JP2021155116A - Automatic shipping box sealing device, and automatic shipping box sealing and labeling system using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide: an automatic shipping box sealing device capable of reliably sticking a packing tape even to a thin shipping box having a low side height; and an automatic shipping box sealing and labeling system using the same.MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM: An automatic shipping box sealing device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: an inner flap folding mechanism 101 that folds a pair of inner flaps 12, which is exposed to the outside of a shipping box 10, into the shipping box 10; an outer flap folding bar 102A that folds a pair of outer flaps 11, which is exposed to the outside of the shipping box 10, into the shipping box 10; and a taping mechanism 102 that sticks a packing tape 103 to a region extending from one end of a bottom surface of the shipping box 10, where the inner flaps 12 and the outer flaps 11 are folded inward, to the other end facing the one end of the bottom surface, through one side surface in contact with the one end of the bottom surface, a top surface, and the other side surface facing the one end.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an automatic shipping box sealing device applied to a product shipping work line, and an automatic shipping box sealing and labeling system using the same.

In the product sorting work line in the warehouses of distribution centers and mail order offices, the products ordered by customers are sealed in a shipping box such as a cardboard box together with a delivery note, and then an invoice is attached to the surface of the shipping box. Work is being done to ship to the customer.

In addition, in the above-mentioned sorting work line, a distribution management system (WMS) based on a huge amount of receipt / shipment and inventory information aggregated using a computer has been introduced, and unmanned and automation of a series of product sorting work has been promoted. Also in the above-mentioned shipping work line, the automation of the sealing work (automatic sealing and automatic taping) using the automatic sealing device (for example, Patent Document 1) and the invoice issuing / pasting machine (labeler) were used. Automation of the work of issuing and pasting invoices is being promoted.

Japanese Patent No. 4945825

In recent years, the number of parcel delivery services handled has increased sharply due to the growth of mail-order sales using the Internet, and along with this, social loss due to redelivery of parcel delivery services for individuals has become a problem.

As one of the countermeasures, if the recipient is absent at the time of delivery of the courier, the delivery is completed by putting the shipping box such as a cardboard box containing the product into the mailbox specified by the recipient in advance. "In" is becoming popular.

In the post-in method using a mailbox, a thin size shipping box such as length x width = A4 size or less and height 20 to 30 mm or less is used.

However, when a thin-sized post-in shipping box is put into a shipping work line using the above-mentioned automatic sealing device to perform automatic sealing and automatic taping, the following problems occur.

Conventionally, when a shipping box such as a corrugated cardboard box is automatically sealed and automatically taped using an automatic sealing device, a packing tape is attached to an area extending from one side surface of the shipping box through the upper surface to the other side surface. It is said.

However, in the case of the above-mentioned shipping box for loading a mailbox, the height of the side surface is extremely thin (low) of about 20 to 30 mm, so it is difficult to automatically attach the end of the packing tape to the side surface of the shipping box. ..

Even if the end of the packing tape can be automatically attached to the side surface of the shipping box, the packing tape will peel off due to vibration during transportation because the contact area between the side surface of the shipping box and the packing tape is small. However, there is a risk that problems such as the products in the shipping box being exposed to the outside may occur.

The present invention has been devised in view of such problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is that a packing tape can be reliably attached even to a thin shipping box having a low side height. It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic shipping box sealing device, and an automatic shipping box sealing and labeling system using the same.

In order to solve the above problems, the shipping box automatic sealing device according to the first aspect of the present invention includes an inner flap folding mechanism that folds a pair of inner flaps exposed to the outside of the shipping box inside the shipping box. From the outer flap folding mechanism that folds the pair of outer flaps exposed to the outside of the shipping box into the inside of the shipping box, and from one end of the bottom surface of the shipping box in which the inner flap and the outer flap are folded inward. It is provided with a taping mechanism for attaching a packing tape to a region extending from one side surface in contact with one end of the bottom surface, the upper surface, and the other side surface facing the one end to the other end facing the one end of the bottom surface.

In the first aspect of the shipping box automatic sealing device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the height of the side surface of the shipping box is 30 mm or less.

The shipping box automatic sealing device according to the third aspect of the present invention is a case in which the shipping box can be posted in in the first or second aspect.

The shipping box automatic sealing and labeling system according to the fourth aspect of the present invention includes a first zone in which an unsealed shipping box containing a product and a delivery note including shipping destination information of the product is input. , A second zone located downstream of the first zone and equipped with a first scanner that scans the delivery note housed in the shipping box transported from the first zone and reads the shipping destination information. The first to third aspects are described, wherein the shipping box is located downstream of the second zone and is subjected to automatic sealing and automatic taping processing on the shipping box transported from the second zone. At least one third zone in which an automatic shipping box sealing device is installed, and the surface of the shipping box transported from the third zone, which is located downstream of the third zone, includes shipping destination information of the product. A shipping work line that includes an invoice issuing / pasting machine for attaching invoices, and a fourth zone in which a second scanner that scans the invoices attached to the surface of the shipping box and reads the shipping destination information is installed. In preparation, the shipping destination information of the delivery note read by the first scanner in the second zone is transmitted to a PLC (programmable logic controller), and the PLC receiving the shipping destination information is the equipment of the shipping work line. Is instructed to transport the shipping box in the second zone to the third zone, and the shipping destination information is transmitted from the second data area corresponding to the second zone in the PLC to the third zone. When it is confirmed by the first step of shifting to the corresponding third data area and the first shipping box detecting means installed in the third zone that one shipping box exists in the third zone, The first shipping box detecting means transmits a signal for detecting the shipping box to the PLC, and the PLC that receives the signal confirms whether or not the shipping destination information exists in the third data area. Then, when the shipping destination information exists in the third data area, the second step of instructing the shipping box automatic sealing device to start the sealing operation of the shipping box and the shipping box automatic sealing operation are performed. When the sealing device transmits the completion signal of the sealing operation to the PLC, the PLC receiving the completion signal sends the shipping box of the third zone to the equipment of the shipping work line to the fourth zone. A third step of shifting the shipping destination information from the third data area to the fourth data area corresponding to the fourth zone in the PLC. When it is confirmed by the second shipping box detecting means installed in the fourth zone that one shipping box exists in the fourth zone, the second shipping box detecting means uses the shipping box. Is transmitted to the PLC, and the PLC that receives the signal confirms whether or not the shipping destination information exists in the fourth data area, and the shipping destination information is the fourth data area. If present in, the invoice issuing / pasting machine is instructed to issue and paste the invoice, and the invoice issuing / pasting machine that has received the issuing / pasting signal issues an invoice containing the invoice information. The fourth step of attaching to the surface of the shipping box, the shipping destination information written on the invoice on the surface of the shipping box read by the second scanner of the fourth zone, and the shipping destination information of the second zone. A shipping box automatic sealing and labeling system that includes a fifth step of collating the shipping destination information read by a first scanner.

The shipping box automatic sealing and labeling system according to the fifth aspect of the present invention increases the processing capacity of the automatic boxing machine between the third zone and the fourth zone in the fourth aspect. It also has a buffer zone for it.

In the shipping box automatic sealing and labeling system according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth or fifth aspect, the entire equipment of the shipping work line from the third zone to the fourth zone is covered with a cover. Has been done.

According to the present invention, an automatic shipping box sealing device capable of reliably attaching a packing tape even to a thin shipping box having a low side height, and an automatic shipping box sealing and labeling system using the same. Can be provided.

It is a side view of the main part of the shipping work line including the shipping box automatic sealing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram of the shipping box automatic sealing and labeling system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the shipping box automatic sealing and labeling process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the shipping box automatic sealing and labeling process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the shipping box automatic sealing and labeling process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the shipping box automatic sealing and labeling process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the shipping box automatic sealing and labeling process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the shipping box automatic sealing and labeling process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the shipping box automatic sealing and labeling process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the shipping box automatic sealing and labeling process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flow chart of the shipping box automatic sealing and labeling process which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, the range necessary for the explanation for achieving the object of the present invention will be schematically shown, and the range necessary for the explanation of the relevant part of the present invention will be mainly described. It shall be based on known technology.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a main part of a shipping work line including an automatic shipping box sealing device according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of an automatic shipping box sealing and labeling system according to the present embodiment.

Further, the shipping box 10 used in the present embodiment is configured to have a size smaller than the mailbox of the mailbox (length x width = A4 size or less, height = 20 to 30 mm or less) so that the courier can place and deliver it in the mailbox. ing.

As shown in FIG. 1, the shipping work line of the present embodiment is located upstream of the shipping box automatic sealing device 100, and is inside the zone 1 in which the shipping box 10 is loaded and the shipping box 10 in which the shipping box 10 is loaded. Zone 2 where the scanner (first scanner) 30 that reads the barcode written on the delivery note is installed, Zones 3 to 5 located inside the shipping box automatic sealing device 100, and shipping box automatic sealing. It is divided into a zone 6 (buffer area) located downstream of the device 100 and a zone 7 in which the invoice issuing / pasting machine 31 and the invoice reading scanner (second scanner) 32 are installed.

The shipping box 10 to be put into zone 1 is in an unsealed state, and a barcode on which the product and information about the product (shipping destination of the product, type / quantity / unit price of the product, etc.) is written is written inside the shipping box 10. Contains a printed delivery note. As shown in FIG. 2, the delivery note is placed on the product so that the printed barcode can be visually recognized from the outside of the shipping box 10. However, the printing of the delivery note is not limited to the barcode.

In the zone 3 in the shipping box automatic sealing device 100, the work of folding the inner flap 12 of the shipping box 10 containing the goods and the delivery note is performed, and in the zone 4 and the zone 5, the outer flap 11 of the shipping box 10 is performed. The work of folding the box and the work of attaching a packing tape to the outer periphery of the shipping box 10 to seal the box are performed.

An inner flap folding mechanism 101 is installed in the zone 3, and a pair of outer flap folding bars (outer flap folding mechanism) 102A (only one of the outer flap folding bars 102A is shown in the figure) in the zone 4. The taping mechanism 102 provided with the above is installed. A packing tape 103 made of an OPP adhesive tape or the like is attached to the taping mechanism 102 in a roll shape.

The shipping boxes 10 containing the goods and the delivery note are put into zone 1 of the shipping work line one by one, and are sequentially sent from zone 1 to zone 7 by conveyors 40A, 40B, and 40C. Motors for driving conveyors that are independent of each other are installed in each zone, and are configured so that only the conveyors in a specific zone can be run or stopped.

Although not shown, a plurality of sensors for detecting the presence of the shipping box 10 moving on the conveyor are installed in each zone (zones 1 to 7) of the shipping work line, and these sensors are shipped. When the presence of the box 10 is detected, the signal is transmitted to a PLC (programmable logical controller) (see FIG. 2).

PLC is a control system that centrally manages all processes of the shipping work line, and has a function of shifting data between a plurality of data areas corresponding to each of zones 1 to 7 of the shipping work line, and each zone (zone 1). It has a counting function for counting the number of shipping boxes 10 existing in the zone 7).

Hereinafter, the shipping box automatic sealing and labeling system according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 9.

First, the shipping boxes 10 are not placed in all the zones (zones 1 to 7) of the shipping work line, and the data in the invoice issuing / pasting machine 31 installed in the zone 7 is in a clear state. , When it is confirmed that the data area in the PLC is in the clear state and the condition such as the value of the shipping box count is 0 is satisfied, the equipment of the shipping work line is activated. To start.

<Step 1>
When the equipment on the shipping work line starts operation, the worker places the first shipping box 10 containing the product 20 and the delivery note 21 on the conveyor 40A in zone 1. At this time, if two or more shipping boxes 10 are simultaneously put into zone 1 (when a sensor installed in zone 1 detects the presence of two or more shipping boxes 10 at the same time in zone 1), an alarm is issued. Is emitted, and the conveyors 40A, 40B, and 40C are stopped.

In this case, in order to resume the operation of the conveyors 40A, 40B, 40C, it is a condition that the operator removes all the shipping boxes 10 in the zone 1. Then, when the operations of the conveyors 40A, 40B, and 40C are resumed, the operator puts the first shipping box 10 on the conveyor 40A in zone 1 again. Although not shown, a second conveyor may be provided adjacent to the zone 1 separately from the conveyor 40A, and the shipping box 10 may be supplied from the second conveyor to the conveyor 40A in the zone 1. ..

<Step 2>
When the first shipping box 10 is sent from zone 1 to zone 2, the operator places the second shipping box 10 on the conveyor 40A in zone 1. The existence of the shipping box 10 sent to the zone 2 is detected by a sensor installed in the zone 2.

Also in this case, when the sensor in the zone 2 detects the presence of two or more shipping boxes 10 at the same time in the zone 2, an alarm is issued and the conveyors 40A, 40B, and 40C are stopped. If the sensor in Zone 2 does not detect the presence of the shipping box 10 even after a certain period of time has passed since the sensor in Zone 1 detected the presence of the shipping box 10, the sensor in Zone 2 is on the way from Zone 1 to Zone 2. It is determined that the shipping box 10 has been pulled out, an alarm is issued, and the conveyors 40A, 40B, and 40C are stopped.

When the sensor of the zone 2 determines that the number of the shipping boxes 10 existing in the zone 2 is one, the signal of detecting the shipping box 10 is transmitted from the sensor of the zone 2 to the PLC. Then, the PLC instructs the scanner 30 installed in the zone 2 to read the barcode, and the scanner 30 is the shipping destination of the product 20 described in the barcode printed on the delivery note 21 in the shipping box 10. Read the information (001A).

Here, if the delivery note 21 protrudes from the shipping box 10 or the delivery note 21 is placed under the product 20, the barcode shipping destination information (001A) cannot be read. The equipment stops operating after a certain period of time has passed from the reading instruction. At this time, the operator repositions the delivery note 21 in the correct position and then presses the reading button of the scanner 30 to resume reading the barcode.

When the shipping destination information (001A) of the barcode is read normally and the shipping destination information (001A) is transmitted from the scanner 30 to the data area 2 corresponding to the zone 2 in the PLC, the operation of the equipment is restarted and the PLC is operated. Sends shipping destination information (001A) to a computer PC. The computer PC collates the received shipping destination information (001A) with the pre-registered shipping destination information, transmits the result to the PLC, and sends the result to the invoice issuing / pasting machine 31 installed in the zone 7. Information (001A) is transmitted.

As a result of collation by the computer PC, when it is determined that the shipping destination information (001A) is included in the shipping destination information registered in the computer PC in advance, the PLC receiving the collation result from the computer PC is sent to the shipping work line. The equipment is instructed to send the shipping box 10 of the zone 2 to the zone 3 in the shipping box automatic sealing device 100, and the shipping destination information (001A) of the shipping box 10 is transmitted from the data area 2 in the PLC to the zone 3. Shifts to the data area 3 corresponding to.

<Step 3>
When the shipping box 10 of the zone 2 is conveyed to the zone 3 by the conveyor 40A and it is confirmed by the sensor installed in the zone 3 that one shipping box 10 exists in the zone 3, the shipping box 10 is detected. The signal is transmitted from the zone 3 sensor to the PLC. Then, the PLC confirms whether or not the shipping destination information (001A) of the shipping box 10 exists in the data area 3, and if the shipping destination information (001A) exists in the data area 3, the shipping box is automatically sealed. The box device 100 is instructed to start the boxing work of the shipping box 10.

Further, when the shipping box 10 of the zone 2 is transported to the zone 3, the second shipping box 10 is transported from the zone 1 to the zone 2, and the third shipping box 10 is thrown into the zone 1. ..

Here, even though it is confirmed that the shipping box 10 exists in the zone 3, the shipping destination information (001A) of the shipping box 10 does not exist in the data area 3 of the PLC, or the shipping box 10 is shipped. The destination information (001A) exists in the data area 3 of the PLC, but the shipping box 10 is detected in the zone 3 even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the PLC instructed the shipping box 10 of the zone 2 to be sent to the zone 3. If not, the PLC determines that the data is abnormal and stops the operation of the equipment. Then, the data in the entire data area of the PLC and the numerical values of the counters are cleared, and all the data transmitted from the PLC to the computer PC are also cleared.

In this case, in order to resume the operation of the equipment, it is a condition that the worker removes all the shipping boxes 10 in all zones. Then, when the operations of the conveyors 40A, 40B, and 40C are restarted, the operator puts the first shipping box 10 on the conveyor 40A in the zone 1 again, and the above-mentioned step 1 is restarted.

The entire equipment of the shipping work lines from Zone 3 to Zone 7 is transparent so that the operator cannot pull out the shipping box 10 on the conveyors 40B and 40C or interrupt the shipping box 10. It is covered with a cover made of an acrylic resin or the like. For example, if a worker opens the cover of the shipping box automatic sealing device 100 while the equipment is in operation, an alarm is issued and the operation of the equipment is stopped. Then, the entire data area of the PLC and the numerical values of the counter are cleared, and all the data transmitted from the PLC to the computer PC is also cleared.

In this case, in order to resume the operation of the equipment, it is a condition that the worker removes all the shipping boxes 10 in all zones. Then, when the operations of the conveyors 40A, 40B, and 40C are restarted, the operator puts the first shipping box 10 on the conveyor 40A in the zone 1 again, and restarts the above-mentioned step 1.

When the PLC instructs the shipping box automatic sealing device 100 to start the sealing work of the shipping box 10, the height of the shipping box 10 is first detected by the height detection sensor 33 in the zone 3. Then, when it is recognized that the height of the shipping box 10 is within the specified range (for example, 20 mm to 100 mm), the shipping box 10 is sent below the inner flap folding mechanism 101 by the conveyor 40B.

When the shipping box 10 is sent below the inner flap folding mechanism 101, the conveyor 40B stops, first the front (downstream) inner flap 12 is folded inward, and then, as shown in FIG. 4, the rear. The inner flap 12 on the side (upstream side) is folded inward.

When the folding work of the inner flap 12 is completed, the shipping box automatic sealing device 100 transmits a signal to the PCL that the work is completed. Then, the PLC that receives this signal instructs the equipment of the shipping work line to transport the shipping box 10 of the zone 3 to the zone 4 of the shipping box automatic sealing device 100, and at the same time, the shipping destination of the shipping box 10. The information (001A) is shifted from the data area 3 corresponding to the zone 3 in the PLC to the data area 4 corresponding to the zone 4.

<Step 4>
When the shipping box 10 of the zone 3 is conveyed to the zone 4 by the conveyor 40B and it is confirmed by the sensor installed in the zone 4 that one shipping box 10 exists in the zone 4, the shipping box 10 is detected. The signal is transmitted from the zone 4 sensor to the PLC. Then, the PLC confirms whether or not the shipping destination information (001A) of the shipping box 10 exists in the data area 4, and if the shipping destination information (001A) exists in the data area 4, the shipping box is automatically sealed. The box device 100 is instructed to continue the boxing work of the shipping box 10.

Here, when it is confirmed that the shipping box 10 exists in the zone 4, but the shipping destination information (001A) of the shipping box 10 does not exist in the PLC data area 4, or the shipping box 10 is shipped. Although the destination information (001A) exists in the data area 4 of the PLC, the shipping box 10 remains in the zone 4 even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the PLC instructed the shipping box 10 of the zone 3 to be transported to the zone 4. If it is not detected, the PLC determines that the data is abnormal and stops the operation of the equipment. Then, the entire data area of the PLC and the numerical values of the counter are cleared, and all the data transmitted from the PLC to the computer PC is also cleared.

In this case, in order to resume the operation of the equipment, it is a condition that the worker removes all the shipping boxes 10 in all zones. Then, when the operations of the conveyors 40A, 40B, and 40C are restarted, the operator puts the first shipping box 10 on the conveyor 40A in the zone 1 again, and the above-mentioned step 1 is restarted.

When the PLC instructs the shipping box automatic sealing device 100 to continue the sealing work of the shipping box 10, first, as shown in FIG. 5, the shipping box 10 on the conveyor 40B is taping mechanism 102 in the zone 4. Passes below a pair of outer flap folding bars 102A provided at one end of the (the figure shows only one of the outer flap folding bars 102A).

The pair of outer flap folding bars 102A have a V shape in a plan view, and the tip side (upstream side) is laterally extended from the base end side (downstream side). Therefore, when the shipping box 10 passes below the pair of outer flap folding bars 102A, the pair of outer flaps 11 come into contact with the outer flap folding bars 102A and are folded inward.

Subsequently, when the shipping box 10 moves further downstream, as shown in FIG. 6, the tip of the packing tape 103 attached to the taping mechanism 102 reaches the bottom surface (bottom flap 13, not shown) on the downstream side of the shipping box 10. ), And subsequently, the packing tape 103 pulled out from the taping mechanism 102 adheres to the downstream side surface (side plate 15) of the shipping box 10, and then wraps around the upper surface (outer flap 11) of the shipping box 10. Then, when the shipping box 10 moves further downstream, the packing tape 103 is adhered to the upper surface (outer flap 11) of the shipping box 10 as shown in FIG.

After that, as shown in FIG. 8, when the packing tape 103 adheres to the upstream side surface (side plate 15) of the shipping box 10 and further wraps around the upstream side bottom surface (bottom flap 13), the packing tape 103 is cut. , The tip returns to its original position.

When the tip of the packing tape 103 returns to its original position, the shipping box automatic sealing device 100 transmits a signal that the work is completed to the PCL. Then, the PLC that receives this signal instructs the equipment of the shipping work line to transport the shipping box 10 of the zone 4 to the zone 5 of the shipping box automatic sealing device 100, and at the same time, the shipping destination of the shipping box 10. The information (001A) is shifted from the data area 4 corresponding to the zone 4 in the PLC to the data area 5 corresponding to the zone 5.

<Step 5>
When the shipping box 10 of the zone 4 is conveyed to the zone 5 by the conveyor 40B and it is confirmed by the sensor installed in the zone 5 that one shipping box 10 exists in the zone 5, the shipping box 10 is detected. The signal is transmitted from the zone 5 sensor to the PLC. Then, the PLC confirms whether or not the shipping destination information (001A) of the shipping box 10 exists in the data area 5, and if the shipping destination information (001A) exists in the data area 5, the shipping box is automatically sealed. The box device 100 is instructed to continue the boxing work of the shipping box 10.

Here, when it is confirmed that the shipping box 10 exists in the zone 5, the shipping destination information (001A) of the shipping box 10 does not exist in the data area 5 of the PLC, or the shipping box 10 is shipped. Although the destination information (001A) exists in the data area 5 of the PLC, the shipping box 10 remains in the zone 5 even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the PLC instructed the shipping box 10 of the zone 4 to be transported to the zone 5. If it is not detected, the PLC determines that the data is abnormal and stops the operation of the equipment. Then, the entire data area of the PLC and the numerical values of the counter are cleared, and all the data transmitted from the PLC to the computer PC is also cleared.

In this case, in order to resume the operation of the equipment, it is a condition that the worker removes all the shipping boxes 10 in all zones. Then, when the operations of the conveyors 40A, 40B, and 40C are restarted, the operator puts the first shipping box 10 on the conveyor 40A in the zone 1 again, and the above-mentioned step 1 is restarted.

When the PLC instructs the shipping box automatic sealing device 100 to continue the sealing work of the shipping box 10, the conveyor 40B in the zone 5 is stopped. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 9, the packing tape 103 is closely adhered to the upper surface (outer flap 11) of the shipping box 10 by the pressing jig 102B descending toward the shipping box 10, and the bottom surface of the shipping box 10 is adhered. Both ends of the packing tape 103 are closely adhered to the bottom surface (bottom flap 13) of the shipping box 10 by the pressing roller 102C that moves along the (bottom flap 13).

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the shipping box 10 in which the taping work in the zone 5 is completed.

As described above, in the present embodiment, both ends of the packing tape 103 are wrapped around the bottom surface (bottom flap 13) of the shipping box 10 and attached, so that the shipping is extremely low with a height of 30 mm or less. Even in the case of the box 10, the packing tape 103 can be reliably attached to the side surface (side plate 15) of the shipping box 10 by using the shipping box automatic sealing device 100.

Further, by attaching the packing tape 103 not only to the upper surface (outer flap 11) and side surface (side plate 15) of the shipping box 10 but also to the bottom surface (bottom flap 13), the upper surface (outer flap 11) of the shipping box 10 is attached. The shipping box 10 can be reliably sealed as compared with the case where the packing tape 103 is attached only to the side surface (side plate 15).

That is, even if the product 20 in the shipping box 10 hits the back surface of the outer flap 11 due to vibration during transportation or the like and a force that pushes up the outer flap 11 from the inside to the outside of the shipping box 10 acts, both ends of the packing tape 103. When the packing tape 103 is pasted around the bottom surface (bottom flap 13) of the shipping box 10 and attached only to the top surface (outer flap 11) and side surface (side plate 15) of the shipping box 10. In comparison, it is possible to reliably prevent the packing tape 103 from peeling off and the outer flap 11 from rising.
<Step 6>
When the taping work of the shipping box 10 is completed, the shipping box automatic sealing device 100 transmits a signal to the PCL that the work is completed. Then, the PLC that receives this signal instructs the equipment of the shipping work line to send the shipping box 10 of the zone 5 to the zone 6 downstream of the shipping box automatic sealing device 100, and ships the shipping box 10. The destination information (001A) is shifted from the data area 5 corresponding to the zone 5 in the PLC to the data area 6 corresponding to the zone 6.

When the shipping box 10 of the zone 5 is conveyed to the zone 6 by the conveyor 40B and it is confirmed by the sensor installed in the zone 6 that one shipping box 10 exists in the zone 6, the shipping box 10 is detected. The signal is transmitted from the zone 6 sensor to the PLC. Then, the PLC confirms whether or not the shipping destination information (001A) of the shipping box 10 exists in the data area 6, and if the shipping destination information (001A) exists in the data area 6, it is installed in the zone 7. A signal is sent to the invoice issuing / pasting machine 31 instructing the issuance and pasting of the invoice corresponding to the shipping destination information (001A) of the shipping box 10.

Here, when it is confirmed that the shipping box 10 exists in the zone 6, the shipping destination information (001A) of the shipping box 10 does not exist in the data area 6 of the PLC, or the shipping box 10 is shipped. Although the destination information (001A) exists in the data area 6 of the PLC, the shipping box 10 remains in the zone 6 even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the PLC instructed the shipping box 10 of the zone 5 to be transported to the zone 6. If it is not detected, the PLC determines that the data is abnormal and stops the operation of the equipment. Then, the entire data area of the PLC and the numerical values of the counter are cleared, and all the data transmitted from the PLC to the computer PC is also cleared.

In this case, in order to resume the operation of the equipment, it is a condition that the worker removes all the shipping boxes 10 in all zones. Then, when the operations of the conveyors 40A, 40B, and 40C are restarted, the operator puts the first shipping box 10 on the conveyor 40A in the zone 1 again, and the above-mentioned step 1 is restarted.

If the processing capacity of the automatic shipping box sealing device 100 is high, the zone 6 must not exist between the zone 5 in the automatic shipping box sealing device 100 and the zone 7 in which the invoice issuing / pasting machine 31 is installed. The shipping box 10 in the shipping box automatic sealing device 100 (zone 5) may be transported to the zone 7 between the time when the data abnormality occurs and the time when the equipment is actually stopped. Zone 6 is a buffer area for preventing such a problem. Therefore, when the processing capacity of the shipping box automatic sealing device 100 is reduced, the zone 6 (buffer area) is omitted, and the invoice is issued adjacent to the shipping box automatic sealing device 100 (zones 3 to 5). A sticking machine 31 (zone 7) may be installed, which can shorten the length of the shipping box transport line.

<Step 7>
When the shipping box 10 of the zone 6 is transported to the zone 7 and the sensor installed in the zone 7 confirms that one shipping box 10 exists in the zone 6, the signal that detects the shipping box 10 is a sensor. Is transmitted to the PLC. Then, the PLC confirms whether or not the shipping destination information (001A) of the shipping box 10 exists in the data area 7, and if the shipping destination information (001A) exists in the data area 7, it is in the zone 7. Instructs the installed invoice issuing / pasting machine 31 to issue and paste the invoice.

Then, the invoice issuing / pasting machine 31 prints the shipping destination information (0001B) corresponding to the shipping destination information (001A) transmitted from the computer PC in the above step 2 on the invoice, and prints this invoice on the surface of the shipping box 10. Attach to.

When the invoice is attached to the surface of the shipping box 10, the invoice issuing / attaching machine 31 transmits a signal to the PLC that the invoice has been attached. Then, the PLC instructs the invoice reading scanner 32 installed downstream of the invoice issuing / pasting machine 31 to read the invoice barcode, and the invoice reading scanner 32 is printed on the invoice on the surface of the shipping box 10. Read the invoice information (001B) written on the barcode.

Next, the invoice reading scanner 32 transmits the read shipping destination information (001B) together with the shipping destination information (001A) to the computer PC. Then, the computer PC collates the shipping destination information (001B) read by the invoice reading scanner 32 with the shipping destination information (001A) read by the scanner 30 in step 2 described above. Then, when it is determined that the shipping destination information (001B) and the shipping destination information (001A) match, the computer PC transmits a verification OK signal to the PLC, and the PLC transmits the shipping destination information (001A) from the data area 7. To delete.

As described above, in the shipping box automatic sealing system of the present embodiment, all the processes of the shipping work line are divided into a plurality of zones (zones 1 to 7), and the shipping is read upstream of the shipping box automatic sealing device 100. The shipping destination information (001A) of the box 10 is stored in the data area in the PLC. Then, the shipping box 10 is transported from the shipping box automatic sealing device 100 (zones 3 to 5) to the invoice issuing / pasting machine 31 (zone 7) to each zone, and in the PLC corresponding to each of these zones. Work proceeds while associating the shift of the shipping destination information (001A) between the data areas of.

As a result, due to the order shift of the shipping boxes 10 during transportation, the shipping destination information (001A) described in the delivery note 21 in the shipping box 10 and the shipping described in the invoice affixed to the surface of the shipping box 10 It is possible to reliably prevent erroneous delivery due to inconsistency with the destination information (001B).

Further, by covering the entire equipment of the shipping work line from Zone 3 to Zone 7 with a cover, the worker can remove the shipping box 10 in Zone 3 to Zone 7 or interrupt another shipping box 10. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the shipping boxes 10 from being out of order due to human error. As a result, an error due to a discrepancy between the shipping address information (001A) written on the delivery note 21 in the shipping box 10 and the shipping address information (001B) written on the invoice attached to the surface of the shipping box 10 is erroneous. Delivery can be prevented more reliably.

Although the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described above based on the embodiment, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be variously modified without departing from the gist thereof. stomach.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the inside of the shipping box automatic sealing device 100 is divided into three zones (zones 3 to 5), but the entire shipping box automatic sealing device 100 is regarded as one zone. May be good. Further, even if a zone is provided for each sealing work unit of the shipping box 10 (height detection of the shipping box 10, folding of the inner flap 12, folding of the outer flap 11, taping) inside the shipping box automatic sealing device 100. good.

Further, the automatic shipping box sealing system of the present invention is caused by a discrepancy between the shipping address information written on the delivery note in the shipping box and the shipping address information written on the invoice attached to the surface of the shipping box. As a system to prevent erroneous delivery, it can also be applied to a shipping box automatic sealing system in which a management label is affixed to the outer surface of the shipping box.

As shown in FIG. 11, the shipping box automatic sealing system in which a management label is affixed to the outer surface of the shipping box is a management label (inside the shipping box) on the outer surface of the unsealed shipping box upstream of the shipping box automatic sealing device. By attaching the label with the information associated with the shipping address information written on the delivery note of, and scanning the management label after sealing the shipping box, the delivery note in the shipping box It is a system that collates the match between the shipping destination information described in the above and the shipping destination information described in the invoice attached to the surface of the shipping box.

10 Shipping box 11 Outer flap 12 Inner flap 13 Bottom flap 14 Glue allowance 15 Side plate 30 Scanner (first scanner)
31 Invoice issuing / pasting machine 32 Scanner for reading invoice (second scanner)
33 Height detection sensor 40A, 40B, 40C Conveyor 100 Shipping box automatic sealing device 101 Inner flap folding mechanism 102 Taping mechanism 102A Outer flap folding bar (outer flap folding mechanism)
102B Pressing jig 102C Pressing roller 103 Packing tape PC Computer

Claims (6)

An inner flap folding mechanism that folds a pair of inner flaps exposed to the outside of the shipping box inside the shipping box,
An outer flap folding mechanism that folds a pair of outer flaps exposed to the outside of the shipping box inside the shipping box,
From one end of the bottom surface of the shipping box in which the inner flap and the outer flap are folded inward, to one end of the bottom surface via one side surface in contact with one end of the bottom surface, the top surface, and the other side surface facing the one end. A taping mechanism that attaches packing tape to the area leading to the opposite end,
Shipping box automatic sealing device equipped with. The shipping box automatic sealing device according to claim 1, wherein the height of the side surface of the shipping box is 30 mm or less. The shipping box automatic sealing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the shipping box is a size box that can be posted in. The first zone where the unboxed shipping box containing the product and the delivery note containing the shipping destination information of the product is put in, and
A second zone located downstream of the first zone and equipped with a first scanner that scans the delivery note housed in the shipping box transported from the first zone and reads the shipping destination information, and
The item according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which is located downstream of the second zone and performs automatic sealing and automatic taping processing on the shipping box transported from the second zone. At least one third zone where the automatic shipping box sealing device is installed, and
An invoice issuing / pasting machine located downstream of the third zone and affixing an invoice containing shipping destination information of the product to the surface of the shipping box conveyed from the third zone, and affixing to the surface of the shipping box. A fourth zone in which a second scanner that scans the invoice and reads the shipping address information is installed, and
Equipped with shipping work line including
The shipping destination information of the delivery note read by the first scanner in the second zone is transmitted to a PLC (programmable logical controller), and the PLC receiving the shipping destination information sends the shipping destination information to the equipment of the shipping work line. The shipping box in the second zone is instructed to be transported to the third zone, and the shipping destination information corresponds to the third zone from the second data area corresponding to the second zone in the PLC. The first step to shift to the third data area and
When it is confirmed by the first shipping box detecting means installed in the third zone that one shipping box exists in the third zone, the first shipping box detecting means detects the shipping box. The signal is transmitted to the PLC, and the PLC that receives the signal confirms whether or not the shipping destination information exists in the third data area, and the shipping destination information exists in the third data area. In this case, the second step of instructing the shipping box automatic sealing device to start the sealing work of the shipping box, and
When the shipping box automatic sealing device transmits a completion signal of the sealing work to the PLC, the PLC receiving the completion signal sends the shipping box of the third zone to the equipment of the shipping work line. A third step of instructing the user to carry the product to the fourth zone and shifting the shipping destination information from the third data area to the fourth data area corresponding to the fourth zone in the PLC.
When it is confirmed by the second shipping box detecting means installed in the fourth zone that one shipping box exists in the fourth zone, the second shipping box detecting means detects the shipping box. The signal is transmitted to the PLC, and the PLC that receives the signal confirms whether or not the shipping destination information exists in the fourth data area, and the shipping destination information exists in the fourth data area. In this case, the invoice issuing / pasting machine is instructed to issue and paste the invoice, and the invoice issuing / pasting machine that has received the issuing / pasting signal issues the invoice containing the invoice information. The 4th step to attach to the surface of the shipping box,
The shipping destination information written on the invoice on the surface of the shipping box read by the second scanner in the fourth zone is collated with the shipping destination information read by the first scanner in the second zone. 5th step to do and
Shipping box automatic sealing and labeling system including. The automatic shipping box sealing and labeling system according to claim 4, further comprising a buffer zone for increasing the processing capacity of the automatic boxing machine between the third zone and the fourth zone. The automatic shipping box sealing system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the entire equipment of the shipping work line from the third zone to the fourth zone is covered with a cover.

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