Method for closing filled cardboard boxes with different base sizes with a cardboard lid.

Abstract

The invention concerns a method for closing cardboard boxes with different base sizes with a cardboard lid, whereby the lids are applied in two process steps. This method has been specifically developed for logistics centers and fulfillment processes where boxes with different base sizes are closed with a matching lid in any order. The method involves positioning a cardboard lid over a box and, in a first step, folding and gluing the fold edges on the short sides, and in a second step, folding and gluing the fold edges on the long sides. The innovation lies in the use of automatically adjustable folding and pressing rods that adapt to the size of the box, whereby all box base sizes are closed with cardboard lids in two process steps.This eliminates the need for multiple tools for different base sizes, reduces material and tooling costs, and increases the flexibility of the packaging process.

Description

The present invention relates to a packaging process, whereby multiple cardboard boxes with different bottom sizes are closed with a matching cardboard lid. This is applied, for example, in logistics centers as part of the fulfillment process where customer orders are packed in the most suitable box Standard Folding boxes often have top flaps (for example type FEFCO 0201), which after the Fill, folded shut, secured with tape. Open boxes, such as type FEFCO 0200, has no top flaps and is closed with a cardboard lid. This is a flat cardboard sheet with four folding edges that is placed on the box, after which the The edges around the top edge of the boxes are folded and against the side of the box. are secured using glue. Partially packed boxes are often further Height reduced to minimize empty space in the box. In a In the well-known version, the corners of the box are cut to the height where the the box is filled, after which the resulting top flaps are folded shut, after which the box is also fitted with a lid. Well-known systems that place boxes with different base sizes in random must provide the order of a lid, have a separate one for each base size trim, consisting of vacuum grippers that hold the lid and on four sides installed folding and pushing rods, the lengths of which are adapted to the length and the width of the box, which places the lid on the box below, after which simultaneously the four folding rods the folding edges of the lid folds around the top edge of the box and secures against the side of the box. The disadvantage of the well-known systems is that you need many complete lid stations. have if you process many boxes with different base sizes on the machine. The invention aims to provide a method for applying of lids on boxes with different base sizes, which eliminates this disadvantage. The method according to the invention is characterized by the fact that the folding and securing the fold edges in two consecutive processing steps becomes executed, whereby the position of the folding pressure rods automatically adjusts to the the present base dimensions of the box and first the folding edges on, for example, the short sides are folded and secured, and in the second step the fold edges to the the long side is folded and secured to the box. The length of the folding rods is tailored to the base dimensions of the largest box to be processed. By this with a stepped method, the long folding rods will not come into conflict with each other if there a small box with a matching lid must be installed. The above-mentioned method of the invention will be explained in a possible implementation with reference to the accompanying figure. A half-filled box (1), with the corners cut and the flaps (2) when folded in from the box, is in the longitudinal direction from the flap folding module (3) transported to lid module A (2). During this transport, the folded valves mechanically closed by a transition plate (4). The folding and pressure bars (5) for folding and securing the short fold edges (6) of lid module A had previously already been moved to the box length in question. The lid (7) that is offered to cover module A, provided with a strip of adhesive under the fold edges (8) of the short side of the lid are taken over by the vacuum grippers (9) of lid module A. With a vertical servo-controlled movement (10) the lid is brought to a position just above the height of the box, on which the lid must be placed. This lid ensures that the folded flaps (2) of the box will no longer spring open when it comes out from under the transition plate (4). and thereby takes over the function of the transition plate to the box in the position where the lid is placed. Subsequently, lid module A drops onto the lid on the box, after which folding and pressing rods (5) the folding edges (6) of the short side of the lid around fold the edge of the box and press it against the side of the box, ensuring the glue the lid attaches to the box. From the position of lid module A, the box is transported to lid module B. During this transport a glue track (11) is applied to the box, right under the still flat fold edges of the long side (12). The fold and pressure bars (13) for folding and securing the long fold edges of lid module B had already been moved to the box width in question shortly before. With a vertical servo movement (14), cover module B is moved to the correct position. raised to height and the long folding edges of the lid are folded around the box and pressed down and secured against the side of the box.

Claims

1. A method for sealing filled cardboard boxes with various base sizes in an unordered manner with a, at that base size matching cardboard lid, being a flat cardboard sheet with four folding edges on the outside, with a vacuum gripper tool for handling the lid, with for each side a folding and pressing tool for folding the fold edge over the top edge of the box and securing the folding edge against the side of the box by means of a pre-applied amount of glue or other adhesive, where the length of each folding / pressing tool is matched to the lengths of the largest to process lid, whereby the folding and pressing tools automatically move to the the present bottom format, whereby in a first step the vacuum gripper tool the at places a lid of that size on the box and two of the four opposite each other horizontal fold edges with the folding and pressing tools over the top edge of the box fold and secure against the side of the box, after which in a second step the other two opposite fold lines along the top edge of the box be folded and secured against the side of the box.

2. A method according to claim 1, where attaching the lid to the box consists of a first step for placing, folding, and securing the lid to the short sides of the box and a second step for folding and gluing the lid on the long side of the lids.

3. A method of operation in accordance with claim 1, whereby attaching the lid to the box consists of a first step for placing, folding, and securing the lid to the long sides of the box and a second step for folding and gluing the lid on the short sides of the lid.

4. The method according to claims 2 and 3, whereby the between the first and the second step A transport system ensures the movement from processing step 1 to processing step 2.

5. A method according to claim 1, whereby the lid prior to placing the lid on a box with folded-in box flaps just above the box becomes positioned to the position where the lid is placed during transport to prevent the folded flaps from springing open again.

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