Patent Publication Number: US-9833963-B2

Title: Sheet folding device and carton former

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a National Phase of International Application Number PCT/JP2013/051315 filed Jan. 23, 2013, and claims priority of Japanese Application Number 2012-034562 filed Feb. 20, 2012. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a sheet folding device that folds a transfer sheet such as a corrugated sheet, and a carton former. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     In the related art, PTL 1 discloses a corrugated sheet folding device as a sheet folding device that folds a corrugated sheet. The folding device includes a folding belt and a folding bar. The folding belt folds both end portions of the corrugated sheet in a width direction. The folding bar assists in the folding operation by the folding belt. The folding device can fold a plurality of types of the corrugated sheets that differ in shape, size, and the like, and an additional folding bar is mounted when corrugated sheets of special specifications are folded. In this manner, the folding device can also fold the corrugated sheets of special specifications appropriately. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     
         
         [PTL 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-98543 
       
    
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     However, an additional folding bar has to be mounted in a case where the corrugated sheets of special specifications (for example, specifications where a folding surface that is formed by folding both of the end portions of the corrugated sheet in the width direction is extremely long in the width direction) are folded with the folding device of the related art. Accordingly, an operation for mounting the additional folding bar on the folding device has to be performed, after stopping the operation of the folding device, in the case of a change from another corrugated sheet to the corrugated sheet of special specifications, and this results in an extended operation time caused by the mounting of the additional folding bar. In addition, in a case where a position of the additional folding bar has to be finely adjusted between the mounting of the additional folding bar and a stable folding of the corrugated sheet, the operation of the folding device has to be stopped and the position of the additional folding bar has to be finely adjusted before a re-operation of the folding device so as to check whether the corrugated sheet after the fine adjustment is folded stably or not, and this also results in an extended operation time caused by the adjustment of the position of the additional folding bar. Further, the adjustment of the position of the folding bar has to be performed prior to the initiation of the operation even for the corrugated sheet of normal specifications that do not require the mounting of the additional folding bar. In a case where the corrugated sheet is not folded appropriately, the operation of the folding device has to be stopped and the position of the folding bar has to be adjusted as described above. As such, the operation time is extended for the folding devices of the related art due to the corrugated sheet change, which makes it difficult to improve operation efficiency. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet folding device and a carton former that are capable of improving operation efficiency by shortening an operation time caused by a transfer sheet change. 
     Solution to Problem 
     According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet folding device including a transfer belt that transfers a transfer sheet in a direction of transfer, a forming belt that abuts against a folding surface which is formed by folding both end portions of the transfer sheet in a width direction orthogonal to the direction of transfer and folds both of the end portions of the transfer sheet in the width direction, a folding bar that is disposed in the direction of transfer, abuts against the folding surface at both of the end portions of the folded transfer sheet in the width direction, and guides both of the end portions of the transfer sheet in the width direction, a moving mechanism that moves the folding bar in the width direction and in a vertical direction, and a control unit that controls the moving mechanism to adjust a position of the folding bar. 
     According to this configuration, the moving mechanism is controlled by the control unit, and thus the position of the folding bar can be adjusted automatically. Accordingly, a mounting operation for mounting the folding bar is not required, and an operation time can be shortened. In addition, the operation does not have to be stopped even in a case where the position of the folding bar is finely adjusted. In other words, the position of the folding bar can be finely adjusted while the folding of the transfer sheet is checked, without having to stop the operation of the device, even in a case where the position of the folding bar has to be finely adjusted. As such, the operation time can be shortened. 
     In this case, it is preferable that the moving mechanism have an inlet side support mechanism that supports an inlet side of the folding bar in the direction of transfer, a outlet side support mechanism that supports a outlet side of the folding bar in the direction of transfer, and a central gripping moving mechanism that grips the folding bar between the inlet side support mechanism and the outlet side support mechanism to move the folding bar in the width direction and in the vertical direction. 
     According to this configuration, a center of the folding bar in the direction of transfer is moved in the width direction and in the vertical direction in a state where both end sides of the folding bar in the direction of transfer are supported, and thus the position of the folding bar can be adjusted. The position of the folding bar can be adjusted when the central gripping moving mechanism is disposed at the center of the folding bar in the direction of transfer, and the configuration can be simplified. 
     In this case, it is preferable that the inlet side support mechanism have a plurality of pivoting mechanisms, and support an inlet side end portion of the folding bar to be pivotable by the plurality of pivoting mechanisms. 
     According to this configuration, the inlet side end portion of the folding bar can be pivotable in response to a movement of a central portion of the folding bar by the central gripping moving mechanism. Accordingly, followability can be improved. 
     In this case, it is preferable that the plurality of pivoting mechanisms have a first pivoting mechanism that supports the inlet side end portion of the folding bar to be pivotable in a predetermined plane. 
     According to this configuration, the inlet side end portion of the folding bar can be pivotable in the predetermined plane by the first pivoting mechanism. 
     In this case, it is preferable that the plurality of pivoting mechanisms have a second pivoting mechanism that supports the inlet side end portion of the folding bar to be pivotable in an orthogonal plane which is orthogonal into the predetermined plane. 
     According to this configuration, the inlet side end portion of the folding bar can be pivotable in the orthogonal plane by the second pivoting mechanism. 
     In this case, it is preferable that the inlet side support mechanism have a gripping member that grips the inlet side end portion of the folding bar, the first pivoting mechanism that pivotably supports the gripping member, a pivot shaft where the first pivoting mechanism is disposed, the second pivoting mechanism that pivotably supports the pivot shaft, and a supporting shaft that is mounted on a device frame where the second pivoting mechanism is disposed. 
     According to this configuration, the gripping member that grips the inlet side end portion of the folding bar in the direction of transfer can be allowed to pivot in, for example, the horizontal plane and the vertical plane in response to the movement of the central portion of the folding bar by the central gripping moving mechanism. Accordingly, the inlet side end portion of the folding bar in the direction of transfer can be allowed to appropriately follow the movement of the central portion of the folding bar. 
     In this case, it is preferable that the first pivoting mechanism be a pair of first collars that are mounted on the pivot shaft, and the gripping member be disposed between the pair of first collars, and be axially supported to be pivotable by the pivot shaft in a state where a position of the gripping member is regulated in an axial direction of the pivot shaft by the pair of first collars. 
     According to this configuration, the first pivoting mechanism can be configured by using the pair of first collars, and thus can be simple and inexpensive. 
     In this case, it is preferable that the second pivoting mechanism be a pair of second collars that are mounted on the supporting shaft, and the pivot shaft be disposed between the pair of second collars, and be axially supported to be pivotable by the supporting shaft in a state where a position of the pivot shaft is regulated in the axial direction of the supporting shaft by the pair of second collars. 
     According to this configuration, the second pivoting mechanism can be configured by using the pair of second collars, and thus can be simple and inexpensive. 
     In this case, it is preferable that the central gripping moving mechanism have a plurality of pivoting mechanisms and support a central portion of the folding bar to be pivotable by the plurality of pivoting mechanisms. 
     According to this configuration, the central portion of the folding bar can be pivotable in response to the movement of the central portion of the folding bar by the central gripping moving mechanism. Accordingly, the followability can be improved. 
     In this case, it is preferable that the plurality of pivoting mechanisms have a third pivoting mechanism that supports the central portion of the folding bar to be pivotable in a predetermined plane. 
     According to this configuration, the central portion of the folding bar can be pivotable in the predetermined plane by the third pivoting mechanism. 
     In this case, it is preferable that the plurality of pivoting mechanisms have a fourth pivoting mechanism that supports the central portion of the folding bar to be pivotable in the orthogonal plane which is orthogonal into the predetermined plane. 
     According to this configuration, the central portion of the folding bar can be pivotable in the predetermined plane by the fourth pivoting mechanism. 
     In this case, it is preferable that the central gripping moving mechanism have a gripping portion that is disposed in the folding bar, a connection member that is connected to the gripping portion, a third pivoting mechanism that pivotably supports the connection member, a first pivoting member where the third pivoting mechanism is disposed, a fourth pivoting mechanism that pivotably supports the first pivoting member, a second pivoting member where the fourth pivoting mechanism is disposed, a vertical direction moving mechanism that moves the second pivoting member in the vertical direction, and a width direction moving mechanism that moves the vertical direction moving mechanism in the width direction. 
     According to this configuration, the gripping portion that grips the central portion of the folding bar and the connection member can be allowed to pivot in, for example, the horizontal plane and the vertical plane in response to the movement of the central portion of the folding bar by the vertical direction moving mechanism and the width direction moving mechanism. Accordingly, the central portion of the folding bar can be allowed to appropriately follow the movement by the vertical direction moving mechanism and the width direction moving mechanism. 
     In this case, it is preferable that a plurality of the gripping portions be disposed in the axial direction of the folding bar, and the connection member connect the plurality of gripping portions. 
     According to this configuration, the plurality of gripping portions can grip the folding bar at a plurality of points. Accordingly, the plurality of gripping portions can allow the folding bar to be more smoothly curved, during the movement of the folding bar, than in a case where the folding bar is gripped at a single point, and thus the folding surface of the transfer sheet can be guided appropriately. 
     In this case, it is preferable that the gripping portion have a pair of claw portions that pinch the folding bar from both outer sides in a radial direction, one of the pair of claw portions be disposed on an inner side in the width direction and the other one of the pair of claw portions is disposed on an outer side in the width direction, and a length of the one claw portion on the inner side in the width direction be shorter than a length of the other claw portion on the outer side in the width direction. 
     According to this configuration, the one claw portion on the inner side in the width direction is shorter, and thus the inner side of the folding bar in the width direction, which is likely to be interfered with by the transfer sheet, can be exposed. Accordingly, the transfer sheet is unlikely to interfere with the folding bar, and the folding bar can allow the transfer sheet to abut and be guided appropriately. 
     In this case, it is preferable that the vertical direction moving mechanism have a pair of upper and lower limit switches that are disposed in the vertical direction, and the control unit detect an original point of the folding bar in the vertical direction based on a detection result of each of the limit switches. 
     According to this configuration, the original point of the folding bar in the vertical direction can be detected, and thus a movement control can be performed precisely by performing the movement control in the vertical direction on the folding bar based on the original point. 
     In this case, it is preferable that the vertical direction moving mechanism further have a motor as a driving source that moves the folding bar in the vertical direction, and a rotary encoder that detects an amount of rotation of the motor, and the control unit derive an amount of movement in the vertical direction from the amount of rotation that is detected by the rotary encoder, and acquire a position of the folding bar in the vertical direction. 
     According to this configuration, the amount of movement of the folding bar in the vertical direction can be grasped accurately, and thus the movement control of the folding bar in the vertical direction can be performed with even higher precision. 
     In this case, it is preferable that a pair of the folding bars be disposed, the width direction moving mechanism have three limit switches that are disposed in the width direction, and the control unit detect an original point of each of the pair of folding bars in the width direction based on a detection result of each of the limit switches. 
     According to this configuration, the respective original points of the pair of folding bars in the width direction can be detected, and thus the movement control can be performed precisely by performing the movement control, in the width direction on the folding bars based on the original points. 
     In this case, it is preferable that a pair of the vertical direction moving mechanisms be disposed to correspond to the pair of folding bars, the central gripping moving mechanism further have a pair of connection arms that connect the pair of vertical direction moving mechanisms to the width direction moving mechanism, and a pair of the three limit switches be disposed on both outer sides of the pair of connection arms in the width direction and one of the one limit switches be mounted on an inner side of one of the connection arms. 
     According to this configuration, the original points of the pair of folding bars in the width direction can be detected with the three limit switches, without a pair of limit switches being disposed with respect to the respective folding bars, and thus the configuration can be simplified. 
     In this case, it is preferable that the width direction moving mechanism further have a pair of motors as a driving source that move the pair of folding bars in the width direction, and a pair of rotary encoders that detect amounts of rotation of the respective motors, and the control unit derive an amount of movement in the width direction from the amounts of rotation that are detected by the pair of rotary encoders, and acquire respective positions of the pair of folding bars in the width direction. 
     According to this configuration, the amounts of movement of the pair of folding bars in the width direction can be grasped accurately, and thus the movement control of the pair of folding bars in the width direction can be performed with even higher precision. 
     In this case, it is preferable that the outlet side support mechanism have a gripping claw that grips an outlet side end portion of the folding bar, and the gripping claw expose and grip an upper side of the folding bar in the vertical direction. 
     According to this configuration, the gripping claw can expose the upper side of the outlet side end portion of the folding bar in the vertical direction. Accordingly, the transfer sheet that passes above the folding bar on the outlet side in the direction of transfer is unlikely to interfere with the folding bar, and the folding bar can allow the transfer sheet to abut and be guided appropriately. 
     In this case, it is preferable that the inlet side support mechanism and the outlet side support mechanism support the folding bar to be movable in the axial direction, and the central gripping moving mechanism grip the folding bar by regulating a movement of the folding bar in the axial direction. 
     According to this configuration, the inlet side end portion and the outlet side end portion of the folding bar in the direction of transfer can be moved in the axial direction in response to the movement of the center of the folding bar by the central gripping moving mechanism. Accordingly, the inlet side end portion and the outlet side end portion of the folding bar in the direction of transfer can be allowed to appropriately follow the movement of the center of the folding bar in the axial direction. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a carton former including a paper feed unit that supplies a transfer sheet, a printing unit that performs printing on the transfer sheet, a paper discharge unit that performs ruled line processing and grooving on a front surface of the transfer sheet, the sheet folding device that forms a box by folding both of the end portions of the transfer sheet in the width direction and bonding both of the end portions of the transfer sheet in the width direction, and a counter ejector portion that discharges a predetermined number of the boxes after stacking the boxes while counting the boxes. 
     According to this configuration, the sheet folding device can automatically adjust a position of a folding bar, and thus can shorten an operation time caused by a transfer sheet change, even in a case where the transfer sheets are changed in type. In this manner, a plurality of types of transfer sheets can be folded to form a plurality of types of boxes with high efficiency. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     According to the sheet folding device and the carton former of the present invention, operation efficiency can be improved by shortening the operation time caused by the transfer sheet change. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic configuration diagram of a carton former that includes a folder/gluer unit according to this embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic configuration diagram of the folder/gluer unit according to this embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional diagram of the folder/gluer unit according to this embodiment that is cut in a plane which is orthogonal to a direction of transfer. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic configuration diagram of an inlet side support mechanism. 
         FIG. 5  is a partial cross-sectional diagram of the inlet side support mechanism that is cut in a plane which is orthogonal to an axial direction of a folding bar. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic configuration diagram of an outlet side support mechanism. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic configuration diagram that illustrates a part of a central gripping moving mechanism. 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic configuration diagram that illustrates another part of the central gripping moving mechanism. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective diagram of a corrugated sheet prior to processing. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective diagram of the corrugated sheet after ruled line processing and grooving. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective diagram of the corrugated sheet showing a state where folding is underway. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective diagram of a corrugated cardboard box that is folded and bonded. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, a sheet folding device and a carton former according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiment. Components of the following embodiment include those that can be easily replaced by those skilled in the art or those substantially the same as the components. 
     Embodiment 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic configuration diagram of the carton former that includes a folder/gluer unit according to this embodiment. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a carton former  1  is used to manufacture a corrugated cardboard box (box) B by processing a corrugated sheet (transfer sheet) S. The carton former  1 , where the corrugated sheet S and the corrugated cardboard box B are linearly arranged in a direction D of transfer, is configured to include a paper feed unit  11 , a printing unit  21 , a paper discharge unit  31 , a die cut unit  41 , a defective product removing unit  51 , a folder/gluer unit (sheet folding device)  61 , and a counter ejector portion  71 . 
     The paper feed unit  11  sends out the corrugated sheets S sheet by sheet to feed the corrugated sheets S to the printing unit  21  at a constant speed. The paper feed unit  11  has a table  12 , a front stop  13 , supply rollers  14 , a suction device  15 , and a feed roll  16 . The multiple corrugated sheets S can be stacked and placed on the table  12 , and the table  12  is supported to be capable of being lifted and lowered. The front stop  13  can determine front end positions of the corrugated sheets S that are stacked on the table  12 , and a gap is ensured between a lower end portion thereof and the table  12  such that one of the corrugated sheets S can pass therethrough. The plurality of supply rollers  14  are arranged in the direction D of transfer of the corrugated sheets S to correspond to the table  12 . When the table  12  is lowered, the supply roller  14  can send out the corrugated sheet S that is at the lowest position, among the multiple stacked corrugated sheets S, forward. The suction device  15  suctions the stacked corrugated sheets S downward, that is, to the table  12  and the supply roller  14  sides. The feed roll  16  can supply the corrugated sheet S that is sent out by the supply roller  14  to the printing unit  21 . 
     The printing unit  21  performs multi-color printing (four-color printing in this embodiment) on a front surface of the corrugated sheet S. In the printing unit  21 , four printings units  21 A,  21 B,  21 C, and  21 D are serially arranged in the direction D of transfer to be capable of performing the printing on the front surface of the corrugated sheet S by using four ink colors. The printing units  21 A,  21 B,  21 C, and  21 D have substantially the same configuration, and each of the printing units  21 A,  21 B,  21 C, and  21 D has a printing cylinder  22 , an ink supply roll  23 , an ink chamber  24 , and a receiving roll  25 . The printing cylinder  22  has a printing plate  26  mounted on an outer circumferential portion thereof, and is rotatably disposed. The ink supply roll  23  is arranged to be in contact with the printing plate  26  in pairs in the vicinity of the printing cylinder  22 , and is rotatably disposed. The ink chamber  24  stores ink, and is disposed in the vicinity of the ink supply roll  23 . The receiving roll  25  pinches the corrugated sheet S between the printing cylinder  22  and the receiving roll  25  to transfer the corrugated sheet S while applying a predetermined printing pressure thereto, and is rotatably disposed below the printing cylinder  22  to face the printing cylinder  22 . Each of the printing units  21 A,  21 B,  21 C, and  21 D has a pair of upper and lower feed rolls (not illustrated) disposed in front and behind. 
     The paper discharge unit  31  performs ruled line processing and grooving on the corrugated sheet S. The paper discharge unit  31  has a first ruled line roll  36 , a second ruled line roll  37 , a slitter knife  34 , and a slotter knife  35 . The first ruled line roll  36  is formed to have a circular shape, and a plurality (four in this embodiment) of the first ruled line rolls  36  are arranged at predetermined intervals in a horizontal direction that is orthogonal to the direction D of transfer of the corrugated sheet S. The first ruled line roll  36  can be rotated by a driving device (not illustrated). The second ruled line roll  37  is formed to have a circular shape, and a plurality (four in this embodiment) of the second ruled line rolls  37  are arranged at predetermined intervals in the horizontal direction that is orthogonal to the direction D of transfer of the corrugated sheet S. The second ruled line roll  37  can be rotated by the driving device (not illustrated). In this case, the first ruled line roll  36  performs the ruled line processing on a back surface (lower surface) of the corrugated sheet S, and the second ruled line roll  37  performs the ruled line processing on the back surface (lower surface) of the corrugated sheet S as is the case with the first ruled line roll  36 . Receiving rolls  32  and  33  are disposed to be rotatable in synchronization at upper positions that face the respective ruled line rolls  36  and  37 . 
     The slitter knife  34  and the slotter knife  35  are formed to have a circular shape, and a plurality (five in this embodiment) of the slitter knives  34  and the slotter knives  35  are arranged at predetermined intervals in the horizontal direction that is orthogonal to the direction D of transfer of the corrugated sheet S. The slitter knife  34  and the slotter knife  35  can be rotated by the driving device (not illustrated). The number of the slitter knife  34  is one, and the slitter knife  34  is disposed to correspond to an end portion of the transferred corrugated sheet S in a width direction to be capable of cutting the end portion of the corrugated sheet S in the width direction. The number of the slotter knives  35  is four, and the slotter knives  35  are disposed to correspond to predetermined positions of the transferred corrugated sheet S in the width direction to be capable of performing the grooving on the predetermined positions of the corrugated sheet S. In this case, a receiving roll  38  is disposed to be rotatable in synchronization at a lower position facing the slitter knife  34  and the slotter knives  35 . 
     The die cut unit  41  performs hand hole drilling or punching into a special shape on the corrugated sheet S. The die cut unit  41  has a pair of upper and lower feed pieces  42 , an anvil cylinder  43 , and a knife cylinder  44 . The feed piece  42  pinches the corrugated sheet S from above and below and transfers the corrugated sheet S, and is rotatably disposed. Each of the anvil cylinder  43  and the knife cylinder  44  is formed to have a circular shape, and can be rotated in synchronization by the driving device (not illustrated). In this case, the anvil cylinder  43  has an anvil formed in an outer circumferential portion, and the knife cylinder  44  has a knife and a die formed at predetermined positions in an outer circumferential portion. 
     When the corrugated sheet S is a defective product, the defective product removing unit  51  removes the corrugated sheet S (corrugated cardboard box B), which is supplied from the paper feed unit  11 , subjected to the printing by the printing unit  21 , subjected to the ruled line processing and the grooving by the paper discharge unit  31 , and subjected to the drilling by the die cut unit  41 , from a production line. In addition, a gluing device is disposed between the die cut unit  41  and the defective product removing unit  51 . The gluing device has a glue gun, and can perform gluing on a predetermined position of the corrugated sheet S by discharging a glue at a predetermined timing. 
     The folder/gluer unit  61  folds the corrugated sheet S while moving the corrugated sheet S in the direction D of transfer, and forms the flat corrugated cardboard box B by bonding both of the end portions in the width direction that is orthogonal to the direction D of transfer. An operation of the folder/gluer unit  61  can be controlled by a control device  100  (described in detail later). 
     The counter ejector portion  71  stacks the corrugated cardboard boxes B while counting the corrugated cardboard boxes B, then sorts the corrugated cardboard boxes B in a predetermined batch number, and then discharges the corrugated cardboard boxes B. The counter ejector portion  71  has a hopper device  72 . The hopper device  72  has an elevator  73  that can be lifted and lowered, on which the corrugated cardboard box B is stacked, and a front contact plate and an angle adjusting plate (not illustrated) as shaping means are disposed in the elevator  73 . A discharge conveyor  74  is disposed below the hopper device  72 . 
     Herein, an operation of the carton former  1  for manufacturing the corrugated cardboard box B from the corrugated sheet S will be described with reference to  FIGS. 1, and 9 to 12 .  FIG. 9  is a perspective diagram of the corrugated sheet prior to the processing.  FIG. 10  is a perspective diagram of the corrugated sheet after the ruled line processing and the grooving.  FIG. 11  is a perspective diagram of the corrugated sheet showing a state where folding is underway.  FIG. 12  is a perspective diagram of a corrugated cardboard box that is folded and bonded. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the corrugated sheet S is formed by the carton former  1  with a waveform corrugating medium  303  glued between a front liner  301  and a back liner  302 . Two bend lines  311  and  312  are formed on the corrugated sheet S through a preceding process of the carton former  1 . The bend lines  311  and  312  are to fold a flap when the corrugated cardboard box B, which is manufactured by the carton former  1 , is assembled later. The corrugated sheet S described above is stacked on the table  12  of the paper feed unit  11  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The multiple corrugated sheets S that are stacked on the table  12  of the paper feed unit  11  are positioned by the front stop  13  first, and then the corrugated sheet S that is at the lowest position is sent out by the plurality of supply rollers  14  as the table  12  is lowered. Then, the corrugated sheet S is supplied to the printing unit  21  on a predetermined certain side by a pair of the feed rolls  16 . 
     In each of the printing units  21 A,  21 B,  21 C, and  21 D of the printing unit  21 , the ink from the ink chamber  24  is supplied to a front surface of the ink supply roll  23 . When the printing cylinder  22  and the ink supply roll  23  rotate, the ink on the front surface of the ink supply roll  23  is transferred to the printing plate  26 . Then, when the corrugated sheet S is transferred to between the printing cylinder  22  and the receiving roll  25 , the corrugated sheet S is pinched by the printing plate  26  and the receiving roll  25  and the printing is performed on the front surface as the printing pressure is applied to the corrugated sheet S. The corrugated sheet S, on which the printing is performed, is transferred to the paper discharge unit  31  by the feed roll. 
     When the corrugated sheet S passes through the first ruled line roll  36  first in the paper discharge unit  31 , ruled lines  322 ,  323 ,  324 , and  325  are formed on the back surface side of the corrugated sheet S, that is, on the back liner  302  side as illustrated in  FIG. 10 . In addition, when the corrugated sheet S passes through the second ruled line roll  37 , the ruled lines  322 ,  323 ,  324 , and  325  are formed again on the back surface side of the corrugated sheet S, that is, the back liner  302  side as is the case with the first ruled line roll  36 . Then, when the corrugated sheet S, where the ruled lines  322 ,  323 ,  324 , and  325  are formed, passes through the slitter knife  34 , the end portion of the corrugated sheet S is cut at a cutting position  321 . An end portion position  326  is not cut to remain in the corrugated sheet S. In addition, when the corrugated sheet S passes through the slotter knife  35 , grooves  331 ,  332 , and  333  and a margin piece  334  are formed at the positions of the ruled lines  322 ,  323 ,  324 , and  325 . The corrugated sheet S, where the grooves  331 ,  332 , and  333  and the margin piece  334  are formed at the positions of the ruled lines  322 ,  323 ,  324 , and  325 , is transferred to the die cut unit  41 . 
     In this manner, the corrugated sheet S is configured to have a first panel S1 between the ruled line  324  and the ruled line  325  that has the margin piece  334 , a second panel S2 between the ruled line  323  and the ruled line  324 , a third panel. S3 between the ruled line  322  and the ruled line  323 , and a fourth panel S4 between the ruled line  322  and the cutting position  321 . 
     Hand holes  341  and  342  are formed when the corrugated sheet S passes between the anvil cylinder  43  and the knife cylinder  44  in the die cut unit  41 . The glue is applied to the margin piece  334  of the corrugated sheet S, where the hand holes  341  and  342  are formed, by the link piece  66  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , and then the corrugated sheet S is transferred to the defective product removing unit  51 . 
     In the defective product removing unit  51 , defective product determination is performed on each place of the corrugated sheet S, which is supplied from the paper feed unit  11 , subjected to the printing by the printing unit  21 , subjected to the ruled line processing and the grooving by the paper discharge unit  31 , and subjected to the drilling by the die cut unit  41 . When the corrugated sheet S is a defective product, the corrugated sheet S that is the defective product is removed from the production line. 
     In the folder/gluer unit  61 , the corrugated sheet S is folded downward from the ruled lines  322  and  324  as base points, as illustrated in  FIG. 11 , while being moved in the direction D of transfer. In other words, the first panel S1 and the fourth panel S4 of the corrugated sheet S are folded downward with respect to the second panel S2 and the third panel S3. A folding force becomes strong as the folding is in progress to close to 180 degrees, and the margin piece  334  and the end portion of the corrugated sheet S that is on top of the margin piece  334  are pressed to be in close contact with each other such that both of the end portions of the corrugated sheet S are bonded to result in the corrugated cardboard box B in a folded state as illustrated in  FIG. 12 . In this case, two gaps  351  are formed at the bonding place of the corrugated cardboard box B. Then, the corrugated cardboard box B is transferred to the counter ejector portion  71  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The corrugated cardboard box B that is detected to be a non-defective product by the defective product removing unit  51  is fed to the hopper device  72  in the counter ejector portion  71 . The corrugated cardboard box B that is fed to the hopper device  72  is stacked on the elevator  73  in a state where a tip end portion in the direction D of transfer abuts against the front contact plate and is shaped by the angle adjusting plate. Then, when a predetermined number of the corrugated cardboard boxes B are stacked on the elevator  73 , the elevator  73  is lowered, and the predetermined number of the corrugated cardboard boxes B are discharged in one batch by the discharge conveyor  74  to be fed to a post stroke of the carton former  1 . 
     Next, the folder/gluer unit  61  of the carton former  1  described above will be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 .  FIG. 2  is a schematic configuration diagram of the folder/gluer unit according to this embodiment.  FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional diagram of the folder/gluer unit according to this embodiment that is cut in a plane which is orthogonal to the direction of transfer. The folder/gluer unit  61  according to this embodiment forms the flat corrugated cardboard box B by folding the glued corrugated sheet S. The folder/gluer unit  61  has an upper transfer belt  81 , a lower transfer belt  82 , a pair of folding claws  83 , a pair of forming belts  84 , a pair of folding bars  85 , a moving mechanism  86 , and a plurality of gauge rollers  87 , and the moving mechanism  86  is controlled by the control device (control unit)  100 . 
     The upper transfer belt  81  is disposed on an upper side in a vertical direction, and is disposed over the entire length of the folder/gluer unit  61  in the direction D of transfer in  FIG. 2 , the upper transfer belt  81  is illustrated in a partially omitted state. The upper transfer belt  81  is an endless belt, and is configured to be orbitable with a plurality of pulleys wound therearound. A lower side of the orbiting upper transfer belt  81  moves toward the direction D of transfer, and an upper side of the upper transfer belt  81  moves toward a direction opposite to the direction D of transfer. The upper transfer belt  81  has a pair of adsorption belts  91 , and a pair of ejector chambers  92  that are disposed above the respective adsorption belts  91  as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The ejector chambers  92  adsorb an upper surface of the corrugated sheet S via the respective adsorption belts  91 . In this manner, the corrugated sheet S is transferred in the direction D of transfer by the pair of adsorption belts  91  in a state where the corrugated sheet S is adsorbed by the pair of adsorption belts  91 . 
     The lower transfer belt  82  is disposed on an inlet side of the upper transfer belt  81  in the direction of transfer and is disposed to face the upper transfer belt  81  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . In  FIG. 2 , the lower transfer belt  82  is illustrated in a partially omitted state. The lower transfer belt  82  is an endless belt and is configured to be orbitable with a plurality of pulleys wound therearound as is the case with the upper transfer belt  81 . An upper side of the orbiting lower transfer belt  82  moves toward the direction D of transfer, and a lower side of the lower transfer belt  82  moves toward the direction opposite to the direction D of transfer. Accordingly, on an inlet side of the folder/gluer unit  61  in the direction D of transfer, the corrugated sheet S that is supplied to the folder/gluer unit  61  is transferred from an inlet side of the direction D of transfer toward an outlet side while being pinched between the upper transfer belt  81  and the lower transfer belt  82 . 
     The pair of folding claws  83  are disposed over the direction D of transfer on an outlet side of the lower transfer belt  82  in the direction D of transfer, and are disposed to face the upper transfer belt  81 . The pair of folding claws  83  respectively abut against the ruled line  322  and the ruled line  324  on the lower surface of the corrugated sheet S that is transferred in the direction D of transfer. Accordingly, as for the pair of folding claws  83 , in a case where both of the end portions of the corrugated sheet S in the width direction, that is, the first panel S1 and the fourth panel S4 of the corrugated sheet S are folded downward, the corrugated sheet S is transferred from the inlet side of the direction D of transfer toward the outlet side while being folded with the pair of folding claws  83 , which abut against the ruled line  322  and the ruled line  324 , acting as a guide. 
     The pair of forming belts  84  are disposed over the direction D of transfer on an outlet side of the lower transfer belt  82  in the direction D of transfer, and are disposed to abut against folding surfaces that are formed when both of the end portions of the corrugated sheet S in the width direction are folded, that is, the first panel S1 and the fourth panel S4. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , one of the pair of forming belts  84  abuts against the first panel S1 of the corrugated sheet S, and the other one of the pair of forming belts  84  abuts against the fourth panel S4 of the corrugated sheet S. The respective forming belts  84  are endless belts and are configured to be orbitable with a plurality of pulleys  95  wound therearound as is the case with the upper transfer belt  81  and the lower transfer belt  82 . Herein, each of the pulleys  95  is fixed to a device frame  96   a  of the folder/gluer unit  61  via a support member  97  as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Each of the forming belts  84  is inclined at an inclination angle to fold the first panel S1 and the fourth panel S4 of the corrugated sheet S in the direction D of transfer while the pair of forming belts  84  abut against the first panel S1 and the fourth panel S4 on both sides of the corrugated sheet S in the width direction. A device frame  96   b  is integrally connected to the device frame  96   a , and the device frame  96   b  supports the ejector chambers  92  and the gauge rollers  87  described above. In addition, a device frame  96   c  is integrally connected to the device frame  96   b , and a limit switch  191  (described later) is mounted on the device frame  96   b . The device frame  96   a , the device frame  96   b , and the device frame  96   c  are configured to be movable by a moving mechanism (not illustrated) in the width direction, and are appropriately moved according to the size of the manufactured corrugated cardboard box B. In  FIG. 3 , the device frame  96   b  and the device frame  96   c  are illustrated in one of the device frames  96   a . However, the similar device frame  96   b  and the device frame  96   c  are also disposed in the other device frame  96   a.    
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the plurality of gauge rollers  87  are disposed on the outlet side of the lower transfer belt  82  in the direction D of transfer, and the plurality of gauge rollers  87  are disposed side by side in the direction D of transfer. The plurality of gauge rollers  87  are disposed on both end sides of the folded and transferred corrugated sheet S in the width direction, that is, on both end sides of the second panel S2 and the third panel S3 of the corrugated sheet S in the width direction. Accordingly, the plurality of gauge rollers  87  transfer the corrugated sheet S from the inlet side of the direction D of transfer toward the outlet side while gripping both of the end sides of the folded and transferred corrugated sheet S in the width direction, that is, while gripping a site between the first panel S1 and the second panel S2 and a site between the third panel S3 and the fourth panel S4. 
     The pair of folding bars  85  are disposed on the outlet side of the folder/gluer unit  61  in the direction D of transfer with a part thereof disposed to overlap with the pair of folding claws  83  in the direction D of transfer and the entire part thereof disposed to overlap with the pair of forming belts  84  in the direction D of transfer. The folding bars  85  are round tubes formed of hard plastic. The pair of folding bars  85  are disposed to abut the folding surfaces of the corrugated sheet S, that is, the first panel S1 and the fourth panel S4. In other words, one of the pair of folding bars  85  abuts against the first panel S1 of the corrugated sheet S, and the other one of the pair of folding bars  85  abuts against the fourth panel S4 of the corrugated sheet S. The pair of folding bars  85  abut against the first panel S1 and the fourth panel S4 on both of the sides of the corrugated sheet S in the width direction, and positions of the respective folding bars  85  are curved to fold the first panel S1 and the fourth panel S4 of the corrugated sheet S in the direction D of transfer. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the moving mechanism  86  adjusts the positions of the pair of folding bars  85  by moving the pair of folding bars  85 . The moving mechanism  86  has a pair of inlet side support mechanisms ill, a pair of outlet side support mechanisms  112 , and a pair of central gripping moving mechanisms  113 . Hereinafter, the inlet side support mechanism  111 , the outlet side support mechanism  112 , and the central gripping moving mechanism  113  that correspond to one of the folding bars  85  and are applied thereto will be described. 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic configuration diagram of the inlet side support mechanism, and  FIG. 5  is a partial cross-sectional diagram of the inlet side support mechanism that is cut in a plane which is orthogonal to an axial direction of a folding bar. The inlet side support mechanism  111  supports an inlet side end portion of the folding bar  85  in the direction of transfer. As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the inlet side support mechanism  111  has a gripping member  121 , a pivot shaft  122 , and a supporting shaft  123 . The gripping member  121  and the pivot shaft  122  are pivotably connected via a first pivoting mechanism  124 , and the pivot shaft  122  and the supporting shaft  123  are pivotably connected via a second pivoting mechanism  125 . 
     The gripping member  121  is configured to have a through pipe  121   a  into which the folding bar  85  is inserted, and a base portion  121   b  that is disposed to protrude in a radial direction of the through pipe  121   a . The folding bar  85  is inserted in the axial direction into the through pipe  121   a  in a movable manner. A pivot hole  121   c , into which the pivot shaft  122  is inserted, is formed in a penetrating manner in the base portion  121   b.    
     One side (right side in  FIG. 5 ) of the pivot shaft  122  in the axial direction is inserted into the pivot hole  121   c  of the gripping member  121 , and the other side (left side in  FIG. 5 ) of the pivot shaft  122  in the axial direction is pivotably disposed in the supporting shaft  123 . The first pivoting mechanism  124  is disposed on the one side of the pivot shaft  122  in the axial direction. The first pivoting mechanism  124  is configured to have a pair of first collars  126 . The pair of first collars  126  are mounted on the pivot shaft  122  at a predetermined interval. The gripping member  121  is disposed between the pair of first collars  126 . In this manner, the gripping member  121  is axially supported to be pivotable in a predetermined plane (in a vertical plane) with a movement of the pivot shaft  122  in the axial direction regulated by the pair of first collars  126 . A support hole  122   a , into which the supporting shaft  123  is inserted, is formed in a penetrating manner on the other side of the pivot shaft  122 . 
     One side (lower side in  FIG. 5 ) of the supporting shaft  123  in the axial direction is inserted into the support hole  122   a  of the pivot shaft  122 , and the other side (upper side in  FIG. 5 ) of the supporting shaft  123  in the axial direction is fixed to a device frame (not illustrated). A second pivoting mechanism  125  is disposed on the one side of the supporting shaft  123  in the axial direction. The second pivoting mechanism  125  is configured to have a pair of second collars  127  as is the case with the first pivoting mechanism  124 . The pair of second collars  127  are mounted on the supporting shaft  123  at a predetermined interval. The other side of the pivot shaft  122  is disposed between the pair of second collars  127 . In this manner, the pivot shaft  122  is axially supported to be pivotable in a predetermined plane (in a horizontal plane) with a movement of the supporting shaft  123  in the axial direction regulated by the pair of second collars  127 . 
     In the inlet side support mechanism  111 , a pivoting plane (vertical plane) of the gripping member  121  that is allowed to pivot by the first pivoting mechanism  124  and a pivoting plane (horizontal plane) of the pivot shaft  122  that is allowed to pivot by the second pivoting mechanism  125  are orthogonal to each other. Accordingly, the inlet side end portion of the folding bar  85  that is supported by the inlet side support mechanism  111  is supported to be pivotable on the vertical plane and the horizontal plane. 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic configuration diagram of the outlet side support mechanism. The outlet side support mechanism  112  supports an outlet side end portion of the folding bar  85  in the direction of transfer. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the outlet side support mechanism  112  has a pair of gripping claws  131 . The pair of gripping claws  131  are arranged at a predetermined interval in the axial direction of the folding bar  85 , and hold the folding bar  85 , which is gripped by the pair of gripping claws  131 , in the same direction as the direction D of transfer of the corrugated sheet S. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , each of the gripping claws  131  exposes and grips an upper side of the folding bar  85  in the vertical direction. In other words, an upper portion of through-hole  131   b  of the gripping claw  131 , into which the folding bar  85  is inserted, is open, and the opening width between a pair of claw portions  131   a  in an upper side end portion in the vertical direction is smaller than the diameter of the folding bar  85 . The through-hole  131   b  allows the movement of the folding bar  85  in the axial direction. Accordingly, the gripping claws  131  regulate a deviation of the folding bar  85  in the radial direction and allow the movement of the folding bar  85  in the axial direction. 
       FIG. 7  is a schematic configuration diagram that illustrates a part of the central gripping moving mechanism, and  FIG. 8  is a schematic configuration diagram that illustrates another part of the central gripping moving mechanism. The central gripping moving mechanism  113  grips the folding bar  85  between the inlet side support mechanism  111  and the outlet side support mechanism  112  to move the folding bar  85  in the width direction and the vertical direction. The central gripping moving mechanism  113  has a pair of gripping portions  141 , a connection bar (connection member)  142 , a first pivoting member  143 , a second pivoting member  144 , a vertical direction moving mechanism  145 , and a width direction moving mechanism  146 . 
     The pair of gripping portions  141  are arranged at a predetermined interval in the axial direction of the folding bar  85 . As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , each of the gripping portions  141  has a pair of claw portions  141   a , and grips the folding bar  85  to regulate the movement of the folding bar  85  in the axial direction and the radiation direction by pinching the folding bar  85  with the pair of claw portions  141   a . One of the pair of claw portions  141   a  is disposed on an inner side in the width direction, and the other one of the pair of claw portions  141   a  is disposed on an outer side in the width direction. In this case, a tip end portion of the claw portion  141   a  on the inner side in the width direction in the vertical direction is formed to be shorter than a tip end portion of the claw portion  141   a  on the outer side in the width direction in the vertical direction. In other words, the length of the claw portion  141   a  on the inner side in the width direction in the vertical direction is shorter than that of the tip end portion of the claw portion  141   a  on the outer side in the width direction in the vertical direction. In this manner, the pair of gripping portions  141  can suppress interference with the first panel S1 and the fourth panel S4 of the corrugated sheet S folded diagonally downward from the outer side toward the inner side in the width direction and can allow each of the folding bars  85  to abut against the first panel S1 and the fourth panel S4 of the corrugated sheet S. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the connection bar  142  connects the pair of gripping portions  141 , and is disposed in the axial direction of the folding bar  85 . A protruding portion  142   a , which protrudes to a lower side in the vertical direction, is disposed in the connection bar  142 , and a pivot hole  142   b  is formed to penetrate the protruding portion  142   a  in the horizontal direction. 
     One side (upper side in  FIG. 7 ) of the first pivoting member  143  in a longitudinal direction is pivotably connected to the pivot hole  142   b  of the connection bar  142 , and the other side (lower side in  FIG. 7 ) of the first pivoting member  143  in the longitudinal direction is pivotably connected to the second pivoting member  144 . A pivot hole  143   a  is formed in a penetrating manner on the one side of the first pivoting member  143  in the longitudinal direction. A third pivoting mechanism  151  is configured by connecting the pivot hole  142   b  of the connection bar  142  and the pivot hole  143   a  of the first pivoting member  143  with each other by using a shaft portion  143   b . In addition, the other end side of the first pivoting member  143  in the longitudinal direction is a pivot shaft  143   c  that is inserted into the second pivoting member  144 . 
     The second pivoting member  144  is connected to the vertical direction moving mechanism  145  via a connection plate  153 . An insertion hole  144   a , into which the pivot shaft  143   c  of the first pivoting member  143  is inserted, is formed in the second pivoting member  144 . A fourth pivoting mechanism  152  is configured by inserting the pivot shaft  143   c  of the first pivoting member  143  into the insertion hole  144   a  of the second pivoting member  144 . 
     In the central gripping moving mechanism  113 , a pivoting plane (vertical plane) of the connection bar  142  that is allowed to pivot by the third pivoting mechanism  151  and a pivoting plane (horizontal plane) of the first pivoting member  143  that is allowed to pivot by the fourth pivoting mechanism  152  are orthogonal to each other. Accordingly, the center of the folding bar  85  that is gripped by the central gripping moving mechanism  113  is gripped to be pivotable on the vertical plane and the horizontal plane. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the vertical direction moving mechanism  145  is connected to the width direction moving mechanism  146  via a connection arm  147 . In addition, the vertical direction moving mechanism  145  is configured to be a rack and pinion mechanism as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . In other words, the vertical direction moving mechanism  145  has a rack member  161  and a pinion gear  162 , and moves the folding bar  85  in the vertical direction by moving the rack member  161  in the vertical direction by using the pinion gear  162 . In addition, a linear guide  163  that guides the rack member  161  in the vertical direction is disposed in the vertical direction moving mechanism  145 . The linear guide  163  is disposed at a position facing the pinion gear  162  across the rack member  161 . 
     A longitudinal direction of the rack member  161  is the vertical direction. The second pivoting member  144  is connected to an upper side of the rack member  161  in the vertical direction via the connection plate  153 . In addition, a gear surface  161   a  that is engaged with the pinion gear  162  is formed on one side (right side in  FIG. 7 ) surface of the rack member  161 . A rail  165  of the linear guide  163  is disposed on the other side (left side in  FIG. 7 ) surface of the rack member  161   
     The pinion gear  162  is rotatably fixed to the connection arm  147 , and is connected to a rotating shaft of a motor  167  as a driving source. A rotary encoder  168  is disposed on the rotating shaft of the motor  167 . The motor  167  and the rotary encoder  168  are connected to the control device  100 , and the control device  100  controls the driving of the motor  167  based on the amount of rotation of the pinion gear  162  which is detected by the rotary encoder  168 . 
     The linear guide  163  is fixed to the connection arm  147 , and guides a movement of the rack member  161  in the vertical direction along the rail  165  which is disposed in the rack member  161 . 
     Accordingly, when the pinion gear  162  is rotated by the motor  167  as the driving source, the rack member  161  is moved upward and downward in the vertical direction with respect to the connection arm  147  while being guided by the linear guide  163 . 
     In addition, a pair of upper and lower limit switches  171  are disposed in the connection arm  147 , and a pair of upper and lower strikers  172  are disposed in the rack member  161 . The limit switch  171  has a switch end  171   a  that protrudes toward the rack member  161 . The upper side striker  172  that is in contact with the switch end  171   a  of the upper side limit switch  171  is disposed in an upper end portion of the rack member  161 , and the lower side striker  172  that is in contact with the switch end  171   a  of the lower side limit switch  171  is disposed in a lower end portion of the rack member  161 . The pair of upper and lower limit switches  171  are connected to the control device  100 . The control device  100  detects an original point of the folding bar  85 , which is connected to the rack member  161 , in the vertical direction based on the detection of the pair of limit switches  171 . 
     Accordingly, in the vertical direction moving mechanism  145 , the control device  100  detects the original point of the folding bar  85  in the vertical direction by using the pair of upper and lower limit switches  171  and derives the amount of movement of the folding bar  85  in the vertical direction from the amount of rotation of the rotary encoder  168 , and thus can acquire the position of the folding bar  85  in the vertical direction. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the width direction moving mechanism  146  is connected to a device frame  149 . In addition, the width direction moving mechanism  146  is configured as a mechanism in which a screw shaft  181  is used as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . The width direction moving mechanism  146  is configured to be capable of moving the pair of connection arms  147 , to which the pair of vertical direction moving mechanisms  145  are connected, in the width direction. In other words, the one width direction moving mechanism  146  is disposed with respect to every one of the folding bars  85 . 
     The width direction moving mechanism  146  has a pair of the screw shafts  181 , and a pair of ball screws (not illustrated) that move while rotating on the respective screw shafts  181 . One of the pair of ball screws connects one of the screw shafts  181  and the connection arm  147  on one side with each other. Accordingly, one of the vertical direction moving mechanisms  145  is connected to the one screw shaft  181  via the one ball screw and the one connection arm  147 . The other one of the pair of ball screws connects the other screw shaft  181  and the connection arm  147  on the other side with each other. Accordingly, the other vertical direction moving mechanism  145  is connected to the other screw shaft  181  via the other ball screw and the other connection arm  147 . 
     Specifically, the pair of screw shafts  181  are disposed side by side, in parallel with each other, upward and downward in the vertical direction, and are disposed such that an axial direction thereof extends in the horizontal direction. Of the pair of screw shafts  181 , the upper side screw shaft  181  is the screw shaft  181  that moves the connection arm  147  on the one side (left side in  FIG. 8 ) and the lower side screw shaft  181  is the screw shaft  181  that moves the connection arm  147  on the other side (right side in  FIG. 8 ). 
     Each of the screw shafts  181  are axially supported by the device frame  149  to be rotatable with a stopper  186 , which regulates a deviation of the ball screw, disposed in one end portion thereof and a first connection gear  182 , which rotates the screw shaft  181  disposed in the other end portion thereof. A second connection gear  183  is connected to the first connection gear  182 , and the second connection gear  183  is connected to a rotating shaft of a motor  184 . In addition, a rotary encoder  185  is disposed on a shaft of the first connection gear  182 . The motor  184  and the rotary encoder  185  are connected to the control device  100 , and the control device  100  controls the driving of the motor  184  based on the amount of rotation of the screw shaft  181  which is detected by the rotary encoder  185 . 
     A pair of rails  188 , through which a linear guide  187  travels, are disposed between the pair of upper and lower screw shafts  181  and above the upper side screw shaft  181 . The pair of rails  188  are disposed side by side, in parallel with each other, upward and downward in the vertical direction, and are disposed such that an axial direction thereof extends in the horizontal direction. A pair of the upper and lower linear guides  187 , which guide the connection arm  147  on the one side (left side in  FIG. 8 ), are disposed on the pair of rails  188 , and the pair of upper and lower linear guides  187  are arranged close to one side of the pair of rails  188 . In addition, a pair of the upper and lower linear guides  187 , which guide the connection arm  147  on the other side (right side in  FIG. 8 ) are disposed on the pair of rails  188 , and the pair of upper and lower linear guides  187  are arranged close to the other side of the pair of rails  188 . 
     Accordingly, when each of the screw shafts  181  is rotated by the motor  184  as a driving source, the connection arm  147  that is connected to each of the ball screws mounted on each of the screw shafts  181  is moved in the width direction with respect to the device frame  149  while being guided by the linear guide  187 . 
     In addition, the two limit switches  191  that are arranged side by side in the width direction are disposed in the device frame  96   c  described above, and strikers  192  are disposed in the respective connection arms  147 . The two limit switches  191  are disposed on both outer sides of the pair of connection arms  147 . In addition, a striker  193  is disposed on an inner side of the one connection arm  147  in the width direction, and a limit switch  194  is disposed on an inner side of the other connection arm  147  in the width direction. 
     Each of the limit switches  191  has a switch end  191   a  that protrudes toward the connection arm  147  side. The striker  192  that is in contact with the switch end  191   a  of the upper side limit switch  191  is disposed on an upper side of the connection arm  147 . In addition, the limit switch  194  has a switch end  194   a  that protrudes to an upper side in the vertical direction. The striker  193  that is in contact with the switch end  194   a  of the limit switch  194  on the inner side of the other connection arm  147  is disposed on the inner side of the one connection arm  147 . 
     The pair of strikers  192  that are disposed in the pair of connection arms  147  are respectively arranged between the pair of limit switches  191 . Accordingly, one of the strikers  192  that is disposed in the one connection arm  147  is in contact with the one limit switch  191 , and the other striker  192  that is disposed in the other connection arm  147  is in contact with the other limit switch  191 . In addition, the striker  193  that is disposed on the inner side of the one connection arm  147  in the width direction is in contact with the limit switch  194  that is disposed on the inner side of the other connection arm  147  in the width direction. The pair of limit switches  191  and the limit switch  194  are connected to the control device  100 , and the control device  100  detects the original point of the pair of connection arms  147  in the width direction based on the detection of the pair of limit switches  191  and the limit switch  194 . 
     Accordingly, in the width direction moving mechanism  146 , the control device  100  detects the original point of the pair of folding bars  85  in the width direction by using the pair of limit switches  191  and the limit switch  194  and derives the amount of movement of the respective folding bars  85  in the width direction from the amount of rotation of the respective rotary encoders  185 , and thus can acquire the position of the pair of folding bars  85  in the width direction. The pair of limit switches  191  described above are respectively mounted on the device frame  96   c . The pair of limit switches  191  are moved in response to a movement of the device frame  96   c  in the width direction. 
     Next, the control device  100  will be described. The control device  100  adjusts the position of the pair of folding bars  85  in the vertical direction and the width direction by controlling the pair of vertical direction moving mechanisms  145  and the width direction moving mechanism  146 . Herein, the control device  100  adjusts the position of the folding bar  85  according to the types of the corrugated sheets S. In other words, the first panel and the second panel of the folded corrugated sheet S have different sizes or the margin piece  334  is on the outer side to stick out depending on the types of the corrugated cardboard boxes B. In this case, the pair of folding bars  85  are guided such that both of the end portions of the corrugated sheet S in the width direction perform a predetermined folding operation. 
     Specifically, the control device  100  adjusts the position of the pair of folding bars  85  such that the first panel is folded first and then the fourth panel is folded when the first panel of the corrugated sheet S that is supplied to the folder/gluer unit  61  is longer in the width direction than the second panel (fourth panel) and the margin piece  334  is on the inner side to stick in. In addition, the control device  100  adjusts the position of the pair of folding bars  85  such that the fourth panel is folded first and then the first panel is folded when the first panel of the corrugated sheet S that is supplied to the folder/gluer unit  61  is longer in the width direction than the second panel (fourth panel) and the margin piece  334  is on the outer side to stick out. In addition, the control device  100  adjusts the position of the pair of folding bars  85  such that the first panel is folded first and then the fourth panel is folded when the first panel of the corrugated sheet S that is supplied to the folder/gluer unit  61  is shorter in the width direction than the second panel (fourth panel) and the margin piece  334  is on the inner side to stick in. In addition, the control device  100  adjusts the position of the pair of folding bars  85  such that the fourth panel is folded first and then the first panel is folded when the first panel of the corrugated sheet S that is supplied to the folder/gluer unit  61  is shorter in the width direction than the second panel (fourth panel) and the margin piece  334  is on the outer side to stick out. 
     Accordingly, when the predetermined corrugated sheet S is supplied to the folder/gluer unit  61  that has the above-described configuration, the corrugated sheet S is transferred to the outlet side in the direction D of transfer by the upper transfer belt  81  and the lower transfer belt  82 . When the corrugated sheet S that is transferred to the outlet side in the direction D of transfer passes between the upper transfer belt  81  and the folding claws  83 , the first panel and the fourth panel of the corrugated sheet S are folded from the pair of folding claws  83 , which abut against the ruled line  322  and the ruled line  324 , as the base points. Then, the pair of forming belts  84  and the pair of folding bars  85  abut against the first panel and the fourth panel of the corrugated sheet S, where the first panel and the fourth panel are folded, and the plurality of gauge rollers  87  abut against both of the end sides of the folded corrugated sheet S in the width direction. Then, the corrugated sheet S is transferred to the outlet side in the direction D of transfer by the plurality of forming belts  84  and the plurality of gauge rollers  87  such that both of the end portions of the corrugated sheet S in the width direction are further folded by the pair of folding bars  85  while being guided to perform the predetermined folding operation. Then, the first panel and the fourth panel of the corrugated sheet S are pressed, brought into close contact with each other, and bonded by the upper transfer belt  81  and the pair of forming belts  84 . Then, the bonded corrugated sheet S is transferred to the counter ejector portion  71 . 
     As described above, the position of the folding bar  85  can be automatically adjusted by controlling the moving mechanism  86  with the control device  100  according to the configuration of this embodiment. Accordingly, a mounting operation for mounting the folding bar  85  does not have to be performed, and the operation time can be shortened. In addition, the operation of the carton former  1  does not have to be stopped in adjusting the position of the folding bar  85  even in a case where the position of the folding bar  85  is finely adjusted. In other words, even in a case where the position of the folding bar  85  has to be finely adjusted, the position of the folding bar  85  can be finely adjusted, without stopping the operation of the carton former  1 , while checking the folding of the corrugated sheet S. As such, the operation time can be shortened. 
     In addition, according to the configuration of this embodiment, the position of the folding bar  85  can be adjusted by moving the center of the folding bar  85  in the direction of transfer in the width direction and the vertical direction in a state where both of the end sides of the folding bar  85  in the direction D of transfer are supported. Accordingly, the position of the folding bar  85  can be adjusted when the central gripping moving mechanism  113  is disposed at the center of the folding bar  85  in the direction of transfer. As such, the configuration of the folder/gluer unit  61  can be simplified. 
     In addition, according to the configuration of this embodiment, the folding bar  85  can be allowed to pivot in the horizontal plane and the vertical plane by the inlet side support mechanism  111 . As such, the inlet side support mechanism  111  can allow the inlet side end portion of the folding bar  85  in the direction of transfer to appropriately follow the movement of the center of the folding bar  85  by the central gripping moving mechanism  113 . 
     In addition, according to the configuration of this embodiment, the first pivoting mechanism  124  and the second pivoting mechanism  125  of the inlet side support mechanism  111  can be configured by using the collars  126  and  127 , and thus can be simplified and less expensive. 
     In addition, according to the configuration of this embodiment, the center of the folding bar  85  can be allowed to pivot in the horizontal plane and the vertical plane by the central gripping moving mechanism  113 . Accordingly, the central gripping moving mechanism  113  can allow the center of the folding bar to appropriately follow the movement in the vertical direction and the width direction. 
     In addition, according to the configuration of this embodiment, the pair of gripping portions  141  are disposed in the axial direction of the folding bar  85 , and thus the folding bar  85  can be gripped at two points. Accordingly, the pair of gripping portions  141  can allow the folding bar  85  to be more smoothly curved, during the movement of the folding bar  85 , than in a case where the folding bar  85  is gripped at a single point, and thus the folding surfaces (the first panel S1 and the fourth panel S4) of the corrugated sheet S can be guided appropriately. 
     In addition, according to the configuration of this embodiment, the inner side of the folding bar  85  in the width direction, which is likely to be interfered with by the corrugated sheet S, can be exposed in the gripping portions  141  of the central gripping moving mechanism  113  by shortening the one claw portion  141   a  on the inner side in the width direction. Accordingly, the corrugated sheet S is unlikely to interfere with the folding bar  85 , and the gripping portion  141  can allow the corrugated sheet S to appropriately abut against the folding bar  85 . 
     In addition, according to the configuration of this embodiment, the upper side of the outlet side end portion of the folding bar  85  in the vertical direction can be exposed in the outlet side support mechanism  112  by the gripping claws  131 . Accordingly, the corrugated sheet S that passes above the folding bar  85  on the outlet side in the direction D of transfer is unlikely to interfere with the folding bar  85 , and the folding bar  85  can allow the corrugated sheet S to abut and be guided appropriately. 
     In addition, according to the configuration of this embodiment, the control device  100  can detect the original point of the folding bar  85  in the vertical direction based on a detection result of the pair of upper and lower limit switches  171  which are disposed in the vertical direction. Accordingly, the control device  100  can perform the movement control with high precision by performing the movement control in the vertical direction on the folding bar  85  based on the original point. 
     In addition, according to the configuration of this embodiment, the control device  100  can accurately grasp the amount of movement of the folding bar  85  in the vertical direction based on a detection result of the rotary encoder  168  which detects the amount of rotation of the motor  167 . Accordingly, the control device  100  can perform the movement control in the vertical direction on the folding bar  85  with even higher precision. 
     In addition, according to the configuration of this embodiment, the control device  100  can detect the original point of the pair of folding bars  85  in the width direction based on a detection result of the pair of limit switches  191  and the limit switch  194  which are disposed in the width direction. Accordingly, the control device  100  can perform the movement control with high precision by performing the movement control in the width direction on the folding bar  85  based on the original point. In addition, the original point of the pair of the folding bar  85  in the width direction can be detected by the three limit switches  191  and the limit switch  194 , without the pair of limit switches  191  being disposed with respect to each of the folding bars  85 , and thus the configuration can be simplified. 
     In addition, according to the configuration of this embodiment, the control device  100  can accurately grasp the amount of movement of the pair of folding bars  85  in the width direction based on a detection result of the pair of rotary encoders  185  which detect the amount of rotation of a pair of the motors  184 . Accordingly, the control device  100  can perform the movement control in the width direction on the pair of folding bars  85  with even higher precision. 
     In addition, according to the configuration of this embodiment, the inlet side support mechanism  111  and the outlet side support mechanism  112  support the folding bar  85  to be movable in the axial direction and the central gripping moving mechanism  113  can grip the folding bar  85  by regulating the movement of the folding bar  85  in the axial direction. Accordingly, the inlet side end portion and the outlet side end portion of the folding bar  85  in the direction D of transfer can be moved in the axial direction in response to the movement of the center of the folding bar  85  by the central gripping moving mechanism  113 . In this manner, the inlet side end portion and the outlet side end portion of the folding bar  85  in the direction D of transfer can be allowed to appropriately follow the movement of the center of the folding bar  85  in the axial direction. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
     
         
           1  Carton former 
           11  Paper feed unit 
           21  Printing unit 
           31  Paper discharge unit 
           41  Die cut unit 
           51  Defective product removing unit 
           61  Folder/gluer unit 
           71  Counter ejector portion 
           81  Upper transfer belt 
           82  Lower transfer belt 
           83  Folding claw 
           84  Forming belt 
           85  Folding bar 
           86  Moving mechanism 
           87  Gauge roller 
           91  Adsorption belt 
           92  Ejector chamber 
           96   a  Device frame 
           100  Control device 
           111  Inlet side support mechanism 
           112  Outlet side support mechanism 
           113  Central gripping moving mechanism 
           121  Gripping member 
           122  Pivot shaft 
           123  Supporting shaft 
           124  First pivoting mechanism 
           125  Second pivoting mechanism 
           126  First collar 
           127  Second collar 
           131  Gripping claw 
           141  Gripping portion 
           142  Connection bar 
           143  First pivoting member 
           144  Second pivoting member 
           145  Vertical direction moving mechanism 
           146  Width direction moving mechanism 
           147  Connection arm 
           149  Device frame 
           151  Third pivoting mechanism 
           152  Fourth pivoting mechanism 
           153  Connection plate 
           161  Rack member 
           162  Pinion gear 
           163  Linear guide 
           165  Rail 
           167  Motor 
           168  Rotary encoder 
           171  Limit switch 
           172  Striker 
           181  Screw shaft 
           182  First connection gear 
           183  Second connection gear 
           184  Motor 
           185  Rotary encoder 
           186  Stopper 
           187  Linear guide 
           188  Rail 
           191  Limit switch 
           192  Striker 
           193  Striker 
           194  Limit switch 
           301  Front liner 
           302  Back liner 
           303  Corrugating medium 
           334  Margin piece 
         S Corrugated sheet