Cargo sealing device and cargo sealing method

Abstract

To provide a box sealing device and a box sealing method capable of surely folding a part of a packaging material when packing an accumulated item into a box and closing a lid material (flap).SOLUTION: A box sealing device 100 has a stacking section 20 that stacks a plurality of articles XA1 into an accumulated item AX2, and a filling section 50 that pushes and stores the accumulated item XA2 in a box B. The stacking section 20 has an article moving means 23 for stacking the articles XA1, and a folding guide 25 that abuts against a part of a packaging material and folds the article XA1 while it is being moved, in which the filling section 50 has a pushing member 511 for the accumulated item XA2, driving means 512, 513 for the pushing member 511, and a flap folding means 52 for folding flaps F2, F3 of the box B, and the flap folding means 52 folds the flaps F2, F3 so as to cover the advanced pushing member 511, and the driving means 512, 513 extract the pushing member 511 after the flaps F2, F3 are folded, and move it to a retracted position A2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging device and a packaging method for automatically packing a plurality of articles and closing a lid material.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a device for automatically packing a plurality of articles by stacking them has been known. (For example, see Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 describes a device for accommodating articles stacked in the vertical and horizontal directions (3 rows and 4 columns) in one box.

[0003] In addition, when the articles to be packed are packages, a device capable of folding a part of the packaging material that may interfere during packing depending on the shape of the package is also known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0004] Patent Document 1 describes a packing device in which a plurality of self-standing gusset bags having a heading portion at the top are placed in a box with an open upper surface in a self-standing posture from above, and then the upper surface flap of the box is closed to form a packed state. This packing device includes a folding tool and a support tool, and compresses the heading portion of the gusset bag placed in the box from the front side of the gusset bag to form a fold mark in the back direction for each heading portion, and is configured to pull out the folding tool and the support tool in exchange for the upper inner flap covering.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, in the case of the box-packing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the folding tool and support tool are pulled out as the top inner flap covers the box, so there is a possibility that the crease in the heading part may return to its original shape during this time, and there is a risk that the heading part may not be reliably folded and packed into the box.

[0007] This problem is not limited to self-standing gusset bags with a heading at the top; the same issue occurs with pillow packaging, for example. In other words, pillow packaging generally has a top seal (ear portion) formed by heat-sealing the packaging film while forming a gusset portion. The ear portion has high rigidity and easily recovers its crease even when folded with external force.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a sealing device and sealing method that can reliably fold a part of the packaging material when packing a collection of articles into a box, and also close the lid (flap). [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present invention comprises an accumulation section that collects a plurality of articles supplied from upstream into an accumulation section, and a filling section that pushes and stores the accumulation section into a box with a side opening, wherein the accumulation section includes article moving means for moving the articles into an accumulation state, and a folding guide that contacts and folds a part of the packaging material while the articles are moving, and the filling section includes a pushing member capable of pushing the accumulation section toward the box, a driving means for moving the pushing member back and forth between a retracted position and an advanced position, and a flat configured to move back and forth relative to the box and continuous with the first side of the opening of the box The present invention relates to a sealing device having a flap folding means for folding a flap, wherein the retracted position is a position in which the pressing member can maintain the folded state of a part of the packaging material, the extended position is a position in which the stacked goods are contained in the box, the flap folding means folds the flap so as to cover the pressing member that has moved to the extended position, and the driving means pulls out the pressing member from the second side of the opening of the box after the flap has been folded and moves it to the retracted position.

[0010] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a sealing method for a sealing device, characterized in that the article moving means moves a plurality of articles supplied from upstream to a collection position, and while doing so, a portion of the packaging material of each article is brought into contact with a folding guide and folded, and then accumulated; a pushing member maintains the folded state of the portion of the packaging material, and pushes the accumulated product consisting of the plurality of articles, and places the accumulated product into a box with an opening on the side; with the pushing member in contact with the accumulated product, a flap folding means folds a flap that is continuous with the first side of the opening of the box so as to cover the pushing member; and after folding the flap, the pushing member is moved away from the second side of the box. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a sealing device and sealing method that can reliably fold a portion of the packaging material when packing a collection of articles into a box, and also close the lid (flap). [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a sealing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a sealing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a schematic plan view showing the overall configuration of a sealing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] (A) A perspective view of an article, (B) A side view of an article, (C) A side view of a stacked product, and (D) A plan view of a stacked product according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a plan view showing an overview of the supply unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a front view showing an overview of the integration unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a front view showing an overview of the integration unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] It is a front view showing an overview of an integrated part according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] It is a plan view showing an overview of a filling part according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] It is a plan view showing an overview of a filling part according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] It is a (A) plan view, (B), (C) front view, (D) plan view, (E) front view showing an overview of a filling part according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] It is a plan view showing an overview of a filling part according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] It is a perspective view showing a driving means of a filling part according to an embodiment of the present invention. [

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this figure and the following figures, some configurations are appropriately omitted to simplify the drawings. And in this figure and the following figures, the size, shape, thickness, etc. of the members are exaggerated as appropriate for expression.

[0014] <Overall Configuration> FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are perspective views showing an example of the overall configuration (main part) of the letter sealing device 100 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing each part of the letter sealing device 100.

[0015] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the enclosing device 100 of the present embodiment includes a supply unit 10 for an article XA1, an accumulation unit 20 for the article XA1, a transfer unit 30, a box conveyance unit 40 for a box B, a filling unit 50, and a discharge unit 60. The supply unit 10 supplies a plurality of articles XA1 continuously supplied from upstream to the accumulation unit 20 in units of a plurality of accumulated articles. The accumulation unit 20 accumulates these into an integrated article XA2. The transfer unit 30 transfers the integrated article XA2 from the accumulation unit 20 to the filling unit 50. Also, the box conveyance unit 40, for example, unfolds a folded box B and conveys it from upstream to downstream with one side open. The filling unit 50 presses the integrated article XA2 by pressing means 51 and accommodates (fills) it into the box B, and closes a part of the lid material of the box B. The discharge unit 60 closes the remaining lid material of the box B and discharges it to a downstream process.

[0016] Hereinafter, as the definition of directions in the description of the present embodiment, the first direction in which the article XA1 is supplied from the upstream process and the article XA1 (integrated article XA2) is discharged to the downstream process is defined as the conveyance direction T of the article XA1. The second direction, which is orthogonal to the conveyance direction T and is the moving direction when the integrated article XA2 is accommodated in the box B, is defined as the pressing direction P. The third direction, which is orthogonal to the conveyance direction T and the pressing direction P, is defined as the height direction H. For example, the height direction H is the vertical direction, the conveyance direction T is one horizontal direction (horizontal first direction), and the pressing direction P is the other horizontal direction (horizontal second direction). FIG. 3 is a schematic plan (top) view of the enclosing device 100 as viewed from the height direction H.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the article XA1 and the integrated article XA2 of the present embodiment. FIG. 4(A) is a perspective view of the article XA1, FIG. 4(B) is a side view thereof, FIG. 4(C) is a side view of the integrated article XA2, and FIG. 4(D) is a top (plan) view of the integrated article.

[0018] Referring to FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B), the article XA1 is, for example, a pillow package in which a packaged object is pillow-packed with, for example, a packaging film. The pillow package (article XA1) has, for example, a center seal portion CE extending in one direction and a top seal portion TO extending in a direction orthogonal to the center seal portion CE. In this example, the top seal portion TO is provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the center seal portion CE, and hereinafter this is referred to as an ear portion TO.

[0019] The pillow packaging has a main body 80 that contains the packaged item. In this example, the main body 80 has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped (roughly cube) shape, and in this example, it has a front (top) surface 81f, a back (bottom) surface 81b, and a side surface 82 between them. Although the main body 80 is shown here as having a roughly rectangular parallelepiped (roughly cube) shape, it is not limited to this shape and may be, for example, roughly cylindrical. Near the edge TO, a gusset portion 85 is formed by folding a part of the packaging film inward, for example, by a gusset tab (not shown).

[0020] In this embodiment, as an example, as shown in Figures 4(C) and 4(D), articles XA1 (pillow packaging) are stacked in four rows along the extending direction of the tab TO (the transport direction T in the sealing device 100) and in two layers in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the tab TO (the height direction H in the sealing device 100) to form a total of eight stacked products XA2, which are then filled into one box.

[0021] When multiple items XA1 (pillow packaging) are stacked and packed into a box in this manner, efficient stacking within the box (effective use of box space, space saving) is desirable. Since the gusset portion 85 and the ear portion TO are areas that do not contain the packaged items and protrude from the main body portion 80, space saving per item XA1 is possible by folding them so as closely as possible to the main body portion 80, as shown on the left side of Figure 4(B). For example, immediately after the formation of the ear portion TO in the packaging machine, it is possible to bend the ear portion TO by blowing air from the outside, and the folded state can be maintained by creating a crease before cooling.

[0022] For example, in the case of the left-hand tab TO in Figure 4(B), after the tab (top seal) TO is formed in the packaging machine (pillow packaging machine), an air blowing mechanism or the like can be installed, and air can be blown from above the tab TO to make it fold downwards.

[0023] When filling box B with the aggregate XA2, as shown in Figure 4(C), reversing the folding direction of both tabs TO (upward and downward) allows for more effective use of the space inside box B.

[0024] However, in order to reverse the folding direction of the tab TO using the packaging machine's air blowing mechanism, it is necessary to have both an air blowing mechanism from above and an air blowing mechanism from below. In particular, if an air blowing mechanism from below is provided, it becomes necessary to interrupt the transport path of the pillow packaging XA1, which complicates the device configuration and control.

[0025] On the other hand, it is also possible to bend the tab TO by applying an external force during sealing in the sealing device 100. However, since the tab TO protrudes outward in a state where it is more rigid than other parts due to the heat seal, it is highly likely to return to its original shape once the external force is removed.

[0026] The sealing device 100 of this embodiment is a device for sealing an article (pillow package) XA1 having tabs TO, and it is possible to reliably fold the tabs TO (and gusset portion 85) and pack and seal the box. As shown in Figure 4, the article XA1 has, for example, two tabs TO, but in this case the other tab TO is folded in advance in an upstream process (such as a packaging machine).

[0027] The sealing device 100 described below will be explained in detail, broken down into its various parts. Figures 5 to 12 are schematic diagrams showing the main components of the sealing device 100 shown in Figures 1 and 2. Components omitted in Figures 5 to 12 will be explained with reference to Figures 1 and 2 as appropriate.

[0028] <Supply section> Figure 5 is a plan view of the supply unit 10 as seen from the height direction H. The supply unit 10 is equipped with a first transport means 11 for articles XA1, and articles XA1 are supplied from the upstream process. The first transport means 11 is, for example, a first bucket conveyor equipped with a plurality of buckets 111 before and after in the transport direction T (see Figure 1). One article XA1 is placed between a pair of buckets 111 arranged before and after in the transport direction T and transported along the transport direction T. The configuration of the first transport means (first bucket conveyor) 11 is known, so its explanation is omitted. Above the first bucket conveyor 11 is a supply unit pushing means 13 that discharges articles XA1 from the buckets 111 to the side in the direction of travel of the buckets 111 (in the pushing direction P). The supply unit pushing means 13 is a pusher that moves a plurality (for example, 4) of pushing members 14 forward and backward in synchronous motion in the pushing direction P. The first bucket conveyor 11 operates intermittently, and when the first bucket conveyor 11 stops in the supply unit 10, the supply unit pushing means 13 pushes the four articles XA1 to the aggregation position A1 of the accumulation unit 20 via the transfer unit 15 located downstream in the pushing direction P. The pushing member 14 has projections 14B on the top and bottom of its pushing surface 14A in the height direction H, and these projections 14B push the shoulder portion (the inclined portion of the cylindrical packaging film) that connects the tab TO and the main body of the article XA1 (pillow packaging), or the packaged items inside the pillow packaging via the packaging film. This prevents the tab TO from bending in an unintended direction (see Figure 6(A)).

[0029] <Collection Unit> The stacking unit 20 will be described with reference to Figures 6 to 8. Figures 6 to 8 are front views of the stacking unit 20 as seen from the downstream side in the transport direction T, illustrating its operation. Referring to Figure 6 (and Figure 5), the stacking unit 20 has a stage 21, a width-aligning means 22 (Figure 5), an article moving means 23, a second transport means 24, and a folding guide 25, and stacks a predetermined number of articles XA1 supplied from upstream into stacked items XA2 (in this example, stacked in two layers in the height direction H and arranged in four rows side-by-side in the transport direction T).

[0030] Referring to Figures 6 and 1, the article moving means 23 includes, for example, a suction pad 231 that holds article XA1 by suction and a driving means (e.g., an air cylinder) 232 that moves it up and down in the height direction H. The article moving means 23 holds article XA1 at the aggregation position A1 such that the ear portion TO extends horizontally (conveying direction T), and moves it downward in the vertical direction (height direction T) in this example to an aggregated state on the second conveying means 24.

[0031] The stage 21 is located slightly below the transfer section 15 of the supply section 10 in the height direction H, and its upper surface becomes the aggregation position A1. The stage 21 consists of two shutter members 212 that open and close (move closer together and move further apart) before and after the pushing direction P. A width-aligning means 22 is provided on the stage 21. The width-aligning means 22 has two width-aligning members 221 arranged opposite each other in the transport direction T and a driving means (not shown) for moving them closer together and further apart. The width-aligning means 22 brings the opposing width-aligning members 221 closer together so that the four articles XA1 discharged from the bucket 111 of the supply section 10 are close to each other in the transport direction T.

[0032] The second conveying means 24 is a second bucket conveyor equipped with multiple buckets 241 arranged before and after the conveying direction T (see Figure 1). A set of accumulated products XA2 are placed between a set of buckets 241 arranged before and after the conveying direction T and conveyed along the conveying direction T. The second conveying means (second bucket conveyor) 24 is continuous to the accumulation section 20, the transfer section 30, and the filling section 50, and is a common conveying means for these sections. The second bucket conveyor 24 is also a known configuration, so its explanation is omitted.

[0033] As shown in Figure 6(A), the folding guides 25 are provided on both sides of the second bucket conveyor 24 in the transport width direction (push direction P) perpendicular to the transport direction T. The folding guides 25 come into contact with a part of the packaging material of the article XA1 as the article XA1 is being moved by the article moving means 23, and fold it. Specifically, one folding guide 25 is a flat plate-shaped member fixed immovably to the frame (base) of the frame (sealing device 100) of the second bucket conveyor 24, and as shown in Figure 6, it is erected at one end of the second bucket conveyor 24 in the transport width direction (push direction P) so as to constitute the side wall of the second bucket conveyor 24. The folding guide 25 has a main body portion 250 and an inclined portion 251 located above the main body portion 250 in the height direction H. The inclined portion 251 is inclined to spread outward in the transport width direction more than other parts in the front view shown in Figure 6.

[0034] These folding guides 25 are positioned opposite each other in the transport width direction, and as shown in Figure 6(B), the distance W1 between the main body portions 250 in the transport width direction is set to be greater than the length L1 (length between both ear portions TO) of the main body portion 80 of the article XA1 (pillow packaging) with one ear portion TO folded down, but smaller than the total length L2 including both ear portions TO. Also, the distance W2 between the tip portions 251A of the inclined portion 251 is greater than the distance W1 between the main body portions 250, but smaller than the total length L2 of the article XA1 including both ear portions TO.

[0035] As shown in Figure 7(A), the article moving means 23 (suction pad 231) suction and holds the article XA1 on the stage 21. In this example, the article moving means 23 holds four rows of articles XA1 (group of articles) arranged side by side. At this time, one tab TO of article XA1 (upstream side in the pushing direction P, right side in Figure 7(A)) is positioned above, for example, the downstream end of the transfer section 15 in the pushing direction P, so as to overlap with it (the positional relationship of each part is set in this manner). In this embodiment, the other tab TO of article XA1 (downstream side in the pushing direction P, left side in Figure 7(A)) is folded down in advance (for example, immediately after the tab TO is formed in the packaging machine). In other words, in this embodiment, the upstream ear portion TO of the article XA1 in the pushing direction P is bent in the accumulation section 20. In the following description, when distinguishing between the two, the upstream ear portion TO will be called the upstream ear portion TO1, and the downstream ear portion TO will be called the downstream ear portion TO2. Unless otherwise specified, the ear portion TO will refer to the upstream ear portion TO1.

[0036] Stage 21 is composed of two shutter members 212 that move closer together and further apart, and as shown in Figure 7(B), the two shutter members 212 can be separated (opened) such that the separation distance W3 between them is greater than the separation distance W2 between the tips 251A of the inclined portion 251.

[0037] When stage 21 is opened, the article transfer means 23 moves the held article XA1 downward. At this time, as shown in Figure 8(A), the tab TO first contacts the downstream end of the transfer section 15 and is folded upward as it descends. In this state, as the article transfer means 23 moves article XA1 further downward, as shown in Figure 8(B), the tip or a part of the outer surface of the folded tab TO contacts the tip or inner surface of the inclined section 251. As the article transfer means 23 continues to move article XA1 downward, the folded state of the tab TO is maintained as it descends while being pressed against the main body 250 (inner surface) of the folding guide 25 and placed on the second bucket conveyor 24 (bucket 211) (Figure 8(C)). In this manner, the article moving means 23 holds the article XA1 so that the tabs TO extend horizontally (transport direction T), and moves the article XA1 downward in the vertical direction (height direction H), bringing the tabs TO into contact with the folding guide 25 and folding them (folding them upward in the vertical direction).

[0038] In this example, multiple items XA1 are stacked (layered) in two layers in the height direction H (vertical direction) in the stacking section 20. Similarly, the tabs TO of the second layer of items XA1 (group of items) are folded up onto the folding guides as they move towards the second bucket conveyor 24, and are placed on the second bucket conveyor 24 (on top of the lower layer of items XA1).

[0039] <Transfer section> Referring to Figure 3, the transfer unit 30 will be described. The articles XA1 (accumulated items XA2) accumulated in the accumulation unit 20 are transferred to the filling unit 50 by the transfer unit 30 while maintaining their accumulated state. In the transfer unit 30, the folded edges TO of each of the eight articles XA1 that make up the accumulated items XA2 are also transferred while maintaining their folded state. Specifically, the transfer unit 30 has, for example, a second bucket conveyor 24 and transfer guides 32 arranged on both sides in the transport width direction (push direction P).

[0040] The transport guide 32 is a plate-shaped member fixed immovably to the frame (base) of the frame (sealing device 100) of the second bucket conveyor 24. For example, it is erected along the transport direction T so as to be aligned with the main body 250 of the folding guide 25, and is a plate-shaped member that can contact the side of the stacked product XA2 being transported by the second bucket conveyor 24 in the transport direction T. Each of the eight articles XA1 constituting the stacked product XA2 moves (slids) in the transport direction T while contacting one side of the transport guide 32 as it moves through the transport section 30, thereby maintaining the folded state of each article XA1 as it is transported to the filling section 50. To prevent the stacked product XA2 from getting caught, the transport guide 32 has an inclined section on the upstream side in the transport direction T where the plate thickness decreases from downstream to upstream.

[0041] <Box transport section> Referring to Figure 3, the box transport unit 40 has, for example, a third transport means 41 and a box raising means 42, and transports the box B with one side open in the transport direction T. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the box B of this embodiment has a rectangular parallelepiped box body B0 and three flaps F1 to F3 as lid members. The box body B0 follows the outer shape of the stacked product XA2 and has longitudinal sides BL1, BL2, transverse sides BS1, BS2 and a bottom surface BB, with the opposite side of the bottom surface BB being open. One of the lid members, flap F1, is an outer flap F1 that covers the opening of the box body B0 and seals the box body B0. The outer flap F1 is a plug-in type lid member that is continuously provided on one side of one longitudinal side (one longitudinal side Sa of the opening). The other two flaps F2 and F3 of the lid member are inner flaps F2 and F3, respectively, that partially cover the opening of the box body B0 on ​​the inside of the outer flap F1 (on the side with the stacked items XA1). The inner flaps F2 and F3 are provided continuously on one side of each of the opposing short-side surfaces (one side of the opening in the short direction, the first side Sb).

[0042] Referring to Figure 3, the box-raising means 42 is a means for creating a three-dimensional rectangular parallelepiped shape from the folded box B to the box body B0 (longitudinal sides BL1, BL2, short sides BS1, BS2, and bottom surface BB). The box-raising means 42 does not fold the flaps F1 to F3, but places the box B raised on the third transport means 41 such that the opening of the box B faces to the side in the transport direction T (one side in the transport width direction), specifically to the downstream side in the pushing direction P, and the outer flap F1 and the longitudinal side continuous therewith are located below the height direction H. In this state, the inner flaps F2 and F3 are continuous with one side (first side Sb) on the downstream side in the pushing direction P of the short side facing the front and rear in the transport direction T (see Figures 1 and 2).

[0043] <Filling section> The filling unit 50 will be described with reference to Figures 9 to 13. Figures 9, 10, and 12 are plan views of the filling unit 50 as seen from above in the height direction H, illustrating its operation. Figure 11 shows that Figures 11(A) and 11(D) are plan views of the filling unit 50 as seen from above in the height direction H, 11(B) is a front view of 11(A) as seen from upstream (left side in the diagram) in the transport direction T, 11(C) is a front view following 11(B), and 11(E) is a front view of 11(D) as seen from upstream (left side in the diagram) in the transport direction T. Figure 13 is a perspective view showing a portion of the configuration of the filling unit 50 in Figure 2.

[0044] As shown in Figure 9(A), the filling unit 50 has a pushing means 51, a flap folding means 52, an upper pressing means 53, a pushing path 54, a side guide 55, and a lifting guide 56, and pushes and stores the stacked goods XA2 into a box B that has an opening on the side. The pushing means 51 is a pusher having a flat plate-shaped pushing member 511 provided so as to face the bottom surface (opening) of the box B being transported, and a driving means 510 that moves the pushing member 511 forward and backward relative to the opening of the box B (i.e., moves it forward and backward in the pushing direction P).

[0045] Figure 13 is a perspective view of the drive means 510. In this example, the drive means 510 includes a first height-direction drive means (e.g., an air cylinder) 512 for moving the push member 511 up and down in the height direction H, and a push-direction drive means (e.g., an actuator) 513 for moving the push member 511 forward and backward in the push direction P together with the first height-direction drive means 512.

[0046] The first pushing direction driving means 513 moves the pushing member 511 back and forth between the retracted position A2 shown in Figure 9(A) and the extended position A3 shown in Figure 9(B). The pushing member 511 pushes the stacked product XA2 into the box B and stores (fills) it inside the box B. In detail, the retracted position A2 of the pushing member 511 in this embodiment is a position in which the pushing member 511 can maintain the folded state of a part of the packaging material, i.e., the tab portion TO, and is, for example, a position that is aligned with the transport guide 32 of the transport unit 30 in the transport direction T (see Figure 3). The extended position A3 of the pushing member 511 is the position after it has moved until the entire stacked product XA2 is stored inside the box B.

[0047] Referring to Figure 9(A), the first pushing direction driving means 513 moves the pushing member 511 to the retracted position A2 and waits for the transport of the stacked items XA2. When the stacked items XA2 are transported downstream (forward) in the pushing direction P of the pushing member 511, the side of the stacked items XA2, i.e., the upstream side in the pushing direction P, comes into contact with the pushing member 511, and the folded state of each tab TO of the articles XA1 constituting the stacked items XA2 is maintained by the pushing member 511. In this state, a lifting guide 56 is provided at a position opposite the pushing member 511 in the pushing direction P. The lifting guide 56 is configured to be movable in the height direction H, and rises to guide the downstream side of the push member 511 when the stacked product XA2 is transported downstream (forward) in the push direction P of the push member 511, and retracts downward just before the first push direction driving means 513 starts moving the push member 511 to the advance position A3. Note that the lifting guide 56 is omitted from the figures from Figure 9(A) onward. When the first push direction driving means 513 moves the push member 511 to the advance position A3, (Figure 9(B)) the stacked product XA2 is filled into the box B while the folded state of each tab TO of the articles XA1 constituting the stacked product XA2 is maintained by the push member 511.

[0048] As will be described in detail later, in this embodiment, with the pushing member 511 in the extended position A3, the inner flaps F2 and F3 are folded, and then the pushing member 511 is moved upward in the height direction H from the extended position A3. After moving the pushing member 511 back to the retracted position A2, the pushing member 511 is lowered and awaits transport of the next stack of items XA2.

[0049] The filling unit 50 of this embodiment further includes an upper pressing means 53. The upper pressing means 53 is a plate-shaped member that works in conjunction with the pushing member 511 to press down on the top of the stacked goods XA2 until the stacked goods XA2 is filled into the box B, thereby preventing the load from collapsing. Referring to Figure 13, the upper pressing means 53 is configured to reciprocate in the pushing direction P by the same first pushing direction driving means 513 as the pushing member 511, and to reciprocate (up and down) in the height direction H by a second height direction driving means (e.g., an air cylinder) 531 separate from the pushing member 511. In detail, before the pushing member 511 starts pushing the stacked goods XA2, the second height direction driving means 531 keeps the upper pressing means 53 above the stacked goods XA2 in the height direction H, and after (or simultaneously with) the pushing member 511 starts pushing the stacked goods XA2, it lowers to press down on the top of the stacked goods XA2 (Figure 9(A)). The first pushing direction driving means 513 moves the upper pressing means 53 together with the pushing member 511 toward box B. The second height direction driving means 531 then moves (retracts) the upper pressing means 53 again upward in the height direction H of the stacked product XA2 after the leading edge of the stacked product XA2 is filled into box B (Figure 9(B)).

[0050] In the filling section 50, as shown in Figure 9, a pushing path 54 is provided between the second bucket conveyor 24 that transports the stacked goods XA2 and the third transport means 41 that transports the boxes B, and the pushing means 51 pushes the stacked goods XA2 along the pushing path 54. Movable side guides 55 are provided at the front and rear of the pushing path 54 in the transport direction T. The side guides 55 guide the sides of the stacked goods XA2 being pushed, at the front and rear of the transport direction T, to prevent the load from collapsing and to prevent the inner flaps F2 and F3 from folding in. Each side guide 55 has two flat first side guides 551A, a second side guide 551B, and a side guide driving means 552. The first side guide 551A is located on the upstream side in the pushing direction P, and the second side guide 551B is located on its downstream side.

[0051] The side guide driving means 552 includes a pushing direction driving means (e.g., an air cylinder) not shown, which reciprocates the first side guide 551A and the second side guide 551B back and forth in the pushing direction P, and a rotational driving means (e.g., an air cylinder) not shown, which rotates the second side guide 551B around a rotation axis 551C extending in the height direction H. The rotational driving means changes the second side guide 551B between a position where it is horizontal (side-by-side) with respect to the first side guide 551A (Figure 9(A)) and a position where it is perpendicular to the first side guide 551A (orthogonal to the front end of the first side guide 551A in the pushing direction P) (Figure 10(B)).

[0052] In detail, until box B is transported to filling position A4 of filling section 50, the second pushing direction driving means moves a pair of side guides 55 in the upstream direction in the pushing direction P so as not to interfere with box B. The rotational driving means rotates the second side guide 551B around the rotation axis 551C in the direction of arrow a shown in Figure 12(B), changing its position to be perpendicular to the first side guide 551A.

[0053] When box B is transported to filling position A4 and the stacked product XA2 can be filled, the rotational drive means 554 rotates the second side guide 551B around the rotation axis 551C in the direction of arrow b shown in Figure 12(B), changing its position so that it is aligned with the first side guide 551A (Figure 9(A)). The push member 511 pushes the stacked product XA2, and the second push direction drive means moves the aligned first side guide 551A and second side guide 551B closer to box B. At this time, the second side guide 551B moves inward in the folding direction of the inner flaps F2 and F3, restricting the folding of the inner flaps F2 and F3 during the filling of the stacked product XA2 (Figure 9(A)).

[0054] Once the filling of the stacked product XA2 into box B is complete, the second pushing direction drive means moves (retracts) the first side guide 551A and the second side guide 551B to the upstream side of the pushing direction P, and the rotation drive means rotates the second side guide 551B around the rotation axis 551C in the direction of arrow a shown in Figure 12(B), changing its position to one perpendicular to the first side guide 551A.

[0055] The flap folding means 52 moves forward and backward relative to the box B across the push path 54 and folds (folds) the inner flaps F2 and F3 so as to cover a portion of the opening. In detail, the flap folding means 52 has a flap folding member 521 and a flap folding drive means 522 for the flap folding member 521. The flap folding means 52 are provided before and after the transport direction T, corresponding to the inner flaps F2 and F3, respectively. A pair of flap folding means 52 provided before and after the transport direction T have the same configuration, and one of the flap folding means 52 will be described below.

[0056] The flap folding member 521 is a flat, elongated strip-shaped member in the transport direction T, and has a main body portion 521A that is parallel to (facing) the opening (bottom surface BB) of the box B, and an inclined portion 521B provided on at least the longitudinal side of the main body portion 521A that is closer to the other flap folding member 521. The inclined portion 521B is a surface that slopes away from the box B as it approaches the other flap folding member 521 (see Figure 2).

[0057] In the side guide 55, when the second side guide 551B is rotated by the rotary drive means, the restriction on the inner flaps F2 and F3 by the second side guide 551B is released, and both become foldable (Figure 10(A)).

[0058] The flap folding drive means 522 moves the flap folding member 521 forward and backward relative to the box B while maintaining the position of the flap folding member 521 relative to the box body B0. Specifically, the flap folding means 52 on the upstream side in the transport direction T moves the flap folding drive means 522 diagonally downstream in a top view so that the distance between the box B and the flap folding member 521 gradually decreases from upstream to downstream in the transport direction T (Figure 10(B)). As a result, the flap folding member 521 comes into contact with the tip (the tip when the first side Sb is considered as the base) of the inner flap F2, pushes it toward the opening of the box B, and folds the inner flap F2 so as to cover a part of the opening.

[0059] Similarly, the flap folding means 52 on the downstream side of the transport direction T is moved by the flap folding drive means 522 to move the flap folding member 521 diagonally upstream in a top view, so that the distance between the box B and the flap folding member 521 gradually decreases from downstream to upstream in the transport direction T (Figure 10(B)). As a result, the flap folding member 521 comes into contact with the tip (the tip when the first side Sb is considered as the base) of the inner flap F3, pushes it toward the opening of the box B, and folds the inner flap F3 so as to cover a part of the opening.

[0060] While the inner flaps F2 and F3 are being folded by the flap folding means 52, the push member 511 is in contact with the side of the stacked product XA2, and the folded state of each tab TO of the articles XA1 constituting the stacked product XA2 is maintained by the push member 511. In other words, the flap folding means 52 folds the inner flaps F2 and F3 so as to cover the push member 511 which has moved to the advanced position A3 (Figures 11(A), 11(B)). After the inner flaps F2 and F3 have been folded, the first height-direction driving means 512 pulls the push member 511 upward from the side of the opening of the box B opposite to the side Sa that is continuous with the outer flap F1 (the second side Sc, the upper side in the height direction H, see Figure 2) (Figures 11(B), 11(C)), and moves it to the retracted position A2 (Figure 12(B)). The flap folding drive means 522 keeps the flap folding member 521 in a position where it contacts the inner flaps F2 and F3 until the box B, with the inner flaps F2 and F3 folded, begins to move to the downstream discharge section 60 (Figures 11(D), 11(E), and 12(A)), and then retracts the flap folding member 521 (Figure 12(B)).

[0061] The box transport section 40 transports the box B filled with the accumulated product XA2 to the discharge section 60 (Figure 12(B)). The discharge section 60 is also provided with a transport guide 61 (see Figure 3). The transport guide 61 is fixed immovably to the frame (base) of the sealing device 100 and is erected on both sides of the pushing direction P (width direction of the transport path) of the third transport means 41 along the transport direction T, for example, and is a plate-shaped member that can contact the side of the box B in the transport direction T as it is transported by the third transport means 41. In the discharge section 60, the accumulated product XA2 is contained in the box B and moves with the inner flaps F2 and F3 folded. As the inner flaps F2 and F3 move through the discharge section 60, they move (slide) in the transport direction T while contacting one of the transport guides 61, thereby maintaining the folded state of the inner flaps F2 and F3. To prevent the stacked items XA2 from getting caught, the transport guide 61 has a sloping section at its upstream end in the transport direction T, where the plate thickness decreases from downstream to upstream. In the discharge section 60, the outer flap folding means (not shown) folds the outer flap F1 in conjunction with the retraction of the flap folding member 521, and inserts it into the box body B0 to seal it.

[0062] <Sealing method> The sealing method in the sealing device 100 of this embodiment will be described in chronological order. First, as shown in Figure 5, articles XA1 are supplied one by one from the upstream process to the supply unit 10. The supply unit pushing means 13 pushes a plurality of articles XA1, which will form the first layer of stacked items XA2, to the aggregation position A1 on the stage 21 of the stacking unit 20 via the transfer unit 15 provided on the downstream side in the pushing direction P, in a horizontally aligned state (Figures 6(A) and 6(B)).

[0063] Multiple articles XA1 pushed to the aggregation position A1 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. In this state, these articles XA1 are placed on the aggregation position A1 such that their tabs TO extend horizontally (in the transport direction T). A width-shifting means 22 provided in the stacking section 20 moves these articles XA1 closer together and aggregates them (Figure 5).

[0064] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 7(A), the suction pad 231 of the article moving means 23 descends and suction-holds multiple (for example, four) articles XA1 (accumulated items XA2) at once. The suction pad 231 holds the accumulated items XA2 without changing their orientation, that is, so that a portion of the packaging material of each article XA1 (the (upstream) tab TO) extends horizontally (conveying direction T).

[0065] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 7(B), when the stage 21 is opened (the two shutter members 212 move apart), the article moving means 23 (driving means 232) moves the held stack of articles XA2 downward in the vertical direction (height direction T). The destination of the stack of articles XA2 is the second transport means 24, but during the movement (while moving), the tabs TO of each article XA1 are brought into contact with the folding guide 25 and folded.

[0066] In detail, as the stacked items XA2 are moved by the item moving means 23, the tabs TO of each item XA1 come into contact with the lower end of the transfer section 15, and as the stacked items XA2 descend, each tab TO is folded upward (Figure 8(A)). In this state, as the item moving means 23 moves the items XA1 further downward, the tip or a part of the outer surface of the folded tab TO is pressed against the tip or inner surface of the inclined section 251 (Figure 8(B)) and the main body 250 (inner surface) of the folding guide 25 as it descends, and the folded state of the tab TO is maintained as the stacked items (here, stacked side by side) are placed on the second bucket conveyor 24 (bucket 211). As a result, the first layer of items XA1 of the stacked items XA2 is stacked (Figure 8(C)). Thus, in this embodiment, while the items XA1 are stacked by the item moving means 23, the tabs TO are brought into contact with the folding guide 25 and folded upward in the vertical direction. As the first stack of components XA2 moves below the stage 21 and the suction pad 231, which has released its suction, rises, the previously open stage 21 closes as the two shutter members 212 move closer together.

[0067] Next, the second layer of stacked items XA2 is stacked in the same manner. That is, one item XA1 is supplied to the supply unit 10 from the upstream process, and the supply unit pushing means 13 pushes multiple items (for example, 4) of items XA1, which will form the second layer of stacked items XA2, onto the stage 21 (aggregation position A1) of the stacking unit 20 in a horizontally aligned state. The width-aligning means 22 aligns these items XA1, and then the item moving means 23 suction and holds all four items XA1 (stacked items XA2) at once. When the stage 21 is released, the item moving means 23 (driving means 232) moves the held stacked items XA2 downward in the vertical direction (height direction T), and during this movement (while moving), the tabs TO of each item XA1 are brought into contact with the folding guide 25 and folded. Then, with the folded-up state of the ear portion TO maintained, the second layer of items XA1 is piled on top of the first layer of items XA1 on the second bucket conveyor 24 (bucket 211). This results in a pile of items XA2 consisting of 8 items (4 rows and 2 layers) of items XA1 (Figure 8(D)).

[0068] Subsequently, the transport guide 32 of the transport unit 30 transports the accumulated products XA2 from the accumulation unit 20 (assembly position) to the filling unit 50 (retraction position A2 of the pushing member 511) while maintaining the folded-up state of the tabs TO (Figure 3). During this time, the third transport means 41 transports the box B, which has been raised and whose sides are open, to the filling position A4.

[0069] In the filling section 50, to prevent interference with the box B being transported to the filling position A4, the first side guide 551A of the side guides 55 provided on both sides of the push path 54 (before and after the transport direction T) is moved upstream in the push direction P, and the second side guide 551B is changed to a position perpendicular to the first side guide 551A (Figure 12(B)).

[0070] When box B is transported to filling position A4 and filling of the stacked product XA2 becomes possible (Figure 9(A)), the side guide 55 is changed to a position where it is aligned with the first side guide 551A, and the first side guide 551A and the second side guide 551B, whose surfaces are now aligned, are moved closer to box B. At this time, the second side guide 551B moves inward in the folding direction of the inner flaps F2 and F3, restricting the folding of the inner flaps F2 and F3 during the filling of the stacked product XA2.

[0071] As the stacked product XA2 moves to the filling section 50, the push member 511, located in the retracted position A2, contacts the side of the stacked product XA2, and the push member 511 continues to maintain the folded-up state of the tab TO. The push member 511 then pushes the stacked product XA2 toward the box B while maintaining the folded-up state of the tab TO (Figure 9(B)). The upper pressing means 53 moves in conjunction with the movement of the push member 511, descending from the retracted position above the stacked product XA2 to press the upper surface of the stacked product XA2, and moves in the pushing direction P together with the push member 511. The second height-direction driving means 531 moves the upper pressing means 53 upward in the height direction H of the stacked product XA2 again (retracts it) before the stacked product XA2 is filled into the box B. After that, the stacked product XA2 is filled (stored) into the box B by the push member 511.

[0072] Once the filling of the stacked product XA2 into box B is complete, the second pushing direction drive means moves (retracts) the first side guide 551A and the second side guide 551B to the upstream side of the pushing direction P, and as shown in Figure 10(A), the rotation drive means rotates the second side guide 551B around the rotation axis 551C in the direction of arrow a, changing its position to one perpendicular to the first side guide 551A (Figure 10(B)).

[0073] The flap folding means 52 keeps the flap folding member 521 retracted to a retracted position A5 away from box B until the pushing member 511 has finished pushing the stacked product XA2 and filling it into box B (Figure 10(A)). Once the filling of the stacked product XA2 into box B is complete and the second side guide 551B has retracted, the flap folding member 521 is advanced toward box B as shown in Figure 10(B). The flap folding member 521 folds (bends) the inner flaps F2 and F3 so as to cover a portion of the opening of box B.

[0074] While the inner flaps F2 and F3 are being folded by the flap folding means 52, the push member 511 remains in the advanced position A3, maintaining the folded state of each tab TO of the articles XA1 that make up the stacked product XA2. The flap folding means 52 folds the inner flaps F2 and F3 so as to cover the push member 511 that has moved to the advanced position A3 (Figures 11(A) and 11(B)).

[0075] Subsequently, the first height-direction driving means 512 pulls the pushing member 511 upward in the height direction H from the second side Sc of the opening of the box B after the inner flaps F2 and F3 have been folded (Figures 11(B) and 11(C)). Before pulling the pushing member 511 upward, the pushing member 511 may be used to further push the stacked product XA2 into the box B.

[0076] Once the upward movement of the pushing member 511 (removal from between the opening of box B and the inner flaps F2 and F3) is complete, the first pushing direction driving means 513 moves the upper pressing means 53, the pushing member 511, the first height direction driving means 512, and the second height direction driving means 531 together to the upstream side in the pushing direction P (retraction). The pushing member 511 moves to the retracted position A2 (Figures 11(D), 11(E), and 12).

[0077] Even after the pushing member 511 is withdrawn upward, the folding (pressing) of the inner flaps F2 and F3 by the flap folding member 521 is maintained (Figures 11(C) to 11(E)). The flap folding means 52 keeps the flap folding member 521 in contact with the inner flaps F2 and F3 until the box B with the folded inner flaps F2 and F3 begins to move to the downstream discharge section 60. When the accumulated product XA2 is handed over to the discharge section 60 and the inner flaps F2 and F3 are held down by the transport guide 61, the flap folding means 52 retracts the flap folding member 521. The flap folding means 52 may further press (additional press) the inner flaps F2 and F3 with the flap folding member 521 during the period from after the upward movement of the pushing member 511 is completed until the flap folding member 521 is retracted. Because the pushing member 511 was inserted, a gap was created between the inner flaps F2 and F3 and the assembled product XA2. However, by applying additional pressure, this gap can be filled, and the restoration of the fold in the tab TO can be avoided (Figure 12(A)).

[0078] The box transport unit 40 transports the box B filled with the accumulated product XA2 to the discharge unit 60 (Figure 12(B)). In the discharge unit 60, an outer flap folding mechanism (not shown) folds the outer flap F1 and inserts it into the box body B0 to seal it.

[0079] In this embodiment, as the articles XA1 are being accumulated in the accumulation section 20, the tabs TO are folded upward in the height direction H by the folding guide 25. Subsequently, the folded state of the tabs TO is maintained by the transfer guide 32 provided in the transfer section 30 and the push member 511 waiting at the retracted position A2 of the filling section 50 until the accumulated items XA2 move from the accumulation section 20 to the filling section 50. Then, the folded state of the tabs TO is maintained and the accumulated items XA2 are pushed by the push member 511 to complete the filling into the box B.

[0080] Furthermore, in the filling section 50, after the push-feed member 511 fills the box B with the accumulated product XA2, the push-feed member 511 maintains the folded-up state of the tab TO while the flap folding means 52 folds the inner flaps F2 and F3. Then, while the flap folding means 52 continues to fold the inner flaps F2 and F3 (with a push that does not put a load on the push-feed member 511), the push-feed member 511 is pulled upward. After that, while the flap folding means 52 and the inner flaps F2 and F3 maintain the folded-up state of the tab TO, the product is transferred to the discharge section 60, where the outer flap F1 is closed and the box is sealed.

[0081] In this way, even when a portion of the packaging material (the tab) is folded and sealed, it is possible to realize a sealing device and sealing method that avoids the unfolding of the crease, reliably folds a portion of the packaging material (the tab) for boxing, and allows the lid (flap) to be closed.

[0082] Since the accumulation process in the accumulation section 20 and the filling process in the filling section 50 are performed in separate processes and in separate areas, work efficiency can be improved, and the degree of freedom in arranging the upper pressing means 53 can be increased.

[0083] In this embodiment, the downstream tab TO2 is folded downward in the upstream process of the sealing device 100, and in the filling section 50, only the upstream tab TO1 in the pushing direction P is folded upward during the stacking process (especially stacking in the height direction H, such as two layers).

[0084] The downstream tab TO2 is folded downwards by blowing air from above the downstream tab TO2 after the tab (top seal) TO is formed in a packaging machine (pillow packaging machine) not shown, for example. When the tab TO is folded and placed inside box B, the folding directions of the upstream tab TO1 and the downstream tab TO2 are reversed (upward and downward) to make more effective use of the space inside box B.

[0085] In this embodiment, there is no means to restrict the folding of the tab TO, so the downstream tab TO2 (the front when filling into box B) is folded down in advance when the tab TO (downstream tab TO2) is formed. By folding it down while cooling immediately after the tab (top seal portion) TO is formed, a crease can be reliably created. If the upstream tab TO1 were also to be creased by the packaging machine (air blowing from below), the configuration of the packaging machine would become complicated. Therefore, in this embodiment, in the sealing device 100 located downstream of the packaging machine, the upstream tab TO1 is folded (folded up) and sealed when the stacked product XA2 is sealed.

[0086] Furthermore, in the case of a configuration where the integrated product XA2 is stacked vertically, when moving in the stacking direction (from top to bottom), the movement can be utilized to fold up (simultaneously with stacking), eliminating the need for separate drive mechanisms for folding up the tab TO, thus simplifying the equipment and control.

[0087] This embodiment is not limited to the above example, as long as the movement of the items XA1 is used to fold the tabs TO when stacking multiple items XA1 horizontally (side by side) or vertically (stacked), the inner flaps F2 and F3 are folded by the push member 511 while maintaining the folded state of the tabs TO when filling the stacked items XA2 into the box B, and then the push member 511 is removed.

[0088] For example, when filling box B with the stacked product XA2 (with the tab TO folded) in the filling section 50, the stacked product XA2 may be rotated 90 degrees so that the extension direction of the tab TO is aligned vertically before being filled into box B.

[0089] Alternatively, the configuration shown in Figure 6 may be rotated 90 degrees. That is, the article XA1 may be positioned so that the tab TO extends vertically at the aggregation position, and the article XA1 may be moved horizontally by the article moving means 23 while the tab TO is folded by the folding guide 25.

[0090] Furthermore, by folding a portion of the packaging material, article XA1 may be a stand-up pouch. In the case of a stand-up pouch, the bottom does not need to be folded, and the top is folded to correspond to the upstream tab TO1 described above. Alternatively, it may be a pillow packaging having a tab TO on only one side, for example.

[0091] Furthermore, in the example above, the aggregate XA2 was shown to consist of items XA1 arranged in 4 columns and 2 rows, but for example, it could be 1 column and 2 rows, or 4 columns and 1 row.

[0092] Furthermore, the separation distance W1 of the folding guide 25 should be greater than the length L1 of the main body 80 of the article XA1 (pillow packaging), and should be set so that when the article XA1 is stacked (while being moved downward by the article moving means 23), the tab TO on the upstream side in the pushing direction P comes into contact with it and is folded up. It may also be set to be greater than the overall length L2 of the article XA1.

[0093] Furthermore, although the above embodiment illustrates a case where the box transport unit 40 is provided with a box unfolding means 42, the box transport unit 40 may also transport boxes B that have already been unfolded.

[0094] As stated above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from its spirit and technical concept. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0095] 10 Supply section 11. First conveying means (first bucket conveyor) 13 Supply section pushing means 14 Pushing member 15 Delivery Department 20. Accumulation Unit 21 stages 22. Method of swerving 23 Means of moving goods 24. Second conveying means (second bucket conveyor) 25 Folding Guide 30 Transfer section 32 Transfer Guide 40 Box transport section 41 Third conveying means 50 Filling section 51 Pushing means 52 Flap folding method 53 Upper restraining means 54 Pushway 55 Side Guide 60 Discharge section 100 Box sealing device 111 buckets 212 Shutter component 221 Width adjustment member 231 Suction pad 250 Main body 251 Slope 251A Tip 511 Pushing member 512 First height-direction driving means 513 First pushing direction driving means 521 Flap folding member 531 Second height direction driving means 551A First side guide 551B Second Side Guide 551C Rotating shaft B box F1 Outer Flap F2, F3 Inner flap TO Ear area (top seal area) XA1 Goods (pillow packaging)

Claims

1. An aggregation unit that aggregates multiple items supplied from upstream, It has a filling section that pushes and stores the accumulated items into a box that has an opening on the side, The aforementioned integration unit is A means for moving the aforementioned articles to create a stacked state, The article is equipped with a folding guide that comes into contact with and folds a portion of the packaging material while the article is in motion. The filling section is A pushing member capable of pushing the stacked items toward the box, A driving means for moving the pushing member back and forth between a retracted position and an extended position, The box has a flap folding mechanism configured to move back and forth relative to the box and to fold a flap that is continuous with the first side of the opening of the box, The aforementioned retracted position is a position in which the pushing member can maintain the folded state of a portion of the packaging material. The aforementioned extension position is the position in which the accumulated items are housed within the box. The flap folding means folds the flap so as to cover the pushing member that has moved to the advance position. The driving means removes the pushing member from the second side of the opening of the box after the flap has been folded and moves it to the retracted position. A sealing device characterized by the following features.

2. The aforementioned article is a pillow-packaged item, A portion of the packaging material is one of the tabs of the pillow packaging, The article moving means holds the article so that the tabs extend in a first direction, and moves the article in a second direction while bringing the tabs into contact with the folding guides and folding them. The sealing device according to feature 1.

3. The first direction is horizontal, and the second direction is vertical. The article moving means moves the article downward in the vertical direction, bringing the tabs into contact with the folding guide and folding them upward in the vertical direction. The sealing device according to feature 2.

4. The first side is a side that extends in the vertical direction, The second side is a side that extends horizontally, The driving means withdraws the pushing member vertically upward or downward after the flap has been folded. The sealing device according to feature 1.

5. The transfer unit has a transfer unit that transfers the accumulated products from the accumulation unit to the filling unit. The transfer unit has a transfer guide capable of maintaining the folded state of a portion of the packaging material. The sealing device according to feature 1.

6. In the aforementioned stacking section, the multiple articles are stacked at least vertically. The sealing device according to feature 1.

7. A sealing method for a sealing device, The means of moving articles moves multiple articles supplied from upstream to a collection point, and while doing so, a portion of the packaging material of each article is brought into contact with a folding guide and folded, and then accumulated. The steps include: pushing the assembled product consisting of multiple articles while maintaining the folded state of a portion of the packaging material with a pushing member, and placing the assembled product into a box with an opening on the side; With the pushing member in contact with the stacked items, the step of folding a flap continuous with the first side of the box opening so as to cover the pushing member using a flap folding means, The step of folding the flap and then retracting the pushing member from the second side of the box is included. A sealing method characterized by the following.

8. The aforementioned article is a pillow-packaged item, A portion of the packaging material is one of the tabs of the pillow packaging, The steps include: holding the article with the article moving means such that the ear portion extends in a first direction; The process includes the step of moving the article in a second direction using the article moving means while bringing the tab portion into contact with the folding guide and folding it. The sealing method according to feature 7.

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