System and method for automatically closing boxes with cardboard lids

Abstract

A method for automatically closing an open packaging box with a cardboard lid, said box comprising a polygonal bottom panel defined by three or more bottom panel edges and sidewalls joined over respective crease lines to said bottom panel edges, each sidewall forming a substantially right angle with the bottom panel, said lid comprising a polygonal top panel defined by three or more top panel edges and corresponding to the bottom panel of the box to be closed and flaps joined over respective crease lines to said top panel edges and adapted for being folded onto a corresponding one of said sidewalls, the method comprising a step of folding each flap along the respective crease line partially towards a position, in which the flap forms a substantially right angle with said top panel and placing the lid above said box such that the top panel and the bottom panel are substantially aligned and such that, seen onto each sidewall, each flap overlaps one of the sidewalls, a step of releasing the lid allowing it to be guided by the partially folded flaps into a position on the box, in which the top panel and the bottom panel are aligned, and a step of folding each flap onto the respective sidewall fully into said position, in which the flap forms a substantially right angle with the top panel.