JPWO2015107798A1 - Box making equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

The liquid crystal display device (100) of the present invention includes a transparent display region extraction circuit (15) for extracting a region to be transparently displayed as a transparent display region from an input image signal (Sin), and the input image signal (Sin) as a plurality of sub-images. A sub-field which generates a sub-field image signal (Ssf) by dividing into fields, and reads out from the register (22) transparency setting data (Dts) for forcibly displaying the transparent display area in all the sub-fields. An image is displayed on the liquid crystal panel (60) for each subfield based on the generation circuit (21) and the subfield image signal (Ssf), and the liquid crystal panel (60) based on the transparency setting data (Dts). And a display panel driving section (23, 30) for transparently displaying the transparent display area.

Description

  The present invention relates to a box making apparatus.

  Generally, a cardboard box is adopted as a packing means that is repeatedly used for conveying articles. The corrugated cardboard boxes are collected as folded corrugated cardboard boxes folded in a flat shape before box making. The folded cardboard box is transformed into a rectangular tube shape having two openings by the box making apparatus, and then one opening is closed to pack the articles. For example, Patent Document 1 (WO2011 / 119563) describes a manufacturing method in which one folded cardboard box is taken out from a plurality of folded cardboard boxes stacked in the vertical direction, and the folded cardboard box is developed into a rectangular cardboard box. Box devices have been proposed.

  By the way, the folding cardboard box has four side surfaces and four lids that are continuous from the four side surfaces. In the box making apparatus according to Patent Document 1 (WO2011 / 119563), during the unfolding operation of the folded cardboard box, each of the four side surfaces and the four lids is held in a predetermined posture. Here, the configuration in which all of the four side surfaces and the four lids are held when the folded cardboard box is unfolded is not suitable for handling folded cardboard boxes of various sizes in the box making apparatus.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a box making apparatus that allows folding cardboard boxes of various sizes to be developed into rectangular cardboard boxes.

  The box making apparatus according to the present invention is a box making apparatus that unfolds a folded cardboard box to form a rectangular cardboard box. The folded cardboard box is a cardboard box folded in a flat shape. The box making apparatus includes a holding mechanism, a moving mechanism, and a control device. The holding mechanism has a holding portion that holds the first side surface and the second side surface. The first side surface and the second side surface are two adjacent side surfaces of the four side surfaces of the folded cardboard box. The moving mechanism moves the holding unit. The control device bends at least one of the first side surface and the second side surface along the first fold portion, so that the angle formed by the first side surface and the second side surface is from 0 ° or 180 °, The moving mechanism is controlled so as to change to an angle close to 90 °. The first fold portion is provided at the boundary between the first side surface and the second side surface. The holding mechanism further includes a position adjustment unit. The position adjusting unit adjusts the position of at least one of the first lid and the counter lid. The first lid is a portion of the folded cardboard box that is continuous with the first side surface. The counter lid is a portion of the folded cardboard box that is continuous with the counter side surface facing the first side surface, and opposes the first lid. When adjusting the position of the first lid, the position adjustment unit extends the first lid along the direction in which the first side surface extends when the holding unit is moved by the moving mechanism and the folded cardboard box is deployed. The position of the first lid is adjusted so that the folded state or the folded cardboard box is folded inward. When adjusting the position of the opposed lid, the position adjusting unit is configured so that the opposed lid extends in the extending direction of the opposed side surface or is folded inward when the folded cardboard box is unfolded. Adjust the position of the counter lid.

  In the box making apparatus according to the present invention, when the folding cardboard box is unfolded, the position adjustment unit is folded in a state in which the first lid extends along the direction in which the first side surface extends or inward during unfolding. And / or a state in which the opposing lid extends along the direction in which the opposing side surface extends or is folded inward during deployment. Thereby, even if there is no configuration for holding all the lids, the first lid and / or the opposed lid and the lid adjacent to the first lid and the opposed lid are held in a predetermined posture after the unfolding operation of the folded cardboard box is completed. be able to. As a result, folding cardboard boxes of various sizes can be developed into rectangular tube-shaped cardboard boxes.

  The holding mechanism preferably includes a first holding part and a second holding part. The first holding unit is a holding unit that holds the first side surface. The second holding unit is a holding unit that holds the second side surface. The first holding portion holds the first side surface so that the first side surface has an angle with respect to the horizontal before the folding cardboard box is unfolded. A 2nd holding part hold | maintains a 2nd side surface so that a 2nd side surface has an angle with respect to the horizontal before completion | finish of expansion | deployment operation | movement of a folding corrugated cardboard box. In addition, after the folding cardboard box is unfolded, the first holding unit is moved by the moving mechanism so as to hold the first side surface in parallel or near parallel to the horizontal. Further, the second holding part is moved by the moving mechanism so as to hold the second side face at a vertical or near vertical inclination with respect to the horizontal after the folding cardboard box is unfolded. As a result, the folded cardboard box can be developed into a rectangular tube-shaped cardboard box at a high speed.

  Moreover, it is preferable that a position adjustment part adjusts the position of the 1st cover and / or counter lid which contact | abut by contact | abutting to a 1st cover and / or counter cover. Thereby, the position adjustment of the first lid and / or the counter lid can be performed with a relatively simple configuration.

  Further, it is preferable that the position adjusting unit adjusts the position of at least the first lid. The first lid preferably has a parallel or near-parallel inclination with respect to the horizontal after the folding cardboard box is unfolded, and the position adjusting unit preferably comes into contact with the first lid from below. Thereby, when the folded cardboard box is unfolded at a high speed, the first lid can be prevented from being bent in the direction opposite to the folding direction.

  The folding cardboard box further includes a second lid and a third lid, and it is preferable that the second lid and the third lid are in a released state during the unfolding operation of the folding cardboard box. The second lid and the third lid are located adjacent to the first lid. Since the position adjusting unit does not come into contact with the second lid and the third lid, it is possible to minimize the place where the contact mark is attached.

  Furthermore, the holding mechanism preferably has a support frame that supports the first holding unit, the second holding unit, and the position adjusting unit. Further, the tip of the position adjusting portion that contacts the first lid is located at a position protruding above the height position of the contact surface at which the first holding portion contacts the first side surface after the folding cardboard box is unfolded. It is preferable. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the second lid and the third lid from being greatly bent in the bending direction.

  Further, it is preferable that the position adjusting unit is inclined by 0 to 30 ° upward along the second fold portion by contacting the first lid. The second fold portion is provided at the boundary between the first side surface and the first lid. Thereby, it is possible to reliably prevent the second lid and the third lid from being greatly bent in the bending direction.

  During the unfolding operation of the folded cardboard box, the second lid and the third lid are inclined in the direction of gravity, and the first lid abutted by the position adjusting unit is inclined in the direction of gravity of the second lid or the third lid. Is preferably suppressed. Thereby, a 1st cover suppresses the bending to the bending direction of a 2nd cover or a 3rd cover.

  Moreover, it is preferable that a position adjustment part adjusts the position of the 1st cover and / or counter cover which spray air by spraying air on a 1st cover and / or counter cover. As a result, the positions of the first lid and the opposed lid can be adjusted without causing scratches or dents in the cardboard box.

  The box making apparatus according to the present invention makes it possible to develop folded cardboard boxes of various sizes into rectangular tube-shaped cardboard boxes.

It is a schematic front view of the box making boxing system concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic perspective view of a box making apparatus. It is a schematic plan view of a laminated part. It is a top view of a staircase part. It is a figure which shows the folding cardboard box laminated | stacked on a staircase part. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a region R shown in FIG. 2. It is the schematic of the box making apparatus seen from the conveyance direction upstream. It is the schematic of a deployment mechanism. It is a figure which shows arrangement | positioning of the front upper holding | maintenance part and front lower holding | maintenance part at the time of the start and completion | finish of an expansion | deployment operation | movement, and a mode that a folding cardboard box is expand | deployed. It is a figure which shows the aspect of the front upper holding part, front lower holding part, and contact part at the time of completion | finish of an expansion | deployment operation | movement. It is a figure which shows the attitude | position of a 1st side surface and a flap hold | maintained by the front lower holding | maintenance part and contact part at the time of completion | finish of an expansion | deployment operation | movement. It is a schematic block diagram of a bottom cover formation mechanism. It is a control block diagram of a box-boxing system. It is a perspective view of a cardboard box. It is a bottom view of a cardboard box. It is a perspective view of a rectangular tubular cardboard box. It is a front view of a folding cardboard box. It is II sectional drawing of the folding cardboard box shown to FIG. 16A. It is a figure which shows the aspect at the time of completion | finish of expansion | deployment operation | movement of the expansion | deployment mechanism of the box making apparatus concerning the modification E. It is a figure which shows the attitude | position of the 1st side surface and flap hold | maintained by the front lower holding | maintenance part and air blowing part at the time of completion | finish of the expansion | deployment operation | movement of the box making apparatus which concerns on the modified example E.

  A box making apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

(1) Overall Configuration FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a box making box filling system 100 including a box making apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the box making apparatus 10. In the following description, the up-down direction, the left-right direction, and the front-rear direction mean the directions shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively, unless otherwise specified. Further, the transport direction means a direction in which the folded cardboard box FB or the cardboard box B is transferred in the box-making box filling system 100, and upstream / downstream means upstream / downstream in the transport direction.

  The box-making box filling system 100 is a system that forms a cardboard box B and packs articles into the formed cardboard box B. As shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 13, the box making and boxing system 100 mainly includes a box making device 10, a boxing device 90, a transport device 91, and a control device 92.

  The box making apparatus 10 unfolds the folded cardboard box FB (see FIGS. 16A and 16B) to form a cardboard box B (see FIGS. 14A and 14B). The box making apparatus 10 can carry out box making of both the unused folded cardboard box FB and the used folded cardboard box FB. A process executed by the box making apparatus 10 is referred to as a box making process. The boxing device 90 packs a plurality of articles in the cardboard box B. The process executed by the boxing device 90 is called a boxing process. The conveyance device 91 conveys the cardboard box B packed with articles downstream. The control device 92 controls the box making device 10, the boxing device 90, and the transport device 91.

  The box-making boxing system 100 executes box-making processing and boxing processing while moving the folded cardboard box FB and the cardboard box B (see arrows D1 to D6 in FIG. 1). The folded cardboard box FB is then transported to the boxing device 90 via the box making device 10. Specifically, the box making apparatus 10 mainly includes a stacking mechanism 12, a transfer mechanism 13, a deployment mechanism 14, and a bottom lid forming mechanism 16. In the box-making box packing system 100, the folded cardboard boxes FB stacked on the stacking mechanism 12 are moved one by one by the transfer mechanism 13 to the unfolding mechanism 14 positioned obliquely above the stacking mechanism 12 (see arrow D1). . The folded cardboard box FB is expanded by the expansion mechanism 14 and transformed into a rectangular tube-shaped cardboard box TB. At this time, the folded cardboard box FB moves to the bottom lid forming mechanism 16 located obliquely below the deployment start position while being deployed (see arrow D2). Thereafter, the bottom lid BC is formed by the bottom lid forming mechanism 16 in the rectangular cardboard box TB. Thereafter, the rectangular tubular cardboard box TB (cardboard box B) on which the bottom cover BC is formed is moved substantially in the horizontal direction toward the lowering start position (see arrow D3). Here, the descent start position is a place where the cardboard box B is conveyed downward. Thereafter, the cardboard box B drops and moves to the boxing device 90 located below the lowering start position (see arrow D4). After the articles are packed in the cardboard box B by the boxing device 90, the cardboard box B is moved to the transfer device 91 at the lowest position of the box making box packing system 100 (see arrow D5). Thereafter, the cardboard box B is further moved to the subsequent process by the transfer device 91 (see arrow D6).

  In this embodiment, the cardboard box B, the rectangular cardboard box TB, and the folded cardboard box FB have the following configurations.

(1-1) Cardboard box The cardboard box B is a form in which goods can be packed. 14A and 14B show a cardboard box B. FIG. 14A is a perspective view of the cardboard box B, and FIG. 14B is a bottom view of the cardboard box B. FIG. The cardboard box B is configured by a rectangular tube portion TP, a bottom cover BC, and flaps C21 to C24.

  The rectangular tube portion TP is a portion constituting the side surface of the cardboard box B. The side surfaces include a first side surface C11, a second side surface C12, a third side surface C13, and a fourth side surface C14. That is, the rectangular tube portion TP is configured by four side surfaces. The rectangular tube portion TP has four fold portions FP1 to FP4. The fold portions FP1 to FP4 are provided at the boundary between two adjacent side surfaces. Specifically, the fold portion FP1 is provided at the boundary between the first side surface C11 and the second side surface C12. The fold part FP2 is provided at the boundary between the second side face C12 and the third side face C13. The fold portion FP3 is provided at the boundary between the third side surface C13 and the fourth side surface C14. The fold portion FP4 is provided at the boundary between the fourth side surface C14 and the first side surface C11. An angle formed by two side surfaces adjacent to each other with the fold portions FP1 to FP4 interposed therebetween is 90 °.

  The bottom cover BC is a portion that becomes the bottom of the cardboard box B. The bottom cover BC is constituted by flaps C31 to C34. The flaps C31 to C34 are folded so as to overlap with the adjacent flaps, thereby forming the bottom cover BC of the cardboard box B (see FIG. 14B). The bottom cover BC has a bowl shape. The flaps C31 to C34 are located on the lower side in the height h direction of the rectangular tube portion TP (see FIG. 15). Specifically, a flap (first lid) C31 is continuous below the first side surface C11. A flap (second lid) C32 is continued below the second side surface C12. A flap (fourth lid) C33 is continued below the third side surface C13. A flap (third lid) C34 is continued below the fourth side surface C14. The flap C32 and the flap C34 are located adjacent to the flap C31. The flap C33 is at a position facing the flap C31.

  The flaps C <b> 21 to C <b> 24 are folded so as to overlap with the adjacent flaps in the subsequent process of the box making box filling system 100, and serve as the upper lid of the cardboard box B. The flaps C21 to C24 are located on the upper side in the height h direction of the rectangular tube portion TP (see FIGS. 14A and 15). Specifically, the flaps C21 to C24 are connected to the upper side of the first side face C11 to the fourth side face C14, respectively.

  Folded portions FP11 to FP14 and FP21 to FP24 are also formed at the boundaries between the side surfaces C11 to C14 and the flaps C21 to C24 and the boundaries between the side surfaces C11 to C14 and the flaps C31 to C34, respectively. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15, fold portions FP11 and FP21 are formed at the boundaries between the first side face C11 and the flaps C21 and C31, respectively. Folded portions FP12 and FP22 are formed at the boundaries between the second side surface C12 and the flaps C22 and C32, respectively. Folded portions FP13 and FP23 are formed at the boundaries between the third side surface C13 and the flaps C23 and C33, respectively. Folded portions FP14 and FP24 are formed at the boundaries between the fourth side surface C14 and the flaps C24 and C34, respectively.

(1-2) Square tubular cardboard box The rectangular tubular cardboard box TB is a form in which the bottom cover BC of the cardboard box B is opened. In other words, the rectangular tubular cardboard box TB is in the form of the cardboard box B before the bottom cover BC is formed in the box making process. FIG. 15 shows a rectangular tubular cardboard box TB. In the present embodiment, the rectangular tube-shaped cardboard box TB is a state having the above-described rectangular tube portion TP, flaps C21 to C24, and flaps C31 to C34.

(1-3) Folding cardboard box The folding cardboard box FB is a rectangular cardboard box TB folded in a flat shape. That is, the folded cardboard box FB is a form before the unfolding operation is performed in the box making process. 16A and 16B show a folded cardboard box FB. FIG. 16A is a front view of the folded cardboard box FB. 16B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II of the folded cardboard box FB shown in FIG. 16A.

  The folded cardboard box FB indicates a state in which the rectangular tube portion TP is largely bent along two opposing fold portions FP2 and FP4. At this time, an angle formed by two side surfaces adjacent to each other with the fold portions FP2 and FP4 interposed therebetween is smaller than 90 ° (see FIG. 16B). Specifically, the second side surface C12 and the third side surface C13 are bent along the fold portion FP2 so that the inner wall of the second side surface C12 and the inner wall of the third side surface C13 are close to each other. The angle from the inner wall to the inner wall of the third side face C13 is 0 ° to 30 °. The fourth side surface C14 and the first side surface C11 are also bent along the fold portion FP4 so that the inner wall of the fourth side surface C14 and the inner wall of the first side surface C11 are close to each other. The angle to the inner wall of one side C11 is 0 ° to 30 °.

  On the other hand, an angle formed by two side surfaces adjacent to each other with the remaining fold portions FP1 and FP3 interposed therebetween is larger than 90 ° (see FIG. 16B). Specifically, the first side surface C11 and the second side surface C12 are spread around the fold portion FP1 so that the inner wall of the first side surface C11 and the inner wall of the second side surface C12 are separated from each other. The angle from the inner wall to the inner wall of the second side surface C12 is 150 ° to 180 °. The third side surface C13 and the fourth side surface C14 are also spread around the fold portion FP3 so that the inner wall of the third side surface C13 and the inner wall of the fourth side surface C14 are separated from each other, and from the inner wall of the third side surface C13. The angle to the inner wall of the fourth side surface C14 is 150 ° to 180 °.

  In the box making box filling system 100 according to the present embodiment, the folded cardboard boxes FB are stacked in such a posture that the fold portions FP2 and FP4 are the vertical ends of the folded cardboard boxes FB. Specifically, the flaps C21 and C31 continuous to the first side surface C11 and the first side surface C11 and the flaps C22 and C32 continuous to the second side surface C12 and the second side surface C12 are placed facing the downstream side in the transport direction. (See FIGS. 16A and 16B). Further, flaps C23 and C33 continuing to the third side surface C13 and the third side surface C13 and flaps C24 and C34 continuing to the fourth side surface C14 and the fourth side surface C14 are placed facing the upstream side in the transport direction. Hereinafter, the surface (side surface and flap) located on the downstream side in the transport direction is referred to as a front surface FF, and the surface (side surface and flap) located on the upstream side in the transport direction is referred to as a rear surface RF.

  Hereinafter, the structure of the box making apparatus 10, the boxing apparatus 90, the conveying apparatus 91, and the control apparatus 92 will be described in detail.

(2) Box making apparatus The box making apparatus 10 unfolds the flat folded cardboard box FB to form the cardboard box B. As shown in FIG. 1, the box making apparatus 10 is disposed on the most upstream side in the transport direction. Further, as described above, the box making apparatus 10 mainly includes the stacking mechanism 12, the transfer mechanism 13, the deployment mechanism 14, and the bottom lid forming mechanism 16. Hereinafter, the configuration of each unit will be described in detail.

(2-1) Stacking mechanism The stacking mechanism 12 stacks a number of folded cardboard boxes FB along the transport direction (see FIG. 1). Further, the stacking mechanism 12 moves a large number of stacked cardboard boxes FB downstream in the transport direction. A large number of folded cardboard boxes FB stacked on the stacking mechanism 12 are sequentially extracted one by one from the downstream side by a transfer mechanism 13 to be described later, and moved to a deployment mechanism 14 provided at an upper position.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the stacking mechanism 12 mainly includes a stacking portion 21, a front plate 22, a rear plate 23, and an insertion mechanism 24.

(2-1-1) Lamination | stacking part The lamination | stacking part 21 is laminated | stacked along the conveyance direction in the state which positioned many horizontal cardboard boxes FB in the left-right direction. Moreover, the lamination | stacking part 21 is also a conveyor which conveys many folding cardboard boxes FB to the conveyance direction downstream side (front). As shown in FIG. 3, the stacked portion 21 mainly includes a floor portion 211 and a staircase portion 214.

  The floor portion 211 is composed of a plurality of plate-like members. The plurality of plate-like members each extend in the front-rear direction and are arranged with a gap of a predetermined width therebetween. Rollers 212 are disposed on the upstream side and the downstream side of the floor portion 211 in the conveying direction of the folded cardboard box FB. An endless belt 213 is passed over the roller 212. The belt 213 is disposed at a position covering a gap having a predetermined width formed on the floor portion 211. The belt 213 comes into contact with the lower end of the folded cardboard box FB placed on the floor 211 and rotates as the roller 212 is driven to rotate. As the belt 213 rotates, the folded cardboard box FB moves forward (downstream in the transport direction). The roller 212 is appropriately rotated by a roller rotating mechanism 212a (see FIG. 13). For example, the roller rotation mechanism 212a rotationally drives the roller 212 when the folding cardboard box FB at the downstream end of the floor portion 211 is no longer detected by a sensor (not shown).

  The staircase portion 214 is a place for receiving the plurality of folded cardboard boxes FB conveyed from the stacking section 21 and supplying the folded cardboard boxes FB one by one to the transfer mechanism 13. The staircase portion 214 is disposed at the downstream end portion of the stacked portion 21 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The staircase 214 is composed of a plurality of contact surfaces 214a (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The plurality of contact surfaces 214a are arranged at different height positions with respect to the horizontal plane. Each of the contact surfaces 214a is slightly inclined with respect to the horizontal plane so that the folded cardboard box FB is inclined forward with respect to the transport direction (see FIG. 5). The plurality of folded cardboard boxes FB are sent downstream in the transport direction while moving from the contact surface 214a at the high position to the contact surface 214a at the low position. As shown in FIG. 4, three cutouts 214b are formed in the left-right direction on the contact surface 214a constituting the lowest step of the stairs among the plurality of contact surfaces 214a. The notch portion 214b allows the claw portion 321a of the mounting portion 321 to be described later to move up and down.

(2-1-2) Front Plate The front plate 22 restricts the forward movement of the folded cardboard boxes FB stacked on the staircase portion 214. The front plate 22 extends in the vertical direction in a forward tilt posture. The front plate 22 is provided on the front end side of the lowermost contact surface 214a (see FIGS. 2 and 6). The front plate 22 extends in the vertical direction and comes into contact with two places in the width direction of the front surface FF of the front folded cardboard box FB among the plurality of folded cardboard boxes FB stacked on the staircase portion 214.

(2-1-3) Rear Plate The rear plate 23 is a member that holds a large number of folded cardboard boxes FB stacked on the stacked portion 21 from the rear. Specifically, the rear plate 23 is configured to apply a constant force in the transport direction to the rear surface RF of the folded cardboard box FB located at the rearmost among the many folded cardboard boxes FB stacked ( (See FIG. 2). The rear plate 23 moves forward while pressing the rear surface RF of the folded cardboard box FB located at the rear end as the folded cardboard box FB located at the tail end moves forward (downstream in the transport direction).

(2-1-4) Plug-in mechanism The plug-in mechanism 24 includes a plurality of folding cardboard boxes FB stacked on the staircase 214, and a plurality of cardboard boxes FB following the leading folding cardboard box FB. The folding cardboard box FB (following folding cardboard box) is separated. As shown in FIG. 2, the insertion mechanism 24 is disposed above the staircase portion 214. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the insertion mechanism 24 mainly includes a fixed plate 241 and a movable portion 242.

  The fixed plate 241 contacts the upper ends of the plurality of folded cardboard boxes FB placed on the staircase portion 214 and aligns the positions of the upper ends. The fixed plate 241 is inclined according to the inclination of the staircase portion 214. The fixing plate 241 brings the lower end of the folded cardboard box FB into contact with the stepped portion 214 by aligning the upper end positions of the folded cardboard box FB. The fixed plate 241 has a shape in which the movable part 242 can be arranged at the center in the width direction.

  The movable part 242 is movable with respect to the fixed plate 241. The movable part 242 has an inclined surface having the same inclination as that of the fixed plate 241 and an insertion part 242a extending in the vertical direction. The movable part 242 rotates about the upstream end as a rotation axis to move the insertion part 242a in the vertical direction. The movable part 242 is driven by a movable mechanism 243 (see FIG. 13). When the insertion part 242a moves downward, it is temporarily inserted between the front folded cardboard box FB and the adjacent folded cardboard box FB. At this time, the movable part 242 forcibly presses the upper end of the subsequent folded cardboard box FB from above from among the plurality of folded cardboard boxes FB by the inclined surface.

(2-2) Transfer Mechanism The transfer mechanism 13 sequentially extracts the leading folded cardboard boxes FB from the plurality of folded cardboard boxes FB stacked on the staircase portion 214 and transfers them to the subsequent process. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the transfer mechanism 13 is disposed downstream of the stacking mechanism 12. As shown in FIG. 7, the transfer mechanism 13 mainly includes a separation unit 31 and a delivery unit 32.

(2-2-1) Separation Part The separation part 31 separates the leading folding cardboard box FB from the subsequent folding cardboard boxes FB among the plurality of folding cardboard boxes FB stacked on the staircase part 214. Specifically, the separating unit 31 sucks the front surface FF of the leading folded cardboard box FB by the separating sucker 311. The separating sucker 311 is moved close to and away from the front surface FF of the front folded cardboard box FB by the separating sucker moving unit 312. The separating sucker moving unit 312 moves the separating sucker 311 in a direction away from the front surface FF of the leading folding cardboard box FB in a state where the separating sucker 311 attracts the front surface FF of the leading folding cardboard box FB. As a result, the upper end of the leading folded cardboard box FB is bent. In this way, the pulling-off portion 31 forms a gap between the upper end portion of the leading folding cardboard box FB and the upper end portion of the adjacent folding cardboard box FB.

(2-2-2) Delivery unit The delivery unit 32 transfers the leading folded cardboard box FB upward among the plurality of folded cardboard boxes FB stacked on the staircase part 214 and delivers them to the deployment mechanism 14. The delivery part 32 is mainly comprised by the mounting part 321, the raising suction cup 322, and the lift mechanism 323 (refer FIG. 6 or FIG. 7). The placement portion 321 has a claw portion 321a at the lower end portion and extends in the vertical direction. The nail | claw part 321a is arrange | positioned in the position corresponding to the notch part 214b of the step part 214 mentioned above. The claw portion 321a contacts the lower end of the leading folded cardboard box FB exposed at the position of the notch 214b from below, and places the leading folded cardboard box FB on the upper surface of the claw portion 321a. The lifting suction cup 322 sucks the vicinity of the lower end of the folded cardboard box FB from the front FF side. The mounting portion 321 and the lifting suction cup 322 are moved in the vertical direction by the lift mechanism 323. The placement unit 321 and the lifting suction cup 322 deliver the leading folded cardboard box FB to the deployment mechanism 14 at the upper position.

(2-3) Unfolding mechanism The unfolding mechanism 14 unfolds the folded cardboard box FB to form a rectangular tubular cardboard box TB. In other words, the unfolding mechanism 14 deforms the folded cardboard box FB transferred from the transfer mechanism 13 from a planar shape to a cylindrical shape (see FIG. 9). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the deployment mechanism 14 is provided above the transfer mechanism 13. As shown in FIG. 8, the deployment mechanism 14 is mainly configured by a holding mechanism 40 and a plurality of moving mechanisms 43, 44, 45. Hereinafter, the holding mechanism 40 and the plurality of moving mechanisms 43, 44, and 45 will be described in detail.

(2-3-1) Holding Mechanism The holding mechanism 40 is a mechanism that holds the folded cardboard box FB. The holding mechanism 40 includes a plurality of holding portions 41a, 41b, 42a, 42b and a contact portion 50. The configuration of each part included in the holding mechanism 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIGS. 8 and 9, the contact portion 50 is omitted for easy understanding.

(A) Holding part The plurality of holding parts 41a, 41b, 42a, 42b are adsorbers. The plurality of holding portions 41a, 41b, 42a, 42b include a rear upper holding portion 41a, a rear lower holding portion 41b, a front upper holding portion (second holding portion) 42a, and a front lower holding portion (first holding portion) 42b. included. The rear upper holding part 41a and the rear lower holding part 41b hold the side faces C13 and C14 located on the rear face RF side of the folded cardboard box FB (see FIG. 16B). The front upper holding portion 42a and the front lower holding portion 42b hold the side surfaces C11 and C12 on the front FF side. The plurality of holding portions 41a, 41b, 42a, and 42b start suction at the start of the deployment operation, and then continue the suction until the end of the deployment operation. Here, the start of the unfolding operation means the time when the holding portions 41a, 41b, 42a, and 42b come into contact with the folded cardboard box FB to start the unfolding operation or when the movement starts to make contact. To do. The end of the unfolding operation means when the deformation from the folded cardboard box FB to the rectangular cardboard box TB is completed.

(A-1) Rear surface upper holding portion The rear surface upper holding portion 41a is disposed on the rear surface RF side of the folded cardboard box FB and holds the third side surface C13. The rear upper holding part 41a sucks the vicinity of the fold part FP3 of the third side face C13. The rear upper holding portion 41 a is connected to the first moving mechanism 43. By driving the first moving mechanism 43, the rear upper holding portion 41a moves in the front-rear direction.

  Specifically, the rear surface upper holding portion 41a is located farthest from the third side surface C13 before the start of the unfolding operation. The rear upper holding part 41a is moved to the advanced position to receive the folded cardboard box FB transferred by the transfer mechanism 13 at the start of the unfolding operation, and comes into contact with and adsorbs the third side face C13. Further, during the unfolding operation, the rear upper holding portion 41a is slightly moved to the retracted position with the third side surface C13 adsorbed.

(A-2) Rear lower holding part The rear lower holding part 41b is disposed on the rear RF side of the folded cardboard box FB and holds the fourth side face C14. The rear lower holding part 41b sucks the vicinity of the fold part FP3 of the fourth side face C14. The rear lower holding portion 41 b is connected to the second moving mechanism 44. The rear lower holding portion 41b moves in the front-rear direction and the up-down direction when the second moving mechanism 44 is driven.

  Specifically, the rear lower holding portion 41b is located farthest from the fourth side surface C14 before the start of the unfolding operation. The rear lower holding portion 41b is moved to the advanced position to receive the folded cardboard box FB transferred by the transfer mechanism 13 at the start of the unfolding operation, and comes into contact with and attracts the fourth side face C14. Further, during the unfolding operation, the rear lower holding portion 41b is moved to the retracted position with the fourth side surface C14 adsorbed. When the rear lower holding portion 41b starts to move, the suction of the folded cardboard box FB is finished, and the folded cardboard box FB is released. The rear lower holding portion 41b moves following the folding cardboard box FB by a slight suction force remaining after the suction is finished, and is slightly above and / or forward of the position before the start of the unfolding operation. Of the fourth side C14.

(A-3) Front upper holding part The front upper holding part 42a is disposed on the front FF side of the folded cardboard box FB and holds the second side face C12. The front upper holding part 42a sucks the vicinity of the fold part FP1 of the second side face C12. The front upper holding part 42a is attached to a support frame 45a of a third moving mechanism 45 described later. Specifically, the front upper holding portion 42a is attached to the distal end portion of the support frame 45a. In the present embodiment, the two front upper holding portions 42a are attached along the extending direction of the support frame 45a (see FIGS. 8 to 10). The front upper holding portion 42 a moves in the vertical direction and the front-rear direction by driving the third moving mechanism 45.

(A-4) Front lower holding part The front lower holding part 42b is arranged on the front FF side of the folded cardboard box FB and holds the side face C11. The front lower holding portion 42b sucks the vicinity of the fold portion FP1 of the first side surface C11. The front lower holding portion 42b is also attached to a support frame 45a of a third moving mechanism 45 described later. Specifically, the front lower holding portion 42b is attached to the main portion of the support frame 45a. In the present embodiment, five front lower holding portions 42b are attached along the direction in which the support frame 45a extends (see FIGS. 8 to 10). The front lower holding portion 42b moves in an arc as the third moving mechanism 45 swings (see FIG. 9).

(B) Contact part The contact part 50 is an example of a position adjustment part. The contact portion 50 adjusts the position of the flap (first lid) C31 located on the front surface FF of the folded cardboard box FB. The contact portion 50 contacts a flap (first lid) C31 located on the front surface FF of the folded cardboard box FB. Specifically, the abutment portion 50 abuts on a flap (first lid) C31 that is a portion connected to the first side surface C11 of the folded cardboard box FB. The abutting portion 50 adjusts the position of the abutting flap (first lid) C31 by abutting on the flap (first lid) C31. More specifically, the contact portion 50 is formed on a side surface (first side surface C11) that comes to a lower position at the end of the unfolding operation among the flaps C31 to C34 formed on the bottom cover BC by the bottom cover forming mechanism 16 described later. The continuous flap C31 is held. The contact part 50 applies force to the flap C31 on the opposite side to the direction of gravity.

  The contact part 50 is a rod-shaped member (see FIGS. 10 and 11). The contact portion 50 is attached to the support frame 45 a of the third moving mechanism 45. Specifically, the contact part 50 is attached to the main part of the support frame 45a. More specifically, the contact portion 50 is attached to a position closer to the tip than the center position in the longitudinal direction of the main portion.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the contact portion 50 includes a first portion 51 and a second portion 52. The first portion 51 is connected to the support frame 45a. The first portion 51 is located below the first side surface C11 at the end of the unfolding operation, and from the vicinity of the first side surface C11 toward the flap C31 along the direction in which the first side surface C11 extends (height h direction). Extend. The second portion 52 constitutes a tip portion of the contact portion 50 and extends in a direction intersecting the first portion 51. That is, as for the contact part 50, the front-end | tip part (2nd part 52) is bent toward upper direction. The contact portion 50 is in contact with the flap C31 at the tip of the second portion 52. The height position of the tip of the second portion 52 is higher than the height position of the surface on which the front lower holding portion 42b sucks the first side surface C11 (see FIG. 11). In addition, it is preferable that the front-end | tip of the 2nd part 52 is comprised with the elastic member so that the flap C31 may be hard to be damaged.

  The contact portion 50 moves in the vertical direction and the front-rear direction by driving the third moving mechanism 45. The contact portion 50 continues to contact the flap C31 from the start of the unfolding operation of the folded cardboard box FB to the end of the unfolding operation. When the tip of the contact portion 50 abuts on the flap C31, the contact portion 50 causes the flap C31 to move along the fold portion (second fold portion) FP21 provided at the boundary between the first side surface C11 and the flap C31. , Make it slightly folded inside. In other words, the contact portion 50 tilts the flap C31 along the fold portion FP21 to the inside (upward) at the end of the unfolding operation by a predetermined angle θ ° (see FIG. 11). That is, the contact portion 50 tilts the flap C31 along the fold portion FP21 by a predetermined angle θ ° in the folding direction. Here, the folding direction is a direction in which the flap C31 is folded in order to form the bottom cover BC. Here, the predetermined angle θ ° is, for example, 0 ° to 30 °, and preferably 5 ° to 15 °.

(2-3-2) Movement Mechanism The plurality of movement mechanisms 43, 44, and 45 are mechanisms that move the holding mechanism 40. As shown in FIG. 8, the plurality of moving mechanisms 43, 44, 45 include a first moving mechanism 43, a second moving mechanism 44, and a third moving mechanism 45. The first moving mechanism 43, the second moving mechanism 44, and the third moving mechanism 45 move the rear upper holding portion 41a, the rear lower holding portion 41b, the front upper holding portion 42a, and the front lower holding portion 42b, respectively. The folded cardboard box FB is developed into a rectangular tubular cardboard box TB (see FIG. 9).

(A) First moving mechanism The first moving mechanism 43 supports the rear upper holding portion 41a so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. The first moving mechanism 43 mainly includes an upper support portion 43a and a first drive portion 43b (see FIG. 2, FIG. 8, or FIG. 13). The upper support part 43a supports the rear upper support part 41a so that the suction surface of the rear upper support part 41a is parallel to the third side face C13 of the folded cardboard box FB sent from the transfer mechanism 13. The upper support part 43a is attached to the highest position in the frame 99 that is a framework of the box-making boxing system 100 (see FIGS. 2 and 8). The upper support part 43a is driven by the first drive part 43b to bring the rear upper holding part 41a closer to and away from the third side face C13.

(B) Second moving mechanism The second moving mechanism 44 supports the rear lower holding portion 41b so as to be movable in the front-rear direction and in the vertical direction. The second moving mechanism 44 mainly includes a lower support portion 44a and a second drive portion 44b (see FIG. 8 or FIG. 13). The lower support part 44a supports the rear lower holding part 41b at a position lower than the upper support part 43a. The lower support part 44a supports the rear upper support part 41a so that the suction surface of the rear lower support part 41b is parallel to the fourth side face C14 of the folded cardboard box FB sent from the transfer mechanism 13. The lower support part 44a is driven by the second drive part 44b to move the rear lower holding part 41b in the front-rear direction and the up-down direction. Thereby, the lower support part 44a brings the rear lower holding part 41b closer to and away from the fourth side face C14.

(C) Third moving mechanism The third moving mechanism 45 swings the front upper holding part 42a, the front lower holding part 42b, and the abutting part 50 to swing the front upper holding part 42a, the front lower holding part 42b, and The height position and the planar position of the contact part 50 are changed.

  The third moving mechanism 45 includes a front upper holding portion 42a, a front lower holding portion 42b, and a support frame 45a that supports the contact portion 50 so as to be movable in the vertical direction and the front-rear direction. The support frame 45a swings in the vertical direction around the swing shaft 45c by being driven by the third drive unit 45b. As shown in FIG. 8, the swing shaft 45c is provided in the vicinity of the rear end of the support frame 45a extending in the front-rear direction.

  The support frame 45a mainly has a tip portion and a main portion in the longitudinal direction. When the support frame 45a has a posture extending substantially parallel to the horizontal plane, the tip is a portion located on the front side. The tip is a rocking end. The main part is a part other than the tip part.

  As described above, the front upper holding portion 42a is attached to the tip portion. A front lower holding part 42b and a contact part 50 are attached to the main part. The tip portion is connected to the main portion by a link mechanism. The link mechanism is driven by an air cylinder. The tip part changes the inclination with respect to the main part by driving the link mechanism (see FIGS. 8 and 9). Specifically, the distal end portion has a substantially parallel inclination with respect to the horizontal plane in the same manner as the main portion during the stand-by of the unfolding operation and before the start of the unfolding operation (see FIG. 8). The link mechanism gradually changes the inclination of the tip with respect to the main part after the start of the unfolding operation. In addition, the link mechanism changes the inclination of the tip so that it has a 90 ° inclination with respect to the main part at the end of the unfolding operation (see FIGS. 9 and 10).

  The support frame 45a swings about the swing shaft 45c, thereby changing the height position and the planar position of the front upper holding portion 42a, the front lower holding portion 42b, and the contact portion 50. Specifically, as the support frame 45a is swung, the front upper holding portion 42a, the front lower holding portion 42b, and the contact portion 50 are unfolded in the unfolding operation standby position (deploying operation) so as to draw an arc around the rocking shaft 45c. It moves between the end position) and the unfolding operation start position (see FIGS. 8 and 9). The support frame 45a swings about the swing shaft 45c and moves the front upper holding portion 42a, the front lower holding portion 42b, and the contact portion 50 from the deployment operation start position to the deployment operation end position. The folded cardboard box FB is developed while moving in the direction indicated by the arrow AR in FIG. 9, and is transformed into a rectangular tubular cardboard box TB.

(2-4) Bottom lid forming mechanism The bottom lid forming mechanism 16 forms a bottom lid BC on a rectangular tubular cardboard box TB. In other words, the bottom lid forming mechanism 16 forms the flaps C31 to C34 connected to the lower side of the rectangular tube portion TP into the bottom lid BC. The bottom lid forming mechanism 16 forms a bowl-shaped bottom lid BC (see FIG. 14B). The bottom lid forming mechanism 16 forms the bottom lid BC on the rectangular tubular cardboard box TB at a position where the unfolding operation of the folded cardboard box FB is completed.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the bottom lid forming mechanism 16 includes a flap holding part 61 and a flap pushing / bending part 62. One flap holding part 61 and one flap pushing / bending part 62 are provided for each of the flaps C31 to C34.

  The flap holding part 61 holds the first end in the width direction of the flaps C31 to C34. The flap holding portion 61 comes into contact with the first ends of the flaps C31 to C34 from the inside so that the flaps C31 to C34 are not bent inward (see FIG. 12).

  In detail, the flap holding part 61 has a holding contact surface that contacts each of the flaps C31 to C34. The flap holding part 61 is configured to be close to and away from the rectangular cardboard box TB. Specifically, the flap holding portion 61 moves the holding contact surface to a position facing the first end of each of the flaps C31 to C34 by advancement, and the holding contact surface moves to the first of the flaps C31 to C34 by moving backward. It is comprised so that it may move to the position away from an edge part. The holding contact surface has the same inclination as each side surface constituting the rectangular tube portion TP with respect to the horizontal direction or the vertical direction. The holding contact surface extends along the direction in which the rectangular tube portion TP extends.

  The position of the flap holding portion 61 is adjusted so that the holding contact surface comes into contact with the first end portions of the flaps C31 to C34 when the flap holding portion 61 comes close to the rectangular tubular cardboard box TB. However, at this time, each of the flaps C31 to C34 has substantially the same inclination or a predetermined inclination as each side surface constituting the rectangular tube portion TP with respect to the horizontal direction or the vertical direction. That is, when the flap holding part 61 comes close to the rectangular tubular cardboard box TB, the holding contact surface is at the first end of each of the flaps C31 to C34 having a predetermined inclination with respect to the horizontal plane or the vertical plane. The position is adjusted to contact.

  The flap pushing / bending portion 62 pushes and bends the end portions (second end portions) of the flaps C31 to C34 located on the side opposite to the first end portion toward the inside of the rectangular tube portion TP. The flap pushing / bending portion 62 comes into contact with the second ends of the flaps C31 to C34 from the outside so as to bend the flaps C31 to C34 inward (see FIG. 12).

  Specifically, the flap pushing / bending portion 62 has a pushing / bending contact surface that contacts the flaps C31 to C34. Further, the flap pushing / bending portion 62 has a configuration that allows the pushing / bending contact surface to approach and separate from the flaps C31 to C34. Further, the flap push-bending portion 62 has a configuration that rotates approximately 90 ° around a rotation axis that is substantially parallel to the boundary line between the side surfaces C11 to C14 and the flaps C31 to C34. Each flap push-bending part 62 applies force in the direction of closing the flaps C31 to C34 (arrows D11 to D14 in FIG. 12) with respect to the flaps C31 to C34 respectively corresponding to the flaps C31 to C34. That is, after each flap pushing and bending portion 62 is close to each of the flaps C31 to C34, the flaps C31 to C34 corresponding to the flaps are bent in the folding direction.

  With the first end of each of the flaps C31 to C34 being held by the flap holding part 61, the second end is bent inward by the flap pushing / bending part 62, whereby the first end of each of the flaps C31 to C34. The portion is folded so as to overlap the second end portions of the adjacent flaps C31 to C34, so that the bottom cover BC of the cardboard box B is formed. Thereafter, the flap pushing / bending portion 62 moves the pushing / bending contact surface away from the flaps C31 to C34.

  The rectangular tube-shaped cardboard box TB (cardboard box B) in which the bottom cover BC is formed by the bottom cover forming mechanism 16 is then moved in the horizontal direction as shown by an arrow D3 in FIG. It moves to the boxing device 90 through the fall path.

(3) Boxing device The boxing device 90 packs a plurality of articles in the cardboard box B. A plurality of articles are packed in a cardboard box B in a stacked state. When a predetermined amount of articles are packed in the cardboard box B, the boxing device 90 then rotates around the long side of the bottom cover BC of the cardboard box B as a rotation axis. As a result, the cardboard box B is delivered to the transport device 91 with the opening facing upward.

(4) Conveying Device The conveying device 91 is a device that carries the cardboard box B filled with articles to a subsequent process (a process outside the box making box filling system 100). The transport device 91 is disposed below the boxing device 90.

(5) Control Device The control device 92 is a device that controls the box making device 10, the boxing device 90, and the transport device 91 as described above. In FIG. 13, the control block regarding a box-making boxing system is shown. As shown in FIG. 13, the control device 92 is connected to each component included in the box-making boxing system 100 and transmits / receives a signal to / from each component. Specifically, the control device 92 is electrically connected to the box making device 10, the boxing device 90, and the transport device 91. The control device 92 includes a roller rotation mechanism 212a, a movable mechanism 243, a separating sucker moving unit 312, a lift mechanism 323, a first drive unit 43b, a second drive unit 44b, and a third drive unit included in the box making apparatus 10. 45b and the bottom lid forming mechanism 16 are electrically connected.

  The control device 92 mainly includes a CPU 92a, a ROM 92b, a RAM 92c, and a hard disk 92d. The control device 92 includes a touch panel display, a keyboard, and the like (not shown).

(6) Unfolding Operation Hereinafter, the aspect of the third moving mechanism 45 related to the unfolding operation of the folded cardboard box FB and the arrangement and operation of each part moved by the third moving mechanism 45 will be described. Specifically, regarding the arrangement and operation of the front upper holding portion 42a, the front lower holding portion 42b, and the contact portion 50 that are moved along with the swinging of the support frame 45a, when the deployment operation is waited, when the deployment operation is started, and This will be described in detail after the completion of the unfolding operation.

  Note that the flaps C32 to C34 and C21 to C24 other than the flap C31 are opened during the unfolding operation. That is, of the flaps C31 to 34 and C21 to C24, only the flap C31 connected to the first side surface C11 is held by the contact portion 50 during the unfolding operation.

(6-1) When waiting for unfolding operation The support frame 45a has a posture extending substantially parallel to the horizontal plane (see FIG. 8). A front upper holding portion 42a, a front lower holding portion 42b, and a contact portion 50 are attached to the support frame 45a along the direction in which the support frame 45a extends. The front upper holding portion 42a and the front lower holding portion 42b are attached to the support frame 45a in such a manner that the suction surface faces upward. Further, the support frame 45a supports the contact portion 50 in a manner in which the second portion 52 of the contact portion 50 extends upward. As described above, the height position of the tip of the second portion 52 of the contact portion 50 is higher than the height position of the suction surface of the front upper holding portion 42a. When waiting for the unfolding operation, the front upper holding portion 42a, the front lower holding portion 42b, and the contact portion 50 are at a lower position and a front position than when the unfolding operation is started.

(6-2) At the time of starting the unfolding operation The support frame 45a is configured so that the suction surfaces of the front upper holding portion 42a and the front lower holding portion 42b are substantially parallel to the front surface FF of the folded cardboard box FB transferred to the unfolding mechanism 14. The front upper holding part 42a and the front lower holding part 42b are supported. Moreover, the support frame 45a supports the contact part 50 in a mode in which the second portion 52 of the contact part 50 extends toward the rear side. The front upper holding part 42a, the front lower holding part 42b, and the contact part 50 are at the highest position and the rearmost position at the start of the deployment operation.

  At the start of the unfolding operation (before the unfolding operation is finished), the front upper holding part 42a, the front lower holding part 42b, and the abutting part 50 are configured as follows. Hold. At this time, the rear surface RF of the folded cardboard box FB is held by the rear upper holding portion 41a and the rear lower holding portion 41b.

  The front upper holding part 42a holds the second side face C12 so that the second side face C12 has an angle with respect to the horizontal. That is, the front upper holding part 42a holds the second side C12 so that the second side C12 intersects the horizontal plane at the start of the unfolding operation (see FIG. 9). As described above, the distal end portion of the support frame 45a gradually rises with respect to the main portion by driving the link mechanism as described above. As a result, the inclination of the second side surface C12 with respect to the first side surface C11 also changes. That is, the front upper holding part 42a holds the second side face C12 while gradually changing the inclination of the second side face C12 with respect to the first side face C11.

  The front lower holding portion 42b holds the first side face C11 so that the first side face C11 has an angle with respect to the horizontal. In other words, the front lower holding portion 42b holds the first side face C11 so that the first side face C11 intersects the horizontal plane when starting the unfolding operation (see FIG. 9).

  The contact part 50 contacts the flap C31 so that the flap C31 is slightly tilted inward (bending direction). That is, the contact portion 50 protrudes from the front side toward the rear side with respect to the flap C31 when the unfolding operation is started, and contacts the flap C31.

(6-3) At the time of unfolding operation The support frame 45a includes the front upper holding portion 42a and the front lower holding portion 42b so that the suction surface of the front lower holding portion 42b faces upward and the suction surface of the front upper holding portion 42a faces rearward. Each of the front lower holding portions 42b is supported. Further, the support frame 45a supports the contact portion 50 in a manner in which the second portion 52 of the contact portion 50 extends upward. The front lower holding portion 42b and the abutting portion 50 are at the same height position and planar position as when waiting for the unfolding operation.

  The front upper holding part 42a, the front lower holding part 42b, and the contact part 50 are each folded in the following manner at the end of the unfolding operation of the folding cardboard box FB (after the unfolding operation). Each part of front FF of FB is held.

  The front upper holding part 42a holds the second side face C12 with a vertical or nearly vertical inclination with respect to the horizontal plane. In other words, the front upper holding part 42a holds the second side surface C12 at a vertical or nearly vertical inclination with respect to the horizontal plane when the deformation from the folded cardboard box FB to the rectangular tube-shaped cardboard box TB is completed (see FIG. 9). ). Specifically, the distal end portion of the support frame 45a gradually changes the inclination with respect to the main portion after the start of the deployment operation, and at the end of the deployment operation, the distal end portion has an angle of 90 ° with respect to the main portion. That is, the tip end portion has an upright posture with respect to the horizontal plane. The tip end portion is tilted after the bottom lid BC is formed on the rectangular tubular cardboard box TB by the bottom lid forming mechanism 16 described later. That is, after the corrugated cardboard box B is formed, the tip changes its posture and extends along the direction in which the main part extends (see FIG. 8).

  The front lower holding part 42b holds the first side face C11 in parallel or near parallel to the horizontal plane (see FIG. 9).

  The contact portion 50 contacts the flap C31 so that the flap C31 is slightly bent inward (bending direction) (see FIGS. 10 and 13). The abutting portion 50 abuts against a flap C31 of the folded cardboard box FB (a rectangular cardboard box TB) from below. Specifically, the first portion 51 of the contact portion 50 extends along the direction in which the first side surface C11 extends. The second portion 52 extends in a direction intersecting the direction in which the first side surface C11 extends. In other words, at the end of the unfolding operation of the folded cardboard box FB, the tip of the contact portion 50 comes to a position protruding upward from the height position of the contact surface where the front lower holding portion 42b contacts the first side face C11. That is, the height position of the tip of the second portion 52 of the contact portion 50 is higher than the height positions of the suction surfaces of the front upper holding portion 42a and the front lower holding portion 42b.

(7) Features (7-1)
The box making apparatus 10 according to the embodiment includes a holding mechanism 40, a moving mechanism (third moving mechanism) 45, and a control device 92. The holding mechanism 40 includes a front lower holding part (first holding part) 42b and a front upper holding part (second holding part) 42a. The front lower holding part 42b holds the first side face C11, and the front upper holding part 42a holds the second side face C12. The third moving mechanism 45 moves the front lower holding part 42b and the front upper holding part 42a. More specifically, the third moving mechanism 45 moves the front lower holding part 42b and the front upper holding part 42a from the upper position to the lower position. The control device 92 is formed by the first side surface C11 and the second side surface C12 by bending at least one of the first side surface C11 and the second side surface C12 along the fold portion (first fold portion) FP1. The third moving mechanism 45 is controlled so that the angle is changed from 0 ° or 180 ° to an angle close to 90 °. The holding mechanism 40 further includes a contact portion 50 (see FIG. 10). The contact portion 50 adjusts the position of a flap (first lid) C31 that is a portion of the folded cardboard box FB that is continuous with the first side surface C11. Further, when the front lower holding portion 42b and the front upper holding portion 42a are moved by the third moving mechanism 45 so that the folded cardboard box is deployed, the abutment portion 50 is configured so that the flap C31 is in the unfolded state of the folded cardboard box FB. The position of the flap C31 is adjusted so as to be folded inward.

  In the box making apparatus 10 according to the above embodiment, the folded cardboard box FB is unfolded and formed into a rectangular cardboard box TB, and then the adjacent flaps C31 to C34 are folded to form a bowl-shaped bottom cover BC. Form. Further, the bottom lid BC is formed by the bottom lid forming mechanism 16 provided with the flaps C31 to C34 at predetermined positions. In the bottom lid forming mechanism 16, the first end portions of the flaps C31 to C34 are held by the plurality of flap holding portions 61, and the second end portions of the flaps C31 to 34 are angularly held by the plurality of flap pushing and bending portions 62. It is pushed down toward the inside of the cylinder part TP. The flap holding part 61 has a holding contact surface that contacts each of the flaps C31 to C34. The contact holding surface has the same inclination as each side surface constituting the rectangular tube portion TP with respect to a horizontal plane or a vertical plane. Therefore, the flaps C31 to C34 are required to have a predetermined range of inclination with respect to a horizontal plane or a vertical plane with respect to the rectangular tubular cardboard box TB sent to the bottom lid forming mechanism 16. Specifically, when the rectangular cardboard box TB is sent to the bottom lid forming mechanism 16, the flaps C31 to C34 need to have the same inclination as the side surfaces with respect to the horizontal plane or the vertical plane.

  Here, in the box making apparatus 10 according to the above-described embodiment, the rectangular cardboard box TB is formed while the first side face C11 and the second side face C12 of the folded cardboard box FB are pulled downward during the unfolding operation. . That is, the folded cardboard box FB becomes a rectangular tubular cardboard box TB while moving from the upper position to the lower position. At this time, a large force is applied in the direction of gravity to each of the flaps C31 to C34. As a result, it is difficult to keep the inclinations of the flaps C31 to C34 with respect to the horizontal plane or the vertical plane within a predetermined range. In particular, the flap C31 that is in the lower position at the end of the unfolding operation is easily bent downward along the fold portion FP21 due to gravity. That is, the flap C31 is bent in the direction opposite to the bending direction. In particular, when the folded cardboard box to be boxed is a used folded cardboard box that has been repeatedly used, the degree to which the flap C31 is bent downward is significant. In this case, even if the flap holding part 61 and the flap pushing / bending part 62 are brought close to the rectangular tube-shaped cardboard box TB, the flap C31 is located far from both the holding contact part and the pushing / bending contact part, and the flap C31. It is difficult to bend them appropriately. That is, the bottom cover BC cannot be formed.

  In order to keep the inclination of each of the flaps C31 to C34 within a predetermined range, a configuration in which each of the flaps C31 to C34 is continuously held during the unfolding operation is conceivable. However, in the case where a holding unit that holds each of the flaps C31 to C34 during the unfolding operation is provided, the configuration of the box making apparatus becomes complicated. Further, every time the size of the cardboard box to be handled is changed, it is necessary to change the arrangement of all the holding units, and the work becomes complicated.

  In the box making apparatus 10 according to the above-described embodiment, the flap C31 located at the lower position when the bottom cover BC is formed is brought into a state where the flap C31 is slightly tilted inward when the folded cardboard box FB is unfolded. The position of the flap C31 is adjusted. Specifically, the position of the flap C31 is adjusted by the contact portion 50 contacting the flap C31. That is, the contact portion 50 holds the inclination of the flap C31 with respect to the horizontal plane so that the flap C31 does not bend downward along the fold portion FP21. Thus, after the unfolding operation, the inclinations of the flaps C32 and C34 adjacent to the flap C31 with respect to the vertical plane can be maintained within a predetermined range. Specifically, the flap C31 slightly bent inward along the fold portion FP21 regulates the folding of the flaps C32 and C34 in the bending direction. As a result, when the flap holding part 61 and the flap pushing / bending part 62 move so as to be close to the rectangular tubular cardboard box TB, the flaps C31 to C34 come to a position where they can contact the holding contact face and the pushing / bending contact face. . Thereby, in the bottom cover formation mechanism 16, the bottom cover BC can be formed appropriately.

(7-2)
In the box making apparatus 10 according to the embodiment, the holding mechanism 40 includes a front lower holding part (first holding part) 42b and a front upper holding part (second holding part) 42a. The front lower holding portion 42b holds the first side surface C11 so that the first side surface C11 has an angle with respect to the horizontal before the unfolding operation of the folded cardboard box FB is completed. The front upper holding part 42a holds the second side face C12 so that the second side face C12 has an angle with respect to the horizontal before the unfolding operation of the folded cardboard box FB is completed. Further, the lower front holding part 42b is moved by a third moving mechanism (moving mechanism) 45 so as to hold the first side face C11 at a parallel or nearly parallel inclination with respect to the horizontal after the unfolding operation of the folded cardboard box FB. Moved. Further, the front upper holding part 42a is moved by the third moving mechanism 45 so as to hold the second side face C12 at a vertical or nearly vertical inclination with respect to the horizontal direction after the unfolding operation of the folded cardboard box FB is completed. . As a result, the folded cardboard box FB can be developed into a rectangular tube-shaped cardboard box TB at a high speed.

(7-3)
In the box making apparatus 10 according to the above-described embodiment, the abutting portion 50 adjusts the position of the abutting flap C31 by abutting on the flap (first lid) C31. Thereby, the position of the flap C31 can be adjusted with a relatively simple configuration so that the flap C31 is folded inward when the cardboard box FB is expanded.

(7-4)
In the box making apparatus 10 according to the above-described embodiment, the flap (first lid) C31 has a parallel or nearly parallel inclination with respect to the horizontal plane after the unfolding operation of the folded cardboard box FB. It contacts the flap C31 from below. Thereby, even when the folded cardboard box FB is unfolded at a high speed, the flap C31 can be prevented from being bent to the outside of the rectangular tube portion TP with a simple configuration.

(7-5)
In the box making apparatus 10 according to the above embodiment, the folded cardboard box FB includes a flap (second lid) C32, a flap (third lid) C34, and a flap (fourth lid) C33. During the unfolding operation of the folded cardboard box FB, the flap C32, the flap C33, and the flap C34 are in a released state. The flap C32 and the flap C34 are located adjacent to the flap C31. The flap C33 is at a position facing the flap C31. The contact portion 50 contacts only a part of the flap C31. As a result, it is possible to minimize the place where the contact mark by the contact part 50 is attached.

(7-6)
Furthermore, the holding mechanism 40 according to the embodiment includes a front lower holding part (first holding part) 42b, a front upper holding part (second holding part) 42a, and a support frame 45a that supports the contact part 50. The front end of the contact portion 50 is located at a position where the front lower holding portion 42b protrudes higher than the height of the contact surface that contacts the first side surface C11 after the folding cardboard box FB is unfolded (see FIG. 11). ). As a result, the flap C31 is slightly folded in the folding direction along the fold portion FP21. The flap C31 prevents the flap C32 and the flap C34 from being bent in the bending direction. Thereby, the folding to the inner side of the rectangular tube part TP of the flap C32 and the flap C34 adjacent to the flap C31 can be prevented.

(7-7)
Moreover, the contact part 50 which concerns on the said embodiment contact | abuts flap (1st cover) C31, and the crease | fold part (2nd crease part) provided in the boundary of 1st side surface C11 and flap C31 by flap C31 A predetermined angle θ ° is inclined upward along the FP21. The predetermined angle is 0 ° to 30 °. Preferably, the predetermined angle θ ° is 5 ° to 15 °. Thereby, the big bending to the inner side of flap C32 and flap C34 can be prevented reliably.

(7-8)
Moreover, in the box making apparatus 10 according to the above-described embodiment, the flap (second lid) C32 and the flap (third lid) C34 are inclined in the direction of gravity during the unfolding operation of the folded cardboard box FB. The flap C31 contacted by the contact portion 50 suppresses the inclination of the flap C32 or the flap C34 in the gravity direction. Thereby, the flap C31 suppresses the bending to the inner side of the flap C32 and / or the flap C34. As a result, a large bend inward of the flap C33 can also be suppressed.

(8) Modification A modification of the above embodiment is shown below. The following modifications may be combined as appropriate within a range that does not contradict each other.

(8-1) Modification A
In the said embodiment, the front-end | tip of the contact part 50 is comprised with an elastic member so that a flap C31 may be hard to be damaged.

  Here, instead of the above configuration, the contact portion 50 may have a configuration in which the tip position of the contact portion 50 is adjusted by a spring. Also by this, it can be set as the structure with which a flap C31 is hard to be damaged.

  Furthermore, in the said embodiment, the contact part 50 is a rod-shaped member, and the area of the front-end | tip of the contact part 50 which contacts flap C31 is small. Here, the area of the tip of the contact portion 50 may be increased. For example, the contact portion 50 may have a tip that extends in the width direction of the flap C31. Thereby, since the force applied to the flap C31 from the contact part 50 is disperse | distributed, it becomes difficult to damage the flap C31.

(8-2) Modification B
In the above embodiment, an example in which the contact portion 50 contacts the flap C31 so that the flap C31 is slightly bent in the bending direction is shown in FIG. As described above, the contact portion 50 contacts the flap C31 so that the flap C31 is inclined at a predetermined angle θ ° (0 ° to 30 °) in the folding direction along the fold portion FP21. That is, the contact part 50 may contact the flap C31 so that the flap C31 extends along the direction in which the first side surface C11 extends. That is, the contact portion 50 may contact the flap C31 so that the flap C31 is parallel to the horizontal plane.

(8-3) Modification C
In the above embodiment, the third moving mechanism 45 is configured to hold the first side C11 and the second side C22 (the front lower holding part 42b as the first holding part and the front upper holding part as the second holding part). 42a) is moved from the upper position to the lower position, but is not limited to this.

  For example, the transfer mechanism 13 delivers the folded cardboard box FB to the deployment mechanism 14 with the first side surface C11 and the second side surface C22 facing upward, and the deployment mechanism 14 holds the first side surface C11 and the second side surface C22. When the folding corrugated cardboard box FB is opened by moving the holding unit to be moved by the moving mechanism, the moving mechanism may move the holding unit from the lower position to the upper position. In this case, the abutment portion 50 abuts on the flap C31 as an example of the first lid, which is continuous with the first side surface C11 located above at the end of the unfolding operation of the folding cardboard box FB, so that the flap C31 is folded. It is preferable to adjust the position so that the cardboard box FB is folded inward when deployed.

(8-4) Modification D
In the above-described embodiment, the contact portion 50 contacts the flap C31 (first lid) connected to the first side surface C11 held by the front lower holding portion 42b and adjusts the position of the flap C31, but is not limited thereto. It is not something.

  For example, the contact portion replaces the position of the flap C31 (first lid) or, in addition to adjusting the position of the flap C31 (first lid), in addition to adjusting the position of the flap C33 (opposite lid). It may be configured to adjust. The flap C33 (opposite lid) is a portion of the folded cardboard box FB connected to the third side C13 (opposite side) facing the first side C11 held by the front lower holding portion 42b, and the flap C31 (first lid). Opposite. For example, the contact portion is in contact with the flap C33 (opposite lid) from above, so that the flap C33 extends along the direction in which the third side surface C13 (opposite side surface) extends, or the folded cardboard box FB is developed. It is configured to be folded inward at the time. By being configured in this way, the folding of the flaps C32 and C34 in the folding direction is regulated by the flap C33 that is slightly folded inward along the fold portion FP23, as in the case of adjusting the position of the flap C31. be able to.

(8-5) Modification E
In the above-described embodiment, the contact part 50 as an example of the position adjustment part adjusts the position of the flap C31 to be contacted by contacting the flap C31. However, the position adjustment part is limited to such a configuration. is not.

  For example, the position adjusting unit may be an air blowing unit 150 that injects air (compressed air) (see FIGS. 17 and 18). The air blowing unit 150 adjusts the position of the flap C31 that blows air by blowing air to the flap C31 (first lid). This will be specifically described.

  The air blowing part 150 is attached to the main part of the support frame 45a (the part to which the front lower holding part 42b of the support frame 45a is attached). The air blowing part 150 is a flap C31 in which the front lower holding part 42b attached to the main part of the support frame 45a is folded and sucks the first side face C11 of the corrugated cardboard box FB, and the air outlet is connected to the first side face C11. It is attached to the support frame 45a so as to face the (first lid). The air blowing part 150 is configured to inject air in the opposite direction to the suction direction of the front lower holding part 42b attached to the main part of the support frame 45a and sucking the first side face C11 from the outside. Therefore, when the air blowing part 150 blows air to the flap C31 (first lid) connected to the first side face C11 in a state where the front lower holding part 42b holds (sucks) the first side face C11, the flap C31 is folded cardboard. The position of the box FB is adjusted to be folded inward when the box FB is unfolded.

  The air blowing unit 150 starts air injection at a predetermined timing after the start of the unfolding operation and before the end of the unfolding operation. For example, the air blowing unit 150 starts air injection when the main part of the support frame 45a is rotated 20 degrees around the swing shaft 45c by the third driving unit 45b from the deployment operation start position. C31 is prevented from being folded outward (tilted downward). Thus, by blowing air onto the flap C31 before the end of the unfolding operation, it is easy to reliably prevent the flap C31 from being folded outward (tilted downward) at the end of the unfolding operation. Therefore, the air blowing part 150 can be used to prevent the flaps C32 and C34 from entering inside when the folded cardboard box FB is expanded.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Box making apparatus 12 Laminating mechanism 13 Transfer mechanism 14 Unfolding mechanism 16 Bottom cover forming mechanism 40 Holding mechanism 41a Rear upper holding part 41b Rear lower holding part 42a Front upper holding part (second holding part)
42b Front lower holding part (first holding part)
43 1st moving mechanism 44 2nd moving mechanism 45 3rd moving mechanism (moving mechanism)
45a Support frame 50 Contact part (position adjustment part)
90 Boxing device 91 Conveying device 92 Control device 100 Box making boxing system 150 Air spraying unit (position adjusting unit)
FB folding cardboard box TB rectangular cardboard box B cardboard box C11 first side C12 second side C13 third side (opposite side)
C31 flap (first lid)
C32 flap (second lid)
C33 flap (4th lid, opposite lid)
C34 flap (3rd lid)

WO2011 / 119563

Claims (9)

A box making apparatus that unfolds a folded corrugated cardboard box that is folded into a flat shape to form a rectangular tubular cardboard box,
A holding mechanism having a holding portion for holding a first side surface and a second side surface which are two adjacent side surfaces of the four side surfaces of the folded cardboard box;
A moving mechanism for moving the holding unit;
Bending at least one of the first side surface and the second side surface along a first fold portion provided at a boundary between the first side surface and the second side surface, the first side surface and the second side surface A control device for controlling the moving mechanism so as to change the angle formed by 0 ° or 180 ° to an angle close to 90 °;
With
The holding mechanism is a first lid that is a portion of the folded cardboard box that is continuous with the first side surface, and a portion of the folded cardboard box that is continuous with an opposite side surface that faces the first side surface, It further has a position adjustment unit that adjusts the position of at least one of the opposed opposed lids,
The position adjusting unit is
When adjusting the position of the first lid, when the holding unit is moved by the moving mechanism and the folding cardboard box is deployed, the first lid is moved along the direction in which the first side surface extends. Adjust the position of the first lid so that it is in an extended state or folded inward when the folded cardboard box is unfolded,
When adjusting the position of the opposing lid, when the holding mechanism is moved by the moving mechanism and the folding cardboard box is deployed, the opposing lid extends along the direction in which the opposing side surface extends. Alternatively, adjust the position of the opposed lid so that it is folded inward when the folded cardboard box is unfolded.
Box making equipment. The holding mechanism is
A first holding part which is the holding part for holding the first side surface;
A second holding part that is the holding part for holding the second side surface;
The first holding portion holds the first side surface so that the first side surface has an angle with respect to the horizontal before the folding cardboard box is unfolded.
The second holding unit holds the second side surface before the expansion operation of the folded cardboard box is finished, so that the second side surface has an angle with respect to the horizontal,
The first holding portion is moved by the moving mechanism so as to hold the first side surface at a parallel or nearly parallel inclination with respect to the horizontal after the folding cardboard box is unfolded.
The second holding part is moved by the moving mechanism so as to hold the second side surface at a vertical or near vertical inclination with respect to the horizontal after the folding cardboard box is unfolded.
The box making apparatus according to claim 1. The position adjustment unit adjusts the position of the first lid and / or the opposing lid that comes into contact with the first lid and / or the opposing lid,
The box making apparatus according to claim 2. The position adjustment unit adjusts at least the position of the first lid,
The first lid has a parallel or near parallel inclination with respect to the horizontal after the folding cardboard box is unfolded.
The position adjusting unit contacts the first lid from below.
The box making apparatus according to claim 3. The folding cardboard box further includes a second lid and a third lid located adjacent to the first lid,
During the unfolding operation of the folded cardboard box, the second lid and the third lid are in a released state.
The box making apparatus according to claim 4. The holding mechanism further includes a support frame that supports the first holding unit, the second holding unit, and the position adjusting unit,
The tip of the position adjusting portion that contacts the first lid protrudes above the height position of the contact surface where the first holding portion contacts the first side surface after the folding cardboard box is unfolded. In position,
The box making apparatus according to claim 5.   The position adjusting unit abuts on the first lid, thereby causing the first lid to move upward by 0 to 30 ° along a second fold portion provided at a boundary between the first side surface and the first lid. The box making apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the box making apparatus is tilted. During the unfolding operation of the folded cardboard box, the second lid and the third lid are inclined in the direction of gravity,
The first lid abutted by the position adjusting unit suppresses the inclination of the second lid or the third lid in the gravitational direction;
The box making apparatus according to claim 5 or 6. The position adjusting unit adjusts the position of the first lid and / or the opposing lid by blowing air by blowing air to the first lid and / or the opposing lid.
The box making apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

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