Cardboard box supply system

Abstract

To provide a cardboard box supply system suitable for efficiently collecting cardboard boxes when a conveyor device transports a plurality of cardboard boxes. [Solution] The cardboard box supply system 1 includes a second conveyor device 5 that transports cardboard boxes, and a cardboard box group holding device located above the second conveyor device 5. The cardboard box group holding device picks up, stacks, and holds multiple cardboard boxes transported by the second conveyor device 5. The cardboard box group holding device discharges the held cardboard boxes to the second conveyor device 5 in a stacked state.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cardboard box supply system, and more particularly to a cardboard box supply system that accumulates and transports cardboard boxes. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes assembling a box body and transporting it. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-164855 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of processing in a conventional transfer system 101.

[0005] 13(a), in the conveyance system 101, the assembling device 102 assembles a cardboard box 111. The first conveyance device 103 conveys the cardboard box 111 from the assembling device 102 to the second conveyance device 107.

[0006] 13(b), the second conveying device 107 conveys the cardboard box 111 from the first conveying device 103 to the work table 109.

[0007] 13(c), on the workbench 109, work is performed using a cardboard box 111. For example, work such as putting vegetables into the cardboard box 111 is performed.

[0008] There are also cases where work is performed to collect multiple cardboard boxes 111 and 113. However, as shown in Fig. 13(d), a worker is required to collect multiple cardboard boxes 111 and 113 on a workbench 109.

[0009] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to propose a cardboard box supply system suitable for efficiently stacking cardboard boxes when a conveyor device transports multiple cardboard boxes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] A first aspect of the present invention is a cardboard box supply system including a conveyor device for transporting cardboard boxes, and a cardboard box group holding device disposed above the conveyor device, which picks up, stacks, and holds a plurality of cardboard boxes transported by the conveyor device, and discharges the held cardboard boxes in a stacked state onto the conveyor device.

[0011] A second aspect of the present invention is the cardboard box supply system of the first aspect, which includes a workbench, which includes a loading device, and which loads a plurality of cardboard boxes, which are discharged by the cardboard box group holding device and transported to the workbench, onto a moving device.

[0012] A third aspect of the present invention is a cardboard box supply system according to the first or second aspect, wherein the cardboard box group holding device can either pick up cardboard boxes transported by the conveyor device or not. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to each aspect of the present invention, by providing a cardboard box group holding device that picks up, stacks, and holds multiple cardboard boxes transported by a conveyor device, the cardboard box group holding device can discharge multiple cardboard boxes in a stacked state onto the conveyor device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a cardboard box supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a first diagram for explaining a process for stacking and holding cardboard boxes in multiple layers. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a second diagram for explaining the process for stacking and holding multiple layers of cardboard boxes. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a third diagram for explaining a process for stacking and holding cardboard boxes in multiple layers. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a fourth diagram for explaining a process for stacking and holding cardboard boxes in multiple layers. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a first diagram for explaining a process of discharging cardboard boxes held by a cardboard box group holding device in a state of being stacked on a second conveyor device 5. [Figure 7] 2 is a second diagram for explaining a process of discharging the cardboard boxes held by the cardboard box group holding device in a state of being stacked on the second conveyor device 5. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a first diagram for explaining a process of gathering a plurality of cardboard boxes on a workbench 9 and loading them onto a moving device 33. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a second diagram for explaining the process of gathering a plurality of cardboard boxes on the workbench 9 and loading them onto the moving device 33. [Figure 10] FIG. 3 is a third diagram for explaining the process of gathering a plurality of cardboard boxes on the workbench 9 and loading them onto the moving device 33. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a fourth diagram for explaining the process of gathering a plurality of cardboard boxes on the workbench 9 and loading them onto the moving device 33. [Figure 12] FIG. 5 is a fifth diagram for explaining the process of gathering a plurality of cardboard boxes on the workbench 9 and loading them onto the moving device 33. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of processing in a conventional transport system 101. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. [Example]

[0016] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a cardboard box supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] 1, the cardboard box supply system 1 includes a first conveyor device 3, a second conveyor device 5, a third conveyor device 7, and a work table 9. An assembly device (not shown) assembles cardboard boxes into cardboard boxes.

[0018] The cardboard box supply system 1 further includes a control device 2 and a cardboard box group holding device. The cardboard box group holding device picks up, stacks, and holds a plurality of cardboard boxes transported by the second conveyor device 5, and discharges the held cardboard boxes in a stacked state onto the second conveyor device 5. The cardboard box group holding device is also able to not pick up cardboard boxes transported by the second conveyor device 5. The cardboard box group holding device includes a lifting device 11, a rear guide member 131, a front guide member 132, side guide members 133 and 134, and support members 151, 152, 153, and 154.

[0019] The lifting device 11 is for moving the cardboard boxes present on the second conveyor device 5 up and down.

[0020] The rear guide member 131, front guide member 132, and side guide members 133 and 134 are intended to respectively guide the up and down movement of the cardboard boxes at the rear, front, and sides of the cardboard boxes on the second conveyor device 5. Note that since Figure 1(a) is viewed from the side, the side guide member 134 is not visible. Please refer to Figure 5 etc. for details of the side guide member 134.

[0021] The control device 2 can change the state in which the rear guide member 131, the front guide member 132, and the side guide members 133 and 134 guide the vertical movement of a cardboard box present on the second conveyor device 5, and the state in which they do not guide. In this example, the control device 2 lowers the lower ends of the rear guide member 131, the front guide member 132, and the side guide members 133 and 134 to bring them into a state in which they can guide a cardboard box, and raises the lower ends of the rear guide member 131, the front guide member 132, and the side guide members 133 and 134 to bring them into a state in which they do not guide a cardboard box. In FIG. 1, the control device 2 raises the lower ends of the rear guide member 131, the front guide member 132, and the side guide members 133 and 134 to bring them into a state in which they do not guide a cardboard box.

[0022] Support members 151, 152, 153, and 154 support the bottom of the cardboard box lifted by lifting device 11 and hold it above. In this example, support members 151 and 153 support the bottom of the cardboard box at opposing positions, and support members 152 and 154 support the bottom of the cardboard box at opposing positions. Since FIG. 1(a) is a side view, support members 153 and 154 are not visible. Support members 151, 152, 153, and 154 are capable of holding multiple cardboard boxes (e.g., 15 boxes). For simplicity, a case where two or fewer cardboard boxes are held will be described. Support members 151, 152, 153, and 154 are provided in the air by a case or the like, but the case or the like is omitted from the drawing.

[0023] Referring to Figure 1(a), the control device 2 raises the lower ends of the rear guide member 131, the front guide member 132 and the side guide members 133 and 134 so that the vertical movement of the cardboard boxes present on the second conveyor device 5 is not guided.

[0024] The assembling device assembles the cardboard boxes into a cardboard box 411. The first conveyor device 3 transports the cardboard box 411 from the assembling device to the second conveyor device 5.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 1(b), the second conveyor device 5 conveys the cardboard box 411 from the first conveyor device 3 to the third conveyor device .

[0026] Referring to FIG. 1(c), the third conveyor device 7 conveys the cardboard box 411 from the second conveyor device 5 to the work table 9. Here, the first conveyor device 3 is conveying the cardboard box 412 that has been assembled next by the assembling device.

[0027] 1(d), on the workbench 9, work is performed using a cardboard box 411. For example, work such as putting vegetables into the cardboard box 411 is performed.

[0028] A process for stacking and holding multiple layers of cardboard boxes will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0029] 2(a), the control device 2 puts the front guide member 132 and the side guide members 133 and 134 into a state where they can guide the cardboard box present on the second conveyor device 5. The first conveyor device 3 transports the cardboard box 431 from the assembly device to the second conveyor device 5.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 2(b), the cardboard box 431 conveyed by the second conveyor device 5 is guided by the front guide member 132 and the side guide members 133 and 134.

[0031] Referring to Figure 2(c), the control device 2 extends the lower end of the rear guide member 131 downward, so that the rear guide member 131, the front guide member 132 and the side guide members 133 and 134 can guide the cardboard box 431 present on the second conveyor device 5.

[0032] 3(a), the lifting device 11 lifts the bottom surface of the cardboard box 431. The cardboard box 431 moves upward guided by the rear guide member 131, the front guide member 132, and the side guide members 133 and 134. The support members 151, 152, 153, and 154 support the bottom surface of the cardboard box 431 lifted by the lifting device 11 and hold it above.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 3(b), the lifting device 11 descends and returns to its original position. The cardboard box 431 remains held above by the support members 151, 152, 153, and 154. The control device 2 raises the lower end of the rear guide member 131 so that the rear guide member 131 does not guide the cardboard box present on the second conveyor device 5. The assembling device assembles the cardboard box 432. The first conveyor device 3 transports the cardboard box 432 from the assembling device to the second conveyor device 5.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 3(c), the cardboard box 432 conveyed by the second conveyor device 5 is guided by the front guide member 132 and the side guide members 133 and 134.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 4(a), the control device 2 extends the lower end of the rear guide member 131 downward, so that the rear guide member 131, the front guide member 132 and the side guide members 133 and 134 can guide the cardboard box 432.

[0036] 4(b), the lifting device 11 lifts the bottom surface of the cardboard box 432. The cardboard box 432 moves upward guided by the rear guide member 131, the front guide member 132, and the side guide members 133 and 134. The support members 151, 152, 153, and 154 support the bottom surface of the cardboard box 432 lifted by the lifting device 11, and stack and hold the cardboard boxes 431 and 432.

[0037] 4(c), the lifting device 11 descends and returns to its original position. The cardboard boxes 431 and 432 remain held above by the support members 151, 152, 153 and 154.

[0038] The process of stacking and holding cardboard boxes 431 and 432 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Note that rear guide member 131, front guide member 132, etc. are omitted from Fig. 5.

[0039] Figure 5(a) corresponds to Figure 2(a). Side guide members 133 and 134 are located above second conveyor device 5. Support members 152 and 154 hold cardboard boxes that have been guided and moved upward by side guide members 133 and 134. Lifting device 11 is located below the cardboard boxes transported by second conveyor device 5.

[0040] 2(b) and 2(c). A cardboard box 431 is present on the second conveyor device 5. The side guide members 133 and 134 are in a state where they can guide the cardboard box 431.

[0041] 5(c) to (f) correspond to FIG. 3(a).

[0042] In FIG. 5(c), the lifting device 11 rises to lift the cardboard box 431.

[0043] 5(d), one ends of the support members 152 and 154 are supported in a state in which they can rotate above the horizontal. The lifting device 11 further rises, and pushes up one ends of the support members 152 and 154 on the upper surface of the cardboard box 431.

[0044] In Figure 5(e), when the lifting device 11 rises further and the cardboard box 431 rises above the support members 152 and 154, the cardboard box 431 is no longer pushing up one end of the support members 152 and 154. The support members 152 and 154 return to the state in Figure 5(a) and are ready to hold the cardboard box.

[0045] In FIG. 5(f), the lifting device 11 is lowered, and one ends of the support members 152 and 154 hold the bottom surface of the cardboard box 431.

[0046] Figure 5(g) corresponds to Figure 3(b). The lifting device 11 descends and returns to the position shown in Figure 5(a).

[0047] Figure 5(h) corresponds to Figure 3(c) and Figure 4(a). A cardboard box 432 is present on the second conveyor device 5. The side guide members 133 and 134 are in a state where they can guide the cardboard box 432.

[0048] Figures 5(i) to (k) correspond to Figure 4(b).

[0049] In FIG. 5(i), the lifting device 11 rises to lift the cardboard box 432.

[0050] In FIG. 5(j), the lifting device 11 rises further, and while the top surface of the cardboard box 432 lifts the bottom surface of the cardboard box 431, it pushes up one ends of the support members 152 and 154.

[0051] In Figure 5(k), the lifting device 11 rises further, and the cardboard box 432 rises above the support members 152 and 154, and the cardboard box 432 is no longer pushing up one end of the support members 152 and 154. The support members 152 and 154 return to the state of Figure 5(a), and are now in a state where they can hold the cardboard box. The lifting device 11 descends, and one end of the support members 152 and 154 holds the underside of the cardboard box 432.

[0052] FIG. 5(l) corresponds to FIG. 4(c), and the lifting device 11 descends and returns to the position shown in FIG. 5(a).

[0053] 6 and 7, a process of discharging the cardboard boxes held by the cardboard box group holding device while they are stacked on the second conveyor device 5 will be described. Note that the rear guide member 131, front guide member 132, etc. are omitted from FIG. 7.

[0054] 6(a), the control device 2 lowers the lower ends of the rear guide member 131, the front guide member 132, and the side guide members 133 and 134 to enable guiding of the cardboard box. The support members 151, 152, 153, and 154 are placed in a state where they do not support the bottom of the cardboard box 432, and the stacked cardboard boxes 431 and 432 are dropped onto the second conveyor device 5 and discharged. Note that the dropped distance of the stacked cardboard boxes 431 and 432 may be shortened, for example, by moving them downwards and separating them while holding them with a holding unit that clamps them. Alternatively, for example, the cardboard boxes may be placed on the second conveyor device 5 by a holding unit that clamps them.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 6(b), the control device 2 prevents the front guide member 132 from interfering with the movement of the overlapping cardboard boxes 431 and 432.

[0056] 6(c), the second conveyor device 5 transports the overlapping cardboard boxes 431 and 432 to the third conveyor device 7. The third conveyor device 7 transports the overlapping cardboard boxes 431 and 432 to the work table 9.

[0057] Figure 7(a) corresponds to Figure 4(c). Support members 151, 152, 153, and 154 support the bottom surface of cardboard box 432 in a state in which rear guide member 131, front guide member 132, and side guide members 133 and 134 guide cardboard boxes 431 and 432.

[0058] 7(b) corresponds to FIG. 6(a). The support members 151, 152, 153, and 154 leave the bottom surface of the cardboard box 432 unsupported, and the overlapping cardboard boxes 431 and 432 are discharged onto the second conveyor device 5.

[0059] Figure 7(c) corresponds to Figure 6(c). After the second conveyor device 5 has transported the cardboard boxes 431 and 432, the support members 151, 152, 153 and 154 are ready to support the bottom surfaces of the cardboard boxes.

[0060] 8 to 12, the process of gathering a plurality of cardboard boxes on workbench 9 and loading them onto moving device 33 will be described.

[0061] Referring to Fig. 8, the third conveyor device 7 transports cardboard boxes 431 and 432 to the work table 9. Moving devices 33 are placed side by side on the work table 9. The work table 9 is equipped with a loading device 31. The loading device 31 loads a group of cardboard boxes onto the moving device 33. Figs. 8(a) and (b) are a side view and a plan view, respectively.

[0062] 9 shows a state in which cardboard boxes 431 and 432 have been transported to the workbench 9. FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b) are a side view and a plan view, respectively.

[0063] 10, the third conveyor device 7 conveys the stacked cardboard boxes 433 and 434 to the work table 9 in the same manner as in FIGS. 2 to 7. FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b) are a side view and a plan view, respectively.

[0064] Fig. 11 shows a state in which cardboard boxes 433 and 434 have been transported to workbench 9. In Fig. 11, cardboard boxes 431 and 432 are stacked at the back, and cardboard boxes 433 and 434 are stacked at the front. Fig. 11(a) and (b) are a side view and a plan view, respectively.

[0065] Referring to Fig. 12(a), the loading device 31 moves the cardboard boxes 431, 432, 433, and 434 on the workbench 9 in a stacked state and loads them onto the moving device 33. Referring to Fig. 12(b), the loading device 31 leaves the cardboard boxes 431, 432, 433, and 434 on the moving device 33 and returns to its original position.

[0066] In this way, the cardboard box group holding device can stack a plurality of cardboard boxes and discharge them onto the conveyor device, allowing the cardboard boxes to be stacked and moved.

[0067] In reality, tens of thousands of cardboard boxes are needed, so the present invention is useful. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1. Cardboard box supply system 2. Control device 3. First conveyor device 5. Second conveyor device 7. Third conveyor device 9 Workbench 11 Lifting device 131 rear guide member 132 front guide member 133 Side guide member 134 Side guide member 15 Support member 31 Loading device 33 Mobile Devices 41 Cardboard Box 43 Cardboard Box 101 Transport System 102 Assembly equipment 103 First conveying device 107 Second conveying device 109 Workbench 111 Cardboard Box 113 Cardboard Box

Claims

1. A cardboard box supply system including a conveyor device for transporting cardboard boxes, a cardboard box group holding device provided on the conveyor device; The cardboard box group holding device picks up, stacks, and holds multiple cardboard boxes transported by the conveyor device, and discharges the held cardboard boxes in a stacked state back to the conveyor device, in a cardboard box supply system.

2. The cardboard box supply system includes a work table, the work platform is equipped with a loading device; 2. The cardboard box supply system according to claim 1, wherein the loading device loads the plurality of cardboard boxes, which have been discharged by the cardboard box group holding device and transported to the work table, onto a moving device.

3. 2. The cardboard box supply system according to claim 1, wherein the cardboard box group holding device is capable of either picking up the cardboard boxes transported by the conveyor device or not.

Images