Automatic shipping box sealing system

Abstract

To provide a shipping box automatic sealing system which saves labor in and facilitates an operation of loading a load onto a delivery truck and enhances load space efficiency by detecting a height of a shipping box when inner flaps are folded.SOLUTION: A shipping box automatic sealing system 100 includes a shipping box automatic sealing machine 100A configured to, in a process of line conveyance of shipping boxes 1 in which commodities are stored, fold front and rear inner flaps 3, 4 inwards and then left and right outer flaps 5, 6 inwards and further paste a sealing tape to seal up a gap between closing end edges of the left and right outer flaps. The shipping box automatic sealing machine 100A comprises shipping box conveyance means 11-16, inner flap folding-in means 30, centering guide means 20, outer flap folding-in and sealing tape pasting means 40, box width measuring means 70, box length measuring means 80, box height measuring means 90, and a control unit 60.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic shipping box sealing system.

Background Art

[0002] In the sorting work lines of goods in warehouses such as logistics centers and e-commerce business offices, a logistics management system (WMS) based on a huge amount of shipping, receiving, and inventory information aggregated using a computer has been introduced. In a conventional logistics management system (WMS), an automatic shipping box sealing system is arranged at an upstream position of the sorting work line of the conveyor line, and a shipping box size measuring machine is arranged at a downstream position.

[0003] In the sorting work line, first, the goods ordered by the customer are picked from the warehouse or shelf and stored in a shipping box such as a cardboard box with the inner flap and outer flap opened corresponding to the size of the goods together with the delivery note. Then, the shipping boxes with various heights, widths, and lengths containing the goods and the delivery note are fed into the automatic shipping box sealing system by the conveyor line.

[0004] In the automatic shipping box sealing system, after folding a pair of inner flaps, a pair of outer flaps are folded in, and a packing tape (adhesive tape) is attached to the butting portion of the outer flaps to seal the box. Further, an invoice issuing and attaching machine (labeler) is used to automatically issue an invoice and attach it to the shipping box.

[0005] After that, in the shipping box size measuring machine provided downstream of the line, the conveyed shipping box is stopped and its height, width, and length are measured.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

[0007] However, conventionally, automated shipping box sealing systems do not measure the length, width, and height of the shipping boxes. Instead, after the boxes have been automatically sealed, a special machine such as a measuring device, which is retrofitted to the sealing machine, is used to calculate the sum of the length, width, and height of the boxes. The boxes are then sorted by size, and shipping labels of various sizes are attached to them before they are loaded onto delivery trucks for shipment.

[0008] When shipping boxes with shipping labels of various sizes attached are loaded onto a delivery truck, measuring the length, width, and height of each shipping box and recording these dimensions on the shipping label, and loading them in a uniform manner, will make the loading process easier, less labor-intensive, and more efficient in terms of cargo space.

[0009] This invention was devised in view of the problems of the prior art, and aims to provide an automatic shipping box sealing system that can contribute to facilitating and saving labor in loading cargo onto delivery trucks and improving cargo space efficiency by detecting the height of the shipping box in the sealing machine without requiring the introduction of a dedicated machine such as a measuring boy that measures the three sides and is retrofitted to the sealing machine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The first aspect of the present invention provides an automated shipping box sealing system to solve the above problems, The invention includes an automatic shipping box sealing machine, which has a box shape with four flaps for the top lid that rise up on the front, back, left, and right sides, and during the process of transporting the shipping box containing the goods on the line, the machine folds in the front and back inner flaps, then folds in the left and right outer flaps, and then applies sealing tape to seal the gap between the closed edges of the left and right outer flaps.

[0011] Furthermore, the automatic box sealing machine for shipments according to the first embodiment is, The configuration includes a shipping box transporting means, an inner flap folding means, a centering guide means, and an outer flap folding and sealing tape application means, The aforementioned shipping box transport means has a configuration in which a plurality of conveyors connected in a line are used, and each conveyor performs independent transport and stopping to transport the shipping boxes in a line. The centering guide means is An inner flap folding mechanism provided above one conveyor of the shipping box transport means for folding the inner flaps at the front and rear of the shipping box, and a pair of left and right centering guide bars waiting on both sides of the conveyor corresponding to the inner flap folding mechanism, The configuration includes a centering guide moving mechanism that brings the pair of centering guide bars closer together so that their central spacing aligns with the center of the conveyor line, and guides them to contact or be close to both sides of the shipping box being transported by the conveyor. The outer flap folding and sealing tape application means is provided above another conveyor on the downstream side of the conveyor line corresponding to the inner flap folding means. It folds the left and right outer flaps onto the front and rear inner flaps that have been folded earlier, and then seals the box by applying sealing tape to seal the gap between the closed edges of the left and right outer flaps.

[0012] Furthermore, the automatic shipping box sealing machine according to the first embodiment is, The configuration includes: a box length measuring means for measuring the box length while the shipping box is being transported by any one of the shipping box transport means; a box height measuring means for detecting the box height with the front and rear inner flaps of the shipping box folded in, or with the left and right outer flaps folded in; a box width measuring means for measuring the box width when the box width center is centered on the line center during line transport; and a control unit that controls each of the above components and outputs the measured values ​​of box length, box height, and box width.

[0013] The automatic shipping box sealing system according to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, The box width measuring means is The centering guide means or a pre-centering guide means identically configured upstream thereof is attached to the centering guide means, and when centering the shipping box during line transport so that the center of the box width aligns with the center of the line, the box width is measured based on the approach movement amount of the centering guide moving mechanism. The box length measuring means is The configuration measures the length of a box by detecting both or one of the front and rear ends of the shipping box being transported by one of the conveyors of the aforementioned shipping box transport means. The box height measuring means is The configuration involves a top contact bar that is positioned above and descends to contact the upper surfaces of the folded left and right outer flaps or the folded front and rear inner flaps of the shipping box, and detecting the box height based on the downward stroke of the top contact bar.

[0014] The automatic shipping box sealing system according to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the second aspect described above, The box length measuring means is The system includes a front end detection sensor that detects the front end of a shipping box as it passes, a rear end detection sensor that detects the rear end as it passes, and a transport distance measuring unit that calculates the transport distance of a conveyor transporting the shipping box as the box length based on the elapsed time of the two detection signals.

[0015] The automatic shipping box sealing system according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the second or third aspect described above, The box length measuring means is The system includes a front-end detection sensor that detects when the front end of the shipping box passes a reference position, and a laser measuring device that, simultaneously with the detection by the front-end detection sensor, irradiates the rear end of the shipping box with a laser to measure the distance to the rear end and detect the rear end position.

[0016] The shipping box automatic sealing system according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of any one of the above second to fourth aspects, the box length measuring means includes a front-end detection sensor that detects the front-end position when the front end of the shipping box passes through a reference position, and a rear-end detection sensor array that detects the rear-end position simultaneously with the detection of the front-end position of the shipping box by the front-end detection sensor. The rear-end detection sensor array has a light-emitting element array provided on one side of a line that emits light simultaneously with the detection of the front-end position, and a light-receiving element array provided on the other side of the line that receives the emitted light. The detected box length is measured based on the light reception of the light-receiving element closest to the reference position in the light-receiving element array.

[0017] The shipping box automatic sealing system according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of any one of the above second to fifth aspects, the box height measuring means the upper surface contact bar is provided to wait above the line downstream side of the outer flap folding and sealing tape attaching means. When the folded left and right outer flaps of the shipping box that passes through the outer flap folding and sealing tape attaching means and temporarily stops on the conveyor descend and contact the upper surface, the box height is detected based on the descending stroke of the upper surface contact bar.

[0018] The shipping box automatic sealing system according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of any one of the above second to sixth aspects, the box height measuring means As the upper surface contact bar, a front inner flap folding lever that is a component of the inner flap folding means is provided. When the front inner flap folding lever descends and contacts the upper surface of the front inner flap of the shipping box and folds, the height up to the upper surface of the inner flap is measured based on the descending stroke at this time, and a value corresponding to the thickness of the flap is added to this measured value to measure the box height.

[0019] The shipping box automatic sealing system according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of any one of the above second to seventh aspects, The box width measuring means is The system has a travel distance sensor that outputs a pulse corresponding to the amount of movement of the centering guide movement mechanism when a pair of centering guide bars move closer together, and the width dimension of the shipping box is measured based on the pulse output by the travel distance sensor.

[0020] The automatic shipping box sealing system according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the eighth aspect described above, The aforementioned centering guide movement mechanism, The configuration includes a roller chain winding mechanism that connects the pair of centering guide bars to each other at two positions so as to move them closer together and further apart; an air cylinder device that causes the roller chain winding mechanism to reciprocate for a certain distance; and a travel distance sensor that counts the passage of the connecting pin of the roller chain winding mechanism to measure the distance between the pair of centering guide bars when they are close to the shipping box. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] According to the present invention, an automatic shipping box sealing system can be provided that allows for the detection of the height of the shipping box in the sealing machine without the need to introduce a dedicated machine such as a measuring boy that measures the three sides and is retrofitted to the sealing machine. This contributes to facilitating and reducing the labor involved in loading cargo onto delivery trucks and improving the efficiency of the loading space. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0022] [Figure 1] This is an overall front view of an automated shipping box sealing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is an explanatory diagram of a shipping box that is the target of the automatic shipping box sealing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is an explanatory diagram of a shipping box that is the target of the automatic shipping box sealing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4]This is an explanatory diagram of a shipping box that is the target of the automatic shipping box sealing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is an explanatory diagram of a shipping box that is the target of the automatic shipping box sealing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart of an automated shipping box sealing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a schematic plan view of a centering guide means and a box width measuring means incorporated into an automatic shipping box sealing system according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the third conveyor. [Figure 8] This is an elevation view of a centering guide means and a box width measuring means incorporated into an automatic shipping box sealing system according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the third conveyor. [Figure 9] This relates to an internal flap folding means for an automatic shipping box sealing system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a front view showing the state in which the front internal flap has been folded using the front internal flap folding lever. [Figure 10] This relates to an internal flap folding means for an automatic shipping box sealing system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a front view showing the state in which the rear internal flap has been folded by a rear internal flap folding swing lever. [Figure 11] This is an operation diagram showing a box length measuring means incorporated into an automated shipping box sealing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] This is a perspective view of a shipping box that is the target of the automatic shipping box sealing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] This figure relates to an inner flap folding means for an automatic shipping box sealing system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and shows the height from the folded inner flap of the shipping box to the top surface. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0023] Hereinafter, an automated shipping box sealing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0024] [Overview of the automated shipping box sealing system] As shown in Figure 1, the automatic shipping box sealing system 100 has first to sixth conveyors 11-16 connected in a line across zones 1-6, each independently transporting and stopping to transport the shipping boxes 1 in a line, and an automatic shipping box sealing machine 100A including conveyors 12-15 (belt conveyors; shipping box transport means) corresponding to zones 3-5, and a first conveyor 11 (roller conveyor) located upstream of the automatic shipping box sealing machine 100A and corresponding to zones 1 and 2. The system includes a loading section 100B which includes a pre-centering guide means 51 and a first scanner 52 arranged above the first conveyor 11, a shipping processing section 100C which includes a sixth conveyor 16 located downstream of the automatic shipping box sealing machine 100A and corresponding to zone 6, and which includes a shipping label issuing and attaching machine (labeler) 53 and a second scanner 54 arranged above the sixth conveyor 16, and a control unit 60 attached to the automatic shipping box sealing machine 100A.

[0025] The automatic shipping box sealing system 100 shown in Figure 1 is a box-shaped shipping box 1 in which goods G are stored, and as shown in Figure 2, four flaps 3-6 for the top lid rise up from the upper end of the square cylindrical part 2 on all sides. As shown in Figure 5, shipping boxes 1 of various lengths L, heights H and widths W are successively fed onto the first conveyor 11, and the shipping boxes 1 are supplied one by one at intervals to the automatic shipping box sealing machine 100A by the separation and feeding function of the first conveyor 11. Next, in the automatic shipping box sealing machine 100A, as shown in Figures 2-5, during the process of transporting a shipping box 1 containing product G, which has a box shape with four flaps 3-6 for the top lid rising up on the front, back, left, and right, the machine is configured to automatically fold in the front and back inner flaps 3 and 4 as shown in Figure 3, then fold in the left and right outer flaps 5 and 6 as shown in Figure 4, and finally, as shown in Figure 5, apply sealing tape T to seal the gap g between the closed edges of the left and right outer flaps 5 and 6.

[0026] The automatic shipping box sealing machine 100A features a box width measuring means 70, a box length measuring means 80, and a box height measuring means 90 as its distinctive configuration.

[0027] The control unit 60 controls each of the above-mentioned components, and also controls the box width measuring means 70, the box length measuring means 80, and the box height measuring means 90 respectively to acquire measured values ​​for the box width W, box length L, and box height H, and outputs them as outbound data.

[0028] As shown in Figure 6, this figure illustrates the relationship between the control data handled by the control unit 60 and zones 1-6, the relationship between the folding of the flaps 3-6 of the shipping box 1 and zones 1-6, and the relationship between the acquisition and output of the box length L, box height H, and box width W.

[0029] The following provides a detailed explanation of the configuration not mentioned in the overview above.

[0030] [Basic configuration] Here, the basic configuration refers to the configuration other than the characteristic configuration (box width measuring means 70, box length measuring means 80, and box height measuring means 90).

[0031] [Regarding the first conveyor belt 11] The first conveyor 11 can be, for example, a roller conveyor. Using a roller conveyor makes it easy to adjust the spacing of the shipping boxes 1 and to process them while they are waiting. On the upstream half of the conveyor, as shown in Figure 2, there are shipping boxes 1 with four flaps 3-6 that hold the products G and delivery slips J, and as shown in Figure 5, there are shipping boxes 1 with various heights H, widths W and lengths L. When the shipping boxes 1 are moved to the downstream half of the conveyor, the product ID of the delivery slip J scanned by the first scanner 52 is transmitted to the control unit 60 and stored.

[0032] A pre-centering guide means 51 is attached near the upper part of the downstream half of the first conveyor 11 to center the shipping box 1 in the width direction, centering the shipping box 1 as it is transported to the downstream half of the conveyor so that its width center aligns with the line center. The pre-centering guide means 51 has the same structure as the centering guide means 20 which will be described later, so its configuration will be omitted.

[0033] [About the 100A Automatic Shipping Box Sealing Machine] As shown in Figure 1, the automatic shipping box sealing machine 100A includes second to fifth conveyors 12-15 for transporting the shipping boxes 1, a third conveyor 13 which has a pair of endless winding traveling bodies 13a with pressing claws 13b attached, a centering guide means 20 which is located near the top of the third conveyor 13 and on both sides to align the width center of the shipping box 1 with the line center of the third conveyor 13, and a mechanism located above the third conveyor 13 which folds the front inner flap 3 and the rear inner flap 4 inward horizontally. The system includes an inner flap folding means 30 and an outer flap folding and sealing tape application means 40, which is located above a fourth conveyor 14, which has a pair of endless winding traveling bodies 14a with pressing claws 14b attached to it. The outer flap folding and sealing tape application means 40 folds a pair of outer flaps 5 and 6 horizontally so that they overlap the inner flaps 3 and 4, and then applies sealing tape T to seal the gap g between the closed edges of the outer flaps 5 and 6, thereby sealing the outer flaps 5 and 6 so that they do not open.

[0034] [Regarding conveyors 12-15] Conveyors 12-15 are all belt conveyors, each having a pair of narrow, endless winding travel bodies positioned on either side of the center of the line, and servo motors that drive the pair of endless winding travel bodies, and are configured to transport and stop independently.

[0035] The pair of endless winding transport bodies are set at a distance smaller than the minimum width W of the shipping box 1, so that the shipping box 1 can be transported with both sides of its underside resting on it, regardless of the size of the centered width W. In areas where there are no devices or claws that push up onto the transport surface from below the conveyor, the endless winding transport bodies can be installed at a wider width.

[0036] [Regarding the centering guide mechanism 20] As shown in Figure 1, a centering guide means 20 is provided on the upper side of the conveyor 13. Figure 7 is a schematic plan view of the centering guide means 20 incorporated into the automatic shipping box sealing machine 100A. Figure 8 is an elevation view of the centering guide means 20.

[0037] The centering guide means 20 operates before the inner flap folding means 30, which will be described later. The reason for providing the centering guide means 20 is as follows: Firstly, if the left and right sides of the shipping box 1 are not held down when folding the inner flaps 3 and 4 at the front and rear of the shipping box 1, the orientation of the shipping box 1 will change, and sometimes the inner flap folding means 30 will not be able to fold the inner flaps 3 and 4. Secondly, if pre-centering processing is not performed by the centering guide means 51, the shipping box 1 will not be placed on the third conveyor 13 such that the center of the width of the shipping box 1 coincides with the center of the distance K between the pair of endless winding traveling bodies 13a, 13a of the third conveyor 13.

[0038] The centering guide means 20 includes a pair of centering guide bars 21a, 21b and a centering guide bar moving mechanism 22.

[0039] The pair of centering guide bars 21a and 21b are elongated in the direction of transport and are positioned slightly above the transport surface of the third conveyor 13, corresponding to the upstream portion of the transport surface. The pair of centering guide bars 21a and 21b are positioned on both sides at an equidistant distance from the center of the line.

[0040] The centering guide bar moving mechanism 22 has a pair of horizontal guides 22a, 22b that are long in the direction perpendicular to the lower position of the pair of centering guide bars 21a, 21b and are supported at both ends, and a pair of sliders 22c, 22d that engage with each of the pair of horizontal guides 22a, 22b, and the pair of centering guide bars 21a, 21b are supported by the pair of sliders 22c, 22c or 22d, 22d and are movable in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the third conveyor 13.

[0041] The centering guide bar moving mechanism 22 includes a roller chain winding means 24 that is provided horizontally in a long length perpendicular to the third conveyor 13, and an air cylinder device 25 that causes the roller chain winding means 24 to reciprocate for a certain distance. The center of the distance between the pair of centering guide bars 21a, 21b is aligned with the center of the distance K between the pair of endless winding traveling bodies 13a, 13a that constitute the third conveyor 13, causing them to move closer to and further apart from each other from both sides of the third conveyor 13.

[0042] The roller chain winding means 24 consists, for example, a pair of sprockets 24a and 24b spaced apart in the horizontal direction, and an endless roller chain 24c wound around the sprockets 24a and 24b.

[0043] The lower end of a connecting bracket 27a is connected to the connecting pin 24f of the lower running portion 24e of the endless roller chain 24c, and its upper end is connected to the midpoint of the length of the centering guide bar 21a. Similarly, the lower end of a connecting bracket 27b is connected to the connecting pin 24f of the upper running portion 24d of the endless roller chain 24c, and its upper end is connected to the midpoint of the length of the centering guide bar 21b. Therefore, the running directions of the lower running portion 24e and the upper running portion 24d of the endless roller chain 24c are opposite to each other, causing them to move closer together and further apart as the endless roller chain 24c moves.

[0044] Furthermore, a connecting head 25a, located at the tip of the piston head of the air cylinder device 25, is pin-connected to a required position on the lower running portion 24e of the endless roller chain 24c, and the base of the cylinder is pin-connected to the frame. When the piston of the air cylinder device 25 extends, the pair of centering guide bars 21a and 21b move closer to each other, and when the piston of the air cylinder device 25 retracts, the pair of centering guide bars 21a and 21b move further apart.

[0045] The centering guide means 20 is configured such that when the shipping box 1 is transported on the upstream section of the third conveyor 13 and positioned between a pair of centering guide bars 21a and 21b, the piston of the air cylinder device 25 extends, causing the pair of centering guide bars 21a and 21b to move closer to each other. The timing of the extension of the piston of the air cylinder device 25 is based, for example, on a detection signal from a sensor (not shown) that is positioned below the transport surface of the third conveyor 13 shown in Figure 1 and upstream of the first sensor 35 in the transport direction, and which detects the front surface of the shipping box 1.

[0046] The air cylinder device 25 is configured to be able to switch the supply of compressed air from, for example, an air compressor (not shown) to the air inlet / outlet port at the base of the cylinder and the air inlet / outlet port at the base of the head via a solenoid four-way valve 25b. When the piston of the air cylinder device 25 extends and the pair of centering guide bars 21a, 21b apply strong pressure to both sides of the shipping box 1, the timing is detected, for example, by pressure sensors (or touch sensors) 29a, 29b attached to the pair of centering guide bars 21a, 21b. The solenoid four-way valve 25b is then set to the neutral open state to stop the pair of centering guide bars 21a, 21b from moving any further together, and the open state of the solenoid four-way valve 25b is switched and controlled as needed so that the pair of centering guide bars 21a, 21b are separated by 2 to 3 mm.

[0047] Furthermore, the piston of the air cylinder device 25 retracts as it passes between the pair of centering guide bars 21a and 21b of the shipping box 1, thereby causing the pair of centering guide bars 21a and 21b to move apart from each other.

[0048] Furthermore, the centering guide means 20 is equipped with a box width measuring means 70. This box width measuring means 70 will be described later as one of the characteristic configurations.

[0049] The control of the centering guide means 20 is performed by the control unit 60.

[0050] [Regarding the inner flap folding mechanism 30] As shown in Figure 1, an inner flap folding mechanism 30 is provided above the third conveyor 13. Figure 9 is a front view relating to the inner flap folding mechanism of the automatic shipping box sealing system, showing the state in which the front inner flap is folded using the front inner flap folding lever. Figure 10 is a front view relating to the inner flap folding mechanism of the automatic shipping box sealing system, showing the state in which the rear inner flap is folded using the rear inner flap folding swing lever. Figure 11 is a diagram relating to the inner flap folding mechanism of the automatic shipping box sealing system, showing the height from the folded inner flap of the shipping box to the top surface.

[0051] The inner flap folding mechanism 30 includes a front inner flap folding lever 31, a rear inner flap folding swing lever 32, and a first lifting frame 34 that supports the front inner flap folding lever 31 and the rear inner flap folding swing lever 32 and is raised and lowered by a second servo motor 33.

[0052] The inner flap folding means 30 is positioned above the third conveyor 13, corresponding to the centering guide means 20, and descends at a predetermined timing. As shown in Figure 3, the front inner flap folding lever 31 folds the front inner flap 3 horizontally, while the rear inner flap folding swing lever 32 swings downward to fold the rear inner flap 4 horizontally.

[0053] The first lifting frame 34 is positioned to be adjustable above the required location on the third conveyor 13. The timing of the first lifting frame 34's descent is based on the detection signal from the first sensor 35 (see Figure 1).

[0054] The front inner flap folding lever 31, supported by the first lifting frame 34, descends from its upper position when the inner flap 3 for the front top lid of the shipping box 1, which is being transported by the third conveyor 13, reaches the required position. The lever contacts the front of the inner flap 3 in the direction of transport, folding the inner flap 3 horizontally, while simultaneously rotating itself until it becomes horizontal due to the reaction force received from the inner flap 3, thereby folding the inner flap 3 for the front top lid of the shipping box 1 horizontally inward.

[0055] The front inner flap folding lever 31 is supported at its middle portion by the first lifting frame 34 via a magnetic cylinder 31a. When the piston is fully extended, the magnetic cylinder 31a supports the front inner flap folding lever 31 in a state where the magnet is not powered and the lower end of the lever hangs down slightly forward in the transport direction from the vertical line passing through the pivot center, allowing the front inner flap folding lever 31 to lift smoothly. When the front inner flap folding lever 31 becomes horizontal, the magnet becomes powered and the front inner flap folding lever 31 is held horizontally.

[0056] The front inner flap folding lever 31 has a pivot arm 31b that is integral with the front inner flap folding lever 31 and extends to the opposite side, and the pivot arm 31b has a cam 31c at its upper end. As the front inner flap folding lever 31 rotates to lift up, the tip of the cam 31c in the direction of rotation is detected by the second sensor 36 just before the front inner flap folding lever 31 is lifted horizontally, and when the front inner flap folding lever 31 is lifted horizontally, the rear end of the cam 31c in the direction of rotation is detected by the second sensor 36. Based on the sensor signal detecting the tip of the cam 31c in the direction of rotation, the second servo motor 33 enters a rotation mode in which it gradually decelerates, and based on the sensor signal detecting the rear end of the cam 31c in the direction of rotation, the second servo motor 33 stops rotating.

[0057] The rear inner flap folding swing lever 32 has a rod-shaped portion 32a that extends horizontally in a cantilevered manner further upstream in the transport direction from the upstream end of the first lifting frame 34 in the transport direction. A boss portion 32b at one end of this rod-shaped portion 32a is pivotally supported by the first lifting frame 34, and a striker panel 32c is located at the other end of this rod-shaped portion 32a. The boss portion 32b is rotated by an air cylinder device 32d.

[0058] The rear inner flap folding lever 32 rotates downward from a horizontal position as the air cylinder device 32d extends just before the front inner flap folding lever 31 is raised horizontally. When the air cylinder device 32d extends, the striker panel 32c folds the rear upper cover inner flap 4 horizontally, and when the air cylinder device 32d retracts, it rotates back to its original horizontal position.

[0059] The inner flap folding mechanism 30 has an inner flap retainer 38 that extends downstream in the transport direction from the lower end of the hanging portion 34a of the first lifting frame 34. The inner flap retainer 38 fits between a pair of outer flap folding guides 41, which will be described later, and plays the role of transferring the folded state of the inner flaps 3 and 4 to the pair of outer flap folding guides 41.

[0060] The control of the inner flap folding means 30 is performed by the control unit 60.

[0061] [Regarding the outer flap folding and sealing tape application method 40] As shown in Figure 1, an outer flap folding and sealing tape application means 40 is provided on the upper side of the fourth conveyor 14.

[0062] The outer flap folding and sealing tape application means 40 includes a pair of outer flap folding guides 41, a sealing tape application means 42, and a second lifting frame 44 that supports the pair of outer flap folding guides 41 and the sealing tape application means 42 and is raised and lowered by a third servo motor 43.

[0063] The outer flap folding and sealing tape application means 40 is positioned adjacent to the downstream side of the inner flap folding means 30 in the conveying direction and waits above the fourth conveyor 14. At a predetermined timing, approximately simultaneously with the inner flap folding means 30, it lowers the second lifting frame 44, inserts it between the protruding portions (upstream portions in the conveying direction) of the pair of outer flap folding guides 41, guides them downwards while narrowing the gap between them, and folds the pair of outer flaps 5 and 6 horizontally so that they overlap the pair of inner flaps 3 that were folded earlier. Furthermore, as the shipping box 1 with the pair of outer flaps 5 and 6 folded passes underneath, the reel-shaped sealing tape T is fed out to the bottom of the sealing tape application means 42, which includes a roll 42a, a contact guide 42b, and a tape pressing roll 42c. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the sealing tape T is applied so as to seal the gap g between the closed edges of the pair of outer flaps 5 and 6 for the top lid.

[0064] The outer flap folding and sealing tape application means 40 includes, as shown in Figure 5, a case where both ends of the packing tape T are applied to the front and rear surfaces of the shipping box 1 for, for example, 30-50 mm, and, as shown in Figure 12, a case where the height H1 of the shipping box 1 is, for example, 30 mm or less, a case where both ends of the packing tape T are applied to the entire height of the front and rear surfaces of the shipping box 1 and further applied to the bottom surface of the shipping box 1 for, for example, 20-30 mm.

[0065] The outer flap folding and sealing tape application means 40 returns to its upward position after the sealing tape T has been applied. In addition, a box length measuring means 80 is provided in relation to the fourth conveyor 14. The box length measuring means 80 has a distinctive configuration, which will be described later.

[0066] The outer flap folding and sealing tape application means 40 is controlled by the control unit 60.

[0067] [Regarding the shipping processing unit 100C] As shown in Figures 1, 5, and 6, the invoice issuance and attachment unit 53 is provided above the sixth conveyor 16, which is for example a roller conveyor, and includes an invoice issuance and attachment machine (labeler) 53 that automatically issues invoices via a print head 53a in the middle of the conveyor surface and attaches them to the shipping boxes 1. When the shipping boxes 1 that have been automatically sealed are transported to the middle of the conveyor surface, the labeler 53 issues an invoice and attaches it to the top surface of the shipping box 1. Then, when the shipping boxes 1 are transported downstream of the conveyor surface, the invoice is scanned by the second scanner 54, and the scanned invoice ID is transmitted to the control unit 60, stored, and compared with the product ID.

[0068] The control of the invoice issuance and attachment unit 53 is performed by the control unit 60.

[0069] [Details of the characteristic configuration of the automated shipping box sealing system] The automatic shipping box sealing machine 100A features a box width measuring means 70 attached to a centering guide means 20 associated with the third conveyor 13, a box length measuring means 80 provided on the fourth conveyor 14, and a box height measuring means 90 provided above the fifth conveyor 15.

[0070] [Regarding the box width measuring means 70] The box width measuring means 70 is attached to the centering guide means 20 and is configured to measure the box width based on the approach movement amount of the centering guide moving mechanism 22 when centering the shipping box 1 during line transport so that the center of the box width aligns with the center of the line.

[0071] As previously described, the centering guide means 20 is configured such that a pair of centering guide bars 21a and 21b are supported by the upper running portion 24d and the lower running portion 24e of the roller chain winding means 24 which constitute the centering guide bar moving means 23, allowing them to approach each other from both sides of the third conveyor 13, come into contact with the shipping box 1 and stop, guiding the shipping box 1 so that its width center aligns with the width center of the third conveyor 13.

[0072] The centering guide means 20 has a travel distance sensor 26 that outputs a pulse each time the connecting pin 24f of the roller chain winding means 24 passes over it in order to detect the box width.

[0073] The mileage sensor 26 is supported at a required position on the lower running portion 24e of the endless roller chain 24c of the roller chain winding means 24, with the lower end of the sensor support bracket 27c being supported at a required position. The bifurcated opposing surface portion of the upper end of the sensor support bracket 27c is arranged vertically so as to sandwich the upper running portion 24d of the endless roller chain 24c, and the bifurcated opposing surface portion has a light-emitting element 28a and a light-receiving element 28b facing each other.

[0074] The travel distance sensor 26 uses a light-emitting element 28a and a light-receiving element 28b to work together to count the number of times the connecting pins 24f of the upper traveling portion 24d of the endless roller chain 24c of the roller chain winding means 24 pass through, and outputs the number of pulses.

[0075] Therefore, the travel distance sensor 26 attached to the lower travel section 24e counts the number of times the connecting pins 24f of the upper travel section 24d pass when the endless roller chain 24c moves by, for example, 5 times the pitch dimension of the connecting pins 24f. The upper travel section 24d moves in the same direction and the same distance as the endless roller chain 24c, and moves in the opposite direction. This counts 10 connecting pins 24f, and if the pitch dimension of the connecting pins 24f is 6 mm, the sensor outputs a pulse every 3 mm that the pair of centering guide bars 21a and 21b move. Thus, the measurement error is less than 3 mm.

[0076] Alternatively, the lower end of the sensor support bracket 27c may be supported by the upper travel portion 24d, and the light-emitting element 28a and the light-receiving element 28b may count the number of times they pass through the connecting pin 24f of the lower travel portion 24e and output the number of pulses.

[0077] The control unit 60 receives pulses output by the travel distance sensor 26 and starts counting the pulses output by the travel distance sensor from the moment the pair of centering guide bars 21a and 21b begin moving toward each other from positions separated on both sides of the third conveyor 13 (standby positions) or from the moment they pass the origin positions on both sides. The counting stops when the pair of centering guide bars 21a and 21b come into contact with the sides of the shipping box 1 on both sides. Based on the number of counted pulses, the control unit 60 calculates the approaching distance of the pair of centering guide bars 21a and 21b, and subtracts the approaching distance from a specified distance between the standby positions or the origin positions of the pair of centering guide bars 21a and 21b, outputting the calculated value as the width dimension W of the shipping box 1.

[0078] Furthermore, the box width measuring means 70 may be attached to the pre-centering guide means 51 instead of the centering guide means 20.

[0079] [Regarding the box length measuring means 80] As shown in Figure 11, the box length measuring means 80 is attached in relation to the fourth conveyor 14, which is configured to move a pair of left and right endless winding traveling bodies 14a, 14a, which are wound around four pairs of pulleys 14c, using a first servo motor 14d. The shipping box 1 is transferred onto the fourth conveyor 14 and its rear surface is pushed from behind by a pressing claw 14b provided on the endless winding traveling body 14a.

[0080] The box length measuring means 80 has a configuration comprising a front end detection sensor 14f that detects the front end of the shipping box 1 when it passes, a rear end detection sensor 14g that detects the rear end when it passes, and a conveying distance measuring unit, a Varicam 14e, that calculates the conveying distance of the conveyor transporting the shipping box 1 as the box length based on the elapsed time of the two detection signals.

[0081] More specifically, the box length measuring means 80 includes a front end detection sensor (e.g., a photoelectric sensor or an illuminance sensor) 14f that detects the moment when the front part of the shipping box 1 passes directly overhead and outputs a signal, a rear end detection sensor 14g that is located downstream of the front end detection sensor 14f in the transport direction and detects the moment when the pressing claw 14b passes and outputs a signal, and a varicam 14e which serves as a transport distance measuring unit that outputs pulses in proportion to the rotation speed of the first servo motor 14d that rotates one pulley 14c of the fourth conveyor 14. The four distance dimensions A, B, C, and D shown in Figure 11 are predetermined dimensions, and there is a proportional relationship between the distance dimensions A, B, C, and D and the pulses output from the varicam 14e.

[0082] In Figure 11(A), the shipping box 1 being pushed by the pressing claw 14b is positioned between the front end detection sensor 14f and the rear end detection sensor 14g. In Figure 11(B), the shipping box 1 shown in Figure 11(A) is no longer on the fourth conveyor 14, so at this time the next shipping box 1 is moved to the upstream position of the fourth conveyor 14, but the pressing claw 14b is no longer pushing the shipping box 1. Figure 11(C) shows the point in time when the distance between the pressing claw 14b pushing the shipping box 1 and the rear end detection sensor 14g is a specified distance B, and also shows the point in time when the distance between the pressing claw 14b and the front end detection sensor 14f is a specified distance D. In Figure 11(D), the point in time when the shipping box 1 being pushed by the pressing claw 14b is detected by the front end detection sensor 14f, and also shows the point in time when the pressing claw 14b has moved a distance E from the position shown in Figure 11(C). As can be seen from Figures 11(C) and 11(D), the length L of the shipping box 1 is the value obtained by subtracting the distance E from the shipping box 1 to the front end detection sensor 14f from the specified distance D. Therefore, if the counting of the pulse output from the Varicam 14e is started at the time shown in Figure 11(C) and ended at the time shown in Figure 11(D), the count will be a value corresponding to the distance E. By calculating the distance E and subtracting it from the specified distance D, the length L of the shipping box 1 can be calculated.

[0083] Therefore, the control unit 60 is configured to input pulses output by the Varicam 14e from the time it receives a signal output by the rear end detection sensor 14g until it receives a signal output by the front end detection sensor 14f, calculate the distance E that the pressing claw 14b moves based on the count, and subtract the calculated distance E that the pressing claw 14b moves from a predetermined distance D from the front end detection sensor 14f to the pressing claw 14b at the time the rear end detection sensor 14g outputs a signal, and output the length dimension L of the shipping box 1.

[0084] [Regarding the box height measuring means 90] A box height measuring means 90 is provided in relation to the fifth conveyor 15 shown in Figure 1. The box height measuring means 90 has a pair of upper contact bars 91 that are waiting near the upper side of the shipping box 1 that has been transported onto the fifth conveyor 15 and stopped. The box height measuring means 90 drives a fourth servo motor 92 to lower the pair of upper contact bars 91, and the pair of upper contact bars 91 come into contact with the upper surfaces of the left and right outer flaps 5, 6 of the shipping box 1, which are held in a tapered and folded state. At this time, the lowering stroke of the upper contact bars 91 is measured as the box height based on the pulse of the rotational speed detected by the rotary encoder 93 provided on the fourth servo motor 92.

[0085] In this case, the pair of upper contact bars 91 are configured to contact the upper surfaces of the left and right outer flaps 5 and 6 while avoiding the sealing tape T, which has the following effect. Specifically, in the outer flap folding and sealing tape application means 40, when the product G is compressed by the left and right outer flaps 5 and 6 to a height greater than the storage height inside the box and the lid is closed, the sealing tape T is applied and then the pair of upper contact bars 91 are raised, and as a result the left and right outer flaps 5 and 6 are lifted in the middle away from the sealing tape T, causing the box to bulge, the height of the bulging box can be measured.

[0086] The control unit 60 is configured to calculate and output the height H of the folded outer flaps 5 and 6 of the shipping box 1 to the top surface.

[0087] [Other embodiments]

[0088] The box width measuring means 70 can be provided in relation to the pre-centering guide means 51, rather than in relation to the centering guide means 20. In this case, the measurement value of the box width measuring means 70 provided on the pre-centering guide means 51 can be used to set the pair of centering guide bars 21a and 21b of the centering guide means 20 to a distance greater than the measurement value + 0 to 20 mm when the measured shipping box is transported onto the third conveyor 13, without having to wait in the maximum separated state, thereby shortening the processing time.

[0089] Next, the box length measuring means 80 described in the above embodiment may be provided not for the fourth conveyor 14, but for the first, second, third, or fifth conveyors 11, 12, 13, or 15.

[0090] Furthermore, the box length measuring means 80 may be changed to either the following second or third configuration.

[0091] As a second configuration for measuring the length of the box, the box may be configured to include a front-end detection sensor that detects when the front end of the shipping box passes a reference position, and a laser measuring device that simultaneously irradiates the rear end of the shipping box with a laser to measure the distance to the rear end and detect the position of the rear end.

[0092] A third configuration of box length measuring means may include a front end detection sensor that detects the front end position when the front end of the shipping box passes a reference position, and a rear end detection sensor array that detects the rear end position simultaneously with the detection of the front end position of the shipping box by the front end detection sensor. The rear end detection sensor array may include a light-emitting element array provided on one side of the line that emits light simultaneously with the detection of the front end position, and a light-receiving element array provided on the other side of the line that receives the emitted light, and the box length may be measured based on the light received by the light-receiving element closest to the reference position in the light-receiving element array.

[0093] Next, the box height measuring means 90 described in the above embodiment may be modified to the following configuration by attaching it to the inner flap folding means 30.

[0094] As shown in Figures 1, 9, and 10, the box height measuring means 90 includes a first sensor 35 that detects the moment when the front part of the shipping box 1 in the transport direction passes a required position to detect the timing of the start of the descent of the first lifting frame 34, and a second sensor 36 that detects the moment when the front inner flap folding lever 31 becomes horizontal to detect the timing of the stop of the descent of the first lifting frame 34. The second servo motor 33 is equipped with a second rotary encoder 37 that outputs pulses proportional to the rotation speed. The box height measuring means 90 receives the detection signals from the first sensor 35 and the second sensor 36 and calculates the descent stroke of the first lifting frame 34 based on the rotation speed of the second servo motor 33 from the start of the descent of the first lifting frame 34 to the stop of the descent.

[0095] The control unit 60 is configured to calculate the height H1 of the folded inner flap 3 of the shipping box 1, as shown in Figure 3, by subtracting the downward stroke from the height from the conveying surface of the conveyor 10 to the upper standby position of the first lifting frame 34 (or the origin position which serves as the reference for starting processing), and then adding the thickness t of the outer flaps 5 and 6 to calculate and output the height dimension H of the shipping box 1.

[0096] As explained above, the automatic shipping box sealing system with the above configuration is equipped with a box height measuring means. Therefore, when loading shipping boxes of various sizes onto a delivery truck, if shipping boxes of the same height are arranged and placed on the same height level, the height of the shipping box can be detected when the inner flap is folded, contributing to easier and more efficient loading of goods onto the delivery truck and improved loading space efficiency. Furthermore, the automatic shipping box sealing system with the above configuration is equipped with a box width measuring means and / or a box length measuring means in addition to the box height measuring means, which can further contribute to improved loading space efficiency. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0097] 100...Automatic shipping box sealing system, 100A... Automatic box sealing machine for shipping boxes, 100B...Loading area 100C...Shipping Processing 1…Shipping box, 2...Square cylindrical part, 3...Inner flap, 4...Inner flap, 3,4...Inner flap, 5,6...Outer flap, 11... The first conveyor belt, 12... The second conveyor belt, 13... The third conveyor, 13a... Endless loop running body, 13b ...Pressing claw, 14...The fourth conveyor, 14a ... Endless loop running body, 14b ... Pressing claw, 14c...pulley, 14d First servo motor, 14e... Varicam (transport distance measuring unit), 14f... Front end detection sensor, 14g... Rear end detection sensor, 15. The fifth conveyor 16. The sixth conveyor 20... Centering guide means, 21a, 21b... Centering guide bar, 22... Centering guide bar movement mechanism, 22a, 22b... horizontal guide, 22c, 22d... sliders, 24... Roller chain winding means, 24a, 24b... sprockets, 24c... Endless roller chain, 24d... Upper running section, 24e…lower running part, 24f... Connecting pin, 25...Air cylinder device, 25a...Connecting head, 25b... Solenoid four-way valve, 26... Odometer sensor, 27a, 27b... Connecting brackets, 27c... Sensor support bracket, 28a... Light-emitting element, 28b... Photodetector, 29a, 29b... Pressure sensor (or touch sensor), 30...Method for folding the inner flap, 31... Front inner flap folding lever, 31a...Magnetic cylinder, 31b... Swivel arm, 31c...cam, 32... Swing lever for folding the rear inner flap, 32a...rod-shaped part, 32b... Boss section, 32c... Striker panel, 32d...Air cylinder device, 33...Second servo motor, 34...First lifting frame, 34a... hanging part, 35...First sensor, 36...Second sensor, 37... Rotary encoder, 38...Inner flap retainer, 40...Method of folding the outer flap and attaching the sealing tape, 41…Outer flap folding guide, 42...Method for attaching sealing tape, 42a... Roll, 42b... Close-up guide, 42c... Tape presser roll, 43... Third servo motor, 44...Second lifting frame, 51…Precentering guiding means, 52... First scanner, 53…Shipping label printing and labeling machine (labeler), 53…Shipping label printing and labeling machine (labeler), 54...Second scanner, 60... Control unit, 70... Box width measuring means, 80...Method for measuring box length, 90...Method for measuring box height, 91... Top contact bar, 92...The fourth servo motor, 93... Rotary encoder 93, A... Distance between nails, BF,K...distance, G...Product, J... Delivery note, g...gap, H...height dimension, L...Length dimension, W...Width dimension, I... Invoice, T... Sealing tape

Claims

1. An automatic shipping box sealing system including an automatic shipping box sealing machine configured to have a box shape with four flaps for a top cover standing upright at the front, back, left and right, and to fold the front and back inner flaps and then fold the left and right outer flaps in the process of conveying a shipping box containing products on a line, and to apply sealing tape to seal the gap between the closed edges of the left and right outer flaps, The automatic shipping box sealing machine is a shipping box transport means having a plurality of conveyors connected in a line, each of which independently transports and stops the shipping boxes; an inner flap folding means that is provided above one conveyor of the shipping box conveying means and that folds the front and rear inner flaps of the shipping box; a centering guide means including a pair of left and right centering guide bars waiting on either side of one of the conveyors corresponding to the inner flap folding means, and a centering guide moving mechanism that moves the pair of centering guide bars close to each other so that the center of the gap between the centering guide bars is aligned with the center of the conveyor line, and guides the pair of centering guide bars in contact with or close to both side surfaces of the shipping box being transported by the one of the conveyors; an outer flap folding / sealing tape applying means that is provided above another conveyor downstream of the line of the conveyor corresponding to the inner flap folding means and that folds the left and right outer flaps onto the front and rear inner flaps that have been previously folded, and further applies sealing tape to seal the gap between the closed edges of the left and right outer flaps, a box length measuring means for measuring the length of the shipping box while the shipping box is being transported by any one of the conveyors of the shipping box transport means; a box height measuring means for detecting the box height in a state in which the front and rear inner flaps of the shipping box are folded in or in a state in which the left and right outer flaps are folded in; a box width measuring means for measuring the width of the shipping box when the center of the box width is centered on the center of the line during line conveyance; A control unit is provided which controls the above components and outputs the measured values ​​of the box length, box height, and box width. An automatic shipping box sealing system.

2. the box width measuring means is attached to either the centering guide means or a pre-centering guide means configured in the same manner upstream thereof, and is configured to measure the box width based on the amount of approach movement of the centering guide movement mechanism when the shipping box being conveyed on the line is centered so that the center of the box width is aligned with the center of the line, the box length measuring means is configured to measure the box length based on detecting both or one of the front and rear ends of the shipping box transported by any one of the conveyors of the shipping box transport means, The box height measuring means is configured to lower an upper surface abutment bar waiting above to abut against the upper surfaces of the folded left and right outer flaps or the folded front and rear inner flaps of the shipping box, and detect the box height based on the lowering stroke of the upper surface abutment bar.

2. The automatic shipping box sealing system according to claim 1.

3. The box length measuring means a front end detection sensor that detects the front end of the shipping box when the front end passes; a trailing edge detection sensor that detects the trailing edge when the trailing edge passes; and a conveyance distance measuring unit that calculates the conveyance distance of one conveyor that is conveying the shipping box as the box length based on the elapsed time between the two detection signals.

3. The automatic shipping box sealing system according to claim 2.

4. The box length measuring means a front end detection sensor that detects when the front end of the shipping box passes a reference position; The configuration further includes a laser measuring device that detects the rear end position by irradiating a laser onto the rear end of the shipping box at the same time as the detection by the front end detection sensor to measure the distance to the rear end.

4. The automatic shipping box sealing system according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The box length measuring means a front end detection sensor that detects the front end position when the front end of the shipping box passes through a reference position; a rear end detection sensor array that detects the rear end position of the shipping box at the same time as the front end detection sensor detects the front end position of the shipping box; The rear end detection sensor array has a light emitting element array provided on one side of the line that emits light simultaneously with the detection of the front end position, and a light receiving element array provided on the other side of the line that receives the emitted light, and is configured to measure the length of the detection box based on the light received by the light receiving element closest to the reference position in the light receiving element array.

5. The automatic shipping box sealing system according to claim 2.

6. The box height measuring means is The upper surface abutment bar is provided in standby above the outer flap folding / sealing tape application means on the downstream side of the line, and descends to abut against the upper surfaces of the folded left and right outer flaps of the shipping box that has passed the outer flap folding / sealing tape application means and is temporarily stopped on the conveyor, and the box height is detected based on the descending stroke of the upper surface abutment bar.

6. The automatic shipping box sealing system according to claim 2.

7. The box height measuring means is The upper surface abutment bar is provided with a front inner flap folding lever, which is a component of the inner flap folding means, and the inner flap folding lever descends to abut against the upper surface of the front inner flap of the shipping box and folds it down, measuring the height to the upper surface of the inner flap based on the descending stroke at this time, and adding a value corresponding to the thickness of the flap to this measurement to measure the box height.

7. The automatic shipping box sealing system according to claim 2.

8. The box width measuring means The device has a travel distance sensor that outputs pulses corresponding to the amount of movement of the centering guide movement mechanism when a pair of centering guide bars move toward each other, and is configured to measure the width dimension of the shipping box based on the pulses output by the travel distance sensor.

8. The automatic shipping box sealing system according to claim 2.

9. The centering guide movement mechanism comprises a roller chain winding means that connects the pair of centering guide bars at two positions to move the pair of centering guide bars closer to or farther away from each other, an air cylinder device that moves the roller chain winding means back and forth a fixed distance, and a travel distance sensor that counts the passage of the connecting pin of the roller chain winding means to measure the distance between the pair of centering guide bars when they approach the shipping box.

9. The automatic shipping box sealing system according to claim 8.

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