Method and machine for packaging items

Abstract

To provide a method for packaging an article, in which a configuration for film folding is simplified, a cost of packaging articles is reduced and ease of opening is improved.SOLUTION: An article packaging method for packaging an article 100 wrapped with a film 10 so as to have film surplus portions 11 at both ends comprises: a first step of folding a plurality of surfaces of the film surplus portion 11, excluding the first surface, which is one of the four surfaces, using a folding mechanism; and a second step of folding the first surface of the film surplus portion 11 using contact with the edge part of an opening part 30a when the first surface is housed in a cushioning material 30 of an exterior box 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method and machine for packaging an article that is wrapped in a film so as to have excess film on both ends. [Background technology]

[0002] In the packaging machine of Patent Document 1, an article is wrapped with a self-adhesive and heat-shrinkable film, and a first selvage folding operation is performed in which air is blown toward the film selvages protruding from both sides of the article, and a second selvage folding operation is performed in which a folding plate is used to fold the film selvages into an L shape along the bottom surface of the article. In Patent Document 1, the article is then heat-sealed with a heater to heat-shrink the film. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-171121 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in Patent Document 1, all the surfaces of the film edge are folded using an air blowing structure and a folding plate, so the folding mechanism becomes complicated, which increases the manufacturing and maintenance costs and the cost of packaging the goods. In addition, since the film is sealed by thermal shrinkage, a heat treatment mechanism is required, which complicates the structure and hinders opening.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide a method for packaging an article that simplifies the configuration for folding a film, reduces the cost of packaging the article, and improves ease of opening. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the presently disclosed method for packaging an article includes packaging an article wrapped in a film so that the film has excess portions at both ends. The presently disclosed method for packaging an article includes a first step of folding a plurality of sides of the excess film except for a first side, which is one of four sides of the excess film, using a folding mechanism, and a second step of folding the first side of the excess film by utilizing contact with an edge of an opening of a box body when the excess film is stored in the box body. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the article packaging method of the present disclosure, the configuration for folding the film is simplified, the cost of packaging the article is reduced, and the ease of opening is improved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a conceptual configuration of a packaging machine according to a first embodiment; [Diagram 2] 1 is a flowchart showing a procedure for packaging an article by the packaging machine according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a folding operation by a folding unit of a packaging machine according to a first embodiment; [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a folding operation by a case packing unit of a packaging machine according to a first embodiment; [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a gripping operation by a packing unit of a packaging machine according to a first embodiment; [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a packing operation by a packing unit of a packaging machine according to a first embodiment; [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an upper closing operation of an outer box after a packing operation by the packaging machine according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a folding unit of a packaging machine according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a packing unit of a packaging machine according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an article packaging method and a packaging machine according to an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0010] Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a conceptual configuration of a packaging machine according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure for packaging an article by the packaging machine according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a folding operation by a folding unit of the packaging machine according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a front view showing a folding operation by a case packing unit of the packaging machine according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a gripping operation by the case packing unit of the packaging machine according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a case packing operation by the case packing unit of the packaging machine according to the first embodiment.

[0011] 1 and 3 to 6, an XYZ coordinate system is defined. The Z-axis direction corresponds to the up-down direction, and the -Z-axis direction corresponds to the direction in which the article 100 is stored from the opening surface of the exterior box 20. The Y-axis direction corresponds to the left-right direction, and the ±Y-axis directions correspond to the direction in which the excess film portion 11 of the film 10 wrapping around the article 100 protrudes. The X-axis direction corresponds to the front-rear direction, and is a direction perpendicular to the Z-axis and Y-axis directions.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, packaging machine 200 includes a folding unit 40, a case packing unit 50, and a control unit 60. Folding unit 40 and case packing unit 50 correspond to the folding mechanism. Folding unit 40 corresponds to the compressed air discharge unit. Case packing unit 50 corresponds to the gripping and conveying mechanism. Folding unit 40 includes a plurality of air blow nozzles 4 and a plurality of flow rate regulating valves 5. Case packing unit 50 includes a robot 1 and a gripping hand 2. Control unit 60 controls folding unit 40 and case packing unit 50.

[0013] The article 100 is loosely wrapped around the body by the film 10. The article 100 has a rectangular shape. The article 100 is not limited to a rectangular shape and may have any shape. There is a gap between the article 100 and the film 10 to the extent that the article 100 can be taken out without stretching or cutting the film 10. On both sides (+Y side and -Y side) of the article 100, there are formed excess film portions 11 that are long enough to cover the sides of the article 100 when folded along the +Y side and -Y side sides of the article 100. The article 100 wrapped around the body by the film 10 is stored in an exterior box 20.

[0014] The outer box 20 contains a cushioning material 30. The box body corresponds to the outer box 20 alone, the cushioning material 30 alone, or the outer box 20 containing the cushioning material 30. The outer box 20 and the cushioning material 30 are rectangular. The outer box 20 is, for example, cardboard. The outer box 20 is placed with the four top flaps 20a open. The cushioning material 30 has an opening 30a on the same side as the top flaps 20a of the outer box 20. The cushioning material 30 is provided with a space 30b slightly larger than the item 100.

[0015] The multiple sets of air blow nozzles 4 constituting the folding section 40 are arranged to face each other across the article 100 with the film 10 wrapped around the body. The multiple flow rate control valves 5 are connected to the supply ports of the multiple air blow nozzles 4. Each air blow nozzle 4 has an outlet 4a having a long hole or multiple round holes. The air blow nozzles 4 are arranged to face each other so as to sandwich the film excess portion 11 in the front-rear direction. The air blow nozzles 4 are arranged at a position appropriately separated from the film excess portion 11 in the X-axis direction. The air blow nozzles 4 are arranged so that the outlet 4a is parallel to the X-axis direction and faces the film excess portion 11. The compressed air blown from the multiple sets of air blow nozzles 4 folds two surfaces, the front and rear surfaces, of the film excess portion 11 on both sides of the article 100. Each flow rate control valve 5 adjusts the flow rate and flow speed of the compressed air discharged from each air blow nozzle 4. The flow rate control valve 5 is composed of a combination of a manual adjustment valve such as a needle valve and an electromagnetic valve that only opens and closes the flow path. Alternatively, the flow rate of each flow rate adjustment valve 5 may be individually controlled by the control unit 60. The flow rate and flow speed of the compressed air discharged from each air blow nozzle 4 are individually adjusted by each flow rate control valve 5, so that the air discharged from the two opposing air blow nozzles 4 cancel each other out and minimize the generation of turbulence, thereby improving the accuracy of folding the excess film portion 11.

[0016] The packing unit 50 has a robot 1 and a gripping hand 2 attached to the tip of an arm 1a of the robot 1. The robot 1 has a plurality of arms 1a, and moves the gripping hand 2 to any position.

[0017] The gripping hand 2 has an L-shaped gripping portion 2a as a pair of gripping fingers, and a pair of folding plates 2b attached to the portion corresponding to the claws of each gripping portion 2a. The gripping portion 2a has a gripping pressing portion 2a2 for pressing the excess film portion 11 in the left-right direction (±Y-axis direction). The pair of folding plates 2b are provided on the gripping portion 2a so as to extend the gripping pressing portion 2a2 of the gripping portion 2a, and are thinner than the gripping pressing portion 2a2. The tip portion 2b1 of the folding plate 2b presses the upper surface (upper surface perpendicular to the Z-axis) of the excess film portion 11 downward. The pair of gripping portions 2a can be opened and closed. The boxing portion 50 folds the upper surface of the excess film portion 11 downward, grips and conveys the article 100 wrapped in the film 10, and functions to store it in the cushioning material 30 in the outer box 20. After the front and rear surfaces of the excess film portion 11 are folded almost simultaneously by the folding section 40, the robot 1 and the gripping hand 2 are operated while maintaining the ejection of compressed air from the air blow nozzle 4, and the top surface of the excess film portion 11 is folded downward by the tip 2b1 of the folding plate 2b of the gripping hand 2.

[0018] The control unit 60 controls the flow rate adjustment valve 5 of the folding unit 40. The control unit 60 drives and controls the arm 1a of the robot 1 of the packing unit 50 to control the movement of the gripping hand 2. The control unit 60 controls the opening and closing of the pair of gripping units 2a of the gripping hand 2.

[0019] Next, with reference to Figs. 2 to 6, a procedure for packaging the article 100 by the packaging machine 200 will be described. The control described below is executed by the control unit 60. First, as shown in Fig. 3, compressed air is sent from the supply port 5a of each flow rate adjustment valve 5 to each air blow nozzle 4, and compressed air is ejected from the discharge port 4a of each air blow nozzle 4. As a result, two faces of the film excess portion 11 perpendicular to the X-axis are folded inward almost simultaneously as shown by the arrow K1 (step S10). In other words, of the front, rear, upper, and lower faces that constitute the four faces of the film excess portion 11, the front face is folded backward, and the rear face is folded forward.

[0020] Next, while the compressed air is being continuously discharged from each air blow nozzle 4, the robot 1 and the gripping hand 2 are operated as shown in Fig. 4, and while the gripping hand 2 is expanded to a width slightly wider than the width of the article 100, it is moved from above to below (in the -Z axis direction) as shown by the arrow K2, whereby one surface on the +Z side of the film excess portion 11 is folded inward by the tip 2b1 of the folding plate 2b of the gripping hand 2 (step S20). In other words, the upper surface of the four surfaces of the film excess portion 11 is folded downward.

[0021] At this time, the first position, which is the position of the folding plate 2b before folding begins, starts from the position where it is appropriately brought close to the side of the article 100 by the operation of the holding hand 2, and as shown in Figure 4, by performing the folding operation in the -Z axis direction, the folding plate 2b comes into contact with the excess film portion 11, generating friction and removing wrinkles on the surface of the film 10.

[0022] After the folding by the gripping hand 2 and the folding plate 2b is completed, as shown in FIG. 5, the gripping part 2a of the gripping hand 2 is moved in the direction of the arrow K3 to perform a closing operation, so that the gripping hand 2 grips the article 100 wrapped with the film 10 while maintaining the state in which the three sides of the film excess part 11 on the +X side, -X side, and +Z side are folded (step S30). The gripping hand 2 serves as both a gripping and conveying mechanism, so that the mechanism of the packaging machine 200 can be simplified. After this, the discharge of compressed air from the air blow nozzle 4 is stopped (step S40). The process of closing the gripping hand 2 in step S30 and the process of stopping the compressed air in step S40 may be performed simultaneously in parallel, or may be performed in the reverse order if there is no problem with the folding.

[0023] Next, the robot 1 is operated to store the item 100 wrapped in the film 10 into the cushioning material 30 stored in the exterior box 20. During this storage, the lower surface (the surface on the -Z side) of the four surfaces of the excess film portion 11 comes into contact with the edge of the opening 30a of the cushioning material 30 and is folded upward (step S50).

[0024] When the storage of the item 100 wrapped in the film 10 is completed, the gripping hand 2 is opened slightly, and then the robot 1 is operated to pull the gripping hand 2 out of the cushioning material 30 and move it outside the outer box 20 (step S60).

[0025] The excess film part 11 is stored in the cushioning material 30 in a folded state, and there is only a small gap between the article 100 and the cushioning material 30, so that the folded excess film part 11 does not open naturally.

[0026] 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of closing the top of the outer box 20 after the packing operation by the packaging machine 200 according to the first embodiment. After the article 100 wrapped in the film 10 is stored inside the cushioning material 30 stored in the outer box 20, the top surface of the cushioning material 30 is closed with the lid 31, and the top flap 20a of the outer box 20 is sealed with tape, adhesive, metal fittings, or the like.

[0027] Thus, according to the first embodiment, the lower surface of the excess film portion 11 is folded by utilizing the contact with the edge of the opening 30a of the cushioning material 30 when it is stored in the opening 30a, so compared to folding the entire surface of the excess film portion 11 by a folding mechanism, the configuration for folding the film is simplified and the cost of packaging the item is reduced. Also, according to the first embodiment, since sealing by heat shrinkage, welding, adhesion, etc. is not required during packaging, the manufacturing cost and running cost for the mechanism required for heat shrinkage, welding, adhesion, etc. can be reduced. Also, since the package is not sealed, it is easy to open, and the film can be reused even if repackaging is required.

[0028] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the film 10 is loosely wrapped around the article 100, and no tension is applied during the packaging process due to tight sleeve packing, shrink wrapping, or the like, so that the manufacturing costs and running costs of the mechanisms required for these can be reduced. Even when applied to an article having corners, tearing of the film 10 can be reduced. Even when applied to an article having an operation button on its surface, the tension of the film does not cause the operation button to remain pressed, and deterioration of the spring built into the operation button can be suppressed.

[0029] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the folding operation is performed in the -Z axis direction using the gripping hand 2 having the thin folding plate 2b and the gripping portion 2a, starting from the position where the folding plate 2b approaches the side of the article 100, so that wrinkles on the surface of the film 10 are removed and the aesthetic appearance is not marred. In addition, because the wrinkles are removed, they do not interfere with the identification of the type, product number, etc., written on the surface of the article using a camera or code reader.

[0030] Embodiment 2 8 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the folding unit 40 of the packaging machine 200 according to the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, a plurality of sets of air blow nozzles 4 and flow control valves 5 are arranged at different positions in the Y direction, and some of the plurality of sets of air blow nozzles 4 and flow control valves 5 are selectively used to accommodate the dimensions of a plurality of types of articles.

[0031] Embodiment 3 9 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the case packing section 50 of the packaging machine 200 according to the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, a sensor 6 is provided on each of the pair of gripping sections 2a of the gripping hand 2. The sensor 6 detects that the cushioning material 30, which is a box, is damaged. The sensor 6 may be a photoelectric sensor, a laser sensor, a contact sensor, a vacuum pressure sensor, a proximity sensor, or a combination of these. According to the third embodiment, the sensor 6 can detect that the item 100 has failed to be stored in the cushioning material 30.

[0032] In embodiments 1 to 3, the folding unit 40 and the packing unit 50 are used as the folding mechanism for the excess film portion 11, but the folding of the three sides excluding the bottom surface may be performed only by the folding unit 40 or only by the packing unit 50.

[0033] In addition, in the first to third embodiments, the case where the top surface of the outer box 20 is opened and the article 100 is stored from top to bottom has been described, but the methods of the first to third embodiments may be applied to the case where the outer box 20 is laid on its side, one surface of the outer box 20 is opened horizontally, and the article 100 is stored horizontally. In this manner, in the present disclosure, a folding mechanism including the folding unit 40 and the boxing unit 50 is used to fold a plurality of surfaces of the film excess portion 11, excluding a first surface, which is one of the four surfaces of the film excess portion 11, and the first surface of the film excess portion 11 is folded by utilizing contact with the edge of the opening of the box when the article 100 is stored in the box. The first surface of the film excess portion 11 is a surface that faces the storing direction when the article 100 is stored in the box, and is a surface on the side where no opening for storing the article 100 is formed. The second and third surfaces adjacent to the first surface of the film excess portion 11 are folded inward by the folding unit 40, and the fourth surface opposite the first surface of the film excess portion 11 is folded inward by the boxing unit 50. The boxing unit 50 moves the gripping hand 2 from a first position approaching the side surface of the article 100 in a direction from the fourth surface toward the first surface, folding the fourth surface of the film excess portion 11 inward while removing wrinkles in the film covering the surface of the article 100 that constitutes the same surface as the fourth surface of the film excess portion 11 due to contact between the gripping hand 2 and the film excess portion 11.

[0034] The configurations shown in the above embodiments are examples of the contents of the present disclosure, and may be combined with other known technologies, and parts of the configurations may be omitted or modified without departing from the gist of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 1 robot, 1a arm, 2 gripping hand, 2a gripping section, 2a2 gripping and pressing section, 2b folding plate, 2b1 tip, 4 air blow nozzle, 4a outlet, 5 flow rate control valve, 5a supply port, 6 sensor, 10 film, 11 excess film, 20 outer box, 20a top flap, 30 cushioning material, 30a opening, 30b space, 31 lid, 40 folding section, 50 boxing section, 60 control section, 100 article, 200 packaging machine.

Claims

1. A method for packaging an article, comprising the steps of: wrapping the article in a film so that the film has excess portions at both ends; A first step of folding a plurality of surfaces of the excess film portion, except for a first surface that is one of the four surfaces of the excess film portion, using a folding mechanism; A second step of folding the first surface of the excess film by utilizing the contact with an edge of an opening of the box when the excess film is stored in the box; A method for packaging an article, comprising:

2. In the first step, a first folding step of folding inwardly a second surface and a third surface of the excess film portion adjacent to the first surface by compressed air from compressed air discharge units disposed opposite to each other so as to sandwich the excess film portion; a second folding step of folding inward a fourth surface of the excess film portion that faces the first surface by a movable gripping hand; The method of claim 1, further comprising:

3. In the second folding step, The gripping hand is moved from a first position where it is close to the side surface of the article in a direction from the fourth surface toward the first surface, and the fourth surface of the excess film portion is folded inward while removing wrinkles in the film covering the surface of the article that constitutes the same surface as the fourth surface of the excess film portion due to contact between the gripping hand and the excess film portion.

3. The method for packaging articles according to claim 2.

4. a plurality of sets of the compressed air discharge units are provided, each of the compressed air discharge units having an air nozzle that discharges the compressed air and a flow control valve that controls a flow rate and a flow velocity of the compressed air, In the first folding step, the flow control valves are individually controlled to fold the second surface and the third surface of the excess film portion inward.

3. The method for packaging articles according to claim 2.

5. In the first folding step, A part of a plurality of sets of compressed air discharge portions arranged at different positions is selected and used according to the size of the plurality of types of the articles.

3. The method for packaging articles according to claim 2.

6. In the second step, A sensor provided on the gripping hand detects damage to the box body.

3. The method for packaging articles according to claim 2.

7. A packaging machine for packaging an article wrapped in a film so that the film has excess portions at both ends, A folding mechanism that folds a plurality of surfaces of the excess film portion excluding a first surface that is one of the four surfaces of the excess film portion; a gripping and conveying mechanism that conveys the article gripped by the gripping hand and stores it in a box, The first surface of the excess film portion is folded by utilizing contact with an edge of an opening of the box body when the excess film portion is stored in the box body by the gripping and conveying mechanism. A packaging machine characterized by:

8. The folding mechanism includes: compressed air discharge units disposed opposite each other so as to sandwich the excess film portion and configured to fold inwardly a second surface and a third surface of the excess film portion adjacent to the first surface by compressed air; the gripping and conveying mechanism folding inward a fourth surface of the excess film portion, the fourth surface facing the first surface of the excess film portion, by the gripping hand.

8. The packaging machine according to claim 7.

9. The gripping and conveying mechanism includes: The gripping hand is moved from a first position where it is close to the side surface of the article in a direction from the fourth surface toward the first surface, and the fourth surface of the excess film portion is folded inward while removing wrinkles in the film covering the surface of the article that constitutes the same surface as the fourth surface of the excess film portion due to contact between the gripping hand and the excess film portion.

9. The packaging machine according to claim 8.

10. a plurality of sets of the compressed air discharge units are provided, each of the compressed air discharge units having an air nozzle that discharges the compressed air and a flow control valve that controls a flow rate and a flow velocity of the compressed air, The flow control valves are individually controlled to fold the second surface and the third surface of the excess film portion inward.

9. The packaging machine according to claim 8.

11. A plurality of sets of the compressed air discharge portions are provided at different positions, A part of the plurality of sets of compressed air discharge portions is selected and used according to the size of the plurality of types of the articles.

9. The packaging machine according to claim 8.

12. The gripping and conveying mechanism includes: A sensor provided on the gripping hand detects damage to the box body.

8. The packaging machine according to claim 7.

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