JP2014061904A - Boxing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an efficient boxing device configured to push laterally an article into a box with a laterally directed opening, which can stand quickly the box without spilling the article from inside the box.SOLUTION: The boxing device comprises a pushing portion and a posture/position changing portion 50. The pushing portion pushes laterally an article into a cardboard box with a laterally directed opening. The posture/position changing portion stands the cardboard box, whose opening remains directed laterally and in which the article is housed, to direct the opening upward. The posture/position changing portion has a suction portion 51, a support portion 57 and a rotation portion 59. The suction portion sucks from below at the outer face of the lateral face of the cardboard box that becomes a bottom face of the cardboard box when the article is pushed in by the pushing portion. The support portion supports the suction portion. The rotation portion rotates posture of the suction portion by 90 degrees around a rotating shaft 59a parallel to a dividing line between the lateral face and the opening. The rotation portion accelerates rotation at a time when the posture of the suction portion is rotated by first angles.

Description

  The present invention relates to a boxing device.

  Conventionally, as in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-155428), an article is packed from a side into a cardboard box with an opening facing sideways, and then the cardboard so that the opening faces upward. 2. Description of the Related Art A boxing device that rotates a box and changes its position is known.

  However, in a configuration such as Patent Document 1, if the speed at which the cardboard box is raised (rotational speed) is increased, articles inside the cardboard box may spill out of the cardboard box due to inertia. For this reason, the rotational speed of the cardboard box cannot be set to a large value, and the time required for raising the cardboard box is not shortened.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an efficient boxing device that can raise a box in a short time without spilling the article from the inside of the box in a boxing device that pushes the article from the side into a box with the opening facing sideways. To provide an apparatus.

  The boxing apparatus according to the present invention includes a push-in mechanism and a raising mechanism. The pushing mechanism pushes the article from the side into a box whose opening is directed sideways. The raising mechanism raises the box in which the article is stored with the opening facing sideways so that the opening faces upward. The raising mechanism has a suction part, a support part, and a rotation part. The suction portion sucks from below the outer surface of the first side surface portion of the box that becomes the bottom surface of the box when the article is pushed by the pushing mechanism. The support part supports the suction part. The rotation unit rotates the posture of the suction unit by 90 ° around a rotation axis parallel to the boundary line between the first side surface portion and the opening. The rotating unit temporarily decelerates or accelerates the rotation when the posture of the suction unit is rotated by the first angle.

  Here, when the posture of the suction unit is rotated to raise the box in which the article is stored, the rotation is temporarily decelerated or accelerated when the first angle is rotated. By temporarily decelerating the rotation of the box at the first angle, or by slowly rotating the box to the first angle, it is possible to prevent articles from spilling out of the box due to inertia. On the other hand, in a state where the rotation angle is larger than the first angle, the box can be quickly rotated without decelerating, and the time required for posture change can be shortened.

  Moreover, in the boxing apparatus which concerns on this invention, it is desirable for a rotation part to have a 1st drive part and a 2nd drive part. The first drive unit desirably rotates the posture of the suction unit from the initial angle to the first angle. The second drive unit desirably rotates the posture of the suction unit from the first angle to 90 °.

  As a result, when the rotation unit temporarily decelerates the rotation at the first angle, the deceleration can be easily realized by adjusting the drive timings of the first drive unit and the second drive unit. When the rotating unit accelerates the rotation at the first angle, acceleration can be easily realized by using a driving unit that rotates the suction unit faster than the first driving unit as the second driving unit.

  Furthermore, in the boxing apparatus according to the present invention, the initial angle is preferably in the range of 0 ° to 5 °.

  In the boxing device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the support portion has a vertical drive portion that moves the suction portion up and down. As for a rotation part, it is desirable to rotate the attitude | position of a suction part around a single rotating shaft.

  Here, since the rotating part rotates the attitude of the suction part around a single rotation axis, the height of the upper surface of the box after rotation can be unified regardless of the size of the box, and the subsequent process can be performed efficiently. Can do. In addition, since the vertical movement unit that vertically moves the suction unit is provided, it is possible to easily realize the rotation of the suction unit around a single rotation axis.

  Further, in the boxing device according to the present invention, the vertical drive unit moves the suction unit in the state in which the outer surface of the first side surface part of the box with the opening facing sideways is sucked up and down, and the pushing mechanism pushes the article into the box. It is desirable to adjust the height position of the box. The pushing mechanism desirably pushes the article into the box at a plurality of height positions.

  Thereby, according to the objective and a use, articles | goods can be pushed into a box in several height positions. Further, when the article is pushed in, the vertical drive unit is used as a height position adjusting mechanism for adjusting the height position of the box, so that it is not necessary to provide another mechanism for adjusting the height position of the box.

  In addition, the boxing device according to the present invention preferably further includes a spill prevention mechanism. It is desirable that the spill prevention mechanism has a spill prevention surface that extends from below to below the pushing position of the article of the pushing mechanism and faces the opening so as to close the lateral opening of the box.

  Thereby, the articles pushed by the pushing mechanism can be prevented from falling from the opening of the box, and a highly reliable boxing device can be realized.

  Furthermore, in the boxing apparatus according to the present invention, it is desirable that the spill prevention mechanism has a rotating portion at the lower end that can rotate about an axis parallel to the rotation axis and has a part of the spill prevention surface. The suction part preferably has a pressing part that pushes the spill prevention surface of the turning part away from the box when rotated by the rotating part.

  Thereby, the spillage of the article can be prevented up to just before the posture of the suction portion is rotated without disturbing the rotation of the posture of the suction portion.

  In addition, the boxing device according to the present invention preferably further includes a transport mechanism. The transport mechanism transports the box raised by the raising mechanism in a direction parallel to the outer surface of the first side surface portion of the raised box. It is desirable that the suction part has a suction cup that sticks to the outer surface of the first side face part and a suction cup protection plate. When the box is transported by the transport mechanism, it is desirable that the suction cup protection plate is disposed on the box side of the suction cup.

  Here, when the raised box is transported by the transport mechanism, the sucker protection plate is disposed closer to the box than the suction cup, so that the transported box and the suction cup do not contact each other. Therefore, damage and deterioration of the suction cup can be prevented, and a highly reliable boxing device can be realized.

  Furthermore, in the boxing apparatus according to the present invention, it is desirable that the suction portion further includes an elastic member. It is desirable that the elastic member is disposed on the back side of the suction cup protection plate with respect to the box and applies a force in a direction in which the suction cup protection plate is pressed against the box.

  Thereby, when a suction cup stops suction | attraction, a suction cup tends to leave | separate from the outer surface of a 1st side part rapidly. Therefore, the box is conveyed while being sucked by the suction cup, and the suction cup is not pulled in the conveyance direction of the box. Moreover, since the suction cup protective plate is pressed against the box, the suction cup can be prevented from coming into contact with the box. Therefore, damage and deterioration of the suction cup can be prevented, and a highly reliable boxing device can be realized.

  Moreover, in the boxing apparatus which concerns on this invention, it is desirable for a 1st angle to be 45 degrees or less.

  As a result, it is possible to raise the box containing the article in a short time while preventing the article from spilling.

  The boxing device of the present invention temporarily decelerates or accelerates the rotation when it is rotated by the first angle when the posture of the suction unit is rotated to raise the box containing the articles. By temporarily decelerating the rotation of the box at the first angle, or by slowly rotating the box to the first angle, it is possible to prevent articles from spilling out of the box due to inertia. On the other hand, in a state where the rotation angle is larger than the first angle, the box can be quickly rotated without decelerating, and the time required for posture change can be shortened.

1 is a schematic side view of a box making / boxing system including a boxing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is the figure which looked at the box making / boxing system from the back side of the boxing device (bottom lid side of the cardboard box). It is the figure which looked at the cardboard box used for packing of goods with the boxing apparatus of FIG. 1 from the bottom cover side. It is a block diagram of the boxing apparatus of FIG. It is a schematic perspective view for demonstrating the fall part of the boxing apparatus of FIG. It is a side view of the vicinity of the posture position change part of the boxing apparatus of FIG. FIG. 5 depicts the vicinity of the posture position changing unit viewed from the rear side in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 depicts the posture position changing unit in a state where the first surface of the suction cup protection plate of the posture position changing unit is directed to the rear side. 5 indicates the same direction as the top, bottom, left, and right in FIG. It is a perspective view of the attitude | position position change part of the boxing apparatus of FIG. FIG. 6 depicts the vicinity of the posture position changing unit viewed from the right front side in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 depicts the posture position changing unit in a state where the first surface of the suction cup protection plate of the posture position changing unit is directed upward. It is a figure explaining arrangement | positioning with the suction cup protective plate and suction cup in the attitude | position position change part of FIG. It is the schematic diagram which looked at the suction part in the state where the 1st surface of the suction cup protection board was faced upwards from the back side in FIG. FIG. 7A shows an arrangement of the suction cup protection plate and the suction cup in a state where the suction cup is not driven by the suction drive unit. FIG. 7B shows the arrangement of the suction cup protection plate and the suction cup in a state where the suction cup is driven by the suction drive unit. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the boxing apparatus of FIG. It is the schematic diagram which looked at the state of the attitude | position position change part periphery of the boxing apparatus of FIG. 1 from the right side in FIG. It depicts immediately after the drop portion has changed the height position of the cardboard box (the cardboard box has been dropped). It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the boxing apparatus of FIG. It is the schematic diagram which looked at the state of the attitude | position position change part periphery of the boxing apparatus of FIG. 1 from the right side in FIG. The state where the second guide portion of the dropping portion is driven so as to be close to the first guide portion, and the posture of the suction portion is changed so that the rotating portion of the posture position changing portion faces the first surface of the suction cup protection plate upward. Describes. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the boxing apparatus of FIG. It is the schematic diagram which looked at the state of the attitude | position position change part periphery of the boxing apparatus of FIG. 1 from the right side in FIG. The cardboard box is moved to the article pushing position by the posture position changing section, and the pushing section depicts a state before the article is pushed into the cardboard box. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the boxing apparatus of FIG. It is the schematic diagram which looked at the state of the attitude | position position change part periphery of the boxing apparatus of FIG. 1 from the right side in FIG. The state before the guide member is pulled out from the cardboard box after the push-in member of the push-in part pushes the article into the cardboard box is depicted. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the boxing apparatus of FIG. It is the schematic diagram which looked at the state of the attitude | position position change part periphery of the boxing apparatus of FIG. 1 from the right side in FIG. The pushing part depicts a state where the pushing of the article into the cardboard box (first stage) is completed. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the boxing apparatus of FIG. It is the schematic diagram which looked at the state of the attitude | position position change part periphery of the boxing apparatus of FIG. 1 from the right side in FIG. The state immediately before the posture change of the cardboard box is performed by the posture position changing unit (the cardboard box is raised) is depicted. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the boxing apparatus of FIG. It is the schematic diagram which looked at the state of the attitude | position position change part periphery of the boxing apparatus of FIG. 1 from the right side in FIG. The state where the posture of the cardboard box is rotated by the first angle by the posture position changing unit is depicted. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the boxing apparatus of FIG. It is the schematic diagram which looked at the state of the attitude | position position change part periphery of the boxing apparatus of FIG. 1 from the right side in FIG. The state where the posture change of the cardboard box by the posture position changing unit is completed (the state where the cardboard box is raised) is depicted. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the boxing apparatus of FIG. The state just before the attitude | position change of the cardboard box is performed by the attitude | position change part in the modification B (corrugated cardboard box is raised) is drawn.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below 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) Overall Overview FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a box making / boxing system 1 including a boxing device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The outline of the box making / boxing system 1 will be described below. Here, in order to describe the directions, the words up and down, left and right, and front and rear are used, but unless otherwise specified, the terms mean up and down, left and right, and front and rear in FIG.

  The box making / boxing system 1 includes a box making device 2, a boxing device 10, and a box closing device 3.

  The box making apparatus 2 opens (opens) the cardboard sheet E (folded cardboard box C), closes the bottom cover B of the cardboard box C, and opens the cardboard box C opened only on one side (only on the top cover side). Make a box. The cardboard box C boxed in the box making apparatus 2 is conveyed to the boxing apparatus 10 by a conveyor (not shown).

  The cartoning device 10 is supplied with a corrugated cardboard box C opened horizontally by a conveyor (not shown). More specifically, the bottom cover B is disposed on the rear side, and the cardboard box C opened on the front side is conveyed by a conveyor and supplied to the boxing device 10.

  The cardboard box C used in the box making / boxing system 1 includes a side part C1 formed in an annular shape having four side faces C11 to C14 and front and rear sides from the four side faces C11 to C14 as shown in FIG. 8 flat flaps C2 extending in total. When supplied to the boxing device 10, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the bottom cover side (rear side) flap C <b> 2 is closed by the box making device 2, and the bottom cover B is formed. The flaps C21 to C24 (C2) on the upper lid side (front side) are open outward. The cardboard box C is supplied to the boxing device 10 with the side surface C14 facing downward as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the boxing device 10 mainly includes a drop unit 20, a push-in unit 40, a posture position change unit 50, a spill prevention mechanism 90, an article transport unit 70, a conveyor 75, and a control device 80. . The dropping unit 20 drops the cardboard box C, which is supplied from the box making apparatus 2 via the conveyor, with the side C14 facing downward and opened to the front side, and changes the height position of the cardboard box C. To do. The push-in unit 40 is a push-in mechanism that pushes the article A (package target) conveyed by the article conveyance unit 70 from the side (front side) into the cardboard box C dropped by the dropping unit 20. The posture position changing unit 50 adjusts the height position of the cardboard box C when the article A is pushed into the cardboard box C by the pushing unit 40. Further, the posture position changing unit 50 functions as a raising mechanism that raises the cardboard box C in which the article A opened on the front side is accommodated so that the opening faces upward. The spill prevention mechanism 90 prevents the article A from spilling from the opening when the cardboard box C in which the article A is accommodated in the state opened to the front side is moved up and down by the posture position changing unit 50. The conveyor 75 conveys the cardboard box C raised by the posture position changing unit 50 so that the opening faces upward, and supplies the cardboard box C to the closing device 3. The control device 80 controls the movement of the dropping unit 20, the pushing unit 40, the posture position changing unit 50, the article conveying unit 70, the conveyor 75, and the like. The dropping unit 20, the pushing unit 40, the posture position changing unit 50, the spill prevention mechanism 90, the article conveying unit 70, the conveyor 75, and the control device 80 will be described in detail later.

  The closing device 3 closes the flap C2 (flaps C21 to C24) on the upper lid side of the cardboard box C, which is supplied from the conveyor 75 and whose opening is directed upward, to form an upper lid. The cardboard box C whose upper lid is closed by the box closing device 3 is carried out from the box making / boxing system 1.

(2) Detailed Configuration Below, the dropping unit 20, the pushing unit 40, the posture position changing unit 50, the spill prevention mechanism 90, the article conveying unit 70, the conveyor 75, and the control device 80 of the boxing device 10 will be described. Hereinafter, in order to describe the directions, the words “upper and lower”, “left” and “right”, and “front” and “rear” are used.

(2-1) Dropping part The dropping part 20 drops the corrugated cardboard box C, which is supplied from the box making apparatus 2 via the conveyor and opens to the front side, with the side face C14 downward, and the height position of the cardboard box C. To change. When the cardboard box C is dropped, the flap C22 extending from the upper side surface C12, the flaps C21 and C23 extending from the side surfaces C11 and C13, and the flap C24 extending from the lower side surface C14 are opened outward as shown in FIG. It is. That is, the height position of the cardboard box C is changed in a state where the opening is not closed by the flaps C <b> 21 to C <b> 24 by the dropping part 20.

  The dropping unit 20 horizontally moves the cardboard box C after dropping to the front side. Furthermore, the dropping unit 20 restricts the movement of the cardboard box C in the horizontal direction (particularly in the front-rear direction) when the article A is pushed into the cardboard box C. That is, the dropping unit 20 also functions as a horizontal position adjustment mechanism for the cardboard box C.

  The dropping unit 20 includes first guide units 21 and 22 and second guide units 23 and 24 (see FIGS. 4 and 5), and a first drive unit 25 and a second drive unit 26 (see FIG. 3).

  The first guide portions 21 and 22 are flat members disposed in front of the flaps C21 and C23 disposed on the sides of the cardboard box C so as to face the flaps C21 and C23, respectively. The first guide portion 21 also faces a flap C22 disposed above the cardboard box C. The second guide portions 23 and 24 are members that are disposed behind the flaps C21 and C23 and face the flaps C21 and C23.

  When the cardboard box C is dropped, the flap C21 passes between the first guide part 21 and the second guide part 23, and the flap C23 passes between the first guide part 22 and the second guide part 24. The 1st guide part 21 and the 2nd guide part 23 are arrange | positioned at a suitable space | interval, and control the horizontal movement of the flap C21 of the cardboard box C which is falling. The 1st guide part 22 and the 2nd guide part 24 are arrange | positioned at an appropriate space | interval, and control the horizontal movement of the flap C23 of the cardboard box C which is falling. The cardboard box C drops to a predetermined position in a predetermined posture by the first guide parts 21 and 22 and the second guide parts 23 and 24 restricting the movement of the flaps C21 and C23 of the cardboard box C being dropped. To be guided.

  The first guide portion 21 also faces the flap C22 of the falling cardboard box C, and restricts the movement of the flap C22 so that the flap C22 does not close (fall forward). The first guide portion 21 regulates the movement of the flap C22 so that the flap C22 does not close even after the cardboard box C is dropped.

  After the cardboard box C is dropped, the second guide parts 23 and 24 are driven forward by the first drive part 25 to the vicinity of the first guide parts 21 and 22, respectively. At this time, the second guide portions 23 and 24 are in contact with the back surfaces (rear side surfaces) of the flaps C21 and C23, respectively, and the cardboard box C is moved forward (advanced) toward the first guide portions 21 and 22. ). At the time when the first drive unit 25 completes the (advance) driving of the second guide parts 23 and 24, the cardboard box C is in the article pushing position (the pushing part 40 described later causes the article A to be placed in the cardboard box C in plan view). It is moved to the position where it is pushed.

  In addition, when the driving of the second guide parts 23 and 24 by the first driving unit 25 is completed, the flap C <b> 21 is between the first guide part 21 and the second guide part 23, and the flap C <b> 23 is the first guide part 22. When the article A is pushed into the cardboard box C, the movement of the flap C21 and the flap C23 in the horizontal direction (mainly the front-rear direction) is restricted. The first guide portions 21 and 22 and the second guide portions 23 and 24 regulate the horizontal movement of the flap C21 and the flap C23 so that when the article A is pushed into the cardboard box C, the cardboard box C is horizontal. Regulate not to move in the direction.

  As will be described later, when the article A is pushed into the cardboard box C, the cardboard box C is moved in the vertical direction by the posture position changing unit 50, so that the first guide part 21 and the second guide part 23 (The first guide part 22 and the second guide part 24) are arranged at intervals such that the cardboard box C can freely move in the vertical direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, movable hooks 23 a and 24 a are provided below the second guide portions 23 and 24. A protruding portion 23b protruding leftward is formed at the lower end of the movable hook 23a, and a protruding portion 24b protruding rightward is formed at the lower end of the movable hook 24a. The movable hooks 23a and 24a are formed so as to be rotatable clockwise or counterclockwise as viewed from the rear side around a rotation axis extending in the front-rear direction. The protrusions 23b and 24b receive the side surface C14 of the cardboard box C when the cardboard C is dropped.

  The 1st drive part 25 is an air cylinder which drives the 2nd guide parts 23 and 24 in the front-back direction. After the cardboard box C is dropped, the first drive unit 25 moves the second guide unit 23 closer to the first guide unit 21 and the second guide unit 24 closer to the first guide unit 22. , 24 are driven forward.

  The second drive unit 26 is an air cylinder that rotationally drives the movable hooks 23a and 24a clockwise or counterclockwise when viewed from the rear side.

  The 1st drive part 25 and the 2nd drive part 26 are controlled by the control apparatus 80 mentioned later. The operation timing of the second guide portions 23 and 24 and the movable hooks 23a and 24a by the first drive portion 25 and the second drive portion 26 will be described later.

(2-2) Push-in part The push-in part 40 is conveyed to the corrugated cardboard box C which has been moved to a predetermined article push-in position by the first drive part 25 and a posture position changing part 50 described later and whose opening is directed sideways. This is a push-in mechanism that pushes the article A conveyed by the section 70 from the side.

  The pushing portion 40 includes a pushing member 41 and a guide member 42 (see FIG. 8A), and a pushing drive portion 43 and a guide drive portion 44 (see FIG. 3).

  The pushing member 41 is a plate-like member disposed so as to face the opening of the cardboard box C. The pushing member 41 is driven in the front-rear direction by the pushing drive unit 43.

  When the article A is pushed into the cardboard box C, the push-in member 41 is moved to the left as shown by the arrow D4 in FIG. Driven. At this time, the pushing member 41 comes into contact with the article A placed behind the pushing member 41 (between the pushing member 41 and the cardboard box C), and pushes the article A into the cardboard box C from the opening.

  When the article A is pushed into the cardboard box C, the opening of the cardboard box C and the push-in member 41 are in a substantially face-to-face state. Thereby, it is easy to push the article A from the opening of the cardboard box C without spilling it.

  The guide member 42 is a plate-like member substantially parallel to the bottom surface (side surface C14) of the cardboard box C when the article A is pushed in by the push-in portion 40. The guide member 42 is driven in the front-rear direction by a guide driving unit 44. When the push-in member 41 is driven by the push-in drive unit 43, the guide member 42 is driven leftward (to the rear side in FIG. 4) by the guide drive unit 44 as indicated by an arrow D5 in FIG. The cardboard box C is inserted through the opening C. The article A pushed into the cardboard box C by the pushing member 41 moves on the guide member 42 inserted into the cardboard box C. On the guide member 42 in a state where the article A is placed in the cardboard box C, the push-in member 41 is arranged adjacent to the opening of the cardboard box C, and the guide drive unit 44 in FIG. Driven to the right (forward in FIG. 4) as indicated by an arrow D6, the cardboard box C is extracted. Since the movement of the article A is restricted by the pushing member 41 as shown in FIG. 8D, it remains in the cardboard box C (boxed).

  The push drive unit 43 and the guide drive unit 44 are air cylinders that drive the push member 41 and the guide member 42, respectively. The pushing drive unit 43 and the guide drive unit 44 are controlled by a control device 80 described later. The timing at which the pushing member 41 and the guide member 42 are operated by the pushing drive unit 43 and the guide drive unit 44 will be described later.

(2-3) Posture Position Changing Unit The posture position changing unit 50 is a raising mechanism that raises the cardboard box C in which the article A with the opening directed sideways (forward) is accommodated so that the opening faces upward. is there. The posture position changing unit 50 also functions as a height position adjusting mechanism that adjusts (changes) the height position of the cardboard box C when the article A is pushed by the pushing unit 40.

  As illustrated in FIG. 6, the posture position changing unit 50 includes a suction unit 51, a support unit 57 that supports the suction unit 51, and a rotation unit 59 that rotates the posture of the suction unit 51.

(2-3-1) Suction Part The suction part 51 sucks from below the outer surface of the side face C14 of the cardboard box C, which becomes the bottom face of the cardboard box C when the article A is pushed by the push-in part 40. More specifically, the suction portion 51 is driven forward by the second guide portions 23 and 24 of the dropping portion 20 and is horizontally moved to the article pushing position in a plan view, and the outer surface of the bottom surface (side surface C14) of the cardboard box C. Then, it sucks from below as shown in FIG. 8C. The suction unit 51 sucks the side surface C14 of the cardboard box C until the article A is pushed into the cardboard box C and the cardboard box C in which the article A is accommodated is raised so that the opening faces upward.

  The suction portion 51 includes a suction cup protection plate 52, a support plate 53, a pressing plate 54, a suction cup 55, a spring 56, and a suction drive portion 61 (see FIGS. 6 and 3).

  The suction cup protection plate 52 is a plate-like member in which a hole into which the suction cup 55 is inserted is formed. The suction cup protection plate 52 has a first surface 52a that comes into contact with the side surface C14 when the suction portion 51 is attracted to the side surface C14 of the cardboard box C (see FIG. 6). The suction cup protection plate 52 has the first surface 52a facing upward when the posture position changing unit 50 functions as an adjustment mechanism for the height position of the cardboard box C. The rotation part 59 described later rotates the posture of the suction part 51 so that the first surface 52a of the suction cup protection plate 52 faces upward or rearward.

  The suction cup protection plate 52 is in contact with the suction cup 55 when the cardboard box C raised by the posture position changing unit 50 so that the opening faces upward is conveyed by a conveyor 75 as will be described later. To protect the suction cup 55. The protection of the suction cup 55 will be described later.

  The support plate 53 is disposed below the suction cup protection plate 52 when the first surface 52a of the suction cup protection plate 52 faces upward, and the suction cup protection plate when the first surface 52a of the suction cup protection plate 52 faces rearward. 52 is a plate disposed in front of 52. In other words, the support plate 53 is a plate material disposed on the back side of the suction cup protection plate 52 (the side opposite to the first surface 52a).

  A spring 56 as an elastic member is provided between the suction cup protection plate 52 and the support plate 53 (on the back side of the suction cup protection plate 52 with respect to the cardboard box C), and the positions of the suction cup protection plate 52 and the support plate 53 are the same. Adjusted. The position adjustment between the suction cup protection plate 52 and the support plate 53 by the spring 56 will be described later.

  The pressing plate 54 is a plate material attached so as to be substantially perpendicular to the suction cup protection plate 52. The pressing plate 54 is disposed on the front side of the suction cup protection plate 52 in a state where the first surface 52a of the suction cup protection plate 52 is directed upward. When the pressing plate 54 is rotated by the rotating unit 59 from the state where the first surface 52a is directed upward to the state where the first surface 52a is directed upward, the rotating unit 92 of the spill prevention mechanism 90 described later. The second spill prevention surface 92a is pushed forward (in a direction away from the cardboard box C), and the rotating portion 92 is rotated.

  The suction cup 55 is driven by a suction drive unit 61 to be described later, and sucks against the outer surface of the side surface C14 which is the bottom surface of the cardboard box C when the article A is pushed into the cardboard box C by the push-in unit 40. The suction cup 55 sucks at a predetermined position on the outer surface of the side surface C14. Specifically, the suction cup 55 sucks near the boundary between the side surface C14 and the opening of the cardboard box C on the side surface C14. In other words, the suction cup 55 sucks near the boundary between the side surface C14 and the flap C24 extending from the side surface C14. Regardless of the size of the cardboard box C, the position at which the suction cup 55 sticks to the side surface C14 is separated from the boundary between the side surface C14 and the flap C24 by a certain distance.

  In a state where the first surface 52 a of the suction cup protection plate 52 faces upward and the suction cup 55 is not attracted to the side surface C 14 of the cardboard box C, the suction surface 55 a of the suction cup 55 is more than the first surface 52 a of the suction cup protection plate 52. It arrange | positions below (refer FIG.6 and FIG.7 (a)). In addition, when the suction cup protection plate 52 faces the first surface 52a rearward and the suction cup 55 is not attracted to the side surface C14 of the cardboard box C, the suction surface 55a of the suction cup 55 is the first surface 52a of the suction cup protection plate 52. It is arranged ahead of. In other words, the spring 56 is selected so that the suction surface of the suction cup 55 and the first surface 52a of the suction cup protection plate 52 have such a positional relationship.

  On the other hand, when the suction drive unit 61 is driven and the suction cup 55 sucks against the side face C14 of the cardboard box C, a suction force acts on the side face C14 of the cardboard box C in a direction approaching the support plate 53. For example, as shown in FIG. 7B, when the suction cup protection plate 52 has the first surface 52a facing upward, the suction force acts on the side surface C14 of the cardboard box C in the direction approaching the support plate 53 (downward). To do. At this time, a force larger than the elastic force of the spring 56 is exerted on the suction cup protection plate 52 in contact with the side surface C14 so as to approach the support plate 53, and the suction cup protection plate 52 is pushed toward the support plate. For example, as shown in FIG. 7B, the suction surface 55a of the suction cup 55 and the first surface 52a of the suction cup protection plate 52 are arranged in substantially the same plane.

  The suction drive unit 61 is an air pump that is connected to the suction cup 55 by a hose (not shown) and generates negative pressure in the suction cup 55 by sucking air through the hose. The suction drive unit 61 is controlled by a control device 80 described later. The timing when the suction cup 55 is driven by the suction drive unit 61 and sucks the side face C14 of the cardboard box C will be described later.

(2-3-2) Support Part The support part 57 is a suction part 51 in a state where the first surface 52a is directed upward by the rod 58 extending substantially perpendicular to the first surface 52a of the suction cup protection plate 52. Is supported from below.

  The support part 57 has a vertical drive part 62. The vertical drive unit 62 is a motor that drives the ball screw 58a. The vertical drive unit 62 drives the rod 58 by rotating the ball screw 58a, and drives the suction unit 51 with the first surface 52a facing upward in the vertical direction. The vertical drive unit 62 moves the suction unit 51 in a state where the outer surface of the side surface C14 of the cardboard box C with the opening directed sideways (forward) is moved up and down, so that the push-in unit 40 moves the article A into the cardboard box C. The height position of the cardboard box C at the time of pushing in is adjusted.

  The vertical drive unit 62 is controlled by a control device 80 described later. The timing at which the vertical drive unit 62 is driven will be described later.

(2-3-3) Rotating unit The rotating unit 59 rotates the posture of the suction unit 51 around the rotating shaft 59a extending in the left-right direction. That is, the rotating part 59 has a rotational axis substantially parallel to a boundary line LN (see FIG. 8A) between the side surface C14 that is the bottom surface of the cardboard box C and the opening of the cardboard box C when the article A is pushed by the pushing part 40. The posture of the suction unit 51 is rotated around 59a. In other words, the rotating portion 59 is rotated around the rotation axis 59a substantially parallel to the boundary line LN between the side surface C14 which is the bottom surface of the cardboard box C and the flap C24 extending from the side surface C14 when the article A is pushed by the pushing portion 40. The posture of the suction part 51 is rotated. The rotating shaft 59a is always arranged at the same height and does not change. That is, the rotating unit 59 rotates the posture of the suction unit 51 around the single rotating shaft 59a.

  The rotating part 59 has the suction part 51 facing the rear (left side in FIG. 8A) in the vertical state with the first surface 52a of the suction cup protection plate 52 facing upward while the first surface 52a is horizontal. It is rotated approximately 90 ° in the direction of arrow D2 in FIG. 8A (see FIGS. 8A and 8B). In addition, the rotating unit 59 is configured so that the suction unit 51 with the first surface 52a facing upward in a horizontal state faces the rear (left side in FIG. 8H) with the first surface 52a vertical, as shown in FIG. Rotate approximately 90 ° in the direction of arrow D8 (see FIGS. 8F and 8H).

  The rotating unit 59 includes a first rotation driving unit 63 and a second rotation driving unit 64 for rotating the suction unit 51 (see FIG. 3). Both the first rotation drive unit 63 and the second rotation drive unit 64 are air cylinders. The 1st rotation drive part 63 and the 2nd rotation drive part 64 are controlled by the control apparatus 80 mentioned later.

  The first rotation drive unit 63 and the second rotation drive unit 64 are arranged such that the suction unit 51 is oriented with the first surface 52a facing upward in a horizontal state, and the first surface 52a is directed rearward with the first surface 52a vertical. , Having a feature in rotating in the direction of arrow D8 in FIG. 8F. Here, the posture of the suction part 51 with the first surface 52a facing upward in a horizontal state is defined as an angle of 0 °, and the suction part 51 with the first surface 52a facing backward in a vertical state. Is defined as having an angle of 90 °.

  The first rotation drive unit 63 moves the suction unit 51 (see FIG. 8F) with the first surface 52a facing upward in the direction of the arrow D8 in FIG. 8F (counterclockwise in FIG. 8F) to the first angle. R1 is rotated (see FIG. 8G). The first angle R1 is approximately 30 °. That is, the first rotation driving unit 63 rotates the posture of the suction unit 51 from 0 ° to 30 ° in the direction of the arrow D8 in FIG. 8F.

  On the other hand, the second rotation drive unit 64 is a state in which the first surface 52a faces rearward in the suction unit 51 rotated by the first angle R1 by the first rotation drive unit 63 (a state facing leftward in FIG. 8H). To 90 ° in the direction of arrow D8 in FIG. 8F (counterclockwise in FIG. 8F). That is, the second rotation driving unit 64 rotates the posture of the suction unit 51 from 30 ° to 90 ° in the direction of the arrow D8 in FIG. 8F.

  The second rotation drive unit 64 rotates the suction unit 51 faster than the first rotation drive unit 63. That is, the first rotation driving unit 63 slowly rotates the posture of the suction unit 51 up to the first angle R1, and the second rotation driving unit 64 rotates the posture of the suction unit 51 quickly after the first angle R1. In other words, the rotating unit 59 accelerates the rotation when the posture of the suction unit 51 is rotated by the first angle R1.

  By slowly rotating the cardboard box C to the first angle R1, it is possible to prevent the article A stored in the cardboard box C from jumping out of the opening of the cardboard box C due to inertia. On the other hand, from the first angle R1, it is possible to quickly raise the cardboard box C (with the opening facing upward) by rotating the cardboard box C quickly.

(2-4) Spill-Preventing Mechanism The spill-preventing mechanism 90 is a plate-like member, and as shown in FIG. 8C, the push-in portion 40 pushes the article A into the cardboard box C from below and further below. Extend toward.

  The spill prevention mechanism 90 includes a vertical plate 91 and a rotating portion 92 extending from the lower end of the vertical plate 91. The vertical plate 91 is an immovable member extending in the vertical direction. The rotation unit 92 is a member that can be rotated around a rotation axis provided in the lower end of the vertical plate 91 and extending in the left-right direction, that is, around a rotation axis parallel to the rotation axis 59 a of the rotation unit 59. The rotating portion 92 can be rotated approximately 90 ° counterclockwise in FIG. 8F from a substantially vertical state as shown in FIG. 8F (see FIG. 8H).

  Each of the vertical plate 91 and the rotating portion 92 has a first spill prevention surface 91a and a second spill prevention surface 92a facing the opening of the cardboard box C, respectively (see FIG. 8F). The first spill prevention surface 91a is a plane extending in the left-right direction and the up-down direction. When the cardboard box C containing the article A is driven in the vertical direction by the vertical drive unit 62 of the posture position changing unit 50, the first and second spill prevention surfaces 91a and 92a are arranged in substantially the same plane. The That is, when the cardboard box C in which the article A is stored is driven in the vertical direction by the posture position changing unit 50, the second spill prevention surface 92a is a flat surface that extends in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction. The first and second spill prevention surfaces 91a and 92a close the opening of the cardboard box C when the cardboard box C in which the article A is stored is driven in the vertical direction by the posture position changing unit 50, and the article A is the cardboard box. Prevent spilling from C. In addition, since a spring (not shown) as an elastic member is provided on the back surface of the rotating portion 92, it is not easily rotated forward by being pushed by the article A in the cardboard box C.

  The second spill-preventing surface 92a of the rotating unit 92 is configured so that the rotating unit 59 rotates the posture of the suction unit 51 from the state in which the first surface 52a is directed upward to the state in which it is directed backward. The pressing plate 54 is pressed in the direction away from the cardboard box C (forward). The second spill prevention surface 92a is not directly pressed by the pressing plate 54 but is pressed by the pressing plate 54 via the flap C24 of the cardboard box C (see FIG. 8H).

  Since the rotating portion 92 is provided at the lower end of the vertical plate 91, the spill prevention mechanism 90 prevents the suction portion 51 from rotating before the posture of the suction portion 51 is rotated (cardboard box C). Can be prevented from spilling from the opening of the cardboard box C until just before it is started to be raised by the posture position changing unit 50.

(2-5) Article Conveying Unit The article conveying unit 70 (see FIG. 8A) conveys the article A to be packed to be packed in the cardboard box C.

  The article transport unit 70 is driven to transport the article A at a predetermined speed and timing by a transport driving unit 71 (see FIG. 3). Specifically, the conveyance drive unit 71 is configured to move the cardboard box C behind the push-in member 41 (push-in) when the cardboard box C is moved to a predetermined article push-in position by the first drive unit 25 and the posture position changing unit 50. The article conveying section 70 is driven so that the article A is conveyed between the member 41 and the opening of the cardboard box C). The operation of the transport driving unit 71 is controlled by a control device 80 described later.

(2-6) Conveyor The conveyor 75 (see FIG. 8H) is a transport mechanism that supplies the cardboard box C raised by the posture position changing unit 50 to the closing device 3.

  The conveyor 75 conveys the cardboard box C whose opening is directed upward to the left. In other words, the conveyor 75 conveys the cardboard box C raised by the posture position changing unit 50 in a direction parallel to the outer surface of the side face C14 of the raised cardboard box C.

  The conveyor 75 is driven to convey the article A at a predetermined speed and timing by a conveyor driving unit 76 (see FIG. 3). The operation of the conveyor driving unit 76 is controlled by a control device 80 described later.

(2-7) Control Device The control device 80 is connected to each part of the boxing device 10 such as the dropping unit 20, the pushing-in unit 40, the posture position changing unit 50, the article conveying unit 70, the conveyor 75, and the like. In addition, the control device 80 is also connected to the box making apparatus 2 disposed in the front stage of the boxing device 10 and the box closing apparatus 3 disposed in the rear stage. The control device 80 mainly controls each part of the boxing apparatus 10 and exchanges various information with each part of the boxing apparatus.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the control device 80 includes a storage unit 81 and a control unit 82. The storage unit 81 is mainly configured by a ROM, a RAM, an HDD (hard disk), and the like. The control unit 82 is mainly configured by a CPU.

(2-7-1) Storage Unit The storage unit 81 stores various programs to be executed by the control unit 82. The storage unit 81 stores various operation parameters necessary for the control unit 82 to control the boxing device 10.

(2-7-2) Control Unit The control unit 82 calls and executes various programs stored in the storage unit 81, and performs a dropping unit 20, a pushing unit 40, a posture position changing unit 50, an article conveying unit 70, and a conveyor 75. Etc., each part of the boxing apparatus 10 is controlled.

  For example, the control unit 82 controls the first rotation driving unit 63 and the second rotation driving unit 64 of the posture position changing unit 50 to rotate the posture of the suction unit 51 attracted to the side surface C14 of the cardboard box C, and Raise box C. Further, for example, the control unit 82 controls the vertical drive unit 62 of the posture position changing unit 50 to move the suction unit 51 sucked up to the side surface C14 of the cardboard box C up and down, so that the height position of the cardboard box C is adjusted. Make adjustments.

(3) Operation of the boxing device The operation of the boxing device will be described with reference to FIGS. 8A to 8H and FIG.

  First, in step S1, the cardboard box C is dropped by the dropping unit 20, and the height position of the cardboard box C is changed. Specifically, in the cardboard box C, the flap C21 passes between the first guide part 21 and the second guide part 23, and the flap C23 passes between the first guide part 22 and the second guide part 24. Fall. The cardboard box C falls on the protruding portions 23b and 24b of the movable hooks 23a and 24a of the second guide portions 23 and 24 and is received by the protruding portions 23b and 24b. Here, the dropping of the cardboard box C ends.

  In step S2, the first drive unit 25 drives the second guide unit 23 forward as indicated by an arrow D1 in FIG. The first drive unit 25 drives the second guide unit 24 forward at the same timing and speed. At this time, the 2nd guide parts 23 and 24 contact the back of flap C21 and flap C23 of cardboard box C, respectively, and cardboard box C is moved ahead (refer to Drawing 8B).

  Further, in step S2, the first and second rotation driving units 63 and 64 extend the suction unit 51 in the left-right direction as indicated by an arrow D2 in FIG. Rotate around a rotation axis 59a (parallel to the boundary line LN with the C opening). As a result, the first surface 52a of the suction cup protection plate 52 facing rearward (leftward in FIG. 8A) as shown in FIG. 8A faces the side surface C14 disposed below the cardboard box C as shown in FIG. 8B. The posture of the suction part is rotated so as to face (upward).

  In step S3, in response to an instruction from the control device 80, the vertical drive unit 62 moves the suction unit 51 in the direction of the arrow D3 in FIG. 8B so that the first surface 52a of the suction cup protection plate 52 contacts the side surface C14 of the cardboard box C. Drive (upward). Further, the suction cup 55 driven by the suction drive unit 61 is sucked to the side surface C14 disposed below the cardboard box C by the instruction of the control device 80, and the cardboard box C and the suction unit 51 are connected.

  In step S3, the second drive unit 26 rotationally drives the movable hooks 23a and 24a to a position away from the cardboard box C according to an instruction from the control device 80. As a result, the movable hooks 23 a and 24 a are not in contact with the cardboard box C, and the cardboard box C is held only from below by the suction part 51.

  In step S4, in response to an instruction from the control device 80, the vertical drive unit 62 drives the suction unit 51 up and down to move the cardboard box C up and down and move the cardboard box C to the article pushing position where the article A is pushed. (See FIG. 8C).

  In step S5, the guide drive unit 44 drives the guide member 42 rearward (leftward in FIG. 8C) as shown by an arrow D5 in FIG.

  In step S5, in accordance with an instruction from the control device 80, the pushing drive unit 43 drives the pushing member 41 rearward as indicated by an arrow D4 in FIG. 8C, and a predetermined number of articles conveyed by the article conveying unit 70. Push A into the cardboard box C. The article A pushed by the pushing member 41 moves on the guide member 42.

  In step S6, the guide driving unit 44 drives the guide member 42 forward (to the right in FIG. 8D) as shown by an arrow D6 in FIG. At this time, since the movement of the article A is regulated by the pushing member 41, only the article A remains in the cardboard box C.

  In step S7, in accordance with an instruction from the control device 80, the push-in drive unit 43 drives the push-in member 41 forward as indicated by an arrow D7 in FIG. 8E.

  In the present embodiment, the articles A are inserted into the cardboard boxes C in multiple stages. That is, the push-in portion 40 pushes the article A into the cardboard box C at a plurality of height positions. Therefore, step S4 to step S7 are repeated by the number of stages of the article A (twice in this embodiment).

  In step S9, according to an instruction from the control device 80, the vertical drive unit 62 drives the suction unit 51 up and down, and the suction unit 51 is moved to a height position where the rotation unit 59 rotates the posture of the suction unit 51 (suction unit). The posture of 51 is moved to a height position capable of rotating around the rotation shaft 59a.

  In step S10, in response to an instruction from the control device 80, the first drive unit 25 starts to drive the second guide units 23 and 24 in the direction opposite to that in step S2. Thereby, the clearance gap between the 1st guide parts 21 and 22 and the 2nd guide parts 23 and 24 becomes large, and the suction part 51 of the state which attracted | sucked the side surface C14 of the cardboard box C rotates 1st angle R1 to the surroundings of the rotating shaft 59a. It becomes possible to make it.

  In step S11, in response to an instruction from the control device 80, the first rotation driving unit 63 rotates the posture of the suction unit 51 in the state of sucking the side surface C14 of the cardboard box C from 0 ° to the first angle R1 around the rotation shaft 59a. (See FIG. 8G).

  In step S12, in response to an instruction from the control device 80, the second rotation drive unit 64 rotates the posture of the suction unit 51 in the state of sucking the side surface C14 of the cardboard box C from the first angle R1 to 90 ° around the rotation shaft 59a. (See FIG. 8H). At this time, the cardboard box C is placed on the conveyor 75 with the bottom lid B facing downward and the opening on the upper lid side facing upward (flaps C21 to C24 facing upward).

  In step S13, the suction drive unit 61 stops driving in accordance with an instruction from the control device 80, and the suction cup 55 is separated from the outer surface of the side surface C14. At this time, the suction cup protection plate 52 is pushed rearward (left side in FIG. 8H) by the elastic force of the spring 56, and the first surface 52 a of the suction cup protection plate 52 is more corrugated than the suction surface 55 a of the suction cup 55. Arranged on the C side.

  In step S <b> 14, the conveyor 75 is driven by the conveyor driving unit 76 in accordance with an instruction from the control device 80. The cardboard box C containing the articles A on the conveyor 75 is transported to the left and supplied to the closing device 3.

(4) Features (4-1)
The boxing device 10 according to the present embodiment includes a push-in unit 40 as a push-in mechanism and a posture position changing unit 50 as a raising mechanism. The pushing portion 40 pushes the article A from the side into the cardboard box C whose opening is directed sideways. The posture position changing unit 50 raises the cardboard box C in which the article A is accommodated with the opening facing sideways so that the opening faces upward. The posture position changing unit 50 includes a suction unit 51, a support unit 57, and a rotation unit 59. The suction portion 51 sucks from below the outer surface of the side surface C14 as the first side surface portion of the cardboard box C, which becomes the bottom surface of the cardboard box C when the article A is pushed by the pushing portion 40. The support part 57 supports the suction part 51. The rotation unit 59 rotates the posture of the suction unit 51 by 90 ° around the rotation axis 59a parallel to the boundary line LN between the side surface C14 and the opening. The rotating unit 59 accelerates the rotation when the posture of the suction unit 51 is rotated by the first angle R1.

  Here, when the posture of the suction part 51 is rotated to raise the cardboard box C in which the article A is accommodated, the rotation is accelerated when the first angle R1 is rotated. By slowly rotating the cardboard box C to the first angle R1, it is possible to prevent the article A from spilling out of the cardboard box C due to inertia. In a state where the rotation angle is larger than the first angle R1, the cardboard box C can be quickly rotated to shorten the time required for the posture change.

(4-2)
In the boxing device 10 according to the present embodiment, the rotation unit 59 includes a first rotation drive unit 63 as a first drive unit and a second rotation drive unit 64 as a second drive unit. The first rotation drive unit 63 rotates the posture of the suction unit 51 from the initial angle of 0 ° to the first angle R1. The second rotation drive unit 64 rotates the posture of the suction unit 51 from the first angle R1 to 90 °.

  Accordingly, the second rotation drive unit 64 can easily accelerate the rotation by rotating the posture of the suction unit 51 earlier than the first rotation drive unit 63.

(4-3)
In the boxing device 10 according to the present embodiment, the support unit 57 includes a vertical drive unit 62 that moves the suction unit 51 up and down. The rotation unit 59 rotates the posture of the suction unit 51 around a single rotation axis 59a.

  Here, since the rotation part 59 rotates the attitude | position of the suction part 51 around the single rotating shaft 59a, the height of the upper surface of the cardboard box C after rotation can be unified irrespective of the magnitude | size of the cardboard box C, and efficiency A post process (for example, a closing process) can be performed well. In addition, since the vertical movement unit 62 that vertically moves the suction unit 51 is provided, the posture of the suction unit 51 can be easily rotated around the single rotation shaft 59a.

(4-4)
Further, in the boxing device 10 according to the present embodiment, the vertical drive unit 62 moves the suction unit 51 in the state of sucking the outer surface of the side surface C14 of the cardboard box C with the opening facing sideways up and down. The height position of the cardboard box C when the article A is pushed into the cardboard box C is adjusted. The pushing portion 40 pushes the article A into the cardboard box C at a plurality of height positions.

  Thereby, according to the objective and a use, the articles | goods A can be loaded into the cardboard box C in several height positions. Further, it is necessary to provide another mechanism for adjusting the height position of the cardboard box C by using the vertical drive unit 62 as a height position adjusting mechanism for adjusting the height position of the cardboard box C when the article A is pushed. There is no.

(4-5)
The boxing device 10 according to the present embodiment further includes a spill prevention mechanism 90. The spill prevention mechanism 90 has a spill prevention surface 91a, 92a facing the opening so as to extend downward from the pushing position of the article A of the pushing portion 40 and close the lateral opening of the cardboard box C.

  Thereby, the article A pushed in by the push-in part 40 can be prevented from falling from the opening, and a highly reliable boxing device 10 can be realized.

(4-6)
In the boxing device 10 according to the present embodiment, the spill prevention mechanism 90 has a rotating portion 92 that can rotate around an axis parallel to the rotation shaft 59a and has a second spill prevention surface 92a at the lower end. The suction unit 51 includes a pressing plate 54 as a pressing unit that presses the second spill prevention surface 92 a of the rotating unit 92 in a direction away from the cardboard box C when rotated by the rotating unit 59.

  Thereby, the spillage prevention mechanism 90 can prevent the spillage of the article A until the posture of the suction part 51 is rotated before the rotation of the suction part 51 is prevented.

(4-7)
The boxing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment further includes a conveyor 75 as a transport mechanism. The conveyor 75 conveys the cardboard box C raised by the posture position changing unit 50 in a direction parallel to the outer surface of the side face C14 of the raised cardboard box C. The suction part 51 includes a suction cup 55 that attracts to the outer surface of the side surface C14, and a suction cup protection plate 52. When the cardboard box C is conveyed by the conveyor 75, the suction cup protection plate 52 is disposed on the cardboard box C side from the suction cup 55.

  Here, when the corrugated cardboard box C after being raised is conveyed by the conveyor 75, the sucker protection plate 52 is disposed closer to the cardboard box C than the sucker 55. Do not touch. Therefore, damage and deterioration of the suction cup 55 can be prevented, and a highly reliable boxing device 10 can be realized.

(4-8)
Further, in the boxing device 10 according to the present embodiment, the suction part 51 further includes a spring 56 as an elastic member. The spring 56 is disposed on the back side of the suction cup protection plate 52 with respect to the cardboard box C, and exerts a force in a direction in which the suction cup protection plate 52 is pressed against the cardboard box C.

  Thereby, when the suction cup 55 stops suction, the suction cup 55 is easily separated from the outer surface of the side surface C14. Therefore, the cardboard box C is conveyed while being sucked by the suction cup 55, and the suction cup 55 is not pulled in the conveyance direction of the cardboard box C. Further, since the suction cup protection plate 52 is pressed against the cardboard box C by the elastic force of the spring 56, the suction cup 55 can be prevented from coming into contact with the cardboard box C. Therefore, damage and deterioration of the suction cup 55 can be prevented, and a highly reliable boxing device 10 can be realized.

(4-9)
In the boxing device 10 according to the present embodiment, the first angle R1 is 45 ° or less.

  Thereby, it is possible to raise the cardboard box C in which the article A is accommodated in a short time while preventing the article A from spilling.

  Note that, as in this embodiment, the first angle R1 is more preferably around 30 °.

(5) Modifications Modifications of the present embodiment are shown below. A plurality of modified examples may be appropriately combined.

(5-1) Modification A
In the above embodiment, the rotation unit 59 includes the second rotation drive unit 64 that rotates the posture of the suction unit 51 faster than the first rotation drive unit 63, but is not limited thereto.

  For example, the first rotation driving unit 63 and the second rotation driving unit 64 rotate the posture of the suction unit 51 at the same speed, and drive timings of the first rotation driving unit 63 and the second rotation driving unit 64 are set. By adjusting, the rotational speed may be reduced at the first angle R1. Note that the deceleration here includes a temporary stop.

  Thereby, when rotating the attitude | position of the attraction | suction part 51 in order to raise the corrugated cardboard box C in which the article | item A was accommodated, since rotation of the cardboard box C is temporarily decelerated at the time of 1st angle R1, it is inertial. This prevents the article from spilling out of the box. On the other hand, if the rotation angle is larger than the first angle R1, the posture of the suction part 51 can be rotated without decelerating, and the time required for the posture change can be shortened.

(5-2) Modification B
In the above embodiment, the first rotation driving unit 63 rotates the posture of the suction unit 51 from 0 ° to the first angle R1, but is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the initial angle R0 of the posture of the suction unit 51 may not be 0 °. That is, the first rotation driving unit 63 may be any unit that rotates the posture of the suction unit 51 from the predetermined initial angle R0 to the first angle R1.

  The initial angle R0 is preferably a predetermined angle of 0 ° or more and 5 ° or less. That is, when the article A is pushed into the suction part 51, the cardboard box C is held in a slightly tilted state. Thereby, the article A pushed into the cardboard box C is not easily spilled from the opening. Even when the initial angle R0 is tilted, the opening of the cardboard box C and the pushing mechanism are substantially facing each other, so that there is no influence when the article A is pushed by the pushing portion 40.

  When the initial angle R0 is set to a predetermined angle between 0 ° and 5 °, the angle by which the rotating unit 59 rotates the posture of the suction unit 51 is slightly smaller than 90 °. The definition of rotating the posture of the portion 51 by 90 ° is that the rotating portion 59 changes the posture of the suction portion 51 to 90 ° from a predetermined initial angle R0 (the suction portion 51 moves rearward with the first surface 52a vertical). It also includes the case where it is rotated until it is directed.

(5-3) Modification C
In the above embodiment, the push-in portion 40 pushes the article A into the cardboard box C in multiple stages, but is not limited to this, and the push-in section 40 may push the article A by one stage.

  As described above, the boxing device according to the present invention is a boxing device that pushes an article from the side into a box with the opening facing sideways, and raises the box in a short time without spilling the article from the inside of the box. This is useful as an efficient boxing device.

10 Boxing device 40 Pushing part (pushing mechanism)
50 Posture position changing part (raising mechanism)
51 Suction part 52 Suction cup protection plate 54 Pressing plate (pressing part)
55 Suction cup 56 Spring (elastic member)
57 support portion 59 rotation portion 59a rotation shaft 62 vertical drive portion 63 first rotation drive portion (first drive portion)
64 2nd rotation drive part (2nd drive part)
75 Conveyor (transport mechanism)
90 Spill prevention mechanism 91a, 92a Spill prevention surface 92 Rotating part A Item C Cardboard box (box)
C14 side (first side)
LN boundary line R0 initial angle R1 first angle

JP 2004-155428 A

Claims (10)

A push-in mechanism for pushing the article from the side into a box with the opening facing sideways;
A raising mechanism for raising the box containing the article in a state where the opening is directed sideways so that the opening faces upward;
With
The raising mechanism is
When the article is pushed by the push-in mechanism, a suction part that sucks from below on the outer surface of the first side part of the box that becomes the bottom of the box;
A support part for supporting the suction part;
A rotation unit that rotates the posture of the suction unit by 90 ° around a rotation axis parallel to a boundary line between the first side surface part and the opening;
Have
The rotating unit performs temporary deceleration or acceleration of rotation when the posture of the suction unit is rotated by a first angle.
Boxing equipment. The rotating unit includes a first driving unit and a second driving unit,
The first drive unit rotates the posture of the suction unit from an initial angle to the first angle,
The second drive unit rotates the posture of the suction unit from the first angle to 90 °.
The boxing device according to claim 1. The initial angle is in a range of 0 ° to 5 °.
The boxing device according to claim 2. The support unit has a vertical drive unit that moves the suction unit up and down,
The rotating unit rotates a posture of the suction unit around a single rotation axis.
The boxing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The vertical drive unit moves the suction unit in a state of sucking the outer surface of the first side surface of the box with the opening facing sideways, and the pushing mechanism pushes the article into the box. Adjust the height position of the box,
The pushing mechanism pushes the article into the box at a plurality of the height positions;
The boxing apparatus according to claim 4. Further equipped with a spill prevention mechanism,
The spill prevention mechanism is
The push-in mechanism has a spill-preventing surface that extends further downward from the push-in position of the article and faces the opening so as to close the lateral opening of the box.
The boxing device according to claim 4 or 5. The spill prevention mechanism has a rotation part at the lower end that is rotatable about an axis parallel to the rotation axis and has a part of the spill prevention surface.
The suction part has a pressing part that pushes the spill prevention surface of the rotating part in a direction away from the box during rotation by the rotating part.
The boxing device according to claim 6. A transport mechanism;
The transport mechanism transports the box raised by the raising mechanism in a direction parallel to the outer surface of the first side surface of the raised box;
The suction part has a suction cup that sticks to the outer surface of the first side face part, and a suction cup protection plate,
When transporting the box by the transport mechanism, the suction cup protection plate is disposed on the box side from the suction cup.
The boxing device according to claim 1. The suction part further includes an elastic member,
The elastic member is disposed on the back side of the suction cup protection plate with respect to the box, and exerts a force in a direction of pressing the suction cup protection plate against the box.
The boxing device according to claim 8. The first angle is 45 ° or less;
The boxing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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