JP7199682B2 - Sealing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a sealing device.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a device that automatically closes a flap and applies tape while transporting a cardboard box has been widely used. For example, in the boxing device described in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-135682), the front flap that advances first hits a folding member provided at a predetermined position and is folded, and the rear flap is folded. After the front and rear flaps are folded in by a rotating member from the rear, the left and right flaps are folded in by a bar member.

However, when the contents of the cardboard box are light, when the front flap hits the folding member, the front upper end of the cardboard box acts as a resistance and is also pushed from the rear, causing the rear end of the cardboard box to rise. Alternatively, a situation may occur in which the front edge is lifted along the folding member.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a sealing device that prevents a cardboard box from rising when folding the front flap of the cardboard box during transportation.

A sealing device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a sealing device that closes a flap provided at the edge of an opening of a cardboard box while conveying the cardboard box, and includes a flap folding part and a side pressing part. ing. The flap folding part abuts on the first flap, which is the flap on the front side in the transport direction of the cardboard box, and folds the first flap. The side pressing portion presses against the side surface of the cardboard box being transported when the flap folding portion folds the first flap. The side pressing portion presses against the side surface of the cardboard box immediately before the flap folding portion abuts against the first flap from the front. When the first flap is folded rearward, the side pushers leave the sides of the carton.

In this box-sealing device, since the side pressing portion presses the side of the cardboard box, it is possible to prevent the cardboard box from rising.

Further, in this sealing device, the cardboard box is lifted when the flap folding part hits the first flap, so the side pressing part hits the side of the cardboard box before the flap folding part hits the first flap. is sufficient, after which the cardboard box is avoided from being subjected to an extra load by moving away.

A sealing device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the sealing device according to the first aspect, in which the side pressing portions apply frictional resistance to the side surfaces of the cardboard box.

In this sealing device, the side pressing portions apply frictional resistance to the side surfaces of the cardboard box, thereby suppressing the cardboard box from rising.

A sealing device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the sealing device according to the first aspect or the second aspect, in which the side pressing portion rubs against the side surface of the cardboard box by surface contact.

With this sealing device, the sides of the cardboard box rub against each other in surface contact, so that the cardboard box can be prevented from being lifted without interfering with the transportation of the cardboard box.

A sealing device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the sealing device according to the first aspect or the second aspect, and has a rotating member in which the side pressing portion makes rotational contact with the side surface of the cardboard box.

In this sealing device, it is possible to prevent the side surfaces of the cardboard box from being scratched during transportation due to the rotational contact of the rotary member with the side surfaces of the cardboard box.

A sealing device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the sealing device according to any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, in which the side pressing portion is kept in contact with the side surface of the cardboard box for a predetermined distance. Only follow the transportation of cardboard boxes.

In this box sealing device, the side pushing part follows the transportation of the cardboard box for a predetermined distance while being in contact with the side surface of the cardboard box, thereby suppressing the side surface of the cardboard box from being scratched during transportation. can be done.

In the box sealing device according to the present invention, the side pressing portion presses the side surface of the cardboard box, so that the cardboard box can be prevented from rising.

1 is a block diagram of a packaging system equipped with a sealing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. The perspective view which shows the structure of a cartoning system. 1 is a perspective view showing the flow of cardboard boxes and products in a cartoning system; FIG. FIG. 4 is a front view around the flap closing mechanism when the cardboard box is not being transported; FIG. 11 is a front view of the periphery of the flap closing mechanism when a cardboard box is conveyed; FIG. 4 is a front view around the flap closing mechanism while the rear flap is being folded. FIG. 11 is a front view of the vicinity of the flap closing mechanism when the folding bar is lowered to the lowest point; FIG. 4 is a perspective view around the flap closure mechanism just before the front flap of the cardboard box contacts the front flap folding member; FIG. 4 is a perspective view around the flap closing mechanism when the front flap of the cardboard box is folded by the front flap folding member; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the periphery of the side pushing mechanism; The perspective view of a side pushing mechanism. FIG. 4 is a front view of the vicinity of the flap closing mechanism when the left flap of the cardboard box is in contact with the folding bar; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the left and right flap folding mechanism when the folding bar is lowered to the lowest point; The perspective view of a guide member. FIG. 10 is a control flowchart (flow from step S1 to step S6) at the time of sensor abnormality; FIG. 11 is a control flow chart when a sensor is abnormal (flow from step S11 to step S15); FIG. FIG. 8 is a control block diagram of the stepping motor 395 shown in FIG. 7;

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments are specific examples of the present invention and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

(1) Configuration of packaging system 1 FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a packaging system 1 equipped with a sealing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2A is a perspective view showing the configuration of the packaging system, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view showing the flow of cardboard boxes B and products G in the packaging system 1. As shown in FIG.

1 and 2A, the boxing system 1 packs a certain number of bagged products (products G) such as snacks in a cardboard box B in multiple layers in an aligned state.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A, in the cartoning system 1, the cardboard handling area DHA and the merchandise handling area GHA are connected independently and separably. The corrugated cardboard handling area DHA includes two processes, a box-making process P1 and a box-packing process P3. The product handling area GHA includes a product alignment process P2.

In other words, in the boxing system 1, the corrugated cardboard handling area DHA and the product handling area GHA are connected, so that the three processes of the box making process P1, the product arranging process P2, and the boxing process P3 are linked.

The box-making process P1 is a process of assembling the sheet-like cardboard box material Z into a cardboard box B and conveying it to a boxing position. It is composed of a transport section 14 .

In the commodity arranging process P2, the commodities G supplied from the upstream process are carried into a predetermined position, and a certain number of commodities G are aligned so that adjacent ones partially overlap each other, and conveyed to a boxing position. This process is composed of a product loading section 21 , a product arranging section 22 and a product inserting section 23 .

The boxing process P3 is a process of packing a certain number of products G that have been aligned in the product arranging process P2 into the cardboard boxes B transported from the box making process P1, closing the boxes, and transporting them to the box discharge position. It is composed of a commodity receiving section 31 , a second posture changing section 32 and a sealing section 33 .

The packaging system 1 packs products G in multiple layers in a cardboard box B, and the posture of the products G inside the box B is a "standing posture". In other words, when the opening of box B faces upward, the front and back sides of product G face sideways, the top and bottom edges of product G face up and down, and the left and right sides face sideways. be.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the cardboard box handling area DHA has a two-story structure, and the box making process P1 and the box packing process P3 are supported by a common frame 10. is the box making process P1, and the first floor part is the boxing process P3.

In order to realize this two-story structure, the direction of transportation of the cardboard box B from the assembly of the cardboard box B in the box making section 12 to the box lower transport section 14, and the opening of the cardboard box B packed with the product G. The conveying direction of the cardboard box B until is sealed by the sealing part 33 is opposite to each other.

(2) Detailed Configuration of Box Making Process P1 As shown in FIG. 12, a first posture changing unit 13 that rotates the cardboard box B by 90° around a horizontal axis perpendicular to the direction of transport, and a box lower transport unit 14 that transports the cardboard box B in the first posture downward. It is configured.

(2-1) Box Material Storage Unit 11
As shown in FIG. 2B, in the box storage section 11, the first cardboard boxes Z among the cardboard boxes Z stacked at the supply position are sandwiched one by one and delivered upward. The box material Z is rotated by 90° around the vertical axis and expanded into a cylindrical shape.

The corrugated cardboard box material Z is placed at the supply position by an operator. The corrugated cardboard boxes Z are folded with the flaps Zf open and stacked horizontally with the flaps Zf positioned vertically. For convenience of explanation, the flap Zf on the top side is called a top flap Zfa, and the flap Zf on the bottom side is called a bottom flap Zfb.

The cardboard boxes Z are sent upward by the lifting mechanism 111, and when all the cardboard boxes Z at the supply position are gone, a detection signal from a detection sensor (not shown) is sent to the controller 40 (see FIG. 1). Send.

Further, the rotation of the cardboard box material Z around the vertical axis is realized by holding the sides of the cardboard box material Z by sucking with suction cups by means of the sucking and rotating mechanism 112 and rotating the sucking and rotating mechanism 112 around the vertical axis by 90°. be done.

(2-2) Box making section 12
The box-making unit 12 conveys the cardboard box material Z spread out in a cylindrical shape in the horizontal direction, folds the bottom flap Zfb of the cardboard box material Z, and tapes the cardboard box material Z, thereby forming the cardboard box B with the top flap Zfa open. assemble.

(2-3) First posture changer 13
The first posture changing unit 13 rotates the cardboard box B by 90 degrees in the transport direction. More specifically, the first posture changing unit 13 rotates the cardboard box B by 90° around a horizontal axis perpendicular to the transport direction so that the opening of the cardboard box B and the top flap Zfa are on the same vertical plane. The posture of the cardboard box B is changed so that it becomes a posture (hereinafter referred to as the first posture). When the cardboard box B is in the first posture, the opening faces the product handling area GHA.

(2-4) Box lower conveying unit 14
The box lower transport section 14 transports the cardboard box B in the first posture downward. That is, the opening of the cardboard box B is moved downward while facing the merchandise handling area GHA.

(3) Detailed Configuration of Commodity Aligning Process P2 On the upstream side of the commodity aligning process P2 in the flow of commodities G in the packaging system 1, a weighing device, a bag making and packaging machine, etc., not shown, are arranged. Then, in the packaging system 1, only the products G that have passed the weight, sealability, foreign matter contamination inspection, etc. in the upstream process are supplied to the product alignment process P2.

The product arranging process P2 includes a product loading unit 21 that receives and conveys the products G to a predetermined position, a product arranging unit 22 that aligns the products G supplied from the product loading unit 21, and a product that stacks and pushes out the aligned products G. It is composed of an insertion portion 23 .

(3-1) Commodity loading unit 21
The product carry-in section 21 has a product introduction conveyor 211 and a carry-in conveyor 212 . The product introduction conveyor 211 receives the product G that has passed the inspection downstream of the weight, sealability, foreign matter contamination inspection, etc., and guides it to the carry-in conveyor 212 .

The carry-in conveyor 212 conveys the products G conveyed from the product introduction conveyor 211 to the product alignment section 22 .

(3-2) Merchandise arranging unit 22
The product aligning section 22 has a first aligning conveyor 221 , a second aligning conveyor 222 , and a third aligning conveyor 223 . The product arranging unit 22 conveys the products G to a predetermined position while stacking them, and is particularly suitable for stacking bag-shaped packages, so that it can be used independently as a package stacking device. can also

One end of the first alignment conveyor 221 is set at a position lower than the height of the leading end of the loading conveyor 212 and the other end is positioned at the height of the second alignment conveyor 222 in order to receive the products G dropped from the loading conveyor 212 . is set to

After the product G at the end of the row lands on the first alignment conveyor 221, the first alignment conveyor 221, the second alignment conveyor 222, and the third alignment conveyor 223 simultaneously carry out the conveying operation in the same direction. Therefore, the N commodities G aligned in a row on the first alignment conveyor 221 and the second alignment conveyor 222 move all at once toward the third alignment conveyor 223 and advance on the third alignment conveyor 223. .

The third aligning conveyor 223 conveys a group of products G aligned by the first aligning conveyor 221 and the second aligning conveyor 222 to just before the opening of the waiting cardboard box B. The third alignment conveyor 223 also serves as one element of the product insertion section 23 described below.

(3-3) Merchandise Insertion Portion 23
The commodity inserting part 23 inserts the whole group of commodity G aligned in a line on the third aligning conveyor 223 into the cardboard box B with the head and tail of the group of commodity G sandwiched therebetween. As shown in FIG. 2B, the product insertion section 23 has an erecting conveyor 231, a pushing plate 233, and an insertion plate 235 for sandwiching a group of aligned products G. As shown in FIG.

(3-3-1) Standing conveyor 231
The standing conveyor 231 is provided on the downstream end of the third aligning conveyor 223 and blocks the advance of the commodities G conveyed in a row. The standing conveyor 231 is arranged such that its conveying surface is always perpendicular to the direction in which the products G are conveyed.

The conveying surface of the erecting conveyor 231 moves vertically upward from a little before the product G contacts the conveying surface of the erecting conveyor 231 . Then, when the leading end of the product G contacts the conveying surface of the erecting conveyor 231, an upward force acts on the leading end of the product G, and the horizontal movement by the third aligning conveyor 223 continues. The product G can certainly stand up.

(3-3-2) pushing plate 233
The pushing plate 233 pushes the tail end of the N commodities G aligned in a line, sandwiches them with the erecting conveyor 231, and makes them stand up.

The pressing plate 233 is provided on the upstream end side of the third aligning conveyor 223, and while the line of the commodities G is moving from the second aligning conveyor 222 to the third aligning conveyor 223, the flat portion It is accommodated beside the third alignment conveyor 223 so as to be parallel to the conveying direction of . In addition, the pressing plate 233 rotates so that the flat portion is perpendicular to the conveying direction of the product G when the product G at the end of the row is completely transferred from the second alignment conveyor 222 to the third alignment conveyor 223. . Further, the pushing plate 233 pushes the product G at the end of the row to move the entire row toward the erecting conveyor 231 side.

At this time, since the conveying surface of the erecting conveyor 231 is moving vertically upward, the product G at the top of the row stands up along the conveying surface of the erecting conveyor 231, and the next product G follows the erected first product G. stand along. Since the subsequent commodities G are raised in a chain by the same operation, the N commodities G are aligned in the standing state.

In addition, the commodity inserting section 23 pushes the N standing commodities G into the cardboard box B at once through the insertion plate 235 . The insertion plate 235 is located on the side opposite to the position of the cardboard box B across the third alignment conveyor 223 . When viewed from the second alignment conveyor 222 side, the opening surface of the cardboard box B is positioned on the right side of the third alignment conveyor 223 and positioned on the left side of the third alignment conveyor 223 .

(3-3-3) Insertion plate 235
The insertion plate 235 is on standby with its flat surface facing the opening of the cardboard box B, and after the N products G are in an upright state, they are pushed into the cardboard box B toward the opening surface, and N The product G is inserted into the cardboard box B from the opening toward the bottom at once. The insertion plate 235 crosses between the standing conveyor 231 and the pressing plate 233 and advances to the opening surface of the cardboard box B. As shown in FIG.

(4) Detailed Configuration of Box Packing Process P3 The box packing process P3 includes a product receiving section 31 that receives the product G into the cardboard box B, and a second posture changing section 32 that changes the posture so that the opening of the cardboard box faces upward. and a sealing part 33 for closing the opening of the cardboard box B while conveying the cardboard box B in which the goods G have been packed.

(4-1) Merchandise receiving unit 31
The product receiving section 31 maintains the cardboard box B in the first posture, and makes the opening of the cardboard box B face the insertion plate 235 of the product insertion section 23 to stand by. The N commodities G in the upright state in the commodity inserting section 23 are pushed toward the opening of the cardboard box B by the insertion plate 235, so that the commodity receiving section 31 inserts the N commodities G into the cardboard box. Wait in that position until it is completely inserted into B from the opening toward the bottom.

When N pieces of merchandise G in the first layer are inserted into the cardboard box B, they are lowered by a predetermined distance. Then, in order to receive N commodities G in the second layer, the opening of the space above the first layer among the openings of the cardboard box B is made to face the insertion plate 235 and stand by.

By repeating the above operation, the N products G of the i-th layer are inserted into the cardboard box B, and the acceptance of the products into the cardboard box B is completed.

(4-2) Second Posture Changer 32
As shown in FIG. 2B, the second posture changing section 32 has a posture changing mechanism 321 that changes the posture of the cardboard box B filled with the products G to a posture with the opening facing upward.

The posture changing mechanism 321 turns the cardboard box B so that the opening surface, which has been vertical until then, becomes horizontal, that is, the opening surface faces upward. The posture changing mechanism 321 holds the cardboard box B by an L-shaped member with suction cups that simultaneously sucks the sides and bottom of the cardboard box B, and the cardboard box B rotates by rotating the L-shaped member by 90°.

(4-3) Sealing section 33
As shown in FIG. 2B, the sealing unit 33 includes a discharge conveyor 330 that conveys the cardboard box B, a flap closure mechanism 340 (see FIG. 3A) that closes the flap surrounding the opening of the cardboard box B, and a side wall of the cardboard box. It has a side pushing mechanism 355 (see FIG. 4A) for pushing and a tape applicator 380 for sealing the opening closed by the flap.

(4-3-1) Discharge conveyor 330
When the cardboard box B is rotated by 90° by the posture changing mechanism 321, it is placed on the discharge conveyor 330 with the opening facing upward. The discharge conveyor 330 conveys the cardboard box B to the discharge position.

(4-3-2) Flap closure mechanism 340
FIG. 3A is a front view around the flap closure mechanism 340 when the cardboard box B is not being transported. FIG. 3B is a front view around the flap closing mechanism 340 when the cardboard box B is conveyed.

FIG. 3C is a front view around the flap closure mechanism 340 while the rear flap Zfab is being folded. Furthermore, FIG. 3D is a front view around the flap closing mechanism 340 when the folding bar 370a is lowered to the lowest point.

3A-3C, the flap closing mechanism 340 has a front flap folding member 350, a rear flap folding member 360, and left and right flap folding members 370. As shown in FIG. The cardboard box B is placed on the discharge conveyor 330 so that its longitudinal direction is parallel to the transport direction. close up. Next, the rear flap folding member 360 closes the rear flap Zfab positioned on the rear side of the opening when viewed from the conveying direction side. Next, the left and right flap folding members 370 close the left flap Zfal and the right flap Zfar positioned on the left and right sides of the opening as viewed from the transport direction side.

In addition, before the front flap Zfaa is folded, the flap closing mechanism 340 applies the front edges of the left flap Zfal and the right flap Zfar to the left and right flap raising members 345 so that the left flap Zfal and the right flap Zfar that are opened outward are inward. tilt to

(4-3-2-1) Left and right flap raising member 345
The left and right flap raising members 345 are a pair of fixed elongated members, and are configured to separate outward and downward from each other toward the tip. The left and right flap raising member 345 waits for the left flap Zfal and the right flap Zfar of the cardboard box B conveyed at its two leading ends. advances along left and right flap raising members 345, left flap Zfal and right flap Zfar are scooped up and tilted inward toward each other.

(4-3-2-2) Front flap folding member 350
3A, the front flap folding member 350 has a first slanted surface 351, a second slanted surface 352, and a horizontal surface 353. In FIG.

The first slanted surface 351 is an upward slanted surface of approximately 50° with respect to the horizontal plane. The second slanted surface 352 is an upward slanted surface of approximately 15° with respect to the horizontal plane. The lower end of the first inclined surface 351 is connected to the upper end of the second inclined surface 352 , and the lower end of the second inclined surface 352 is connected to one end of the horizontal surface 353 .

In FIG. 3B, the front edge of the front flap Zfaa of the cardboard box B hits the first inclined surface 351 of the front flap folding member 350, and the front edge of the front flap Zfaa is tilted backward (in the direction of the white arrow in FIG. 3B).

As the cardboard box B is further transported, the upper surface of the collapsed front flap Zfaa is further collapsed by the second inclined surface 352 . After that, the corrugated cardboard box B is further conveyed so that the upper surface of the front flap Zfaa is laid down by the horizontal surface 353 until it becomes substantially horizontal, and the folding of the front flap Zfaa is completed.

(4-3-2-3) Side pushing mechanism 355
4A shows the vicinity of the flap closing mechanism 340 immediately before the front flap Zfaa of the cardboard box B contacts the front flap folding member 350. FIG. 4B shows the vicinity of the flap closing mechanism 340 when the front flap Zfaa of the cardboard box B is folded by the front flap folding member 350. FIG.

In FIGS. 4A and 4B, when the front end of the front flap Zfaa of the cardboard box B hits the first inclined surface 351 of the front flap folding member 350, there is a risk that the front of the cardboard box B may be lifted by the recoil.

In addition, when the front end of the front flap Zfaa of the cardboard box B hits the first inclined surface 351 of the front flap folding member 350, the transportation of the cardboard box B is braked, and the rear of the cardboard box B may be lifted up. .

Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to prevent the cardboard box B from floating, a side pushing mechanism is provided that can push the invisible side of the cardboard box B in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

4C is a perspective view of the periphery of the side pushing mechanism 355. FIG. Moreover, FIG. 4D is a perspective view of a side pushing mechanism.

4C and 4D, a guide plate 331 is provided on the side of the discharge conveyor 330 to guide the lower side surface of the cardboard box B flowing on the discharge conveyor 330 along the discharge conveyor 330. A side pushing mechanism 355 is provided on the upstream side of the guide plate 331 .

The side pushing mechanism 355 includes a side pushing member 356 , a side pushing air cylinder 357 and a support shaft guide 358 . The side pressing member 356 has a friction surface 356a. The friction surface 356 a is normally positioned on the same plane as the guide plate 331 .

The side pushing air cylinder 357 has a piston 357a that reciprocates by air pressure. The piston 357 a is connected to the opposite side of the friction surface 356 a of the side pushing member 356 so as to push the friction surface 356 a of the side pushing member 356 onto the conveying surface of the discharge conveyor 330 .

The support shaft guide 358 has a support shaft 358a and a bearing 358b. The support shaft 358a supports the side pressing member 356 from the opposite side of the friction surface 356a. The bearing 358b guides the support shaft 358a along the movement direction of the piston 357a of the side pushing air cylinder 357. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, a total of two support shaft guides 358 are arranged on the left and right sides of the side pushing air cylinder 357 .

Since it is difficult to stabilize the posture of the side pressing member 356 only with the piston 357a of the side pressing air cylinder 357, the side pressing member 356 is supported by the support shafts 358a of the support shaft guides 358 from both sides of the piston 357a. As a result, the side pressing member 356 can reciprocate in a stable posture.

In addition, the function of the side pushing mechanism 355 not only serves to prevent the cardboard box B from rising, but also prevents the cardboard box B from slipping forward when the rear flap is folded.

In the configuration as described above, the controller 40 controls the side pushing air cylinder 357 so that a predetermined force acts on the side pushing air cylinder 357 when the cardboard box B passes through the friction surface 356 a of the side pushing member 356 . The piston 357a of the air cylinder 357 is advanced toward the side of the cardboard box B.

The predetermined force is set so as not to hinder the transportation of the cardboard box B and to prevent the front or rear of the cardboard box B from rising, and is preferably about 20N.

When the front flap Zfaa of the cardboard box B is folded rearward on the first inclined surface 351, the side surface of the cardboard box B is separated from the friction surface 356a of the side pressing member 356, so that the controller 40 applies pressure to the side pressing air cylinder 357. stop the supply.

4A to 4D, an attitude adjustment push mechanism 336 having the same mechanism as the side push mechanism 355 is arranged on the side of the discharge conveyor 330 and upstream of the side push mechanism 355. As shown in FIG.

The posture adjustment push mechanism 336 forces the posture of the cardboard box B, which is rotated by 90° and placed on the discharge conveyor 330 by the posture conversion mechanism 321, to the posture along the conveying direction of the discharge conveyor 330 by pushing the sides thereof. It is something to do.

(4-3-2-4) Rear flap folding member 360
3C, at the timing when the front flap Zfaa of the cardboard box B enters below the horizontal surface 353 of the front flap folding member 350, the rear flap folding member 360 folds the rear flap Zfab.

The rear flap folding member 360 is a member that is rotated by an air cylinder 365, and has a presser plate 360a bent into a triangle and a transmission rod 360b that transmits the displacement of the piston of the air cylinder 365 to the presser plate 360a. there is

When the controller 40 determines that the front flap Zfaa of the cardboard box B has entered below the horizontal surface 353 of the front flap folding member 350, the controller 40 drives the air cylinder 365 to rotate the pressing plate 360a clockwise as viewed from the front in FIG. 3C. move.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the pressing plate 360a rotates while pressing the upper surface of the rear flap Zfab, and when the pressing plate 360a rotates 90 degrees, the rear flap Zfab is folded substantially horizontally.

(4-3-2-5) Left and right flap folding members 370
As shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, the left and right flap folding member 370 has a folding bar 370a and two arms 370b. The folding bar 370 a stands by at a position higher than the horizontal surface 353 of the front flap folding member 350 .

One end of arm 370b is connected to folding bar 370a. The arm 370b extends to a position higher than the folding bar 370a so as to cross the longitudinal direction of the folding bar 370a, and the other end is connected to a crankshaft 377 operated by a folding air cylinder 375.

Actually, the left and right flap folding members 370 are arranged on the front side and the back side in the front view of FIGS. are doing. That is, one folding bar 370a corresponds to each of the left flap Zfal and the right flap Zfar.

5 is a front view around the flap closing mechanism 340 when the left flap Zfal of the cardboard box B is in contact with the folding bar 370a. In FIG. 5, since the longitudinal direction of the folding bar 370a is inclined with respect to the transport direction of the cardboard box B, the front edges of the left flap Zfal and the right flap Zfar hit the folding bar 370a before any other parts. The inclination angle of the longitudinal direction of the folding bar 370a with respect to the conveying direction is within the range of 3° to 60°, preferably 30°.

The controller 40 operates the folding air cylinder 375 at approximately the same time as the front edges of the left flap Zfal and the right flap Zfar of the cardboard box B contact the left and right flap folding members 370 to turn the folding bar 370a. lower. The folding bar 370a is inclined with respect to the conveying direction even when it is descending while turning.

In FIG. 3D, when the folding bar 370a is lowered to the lowest point, the folding bar 370a becomes substantially horizontal in a front view of FIG. 3D, so that the left flap Zfal and the right flap Zfar can be reliably folded.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the left and right flap folding members 370 when the folding bar 370a is lowered to its lowest point, showing the left and right flap folding members 370 viewed from the direction opposite to the front view of FIG. . In FIG. 6, the tip of the piston 376 of the folding air cylinder 375 is connected to the end of the crankshaft 377 .

Since the folding bar 370a is connected to the crankshaft 377 via the arm 370b, when the piston 376 reciprocates through the entire stroke, the crankshaft 377 rotates and the folding bar 370a pivots.

A first sensor 375 a and a second sensor 375 b for detecting the position of the piston 376 are attached to the folding air cylinder 375 . The first sensor 375a is attached to the outward path side of the piston 376 in both ends of the folding air cylinder 375, and the second sensor 375b is attached to the return path side of the piston 376. As shown in FIG.

The first sensor 375a and the second sensor 375b turn on in response to the magnet attached to the piston 376 in advance, output a Lo signal to the controller 40, and turn off when they stop responding to the magnet. A Hi signal is output.

Therefore, the controller 40 determines that the piston 376 has reached the end of the outward stroke when the first sensor 375a is turned on, and determines that the piston 376 has reached the end of the return stroke when the second sensor 375b is turned on. can do. In FIG. 6, the piston 376 has reached the end of its forward stroke, and the tucking bar 370a has been lowered to its lowest point, exactly as in FIG. 3D.

According to the left and right flap folding member 370, the folding bar 370a can gradually fold the left flap Zfal and the right flap Zfar in the conveying direction from the front front edge to the rear side, so that the left flap Zfal and the right flap Zfal and the right flap Zfar can be folded back gradually. The Zfar is reliably folded along the "folds" that are preliminarily provided at its base.

(4-3-3) Tape Applicator 380
The opening of the cardboard box B is closed by folding the front flap Zfaa, the rear flap Zfab, the left flap Zfal, and the right flap Zfar, and sealed by the taping machine 380 . The taping machine 380 is installed near the discharge position of the transport path of the cardboard box B, and the tape is applied before the cardboard box B reaches the discharge position.

While the tape is applied to the cardboard box B, the taping machine 380 guides the upper parts of both side surfaces of the cardboard box B in the width direction along the conveying direction.

(4-3-3-1) Guide member 390
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the guide member 390, viewed from below the tape applying machine 380 of FIG. In FIG. 7, the guide member 390 is at the bottom of the taping machine and has a pair of guide plates (391, 392) that can be varied in spacing.

One of the pair of guide plates is called a first guide plate 391 and the other is called a second guide plate 392 . The first guide plate 391 and the second guide plate 392 are symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane parallel to the conveying direction. However, other than that, it is a plane parallel to the direction in which the cardboard box B is conveyed.

(4-3-3-2) Interval Adjustment of Guide Member 390 The first guide plate 391 is connected to the ball screw 393 via the first block 391a. Similarly, the second guide plate 392 is connected with the ball screw 393 via the second block 392a. Both the first block 391a and the second block 392a are screwed together with the ball screw 393 .

In the ball screw 393, a portion 393a screwed with the first block 391a and a portion 393b screwed with the second block 392a are threaded in opposite directions. Therefore, when the ball screw 393 rotates in one direction, the first block 391a and the second block 392a move parallel to each other, and the distance between the first guide plate 391 and the second guide plate 392 narrows. When the ball screw 393 rotates in the opposite direction, the first block 391a and the second block 392a are translated away from each other, and the distance between the first guide plate 391 and the second guide plate 392 increases.

One end of the ball screw 393 is connected to the stepping motor 395 . In this embodiment, when the ball screw 393 rotates clockwise as viewed from the stepping motor 395, the gap between the first guide plate 391 and the second guide plate 392 narrows, and when the ball screw 393 rotates counterclockwise, The interval between the first guide plate 391 and the second guide plate 392 is widened.

The controller 40 reads the width dimension of the cardboard box B from the input data of the cardboard box size at the start of production or at the time of product switching, and rotates the stepping motor 395 to automatically move the first guide plate 391 and the second guide plate 392. Adjust the spacing between

(5) Control The configuration of each part of the packaging system has been explained along with its operation. The control at the time of abnormality will be explained.

(5-1) Control when Sensor Abnormality in Air Cylinder 375 The packaging system 1 includes a plurality of air cylinders as actuators, each of which is attached with a sensor for detecting the position of the piston. When the sensor for detecting the position of any one of the air cylinders out of a plurality of air cylinders fails, the entire cartoning system 1 is stopped and the sensor is replaced.

Therefore, production is suspended until replacement of the sensor is completed, and in the unlikely event that the inventory of sensors is exhausted, the downtime of the cartoning system 1 will be prolonged, resulting in a significant drop in productivity. In order to avoid such a situation, in this embodiment, the required operation time of each air cylinder is stored in advance, and even if the sensor fails, the operation time is controlled by a timer to continue the operation of the packaging system for a certain period of time. can do.

The control when the sensor for position detection is abnormal will be described below with reference to the flowchart. Here, a case where either the first sensor 375a or the second sensor 375b of the folding air cylinder 375 described in the section "(4-3-2-5) Left and right flap folding members 370" fails will be described.

8A and 8B are control flowcharts when a sensor is abnormal. FIG. 8A shows the flow from steps S1 to S6, and FIG. 8B shows the flow from steps S11 to S15.

(5-1-1) Description of the flow of FIG. 8A (Step S1)
In FIG. 8A, the controller 40 determines whether or not there is an operation command for the folding air cylinder 375 in step S1, and proceeds to step S2 when there is an operation command.

(Step S2)
Next, in step S2, the controller 40 operates the folding air cylinder 375, and proceeds to step S3.

(Step S3)
Next, in step S3, the controller 40 counts the operation time t of the folding air cylinder 375, and proceeds to step S4.

(Step S4)
Next, in step S4, the controller 40 determines whether there is a detection signal from the first sensor 375a or the second sensor 375b. As described in the column of "(4-3-2-5) Left and right flap folding member 370", when the first sensor 375a is turned on, it is determined that the piston 376 of the air cylinder 375 has reached the end of the forward stroke. , the second sensor 375b is turned on, it can be determined that the piston 376 has reached the end of the return stroke.

Therefore, when there is a detection signal from the first sensor 375a or the second sensor 375b, the process proceeds to step S5.

(Step S5)
The controller 40 stops the operation of the air cylinder in step S5.

(Step S6)
On the other hand, when there is no detection signal from the first sensor 375a or the second sensor 375b in step S4, the controller 40 proceeds to step S6 and determines whether or not the operation time t has reached the predetermined time ta.

Here, the predetermined time ta is the required operation time obtained by adding an error to the design value of the operation time of the folding air cylinder 375, and is stored in the memory 401 (see FIG. 13) incorporated in the controller 40. FIG. The required operation time obtained by adding an error to the design value of the operation time of the folding air cylinder is ta=t1 in the outward process and ta=t2 in the return process.

Therefore, when t≧t1 when the folding air cylinder 375 is in the forward stroke operation, or when t≧t2 when the folding air cylinder 375 is in the backward stroke operation, step S11. proceed to

(5-1-2) Description of the flow of FIG. 8B (Step S11)
In FIG. 8B, the controller 40 suspends the operation of the packaging system 1 in step S11. This is because, even though the operation time t has reached the predetermined time ta in step S6, the detection signal was not received from the first sensor 375a or the second sensor 375b, so it was determined that the sensor was abnormal.

(Step S12)
The controller 40 displays a sensor abnormality to notify the operator of the packaging system 1 of the abnormality. If there is a display for display, it will be displayed on that screen. It may be notified by an alarm, voice message, or the like.

(Step S13)
Next, the controller 40 confirms switching to timer control. Specifically, the operator of the packaging system 1 is asked whether to switch to timer control via the display 400 (see FIG. 9).

(Step S14)
Next, the controller 40 determines whether or not switching to timer control has been confirmed. If the switching has been confirmed, the process proceeds to step S15, and if the switching has not been confirmed, the determination continues. For confirmation of switching, for example, a configuration in which a confirmation button displayed on the screen of the display 400 for display is touched may be used.

(Step S15)
In step S15, the controller 40 controls the operations of the folding air cylinder 375 in the outward and return strokes based on the required operation time stored in advance without relying on the detection signal from the first sensor 375a or the second sensor 375b. Control.

According to the above control, the operation of the air cylinder can be controlled by the timer, and the operation of the packaging system 1 can be continued by ignoring the signal of the position detection sensor.

(5-2) Abnormal Control of Origin Position Sensor of Stepping Motor An actuator such as the folding air cylinder 375 can be controlled to operate and stop in a required operation time stored in advance. It is dangerous to control actuators with large mechanical destructive force by operating time.

For example, in the case of a stepping motor whose position, etc., is determined by sensor detection, it is possible to output the required amount of rotation by inputting a predetermined pulse. By controlling the number of pulses to be input after detecting the signal, the movable member connected to the stepping motor can be moved to the target position.

However, in the mechanism driven by the stepping motor, if the origin position sensor fails, the cartoning system 1 will stop operating until the failed origin position sensor is replaced with a normal origin position sensor. performance is markedly reduced.

On the other hand, in the case of the stepping motor drive mechanism, once the position is set, there is no need to set the position again until the next commodity is changed, so there is also the circumstance that the operator may set the position manually.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, as an emergency measure, control when an origin position sensor of a stepping motor is abnormal will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 9 is a control block diagram of an actuator such as the stepping motor 395 shown in FIG. In FIG. 9, the controller 40 is connected to various sensors such as an origin position sensor 395 a of a ball screw 393 driven by a stepping motor 395 .

As described in "(4-3-3-2) Interval adjustment of the guide member 390" already described, when the ball screw 393 rotates clockwise when viewed from the stepping motor 395, the first guide plate 391 and the first guide plate 391 rotate. The space between the second guide plate 392 narrows, and when it rotates counterclockwise, the space between the first guide plate 391 and the second guide plate 392 widens.

The memory 401 stores the relationship between the rotation amount (input pulse number) of the stepping motor 395 from the origin position and the distance between the first guide plate 391 and the second guide plate 392. The width of the cardboard box B is read from the cardboard box size input data at the start or when the product is switched, and the stepping motor 395 is rotated to automatically adjust the gap between the first guide plate 391 and the second guide plate 392. are doing.

When the determination unit 402 determines that the origin position sensor 395a is abnormal, the mode switching unit 403 displays the abnormality of the origin position sensor 395a on the display 400 as a display unit. The automatic mode for adjusting the gap with the guide plate 392 is impossible" is displayed, and a display asking "whether or not the gap between the first guide plate 391 and the second guide plate 392 should be manually adjusted" is displayed. .

As a specific example where the determining unit 402 determines that the origin position sensor 395a is abnormal, the position signal to be detected is not output from the origin position sensor 395a even though the stepping motor 395 is receiving sufficient pulses. Then, the determination unit 402 determines that the origin position sensor 395a is abnormal.

If the origin position sensor 395a can be replaced immediately, the operator replaces it with a normal origin position sensor 395a without confirming the switching to the manual mode, and moves the first guide plate 391 and the second guide plate 392. Spacing adjustment can be done in automatic mode.

On the other hand, if the origin position sensor 395a is out of stock and it will take time to obtain it, a manual mode is selected in which the gap between the first guide plate 391 and the second guide plate 392 is manually adjusted as an emergency measure. After that, the confirmation button displayed on the screen of the display 400 is pressed to confirm the switching to the manual mode.

As a result, even if the origin position sensor 395a of the ball screw 393 fails, the signal of the origin position sensor 395a can be ignored by switching the interval adjustment between the first guide plate 391 and the second guide plate 392 to the manual mode. , the operation of the cartoning system 1 can be continued.

(6) Modified Example Here, a modified example in which only a part of the configuration is changed, which could not be described in the above embodiment, will be described.

In the above column of "(4-3-2-3) Side pushing mechanism 355", the friction surface 356a of the side pushing member 356 pushes the side surface of the cardboard box B, so that the friction surface 356a and the side surface of the cardboard box B It was explained that they adopted a structure that rubs against each other.

However, the function of the side pushing mechanism 355 is to prevent the front or rear of the cardboard box B from being lifted up, so that function may be realized with another configuration.

(6-1)
For example, instead of the friction surface 356a, the side surface of the cardboard box B may be pressed by a rotatable roller.

If the rotation axis of the roller is vertical, the roller will rotate by rubbing against the side surface of the cardboard box B, so that the side surface of the cardboard box B being conveyed can be prevented from being scratched.

(6-2)
Further, by configuring the friction surface 356a to move in the transport direction of the cardboard box B, the friction surface 356a presses the side surface of the cardboard box B and moves together with the side surface of the cardboard box B, so that the friction surface 356a moves along with the side surface of the cardboard box B. The rubbing is suppressed, and the side surfaces of the cardboard box B being transported can be prevented from being scratched.

(7) Features of this embodiment (7-1)
In the sealing unit 33 of the cartoning system 1, the side pressing members 356 of the side pressing mechanism 355 press the sides of the cardboard box B, so that the cardboard box B can be prevented from rising.

(7-2)
Since the lifting of the cardboard box B occurs when the front flap folding member 350 and the front flap Zfaa hit each other, the side pushing member 356 pushes the side of the cardboard box B before the front flap folding member 350 and the front flap Zfaa hit each other. It suffices to press against the cardboard box B, and then move away from it to avoid applying an extra load to the cardboard box B.

(7-3)
Since the side pressing members 356 give frictional resistance to the side surfaces of the cardboard box B, the cardboard box B is suppressed from rising. That is, by rubbing against the side surfaces of the cardboard box B, it is possible to suppress the lifting of the cardboard box B without interfering with the transport of the cardboard box B.

33 Sealing unit (sealing device)
350 front flap folding member (flap folding part)
351 first inclined plane (flap folding part)
352 second inclined surface (flap folding part)
353 Horizontal plane (Flap folding part)
355 side push mechanism (side push part)
356 side pressing member (side pressing portion)
356a Friction surface (side pushing part)
357 side push air cylinder (side push part)
B Cardboard box G Product Z Cardboard box material (sheet for making boxes)
Zfaa front flap (1st flap)

JP 2016-135682 A

Claims (5)

A sealing device that closes a flap provided at the edge of an opening of the cardboard box while transporting the cardboard box,
a flap folding part that hits the first flap, which is the flap on the front side of the cardboard box in the transport direction, and folds the first flap;
a side pressing portion that presses against a side surface of the cardboard box being transported when the flap folding portion folds the first flap;
with
Immediately before the flap folding portion contacts the first flap from the front, the side pressing portion presses against the side surface of the cardboard box,
When the first flap is folded rearward, the side pushing part separates from the side of the cardboard box.
Sealing device. The side pressing part gives frictional resistance to the side surface of the cardboard box,
The sealing device according to claim 1. The side pressing portion rubs against the side surface of the cardboard box by surface contact,
The sealing device according to claim 1 or claim 2. The side pressing portion has a rotating member that makes rotational contact with the side surface of the cardboard box,
The sealing device according to claim 1 or claim 2. The side pressing portion follows the transportation of the cardboard box for a predetermined distance while being in contact with the side surface of the cardboard box.
The sealing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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