Packaging apparatus and method for forming a packaged body

Abstract

To make inner boxes and box articles with a box-making device, and to further use the same box-making device to make outer boxes and put the inner boxes into the outer boxes.SOLUTION: A packaging device includes a box-making-sealing unit that forms a carton which is sealed with to-be-packaged objects inside after folding and box-making with to-be-packaged objects placed on a blank sheet, and an accumulating and returning unit that obtains and accumulates cartons to form a carton aggregate and delivers to the box-making-sealing unit the carton aggregates as new to-be-packaged objects. The box-making-sealing unit obtains articles as to-be-packaged objects, obtains blank sheets for inner boxes that fit the articles, and forms inner box cartons, the accumulating and returning unit delivers the inner box carton aggregates formed by stacking the inner box cartons to the box-making-sealing unit, the box-making-sealing unit obtains the inner box carton aggregates as new to-be-packaged objects, obtains outer box blank sheets that fit the inner box carton aggregates, and forms outer box cartons.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a packaging device for packaging products, and more particularly to a packaging device that performs the operations of manufacturing a half-case carton from a blank sheet, filling the product, and then sealing the case after filling the product.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, in a manufacturing line for packaging products, a manufacturing and packaging process has been introduced in which a half-case carton is manufactured from a blank sheet of a wraparound-type carton, the product is packed, and then the case is sealed. For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose packaging devices used in this process.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in a packaging form with an inner box and an outer box, conventionally, first, an inner box is manufactured by one case-making device, the product is boxed, and then an outer box is manufactured by another case-making device and the inner box is boxed. Therefore, case-making devices for manufacturing the inner box and the outer box are each required, resulting in a problem that the installation space in the factory is large and the production efficiency per unit area is low.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a packaging device capable of manufacturing an inner box and accommodating a product by a case-making device, and further manufacturing an outer box and accommodating the inner box using the same case-making device, and a method for forming a package.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A packaging apparatus, which is one aspect of this disclosure, Multiple inner boxes were packed inside the outer box. A packaging apparatus for forming a package, comprising: a packaging apparatus for forming a package, which includes: a packaging apparatus for which a package is selected from a plurality of types of packaged items, a blank sheet suitable for the packaged item selected from a plurality of types of blank sheets, a box-forming unit for which the packaged item is placed on the acquired blank sheet, the blank sheet is folded to form a box, and then sealed to form a carton containing the packaged item; From the aforementioned box-making and sealing unit The aforementioned carton multiple A collection and return unit that acquires and accumulates materials to form carton assemblies, and supplies these carton assemblies to the box-making and sealing unit as new packaged materials, From the aforementioned box-making and sealing unit The system includes an unloading unit that retrieves and unloads the aforementioned cartons, The box-making unit is configured such that the packaged item is used as the male mold, and the blank sheet is folded using a female mold mechanism to form the box. The box-making and sealing unit obtains an article as the item to be packaged, and obtains a first blank sheet that fits the article. The aforementioned article is the male mold, and the female mold mechanism is adapted to the size of the aforementioned article, and the inner box is The first carton is formed, and the collection and return unit is, multiple The first carton assembly, formed by stacking the first cartons, is provided to the carton manufacturing and sealing unit, which acquires the first carton assembly as a new packaged item and acquires a second blank sheet that fits the first carton assembly. Using the first carton assembly as the male mold, the female mold mechanism is modified from a state adapted to the size of the article to a state adapted to the size of the first carton assembly, and in that state the outer box is The method is characterized by forming a second carton, and the unloading unit obtaining the second carton and unloading it from the system as a packaged product. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a packaging apparatus and a method for forming a package can be provided that can perform the production of an inner box and the placement of goods using a box-making apparatus, and further perform the production of an outer box and the placement of the inner box using the same box-making apparatus. As a result, the installation space in the factory can be reduced and the production efficiency per unit area can be increased. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1](a) is a plan view showing the shape of a blank sheet supplied to the packaging device 1 according to the embodiment, and (b) is a perspective view showing the shape of a half-box carton produced by the packaging device 1. [Figure 2] (a) to (e) are perspective views showing the configuration of the cartons handled by the packaging device 1. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing the configuration of the packaging device 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a plan view showing the configuration of the packaging device 1. [Figure 5] This is a sequence diagram showing the flow of cartons in the inner box packaging process using packaging device 1. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view showing the flow of the product and the inner box during the inner box packaging process. [Figure 7] This is a sequence diagram showing the flow of cartons in the outer box packaging process using packaging device 1. [Figure 8] This is a perspective view showing the flow of the inner and outer boxes in the outer box packaging process. [Figure 9] This is a perspective view showing the configuration of the seat supply unit. [Figure 10] (a) and (b) are perspective views showing the configuration of the box-making unit. [Figure 11] (a) is a left side view illustrating the box-making operation of the box-making unit 40, with the target being a half-box carton of 100CY, and (b) is a front view. [Figure 12] (a) is a left side view illustrating the box-making operation of the box-making unit 40, with the target being a half-box carton of 100CY, and (b) is a front view. [Figure 13] (a) is a left side view illustrating the box-making operation of the box-making unit 40, with the target being a half-box carton of 100CY, and (b) is a front view. [Figure 14] (a) is a left side view illustrating the box-making operation by the box-making unit 40, with the target being a 100BY half-box carton, and (b) is a front view. [Figure 15] This is a perspective view showing the configuration of the sealing unit. [Figure 16] A perspective view showing a state where a semi-cardboard is sealed by a sealing device.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] ≪Outline of the Mode for Carrying Out the Present Invention≫ The packaging device according to the embodiment is a packaging device for forming a package, which acquires a package object selected from a plurality of types of package objects, acquires a blank sheet suitable for the package object selected from a plurality of types of blank sheets, places the package object on the acquired blank sheet, then folds the blank sheet to form a box, seals it, and forms a carton containing the package object. It further includes an integrated return unit that acquires and integrates the cartons to form a carton aggregate and supplies the carton aggregate as a new package object to the sealing and box-forming unit, and a carry-out unit that acquires and carries out the cartons. The sealing and box-forming unit acquires an article as the package object, acquires a first blank sheet suitable for the article, and forms a first carton. The integrated return unit supplies a first carton aggregate formed by integrating the first cartons to the sealing and box-forming unit. The sealing and box-forming unit acquires the first carton aggregate as a new package object, acquires a second blank sheet suitable for the first carton aggregate, and forms a second carton. The carry-out unit acquires the second carton and carries it out of the system as a package.

[0010] In another aspect, in the aspect described above, the sealing and box-forming unit forms a box by folding the blank sheet using a pair of opposing die means. The sealing and box-forming unit forms a first carton with the distance between the pair of die means adapted to the article, and may be configured to change the distance between the pair of die means to be adapted to the first carton aggregate and form a second carton.

[0011] In another embodiment, the embodiment described above further comprises a loading unit for loading goods and a goods loading unit that collects the loaded goods to form the article. It can also be used as a composition.

[0012] In another embodiment, in any of the embodiments described above, a carton-making and sealing step is performed in which a carton is selected from a plurality of types of packaged goods, a blank sheet is selected from a plurality of types of blank sheets to be suitable for the said packaged goods, the acquired blank sheet is folded and sealed with the said packaged goods placed on it, and the blank sheet is then sealed to form a carton containing the said packaged goods; and a collection and return step is performed in which the cartons are acquired and accumulated to form a carton assembly, and the carton assembly is supplied to the carton-making and sealing unit as new packaged goods. The carton manufacturing process includes an outbound process for acquiring and outbounding the cartons, and the carton manufacturing process includes a first carton manufacturing process and a second carton manufacturing process, wherein in the first carton manufacturing process, articles are acquired as the items to be packaged, a first blank sheet suitable for the articles is acquired, and a first carton is formed; in the accumulation and return process, a first carton assembly formed by accumulating the first cartons is supplied to the carton manufacturing unit; in the second carton manufacturing process, the first carton assembly is acquired as new items to be packaged, a second blank sheet suitable for the first carton assembly is acquired, and a second carton is formed; and in the outbound process, the second carton is acquired and outbound from the system.

[0013] In another embodiment, in any of the embodiments described above, the box-making process involves folding the blank sheet using a pair of opposing die means to form a box, and a first carton is formed with the distance between the pair of die means adjusted to suit the article, and a second carton is formed by changing the distance between the pair of die means to suit the first carton assembly.

[0014] In another embodiment, in any of the embodiments described above, before the first box-making and sealing process, The configuration may further include a delivery process for bringing in goods and a goods accumulation process for accumulating the delivered goods to form the articles.

[0015] <Embodiment> The configuration of the packaging device 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Herein, in this specification, the X, Y, and Z directions in each figure may be referred to as the width direction, depth direction, and height direction, respectively, and the positive direction of the height direction may be referred to as the "up" direction and the negative direction as the "down" direction.

[0016] Furthermore, the scale of the components in each drawing is not necessarily the same as the actual scale. Also, in this specification, the symbol "~" used to indicate a numerical range includes the values ​​at both ends. In addition, the materials, numerical values, etc. described in this embodiment are merely examples of preferred materials and are not limiting. Furthermore, modifications can be made as appropriate without departing from the scope of the technical idea of ​​this disclosure. In addition, combinations of parts of the configuration with other embodiments are possible as long as they do not result in inconsistencies.

[0017] <Composition: Blank sheet, half-box carton> A blank sheet used in a packaging device 1 according to one embodiment of this disclosure, and a half-box carton manufactured from the blank sheet, will be described.

[0018] This section describes the configuration of the blank sheets 100BX for the inner box and 100CX for the outer box (sometimes collectively referred to as "blank sheet 100X") supplied to the packaging device 1, and the half-box cartons 100Y for the inner box and 100CY for the outer box (sometimes collectively referred to as "half-box carton 100Y") formed from the blank sheets 100BX and CX.

[0019] Figure 1(a) is a plan view showing the shapes of the blank sheets 100B and 100C supplied to the packaging device 1. In this specification, the blank sheets 100BX and 100CX are assumed to be substantially the same shape, although they differ in box size (the blank sheet 100BX for the inner box is smaller than the blank sheet 100CX for the outer box).

[0020] The blank sheet 100X is a blank sheet of cardboard or corrugated cardboard unfolded into a sheet, and is divided into multiple surfaces that make up a three-dimensional object by folding lines, and is made into a box shape by folding along the folding lines. The blank sheet 100X is mainly composed of a base surface 101, a front wall surface 102, a rear wall surface 103, and a lid surface 104, and flaps 105L~108L that make up the left wall and flaps 105R~108R that make up the right wall are connected to the base surface 101, front wall surface 102, rear wall surface 103, and lid surface 104 via folding lines. In addition, a flap 109 that overlaps with the outer surface of the front wall surface 102 after box making and serves as an adhesive surface is connected to the lid surface 104 via folding lines.

[0021] Figure 1(b) is a perspective view showing the shape of a half-box carton 100Y (100BY, 100CY) manufactured by the packaging device 1. As shown in Figure 1(b), the half-box carton 100Y is a half-box carton with a lid, formed by folding the front wall portion 102, rear wall portion 103, flaps 105L~107L, and flaps 105R~107R of a blank sheet 100X upward along their respective bending lines, with the base portion 101 serving as the bottom surface. The base portion 101 of the blank sheet 100X serves as the reference surface in the carton manufacturing process.

[0022] Furthermore, flaps 106L and 107L extend inside flap 105L, and flaps 106R and 107R extend inside flap 105R, forming the left and right walls, respectively. Thus, flaps 106L and 107L, and flaps 106R and 107R, each constitute a pair of butted inner flaps. Additionally, flaps 105L and 108L, and flaps 105R and 108R, each constitute a pair of butted outer flaps.

[0023] This half-box carton 100Y is constructed by applying adhesive to a portion of the inner surface of flaps 105L, 105R, 108L, 108R, and 109, bonding the inner surface of flap 105L to the outer surface of side walls 106L and 107L, and bonding the inner surface of flap 105R to the outer surface of side walls 106R and 107R.

[0024] Then, in the carton-making process, the inner surface of flap 109 is bonded to the outer surface of front wall portion 102, the inner surfaces of flaps 105L and 108L are bonded to the outer surfaces of flaps 106L and 107L that form the left wall, and the inner surfaces of flaps 105R and 108R are bonded to the outer surfaces of flaps 106R and 107R that form the right wall, thereby forming carton 100 containing the product.

[0025] In this embodiment, the packaging apparatus 1 will be described using a wrap-around shaped blank sheet 100X for making half-cartons 100Y as an example of the blank sheet 100X to be made into a box. However, the blank sheet 100X may be of a shape other than wrap-around, such as a straight shape.

[0026] <Carton composition> The configuration of the product and carton used in the packaging device 1 according to one embodiment of this disclosure will be described below.

[0027] Figures 2(a) to 2(e) are perspective views showing the product 100A and cartons 100B and 100C (sometimes collectively referred to as "carton 100") handled by a packaging apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The packaging apparatus 1 employs a packaging method in which an inner box (carton 100B) is manufactured using one box-making device and the product (100A) is packed into it, and an outer box (carton 100C) is manufactured using another box-making device and the inner box (carton 100B) is packed into it.

[0028] Figure 2(a) is a perspective view showing the inner carton that makes up product 100A, which is the item to be packaged. The contents of product 100A can be, for example, processed foods, confectionery, daily necessities, or other commonly distributed goods packed in cubic or rectangular boxes.

[0029] In the packaging device 1, first, for example, two products 100A are stacked to form an assembly of products 100A (Figure 2(b)), which is then placed in an inner carton 100B and sealed (Figure 2(c)).

[0030] Furthermore, in the packaging device 1, for example, an assembly of three inner cartons 100B is formed (Figure 2(d)), which is then placed in an outer carton 100C and sealed (Figure 2(e)).

[0031] It goes without saying that the quantity of product A contained in inner carton 100B, and the quantity of inner carton B contained in outer carton 100C, are not limited to the above example and can be changed as appropriate.

[0032] <Regarding the configuration of packaging device 1> (Overall structure) The overall configuration of the packaging device according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0033] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a packaging device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 4 is a plan view. The packaging device 1 is a packaging device that corresponds to a packaging form with an inner box and an outer box, and has the function of manufacturing an inner box and packing the product into it, and manufacturing an outer box and packing the inner box into it.

[0034] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the packaging apparatus 1 includes a loading unit 10 for loading goods, a stacking unit 20 for stacking the loaded goods to form a packaged product, and a sheet supply unit 30 for supplying blank sheets suitable for the packaged product. Furthermore, it includes a box-making unit 80 which consists of a box-making unit 40 for folding a blank sheet with the packaged product placed on it to form a box, and a box-sealing unit 50 for sealing the box after it has been made to form a carton 100 containing the packaged product.

[0035] Furthermore, the packaging apparatus 1 includes a transfer unit 60 for transferring the formed cartons 100, and a collection and return unit 70 that retrieves the cartons 100 from the transfer unit 60, and if the cartons 100 are inner box cartons 100B, collects them to form a carton assembly, and supplies the carton assembly as a new package to the box sealing unit 80. If the cartons 100 are outer box cartons 100C, they are supplied to the next process (not shown) without going through the collection and return unit 70.

[0036] Furthermore, the packaging device 1 includes a control unit 90 that controls these components, and the loading unit 10, the stacking device unit 20, the sheet supply unit 30, the box making and sealing unit 80, the transfer unit 60, and the collection and return unit 70 are all controlled by the control unit 90 to operate in conjunction with each other.

[0037] (Overview of each unit's composition) The following describes the general configuration of each unit in the packaging device 1.

[0038] The loading unit 10 is a transport means for loading goods 100A from the previous process, and as shown in Figures 3 and 4, it comprises a loading conveyor 111 on which goods 100A are placed and loaded, and a transfer device 112, for example, a robot, for transferring the loaded goods 100A to the stacking device unit 20.

[0039] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the stacking device unit 20 is located downstream of the receiving unit 10. It is a mechanism for stacking the received goods 100A to form packaged goods, and includes a stacking conveyor 211 and a stacking device 212.

[0040] The accumulation conveyor 211 is a conveying means that transports the product 100A to the packaging material loading position of the box-making unit 40.

[0041] The stacking device 212 is a mechanism that, after lifting the product 100A that has arrived at the packaged goods loading position, allows the next product 100A to enter below it, thereby stacking and accumulating the two products 100A.

[0042] The sheet supply unit 30 is a multi-joint robot mechanism that takes blank sheets 100X one by one from a sheet stack 100Z, which consists of multiple blank sheets 100X stacked flat, and supplies them to the box-making unit 40.

[0043] The sheet supply unit 30 is equipped with several types of blank sheets 100BX and 100CX, for example, with different sizes, shapes, and materials. The sheet supply unit 30 selects either the blank sheet 100BX or 100CX, lifts the top sheet of the sheet stack 100Z, and transports it above the mounting table 32.

[0044] The box-making unit 40 is a box-making mechanism that removes a blank sheet 100X, whose position and angle in the planar direction have been adjusted to a normal range, from the mounting table 32, fits a male mold and a female mold onto the base surface portion 101 of the blank sheet 100X, and folds multiple wall portions 102, 103, 105L, and 105R surrounding the base surface portion 101 to form a half-box carton 100Y.

[0045] In the box-making unit 40, the size of the half-box carton 100Y that can be made can be changed by changing the size of the male and female molds (mold change).

[0046] The sealing unit 50 is located downstream of the box-making unit 40 and is a mechanism unit that folds the lid portion 104 of the half-box carton 100Y, which is made from a wrap-around carton blank sheet 100X, and seals it to form a carton 100.

[0047] The sealing unit 50 allows for the modification of the mold (change of mold) to alter the dimensions of the pressing portion, thereby changing the size of the carton 100 that can be sealed.

[0048] The transfer unit 60 is located downstream of the sealing unit 50 and is a transfer mechanism, for example, consisting of a robot, for taking the inner carton 100B formed by the sealing unit 50 off the conveyor 5OC and transferring it to the accumulation and return unit 70, or for transporting the formed outer carton 100C outside the process (outside the system).

[0049] The accumulation and return unit 70 is a mechanism that arranges and stores the inner cartons 100B transported by the transfer unit 60, thereby forming an aggregate of inner cartons 100B, and then supplies this aggregate of cartons to the box-making and sealing unit 80 as new packaged goods.

[0050] In the accumulation and return unit 70, when the inner cartons 100B are transported sequentially and an assembly of inner cartons 100B (inner cartons 1 to 3) is formed, they are offset to a waiting position and configured to receive new inner cartons 100B.

[0051] With this configuration, the packaging device 1 can perform the operations of forming the inner box and placing the goods inside, as well as forming the outer box and placing the inner box inside.

[0052] (Overview of the operation of packaging device 1) Next, we will describe the general operation performed in each unit of the packaging device 1.

[0053] [Inner box packaging process] First, we will explain the overview of the operations in the inner box packaging process. Figure 5 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of cartons in the inner box packaging process using packaging device 1, and Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the flow of products and inner boxes in the inner box packaging process.

[0054] In the inner box formation process (Figure 5, step S1A), first, the loading unit 10 loads the first product 100A (product 1) onto the loading conveyor 111 (T1 in Figure 6), and then the loading device 112 transfers the product 100A to the stacking device unit 20 (Figure 5, step S1; T2 in Figure 6).

[0055] Next, the stacking device unit 20 transports the product 100A by the accumulation conveyor 211 (T21 in Figure 6), and lifts the product 100A by the stacking device 212 (T22 in Figure 5, step S2; in Figure 6).

[0056] Similarly, the loading unit 10 loads the second item A (item 2) (Figure 5, step S3), the stacking device unit 20 stacks the items (Figure 5, step S4), and the assembled item A (item 1, item 2) is supplied to the box-making unit 40.

[0057] Next, the sheet supply unit 30 takes out a blank sheet 100BX for the inner box that fits the assembly of product A (product 1, product 2) from the sheet stack 100BZ and transfers it to the box making unit 40 (Figure 5, step S5, T3 in Figure 6).

[0058] Next, the box-making unit 40 acquires the assembly of product A (product 1, product 2) to be packaged (T4 in Figure 6), places the packaged items on the blank sheet BX for the inner box, and folds the blank sheet BX using a pair of opposing die means to form a half-box carton 100Y, which is then transported by the conveyor 5IC (T51 in Figure 5, step S6, and Figure 6).

[0059] Next, the sealing unit 50 seals the half-box carton 100Y to form an inner box carton 100B containing the packaged goods and transports it to the conveyor 5OC (Figure 5, step S7; Figure 6, T52).

[0060] Next, the transfer unit 60 acquires the inner carton 100B and transfers it to the collection and return unit 70 (Figure 5, step S8; T6 in Figure 6). As a result of this operation, the inner carton 1 is placed on the collection and return unit 70 (Figure 5, step S9).

[0061] Next, the packaging device 1 performs the inner box formation process for the second and third inner box cartons 2 and 3 (Figure 5, steps S2A and S3A), transfers them to the accumulation and return unit 70 (Figure 5, steps 10 and S12), where inner box cartons 1 to 3 are accumulated (Figure 5, steps 11 and S13), and the assembly of inner box cartons 100B (inner box cartons 1 to 3) is offset to a standby position (Figure 6, at T71).

[0062] [Outer box packaging process] Next, we will describe the overview of the operations in the outer box packaging process. Figure 7 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of cartons in the outer box packaging process using packaging device 1, and Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the flow of the inner box and outer box in the outer box packaging process.

[0063] In the outer box formation process (Figure 7, step S1B), first, the collection and return unit 70 supplies the assembly of inner box cartons 100B (inner box cartons 1-3) to the box-making unit 40 as a new packaged item (T72 in Figure 7), and the box-making unit 40 and the sealing unit 50 perform a mold change (change of mold) to change the target item from an inner box to an outer box (Figure 7, step S14).

[0064] Next, the sheet supply unit 30 takes blank sheets 100CX for the outer box that fit the assembly of inner cartons 100B (inner cartons 1-3) to be packaged from the sheet stack CZ and transfers them to the box making unit 40 (Figure 7, step S15, T3 in Figure 8). The box-making unit 40 acquires an assembly of inner cartons 100B (inner cartons 1-3) which are the items to be packaged (T4 in Figure 7), places the items to be packaged on the blank sheet CX for the outer box, folds the blank sheet 100CX to form a half-box carton 100CY with the distance between the pair of die means to match the assembly of inner cartons 100B (inner cartons 1-3), and transports it by conveyor 5IC (Step S16 in Figure 7, T51 in Figure 8). The sealing unit 50 seals the box to form an outer carton 100C containing the items to be packaged and transports it to conveyor 5OC (Step S17 in Figure 7, T52 in Figure 8).

[0065] Finally, the transfer unit 60 retrieves the outer carton 100C and transports it out of the process (outside the system) (Figure 7, step S18; Figure 8, T6).

[0066] Through the above operations, the packaging device 1 completes the process of forming three inner cartons 100B, each containing two units of product 100A, and then forming an outer carton 100C, each containing three inner cartons 100B.

[0067] This makes it possible to realize a packaging device 1 that can use the box-making unit 40 to make the inner carton 100B and place the product 100A inside, and further use the same box-making unit 40 to make the outer carton 100C and place the inner carton 100B inside.

[0068] It goes without saying that the quantity of product A contained in inner carton 100B, and the quantity of inner carton B contained in outer carton 100C, are not limited to the above example and can be changed as appropriate.

[0069] (Details of each unit's configuration) The following describes the configuration of each unit in the packaging device 1 and the operations performed in each unit.

[0070] [Sheet supply unit 30] The configuration of the sheet supply unit 30 will be explained with reference to the drawings. Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the sheet supply unit 30 according to an embodiment.

[0071] The sheet supply unit 30 comprises a sheet stack 100Z in which multiple blank sheets 100X are stacked flat, a transfer unit 31 for transporting the blank sheets 100X, and a mounting table 32 on which the blank sheets 100X are placed.

[0072] The sheet supply unit 30 is equipped with multiple types of blank sheets 100BX and 100CX, for example, differing in size, shape, material, etc. In this embodiment, as an example, the sheet supply unit 30 is shown equipped with sheet stacks 100BZ and 100CZ (sometimes collectively referred to as "sheet stack 100Z"), where the blank sheets 100BX for the inner box and the blank sheets 100CX for the outer box are stacked flat on a mounting table, respectively.

[0073] The transfer unit 31 is a multi-joint robot mechanism that takes out blank sheets 100X one by one from a sheet stack 100Z, which consists of multiple blank sheets 100X stacked flat, and places them on a mounting table 32.

[0074] As shown in Figure 9, the transfer unit 31 has a multi-joint robot consisting of a robot hand 312, a robot arm 313, and a robot body base 314, and a suction head 311.

[0075] The suction head 311 is a mechanism that is rotatably held by a robot hand 312 connected to the tip of a robot arm 313 and moves in three-dimensional space to transfer blank sheets 100X. The suction head 311 has multiple intake holes on its downward-facing head surface. The intake holes are connected to a vacuum pump or the like (not shown). By applying negative pressure to the intake holes while the head surface of the suction head 311 is in contact with the upper surface of the sheet stack 100Z, a single blank sheet 100X can be held by suction.

[0076] According to this sheet supply unit 30, either blank sheet 100BX or 100CX is selected, and while it is held by suction head 311, the robot arm 313 is pulled up to lift the top sheet of the sheet stack 100Z and transport it above the mounting table 32. Furthermore, the blank sheet 100X is lowered to the mounting table 32 and the negative pressure is released, thereby placing the selected blank sheet 100X on the mounting table 32.

[0077] At this time, the sheet supply unit 30 may rotate the blank sheet 100X by, for example, 90 degrees in the XY plane during the transfer from the sheet stack 100Z to the mounting table 32.

[0078] Furthermore, the system may include a transfer mechanism (not shown) that uses, for example, an articulated robot to transfer the blank sheet 100X from the mounting table 32 to the box-making unit 40.

[0079] [Box-making unit 40] Next, the configuration of the box-making unit 40 will be explained using diagrams.

[0080] Figures 10(a) and (b) are perspective views showing the configuration of the box-making unit 40, where (a) shows the product supply and holding means 410 positioned above the die mechanism unit 420, and (b) shows the product supply and holding means 410 retracted from above.

[0081] (1. Overall structure) The box-making unit 40 is a mechanism unit that forms a half-box carton 100Y by folding a wrap-around type carton blank sheet 100X along the folding lines and opening the lid.

[0082] As shown in Figures 10(a) and (b), the box-making unit 40 includes a base 440 on which a blank sheet 100X is placed, a product supply and holding means 410 for placing and holding a carton 100 on the base surface 101 of the blank sheet 100X, and a die mechanism unit 420 (female die).

[0083] (2. Overview of the structure of each part) The following describes the general configuration of each part in the box-making unit 40.

[0084] In the box-making unit 40, multiple types of cartons 100A or inner cartons 100B with different dimensions in the XYZ directions can be used as the packaged items. In this case, a blank sheet 100X corresponding to the size of the carton 100 is prepared, and the blank sheet 100X is formed by using the carton 100 as a punching member (male mold) to form a half-box carton 100Y in which the carton 100 is contained.

[0085] The product supply and holding means 410 is a mechanism unit that places the carton 100 on the base surface 101 of the blank sheet 100X placed on the base 440, and also holds the top surface of the placed carton 100 during the box-making operation.

[0086] [2.1 Product supply holding means 410] The product supply and holding means 410 includes a work head 411, a product holding means 412, a product supply means 413, a robot hand 414, a robot arm 415, a robot body base 416, and a product transport table 417.

[0087] The work head 411 is a structural member rotatably held by a robot hand 414 connected to the tip of a robot arm 415, with various mechanical members constituting the product holding means 412 and product supply means 413 erected from the bottom surface downwards. The mold can be changed by moving these components to desired positions in two-dimensional space in the XY direction, thereby changing the size of the carton 100 that can be held.

[0088] The product supply means 413 is a product holding member for placing a carton 100 on the base surface portion 101 of a blank sheet 100X placed on a base 440, and consists of a rear holding portion 4132, a front holding portion 4133, a pair of side holding portions 4134L and R (sometimes collectively referred to as "side holding portion 4134"), and a position variable mechanism 4131 for changing the position of these holding portions to match the size of the carton 100.

[0089] In a plan view, the carton 100 is surrounded by the rear holding portion 4132, the front holding portion 4133, and the side holding portions 4134, and is transported by the work head 411, which slides the product transport table 417 to the base surface portion 101 of the blank sheet 100X.

[0090] The product holding means 412 is a pressing means that holds the top surface of the carton 100, which is placed on the base surface 101 of the blank sheet 100X, from above during the box-making operation, and consists of a basic holding part 4122 and an additional holding part 4121.

[0091] The basic holding part 4122 is a component that always operates regardless of the size of the top surface of the carton 100 in the X direction, and is a structural component that extends fixedly from the lower surface of the work head 411 to contact the top surface of the carton 100.

[0092] The additional holding portion 4121 is a structural member that is arranged parallel to the basic holding portion 4122 in the X direction and operates when the size of the top surface of the carton 100 in the X direction is large, and contacts the top surface of the carton 100 together with the basic holding portion 4122. The additional holding portion 4121 is used, for example, when the packaged goods are an assembly of inner cartons 100B.

[0093] As shown in Figures 10(a) and 10(b), the additional holding part 4121 is configured so that the pressing part that presses against the top surface of the carton 100, which is the packaged item, can reciprocate in the Z direction. Therefore, when not in operation, it can be retracted upward to a height where it does not come into contact with the top surface of the carton 100.

[0094] The product supply and holding means 410, having the above configuration, operates to conform to the size of the carton 100 based on instructions from the control unit 90, and places the carton 100 on the base surface 101 of the blank sheet 100X placed on the base 440, and holds the top surface of the placed carton 100 during the box-making operation.

[0095] [2.2 Die mechanism unit 420] The die mechanism unit 420 is a female die mechanism that uses the carton 100 as a punching member (male die) and moves to fold the blank sheet 100X along the folding lines to form an open half-box carton 100Y.

[0096] For example, as shown in Figure 10(b), the die mechanism unit 420 includes, on each of the four sides of the base surface portion 101 of the blank sheet 100X, two front and rear wall die means 424L, R (sometimes collectively referred to as "front and rear wall die means 424") located on the front wall portion 102 side, two front and rear wall die means 424L, R located on the rear wall portion 103 side, and two side wall die means 427L, R (sometimes collectively referred to as "side wall die means 427") located on the flap 105L, R side.

[0097] Furthermore, the die mechanism includes a fixed base 422 on which it is mounted, a movable base 423, and two guide rails 421 that guide the reciprocating movement of the movable base 423 in the X direction.

[0098] The guide rail 421 is a long rail member extending in the X direction, with a fixed base 422 and a movable base 423 mounted on top of it, and two of them are arranged in the Y direction, flanking the base 440. By moving the guide rail 421 in the Z direction, the members on the fixed base 422 and the movable base 423 function as dies during box making (Mz in Figure 10(b)).

[0099] Furthermore, one of the guide rails 421 can be moved in the Y direction to match the size of the carton 100 (not shown) in the X direction based on instructions from the control unit 90 (My in Figure 10(b)).

[0100] The fixed base 422 is a structural member positioned at the X-direction end of each guide rail 421.

[0101] On the fixed base 422 located on the front wall surface 102 side of the blank sheet 100X, front and rear wall die means 424L and side wall die means 427L are erected. Also, on the fixed base 422 located on the rear wall surface 103 side of the blank sheet 100X, front and rear wall die means 424L and side wall die means 427L are erected.

[0102] The movable base 423 is a structural member arranged on each guide rail 421 so as to be able to reciprocate in the X direction. Based on instructions from the control unit 90, it moves along the guide rail 421 in the X direction to match the size of the carton 100 (not shown) in the X direction (Mx in Figure 10(b)).

[0103] On the four sides of the base surface 101 of the blank sheet 100X, the movable base 423 located on the front wall surface 102 side has front and rear wall die means 424R and side wall die means 427R erected on it. Also, the movable base 423 located on the rear wall surface 103 side has front and rear wall die means 424R and side wall die means 427R erected on it.

[0104] By moving the movable base 423 along the guide rail 421 in the X direction and moving one of the guide rails 421 in the Y direction, these components can be moved to desired positions in two-dimensional space in the XY direction, thereby enabling mold changes.

[0105] The front and rear wall die means 424 located on the front wall surface 102 side are receiving means for bending the front wall surface 102 in the Z direction (upward) at the base bending line by contacting the front wall surface 102 and pushing it forward in the Z direction (upward) as the guide rail 421 rises. Two front and rear wall die means 424L are erected on the fixed base 422 located on the front wall surface 102 side, and two front and rear wall die means 424R are erected on the movable base 423.

[0106] On the other hand, the front and rear wall die means 424 located on the rear wall portion 103 side are receiving means for bending the rear wall portion 103 in the Z direction (upward) at the base bending line by contacting the rear wall portion 103 and pushing it forward in the Z direction (upward) as the guide rail 421 rises. Two front and rear wall die means 424L are erected on the fixed base portion 422 located on the rear wall portion 103 side, and two front and rear wall die means 424R are erected on the movable base portion 423.

[0107] The front and rear wall die means 424, which are erected from the movable base 423, can be moved in the X direction on the guide rail 421 by the movable base 423 based on instructions from the control unit 90 to match the size of the carton 100 in the X direction (Mx in Figure 10(b)). This makes it possible to change the size of the half-box carton 100Y that can be made by changing the pitch of the front and rear wall die means 424L and R which are arranged side by side.

[0108] The front and rear wall die means 424, which are erected from the fixed base 422 and the movable base 423, can move together based on instructions from the control unit 90, by moving at least one of the guide rails 421 in the Y direction to match the size of the carton 100 in the Y direction (My in Figure 10(b)). This makes it possible to change the size of the half-carton 100Y that can be made by changing the distance between the opposing pair of front and rear wall die means 424.

[0109] The side wall die means 427L and R are receiving means for bending the flaps 105L and R along the fold line at the base. One side wall die means 427L is erected on the fixed base 422 located on the front wall surface 102 side and one side wall die means 427R is erected on the movable base 423 located on the front wall surface 102 side and one side wall die means 427R is erected on the movable base 423 located on the rear wall surface 103 side.

[0110] The side wall die means 427, which is erected from the movable base 423, can be moved in the X direction on the guide rail 421 by the movable base 423 to match the size of the carton 100 in the X direction based on instructions from the control unit 90 (Mx in Figure 10(b)). This makes it possible to change the size of the half-carton 100Y that can be made by changing the distance between the opposing pair of side wall die means 427L and R.

[0111] (3. Operation of the box-making unit 40) Next, the operation of the box-making unit 40 will be explained using diagrams.

[0112] First, we will explain the box-making process for the outer carton 100C.

[0113] Figures 11-13(a) are left side views illustrating the box-making operation of the box-making unit 40, with the target being a half-box carton 100C, and (b) is a front view.

[0114] First, in the initial state, the box-making operation for the 100CY half-box carton for the outer box involves a die modification that changes the distance between at least one pair of opposing die means to match the size of the 100C half-box carton that is the target of the box-making.

[0115] Specifically, the following type changes will be made. (1) In the product supply and holding means 410, the components constituting the product holding means 412 and the product supply means 413 are moved to desired positions in two-dimensional space in the XY direction, and the distance between the rear holding part 4132 and the front holding part 4133, and the distance between the opposing pair of side holding parts 4134L and R are changed to match the size of the assembly of inner box cartons 100B which are the packaged goods, and the pressing part of the additional holding part 4121 is lowered to a height where it can be pressed. (2) By moving one of the guide rails 421 in the Y direction, one of the front and rear wall die means 424 erected from the fixed base 422 and the movable base 423 is moved, and the distance between the opposing pair of front and rear wall die means 424 is changed to match the half-box carton 100C. (3) By moving the movable base 423 along the guide rail 421 in the X direction, the side wall die means 427 erected from the movable base 423 is moved, and the distance between the opposing pair of side wall die means 427L and R is changed to match the half-box carton 100C.

[0116] Then, after the mold change is complete, the blank sheet 100CX for the outer box is placed on the base 440 using a sheet loading means (not shown) (T3 in Figures 11(a) and 11(b)).

[0117] Next, the product supply and holding means 410 transports the carton 100 by sliding it from the product transport table 417 onto the blank sheet 100CX, surrounded in a plan view by the rear holding portion 4132, the front holding portion 4133, and a pair of side holding portions 4134, and the carton 100 is placed on the base surface portion 101 of the blank sheet 100CX (T4 in Figures 12(a) and 12(b)).

[0118] Next, with the product holding means 412 holding the top surface of the assembly of inner cartons 100B which are to be packaged, the front and rear wall die means 424, as the guide rail 421 rises, comes into contact with the front wall portion 102 or the rear wall portion 103 and pushes forward in the Z direction (upward), thereby folding the front wall portion 102 or the rear wall portion 103 in the Z direction (upward) at the base folding line, and forming the outer half carton 100C (M3 in Figures 13(a) and 13(b)).

[0119] Next, we will explain the box-making process for the inner carton 100B.

[0120] Figure 14(a) is a left side view illustrating the box-making operation of the box-making unit 40, with the target being a 100BY half-box carton, and (b) is a front view.

[0121] First, in the initial state, the box-making operation for the inner box carton 100B involves a die modification that changes the distance between at least one pair of opposing die means to match the size of the half-box carton 100BY for the inner box, which is the carton to be made. Specifically, the target of the modification is the half-box carton 100BY, and the same die modification as in (1) to (3) above is performed.

[0122] The subsequent actions of placing the blank sheet 100 onto the base 440 and the product supply and holding means 410 on the base surface 101 of the blank sheet 100 are the same as those shown in Figures 11(a)(b) and 12(a)(b).

[0123] Next, with the top surface of the carton 100A, which is the packaged item, held in place by the product holding means 412, the guide rail 421 rises, bringing into contact with the pair of abutting inner flaps 107 and 106 and pushing forward in the Z direction (upward). This causes the flaps 107 and 106 to be folded upward in the Z direction along their base fold lines, thereby forming the inner half-box carton 100BY (M3 in Figures 14(a) and 14(b)).

[0124] As described above, in the box-making unit 40, when making half-box cartons of different dimensions, a blank sheet 100X is placed on the base 440 by a sheet loading means (not shown), a carton 100 is placed and held on the base surface 101 of the blank sheet 100X by a product supply and holding means 410, the carton 100 is used as a punching member (male die), and the die means 424 and 427 are moved in a direction opposite to the carton 100 to fold the blank sheet 100X along the folding line and open the lid to form a half-box carton 100Y.

[0125] [Sealing Unit 50] Next, the configuration of the sealing unit 50 will be explained using diagrams.

[0126] The sealing unit 50 is a mechanism unit that folds and seals the lid portion 104 of a half-box carton 100Y, which is made from a blank sheet 100X of a wrap-around type carton, to form a carton 100. Figure 15 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the sealing unit, and Figure 16 is a perspective view showing the state in which a carton is formed by sealing with the sealing device 51.

[0127] The sealing unit 50 includes a sealing device 51, a conveyor 5IC, and a conveyor 5OC.

[0128] The sealing device 51 is a mechanism for sealing the half-carton 100Y supplied by the conveyor 5IC to form a carton 100 containing the product.

[0129] The incoming conveyor IC is a conveying means that transports half-cartons 100Y containing the products from the preceding process to the location of the sealing device 51 (T51 in Figure 15). The conveyor OC is a conveying means that transports the sealed cartons 100B from the location of the sealing device 51 to the subsequent process (T52 in Figure 15). These conveying means may be driven by a belt transmitted by the rotation of a motor, or they may be driven by a linear motor.

[0130] Next, the configuration of the sealing device 51 will be described.

[0131] The sealing device 51 includes a work head 511, a robot hand 512, a robot arm 513, and a robot body base 514.

[0132] The work head 511 is a mechanism that is rotatably held by a robot hand 512 connected to the tip of a robot arm 513 and moves in a two-dimensional space in the YZ direction to perform a sealing operation. It functions as a work head that seals the half carton 100Y by pressing the outer surface of the lid portion 104 of the half carton 100Y from above to close the lid portion 104, and also by pressing flaps 105, 108, and 109 that extend outward from the lid portion 104 and base portion 101 against the outer surface of the body of the half carton 100Y.

[0133] (1. Details of Workhead 511) As shown in Figures 15 and 16, the work head 511 includes a frame 5111, an arm 5112, a pressure contact guide member 5113, a pressure contact member 5114, a lid closing guide member 5115, and a lid holding member 5116.

[0134] Frame 5111 is a long, horizontally extending member, and its length is longer than the width of the half-box carton 100Y. Furthermore, a long, horizontally extending slit 5111a is formed in frame 5111.

[0135] Arm 5112 is a support member suspended downward from frame 5111, which supports the pressure-fitting guide member 5113 so that the pressure-fitting member 5114 can press the flap of the half-box carton 100Y against the body. Two arms 5112C are arranged side by side on the front of the half-box carton 100Y, two arms 5112R are on the right side, and two arms 5112L are on the left side (sometimes referred to collectively as "arm 5112").

[0136] Furthermore, arms 5112R and L have a movable module 5112a at their upper end, and this movable module 5112a is suspended from a slit 5111a in the frame 5111.

[0137] The movable module 5112a can reciprocate within the slit 5111a based on a control signal from the control unit (not shown), and the arms 5112R and L are configured to allow the position of the frame 5111 in the longitudinal direction (X direction) to be changed.

[0138] As a result, the sealing unit 50 can change the size of the carton 100 that can be sealed by changing the mold (changing the mold) to modify the dimensions of the pressing part.

[0139] The pressure-contacting guide member 5113 is an actuator guide member that supports the pressure-contacting member 5114, which is supported by the arm 5112 and presses against the flap of the half-box carton 100Y, and guides the movement of the pressure-contacting member 5114.

[0140] Furthermore, the pressure-welding guide member 5113 is provided with multiple pressure-welding members 5114 in the longitudinal direction.

[0141] The pressure-fitting member 5114 is an actuator member that presses the outer surface of the flap 105, 108, or 109 of the half-box carton 100Y to press the flap against the body of the half-box carton 100Y.

[0142] The sealing device 51 operates by sealing the lid portion 104 of the half-carton 100Y to form a carton 100B containing the product.

[0143] Next, the operation of the sealing device 51 will be explained.

[0144] The sealing device 51 moves the robot arm 513 to move the work head 511 (in the negative direction of the Z and the negative direction of the X in Figure 16) to perform the initial closing operation by pushing the lid surface 104 of the half-box carton 100Y, which is in a vertically extended state, from behind with the closing guide member 5115, and at the same time, the lid holding member 5116 pushes the lid surface 104 of the half-box carton 100Y, which is in a tilted forward state, from above to close the lid surface 104.

[0145] As described above, the flaps 108L, 108R, 105L, 105R, and 109 of the lid portion 104 of the half-box carton 100Y are folded from the base, and then the inner surfaces of flaps 108L and 105L are bonded to the outer surfaces of the side walls 106L and 107L, the inner surfaces of flaps 108R and 105R are bonded to the outer surfaces of the side walls 106R and 107R, and the inner surface of flap 109 is bonded to the outer surface of the front wall portion 102. This sealing operation forms the carton 100 containing the product.

[0146] [Control Unit 90] The control unit 90 is implemented as a computer, for example, equipped with a general-purpose CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), and a program to be executed on them. The control unit reads a control program for the packaging device 1 from a storage device or the like into RAM and executes it, thereby controlling each element constituting the packaging device 1 during changes in direction so that they operate in conjunction with each other, and thus realizing the functions of the packaging device 1.

[0147] <Summary> As described above, the packaging apparatus 1 according to the embodiment is a packaging apparatus 1 for forming a package body 100, comprising: a box-making and sealing unit 80 that acquires a package to be selected from a plurality of types of packaged items, acquires a blank sheet 100X that is suitable for the package to be selected from a plurality of types of blank sheets 100X, places the package to be placed on the acquired blank sheet 100X, folds the blank sheet 100X using a pair of opposing die means 424 (427) to form a box, seals it, and forms a carton 100 containing the packaged item; a collection and return unit 70 that acquires and collects the cartons 100 to form a carton assembly, and supplies the carton assembly to the box-making and sealing unit 80 as a new packaged item; and a discharge unit 60 that acquires and discharges the cartons 100. The sealing unit 80 acquires an article as the item to be packaged, acquires a first blank sheet 100BX that fits the article, and forms a first carton 100B with the distance between a pair of opposing die means 424(427) adjusted to fit the article. The accumulation and return unit 70 supplies a first carton assembly, which is made up of the first cartons 100B, to the sealing unit 80. The sealing unit 80 acquires the first carton assembly as a new item to be packaged, acquires a second blank sheet 100CX that fits the first carton assembly, and adjusts the distance between a pair of die means 424(427) to fit the first carton assembly, thereby forming a second carton 100C. The discharge unit 60 acquires the second carton 100C and discharges it out of the system as a package.

[0148] Traditionally, in packaging systems with both an inner and outer box, the method involved first manufacturing the inner box using one box-making machine and then packing the product into it, and then manufacturing the outer box using a separate box-making machine and packing the inner box into it. As a result, separate box-making machines were required for the inner and outer boxes, leading to increased factory space requirements and low production efficiency per unit area.

[0149] In contrast, by adopting the above-described configuration, it is possible to provide a packaging apparatus and a method for forming a package that can perform the production of the inner box and the placement of the product using a box-making apparatus, and further perform the production of the outer box and the placement of the inner box using the same box-making apparatus. As a result, it is possible to reduce the installation space in the factory and increase the production efficiency per unit area.

[0150] In another embodiment, the system may further include a loading unit 10 for loading goods 100A and a goods aggregation unit 20 for accumulating the loaded goods 100A to form an article.

[0151] This configuration makes it possible to package multiple products 100A within an inner carton 100B.

[0152] ≪Variations≫ Although a box-making apparatus according to an embodiment has been described, this disclosure excludes its essential characteristic components. The present invention is not limited in any way to the embodiments described above. For example, forms obtained by applying various modifications to the embodiments that a person skilled in the art could conceive of, and forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present invention are also included in this disclosure. Below, a modified example of such a form will be described.

[0153] (1) In the box-making unit 40 according to the above embodiment, during the box-making operation, the front and rear wall die means 424 comes into contact with the front wall portion 102 and the rear wall portion 103 as the guide rail 421 rises and pushes forward in the Z direction (upwards), thereby bending the front wall portion 102 and the rear wall portion 103 in the Z direction (upwards) at the bending line at the base.

[0154] However, in the box-making operation, the die mechanism unit 420 moves relative to the object to be packaged, corresponding to the punch member (male die), during box-making, and folds the blank sheet 100X along the fold line to form a half-box carton Y. For example, the punch member (male die) may move in a direction relative to the die mechanism unit 20 to form a half-box carton Y.

[0155] (2) In the box-making unit 40 according to the above embodiment, the product PR is used as the punching member (male mold) to perform the box-making operation. However, the punching member may also be configured to use a male mold mechanism using a mandrel instead of the product PR.

[0156] (3) In the sealing unit 50 according to the above embodiment, two arms 5112 are suspended from the frame 5111, facing the front wall surface 102, the right wall, and the left wall of the half-carton 100Y. However, the number and position of the arms 5112 are not limited to those described above. The same applies to the number and position of the pressure-welding guide members 5113 on the front wall surface 102, the right wall, and the left wall of the half-carton 100Y, and the number and position of the pressure-welding members 5114 on the pressure-welding guide members 5113. The configuration of the arms 5112, pressure-welding guide members 5113, and pressure-welding members 5114 can be appropriately changed depending on the shape and size of the half-carton 100Y to be sealed.

[0157] ≪Additional Information≫ The embodiments described above all represent preferred specific examples of the present invention. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement and connection configurations of components, processes, and order of processes shown in the embodiments are examples only and are not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, components in the embodiments that are not described in the independent claims representing the highest-level concept of the present invention are described as any components that constitute a more preferred form.

[0158] Furthermore, the order in which the above methods are performed is illustrative for the purpose of specifically illustrating the present invention, and may be performed in a different order. Also, some of the above methods may be performed simultaneously (in parallel) with other methods.

[0159] Furthermore, for the sake of easier understanding of the invention, the scale of the components shown in the figures of each embodiment described above may differ from that of the actual components. Moreover, the present invention is not limited by the descriptions of each embodiment described above, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0160] Furthermore, at least some of the functions of each embodiment and its modified form may be combined. [Industrial applicability]

[0161] A packaging device according to one aspect of this disclosure can be used as a packaging device for transporting goods, parts, workpieces, packaging, various containers, and other items in a manufacturing line. It can also be suitably used as a packaging device for transporting packaged goods and packaging materials in various logistics operations. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0162] 1 Packaging equipment 10 Product Delivery Units 111 Incoming conveyor 112 Transfer equipment 20-tier stacking device unit 211 Accumulation Conveyor 212 Stacking device 30-sheet supply unit 311 Suction Head 312 Robot Hand (Articulated Robot) 313 Robot arm (articulated robot) 314 Robot body base (articulated robot) 330 Mounting platform 80-piece sealed box unit 40 Box-making units 410 Product supply holding means 411 Workhead 412 Product holding means 4121 Additional holding part 4122 Basic holding part 413 Product supply means 4131 Variable position mechanism 4132 Back holding part 4133 Front holder 4134 Side holding part 414 Robot Arm 415 Robot Arm 416 Robot body base 417 Product transport platform 420 Die Mechanism Unit 421 Guide rail 422 Fixed base 423 Movable base 424 Front and rear wall die method 427 Side wall die means 440 base 50 sealing units 511 Workhead 5111 Frame 5112 Arm 5113 Pressure-welded guide member 5114 Pressure-welded member 5115 Lid closing guide member 5116 Lid holding member 512 Robot Hand 513 Robot Arm 514 Robot body base 5IC Conveyor 5OC Conveyor 60 Transfer Units 70 Accumulation Return Unit 711 Vertical transfer device 712 Lateral transfer device 90 Control Unit 100X, 100BX, 100CX Blank Sheets 100Z, 100BZ, 100CZ Sheet Stack 100Y, 100BY, 100CY Half-box carton 100A Product (Inner Box) 100B First carton (inner box) 100C Second carton (outer box)

Claims

1. A packaging device that forms a package in which multiple inner boxes are packed inside an outer box, A box-making and sealing unit that obtains a packaged item selected from multiple types of packaged items, obtains a blank sheet suitable for the packaged item selected from multiple types of blank sheets, places the packaged item on the obtained blank sheet, folds the blank sheet to form a box, seals it, and forms a carton containing the packaged item. A collection and return unit that retrieves multiple cartons from the aforementioned carton manufacturing and sealing unit, collects them to form a carton assembly, and supplies the carton assembly to the carton manufacturing and sealing unit as a new packaged item, The system comprises a discharge unit that retrieves the cartons from the carton manufacturing and sealing unit and discharges them, The box-making unit is configured such that the packaged item is used as the male mold, and the blank sheet is folded using a female mold mechanism to form the box. The box-making and sealing unit obtains an article as the item to be packaged, obtains a first blank sheet that fits the article, and uses the article as the male mold to form a first carton, which is an inner box, with the female mold mechanism adapted to the size of the article. The accumulation and return unit provides the first carton assembly, which consists of a plurality of the first cartons, to the box manufacturing and sealing unit. The box-making and sealing unit acquires the first carton assembly as a new packaged item, acquires a second blank sheet that fits the first carton assembly, uses the first carton assembly as the male mold, and modifies the female mold mechanism from a state that fits the size of the article to a state that fits the size of the first carton assembly, and in that state forms the second carton which is the outer box. The aforementioned unloading unit obtains the second carton and unloads it from the system as a package. packaging equipment.

2. The box-making unit is configured to fold the blank sheet and form a box using a pair of opposing die means in the female mold mechanism, The carton-making and sealing unit forms the first carton with the distance between the pair of die means adjusted to the size of the article, then changes the distance between the pair of die means from the state adjusted to the size of the article to the state adjusted to the size of the first carton assembly, and forms the second carton in that state. The packaging apparatus according to claim 1.

3. A delivery unit for bringing in goods, The system further comprises a product aggregation unit that aggregates multiple of the aforementioned products that have been brought in to form the aforementioned article. The packaging apparatus according to claim 1.

4. A method for forming a package in which multiple inner boxes are packed inside an outer box, A carton-making and sealing process that involves obtaining a packaged item selected from multiple types of packaged items, obtaining a blank sheet suitable for the packaged item selected from multiple types of blank sheets, folding the blank sheet with the packaged item placed on it to form a carton, and then sealing it to form a carton containing the packaged item, A collection and return process in which multiple cartons are acquired and accumulated to form a carton assembly, and the carton assembly is supplied to the box manufacturing and sealing process as a new packaged product, The process includes an unloading step of acquiring and unloading the aforementioned cartons. In the aforementioned box-making process, the object to be packaged is made into a male mold, and the blank sheet is folded using a female mold mechanism to produce the box. The aforementioned box manufacturing process includes a first box manufacturing process and a second box manufacturing process. In the first box-making process, an article is obtained as the item to be packaged, a first blank sheet that fits the article is obtained, and the article is used as the male mold, and the female mold mechanism is adapted to the size of the article to form a first carton, which is the inner box. In the aforementioned accumulation and return process, the first carton assembly, which is made up of a plurality of the first cartons, is supplied to the second carton manufacturing and sealing process. In the second carton manufacturing and sealing process, the first carton assembly is obtained as a new packaged item, a second blank sheet that fits the first carton assembly is obtained, the first carton assembly is used as the male mold, and the female mold mechanism is modified from a state that fits the size of the article to a state that fits the size of the first carton assembly, and in that state the second carton, which is the outer box, is formed. In the aforementioned unloading process, the second carton is obtained and unloaded from the system. A method for forming a package.

5. In the aforementioned box-making process, the blank sheet is folded using a pair of opposing die means to form the box. The first carton is formed with the distance between the pair of die means adjusted to the size of the article. The distance between the pair of die means is changed from a state that matches the size of the article to a state that matches the size of the first carton assembly, and the second carton is formed in that state. A method for forming a package according to claim 4.

6. Prior to the first box-making and sealing process, The process further includes a delivery process for bringing in goods, and a goods accumulation process for accumulating multiple of the delivered goods to form the article. A method for forming a package according to claim 4.

Images