packaged box Ma at a predetermined position after it has been transferred to the second transport means 4, i.e., the third position P3.

[0078] A packing box Ma, containing multiple bottle-shaped containers Mc·Mc···, is transported in the transport direction A by the first packing box transport means 3. After reaching the second position P2, the packing box Ma is transferred to the second packing box transport means 4. Subsequently, when the packaging box Ma reaches the third position P3, the second packaging box transport means 4 temporarily stops transporting the packaging box Ma. This executes the transport stop process S05.

[0079] In the above description, it was explained that the packaging box Ma is transferred from the first packaging box transport means 3 to the second packaging body transport means 4. However, for example, if other processes can be executed within the stop time of the transport stop process S05, the first packaging box transport means 3 and the second packaging body transport means 4 may be used as a single packaging box transport means, and the form of the transport means is not particularly limited. In that case, during the stoppage time of the transport stoppage process S05, the bottle-type container supply process S03 and other processes are executed, and the packaging box Ma is transported by a single packaging transport means without being transferred. When transporting the packaging box Ma using a single packaging transport means, although not particularly limited, it is preferable to take measures such as dividing the support rail 43 between the second position P2 and the third position P3 in order to prevent vibrations from being transmitted to the transport process upstream of the third position P3.

[0080] The partition member insertion step S06 is an example of an insertion step according to the present invention. The partition member insertion step S06 is a step in which a partition member Mb is inserted from above into the packaging box Ma into which a plurality of bottle-shaped containers Mc·Mc··· have been supplied by the bottle-shaped container supply step S03, and the lower end portion Mb3 of the partition member Mb is inserted into the upper end portion inside the packaging box Ma and left in that state.

[0081] The partition member insertion process S06 is performed in the second packaging box transport means 4 while the packaging box Ma is stopped at the third position P3. In other words, the partition member insertion step S06 is performed after the transport stop step S05 is executed.

[0082] As described above, the method for manufacturing the bottle-shaped container packaging M in this embodiment includes a first transport process (transport process) S04, which is performed after the bottle-shaped container supply process (supply process) S03 and before the partition member insertion process (insertion process) S06, and transports the packaging box Ma containing the multiple bottle-shaped containers Mc·Mc·· in a predetermined direction (transport direction A), and a transport stop process (stopping process) S05, which stops the packaging Ma transported by the first transport process S04 at a third position (predetermined position) P3, and the partition member insertion process S06 is performed after the transport stop process S05.

[0083] With this configuration, according to the manufacturing method of the bottle-shaped container packaging body M in this embodiment, after supplying a plurality of bottle-shaped containers Mc·Mc··· to the packaging box Ma in the bottle-shaped container supply step S03, the first transport step S04 and the transport stop step S05 are executed while the containers are transported toward the predetermined subsequent step (sealing step). This makes it possible to more reliably perform the supply of bottle-shaped containers Mc, the supply of partition members Mb, and the sealing of the packaging box Ma through a series of continuous production steps, thereby shortening the cycle time and improving the overall production efficiency of the equipment.

[0084] The partition member insertion step S06 is performed by the partition member insertion means 6. In other words, in the manufacturing method of the bottle-shaped container packaging body M in this embodiment, the partition member insertion step (insertion step) S06 is performed by a partition member insertion means (insertion device) 6 that, while gripping the partition member Mb, moves to a position directly above the packaging box Ma to which a plurality of bottle-shaped containers Mc·Mc··· are supplied (a position directly above the third position P3), inserts the lower end Mb3 of the partition member Mb into the upper end inside the packaging box Ma, and then releases the gripping state of the partition member Mb.

[0085] With this configuration, the manufacturing method for the bottle-shaped container packaging body M in this embodiment allows for the automation of the supply operation of the partition member Mb by using the partition member insertion means 6 without requiring manual work by an operator.

[0086] The second transport process S07 is a process in which the packaging box Ma into which the partition member Mb has been inserted in the partition member insertion process S06 is transported in a predetermined direction (transport direction A) toward the predetermined subsequent process (sealing process). The second transport process S07 is performed by the second packaging box transport means 4, and is executed when the partition member Mb is inserted into the packaging box Ma by the partition member insertion means 6, and then the second packaging box transport means 4 starts transporting the packaging box Ma again.

[0087] The vibration process S08 is a process in which the packaging box Ma, etc., into which the partition member Mb has been inserted by the partition member insertion process S06 is vibrated to bring the partition member Mb to rest on the bottom surface of the packaging box Ma. The vibration process S08 is performed together with the second transport process S07. Specifically, the vibration process S08 is performed by using the second packaging box transporting means 4 to transport the packaging box Ma into which the partition member Mb is inserted, while the vibration mechanism 43 of the second packaging box transporting means 4 vibrates the packaging box Ma, etc.

[0088] As mentioned above, the method for applying vibration to the packaging box Ma may be to apply vibration via either the bottom surface of the packaging box Ma that is in contact with the conveyor belt 41a, or / or the two side surfaces that are in contact with the guide member 42. In other words, in the manufacturing method of the bottle-shaped container packaging body M in this embodiment, the vibration step S08 is performed by applying vibration to the side and / or bottom surface of the packaging box Ma. For example, if the partition member Mb is configured to be less likely to fall, vibration may be applied to both the sides and bottom of the packaging box Ma. The configuration for applying vibration should be appropriately selected depending on the combination of the packaging box Ma, the partition member Mb, and the bottle-shaped container Mc. When applying vibration to the sides, it may be applied to one side or both sides, and this should be selected as appropriate.

[0089] With this configuration, according to the manufacturing method of the bottle-shaped container packaging body M in this embodiment, when manufacturing the bottle-shaped container packaging body M while transporting the packaging box Ma by means of a second packaging box transport means 4 such as a belt conveyor 41, or other transport device having a transport plate, vibrations can be reliably transmitted to the bottle-shaped container Mc and the partition member M via the packaging box Ma by the transport belt 41a and transport plate that come into contact with the bottom surface of the packaging box Ma, and / or the guide member 42 that comes into contact with the side surface of the packaging box Ma and guides the transport direction, thereby enabling the vibration process S08 to be carried out stably.

[0090] Furthermore, as mentioned above, the timing of vibrating the packaging box Ma, etc., via the conveyor belt 41a is not limited to the case where it is continuously performed while the packaging box Ma is being conveyed from the third position P3 to the fourth position P4 by the second packaging box conveying means 4. In other words, the specific timing at which the vibration process S08 is executed may be any timing at which the packaging box Ma is transported in a predetermined direction, such as from immediately after the execution of the partition member insertion process S06 until just before the transport of the packaging box Ma by the second packaging box transport means 4 specifically begins, or from immediately after the second packaging box transport means 4 stops when the packaging box Ma reaches a predetermined position during transport by the second packaging box transport means 4 until just before the second packaging box transport means 4 resumes transporting the packaging box Ma.

[0091] Furthermore, regarding the timing of the vibration process S08, for example, if the partition member Mb is unlikely to fall, vibration may be continuously applied to the packaging box Ma while the packaging box Ma is on the second packaging box transport means 4 (while stopped or being transported). The timing of the vibration execution (start and stop) is not particularly limited and can be determined as appropriate.

[0092] Thus, in the method for manufacturing the bottle-shaped container packaging M in this embodiment, the vibration process S08 is configured to be performed when the packaging box Ma is transported in a predetermined direction (transport direction A).

[0093] With this configuration, according to the manufacturing method of the bottle-shaped container packaging body M in this embodiment, for example, when the packaging box Ma, in which the partition member Mb and a plurality of bottle-shaped containers Mc·Mc··· have been placed, is transported toward the predetermined subsequent process (sealing process), the supply of bottle-shaped containers Mc, the supply of partition member Mb, and the sealing of packaging box Ma can be carried out in a continuous series of production processes, thereby shortening the cycle time and improving the overall production efficiency of the equipment.

[0094] As described above, the method for manufacturing a bottle-shaped container package M in this embodiment is a method for manufacturing a bottle-shaped container package M comprising a package box Ma, a partition member Mb that divides the inside of the package box Ma into a grid shape in plan view, and a plurality of bottle-shaped containers Mc Mc Mc, each stored in a storage space Q Q... inside the package box Ma partitioned by the partition member Mb, and comprises a bottle-shaped container gripping step (gripping step) S01, a bottle-shaped container moving step (moving step) S02, a bottle-shaped container supply step (supply step) S03, a partition member insertion step (insertion step) S06, and a vibration step S08.

[0095] The bottle-shaped container gripping process (gripping process) S01 is a process of gripping multiple bottle-shaped containers Mc·Mc··· together. Furthermore, the bottle-shaped container moving process (moving process) S02 is a process of moving the multiple bottle-shaped containers Mc·Mc··· that were grasped by the bottle-shaped container gripping process (gripping process) S01 to a position directly above the packaging box Ma, which has an open top. Furthermore, the bottle-shaped container supply process (supply process) S03 is a process in which the multiple bottle-shaped containers Mc·Mc··· moved by the bottle-shaped container moving process (moving process) S02 are lowered and inserted into the inside of the packaging box Ma, and then the gripping state of the multiple bottle-shaped containers Mc·Mc··· is released, thereby supplying the multiple bottle-shaped containers Mc·Mc··· into the inside of the packaging box Ma. Furthermore, the partition member insertion process (insertion process) S06 is a process in which a partition member Mb is inserted from above into the packaging box Ma into which a plurality of bottle-shaped containers Mc·Mc··· have been supplied by the bottle-shaped container supply process (supply process) S03, and the lower end portion Mb3 of the partition member Mb is inserted into the upper end portion inside the packaging box Ma and left in that state. Furthermore, the vibration process S08 is a process in which vibration is applied to the packaging box Ma into which the partition member Mb has been inserted by the partition member insertion process (insertion process) S06, and / or to the partition member Mb inserted into the upper end inside the packaging box Ma, and / or to at least one of the bottle-shaped containers Mc supplied inside the packaging box Ma, causing the partition member Mb to fall toward the bottom surface of the packaging box Ma.

[0096] Furthermore, the position in which the partition member Mb is dropped inside the packaging box Ma is such that it does not necessarily have to land on the bottom surface of the packaging box Ma. Furthermore, depending on the shape of the bottle-shaped container Mc, it may not land on the bottom of the packaging box Ma. In such cases, there is no particular problem as long as the partition member Mb falls to a degree that adjacent bottle-shaped containers Mc-Mc do not come into contact with each other. However, if the bottle-shaped container Mc is equipped with flaps (upper outer flap Ma11 and upper inner flap Ma12) on the upper side, it is preferable to lower the partition member Mb to an extent that it does not interfere with closing the flaps and sealing the open top surface (so that the upper end of the partition member Mb fits within the depth dimension H of the bottle-shaped container Mc).

[0097] Here, in the vibration process S08 described above, the object to which vibration is applied may be any of the following: the packaging box Ma, the multiple bottle-shaped containers Mc·Mc··· supplied inside the packaging box Ma, or the partition member Mb inserted into the upper end inside the packaging box Ma, or at least two of these packaging box Ma, bottle-shaped containers Mc, and partition member Mb.

[0098] As described above, in the manufacturing method of the bottle-shaped container packaging body M in this embodiment, a bottle-shaped container gripping step S01, a bottle-shaped container moving step S02, and a bottle-shaped container supply step S03 are executed in order to pre-store a plurality of bottle-shaped containers Mc·Mc·· inside the packaging body Ma. Then, by sequentially executing the partition member insertion step S06 and the vibration step S08, the partition member Mb is inserted into a predetermined position inside the packaging box Ma (for example, the position where the partition member Mb lands on the bottom surface of the packaging box Ma) in accordance with the position of the gap between a pair of adjacent bottle-shaped containers Mc·Mc. Therefore, according to the manufacturing method of the bottle-shaped container packaging body M in this embodiment, in the manufacturing process, before supplying the multiple bottle-shaped containers Mc·Mc··· into the packaging body Ma, it is not necessary to pre-adjust the arrangement pitch of the multiple bottle-shaped containers Mc·Mc··· depending on the type of packaging box Ma and the bottle-shaped containers Mc, and it is not necessary to provide a complex mechanism separately in order to adjust the arrangement pitch.

[0099] Furthermore, after supplying multiple bottle-shaped containers Mc·Mc··· into the packaging box Ma, the packaging box Ma into which the partition member Mb is inserted is vibrated by the vibration process S08. This vibrates the partition member Mb through the gap between adjacent pairs of bottle-shaped containers Mc·Mc, moving it to the predetermined position. As a result, the partition member Mb can be positioned appropriately without manual intervention by an operator, and multiple bottle-shaped containers Mc·Mc·· can be properly stored in each of the storage spaces Q·Q···.

[0100] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited in any way to this embodiment, but is merely illustrative, and can be implemented in various other forms without departing from the spirit of the invention. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, and further includes the meaning of equivalents as described in the claims, and all modifications within that scope. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 6. Partition Member Insertion Means (Insertion Device) M-shaped bottle-type container packaging Ma Packing Box Mb Partition Member Mb3 bottom end Mc bottle type container P3 Third position (designated position) Q Storage space S01 Bottle type container gripping process (gripping process) S02 Bottle type container movement process (transfer process) S03 Bottle-shaped container supply process (supply process) S04 First Conveying Process (Conveying Process) S05 Conveying stop process (stopping process) S06 Partition Member Insertion Process (Insertion Process) S08 Vibration process

Claims

1. Packing box and The interior of the aforementioned packaging box is divided into a grid-like section in plan view by a partition member, A method for manufacturing a bottle-shaped container packaging body, comprising a plurality of bottle-shaped containers each stored in a storage space inside the packaging box partitioned by the aforementioned partition member, A gripping process in which multiple bottle-shaped containers are grasped together, A moving step involves moving the plurality of bottle-shaped containers, which have been grasped in the grasping step, to a position directly above the packaging box, which has an open top. A supply step is to lower and insert the plurality of bottle-shaped containers moved by the above moving step into the inside of the packaging box, and then release the gripping state of the plurality of bottle-shaped containers to supply the plurality of bottle-shaped containers into the inside of the packaging box, Insertion step: Insert a partition member from above into the packaging box into which the plurality of bottle-shaped containers have been supplied by the supply step, and leave the box with the lower end of the partition member inserted into the upper end of the inside of the packaging box. The method includes a vibration step in which vibration is applied to the packaging box into which the partition member has been inserted by the insertion step, and / or the partition member inserted into the upper end of the inside of the packaging box, and / or at least one of the bottle-shaped containers supplied into the inside of the packaging box, thereby causing the partition member to fall toward the bottom surface of the packaging box. A method for manufacturing a bottle-shaped container packaging body, characterized by the following:

2. The vibration process is as follows: When transporting the aforementioned packaging box in a predetermined direction, the following actions are performed: A method for manufacturing a bottle-shaped container packaging body according to claim 1, characterized in that

3. The vibration process is as follows: This is performed by applying vibration to the sides and / or bottom of the aforementioned packaging box. A method for manufacturing a bottle-shaped container packaging body according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that

4. A conveying step is performed after the supply step and before the insertion step, and involves conveying the packaging box containing the multiple bottle-shaped containers in a predetermined direction. The process further comprises a stopping step for stopping the packaged body being transported by the transport step at a predetermined position, The insertion step is performed after the stopping step is executed. A method for manufacturing a bottle-shaped container packaging body according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that

5. The insertion step is, The insertion device is used to move the partition member to a position directly above the packaging box while gripping it, insert the lower end of the partition member into the upper end of the inside of the packaging box, and then release the grip on the partition member. A method for manufacturing a bottle-shaped container packaging body according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that

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