System for packaging items in a custom sized box

A system for packaging items in a custom sized box, the system comprising:

• an operating device comprising a processing unit for controlling the operation of the system;
• a measurement device for measuring the dimensions of items to be packaged and for providing data indicative for the measured dimensions, the measurement device being communicatively connected to the operating device for providing data indicative for the measured dimensions to the operating device;
• a blank forming apparatus for forming a custom sized blank, the blank forming apparatus being communicatively connected to the operating device, the operating device controlling the blank forming apparatus for forming a custom sized blank at least based on the data indicative for the measured dimensions, said blank forming apparatus comprising a score application device for applying score lines as folding lines between the respective panels and a cutting device applying cutouts between the respective panels, the score application device being communicatively connected to the operating device, the operating device controlling the operation of the score application device at least based on the data indicative for the measured dimensions;
• a box folding apparatus for folding a custom sized box from the custom sized blank, the box folding apparatus being communicatively connected to the operating device, the operating device controlling the box folding apparatus for folding the custom sized box from the custom sized blank;
• and
• transport means for transporting the items to be packaged onto the bottom panel of said custom sized box;
• characterized in that
• the box folding apparatus comprises a first support surface for the custom sized blank, the first support surface comprising:
• a rectangular throat frame having a rectangular throat opening, in a horizontal plane parallel to the first support surface, the throat frame being mounted on a horizontal second support surface and including two transverse folding elements positioned at a first distance from each other for transversely folding the custom sized blank, and two longitudinal folding elements positioned at a second distance from each other for longitudinally folding the custom sized blank, the transverse and longitudinal folding elements defining the rectangular throat opening and enclosing the entire circumference of the throat opening, the transverse folding elements each having a transverse folding element top surface positioned at a first height from the second support surface and the longitudinal folding elements each having a longitudinal folding element top surface positioned at a second height from the second support surface;
• the uppermost of the top surfaces forming the first support surface for supporting the custom sized blank;
• the transverse and longitudinal folding elements being positioned stationary in height with respect to the first support surface;
• wherein at least one of said first distance and said second distance is adjustable based on the data indicative for the measured dimensions;
• and in that
• the box folding apparatus further comprises:
• a suction device having suction nozzles, the suction device being communicatively connected to the operating device;
• a displacement device for lowering the suction nozzles from a top position in which top surfaces of the suction nozzles are each coplanar with the first support surface towards a bottom position, and for simultaneously raising the suction nozzles from the bottom position to the top position, respectively;
• the displacement device being communicatively connected to the operating device, the operating device controlling the displacement device for controlling the lowering and raising of the suction nozzles, respectively;
• the operating device controlling the blank forming apparatus for forming a custom sized blank having at least a rectangular bottom panel, rectangular side panels and rectangular end panels joined to the bottom panel, and rectangular corner panels joined to the end panels;
• the operating device controlling the displacement device for positioning the suction nozzles in the top position and for activating the suction nozzles for sucking the bottom panel of the custom sized blank to the suction nozzles;
• and for thereafter lowering the suction nozzles towards the bottom position thereby causing folding of the side and end panels with respect to the bottom panel.