Container assembly device

Abstract

To provide a container assembly device capable of assembling one or a plurality of containers more easily and quickly.SOLUTION: A container assembly device 100 comprises: a device body 101 which demarcates an arrangement space 103 for arranging a container 10 inside thereof; a lifting device 130 which comprises engaging pieces 134 engaging with respective engaged parts 17 of a facing side of a top frame 12 with respect to the container 10 in a folded form introduced into the arrangement space 103, and is constituted so as to lift the top frame 12 upward in a height direction in a state where the engaging piece 134 and the engaged part 17 are engaged to deform the container 10 from the folded form to an intermediate form; and a pressing device 150 which operates to press a pair of second side walls 14 from inside to outside so that the second side wall 14 is fitted to a first side wall 13 and / or a bottom wall 11 with respect to the container 10 in the intermediate form whose top frame 12 is lifted by the lifting device 130.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a container assembling device for assembling a folding container that can be mutually deformed between a folded form and a box form.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in order to store and transport articles, a folding container (see FIGS. 25 to 27) in which the walls of a housing are folded in a plate shape and deformed from a folded form to a box-shaped housing form has been used. This folding container can save space by being folded and stacked when not in use, and can be easily assembled and folded without using screws or the like, so it is used in various applications such as factory lines. And various trials and errors have been made to quickly and easily assemble the folding container.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses an automatic assembling machine for a foldable container. Hereinafter, in this paragraph, the reference numerals of Patent Document 1 are shown in parentheses. In the automatic assembling machine, after both side surfaces of the folded and stacked containers (1) are carried in the left direction in the figure by the carrying device (9), they are held by the downward feeding device (29) and fed downward, and the lowermost container is roughly extended by its own weight such as that of the side plates. Then, the first side plate (3) is pushed from the inside by the push device (54) to be completely extended. In this state, after the container (1) is conveyed by the conveyor belt (57), the expanding device (67) is inserted to push and expand the second side plate (4). Thereby, the container (1) is assembled. In this expanding device (67), a pair of rotating arms (73) are provided at the tip of the rod (71) of the cylinder (69) provided upward, and rollers (75) are attached to the tips of the respective rotating arms (73). The pair of rotating arms (73) are provided with stoppers for preventing the angle between them from becoming smaller than a predetermined angle, and are normally closed to this predetermined angle by the weights of the rollers (75) and the rotating arms (73). Further, when the roller (75) comes into contact with the bottom plate (5) of the container (1), the rotating arm (73) is freely rotatable in the direction in which the angle becomes larger. The rollers (75) and the rotating arms (73) are arranged at positions where they can enter the container by the cylinder (69).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In a conventional automatic assembly machine (container assembly device) such as Patent Document 1, one of the folded and stacked containers is held by a downward feeding device and fed downward, and the first side plate is pushed and extended from the inside by a push device. Further, after the container is conveyed by a conveyor belt, the second side plate is pushed and expanded by an expanding device to assemble the container. That is, the conventional automatic assembly machine operates to assemble the containers one by one, and since many steps are required to assemble one container, it is a problem that one or more containers cannot be assembled quickly. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to improve the efficiency of the assembly process and enable one or more containers to be assembled simply and quickly.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a container assembly device that enables one or more containers to be assembled more simply and quickly.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A container assembly device according to one aspect of the present invention is a container assembly device for assembling a foldable container that mutually deforms between a folded form and a box form, The container includes a bottom wall, a top frame having an opening on the inside and placed on the bottom wall in the folded form, and a pair of first side walls having upper and lower edges rotatably connected to the lateral sides of the bottom wall and the lateral sides of the top frame, respectively, and having hinge portions that can be freely refracted only inward between the upper and lower edges. A pair of second side walls having a free end at the lower edge and having an upper edge rotatably connected to the longitudinal side of the top frame, and being folded so that the inner surface faces upward from the opening of the top frame in the folded form, and engaging portions provided on opposite sides of the top frame, respectively. When deforming from the folded form to the box form, the second side wall is configured to be pressed outward and fitted to the first side wall and / or the bottom wall through an intermediate form in which the first side wall extends straight. The container assembly device is An apparatus main body that defines an arrangement space inside for arranging the container; A lifting device that includes engaging pieces that engage with the engaged portions of the opposite sides of the top frame with respect to the container in a folded form introduced into the arrangement space, and is configured to lift the top frame upward in the height direction with the engaging pieces and the engaged portions engaged, thereby deforming the container from the folded form to the intermediate form; A pressing device that operates to press the pair of second side walls from the inside to the outside so that the second side walls are fitted to the first side wall and / or the bottom wall with respect to the container in the intermediate form lifted by the lifting device. It is characterized by comprising the above.

[0008] According to the container assembling device of one form of the present invention, by lifting the top frame of the container in a folded form introduced into the arrangement space upward in the height direction by the lifting device, the container is deformed from the folded form to the intermediate form by its own weight, and then the container can be deformed from the intermediate form to the box form by pressing the second side walls from the inside to the outside by the pressing device. Therefore, the container assembling device can improve the efficiency of the assembling process compared to the conventional one, and can assemble one or a plurality of containers more simply and quickly.

[0009] In a further form of the container assembling device of the present invention, the engaging piece is configured to be displaceable between a retracted position where the engaging piece does not interfere with the container and an engageable position where the engaging piece protrudes from the retracted position and can engage with the engaged portion. It is characterized by this.

[0010] In a further form of the container assembling device of the present invention, the arrangement space is characterized in that a plurality of containers can be stacked and arranged in a plurality of stages.

[0011] In a further form of the container assembling device of the present invention, the lifting device includes a plurality of engaging pieces for hooking onto each engaged portion of the plurality of containers stacked in multiple levels in the height direction within the arrangement space, a flexible string-like body that directly or indirectly connects the plurality of engaging pieces in the height direction, and a pulling means for pulling the string-like body upward in the height direction. Among the plurality of engaging pieces, adjacent engaging pieces are spaced apart by a first distance in a slack state where the string-like body is not being pulled, and are arranged to be spaced apart by a second distance in a tension state where the string-like body is being pulled. The second distance is greater than the first distance. Each of the plurality of engaging pieces is arranged to face each of the engaged portions of the plurality of containers stacked in multiple levels in a folded form in the slack state of the string-like body, and is displaceable from the retracted position to the engagable position. When the string-like body is pulled in a tension state with the plurality of engaging pieces hooked onto the respective engaged portions of the plurality of containers, the plurality of containers are deformed into the intermediate form. That is, according to the container assembling device of this form, a plurality of containers in a folded form can be stacked in multiple levels in the arrangement space and lifted together by the lifting device to be deformed into the intermediate form.

[0012] In a further form of the container assembling device of the present invention, each of the engaging pieces is arranged in a guide path that slopes obliquely upward toward the opposing engaged portion, and while being lifted upward in the height direction by the string-like body, it slides obliquely upward from the retracted position to the engagable position. That is, due to the force by which each engaging piece is lifted by the string-like body, each engaging piece can be displaced from the retracted position to the engagable position by sliding obliquely upward along the guide path. Thereby, the structure of the lifting device can be simplified.

[0013] A further form of the container assembly device of the present invention is characterized by further comprising a guide piece for guiding the string-shaped body in the slack state to hang down in a direction away from the opposing containers. That is, by guiding the string-shaped body to hang down in a direction away from the containers, the string-shaped body is prevented from being caught in the stacked containers.

[0014] A further form of the container assembly device of the present invention is characterized in that the pressing devices are respectively arranged in a plurality of stages in the height direction of the arrangement space, and the plurality of pressing devices operate independently of each other. That is, with respect to a plurality of intermediate-form containers simultaneously lifted by a lifting device, the plurality of pressing devices can operate independently of each other, making it possible to effectively assemble the containers into a box form.

[0015] A further form of the container assembly device of the present invention is characterized by further comprising a trolley for stacking and loading a plurality of containers in a plurality of stages and introducing them into the arrangement space. That is, a plurality of containers can be easily introduced into the arrangement space by the trolley, and the assembled plurality of containers can be easily recovered from the container assembly device.

[0016] A further form of the container assembly device of the present invention is such that the engaged portions are provided in pairs at two locations on each of the opposing sides of the top frame, and the lifting device further comprises a plurality of lifting bodies that hold the two engaging pieces at positions corresponding to each pair of the engaged portions and move up and down in the height direction, and the apparatus main body is provided with lifting rails for guiding the up and down movement of the plurality of lifting bodies in the height direction. That is, by engaging a pair of engaged portions formed on each of the opposing sides of the vertical or horizontal sides of the top frame with a pair of engaging pieces held by the lifting body and supporting the opposing sides of the top frame, the container can be lifted in a stable posture in the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0017] A further form of the container assembly device of the present invention further includes a folding device having a first pressing means for pressing a pair of second side walls of the box-shaped container arranged in the arrangement space from the outside to the inside, and a second pressing means for pressing a hinge portion of a pair of first side walls from the outside to the inside. The folding device is characterized in that it is controlled to press the hinge portion by the second pressing means immediately after the fitting of the second side wall is released by the first pressing means. That is, the folding device can also speed up the folding operation of one or more containers.

Effects of the Invention

[0018] The container assembly device of the present invention enables the simple and rapid assembly of one or more containers.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the shapes of the respective figures referred to in the following description are conceptual diagrams or schematic diagrams for explaining suitable shapes, and the dimensional ratios etc. do not necessarily match the actual dimensional ratios. That is, the present invention is not limited to the dimensional ratios in the drawings. Also, the up-down, left-right directions may be interpreted by mutually swapping them.

[0021] The container assembling apparatus 100 of the present embodiment is used for the purpose of assembling a foldable container that mutually deforms between a folded form and a box form. Also, the container assembling apparatus 100 of the present embodiment is automatically driven by being supplied with electric power by a power source (not shown), and enables a plurality of containers to be assembled simultaneously by an operation of a control panel (not shown) etc. by a user. Here, the foldable container is generally used for transportation etc., but is not for the purpose of limitation, and is exemplified as the container 10 in FIGS. 25 to 27. The foldable container targeted by the present invention is not limited to the form of the container 10.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 25, the box-shaped container 10 includes a rectangular plate-shaped bottom wall 11, a top frame 12 disposed opposite to the bottom wall 11 and having an opening on the inner side, a pair of first side walls 13 facing each other between the lateral sides of the bottom wall 11 and the lateral sides of the top frame 12, and a pair of second side walls 14 facing each other between the longitudinal sides of the bottom wall 11 and the longitudinal sides of the top frame 12. On each of the opposing lateral sides (or longitudinal sides) of the top frame 12, two concave engaged portions 17 forming handles are formed. The container 10 is mutually deformable from the box-shaped housing form opening upward shown in Fig. 25, through the intermediate form during deformation shown in Fig. 26, to the folded form folded into a plate shape shown in Fig. 27. As shown in Fig. 26, the pair of first side walls 13 are rotatably connected to the lateral sides of the bottom wall 11 and the lateral sides of the top frame 12 at their upper and lower edges respectively, and have hinge portions 13a that are freely refractable only inwardly between the upper and lower edges. Also, as shown in Fig. 26, the pair of second side walls 14 are rotatably connected at their upper edges to the longitudinal sides of the top frame 12 and have free ends at their lower edges. Further, fitting portions 15 to be fitted to the side edges of the pair of first side walls 13 and the longitudinal sides of the bottom wall 11 are respectively provided at both side edges and the lower edge of the second side wall 14. In Fig. 26, when the first side wall 13 is partially refracted, since the second side wall 14 abuts against the upper edge of the first side wall 13, the second side wall 14 does not rotate toward the bottom wall 11 side.

[0023] In the box-shaped container 10 of Fig. 25, the pair of second side walls 14 are fixed to at least one of the straight first side walls 13 and the bottom wall 11, whereby the container 10 maintains its box shape. Also, in the folded container 10 of Fig. 27, the top frame 12 is placed on the bottom wall 11. Then, inside the opening of the top frame 12, the pair of first side walls 13 are refracted inward in a "く" shape through the hinge portions 13a and folded, and above the folded first side walls 13, the pair of second side walls 14 are folded so that their inner surfaces face upward from the opening of the top frame 12. And as shown in Figs. 25 to 27, when the container 10 is deformed from the folded form to the box form, through an intermediate form in which the first side wall 13 extends straight from the refracted state, the second side wall 14 is pressed outward and fitted to the first side wall 13 and / or the bottom wall 11 through the fitting portions 15.

[0024] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 10, the configuration of the container assembling apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the container assembling apparatus 100. FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the container assembling apparatus 100. FIG. 3 is a front view of the container assembling apparatus 100. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the container assembling apparatus 100. FIG. 5 is a left side view of the container assembling apparatus 100. FIG. 6 is a right side view of the container assembling apparatus 100. FIGS. 7 to 10 are cross-sectional views taken along the lines A-A, B-B, C-C, and D-D of the container assembling apparatus 100. Note that FIGS. 1 to 10 show the initial form of the container assembling apparatus 100.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the container assembling apparatus 100 includes an apparatus main body 101 that defines an arrangement space 103 for arranging the container 10 therein, a lifting device 130 provided for the arrangement space 103, and a pressing device 150 provided adjacent to the arrangement space 103. Although not shown, the container assembling apparatus 100 may include a power supply unit that is supplied with power from a power source, a control unit (processor) that controls the operation of each component of the container assembling apparatus 100, and a control panel for inputting instructions from a user.

[0026] The apparatus main body 101 is composed of a rectangular frame 102 extending in the vertical, horizontal, and height directions. An arrangement space 103 for arranging the container 10 is formed inside the frame 102. Four lifting rails 105, which are part of the frame 102, extend in the height direction at the four corners of the arrangement space 103. The arrangement space 103 has an area capable of arranging one container 10 in a plan view and a height capable of arranging five (a plurality of) box-shaped (or intermediate-shaped) containers 10 in a front view. Further, the frame 102 is provided with a support frame 107 that extends horizontally so as to support five pressing devices 150 respectively at a height corresponding to the five lifted containers 10. That is, the frame 102 supports a plurality of stages (here, five stages) of pressing devices 150 together with the lifting device 130.

[0027] The lifting device 130 is configured to hold (engage) the top frame 12 of the container 10 in the placement space 103 and lift one or more containers 10 upward in the height direction. The lifting device 130 includes a plurality of lifting bodies 131 held by the lifting rail 105 and moving up and down in the height direction along the lifting rail 105, a plurality of engaging pieces 134 held by each lifting body 131 and engaging with the respective engaged portions 17 of the opposing sides of the top frame 12 with respect to the folded container 10 introduced into the placement space 103, a flexible string-like body 135 directly or indirectly connecting the plurality of engaging pieces 134 in the height direction, and a winch 138 as traction means that operates to wind up the string-like body 135 and pull the plurality of engaging pieces 134 vertically upward. That is, the lifting device 130 is configured to lift the top frame 12 upward in the height direction with the engaging piece 134 and the engaged portion 17 engaged therewith, and deform the container 10 from the folded form to the intermediate form.

[0028] Each lifting body 131 is plate-shaped, spanned between a pair of front and rear lifting rails 105 when viewed from the front, and is slidably supported along the pair of lifting rails 105. In particular, both ends of the lifting body 131 are slidably held by the lifting rails 105. Also, in the present embodiment, a pair of lifting bodies 131 are arranged at the same height so as to sandwich the arrangement space 103 from the left and right when viewed from the front. And, corresponding to the number of containers 10 that can be assembled simultaneously, a plurality of pairs (five pairs in the present embodiment) of lifting bodies 131 are provided in the height direction. In other words, a pair of two lifting bodies 131 are arranged opposite to each other with the arrangement space 103 therebetween, and a total of ten lifting bodies 131 are used. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the initial form, a plurality of lifting bodies 131 are stacked in the height direction at the bottom of the arrangement space 103. And, the string-like body 135 wound around the winch 138 extends continuously in the height direction and hangs vertically, and at the lower end side portion thereof, a set of a plurality of lifting bodies 131 stacked in the height direction are connected in a daisy chain. The string-like body 135 functions to pull the set of lifting bodies 131 in the height direction by being wound around the winch 138. In the present embodiment, two string-like bodies 135 are used so that the container 10 can be lifted in a stable posture with respect to one set of lifting bodies 131. In other words, four string-like bodies 135 extending near the four corners of the arrangement space 103 are used to stably lift the stacked plurality of containers 10.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 7, on each lifting body 131, at positions corresponding to a pair of engaged portions 17 provided in pairs at two locations on each opposing horizontal side of the top frame 12 of the container 10 (positions that coincide in the front-rear direction when viewed from the front), a pair of engaging pieces 134 are held. And, a set of a plurality of engaging pieces 134 arranged in the height direction are connected in a daisy chain by one string-like body 135. While the upper end side portion of the string-like body 135 on the winch 138 side is always in a tension state, each connecting portion 135a of the lower end side portion of the string-like body 135 can be deformed between a tension state and a slack state. Note that one string-like body 135 is not necessarily a continuous single elongated body, and is a concept including a plurality of connecting portions 135a that are separated from each other.

[0030] In the initial form of the container assembly device 100, at the bottom of the placement space 103, a plurality of elevating bodies 131 abut in the height direction, whereby a plurality of engaging pieces 134 are positioned in the height direction. As a result, the plurality of engaging pieces 134 are arranged so as to face the engaged portions 17 of the plurality of containers 10 stacked in the folded form respectively. At this time, the engaging pieces 134 adjacent in the height direction are connected by the respective connecting portions 135a of the string-like body 135. And since the string-like body 135 is not being pulled, each connecting portion 135a is in a slack state and hangs outside the placement space 103. Preferably, by attaching a guide piece (not shown) made of an elastic film of a synthetic resin material to the connecting portion 135a of the string-like body 135, the slack direction of the connecting hole 134a can be guided in a direction away from the container 10, and it is possible to prevent the string-like body 135 from being caught on the placement space 103 side.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the engaging piece 134 is a claw-shaped plate that can be hooked and latched from below to the concave engaged portion 17. Each engaging piece 134 is held in a state of being prevented from coming off by a holding portion 132 formed on the elevating body 131. And the engaging piece 134 is configured to be displaceable between a retracted position where the engaging piece 134 does not interfere with the container 10 (in the placement space 103) and an engageable position where the engaging piece 134 protrudes from the retracted position into the placement space 103 and can engage with the engaged portion 17. That is, the position where the engaging piece 134 fits into the holding portion 132 forms the retracted position, and the position where a part of the engaging piece 134 protrudes so as to enter the placement space 103 forms the engageable position. As shown in FIG. 8, the engaging piece 134 is latched by engaging with the retaining portion 132a of the holding portion 132 at the engageable position. Further, a guide path 133 that inclines obliquely upward toward the opposing engaged portion 17 is formed in the holding portion 132. The engaging piece 134 is arranged on the guide path 133, and the sliding direction of the engaging piece 134 is guided by the guide path 133.

[0032] Next, with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, the lifting operation of the lifting device 130 will be described. FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged perspective view schematically showing the lifting device 130 after the lifting operation. When the four string-like bodies 135 are wound up simultaneously and at the same speed from the initial form of the container assembly device 100, the engaging piece 134 is lifted vertically upward by the tensioned portion of the string-like body 135. Then, the engaging piece 134 is lifted upward in the height direction by the string-like body 135 and at the same time slides obliquely upward and protrudes into the arrangement space 103. That is, by the force that each engaging piece 134 is lifted by the string-like body 135, each engaging piece 134 slides obliquely upward along the guide path 133 and is displaced from the retracted position to the engageable position. At this time, in order from the connecting portion 135a directly above the string-like body 135, the connecting portion 135a deforms from the relaxed state to the tensioned state. Then, as shown in FIG. 12, each engaging piece 134 lifted by the string-like body 135 is locked to the retaining portion 132a of the lifting body 131. Finally, as shown in FIG. 11, all the lifting bodies 131 are lifted vertically upward by the string-like body 135 (connecting portion 135a) in the tensioned state and stopped at a predetermined height position.

[0033] That is, among the plurality of engaging pieces 134, the adjacent engaging pieces 134 are separated by a first distance in the relaxed state where the string-like body 135 is not being pulled, and are arranged to be separated by a second distance greater than the first distance in the tensioned state where the string-like body 135 is being pulled. Also, each of the plurality of engaging pieces 134 is arranged to face each of the engaged portions 17 of the plurality of containers 10 stacked in multiple stages in a folded form in the relaxed state of the string-like body 135 and is displaceable from the retracted position to the engageable position. As will be described later, when the string-like body 135 is pulled in the tensioned state with the plurality of engaging pieces 134 hooked to the engaged portions 17 of the plurality of containers 10 respectively, the plurality of containers 10 are deformed together into an intermediate form.

[0034] On the other hand, when the string body 135 is sent downward by the winch 138, the elevating bodies 131 are stacked at the bottom of the placement space 103 by gravity, and each engaging piece 134 slides from the engageable position to the retracted position along the guide path 133. As a result, the container assembling device 100 returns to the initial form.

[0035] The pressing device 150 operates to press a pair of second side walls 14 from the inside to the outside so that the second side walls 14 are fitted to the first side wall 13 and / or the bottom wall 11 with respect to the container 10 in the intermediate form in which the top frame 12 is lifted by the lifting device 130. In the present embodiment, in order to enable a plurality (five) of containers 10 to be assembled simultaneously, a plurality (five) of pressing devices 150 are respectively supported by the support frame 107 of the device main body 101 over a plurality of stages in the height direction. The height of each pressing device 150 is determined so as to correspond to each container 10 lifted by the lifting device 130.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, each pressing device 150 includes a slide body 151 that horizontally slides in the approaching and separating direction (left - right direction when viewed from the front) with respect to the arrangement space 103, a rotating body 152 that is arranged on the slide body 151 and rotates vertically downward via its rotation axis 152a, and a pressing body 153 that is mounted on the tip - side of the rotation axis 152a of the rotating body 152 and operates to press the second side wall 14 of the container 10. The rotating body 152 is formed in a flat plate shape and has a rotation axis 152a substantially at the center in the approaching and separating direction with respect to the arrangement space 103. And, by the rotation axis 152a, its base end portion and tip end portion are connected so as to be refractable at substantially right angles to each other. Further, the pressing device 150 is provided with a first driving device 156 for sliding the slide body 151 and a second driving device 157 for sliding the rotating body 152. The first driving device 156 and the second driving device 157 are configured to drive a plurality of stages of the pressing device 150 simultaneously. Specifically, the first driving device 156 includes a plurality of first gears 156a that mesh or are in frictional contact with the upper surface of each slide body 151, a first driving shaft 156b that axially supports the plurality of first gears 156a in the height direction, and a first driving motor 156c that rotationally drives the first driving shaft 156b in both directions. The second driving device 157 includes a plurality of second gears 157a that mesh or are in frictional contact with the upper surface of each rotating body 152, a second driving shaft 157b that axially supports the plurality of second gears 157a in the height direction, and a second driving motor 157c that rotationally drives the second driving shaft 157b in both directions. The first driving device 156 and the second driving device 157 are separately controlled by a control unit. Also, the pressing body 153 has a cylindrical shape extending in the front - rear direction when viewed from the front, and includes a pressing portion 154 that protrudes and retracts forward and backward from the tip in the cylindrical axis direction. The pressing portion 154 is a portion that directly extrudes the inner surface of the second side wall 14 of the container 10. The pressing portion 154 can be driven or controlled by a known mechanism such as a solenoid or a cylinder.

[0037] Next, with reference to FIGS. 13 to 15, the operation of the pressing device 150 will be described. FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing the pressing device 150 during the pressing operation. In the initial form of the container assembling device 100, each component of the pressing device 150 is retracted to a position that does not interfere with the arrangement space 103. When the pressing device 150 starts operating, first, the first driving device 156 operates, the first driving shaft 156b and the first gear 156a rotate in the forward direction, and as shown in FIG. 14(a), the slide body 151 advances toward the arrangement space 103. After the entire rotating body 152 on the tip side of the slide body 151 enters the arrangement space 103 and stops, the second driving device 157 operates, the second driving shaft 157b and the second gear 157a rotate in the forward direction, and only the rotating body 152 on the slide body 151 further advances until the rotating shaft 152a advances beyond the tip of the slide body 151 and stops. Then, as shown in FIG. 14(b), the tip portion of the rotating body 152 rotates so as to bend substantially at a right angle by gravity via the rotating shaft 152a. Note that the rotation of the rotating body 152 may be driven and controlled by a motor or the like. Then, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 15, the pressing portions 154 project from both ends of the pressing body 153. The above completes a series of pressing operations of the pressing device 150. The series of pressing operations of the pressing device 150 may be controlled by a control unit based on sensors arbitrarily installed in the device main body 101. Also, in the present embodiment, the control unit controls a plurality of pressing devices 150 to perform the same operation simultaneously.

[0038] After completion of a series of pressing operations, the pressing device 150 returns to its initial form by performing an operation opposite to the above operation. In particular, after completion of the pressing operation, the protruding pressing portion 154 retracts, and then, when the second driving device 157 operates and the second driving shaft 157b and the second gear 157a rotate in the reverse direction, the rotating body 152 retracts in a direction away from the arrangement space 103, and the tip portion of the rotating body 152 rotates horizontally about the rotation axis 152a so as to rise up by the contact between the tip portion of the rotating body 152 and the leading edge of the slide body 151. Next, after the rotating body 152 moves to and stops at its original position on the slide body 151, when the first driving device 156 operates and the first driving shaft 156b and the first gear 156a rotate in the reverse direction, the slide body 151 retracts to its original position, and the pressing device 150 returns to its initial position.

[0039] Subsequently, with reference to FIGS. 16 to 24, a method for collectively assembling a plurality (five) of the folding containers 10 using the container assembling device 100 of the present embodiment will be described. In each figure, for convenience of explanation, the depiction of the container 10 is simplified.

[0040] FIGS. 16 and 17 schematically show a first form of the container assembling device 100 in which folding containers 10 are stacked in multiple stages and arranged in the arrangement space 103. First, as shown in FIG. 16, a plurality of folding containers 10 are stacked and arranged in the arrangement space 103. The container assembling device 100 may be configured to be automatically arranged by a transport mechanism (not shown) in which a plurality of containers 10 are connected in the arrangement space 103. Alternatively, the container assembling device 100 may be configured to be able to arrange a plurality of containers 10 in the arrangement space 103 while mounted on a cart (not shown). In the first form, as shown in FIG. 17, in the arrangement space 103, each engaged portion 17 of the plurality of folding containers 10 is arranged so as to face each engaging piece 134. Each engaging piece 134 is in a retracted position retracted from the arrangement space 103 and does not interfere with the container 10. And the connecting portion 135a of the string-like body 135 is in a slack state, and the plurality of engaging pieces 134 in the height direction are spaced apart at equal intervals by a first distance.

[0041] When the container assembling device 100 is operated by a user or the like, the winch 138 is operated and starts winding up the string-like body 135. The uppermost engagement piece 134 and the lifting body 131 are supported by the tensioned string-like body 135 and are pulled upward first. At the same time as being pulled upward, the engagement piece 134 slides obliquely upward toward the opposing engaged part 17 and protrudes from the holding part 132. Then, as shown in FIG. 18, the engagement piece 134 slips under the top frame 12 of the container 10 and hooks onto the engaged part 17. When the engagement piece 134 is further pulled upward by the string-like body 135 while remaining in this engaged state, the lifting body 131 rises and the top frame 12 of the uppermost container 10 is lifted. When the top-level lifting body 131 rises, the connecting portion 135a connecting the top-level engaging piece 134 and the second-level engaging piece 134 is deformed from a slack state to a tensioned state, and the connecting portion 135a is separated by a second distance. After being deformed to a tensioned state, the second-level engaging piece 134 and the lifting body 131 are further elevated, and the top frame 12 of the second-level container 10 is lifted in the same manner. The winch 138 continues to operate, and all the containers 10 are lifted in the same manner. When the bottom wall 11 of each container 10 is lifted up until it is lifted up, each container 10 is deformed by its own weight into an intermediate form in which the first side wall 13 is extended. In particular, by adjusting the winding speed of the winch 138, the container 10 can be more reliably deformed from the folded form to the intermediate form by the reaction generated during lifting. When each container 10 moves to a predetermined height, the winch 138 stops. In addition, the height position of each container 10 may be detected by a sensor, and the operation of the winch 138 may be controlled by the control unit.

[0042] 19 and 20 are schematic diagrams showing the container assembling device 100 in the second configuration in which multiple containers 10 in the folded configuration are lifted and transformed into the intermediate configuration. As shown in Fig. 19 and 20, all the containers 10 are suspended in the arrangement space 103, and are in the intermediate configuration in which the first side walls 13 are extended. The multiple engagement pieces 134 in the height direction are equally spaced apart by a second distance, and as a result, each container 10 is held at a position corresponding to the pressing device 150 of each stage.

[0043] Next, each pressing device 150 is operated by the control unit. Although it is preferable that the plurality of pressing devices 150 are driven simultaneously, they may be driven in sequence. FIG. 21 schematically shows a container assembling device 100 in a third form in which each stage of the pressing device 150 is driven with respect to the suspended intermediate-form container 10. As shown in FIG. 21, the slide body 151 and the rotating body 152 of each pressing device 150 are located above the top frame 12 of the container 10. Then, as shown by the phantom line in FIG. 21, the rotating body 152 further advances on the slide body 151, and the tip portion thereof rotates downward, so that the pressing body 153 moves into the container 10. Then, by the pressing portion 154 protruding from the pressing body 153, the pair of second side walls 14 of each container 10 are simultaneously pressed from the inside to the outside, and the pair of second side walls 14 are fitted to the first side wall 13 and / or the bottom wall 11 via the fitting portion 15. As a result, the container 10 is assembled into a box form.

[0044] FIG. 22 schematically shows a container assembling device 100 in a fourth form in which a plurality of containers 10 are deformed into a box form. After the container 10 is assembled into a box form, each pressing device 150 performs an operation reverse to that during pressing and is controlled to move away from the arrangement space 103 and return to its original position. By controlling so that the plurality of pressing devices 150 operate simultaneously, all the containers 10 can be assembled almost simultaneously, and the assembling speed of the containers 10 can be made faster.

[0045] Thereafter, the winch 138 operates in a direction to feed out the string body 135 downward, and vertically lowers the plurality of containers 10 together with the plurality of elevating bodies 131. When the lowermost container 10 contacts the ground, the connecting portion 135a that connects the lowermost container 10 and the second-lowermost container 10 from the bottom deforms into a slack state, and the second-lowermost container 10 from the bottom is stacked on the lowermost container 10. Similarly, all the containers 10 are stacked in order from the bottom. In conjunction with this, by feeding out the string body 135, as shown in FIG. 23, each engaging piece 134 slides obliquely downward in a direction away from the placement space 103 along the guide path 133, disengages from each engaged portion 17, and moves to the retracted position within the holding portion 132. When the winch 138 continues to operate and all the elevating bodies 131 move to the bottom of the placement space 103 so as to be stacked, the feeding out of the string body 135 by the winch 138 stops. Through the above steps, it is possible to provide the plurality of box-shaped containers 10 stacked in the placement space 103.

[0046] FIG. 24 schematically shows the container assembling apparatus 100 in the fifth form in which the lifting device 130 and the pressing device 150 are returned to the initial positions and the box-shaped containers 10 are stacked in the placement space 103. Finally, by collecting the stacked box-shaped containers 10 from the placement space 103, a series of steps is completed and the container assembling apparatus 100 returns to the initial form. When continuing with the further assembly of the containers 10, the user can repeatedly perform the assembly of the containers 10 by again inserting one or more containers 10 into the placement space 103.

[0047] Note that the container assembly device 100 may additionally include a folding device (not shown) for deforming the box-shaped container 10 stacked in multiple stages in the placement space 103 into a folded form as in the fifth embodiment. The folding device includes a first pressing means for pressing a pair of second side walls 14 of each container 10 from the outside to the inside, and a second pressing means for pressing the hinge portions 13a of the pair of first side walls 13 from the outside to the inside. The folding device is controlled to press the hinge portion 13a by the second pressing means immediately after the fitting of the second side wall 14 is released by the first pressing means. Each container 10 is deformed into a folded form by its own weight by pressing the hinge portion 13a. The folding device may be provided in multiple stages corresponding to the number of containers 10 that can be assembled at one time, similar to the pressing device 150. By simultaneously operating a plurality of folding devices, the folding operation of the container 10 can be further speeded up.

[0048] Hereinafter, the operation and effect of the container assembly device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0049] According to the container assembly device 100 of the present embodiment, by lifting the top frame 12 of the folded container 10 introduced into the placement space 103 by the lifting device 130 upward in the height direction, the container 10 is deformed from the folded form to an intermediate form by its own weight, and then the container 10 is deformed from the intermediate form to a box form by pressing the second side wall 14 from the inside to the outside by the pressing device 150. Therefore, the container assembly device 100 enables the assembly process to be more efficient than before, and enables one or more containers 10 to be assembled more simply and quickly.

[0050] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various embodiments and modifications can be adopted within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0051] (1) The container assembly device of the present invention is not limited to the above form. In the above embodiment, the engaging piece of the lifting device is configured to engage with the engaged portion on the horizontal side of the top frame of the container, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, it may be configured to engage with the engaged portion formed on the vertical side of the top frame of the container. Further, the engaged portion is formed at two locations on the side of the top frame of the container, and correspondingly, two engaging pieces are formed for each lifting body, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the engaged portion may be provided at one location on the side of the top frame of the container, or may be provided at three or more locations. Further, the entire side of the top frame may be used as the engaged portion, and one or a plurality of engaging pieces may be provided to engage with any portion of the engaged portion.

[0052] (2) The container assembly device of the present invention is not limited to the above form. In the above embodiment, the container assembly device is formed so as to be able to assemble a plurality of containers stacked in a plurality of stages almost simultaneously, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the container assembly device may be configured to be able to assemble only one container. In this case, the lifting device is provided with only one engaging piece in the height direction. Further, only one pressing device may be provided, and the containers in the height direction may be pressed in order.

[0053] (3) The container assembly device of the present invention is not limited to the above form. In the above embodiment, the container assembly device is configured to lift the container by sliding the lifting body on the lifting rail and raising the engaging piece by pulling with a string-like body, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the string-like body and the lifting rail may be omitted from the container assembly device. At this time, the engaging piece can be driven to move in the height direction by, for example, a motor or the like. Further, the engaging piece can be driven to move from the retracted position to the engageable position by, for example, a motor or the like.

[0054] (4) The container assembly device of the present invention is not limited to the above form. In the above embodiment, the engaging piece is configured as a plate-shaped latching claw to latch onto the engaged portion, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the engaged portion may be a hole or a recess, and the engaging piece may be a pin or a protrusion. Also, the engaging piece may be configured to grip the top frame.

[0055] (5) The container assembly device of the present invention is not limited to the above form. In the above embodiment, the container assembly device is configured to be automatically driven, but by adding an operation lever and a handle, it may be configured to be manually operated by the user.

[0056] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and can be implemented in various forms as long as it belongs to the technical scope of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0057] 10 Container 11 Bottom Wall 12 Top Frame 13 First Side Wall 13a Hinge Portion 14 Second Side Wall 15 Fitting Portion 17 Engaged Portion 100 Container Assembly Device 101 Device Body 102 Frame 103 Arrangement Space 105 Elevating Rail 107 Support Frame 130 Lifting Device 131 Elevating Body 132 Holding Portion 132a Anti-Detachment Portion 133 Guide Path 134 Engaging Piece 135 String-Like Body 135a Connection Portion 138 Winch (Traction Means) 150 Pressing Device 151 Slide Body 152 rotating body 152a rotating shaft 153 pressing body 154 pressing part 156 first drive device 156a first gear 156b first drive shaft 156c first drive motor 157 second drive device 157a second gear 157b second drive shaft 157c second drive motor

Claims

1. A container assembling device for assembling a foldable container that can be mutually deformed between a folded form and a box form, The container includes a bottom wall, a top frame having an opening on the inside and placed on the bottom wall in the folded form, and a pair of first side walls each having a hinge portion where the upper edge and the lower edge are rotatably connected to the lateral sides of the bottom wall and the lateral sides of the top frame respectively, and can be freely refracted only inside between the upper edge and the lower edge. The container also includes a pair of second side walls where the upper edge is rotatably connected to the longitudinal side of the top frame and has a free end at the lower edge, and is folded so that the inner surface faces upward from the opening of the top frame in the folded form. The container further includes engaged portions provided on opposite sides of the top frame respectively. When deforming from the folded form to the box form, the first side wall passes through an intermediate form in which it extends straight, and the second side wall is configured to be pressed outward and fitted to the first side wall and / or the bottom wall, The container assembling device, includes a device body that defines an arrangement space inside for arranging the container, and includes a lifting device provided with engaging pieces that engage with the respective engaged portions on opposite sides of the top frame of the container in the folded form introduced into the arrangement space. The lifting device is configured to lift the top frame upward in the height direction with the engaging pieces and the engaged portions engaged, so as to deform the container from the folded form to the intermediate form, and a pressing device that operates to press the pair of second side walls from the inside to the outside so as to fit the second side walls to the first side wall and / or the bottom wall with respect to the container in the intermediate form in which the top frame is lifted by the lifting device, The engaging piece is configured to be displaceable between a retracted position where the engaging piece does not interfere with the container and an engageable position where the engaging piece protrudes from the retracted position and can engage with the engaged portion, The arrangement space can accommodate a plurality of containers stacked in multiple layers, The lifting device, A plurality of the engaging pieces for hooking onto each engaged portion of the plurality of containers stacked in multiple stages in the height direction in the arrangement space; A flexible string-like body that directly or indirectly connects the plurality of the engaging pieces in the height direction; Traction means for pulling the string-like body upward in the height direction, and comprising: Among the plurality of the engaging pieces, adjacent engaging pieces are arranged to be separated by a first distance in a slack state where the string-like body is not pulled, and to be separated by a second distance in a tension state where the string-like body is pulled, and the second distance is larger than the first distance; Each of the plurality of the engaging pieces is arranged to face each of the engaged portions of the plurality of containers stacked in multiple stages in a folded form in the slack state of the string-like body, and is displaceable from the retracted position to the engageable position; A container assembling device, characterized in that when the string-like body is pulled in a tension state with the plurality of the engaging pieces hooked onto the engaged portions of the plurality of containers respectively, the plurality of containers are deformed into the intermediate form.

2. Each of the plurality of the engaging pieces is arranged in a guide path that inclines obliquely upward toward the opposing engaged portion, and while being lifted upward in the height direction by the string-like body, simultaneously slides obliquely upward from the retracted position to the engageable position. The container assembling device according to claim 1.

3. The container assembling device according to claim 2, further comprising a guide piece for guiding the string-like body in the slack state to hang downward in a direction separating from the opposing containers.

4. The pressing devices are respectively arranged in multiple stages in the height direction of the arrangement space, and the container assembling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the multiple pressing devices operate independently of each other.

5. The container assembling device according to claim 1, further comprising a trolley for stacking and loading a plurality of containers in multiple stages and introducing them into the arrangement space.

6. The engaged portion is provided in two places for each pair of opposite sides of the top frame, The lifting device further includes a plurality of lifting bodies that each hold two of the engaging pieces at positions corresponding to a pair of the engaged portions and move up and down in the height direction, The container assembling device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a lifting rail for guiding the lifting and lowering movement of the plurality of lifting bodies in the height direction is provided on the device body.

7. The folding device further includes first pressing means for pressing a pair of second side walls of the box-shaped container disposed in the arrangement space from the outside to the inside, and second pressing means for pressing a hinge portion of a pair of first side walls from the outside to the inside. The folding device is controlled to press the hinge portion by the second pressing means immediately after the fitting of the second side wall is released by the first pressing means. The container assembling device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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