JP7696164B2 - Container Assembly Equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a container assembly device for assembling a foldable container that can be transformed into a folded form and a box form, and vice versa.

Conventionally, foldable containers (see Figures 25 to 27) have been used to store and transport goods, and can be transformed from a folded state in which the walls of the housing are folded up like plates into a housing-like box state. These foldable containers can be folded and stacked when not in use to save space, and can be easily assembled and folded without the use of screws, etc., so they are used for a variety of purposes, such as factory lines. Various trial and error efforts have been made to assemble foldable containers quickly and easily.

Patent Document 1 discloses an automatic assembly machine for folding containers. In the following paragraphs, the reference numerals of Patent Document 1 are shown in parentheses. In the automatic assembly machine, both sides of the folded and stacked container (1) are carried in to the left in the figure by the carrying-in device (9), and then the lower feed device (29) holds and sends them downward, and the container at the bottom end is roughly extended by the weight of the side plates, etc. Then, the push device (54) pushes the first side plate (3) from the inside to fully extend it. In this state, the container (1) is transported by the conveyor belt (57), and then the expansion device (67) is inserted to push the second side plate (4) and expand it. In this way, the container (1) is assembled. In this expansion device (67), a pair of rotating arms (73) are provided at the tip of the rod (71) of the cylinder (69) provided in the upward direction, and a roller (75) is attached to the tip of each rotating arm (73). The pair of pivot arms (73) are equipped with stoppers to prevent the angle between them from becoming smaller than a predetermined angle, and are normally closed at this predetermined angle by the weight of the roller (75) and pivot arm (73). When the roller (75) comes into contact with the bottom plate (5) of the container (1), the pivot arm (73) is designed to freely pivot in a direction that increases the angle. The roller (75) and pivot arm (73) are positioned so that they can enter the container using the cylinder (69).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-2227

In a conventional automatic assembly machine (container assembly device) such as that in Patent Document 1, one of the folded and stacked containers is held and sent downward by a lower feed device, the first side plate is pushed from the inside by a push device to extend it, and the container is then transported by a conveyor belt, and the second side plate is pushed and expanded by an expansion device, thereby assembling the container. In other words, conventional automatic assembly machines operate to assemble containers one by one, and since it requires many steps to assemble one container, there is a problem in that one or multiple containers cannot be assembled quickly. Therefore, the object of the present invention is to make the assembly process more efficient than before and to make it possible to assemble one or multiple containers simply and quickly.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and its purpose is to provide a container assembly device that makes it possible to assemble one or more containers more easily and quickly.

A container assembling device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a container assembling device for assembling a foldable container that is mutually transformable between a folded form and a box form, the device comprising:
the container comprises a bottom wall, a top frame having an opening on the inside and placed on the bottom wall in the folded configuration; a pair of first side walls whose upper and lower edges are pivotally connected to horizontal sides of the bottom wall and the top frame, respectively, and having hinge portions that allow the first side walls to bend freely only inward between the upper and lower edges; a pair of second side walls whose upper edges are pivotally connected to vertical sides of the top frame and have free ends at their lower edges, and which are folded so that their inner surfaces face upward through the opening of the top frame in the folded configuration; and engaged portions provided on opposing sides of the top frame, and when the container is transformed from the folded configuration to the box configuration, the first side walls pass through an intermediate configuration in which they extend linearly, and the second side walls are pressed outward and fitted to the first side walls and/or the bottom wall,
The container assembling device includes:
an apparatus body defining an arrangement space therein for arranging the container;
a lifting device that is provided with engaging pieces that engage with the engaged portions of the opposing sides of the top frame for the container in the folded configuration introduced into the arrangement space, and that is configured to lift the top frame upward in a height direction with the engaging pieces and the engaged portions engaged, thereby transforming the container from the folded configuration to the intermediate configuration;
The container is characterized in that it is equipped with a pressing device that operates to press the pair of second side walls from the inside to the outside for the container in the intermediate form in which the top frame is lifted by the lifting device, so that the second side walls are fitted into the first side wall and/or the bottom wall.

According to one embodiment of the container assembly device of the present invention, the top frame of a container in a folded state introduced into the arrangement space is lifted upward in the vertical direction by a lifting device, so that the container is transformed from the folded state to an intermediate state by its own weight, and then the second side wall is pressed from the inside to the outside by a pressing device, so that the container can be transformed from the intermediate state to a box state. Therefore, the container assembly device makes the assembly process more efficient than before, and makes it possible to assemble one or more containers more easily and quickly.

A further embodiment of the container assembly device of the present invention is characterized in that the engaging piece is configured to be displaced between a retracted position where the engaging piece does not interfere with the container and an engageable position where the engaging piece protrudes from the retracted position and can engage with the engaged portion.

A further embodiment of the container assembly device of the present invention is characterized in that the arrangement space allows multiple containers to be arranged in a stacked manner in multiple tiers.

A further embodiment of the container assembly device of the present invention is characterized in that the lifting device comprises a plurality of the engaging pieces for hooking onto each of the engaged portions of the plurality of containers stacked in a plurality of tiers in the height direction in the arrangement space, a flexible string-like body that directly or indirectly connects the plurality of engaging pieces in the height direction, and a pulling means for pulling the string-like body upward in the height direction, wherein adjacent engaging pieces among the plurality of engaging pieces are arranged so that they are spaced apart by a first distance when the string-like body is in a slack state in which it is not pulled, and are spaced apart by a second distance when the string-like body is in a tensioned state in which it is pulled, the second distance being greater than the first distance, each of the plurality of engaging pieces is arranged to face each of the engaged portions of the plurality of containers stacked in a plurality of tiers in a folded form in the slack state of the string-like body, and is displaceable from the retracted position to the engageable position, and the plurality of containers are transformed into the intermediate form by the string-like body being pulled in a tensioned state with the plurality of engaging pieces hooked onto the respective engaged portions of the plurality of containers. In other words, with this container assembly device, multiple folded containers can be stacked in multiple tiers in the arrangement space, and the multiple containers can be lifted together by a lifting device to transform them into an intermediate configuration.

A further embodiment of the container assembly device of the present invention is characterized in that each of the engaging pieces is disposed on a guideway that slopes obliquely upward toward the opposing engaged portion, and is lifted upward in the height direction by the string-like body, while simultaneously sliding diagonally upward from the retracted position to the engageable position. In other words, the force with which each of the engaging pieces is lifted by the string-like body causes each of the engaging pieces to slide diagonally upward along the guideway, thereby displacing the engaging pieces from the retracted position to the engageable position. This simplifies the structure of the lifting device.

A further embodiment of the container assembly device of the present invention is characterized in that it further comprises a guide piece that guides the string-like body in the slackened state so that it hangs down in a direction away from the opposing container. In other words, by guiding the string-like body so that it hangs down in a direction away from the container, the string-like body is prevented from becoming entangled in the stacked containers.

A further embodiment of the container assembly device of the present invention is characterized in that the pressing devices are arranged in multiple stages in the height direction of the arrangement space, and the multiple pressing devices operate independently of each other. In other words, the multiple pressing devices each operate independently of each other on multiple containers in an intermediate form that are simultaneously lifted by a lifting device, making it possible to effectively assemble the containers into a box form.

A further embodiment of the container assembly device of the present invention is characterized in that it further comprises a cart that can carry multiple containers stacked in multiple tiers and be introduced into the arrangement space. In other words, the multiple containers can be easily introduced into the arrangement space by the cart, and the multiple containers can be easily retrieved from the container assembly device after assembly.

A further embodiment of the container assembly device of the present invention is characterized in that the engaged parts are provided in pairs at two locations on each of the opposing sides of the top frame, the lifting device further comprises a plurality of lifting bodies that each hold the two engaging pieces at positions corresponding to the pair of engaged parts and move up and down in the height direction, and the device body is provided with lifting rails that guide the lifting and lowering movement of the plurality of lifting bodies in the height direction. In other words, by engaging a pair of engaged parts formed on each of the opposing vertical or horizontal sides of the top frame with a pair of engaging pieces held by the lifting bodies and supporting the opposing sides of the top frame, the container can be lifted in a stable position both vertically and horizontally.

A further embodiment of the container assembly device of the present invention further comprises a folding device having a first pressing means for pressing a pair of second side walls of the box-shaped container arranged in the arrangement space from the outside to the inside, and a second pressing means for pressing a hinge portion of the pair of first side walls from the outside to the inside, and the folding device is characterized in that it is controlled so that the second pressing means presses the hinge portion immediately after the first pressing means releases the engagement of the second side walls. In other words, the folding device can also speed up the folding operation of one or more containers.

The container assembly device of the present invention allows for easy and quick assembly of one or more containers.

1 is a schematic perspective view of a container assembling device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the container assembling device of FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 is a front view of the container assembling device of FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 is a plan view of the container assembling device of FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 is a left side view of the container assembling device of FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 is a right side view of the container assembling device of FIG. 1 . 4 is a cross-sectional view of the container assembling device of FIG. 3 taken along line AA. FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the container assembling device of FIG. 7 taken along the line B-B. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the container assembling device of FIG. 3 taken along the line CC. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the container assembling device shown in FIG. 9 along the line DD. FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing a schematic view of the lifting device of the container assembling apparatus of FIG. 1 after the lifting operation; FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the lifting device of FIG. 11 . 2 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing a schematic operation of a pressing device of the container assembling apparatus of FIG. 1; FIG. 12A and 12B are cross-sectional views each showing a schematic operation of the pressing device of FIG. 11, in which (a) shows a state in which the sliding body has advanced toward the arrangement space, and (b) shows a state in which the rotating body has rotated downward. 14(b) is a plan view showing a schematic operation of the pressing device of FIG. 11, in which the pressing portion further protrudes from the pressing body after the pressing device has been displaced to the state shown in FIG. 14(b). 1 is a front view showing a first configuration in which containers in a folded form are stacked in a plurality of stages and arranged in an arrangement space in a container assembling device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic relationship between the container and the lifting device in the first mode of the container assembling device of FIG. 16 . 17 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic operation of an engagement piece being engaged with an engaged portion of the container-assembling device in the configuration of the container-assembling device shown in FIG. 16 . FIG. 11 is a front view showing a second configuration in which a plurality of containers in a folded state are lifted and transformed into an intermediate configuration in the container assembling device of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic relationship between the container and the lifting device in the second mode of the container assembling device of FIG. 19 . FIG. 13 is a front view showing a third configuration in which the pressing devices of each stage are driven with respect to the suspended container in the intermediate configuration in the container assembling apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a front view showing a fourth mode in which the second side wall of the container is pressed by the pressing portion of the pressing device to deform the container into a box shape in the container assembling device of the embodiment of the present invention. 23 is a cross-sectional view showing an operation of stacking box-shaped containers and disengaging the engaging pieces from the engaged portions by feeding the string-like body of the lifting device downward from the fourth mode of the container assembling device of FIG. 22 . FIG. FIG. 13 is a front view showing a fifth mode in which the lifting devices and the pushing devices have been returned to their initial positions and the box-shaped containers have been stacked in the arrangement space in the container assembling device of the embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a box form of a foldable container as illustrated in one embodiment of the present invention. 26 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 25 in the middle of being deformed; FIG. FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 25 in a folded configuration.

One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the shapes of the figures referred to in the following description are conceptual or schematic diagrams for explaining preferred shapes, and the dimensional ratios do not necessarily match the actual dimensional ratios. In other words, the present invention is not limited to the dimensional ratios in the drawings. Furthermore, the up, down, left, and right directions may be interpreted as being interchangeable.

The container assembly device 100 of this embodiment is used to assemble a foldable container that can be transformed into a folded form and a box form. The container assembly device 100 of this embodiment is automatically driven by power supplied from a power source (not shown), and allows a user to assemble multiple containers simultaneously by operating a control panel (not shown) or the like. Here, the foldable container is a type that is generally used for transportation, etc., but is exemplified as the container 10 in Figures 25 to 27 without any limitation. The foldable container that is the subject of the present invention is not limited to the form of the container 10.

25, the box-shaped container 10 comprises a rectangular plate-shaped bottom wall 11, a top frame 12 disposed opposite the bottom wall 11 and having an opening on the inside, a pair of first side walls 13 facing each other between the horizontal side of the bottom wall 11 and the horizontal side of the top frame 12, and a pair of second side walls 14 facing each other between the vertical side of the bottom wall 11 and the vertical side of the top frame 12. Two recessed engaged portions 17 forming handles are formed on each of the opposing horizontal sides (or vertical sides) of the top frame 12. The container 10 is mutually transformable from a box-shaped housing with an upward opening as shown in FIG. 25, through a shape in the middle of transformation as shown in FIG. 26, to a folded shape in which the container 10 is folded over like a plate as shown in FIG. 27. As shown in FIG. 26, the pair of first side walls 13 have upper and lower edges pivotally connected to the horizontal edge of the bottom wall 11 and the horizontal edge of the top frame 12, respectively, and have hinge portions 13a that allow them to bend freely only inward between the upper and lower edges. Also, as shown in FIG. 26, the pair of second side walls 14 have upper edges pivotally connected to the vertical edge of the top frame 12, and have free ends at their lower edges. Also, fitting portions 15 that fit into the side edges of the pair of first side walls 13 and the vertical edge of the bottom wall 11 are provided on both side edges and the lower edge of the second side walls 14. Note that in FIG. 26, when the first side walls 13 are partially bent, the second side walls 14 abut against the upper edges of the first side walls 13, and therefore the second side walls 14 do not pivot toward the bottom wall 11.

In the box-shaped container 10 of Fig. 25, the pair of second side walls 14 are fixed to at least one of the straight first side wall 13 and the bottom wall 11, thereby maintaining the container 10 in a box shape. In the folded container 10 of Fig. 27, the top frame 12 is placed on the bottom wall 11. Inside the opening of the top frame 12, the pair of first side walls 13 are folded inwardly in an L-shape via the hinge portions 13a, and above the folded first side walls 13, the pair of second side walls 14 are folded in so that their inner surfaces face upward from the opening of the top frame 12. As shown in Figures 25 to 27, when the container 10 changes from the folded form to the box form, the first side wall 13 passes through an intermediate form in which it is bent and extends straight, and the second side wall 14 is pressed outward and fitted to the first side wall 13 and/or the bottom wall 11 via the fitting portion 15.

The configuration of the container assembly apparatus 100 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 10. Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of the container assembly apparatus 100. Figure 2 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the container assembly apparatus 100. Figure 3 is a front view of the container assembly apparatus 100. Figure 4 is a plan view of the container assembly apparatus 100. Figure 5 is a left side view of the container assembly apparatus 100. Figure 6 is a right side view of the container assembly apparatus 100. Figures 7 to 10 are cross-sectional views of the container assembly apparatus 100 taken along lines A-A, B-B, C-C, and D-D. Note that Figures 1 to 10 show the initial form of the container assembly apparatus 100.

As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the container assembly device 100 comprises an apparatus main body 101 that defines an arrangement space 103 in which the container 10 is arranged, a lifting device 130 provided for the arrangement space 103, and a pressing device 150 provided adjacent to the arrangement space 103. Although not shown, the container assembly device 100 may also comprise a power supply unit that receives power from a power source, a control unit (processor) that controls the operation of each component of the container assembly device 100, and a control panel for inputting instructions from a user.

The device main body 101 is made of a rectangular frame 102 extending in the length, width and height directions. An arrangement space 103 for arranging the container 10 is formed inside the frame 102. At the four corners of the arrangement space 103, four lifting rails 105 extend in the height direction as part of the frame 102. The arrangement space 103 has an area in which one container 10 can be arranged in a plan view, and has a height in which five (multiple) box-shaped (or intermediate-shaped) containers 10 can be arranged in a front view. The frame 102 is also provided with a support frame 107 extending in the width direction so as to support five pressing devices 150 at heights corresponding to the five lifted containers 10. That is, the frame 102 supports multiple stages (five stages in this case) of pressing devices 150 together with the lifting device 130.

The lifting device 130 is configured to hold (hook) the top frame 12 of the container 10 in the arrangement space 103 and lift one or more containers 10 upward in the height direction. The lifting device 130 is held by the lifting rail 105 and includes a plurality of lifting bodies 131 that move up and down in the height direction along the lifting rail 105, a plurality of engagement pieces 134 that engage with the respective engagement portions 17 on the opposing sides of the top frame 12 of the container 10 in the folded form held by each of the lifting bodies 131 and introduced into the arrangement space 103, a flexible string-like body 135 that directly or indirectly connects the plurality of engagement pieces 134 in the height direction, and a winch 138 as a towing means that operates to wind up the string-like body 135 and tow the plurality of engagement pieces 134 vertically upward. That is, the lifting device 130 is configured to lift the top frame 12 upward in the height direction while the engaging piece 134 and the engaged part 17 are engaged, thereby transforming the container 10 from the folded state to the intermediate state.

Each lifting body 131 is plate-shaped, spans a pair of lifting rails 105 on the front and rear sides when viewed from the front, and is supported so as to be slidable along the pair of lifting rails 105. In particular, both ends of the lifting body 131 are slidably held on the lifting rails 105. In addition, in this embodiment, a pair of lifting bodies 131 is arranged at the same height so as to sandwich the arrangement space 103 from the left and right when viewed from the front. Then, pairs of lifting bodies 131 are provided in multiple stages (five stages in this embodiment) in the height direction so as to correspond to the number of containers 10 that can be assembled at the same time. In other words, a pair of lifting bodies 131 is arranged opposite each other across the arrangement space 103, and a total of ten lifting bodies 131 are used. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, in the initial form, a plurality of lifting bodies 131 are stacked in the height direction at the bottom of the arrangement space 103. A string-like body 135 wound around a winch 138 extends continuously in the height direction and hangs down vertically, and at its lower end connects the sets of multiple lifting bodies 131 stacked in the height direction in a daisy chain. The string-like body 135 functions to pull the sets of lifting bodies 131 in the height direction by being wound around the winch 138. In this embodiment, two string-like bodies 135 are used for one set of lifting bodies 131 so that the container 10 can be lifted in a stable position. In other words, four string-like bodies 135 extending near the four corners of the arrangement space 103 are used to stably lift the stacked containers 10.

As shown in FIG. 7, each lifting body 131 holds a pair of engagement pieces 134 at positions (positions that match the front-rear direction when viewed from the front) corresponding to a pair of engaged parts 17 provided as a pair at two locations on each of the opposing horizontal sides of the top frame 12 of the container 10. A set of multiple engagement pieces 134 aligned in the height direction is connected in a daisy chain by a single string-like body 135. While the upper end portion of the string-like body 135 on the winch 138 side is always in a tensioned state, each connection portion 135a of the lower end portion of the string-like body 135 can be deformed between a tensioned state and a slack state. Note that the single string-like body 135 is not necessarily a single continuous long body, but is a concept that includes multiple connection portions 135a that are separated from each other.

In the initial state of the container assembly device 100, the multiple lifting bodies 131 abut in the height direction at the bottom of the arrangement space 103, and the multiple engagement pieces 134 are positioned in the height direction. As a result, the multiple engagement pieces 134 are arranged so as to face the engaged parts 17 of the multiple containers 10 stacked in the folded form. At this time, the engagement pieces 134 adjacent in the height direction are connected by the respective connection parts 135a of the string-like body 135. Since the string-like body 135 is not pulled, each connection part 135a is in a slack state and hangs down outside the arrangement space 103. Preferably, a guide piece (not shown) made of an elastic film of synthetic resin material is attached to the connection part 135a of the string-like body 135 to guide the slack direction of the connection hole 134a in a direction away from the container 10, and prevent the string-like body 135 from being wrapped up in the arrangement space 103.

7 and 8, the engaging piece 134 is a claw-shaped plate that can be hooked from below onto the concave engaged part 17. Each engaging piece 134 is held in a state where it is prevented from falling off by a holding part 132 formed on the lifting body 131. The engaging piece 134 is configured to be displaced between a retracted position where the engaging piece 134 does not interfere with the container 10 (in the arrangement space 103) and an engageable position where the engaging piece 134 can engage with the engaged part 17 by protruding from the retracted position into the arrangement space 103. In other words, the position where the engaging piece 134 is accommodated in the holding part 132 constitutes the retracted position, and the position where a part of the engaging piece 134 protrudes so as to enter the arrangement space 103 constitutes the engageable position. As shown in FIG. 8, the engaging piece 134 is engaged with the retaining part 132a of the holding part 132 at the engageable position, thereby being locked. In addition, the holding part 132 is formed with a guide path 133 that is inclined obliquely upward toward the opposing engaged part 17. The engagement piece 134 is arranged on the guide path 133, and the sliding direction of the engagement piece 134 is guided by the guide path 133.

Next, the lifting operation of the lifting device 130 will be described with reference to Figures 11 and 12. Figure 11 is a partially enlarged perspective view that shows the lifting device 130 after the lifting operation. When the four string-like bodies 135 are wound simultaneously and at the same speed from the initial form of the container assembling device 100, the engaging piece 134 is lifted vertically upward by the tensioned part of the string-like body 135. Then, the engaging piece 134 is lifted upward in the height direction by the string-like body 135, and at the same time, slides diagonally upward and protrudes into the arrangement space 103. That is, the force with which each engaging piece 134 is lifted by the string-like body 135 causes each engaging piece 134 to slide diagonally upward along the guide path 133, displacing it from the retracted position to the engageable position. At this time, the connecting parts 135a of the string-like body 135 are deformed from a slack state to a tensioned state in order, starting from the connecting part 135a vertically above the string-like body 135. Then, as shown in FIG. 12, each of the engagement pieces 134 suspended by the string-like body 135 is engaged with the retaining portion 132a of the lifting body 131. Finally, as shown in FIG. 11, all of the lifting bodies 131 are suspended vertically upward by the tensioned string-like body 135 (connecting portion 135a) and stopped at a predetermined height.

That is, among the multiple engagement pieces 134, adjacent ones are arranged so that they are spaced apart by a first distance when the string-like body 135 is in a slack state where it is not pulled, and are spaced apart by a second distance greater than the first distance when the string-like body 135 is in a tensioned state where it is pulled. Also, when the string-like body 135 is in a slack state, each of the multiple engagement pieces 134 is arranged to face each of the engaged parts 17 of the multiple containers 10 stacked in multiple tiers in the folded form, and is displaceable from a retracted position to an engageable position. As described below, when the multiple engagement pieces 134 are hooked onto the engaged parts 17 of the multiple containers 10, respectively, the string-like body 135 is pulled in a tensioned state, and the multiple containers 10 are transformed into an intermediate form together.

On the other hand, when the string-like body 135 is sent downward by the winch 138, the lifting body 131 is stacked at the bottom of the arrangement space 103 by gravity, and each engagement piece 134 slides along the guide path 133 from the engageable position to the retracted position. As a result, the container assembly device 100 returns to its initial form.

The pressing device 150 operates to press the pair of second side walls 14 from the inside to the outside of the container 10 in an intermediate state in which the top frame 12 is lifted by the lifting device 130, so that the second side walls 14 fit against the first side wall 13 and/or the bottom wall 11. In this embodiment, in order to enable multiple (five) containers 10 to be assembled simultaneously, multiple (five) pressing devices 150 are supported by the support frame 107 of the device main body 101 across multiple levels in the height direction. The height of each pressing device 150 is determined to correspond to each container 10 lifted by the lifting device 130.

9 and 10, each pressing device 150 includes a sliding body 151 that slides horizontally in the direction toward and away from the arrangement space 103 (left and right direction when viewed from the front), a rotating body 152 that is arranged on the sliding body 151 and rotates vertically downward via its rotating shaft 152a, and a pressing body 153 that is mounted on the tip side of the rotating shaft 152a of the rotating body 152 and operates to press the second side wall 14 of the container 10. The rotating body 152 is formed in a flat plate shape and has a rotating shaft 152a at approximately the center in the direction toward and away from the arrangement space 103. The base end portion and the tip portion are connected to each other so that they can be bent at approximately right angles by the rotating shaft 152a. Furthermore, the pressing device 150 is provided with a first driving device 156 for sliding the sliding body 151 and a second driving device 157 for sliding the rotating body 152. The first drive device 156 and the second drive device 157 are configured to simultaneously drive the pressing device 150 at multiple stages. Specifically, the first drive device 156 includes a plurality of first gears 156a that mesh with or are in frictional contact with the upper surface of each slide body 151, a first drive shaft 156b that axially supports the plurality of first gears 156a in the height direction, and a first drive motor 156c that rotatably drives the first drive shaft 156b in both directions. The second drive device 157 includes a plurality of second gears 157a that mesh with or are in frictional contact with the upper surface of each rotating body 152, a second drive shaft 157b that axially supports the plurality of second gears 157a in the height direction, and a second drive motor 157c that rotatably drives the second drive shaft 157b in both directions. The first drive device 156 and the second drive device 157 are separately controlled by a control unit. The pressing body 153 has a cylindrical shape that extends in the front-rear direction when viewed from the front, and includes a pressing portion 154 that protrudes and retracts in the front-rear direction from the tip of the cylindrical body in the axial direction. The pressing portion 154 is a portion that directly presses the inner surface of the second side wall 14 of the container 10. The pressing portion 154 can be driven or controlled by a known mechanism such as a solenoid or a cylinder.

Next, the operation of the pressing device 150 will be described with reference to Figures 13 to 15. Figure 13 is a schematic perspective view showing the pressing device 150 during pressing operation. In the initial form of the container assembly apparatus 100, each component of the pressing device 150 is retracted to a position where it does not interfere with the arrangement space 103. When the pressing device 150 starts operating, first, the first drive device 156 is actuated, the first drive shaft 156b and the first gear 156a rotate in the forward direction, and the slide body 151 advances toward the arrangement space 103 as shown in Figure 14(a). After the entire rotating body 152 on the tip side of the slide body 151 enters the arrangement space 103 and stops, the second driving device 157 is operated, the second driving shaft 157b and the second gear 157a rotate in the forward direction, and only the rotating body 152 advances further on the slide body 151, and the rotating shaft 152a advances until it passes the tip of the slide body 151 and stops. Then, as shown in FIG. 14(b), the tip part of the rotating body 152 rotates so as to be bent at a substantially right angle by gravity via the rotating shaft 152a. The rotation of the rotating body 152 may be driven and controlled by a motor or the like. Then, as shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 15, the pressing part 154 protrudes from both ends of the pressing body 153. This completes a series of pressing operations of the pressing device 150. The series of pressing operations of the pressing device 150 may be controlled by a control unit based on a sensor arbitrarily installed in the device main body 101. In addition, in this embodiment, the control unit controls the multiple pressing devices 150 to perform the same operation simultaneously.

After the series of pressing operations are completed, the pressing device 150 performs the opposite operation to the above to return to the initial form. In particular, after the pressing operations are completed, the protruding pressing portion 154 retracts, and then the second driving device 157 is operated and the second driving shaft 157b and the second gear 157a rotate in the opposite direction, causing the rotating body 152 to retract away from the arrangement space 103, while the tip portion of the rotating body 152 abuts against the tip edge of the sliding body 151, causing the tip portion of the rotating body 152 to rotate so as to rise up horizontally around the rotating shaft 152a. Next, after the rotating body 152 moves to its original position on the sliding body 151 and stops, the first driving device 156 is operated and the first driving shaft 156b and the first gear 156a rotate in the opposite direction, causing the sliding body 151 to retract back to its original position, and the pressing device 150 returns to its initial position.

Next, with reference to Figures 16 to 24, a method for assembling multiple (five) folded containers 10 together using the container assembly device 100 of this embodiment will be described. Note that for ease of explanation, the depiction of the container 10 is simplified in each figure.

16 and 17 are schematic diagrams of the container assembly device 100 in the first form in which the containers 10 in the folded form are stacked in a plurality of tiers and arranged in the arrangement space 103. First, as shown in FIG. 16, a plurality of containers 10 in the folded form are stacked and arranged in the arrangement space 103. The container assembly device 100 may be configured so that the plurality of containers 10 are automatically arranged by a conveying mechanism (not shown) connected to the arrangement space 103. Alternatively, the container assembly device 100 may be configured so that the plurality of containers 10 can be arranged in the arrangement space 103 while being placed on a dolly (not shown). In the first form, as shown in FIG. 17, in the arrangement space 103, the engaged portions 17 of the plurality of containers 10 in the folded form are arranged so as to face the respective engaging pieces 134. The respective engaging pieces 134 are in a retracted position retreated from the arrangement space 103 and do not interfere with the containers 10. The connecting portion 135a of the string-like body 135 is in a slack state, and the multiple engagement pieces 134 in the height direction are spaced apart at equal intervals by a first distance.

When the container assembly device 100 is operated by a user or the like, the winch 138 is operated and starts winding up the string-like body 135. The uppermost engagement piece 134 and the lifting body 131 are supported by the tensioned string-like body 135 and are pulled upward first. At the same time as being pulled upward, the engagement piece 134 slides diagonally upward toward the opposing engaged part 17 and protrudes from the holding part 132. Then, as shown in FIG. 18, the engagement piece 134 slips under the top frame 12 of the container 10 and hooks onto the engaged part 17. If the engagement piece 134 is further pulled upward by the string-like body 135 while remaining in this engaged state, the lifting body 131 rises and the top frame 12 of the uppermost container 10 is lifted. When the top-level lifting body 131 rises, the connecting portion 135a connecting the top-level engaging piece 134 and the second-level engaging piece 134 is deformed from a slack state to a tensioned state, and the connecting portion 135a is separated by a second distance. After being deformed to a tensioned state, the second-level engaging piece 134 and the lifting body 131 are further elevated, and the top frame 12 of the second-level container 10 is lifted in the same manner. The winch 138 continues to operate, and all the containers 10 are lifted in the same manner. When the bottom wall 11 of each container 10 is lifted up until it is lifted up, each container 10 is deformed by its own weight into an intermediate form in which the first side wall 13 is extended. In particular, by adjusting the winding speed of the winch 138, the container 10 can be more reliably deformed from the folded form to the intermediate form by the reaction generated during lifting. When each container 10 moves to a predetermined height, the winch 138 stops. In addition, the height position of each container 10 may be detected by a sensor, and the operation of the winch 138 may be controlled by the control unit.

19 and 20 show a schematic diagram of the container assembly device 100 in the second configuration in which multiple folded containers 10 are lifted and transformed into an intermediate configuration. As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, all containers 10 are suspended in the arrangement space 103, forming an intermediate configuration in which the first side wall 13 is extended. The multiple engagement pieces 134 in the height direction are equally spaced apart at a second distance, and as a result, each container 10 is held in a position corresponding to the pressing device 150 of each stage.

Next, each pressing device 150 is operated by the control unit. It is preferable that the multiple pressing devices 150 are driven simultaneously, but they may be driven in sequence. Figure 21 shows a schematic diagram of the container assembling apparatus 100 in the third form in which the pressing devices 150 of each stage are driven for the container 10 in the lifted intermediate form. As shown in Figure 21, the sliding body 151 and the rotating body 152 of each pressing device 150 are positioned above the top frame 12 of the container 10. Then, as shown by the imaginary line in Figure 21, the rotating body 152 advances further on the sliding body 151 and its tip portion rotates downward, so that the pressing body 153 moves into the inside of the container 10. Then, as the pressing portion 154 protrudes from the pressing body 153, the pair of second side walls 14 of each container 10 are simultaneously pressed from the inside to the outside, and the pair of second side walls 14 are fitted to the first side walls 13 and/or the bottom wall 11 via the fitting portion 15. As a result, the container 10 is assembled into a box shape.

Figure 22 shows a schematic diagram of the container assembly device 100 in the fourth form in which multiple containers 10 are transformed into a box shape. After assembling the containers 10 into a box shape, each pressing device 150 is controlled to perform the reverse operation of the pressing operation, leaving the arrangement space 103 and returning to its original position. By controlling the multiple pressing devices 150 to operate simultaneously, all of the containers 10 can be assembled almost simultaneously, and the assembly speed of the containers 10 can be further increased.

Then, the winch 138 operates in a direction to send out the string-like body 135 downward, and the multiple containers 10 are lowered vertically together with the multiple lifting bodies 131. The bottommost container 10 comes into contact with the ground, and the connecting portion 135a connecting the bottommost container 10 and the second container 10 from the bottom is deformed into a slack state, while the second container 10 from the bottom is stacked on top of the bottommost container 10. In the same manner, all the containers 10 are stacked in order from the bottom up. In conjunction with this, the sending out of the string-like body 135 causes each of the engaging pieces 134 to slide diagonally downward along the guide path 133 in a direction away from the arrangement space 103, as shown in FIG. 23, to disengage from each of the engaged parts 17 and move to a retracted position within the holding part 132. The winch 138 continues to operate, and when all the lifting bodies 131 move to the bottom of the arrangement space 103 so that they are stacked, the winch 138 stops sending out the string-like body 135. Through the above process, it is possible to provide multiple box-shaped containers 10 in a stacked state in the arrangement space 103.

Figure 24 shows a schematic diagram of the container assembly device 100 in a fifth configuration in which the lifting device 130 and the pressing device 150 have been returned to their initial positions and the box-shaped containers 10 have been stacked in the arrangement space 103. Finally, the stacked box-shaped containers 10 are removed from the arrangement space 103, completing the series of steps and returning the container assembly device 100 to its initial configuration. If the user wishes to continue assembling additional containers 10, the user can again insert one or more containers 10 into the arrangement space 103, thereby repeating the assembly of the containers 10.

In addition, the container assembly device 100 may additionally include a folding device (not shown) for transforming the box-shaped containers 10 stacked in multiple tiers in the arrangement space 103 into a folded shape, as in the fifth embodiment. The folding device includes a first pressing means for pressing the pair of second side walls 14 of each container 10 from the outside to the inside, and a second pressing means for pressing the hinge portion 13a of the pair of first side walls 13 from the outside to the inside. The folding device is controlled so that the second pressing means presses the hinge portion 13a immediately after the first pressing means releases the engagement of the second side walls 14. Each container 10 is transformed into a folded shape by its own weight due to the pressing of the hinge portion 13a. The folding device may be provided in multiple tiers corresponding to the number of containers 10 that can be assembled at one time, similar to the pressing device 150. By having multiple folding devices operate simultaneously, the folding process of the container 10 can be sped up.

The following describes the effects of the container assembly device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

According to the container assembly device 100 of this embodiment, the top frame 12 of the container 10 in the folded state introduced into the arrangement space 103 is lifted upward in the vertical direction by the lifting device 130, so that the container 10 is transformed from the folded state to the intermediate state by its own weight, and then the second side wall 14 is pressed from the inside to the outside by the pressing device 150, so that the container 10 is transformed from the intermediate state to the box state. Therefore, the container assembly device 100 makes the assembly process more efficient than before, and makes it possible to assemble one or more containers 10 more easily and quickly.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various embodiments and modifications are possible within the technical scope of the present invention.

(1) The container assembly device of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. In the above-mentioned embodiment, the engagement piece of the lifting device is configured to engage with the engaged portion on the horizontal side of the top frame of the container, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be configured to engage with the engaged portion formed on the vertical side of the top frame of the container. Also, the engaged portion is formed at two points on the side of the top frame of the container, and two engaging pieces are formed for each lifting body to correspond to this, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the engaged portion may be provided at one point on the side of the top frame of the container, or may be provided at three or more points. Also, the entire side of the top frame may be the engaged portion, and one or more engaging pieces may be provided to engage with any point of the engaged portion.

(2) The container assembly device of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned configuration. In the above-mentioned embodiment, the container assembly device is configured to be capable of assembling multiple containers stacked in multiple tiers almost simultaneously, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the container assembly device may be configured to be capable of assembling only one container. In this case, the lifting device is provided with only one engagement piece in the height direction. Also, there may be only one pressing device, which presses the containers in the height direction in sequence.

(3) The container assembly device of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned configuration. In the above-mentioned embodiment, the container assembly device is configured to lift the container by sliding the lifting body on the lifting rail and raising the engagement piece by being pulled by the string-like body, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the string-like body and the lifting rail may be omitted from the container assembly device. In this case, the engagement piece may be driven, for example, by a motor or the like, to move in the height direction. Also, the engagement piece may be driven, for example, by a motor or the like, to move from the retracted position to the engageable position.

(4) The container assembly device of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned form. In the above-mentioned embodiment, the engaging piece is configured as a plate-shaped hook to hook onto the engaged part, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the engaged part may be a hole or a recess, and the engaging piece may be a pin or a protrusion. The engaging piece may also be configured to clamp and grip the top frame.

(5) The container assembly device of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned configuration. In the above-mentioned embodiment, the container assembly device is configured to be automatically driven, but by adding an operating lever and handle, it may be configured to be manually operated by a user.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, but may be implemented in various forms within the scope of the present invention.

10 Container 11 Bottom wall 12 Top frame 13 First side wall 13a Hinge portion 14 Second side wall 15 Fitting portion 17 Engaged portion 100 Container assembling device 101 Device body 102 Frame 103 Arrangement space 105 Lifting rail 107 Support frame 130 Lifting device 131 Lifting body 132 Holding portion 132a Anti-slip portion 133 Guideway 134 Engagement piece 135 Cord-like body 135a Connection portion 138 Winch (traction means)
150 Pressing device 151 Slide body 152 Rotating body 152a Rotating shaft 153 Pressing body 154 Pressing portion 156 First driving device 156a First gear 156b First driving shaft 156c First driving motor 157 Second driving device 157a Second gear 157b Second driving shaft 157c Second driving motor

Claims (7)

A container assembling device for assembling a foldable container that is mutually transformable into a folded form and a box form, comprising:
the container comprises a bottom wall, a top frame having an opening on the inside and placed on the bottom wall in the folded configuration; a pair of first side walls whose upper and lower edges are pivotally connected to horizontal sides of the bottom wall and the top frame, respectively, and having hinge portions that allow the first side walls to bend freely only inward between the upper and lower edges; a pair of second side walls whose upper edges are pivotally connected to vertical sides of the top frame and have free ends at their lower edges, and which are folded so that their inner surfaces face upward through the opening of the top frame in the folded configuration; and engaged portions provided on opposing sides of the top frame, and when the container is transformed from the folded configuration to the box configuration, the first side walls pass through an intermediate configuration in which they extend linearly, and the second side walls are pressed outward and fitted to the first side walls and/or the bottom wall,
The container assembling device includes:
an apparatus body defining an arrangement space therein for arranging the container;
a lifting device that is provided with engaging pieces that engage with the engaged portions of the opposing sides of the top frame for the container in the folded configuration introduced into the arrangement space, and that is configured to lift the top frame upward in a height direction with the engaging pieces and the engaged portions engaged, thereby transforming the container from the folded configuration to the intermediate configuration;
a pressing device that operates to press the pair of second side walls from the inside to the outside of the container in the intermediate state in which the top frame is lifted by the lifting device, so that the second side walls are fitted to the first side wall and/or the bottom wall,
The engaging piece is configured to be displaceable between a retracted position where the engaging piece does not interfere with the container and an engageable position where the engaging piece protrudes from the retracted position and can engage with the engaged portion,
The arrangement space can accommodate a plurality of containers stacked in a plurality of stages,
The lifting device is
a plurality of the engaging pieces for engaging with each of the engaged portions of the plurality of containers stacked in a plurality of stages in a height direction in the arrangement space;
a flexible string-like body that directly or indirectly connects the plurality of engagement pieces in a height direction;
and a pulling means for pulling the string-like body upward in the height direction,
Among the plurality of engagement pieces, adjacent engagement pieces are arranged such that they are spaced apart by a first distance when the string-like body is in a slack state in which it is not pulled, and are spaced apart by a second distance when the string-like body is in a tensioned state in which it is pulled, the second distance being greater than the first distance;
each of the plurality of engaging pieces is disposed, in the slackened state of the string-like body, to face a corresponding one of the engaged portions of the plurality of containers stacked in a plurality of tiers in a folded form, and is displaceable from the retracted position to the engageable position;
a container assembling device, characterized in that the multiple containers are transformed into the intermediate form by pulling the string-like body under tension with the multiple engaging pieces respectively hooked onto the engaged portions of the multiple containers. 2. The container assembling device according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of engaging pieces is arranged in a guide path that slopes obliquely upward toward the opposing engaged portion, and is lifted upward in the height direction by the string-like body while simultaneously sliding obliquely upward from the retracted position to the engageable position. The container assembly device according to claim 2, further comprising a guide piece that guides the string-like body in the slack state so that it hangs down in a direction away from the opposing container. 2. The container assembling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressing devices are arranged in a plurality of stages in the height direction of the arrangement space, and the pressing devices operate independently of each other. The container assembly device according to claim 1, further comprising a cart that can be introduced into the arrangement space and that can stack and load multiple containers in multiple tiers. The engaged portions are provided in pairs at two locations on each of the opposing sides of the top frame,
The lifting device further includes a plurality of lifting bodies each holding two of the engaging pieces at positions corresponding to a pair of the engaged portions and moving up and down in a height direction;
6. The container assembling device according to claim 1, wherein the device body is provided with lifting rails for guiding the lifting and lowering movement of the plurality of lifting bodies in the height direction. The container assembling device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a folding device having a first pressing means for pressing a pair of second side walls of the box-shaped container arranged in the arrangement space from the outside to the inside, and a second pressing means for pressing a hinge portion of the pair of first side walls from the outside to the inside, characterized in that the folding device is controlled so that the second pressing means presses the hinge portion immediately after the first pressing means releases the engagement of the second side walls.

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