Packaging material and assembling device of same

Abstract

A packaging material 100 of the present disclosure includes: a bottom surface part 50; a first side surface part 10; a second side surface part 20 adjacent to one end in a width direction of the first side surface part 10; a third side surface part 30 adjacent to the other end in the width direction of the first side surface part 10; a first overlapping piece 13 which extends from one end of the first side surface part 10 and entirely overlaps the second side surface part 20 when the packaging material 100 is assembled; and a second overlapping piece 14 which extends from the other end of the first side surface part 10 and entirely overlaps the third side surface part 30 when the packaging material 100 is assembled. A structure of the first overlapping piece 13 is asymmetric with a structure of the second overlapping piece 14.

Description

Packaging Material and Assembly Apparatus Therefor

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a packaging material and an assembly apparatus therefor.

[0002] A packaging box represented by a corrugated cardboard box has a bottom surface and four side surfaces. A packaging box is obtained by assembling a packaging material made of a corrugated cardboard sheet.

[0003] A plurality of packaging materials are stacked in the same orientation and set in an assembly apparatus. The packaging material is provided with creases. In the assembly apparatus, the packaging material is bent along the creases, thereby assembling the packaging material into a packaging box.

[0004] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2019-94075

[0005] The packaging material needs to be set in the assembly apparatus in a correct orientation. For example, if the front and back sides of the packaging material are reversed, the packaging material cannot be properly assembled in the assembly apparatus. That is, the packaging material requires some means for indicating the correct orientation. One solution is to apply printing such as characters, figures, or symbols to the packaging material to indicate the correct orientation. However, when printing is applied to the packaging material, there is concern about an increase in the number of processes and costs required for printing.

[0006] The present disclosure provides a technique that enables identification of the correct orientation of a packaging material without relying on printing.

[0007] The present disclosure provides a packaging material comprising: a bottom surface portion; a first side surface portion; a second side surface portion adjacent to one end of the first side surface portion in a width direction; a third side surface portion adjacent to the other end of the first side surface portion in the width direction; a first overlapping piece extending from the one end of the first side surface portion, the entire first overlapping piece overlapping the second side surface portion when the packaging material is assembled; and a second overlapping piece extending from the other end of the first side surface portion, the entire second overlapping piece overlapping the third side surface portion when the packaging material is assembled, wherein a structure of the first overlapping piece is asymmetric with a structure of the second overlapping piece.

[0008] According to the technique of the present disclosure, the correct orientation of the packaging material can be identified without relying on printing.

[0009] Figure 1 is a plan view of the packaging material according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 is a partial perspective view of the packaging box obtained by assembling the packaging material. Figure 3 is a plan view of the packaging material according to Modification 1. Figure 4 is a plan view of the packaging material according to Modification 2. Figure 5 is a configuration diagram of the packaging material assembly device according to the second embodiment. Figure 6 is a configuration diagram of the packaging material assembly device according to Modification 3.

[0010] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0011] (First Embodiment) Figure 1 is a plan view of the packaging material according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 is a partial perspective view of the packaging box obtained by assembling the packaging material. The packaging material 100 comprises a first side portion 10, a second side portion 20, a third side portion 30, a fourth side portion 40, and a bottom portion 50. The "bottom portion" and "side portion" refer to parts of the packaging box 200 shown in Figure 2. The packaging material 100 is made from, for example, a corrugated cardboard sheet.

[0012] The positional relationships of each side portion (first side portion 10 to fourth side portion 40) and the bottom portion 50 of the packaging material 100 after it has been assembled will now be described. The second side portion 20 is the portion adjacent to one end of the width direction WD of the first side portion 10. The width direction WD of the first side portion 10 is the direction along the outer circumference of the packaging material 100. The third side portion 30 is the portion adjacent to the other end of the width direction WD of the first side portion 10. The fourth side portion 40 is the portion facing the first side portion 10. The bottom portion 50 is located between the first side portion 10 and the fourth side portion 40. The bottom portion 50 is located between the second side portion 20 and the third side portion 30.

[0013] In Figure 1, the dashed lines represent folds in the packaging material 100. When assembling the packaging material 100, each part is folded inward along the folds. This completes the packaging box 200. The packaging material 100 in this embodiment does not have a part corresponding to a lid. The lid is manufactured separately. However, the packaging material 100 may have a part corresponding to a lid. In this case, the part corresponding to a lid is provided so as to be adjacent to one of the side surfaces.

[0014] The base portion 50 has a rectangular shape in plan view. Typically, the base portion 50 has a square shape in plan view.

[0015] The first side portion 10 has a rectangular shape in plan view. More specifically, the first side portion 10 has a long side and a short side. The short side is located at one end and the other end in the width direction WD. The first side portion 10 includes a first portion 11 and a second portion 12. In the state shown in Figure 1 before the packaging material 100 is assembled, the first portion 11 is the portion adjacent to the bottom portion 50. The second portion 12 is the portion located on the outer periphery. The first side portion 10 is folded inward along the crease so that the angle between the first side portion 10 and the bottom portion 50 is 90 degrees. The second portion 12 overlaps the first portion 11 by being folded inward along the crease. The first side portion 10 forms a double-layer structure in the packaging box 200.

[0016] The second side portion 20, the third side portion 30, and the fourth side portion 40 have the same shape and structure as the first side portion 10. That is, the second side portion 20 includes the first portion 21 and the second portion 22. The third side portion 30 includes the first portion 31 and the second portion 32. The fourth side portion 40 includes the first portion 41 and the second portion 42.

[0017] The packaging material 100 further comprises a first overlapping piece 13 and a second overlapping piece 14. The first overlapping piece 13 extends from one end of the first side portion 10. When the packaging material 100 is assembled, the entire first overlapping piece 13 overlaps the second side portion 20 (more specifically, the inner surface of the second side portion 20). The second overlapping piece 14 extends from the other end of the first side portion 10. When the packaging material 100 is assembled, the entire second overlapping piece 14 overlaps the third side portion 30 (more specifically, the inner surface of the third side portion 30). The overlapping of the entire first overlapping piece 13 over the second side portion 20 and the overlapping of the entire second overlapping piece 14 over the third side portion 30 sufficiently increases the strength of the corner portion of the packaging box 200.

[0018] A fold line (dashed line) is provided at the boundary between the first side portion 10 and the first overlapping piece 13. The first overlapping piece 13 is folded inward along the fold line so that the angle between the first overlapping piece 13 and the first side portion 10 is 90 degrees. Similarly, a fold line (dashed line) is provided at the boundary between the first side portion 10 and the second overlapping piece 14. The second overlapping piece 14 is folded inward along the fold line so that the angle between the second overlapping piece 14 and the first side portion 10 is 90 degrees.

[0019] The first overlapping piece 13 includes a first portion 15 and a second portion 16. In the state shown in Figure 1 before the packaging material 100 is assembled, the first portion 15 and the second portion 16 are aligned in a direction perpendicular to the width direction WD of the first side portion 10. In the state shown in Figure 1 before the packaging material 100 is assembled, the first portion 15 is located closer to the second side portion 20 than the second portion 16. Since there is a slit between the first portion 15 and the second portion 16, the first portion 15 and the second portion 16 can be folded independently of each other. The area of ​​the first portion 15 is different from the area of ​​the second portion 16. In this embodiment, the area of ​​the first portion 15 is large and the area of ​​the second portion 16 is small.

[0020] The second overlapping piece 14 includes the first portion 17 and the second portion 18. In the state shown in Figure 1 before the packaging material 100 is assembled, the first portion 17 and the second portion 18 are aligned in a direction perpendicular to the width direction WD of the first side portion 10. In the state shown in Figure 1 before the packaging material 100 is assembled, the first portion 17 is located closer to the third side portion 30 than the second portion 18. Since there is a slit between the first portion 17 and the second portion 18, the first portion 17 and the second portion 18 can be folded independently of each other. The area of ​​the first portion 17 is different from the area of ​​the second portion 18. In this embodiment, the area of ​​the first portion 17 is large and the area of ​​the second portion 18 is small.

[0021] The packaging material 100 further comprises a third overlapping piece 43 and a fourth overlapping piece 44. The third overlapping piece 43 extends from one end of the fourth side portion 40. When the packaging material 100 is assembled, the entire third overlapping piece 43 overlaps the second side portion 20 (more specifically, the inner surface of the second side portion 20). The fourth overlapping piece 44 extends from the other end of the fourth side portion 40. When the packaging material 100 is assembled, the entire fourth overlapping piece 44 overlaps the third side portion 30 (more specifically, the inner surface of the third side portion 30). The overlapping of the entire third overlapping piece 43 over the second side portion 20, and the overlapping of the entire fourth overlapping piece 44 over the third side portion 30, sufficiently increases the strength of the corner portion of the packaging box 200.

[0022] A fold line (dashed line) is provided at the boundary between the fourth side portion 40 and the third overlapping piece 43. The third overlapping piece 43 is folded inward along the fold line so that the angle between the third overlapping piece 43 and the fourth side portion 40 is 90 degrees. Similarly, a fold line (dashed line) is provided at the boundary between the fourth side portion 40 and the fourth overlapping piece 44. The fourth overlapping piece 44 is folded inward along the fold line so that the angle between the fourth overlapping piece 44 and the fourth side portion 40 is 90 degrees.

[0023] The third overlapping piece 43 includes a first portion 45 and a second portion 46. In the state shown in Figure 1 before the packaging material 100 is assembled, the first portion 45 and the second portion 46 are aligned in a direction perpendicular to the width direction WD of the fourth side portion 40. In the state shown in Figure 1 before the packaging material 100 is assembled, the first portion 45 is located closer to the second side portion 20 than the second portion 46. Since there is a slit between the first portion 45 and the second portion 46, the first portion 45 and the second portion 46 can be folded independently of each other. The area of ​​the first portion 45 is different from the area of ​​the second portion 46. In this embodiment, the area of ​​the first portion 45 is large and the area of ​​the second portion 46 is small.

[0024] The fourth overlapping piece 44 includes a first portion 47 and a second portion 48. In the state shown in Figure 1 before the packaging material 100 is assembled, the first portion 47 and the second portion 48 are aligned in a direction perpendicular to the width direction WD of the fourth side portion 40. In the state shown in Figure 1 before the packaging material 100 is assembled, the first portion 47 is located closer to the third side portion 30 than the second portion 48. Since there is a slit between the first portion 47 and the second portion 48, the first portion 47 and the second portion 48 can be folded independently of each other. The area of ​​the first portion 47 is different from the area of ​​the second portion 48. In this embodiment, the area of ​​the first portion 47 is large and the area of ​​the second portion 48 is small.

[0025] As shown in Figure 2, when assembling the packaging material 100, the first overlapping piece 13 is folded 90 degrees and positioned inside the first portion 21 of the second side portion 20. Subsequently, the second portion 22 of the second side portion 20 is folded in the direction of the arrow and positioned inside the first overlapping piece 13. In other words, the entire first overlapping piece 13 is covered by the second portion 22.

[0026] Each side portion from the first side portion 10 to the fourth side portion 40 is folded perpendicular to the bottom portion 50 to form a packaging box. The means for maintaining the shape of the packaging box are not particularly limited. For example, friction between the second portion 22 of the second side portion 20 and the first side portion 10 can maintain the second portion 22 of the second side portion 20 in the folded state in the direction of the arrow in Figure 2. Alternatively, the first portion 21 and the second portion 22 of the second side portion 20 may be fixed together using an adhesive or the like. Furthermore, the shape of the packaging box may be maintained by providing notches (not shown) in the second portion 22 of the second side portion 20 and the second portion 16 of the first overlapping piece 13 and engaging them with each other. Similar structures can be adopted for the other side portions.

[0027] In this embodiment, the structure of the first overlapping piece 13 is asymmetrical (more specifically, left-right asymmetrical) with respect to the structure of the second overlapping piece 14. With this configuration, the correct orientation of the packaging material 100 can be identified without relying on printing. The first overlapping piece 13 and the second overlapping piece 14 also maintain the high strength of the packaging box 200.

[0028] If the structure of the first overlapping piece 13 is asymmetrical to the structure of the second overlapping piece 14, a structure that conforms to the structure of the first overlapping piece 13 or the structure of the second overlapping piece 14 is provided on the holder (for example, a trolley), as will be described later. When the packaging material 100 is placed on the trolley in the correct orientation, the packaging material 100 will fit into the predetermined position on the trolley. When the packaging material 100 is placed on the trolley in the wrong orientation, the packaging material 100 will not fit into the predetermined position on the trolley. As a result, workers can identify whether the packaging material 100 is oriented correctly or incorrectly before bringing it into the assembly device.

[0029] Alternatively, if the structure of the first overlapping piece 13 is asymmetrical to the structure of the second overlapping piece 14, an optical detection unit provided in the assembly device can identify whether the orientation of the packaging material 100 is correct or incorrect.

[0030] As shown in Figure 1, in this embodiment, a defect 16k is provided in the first overlapping piece 13 such that the structure of the first overlapping piece 13 and the structure of the second overlapping piece 14 are asymmetrical. The defect 16k may be provided in at least one selected from the first overlapping piece 13 and the second overlapping piece 14.

[0031] By providing the trolley with a structure that fits the missing portion 16k, it is possible to determine whether or not the packaging material 100 is placed on the trolley in the correct orientation. Alternatively, by confirming the presence of the missing portion 16k with an optical detection unit provided in the assembly device, it is possible to determine whether or not the orientation of the packaging material 100 is correct.

[0032] In this embodiment, the missing portion 16k includes a notch. When the missing portion 16k is a notch, for example, a convex structure that can be fitted into the notch is provided on the trolley. By fitting the notch of the packaging material 100 with the convex structure of the trolley, it can be confirmed that the packaging material 100 is placed on the trolley in the correct orientation. The shape of the notch is not particularly limited and may be wedge-shaped as shown in Figure 1, or it may be arc-shaped.

[0033] The missing portion 16k is not limited to a notch. Another example of the missing portion 16k is a hole, as shown in Modification Example 1 below.

[0034] In this embodiment, the first overlapping piece 13 includes an open end 16e located on the opposite side of the fold line BL in the width direction WD. The missing portion 16k is provided on the first overlapping piece 13 at a position closer to the open end 16e than to the fold line BL. If the missing portion 16k is a notch, the notch is provided so as to constitute a part of the open end 16e. When assembling the packaging material 100, the arm of the assembly device often comes into contact with the vicinity of the fold line BL. If the missing portion 16k is located near the fold line BL, there is a risk of interference between the arm and the missing portion 16k. To avoid interference with the arm of the assembly device, it is desirable that the missing portion 16k be provided at a position as far away from the fold line BL as possible.

[0035] The missing portion 16k is provided in the portion of the first overlapping piece 13 that has a smaller area than the first portion 15 and the second portion 16. In this embodiment, the area of ​​the second portion 16 is smaller than the area of ​​the first portion 15. The missing portion 16k is provided in the second portion 16. When the missing portion 16k is provided in the second portion 16, which has a smaller area than the portion included in the first overlapping piece 13, it is easier to suppress a decrease in the strength of the first overlapping piece 13. Also, as shown in Figure 2, the second portion 16 of the first overlapping piece 13 is located inside the first portion 15 when the packaging material 100 is assembled. Therefore, when the missing portion 16k is provided in the second portion 16, a decrease in the strength of the packaging box 200 can also be suppressed. Furthermore, since the second portion 16 of the first overlapping piece 13 is located at the corner of the packaging material 100, it is easy to fit the convex structure of the trolley into the missing portion 16k.

[0036] However, the missing portion 16k may be provided in the portion of the first overlapping piece 13 that has a larger area than the first portion 15 and the second portion 16. In other words, the missing portion 16k may be provided in the first portion 15. Since the area of ​​the first portion 15 is large, it is easy to process the packaging material 100 to provide the missing portion 16k. In addition, there is the advantage that the size of the missing portion 16k can be sufficiently secured.

[0037] In this embodiment, the second portion 18 of the second overlapping piece 14 does not have a defect. Therefore, the structure of the second portion 16 of the first overlapping piece 13 is different from the structure of the second portion 18 of the second overlapping piece 14.

[0038] (Modification 1) Figure 3 is a plan view of the packaging material according to Modification 1. In the packaging material 102 of this modification, a defect 15h is provided in the first overlapping piece 13. No defect is provided in the second overlapping piece 14. Therefore, in this modification as well, the structure of the first overlapping piece 13 and the structure of the second overlapping piece 14 are asymmetrical.

[0039] In this modified example, the missing portion 15h includes a hole. The hole penetrates the first overlapping piece 13. When the missing portion 15h includes a hole, for example, light can be shone from one side of the packaging material 102 towards the hole, and the light that has passed through the hole can be detected on the other side of the packaging material 102. If a hole exists, light can be detected. If a hole does not exist, light cannot be detected. Based on the detection result of whether or not a hole exists, it can be confirmed that the packaging material 102 is placed on the holder in the correct orientation. The shape of the hole is not particularly limited and may be circular as shown in Figure 3, or it may be polygonal.

[0040] The first overlapping piece 13 includes an open end 15e located on the opposite side of the fold line BL in the width direction WD. The missing portion 15h is provided on the first overlapping piece 13 at a position closer to the open end 15e than to the fold line BL. If the missing portion 15h is a hole, the distance from the centroid of the hole in a plan view to the open end 15e is shorter than the distance from the centroid of the hole to the fold line BL. When assembling the packaging material 102, the arm of the assembly device often comes into contact with the vicinity of the fold line BL. If the missing portion 15h is located near the fold line BL, there is a risk of interference between the arm and the missing portion 15h. To avoid interference with the arm of the assembly device, it is desirable that the missing portion 15h be provided at a position as far away from the fold line BL as possible.

[0041] The notch 15h is provided in the portion having a larger area among the first portion 15 and the second portion 16 of the first overlapping piece 13. In the present embodiment, the area of the first portion 15 is larger than the area of the second portion 16. The notch 15h is provided in the first portion 15. Such a configuration is advantageous when forming a hole of sufficient size, and facilitates processing for providing the notch 15h in the packing material 102.

[0042] However, the notch 15h may be provided in the portion having a smaller area among the first portion 15 and the second portion 16 of the first overlapping piece 13. That is, the notch 15h may be provided in the second portion 16. When the notch 15h is provided in the second portion 16 having a smaller area, it is easy to suppress a decrease in the strength of the first overlapping piece 13. Further, the second portion 16 of the first overlapping piece 13 is a portion positioned more inward than the first portion 15 when the packing material 102 is assembled. Therefore, when the notch 15h is provided in the second portion 16, a decrease in the strength of the packing box can also be suppressed.

[0043] (Modification 2) FIG. 4 is a plan view of a packing material according to Modification 2. The packing material 104 of the present modification is a combination of the packing material 100 shown in FIG. 1 and the packing material 102 shown in FIG. 3.

[0044] The packing material 104 includes a notch 15h and a notch 16k. The notch 15h includes a hole. The notch 16k includes a cutout. The notch 15h and the notch 16k are provided on the first overlapping piece 13. According to such a configuration, the advantages of both the packing material 100 including a cutout (FIG. 1) and the packing material 102 including a hole (FIG. 3) can be obtained.

[0045] In the present modification, the hole as the notch 15h is provided in the first portion 15 of the first overlapping piece 13. The cutout as the notch 16k is provided in the second portion 16 of the first overlapping piece 13. The effect obtained by providing a hole in the first portion 15 is as described in Modification 1. The effect obtained by providing a cutout in the second portion 16 is as described in the first embodiment. Further, when the hole and the cutout are not provided in the same portion of the first overlapping piece 13, the overall strength of the first overlapping piece 13 can be ensured.

[0046] (Other Modifications) One selected from the defective portion 15h and the defective portion 16k may be provided on the first overlapping piece 13, and the other selected from the defective portion 15h and the defective portion 16k may be provided on the first overlapping piece 13. The position of the defective portion is not limited as long as the structure of the first overlapping piece 13 is asymmetric with the structure of the second overlapping piece 14.

[0047] (Second Embodiment) Fig. 5 is a configuration diagram of an assembling apparatus for a packing material according to a second embodiment. The assembling apparatus 300 includes a holder 70 and an apparatus main body 80. A plurality of packing materials 100 (or 104) are stacked and placed on the holder 70. The apparatus main body 80 is a robot that folds the packing material 100 along the creases to manufacture the packing box 200. The holder 70 includes a structure that fits into the defective portion 16k provided on the packing material 100. The structure fitting the defective portion 16k may be a convex block 71.

[0048] According to the present embodiment, when the packing material 100 is placed on the holder 70 in the correct orientation, the packing material 100 can be accommodated at a predetermined position of the holder. When the packing material 100 is placed on the holder 70 in an incorrect orientation, the convex block 71 acts as an obstacle and prevents the packing material 100 from being accommodated at the predetermined position of the holder 70. As a result, an operator can identify whether the orientation of the packing material 100 is correct before carrying the packing material 100 into the apparatus main body 80.

[0049] In the present embodiment, the holder 70 is a carriage on which the packing materials 100 can be stacked and placed. The apparatus main body 80 is configured to carry in a plurality of packing materials 100 together with the carriage. By providing the convex block 71 on the carriage for carrying the packing material 100 into the apparatus main body 80, a special process for identifying whether the orientation of the packing material 100 is correct is eliminated. As a result, the assembling efficiency of the packing material 100 is improved. In addition, no special improvement is required for the apparatus main body 80.

[0050] (Modification 3) Figure 6 is a diagram of the configuration of a packaging material assembly device according to Modification 3. The assembly device 400 comprises a holder 72 and a device body 82. Multiple packaging materials 102 (or 104) are placed on the holder 72 in a stacked state. The device body 82 is a robot that folds the packaging materials 102 along the folds to create a packaging box 200. The device body 82 further includes a detection unit 84 that optically detects the presence of a missing portion 15h of the packaging material 102.

[0051] If the packaging material 102 is placed on the holder 72 in the correct orientation, the detection unit 84 detects the presence of the missing portion 15h. In this case, the device body 82 assembles the packaging material 102. If the presence of the missing portion 15h is not detected, the device body 82 does not assemble the packaging material 102 and notifies an error externally. As a result, the worker can recognize that the orientation of the packaging material 102 is incorrect and promptly carry out corrective work.

[0052] In this modified example, the missing portion 15h includes a hole. The detection unit 84 includes a light source 84a and a photosensor 84b. The light source 84a irradiates light toward the hole. The light source 84a is typically a laser light source. The photosensor 84b detects the light that has passed through the hole. When multiple packaging materials 102 are stacked, the positions of the missing portions 15h are aligned, so light can pass through the hole so as to penetrate the stacked packaging materials 102. If the photosensor 84b can detect the light irradiated from the light source 84a toward the hole, it can be determined that the packaging material 102 is placed on the holder 72 in the correct orientation.

[0053] The detection unit 84 may also be an image sensor used to confirm the presence of the missing portion 15h (or missing portion 16k) by image recognition.

[0054] In this modified example, light is passed through the stacked packaging material 102. However, the orientation of each individual piece of packaging material 102 (or 104) may be determined by shining light on the position where the defect 15h should be located.

[0055] (Other Embodiments) (Note) The above description of embodiments discloses the following technologies.

[0056] (Technical 1) A packaging material comprising: a bottom portion; a first side portion; a second side portion adjacent to one end of the first side portion in the width direction; a third side portion adjacent to the other end of the first side portion in the width direction; a first overlapping piece extending from the one end of the first side portion and entirely overlapping the second side portion when the packaging material is assembled; and a second overlapping piece extending from the other end of the first side portion and entirely overlapping the third side portion when the packaging material is assembled, wherein the structure of the first overlapping piece is asymmetrical to the structure of the second overlapping piece.

[0057] According to the technology disclosed herein, the correct orientation of packaging material can be identified without relying on printing.

[0058] (Technology 2) The packaging material according to Technology 1, wherein a defect is provided in at least one selected from the first overlapping piece and the second overlapping piece, such that the structure of the first overlapping piece and the structure of the second overlapping piece are asymmetrical. By providing a structure on the trolley that fits the defect, it is possible to determine whether or not the packaging material is placed on the trolley in the correct orientation. Alternatively, by confirming the presence of the defect with an optical detection unit provided in the assembly device, it is possible to determine whether or not the orientation of the packaging material is correct.

[0059] (Technology 3) The packaging material according to Technology 2, wherein the missing portion includes at least one selected from a hole and a notch. If the missing portion is a notch, for example, a convex structure that can be fitted into the notch is provided on the trolley.

[0060] (Technical 4) The packaging material according to Technical 2 or 3, wherein a fold is provided at the boundary between the first side portion and the first overlapping piece, the first overlapping piece includes an open end located on the opposite side of the fold in the width direction, and the missing portion is provided on the first overlapping piece at a position closer to the open end than the fold. To avoid interference with the arm of the assembly device, it is desirable that the missing portion be provided at a position as far away from the fold as possible.

[0061] (Technical 5) The packaging material according to any one of Technical 2 to 4, wherein the first overlapping piece includes a first part and a second part having different areas, the first part and the second part are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the width direction, and the defect is provided in the part of the first part and the second part that has a smaller area. When the defect is provided in the second part that has a smaller area among the parts included in the first overlapping piece, it is easier to suppress the reduction in strength of the first overlapping piece.

[0062] (Technical 6) A packaging material according to any one of Technical 2 to 5, wherein the missing portion includes a hole and a notch, and the first overlapping piece is provided with the hole and the notch. The benefits of both a packaging material with a notch (Figure 1) and a packaging material with a hole (Figure 3) can be obtained.

[0063] (Technical 7) The packaging material according to Technical 2, wherein the missing portion includes a hole and a notch, and the first overlapping piece includes a first part and a second part having different areas, the first part having the hole and the second part having the notch. If the hole and the notch are not provided in the same part of the first overlapping piece, the overall strength of the first overlapping piece can be ensured.

[0064] (Technical 8) A packaging material assembly device comprising: a holder on which a plurality of packaging materials described in any one of Technical 1 to 7 are placed in a stacked state; and a device body for folding the packaging materials along folds, wherein the holder includes a structure that conforms to a defect provided in the packaging material.

[0065] According to the technology disclosed herein, the correct orientation of packaging material can be identified without relying on printing.

[0066] (Technical 9) The packaging material assembly apparatus according to Technical 8, wherein the holder is a trolley, and the main body of the apparatus is configured to load the plurality of packaging materials together with the trolley. With this configuration, the assembly efficiency of the packaging materials is improved. Furthermore, no special modifications are required to the main body of the apparatus.

[0067] (Technical 10) A packaging material assembly apparatus comprising: a holder on which a plurality of packaging materials described in any one of Technical 1 to 7 are placed in a stacked state; and a device body for folding the packaging materials along folds, wherein the device body includes a detection unit for optically detecting the presence of a defect in the packaging material.

[0068] According to the technology disclosed herein, the correct orientation of packaging material can be identified without relying on printing.

[0069] (Technical 11) The packaging material assembly apparatus according to Technical 10, wherein the defective portion includes a hole, and the detection unit includes a light source that irradiates light toward the hole and a photosensor that detects the light that has passed through the hole. If the photosensor can detect the light irradiated from the light source toward the hole, it can be determined that the packaging material is placed on the holder in the correct orientation.

[0070] The technology disclosed herein is useful for assembling packaging materials.

Claims

1. Packaging material comprising: a bottom portion; a first side portion; a second side portion adjacent to one end of the first side portion in the width direction; a third side portion adjacent to the other end of the first side portion in the width direction; a first overlapping piece extending from the one end of the first side portion and entirely overlapping the second side portion when the packaging material is assembled; and a second overlapping piece extending from the other end of the first side portion and entirely overlapping the third side portion when the packaging material is assembled, wherein the structure of the first overlapping piece is asymmetrical to the structure of the second overlapping piece.

2. The packaging material according to claim 1, wherein a defect is provided in at least one selected from the first overlapping piece and the second overlapping piece, such that the structure of the first overlapping piece and the structure of the second overlapping piece are asymmetrical.

3. The packaging material according to claim 2, wherein the missing portion includes at least one selected from holes and notches.

4. The packaging material according to claim 2, wherein a fold is provided at the boundary between the first side portion and the first overlapping piece, the first overlapping piece includes an open end located on the opposite side of the fold in the width direction, and the missing portion is provided on the first overlapping piece at a position closer to the open end than the fold.

5. The packaging material according to claim 2, wherein the first overlapping piece includes a first portion and a second portion having different areas, the first portion and the second portion are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the width direction, and the missing portion is provided in the portion of the first portion and the second portion having a smaller area.

6. The packaging material according to claim 2, wherein the missing portion includes a hole and a notch, and the first overlapping piece is provided with the hole and the notch.

7. The packaging material according to claim 2, wherein the missing portion includes a hole and a notch, and the first overlapping piece includes a first portion and a second portion having different areas, the first portion having the hole and the second portion having the notch.

8. A packaging material assembly device comprising: a holder on which a plurality of packaging materials described in claim 1 are placed in a stacked state; and a device body for folding the packaging materials along folds, wherein the holder includes a structure that fits into a defect provided in the packaging material.

9. The packaging material assembly apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the holder is a trolley, and the apparatus body is configured to load the plurality of packaging materials together with the trolley.

10. A packaging material assembly device comprising: a holder on which a plurality of packaging materials described in claim 1 are placed in a stacked state; and a device body for folding the packaging materials along folds, wherein the device body includes a detection unit for optically detecting the presence of a defect in the packaging material.

11. The packaging material assembly apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the defective portion includes a hole, and the detection unit includes a light source that irradiates light toward the hole and a photosensor that detects light that has passed through the hole.

Images