JP3601903B2

JP3601903B2 - Container folding device

Info

Publication number: JP3601903B2
Application number: JP9628396A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 徹石井; 祥見大東
Original assignee: エスアイ精工株式会社; 三菱化学エムケーブイ株式会社
Priority date: 1996-03-25
Filing date: 1996-03-25
Publication date: 2004-12-15
Anticipated expiration: 2016-03-25
Also published as: JPH09254907A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
この発明は、例えば、青果物、魚貝類、食品或いは部品、原料等の物品を輸送、保管、陳列するような用途に用いられる折畳み式の容器を簡単に折畳むことができる容器折畳み装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、上述例のような物品を輸送する方法としては、例えば、上面開放形態に形成された合成樹脂製の容器に物品を所定量収納して輸送する方法がある。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかし、上述のような合成樹脂製の容器を用いた場合、使用済みの各容器には青果物の屑、ゴミ、汚れ等が多数付着するので、回収時に於いて、各容器に付着した青果物の屑、ゴミ、汚れ等を洗浄除去する必要があるが、使用済みの容器を返却又は回収するとき、上面開放形態に組立てられた各容器を多数段積重ねて運搬すると、広い載置スペースが必要であり、運搬作業に手間が掛かるという問題点を有している。
【０００４】
そこで、折畳み式の各容器を用いると運搬が容易に行えるが、多数個の各容器を作業者の手で１個ずつ所定形態に折畳まなければならず、折畳み回数が多くなるほど作業者の作業能率が低下し、作業者の負担が大きくなるため、折畳み作業に手間及び時間が掛かる。且つ、容器の短辺側及び長辺側に起立された各壁部を所定の順序で折畳むと作業が容易に行えるが、作業者によって熟練度が若干異なるため、折畳み作業に手間取ることがあり、容器の各壁部を強引に折畳むと、壁部の一部が破損又は損傷することがあり、短期間で使用不可となる問題点を有している。
【０００５】
この発明は上記問題に鑑み、容器を構成する各壁部を所定の順序で折畳むことにより、容器全体の折畳み作業が機械的に行え、折畳み作業の省力化及び能率アップを図ることができる容器折畳み装置の提供を目的とする。
【０００６】
【課題を解決するための手段】
請求項１記載の発明は、上面開放形態に組立てられた容器を上向きに開放した状態に支持する容器支持手段を設け、上記容器の一側対向辺に起立した各壁部と対向する位置に、該各壁部を内側に対して折畳まれる方向に傾倒する一側の折畳み手段を設け、上記容器の他側対向辺に起立した各壁部と対向する位置に、上記各一側折畳み手段により一側対向辺の各壁部を折畳むまで他側対向辺の各壁部を起立状態に支持する各他側壁支持部材を設け、上記一側の折畳み手段により一側対向辺の各壁部を折畳んだ後、他側対向辺の各壁部を内側に折畳むことを特徴とする容器折畳み装置である。
【０００７】
請求項２記載の発明は、上面開放形態に組立てられた容器を上向きに開放した状態に支持し、該容器の一側対向辺よりも内側底面部を支持する容器支持部材を設け、上記容器の一側対向辺に起立した各壁部に対して当接される位置に、該各壁部を内側に対して折畳まれる方向に傾倒する各一側壁折畳み部材を設け、上記容器の他側対向辺に起立した各側壁に対して係止される位置に、上記各一側壁折畳み部材により一側対向辺の各壁部を折畳むまで他側対向辺の各壁部を起立状態に支持する各他側壁支持部材を設け、上記一側対向辺に起立した各壁部と各一側壁折畳み部材とが当接される方向に相互を移動し、且つ、上記他側対向辺に起立した各壁部と各他側壁支持部材とが係止される方向に相互を移動する相対移動手段を設けた容器折畳み装置であることを特徴とする。
【０００８】
請求項３記載の発明は、上記請求項２記載の構成と併せて、上記各他側壁支持部材を、上記容器の他側対向辺に起立した各壁部に対して上下段違いに係止可能に設けた容器折畳み装置であることを特徴とする。
【０００９】
請求項４記載の発明は、上記請求項２記載の構成と併せて、上記他側壁支持部材を、上記容器の他側対向辺に起立した一方の壁部に対して係止可能に設けた容器折畳み装置であることを特徴とする。
【００１０】
請求項５記載の発明は、上記請求項１又は２記載の構成と併せて、上記一側対向辺に起立した各壁部を内側に折畳んだ後、該各壁部の上面側を折畳み方向に対して押圧する各側壁押圧手段を設けた容器折畳み装置であることを特徴とする。
【００１１】
請求項６記載の発明は、上記請求項１又は２記載の構成と併せて、上記容器を支持する支持位置の一側部に未折畳みの容器を供給する容器供給手段を設け、上記支持位置の他側部に折畳み済みの容器を排出する容器排出手段を設けた容器折畳み装置であることを特徴とする。
【００１２】
【作用】
請求項１記載の容器折畳み装置は、上面開放形態に組立てられた容器を人為的作業又は機械的作業により折畳み位置に供給し、容器支持手段により容器を上向きに開放した状態に支持した後、容器の他側対向辺に起立した各壁部を各他側壁支持部材で起立状態に一旦支持し、各一側折畳み手段により一側対向辺に起立した各壁部を内側に折畳んだ後、他側対向辺に起立した各壁部を内側に折畳むことで、一側対向辺の各壁部と、他側対向辺の各壁部とを所定の順序で折畳むことができ、折畳み作業が機械的に行える。
【００１３】
請求項２記載の容器折畳み装置は、上面開放形態に組立てられた容器を人為的作業又は機械的作業により折畳み位置に供給し、容器の一側対向辺よりも内側底面部を容器支持部材で支持した後、相対移動手段を駆動して、容器の一側対向辺に起立した各壁部の上端部と各一側壁折畳み部材とを当接し、その反力で一側対向辺を下方に可撓して、例えば、各壁部の対向端部を係止解除し、各一側壁折畳み部材に当接した一側対向辺の各壁部を内側に傾倒して折畳む。一方、他側対向辺に起立した各壁部を各他側壁支持部材で起立状態に一旦支持し、一側対向辺の各壁部を折畳んだ後、各他側壁支持部材による支持を解除して他側対向辺の各壁部を内側に傾倒し、先に折畳まれた一側対向辺の各壁部上に他側対向辺の各壁部を遅延して折畳むことで、各壁部を所定の順序で折畳む作業が容易に行なえる。
【００１４】
請求項３記載の容器折畳み装置は、上記請求項２記載の作用と併せて、容器の対向辺の起立した各壁部を各他側壁支持部材で起立姿勢に支持して、上段側の他側壁支持部材による支持を解除して一方の壁部を先に折畳んだ後、下段側の他側壁支持部材による支持を解除して他方の壁部を続いて折畳むことで、左右の各壁部を互い違いに折畳むことができ、側壁の高さに応じた折畳み作業が行える。
【００１５】
請求項４記載の容器折畳み装置は、上記請求項２記載の作用と併せて、一側辺に起立した壁部を他側壁支持部材で起立姿勢に支持して、他側辺に起立した壁部を先に折畳んだ後、他側壁支持部材で支持した壁部を続いて折畳むことで、左右の各壁部を互い違いに折畳む作業が簡単に行える。
【００１６】
請求項５記載の容器折畳み装置は、上記請求項１又は２記載の作用と併せて、容器の一側対向辺に起立した各壁部を折畳んだ後、各側壁押圧手段により各壁部の上面側を押圧して折畳み状態を保持することで、各側壁部が起立姿勢に復帰するのを防止でき、他側対向辺に起立した各壁部の折畳み作業が容易に行える。
【００１７】
請求項６記載の容器折畳み装置は、上記請求項１又は２記載の作用と併せて、容器供給手段により上面開放形態に組立てられた容器を支持位置に供給する。容器の各壁部を所定の順序で折畳んだ後、容器排出手段により折畳み済みの容器を支持位置から排出することで、容器の供給及び排出が機械的に行え、全作業の省力化を図ることができる。
【００１８】
【発明の効果】
この発明によれば、容器を構成する一側対向辺の各壁部と他側対向辺の各壁部とを所定の順序で折畳むことができ、従来例のように多数個の各容器を作業者の手で１個ずつ折畳むような手間及び作業が省けると共に、容器の折畳み作業が機械的に行え、折畳み作業の省力化及び能率アップを図ることができる。且つ、容器の一側対向辺を下方に可撓することで、例えば、各壁部の対向端部が簡単に係止解除され、折畳み時に於いて、容器の一部が破損又は損傷するのを確実に防止できると共に、各壁部の折畳み作業が容易に行え、耐久性の向上及び利用回数の増加が図れる。しかも、容器の対向辺に起立した各壁部を起立状態に支持して、一方の壁部を先に折畳んだ後、他方の壁部を続いて折畳むことで、左右の各壁部を互い違いに折畳むことができ、側壁の高さに応じた折畳み作業が行える。且つ、容器の供給及び排出を機械的に行なうことで、作業全体の省力化を図ることができる。
【００１９】
【実施例】
図面は上面開放形態に組立てられた合成樹脂製の容器を折畳むときに用いられる第１実施例の容器折畳み装置を示し、図１及び図２に於いて、この容器折畳み装置１は、装置本体２を構成する容器載置台３に合成樹脂製の容器Ａを人為的作業又は機械的作業により載置した後、容器昇降機構４を駆動して、容器載置台３に載置された容器Ａを上昇位置に鉛直上昇する。同時に、容器Ａの両側短辺部に起立された各短壁部Ａｂ，Ａｂを各側壁折畳み板５，５に当接して内側に折畳むと共に、容器Ａの両側長辺部に起立された各長壁部Ａｃ，Ａｃを各側壁支持棒６，６で起立状態に支持する。続いて、容器載置台３に載置された容器Ａを垂直降下させながら各長壁部Ａｃ，Ａｃに係止した各側壁支持棒６，６を引き抜いて、先に折畳まれた各短壁部Ａｂ，Ａｂの上面側に各長壁部Ａｃ，Ａｃを折畳む。容器載置台３を降下位置に垂直降下した後、容器載置台３に載置された折畳み済みの容器Ａを装置後方に排出し、次の容器Ａを容器載置台３に載置して折畳み作業を継続して行う。
【００２０】
上述した容器Ａは、四角形に形成した底部Ａａの両側短辺部に各短壁部Ａｂ，Ａｂを内側に対して折畳み可能に連結し、底部Ａａの両側長辺部に各長壁部Ａｃ，Ａｃを内側に対して折畳み可能に連結している。且つ、図７に示すように、各短壁部Ａｂ，Ａｂと各長壁部Ａｃ，Ａｃとを起立して、短壁部Ａｂの両端部に形成した各係止孔Ａｄ…と、長壁部Ａｃの両端部に形成した各係止爪Ａｅ…とを互いに係止固定して上面開放形態に組立てる。且つ、各係止孔Ａｄ…と各係止爪Ａｅ…とを係止解除することで、底部Ａａ側に折畳まれた各短壁部Ａｂ，Ａｂの上面側に各長壁部Ａｃ，Ａｃを折畳むことができる。
【００２１】
前述した容器昇降機構４は、装置本体２の下方中央部に各支持レール７，７を上下摺動可能に設け、各支持レール７，７の上端部を容器載置台３の下面側両端部に鉛直固定し、各支持レール７，７の長手側前面部に刻設した各ラック８，８と、各ラック８，８の上端側と対向する位置に軸支した各ギャ９，９とを歯合している。且つ、装置本体２の前方側下部に支持レール１０を上下摺動可能に設け、同支持レール１０の下端部に足踏み操作するためのステップ１６を前方側に突出して固定し、同支持レール１０の長手側後面部に刻設したラック１１と、同ラック１１の下端側と対向する位置に軸支したギャ１２とを歯合すると共に、上段側の各ギャ９，９と下段側のギャ１２とを各スプロケット１３，１４及び連動チェーン１５で動力伝達可能に連結して、前方側に突出したステップ１６を作業者の足で足踏み操作することで、容器Ａを供給及び排出する降下位置と、容器Ａの両側短辺部に起立した各短壁部Ａｂ，Ａｂが内側に折畳まれる上昇位置とに容器載置台３が上下動される。
【００２２】
且つ、容器載置台３により鉛直上昇される容器Ａの両側短辺部に対向して各姿勢保持板１７，１７を配設し、後側長辺部又は両側長辺部に対向して姿勢保持板１８を配設し、昇降時及び折畳み時に於いて、容器Ａの載置位置が変位するのを各保持板１７，１８により防止する。且つ、容器載置台３に載置された容器Ａの両側短辺部と対向する両側上部であって、後述する各側壁折畳み板５，５により折畳まれた各短壁部Ａｂ，Ａｂの上面側を押圧する位置に各側壁押え板１９，１９を上下揺動可能に軸支し、容器載置台３の両側短辺部に突設した各操作板３ａ，３ａを各側壁押え板１９，１９の後端部に当接して、内側に折畳まれた各短壁部Ａｂ，Ａｂの上面側を各側壁押え板１９，１９で押圧する。なお、側壁押え板１９の代わりに、例えば、ローラ、球体、棒体、線条体、弾性体等の部材で押圧してもよい。
【００２３】
上述した容器載置台３は、容器Ａを構成する底部Ａａの両側短辺部よりも内側底面部が載置される大きさ及び形状に形成し、同容器載置台３の上面側両端部に、容器Ａを構成する底部Ａａの両側短辺部よりも内側底面部と対向して各支持部材３ｂ，３ｂを平行に固定している。つまり、上面開放形態に組立てられた容器Ａを容器載置台３に直接載置或いは容器載置台３の各支持部材３ｂ，３ｂに載置することで、両側短辺部の各短壁部Ａｂ，Ａｂに後述する各側壁折畳み板５，５を当接したとき、その反力により容器Ａの両側短辺部が下方に若干可撓される。
【００２４】
前述した各側壁折畳み板５，５は、図３、図４に示すように、容器載置台３に載置された容器Ａの両側短辺部と対応する両側上部に各側壁折畳み板５，５を配設し、各側壁折畳み板５，５を容器Ａの両側短辺部に起立された各短壁部Ａｂ，Ａｂの上端側中央部と対向する位置であって、各短壁部Ａｂ，Ａｂの上端部に対して当接される間隔に隔てて配設している。且つ、各側壁折畳み板５，５の対向側端部に形成した各ガイド面５ａ，５ａを下端側から上端側に向けて幅狭となる角度に傾斜すると共に、各ガイド面５ａ，５ａを短辺側の各短壁部Ａｂ，Ａｂが内側に折畳まれる角度及び方向に斜設している。なお、側壁折畳み板５の代わりに、例えば、棒状部材、球状部材、線条部材等の折畳み部材を当接して折畳んでもよい。
【００２５】
前述した各側壁支持棒６，６は、図５、図６に示すように、容器載置台３に載置された容器Ａの両側長辺部と対応する両側上部に各側壁支持棒６，６を垂設し、各側壁支持棒６，６を容器Ａの両側長辺部に起立された各長壁部Ａｃ，Ａｃの内側中央部と対向する位置であって、各長壁部Ａｃ，Ａｃの内側中央面に対して係止される間隔に隔てて垂設している。且つ、各側壁支持棒６，６の全長を同一寸法に形成し、各側壁支持棒６，６の下端部を若干内側に傾斜している。つまり、容器Ａの両側長辺部に起立された各長壁部Ａｃ，Ａｃの内側中央面に各側壁支持棒６，６を係止して起立状態に支持する。容器載置台３に載置された容器Ａを垂直降下して各側壁支持棒６，６を引き抜くことで、各側壁支持棒６，６に係止された各長壁部Ａｃ，Ａｃが同時に折畳まれ、側壁の低いサイズの容器Ａを折畳むときに適している。なお、側壁支持棒６の代わりに、例えば、板部材、爪部材等の支持部材で起立状態に支持又は係止し、或いは、チャック、アーム等の挾持具で起立状態に支持してもよい。
【００２６】
また、各長壁部Ａｃ，Ａｃを互い違いに折畳む場合、図８に示すように、何れか一方の側壁支持棒６を他方の側壁支持棒６よりも長尺寸法に形成することで、容器載置台３に載置された容器Ａを垂直降下したとき、短尺寸法側（上段側）の側壁支持棒６で支持した長壁部Ａｃが先に折畳まれ、長尺寸法側（下段側）の側壁支持棒６で支持した長壁部Ａｃが若干遅延して折畳まれるため、各長壁部Ａｃ，Ａｃを交互又は互い違いに折畳むことができ、側壁の高いサイズの容器Ａを折畳むときに適している。或いは、図９に示すように、何れか一方に垂設した側壁支持棒６を片側の長壁部Ａｃに係止することで、容器Ａの両側短辺部に起立された各短壁部Ａｂ，Ａｂを内側に折畳んだ直後、一方の長辺部に起立した長壁部Ａｃが先行して内側に折畳まれ、容器載置台３に載置された容器Ａを垂直降下したとき、側壁支持棒６により支持した長壁部Ａｃが続いて内側に折畳まれるため、各長壁部Ａｃ，Ａｃを互い違いに折畳むことができる。
【００２７】
図示実施例は上記の如く構成するものにして、以下、容器折畳み装置１による容器Ａの折畳み動作を説明する。
先ず、図１及び図２に示すように、装置本体２を構成する容器載置台３の上面側に、上面開放形態に組立てられた容器Ａを人為的作業又は機械的作業により１個載置する。作業者の足でステップ１６を足踏み操作し、容器昇降機構４を駆動して、容器載置台３に載置された容器Ａを鉛直上昇する。図３、図４に示すように、容器Ａの両側短辺部に起立された各短壁部Ａｂ，Ａｂの上端側中央部に各側壁折畳み板５，５の各ガイド面５ａ，５ａを当接して、同側短辺部の各短壁部Ａｂ，Ａｂを内側に折畳む。同時に、容器Ａの両側長辺部に起立された各長壁部Ａｃ，Ａｃの内側中央面に各側壁支持棒６，６を係止して、同側長辺部の各長壁部Ａｃ，Ａｃを起立状態に支持する。
【００２８】
つまり、図７に示すように、両側短辺部の各短壁部Ａｂ，Ａｂを各側壁折畳み板５，５の各ガイド面５ａ，５ａに当接し、その反力により容器Ａの両側短辺部を下方に可撓しながら各短壁部Ａｂ，Ａｂを各側壁折畳み板５，５の各ガイド面５ａ，５ａに沿って内側に折畳むことで、両側短辺部に起立した各短壁部Ａｂ，Ａｂの各係止孔Ａｄ…と、両側長辺部に起立した各長壁部Ａｃ，Ａｃの各係止爪Ａｅ…とが簡単に係止解除され、両側短辺部の各短壁部Ａｂ，Ａｂを内側に折畳むことができる。同時に、容器載置台３の両側短辺部に突設した各操作板３ａ，３ａを各側壁押え板１９，１９の後端部に当接して、各短壁部Ａｂ，Ａｂの上面側を各側壁押え板１９，１９で押圧して、起立姿勢に復帰及び浮上がり防止した状態を保持する。
【００２９】
続いて、図５、図６に示すように、容器載置台３に載置された容器Ａを垂直降下させながら各長壁部Ａｃ，Ａｃに係止した各側壁支持棒６，６を引き抜くことで、先に折畳まれた各短壁部Ａｂ，Ａｂの上面側に各長壁部Ａｃ，Ａｃが折畳まれ、容器Ａを構成する各短壁部Ａｂ，Ａｂ及び各長壁部Ａｃ，Ａｃの折畳み作業が完了する。容器載置台３を降下停止した後、人為的作業又は機械的作業により供給される次の容器Ａを、容器載置台３に載置された折畳み済みの容器Ａに当接して後方側に排出する。次工程（積重ね工程、洗浄工程、保管工程）に対して折畳み済みの容器Ａを１個ずつ供給又は多数段積重ねて供給し、必要に応じて適宜個数の容器Ａを利用者に提供する。一方、容器載置台３に載置された容器Ａの折畳み作業を継続して行う。
【００３０】
以上のように、容器Ａを構成する各短壁部Ａｂ，Ａｂ及び各長壁部Ａｃ，Ａｃを所定の順次で折畳むことができ、従来例のように多数個の各容器Ａ…を作業者の手で１個ずつ折畳むような手間及び作業が省けると共に、容器Ａの折畳み作業が機械的に行え、折畳み作業の省力化及び能率アップを図ることができる。且つ、容器Ａの両側短辺部を下方に可撓することで、各短壁部Ａｂ，Ａｂの各係止孔Ａｄ…と、各長壁部Ａｃ，Ａｃの各係止爪Ａｅ…とが簡単に係止解除され、折畳み時に於いて、容器Ａの一部が破損又は損傷するのを確実に防止できると共に、各短壁部Ａｂ，Ａｂ及び各長壁部Ａｃ，Ａｃの折畳み作業が容易に行え、耐久性の向上及び利用回数の増加が図れる。しかも、両側長辺部に起立した各長壁部Ａｃ，Ａｃを起立状態に支持して、一方の長壁部Ａｃを先に折畳んだ後、他方の長壁部Ａｃを続いて折畳むことで、左右の各長壁部Ａｃ，Ａｃを互い違いに折畳むことができ、側壁の高さに応じた折畳み作業が行える。
【００３１】
図１０、図１１は容器Ａが載置された容器載置台３を容器昇降機構２０により上下動する第２実施例の容器折畳み装置１を示し、人為的作業又は機械的作業により容器Ａを容器載置台３に載置し、装置本体２の下部前方に突出したステップバー２１を作業者の足で足踏み操作して、前後の各リンク棒２２，２２間に架設した支持棒２４をステップバー２１の遊端側に架設した押上げバー２１ａで押上げる。同時に、前部側に連結した各リンク棒２２，２３と、後部側に連結した各リンク棒２２，２３とを連動して動作し、前後に配設した各リンク棒２２，２３により容器載置台３を水平状態のまま上昇位置と降下位置とに上下動することで、第１実施例と同様に、容器Ａを構成する各短壁部Ａｂ，Ａｂ及び各長壁部Ａｃ，Ａｃを所定の順序で折畳むことができる。なお、装置本体２の両側上部と容器載置台３の両側短辺部との間に張架した各コイルスプリング２５ａ，２５ａにより、容器載置台３の上下動時に生じる重量負荷を軽減し、装置本体２の後側下部とステップバー２１との間に張架したコイルスプリング２５ｂにより、ステップバー２１を復帰方向に牽引付勢している。
【００３２】
図１２は容器Ａの搬入及び搬出と、折畳み作業とが機械的に行える第３実施例の容器折畳み装置１を示し、降下位置に停止した容器載置台３の前後位置又は左右位置であって、同容器載置台３に対して水平となる高さ位置に搬入用コンベア２６と搬出用コンベア２７とを配設し、搬入用コンベア２６により搬送される容器Ａを容器載置台３に移載した後、装置下部に配設した減速機付き駆動モータ２８により各スプロケット２９，３０及び駆動チェーン３１を介して容器昇降機構４を駆動し、容器載置台３を鉛直上昇して、容器Ａを構成する各短壁部Ａｂ，Ａｂ及び各長壁部Ａｃ，Ａｃを所定の順序で折畳んだ後、容器載置台３を垂直降下して、折畳み済みの容器Ａを搬出用コンベア２７に移載し、搬出用コンベア２７に載置された容器Ａを次工程に搬送することで、第１実施例と同様に、容器Ａを構成する各短壁部Ａｂ，Ａｂ及び各長壁部Ａｃ，Ａｃを折畳む作業と、容器Ａの搬入及び搬出とが機械的に行え、作業全体の省力化を図ることができる。
【００３３】
図１３は各側壁折畳み板５，５及び各側壁支持棒６，６を垂直降下して容器Ａを構成する各短壁部Ａｂ，Ａｂ及び各長壁部Ａｃ，Ａｃを所定の順序で折畳むことができる第４実施例の容器折畳み装置１を示し、容器載置台３上に容器Ａを載置した後、昇降枠３２に取付けた各側壁折畳み板５，５及び各側壁支持棒６，６を後述する昇降手段（図示省略）により垂直降下し、各側壁折畳み板５，５を容器Ａの各短壁部Ａｂ，Ａｂに当接して内側に折畳むと共に、各側壁支持棒６，６を各長壁部Ａｃ，Ａｃの内側中央面に係止して起立状態に支持する。次に、各側壁折畳み板５，５及び各側壁支持棒６，６を昇降手段（図示省略）により鉛直上昇して、各長壁部Ａｃ，Ａｃに係止した各側壁支持棒６，６を引き抜くことで、先に折畳まれた各短壁部Ａｂ，Ａｂの上面側に各長壁部Ａｃ，Ａｃが折畳まれ、第１実施例と同様に、容器Ａを構成する各短壁部Ａｂ，Ａｂ及び各長壁部Ａｃ，Ａｃの折畳み作業が容易に行える。
【００３４】
また、容器載置台３上に容器Ａを載置した後、各側壁折畳み板５，５を各短壁部Ａｂ，Ａｂに対して当接される方向に水平移動することで、各短壁部Ａｂ，Ａｂを内側に折畳むことができる。且つ、各側壁支持棒６，６を各長壁部Ａｃ，Ａｃに対して係止される方向に回動することで、容器Ａの各長壁部Ａｃ，Ａｃを起立状態に支持することができ、上述と同様にして、容器Ａを構成する各短壁部Ａｂ，Ａｂ及び各長壁部Ａｃ，Ａｃの折畳み作業が行える。
【００３５】
この発明の構成と、上述の実施例との対応において、
この発明の容器を構成する一側対向辺の壁部は、実施例の容器Ａを構成する短壁部Ａｂに対応し、
以下同様に、
他側対向辺の壁部は、長壁部Ａｃに対応し、
容器支持手段及び容器支持部材は、容器載置台３に対応し、
相対移動手段は、容器昇降機構４，２０に対応し、
一側の折畳み手段及び一側壁折畳み部材は、側壁折畳み板５及び側壁押え板１９に対応し、
他側壁支持部材は、側壁支持棒６に対応し、
側壁押圧手段は、側壁押え板１９に対応し、
容器供給手段は、人為的作業及び搬入用コンベア２６に対応し、
容器排出手段は、人為的作業及び搬出用コンベア２７に対応するも、
この発明は、上述の実施例の構成のみに限定されるものではない。
【００３６】
上述した第１及び第２実施例では、作業者の足踏み操作により容器載置台３を上下動するが、例えば、ネジ送り機構、カム機構、リンク機構、エアシリンダ、油圧シリンダ等の昇降手段（図示省略）により容器載置台３を上下動するもよく、且つ、フットスイッチ、ボタンスイッチ等のスイッチ操作又は光電センサ（図示省略）による検知に基づいて昇降手段の駆動及び停止を制御することで、作業全体が機械的に行え、省力化が図れる。
【００３７】
また、上面開放形態に組立てられた容器Ａを機械的作業により供給する場合、例えば、チェーンコンベア、ローラコンベア、或いは、プッシャー等の供給手段により容器Ａを１個ずつ機械的に供給することで、供給作業の省力化を図ることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】第１実施例の容器折畳み装置による折畳み動作を示す正面図。
【図２】容器折畳み装置による折畳み動作を示す側面図。
【図３】各短壁部の折畳み動作を示す正面図。
【図４】各短壁部の折畳み状態を示す正面図。
【図５】各長壁部の支持状態を示す側面図。
【図６】各長壁部の折畳み状態を示す側面図。
【図７】各壁部の係止解除動作を示す側面図。
【図８】２本の各側壁支持棒による各長壁部の折畳み動作を示す側面図。
【図９】１本の側壁支持棒による長壁部の折畳み動作を示す側面図。
【図１０】第２実施例の容器折畳み装置による折畳み動作を示す正面図。
【図１１】容器折畳み装置による折畳み動作を示す側面図。
【図１２】第３実施例の容器折畳み装置による搬送動作及び折畳み動作を示す側面図。
【図１３】第４実施例の容器折畳み装置による折畳み動作を示す正面図。
【符号の説明】
Ａ…容器
Ａａ…底部
Ａｂ…短壁部
Ａｃ…長壁部
Ａｄ…係止孔
Ａｅ…係止爪
１…容器折畳み装置
２…装置本体
３…容器載置台
４，２０…容器昇降機構
５…側壁折畳み板
６…側壁支持棒
１９…側壁押え板
２６…搬入用コンベア
２７…搬出用コンベア[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a container folding device that can easily fold a foldable container used for transporting, storing, and displaying articles such as fruits and vegetables, fish and shellfish, food or parts, and raw materials.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a method of transporting an article as described above, for example, there is a method of transporting a predetermined amount of an article in a synthetic resin container formed in an open top form.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the case of using a synthetic resin container as described above, a large amount of fruit and vegetable debris, dust, dirt, etc. adhere to each used container. It is necessary to wash and remove dirt, dirt, etc., but when returning or collecting used containers, a large mounting space is required if many containers assembled in an open top form are stacked and transported. In addition, there is a problem that it takes time to carry the work.
[0004]
Therefore, the use of the foldable containers facilitates transportation, but the operator must fold a large number of containers one by one into a predetermined form by the operator's hand. Since the work efficiency is reduced and the burden on the worker is increased, the folding work takes time and effort. In addition, the work can be easily performed by folding the walls upright on the short side and the long side of the container in a predetermined order. However, since the skills are slightly different depending on the operator, the folding work may take time. If each wall of the container is forcibly folded, a part of the wall may be broken or damaged, and the container cannot be used in a short period of time.
[0005]
In view of the above problems, the present invention folds each of the walls constituting the container in a predetermined order, whereby the entire container can be folded mechanically, thereby saving labor and increasing the efficiency of the folding operation. It is intended to provide a folding device.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention according to claim 1 is provided with container support means for supporting a container assembled in an open top configuration in an upwardly opened state, and at a position facing each wall standing on one side of the container, Providing one side of folding means for inclining each wall in a direction to be folded inward, at a position facing each wall standing on the other side of the container,Providing each other side wall supporting member for supporting each wall portion of the other side opposing side in an upright state until each wall portion of one side opposing side is folded by each one side folding means,After folding the walls of the opposite side by the folding means on the one side, the walls of the opposite side are turned inside.A container folding device characterized by being folded into a container.
[0007]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, a container supporting member that supports a container assembled in an open top configuration in an upwardly opened state and supports a bottom surface portion that is inner than an opposing side of the container is provided. At the position where it abuts against each wall part standing on one side facing side, each one side wall folding member that inclines each wall part in the direction to be folded inward is provided, and the other side of the container Each of the side wall folding members supports the wall of the other side in an upright position until the wall of the one side is folded by the above-mentioned one side folding member at a position where the wall is locked to the side wall standing on the opposite side. Each other side wall supporting member is provided, and each wall moving up in the direction in which each wall portion standing on the one side facing side and each one side wall folding member abuts, and each wall standing on the other side facing side. Container folding provided with relative moving means for moving each other in a direction in which the portion and each other side wall support member are locked Characterized in that it is a location.
[0008]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the second aspect, each of the other side wall supporting members can be locked to each of the wall portions standing upright on the other side of the container in different vertical steps. It is a container folding device provided.
[0009]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the second aspect, the container further includes the other side wall supporting member provided so as to be able to be locked to one of the walls standing on the other side of the container. It is a folding device.
[0010]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first or second aspect, after each of the wall portions standing on the one side facing side is folded inward, the upper surface side of each of the wall portions is folded in the folding direction. The container folding device is provided with each side wall pressing means for pressing against the container.
[0011]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first or second aspect, a container supply means for supplying an unfolded container is provided on one side of a support position for supporting the container, and It is a container folding device provided with a container discharging means for discharging a folded container on the other side.
[0012]
[Action]
The container folding device according to claim 1 supplies the container assembled in the top open configuration to the folding position by manual operation or mechanical operation, and after supporting the container in an upwardly opened state by the container support means,Each wall portion standing on the other side of the container is once supported in an upright state by each other side wall supporting member, and each one side folding means is provided.Each wall standing on one side facing the inside byAfter folding,By folding each wall standing on the other side opposite side inward, each wall on one side and each wall on the other side can be folded in a predetermined order, and folding work Can be performed mechanically.
[0013]
In the container folding device according to the second aspect, the container assembled in the open top form is supplied to the folding position by a manual operation or a mechanical operation, and the bottom surface inside the one side opposite to one side of the container is supported by the container support member. After that, the relative moving means is driven to contact the upper end of each wall standing on one side opposite side of the container and each one side wall folding member, and the one side opposite side is flexed downward by the reaction force. Then, for example, the opposite ends of the respective wall portions are unlocked, and the respective wall portions on one side facing the one side wall folding member are tilted inward and folded. On the other hand, each wall portion standing on the other side facing side is once supported in an upright state by each other side wall supporting member, and after folding each wall portion on one side facing side, the support by each other side wall supporting member is released. Each wall of the other side is tilted inward, and each wall of the other side is delayed and folded over each wall of the first side that was folded earlier. The work of folding the parts in a predetermined order can be easily performed.
[0014]
In the container folding device according to the third aspect, in addition to the operation according to the second aspect, each of the upright walls on the opposite side of the container is supported in the upright posture by each of the other side wall supporting members, and the other side wall on the upper side is provided. After the support by the support member is released and one of the wall portions is folded first, the support by the lower side other side wall support member is released, and the other wall portion is subsequently folded, so that the left and right wall portions are Can be alternately folded, and a folding operation according to the height of the side wall can be performed.
[0015]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the operation described in the second aspect, the container standing upright on one side is supported by the other side wall supporting member in an upright posture, and the wall standing upright on the other side. Is folded first, and then the wall portion supported by the other side wall support member is subsequently folded, whereby the left and right wall portions can be easily folded alternately.
[0016]
In the container folding device according to the fifth aspect, in addition to the operation according to the first or second aspect, after folding the respective wall portions standing on one side of the container, the respective wall portions are pressed by the respective side wall pressing means. By holding the folded state by pressing the upper surface side, it is possible to prevent each side wall portion from returning to the standing posture, and to easily fold each wall portion standing on the other side opposite side.
[0017]
In the container folding device according to the sixth aspect, in addition to the operation according to the first or second aspect, the container assembled in the top open form by the container supply means is supplied to the support position. After folding the walls of the container in a predetermined order, the folded container is discharged from the supporting position by the container discharging means, so that the supply and discharge of the container can be performed mechanically, thereby saving labor for all operations. be able to.
[0018]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, it is possible to fold the walls of the one side facing side and the walls of the other side facing side constituting the container in a predetermined order, and to fold many containers as in the conventional example. The labor and work of folding one by one by the operator's hand can be omitted, and the folding work of the container can be performed mechanically, so that the labor and the efficiency of the folding work can be reduced. In addition, by flexing one side of the container downward, for example, the opposite end of each wall is easily unlocked, and it is possible to prevent a part of the container from being damaged or damaged when folded. In addition to reliable prevention, folding work of each wall can be easily performed, and durability can be improved and the number of times of use can be increased. Moreover, by supporting each wall standing on the opposite side of the container in an upright state, folding one wall first, and then folding the other wall, the left and right walls are folded. It can be folded alternately, and can be folded according to the height of the side wall. In addition, by mechanically supplying and discharging the container, labor saving of the entire operation can be achieved.
[0019]
【Example】
The drawings show a container folding apparatus according to a first embodiment used when folding a synthetic resin container assembled in an open top form. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the container folding apparatus 1 After the synthetic resin container A is mounted on the container mounting table 3 constituting the container 2 by an artificial operation or a mechanical operation, the container lifting / lowering mechanism 4 is driven to remove the container A mounted on the container mounting table 3. It rises vertically to the ascending position. At the same time, the short walls Ab, Ab standing on the short sides on both sides of the container A are brought into contact with the side wall folding plates 5, 5 to be folded inward, and the short walls Ab, Ab standing on the long sides on both sides of the container A are simultaneously folded. The long walls Ac are supported by the side wall support rods 6 and 6 in an upright state. Subsequently, while vertically lowering the container A mounted on the container mounting table 3, each of the side wall supporting rods 6, 6 locked to each of the long wall portions Ac, Ac is pulled out, and each of the short wall portions folded earlier is pulled out. Each long wall part Ac, Ac is folded on the upper surface side of Ab. After vertically lowering the container mounting table 3 to the lowering position, the folded container A mounted on the container mounting table 3 is discharged to the rear of the apparatus, and the next container A is mounted on the container mounting table 3 for folding work. Is performed continuously.
[0020]
In the container A described above, the short walls Ab, Ab are connected to the short sides on both sides of the rectangular bottom Aa so as to be foldable to the inside, and the long walls Ac, Ac are connected to the long sides on both sides of the bottom Aa. Is foldably connected to the inside. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, each short wall portion Ab, Ab and each long wall portion Ac, Ac are erected, each locking hole Ad formed at both ends of the short wall portion Ab, and a long wall portion Ac. Are fixed to each other and fixed to each other to assemble them in an open top form. By unlocking the locking holes Ad and the locking claws Ae, the long wall portions Ac and Ac are placed on the upper surface side of the short wall portions Ab and Ab folded on the bottom portion Aa side. Can be folded.
[0021]
In the above-described container lifting mechanism 4, the support rails 7, 7 are provided in the lower central portion of the apparatus main body 2 so as to be vertically slidable, and the upper ends of the support rails 7, 7 are provided on both lower side ends of the container mounting table 3. The racks 8, 8 fixed vertically and engraved on the front side of the longitudinal sides of the support rails 7, and the gears 9, 9 pivotally supported at positions opposed to the upper ends of the racks 8, 8 are toothed. I agree. In addition, a support rail 10 is slidably provided in the lower portion on the front side of the apparatus main body 2, and a step 16 for stepping on the lower end portion of the support rail 10 is fixed to the front side by protruding forward and fixed. A rack 11 engraved on the rear surface of the longitudinal side and a gear 12 pivotally supported at a position facing the lower end of the rack 11 mesh with each other. Are connected by the sprockets 13 and 14 and the interlocking chain 15 so as to be able to transmit power, and the step 16 protruding forward is stepped on by an operator's foot, so that a lowering position for supplying and discharging the container A, The container mounting table 3 is moved up and down to the ascending position where the short walls Ab, Ab standing on both short sides of A are folded inward.
[0022]
In addition, the posture holding plates 17 and 17 are disposed so as to oppose the short sides on both sides of the container A vertically raised by the container mounting table 3, and hold the postures opposing the long sides on the rear side or the long sides on both sides. A plate 18 is provided, and the holders 17 and 18 prevent the placement position of the container A from being displaced during lifting and lowering and folding. Further, upper surfaces of the short wall portions Ab, Ab, which are upper portions on both sides of the container A mounted on the container mounting table 3 and opposite to both short side portions, and which are folded by the side wall folding plates 5, 5, which will be described later. Each of the side wall press plates 19, 19 is pivotally supported so as to be vertically swingable at a position where the side is pressed, and each of the operation plates 3a, 3a protruding from both short sides of the container mounting table 3 is connected to each of the side wall press plates 19, 19. The upper surface side of each of the short wall portions Ab, Ab folded inward is pressed by the side wall pressing plates 19, 19 in contact with the rear end portion. Note that, instead of the side wall pressing plate 19, for example, the pressing may be performed by a member such as a roller, a sphere, a rod, a striated body, or an elastic body.
[0023]
The above-described container mounting table 3 is formed in a size and shape in which the inner bottom surface portion is mounted on both sides of the short side portion of the bottom portion Aa constituting the container A, and at both ends on the upper surface side of the container mounting table 3, The support members 3b, 3b are fixed in parallel with each other so as to face the inner bottom surface portion from the short side portions on both sides of the bottom portion Aa constituting the container A. That is, by directly placing the container A assembled in the open top form on the container mounting table 3 or mounting it on the support members 3b, 3b of the container mounting table 3, the short wall portions Ab, When the side wall folding plates 5 and 5 described below abut against Ab, the short sides on both sides of the container A are slightly flexed downward by the reaction force.
[0024]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the side wall folding plates 5, 5 are provided on both upper sides corresponding to both short sides of the container A mounted on the container mounting table 3, as shown in FIGS. Is disposed at a position opposed to the center of the upper end side of each of the short walls Ab, Ab erected on the short sides on both sides of the container A, and each of the short walls Ab, It is arranged at an interval at which it contacts the upper end of Ab. Further, the guide surfaces 5a, 5a formed at the opposite end portions of the side wall folding plates 5, 5 are inclined at an angle that becomes narrower from the lower end to the upper end, and the guide surfaces 5a, 5a are shortened. Each short wall portion Ab on the side is obliquely provided at an angle and a direction in which it is folded inward. Note that, instead of the side wall folding plate 5, for example, a folding member such as a rod-shaped member, a spherical member, or a striated member may be abutted and folded.
[0025]
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the side wall support bars 6, 6 described above are provided on the upper sides on both sides corresponding to both long sides of the container A placed on the container mounting table 3. And the side wall supporting rods 6, 6 are located at positions facing the central portions of the inner sides of the long walls Ac, Ac erected on the long sides on both sides of the container A, and the inner sides of the long walls Ac, Ac. It is suspended from the center plane at intervals. In addition, the entire length of each of the side wall support bars 6, 6 is formed to have the same size, and the lower ends of the respective side wall support bars 6, 6 are slightly inclined inward. That is, the side wall supporting rods 6, 6 are locked to the inner central surfaces of the long walls Ac, Ac standing on both long sides of the container A, and are supported in the standing state. By vertically lowering the container A placed on the container mounting table 3 and pulling out the side wall support bars 6, 6, the long wall portions Ac, Ac locked on the side wall support bars 6, 6 are simultaneously folded. Rare and suitable for folding a container A having a small side wall. Instead of the side wall support rod 6, for example, it may be supported or locked in an upright state by a support member such as a plate member or a claw member, or may be supported in an upright state by a holding member such as a chuck or an arm.
[0026]
In the case where the long wall portions Ac and Ac are folded alternately, as shown in FIG. 8, one of the side wall support bars 6 is formed to have a longer dimension than the other side wall support bar 6, thereby mounting the container. When the container A placed on the mounting table 3 is vertically lowered, the long wall Ac supported by the side wall supporting rods 6 on the short dimension side (upper side) is folded first, and the long dimension side (lower side) on the long dimension side (lower side). Since the long wall portions Ac supported by the side wall support rods 6 are folded with a slight delay, the long wall portions Ac and Ac can be folded alternately or alternately, and when the container A having a high side wall size is folded. Are suitable. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 9, each of the short wall portions Ab, Immediately after folding Ab inward, when the long wall Ac standing on one of the long sides is folded inside first and the container A placed on the container mounting table 3 is vertically lowered, the side wall support rod Since the long wall portions Ac supported by 6 are successively folded inward, the long wall portions Ac and Ac can be alternately folded.
[0027]
The illustrated embodiment is configured as described above, and the folding operation of the container A by the container folding device 1 will be described below.
First, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, one container A assembled in an open top form is placed on an upper surface side of a container mounting table 3 constituting the apparatus main body 2 by an artificial operation or a mechanical operation. . The operator steps on the step 16 with his / her feet, drives the container lifting / lowering mechanism 4, and vertically raises the container A placed on the container mounting table 3. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the guide surfaces 5 a, 5 a of the side wall folding plates 5, 5 are applied to the center of the upper ends of the short walls Ab, Ab standing on both short sides of the container A. In contact with each other, the short walls Ab, Ab on the same short side are folded inward. At the same time, the side wall support rods 6, 6 are locked to the inner central surfaces of the long walls Ac, Ac standing on the long sides on both sides of the container A, and the long walls Ac, Ac on the same long side are fixed. Support upright.
[0028]
That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the short walls Ab, Ab on both short sides contact the guide surfaces 5 a, 5 a of the side wall folding plates 5, 5. The short walls Ab, Ab are folded inward along the guide surfaces 5a, 5a of the side wall folding plates 5, 5 while the portions are flexed downward, so that the short walls standing on the short sides on both sides are folded. The locking holes Ad of the portions Ab, Ab and the locking claws Ae of the long wall portions Ac, Ac standing on the long sides on both sides are easily unlocked, and the short walls on the short sides on both sides are released. The parts Ab, Ab can be folded inward. At the same time, the operation plates 3a, 3a protruding from the short sides on both sides of the container mounting table 3 abut against the rear ends of the side wall pressing plates 19, 19, and the upper surfaces of the short walls Ab, Ab are moved to the respective positions. It is pressed by the side wall holding plates 19, 19 to return to the upright posture and maintain the state in which it is prevented from rising.
[0029]
Subsequently, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, while vertically lowering the container A mounted on the container mounting table 3, the respective side wall support rods 6, 6 locked to the respective long wall portions Ac, Ac are pulled out. The long walls Ac, Ac are folded on the upper surface side of the short walls Ab, Ab folded earlier, and the short walls Ab, Ab and the long walls Ac, Ac constituting the container A are folded. Work is completed. After the lowering of the container mounting table 3, the next container A supplied by manual or mechanical work is brought into contact with the folded container A mounted on the container mounting table 3 and discharged to the rear side. . For the next step (stacking step, washing step, storage step), the folded containers A are supplied one by one or supplied in a multi-stage stack, and the user is provided with an appropriate number of containers A as needed. On the other hand, the folding work of the container A placed on the container placing table 3 is continuously performed.
[0030]
As described above, each of the short walls Ab, Ab and each of the long walls Ac, Ac constituting the container A can be folded in a predetermined sequence. The labor and work of folding one by one with one hand can be omitted, and the work of folding the container A can be performed mechanically, so that the labor and the efficiency of the folding work can be reduced. In addition, since the short sides on both sides of the container A are flexible downward, the locking holes Ad of the short walls Ab, Ab and the locking claws Ae of the long walls Ac, Ac are simple. In the case of folding, it is possible to reliably prevent a part of the container A from being broken or damaged, and to easily fold the short walls Ab, Ab and the long walls Ac, Ac. In addition, the durability and the number of uses can be increased. In addition, the long walls Ac, Ac standing on the long sides on both sides are supported in an upright state, and one long wall Ac is folded first, and then the other long wall Ac is successively folded. Can be folded alternately, and a folding operation according to the height of the side wall can be performed.
[0031]
FIGS. 10 and 11 show the container folding apparatus 1 of the second embodiment in which the container mounting table 3 on which the container A is mounted is moved up and down by the container lifting / lowering mechanism 20. The step bar 21, which is placed on the mounting table 3 and protrudes forward and downward from the lower part of the apparatus main body 2, is stepped on by an operator's foot, and the support bar 24, which is bridged between the front and rear link bars 22, 22, is moved to the step bar 21. Is pushed up by a push-up bar 21a erected on the free end side. At the same time, the link rods 22 and 23 connected to the front side and the link rods 22 and 23 connected to the rear side operate in conjunction with each other, and the container mounting table is operated by the link rods 22 and 23 arranged front and rear. 3 is moved up and down between a raised position and a lowered position in a horizontal state, so that the short wall portions Ab and Ab and the long wall portions Ac and Ac constituting the container A are arranged in a predetermined order, as in the first embodiment. Can be folded. The coil springs 25a, 25a stretched between the upper portions on both sides of the apparatus main body 2 and the shorter sides on both sides of the container mounting table 3 reduce the weight load generated when the container mounting table 3 moves up and down. The step bar 21 is pulled and urged in the return direction by the coil spring 25b stretched between the lower rear portion of the step 2 and the step bar 21.
[0032]
FIG. 12 shows the container folding apparatus 1 of the third embodiment in which the loading and unloading of the container A and the folding operation can be performed mechanically, and is the front-rear position or the left-right position of the container mounting table 3 stopped at the lowered position. After the carry-in conveyor 26 and the carry-out conveyor 27 are arranged at a height level that is horizontal with respect to the container mounting table 3, the container A conveyed by the carry-in conveyor 26 is transferred to the container mounting table 3. The container lifting / lowering mechanism 4 is driven via the sprockets 29 and 30 and the drive chain 31 by the drive motor 28 with a speed reducer provided at the lower part of the apparatus, and the container mounting table 3 is vertically raised to form the container A. After folding the short wall portions Ab, Ab and the long wall portions Ac, Ac in a predetermined order, the container mounting table 3 is vertically lowered, and the folded container A is transferred to the unloading conveyor 27 and is unloaded. Container A placed on conveyor 27 By transporting the container A, the operation of folding the short wall portions Ab, Ab and the long wall portions Ac, Ac constituting the container A, and the loading and unloading of the container A are mechanical, as in the first embodiment. And labor saving of the whole work can be achieved.
[0033]
FIG. 13 shows that the short side walls Ab and Ab and the long side walls Ac and Ac constituting the container A are folded in a predetermined order by vertically lowering the side wall folding plates 5 and 5 and the side wall support bars 6 and 6. 4 shows a container folding apparatus 1 according to a fourth embodiment. After the container A is placed on the container mounting table 3, the side wall folding plates 5, 5 and the side wall support rods 6, 6 attached to the lifting frame 32 are removed. The side walls are vertically lowered by lifting means (not shown), which will be described later, so that the side wall folding plates 5 and 5 abut against the short wall portions Ab and Ab of the container A and are folded inward. It is engaged with the inner central surface of the long wall portions Ac and Ac and is supported in an upright state. Next, each of the side wall folding plates 5, 5 and each of the side wall support rods 6, 6 are vertically raised by an elevating means (not shown), and the respective side wall support rods 6, 6 locked to the long wall portions Ac, Ac are pulled out. As a result, the long walls Ac, Ac are folded on the upper surface side of the short walls Ab, Ab folded earlier, and the short walls Ab, constituting the container A are folded in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Ab and the long wall portions Ac, Ac can be easily folded.
[0034]
After the container A is placed on the container mounting table 3, each of the side wall folding plates 5, 5 is horizontally moved in a direction in which it comes into contact with each of the short wall portions Ab, Ab. Ab, Ab can be folded inside. In addition, by rotating the side wall support rods 6, 6 in a direction in which they are locked to the long wall portions Ac, Ac, the long wall portions Ac, Ac of the container A can be supported in an upright state, In the same manner as described above, the folding operation of the short wall portions Ab and Ab and the long wall portions Ac and Ac constituting the container A can be performed.
[0035]
In correspondence between the configuration of the present invention and the above-described embodiment,
The wall portion on one side of the container constituting the container of the present invention corresponds to the short wall portion Ab constituting the container A of the embodiment,
Similarly,
The wall portion on the other side opposite side corresponds to the long wall portion Ac,
The container support means and the container support member correspond to the container mounting table 3,
The relative moving means corresponds to the container lifting / lowering mechanisms 4 and 20,
One side folding means and one side wall folding member correspond to the side wall folding plate 5 and the side wall pressing plate 19,
Other side wall support membersCorresponds to the side wall support rod 6,
The side wall pressing means corresponds to the side wall pressing plate 19,
Container supply means corresponds to the conveyor 26 for manual work and loading,
The container discharging means corresponds to the conveyor 27 for manual work and unloading,
The present invention is not limited only to the configuration of the above embodiment.
[0036]
In the above-described first and second embodiments, the container mounting table 3 is moved up and down by an operator's stepping operation. However, for example, lifting / lowering means such as a screw feed mechanism, a cam mechanism, a link mechanism, an air cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, etc. (Not shown), the container mounting table 3 may be moved up and down, and the driving and stopping of the lifting / lowering means may be controlled based on operation of switches such as a foot switch and a button switch or detection by a photoelectric sensor (not shown). The whole can be performed mechanically, and labor can be saved.
[0037]
Further, when supplying the containers A assembled in an open top form by mechanical work, for example, by mechanically supplying the containers A one by one by a supply means such as a chain conveyor, a roller conveyor, or a pusher, Labor saving of supply work can be achieved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing a folding operation by a container folding device according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a side view showing a folding operation by the container folding device.
FIG. 3 is a front view showing a folding operation of each short wall portion.
FIG. 4 is a front view showing a folded state of each short wall portion.
FIG. 5 is a side view showing a support state of each long wall portion.
FIG. 6 is a side view showing a folded state of each long wall portion.
FIG. 7 is a side view showing the unlocking operation of each wall.
FIG. 8 is a side view showing a folding operation of each long wall portion by two side wall support rods.
FIG. 9 is a side view showing the folding operation of the long wall portion by one side wall support rod.
FIG. 10 is a front view showing the folding operation by the container folding device according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a side view showing the folding operation by the container folding device.
FIG. 12 is a side view showing a transport operation and a folding operation by the container folding device of the third embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a front view showing a folding operation by the container folding device of the fourth embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
A: Container
Aa ... bottom
Ab: short wall
Ac: long wall
Ad: locking hole
Ae: locking claw
1. Container folding device
2. The main unit
3. Container mounting table
4,20… Container lifting mechanism
5 ... Folded side wall
6 ... Side wall support rod
19 ... Side wall holding plate
26 ... Conveyor for loading
27 ... Conveyor for unloading

Claims

Providing container support means for supporting the container assembled in the top open form in an upwardly opened state,
At a position facing each wall standing on one side facing side of the container, one side folding means for tilting each wall in a direction in which each wall is folded inward is provided.
At the position facing each wall standing on the other opposing side of the container, each wall on the other opposing side is in an upright state until each wall on the one opposing side is folded by the one side folding means. Provide each other side wall support member to support,
The container folding device, wherein each of the walls on one side facing side is folded by the one side folding means, and then each wall on the other side facing side is folded inward.

A container supporting member that supports the container assembled in the top open form in an upwardly opened state, and that supports a bottom surface portion that is more inner than one side of the container,
Provided at each position at which the wall comes into contact with each wall standing on one side of the container, the one wall folding member tilts in a direction in which each wall is folded toward the inside,
At the position locked to each side wall standing on the other side of the container, each wall of the other side is folded until each wall of the one side is folded by the one side folding member. Providing each other side wall support member to support in the upright state,
Each wall portion standing on the one side facing side and each one side wall folding member move each other in a contacting direction, and each wall portion standing on the other side facing side and each other side wall supporting member, Container folding device provided with relative moving means for moving each other in a direction in which the containers are locked.

3. The container folding device according to claim 2, wherein each of the other side wall supporting members is provided so as to be able to be locked up and down in a stepwise manner with respect to each of the wall portions standing on the other side of the container.

3. The container folding device according to claim 2, wherein the other side wall supporting member is provided so as to be able to be locked to one of the walls standing on the other side of the container.

The container folding device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a side wall pressing unit that presses an upper surface side of each of the wall portions in the folding direction after folding each of the wall portions standing on the one side facing side. apparatus.

Providing a container supply means for supplying an unfolded container to one side of a support position for supporting the container,
3. The container folding device according to claim 1, further comprising a container discharging means for discharging the folded container on the other side of the supporting position.