METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INSERTING A CASE INTO A CARTON

Abstract

A case inserting apparatus for inserting a square case 1 into a carton 2 with an optical disk D loaded includes a bucket conveyor to introduce and dispose a case 1 opposite the opening portion 2a of the carton 2 at a case insertion station 100, a contact portion 6 to press against the longitudinal end surface 1d of the case 1 to incline the case 1 on a case placement surface at the case insertion station 100, a pusher 3 to press against a lateral end surface 1b of the case 1 to move the case 1 toward the carton 2 so that a first corner C1 of the case 1 which has been most close to the opening portion 2a of the carton 2 can be inserted into the opening portion 2a of the carton 2 and thereafter to insert the entire case 1 into the carton 2, and a contact portion 7 to press against a second corner C2 of the case 1, which is disposed laterally opposite the first corner C1 of the case 1, in a substantially lateral direction with the first corner C1 of the case 1 inserted into the opening portion 2a of the carton 2, thereby inserting the second corner C2 of the case 1 along with the first corner C1 into the opening portion 2a of the carton 2.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method or an apparatus for inserting a case for an optical disk such as CD (i.e. Compact Disk), DVD (i.e. Digital Video Disk) or the like into a carton.

An example of a case for loading an optical disk such as CD, DVD or the like is shown in EP 1138598, 1138599 and 1138600. The case is a box-shaped, openable and closable case and has a body portion onto which an optical disk is loaded and a lid portion that is pivotably coupled to the body portion via a hinge and onto which a description sheet or the like is loaded. Also, in some usages, after an optical disk and a description sheet are loaded onto the case, the case is inserted into a box-shaped carton.

However, since there were no apparatuses that can insert a case into a carton in an automated way, factory workers had to insert a case into a carton manually, which was very laborious.

An object of the present invention is to propose a method and an apparatus for inserting a case with an optical disk such as CD, DVD or the like into a carton smoothly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a method or an apparatus for inserting a case into a carton.

A case inserting method of one aspect of the present invention is a method for inserting a square case with an optical disk into a carton. The method includes the steps comprising:

(i) disposing a carton at a case insertion station, the carton having an opening portion for case insertion at one end thereof;

(ii) disposing a case opposite the opening portion of the carton;

(iii) pressing against a lateral end surface of the case at a position offset from a longitudinal centerline of the case, thereby inclining the case on a case placement surface at the case insertion station to insert a first corner of the case, which approaches most closely the opening portion of the carton, into the opening portion of the carton;

(iv) pressing against a second corner of the case, which is disposed laterally opposite the first corner of the case, in a substantially lateral direction with the first corner of the case inserted into the opening portion of the carton, thereby inserting the second corner of the case along with the first corner into the opening portion of the carton; and

(v) further pressing against the case toward the carton to insert the entire case into the carton.

A case inserting method of another aspect of the present invention includes the steps comprising:

(i) disposing a carton at a case insertion station, the carton having an opening portion for case insertion at one end thereof;

(ii) disposing a case opposite the opening portion of the carton;

(iii) inclining the case on a case placement surface at the case insertion station so that a longitudinal centerline of the case can intersect a longitudinal centerline of the carton;

(iv) pressing against a lateral end surface of the case toward the carton to insert a first corner of the case, which has approached most closely the opening portion of the carton, into the opening portion of the carton;

(v) pressing against a second corner of the case, which is disposed laterally opposite the first corner of the case, in a substantially lateral direction with the first corner of the case inserted into the opening portion of the carton, thereby inserting the second corner of the case along with the first corner into the opening portion of the carton; and

(vi) further pressing against the case toward the carton to insert the entire case into the carton.

A case inserting apparatus of one aspect of the present invention comprising:

(i) a case insertion station at which case insertion into a carton having an opening portion for case insertion is carried out;

(ii) a case introducing device to introduce and dispose a case opposite the opening portion of the carton at the case insertion station;

(iii) a case transferring device to press against a lateral end surface of the case at a position offset from a longitudinal centerline of the case so as to incline the case on a case placement surface at the case insertion station to insert a first corner of the case, which has approached most closely the opening portion of the carton, into the opening portion of the carton, thereafter transferring the case toward the opening portion of the carton to insert the entire case into the carton; and

(iv) a case pressing device to press against a second corner of the case, which is disposed laterally opposite the first corner of the case, in a substantially lateral direction with the first corner of the case inserted into the opening portion of the carton, thereby inserting the second corner of the case along with the first corner into the opening portion of the carton.

A case inserting apparatus of another aspect of the present invention comprising:

(i) a case insertion station at which case insertion into a carton having an opening portion for case insertion is carried out;

(ii) a case introducing device to introduce and dispose a case opposite the opening portion of the carton at the case insertion station;

(iii) a first case pressing device to press against at least a longitudinal end surface of the case so as to incline the case on a case placement surface at the case insertion station;

(iv) a case transferring device to press against a lateral end surface of the case to transfer the case toward the carton, thereby inserting a first corner of the case, which has approached most closely the opening portion of the carton, into the opening portion of the carton, thereafter transferring the case toward the opening portion of the carton to insert the entire case into the carton; and

(v) a second case pressing device to press against a second corner of the case, which is disposed laterally opposite the first corner of the case, in a substantially lateral direction with the first corner of the case inserted into the opening portion of the carton, thereby inserting the second corner of the case along with the first corner into the opening portion of the carton.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference should be made to the embodiments illustrated in greater detail in the accompanying drawings and described below by way of examples of the invention. In the drawings, which are not to scale:

FIGS. 1 to 6 are top plan schematic views illustrating a case insertion method and a case insertion apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, each showing a case insertion process in order;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional schematic view of a bucket conveyor to carry a case and a driven sprocket of the conveyor;

FIG. 8 is a side schematic view of a pusher for inserting a case into a carton and its drive mechanism;

FIG. 9 is a side schematic view of a contact portion for contacting and pressing against a longitudinal end surface of a case and its driving mechanism;

FIG. 10 is a top plan schematic view of a positioning lever for contacting and positioning a longitudinal end surface of a carton when a second corner of a case is pressed and a driving mechanism of the positioning lever;

FIG. 11 is a side schematic view of FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 is a side schematic view illustrating deformation of an opening portion of a carton when a second corner of a case is pressed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 to 6 are top plan schematic views illustrating a case insertion method and a case insertion apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. Each of these drawings shows a case insertion station where a process for inserting a square case into a carton is carried out. The case, which may be formed of materials such as plastics, has an optical disk such as CD, DVD or the like loaded inside. The carton, which may be formed of materials such as board, has an opening portion for case insertion at least at one end thereof. At this case insertion station, schematic compositions of a case, carton, and components of a case inserting apparatus are shown.

As shown in FIG. 1, a case 1 and a carton 2 are disposed opposite each other at a case insertion station 100. The case 1 is an openable and closable, box-shaped case onto which an optical disk D is loaded and has four end surfaces 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d. The carton 2 is a tubular member of a square cross sectional shape with opening portions 2a, 2b at opposite ends thereof and has two end surfaces 2c, 2d extending longitudinally. There are no flaps at the opening portions 2a, 2b of the carton 2. The end surface 1a of the case 1 is disposed opposite the opening portion 2a of the carton 2. The case 1 and carton 2 will be carried through a bucket conveyor from the upper side of the drawings to the lower side.

FIG. 7 shows a longitudinal section of a bucket conveyor to convey the case 1 and its driven sprocket. As shown in FIG. 7, a driven sprocket 10 is rotatably supported around a shaft 12, which is fixed on a vertically extending base 11. A drive sprocket (not shown) is mounted on a drive shaft, which is drivingly coupled to a drive means such as a servo motor. A roller chain as a conveyor chain is wrapped around these sprockets. In FIG. 7, only a link 13 that constitutes a roller chain is shown.

A supporting member 15 is fixed to a link 13 via an attachment link member 14. An L-shaped guide piece 16 is attached to the supporting member 15 to support the case 1 upwardly and sideways. The L-shaped guide piece 16 is formed of an upwardly extending portion 16a disposed beside the end surface id (or 1c) of the case 1 and a bottom portion 16b on which the case 1 is disposed. As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of pairs of guide pieces 16 are provided on the roller chain at a predetermined space so that each pair of oppositely disposed guide pieces 16 is used to guide each case 1 sideways.

In addition, since a bucket conveyor on the side of the carton 2 has a similar structure to that of FIG. 7, detailed explanation is not given here, but in the case of the bucket conveyor for the carton 2 four guide pieces 20 are used to guide each carton 2 sideways.

At an upstream end of conveying direction of the bucket conveyor for the carton, there is provided a magazine (not shown) containing a plurality of flat-folded and stacked cartons 2. There is also provided a carton opening device that picks up each carton 2 one by one from the magazine and opens the carton 2 in a solid figure to form an opening portion 2a for case insertion at one end of the carton 2.

In FIG. 1, a pusher 3 is provided beside the end surface 1b of the case 1 opposite the end surface 1a to push the case 1 toward the carton 2.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic composition of the pusher 3 and its driving mechanism. As shown in FIG. 8, the pusher 3 is comprised of a contact portion 30 adapted to contact the end surface 1b of the case 1, an arm portion 31 extending rearwardly (or to the right of FIG. 8) from the contact portion 30, and a base portion 32 provided at a rear end of the arm portion 31. On the other hand, under the arm portion 31 of the pusher 3, a linear guide 4 is provided to slidably support the pusher 3 in the front and back direction (or to the left and right of FIG. 8). The linear guide 4 is comprised of a rail 40 extending in the front and back direction, and a slider 41 slidably supported via a bearing on the rail 40. The base portion 32 of the pusher 3 is fixed on the slider 41. A downwardly extending plate 42 is fixed to the bottom portion of the slider 41. The plate 42 has an elongated aperture 42a extending vertically. On the other hand, under the linear guide 4, a lever 5 is provided that has bifurcated two arms 51, 52. The lever 5 is rotatably supported around the center of a shaft 50 extending horizontally into the page. A pin 53 is attached at the distal end of the arm 51 extending substantially upwardly. The pin 53 is engaged with the elongated aperture 42a of the plate 42 and adapted to slide vertically in the aperture 42a. A rod end 56a of a connecting rod 56 is rotatably connected to the distal end of the other arm 52. A piston rod 55a of a cylinder 55 is coupled to the other end of the connecting rod 56.

When the piston rod 55a of the cylinder 55 retracts or protrudes, the lever 5 swings around the center of the shaft 50 to move the arm 51 in the front or back direction. Thereby, the pusher 3 is transferred in the front and back direction through the pin 53, plate 42 and the linear guide 4 so that the contact portion 30 will contact the end surface 1b of the case 1. In this case, the point of action F of a press of the contact portion 30 against the case end surface 1b is disposed offset from the longitudinal centerline L₁ of the case 1 (see FIG. 1). In addition, a supporting block 18 is provided to contact the opening portion 2b of the carton 2 to support the carton 2 forwardly (from the left of FIG. 8) at the time of insertion of the case 1 into the carton 2.

In FIG. 1, contact portions 6 and 7 are provided beside the end surface 1d of the case 1 to contact and press against the end surface id. The contact portion 6 is disposed at a position near the end surface 1b of the case 1 to incline the case 1 on the case placement surface at the case insertion station 100 prior to the case transfer by the pusher 3. The contact portion 7 is disposed at a position near the end surface 1a of the case 1 to push a second corner C₂ of the case 1 into the carton 2 after a first corner C₁ of the case 1 has been inserted into the carton 2, as hereinafter described.

FIG. 9 shows a driving mechanism of the contact portion 6. Since the contact portion 7 has a similar mechanism to that of FIG. 9, only the driving mechanism of the contact portion 6 will be explained here.

As shown in FIG. 9, the contact portion 6 is formed of a bearing (and its outer race) that is supported rotatably around an upwardly extending supporting shaft 61. Under the contact portion 6, an L-shaped lever 62 is provided and the lower end of the supporting shaft 61 is coupled to the upper end of the lever 62. The lower end of the supporting shaft 61 may be elastically supported by a spring or the like relative to the lever 62. Thereby, a constant pressure will be applied to the case end surface 1d at the time of contact of the contact portion 6 with the case end surface id. The lever 62 is rotatable around a pin 63 extending into the page. On the other hand, there is provided a bar 64 that extends in the front and back direction (i.e. to the left and right in FIG. 9). The lower portion of the lever 62 is coupled to the bar 64 via a pin 65. One end of the bar 64 is connected to a rod end 66a of a connecting rod 66. The other end of the connecting rod 66 is connected to a piston rod 67a of a cylinder 67.

In this case, when the piston rod 66a of the cylinder 66 protrudes and retracts, the lever 62 swings around the pin 63 via the bar 64. As a result, the contact portion 6 can take a contact position (i.e. a solid line position of FIG. 9) where the contact portion 6 contacts and presses against the case end surface 1d and a receding position (i.e. a dashed line position of FIG. 9) where the contact portion 6 recedes from the case end surface 1d.

Turning back to FIG. 1, there is provided a positioning lever 8 at a position near the opening portion 2a beside the end surface 2c of the carton 2 to contact the end surface 2c to position the carton 2.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show a schematic composition of a driving mechanism of the positioning lever 8. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, under the carton 2, a cylinder 80 is fitted to a base surface 82 via a flange 81. A distal end of a piston rod 80a of the cylinder 80 is coupled to a bar 83 extending in the front and back direction (i.e. to left and right in FIGS. 10 and 11). The lower end portion of the positioning lever 8 is rotatably connected to the bar 83 via a supporting shaft 84. The positioning lever 8 is rotatable around the center of a supporting shaft 85 that extends into the page.

In this case, when the piston rod 80a of the cylinder 80 protrudes and retracts, the positioning lever 8 swings around the supporting shaft 85. As a result, the positioning lever 8 can take a locating position (i.e. a solid line position in FIG. 11) where the positioning lever 8 contacts the end surface 2c of the carton 2 and a receding position (i.e. a dashed line position in FIG. 11) where the positioning lever 8 recedes from and is spaced away from the end surface 2c.

Then, a case inserting method according to the present invention will be described hereinafter.

First, case 1 and carton 2 are introduced to the case insertion station 100 through a bucket conveyor (see FIG. 1). Then, by driving the cylinder 55(FIG. 8), the piston rod 55a retracts. Thereby, the lever 5 rotates counterclockwise around the center of the shaft 50 to move the arm 51 forwardly (to the left in FIG. 8). In this case, since the pin 53 at the distal end of the arm 51 is engaged with the elongated aperture 42a of the plate 42, the pusher 3 moves forwardly through the plate 42 and the linear guide 4 in accordance with the forward movement of the arm 51. Thereby, the contact portion 30 of the pusher 3 presses against the case end surface 1b to transfer the case 1 toward the carton 2.

On the other hand, by driving the cylinder 66 (FIG. 9) along with the cylinder 55, the piston rod 66 are tracts. Then, the lever 62 rotates around the pin 63 via the bar 64 and the contact portion 6 moves from the receding position (or a dashed line position in FIG. 9) spaced apart from the case end surface 1d to the contact position (or a solid line position in FIG. 9) where the contact portion 6 contacts and presses against the case end surface 1d. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 2, the case 1 is tilted on the case placement surface at the case insertion station 100. Then, each of the longitudinal end surfaces 1c, 1d of the case 1 contacts the corresponding upwardly extending plate portion 16a of the guide piece 16 and the end surfaces 1c, 1d are sandwiched by the upwardly extending plate portion 16a.

As shown in FIG. 2, since a press by the pusher 3 is applied to the case end surface 1b with the case 1 inclined, a first corner C₁ of the case 1 is inserted into the opening portion 2a of the carton 2 with the end surface 1c, 1d of the case 1 contacted with the corresponding upwardly extending plate 16a.

Also, when inserting the first corner C₁ of the case 1 into the opening portion 2a of the carton 2, the piston rod 80a is protruded by driving the piston 80 (FIGS. 10, 11). Thereby, the positioning lever 8 rotates around the center of the supporting shaft 85 to move to the locating position (or a solid line position in FIG. 11) to contact the longitudinal end surface 2c of the carton 2. On the other hand, the carton 2 becomes a three-dimensional tubular shape when it has been picked up by a suction pad from the magazine (not shown) where a plurality of flat-folded cartons 2 are stacked. Therefore, when the carton 2 is introduced at the case insertion station 100, the opening portion 2a of the carton 2 is in the shape of a parallelogram as shown in FIG. 12(a) and the lower corner portion of the end surface 2c contacts the flat contact surface 8a of the positioning lever 8. In FIG. 12(a), the end surface of the inclined case 1 is shown in a dashed line.

Then, by actuating the driving mechanism of the contact portion 7 disposed beside the case end surface 1d, the contact portion 7 contacts and presses against the case end surface 1d (see FIG. 3). In addition, as above-mentioned, the driving mechanism of the contact portion 7 has a similar mechanism to that of the contact portion 6. Therefore, the driving mechanism of the contact portion 7 will not be explained here. A press of the contact portion 7 on the case end surface id also gives to the end surface 2c of the carton 2 via the first corner C₁ of the case 1. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 12(b), the carton 2 whose opening portion 2a has been in the shape of parallelogram is gradually raised and approaches a rectangular shape. When the shape of the opening portion 2a of the carton 2 has become a complete rectangle, as shown in FIG. 12(c), the end surface 2c of the carton 2 contacts the contact surface 8a of the positioning lever 8 via a surface contact and the second corner C₂ of the case 1 is inserted into the opening portion 2a of the carton 2 (see FIG. 3).

Then, by transferring the contact portion 6 to the receding position where it is receded from the case end surface 1d (see FIG. 4) and actuating the pusher 3 to move forwardly, the case 1 is gradually inserted into the carton 2 (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

As shown in FIG. 6, after the case 1 has been completely inserted into the carton 2 and the case insertion process has been completed, the positioning lever 8 moves to the receding position.

In such a manner, a case insertion process can be carried out smoothly and automatically.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, since the center of action F of the contact portion 30 of the pusher 3 relative to the case end surface 1b is disposed at a position offset from the longitudinal centerline L₁ of the case 1 (see FIG. 1), only a press of the contact portion 30 inclines the case 1 on the case placement surface. As a result, the contact portion 6 that contacts the case end surface 1d may be omitted.

Conversely, when the line of action of a press from the contact portion 30 of the pusher 3 coincides with the longitudinal centerline L₁ of the case 1, only a press of the contact portion 30 will not incline the case 1 on the case placement surface. In this case, the contact portion 6 is required.

Also, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the contact portion 6 is disposed on the side of the case end surface id, but the contact portion 6 may be disposed on the side of the case end surface 1c. In this case, when the contact portion 6 is disposed on the side of the case end surface 1c and at a position near the case end surface 1a, as with the above-mentioned embodiment, the first corner C₁ of the case 1 is inserted into the opening portion 2a of the carton 2 at the time of a first push by the pusher 3. On the other hand, when the contact portion 6 is disposed on the side of the case end surface 1c and at a position near the case end surface 1b, the second corner C₂ Of the case is inserted into the opening portion 2a of the carton 2 at the time of a first push by the pusher 3. Alternatively, the contact portion 6 may be disposed on opposite sides of the case end surfaces 1c and 1d. In this case, a pair of presses to form a couple may be applied to the case end surfaces 1c, 1d.

Those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains may make modifications and other embodiments employing the principles of this invention without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics particularly upon considering the foregoing teachings. The described embodiments and examples are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Consequently, while the invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments and examples, modifications of structure, sequence, materials and the like would be apparent to those skilled in the art, yet fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A case inserting method for inserting a square case with an optical disk into a carton comprising:

a) disposing a carton at a case insertion station, the carton having an opening portion for case insertion at one end thereof;

b) disposing a case opposite the opening portion of the carton;

c) pressing against a lateral end surface of the case at a position offset from a longitudinal centerline of the case, thereby inclining the case on a case placement surface at the case insertion station to insert a first corner of the case, which approaches most closely the opening portion of the carton, into the opening portion of the carton;

d) pressing against a second corner of the case, which is disposed laterally opposite the first corner of the case, in a substantially lateral direction with the first corner of the case inserted into the opening portion of the carton, thereby inserting the second corner of the case along with the first corner into the opening portion of the carton; and

e) further pressing against the case toward the carton to insert the entire case into the carton.

2. A case inserting method for inserting a square case with an optical disk into a carton comprising:

a) disposing a carton at a case insertion station, the carton having an opening portion for case insertion at one end thereof;

b) disposing a case opposite the opening portion of the carton;

c) inclining the case on a case placement surface at the case insertion station so that a longitudinal centerline of the case can intersect a longitudinal centerline of the carton;

d) pressing against a lateral end surface of the case toward the carton to insert a first corner of the case, which has approached most closely the opening portion of the carton, into the opening portion of the carton;

e) pressing against a second corner of the case, which is disposed laterally opposite the first corner of the case, in a substantially lateral direction with the first corner of the case inserted into the opening portion of the carton, thereby inserting the second corner of the case along with the first corner into the opening portion of the carton; and

f) further pressing against the case toward the carton to insert the entire case into the carton.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein when inclining the case on the case placement surface a press is applied to at least either one of laterally opposed end surfaces in the substantially lateral direction.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein when inclining the case on the case placement surface a pair of presses to form a couple is applied to laterally opposed end surfaces in the substantially lateral direction.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein when pressing against a lateral end surface of the case toward the carton to insert the first corner of the case into the opening portion of the carton the point of action of a press on the lateral end surface coincides with the longitudinal centerline of the case.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein when pressing against a lateral end surface of the case toward the carton to insert the first corner of the case into the opening portion of the carton the point of action of a press on the lateral end surface is offset from the longitudinal centerline of the case.

7. (canceled)

8. A case inserting apparatus for inserting a square case with an optical disk into a carton comprising:

a) a case insertion station at which case insertion into a carton is carried out, the carton having an opening portion for case insertion;

b) a case introducing device to introduce and dispose a case opposite the opening portion of the carton at the case insertion station;

c) a case transferring device to press against a lateral end surface of the case at a position offset from a longitudinal centerline of the case so as to incline the case on a case placement surface at the case insertion station to insert a first corner of the case, which approaches most closely the opening portion of the carton, into the opening portion of the carton, thereafter transferring the case toward the opening portion of the carton to insert the entire case into the carton; and

d) a case pressing device to press against a second corner of the case, which is disposed laterally opposite the first corner of the case, in a substantially lateral direction with the first corner of the case inserted into the opening portion of the carton, thereby inserting the second corner of the case along with the first corner into the opening portion of the carton.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein a carton positioning device is further provided at a position beside a longitudinal end surface of the carton and near the first corner of the case to contact the end surface of the carton and position the carton during a press of the case pressing device is applied to the second corner of the case.

10. A case inserting apparatus for inserting a square case with an optical disk into a carton comprising:

a) a case insertion station at which case insertion into a carton is carried out, the carton having an opening portion for case insertion;

b) a case introducing device to introduce and dispose a case opposite the opening portion of the carton at the case insertion station;

c) a first case pressing device to press against at least a longitudinal end surface of the case so as to incline the case on a case placement surface at the case insertion station;

d) a case transferring device to press against a lateral end surface of the case to transfer the case toward the carton, thereby inserting a first corner of the case, which has approached most closely the opening portion of the carton, into the opening portion of the carton, thereafter transferring the case toward the opening portion of the carton to insert the entire case into the carton; and

e) a second case pressing device to press against a second corner of the case, which is disposed laterally opposite the first corner of the case, in a substantially lateral direction with the first corner of the case inserted into the opening portion of the carton, thereby inserting the second corner of the case along with the first corner into the opening portion of the carton.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first case pressing device is formed of a pair of members disposed on opposite sides of the case and when the first case pressing device inclines the case on the case placement surface a pair of presses to form a couple is applied to laterally opposed end surfaces of the case in the substantially lateral direction.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein when the case transferring device presses against a lateral end surface of the case the point of action of a press on the lateral end surface is offset from the longitudinal centerline of the case.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein when the case transferring device presses against a lateral end surface of the case the point of action of a press on the lateral end surface coincides with the longitudinal centerline of the case.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein a carton positioning device is further provided at a position beside a longitudinal end surface of the carton and near the first corner of the case to contact the end surface of the carton and position the carton when a press of the second case pressing device is applied to the second corner of the case.

15-16. (canceled)

17. The method of claim 2, wherein the case insertion method is carried out relative to the carton that has no flaps at the opening portion for case insertion.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the case insertion method is carried out relative to the carton that has no flaps at the opening portion for case insertion.

19. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein case insertion by the case transferring device is carried out relative to the carton that has no flaps at the opening portion for case insertion.

20. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein a carton opening device is further provided to open and raise the flat-folded carton in a solid figure so as to form the opening portion for case insertion at one end of the carton.

21. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein case insertion by the case transferring device is carried out relative to the carton that has no flaps at the opening portion for case insertion.

22. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein a carton opening device is further provided to open and raise the flat-folded carton in a solid figure so as to form the opening portion for case insertion at one end of the carton.