Locking structure, container utilizing locking structure, and container assembling apparatus

A container comprising:

• a first panel;
• a second panel formed continuously with the first panel and folded against the first panel;
• and
• a third panel arranged along an inner surface of the second panel,
• wherein the container further comprises:
• a first inclined line extending toward a third panel side on the first panel from a branching point on a fold line between the first panel and the second panel, and inclined with respect to the fold line;
• a second inclined line extending toward the third panel side on the second panel from the branching point and inclined with respect to the fold line;
• a cut portion extending between a distal end of the first inclined line and a distal end of the second inclined line;
• a locking receiving portion defined by the first inclined line, the second inclined line, and the cut portion, and extending in an inclined manner between the first panel and the second panel in an assembled state;
• and
• a locking portion formed on the third panel, and locked to a cut portion side of the locking receiving portion by assembling the third panel so that the third panel extends along an inner surface of the second panel.

A container assembling apparatus which assembles a container using a blank for the container which includes:

• a bottom panel;
• a pair of side panels connected to two sides of the bottom panel arranged opposite to each other;
• a pair of end panels connected to two other sides of the bottom panel arranged opposite to each other;
• closure flaps connected to the end panels, and covering a portion of an upper end formed by the side panels and the end panels in an assembled state;
• and
• locking pieces connected to the closure flaps, and locked by being arranged along inner surfaces of the side panels in an assembled state,
• wherein the container assembling apparatus comprises:
• a guide frame positioned on an outer peripheral portion of the bottom panel, and having side panel folding portions configured to fold the side panels against the bottom panel, end panel folding portions configured to fold the end panels against the bottom panel, and locking piece folding portions configured to fold the locking pieces against the closure flap;
• a pushing member arranged in an advanceable and retractable manner over the inside and the outside of the guide frame, and configured to push the blank into the guide frame by pressing the bottom panel thus folding the side panels, the end panels, and the locking pieces by the respective folding portions;
• a positioning member arranged movably on a side panel folding portion side, and performing positioning of the locking pieces on an inner surface side of the side panels by pushing the locking pieces inwardly;
• and
• a swing member arranged movably on an end panel folding portion side, configured to fold the closure flap against the end panels, and rotating the locking pieces to inner surfaces of the side panels thus locking the locking pieces,
• wherein the positioning member is moved by a drive means between a first position and a second position, at the first position, the positioning member being outwardly remote from the side panel, and at the second position, the positioning member approaches so that a tip end of the positioning member is located inwardly with respect to the side panel.