A method for automatically folding a cigarette frame

Abstract

The application discloses a cigarette frame automatic folding method, and a side help automatic separation device is a side help separation and placement device or a side help jacking and pulling device.The side help separation and placement device comprises a side help separation mechanism and a side help placement mechanism, the side help separation mechanism is fixed on the side help placement mechanism, and the side help jacking and pulling device comprises a side help jacking mechanism and a side help pulling mechanism.The side help separation and placement device or the side help jacking and pulling device is utilized to sequentially turn up two side helps of a cigarette frame, separate the two side helps from a base beam and fold the two side helps to be horizontal, and folding into a box is completed.The side help automatic separation device of the cigarette frame can imitate the action and sequence of manual frame folding, can completely replace manual frame folding, saves labor, reduces the labor intensity of workers, is favorable for cost reduction and benefit increase of enterprises, meanwhile, the automatic device replaces manual work, can operate for a long time and improves work efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application is a divisional application of patent application number 202011007744.8, filed on September 23, 2020, entitled "An Automatic Separation Device and Separation Method for the Side Panel of a Tobacco Frame".

[0002] This invention relates to the field of tobacco manufacturing technology, specifically to an automatic folding method for cigarette frames. Background Technology

[0003] Currently, in the tobacco frame recycling process in the tobacco processing industry, manual labor is generally used to lift and flatten the unused tobacco frames, fold them, and then a forklift is used to stack the folded frames into a shape for storage, reducing the floor space required.

[0004] The current folding method for recycling and storing tobacco frames after leaf re-drying is as follows: When the empty tobacco frame is in place, two workers first lift up one side of the tobacco frame so that the pin on the side is disengaged from the U-shaped slot on the base. Then, another worker supports the upper part of the side and lays it down to a horizontal position. Then, the other side is lifted up so that the pin on the side is disengaged from the U-shaped slot on the base. Then, the upper part of the side is supported and laid down to a horizontal position, thus completing the folding of the steel tobacco frame.

[0005] The aforementioned manual frame-folding method has the following disadvantages: it requires the coordinated efforts of two to three people, and the physically demanding movements are not suitable for prolonged repetitive operations, necessitating frequent changes of work positions among the three individuals. Furthermore, the current severe rise in labor costs is significantly hindering companies' efforts to reduce costs and increase efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the shortcomings of the existing technology, the inventors conducted in-depth research and design, providing an automatic side panel separation device and method for cigarette frames. The overall concept is to use a side panel separation device to sequentially fold up both sides of the cigarette frame, separating them from the base beam and folding them to a horizontal position, thus completing the folding of the cigarette frame. This invention mimics the actions and sequence of manual frame folding and can completely replace manual folding.

[0007] The objective of this invention is achieved as follows: an automatic folding method for cigarette frame side panels, comprising a side panel separation mechanism and a side panel placement mechanism, wherein the side panel separation mechanism is fixed on the side panel placement mechanism.

[0008] The sidewall separation mechanism includes a first cylinder, on which a first gripper is mounted.

[0009] The side support placement mechanism includes a lifting cylinder, on which a transverse cylinder is mounted.

[0010] Furthermore, the first cylinder is fixed on the lifting cylinder.

[0011] An automatic folding method for cigarette frames is disclosed. The automatic folding method employs a folding device, which includes a side lifting mechanism and a side pulling mechanism. The side lifting mechanism includes a second cylinder with a wedge-shaped block mounted on it. The side pulling mechanism includes a third cylinder with a second gripper mounted on it.

[0012] The folding process is as follows: the first gripper on the side separation mechanism clamps the upper crossbeam of the first side of the unfolded cigarette frame, the first cylinder on the side separation mechanism lifts up, causing the pin on the first side column to disengage from the U-shaped slot on the base crossbeam, and the lifting cylinder and the horizontal moving cylinder on the side placement mechanism move downward and horizontally at the same time, respectively, to complete the folding of the first side of the unfolded cigarette frame.

[0013] The lifting cylinder on the side panel placement mechanism and the first cylinder on the side panel separation mechanism are reset; the first gripper on the side panel separation mechanism clamps the upper crossbeam of the second side panel of the folded cigarette frame, the first cylinder on the side panel separation mechanism lifts up, causing the pin on the second side panel column to disengage from the U-shaped slot on the base crossbeam, the lifting cylinder and the lateral cylinder on the side panel placement mechanism move downward and laterally in the opposite direction at the same time, respectively, to complete the folding of the second side panel of the folded cigarette frame.

[0014] The lifting cylinder on the side panel placement mechanism and the first cylinder on the side panel separation mechanism are reset, ready for the next round of cigarette frame folding process.

[0015] A method for automatically separating the side panels of a cigarette frame involves inserting a wedge-shaped block on a side panel lifting mechanism on the first side between the base crossbeam and the lower crossbeam of the side panel on the first side of the folded cigarette frame. A second cylinder on the side panel lifting mechanism extends, causing the pin on the side panel upright to disengage from the U-shaped slot on the base crossbeam. A second gripper on the side panel pulling mechanism on the first side clamps the lower crossbeam of the side panel on the first side of the folded cigarette frame. A third cylinder on the side panel pulling mechanism on the first side moves laterally, completing the folding of the side panel on the first side of the folded cigarette frame.

[0016] The wedge-shaped block on the second side lifting mechanism is inserted between the base crossbeam and the lower crossbeam of the second side of the folded cigarette frame. The second cylinder on the second side lifting mechanism extends, causing the pin on the second side column to disengage from the U-shaped slot on the base crossbeam. The second claw on the second side pulling mechanism clamps the lower crossbeam of the second side of the folded cigarette frame. The third cylinder on the second side pulling mechanism moves laterally, completing the folding of the second side of the folded cigarette frame.

[0017] The wedge blocks and second cylinder on the side lifting mechanism are reset, and the third cylinder on the side pulling mechanism moves in the opposite direction to reset, preparing for the next round of cigarette frame folding process.

[0018] Working principle of the invention:

[0019] The side panels of the cigarette frame are sequentially flipped up using a side panel separation and placement device or a side panel lifting and pulling device, separating them from the base beam and folding them to a horizontal position, thus completing the folding process for loading into the box. This invention's automatic side panel separation device for cigarette frames mimics the actions and sequence of manual folding, completely replacing manual folding and helping businesses reduce costs and increase efficiency.

[0020] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0021] Automated equipment replaces manual folding of cigarette frames, saving labor, reducing workers' workload, and helping companies reduce costs and increase efficiency. Furthermore, automated equipment can operate for extended periods, improving work efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the side panel separation and placement device of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a side view of the side panel separation and placement device of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the sidewall separation mechanism of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 4 This is a side view of the side separation mechanism of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the side-support lifting and pulling device of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the side support lifting mechanism of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the side pull-out mechanism of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the folded cigarette frame structure of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the folded cigarette frame structure of the present invention.

[0031] Among them, 4—side panel separation mechanism, 41—first cylinder, 42—first gripper, 5—side panel placement mechanism, 51—lifting cylinder, 52—lateral movement cylinder, 11—side panel lifting mechanism, 111—second cylinder, 112—wedge block, 12—side panel pulling mechanism, 121—third cylinder, 122—second gripper, 14—unfolded cigarette frame, 15—base crossbeam, 17—upper side panel crossbeam, 18—lower side panel crossbeam, 19—side panel upright. Detailed Implementation

[0032] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these descriptions are merely exemplary and not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Furthermore, descriptions of well-known structures and techniques are omitted in the following description to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the concept of the invention.

[0033] Example 1

[0034] like Figures 1-4 As shown, an automatic sidewall separation device for cigarette frames includes a sidewall separation mechanism 4 and a sidewall placement mechanism 5. The sidewall separation mechanism 4 is fixed to the sidewall placement mechanism 5. The sidewall separation mechanism 4 includes a first cylinder 41, on which a first gripper 42 is mounted. The sidewall placement mechanism 5 includes a lifting cylinder 51, on which a transverse cylinder 52 is mounted. The first cylinder 41 is fixed to the lifting cylinder 51.

[0035] When the device is in operation, the first gripper 42 on the side separation mechanism 4 clamps the upper crossbeam 17 of the side of the first side of the folded cigarette frame 14, and the first cylinder 41 on the side separation mechanism 4 lifts up, causing the pin on the side column 19 of the first side to disengage from the U-shaped slot on the base crossbeam 15. The lifting cylinder 51 and the horizontal moving cylinder 52 on the side placement mechanism 5 move downward and horizontally respectively at the same time, completing the folding of the side of the first side of the folded cigarette frame 14.

[0036] The lifting cylinder 51 on the side panel placement mechanism 5 and the first cylinder 41 on the side panel separation mechanism 4 are reset. The first gripper 42 on the side panel separation mechanism 4 clamps the upper crossbeam 17 of the second side panel of the folded cigarette frame 14. The first cylinder 41 on the side panel separation mechanism 4 is lifted, causing the pin on the second side panel column 19 to disengage from the U-shaped slot on the base crossbeam 15. The lifting cylinder 51 and the transverse cylinder 52 on the side panel placement mechanism 5 move downward and transversely in the opposite direction at the same time, respectively, to complete the folding of the second side panel of the folded cigarette frame 14.

[0037] The lifting cylinder 51 on the side panel placement mechanism 5 and the first cylinder 41 on the side panel separation mechanism 4 are reset, ready for the next round of cigarette frame folding process.

[0038] Example 2

[0039] like Figures 5-7 As shown, an automatic side panel separation device for cigarette frames includes a side panel lifting mechanism 11 and a side panel pulling mechanism 12. The side panel lifting mechanism 11 includes a second cylinder 111, on which a wedge block 112 is mounted. The side panel pulling mechanism 12 includes a third cylinder 121, on which a second gripper 122 is mounted.

[0040] When the device is in operation, the wedge block 112 on the side lifting mechanism 11 on the first side is inserted between the first side base beam 15 and the lower side beam 18 of the folded cigarette frame 14. The second cylinder 111 on the side lifting mechanism 11 on the first side extends, causing the pin on the side column 19 on the first side to disengage from the U-shaped slot on the base beam 15. The second gripper 122 on the side pulling mechanism 12 on the first side clamps the folded cigarette frame 14.

[0041] The third cylinder 121 on the lower crossbeam 18 of the first side panel moves laterally, completing the folding of the first side panel of the unfolded cigarette frame 14.

[0042] The wedge block 112 on the second side lifting mechanism 11 is inserted between the base beam 15 and the lower side beam 18 on the second side of the folded cigarette frame 14. The second cylinder 111 on the second side lifting mechanism 11 extends, causing the pin on the second side column 19 to disengage from the U-shaped slot on the base beam 15. The second claw 122 on the second side pulling mechanism 12 clamps the lower side beam 18 on the second side of the folded cigarette frame 14. The third cylinder 121 on the second side pulling mechanism 12 moves laterally, completing the folding of the second side of the folded cigarette frame 14.

[0043] The wedge blocks 112 and the second cylinder 111 on the two side lifting mechanisms 11 are reset, and the third cylinder 121 on the two side pulling mechanisms 12 moves in the opposite direction to reset, preparing for the next round of cigarette frame folding process.

[0044] It should be understood that the specific embodiments described above are merely illustrative or explanatory of the principles of the invention and do not constitute a limitation thereof. Therefore, any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention should be included within the protection scope of the invention. Furthermore, the appended claims are intended to cover all variations and modifications falling within the scope and boundaries of the appended claims, or equivalent forms of such scope and boundaries.

Claims

1. A method for automatically folding cigarette frames, characterized in that, The automatic folding method is accomplished by a folding device, which includes a side lifting mechanism (11) and a side pulling mechanism (12); the side lifting mechanism (11) includes a second cylinder (111), on which a wedge block (112) is mounted; the side pulling mechanism (12) includes a third cylinder (121), on which a second gripper (122) is mounted. The folding process of the cigarette frame side panels is as follows: The wedge block (112) on the first side lifting mechanism (11) is inserted between the base beam (15) and the lower side beam (18) on the first side of the folded cigarette frame (14). The second cylinder (111) on the first side lifting mechanism (11) extends, causing the pin on the first side column (19) to disengage from the U-shaped slot on the base beam (15). The second claw (122) on the first side pulling mechanism (12) clamps the lower side beam (18) on the first side of the folded cigarette frame (14). The third cylinder (121) on the first side pulling mechanism (12) moves laterally, completing the folding of the first side of the folded cigarette frame (14). The wedge block (112) on the second side lifting mechanism (11) is inserted between the base beam (15) and the lower side beam (18) on the second side of the unfolded cigarette frame (14). The second cylinder (111) on the second side lifting mechanism (11) extends, causing the pin on the second side column (19) to disengage from the U-shaped slot on the base beam (15). The second claw (122) on the second side pulling mechanism (12) clamps the lower side beam (18) on the second side of the unfolded cigarette frame (14). The third cylinder (121) on the second side pulling mechanism (12) moves laterally, completing the folding of the second side of the unfolded cigarette frame (14). The wedge block (112) and the second cylinder (111) on the two side lifting mechanism (11) are reset, and the third cylinder (121) on the two side pulling mechanism (12) moves in the opposite direction to reset, preparing for the next round of cigarette frame folding process.

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