Packing equipment, packing method

Abstract

To provide a box packing device capable of improving work efficiency by suppressing articles from falling out of a box while the articles are being stored in the box.SOLUTION: A control device includes: a pushing processing unit that advances a first pusher 11 and a second pusher 12 in a transport width direction to push stacked articles S into a box B from a first opening O1 of the box B; a first pusher retraction processing unit that retracts only the first pusher 11 of the first pusher 11 and the second pusher 12 after the stacked articles S are pushed into the box B; a first flap folding unit that operates a first folding body 41 during or after the first pusher 11 is retracted, and folds a first flap Ha1 of the box B to a position where it does not interfere with the second pusher 12; and a second pusher retraction processing unit that retracts the second pusher 12 after retraction timing of the first pusher 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a boxing device for accommodating articles in a box.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for example, a boxing device for automatically boxing articles in a box such as a cardboard case is known. There is an increasing need for this type of device in that a plurality of articles can be efficiently and automatically boxed in a narrow space inside the box.

[0003] By the way, as shown in Patent Document 1 for example, the boxing device holds an article with a rod that advances and retreats in the opening direction of the box, and guides the article into the box by operating the rod with a cylinder, so that a plurality of articles are accommodated in the box at once. After the article is accommodated in the box, the rod retreats.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, for example, when a plurality of articles are stacked one above the other and then the rod as in Patent Document 1 above is retracted after the articles are accommodated in the box, the upper articles may slide down due to gravity, vibration, etc., resulting in a collapse of the load and the possibility of jumping out of the box through the opening of the box.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a boxing device or the like that can suppress articles from falling out of the box during the accommodation of the articles in the box and improve the working efficiency.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A box packing device according to one aspect of the present invention is a box packing device that packs stacked articles consisting of a plurality of articles stacked vertically into a box being transported from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction, and includes an article pushing section that pushes the stacked articles into the box in the transport width direction from a first opening formed on one side of the box in the transport width direction, a first flap folding section that folds the first flap of a first flap and a second flap, which are provided on the edge of the first opening facing each other in order to close the first opening, in the direction of closing the first opening, and a control device that controls the operation of the article pushing section and the first flap folding section, wherein the article pushing section includes the first flap and the second flap The same direction as the alignment The first pusher and the second pusher are arranged in a line in the direction, each independently capable of moving forward and backward in the transport width direction, and capable of contacting the stacked articles from the transport width direction. The first pusher in the article pushing section is positioned on the side of the first flap, and the second pusher is positioned on the side of the second flap. The first flap folding section has a first folding body that presses the first flap. The control device moves the first pusher and the second pusher toward the transport width direction to push the stacked articles into the box from the first opening. The device includes a processing unit, a first pusher retraction processing unit that retracts only the first pusher of the two pushers after the stacked items have been pushed into the box by the pushing processing unit, a first flap folding processing unit that operates the first folding body to fold the first flap to a position where it does not interfere with the second pusher during or after the first pusher is retracted by the first pusher retraction processing unit, and a second pusher retraction processing unit that retracts the second pusher with a delay compared to the timing of the first pusher's retraction by the first pusher retraction processing unit.

[0008] In the above-described box-packing apparatus, the second pusher retraction processing unit may retract the second pusher after the first flap folding processing unit has started folding the first flap.

[0009] In the above-described boxing apparatus, the first folding body moves back and forth in the conveying direction, and may press against the first flap when it moves forward.

[0010] In the above-described box-packing device, the first folding body has a first flap contact surface that faces the outer surface of the first flap when the first opening is open during retraction, and contacts the outer surface when it is extended, and the first flap contact surface may be inclined toward the side away from the box in the transport width direction as it moves toward the side that is extended in the transport direction.

[0011] In the box packing apparatus described above, the first flap folding section is configured to fold the first flap, which is provided on the downstream edge of the first opening in the transport direction, to the upstream side in the transport direction, the first folding body is configured to move back and forth in the transport direction, the first folding body has a first flap contact surface that contacts the outer surface of the first flap, and a first flap guide surface that extends continuously from the first flap contact surface to the downstream side and faces the side of the box in the transport width direction, and the control device may have a first folding body movement processing section that moves the first folding body to the downstream side in synchronization with the transport of the box to the downstream side after the first folding body has been advanced by the first flap folding processing section to fold the first flap.

[0012] The boxing apparatus further comprises a second flap folding section that folds the second flap, which is provided on the upstream edge of the first opening in the conveying direction, to the downstream side, the second flap folding section having a second folding body that presses the second flap, and the control device comprises a second flap folding section that positions the second folding body in a pressing position on the upstream side of the first folding body to contact the second flap after or during the movement of the first folding body to the downstream side by the first folding body moving section, and the second flap folding section that folds the second flap, and the second flap folding section The device may also include a second flap receiving processing unit that moves the first folded body upstream to a position where the first flap guide surface of the first folded body faces the second flap from the outside in the conveying width direction, after the second flap has been folded or is in the process of being folded, and after the first folded body has been moved downstream by the first folded body moving processing unit, and a second folded body relief processing unit that operates the second folded body to a non-pressed position where it does not interfere with the second flap after or during the upstream movement of the first folded body by the second flap receiving processing unit.

[0013] In the above-described boxing apparatus, the second flap receiving processing unit in the control device may move the first flap guide surface of the first folded body upstream to a position where it faces the second flap from the outside in the conveying width direction.

[0014] In the above-described box packing apparatus, a plurality of boxes are transported continuously in the transport direction, and in the control device, after the movement of the first folded body upstream by the second flap receiving processing unit, the first flap folding processing unit may fold the first flap of the box adjacent to the upstream side of the box processed by the second flap receiving processing unit to a position where it does not interfere with the second pusher.

[0015] In the above-described box-packing apparatus, the first flap folding processing unit in the control device may fold the first flap with the first folding body so that the movement trajectory of the second pusher when it is retracted does not interfere with the first flap.

[0016] In the above-described box-packing apparatus, the first flap folding processing unit in the control device may fold the first flap with the first folding body within a range in which the leading edge of the first flap remains on the first flap side of the central position in the opposing direction of the first opening.

[0017] The box-packing device further includes an article upper support section that presses down on the stacked articles from above when the article pushing section pushes the stacked articles into the box, the article upper support section has a support that is movable in the transport width direction and movable in the vertical direction, and the control device may include a support lowering section that lowers the support while positioned above the stacked articles to press down on the upper surface of the stacked articles before the pushing section advances the first pusher and the second pusher in the transport width direction, a support advancing section that moves the lowered support toward the box in the transport width direction in synchronization with the operation of the pushing section advancing the first pusher and the second pusher in the transport width direction, and a support retraction section that retracts the support in the transport width direction at the same time as or before the retraction of the first pusher by the first pusher retraction section.

[0018] In the above-described box packing apparatus, the support may be in the shape of a plate or rod extending in the direction of the transport width, and may be placed between the first pusher and the second pusher.

[0019] In the above-described box packing device, the box has a second opening formed on the other side in the transport width direction, and the box packing device includes an article receiving section on the side of the second opening in the transport width direction for receiving the stacked articles that are about to protrude out of the box from the second opening, and a third flap folding section on the side of the second opening in the transport width direction for folding the third flap of the third and fourth flaps, which are provided on the edge of the second opening in a mutually opposing manner to close the second opening, in a direction that closes the second opening, and the article receiving section is movable back and forth in the transport width direction and is in contact with the stacked articles from the transport width direction The control device may have a receiving pusher that can be touched, the third flap folding section having a third folding body that presses the third flap, a receiving pusher advancement processing unit that moves the receiving pusher forward in the transport width direction so that it passes through the box in synchronization with the movement of the first and second pushers by the pushing processing unit, and sandwiches the stacked items between the receiving pusher and the first and second pushers, and a third flap folding processing unit that operates the third folding body to fold the third flap to a position where it does not interfere with the receiving pusher.

[0020] In the above-described box-packing apparatus, the receiving pusher may be positioned closer to the fourth flap side in the opposing direction of the third flap and the fourth flap.

[0021] In the above-described box packing device, each of the stacked items is flattened, and the receiving pusher has a receiving contact surface that faces the stacked items from the direction of the transport width. The receiving contact surface may have a plurality of transverse grooves that are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction and extend in the width direction intersecting the vertical direction.

[0022] A box packing device according to one aspect of the present invention is a box packing device that accommodates stacked articles consisting of a plurality of articles stacked vertically inside a box being transported from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction, from the transport width direction of the box, and comprises: an article pushing section that pushes the stacked articles into the box in the transport width direction from a first opening formed on one side of the box in the transport width direction; and a first flap folding section that folds the first flap of a first flap and a second flap, which are provided on the edge of the first opening facing each other in order to close the first opening, in a direction that closes the first opening, wherein the article pushing section is movable back and forth in the transport width direction and is a pusher that can contact the stacked articles from the transport width direction of The pusher has a pushing contact surface that contacts the side surface of the stacked articles, and a drive source that causes a change in the contact pattern of the pushing contact surface by moving a part of the pushing contact surface away from the stacked articles, reducing the contact area of ​​the pushing contact surface, or moving the pushing contact surface while the pushing contact surface is in contact with the side surface of the stacked articles. The first flap folding section has a first folding body that presses the first flap, and after advancing the pusher in the transport width direction and pushing the stacked articles into the box from the first opening with the pushing contact surface, the drive source causes a change in the contact pattern of the pushing contact surface to avoid interference with the first flap that is folded by the first folding body. In the above-described box-packing apparatus, the pusher may, after pushing the stacked articles into the box through the first opening with the pushing-side contact surface, move the pushing-side contact surface to the upstream side in the conveying direction.

[0023] In the above-described boxing device, the pusher constitutes a part of the pressing contact surface, and has a first pressing contact surface that contacts the side surface of the stacked articles at a position closer to the downstream side than the central position in the conveyance direction of the stacked articles, and a second unit that constitutes the remaining part of the pressing contact surface and contacts the side surface of the stacked articles at a position closer to the upstream side than the central position in the conveyance direction of the stacked articles. The driving source may separate the first pressing contact surface from the stacked articles or move the first pressing contact surface upstream while the second pressing contact surface is in contact with the side surface of the stacked articles.

[0024] A boxing method according to an aspect of the present invention is a boxing method of accommodating, into a box that is conveyed from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveyance direction, a stacked article composed of a plurality of articles stacked in the vertical direction, from the conveyance width direction of the box, using a boxing device. The boxing device includes an article pushing-in unit that pushes the stacked article into the box in the conveyance width direction from a first opening formed on one side in the conveyance width direction of the box, and a first flap folding unit that folds the first flap, which is provided at the edge of the first opening in a state of facing each other and extends in the vertical direction, in a direction to close the first opening. The article pushing-in unit includes the first flap and the second flap. The same direction as the alignmentThe first and second pushers are arranged in a line in the direction, each independently capable of moving forward and backward in the transport width direction, and capable of contacting the stacked articles from the transport width direction. The first pusher in the article pushing section is positioned on the side of the first flap, and the second pusher is positioned on the side of the second flap. The first flap folding section has a first folding body that presses the first flap. The first and second pushers are advanced in the transport width direction, allowing the stacked articles to be moved from the first opening into the box. The system includes a pushing step of pushing the stacked items into the box, a first pusher retraction step of retracting only the first pusher of the two pushers after the stacked items have been pushed into the box by the pushing step, a first flap folding step of operating the first folding body to fold the first flap during or after the first pusher has been retracted by the first pusher retraction step, and a second pusher retraction step of retracting the second pusher with a delay from the timing of the first pusher's retraction by the first pusher retraction step.

[0025] A box packing method according to one aspect of the present invention is a box packing method that uses a box packing device to pack stacked articles consisting of a plurality of articles stacked vertically into a box being transported from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction, wherein the box packing device comprises an article pushing section that pushes the stacked articles into the box in the transport width direction from a first opening formed on one side of the box in the transport width direction, and a first flap folding section that folds the first flap of a first flap and a second flap that are provided on the edge of the first opening facing each other and extending vertically in order to close the first opening, wherein the article pushing section is movable back and forth in the transport width direction and is a pusher that can contact the stacked articles from the transport width direction ofhas, the pusher has a pressing contact surface that contacts the side surface of the stacked articles, the first flap folding portion has a folding body that presses the first flap, and the pusher is advanced in the conveying width direction, and the punching step of pushing the stacked articles into the box from the first opening by the pressing contact surface, after the piled-up articles are pushed into the box by the pushing step, while the pressing contact surface is in contact with the piled-up article, a part of the conveying direction of the lower contact surface is retracted from the stored itemsto reduce the contact area of the pressing contact surface or move the pressing contact surface, and an interference prevention pressing contact surface variation step of avoiding interference with the first flap folded by the first folding body.

Effect of the Invention

[0026] According to the above-described boxing device and the like, it is possible to suppress the articles from falling out of the box during the accommodation of the articles in the box, and it is possible to improve the working efficiency.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027] [Figure 1] It is an overall top view of the boxing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a side view of the accommodation area of the above-described boxing device. [Figure 3] It is a top view showing an enlarged accommodation area of the above-described boxing device. [Figure 4] It is a top view showing an enlarged inner flap closing area of the above-described boxing device. [Figure 5] It is a hardware configuration diagram of the control device of the above-described boxing device. [Figure 6] It is a functional block diagram of the control device of the above-described boxing device. [Figure 7] It is a side view of the accommodation area of the above-described boxing device, (a) shows a state where the upper support is lowered, and (b) shows a state where the receiving pusher advances to sandwich the stacked articles. [Figure 8]The above box packing device's storage area is shown in side view, where (a) shows the stacked items advanced to the item supply path, and (b) shows the stacked items entered into the box. [Figure 9] This is a top view showing an enlarged view of the storage area of ​​the above-mentioned boxing device, illustrating how the first and third flaps are folded. [Figure 10] This is a top view showing an enlarged view of the inner flap closing area of ​​the boxing device described above, illustrating how the second and fourth flaps are folded in. [Figure 11] This is a top view showing an enlarged view of the storage area of ​​the above-mentioned boxing device, and a modified example showing how the first and third flaps are folded. [Figure 12] This is a top view showing an enlarged view of the storage area of ​​the above-mentioned boxing device, and a modified example showing how the first and third flaps are folded. [Figure 13] This is a top view showing an enlarged view of the storage area of ​​the first modified embodiment of the above-mentioned boxing device, illustrating how the first flap and the third flap are folded. [Figure 14] This is a top view showing an enlarged view of the storage area of ​​the second modified embodiment of the above-mentioned boxing device, illustrating how the first flap and the third flap are folded. [Figure 15] This is a top view showing an enlarged view of the storage area of ​​an application example of the second modified embodiment of the above-mentioned boxing device, illustrating how the first flap and the third flap are folded. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0028] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0029] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the box packing device 100 of this embodiment is a device that automatically places stacked items S, consisting of multiple items Sa stacked vertically, into boxes B on the box transport path 110 while transporting boxes B horizontally along the box transport path 110.

[0030] The box B in this embodiment is, for example, a corrugated cardboard box, in which a rectangular first opening O1 and a second opening O2 are formed opposite each other, and a pair of inner flaps Ha and a pair of outer flaps Hb are provided on the edges of the first opening O1 and the second opening O2, respectively. The shapes of the inner flaps Ha and outer flaps Hb are not particularly limited.

[0031] The box transport path 110 is composed of, for example, a belt conveyor that extends horizontally and supports the boxes B from below. In this embodiment, all directions will be described with reference to the transport direction X and the transport width direction Y of the box transport path 110. The box transport path 110 continuously transports boxes B from the upstream side to the downstream side along the transport direction X with multiple boxes B placed on it. The box transport path 110 is divided into multiple box placement areas by multiple partition plates 111 arranged in the transport direction X, and with the boxes B already placed in each box placement area, both the partition plates 111 and the boxes B are moved to the downstream side in the transport direction X. The box transport path 110 includes a box loading preparation area A1 secured on the upstream side in the transport direction X, a storage area A2 secured downstream of the box loading preparation area A1, an inner flap closing area A3 secured further downstream of the storage area A2, and an outer flap closing area A4 secured further downstream of the inner flap closing area A3.

[0032] Although a detailed structural description is omitted, the box loading preparation area A1 is where the flattened box B is loaded from above and then raised into a cubic shape using, for example, a suction device (not shown), so that the first opening O1 and the second opening O2 are formed in box B. The storage area A2 is where the stacked items S are pushed into and stored in box B, as will be described in detail later. The inner flap closing area A3 is where the inner flap Ha of the box is folded, as will be described in detail later. The outer flap closing area A4 is where, with the stacked items S stored and the inner flap Ha folded, the outer flap Hb is folded using a push rod (not shown) or the like to completely close the first opening O1 and the second opening O2. Although a detailed structural description is omitted, the outer flap closing area A4 is where, with the stacked items S stored and the inner flap Ha folded, the outer flap Hb is folded to completely close the first opening O1 and the second opening O2.

[0033] When box B is placed on the box transport path 110, the first opening O1 of box B is located on one side of the transport width direction intersecting the transport direction X and opens in the transport width direction, and the second opening O2 of box B is located on the other side of the transport width direction and opens in the transport width direction. Each of the pair of edges Ea of the first opening O1 and the second opening O2, each of which is provided with an inner flap Ha, extends vertically and is aligned in the transport direction X. Therefore, each inner flap Ha opens and closes in the upstream and downstream directions of the transport direction X. On the other hand, each of the pair of edges Eb of the first opening O1 and the second opening O2 of box B, each of which is provided with an outer flap Hb, extends in the transport direction X and is aligned vertically. Therefore, each outer flap Hb opens and closes vertically.

[0034] Hereinafter, the inner flap Ha provided on the downstream edge Ea of the first opening O1 of box B will be referred to as the first flap Ha1, the inner flap Ha provided on the upstream edge Ea of the first opening O1 and positioned opposite the first flap Ha1 will be referred to as the second flap Ha2, the inner flap Ha provided on the downstream edge Ea of the second opening O2 will be referred to as the third flap Ha3, and the inner flap Ha provided on the upstream edge Ea of the second opening O2 and positioned opposite the third flap Ha3 will be referred to as the fourth flap Ha4.

[0035] Incidentally, on one side of the box transport path 110 in the transport width direction, there is an article supply path 120 that is spaced apart from the box transport path 110 and extends in the same direction (parallel) as the transport direction X. The article supply path 120 is composed of, for example, a belt conveyor, and supports stacked articles S from below and supplies the stacked articles S from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction X. More specifically, the article supply path 120 is divided into multiple article placement areas A10 by multiple partition plates 121 arranged in the transport direction X, and with the stacked articles S already placed in each article placement area A10, both the partition plates 121 and the stacked articles S are moved to the downstream side in the transport direction X. Each of the multiple articles Sa that make up the stacked articles S is flat, and they are stacked with the thickness direction of each article Sa aligned with the vertical direction and placed in each article placement area A10.

[0036] Furthermore, adjacent to the storage area A2 of the box transport path 110, the gap between the box transport path 110 and the item supply path 120, and the item loading path 130 are located. The item loading path 130 supports the stacked items S from below and extends in the transport width direction. The stacked items S slide along the item loading path 130 in the transport width direction. The item loading path 130 is provided with a pair of loading guide plates 131 spaced apart in the transport direction X. As shown in Figure 2, each loading guide plate 131 is a plate that extends in the transport width direction Y, and is provided so as to be able to move back and forth in the transport width direction Y with its plate thickness direction facing the transport direction X. When it moves forward, it approaches the storage area A2, and when it moves back, it moves away from the storage area A2. When it moves forward, it operates so that the distance between the tips of the loading guide plates 131 in the transport direction X is larger than when it moves back. As a result, during deployment, the pair of loading guide plates 131 support the first flap Ha1 and the second flap Ha2 of the box B, or the vicinity of the first opening O1, from the inside of the first opening O1 in the transport direction X. The lower outer flap Hb of the pair of outer flaps Hb slides under the article loading path 130. The upper outer flap Hb is supported in an upwardly open state by the flap support member 110B.

[0037] (Overall structure) The box packing device 100 includes an article pushing section 1 for pushing stacked articles S into a box B on a box transport path 110, an article upper support section 2 for holding down the stacked articles S from above when pushing them into the box B, an article lower support section 9 for supporting the stacked articles S from below when pushing them into the box B, an article receiving section 3 for receiving the stacked articles S, and a first flap folding section 4, a second flap folding section 5, a third flap folding section 6, and a fourth flap folding section 7 for folding the inner flaps Ha of the box B. The box packing device 100 further includes a control device 8 for controlling the operation of the article pushing section 1, the article upper support section 2, the article receiving section 3, the first flap folding section 4, the second flap folding section 5, the third flap folding section 6, and the fourth flap folding section 7.

[0038] (article pushing part)

[0039] As shown in Figure 3, the article pushing unit 1 pushes stacked articles S into the box B from the first opening O1 of the box B on one side in the transport width direction relative to the box transport path 110 in the storage area A2 of the box transport path 110. Specifically, the article pushing unit 1 has a first pusher 11 and a second pusher 12 that are spaced apart in the transport direction X opposite to the first flap Ha1 and the second flap Ha2, and a drive source 13 for the first pusher that operates the first pusher 11 and a drive source 14 for the second pusher that operates the second pusher 12.

[0040] Each of the first pusher 11 and the second pusher 12 is rod-shaped and can contact the side surface of the stacked items S in the transport width direction Y from the outside in the transport width direction Y on one side in the transport width direction Y. The first pusher 11 is positioned downstream of the center position M in the transport direction X of the box B placed in the storage area A2, and the second pusher 12 is positioned upstream of the center position M in the transport direction X of the box B placed in the storage area A2. That is, the first pusher 11 is positioned on the side of the first flap Ha1, and the second pusher 12 is positioned on the side of the second flap Ha2. The first pushing contact surface 11a and the second pushing contact surface 12a of each pusher 11 and 12 that contact the stacked items S are planar. The first pushing contact surface 11a of the first pusher 11 contacts the side surface of the stacked items S at a position downstream of the center position N in the transport direction X of the stacked items S, and the second pushing contact surface 12a of the second pusher 12 contacts the side surface of the stacked items S at a position upstream of the center position N in the transport direction X of the stacked items S. The upper ends of the first pushing contact surface 11a and the second pushing contact surface 12a are set higher than the height of the stacked items S.

[0041] The first pusher drive source 13 and the second pusher drive source 14 are, for example, motors, which independently move the first pusher 11 and the second pusher 12 back and forth in the transport width direction Y. The first pusher drive source 13 is connected to the first pusher 11 by a first transmission mechanism 15, which is made up of a belt or the like, and the second pusher drive source 14 is connected to the second pusher 12 by a second transmission mechanism 16, which is made up of a belt or the like. In this way, the rotational motion of each drive source 13 and 14 is converted into linear motion and transmitted independently to each pusher 11 and 12. As a result, the first pusher 11 and the second pusher 12 can move back and forth independently.

[0042] (Upper support part of article) The upper article support section 2 presses down on the stacked articles S from above in the article supply path 120, sandwiching them between itself and the lower article support section 9. The upper article support section 2 includes an upper support 21 positioned above the stacked articles S, and a support drive unit 22 that moves the upper support 21 back and forth in the transport width direction Y and also operates it vertically.

[0043] The upper support 21 is a fork-shaped plate or rod extending in the transport width direction Y, and is positioned between the first pusher 11 and the second pusher 12 in the transport direction X on one side in the transport width direction Y.

[0044] The support drive unit 22 includes a drive source 23 for moving the upper support 21 back and forth in the transport width direction Y, and a drive source 24 for moving it up and down vertically. The drive source 23 for moving the back and forth is, for example, an actuator, and the drive source 24 for moving the up and down is, for example, a motor. In this embodiment, the upper support 21 is held by the drive source 24 for moving the up and down, and this drive source 24 moves back and forth in the transport width direction Y by the drive source 23. In other words, the drive source 24 for moving the up and down and the upper support 21 move back and forth together in the transport width direction Y.

[0045] In this embodiment, the drive source 23 for forward and backward movement is supported on the first pusher 11 via the base 25. As a result, the entire upper support 21, the drive source 23 for forward and backward movement, and the drive source 24 for vertical movement move forward and backward in the transport width direction Y in conjunction with the forward and backward movement of the first pusher 11. Furthermore, when the drive source 23 for forward and backward movement and the drive source 24 for vertical movement operate, the upper support 21 moves forward and backward and vertically relative to the first pusher 11.

[0046] (Lower support part of article) The lower article support section 9 supports the stacked articles S from below in the article supply path 120. The lower article support section 9 has a lower support 26 that is inserted below the stacked articles S, and a projection 27 provided on the upper surface of the lower support 26.

[0047] The lower support 26 is a fork-shaped plate or rod extending in the transport width direction Y, and is positioned on one side in the transport width direction Y, between the first pusher 11 and the second pusher 12 in the transport direction X. The lower support 26 is fixed to the lower end of the vertical movement drive source 24 of the upper article support section 2. When the upper support 21 is lowered by the vertical movement drive source 24 while the lower support 26 is supporting the stacked articles S, the stacked articles S are sandwiched between the upper support 21 and the lower support 26. When the vertical movement drive source 24 moves back and forth in the transport width direction Y, the upper support 21 and the lower support 26 move back and forth together in the transport width direction Y.

[0048] Grooves 120A and 130A are formed on the upper surfaces of the article supply path 120 and the article loading path 130, respectively, for the lower support 26 to pass through in the transport width direction Y. The upper surface of the article supply path 120 is set to a position higher than the upper surface of the lower support 26 that enters the groove 120A. On the other hand, the upper surface of the article loading path 130 is set to a position lower than the upper surface of the lower support 26 that enters the groove 130A. The lower support 26 is also set to a position higher than the bottom surface inside the box B. As shown in Figure 7(a), when stacked articles S are placed in the article supply path 120, the upper support 21 and the lower support 26 enter the article supply path 120, allowing the lower support 26 to be inserted under the stacked articles S via the groove 120A. At this time, the projection 27 engages with the side surface of the bottommost article Sa of the stacked articles S. As shown in Figure 7(b), when the upper support 21 is lowered, the stacked items S are sandwiched vertically between the upper support 21 and the item supply path 120. In this state, when the first pusher 11, the second pusher 12, the upper support 21, and the lower support 26 are advanced together, the stacked items S slide along the upper surface of the item supply path 120 as they are pressed by the first pusher 11 and the second pusher 12, and move up to the item loading path 130, as shown in Figure 8(a). At this time, the upper surface of the lower support 26 is higher than the upper surface of the item loading path 130, so the stacked items S transition to a state where they are sandwiched between the upper support 21 and the lower support 26. If the first pusher 11, the second pusher 12, the upper support 21, and the lower support 26 are advanced further, the stacked items S, sandwiched between the upper support 21 and the lower support 26, are loaded into the box B, as shown in Figure 8(b).

[0049] (Item receiving section) The item receiving section 3 receives stacked items S that are about to protrude out of the box B from the second opening O2 of the box B on the other side in the transport width direction Y relative to the box transport path 110 in the storage area A2 of the box transport path 110. That is, the item receiving section 3 has a receiving-side pusher 31 that contacts the stacked items S from the transport width direction Y, and a driving source 32 for the receiving-side pusher that moves the receiving-side pusher 31 back and forth in the transport width direction Y relative to the box transport path 110.

[0050] The receiving pusher 31 is rod-shaped and positioned upstream of the center position M in the transport direction X in the box B located in the storage area A2. That is, the receiving pusher 31 is positioned closer to the fourth flap Ha4 in the opposing direction between the third flap Ha3 and the fourth flap Ha4. The receiving contact surface 31a in which the receiving pusher 31 contacts the stacked items S is planar and contacts the side surface of the stacked items S at a position upstream of the center position N in the transport direction X in the stacked items S. Multiple lateral grooves 31x are formed on the receiving contact surface 31a, spaced apart vertically from each other and extending in the transport direction X, which is the width direction of the surface intersecting the vertical direction (see Figure 2).

[0051] The drive source 32 for the receiving pusher is, for example, a motor. The drive source 32 for the receiving pusher and the receiving pusher 31 are connected by a transmission mechanism 33 made of a belt or the like, which converts the rotational motion of the drive source 32 for the receiving pusher into linear motion and transmits it to the receiving pusher 31.

[0052] (First flap fold section) The first flap folding section 4 folds the first flap Ha1, which is provided on the first opening O1 of the box B on one side in the transport width direction Y relative to the box transport path 110, in the storage area A2 of the box transport path 110, towards the upstream side which closes the first opening O1. In other words, the first flap folding section 4 has a first folding body 41 that moves back and forth in the transport direction X and presses the first flap Ha1 when it moves forward, and a first folding drive source 42 that moves the first folding body 41 back and forth in the transport direction X.

[0053] The first folding body 41 is plate-shaped and extends in the transport direction X along the box transport path 110, with its plate thickness direction positioned in the transport width direction Y. The first folding body 41 has a first flap contact surface 41a and a first flap guide surface 41b that extends continuously from the first flap contact surface 41a downstream in the transport direction X and faces the side of the box B in the transport width direction Y. When the first flap contact surface 41a is retracted and moving downstream, it faces the outer surface of the first flap Ha1 in the position that opens the first opening O1 of the box B without contact, and when it is advanced and moving upstream, it contacts the outer surface of the first flap Ha1.

[0054] The first flap contact surface 41a is inclined toward the side away from box B, which is on the outside of the transport width direction Y, as it moves upstream, which is the side advancing in the transport direction X. More specifically, the first flap contact surface 41a has a planar inner inclined surface 41x located inside the transport width direction Y, and a planar outer inclined surface 41y that is continuous with the outer end of the inner inclined surface 41x in the transport width direction Y, and is inclined further outward in the transport width direction Y than the inner inclined surface 41x as it moves upstream.

[0055] The first flap guide surface 41b is continuous with the inner end of the inner inclined surface 41x in the transport width direction Y of the first flap contact surface 41a and has a planar shape.

[0056] The first folding drive source 42 is, for example, a motor, which moves the first folding body 41 back and forth in the transport direction X. The first folding drive source 42 is connected by a transmission mechanism 43, which is composed of a ball screw or the like, and converts the rotational motion of the first folding drive source 42 into linear motion and transmits it to the first folding body 41.

[0057] (Second flap fold section) As shown in Figure 4, the second flap folding section 5 folds the second flap Ha2, which is provided on the first opening O1 of the box B on one side in the transport width direction Y relative to the box transport path 110, in the inner flap closing area A3 of the box transport path 110, to the downstream side which closes the first opening O1. That is, the second flap folding section 5 has a second folding body 51 that presses the second flap Ha2, and a second folding drive source 52 that moves the second folding body 51 between a non-pressed position P1 on the outside in the transport width direction Y and a pressed position P2 which is on the inside in the transport width direction Y relative to the non-pressed position P1.

[0058] The second folding body 51 is plate-shaped and has a second flap-facing surface 51a that faces the outer surface of the second flap Ha2 at the pressing position P2. The non-pressing position is a position in which the second folding body 51 does not interfere with the outer surface of the second flap Ha2.

[0059] The second folding drive source 52 is, for example, a motor, which moves the second folding body 51 between a pressed position P2 and a non-pressed position P1 by rotating it, for example, around a vertically extending axis L1. Specifically, the second folding body 51 is moved to swing from the non-pressed position P1 to the pressed position P2 so that its tip wraps around to the outer surface of the second flap Ha2 from the upstream side.

[0060] (Third flap fold section) Returning to Figure 3, the third flap folding section 6 has the same configuration as the first flap folding section 4. That is, in the storage area A2 of the box transport path 110, the third flap folding section 6 folds the third flap Ha3, which is provided on the second opening O2 of the box B on the other side in the transport width direction Y relative to the box transport path 110, to the upstream side in the direction that closes the second opening O2. In other words, the third flap folding section 6 has a third folding body 61 that moves back and forth in the transport direction X and presses the third flap Ha3 when it moves forward, and a third folding drive source 62 that moves the third folding body 61 back and forth in the transport direction X.

[0061] The third folding body 61 is plate-shaped and extends in the transport direction X along the box transport path 110, with its plate thickness direction positioned in the transport width direction Y. The third folding body 61 has a third flap contact surface 61a and a third flap guide surface 61b that extends continuously from the third flap contact surface 61a downstream in the transport direction X and faces the side of box B in the transport width direction Y. When the third flap contact surface 61a is retracted and moving downstream in the transport direction X, it faces the outer surface of the third flap Ha3 in the position that opens the second opening O2 of box B, and when it is advanced and moving upstream, it contacts the outer surface of the third flap Ha3.

[0062] The third flap contact surface 61a is inclined toward the side away from box B, which is on the outside of the transport width direction Y, as it moves upstream, which is the side advancing in the transport direction X. More specifically, the third flap contact surface 61a has a planar inner inclined surface 61x located inside the transport width direction Y, and a planar outer inclined surface 61y that is continuous with the outer end of the inner inclined surface 61x in the transport width direction Y, and is inclined further outward in the transport width direction Y than the inner inclined surface 61x as it moves upstream.

[0063] The third flap guide surface 61b is continuous with the inner end of the inner inclined surface 61x in the transport width direction Y of the third flap contact surface 61a and has a planar shape.

[0064] The third folding drive source 62 is, for example, a motor, which moves the third folding body 61 back and forth in the transport direction X. The third folding drive source 62 is connected by a transmission mechanism 63, which is composed of a ball screw or the like, and converts the rotational motion of the third folding drive source 62 into linear motion and transmits it to the third folding body 61.

[0065] (Fourth flap fold section) As shown in Figure 4, the fourth flap folding section 7 folds the fourth flap Ha4, which is provided on the second opening O2 of the box B on the other side of the transport width direction Y relative to the box transport path 110, in the inner flap closing area A3 of the box transport path 110, to the downstream side in the direction of closing the second opening O2. That is, the fourth flap folding section 7 has a fourth folding body 71 that presses the fourth flap Ha4, and a fourth folding drive source 72 that moves the fourth folding body 71 between a non-pressed position P3 on the outside of the transport width direction Y and a pressed position P4 which is on the inside of the transport width direction Y relative to the non-pressed position P3.

[0066] The fourth folding body 71 is plate-shaped and has a fourth flap-facing surface 71a that faces the outer surface of the fourth flap Ha4 at the pressing position P4. The non-pressing position P3 is a position in which the fourth folding body 71 does not interfere with the outer surface of the fourth flap Ha4.

[0067] The fourth folding drive source 72 is, for example, a motor, which moves the fourth folding body 71 between the pressed position P4 and the unpressed position P3 by rotating it, for example, around an axis L2 extending in the vertical direction. Specifically, when the fourth folding body 71 is moved to swing from the unpressed position P3 to the pressed position P4, its tip is made to wrap around to the outer surface of the fourth flap Ha4 from the upstream side.

[0068] (Control device) The control device 8 is electrically connected via a communication line to the first pusher drive source 13 and the second pusher drive source 14 in the article pushing section 1, the support drive unit 22 in the article upper support section 2, the receiving side pusher drive source 32 in the article receiving section 3, the first folding drive source 42 in the first flap folding section 4, the second folding drive source 52 in the second flap folding section 5, the third folding drive source 62 in the third flap folding section 6, and the fourth folding drive source 72 in the fourth flap folding section 7.

[0069] As shown in Figure 5, the control device 8 has a computer, which includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 800, memory 810 such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory), non-volatile storage devices 820 such as HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and SSD (Solid State Drive), a power supply 830, an input interface 840, an output interface 850, and bus wiring 860 connecting these.

[0070] The CPU 800 is a central processing unit that executes programs. The memory 810 is used as a workspace and storage area for the CPU 800, and the storage device 820 stores the operating system and programs executed by the CPU 800. In this embodiment, the boxing program, which will be described later, is stored in the storage device 820 and executed by the CPU 800.

[0071] The control device 8 includes a support lowering processing unit 80, a support forward processing unit 81, a pushing processing unit 82, a first pusher retraction processing unit 83, a support retraction processing unit 84, a first flap folding processing unit 85, a second pusher retraction processing unit 86, a first folded body movement processing unit 87, a second flap folding processing unit 88, a second flap receiving processing unit 89, a second folded body escape processing unit 90, a receiving side pusher advance processing unit 91, a third flap folding processing unit 92, a receiving side pusher retraction processing unit 93, a third folded body movement processing unit 94, a fourth flap folding processing unit 95, a fourth flap receiving processing unit 96, and a fourth folded body escape processing unit 97.

[0072] The support lowering section 80 lowers the upper support 21 in the article supply path 120 while positioning it above the stacked articles S, pressing down on the top surface of the stacked articles S, and sandwiching the stacked articles S vertically between the upper support 21 and the article supply path 120.

[0073] The support advancement processing unit 81 advances the stacked items S, which are sandwiched vertically between the upper support 21 and the item supply path 120, toward the side of the box B, which is on the inside in the transport width direction Y. Within the transport range from the item loading path 130 to the box B, the stacked items S are sandwiched vertically between the upper support 21 and the lower support 26. The upper support 21 and the lower support 26 advance their leading ends into the interior of the box B, thereby transporting the stacked items S into the interior of the box B.

[0074] The pushing unit 82 advances the first pusher 11 and the second pusher 12 in the transport width direction Y, pushing the stacked items S into the box B through the first opening O1. The advancement of the first pusher 11 and the second pusher 12 by the pushing unit 82 and the advancement of the upper support 21 and the lower support 26 by the support advancement unit 81 are performed in sync.

[0075] The first pusher retraction unit 83 retracts only the first pusher 11 of the two pushers 12 after the stacked items S have been pushed into the box B by the pushing unit 82.

[0076] The support retraction processing unit 84 retracts the upper support 21 to the side away from the box B, which is on the outside of the transport width direction Y, at the same time as or before the first pusher retraction processing unit 83 retracts the first pusher 11. In this embodiment, the upper support 21 and the lower support 26 are retracted together in the transport width direction Y.

[0077] The first flap folding unit 85 operates the first folding body 41 during or after the first pusher 11 is retracted by the first pusher retraction unit 83, folding the first flap Ha1 to a position where it does not interfere with the first pusher 11 and the second pusher 12. Since the first pusher 11 is retracted during or before the operation of the first folding body 41, the amount of interference between the first flap Ha1 and the first pusher 11 is reduced. As a result, the amount of folding of the first flap Ha1 by the first folding body 41 can be increased.

[0078] The second pusher retraction processing unit 86 retracts the second pusher 12 with a delay compared to the timing of the first pusher retraction processing unit 83 retracting the first pusher 11. The second pusher retraction processing unit 86 also retracts the second pusher 12 after the first flap folding processing unit 85 has started folding the first flap Ha1. Preferably, the second pusher retraction processing unit 86 retracts the second pusher 12 during the latter half of the folding of the first flap Ha1 by the first flap folding processing unit 85 or after the folding is completed (after the temporary folding position).

[0079] If we define the entire unit, including the first pusher 11 and the second pusher 12, as the "pusher," and the entire unit, including the first pressing contact surface 11a and the second pressing contact surface 12a, as the "pressing contact surface," then the first pusher retraction processing unit 83 operates the first pusher 11 to retract only a portion of the pressing contact surface (the first pressing contact surface 11a) from the stacked items S, while keeping the pressing contact surface in contact with the stacked items S. This is equivalent to reducing the contact area of ​​the pressing contact surface. Therefore, since the first pusher retraction processing unit 83 performs control that causes a change in the contact pattern of the pressing contact surface, it can be reinterpreted as the "pressing contact surface change processing unit." Furthermore, the second pusher retraction processing unit 86 operates the second pusher 12 with a delay in the timing of the change in the contact pattern of the pressing contact surface, thereby retracting the entire remaining portion of the pressing contact surface (the first pressing contact surface 11a). In other words, the second pusher retraction processing unit 86 can be reinterpreted as the "push-side contact surface retraction processing unit" because it performs retraction control to completely retract the push-side contact surface from the contact state.

[0080] The first folding body movement processing unit 87 moves the first folding body 41 downstream in synchronization with the transport of box B downstream, that is, the movement from the storage area A2 of box B to the inner flap closing area A3.

[0081] The second flap folding processing unit 88 positions the second folding body 51 at a pressing position P2 on the upstream side of the first folding body 41, in contact with the second flap Ha2, after or during the downstream movement of the first folding body 41 by the first folding body movement processing unit 87, and folds the second flap Ha2.

[0082] The second flap receiving processing unit 89 moves the first folded body 41 upstream after the second flap Ha2 has been folded by the second flap folding processing unit 88 or during the folding process, and after the first folded body moving processing unit 87 has moved the first folded body 41 downstream. In this embodiment, the second flap receiving processing unit 89 moves the first folded body 41 upstream to a position where the first flap guide surface 41b of the first folded body 41 faces the second flap Ha2 from the outside in the transport width direction Y.

[0083] The second folding body relief processing unit 90 positions the second folding body 51 in a non-pressed position P1 after or during the upstream movement of the first folding body 41 by the second flap receiving processing unit 89. This prevents the second folding body 51 from interfering with the first folding body 41, which is moving further upstream for the flap folding of the next box B, or with the first flap Ha1 and second flap Ha2 of the next box B.

[0084] The receiving pusher extension processing unit 91, in synchronization with the movement of the first pusher 11 and second pusher 12 by the pushing processing unit 82, extends the receiving pusher 31 so that it passes through the inside of the box B in the transport width direction Y, and sandwiches the stacked items S in the item placement area A10 between the receiving pusher 31 and the first pusher 11 and second pusher 12. Subsequently, the pushing processing unit 82 pushes the stacked items S into the box B.

[0085] The third flap folding unit 92 operates the third folding body 61 to fold the third flap Ha3 to a position where it does not interfere with the receiving pusher 31. In this embodiment, after the receiving pusher 31 has been extended by the receiving pusher extension unit 91, the folding of the first flap Ha1 by the first flap folding unit 85 and the folding of the third flap Ha3 by the third flap folding unit 92 occur simultaneously.

[0086] The receiving pusher retraction processing unit 93 retracts the receiving pusher 31 in synchronization with the pushing processing unit 82's advancement of the first pusher 11 and the second pusher 12 to push the stacked items S into the box B, and temporarily stops it at the second opening O2. Subsequently, during or after the folding of the third flap Ha3 by the third flap folding processing unit 92, the receiving pusher 31 is further retracted from the second opening O2 at the same time as the second pusher retraction processing unit 86 retracts the second pusher 12.

[0087] The third folding body movement processing unit 94 moves the third folding body 61 downstream in synchronization with the transport of box B downstream, i.e., the movement from the storage area A2 of box B to the inner flap closing area A3, after the third flap folding processing unit 92 has advanced the third folding body 61 and folded the third flap Ha3. In this embodiment, the movement of the first folding body 41 downstream by the first folding body movement processing unit 87 and the movement of the third folding body 61 downstream by the third folding body movement processing unit 94 occur simultaneously.

[0088] The fourth flap folding processing unit 95 positions the fourth folding body 71 at a pressing position P4 on the upstream side of the third folding body 61, in contact with the fourth flap Ha4, after or during the downstream movement of the third folding body 61 by the third folding body movement processing unit 94, and folds the fourth flap Ha4. In this embodiment, the movement of the second folding body 51 to the pressing position P2 by the second flap folding processing unit 88 occurs simultaneously with the movement of the fourth folding body 71 to the pressing position P4 by the fourth flap folding processing unit 95.

[0089] The fourth flap receiving processing unit 96 moves the third folded body 61 upstream after the fourth flap Ha4 has been folded by the fourth flap folding processing unit 95 or during the folding process, and after the third folded body moving processing unit 94 has moved the third folded body 61 downstream. In this embodiment, the fourth flap receiving processing unit 96 moves the third folded body 61 upstream to a position where the third flap guide surface 61b of the third folded body 61 faces the fourth flap Ha4 from the outside in the transport width direction Y. In this embodiment, the upstream movement of the third folded body 61 by the fourth flap receiving processing unit 96 occurs simultaneously with the upstream movement of the first folded body 41 by the second flap receiving processing unit 89.

[0090] The fourth folding body relief processing unit 97 positions the fourth folding body 71 at the non-pressed position P3 after or during the upstream movement of the third folding body 61 by the fourth flap receiving processing unit 96. This prevents the fourth folding body 71 from interfering with the third folding body 61, which moves further upstream for the flap folding of the next box B, or with the third flap Ha3 and fourth flap Ha4 of the next box B. In this embodiment, the movement of the second folding body 51 to the non-pressed position P1 by the second folding body relief processing unit 90 occurs simultaneously with the movement of the fourth folding body 71 to the non-pressed position P3 by the fourth folding body relief processing unit 97.

[0091] Next, a packing method (packing program) for packing stacked items S placed in the storage area A2 of the box transport path 110 into a box B will be described. As shown in Figure 7(a), first, the drive source 23 for forward and backward movement advances the drive source 24 for vertical movement, thereby positioning the upper support 21 and the lower support 26 in the vertical direction of the stacked items S. Then, the drive source 24 for vertical movement lowers the upper support 21, and the stacked items S are sandwiched vertically between the upper support 21 and the item supply path 120 (see arrow Q). In this embodiment, in the storage area A2, the first pusher 11 and the second pusher 12 are initially positioned to be close to the side of the stacked items S. Note that in Figure 7(a), the first pusher 11 and the second pusher 12 may be moved forward and backward to be positioned with high precision on the side of the stacked items S.

[0092] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 7(b), the receiving pusher 31 is advanced to pass through the box B and make contact with the side of the stacked items S, and the stacked items S are sandwiched between the receiving pusher 31 and the first pusher 11 and the second pusher 12. As a result, the stacked items S are sandwiched vertically by the upper support 21 and the item supply path 120 (upper support 21 and lower support 26 in the item loading path 130 and inside box B), and at the same time sandwiched in the transport width direction Y by the receiving pusher 31 and the first pusher 11 and the second pusher 12. In this state, as shown in Figures 8(a) and 8(b), the upper support 21 and the lower support 26, as well as the first pusher 11 and the second pusher 12, are further advanced, and the receiving pusher 31 is retracted, thereby accommodating the stacked items S into box B via the item loading path 130. At this time, as the stacked items S pass through the item loading path 130, the loading guide board 131 provided in the item loading path 130 is advanced to support the first flap Ha1, the second flap Ha2, and the pair of outer flaps Hb of the box B from the inside of the first opening O1, and maintain their open state. The forward and backward movement of the loading guide board 131 may be controlled by the control device 8 described above, or by a control device not shown.

[0093] After the stacked items S are placed inside box B, the loading guide board 131 is retracted. Simultaneously, inside box B in the storage area A2, the upper support 21 is raised by the amount of the clearance, and then, as shown in Figure 9, the upper support 21 and lower support 26 are retracted, followed by the retraction of the first pusher 11. Then, at a timing that does not interfere with the upper support 21, lower support 26, and the first pusher 11, the first folding body 41 and the third folding body 61 are advanced, and the first flap Ha1 and the third flap Ha3 are folded. At this time, the first flap Ha1 is folded within a range in which the leading edge of the first flap Ha1 remains on the side of the first flap Ha1 than the central position M in the opposing direction (conveying direction X) in the first opening O1. Similarly, the third flap Ha3 is folded within a range in which the leading edge of the third flap Ha3 remains on the side of the third flap Ha3 than the central position M in the opposing direction (conveying direction X) in the second opening O2. The folded state of the first flap Ha1 and the third flap Ha3 is referred to here as the "temporary folded position." Here, an example is given where the angle of the temporary folded position of the first flap Ha1 is approximately 60° in the closing direction with respect to the transport width direction Y, but this angle is not particularly limited. On the other hand, since this temporary folded position of the first flap Ha1 serves to prevent the stacked goods S inside box B from collapsing, it is preferable, more preferably 45°, and even more preferably 60° or more, to set this angle with respect to the transport width direction Y.

[0094] In this embodiment, after the temporary folding of the first flap Ha1 and the third flap Ha3 begins, the second pusher 12 and the receiving pusher 31 are retracted. Specifically, the second pusher 12 and the receiving pusher 31 are retracted during the progress of the folding operation as the first flap Ha1 and the third flap Ha3 move toward the temporary folding position, or after the first flap Ha1 and the third flap Ha3 have reached the temporary folding position. Subsequently, in conjunction with the transport of box B to the inner flap closing area A3, the first folded body 41 and the third folded body 61 are also moved to the inner flap closing area A3 (see Figure 4). Then, as shown in the inner flap closing area A3 of Figure 10, the second flap Ha2 and the fourth flap Ha4 are folded, and then the first folded body 41 and the third folded body 61 are moved upstream. As a result, the first flap guide surface 41b of the first folding body 41 faces the second flap Ha2 from the outside in the transport width direction Y, and the third flap guide surface 61b of the third folding body 61 faces the fourth flap Ha4 from the outside in the transport width direction Y. Subsequently, the box B is transported from the inner flap closing area A3 to the downstream outer flap closing area A4 by sliding these flaps along the first flap guide surface 41b and the third flap guide surface 61b. The inner flaps Ha that were closed in the inner flap closing area A3 are passed from the first folding body 41 and the third folding body 61 to another side guide G (see Figure 1) on the outer flap closing area A4 side, and their closed state is maintained. In the outer flap closing area A4, the pair of outer flaps Hb of the box B are closed through one or more steps.

[0095] The second folding body 51 and the fourth folding body 71 are moved to non-pressed positions P1 and P3 in sync with the timing of transporting box B containing stacked items S from the inner flap closing area A3 to the outer flap closing area A4. Then, the first folding body 41 and the third folding body 61 are further advanced upstream toward the next box B to be placed in the storage area A2, and the first flap Ha1 and the third flap Ha3 are folded in.

[0096] As a result of continuously repeating the above steps, the above series of boxing methods (boxing programs) simultaneously executes the following steps in parallel: the step of pushing the stacked items S into box B in the storage area A2; the step of aligning the first folded body 41 and the third folded body 61 with the second flap Ha2 and the fourth flap Ha4 of box B in the inner flap closing area A3; and the step of closing the outer flap Hb of box B in the outer flap closing area A4.

[0097] (Effects and Benefits) As described above, the box packing device 100 of this embodiment is provided with two independently advancing and retracting pushers, the first pusher 11 and the second pusher 12. This allows the first pusher 11 to be retracted first, after the first pusher 11 and the second pusher 12 have been advanced to push the stacked items S into the box B, so that the first flap Ha1 can be temporarily folded by the first folding body 41. As a result, even if the stacked items S are about to collapse while being packed into the box B, the first flap Ha1, which is in a temporarily folded position, can catch the stacked items S.

[0098] Therefore, since it is possible to mechanically prevent the stacked items S from falling out of box B, it is possible to improve the speed of the storage operation and thus improve the efficiency of the storage work.

[0099] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first flap Ha1 is temporarily folded so that it remains downstream of the central position M in the transport direction X at the first opening O1 of the box B, on the side of the first flap Ha1. As a result, the second pusher 12 can be kept in contact with the stacked items S until the first flap Ha1 is in the temporarily folded position, or until the first flap Ha1 is close to the temporarily folded position. In other words, the contact time of the stacked items S by the second pusher 12 can be increased, so that the collapse of the stacked items S during the gap time between the retraction of the first pusher 11 and the temporary folding of the first flap Ha1 can be avoided. Even if the first flap Ha1 is temporarily folded immediately after the second pusher 12 is retracted, the contact time of the stacked items S by the second pusher 12 can be increased even after the first pusher 11 has been retracted, so that the collapse of the stacked items S can be suppressed.

[0100] Furthermore, since the first flap contact surface 41a of the first folding body 41 is inclined in the transport width direction Y, when advancing upstream and folding the first flap Ha1, the first flap Ha1 can be smoothly guided and folded along this first flap contact surface 41a. This prevents contact marks from being left on the first flap Ha1.

[0101] In this embodiment in particular, the first flap contact surface 41a is composed of an inner inclined surface 41x and an outer inclined surface 41y. Therefore, when pushing the first flap Ha1 upstream, the first flap Ha1 first contacts the outer inclined surface 41y. The first flap Ha1 is folded along the outer inclined surface 41y. When the first flap Ha1 is folded to a certain extent by the outer inclined surface 41y, the inclination of the first flap Ha1 in the transport width direction Y becomes gentler, and at this time, the first flap Ha1 contacts the inner inclined surface 41x, which has a gentler inclination in the transport width direction Y than the outer inclined surface 41y. The final fold of the first flap Ha1, which reaches a temporary folded position, is performed along the outer inclined surface 41y. In this way, the first flap Ha1 can be guided by switching between the two inclined surfaces 41y and 41x according to its inclination state, and the first flap Ha1 can be folded smoothly.

[0102] Furthermore, the first folding body 41 has a first flap guide surface 41b that extends in the transport direction X. Therefore, in conjunction with the operation of transporting the box B downstream, the first flap guide surface 41b can press down on the first flap Ha1 from the outside in the transport width direction Y, thereby preventing the first flap Ha1 from opening. Thus, the box B can be transported downstream while further deepening the folding position of the first flap Ha1, which is in a temporarily folded position, thereby preventing the stacked goods S from collapsing during the transport of the box B.

[0103] Furthermore, in order to fold in the second flap Ha2, the first folding body 41 is moved from the storage area A2 to the inner flap closing area A3 in synchronization with the transport of box B from the storage area A2 to the inner flap closing area A3. This allows the temporary folded position of the first flap Ha1 to be maintained during transport, and prevents the stacked items S from collapsing during transport. Moreover, when transporting box B from the inner flap closing area A3 to the outer flap closing area A4, only the first folding body 41 can be moved forward independently towards the storage area A2, thus preparing for the folding of the first flap Ha1 for the next box B to be packed. This makes the packing process more efficient.

[0104] Furthermore, in the inner flap closing area A3, after the second flap Ha2 is folded by the second folding body 51, the first folding body 41 is moved upstream so as to approach the second flap Ha2. Therefore, with respect to the second flap Ha2, the folding mechanism is transferred from the folding mechanism by the second folding body 51 to the folding mechanism by the first flap guide surface 41b of the first folding body 41, thus preventing the second flap Ha2 from opening when the box B is transported to the outer flap closing area A4.

[0105] In particular, in this embodiment, the first flap contact surface 41a that puts the first flap Ha1 into a "temporarily folded position" and the first flap guide surface 41b that simultaneously presses down the first flap Ha1 and the second flap Ha2 are configured as a continuous surface. As a result, there is no timing for releasing the first flap Ha1 between the temporary folding operation of the first flap Ha1 by the first flap contact surface 41a in the storage area A2 and the pressing operation of the first flap Ha1 and the second flap Ha2 by the first flap contact surface 41a in the inner flap closing area A3 and the outer flap closing area A4, so that the collapse of the stacked items S until the flaps of the box B are completely closed can be reliably prevented. Furthermore, for example, by employing servo motors or the like for the first folding drive source 42 and the third folding drive source 62, the first folding body 41 and the third folding body 61 can be configured to move independently in the transport direction and / or to be able to adjust their positions independently in the transport direction. As a result, without replacing the first and third folding bodies 41 and 61, the folding timing of the first flap Ha1 and the third flap Ha3 in the storage area A2 can be set independently by control from the drive source, and the folding amount (folding angle) of the first flap Ha1 and the third flap Ha3 can be set independently. This allows for flexible adaptation even if the size of box B or the specifications of the flaps are changed, by changing the settings on the control side. In addition, the folding operation of the second flap Ha2 and the folding operation of the fourth flap Ha4 in the inner flap closing area A3 can also be controlled independently.

[0106] Furthermore, when placing the stacked goods S into the box B, the upper support 21 and lower support 26 hold the stacked goods S in a vertical position, and the first pusher 11 and second pusher 12 allow the stacked goods S to slide into the box B. Therefore, when the first pusher 11 and second pusher 12 push the stacked goods S into the box B, it is possible to prevent the stacked goods S from collapsing.

[0107] Furthermore, since the upper support 21 is positioned between the first pusher 11 and the second pusher 12, which are separated in the transport direction X, when the upper support 21 is moved forward and backward and up and down, the upper support 21 does not interfere with the first pusher 11 and the second pusher 12, and the range of motion of the upper support 21 can be widened.

[0108] Furthermore, by providing a third folding body 61 similar to the first folding body 41, the third flap Ha3 can be temporarily folded, preventing the stacked goods S from collapsing during transport of box B, even on the side of the second opening O2. Also, by providing a fourth folding body 61 similar to the second folding body 51, the fourth flap Ha4 can be temporarily folded, preventing the stacked goods S from collapsing during transport of box B.

[0109] Furthermore, when stacking items S into box B, the receiving pusher 31, the first pusher 11, and the second pusher 12 grip the stacked items S in the transport width direction Y and move them into box B. However, since the receiving pusher 31 is positioned upstream of box B in the transport direction X, the third flap Ha3 can be temporarily folded by the third folding body 61 while the receiving pusher 31 is holding the stacked items S. This also helps to prevent the stacked items S from collapsing.

[0110] Furthermore, since multiple lateral grooves 31x are formed on the receiving contact surface 31a of the receiving pusher 31, the edges of each item Sa constituting the stacked items S can be engaged with the lateral grooves 31x, thereby supporting the stacked items S. This enhances the effect of preventing the stacked items S from collapsing.

[0111] Herein, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0112] In the above embodiment, the first folding body 41 folds the first flap Ha1 within a range in which the leading edge of the first flap Ha1 remains on the side of the first flap Ha1 than the central position M in the opposing direction (conveying direction X) of the first opening O1, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in Figure 11, in the case of a long type in which the leading edge of the first flap Ha1 when closed exceeds the central position M of the first opening O1, the leading edge of the first flap Ha1 may be located upstream of the central position M in the temporary folding position of the first flap Ha1 by the first folding body 41. In any case, it is sufficient to prevent interference between the first flap Ha1, which transitions to the temporary folding position by the first folding body 41, and the retracting second pusher 12.

[0113] Furthermore, the above embodiment illustrates a case where the second pusher 12 is retracted after the first folding body 41 has started to pre-fold the first flap Ha1, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in Figure 12, the first folding body 41 may start folding the first flap Ha1 after the second pusher 12 has started to retract. In any case, in order to start folding the first flap Ha1, it is necessary to completely retract the first pusher 11 to a position where it does not interfere with the first flap Ha1. It is important that the second pusher 12 continuously holds the stacked items S during the minimum time t required for this retraction (see dotted arrow).

[0114] (First modified embodiment) Figure 13 shows a first modified embodiment of the box packing device 100 of this embodiment. This box packing device 100 has a standalone pusher 11T as an article pushing section 1. This pusher 11T has a first pushing contact surface 11a and a second pushing contact surface 12a. The first pushing contact surface 11a contacts the side surface of the stacked articles S at a position downstream of the center position N in the conveying direction X of the stacked articles S, and the second pushing contact surface 12a contacts the side surface of the stacked articles S at a position upstream of the center position N in the conveying direction X of the stacked articles S. The pusher 11T moves back and forth in the conveying width direction Y by a pusher drive source 13T and a transmission mechanism 15T.

[0115] Furthermore, the pusher 11T has a drive source 500 that, while the first pushing contact surface 11a and the second pushing contact surface 12a are in contact with the stacked items S, swings the swinging arm 11Y as shown by arrow U1, causing only the first pushing contact surface 11a to rotate and move away from the stacked items S. The first flap folding processing unit 85 operates the first folding body 41 during or after the first pushing contact surface 11a is retracted by the drive source 500 to fold the first flap Ha1 to a position where it does not interfere with the pusher 11T. Because the first pushing contact surface 11a moves from the downstream side to the upstream side in the transport direction X by the drive source 500, the amount of interference with the first flap Ha1 is reduced. As a result, the amount of folding of the first flap Ha1 by the first folding body 41 can be increased. Subsequently, although not specifically shown, the entire pusher 11T is retracted to completely retract the second pushing contact surface 12a from the stacked items S.

[0116] In the first modified embodiment, if the entire area comprising the first pressing contact surface 11a and the second pressing contact surface 12a is defined as the "pressing contact surface," the drive source 500 can perform a retraction operation of only a part of the pressing contact surface (the first pressing contact surface 11a). This is equivalent to reducing the contact area of ​​the pressing contact surface. This partial retraction operation or reduction in contact area operation can be defined as a "variation in the contact pattern of the pressing contact surface."

[0117] (Second modified embodiment) Figure 14 shows a second modified embodiment of the box packing device 100 of this embodiment. This box packing device 100 has a standalone pusher 11T as the article pushing section 1. This pusher 11T has a first pushing contact surface 11a and a second pushing contact surface 12a. The first pushing contact surface 11a contacts the side surface of the stacked articles S at a position downstream of the center position N in the conveying direction X of the stacked articles S, and the second pushing contact surface 12a contacts the side surface of the stacked articles S at a position upstream of the center position N in the conveying direction X of the stacked articles S. The pusher 11T moves back and forth in the conveying width direction Y by a pusher drive source 13T and a transmission mechanism 15T.

[0118] Furthermore, the pusher 11T has a drive source 500 that, while the first pushing contact surface 11a and the second pushing contact surface 12a are in contact with the stacked items S, moves the slide arm 11S in the transport direction X as shown by arrow U2, thereby sliding only the first pushing contact surface 11a upstream.

[0119] In this second modification, for example, the first flap folding processing unit 85 operates the first folding body 41 to fold the first flap Ha1 to a position where it does not interfere with the pusher 11T, before the first pressing contact surface 11a is slid by the drive source 500.

[0120] Subsequently, the drive source 500 moves the first pushing contact surface 11a from the downstream side to the upstream side in the transport direction X, thereby avoiding interference between the first flap Ha1 and the first pushing contact surface 11a. By retracting the entire pusher 11T in this state, the first pushing contact surface 11a and the second pushing contact surface 12a, which have slid to the upstream side, are completely retracted from the stacked items S.

[0121] If the entire area comprising the first pressing contact surface 11a and the second pressing contact surface 12a is defined as the "pressing contact surface," the drive source 500 performs a movement of the pressing contact surface without changing its contact area. This movement of the pressing contact surface is a type of "change in the contact pattern of the pressing contact surface."

[0122] In this second modified embodiment, the first pressing contact surface 11a and the slide arm 11S are slid in the transport direction X, so their occupied area does not expand in the transport width direction Y. As a result, even if the first pressing contact surface 11a and the slide arm 11S are slid upstream in the transport direction X after the first flap Ha1 has been fully folded, they do not interfere with the first flap Ha1. As a result, the collapse of the stacked goods S can be prevented more reliably.

[0123] In this second modified embodiment, the example given is that only the first pressing contact surface 11a is moved upstream. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the second pressing contact surface 12a can also be moved upstream at the same time. For example, as shown in Figure 15, the first pressing contact surface 11a and the second pressing contact surface 12a are configured as a single plane, and the entire plane is slid upstream in the transport direction X by the drive source 500, thereby suppressing interference between the first pressing contact surface 11a and the first flap Ha1. Furthermore, in this case, by moving the first pressing contact surface 11a upstream while moving the second pressing contact surface 12a away from the stacked items S, the upstream second pressing contact surface 12a can be replaced by the first pressing contact surface 11a. This means that the reduction in the contact area of ​​the pressing contact surface and the movement of the pressing contact surface are performed simultaneously. Furthermore, in this second modified embodiment, the first folding body 41 is operated before the first pressing contact surface 11a is slid, but the first folding body 41 may also be operated during or after the sliding of the first pressing contact surface 11a.

[0124] Furthermore, while the first and second modified embodiments illustrate a case where the first pressing contact surface 11a is moved upstream to avoid interference with the first flap Ha1, the present invention is not limited thereto. Interference with the first flap Ha1 can also be avoided by moving the first pressing contact surface 11a so as to move vertically away from the first flap Ha1.

[0125] Furthermore, while the first and second modified embodiments illustrate cases where the first pressing contact surface 11a and the second pressing contact surface 12a are composed of flat surfaces of the plate material, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be curved surfaces such as the circumferential surface of a rotating roller. In the case of a rotating roller, it becomes possible to roll along the side surface of the stacked articles S, and this rolling motion allows the first pressing contact surface 11a and the second pressing contact surface 12a to move along the side surface of the stacked articles S. Furthermore, while the first and second modified embodiments illustrate cases where the upper support 21 and / or lower support 26 are positioned between the first pusher 11 and the second pusher 12, the present invention is not limited thereto. The upper support 21 and / or lower support 26 may be positioned on both the outside of the first pusher 11 and the second pusher 12.

[0126] In this embodiment, the contact surface on the pressing side may be configured with an expandable or contractible structure such as an expandable or contractible elastic member, an expandable belt conveyor, a bellows structure, or a telescopic structure, thereby allowing the contact area to be varied.

[0127] Furthermore, although this embodiment illustrates a case where the box transport path 110 is in the horizontal direction, for example, the box transport path 110 may extend along the vertical direction, and the box B may be transported in the vertical direction.

[0128] In this embodiment, the item receiving section 3 may also be provided with a pair of pushers, similar to the item pushing section 1, and the timing of the retraction of the pair of pushers may be controlled to be staggered. [Industrial applicability]

[0129] The box packing device of the present invention can prevent items from falling out of the box while they are being placed inside, thereby improving work efficiency. [Explanation of symbols]

[0130] 1...Article pushing part 2...Article upper support part 3...Item receiving section 4…First flap fold section 5…Second flap fold section 6…Third flap fold section 7…Fourth flap fold section 8...Control device 9…Article lower support part 11…First Pusher 12... Second Pusher 21...Upper support 22…Drive unit for support 26...Lower support 31... Receiver pusher 31a...Receiving side contact surface 31x... Yokomizo 41...First folding body 41a...First flap contact surface 41b...First flap guide surface 51...Second folding body 61...Third folding body 71...Fourth folding body 80...Support lowering section 81...Support advance processing unit 82... Push-in processing unit 83...First Pusher Evacuation Processing Unit 84...Support Retraction Processing Unit 85...First flap folding processing section 86... Second pusher evacuation processing unit 87...First folding body movement processing unit 88...Second flap folding processing section 89...Second flap receiving processing unit 90...Second folding body relief processing section 91... Receiver-side pusher advance processing unit 92...Third flap folding section 93... Receiver pusher retraction processing unit 94...Third folding body movement processing unit 95...Fourth flap folding section 96...Fourth flap receiving processing unit 97...Fourth folding body relief processing section 100... Packing machine 110... Box transport route 120…Goods supply route 130…Goods loading route B…Box Ha...inner flap Ha1...First flap Ha2...Second flap Ha3...Third flap Ha4...Fourth flap Hb... Outer flap O1…first opening O2…Second opening S…Stacked articles

Claims

1. A box packing device that packs stacked articles, consisting of multiple articles stacked vertically, into a box that is transported from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction, from the transport width direction of the box, From a first opening formed on one side of the box in the transport width direction, an article pushing section is provided for pushing the stacked articles into the box in the transport width direction, A first flap folding portion is provided to fold the first flap, which is one of the first flaps and second flaps that are provided on the edge of the first opening facing each other in order to close the first opening, in the direction of closing the first opening. A control device that controls the operation of the article pushing section and the first flap folding section, Equipped with, The article pressing portion is, The system includes a first pusher and a second pusher, each positioned in the same direction as the first and second flaps, each independently capable of moving back and forth in the transport width direction, and capable of contacting the stacked items from the transport width direction. In the article pushing section, the first pusher is positioned on the side of the first flap, and the second pusher is positioned on the side of the second flap. The first flap folding portion has a first folding body that presses against the first flap, The control device is A pushing section that extends the first pusher and the second pusher in the direction of the transport width to push the stacked items into the box through the first opening, After the stacked items are pushed into the box by the pushing processing unit, the first pusher retraction processing unit retracts only the first pusher of the two pushers, A first flap folding processing unit operates the first folding body to fold the first flap to a position where it does not interfere with the second pusher, during or after the first pusher is retracted by the first pusher retraction processing unit, A second pusher retraction processing unit that retracts the second pusher after the timing of the first pusher retraction by the first pusher retraction processing unit, A boxing device having a box.

2. The box-packing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second pusher retraction processing unit retracts the second pusher after the first flap folding processing unit starts folding the first flap.

3. The first flap folding portion is configured to fold the first flap, which is provided on the downstream edge in the conveying direction of the first opening, towards the upstream side in the conveying direction. The first folding body is configured to move back and forth in the transport direction, The first folding body has a first flap contact surface that contacts the outer surface of the first flap, and a first flap guide surface that extends continuously from the first flap contact surface downstream and faces the side of the box in the transport width direction, The control device is The box packing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a first folded body moving processing unit that, after the first flap folding processing unit advances the first folded body and folds the first flap, moves the first folded body to the downstream side in synchronization with the transport of the box to the downstream side.

4. The second flap, provided on the upstream edge in the conveying direction of the first opening, is further provided with a second flap folding section that folds it toward the downstream side, The second flap folding portion has a second folding body that presses against the second flap, The control device is A second flap folding processing unit that, after or during the movement of the first folded body downstream by the first folded body movement processing unit, positions the second folded body upstream of the first folded body at a pressing position where it contacts the second flap and folds the second flap, A second flap receiving processing unit moves the first flap guide surface of the first folded body to a position facing the second flap from the outside in the conveying width direction, after the second flap has been folded by the second flap folding processing unit or during the folding process, and after the first folded body has been moved downstream by the first folded body moving processing unit, A boxing apparatus according to claim 3, having the following features.

5. Multiple boxes are transported in a line in the transport direction, The box packing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein, after the movement of the first folded body upstream by the second flap receiving processing unit, the first flap folding processing unit folds the first flap to a position that does not interfere with the second pusher for the box adjacent to the upstream side of the box processed by the second flap receiving processing unit.

6. When the stacked articles are pushed into the box by the article pushing section, the box is further provided with an article upper support section that holds down the stacked articles from above. The article upper support portion has a support that is movable in the transport width direction and movable in the vertical direction. The control device is Before the pushing section advances the first pusher and the second pusher in the transport width direction, the support lowering section lowers the support while it is positioned above the stacked items to press down on the upper surface of the stacked items, A support advancement processing unit, which moves the lowered support forward toward the box in the transport width direction in synchronization with the operation of the pushing processing unit which moves the first pusher and the second pusher toward the transport width direction, A support retraction processing unit that retracts the support in the transport width direction simultaneously with or before the retraction of the first pusher by the first pusher retraction processing unit, A boxing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The box has a second opening on the other side in the transport width direction, On the side of the second opening in the transport width direction, there is an article receiving portion that receives the stacked articles that are about to protrude out of the box from the second opening, On the side of the second opening in the transport width direction, the third flap of the third and fourth flaps, which are provided on the edge of the second opening facing each other in order to close the second opening, is provided with a third flap folding portion that folds in the direction of closing the second opening, Equipped with, The article receiving section has a receiving pusher that is movable in the direction of the transport width and can contact the stacked articles from the direction of the transport width. The third flap folding portion has a third folding body that presses against the third flap, The control device is A receiving pusher extension processing unit extends the receiving pusher in the direction of the transport width so as to pass through the box, in synchronization with the movement of the first and second pushers by the pushing processing unit, and the receiving pusher extension processing unit inserts the stacked items between the receiving pusher and the first and second pushers, A third flap folding processing unit operates the third folding body to fold the third flap to a position where it does not interfere with the receiving pusher, A boxing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

8. A box packing method for placing stacked articles, consisting of multiple articles stacked vertically, into a box that is transported from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction, from the transport width direction of the box, From a first opening formed on one side of the box in the transport width direction, an article pushing section is provided for pushing the stacked articles into the box in the transport width direction, A first flap folding portion is provided to fold the first flap, which is one of the first flaps and second flaps that are provided on the edge of the first opening facing each other in order to close the first opening, in the direction of closing the first opening. A control device that controls the operation of the article pushing section and the first flap folding section, Equipped with, The article pressing portion is, The system includes a first pusher and a second pusher, each positioned in the same direction as the first and second flaps, each independently capable of moving back and forth in the transport width direction, and capable of contacting the stacked items from the transport width direction. In the article pushing section, the first pusher is positioned on the side of the first flap, and the second pusher is positioned on the side of the second flap. The first flap folding portion has a first folding body that presses against the first flap, The control device is A pushing section that extends the first pusher and the second pusher in the direction of the transport width to push the stacked items into the box through the first opening, After the stacked items are pushed into the box by the pushing processing unit, the first pusher retraction processing unit retracts only the first pusher of the two pushers, A first flap folding processing unit operates the first folding body to fold the first flap to a position where it does not interfere with the second pusher, during or after the first pusher is retracted by the first pusher retraction processing unit, A second pusher retraction processing unit that retracts the second pusher after the timing of the first pusher retraction by the first pusher retraction processing unit, A boxing device having a box.

9. A box packing device that packs stacked articles, consisting of multiple articles stacked vertically, into a box that is transported from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction, from the transport width direction of the box, From a first opening formed on one side of the box in the transport width direction, an article pushing section is provided for pushing the stacked articles into the box in the transport width direction, A first flap folding portion is provided to fold the first flap, which is one of the first flaps and second flaps that are provided on the edge of the first opening facing each other in order to close the first opening, in the direction of closing the first opening. Equipped with, The article pushing section is movable in the direction of the transport width and has a pusher that can contact the stacked articles from the direction of the transport width. The aforementioned pusher, A pressing contact surface that contacts the side surface of the stacked articles, A drive source that, while the pressing contact surface is in contact with the side surface of the stacked articles, causes a change in the contact pattern of the pressing contact surface by moving a part of the pressing contact surface away from the stacked articles, reducing the contact area of ​​the pressing contact surface, or moving the pressing contact surface, It has, The first flap folding portion has a first folding body that presses against the first flap, The pusher is advanced in the conveying width direction, and the stacked items are pushed into the box from the first opening by the pushing contact surface. Then, the drive source causes a change in the contact pattern of the pushing contact surface, thereby avoiding interference with the first flap which is folded by the first folding body. Packing machine.

10. The box-packing apparatus of 9, characterized in that the pusher pushes the stacked articles into the box from the first opening with the pushing contact surface, and then moves the pushing contact surface to the upstream side in the conveying direction.

11. A box packing method in which stacked articles consisting of multiple articles stacked vertically are placed inside a box that is transported from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction using a box packing device, from the transport width direction of the box, The aforementioned boxing apparatus, From a first opening formed on one side of the box in the transport width direction, an article pushing section is provided for pushing the stacked articles into the box in the transport width direction, To close the first opening, a first flap folding portion is provided to fold the first flap, which is one of the first flaps and second flaps that are provided on the edge of the first opening facing each other and extending vertically, in the direction of closing the first opening. Equipped with, The article pressing portion is, The system includes a first pusher and a second pusher, each positioned in the same direction as the first and second flaps, each independently capable of moving back and forth in the transport width direction, and capable of contacting the stacked items from the transport width direction. In the article pushing section, the first pusher is positioned on the side of the first flap, and the second pusher is positioned on the side of the second flap. The first flap folding portion has a first folding body that presses against the first flap, A pushing step in which the first pusher and the second pusher are advanced in the direction of the transport width, and the stacked items are pushed into the box from the first opening, After the stacked items have been pushed into the box by the pushing step, a first pusher retraction step is performed in which only the first pusher of the two pushers is retracted. During or after the first pusher is retracted in the first pusher retraction step, the first flap folding step involves operating the first folding body to fold the first flap, A second pusher retraction step, which retracts the second pusher after the timing of the retraction of the first pusher by the first pusher retraction step, Packing method for boxes.

12. A box packing method in which stacked articles consisting of multiple articles stacked vertically are placed inside a box that is transported from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction using a box packing device, from the transport width direction of the box, The aforementioned boxing apparatus, From a first opening formed on one side of the box in the transport width direction, an article pushing section is provided for pushing the stacked articles into the box in the transport width direction, To close the first opening, a first flap folding portion is provided to fold the first flap, which is one of the first flaps and second flaps that are provided on the edge of the first opening facing each other and extending vertically, in the direction of closing the first opening. It is equipped with, The article pushing section is movable in the direction of the transport width and has a pusher that can contact the stacked articles from the direction of the transport width. The pusher has a pressing contact surface that contacts the side surface of the stacked articles, The first flap folding portion has a first folding body that presses against the first flap, The pusher is advanced in the direction of the transport width, and the pushing contact surface is used to push the stacked items into the box from the first opening in a pushing step, After the stacked articles are pushed into the box by the pushing step, the pressing contact surface adjustment step is performed to avoid interference with the first flap folded by the first folding body by moving a part of the pressing contact surface in the transport direction away from the stacked articles, reducing the contact area of ​​the pressing contact surface, or moving the pressing contact surface while keeping the pressing contact surface in contact with the stacked articles. Packing method for boxes.

Images