Method and system for creating custom-sized packaging boxes and for automatically packaging items

Abstract

Method and system for making custom-sized open packaging boxes from cardboard having a width Wcorresponding separate closing lids from cardboard having a width W, the cardboard being continuously supplied to a system comprising structure for cutting, creasing and folding the cardboard to form custom-sized boxes and corresponding lids such that each box comprises a rectangular bottom panel having four edges, a first and a second rectangular end panel joined via respective crease lines to opposite edges of said bottom panel, a first and a second rectangular side panel joined via respective crease lines to opposite edges of said bottom panel, two first and two second rectangular corner panels, the first corner panels joined via respective crease lines to opposite edges of the first end panel, and the second corner panels joined via respective crease lines to opposite edges of the second end panel, each lid comprises a rectangular top panel having four edges, a first and a second rectangular end panel joined via respective crease lines to opposite edges of said top panel, a first and a second rectangular side panel joined via respective crease lines to opposite edges of said top panel, optionally two first and two second rectangular corner panels, the first corner panels joined via respective crease lines to opposite edges of the first end panel and the second corner panels joined via respective crease lines to opposite edges of the second end panel, said method comprising: a step of obtaining information on the desired minimum inner dimensions length L, height Hand width Wof a box to be created, a calculating step of calculating the dimensions of the panels of a box and of the panels of a lid on the basis of the desired minimum dimensions taking into account predetermined optimization criteria, and a step of creating the box and the lid, wherein said calculating step comprises allowing the inner height of the side panels of the box to be smaller than the desired inner height of the box if (W+2 T+2H)>(W−M), wherein MB denotes an optional minimum margin that is cut off at the sides of the cardboard supplied and wherein Tdenotes a material dependent correction factor generally corresponding to the thickness of the cardboard used for the box, and/or if 2H>Land choosing the inner height of the side panels of the lid template so that the inner height of the side panels of the box plus the inner height of the side panels of the lid equals at least the desired height.