Method and combined machine for cutting and closing boxes with inserted void-filling bags
The invention relates to the making of boxes of a variable volume adapted in each case to the height of the packed products, including cutting the box along its vertical edges and forming fold lines at a suitable height around the sides of the box to define top flaps; and then folding these flaps onto the contents of the prefilled box. At least one inflated or inflatable void-filling bag is inserted into the box, around and/or above the packed products, after the fold lines have been formed, and before the flaps are folded onto the contents of the box. The invention also provides a combined machine that cuts, marks, prepares and inserts void-filling bags, and closes boxes. Applicable to order filling.
1. A method for making a cardboard pack of the box type, of a variable volume adapted in each case to a height of packed products, the method comprising:
cutting the box along its vertical edges, beginning at its top and continuing for part of its height;
forming fold lines at a suitable height around the sides of the box to define top flaps;
folding the flaps onto the contents of the prefilled box; in which
placing at least one inflated or inflatable void-filling bag into the box, around and/or above the packed products, after the fold lines defining the top flaps have been formed, and before the top flaps are folded onto the contents of the box; and
adjusting the degree of inflation of the at least one void-filling bag to the free volume existing around and/or above the packed products, after inserting the at least one void-filling bag into the box but before the box is closed by folding the flaps, the free volume being bounded by the interior dimensions of the box in a closed position,
wherein each of the at least one void-filling bags is first inflated to a predefined maximum degree of inflation independently of the volume to be filled, inserted into the box, pierced once to evacuate the excess air, and finally sealed, so as to adapt to the volume to be filled in each case and definitively enclose the quantity of air held in the bag.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1 , in which, after the box has been filled, the height of the packed products and the unoccupied volume around and above these products are detected automatically, and the result of this detection is used to determine, in a combined manner, the height to which the corners of the box are to be cut, the position of the fold lines on the sides of the box, and the volume or quantity of the at least one inflated or inflatable bag to be inserted in order to prevent the products moving about inside the box.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1 , in which the volume of the at least one void-filling bag deposited in the box is such that the top of the bag coincides approximately with the height marked on the sides for the purpose of their folding, while nonetheless allowing an initially slightly greater height to the top of the at least one bag, so that when the box is closed the bag is slightly compressed and holds the packed products securely in position.