Cardboard case

Abstract

To provide a compact cardboard caser which enables high-speed handling of a large volume of products.SOLUTION: A cardboard caser 4 comprises: first to third product conveyors 8, 10, and 12 respectively having first to third conveying paths 16, 18, and 20; first and second box conveyors 24 and 26 respectively having fourth and fifth conveying paths 30 and 46; and a robot 42 that holds a product P placed in a bucket 22 on the third conveying path 20 and packs it in a cardboard box B on the fourth conveying path 30, and further comprises a direction changing device 56 that is provided between the first product conveyor 8 and the second product conveyor 10 and that receives the product P conveyed on the first conveying path 16, performs direction change operation to change the direction of the product P in the conveying direction of the first conveying path 16 to a perpendicular direction, and conveys the product P after the direction change operation toward the second conveying path 18.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cardboard case packer, and more particularly to a cardboard case packer for packing products such as those packed in bags into cardboard boxes.

Background Art

[0002] A cardboard case packer for packing products such as those packed in bags into cardboard boxes is known. The cardboard case packer is used in combination with a case making machine for forming a cardboard sheet into a cardboard box and a case closing machine for closing the cardboard box in which the product is packed by attaching a tape or the like.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a direction changing device that controls one conveyor row of a conveyor at a first conveying speed, controls the other conveyor row of the conveyor at a second conveying speed different from the first conveying speed, and conveys an article while changing its direction by the speed difference between the conveyor rows.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The direction changing device of Patent Document 1 changes the direction of the product in the conveying direction during the process of conveying the product along the conveying path of one linearly extending conveyor. Therefore, it is necessary to secure a long distance for the conveying path of the conveyor for direction change, and it also takes time for direction change. Accordingly, as the device becomes larger, it is difficult to perform at high speed the process of conveying a large number of products and packing them into cardboard boxes.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a compact cardboard case sealer capable of processing a large number of products at high speed.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To achieve the above object, a cardboard case sealer according to one aspect includes a first product conveyor that conveys the loaded products in a first conveyance path, a second product conveyor that conveys the products conveyed in the first conveyance path in a second conveyance path orthogonal to the first conveyance path, a third product conveyor that receives the products conveyed in the second conveyance path with a bucket and conveys the products together with the bucket in a third conveyance path orthogonal to the second conveyance path and extending parallel to the first conveyance path, a first box conveyor that receives a cardboard box loaded from the same direction as the product loading direction into the first conveyance path, is located below the second conveyance path, and conveys the cardboard box in a fourth conveyance path extending parallel to the first conveyance path, a second box conveyor that receives the cardboard box conveyed in the fourth conveyance path, is located below the third conveyance path, and conveys the cardboard box in a fifth conveyance path extending parallel to the fourth conveyance path while being adjacent to the fourth conveyance path, and a robot that holds the products placed on the bucket in the third conveyance path and packs the products into the cardboard box in the fourth conveyance path. Further provided is a direction-changing device that is provided between the first product conveyor and the second product conveyor, receives the products conveyed in the first conveyance path, performs a direction-changing operation of changing the direction of the products in the conveyance direction of the first conveyance path by 90 degrees, and conveys the products after the direction-changing operation toward the second conveyance path.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] It is possible to provide a compact cardboard case sealer capable of processing a large number of products at high speed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a connected integrated unit 1 connecting a case making machine 2, a cardboard case 4, and a case sealing machine 6. The case making machine 2, the cardboard case 4, and the case sealing machine 6 are each unitized, and these units form a connected integrated unit 1 connected in this order. Note that the case making machine 2, the cardboard case 4, and the case sealing machine 6 may be referred to as units 2, 4, and 6, respectively. Also, in the following description, descriptions of parallel, orthogonal, right angles, etc. regarding directionality and angle are substantial and not strict.

[0011] The box-making machine 2 forms the corrugated cardboard sheet that has been carried in into a corrugated cardboard box. The corrugated cardboard case packer 4 packs the products that have been bagged and carried in into the corrugated cardboard box carried in from the box-making machine 2. The box-sealing machine 6 seals the corrugated cardboard box with products packed inside by pasting a tape or the like. The conveyance direction of the corrugated cardboard sheet as a whole in the box-making machine 2 and the conveyance direction of the corrugated cardboard box in the corrugated cardboard case packer 4 and the box-sealing machine 6 are the same direction as a whole.

[0012] Also, the conveyance direction of the products in the corrugated cardboard case packer 4 is the same direction as the conveyance direction of the corrugated cardboard box as a whole. That is, the conveyance direction of the products and the corrugated cardboard box as a whole in each unit 2, 4, 6 and the connected integrated unit 1 is the same. Also, connection members such as brackets for connecting each unit 2, 4, 6 can be made unnecessary.

[0013] In this way, by unitizing the box-making machine 2, the corrugated cardboard case packer 4, and the box-sealing machine 6 respectively, and forming a connected integrated unit 1 in which the conveyance directions of the products and the corrugated cardboard boxes in each unit 2, 4, 6 are the same direction as a whole, it is possible to realize the compactification of each unit 2, 4, 6 and the connected integrated unit 1.

[0014] Here, since both the products and the corrugated cardboard box are conveyed in the corrugated cardboard case packer 4, the conveyance paths of these tend to become complicated, and the installation area also tends to become large. However, in the corrugated cardboard case packer 4 of this embodiment, both the products and the corrugated cardboard box are carried in from the same direction on the box-making machine 2 side, and the corrugated cardboard with the products packed inside is carried out to the box-sealing machine 6. Also, as will be described later, by intensively arranging each conveyor and further installing a product direction-changing device described later, a corrugated cardboard case packer 4 with a minimum installation area is realized. Also, the distance of the conveyance paths of the products and the corrugated cardboard box becomes short, and a large amount of products can be processed at high speed.

[0015] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the cardboard case 4, and Figure 3 shows a top view of the cardboard case 4. The cardboard case 4 includes a first product conveyor 8, a second product conveyor 10, and a third product conveyor 12. These conveyors 8, 10, 12 are, for example, belt conveyors and constitute a product conveyance line 14. The conveyance direction of the product P in the product conveyance line 14 is indicated by the black arrow. The first product conveyor 8 conveys the product P introduced from the side of the case-making machine 2 of the cardboard case 4 in the first conveyance path 16.

[0016] The first conveyance path 16 extends parallel to the connection direction X of each unit 2, 4, 6. The second product conveyor 10 conveys the product P conveyed in the first conveyance path 16 in a second conveyance path 18 orthogonal to the first conveyance path 16. The third product conveyor 12 receives the product P conveyed in the second conveyance path 18 with the buckets 22 respectively, and conveys the product P together with the buckets 22 in a third conveyance path 20. The third conveyance path 20 is orthogonal to the second conveyance path 18 and extends parallel to the first conveyance path 16.

[0017] Also, the cardboard case 4 includes a first box conveyor 24 and a second box conveyor 26. The first box conveyor 24 is, for example, a belt conveyor, and the second box conveyor 26 is, for example, a roller conveyor. These conveyors 24, 26 constitute a cardboard box conveyance line 28. The cardboard box conveyance line 28 is formed below the product conveyance line 14, and a two-stage structure of the conveyance line is constructed. The conveyance direction of the cardboard box B in the cardboard box conveyance line 28 is indicated by the white arrow.

[0018] The first box conveyor 24 receives the cardboard box B carried in from the case-making machine 2, that is, the cardboard box B carried in from the same direction as the carrying-in direction of the product P to the first conveyance path 16, and conveys it in a fourth conveyance path 30. The fourth conveyance path 30 is located below the second conveyance path 18 and extends parallel to the first conveyance path. More specifically, a positioning device 32 and a receiving device 34 for the cardboard box B are provided in the fourth conveyance path 30.

[0019] FIG. 4 shows a top view of the cardboard box conveying line 28. For example, two positioning devices 32 are provided, each of which holds the cardboard box B and positions each cardboard box B conveyed along the fourth conveying path 30 at the center in the width direction of the fourth conveying path 30. Further, each positioning device 32 can change the direction of the cardboard box B at a right angle as required, and is conveyed along the fourth conveying path 30 together with the held cardboard box B.

[0020] The receiving device 34 receives the two cardboard boxes B conveyed together with each positioning device 32. Specifically, the receiving device 34 includes two receiving plates 36 and cylinders 38 respectively connected to the receiving plates 36. Suction pads 40 are respectively arranged on the upper surfaces of the receiving plates 36. First, the positioning device 32 holding the cardboard box B is conveyed to a predetermined position on the fourth conveying path 30.

[0021] Next, by driving the cylinder 38, the receiving plate 36 moves downward and upward under the positioning device 32, and the cardboard box B is placed on the upper surface of the receiving plate 36. Next, the bottom of the cardboard box B is adsorbed by the suction pad 40 of the receiving plate 36, and the cardboard box B is held by the receiving plate 36. Next, after releasing the holding of the cardboard box B, the positioning device 32 retracts downward and moves to a position where it can receive the cardboard box B carried in from the box-making machine 2.

[0022] On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cardboard case 4 includes a robot 42 having a structure of, for example, a 6-axis vertical articulated type. The robot 42 is suspended from the ceiling via a bracket 44 above the fourth conveying path 30. The robot 42 includes a hand and an arm, picks up and holds the product P placed on the bucket 22 in the third conveying path 20 with the hand. Next, the robot 42 moves the product P held by the hand to the cardboard box B in the fourth conveying path 30 by the operation of the arm and packs it in the box. The packing operation of the product P by the robot 42 is performed until a predetermined number of products P are packed in the cardboard box B.

[0023] The second box conveyor 26 receives the cardboard box B in which the product P is boxed on the fourth conveying path 30 and conveys it on the fifth conveying path 46. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the fifth conveying path 46 is located below the third conveying path 20 and extends parallel to the fourth conveying path 30 while being adjacent to the fourth conveying path 30. More specifically, as also shown in FIG. 4, the fifth conveying path 46 is provided with a drawing-in device 48 for the cardboard box B and a direction-changing device 50.

[0024] The drawing-in device 48 is provided at the side end in the width direction of the fifth conveying path 46, holds the cardboard box B in which the product P is boxed on the fourth conveying path 30, and draws it into the fifth conveying path 46 for movement. Specifically, the drawing-in device 48 includes two drawing-in plates 52 and cylinders 54 respectively connected to the respective drawing-in plates 52. Suction pads 55 are respectively arranged at the tips of the respective drawing-in plates 52.

[0025] First, by driving each cylinder 54, each drawing-in plate 52 extends in a direction crossing the fifth conveying path 46 and abuts against the side portion of the cardboard box B in which the product P is boxed on the fourth conveying path 30. Next, the side portion of the cardboard box B is adsorbed by the respective suction pads 55 of the respective drawing-in plates 52 and held by the respective drawing-in plates 52. Next, after the holding of the cardboard box B by the receiving device 34 is released, each cylinder 54 is driven to draw the cardboard box B into the fifth conveying path 46 for movement. Thereby, the cardboard box B is positioned at the center in the width direction of the fifth conveying path 46.

[0026] The cardboard box B moved from the fourth conveying path 30 to the fifth conveying path 46 by the drawing-in device 48 has the holding by the respective suction pads 55 released and passes over the direction-changing device 50 in the process of being conveyed on the fifth conveying path 46. The direction-changing device 50 can change the direction of the cardboard box B at a right angle as required. Then, the cardboard box B in which the product P is boxed is conveyed on the fifth conveying path 46 and carried out toward the sealing machine 6.

[0027] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the first product conveyor 8, the second product conveyor 10, and the product P direction changer 56, and FIG. 6 shows a top view of FIG. 5. In the corrugated case 4, a product P direction changer 56 is provided between the first product conveyor 8 and the second product conveyor 10. The direction changer 56 receives the product P conveyed on the first conveyance path 16, performs a direction changing operation to change the direction of the product P in the conveyance direction of the first conveyance path 16 at a right angle, and conveys the product P after the direction changing operation toward the second conveyance path 18.

[0028] More specifically, the direction changer 56 includes an adjacent conveyor 58, a spaced conveyor 60, a sensor 62, and a control unit 64 (see FIG. 6). The adjacent conveyor 58 is orthogonal to the first conveyance path 16 and conveys the product on the adjacent path 66 adjacent to the end of the first conveyance path 16. The spaced conveyor 60 extends in parallel with the adjacent path 66 while being adjacent to the adjacent path 66, and conveys the product P on the spaced path 68 that is spaced apart from the end of the first conveyance path 16 and the adjacent path 66.

[0029] The sensor 62 is an optical sensor that detects the conveyance of the product P from the first conveyance path 16 to the adjacent path 66 and the spaced path 68. The adjacent conveyor 58, the spaced conveyor 60, and the sensor 62 are electrically connected to the control unit 64. The spaced conveyor 60 is driven by a first motor 70, and the adjacent conveyor 58 is driven by a second motor 72 (see FIG. 6). The control unit 64 performs a direction changing operation of the product P by driving the first and second motors 70, 72.

[0030] The first motor 70 that drives the spaced conveyor 60 is an inverter motor that can perform a forward rotation drive to convey the product P toward the second conveyance path 18 and can control the rotation speed. The second motor 72 that drives the adjacent conveyor 58 is a servo motor that can perform both a forward rotation drive to convey the product P toward the second conveyance path 18 and a reverse rotation drive to convey the product P in the direction opposite to the direction toward the second conveyance path 18, and can control the rotation speed.

[0031] Also, directly above the spaced conveyor 60, a receiving guide 74 for the product P is arranged. The receiving guide 74 restricts the product P from jumping out of the spaced path 68 with the momentum carried out from the first conveyance path 16. Further, when the product P collides with and drops onto the receiving guide 74 with the momentum carried out from the first conveyance path 16, the product P comes into contact with both the adjacent path 66 and the spaced path 68 simultaneously. Thereby, the direction-changing operation of the product P, which will be described later, is smoothly performed.

[0032] <First Embodiment> FIG. 7 shows the rotational drive control according to the first embodiment of the first and second motors 70 and 72 in a time series. FIG. 8 schematically shows, in a top view, the direction-changing operation according to the first embodiment of the product P. As shown in FIG. 7, as the cardboard case 4 operates, the first motor 70 is continuously driven to rotate forward at a predetermined first rotation speed r1.

[0033] Thereby, as shown in FIG. 8, the front portion P1 of the product P that has reached the spaced path 68 with the momentum carried out from the first conveyance path 16 rotates in the direction toward the second conveyance path as indicated by the arrow at a predetermined conveyance speed v1 corresponding to the first rotation speed r1. At the same time, as shown in FIG. 7, when the control unit 64 receives the detection signal S from the sensor 62, the control unit 64 starts the second motor 72 and drives the second motor 72 to rotate reversely at a predetermined second rotation speed r2 for a predetermined first drive time t1.

[0034] Thereby, as shown in FIG. 8, the rear portion P2 of the product P that has reached the adjacent path 66 with the momentum carried out from the first conveyance path 16 rotates in the direction opposite to the direction toward the second conveyance path 18 as indicated by the arrow at a predetermined conveyance speed v2 corresponding to the second rotation speed r2 during the first drive time t1.

[0035] That is, for the product P that has reached the direction-changing device 56, the front part P1 of the product P is rotated in the direction towards the second conveyance path 18, while the rear part P2 of the product P is rotated in a form that is semi-forcibly pulled back in the direction opposite to the direction towards the second conveyance path 18. As a result, the entire product P instantaneously rotates clockwise when viewed from above, and the direction-changing operation of the product P is performed smoothly and quickly. As shown in FIG. 8, the front part P1 of the product P is maintained in the direction towards the second conveyance path 18 even after the direction-changing operation.

[0036] The drive time t1 and each rotation speed r1, r2 are set according to the size and weight of the product P and the like, but are set within a range where the front part P1 of the product P does not face the second conveyance path 18 due to excessive rotation of the product P, that is, does not assume an inclined posture. Also, in order to achieve high-speed processing of the product P, it is preferable to set the first drive time t1 to a shorter time than the second drive time t2.

[0037] After the direction-changing operation of the product P is performed, as shown in FIG. 7, the first motor 70 continues to drive forward at the first rotation speed r1 until the operation of the cardboard case 4 stops. On the other hand, after the direction-changing operation of the product P is performed, the second motor 72 is switched from reverse rotation drive to forward rotation drive and drives forward at a predetermined third rotation speed for a predetermined second drive time t2. The third rotation speed r3 is equal to the first rotation speed r1. As a result, after the direction-changing operation, as shown in FIG. 8, the product P is conveyed at the conveyance speed v1 corresponding to the first rotation speed r1 and the third rotation speed r3 while the front part P1 is maintained on the side facing the second conveyance path 18, and is delivered to the second conveyance path 18.

[0038] The direction-changing operation in the product conveyance line 14 is performed each time a detection signal from the sensor 62 is received. By repeatedly performing such a series of processes in the product conveyance line 14, a large number of products P conveyed on the first conveyance path 16 pass through the direction-changing device 56 and are sequentially and rapidly conveyed to the second conveyance path 18 and the third conveyance path 20. The products P placed on the bucket 22 in the third conveyance path 20 are sequentially boxed into the cardboard boxes B in the fourth conveyance path 30 as the robot 42 operates.

[0039] As described above, the cardboard case maker 4 of the present embodiment forms the product conveyance line 14 by the first to third product conveyors 8, 10, and 12 each having the first to third conveyance paths 16, 18, and 20, and forms the cardboard box conveyance line 28 by the first and second box conveyors 24 and 26 each having the fourth and fifth conveyance paths 30 and 46. The starting ends of the product conveyance line 14 and the cardboard box conveyance line 28 are on the side of the case-making machine 2 in the connection direction X, and the ending ends of the product conveyance line 14 and the cardboard box conveyance line 28 are on the side of the case-sealing machine 6 in the connection direction X.

[0040] Also, the product conveyance line 14 and the cardboard box conveyance line 28 construct a two-stage structure in which the minimum necessary number of linear conveyance paths are aggregated. Further, a direction-changing device 56 for the product P is provided between the first product conveyor 8 and the second product conveyor 10. The direction-changing device 56 receives the product P conveyed on the first conveyance path 16, performs a direction-changing operation to change the direction of the product P in the conveyance direction of the first conveyance path 16 at a right angle, and conveys the product P after the direction-changing operation toward the second conveyance path 18.

[0041] Due to these features, the installation area of the cardboard case maker 4 can be minimized as much as possible, and the distances of the conveyance paths of the product P and the cardboard box B can be minimized as much as possible. Therefore, a large number of products P can be conveyed at high speed and boxed. Accordingly, a compact cardboard case maker 4 capable of processing a large number of products P at high speed can be provided.

[0042] More specifically, the direction-changing device 56 includes an adjacent conveyor 58, a spaced conveyor 60, a sensor 62, and a control unit 64. The spaced conveyor 60 is driven by a first motor 70, the adjacent conveyor 58 is driven by a second motor 72, and when the control unit 64 receives the detection signal of the sensor 62, it performs a direction-changing operation on the product P by driving and controlling the second motor 72.

[0043] The first motor 70 is an inverter motor that can be driven in the forward rotation direction and whose rotation speed can be controlled. The second motor 72 is a servo motor that can be driven in the forward rotation direction and the reverse rotation direction and whose rotation speed can be controlled. When the control unit 64 receives the detection signal of the sensor 62 while driving the first motor 70 in the forward rotation direction at a first rotation speed r1, it drives the second motor 72 in the reverse rotation direction at a second rotation speed r2 for a first driving time t1, and then further switches the second motor 72 from the reverse rotation drive to the forward rotation drive, and drives it in the forward rotation direction at a third rotation speed r3 for a second driving time t2.

[0044] By performing such rotational drive control of the second motor 72, the product P that has reached the direction-changing device 56 is rotated in such a manner that the front portion P1 of the product P is rotated in the direction toward the second conveyance path 18, while the rear portion P2 of the product P is rotated in a manner that it is pulled back in the direction opposite to the direction toward the second conveyance path 18. Therefore, the front portion P1 of the product P instantaneously rotates clockwise when viewed from above, and the direction-changing operation of the product P can be performed smoothly and reliably.

[0045] Also, the third rotation speed r3 is equal to the first rotation speed r1. As a result, after the direction-changing operation, the product P is conveyed at a conveyance speed v1 along the adjacent path 66 and the spaced path 68 while the front portion P1 is maintained on the side facing the second conveyance path 18, and is delivered to the second conveyance path 18. Therefore, the orientation of the product P after the direction-changing operation is maintained, and the conveyance of the product P can be performed smoothly and reliably.

[0046] Further, the first motor 70 that drives the spaced conveyor 60 is an inverter motor, and the second motor 72 that drives the adjacent conveyor 58 is a servo motor. By using the first motor 70 as an inverter motor, the cost of the direction changing device 56 can be reduced. Also, by using the second motor 72 as a servo motor that is more high-performance than an inverter motor, a forced direction changing operation involving reverse rotation driving can be performed instantaneously and with high precision. Therefore, the direction changing operation of the product P can be performed more smoothly and reliably.

[0047] <Second Embodiment> FIG. 9 shows the rotational drive control according to the second embodiment of the first and second motors 70 and 72 in a time series manner. FIG. 10 schematically shows a top view of the direction changing operation according to the second embodiment of the product P. As shown in FIG. 9, with the operation of the cardboard case 4, the first motor 70 continuously rotates forward at the first rotational speed r1, similar to the case of the first embodiment.

[0048] Thereby, as shown in FIG. 10, the front portion P1 of the product P that has reached the spaced path 68 with the momentum carried out from the first conveyance path 16 rotates in the direction toward the second conveyance path as indicated by the arrow at the conveyance speed v1 corresponding to the first rotational speed r1. At the same time, as shown in FIG. 9, when the control unit 64 receives the detection signal from the sensor 62, the control unit 64 starts the second motor 72 and rotates the second motor 72 forward at a predetermined fourth rotational speed r4 for a predetermined third drive time t3.

[0049] The fourth rotational speed r4 is set to be smaller than the first rotational speed r1. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 10, the rear portion P2 of the product P that has reached the adjacent path 66 with the momentum carried out from the first conveyance path 16 slightly moves in the direction toward the second conveyance path 18 at a predetermined conveyance speed v4 corresponding to the fourth rotational speed r4 during the third drive time t3.

[0050] That is, for the product P that has reached the direction-changing device 56, the front part P1 of the product P is rotated in the direction toward the second conveyance path 18, while the rear part P2 of the product P is slightly moved in the direction toward the second conveyance path 18. However, due to the rotational speed difference between the fourth rotational speed r4 and the first rotational speed r1, the rear part P2 of the product P is in a state relatively close to conveyance stop as viewed from the front part P1. As a result, the entire product P instantaneously rotates clockwise as viewed from above, and the direction-changing operation of the product P is performed smoothly and quickly. The front part P1 of the product P is maintained in the direction toward the second conveyance path 18 even after the direction-changing operation.

[0051] The drive time t3 and each rotational speed r1, r4 are set according to the size and weight of the product P and the like, but are set within a range in which the front part P1 of the product P does not face the second conveyance path 18 due to excessive rotation of the product P, that is, does not assume an inclined posture. Further, in order to achieve high-speed processing of the product P, it is preferable to set the third drive time t3 to be shorter than the fourth drive time t4.

[0052] After the direction-changing operation of the product P is performed, as shown in FIG. 9, the first motor 70 continues to drive forward at the first rotational speed r1 until the operation of the cardboard case 4 stops. On the other hand, after the direction-changing operation of the product P is performed, the second motor 72 changes the rotational speed and continues to drive forward at a predetermined fifth rotational speed r5 for a predetermined fourth drive time t4. The fifth rotational speed r5 is equal to the first rotational speed r1. As a result, after the direction-changing operation, as shown in FIG. 10, the product P is conveyed at the conveyance speed v1 corresponding to the first rotational speed r1 and the fifth rotational speed r5 while the front part P1 is maintained on the side facing the second conveyance path 18, and is delivered to the second conveyance path 18.

[0053] In the product conveyance line 14, the direction-changing operation is performed every time the detection signal of the sensor 62 is received, as in the case of the first embodiment. A large number of products conveyed on the first conveyance path 16 pass through the direction-changing device 56 and are sequentially and rapidly conveyed to the second conveyance path 18 and the third conveyance path 20. The product P placed on the bucket 22 in the third conveyance path is sequentially boxed in the cardboard box B in the fourth conveyance path 30 by the operation of the robot 42.

[0054] As described above, the cardboard case 4 of the present embodiment can process a large number of products P at high speed while achieving compactification, as in the case of the first embodiment. Particularly in the case of the present embodiment, the control unit 64 drives the first motor 70 to rotate forward at the first rotation speed r1, and when receiving the detection signal of the sensor 62, drives the second motor 72 to rotate forward at the fourth rotation speed r4 for the third drive time t3, and then further drives the second motor 72 to rotate forward at the fifth rotation speed r5 for the fourth drive time t4.

[0055] As a result, although the product P that has reached the direction-changing device 56 is rotated or conveyed in the direction toward the second conveyance path 18 for both the front portion P1 and the rear portion P2 of the product P, due to the rotational speed difference between the fourth rotational speed r4 and the first rotational speed r1, the front portion P1 of the product P instantaneously rotates clockwise when viewed from above. Therefore, compared with the case of the first embodiment, the direction-changing operation of the product P can be performed with simpler control and without a time lag in switching between forward and reverse rotational drives.

[0056] Also, the fourth rotation speed r4 is smaller than the first rotation speed r1. As a result, a rotational speed difference is generated between the fourth rotational speed r4 and the first rotational speed r1, and due to this rotational speed difference, the rear portion P2 of the product P is in a state relatively close to conveyance stop as viewed from the front portion P1, and the direction-changing operation can be performed smoothly.

[0057] Further, the fifth rotational speed r5 is equal to the first rotational speed r1. As a result, after the direction-changing operation in the case of the present embodiment, the product P is conveyed at the conveyance speed v1 along the adjacent path 66 and the spaced-apart path 68 while the front portion P1 is maintained on the side facing the second conveyance path 18, and is delivered to the second conveyance path 18. Therefore, the orientation of the product P after the direction-changing operation is maintained, and the conveyance of the product P can be performed smoothly and reliably.

[0058] Also, the first motor 70 that drives the spaced-apart conveyor 60 is an inverter motor, and the second motor 72 that drives the adjacent conveyor 58 is a servo motor. However, in the case of the present embodiment, the second motor 72 performs only forward rotation driving. Therefore, it is also possible to use the second motor 72 as an inverter motor, thereby further reducing the cost of the direction-changing device 56.

[0059] This concludes the description of each embodiment of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the first embodiment, the spaced-apart conveyor 60 is driven to rotate forward by the first motor 70, and the adjacent conveyor 58 is driven to rotate reversely by the second motor 72, thereby realizing a direction-changing operation that maintains the front portion P1 of the product P conveyed from the first conveyance path 16 forward.

[0060] As a result, when packing the product P into the cardboard box B, the orientation of the product P at the beginning of conveyance is maintained, so that the product P can be processed at a higher speed in the cardboard caser 4. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the spaced-apart conveyor 60 may be driven to rotate forward and backward by the second motor 72 which is a servo motor, and the adjacent conveyor 58 may be driven to rotate forward by the first motor 70 which is an inverter motor. In this case, during the direction-changing operation, it is possible to perform control to change the direction of the rear portion P2 of the product P conveyed from the first conveyance path 16 forward. By performing such control, the product P can be packed into the cardboard box B with the rear portion P2 facing forward.

[0061] In each of the above embodiments, the first motor 70 is an inverter motor capable of driving in the forward rotation, and the second motor 72 is a servo motor capable of driving in both forward and reverse rotations. However, this is not restrictive, and in the case of each embodiment, the first motor 70 may be a servo motor. Also, in the case of the second embodiment, since the second motor 72 does not perform reverse rotation driving, the second motor 72 may be an inverter motor.

Explanation of Signs

[0062] 4 - layer cardboard case 8 First product conveyor 10 Second product conveyor 12 Third product conveyor 16 First conveying path 18 Second conveying path 20 Third conveying path 22 Bucket 24 First box conveyor 26 Second box conveyor 30 Fourth conveying path 42 Robot 46 Fifth conveying path 56 Direction changing device 58 Adjacent conveyor 60 Spaced conveyor 62 Sensor 64 Control unit 66 Adjacent path 68 Spaced path 70 First motor (inverter motor) 72 Second motor (servo motor) B - layer cardboard box P Product r1 First rotation speed r2 Second rotation speed r3 Third rotation speed r4 Fourth rotation speed r5 Fifth rotation speed t1 First driving time t2 Second driving time t3 Third driving time t4 Fourth driving time

Claims

1. A first product conveyor that conveys the loaded product in the first conveyance path; A second product conveyor that conveys the product conveyed in the first conveyance path in a second conveyance path orthogonal to the first conveyance path; A third product conveyor that receives the product conveyed in the second conveyance path with a bucket and conveys the product together with the bucket in a third conveyance path orthogonal to the second conveyance path and extending parallel to the first conveyance path; A first box conveyor that receives a cardboard box loaded from the same direction as the loading direction of the product into the first conveyance path, is located below the second conveyance path, and conveys the cardboard box in a fourth conveyance path extending parallel to the first conveyance path; A second box conveyor that receives the cardboard box conveyed in the fourth conveyance path, is located below the third conveyance path, and conveys the cardboard box in a fifth conveyance path extending parallel to the fourth conveyance path while being adjacent to the fourth conveyance path; A robot that holds the product placed on the bucket in the third conveyance path and packs the product into the cardboard box in the fourth conveyance path and is provided with; A cardboard case packer further provided with a direction-changing device that is provided between the first product conveyor and the second product conveyor, receives the product conveyed in the first conveyance path, performs a direction-changing operation to change the direction of the product in the conveyance direction of the first conveyance path by 90 degrees, and conveys the product after the direction-changing operation toward the second conveyance path.

2. The direction-changing device is An adjacent conveyor that conveys the product in an adjacent path orthogonal to the first conveyance path and adjacent to the end of the first conveyance path; A separation conveyor that conveys the product in a separation path that is adjacent to the adjacent path and extends parallel to the adjacent path, and separates the end of the first conveyance path from the adjacent path; A sensor that detects the conveyance of the product from the first conveyance path to the adjacent path and the separation path; A control unit to which the adjacent conveyor, the separation conveyor, and the sensor are electrically connected and is provided with; The separation conveyor is driven by a first motor, and the adjacent conveyor is driven by a second motor. The cardboard case according to claim 1, wherein the control unit drives the first motor and controls the driving of the second motor when receiving the detection signal of the sensor, thereby performing the direction-changing operation of the product.

3. The first motor can be driven in a forward rotation to convey the product toward the second conveyance path and can control the rotation speed. The second motor can be driven both in the forward rotation and in a reverse rotation to convey the product in a direction opposite to the direction toward the second conveyance path, and can control the rotation speed. The cardboard case according to claim 2, wherein the control unit drives the first motor in the forward rotation at a predetermined first rotation speed, and when receiving the detection signal of the sensor, drives the second motor in the reverse rotation at a predetermined second rotation speed for a predetermined first driving time, and then further switches the driving of the second motor from the reverse rotation to the forward rotation and drives the second motor in the forward rotation at a predetermined third rotation speed for a predetermined second driving time.

4. The cardboard case according to claim 3, wherein the third rotation speed is equal to the first rotation speed.

5. The cardboard case according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the first motor is an inverter motor and the second motor is a servo motor.

6. The first motor and the second motor can be driven in a forward rotation to convey the product toward the second conveyance path and can control the rotation speed. The cardboard case according to claim 2, wherein the control unit drives the first motor in the forward rotation at a predetermined first rotation speed, and when receiving the detection signal of the sensor, drives the second motor in the forward rotation at a predetermined fourth rotation speed for a predetermined third driving time, and then further drives the second motor in the forward rotation at a predetermined fifth rotation speed for a predetermined fourth driving time.

7. The cardboard case according to claim 6, wherein the fourth rotation speed is smaller than the first rotation speed and the fifth rotation speed is equal to the first rotation speed.

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