System and method for automating packaging items varying in size and number for shipment

Abstract

A system for automating packaging items that vary in size and number for shipment, comprising a packaging station for holding a pre-folded cardboard box to receive one or more items to be packaged, said pre-folded cardboard box having a bottom panel, two side panels and a first end panel, the first end panel being joined to each of said side panels, the side panels and the end panel being erected from the bottom panel to form a box having an open top and an open side, the bottom panel having an end portion intended to form a second end panel, each side panel having an end portion intended to form a corner panel, at least one cutting unit for adjustably shortening the end portions of the side panels and the end portion of the bottom panel and at least one folding unit for folding the corner panels and the second end panel to close said open side of the box.

1 . A system for automating packaging items that vary in size and number for shipment, comprising
 a packaging station for holding a pre-folded cardboard box to receive one or more item(s) to be packaged, said pre-folded cardboard box having a bottom panel, two side panels and a first end panel, the first end panel being joined to each of said side panels, the side panels and the end panel being erected from the bottom panel to form a box having an open top and an open side, the bottom panel having an end portion intended to form a second end panel, each side panel having an end portion intended to form a corner panel,   at least one cutting unit for adjustably shortening the end portions of the side panels and the end portion of the bottom panel, and   at least one folding unit for folding the corner panels and the second end panel to close said open side of the box.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one cutting unit is adapted to introduce cuts between the end portions of the side panels intended to form said cornels panels and the end portion of the bottom panel intended to form said second end panel. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a box forming unit for producing pre-folded boxes each having a bottom panel, two side panels and a first end panel, the first end panel being joined to each of said side panels, the side panels and the end panel being erected from the bottom panel to form a box having an open top and an open side from cardboard blanks. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a lid placing unit for placing a lid on top of the fully folded box. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said packaging station is adapted for holding the pre-folded cardboard box such that the bottom panel is slightly inclined downwards from the open end towards the first end panel. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a central control unit calculating a possible arrangement of the item(s) to be packaged that is optimized under predetermined criteria such as volume and/or stability of the finally folded box. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a cutting unit for adjustably shortening the panels defining the height of the box. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one creasing unit for introducing a crease line in the bottom panel to define the second end panel and/or for introducing a crease line in each side panel to define the respective corner panel. 
     
     
         9 . A method for automating packaging items that vary in size and number for shipment, comprising:
 arranging one or more item(s) to be packaged in a pre-folded cardboard box, said pre-folded cardboard box having a bottom panel, two side panels and a first end panel, the first end panel being joined to each of said side panels, the side panels and the end panel being erected from the bottom panel to form a box having an open top and an open side, the bottom panel having an end portion intended to form a second end panel, each side panel having an end portion intended to form a corner panel,   depending on the dimensions of the arrangement of the one or more item(s), shortening as needed the end portions of the side panels and the end portion of the bottom panel, and   folding the second corner panels and the second end panel to close said open side of the box.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising applying glue to the second end panel and/or to the corner panels prior to folding it/them. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising introducing cuts between the end portions of the side panels intended to form said corner panels and the end portion of the bottom panel intended to form said second end panel. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising determining the height and/or the length of an arrangement of items placed on the bottom panel prior to shortening the panels. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising shortening the panels defining the height of the box. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising introducing a crease line in the bottom panel to define the second end panel and/or of introducing a crease line in each side panel to define the respective corner panel. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising placing a plate inside the box at the open side against the item(s) placed within the box.