Automatic box packing machine

Abstract

To provide an automatic box-packing apparatus that can smoothly feeding and filling a variety of fillers into a packaging box in an orderly and well-arranged state with good yields.SOLUTION: An apparatus that packages a well-arranged product group into a rectangular empty carton β includes a filling base 2 that holds the empty carton β at a filling position with its opening portion facing down, filling means of raising a tray holder 9 that holds a tray 3 on which the product group are loaded in a well-arranged state at the filling position and a receiving plate 7 which is a bottom plate of the tray 3 and retains the product group loaded on the tray 3 into the empty carton β, to a filling height, and sealing means that folds a sealing plate of the empty carton β to a direction to seal the opening portion and supports from below. The filling means includes a tray raising and lowering lifter 5 that raises and lowers the tray holder 9 below the position of the receiving plate 7, and a receiving plate raising and lowering lifter 6 that raises and lowers the receiving plate 7 above the position of the tray holder 9.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic boxing device for filling a group of aligned products into a packaging box formed from a blank sheet.

Background Art

[0002] Boxed products such as pharmaceuticals and foods are filled into the packaging box in the process of being three-dimensionally developed from a blank sheet into the packaging box and having the top and bottom surfaces sealed (hereinafter referred to as "box-forming operation"). Although the box-forming operation and the loading of products into the packaging box are still mostly manual, there are cases where they are mechanically performed by an automatic box-forming device. The blank sheet is made of a sheet material such as paper or resin and is cut into a shape planned to form a packaging box.

[0003] Conventional box-forming and boxing operations include, for example, a method of adsorbing the filled product with a suction pad of a filling device and supplying and filling it into a packaging box from an upward opening, and then releasing the suction force, as described in Patent Document 1 below, or a method of laying the box down and supplying and filling it from a lateral opening, as described in Patent Document 2 below. Among them, in order to neatly package bagged products, as described in Patent Document 3 below, the required number of bagged products are pushed up from below with their feed intervals reduced to make them in a forward-downward inclined state respectively, and then, while gripping and lifting the rear part of the inclined bagged products with a suction unit waiting above each bagged product, the box is packed with the rear end and the front end of adjacent bagged products partially overlapping each other in an outer packaging box provided within the movable range of the suction unit.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

[0005] However, the methods described in Patent Documents 1 and 3 both require the action of securing and lifting the material to be filled and lowering it to a predetermined position. As a result, the appearance after filling may become unsightly due to misalignment or dropping caused by improper securing or transfer, or due to missing or disordered placement. Furthermore, even with the method described in Patent Document 2, when supplying and filling into a packaging box from the side, the placement is often disrupted due to interference between the material to be filled and the packaging box.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide an automatic boxing device that can supply and fill various materials to be filled into packaging boxes smoothly and with good yield while keeping them in an orderly and aligned state. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides an automatic box-packing device for filling and sealing a group of products arranged in a rectangular parallelepiped carton having an open top or bottom, comprising: a filling base that holds the carton with its opening facing downward at the filling position; a tray holder that holds a tray on which the group of products arranged in the filling position is mounted; a filling means that raises a flat receiving plate, which serves as the bottom plate (either part or all) of the tray and holds the group of products mounted on the tray in the carton, to the filling height; and a sealing means that individually bends left and right sealing plates and front and rear sealing plates in the direction of sealing the opening of the carton to support it from below, wherein the filling means comprises a tray lifting lifter that raises and lowers the tray holder below the position of the receiving plate, a receiving plate lifting lifter that raises and lowers the receiving plate above the position of the tray holder, and a lifting base that supports the tray lifting lifter and the receiving plate lifting lifter.

[0008] The filling means may be configured to include a means for moving the raised base horizontally between the filling position and the retracted position. Furthermore, in addition to this configuration, a control means can be provided to move the lifting base horizontally between the filling position and the retracted position using a tray lifter. This control means can be provided to move the lifting base horizontally between the filling position and the retracted position using a tray lifting lifter after the tray holder and retracted plate have been raised to the filling height, and after the tray holder has been lowered, the sealing means can be bent to support the opening of the carton by folding the left and right sealing plates in the direction of sealing the opening, and after this support is completed.

[0009] The sealing means may be configured to include a support means for horizontally moving left and right retaining plates, which support the left and right sealing plates from below the receiving plate placed at the filling height, between a support position and a retracted position. The left and right retaining plates may be configured to include a front receiving claw and a rear receiving claw, respectively, which cover the front and rear edges of the opening and hold the group of products arranged in a horizontal row inside the carton.

[0010] The filling base may be configured to have a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped bottomed storage space formed by a carton, a flat reference surface on the front surface of the peripheral wall of the storage space, flat holding surfaces on the inner surface of the peripheral wall and the inner surface of the bottom wall, and holding means on the holding surfaces for adsorption and release to the surface of the carton placed in the storage space. In addition to this configuration, the sealing means may be configured to include a molding unit that pressurizes and supports the sealing plate by pressing it in close contact with a reference surface on the peripheral wall, or by moving back and forth along the reference surface, or by moving back and forth or stopping at the height of the reference surface in the opening of the carton. Alternatively, the filling base may be configured to include an expansion / contraction means or an opening / closing means that expands the width of the storage space before loading the carton and contracts it after loading the carton to pressurize the side plates of the carton. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the automatic box packing device of the present invention, a tray on which a group of products to be filled is mounted, and a flat receiving plate that functions as the bottom plate of the tray are raised to the filling height toward the downward opening of an empty carton while maintaining their relative positions. Furthermore, by raising only the receiving plate to the filling height, the group of products is filled into the packaging box in the same state as when they were on the tray. After that, only the tray can be collected while leaving the receiving plate in place, so that various groups of products can be packaged smoothly and with good yield while being arranged in a predetermined configuration.

[0012] Since the receiving plate is flat, after filling the tray with products and collecting the tray, the opening of the full carton can be sealed with a sealing plate while the flat receiving plate remains in place at the filling height of the opening. Furthermore, since the sealing means can support the sealing plate that supports the group of products until the sealing plate is glued and the opening is sealed, it is possible to prevent the group of products from falling when the receiving plate is moved horizontally away from the filling height of the opening, and at that time, the side plates of the empty carton can be used to prevent the arrangement from becoming disorganized.

[0013] Furthermore, even if the sealed area formed by the sealing plates is insufficient to hold the group of products in the internal cavity, the support means allows the holding plate to be inserted directly beneath the sealing plates, which are folded in the direction of sealing the opening and overlapping the receiving plate, until all the sealing plates completely close the opening. This compensates for the insufficient number of sealing plates, thus preventing the group of products from becoming disorganized or falling when the receiving plate is removed from the internal cavity.

[0014] By adopting a configuration in the sealing means that includes a molding unit that operates, pressurizes, or supports the sealing plate by moving forward, backward, or stopping at the height of the reference surface in the opening of the empty carton, accurate folding along the reference surface becomes possible, and the sealing plate can be sufficiently retracted to the side of the lower opening during filling, thereby preventing disruption of the arrangement of the product group and preventing items from falling due to interference with the sealing plate. In addition, by adopting a configuration in which the filling base is provided with a telescopic means or an opening / closing means for expanding the width of the accommodation space before loading an empty carton and reducing it after loading the empty carton to press the side plates of the empty carton, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of poor holding of the empty carton and poor placement on the filling base.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing an example of a filling means of an automatic box-packing device according to the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view showing an example of a packaging process of an automatic box-packing device according to the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a process chart showing an example of a sealing process of an automatic box-packing device according to the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a perspective view showing an example of a conveying means of an automatic box-packing device according to the present invention. [Figure 5] It is a rear view illustrating a blank sheet of a packaging box used in an automatic box-packing device according to the present invention. [Figure 6] It is a process chart showing an example of a sealing process of an automatic box-packing device according to the present invention. [Figure 7] It is a process chart showing an example of a sealing process of an automatic box-packing device according to the present invention. [Figure 8] It is a process chart showing an example of a sealing process of an automatic box-packing device according to the present invention. [Figure 9] It is a process chart showing an example of a sealing process of an automatic box-packing device according to the present invention. [Figure 10] It is a process chart showing an example of a sealing process of an automatic box-packing device according to the present invention. [Figure 11] It is a process chart showing an example of a sealing process of an automatic box-packing device according to the present invention. [Figure 12] It is a process chart showing an example of a sealing process of an automatic box-packing device according to the present invention. [Figure 13] It is a process chart showing an example of the (A) box-raising process, (B) and (C) empty carton transfer processes of a box-making device adopting an automatic box-packing device according to the present invention. [Figure 14]This is a process diagram showing an example of the sealing process of a box-making apparatus employing the automatic box-packing apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 15] This is a plan view showing an example of a receiving plate used in an automatic boxing device according to the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the automatic boxing apparatus according to the present invention (hereinafter referred to as the "boxing apparatus") will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. This example is configured as part of a box-making apparatus that produces rectangular packaging boxes. In this example, the box-making apparatus comprises a box-raising means 1 for manufacturing a relatively shallow, bottomed, rectangular cylindrical packaging box (hereinafter referred to as "empty carton β") with the top or bottom open from the blank sheet α by a predetermined box-raising operation; a packaging means for neatly filling the interior of the empty carton β with a predetermined number of soft-packaged goods (group of goods) as the contents to be filled, and sealing the opening; and a control means for controlling these.

[0017] <<Control means>> The control means is configured as a computer system in which a program is installed on the computer to control the box-making apparatus so that it functions as various functional means. It includes an input / output unit for inputting and outputting various information between the control target such as the box-making means 1 and the packaging means, various input devices for taking in various information, and various output devices for displaying various information, an information processing unit for performing calculations or operations on the input information, a communication unit for communicating information with terminal devices or other servers, a storage unit for storing various information, a timer for managing the date and time, and sensors for collecting various information.

[0018] <<Method of originating>> The box-raising means 1, through the function of the control means, detects that a specified amount of blank sheets α have been loaded into the sheet supply means, and repeats the box-raising operation in coordination with the packaging means. In this example, the box-raising means 1 comprises a molding base 1b that holds the blank sheet α during the box-raising operation, a sheet supply means that places the blank sheet α one by one at a fixed position on the molding base 1b of the box-raising means 1, a molding head 1a that raises the blank sheet α held on the molding base 1b, and a molding means that, together with the molding base 1b and the molding head 1a, forms an empty carton β from the blank sheet α (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-011161).

[0019] In this example, the blank sheet α consists of a row of side plates B, C, D, and E of the same height, with an adhesive margin A extending from one end in the direction of continuity. Upper sealing plates F, G, H, and I and lower sealing plates J, K, L, and M extend from the top and bottom of each side plate, respectively (see Figure 5(A). Hereinafter referred to as "First Sheet α1"). In this example, the lower left and right closing plates J and L of side plates B and D both have a depth that reaches approximately half (less than half) the length of the long side plate of the carton, and the products can be stored in the interior space of the carton by supporting the lower left and right closing plates J and L which cover almost the entire area of ​​the lower opening. In this example, the box-making means rolls the circumferential surface of the molding head 1a along the molding base 1b on which the series of side plates B, C, D, and E are arranged, and performs a box-making operation by winding the blank sheet α1 on the molding base 1b with the circumferential surface. At that time, the box-making means rolls the molding head 1a, which supports each side B, C, D, and E from the inside during box-making, on the molding base 1b, and sequentially attaches to the areas that are released from the suction of the molding base 1b as it is made up. The box-raising means applies hot melt adhesive to the adhesive tab A during the box-raising process, and adheres the adhesive tab A to the back edge of the opposite side surface E to fix the blank sheet α1 into a cylindrical shape. The formed cylindrical upper sealing plates F and H are then sequentially overlapped, and subsequently the upper sealing plates I and G are sequentially folded and adhered to seal the box (see Figure 2(A)).

[0020] The form of the blank sheet α assembled into the same rectangular carton varies depending on the purpose. For example, one configuration that can reduce paper waste is one in which a rectangular bottom plate N is placed as a single piece in the center of the blank sheet α, and rectangular side plates O, P, Q, and R of the same depth extend from each of its four sides, and sealing plates S, T, U, and V that seal the openings extend from the edges of each side plate O, P, Q, and R (see Figure 5(B). Hereinafter referred to as "second sheet α2"). In this example, adhesive tabs Y, Z, W, and X are provided on both side edges of a pair of opposing side panels Q and O of the aforementioned side panels O, P, Q, and R, respectively, for connecting with adjacent side panels P and R. However, the sealing plates U and S (hereinafter referred to as "upper left and right sealing plates U and S") of the side panels Q and O equipped with these adhesive tabs Y, Z, W, and X are both short in depth, and these alone are not sufficient to cover almost the entire opening, making it impossible to store the products inside the packaging box.

[0021] In this example, the outer edge of the front holding surface of the molding head 1a is aligned with the outer edge of the bottom plate N of the second sheet α2, the side plates Q and O, on which adhesive tabs Y, Z, W, X extend along the side holding surface of the molding head 1a, are folded, the adhesive tabs Y, Z, W, X provided on each side plate Q and O are folded along the side holding surface facing the side plates P and R that connect to the side plates Q and O, adhesive is applied to the adhesive tabs Y, Z, W, X, and finally the side plates P and R, on which the adhesive tabs Y, Z, W, X do not extend, are folded along the side holding surface covered by the adhesive tabs Y, Z, W, X, and pressure is applied until the adhesive hardens, thereby forming an empty carton β in the shape of a bottomed rectangular tube.

[0022] The product dealt with in this example is a packaged item in a stick shape with a length approximately equal to the front-to-back width of the inner cavity of an empty carton β. However, it is also possible to deal with products in which items contained in containers such as syringes or vials are individually packaged. In this example, the packaged products are transported in a lateral position with their sides facing the transport direction and their orientation and posture aligned (see, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-152388 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-011161), and are supplied as units in which a specified number of the packaging boxes are mounted in a horizontal line with their sides in close contact with each other (hereinafter, the tray 3 after the loading of the small units has been completed will be referred to as "full tray 3"). The full tray 3 is transferred to a conveying means and supplied to the packaging position. The transport means comprises a route frame 10 connecting the packaging position and the transfer position, and a transport base 4 that moves horizontally along the route frame 10 (see Figure 4). The aforementioned transport base 4 is equipped with a filling means. [Examples]

[0023] <<Packaging means>> The packaging means receives an empty carton β assembled by the box-raising means 1 and a tray 3 on which the product group is neatly arranged, and loads only the product group into the empty carton β and seals it (see Figures 2 and 3).

[0024] The packaging means includes a carton placement means 13 that secures an empty carton β with its lower opening open from the molding head 1a with the lower opening facing outward, transfers the empty carton β to the filling position, and positions the empty carton β in a filled position (see Figures 6 and 13); a filling means that lifts a tray 3 on which the product group is mounted in an aligned state at the filling position toward the inner cavity of the empty carton β held on the filling base 2 (see Figure 1); and a sealing means that operates or seals the left and right sealing plates (inner sealing plate) and front and rear sealing plates (outer sealing plate) of the opening of a full carton γ filled with the product group (see Figures 7 and 14). Here, the filling position refers to the position in which the empty carton β is held with its opening facing downwards at the filling position (see Figures 8 and 14).

[0025] <Carton arrangement means> The carton placement means 13 can be configured to include a filling base 2 for accommodating empty cartons β, a lifting frame 14 supporting the filling base 2, a traveling base 15 supporting the lifting frame 14, a base lifting means 16 for raising and lowering the lifting frame 14 relative to the traveling base 15, a transport means 18 for moving the traveling base 15 along a guide frame 17 connecting the receiving position and the filling position, and a pivoting means 19 that can switch the orientation of the filling base 2 relative to the lifting frame 14 between sideways and downward (see Figures 6 to 10).

[0026] Here, the receiving position is the position where the traveling base 15 is stopped and the empty carton β is received from the molding head 1a, and the filling position is the position where the traveling base 15 is stopped and the product group is filled into the empty carton β. Furthermore, the configuration for supporting the filling base 2 so that it can be moved and its orientation can be switched is not limited to the multi-axis transfer mechanism, and a multi-axis, articulated robot arm (hereinafter referred to as "robot arm") can be used to support the filling base 2 (see Figure 13 or Figure 14).

[0027] The following example illustrates a filling base 2 using a first sheet α1 in which the left and right sealing plates J and L cover substantially the entire area of ​​the lower opening. The filling base 2 comprises four retaining blocks arranged to form a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped bottomed storage space, having the same depth as the height of the four side plates B, C, D, E of the empty carton β, the same length as the two opposing front and rear side plates E, C of the four side plates B, C, D, E, and approximately the same width as the two opposing left and right side plates B, D of the four side plates (see Figure 6(A)). The filling base 2 rotates vertically using an axis positioned parallel to the line connecting the centers of the left and right inner surfaces of its bottomed storage space as the pivot axis of the pivoting means (see Figure 6(C)). The pivot axis of the pivoting means 19 of the filling base 2 is supported by a bearing of the lifting frame 14 in a rotatable manner.

[0028] The filling base 2 in this example comprises left and right retaining blocks 2a, 2a that cover the surfaces of the left and right side plates B, D of the empty carton β, a front retaining block 2b that covers the surface of the front side plate E of the empty carton β, a rear retaining block 2c that covers the surface of the rear side plate C of the empty carton β and supports a rear sealing plate K that extends from the rear side plate C toward the lower opening, and a sealing block 2d that supports these four retaining blocks 2a, 2a, 2b, 2c and serves as the back plate of the retaining space surrounded by the retaining blocks 2a, 2a, 2b, 2c.

[0029] Each retaining block 2a, 2a, 2b, 2c has a flat reference surface on its front and a flat retaining surface on the inner surface of the bottomed storage space, and each block or combination of blocks is shaped like a rectangular parallelepiped. The reference surfaces of each retaining block 2a, 2a, 2b, 2c each have areas of a shape necessary for the operation (folding, holding, or releasing, etc.) of the lower left and right sealing plates J, L, and the lower front sealing plate M and lower rear sealing plate K to be held. In particular, the rear holding block 2c that holds the lower rear sealing plate K has a reference surface with a width and shape that can hold the entire area of ​​the lower rear sealing plate K, and is equipped with an expansion and contraction mechanism that expands the distance between the front holding block 2b, whose position is fixed when loading the empty carton β, and the rear holding block 2c opposite it, and then contracts after loading the empty carton β to pressurize and hold the front and rear side plates E and C of the empty carton β.

[0030] Each retaining block 2a, 2c, 2a, 2b is provided on its respective retaining surface with retaining means for securing and releasing the left side plate B, rear side plate C, right side plate D, and front side plate E of the empty carton β in that area, and the rear retaining block 2c is further provided on its front surface (reference surface) with retaining means for securing and releasing the lower rear sealing plate K of the empty carton β. The sealing block 2d is equipped with a retaining means on its retaining surface for securing and releasing it from the surface of the upper rear sealing plate G. The holding means for the holding blocks 2a, 2c, 2a, 2b, and 2d in this example is a suction means that adsorbs and releases to the surface of the empty carton β, and has one or more suction holes on the holding surface that holds the left side plate B, rear side plate C, right side plate D, front side plate E, and upper rear sealing plate G, and on the reference surface of the rear holding block 2c that holds the lower rear sealing plate K, and on the surfaces other than the holding surface and reference surface of each holding block 2a, 2c, 2a, and 2b, It is equipped with ventilation passages that lead from the adsorption holes to one or more connecting surfaces (surfaces to which other retaining blocks or joints are connected).

[0031] Furthermore, the reference surfaces of each holding block 2a, 2a, and 2b can also be equipped with holding means that adsorb and release to the lower left sealing plate J, lower right sealing plate L, and lower front sealing plate M of the empty carton β, for each respective area. In this case, the reference surfaces of the holding blocks 2a, 2a, and 2b can also be equipped with adsorption holes for holding the lower left sealing plate J, lower right sealing plate L, and lower front sealing plate M of the empty carton β, and the surfaces of each holding block 2a, 2a, and 2b other than the holding surface and reference surface can be equipped with ventilation passages that lead from the adsorption holes to one or more connecting surfaces. Each of the one or more blocks constituting each holding block 2a, 2a, 2b, 2c is divided into a system that holds on the holding surface and a system that holds on the reference surface, with each system having a ventilation passage that communicates with the others, and each system is equipped with a holding means that performs adsorption and release simultaneously.

[0032] The holding means for the sealing block 2d in this example is a suction means that adsorbs and releases the upper rear sealing plate G to the holding surface of the sealing block 2d. The sealing block 2d is provided with adsorption holes on its holding surface and ventilation passages that lead from the adsorption holes on the holding surface to one or more connecting surfaces (surfaces to which other holding blocks or joints are connected). The one or more blocks constituting the sealing block 2d each have interconnected ventilation passages and serve as holding means that simultaneously perform adsorption and release.

[0033] In this way, the filling base 2 can be constructed by combining precisely molded rectangular retaining blocks, so that the unsealed empty carton β that has gone through the carton formation process can be reliably shaped from the outside, accurately positioned in a fixed location, and with the empty carton β stationary, the lower sealing plates J, K, L, and M extending to the opening can be folded in by the molding unit, adhesive can be applied to the overlapping parts as needed, and the sealing process can be carried out. Therefore, the sealing process involving the bending or insertion of the lower sealing plates J, K, L, and M becomes easy and reliable, enabling highly reproducible sealing according to the shape and assembly precision of each retaining block 2a, 2c, 2a, and 2b. Moreover, when bending the corners of the empty carton β to the angle determined at the bending line, excessive bending and excessive stress are avoided, thus eliminating the problem of reduced yield due to damage to the appearance.

[0034] <Filling means> The filling means includes a tray lifting lifter 5 positioned on the transport base 4 for raising and lowering the tray 3, a receiving plate lifting lifter 6 for raising and lowering a receiving plate 7 to hold the group of products in the internal cavity after the tray 3 has been lowered, a lifting base 8 that supports the tray lifting lifter 5 and the receiving plate lifting lifter 6, and a means for moving the lifting base 8 horizontally between the filling position and the retraction position (anywhere on the transport track) (see Figure 4). In this example, since the root frame 10 is aligned with the front-to-back axis of the filling base 2, the transport means is used as the forward and backward movement means.

[0035] The tray lifting lifter 5 and the receiving plate lifting lifter 6 each have rods that independently perform lifting and lowering movements along substantially the same trajectory. The receiving plate lifting lifter 6 has the central part of the receiving plate 7 fixed to the tip of the rod. On the other hand, the tray lifting lifter 5 has a tray holder 9 fixed to the tip of the rod so as to surround the receiving plate 7 and support the tray 3 from below (see Figure 1).

[0036] The aforementioned tray 3 is shaped like a dish that can hold the product group while maintaining an orderly arrangement. The tray holder 9, on which the tray 3 is mounted, is provided with a base that allows the tray 3 to be attached and detached and securely in place so as not to fall during transport by the transport means. The tray holder 9 and the tray 3 mounted thereon are each provided with a through hole 11 in their center through which the rod of the receiving plate lifting lifter 6 and the receiving plate 7 fixed to its tip can pass. By providing the through hole 11, the tray lifting lifter 5 can raise and lower the tray 3 and tray holder 9 below the position of the receiving plate 7, and the receiving plate lifting lifter 6 can raise and lower the receiving plate 7 above the position of the tray holder 9. As a result, the tray holder 9 with the empty tray 3 mounted on it can be lowered independently below the receiving plate 7 while the receiving plate 7 remains in the upper position.

[0037] The receiving plate 7 is a plate-shaped member with a structure that can support the entire group of products filled in the empty carton β without letting them fall out of the lower opening. For example, it is sized to cover approximately one-third to one-half of the central part of the front-to-back depth of the opening, over substantially the entire width of the opening. The material can be appropriately selected from metal or synthetic resin, or any material with sufficient strength to support the entire group of products. The receiving plate 7 employs a flat structure such as a flat plate that can pass through the gap between the lower left and right sealing plates J and L and the rear plate C, which are closed at the lower opening of the empty carton β, and is provided with a connecting piece 12 in its center that can pass through the gap between the lower left and right sealing plates J and L. The receiving plate 7 is fixed to the rod of the receiving plate lifting lifter 6 via the connecting piece 12.

[0038] <Sealing method> The sealing means, similar to the sealing means 1c of the box-raising means 1, includes a lower left sealing plate forming means 21 for opening and closing the lower left sealing plate J, a lower right sealing plate forming means 22 for opening and closing the lower right sealing plate L, a lower front sealing plate forming means 23 for opening and closing the lower front sealing plate M, a sealing adhesive dispensing means (not shown) for applying adhesive to the surface of the lower front sealing plate M, and a lower rear sealing plate forming means 24 for opening and closing the lower rear sealing plate K (see Figures 7 to 10).

[0039] The lower left sealing plate molding means 21 and the lower right sealing plate molding means 22 are molding units equipped with molding rollers that pressurize and support the group of products filled in the interior of the empty carton β via the lower left sealing plate J and the lower right sealing plate L by pressing them in close contact with the reference surfaces of the left and right holding blocks 2a, 2a of the filling base 2 in a filling position, or by moving back and forth along the reference surfaces of the left and right holding blocks 2a, 2a, or by moving back and forth or stopping at the height of the reference surface at the opening (hereinafter referred to as "filling height") (see Figures 7 and 8(A)(B)).

[0040] The lower front sealing plate molding means 23 is a molding unit that includes a molding roller that pressurizes and supports the group of products filled in the empty carton β via the lower left sealing plate J, the lower right sealing plate L, and the lower front sealing plate M by pressing the lower front sealing plate M against the reference surface of the front holding block 2b of the filling base 2 which is in a filling position, or by moving it back and forth along the reference surface of the front holding block 2b, or by moving it back and forth or stopping at the filling height at the opening (see Figures 8(C) and 9). The rear sealing plate forming means 24 is a forming unit that includes a forming roller that presses and supports the lower rear sealing plate K against the lower left sealing plate J, lower right sealing plate L, and lower front sealing plate M, which support the group of products filled in the inner cavity of the empty carton β, by pressing the lower rear sealing plate K against the reference surface of the rear holding block 2c of the filling base 2 in a filling position, or by moving back and forth along the reference surface of the rear holding block 2c, or by moving back and forth or stopping at the filling height in the opening (see Figure 10).

[0041] The lower left sealing plate forming means 21, the lower right sealing plate forming means 22, the lower front sealing plate forming means 23, and the lower rear sealing plate forming means 24 are arranged to surround the filling position (Figures 4 and 10). The molding rollers in each sealing plate molding means are rotatably supported on a movable block as part of a molding unit that moves between a retracted position and a filling position (sealing position) (Figures 7 to 10). Each sealing plate molding means includes a retraction mechanism that moves the movable block forward and backward along the orientation of the side plate, which is opposite the filling position and is lined with sealing plates responsible for molding the empty carton β, and a lifting mechanism that moves the movable block up and down along the orientation of the top surface of the empty carton β between the filling height and the retracted height (see Figure 4 or Figure 9).

[0042] Each molding unit is rotatably supported by one or more molding rollers according to the shape of the reference surface of the left and right holding blocks 2a, 2a, the front holding block 2b, and the rear holding block 2c, and moves forward and backward in the depth direction of the reference surface of the left and right holding blocks 2a, 2a, the front holding block 2b, and the rear holding block 2c by the operation of the moving means provided by each molding unit (see Figure 8). Furthermore, the forward / backward and lifting means in this example can employ linear actuators such as air cylinders or combinations thereof, or actuators such as three-axis moving means or robot arms, and can be fixed to a base in a position-adjustable manner, or installed to be movable along a frame mounted on the base.

[0043] The sealing adhesive dispensing means is positioned facing the opening of the empty carton β. The sealing adhesive dispensing means includes a hot melt gun for dispensing hot melt, a unit equipped with an actuator for moving the hot melt gun up, down, forward, backward, left, and right, and a camera for inspecting the application state of the hot melt. The actuator can be, for example, a three-axis moving mechanism or a robotic arm. These are controlled by the control mechanism to aim the hot melt gun at a predetermined three-dimensional coordinate position, and a predetermined amount of hot melt material is discharged at the predetermined position.

[0044] With the above configuration, the filling means can raise the tray 3 and the receiving plate 7 to the filling height of the filling position by the control means (aligning the uppermost support surface of the receiving plate 7 with the uppermost part of the tray 3) and load the product group into the empty carton β, then leave the receiving plate 7 in place and lower only the tray 3 and tray holder 9. In addition, after the lower left and right sealing plates J and L are folded and supported by the sealing means, the receiving plate 7 can be removed from the empty carton γ by horizontally releasing the raising base 8 to the retracted position. After the raised base 8 moves to the retracted position, the sealing means folds the lower front and rear sealing plate M and the lower rear sealing plate K to seal the area. By employing this product filling method, the product group is transported into the empty carton β in an orderly manner, much like stacks of sashimi, and can be sealed in the empty carton β without disturbing its orderly state.

[0045] <<<Packaging of product groups>>> The packaging means is configured as described above and is controlled by the control means as follows. The molding head 1a, with the empty carton β attached, loads the empty carton β into the bottomed storage space of the filling base 2 at the receiving position while the empty carton β is still attached, and releases the molding head 1a's suction to the empty carton β (see Figures 6(B) and 13(B)(C)). At that time, in the filling base 2 that receives the empty carton β from the molding head 1a at the receiving position, the suction means of the suction holes provided on the holding surface (inner surface) of each block that makes up the filling base 2 are activated and adsorb the four side plates B, C, D, E and the upper rear sealing plate G of the empty carton β. Next, the molding head 1a guides the lower rear sealing plate K along the reference surface of the rear holding block 2c and brings it into close contact with the holding block 2c (see Figure 13(C)), and the rear holding block 2c of the carton placement means 13 attracts the surface of the lower rear sealing plate K and makes it adhere to its reference surface. Next, the carton placement means 13 moves the filling base 2 holding the empty carton β to the filling position and stops in a filling position with the opening facing downwards (see Figures 6(C) and 14).

[0046] At the filling position, the molding units of the lower left sealing plate molding means 21, the lower right sealing plate molding means 22, and the lower front sealing plate molding means 23 descend around the filling position, move to a position facing the entrance of the lower opening of the empty carton β, and then rise again to the height of the reference plane (filling height) of each holding block, so that they are positioned directly in front of the lower opening, facing the lower left sealing plate J, the lower right sealing plate L, and the front sealing plate M, respectively (Figure 7(A)).

[0047] Next, each of them moves linearly horizontally in a direction that separates them from each other from the filling height of the filling position, accompanied by the lower left sealing plate J, the lower right sealing plate L, and the front sealing plate M. They then move linearly horizontally along the reference planes of each holding block 2a, 2a, and 2b, pushing open the lower left sealing plate J, the lower right sealing plate L, and the front sealing plate M, and pressing each of the lower left sealing plate J, the lower right sealing plate L, and the front sealing plate M against the reference planes of each holding block 2a, 2a, and 2b to provide support (Figure 7(B)). Next, the filling base 2 performs a single up-and-down reciprocating motion, allowing the lower left sealing plate J, the lower right sealing plate L, and the front sealing plate M, which have been shaped to open downwards, to hang freely (Figures 7(C) and 8(A)).

[0048] During this time, the transport means secures a full tray 3 from the transfer position and transports it to the packaging position (see Figure 4). At that time, the tray lifting lifter 5 and the receiving plate lifting lifter 6, which are supported by the transport base 4, and the full tray 3 on the tray holder 9 move horizontally as a single unit. Upon reaching the filling position, the tray lifting lifter 5 and the receiving plate lifting lifter 6 raise the tray 3 and the receiving plate 7 at equal speeds until they reach the filling height, filling the empty carton β with the products from the full tray 3 (see Figure 2). At this time, the upper edges of both tray 3 and receiving plate 7 rise to the reference surface of the holding block, causing the product group to escape from tray 3 along the inner surface of tray 3 and the back surfaces of the four side plates B, C, D, and E of the empty carton β (see Figure 2(B)). When the product group is filled, only the tray lifting lifter 5 retracts, and the tray holder 9 descends along with the empty tray 3. At this time, the receiving plate 7 supports the product group contained in the empty carton β at the filling height, and the receiving plate 7 and its rod pass through the through holes 11 of the tray 3 and tray holder 9 (Figure 1(B)).

[0049] <<<Sealed>>> Next, the molding units of the lower left sealing plate molding means 21 and the lower right sealing plate molding means 22 move horizontally to the filling position in the filling height and assemble in close proximity, sealing the lower opening of the full carton γ with the lower left sealing plate J and the lower right sealing plate L, respectively (Figure 8(B)). Next, the lower rear sealing plate forming means 24, together with the lower left sealing plate forming means 21 and the lower right sealing plate forming means 22, supports the rear portions of the lower left sealing plate J and the lower right sealing plate L that seal the lower opening of the full carton γ (Figure 8(C)). The lower left sealing plate forming means 21 and the lower right sealing plate forming means 22 retract to the side of the filling position (retracted position) after waiting for the lower rear sealing plate forming means 24 to intervene in sealing the lower opening as described above (Figure 9(A)).

[0050] Next, the lower front sealing plate forming means 23 presses the lower front sealing plate M tightly against the lower left sealing plate J and the lower right sealing plate L, which support the group of products filled in the inner cavity of the full carton γ, and applies pressure to the rear part (Figure 9(B)). At this time, the support means 25 advances a pair of flat, rod-shaped support pieces 25a that support the lower front sealing plate M from the side plate E, thereby ensuring the arrangement of the products filled in the interior of the full carton γ, the lower left sealing plate J, the lower right sealing plate L, and the lower front sealing plate M. The support means 25, which includes the support piece 25a, is positioned above the lower front sealing plate forming means 23 and includes a retraction mechanism for extending and retracting the support piece 25a along the reference plane of the filling base 2, which is positioned at the filling height of the filling position (along the filling height). The lower front sealing plate forming means 23 and the lower rear sealing plate forming means 24 move back from the filling position to the retracted position after the support piece 25a has advanced (Figure 9(C)).

[0051] Next, the conveying means removes the tray lifting lifter 5 and the receiving plate lifting lifter 6 from the filling position by horizontally retracting them while maintaining the height of the receiving plate 6 at the filling height (see Figures 3(C) and 4), and releases the suction of the lower rear sealing plate K by the lower rear holding block 2c. Finally, the sealing adhesive dispensing means applies adhesive to the surface of the lower front sealing plate M, and the lower rear sealing plate molding means 24 presses the lower rear sealing plate K against the lower front sealing plate M, and then pressurizes it using the lower front sealing plate molding means 23 and the lower rear sealing plate molding means 24 (Figure 10(A)). After the pressurization is continued for a certain period of time and the hot melt is allowed to solidify, the sealing of the full carton γ is completed when the lower front sealing plate forming means 23 and the lower rear sealing plate forming means 24 move from the filling position to the retracted position (Figure 10(B)). [Examples]

[0052] <<Packaging means>> The following describes in detail an example of a packaging method for an automatic boxing device that is effective when using an empty carton β consisting of a blank sheet α in which the depth of the upper left and right sealing plates U and S is short, as in the second sheet α2, and it is not possible to cover substantially the entire area of ​​the opening. The configuration of the carton placement means 13 and the filling means is generally the same as in Example 1. Here, only the configurations that differ from Example 1 will be described. In this example, the top opening of the empty carton β naturally becomes the filling opening.

[0053] <Sealing method> The sealing means in this example, in addition to the configuration of Embodiment 1, includes a left retaining plate 25b that supports the upper left sealing plate U, a right retaining plate 25c that supports the upper right sealing plate S, and a front retaining plate 25d that supports the upper front sealing plate V which is folded over directly above the upper left and right sealing plates U and S, all of which are folded at a right angle to seal the opening of the empty carton β. The left retaining plate 25b, the right retaining plate 25c, and the front retaining plate 25d are equipped with support means 25 that move horizontally along a trajectory perpendicular to the side plates Q and O, on which the upper left and right sealing plates U and S extend, and the side plate R, on which the upper front sealing plate V extends, toward the center of the empty carton β (see Figure 11 or Figure 12). In this case, the front retaining plate 25d is used as the support piece 25a in Embodiment 1.

[0054] The left retaining plate 25b and the right retaining plate 25c are formed in a U-shape and have a pair of receiving claws arranged parallel to each other with a gap between them, and the front and rear receiving claws and the gap between them are arranged to face each other. In this example, the left and right retaining plates 25b and 25c each have a symmetrical shape. The front and rear receiving claws of the left and right retaining plates 25b and 25c are of a length and width that can reliably support both ends of all the products loaded into the inner space of the empty carton β as a pair, and it is desirable that the gap between the front and rear receiving claws, together with the gap between the left and right retaining plates 25b and 25c positioned opposite the opening of the empty carton β, has a width and depth that allows the receiving plates to pass through vertically. The front retaining plate 25d is provided with a plurality of receiving claws that support the upper front sealing plate V, arranged parallel to each other with spacing between areas where adhesive is applied. Each receiving claw of the front retaining plate 25d has a length at least equal to the width of the rear receiving claws of the left and right retaining plates 25b and 25c. Preferably, depending on the amount of movement of the retaining plate 25d, it is desirable that it has a length and width that covers the rear edge of the opening of the empty carton β and securely holds all of the products arranged in a horizontal line in the inner space together with the upper front sealing plate V.

[0055] The left and right retaining plates 25b, 25c and the front retaining plate 25d are smooth, flat members extending across their front surfaces and are shaped like forks with gaps that are open forward (in their respective directions of travel). The gaps in each retaining plate 25b, 25c, and 25d are positioned to correspond to the locations where adhesive is applied to the surfaces of the upper left and right sealing plates U, S and the upper front sealing plate V. The left and right retaining plates 25b, 25c and the front retaining plate 25d of the support means are equipped with reciprocating means that move each of them forward and backward along the reference surface of the filling base 2, which is positioned at the filling height of the filling position (along the filling height).

[0056] In this example, after the left and right sealing plates U and S are bent by the sealing means, a certain gap is formed between the left and right sealing plates U and S. However, if the receiving plate 7 can pass through this gap, or if the receiving plate 7 is configured to be expandable or contractible, then without horizontally separating the lifting base 8 and the receiving plate 7, a method can be adopted in which the receiving plate 7, or the receiving plate 7 with reduced length or width, is lowered vertically from the filling height using the gap as a retraction gap.

[0057] The means for reducing the width dimension of the receiving plate 7 to less than the width of the retraction gap employs, for example, a slider link mechanism comprising a rectangular sheath plate 7a, a pair of left and right rectangular sub-plates 7b and 7c slidably supported on the sheath plate 7a, and a link 7e that pivots with the rotation of an operating rod 7d supported in the center of the sheath plate 7a (see Figure 15). The sub-plates 7b and 7c have elongated holes 7f drilled along their respective inner edges, and the support shafts 7h provided at the left and right ends of the link 7e slide along the elongated holes 7f along the regulating holes 7g, causing the sub-plates 7b and 7c to extend and retract horizontally from the inside of the sheath plate 7a in the left and right directions, respectively. The driving means for rotating the operating rod 7d can be configured to be placed on the lifting base 8 or the like.

[0058] <<<Packaging of product groups>>> In Example 2, the placement of the empty carton β at the filling position, the filling of the product group, and the placement of the receiving plate 7 are carried out in the same manner as in Example 1.

[0059] <<<Sealed>>> The molding units of the lower left sealing plate molding means 21 and the lower right sealing piece molding means 22 advance horizontally to the filling position at the filling height and assemble in close proximity, covering the opening of the full carton γ with the upper left sealing piece U and the upper right sealing piece S, respectively, as shown in Figure 8(B). The support means 25 advances the left and right holding plates 25b and 25c to support the upper left and right sealing pieces U and S at the filling height of the opening (see Figure 11(B)).

[0060] In response to the covering of the opening by the upper left and right sealing pieces U and S, and the advancement of the left and right holding plates 25b and 25c, the lower front sealing plate forming means 23 brings the upper front sealing plate V into close contact with the upper left and right sealing pieces U and S that support the group of goods filled in the interior of the full carton γ, and the support means 25 advances the front holding plate 25d to support the sub-closing plate V at the filling height of the opening, thereby ensuring the arrangement of the group of goods filled in the interior of the full carton γ, the upper left and right sealing pieces U and S, and the upper front sealing plate V (see Figure 11(C)).

[0061] In this case, the left and right holding plates 25b, 25c and the front holding plate 25d support the bases of the upper left and right sealing pieces U, S and the upper front sealing plate V, and if a retraction gap is formed in the uncovered area of ​​the upper front sealing plate V between the upper left and right sealing pieces U, S that allows the receiving plate 7 to pass up and down, the receiving plate lifting lifter 6 is lowered to detach the receiving plate 7 from inside the full carton γ. Furthermore, if the vertical gap is insufficient for the receiving plate 7 to pass through, the left and right holding plates 25b and 25c can be moved back as much as possible while maintaining the filled state of the product group to widen the gap, or the receiving plate 7 can be reduced to allow passage.

[0062] If the left and right retaining plates 25b and 25c cannot be retracted in order to maintain the product group in place, the tray lifting lifter 5 and the receiving plate lifting lifter 6 (lifting base 8) can be retracted horizontally from the filling position while maintaining the height of the receiving plate 7 at the filling height, thereby separating the receiving plate 7 from the gap between the left and right retaining plates 25b and 25c and the front retaining plate 25d and the product group, and thus it can be removed from the full carton γ (see Figure 3(C)).

[0063] Finally, the sealing adhesive dispensing means applies adhesive to the portion of the upper left and right sealing pieces U, S and the upper front sealing plate V that is visible through the gap in the front holding plate 25d, as shown by the dashed circle in Figure 5(C), and releases the suction of the upper rear sealing plate T by the rear holding block 2c (see Figure 12(A)). Next, the lower rear sealing plate forming means 24 brings the upper rear sealing plate T into close contact with the upper front sealing plate V, and pressurizes it using the lower front sealing plate forming means 23 and the lower rear sealing plate forming means 24 (see Figure 12(B)). After the pressurization is continued for a certain period of time and the hot melt is allowed to solidify, the sealing of the full carton γ is completed when the front sealing plate forming means 23 and the rear sealing plate forming means 24, as well as the left and right holding plates 25b, 25c and the front holding plate 25d, move from the filling position to the retracted position (Figure 12(C)). Furthermore, if, while waiting for the adhesive to harden, the presence of the left and right retaining plates 25b, 25c or the front retaining plate 25d results in poor adhesion between the surfaces of the upper left and right sealing pieces U, S and the upper front sealing plate V and the upper rear sealing plate T, the left and right retaining plates 25b, 25c or the front retaining plate 25d can be retracted as appropriate. [Examples]

[0064] <<Packaging means>> As in this example, when the filling base 2 is equipped with the expansion and contraction mechanism, during the packaging of the product group, the empty carton β can be loaded and held into the bottomed storage space (by operating the holding mechanism) without attaching the insertion adhesive tabs X and Y, and the aligned product group can be loaded into the empty carton β while extending the distance between the fixed-position front holding block 2b and the rear holding block 2c opposite it. As a result, the opening of the empty carton β is widened, and a guide angle is formed at the opening of the empty carton β by the inclination of the rear side plate P, so that the product group can be loaded reliably (see Figure 5(B)). Subsequently, the distance between the front holding block 2b and the rear holding block 2c opposite it is reduced by the expansion / contraction mechanism to pressurize and hold the front and rear side plates R and P of the empty carton β, and at the same time, any disorder in the front-to-back alignment of the product group loaded into the bottomed storage space via the rear side plate P can be corrected.

[0065] To further enhance the above functions, a configuration may be adopted in which an opening / closing mechanism is provided in place of the retractable mechanism to increase or decrease the width of the opening of the filling base 2 (the distance between the front inner edges of the front inner edges of the front retaining block 2b and the rear retaining block 2c facing it) by opening and closing the rear retaining block 2c around its inner edge on the back side as an axis, or a configuration in which the opening / closing mechanism is provided together with the retractable mechanism. With this configuration, when packaging the product group, the empty carton β can be loaded and held into the bottomed storage space (by operating the holding means) without attaching the insert adhesive tabs X and Y, and the product group aligned in the empty carton β can be loaded while the holding surface of the rear holding block 2c remains open, facing diagonally forward inward from the opening. As a result, a stable guide angle is formed at the opening of the empty carton β by the inclination of the holding surface of the rear holding block 2c and the inclination of the rear side plate P, ensuring that the product group is loaded reliably. Subsequently, the opening and closing mechanism, or both the opening and closing mechanism and the extension / retraction mechanism, reduces the distance between the holding surface of the front holding block 2b and the holding surface of the rear holding block 2c opposite it, as well as the dimensions of the opening, to the dimensions at the time of sealing, thereby pressurizing and holding the front and rear side plates R and P of the empty carton β. At the same time, any disorder in the front-to-back alignment of the group of goods loaded into the bottomed storage space via the rear side plate P can be corrected. Furthermore, these are then formed by opening or extending the opening of the filling base 2 again, applying adhesive to the surface of the insertion adhesive tabs X and Y or the back surface of the rear side plate P, and then shrinking it again and continuing to apply pressure until the adhesive hardens, thereby forming a bottomed cylindrical carton.

[0066] Thus, as one configuration that is convenient when performing actions to straighten out the disorder in the alignment of product groups, convenient when assembling from blank sheet α to empty carton β, and also reduces paper waste, for example, a rectangular top plate a is placed in the center of blank sheet α as a single piece, rectangular side plates b, c, and d of the same depth extend from its four sides, sealing plates f, g, and h that seal the openings extend from the edges of each side plate b, c, and d, and an insert piece i extends from the edge of sealing plate g (hereinafter referred to as "third sheet α3"). In this example, the front edges of the left and right side panels b and d are provided with insertable adhesive tabs k and l, respectively, for connecting to the side edges of the adjacent front side panel e, and the left and right side edges of the rear side panel c are provided with adhesive tabs j and m, respectively, for connecting to the adjacent side panels. The sealing panels f and h (hereinafter referred to as "lower left and right sealing panels f and h") extending from the side panels b and d, which are equipped with these insertable adhesive tabs k and l, are both short in depth, similar to the second sheet α2, and these alone do not cover almost the entire opening, making it impossible to secure the product group in the inner space of the packaging box (see Figure 5(C)).

[0067] In this example, the box-raising means 1 aligns the outer edge of the front holding surface of the molding head 1a with the outer edge of the top plate a of the third sheet α3, folds the rear side plate c, on which the adhesive tabs j and m extend, along the side holding surface that the rear side plate c faces, then folds the adhesive tabs j and m provided on the rear side plate c along the side holding surfaces that the left and right side plates b and d, which connect to the rear side plate c, face, subsequently applies adhesive to the adhesive tabs j and m, folds the side plates b and d, on which the insert adhesive tabs k and l extend along the side holding surface of the molding head 1a, and continues to apply pressure until the adhesive hardens. Next, the insertable adhesive tabs k and l provided on each side panel b and d are folded along the side holding surface that the front side panel e, which connects to the side panels b and d, faces. Then, the front side panel e is folded along the side holding surface that the front side panel e faces, on top of the insertable adhesive tabs k and l, thereby forming an empty carton β in the shape of a bottomed rectangular tube.

[0068] After the empty carton β assembled in this manner is loaded and held into the bottomed storage space of the filling base 2 in the same manner as in the previous example, and the product group is loaded into the inner space of the empty carton β, adhesive is applied to the back surface of the front side plate e, and the sealing plate g, which has the insertion piece i bent at approximately a right angle toward the inner space, is bent by the sealing means toward the inner space so that it is parallel to the top plate a and pressurized, and finally the opening and closing means reduces the distance between the holding surface of the front holding block 2b and the holding surface of the rear holding block 2c opposite it, as well as the dimensions of the opening, to the dimensions at the time of sealing, and the pressurization by the sealing means is continued until the adhesive hardens, thereby completing the sealing of the full carton γ. Furthermore, the configuration of the lower left sealing plate forming means 21, the lower right sealing plate forming means 22, the lower front sealing plate forming means 23, and the lower rear sealing plate forming means 24, as well as the left and right holding plates 25b, 25c, and the front holding plate 25d, may be the same as when using the blank sheet α described above.

[0069] The box-making apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to a configuration for packaging the aforementioned flexible-packaged product group, but can also be applied to the packaging process of cartons for further packaging unpackaged solid products or boxed product groups, by changing the configuration (shape, size, or combination) of the molding head, filling base, molding means, or holding plate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] α Blank sheet, β Empty carton, γ Full carton, A Glue allowance, B Left side plate, C Back side plate, D Right side plate, E Front side plate, F Upper left sealing plate, G Upper rear sealing plate, H Upper right sealing plate, I Upper front sealing plate, J lower left sealing plate, K lower rear sealing plate, L lower right sealing plate, M front sealing plate, N lower sealing plate, O right side plate, P rear side plate, Q left side plate, R front side plate, S upper right sealing plate, T upper rear sealing plate, U upper left sealing plate, V upper front sealing plate, W Glue allowance, X Glue allowance, Y Glue allowance, Z Glue allowance, a Top plate, b Right side plate, c Rear side plate, d Left side plate, e Front side plate, f Lower right sealing plate, g Lower rear sealing plate, h Lower left sealing plate, i Insert plate, j glue allowance, k insert glue allowance, l insert glue allowance, m glue allowance, 1 box forming means, 1a molding head, 1b molding base, 1c sealing means, 2 filling base, 2a left and right holding blocks, 2b front holding block, 2c Post-holding block, 2d Sealing block, 3 trays, 4 transport bases, 5 tray lifting lifters, 6. Receiving plate lifting lifter, 7 receiving plate, 7a sheath plate, 7b auxiliary plate, 7c auxiliary plate, 7d Operating rod, 7e Link, 7f Slotted hole, 7g Restricting hole, 7h Support shaft, 8. Raising base, 9. Tray holder, 10. Root frame, 11 Through hole, 12 Connecting piece, 13 Carton placement means, 14 Lifting frame, 15 Travel base, 16 Base lifting mechanism, 17 Guide frame, 18 Transfer mechanism, 19 Swivel mechanism, 20 21 lower left sealing plate forming means, 22 lower right sealing plate forming means, 23 lower front sealing plate forming means, 24 Lower rear sealing plate forming means, 25 Support means, 25a Support piece, 25b Left support plate, 25c Right support plate, 25d Front support plate,

Claims

1. A box-making apparatus for filling and sealing a group of products arranged in a rectangular parallelepiped carton with an open top or bottom, The filling means includes a filling base that holds the carton at the filling position so that the opening of the carton faces downward, a tray holder that holds a tray loaded with the aligned group of products at the filling position, a flat receiving plate that serves as the bottom plate of the tray and holds the group of products loaded on the tray in the carton, and a sealing means that individually bends the left and right sealing plates and the front and rear sealing plates in the direction of sealing the opening of the carton to provide support from below. The filling means is An automatic boxing apparatus comprising a tray lifting lifter for raising and lowering a tray holder below the position of the receiving plate, a receiving plate lifting lifter for raising and lowering the receiving plate above the position of the tray holder, and a lifting base for supporting the tray lifting lifter and the receiving plate lifting lifter.

2. The automatic boxing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the filling means includes a means for moving the lifting base horizontally between a filling position and a retracted position.

3. At the aforementioned filling position, The tray holder and receiving plate, which hold the tray loaded with the aligned product group in the filling means, are raised to the filling height. After the tray holder and receiving plate have been raised to the filling height, the tray lifting lifter lowers the tray holder to below the position of the receiving plate. After the tray holder has finished descending, the sealing mechanism bends the left and right sealing plates in the direction that seals the opening of the carton and provides support from below. The automatic boxing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a control means for horizontally moving the lifting base between the filling position and the retracted position after the lower support is completed.

4. The automatic boxing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealing means includes a support means for horizontally moving left and right holding plates that support the left and right sealing plates below a receiving plate placed at the filling height between a support position and a retracted position.

5. The automatic boxing device according to claim 4, characterized in that the left and right holding plates each have front receiving claws and rear receiving claws that cover the front and rear edges of the opening and hold the group of products arranged in a horizontal row inside the carton.

6. The automatic boxing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the filling base comprises a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped bottomed storage space formed by a carton, a flat reference surface on the front surface of the peripheral wall of the storage space, flat holding surfaces on the inner surface of the peripheral wall and the inner surface of the bottom wall, and the holding surfaces are provided with holding means for adsorbing to and releasing the surface of a carton placed in the storage space.

7. The automatic boxing apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the sealing means comprises a molding unit that pressurizes and supports the sealing plate by pressing it in close contact with a reference surface of the peripheral wall, or by moving back and forth along the reference surface, or by moving back and forth or stopping at the height of the reference surface in the opening of the carton.

8. The automatic boxing apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the filling base is provided with an expansion / contraction means or an opening / closing means for expanding the width of the storage space before loading the carton and contracting it after loading the carton to pressurize the side panels of the carton.

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