Packaging system and packaging method

Abstract

To use a heat-shrinkable film to stably hold a packaged body in a box body.SOLUTION: A packaging system is configured to package a packaged body in a box body having at least one pair of flaps, and comprises: a bonding device which bonds a center part of a heat-shrinkable film to a bottom surface inside the box body, and also hangs both end parts of the film from the pair of flaps respectively; an arranging device which arranges the packaged body in the box body with the bonded film; a covering device which holds both the end parts of the hung film opposite each other above the packaged body, and bonds facing surfaces of both the end parts to cover the packaged body with the film; and a shrinking device which heats and shrinks the film having both the end parts bonded.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging system and a packaging method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in warehouses and the like, items are packed in boxes such as cardboard boxes transported by a conveyer and shipped. If the packed items are not fixed to the box, the box and the items may come into contact during delivery, which may result in damage to the box or the items. Therefore, when packaging the items, a film is used to hold the items in the box. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a method in which the center of a film is adhered to the bottom of the box, the item to be packed is placed on top of the center, and then both ends of the film are placed over the item to be packed, thereby holding the item to the bottom of the box.

[0003] Incidentally, heat-shrinkable films are known as films for packaging articles. By covering a container with an article placed therein with the heat-shrinkable film and then heating it, it becomes possible to stably fix the article to the container. By using a heat-shrinkable film as the film in the method described in Patent Document 1, it is expected that the article can be held more stably. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-101353 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Generally, heat-shrinkable films are heated by blowing hot air from the surroundings using a shrink tunnel. As described in Patent Document 1, when a film covers an article inside a box, the insulating effect of the box prevents heating, making it difficult for the film near the bottom of the box to be heated. Therefore, the film near the bottom may not be able to shrink sufficiently, and the article may not be stably held. On the other hand, if the film near the bottom is heated at a high temperature or a highly heat-shrinkable film is used to sufficiently shrink the film, a portion of the article may be exposed from the film due to shrinkage.

[0006] Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram for explaining the shrinkage of a film. In Fig. 12, an item 92 is contained inside a box 91. The item 92 is held in the box 91 by being covered with a heat-shrinkable film 93 that is bonded to the bottom surface of the box 91. If the film 93 shrinks in this state, because the film 93 is bonded to the bottom surface of the box 91, the portion of the film 93 that covers the top surface of the item 92 is pulled in the direction along the arrow 94 that points toward the bottom surface. Therefore, if the degree of shrinkage is large, the top surface or side surface of the item 92 may be exposed.

[0007] If a part of the product is exposed from the film, there is a risk that the product may fly out of the film during delivery. Therefore, there is a need to use a heat-shrinkable film to stably hold the product in the box.

[0008] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a packaging system and a packaging method that enable the packed items to be stably held in a box body using heat-shrinkable film. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The packaging system of the present invention is a packaging system for packaging an item to be packed in a box having at least a pair of flaps, and is characterized by having: an adhesive device that adheres the center of a heat-shrinkable film to the bottom surface inside the box and hangs both ends of the film from each of the pair of flaps; a placement device that places the item to be packed inside the box to which the film is adhered; a covering device that holds both ends of the hanging film and faces each other above the item to be packed, and covers the item to be packed with the film by adhering the opposing surfaces of the both ends; and a shrinking device that heats the film with both ends adhered to it to shrink it.

[0010] In addition, in the packaging system of the present invention, it is preferable that the covering device folds both ends of the hanging film upward and then moves them above the item to be packaged, so that the both ends face each other.

[0011] In addition, in the packaging system of the present invention, it is preferable that the covering device has a flat suction portion with multiple air intakes, and holds both ends of the hanging film by suctioning them in a planar manner to the suction portion.

[0012] The packaging method of the present invention is a packaging method carried out by a packaging system that packages an item to be packaged in a box having at least a pair of flaps, and is characterized by including the steps of adhering a center portion of a heat-shrinkable film to the bottom surface inside the box and hanging both ends of the film from each of the pair of flaps, placing the item to be packaged inside the box to which the film is adhered, holding both ends of the hanging film so that they face each other above the item to be packaged, and adhering the opposing surfaces of both ends to each other, thereby covering the item to be packaged with the film, and heating the film with both ends adhered to shrink it. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] The packaging system and packaging method according to the present invention make it possible to stably hold packaged items in a box using a heat shrinkable film. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining an overview of an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a front view of the packaging system 1. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a packaging system 1. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a front view of the box 10 to which the adhesive member is attached. [Figure 6] 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the bonding device 4. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the coating device 6. [Figure 8] 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the coating device 6. FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the coating device 6. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the contraction device 7. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of a packaging method. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining film shrinkage. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Various embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Please note that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, but extends to the inventions described in the claims and their equivalents.

[0016] 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining an overview of an embodiment. A packaging system 1 according to the embodiment packages an object to be packaged in a box 10 while transporting the box 10 by a conveyor or the like. The box 10 has at least a pair of flaps 103. The box 10 is, for example, a cardboard box.

[0017] First, the packaging system 1 adheres the center portion F1 of the heat-shrinkable film F to the bottom surface 101 inside the box 10, and hangs both end portions F2 of the film F from the pair of flaps 103. The center portion F1 is adhered to the bottom surface 101 with an adhesive member such as an adhesive or adhesive tape.

[0018] Fig. 1(a) is a perspective view of a box 10 to which a film F is adhered, and Fig. 1(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line IB of Fig. 1(a). In Fig. 1(a), for ease of viewing, the film F is shown shaded with diagonal lines, and this also applies to Figs. 1(c) and 1(e) described below. As shown in Figs. 1(a) and 1(b), the film F covers the bottom surface 101 of the box 10, a pair of opposing side surfaces 102, and flaps 103 provided on the side surfaces 102, and hangs down from the outer ends of the flaps 103.

[0019] Next, the packaging system 1 places the packaged item 106 inside the box 10 to which the film F has been adhered. Fig. 1(c) is a perspective view of the box 10 with the packaged item 106 placed therein, and Fig. 1(d) is a cross-sectional view of the ID cross section of Fig. 1(c). As shown in Figs. 1(c) and 1(d), the packaged item 106 is placed on the center portion F1 of the film F adhered to the bottom surface 101 of the box 10.

[0020] Next, the packaging system 1 holds both end portions F2 of the hanging film F and positions them opposite each other above the packaged object 106, and bonds the opposing surfaces of the both end portions F2 together. The opposing surfaces are bonded by welding using, for example, a heat sealer. FIG. 1(e) is a perspective view of the box 10 with the opposing surfaces bonded together, and FIG. 1(f) is a cross-sectional view of the IF section of FIG. 1(e). As shown in FIGS. 1(e) and 1(f), by bonding both end portions F2 of the film F above the packaged object 106, the packaged object 106 is covered with the film F.

[0021] Next, the packaging system 1 heats and shrinks the film F with both end portions F2 adhered thereto. The film F is heated, for example, by blowing hot air onto it using a shrink tunnel. At this time, because both end portions F2 of the film F are adhered above the packaged object 106 in advance, the upper surface of the packaged object 106 is not exposed due to the shrinkage of both end portions F2. Therefore, the packaged object can be stably held in the box using the heat-shrinkable film.

[0022] The above description of Fig. 1 is merely for the purpose of providing a better understanding of the present invention. The present invention is embodied in the following embodiments, and may be embodied in various modifications without substantially departing from the principles of the present invention. All such modifications are within the scope of the present invention and the disclosure of this specification.

[0023] Fig. 2 is a front view of the packaging system 1, and Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the packaging system 1. The packaging system 1 includes a first conveyor 11, a second conveyor 12, an assembling device 2, an attaching device 3, a bonding device 4, a positioning device 5, a covering device 6, a shrinking device 7, and a control device 8.

[0024] The control device 8 is an information processing device such as a server or a PC (Personal Computer). The control device 8 is communicably connected to the first conveyor 11, the second conveyor 12, the assembling device 2, the pasting device 3, the bonding device 4, the placement device 5, the covering device 6, and the shrinking device 7 via a network. The control device 8 has a communication unit 81, a memory unit 82, and a processing unit 83.

[0025] The communication unit 81 is configured to enable the control device 8 to communicate with other devices, and includes a communication interface circuit such as a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network). The memory unit 82 is configured to store data and programs, and includes a semiconductor memory, for example. The processing unit 83 is configured to comprehensively control the operation of the control device 8, and includes a processing circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control device 8 controls the other devices in the packaging system 1 by transmitting, via the communication unit 81, control signals for each device generated by the processing unit 83 executing a predetermined application program stored in the memory unit 82.

[0026] The first conveyor 11 and the second conveyor 12 are devices that transport placed objects along a predetermined path, and are, for example, belt conveyors or roller conveyors. The first conveyor 11 and the second conveyor 12 are driven based on control signals received from the control device 8. In the packaging system 1, the first conveyor 11 transports boxes 10, and the second conveyor 12 transports objects 106 to be packaged.

[0027] The assembling device 2, pasting device 3, bonding device 4, arranging device 5, covering device 6, and shrinking device 7 are arranged along the path of the first conveyor 11. These devices are driven based on control signals received from the control device 8, and sequentially perform packaging operations on the boxes 10 transported by the first conveyor 11, as will be described later.

[0028] The assembly device 2 is a device, such as an automatic box making machine, that assembles the box body 10. The assembly device 2 cuts out corrugated cardboard sheets of a predetermined size from a corrugated cardboard sheet, and performs creasing, gluing, folding, box making, etc. to assemble the box body 10.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a box 10 assembled by the assembly device 2. The box 10 has a bottom surface 101, four side surfaces 102a to 102d, and four flaps 103a to 103d. The box 10 is assembled by the assembly device 2 so that the flaps 103a to 103d are approximately parallel to the side surfaces 102a to 102d. For ease of viewing, FIG. 4 shows the flaps 103a to 103d in an open state facing outward. When there is no need to distinguish between them, the side surfaces 102a to 102d may be referred to as side surfaces 102, and the flaps 103a to 103d may be referred to as flaps 103.

[0030] The attachment device 3 is an apparatus that attaches a first adhesive member to the bottom surface 101 inside the box 10, and attaches a second adhesive member to each of the pair of flaps (flaps 103a and 103b). The attachment device 3 has a first attachment unit that attaches the first adhesive member to the bottom surface inside the box 10, and a second attachment unit that attaches the second adhesive member to each of the pair of flaps 103.

[0031] The first adhesive member is a member for adhering the center portion F1 of the film F to the bottom surface of the box 10, and the second adhesive member is a member for temporarily fastening both end portions F2 of the film F to the box 10. Therefore, the first adhesive member and the second adhesive member are selected so that the adhesive strength (e.g., peel strength or tensile strength) of the second adhesive member is smaller than the adhesive strength of the first adhesive member. For example, if the first adhesive member is an adhesive for adhesion purposes, the second adhesive member is an adhesive for anti-slip purposes that has a smaller peel strength than the first adhesive member.

[0032] The first adhesive member is, for example, a synthetic rubber-based hot melt adhesive such as DF6618 (manufactured by Henkel Japan). The first adhesive member may also be an olefin-based hot melt adhesive for anti-slip purposes such as PS8030 (manufactured by Henkel Japan) or HT350J (manufactured by Henkel Japan). The first adhesive member may also be an olefin-based hot melt adhesive for adhesion purposes. The first applying unit is, for example, an automatic application gun capable of applying these adhesives. The first applying unit applies the heated adhesive to a predetermined position on the bottom surface 101 inside the box body 10, thereby applying the first adhesive member.

[0033] The second adhesive member is, for example, an olefin-based hot melt adhesive for anti-slip purposes, such as PS8030 (manufactured by Henkel Japan) or HT350J (manufactured by Henkel Japan). The second adhesive member may also be an olefin-based hot melt adhesive for adhesion purposes. The second attachment unit is, for example, an automatic application gun capable of applying such adhesives. The second attachment unit applies the heated adhesive to predetermined positions on the pair of flaps 103a and 103b of the box body 10, thereby attaching the second adhesive member.

[0034] The application device 3 applies the second adhesive member, which is a hot melt adhesive, so that the amount of application per unit area is less than that of the first adhesive member, which is also a hot melt adhesive. For example, the application device 3 applies the first adhesive member in a bead shape, and applies the second adhesive member in a spiral shape or by spraying.

[0035] Note that applying a bead-like coating refers to applying the adhesive thickly along a linear path, thereby increasing the amount of adhesive applied per unit area. Applying a spiral-like coating refers to applying the adhesive thinly along a helical path, thereby decreasing the amount of adhesive applied per unit area. Applying the adhesive by spraying also decreases the amount of adhesive applied per unit area.

[0036] The second adhesive member may be a double-sided tape such as DCX-1018 (manufactured by 3M Co.). In this case, the second attachment unit is a labeler that can cut the double-sided tape to a predetermined length and attach it to predetermined positions on the pair of flaps.

[0037] Fig. 5 is a front view of the box 10 to which the first adhesive member and the second adhesive member have been attached by the attachment device 3. For ease of viewing, Fig. 5 shows the flap 103 in an outwardly opened state. As shown in Fig. 5, the first adhesive members 104a to 104d are applied in a bead shape to a plurality of positions along the outer periphery of the bottom surface 101. Furthermore, the second adhesive members 105a and 105b are applied in a spiral shape to positions along the sides of the pair of flaps 103a and 103b opposite the sides that contact the side surfaces 102a and 102b (see Fig. 3).

[0038] The bonding device 4 is a device that bonds the center portion F1 of the film F to the bottom surface 101 inside the box body 10 and hangs both end portions F2 of the film F from each of a pair of flaps 103a and 103b. The bonding device 4 has a gripping unit 41, a pushing unit 42, and a flap operating unit 43. The gripping unit 41 grips the film F that has been cut to a predetermined length above the box body 10. The pushing unit 42 pushes the center portion F1 of the gripped film F into the inside of the box body 10 from above the film F gripped by the gripping unit 41. The flap operating unit 43 opens the flap 103 to which the film is bonded outward.

[0039] The film F is made of a stretchable and heat-shrinkable synthetic resin such as vinyl chloride resin or polyethylene resin. The length of the film F is determined so that both end portions F2 of the film F hang down from the flaps 103a and 103b when the flaps 103a and 103b are opened. The length of the film F may be a predetermined fixed length, or may vary depending on the size of the box 10 and the size or number of the items to be packed in the box 10.

[0040] 6A and 6B are schematic diagrams for explaining the operation of the bonding device 4. First, as shown in FIG.

[0041] Next, as shown in FIG. 6(b), the pushing unit 42 pushes the center portion F1 of the gripped film F into the interior of the box 10 from above the gripped film F. The contact surface of the pushing unit 42 with the film F has a shape that is slightly smaller than the shape of the bottom surface 101 of the box 10. As a result, when the pushing unit 42 pushes in the center portion F1 of the film F, the center portion F1 comes into contact with each of the first adhesive members 104a and 104b and is adhered to the bottom surface 101. In addition, the film F comes into contact with each of the second adhesive members 105a and 105b and is adhered to each of the pair of flaps 103a and 103c.

[0042] Next, as shown in FIG. 6(c), the flap operating unit 43 opens the flaps 103a and 103b of the box body 10 to which the film is adhered outward. At this time, both end portions F2 of the film F hang down from the flaps 103a and 103b due to their own weight. Note that in the example shown in FIG. 6(c), the flap operating unit 43 is a suction nozzle that opens the flap 103 by adhering it from the outside, but this is not limited to this example. For example, the flap operating unit 43 may have a structure that grips and opens the flap 103, or may have a structure that pushes the flap 103 open from the inside. The flap operating unit 43 may also open the flaps 103c and 103d to which no film is adhered.

[0043] The placement device 5 is a device for placing an item to be packaged inside the box 10 into which the film has been inserted. The placement device 5 has a backing sheet placement unit 5a and an item to be packaged placement unit 5b. The backing sheet placement unit 5a has an arm, and places a backing sheet D (see FIG. 8) on the bottom surface inside the box 10 using the arm. The item to be packaged placement unit 5b has an arm, and uses the arm to grasp an item to be packaged transported by the second conveyor 12 and place it on the backing sheet D. Note that the placement device 5 does not necessarily have to have the backing sheet placement unit 5a.

[0044] The covering device 6 is a device that holds both end portions F2 of the hanging film F, faces them to each other above the packaged object 106, and bonds the opposing surfaces of the both end portions F2 together. The covering device 6 has a pair of support portions 61a and 61b, a pair of suction portions 62a and 62b, and a pair of adhesive portions 63a and 63b.

[0045] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the coating device 6. Note that the support portion 61b, the suction portion 62b, and the adhesive portion 63b have configurations that are symmetrical to those of the support portion 61a, the suction portion 62a, and the adhesive portion 63a, respectively, and therefore only the support portion 61a, the suction portion 62a, and the adhesive portion 63a are shown in Fig. 7. Note that when there is no need to distinguish between them, the support portions 61a and 61b, the suction portions 62a and 62b, and the adhesive portions 63a and 63b may be referred to as the support portion 61, the suction portion 62, and the adhesive portion 63, respectively.

[0046] The support portion 61a is configured to support the flap 103a. The support portion 61a includes a support plate 611 extending horizontally with one end bent vertically upward, and a cylindrical nozzle 612 penetrating the horizontal portion of the support plate 611 from bottom to top. The nozzle 612 is connected to a suction device (not shown) via a suction pipe 613 connected to the lower end thereof, which generates suction force by reducing the air pressure inside the nozzle 612. A suction pad 614 is provided at the upper end of the nozzle 612. The nozzle 612 supports the flap 103a (shown by dotted lines in FIG. 7 ) by sucking it from below using the suction force generated at an air intake port 615 in the center of the suction pad 614. Note that, in the example shown in FIG. 7 , the support portion 61a includes two nozzles 612; however, this is not a limitation and the support portion 61a may include any number of nozzles 612.

[0047] The suction section 62a is configured to hold the end F2 of the film F. The suction section 62a has a suction plate 621 that holds the end F2 and suction support sections 622 that sandwich the suction plate 621 from both sides. The suction support sections 622 are connected to a drive section (not shown) that has an actuator, and are movable horizontally and vertically while sandwiching the suction plate 621. Shafts 623 that are connected to the suction support sections 622 on both sides of the suction plate 621 are inserted through the suction plate 621. A pulley 624 connected to a motor (not shown) is provided at one end of the shaft 623, and the rotational force from the pulley causes the shaft 623 to rotate together with the suction plate 621. This allows the suction plate 621 to rotate around the shaft 623.

[0048] A plurality of air intake ports 625 are provided along the outer periphery of the surface of the suction plate 621. The suction plate 621 is connected to a suction device (not shown) via a suction pipe 626, and the suction force generated in the air intake ports 625 attracts the end F2a of the film F.

[0049] The adhesive portion 63a is configured to bond the opposing surfaces of both end portions of the film F together. The adhesive portion 63a has an adhesive surface 631 and a drive unit 632. The width of the adhesive surface 631 is formed to be larger than the width of the film F. The adhesive portion 63a has a built-in heater, and the adhesive surface 631 is heated to a high temperature that enables the opposing surfaces of both end portions F2 of the film F to be welded together. The drive unit 632 is connected to an actuator (not shown) and moves the adhesive surface 631 in the horizontal direction.

[0050] 8 and 9 are schematic diagrams for explaining the operation of the covering device 6. First, as shown in FIG. 8(a), the support unit 61 is disposed below the flap 103, and the nozzle 612 of the support unit 61 adsorbs the flap 103 of the box body 10. This supports the flap 103 horizontally. At this time, the support unit 61 is disposed so that both end portions F2 of the film F hanging down from the flap 103 are aligned with the vertical portions of the support plate 611.

[0051] 8(b), the suction unit 62 moves the suction plate 621 along the arrow D1 toward the box 10 and holds both end portions F2 of the film F by suction. At this time, both end portions F2 are supported by the vertical portion of the support plate 611, and are therefore suctioned to the suction plate 621 without flapping due to wind pressure or the like generated by the movement of the suction plate 621. In addition, the width of the suction plate 621 is formed larger than the width of the film F, and multiple air intakes are provided along the periphery of the surface of the suction plate 621, so that both end portions F2 are suctioned to the suction plate 621 in a planar manner.

[0052] 8(c), the suction unit 62 moves the suction plate 621 above the flap 103 along the arrow D2 while rotating the suction plate 621 half a turn around the axis 623. As a result, both end portions F2 of the film F hanging down from the flap 103 are folded upward.

[0053] 9(a), the suction unit 62 moves the suction plate 621 above the object to be packed along the arrow D3. At this time, since both suction surfaces of the suction plate 621 face outward, both end portions F2 of the film F face each other and are spaced apart above the object to be packed.

[0054] 9(b), the suction unit 62 moves the suction plate 621 upward along arrow D4, and the adhesive unit 63 moves above the packaged object along arrow D5, sandwiching both end portions F2 of the film F with the adhesive surface 631 and adhering the opposing surfaces together. As the suction plate 621 moves upward, the film F is pulled upward, so both end portions F2 are properly adhered without loosening. Furthermore, because the width of the adhesive surface 631 of the adhesive unit 63 is formed larger than the width of the film F, the opposing surfaces of both end portions F2 are adhered to each other across the entire width.

[0055] 9(c), the adhesive portion 63 returns to its original position along the arrow D6, and the suction portion 62 stops suctioning the film F. As a result, the object 106 is covered with the film F.

[0056] The shrinking device 7 is a device, such as a shrink tunnel, that heats and shrinks the film F. The shrinking device 7 heats the box 10 that contains the packaged item covered with the film F, thereby shrinking the film F.

[0057] 10(a) and 10(b) are schematic diagrams for explaining the operation of the shrinking device, with FIG. 10(a) showing the box body 10 before shrinkage and FIG. 10(b) showing the box body 10 after shrinkage. The shrinking device 7 shrinks the film F by, for example, blowing hot air onto the box body 10. At this time, because the central portion F1 of the film F is adhered to the bottom surface 101 by the first adhesive members 104a and 104b, tension generated during shrinkage pulls one end F2a of the film F2 along direction Ta, and the other end F2b along direction Tb.

[0058] At this time, if both ends F2 were not adhered, there is a possibility that the upper surface of the packaged item 106 would be exposed when both ends F2 are pulled. However, by adhering both ends F2 using the covering device 6, the film F2 is shrunk while still covering the packaged item 106, as shown in Figure 10(b). This allows the packaged item 106 to be stably held in the box 10.

[0059] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the packing method executed by the packing system 1.

[0060] First, the assembling device 2 assembles the box body 10 (S101). The assembled box body 10 is transported by the first conveyor 11 to the position of the attachment device 3.

[0061] Next, the bonding device 3 bonds a first adhesive member to the bottom surface 101 inside the box 10, and bonds a second adhesive member to each of the pair of flaps 103 (S102). The box 10 to which the first adhesive member and the second adhesive member have been bonded is transported by the first conveyor 11 to the position of the bonding device 4.

[0062] Next, the bonding device 4 bonds the center portion F1 of the film F to the bottom surface 101 inside the box 10, and causes both end portions F2 of the film F to hang down from the pair of flaps 103 (S103). The box 10 with the bonded film is transported by the first conveyor 11 to the position of the placement device 5.

[0063] Next, the placement device 5 places the packaged object 106 transported by the second conveyor 12 inside the box 10 with the film inserted (S104). The box 10 with the packaged object 106 placed therein is transported by the first conveyor 11 to the position of the covering device 6.

[0064] Next, the covering device 6 holds both end portions F2 of the hanging film F and places them opposite each other above the packaged object 106, and bonds the opposing surfaces of the both end portions F2 together (S105). The box 10 with the packaged object 106 contained therein covered is transported into the shrinking device 7 by the first conveyor 11.

[0065] Subsequently, the shrinking device 7 heats the film to shrink it (S106). The box 10 is transported to the outside of the shrinking device 7 by the first conveyor 11.

[0066] After the film has shrunk, the flaps 103a to 103d are closed and sealed by an operator or a machine, and the item 106 to be packed is packed in the box 10.

[0067] As described above, the packaging system 1 adheres the center portion F1 of the film F to the bottom surface 101 inside the box body 10, and hangs both end portions F2 down from the flaps 103. Then, after adhering both end portions F2 above the packaged object 106, the packaging system 1 shrinks the film F. This enables the packaging system 1 to stably hold the packaged object in the box body using the heat shrink film.

[0068] Furthermore, the packaging system 1 folds the hanging end portions F2 upward and then moves them above the packaged object 106. This reduces the risk of damage to the film F when moving the end portions F2, and the packaged object is held more stably.

[0069] That is, if the film F is moved above the object 106 without folding back both end portions F2, a force pulling the film F upward is applied to the adhesive portion between the film F and the flap 103, which may damage the film F. In contrast, if the film F is moved above the object 106 after folding back both end portions F2, a force parallel to the adhesive surface is applied to the film F at the adhesive portion between the film F and the flap 103, allowing the film F to be easily peeled off without being damaged.

[0070] Furthermore, in the packaging system 1, the covering device 6 has a flat suction plate 621 provided with multiple air intakes, and holds the hanging end portions F2 by suctioning them in a planar manner onto the suction plate 621. This prevents the film F from flapping due to wind pressure or the like when the end portions F2 are moved, and makes it possible to stably adhere the opposing surfaces of the end portions F2 to each other, thereby more stably holding the packaged item.

[0071] In the above description, the box 10 has at least a pair of flaps 103, but the box 10 does not have to have flaps. In this case, the bonding device 4 hangs both end portions F2 of the film F down from the side surfaces 102 of the box 10. In this case, since both end portions F2 hang down so as to follow the side surfaces 102 of the box 10, the covering device 6 does not need to have support portions 61 for supporting the film F2.

[0072] In the above description, the adhering device 3 adheres the second adhesive member to the flap 103 in S102, but the adhesive member does not have to be adhered to the flap 103.

[0073] In the above description, the suction plate 621 in the coating device 6 is provided with multiple air intakes 625 along the outer periphery of its surface, but the number and shape of the air intakes may be set arbitrarily as long as they can adsorb the end F2 of the film F in a planar manner.

[0074] In the above description, the covering device 6 folds both end portions F2 of the film F upward and then moves it above the packaged object 106, but the covering device 6 does not have to fold both end portions F2 upward. In this case, the covering device 6 does not need to have a mechanism for rotating the suction plate 621.

[0075] In the above description, the width of the adhesive surface 631 in the covering device 6 is formed to be larger than the width of the film F, and the opposing surfaces of both end portions F2 of the film F are adhered to each other over the entire width direction, but this is not limited to an example. The adhesive surface 631 may adhere only a portion of the opposing surfaces of both end portions F2 of the film F. Furthermore, the adhesion method is not limited to welding, and adhesive tape, fasteners, etc. may also be used.

[0076] In the above description, the packing system 1 has the control device 8, but this is not limited to this example. For example, the packing system 1 may not have the control device 8, and each device in the packing system 1 may have a processing unit such as a control processor.

[0077] It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the processes of the above-described parts may be executed in a different order as appropriate within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments and modifications may be combined as appropriate within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1. Packaging System 4 Gluing device 5 Placement device 6. Coating equipment 61 Support part 62 Adsorption part 63 Adhesive part 7 Contraction Device

Claims

1. A packaging system for packaging an item into a box having at least a pair of flaps, a bonding device that bonds a center portion of a heat-shrinkable film to the bottom surface of the interior of the box body and hangs both ends of the film from each of the pair of flaps; a placement device that places the item to be packed inside the box body to which the film is adhered; a covering device that holds both ends of the hanging film, faces the object to be packed at a distance from each other above the object, and sandwiches and adheres the opposing surfaces of the both ends to cover the object to be packed with the film; a shrinking device that heats and shrinks the film with both ends bonded together; A packaging system comprising:

2. The covering device folds both ends of the hanging film upward and then moves the film above the object to be packed, so that the both ends face each other. The packaging system of claim 1 .

3. the covering device has a flat suction portion provided with a plurality of air intake ports, and holds both ends of the hanging film by suctioning them in a planar manner on the suction portion; 3. The packaging system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A packaging method performed by a packaging system that packages an item into a box having at least a pair of flaps, comprising: a center portion of a heat-shrinkable film adhered to the bottom surface of the interior of the box body, and both ends of the film hanging down from each of the pair of flaps; The object to be packed is placed inside the box body to which the film is adhered, The film is held at both ends above the object to be packed, and the opposing surfaces of the end portions are sandwiched and bonded together to cover the object to be packed. The film with both ends bonded is heated to shrink it. A packaging method comprising:

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