A novel automatic printing, packaging, and marking device for beverage cups

Abstract

This utility model relates to the field of beverage cup processing technology, and provides a novel automatic printing, packaging, and marking device for beverage cups. It includes a controller, a cup feeding mechanism, a cup conveying mechanism, a cup printing machine, a printed cup conveying mechanism, and an automatic printing, packaging, and marking device. The cup printing machine also includes a cup detection and pre-processing mechanism, which comprises an infrared detection mechanism and a pre-processing mechanism. The infrared detection mechanism includes a first support frame, an encoder, a servo motor, a rotating base, a supplementary light source, and an infrared ranging sensor. The pre-processing mechanism includes a second support frame, a high-voltage generator, a time-domain reflectometer, a positive electrode plate, and a negative electrode plate. The controller connects to and controls the high-voltage generator to perform oxidation polarization pre-processing on the cups via the positive and negative electrode plates. This utility model solves the problems of existing beverage cups requiring multiple reverse handling processes, quality inspection, and low production efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of beverage cup processing technology, and in particular to a novel automatic printing, packaging and marking device for beverage cups. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, beverage cups, such as plastic cups and disposable cups, are mainly produced through mold forming. After molding, the cups need to be inspected for quality aspects such as uniform thickness and leaks. Then, the cups are printed according to different user design requests. After printing, the plastic cups need to be bagged, cut, packaged, and labeled. These multiple processes are all performed separately. This requires handling the plastic cups repeatedly, which is not only time-consuming and inefficient but also increases the labor intensity of workers and production costs. Therefore, we propose an automated beverage cup printing, packaging, and labeling device to solve these problems. Utility Model Content

[0003] Therefore, in view of the above problems, this utility model proposes a new type of automatic printing, packaging and marking device for beverage cups. It is easy to use and can complete the quality inspection, printing, packaging and marking of beverage cups in one process on a production line, thereby reducing production costs and improving production efficiency.

[0004] To solve this technical problem, the present invention adopts the following solution: A novel automatic printing, packaging, and marking device for beverage cups, comprising a controller, a cup feeding mechanism, a cup conveying mechanism, a cup printing machine, a printing cup conveying mechanism, and an automatic packaging and marking device for printing cups. The cup feeding mechanism, cup conveying mechanism, cup printing machine, printing cup conveying mechanism, and automatic packaging and marking device for printing cups are all connected to and controlled by the controller. The cup printing machine includes a machine body, a rotary printing mechanism mounted on the machine body, and a cup carrying device that cooperates with the rotary printing mechanism. The cup carrying device includes a gas distribution plate, an indexer, a plate cylinder support plate, a plate cylinder, and a positive / negative pressure switching device. The gas distribution plate is fixedly mounted on the output shaft housing of the indexer, and the end face of the gas distribution plate is provided with... The plate holder is equipped with air grooves and air holes. The outer periphery of the air distribution plate has a first air passage and a second air passage communicating with the air grooves and air holes. The first and second air passages are respectively connected to a negative pressure source and a positive pressure source. The plate cylinder is fixedly inserted onto the outer periphery of the plate cylinder support plate. The top of the plate cylinder has a first air passage channel facing inwards. The end face of the plate cylinder support plate has a third air passage hole communicating with the first air passage channel. The plate cylinder support plate is driven to rotate circumferentially by an indexing device so that the third air passage hole is sequentially aligned with the air groove, the positive / negative pressure switching device, and the air hole. The air groove creates a negative pressure at the top of the plate cylinder to hold the cup; the positive / negative pressure switching device allows the plate cylinder to move and release the cup; and the air hole blows the cup away from the plate cylinder. The feeding mechanism transports the thermoformed cups from the cup forming machine to the inlet of the cup conveying mechanism. The cup conveying mechanism then transports the cups to the cup printing machine for inspection and printing. After printing, the printed cups are conveyed by the printing cup conveying mechanism to the automatic packaging and marking device for packaging and marking. Each plate cylinder on the plate cylinder support plate has a ceramic coating on its surface. The cup printing machine also includes a cup detection and pre-processing mechanism, which comprises an infrared detection mechanism and a pre-processing mechanism. The infrared detection mechanism includes a first support frame, an encoder, a servo motor, a rotary seat, a supplementary light source, and an infrared ranging sensor. The first support frame is mounted on the indexing device of the cup carrying device. The servo motor is mounted on the first support frame, and its output is connected to and drives the rotating base to rotate. The supplementary light source is mounted on the rotating base and illuminates the cup held at the top of the printing cylinder. The infrared ranging sensor is mounted on the rotating base and located on one side of the printing cylinder to detect the side wall of the cup held at the top of the printing cylinder and sends the detection information to the controller. The encoder is mounted on the first support frame and connected to the input of the controller. The servo motor is connected to and controlled by the controller. The preprocessing mechanism includes a second support frame, a high-voltage generator, a time-domain reflectometer, a positive electrode plate, and a negative electrode plate. The second support frame is mounted on the indexer of the cup-carrying device and is located in front of the rotating wheel printing mechanism of the cup-carrying device.The high-voltage generator and time-domain reflectometer are both mounted on the second support frame. The discharge terminal of the high-voltage generator is electrically connected to the positive and negative plates via wires. The positive and negative plates are spaced apart and symmetrically arranged on the second support frame. The time-domain reflectometer is connected to the input terminal of the controller. The positive and negative plates are located on both sides of the cup held at the top of the plate cylinder by the rotating plate cylinder support plate. The controller is connected to and controls the high-voltage generator to perform oxidative polarization pretreatment on the cup via the positive and negative plates.

[0005] Furthermore, the supplementary light source is a 30-degree ring light source, and the illumination direction of the supplementary light source is from the bottom of the cup to the mouth of the cup.

[0006] Furthermore, the infrared ranging sensor has a wavelength of 1350nm-1550nm.

[0007] Furthermore, the infrared detection mechanism also includes a second infrared ranging sensor, which is arranged side by side with the infrared ranging sensor on the rotating base. The second infrared ranging sensor is located on one side of the plate cylinder, detecting the side wall of the cup held at the top of the plate cylinder and sending the detection information to the controller.

[0008] Furthermore, the infrared ranging sensor has a wavelength of 1500nm-1550nm, and the second infrared ranging sensor has a wavelength of 1350nm-1450nm.

[0009] Furthermore, the infrared detection mechanism also includes a harmonic reducer, and the output end of the servo motor is connected to the harmonic reducer to drive the rotating base to rotate.

[0010] By adopting the aforementioned technical solution, the beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: By designing the production, molding, quality inspection, printing, packaging, and marking of beverage cups into a single production line, the production and automatic printing and packaging of beverage cups can be completed in one process, reducing production costs and improving production efficiency. Furthermore, the infrared detection mechanism uses a supplementary light source to remove shadows from the printing plate, preventing interference from the shadows on the infrared ranging sensor. A ceramic coating is applied to the surface of the printing plate to prevent reflection interference from the infrared ranging sensor. An encoder detects the position of the cups conveyed on the printing plate and sends the information to the controller, which then uses a servo motor to rotate the rotating seat, causing the infrared ranging sensor to scan the cups around, effectively detecting whether the cup's thickness is uniform and whether the cup is... The system performs rapid quality checks for leaks. A pre-treatment mechanism checks the cups on the printing plate cylinder for leaks a second time. When a cup is found to be leaking, a time-domain reflectometer detects the field change caused by the hole and feeds it back to the controller, achieving double quality checks on the cup. Simultaneously, a high-voltage generator delivers high-voltage electricity between the positive and negative plates, causing the cup to pass between them. The high voltage ionizes the air between the positive and negative plates, generating an electron flow that forms oxide polarization groups on the cup surface. This polarization of the cup surface allows the printing roller mechanism of the cup printing machine to quickly absorb the printing ink, resulting in clearer, more uniform, and better printing effects. By setting a 30-degree ring light source to illuminate the cup from the bottom to the rim, the shadows cast by the printing plate are better eliminated. A second infrared ranging sensor enables dual detection during cup inspection. The use of two different wavelengths—1500nm-1550nm for the first infrared sensor and 1350nm-1450nm for the second—makes the cup quality inspection results more accurate. The first infrared sensor, easily absorbed by the plastic cup, has weak penetration and can detect scratches or stains on the surface. The second infrared sensor, less easily absorbed by the plastic cup, has strong penetration and can more accurately detect the uniformity of the plastic cup's thickness. A servo motor output connected to a harmonic reducer drives the rotating base, ensuring more precise positioning with each rotation. This facilitates the infrared ranging sensor's inspection of the cup wall and allows for widespread application. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 This is a structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0012] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the cup body supporting device and the cup detection and pretreatment mechanism in the embodiments of this utility model;

[0013] Figure 3This is a schematic diagram of another angle of the cup-bearing device and the cup detection and pretreatment mechanism in this embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0014] The present invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. The controller, cup feeding mechanism, cup conveying mechanism, cup printing machine, printed cup conveying mechanism, and automatic packaging and marking device for printed cups are all existing components. For example, the controller is an existing PLC controller or CNC controller, and the rotary printing mechanism and cup carrying device of the cup printing machine are existing structures, which have been disclosed in Chinese patent documents: CN201720724667.5 A fully automatic curved surface cup printing machine and CN202423063220.7 A cup carrying device for a cup printing machine. The automatic packaging and marking device for printed cups has been disclosed in detail in Chinese patent document: CN202421041872.8 An automatic packaging and marking device for printed cups. Therefore, it will not be described in detail in the following embodiments. The following embodiments only describe the new design parts in detail.

[0015] refer to Figures 1-3The preferred embodiment of this utility model of an automatic beverage cup printing, packaging, and marking device includes a controller, a cup feeding mechanism 1, a cup conveying mechanism 2, a cup printing machine 3, a printing cup conveying mechanism 4, and an automatic printing cup packaging and marking device 5. The controller is a PLC controller. The cup feeding mechanism 1, the cup conveying mechanism 2, the cup printing machine 3, the printing cup conveying mechanism 4, and the automatic printing cup packaging and marking device 5 are all connected to and controlled by the controller. The cup printing machine 3 includes a machine body 31, a rotary printing mechanism 32 mounted on the machine body 31, a cup carrying device 33 cooperating with the rotary printing mechanism 32, and a cup detection and pre-processing mechanism. The cup carrying device 33 includes a gas distribution plate, a separator 331, a plate cylinder support plate 332, a plate cylinder 333, and positive and negative... The pressure switching device includes an air distribution plate fixedly mounted on the output shaft housing of the indexer 331. The end face of the air distribution plate has air grooves and air holes. The outer periphery of the air distribution plate has a first air passage and a second air passage communicating with the air grooves and air holes. The first and second air passages are respectively connected to a negative pressure source and a positive pressure source. The plate cylinder 333 is fixedly inserted onto the outer periphery of the plate cylinder support plate 332. The top of the plate cylinder 333 is a mold adapted to a cup. The top of the plate cylinder 333 has a first air passage channel extending inwards. The end face of the plate cylinder support plate 332 has a third air passage hole communicating with the first air passage channel. The plate cylinder support plate 332 is driven to rotate circumferentially by the indexer 331 so that the third air passage hole sequentially aligns with the air groove. The positive and negative pressure switching devices are opposite each other, and the air holes are opposite each other. A negative pressure is formed at the top of the plate cylinder 333 through the air groove to hold the cup. The positive and negative pressure switching devices allow the plate cylinder 333 to move and suck up and release the cup. The air holes blow the cup away from the plate cylinder 333. The machine body 31 is provided with a defective product discharge port 311. The inlet of the discharge port 311 faces the top of the plate cylinder 333 of the cup-bearing device 33 to receive the defective products blown out by the plate cylinder 333. A defective product collection box 34 is provided at the outlet of the discharge port 311. The cup feeding mechanism 1 is a mobile gripping robot. The cup feeding mechanism 1 transports the cups thermoformed by the cup forming machine 6 to the inlet end of the cup conveying mechanism 2. The cup conveying mechanism 2 includes a stepped feeding cart 21, a first conveyor belt 22, and... The second conveyor belt 23 carries the cups from the first conveyor belt 22, which are fed by the cup feeding mechanism 1 to the feeding trough of the stepped feeding cart 21. The stepped feeding cart 21 conveys the cups upwards from the feeding trough and pushes them one by one to the second conveyor belt 23 with the cup openings facing the outlet via a top pushing mechanism. The second conveyor belt 23 then conveys the cups to the cup carrying device 33 of the cup printing machine 3, where the printing plate cylinder 333 picks up each cup one by one. The cup carrying device 33 rotates and picks up the cups to the cup detection and pre-processing mechanism for detection and pre-processing. The rotary printing mechanism 32 then prints the pre-processed cups. After printing, the printed cups are sent to the automatic packaging and marking device 5 of the printed cups via the printed cup conveying mechanism 4 for packaging and marking.The surface of each plate cylinder 333 on the plate cylinder support plate 332 is coated with a ceramic coating. The cup detection and pre-processing mechanism includes an infrared detection mechanism and a pre-processing mechanism. The infrared detection mechanism includes a first support frame 3411, an encoder, a servo motor 3412, a rotating base 3413, a supplementary light source 3414, an infrared ranging sensor 3415, and a second infrared ranging sensor. The first support frame 3411 is mounted on the indexer 331 of the cup body carrying device 33. The servo motor 3412 is mounted on the first support frame 3411, and its output end is connected to and drives... The rotating base 3413 rotates, and the supplementary light source 3414 is mounted on the rotating base 3413 and illuminates the cup held on the top of the plate cylinder 333. The supplementary light source 3414 is a 30-degree ring light source, and the illumination direction of the supplementary light source 3414 is from the bottom of the cup to the mouth of the cup. The infrared ranging sensor 3415 and the second infrared ranging sensor are mounted side by side on the rotating base 3413, and the infrared ranging sensor 3415 and the second infrared ranging sensor are located on one side of the plate cylinder 333 to detect the side wall of the cup held on the top of the plate cylinder 333 and send the detection information to the controller. An encoder mounted on the first support frame 3411 and connected to the controller input terminal detects the orientation information of the printing plate cylinder 333 and sends it to the controller. The servo motor 3412 is connected to and controlled by the controller. The preprocessing mechanism includes a second support frame 3421, a high-voltage generator 3422, a time-domain reflectometer 3423, a positive electrode plate 3424, and a negative electrode plate 3425. The second support frame 3421 is mounted on the indexer 331 of the cup-carrying device 33 and is located in front of the rotating roller printing mechanism 32 of the cup-carrying device 33. The high-voltage generator 3422 and the time-domain reflectometer 3423... All components are mounted on the second support frame 3421, and the discharge terminal of the high-voltage generator 3422 is electrically connected to the positive electrode plate 3424 and the negative electrode plate 3425 via wires. The positive electrode plate 3424 and the negative electrode plate 3425 are spaced apart and symmetrically arranged on the second support frame 3421. The time domain reflectometer 3423 is connected to the input terminal of the controller. The positive electrode plate 3424 and the negative electrode plate 3425 are located on both sides of the cup held at the top of the plate cylinder by the rotating conveyor of the plate cylinder support plate. The controller is connected to and controls the high-voltage generator 3422 to perform oxidative polarization pretreatment on the cup through the positive electrode plate 3424 and the negative electrode plate 3425.

[0016] The infrared ranging sensor can be the Newcon LRFMICRO1550 or LRF1550MR, both currently available on the market. The second infrared ranging sensor can be the SHARP GP2Y0A710KOF or GP2Y0A21YK0F, both currently available on the market. The supplementary lighting source can be the 30-degree ring light source sold by Shenzhen Xinnocheng Electronics Technology Co., Ltd., both currently available on the market. The high-voltage generator can be the 60KV / 0.1Hz ultra-low frequency high-voltage generator from Hubei Zhongshi Gaocheng Electric Holding Co., Ltd., or the high-voltage generator from Shaanxi Weisiman High Voltage Power Supply Co., Ltd., both currently available on the market. The time-domain reflectometer can be the Tektronix 4 / 5 / 6 series B MSO real-time oscilloscope, CSA8200 and TDS8200, or Multilane Pulsar series, both currently available on the market. The mobile gripping robot is as disclosed in Chinese patent document CN202420722347.6: A novel gripping device for finished beverage cups.

[0017] In the above embodiments, the infrared detection mechanism may also use only one infrared ranging sensor, with a wavelength of 1350nm-1550nm being preferred. When the infrared detection mechanism uses both an infrared ranging sensor and a second infrared ranging sensor for parallel and simultaneous detection, the wavelength of the first infrared ranging sensor is preferably 1500nm-1550nm, and the wavelength of the second infrared ranging sensor is preferably 1350nm-1450nm. To enhance the accuracy of the servo motor rotation positioning in the infrared detection mechanism, a harmonic reducer can be added, i.e., the output of the servo motor is connected to the harmonic reducer and drives the rotating base to rotate. Other types of ring lights can also be used as supplementary lighting sources to eliminate the shadows on the plate cylinder.

[0018] Although the present invention has been specifically shown and described in conjunction with preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that various changes in form and detail may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims, and all such changes shall be within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A novel automatic printing, packaging, and marking device for beverage cups, comprising a controller, a cup feeding mechanism, a cup conveying mechanism, a cup printing machine, a printing cup conveying mechanism, and an automatic packaging and marking device for printing cups. The cup feeding mechanism, cup conveying mechanism, cup printing machine, printing cup conveying mechanism, and automatic packaging and marking device for printing cups are all connected to and controlled by the controller. The cup printing machine includes a machine body, a rotary printing mechanism mounted on the machine body, and a cup carrying device cooperating with the rotary printing mechanism. The cup carrying device includes an air distribution plate, an indexer, a plate cylinder support plate, a plate cylinder, and a positive / negative pressure switching device. The air distribution plate is fixedly mounted on the output shaft housing of the indexer. The end face of the air distribution plate is provided with air grooves and air holes. The outer periphery of the air plate is provided with a first air passage and a second air passage communicating with the air groove and air hole. The first air passage and the second air passage are respectively connected to a negative pressure source and a positive pressure source. The plate cylinder is fixedly inserted on the outer periphery of the plate cylinder support plate. The top end of the plate cylinder is provided with a first air passage channel. The end face of the plate cylinder support plate is provided with a third air passage communicating with the first air passage channel. The plate cylinder support plate is driven to rotate circumferentially by an indexing device so that the third air passage is sequentially aligned with the air groove, the positive and negative pressure switching device, and the air hole. The air groove creates a negative pressure at the top end of the plate cylinder to hold the cup. The positive and negative pressure switching device allows the plate cylinder to move and suck up and release the cup. The air hole blows the cup away from the plate cylinder. The characteristic feature is that: The cup feeding mechanism transports the cups thermoformed by the cup forming machine to the inlet of the cup conveying mechanism. The cup conveying mechanism then transports the cups to the cup printing machine for inspection and printing. After printing, the printed cups are conveyed by the cup printing machine to the automatic packaging and marking device for packaging and marking. Each plate cylinder on the plate cylinder support plate has a ceramic coating. The cup printing machine also includes a cup detection and pre-processing mechanism, which includes an infrared detection mechanism and a pre-processing mechanism. The infrared detection mechanism includes a first support frame, an encoder, a servo motor, a rotating base, a supplementary light source, and an infrared distance sensor. The first support frame is mounted on the indexer of the cup carrying device. The servo motor is mounted on the first support frame, and its output is connected to and drives the rotating base to rotate. The supplementary light source is mounted on the rotating base and illuminates the cups held towards the top of the plate cylinder. The infrared distance sensor is mounted on the rotating base. An infrared ranging sensor is located on one side of the printing plate cylinder to detect the side wall of the cup held at the top of the cylinder and sends the detection information to the controller. The encoder is mounted on the first support frame and connected to the input terminal of the controller. The servo motor is connected to and controlled by the controller. The pre-processing mechanism includes a second support frame, a high-voltage generator, a time-domain reflectometer, a positive electrode plate, and a negative electrode plate. The second support frame is mounted on the indexer of the cup-carrying device and is located in front of the rotating printing mechanism of the cup-carrying device. The high-voltage generator and the time-domain reflectometer are both mounted on the second support frame, and the discharge terminal of the high-voltage generator is electrically connected to the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate via a wire. The positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate are spaced apart and symmetrically arranged on the second support frame. The time-domain reflectometer is connected to the input terminal of the controller. The positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate are located on both sides of the cup held at the top of the printing plate cylinder, which is rotated and conveyed by the printing plate cylinder support plate. The controller is connected to and controls the high-voltage generator to perform oxidation polarization pre-processing on the cup through the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate.

2. The novel automatic printing, packaging, and marking device for beverage cups according to claim 1, characterized in that: The supplementary light source is a 30-degree ring light source, and the illumination direction of the supplementary light source is from the bottom of the cup to the mouth of the cup.

3. The novel automatic printing, packaging, and marking device for beverage cups according to claim 1, characterized in that: The infrared ranging sensor has a wavelength of 1350nm-1550nm.

4. The novel automatic printing, packaging, and marking device for beverage cups according to claim 1, characterized in that: The infrared detection mechanism also includes a second infrared ranging sensor, which is arranged side by side with the infrared ranging sensor on the rotating base. The second infrared ranging sensor is located on one side of the plate cylinder, detects the side wall of the cup held at the top of the plate cylinder, and sends the detection information to the controller.

5. The novel automatic printing, packaging, and marking device for beverage cups according to claim 4, characterized in that: The infrared ranging sensor has a wavelength of 1500nm-1550nm, and the second infrared ranging sensor has a wavelength of 1350nm-1450nm.

6. The novel automatic printing, packaging, and marking device for beverage cups according to claim 1, characterized in that: The infrared detection mechanism also includes a harmonic reducer, and the output of the servo motor is connected to the harmonic reducer to drive the rotating base to rotate.

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