Disposable cup cover forming device

Abstract

The invention discloses a disposable cup cover forming device which comprises a device body. A hot air channel replacement structure is arranged in the workbench; the forming mold is arranged at the top of the device body in a driven lifting mode, a plurality of blister cavities are formed in the bottom face of the forming mold at intervals, a plurality of butt joint grooves are formed in the positions, corresponding to the structural corners of the formed cup cover, of the blister cavities, and a plurality of movable grooves are formed in the inner sides of the butt joint grooves in an extending mode; a heating assembly; the corner floating block is arranged on the outer side of the butt joint groove in an elastic floating mode through a connecting piece, the end of the connecting piece extends into the movable groove, and an inner overflowing cavity is formed between the corner floating block and the butt joint groove. The plastic uptake forming device can solve the problems that when an existing plastic uptake forming device is used, dead corners can be formed at the corners of the inner wall of a mold cavity, air cannot be completely exhausted, and then the plastic uptake forming quality of the position of a disposable cup cover is poor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of vacuum forming equipment technology, specifically a disposable cup lid forming device. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, food packaging, such as cup lids, is mostly for single use, and demand is high due to the rapid development of the catering industry and consumer needs. Mass production of cup lids is mainly accomplished using forming equipment such as vacuum forming. Vacuum forming is a plastic processing technology. Its main principle is to soften a flat, rigid plastic sheet by heating it, then use vacuum suction to force the softened plastic sheet to adhere to the inner wall of a mold cavity, and finally, after cooling, the plastic product is obtained.

[0003] During vacuum forming, the softened plastic sheet gradually deforms towards the inner wall of the mold cavity. When the plastic sheet blocks the corner between the two structures, it creates a dead corner where air cannot be completely expelled, resulting in poor vacuum forming quality in that area. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a disposable cup lid forming device to solve the problem that dead corners are formed at the corners of the mold cavity during the use of existing vacuum forming devices, which prevents air from being completely discharged and thus results in poor vacuum forming quality of disposable cup lids at that location.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: a disposable cup lid forming device, comprising:

[0006] Main body of the device;

[0007] A workbench is located at the bottom of the main body of the device, and a heat exchange air duct structure is provided inside it;

[0008] A molding die is driven to be lifted and positioned on the top of the main body of the device. Several blister cavities are spaced apart on its bottom surface. Several docking grooves are provided at corresponding positions of the structural corners of the blister cavities. Several movable grooves extend from the inner side of the docking grooves. The molding die is provided with a device interface that connects to the suction port at the top of the blister cavity. The device interface is connected to an external vacuum device.

[0009] Heating components are arranged on the opposite surfaces of the worktable and the forming mold;

[0010] A corner floating block is elastically floating on the outside of the docking groove via a connector. Its outer surface matches the shape of the corresponding position of the molded cup lid. The end of the connector extends into the movable groove, and an inner flow cavity is formed between the corner floating block and the docking groove.

[0011] In this process, an external conveying device transports a plastic vacuum belt to the workbench and the forming mold, whereby the forming mold presses onto the plastic vacuum belt to achieve vacuum forming.

[0012] As a further description of the above technical solution:

[0013] The device body is equipped with an upper support on top, and a servo motor is mounted on the upper support. The telescopic drive shaft of the servo motor is connected to the molding mold.

[0014] As a further description of the above technical solution:

[0015] The workbench has an inner partition at the center below the blister cavity and an outer partition on the outside of the blister cavity. The heat exchange duct structure includes a U-shaped inner channel and an L-shaped outer channel formed by the inner and outer partitions. The ends of the U-shaped inner channel are respectively connected to the opposite sides of the adjacent blister cavities. One end of the L-shaped outer channel is connected to one side of the blister cavity, and the other end is connected to an external air supply device. The air supply device is used to supply hot or cold air at the required temperature.

[0016] As a further description of the above technical solution:

[0017] The heating components on the workbench are arranged on the outer partition and / or the inner partition.

[0018] As a further description of the above technical solution:

[0019] The top surface of the molded cup lid is provided with protrusions on both sides, and a notch is formed between the protrusions. The blister cavity is provided with molding grooves and molding blocks that correspond to the protrusions and the notch, respectively.

[0020] As a further description of the above technical solution:

[0021] The ends of the connector are respectively provided with a first ball shaft and a second ball shaft. The first ball shaft is rotatably slidably disposed in the movable groove. An elastic element is disposed between the first ball shaft and the movable groove. The second ball shaft is rotatably disposed in the spherical groove on the inner surface of the corner floating block.

[0022] As a further description of the above technical solution:

[0023] The outer end of the movable groove expands outward to form a first clearance groove, and the outer side of the spherical groove expands outward to form a second clearance groove.

[0024] As a further description of the above technical solution:

[0025] The bottom of the docking groove is provided with an arc-shaped flow guide surface, and its side is provided with a wedge-shaped splicing surface. The inner surface of the corner floating block matches the movable groove.

[0026] As a further description of the above technical solution:

[0027] The corner floating block is also provided with several connecting holes, which connect the blister cavity and the inner flow cavity.

[0028] In summary, due to the adoption of the above technical solution, the present invention has the following beneficial effects compared with the prior art:

[0029] 1. The molding device of this invention is used for continuous thermoforming of multiple disposable cup lids. After the molding mold moves down and, together with the worktable, clamps and positions the thermoforming strip, it achieves stable heating of the strip through two heating methods: a heating component and a heat exchange duct structure. Once softened, a vacuum is formed inside the thermoforming cavity, causing the thermoforming strip to be pressed against the surface of the cavity by atmospheric pressure, thus achieving thermoforming. During this process, the floating corner blocks support the thermoforming strip at the corners of the cavity, allowing air in the recessed areas to be fully extracted through the internal flow cavity, ensuring a vacuum on one side of the cavity and preventing air residue in dead corners, which could lead to poor thermoforming quality and defects in the finished product. This effect is even more significant in the thermoforming of complex cup lid products. This device produces high-quality disposable cup lids, allows for the simultaneous production of multiple products and continuous molding processing, resulting in high processing efficiency.

[0030] 2. The heat exchange duct structure connects adjacent vacuum forming cavities, creating a continuous temperature gradient in each vacuum forming cavity along the airflow direction. This ensures a more continuous and stable heating process for the vacuum forming strip before molding and a more consistent cooling process for the formed cup lid after molding. It also prevents structural damage caused by excessive temperature changes and ensures that the stress after molding is fully released, thus affecting the quality of vacuum forming.

[0031] 3. The corner floating block adopts a design that can swing parallel to the docking groove to adapt to the deformation state of the plastic suction belt during the suction process, and avoid uneven force on the edge of the corner floating block, which would cause excessive working load on the connector and damage to the structure. The ball shaft and clearance groove can improve the flexibility of the structure's sliding and rotation.

[0032] 4. When in use, the plastic strip adheres to the end of the corner floating block, which will create a dead corner for air discharge on the outside of the corner floating block. This defect can be improved by connecting the plastic forming cavity and the inner flow cavity through the through hole set on the corner floating block. Attached Figure Description

[0033] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of the present invention and should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0034] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a disposable cup lid forming device.

[0035] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Enlarged view of point A in the middle.

[0036] Figure 3 This describes the usage state of a corner floating block at a local protrusion in the vacuum forming cavity of a disposable cup lid forming device before and during vacuum forming. Figure 1 .

[0037] Figure 4 This describes the usage state of a corner floating block at a partially protruding area of ​​the vacuum forming cavity in a disposable cup lid forming device after vacuum forming. Figure 2 .

[0038] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the usage status of a corner floating block in a partially recessed area of ​​a disposable cup lid forming device before and during vacuum forming.

[0039] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a cup lid formed by a disposable cup lid forming device.

[0040] Legend:

[0041] 1. Main body of the device; 11. Upper support; 12. Servo motor; 13. Telescopic drive shaft; 2. Worktable; 21. Inner partition; 22. Outer partition; 23. U-shaped inner channel; 24. L-shaped outer channel; 3. Molding mold; 31. Vacuum forming cavity; 32. Docking groove; 33. Movable groove; 34. Equipment docking interface; 35. Molding groove; 36. Molding block; 37. First clearance groove; 38. Arc-shaped guide surface; 39. Wedge-shaped splicing surface; 4. Heating component; 5. Corner floating block; 51. Spherical groove; 52. Second clearance groove; 53. Connecting hole; 6. Connecting piece; 61. First ball shaft; 62. Second ball shaft; 7. Elastic element; 100. Vacuum forming belt; 110. Molded cup lid; 120. Boss; 130. Notch. Detailed Implementation

[0042] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. The components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0043] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the invention.

[0044] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0045] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "upper" and "inner" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship in which the product of the invention is usually placed when in use. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0046] In the description of this invention, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "set," "install," "connect," and "link" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection, an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or a connection within two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0047] Example 1:

[0048] Please see Figure 1-6 The present invention provides a technical solution: a disposable cup lid forming device, comprising:

[0049] Device body 1;

[0050] The workbench 2 is located at the bottom of the main body 1 of the device, and a heat exchange air duct structure is provided inside it;

[0051] The molding mold 3 is driven to lift and is mounted on the top of the main body 1 of the device. The bottom surface of the mold 3 is provided with a number of vacuum forming cavities 31 at intervals. The vacuum forming cavities 31 are provided with a number of docking grooves 32 at the corresponding positions of the structural corners of the molded cup lid 110. The inner side of the docking grooves 32 extends a number of movable grooves 33. The molding mold 3 is provided with a device interface 34 that connects to the suction port at the top of the vacuum forming cavity 31. The device interface 34 connects to an external vacuum device.

[0052] Heating component 4 is arranged on the opposite surfaces of the workbench 2 and the forming mold 3;

[0053] The corner floating block 5 is elastically floating on the outside of the docking groove 32 via the connector 6. Its outer surface matches the shape of the corresponding position of the molded cup lid 110. The end of the connector 6 extends into the movable groove 33. An inner flow cavity is formed between the corner floating block 5 and the docking groove 32.

[0054] The vacuum forming process involves conveying the vacuum forming belt 100 to the workbench 2 and the forming mold 3 via an external conveying device. The forming mold 3 is then pressed onto the vacuum forming belt 100 to achieve vacuum forming.

[0055] This invention relates to a molding apparatus for the continuous thermoforming of multiple disposable cup lids. After the molding die moves downwards and, together with the worktable, clamps and positions the thermoforming strip, it is stably heated through a combination of heating components and a heat exchange duct structure. Once softened, a vacuum is created within the thermoforming cavity, causing the thermoforming strip to be pressed against the surface of the cavity by atmospheric pressure, thus achieving thermoforming. During this process, the floating corner blocks support the thermoforming strip at the corners of the cavity, allowing air in the recessed areas to be fully extracted through the internal flow cavity, ensuring a vacuum on one side of the cavity and preventing air residue in dead corners that could lead to poor thermoforming quality and shape defects in the finished product. This effect is even more pronounced in the thermoforming of complex cup lid products. This apparatus produces high-quality disposable cup lids, allows for the simultaneous production of multiple products and continuous molding processing, resulting in high processing efficiency.

[0056] The device body 1 is provided with an upper support 11 on the top, and a servo motor 12 is provided on the upper support 11. The telescopic drive shaft 13 of the servo motor 12 is connected to the molding mold 3 to improve the stability of the molding mold 3 in opening and closing, so as to make the continuous processing of the plastic suction belt 100 more efficient.

[0057] The workbench 2 has an inner partition 21 at the center below the vacuum forming cavity 31, and an outer partition 22 on the outside of the vacuum forming cavity 31. The top surface of the inner partition 21 is located below the top surface of the outer partition 22. The heat exchange duct structure includes a U-shaped inner channel 23 and an L-shaped outer channel 24 formed by the inner partition 21 and the outer partition 22. The ends of the U-shaped inner channel 23 are respectively connected to the opposite sides of adjacent vacuum forming cavities 31. One end of the L-shaped outer channel 24 is connected to one side of the vacuum forming cavity 31, and the other end is connected to an external air supply device. The air supply device is used to supply hot or cold air at the required temperature. This makes the heat exchange duct structure connect adjacent vacuum forming cavities 31, so that a continuous temperature gradient is formed in each vacuum forming cavity 31 in the airflow direction. This makes the heating of the vacuum forming strip 100 before molding and the cooling of the formed cup lid 110 after molding more continuous and temperature-controlled, avoiding structural damage caused by excessive temperature changes and insufficient stress release after molding, which would affect the quality of vacuum forming.

[0058] The heating components 4 on the workbench 2 are arranged on the outer partition 22 and / or the inner partition 21 to improve the heating efficiency of the plastic suction belt 100 and achieve its full and complete softening.

[0059] The top surface of the molded cup lid 110 is provided with protrusions 120 on both sides, and a notch 130 is formed between the protrusions 120. The vacuum forming cavity 31 is provided with a molding groove 35 and a molding block 36 corresponding to the protrusions 120 and the notch 130, respectively, so as to meet the vacuum forming process of the cup lid with a complex structure.

[0060] The working principle of the disposable cup lid forming device in this embodiment includes: the forming mold 3 moves down and, together with the worktable 2, clamps and positions the plastic strip 100. Then, through two heating methods—heating component 4 and hot air introduced into the heat exchange duct structure—the plastic strip 100 is stably heated. After softening, a vacuum is formed inside the blister cavity 31, causing the plastic strip 100 to be pressed against the surface of the blister cavity 31 by atmospheric pressure, thus achieving vacuum forming. During this process, the floating corner block 5 supports the plastic strip 100 at the corner of the blister cavity 31. This allows air in the recessed area to be fully extracted through the internal flow cavity. When a certain vacuum is reached on the top surface of the plastic strip 100 and inside the vacuum forming cavity 31, atmospheric pressure will press the plastic strip 100, along with the corner floating block 5, inward, causing the corner floating block 5 to be pressed into the docking groove 32 and joined with it, achieving precise and complete vacuum forming. Afterward, the heating component 4 is turned off, and the hot air previously introduced into the heat exchange duct structure is switched to cold air flow, achieving stable and continuous cooling. Then, the forming mold 3 can be lifted, and the plastic strip 100 can be conveyed for the production of the next batch of cup lids. The heat exchange duct structure connects adjacent vacuum forming cavities 31, creating a continuous temperature gradient in each vacuum forming cavity 31 in the airflow direction, making the heating of the plastic strip 100 before forming and the cooling of the formed cup lid 110 after forming more continuous and temperature-controlled.

[0061] Example 2:

[0062] Please see Figure 3-5 Based on the above embodiment one, preferably, the ends of the connector 6 are respectively provided with a first ball shaft 61 and a second ball shaft 62. The first ball shaft 61 is rotatably slidably disposed in the movable groove 33, and an elastic element 7 is disposed between the first ball shaft 61 and the movable groove 33. The second ball shaft 62 is rotatably disposed in the spherical groove 51 on the inner surface of the corner floating block 5. The outer end of the movable groove 33 expands outward with a first clearance groove 37, and the outer side of the spherical groove 51 expands outward with a second clearance groove 52.

[0063] The bottom of the docking groove 32 is provided with an arc-shaped guide surface 38, and its side is provided with a wedge-shaped splicing surface 39. The inner surface of the corner floating block 5 matches the movable groove 33.

[0064] The working principle of the disposable cup lid forming device in this embodiment includes: In this embodiment, the corner floating block 5 is designed to swing parallel to the docking groove 32 to adapt to the deformation state of the blister pack 100 during blister forming, avoiding uneven force on the edges of the corner floating block 5, which would cause excessive workload and structural damage to the connector 6. The ball shaft and clearance groove improve the flexibility of the structure's sliding and rotation. The arc-shaped guide surface 38 improves the efficiency of airflow in the inner flow cavity and air discharge from the blister forming cavity 31. The wedge-shaped splicing surface 39 reduces the difficulty and resistance of splicing the corner floating block 5 with the docking groove 32 during swinging, making the splicing more stable and improving the surface forming quality of the cup lid.

[0065] Example 3:

[0066] Please see Figure 5 Based on the above embodiment 1, preferably, the corner floating block 5 is also provided with a plurality of connecting holes 53, which connect the blister cavity 31 and the inner flow cavity.

[0067] The working principle of a disposable cup lid forming device in this embodiment includes: the corner floating block 5 adopts a V-shaped structure. When in use, the plastic strip 100 is attached to the end of the corner floating block 5, which will cause a dead corner for air discharge on the outside of the corner floating block 5. The connecting hole 53 provided through the corner floating block 5 connects the plastic forming cavity 31 and the inner flow cavity, which can improve this defect.

[0068] In summary, due to the adoption of the above technical solution, the disposable cup lid forming device of this embodiment has the following advantages compared with the prior art:

[0069] 1. The molding device of this invention is used for continuous thermoforming of multiple disposable cup lids. After the molding mold moves down and, together with the worktable, clamps and positions the thermoforming strip, it achieves stable heating of the strip through two heating methods: a heating component and a heat exchange duct structure. Once softened, a vacuum is formed inside the thermoforming cavity, causing the thermoforming strip to be pressed against the surface of the cavity by atmospheric pressure, thus achieving thermoforming. During this process, the floating corner blocks support the thermoforming strip at the corners of the cavity, allowing air in the recessed areas to be fully extracted through the internal flow cavity, ensuring a vacuum on one side of the cavity and preventing air residue in dead corners, which could lead to poor thermoforming quality and defects in the finished product. This effect is even more significant in the thermoforming of complex cup lid products. This device produces high-quality disposable cup lids, allows for the simultaneous production of multiple products and continuous molding processing, resulting in high processing efficiency.

[0070] 2. The heat exchange duct structure connects adjacent vacuum forming cavities, creating a continuous temperature gradient in each vacuum forming cavity along the airflow direction. This ensures a more continuous and stable heating process for the vacuum forming strip before molding and a more consistent cooling process for the formed cup lid after molding. It also prevents structural damage caused by excessive temperature changes and ensures that the stress after molding is fully released, thus affecting the quality of vacuum forming.

[0071] 3. The corner floating block adopts a design that can swing parallel to the docking groove to adapt to the deformation state of the plastic suction belt during the suction process, and avoid uneven force on the edge of the corner floating block, which would cause excessive working load on the connector and damage to the structure. The ball shaft and clearance groove can improve the flexibility of the structure's sliding and rotation.

[0072] 4. When in use, the plastic strip adheres to the end of the corner floating block, which will create a dead corner for air discharge on the outside of the corner floating block. This defect can be improved by connecting the plastic forming cavity and the inner flow cavity through the through hole set on the corner floating block.

[0073] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention, based on the technical solution and inventive concept of the present invention, should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A disposable cup lid forming device, characterized in that, include: Main body of the device; A workbench is located at the bottom of the main body of the device, and a heat exchange air duct structure is provided inside it; A molding die is driven to be lifted and positioned on the top of the main body of the device. Several blister cavities are spaced apart on its bottom surface. Several docking grooves are provided at corresponding positions of the structural corners of the blister cavities. Several movable grooves extend from the inner side of the docking grooves. The molding die is provided with a device interface that connects to the suction port at the top of the blister cavity. The device interface is connected to an external vacuum device. Heating components are arranged on the opposite surfaces of the worktable and the forming mold; A corner floating block is elastically floating on the outside of the docking groove via a connector. Its outer surface matches the shape of the corresponding position of the molded cup lid. The end of the connector extends into the movable groove, and an inner flow cavity is formed between the corner floating block and the docking groove. In this process, an external conveying device transports a plastic vacuum belt to the workbench and the forming mold, whereby the forming mold presses onto the plastic vacuum belt to achieve vacuum forming.

2. The disposable cup lid forming device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The device body is equipped with an upper support on top, and a servo motor is mounted on the upper support. The telescopic drive shaft of the servo motor is connected to the molding mold.

3. The disposable cup lid forming device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The workbench has an inner partition at the center below the blister cavity and an outer partition on the outside of the blister cavity. The heat exchange duct structure includes a U-shaped inner channel and an L-shaped outer channel formed by the inner and outer partitions. The ends of the U-shaped inner channel are respectively connected to the opposite sides of the adjacent blister cavities. One end of the L-shaped outer channel is connected to one side of the blister cavity, and the other end is connected to an external air supply device. The air supply device is used to supply hot or cold air at the required temperature.

4. The disposable cup lid forming device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The heating components on the workbench are arranged on the outer partition and / or the inner partition.

5. The disposable cup lid forming device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top surface of the molded cup lid is provided with protrusions on both sides, and a notch is formed between the protrusions. The blister cavity is provided with molding grooves and molding blocks that correspond to the protrusions and the notch, respectively.

6. The disposable cup lid forming device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ends of the connector are respectively provided with a first ball shaft and a second ball shaft. The first ball shaft is rotatably slidably disposed in the movable groove. An elastic element is disposed between the first ball shaft and the movable groove. The second ball shaft is rotatably disposed in the spherical groove on the inner surface of the corner floating block.

7. The disposable cup lid forming device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The outer end of the movable groove expands outward to form a first clearance groove, and the outer side of the spherical groove expands outward to form a second clearance groove.

8. The disposable cup lid forming device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom of the docking groove is provided with an arc-shaped flow guide surface, and its side is provided with a wedge-shaped splicing surface. The inner surface of the corner floating block matches the movable groove.

9. The disposable cup lid forming device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The corner floating block is also provided with several connecting holes, which connect the blister cavity and the inner flow cavity.

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