Unpacking device and unpacking method

Abstract

To provide an unpacking device and an unpacking method of a corrugated box with flaps that can reduce damage to the contents of the corrugated box.SOLUTION: The unpacking device unpacks a corrugated board box 10 with inner flaps 12 and outer flaps 11 that are connected to side surfaces and bent at ridge lines 11A, respectively, to cover the inner flaps 12. A cutting section 3 cuts, for a full width, the two ridges 11A of the outer flaps 12 at flap surfaces 10A closed by the outer flaps 11 and the inner flaps 12, and cuts the outer flaps 11 in a direction intersecting the ridges 11A so as to connect the cut ridges 11A. A rotating section rotates the corrugated board box 10 by at least 90°.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an unpacking device and an unpacking method, and more particularly to an unpacking device and an unpacking method for unpacking a box having a flap. [Background technology]

[0002] A cardboard box unpacking system capable of unpacking cardboard boxes in which the butt joints of the outer flaps are glued together with adhesive tape has been known (Patent Document 1). In the cardboard box unpacking system, a cutter device cuts the adhesive tape on the bottom of the cardboard box carried by a conveyor, and a bottom opening device opens the bottom outer flaps, allowing the contents of the cardboard box to fall onto a tray.

[0003] Because the tray is located directly below the cardboard, the contents of the cardboard can be automatically transferred to the tray, offering significant advantages in efficiency, cost, and system space compared to manual unpacking.

[0004] Another known system and method for opening a box having flaps is disclosed in Patent Document 2. The system opens the box by cutting the areas where the flaps are close to each other while they are closed, opening each flap by 90 degrees or more, and cutting the base ends of the flaps along the side of the box. Because the flaps are cut while they are open by 90 degrees or more, the flaps can be cut reliably. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6647369 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2021-46228 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in the cardboard box unpacking system described in Patent Document 1, the adhesive tape on the bottom is cut by a cutter device, so there is a risk that the cutting blade may damage the contents during cutting. Even a slight scratch on cardboard boxes containing bags containing powders, viscous fluids, liquids, etc. can cause the contents to leak out and deteriorate, resulting in significant damage to the contents.

[0007] When the outer and inner flaps are secured with an adhesive such as hot melt instead of adhesive tape, the package cannot be opened by cutting only the adhesive tape. In this case, the side of the box is cut with a cutter into a U-shape when viewed from above, and the top is lifted by a robot arm using suction to open it and remove the contents. However, with this method, the cutter can damage the contents when cutting the side of the box.

[0008] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, when opening a cardboard box 10 in which outer flaps 11 are fixed to inner flaps 12 with adhesive 13, the side of the cardboard box 10 is cut into a roughly U-shape when viewed from above by cutting part 103. To ensure a reliable cut, the protrusion of cutting blade 131 is set to be longer than the thickness of the cardboard box 10. If the cardboard box 10 is filled to the brim with contents 20, a problem occurs in which cutting blade 131 comes into contact with contents 20, damaging the bag, as shown by the star mark in the enlarged view.

[0009] The unpacking system described in Patent Document 2 is based on the premise of unpacking cardboard boxes secured with adhesive tape, and therefore has difficulty dealing with cardboard boxes whose outer and inner flaps are secured with adhesive. As cardboard boxes with various seals are continuously fed, an unpacking device that can unpack any cardboard box has been desired.

[0010] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an unpacking device and an unpacking method for unpacking boxes having flaps, which can reduce damage to the contents of cardboard boxes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In order to solve the above problems, a first invention is an unpacking device for unpacking a box having an inner flap and an outer flap connected to a side surface, folded at a ridge line, and covering the inner flap, the device cutting the two ridge lines of the outer flap across the entire width of the flap surface closed by the outer flap and the inner flap, and cutting the outer flap at only one location in a direction intersecting the ridge lines so as to connect the cut ridge lines. Has a cutting blade a cutting portion; When the cutting portion cuts the outer flap in a direction intersecting the ridge line, the cutting blade is located in a space between the tips of the inner flaps. The present invention provides an unpacking device characterized by the above.

[0012] The concept of cutting the ridgeline across its entire width includes cutting the entire width of the area directly above the ridgeline on the flap surface, as well as cutting the entire width of the area several millimeters from the ridgeline.

[0013] A second invention is the unpacking device of the first invention, Further, a rotating unit is provided to rotate the box body by at least 90°, The cutting unit cuts the outer flap in a direction perpendicular to the ridge line so as to connect the ridge line in the area where the outer flap and the inner flap overlap, and the rotating unit rotates the box body 180 degrees to remove the contents of the box body.

[0014] A third invention is the unpacking device of the second invention, Further, a rotating unit is provided to rotate the box body by at least 90°, The device further includes a box suction unit that sucks the box body, and the box suction unit sucks the box body that has been rotated 180 degrees by the rotating unit to separate the contents from the box body, thereby removing the contents from the box body.

[0015] A fourth aspect of the present invention is the unpacking device of the first aspect of the present invention, Further, a rotating unit is provided to rotate the box body by at least 90°,The cutting unit cuts the outer flap in a direction perpendicular to the ridge line so as to connect the ridge line in the area where the outer flap and the inner flap overlap, and further has a pressing unit that presses the back surface opposite the flap surface, and is characterized in that after the cutting unit cuts the flap surface and the rotating unit rotates the box body by 90 degrees, the pressing unit presses the back surface to remove the contents of the box body.

[0016] The fifth invention is an unpacking device according to the first to fourth inventions, wherein the cutting section has a cutting blade for cutting the box body, a contact section that contacts the flap surface when the cutting blade cuts the ridge line, and a buffer section that reduces impact by contracting when the contact section contacts the flap surface, and the amount by which the cutting blade protrudes from the contact section is longer than the thickness of the outer flap and shorter than the sum of the thickness of the outer flap and the thickness of the inner flap.

[0018] The sixth invention is a method for opening a box having an inner flap and an outer flap connected to a side surface, folded at a ridge line, and covering the inner flap, the method comprising the steps of cutting the outer flap along the entire width of the two ridge lines on a flap surface closed by the outer flap and the inner flap, and cutting the outer flap at only one location in a direction intersecting the ridge lines so as to connect the cut ridge lines. With cutting blade and cutting the wire, When the outer flap is cut in a direction intersecting the ridge line, the cutting blade is located in a space between the tips of the inner flaps. The present invention provides a method for unpacking that is characterized by the above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the first invention, the cutting portion cuts the two ridges across the entire width to connect them, so that the flap surface can be cut openably even if the outer flap is sealed with adhesive tape or the outer flap and the inner flap are sealed with adhesive. In other words, any box provided with outer and inner flaps can be opened without being limited by the sealing method of the box. Furthermore, because the cutting portion cuts the flap surface provided with the outer and inner flaps, the inner flap is interposed between the outer flap and the contents of the box, thereby suppressing damage to the contents caused by the cutting portion.

[0020] Furthermore, because the rotating part rotates the box body by at least 90 degrees, the weight of the contents in the box pushes the flap surface open, allowing the contents to be removed from the box body. Furthermore, because the cutting part cuts the outer flap across its entire width, it is possible to prevent the contents from getting caught on the outer or inner flap when they are separated from the box body. Furthermore, because the cutting part cuts the two ridges of the flap surface across its entire width, connecting the two ridges, the cut outer and inner flaps remain connected to the sides of the box body. In other words, because the cutting part cuts the ridges of the outer flap, it is separated from the box body, but the inner flap remains connected to the box body. Because the outer and inner flaps are fixed with adhesive or adhesive tape, the outer and inner flaps are not separated from the box body. This eliminates the need for a process to separate the cut components from the box body, shortening the unpacking time.

[0021] According to the second aspect of the present invention, the cutting section cuts the outer flap in a direction perpendicular to the ridge in the area where the outer flap and the inner flap overlap, so that the inner flap is located inside the outer flap, thereby preventing damage to the contents. Furthermore, the rotating section rotates the box body 180 degrees, so that the flap surfaces open due to the weight of the contents, allowing the contents to fall and be removed. Furthermore, because the cutting section cuts the outer flap in the space between the flap and the inner flap, it is possible to prevent the inner flap from being accidentally cut and fragments from falling.

[0022] According to the third aspect of the present invention, the box and the contents can be separated by the box suction unit that sucks the box, and the contents can be removed. This allows only the box to be removed, making it possible to smoothly move on to the next process.

[0023] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the cutting part cuts the outer flap in a direction perpendicular to the ridge line in the area where the outer flap and the inner flap overlap, so that the presence of the inner flap inside the outer flap can prevent damage to the contents. In addition, the rotating part rotates the box body 90°, and then the pressing part presses the back surface, so that the contents can be reliably removed from the box body.

[0024] According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the protruding length of the cutting blade is longer than the thickness of the outer flap but shorter than the combined thickness of the outer and inner flaps, so that the cutting blade does not come into contact with the contents when the abutting portion abuts the flap surface. This prevents the cutting blade from damaging the contents when cutting at the cutting portion. Furthermore, because the cutting portion has an abutting portion, it prevents the cutting blade from penetrating deeper into the box than the abutting portion. Furthermore, the cutting portion is provided with a buffer portion that absorbs the impact when the abutting portion abuts the flap surface, so that the buffer portion contracts when the abutting portion abuts, thereby absorbing the impact on the box.

[0025] Also, The suction part sucks the contents, allowing them to be removed from the box. In addition, the cutting part cuts the flap surface on which the outer and inner flaps are provided, so that the inner flap is interposed between the outer flap and the contents of the box, thereby preventing damage to the contents by the cutting part.

[0026] The sixth inventionAccording to the document, the cutting section cuts the entire width of the ridgeline and connects the ridgelines, so that it is possible to open the flap surfaces even if the outer flaps are sealed with adhesive tape or the outer and inner flaps are sealed together with adhesive. In other words, any box provided with outer and inner flaps can be opened without being limited by the sealing method of the box. Furthermore, because the cutting section cuts the flap surfaces provided with the outer and inner flaps, the inner flaps are positioned between the outer flaps and the contents, which prevents damage to the contents of the box from being caused by the cutting section.

[0027] According to the above-described invention, it is possible to provide an unpacking device and an unpacking method for unpacking cardboard boxes having flaps, which can reduce damage to the contents of the cardboard boxes. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view of an unpacking device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2(a) shows a cardboard box to be opened by the unpacking device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which the outer and inner flaps are fixed with adhesive, and FIG. 2(b) shows a cardboard box in which the outer flaps are fixed with adhesive tape. [Figure 3] 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating a state in which the cardboard box is cut by the unpacking device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the unpacking device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, taken along line AA' in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the unpacking device according to the first embodiment of the present invention taken along line BB' in FIG. 3. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the state in which the contents of the cardboard box that has been inverted by the rotating part of the unpacking device according to the first embodiment of the present invention fall. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the cardboard box is pressed by the pressing part of the unpacking device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, causing the contents to fall. [Figure 8]8(a) and 8(b) show a method for cutting cardboard boxes by an unpacking device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 8(a) is a diagram showing a cut at a position shifted from the center, and FIG. 8(b) is a diagram showing a cut at an angle. [Figure 9] 8(a) is a cross-sectional view of the unpacking device according to the third embodiment of the present invention, taken along CC' in FIG. 8(a). [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a view showing a state in which the contents of the unpacking device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention are being removed by a suction unit. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a view showing a state in which a cardboard box is being removed by a suction part of an unpacking device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a cardboard box when a side surface is cut using a conventional unpacking device. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a cardboard box being cut by a conventional unpacking device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] An unpacking device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 6. As shown in the figures, up, down, front, back, left, and right directions are defined. The unpacking device 1 removes the contents 20 by cutting the flap surface 10A, which is the top surface on which the outer flaps 11 and inner flaps 12 of the cardboard box 10 that packs the contents 20, and rotating the cardboard box 10.

[0030] The unpacking device 1 is mainly composed of a cutting unit 3 that is detachably attached to the tip of a robot arm 2, a rotating unit 4 that clamps and inverts the cardboard box 10, a clamping unit 5 that secures the cardboard box 10 that has been cut by the cutting unit 3, and a conveyor 6 that transports the cardboard box 10.

[0031] The cardboard boxes 10 that can be opened by the unpacking device 1 include both those shown in Fig. 2(a) in which the outer flaps 11 and inner flaps 12 are secured together with an adhesive 13 such as hot melt, and those shown in Fig. 2(b) in which the joints of the outer flaps 11 are secured together with adhesive tape 14. The outer flaps 11 are folded along ridge lines 11A that extend in the front-to-back direction and are the connecting portions between the outer flaps 11 and the side surfaces, covering the inner flaps 12. The unpacking device 1 can also open cardboard boxes 10 in which the flap surfaces 10A are located on the side surfaces or bottom surfaces, cardboard boxes 10 in which adhesive tape 14 is attached in a substantially H-shape, and cardboard boxes in which the joints of the outer flaps 11 are secured together with staples.

[0032] Although the cardboard box 10 is an example of a box according to the present invention, the present invention is not limited to this and can also be applied to boxes made of other materials such as resin, wood, ceramic, etc. In this embodiment, the contents 20 packed in the cardboard box 10 are fluid, powder, granular, or viscous food, feed, or materials placed in an inner bag, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be any other contents.

[0033] A control panel (not shown) is connected to the robot arm 2, and the cardboard box 10 is photographed by a 3D camera (not shown), and the shape, material, etc. of the cardboard box 10 are identified by AI image analysis. This information is input from the control panel to the robot arm 2, and the cardboard box 10 is opened based on this information. A cutting unit 3, as shown in the partially enlarged view of FIG. 4, is provided at the tip of the robot arm 2. The cutting unit 3 includes a cutting blade 31, a contact portion 32 that contacts the flap surface 10A of the cardboard box 10, a buffer portion 33, and a support portion 34.

[0034] The amount of protrusion of the cutting blade 31 from the contact portion 32 can be adjusted by an adjustment mechanism (not shown). The amount of protrusion of the cutting blade 31 may also be automatically adjusted based on information about the cardboard 10 from a control panel. In this embodiment, the amount of protrusion of the cutting blade 31 from the contact portion 32 is set to be longer than the thickness of the outer flap 11 but shorter than the combined thickness of the outer flap 11 and the inner flap 12. The buffer portion 33 is expandable in the vertical direction, with its lower end connected to the contact portion 32 and its upper end fixed to the support portion 34. The buffer portion 33 contracts when the contact portion 32 contacts the cardboard 10, thereby cushioning the impact and preventing the cutting blade 31 from penetrating excessively into the cardboard 10. The buffer portion 33 uses a suspension mechanism using a metal spring, but is not limited thereto. Air cylinders, hydraulic cylinders, dampers, and other expandable mechanisms may also be used. The support portion 34 connects the robot arm 2 and the cutting unit 3.

[0035] The rotating unit 4 has a pair of rotating arms 41 that hold the cardboard box 10 by clamping it from the left and right and rotate it 180°. The rotating arms 41 clamp the cardboard box 10 and move it to drop position R based on information about the shape of the cardboard box 10 from the control panel, and rotate the cardboard box 10 180° as shown in FIG. 6. A case 42 for containing the contents 20 is placed at drop position R. The mechanism for rotating the cardboard box 10 is not limited to this, and any rotation mechanism can be used.

[0036] The clamping unit 5 is composed of a first moving unit 51 and a second moving unit 52 that can move left and right. As shown in Fig. 1, at the cutting position where the cardboard box 10 is opened by the cutting unit 3 of the robot arm 2, the cardboard box 10 is clamped between the first moving unit 51 and the second moving unit 52, and the position of the cardboard box 10 is fixed in a predetermined position. The positions of the first moving unit 51 and the second moving unit 52, in other words, the shape of the cardboard box 10, are determined based on input information from the control panel.

[0037] The conveyor 6 transports the cardboard boxes 10 at a desired speed to the cutting position of the robot arm 2 and from the cutting position to the rotating unit 4. The conveyor 6 is formed with an opening 6a through which the contents 20 fall.

[0038] Next, the process by which the unpacking device 1 unpacks the cardboard box 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0039] The cardboard box 10 transported by the conveyor 6 is clamped and fixed by the first moving unit 51 and the second moving unit 52 at the cutting position of the robot arm 2. At this time, the positions of the first moving unit 51 and the second moving unit 52 are determined based on information about the shape of the cardboard box 10, which is input in advance from the control panel.

[0040] As shown by the dashed lines in FIG. 3 , the cutting section 3 cuts the left ridge line 11A along a first cutting line L1 extending in the front-to-rear direction across the entire width, cuts the right ridge line 11A along a second cutting line L2 extending in the front-to-rear direction across the entire width, and cuts along a third cutting line L3 extending in the left-to-right direction connecting one ridge line 11A to the other ridge line 11A. The order of cutting is not limited to this, and any order can be used. The first cutting line L1 and the second cutting line L2 do not have to be on the ridge line 11A, and may be located on the flap surface 10A, offset by several millimeters from the ridge line 11A. However, if the cutting line is too far from the ridge line 11A, the outer flap 11 and the inner flap 12 may get caught on the contents 20 when removing the contents 20. Therefore, the distance between the first cutting line L1 or the second cutting line L2 and the ridge line 11A is preferably within 10 mm. The third cutting line L3 is located at the center of the flap surface 10A in the front-rear direction and is approximately perpendicular to the first cutting line L1 and the second cutting line L2. The circular dotted line in the figure indicates the position of the cutting portion 3 in the cross-sectional views of Figures 4 and 5.

[0041] FIG. 4 shows the state when the cutting unit 3 is cutting the cardboard box 10 along the first cutting line L1 or the third cutting line L3. The protruding amount of the cutting blade 31 is longer than the thickness of the outer flap 11 but shorter than the combined thickness of the outer flap 11 and the inner flap 12, so the cutting edge does not protrude below the inner flap 12. As shown in the enlarged partial view on the left side of FIG. 4, the tip of the cutting blade 31 does not protrude beyond the inner flap 12. This allows the outer flap 11 to be cut while preventing the cutting blade 31 from coming into contact with the contents 20 of the cardboard box 10. As shown in the enlarged partial view on the right side of FIG. 4, even if the inner flap 12 is misaligned and the cutting blade 31 is positioned below the outer flap 11 where the inner flap 12 is not present, a flap space 12a is formed between the outer flap 11 and the contents 20 by the thickness of the inner flap 12, so that the cutting blade 31 that penetrates the outer flap 11 is positioned in the flap space 12a. This creates a space between the contents 20 and the cutting blade 31, making it possible to prevent damage to the contents 20.

[0042] Figure 5 shows the state in which the cutting unit 3 is cutting the cardboard 10 along the third cutting line L3. When the inner flaps 12 are folded, their ends are spaced apart in the front-to-rear direction and do not abut each other. A space 20a is defined between the tips of the inner flaps 12, and the cutting blade 31 of the cutting unit 3 is located in this space 20a. Because the cutting blade 31 is longer than the thickness of the outer flaps 11 but shorter than the combined thickness of the outer flaps 11 and the inner flaps 12, the cutting blade 31 located in the space 20a cuts the outer flaps 11 while being spaced apart in the vertical direction from the contents 20.

[0043] In this embodiment, the flap surface 10A is located on the top surface, but if the flap surface 10A is located on the side or bottom surface, the cardboard box 10 is rotated so that the flap surface 10A is on the top surface in a stage prior to the robot arm 2. This makes it possible to open the cardboard box 10 regardless of the position of the flap surface 10A.

[0044] The conveyor 6 transports the cardboard box 10, whose flap surface 10A has been cut into a roughly H-shape by the robot arm 2, to the rotating unit 4. As shown in FIG. 1, when the cardboard box 10 reaches the gripping position H, the rotating arm 41 clamps the cardboard box 10 from the left and right, lifts it up, and moves it to the drop position R, where it rotates the cardboard box 10 by 180°.

[0045] As shown in Figure 6, when the cardboard box 10 is rotated 180 degrees, the gravity of the contents 20 pushes the outer flaps 11 and inner flaps 12 open, and the contents 20 fall into the case 42. In detail, because the flap surface 10A is cut into a roughly H-shape, the inner flaps 12 and the outer flaps 11 fixed to the inner flaps 12 open by bending at the ridge line that is the connection between the inner flaps 12 and the side surfaces, and the contents 20 fall into the case 42. Note that a new conveyor may be installed in place of the case 42 to transport the contents to another location.

[0046] With this configuration, the cutting unit 3 cuts the two ridge lines 11A across the entire width to connect them, so that the flap surface 10A can be cut openably even if the outer flap 11 is sealed with adhesive tape 14 or the inner flap 12 and the outer flap 11 are sealed with adhesive 13. In other words, any box such as a cardboard box 10 provided with outer flaps 11 and inner flaps 12 can be opened without being limited to a sealing method for the cardboard box 10. Furthermore, because the cutting unit 3 cuts the flap surface 10A provided with the outer flaps 11 and inner flaps 12, the inner flap 12 is interposed between the outer flap 11 and the contents 20, thereby suppressing damage to the contents 20 by the cutting unit 3.

[0047] Furthermore, because the rotating unit 4 rotates the cardboard box 10 by at least 180 degrees, the flap surface 10A opens due to the weight of the contents 20 in the cardboard box 10, allowing the contents 20 to be removed from the cardboard box 10. Furthermore, because the cutting unit 3 cuts the ridge line 11A of the outer flap 11 over the entire width, it is possible to prevent the contents 20 from getting caught on the outer flap 11 or the inner flap 12 when they are separated from the cardboard box 10. Furthermore, because the cutting unit 3 cuts the two ridge lines 11A of the flap surface 10A over the entire width so as to connect the two ridge lines 11A, the cut outer flap 11 and inner flap 12 remain connected to the side of the cardboard box 10. In other words, the outer flaps 11 are separated from the cardboard box 10 because the ridge lines 11A are cut by the cutting section 3, but the inner flaps 12 remain connected to the cardboard box 10, and the outer flaps 11 and inner flaps 12 are fixed together with adhesive 13 or adhesive tape 14, so the outer flaps 11 and inner flaps 12 are not separated from the cardboard box 10. This eliminates the need for the process of separating the cut members from the cardboard box 10, shortening the unpacking time.

[0048] With this configuration, the cutting unit 3 cuts the outer flaps 11 in the space 20a in a direction perpendicular to the ridge line 11A, so the presence of the space 20a between the outer flaps 11 and the contents 20 can prevent damage to the contents 20. In addition, the rotating unit 4 rotates the cardboard box 10 180°, so the weight of the contents 20 causes the flap surfaces 10A to open, allowing the contents 20 to fall and be removed. Furthermore, because the cutting is performed on the outer flaps 11 in the space 20a, it is possible to prevent the inner flaps 12 from being accidentally cut and fragments from falling.

[0049] With this configuration, the protruding amount of the cutting blade 31 is longer than the thickness of the outer flap 11 and shorter than the combined thickness of the outer flap 11 and the inner flap 12, so that the cutting blade 31 does not come into contact with the contents 20 when the abutting portion 32 abuts against the flap surface 10A. This prevents the contents 20 from being damaged by the cutting blade 31 when cutting with the cutting unit 3. Furthermore, because the cutting unit 3 has the abutting portion 32, the cutting blade 31 can be prevented from piercing the cardboard 10 deeper than the abutting portion 32.

[0050] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 7. The same components as those in the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0051] The unpacking device 201 according to the second embodiment has a pressing unit 240 that presses the back surface 210A, which is the surface opposite the flap surface 10A of the cardboard box 10. The rotating unit 4 rotates the cardboard box 10, whose flap surface 10A has been cut into a roughly H-shape by the robot arm 2, by 90 degrees and positions the cut flap surface 10A so that it faces the side. Furthermore, the cutting unit 3 cuts the back surface 210A into a roughly H-shape similar to the flap surface 10A, and fixes it in place with a clamping unit (not shown).

[0052] The cardboard box 10 fixed by the clamping unit has the back surface 210A pressed by the pressing unit 240, and the contents 20 are pushed and dropped into the case 42 as shown by the arrow in the figure. Depending on the weight and shape of the cardboard box 10 or the contents 20, the contents 20 may open the flap surface 10A by their own weight without being pressed by the pressing unit 240, and drop into the case 42. In this case, the extrusion process by the pressing unit 240 is not necessary. The approximately H-shaped cutting process of the back surface 210A by the cutting unit 3 may be omitted. In this case, the pressing unit 240 breaks through the back surface 210A, and the contents 20 are pushed and removed.

[0053] With this configuration, the rotating part 4 rotates the cardboard box 10 by 90°, and then the pressing part 240 presses the back surface 210A, so that the contents 20 can be reliably removed from the cardboard box 10.

[0054] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 8. The same components as those in the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0055] In the first embodiment, the third cutting line L3 was located approximately in the center of the cardboard box 10, as shown in FIG. 3. However, in the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8(a), the third cutting line L303 is offset from the center, intersecting the first cutting line L1 and the second cutting line L2 at right angles and connecting them. FIG. 9 shows the cutting unit 3 cutting the cardboard box 10 along the third cutting line L303. The cutting blade 31 cuts the area where the outer flap 11 and the inner flap 12 overlap, connecting the ridge line 11A. Because the protrusion of the cutting blade 31 is longer than the thickness of the outer flap 11 but shorter than the combined thickness of the outer flap 11 and the inner flap 12, the tip of the cutting blade 31 does not protrude downward from the inner flap 12. As a result, the cutting blade 31 cuts the outer flap 11 while maintaining a distance from the contents 20 between the outer flap 11 and the inner flap 12.

[0056] 8(b), the third cutting line L313 may be oblique so as to intersect the first cutting line L1 and the second cutting line L2 and connect the first cutting line L1 and the second cutting line L2. In this case, too, the cutting blade 31 cuts the outer flap 11 while maintaining a distance between the outer flap 11 and the inner flap 12 and the contents 20, as in the state shown in FIG.

[0057] With this configuration, even if the center of gravity of the contents 20 is shifted from the center, the third cutting line L303 and the third cutting line L313 overlap the center of gravity, allowing the outer flap 11 and the inner flap 12 to be reliably opened by the weight of the contents 20. Furthermore, the cutting unit 3 cuts the outer flap 11 in a direction perpendicular to the ridge line 11A in the space between the overlapping area of ​​the outer flap 11 and the inner flap 12, so the presence of the inner flap 12 inside the outer flap 11 can prevent damage to the contents 20. Furthermore, even if the cardboard 10 is deformed and the space 20a is crushed and no longer exists, the outer flap 11 and the inner flap 12 can prevent the cutting blade 31 from coming into contact with the contents 20.

[0058] Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 10. The same components as those in the above-described embodiments will be given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0059] An unpacking device 401 according to the fourth embodiment does not have a rotating unit 4 or a clamping unit 5, and instead opens the top surface of the cardboard box 10 and removes the contents 20 by suction. The unpacking device 401 is equipped with a suction unit 410 for sucking the contents 20. After the flap surface 10A is cut by the robot arm 2, the outer flap 11 and the inner flap 12 fixed to the outer flap 11 are sucked and opened by a suction unit (not shown). The suction unit 410 removes the contents 20 from the cardboard box 10 by suction and places them in a predetermined location. Instead of using a suction unit, the outer flap 11 may be opened by inserting a plate or the like.

[0060] According to this configuration, the rotating part 4 and the clamping part 5 are not provided, and the contents 20 of the cardboard box 10 after being cut can be taken out with a simple configuration.

[0061] Next, a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 11. The same components as those in the above-described embodiments will be given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0062] The unpacking device 501 according to the fifth embodiment sucks the top surface of the cardboard box 10 that has been rotated 180 degrees by the rotating unit 4, and removes the contents 20. The unpacking device 501 is equipped with a box suction unit 510 for sucking the cardboard box 10. After the flap surface 10A is cut by the robot arm 2, the cardboard box 10 is rotated 180 degrees by the rotating unit 4 so that the flap surface 10A becomes the underside. After the cardboard box 10 is transported to a predetermined position by the conveyor 6, the box suction unit 510 sucks the top surface of the cardboard box 10 and lifts it upward, causing the outer flaps 11 and inner flaps 12 to open due to the weight of the contents 20, and the contents 20 are placed on the conveyor 6.

[0063] With this configuration, the contents 20 can be removed from the cut cardboard boxes 10 with a simple configuration. In addition, since the contents 20 are placed on the conveyor 6, they can be continuously advanced to the next process.

[0064] The unpacking device and unpacking method according to the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention described in the claims.

[0065] In the above-described embodiment, the contents 20 are dropped by rotating the cardboard box 10 with the rotating unit 4, but this is not limiting. To facilitate the dropping of the contents 20 from the cardboard box 10, a portion of the surface opposite the flap surface 10A may be cut or cut into a roughly H-shape to remove air. In this case, too, it is desirable that the cutting blade 31 be positioned in the separation space 20a and separated from the contents 20, as shown by the third cutting line L3.

[0066] In the above-described embodiment, the cutting unit 3 is provided on the robot arm 2, but this is not limiting. For example, by combining an actuator such as an air cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder, the cutting unit may perform the operation of the embodiment to form an unpacking device that unpacks cardboard boxes. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1, 201 Unpacking device 2. Robotic Arm 3 Cut section 4 Rotating section 5 Clamping part 6 Conveyor 10 cardboard boxes 10A Flap surface 11 Outer flap 12 Inner flap 13 Adhesive 14 adhesive tape 31 Cutting blade 32 Contact part 240 Pressing part

Claims

1. An unpacking device for unpacking a box body having an inner flap and an outer flap connected to a side surface, folded at a ridge line, and covering the inner flap, a cutting unit having a cutting blade that cuts the two ridge lines of the outer flap across the entire width at a flap surface closed by the outer flap and the inner flap, and cuts the outer flap at only one location in a direction intersecting the ridge lines so as to connect the cut ridge lines, An unpacking device characterized in that, when the cutting section cuts the outer flap in a direction intersecting the ridge line, the cutting blade is positioned in the space between the tips of the inner flaps.

2. Further, a rotating unit that rotates the box body by at least 90° or more is provided, the cutting section cuts the outer flap in a direction perpendicular to the ridge line so as to connect the ridge line in the region where the outer flap and the inner flap overlap, The unpacking device according to claim 1 , wherein the rotating unit rotates the box 180 degrees to remove the contents of the box.

3. Further, a rotating unit that rotates the box body by at least 90° or more is provided, Further, a box suction part that sucks the box body is provided. The unpacking device according to claim 1, characterized in that the box suction unit removes the contents from the box by sucking the box that has been rotated 180 degrees by the rotation unit to separate the contents from the box.

4. Further, a rotating unit that rotates the box body by at least 90° or more is provided, the cutting section cuts the outer flap in a direction perpendicular to the ridge line so as to connect the ridge line in the region where the outer flap and the inner flap overlap, Further, a pressing portion is provided to press a back surface opposite to the flap surface, The unpacking device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cutting unit cuts the flap surface, the rotating unit rotates the box body 90 degrees, and then the pressing unit presses the back surface to remove the contents of the box body.

5. the cutting section has a cutting blade for cutting the box body, a contact section that contacts the flap surface when the cutting blade cuts the ridge line, and a buffer section that contracts when the contact section contacts the flap surface to absorb impact, An unpacking device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the amount of protrusion of the cutting blade from the abutment portion of the cutting blade is longer than the thickness of the outer flap and shorter than the sum of the thickness of the outer flap and the thickness of the inner flap.

6. A method for opening a box having an inner flap and an outer flap that is connected to a side surface, folded at a ridge line, and covers the inner flap, comprising: a step of cutting the two ridge lines of the outer flap across the entire width in a flap surface closed by the outer flap and the inner flap; and cutting the outer flap at only one location with a cutting blade in a direction intersecting the ridge line so as to connect the cut ridge lines, A method for opening a package, characterized in that when the outer flap is cut in a direction intersecting the ridge line, the cutting blade is positioned in the space between the tips of the inner flaps.

Images