A tubular container feeding device and method

Abstract

This invention discloses a tubular container feeding device and method, including a first mesh belt and a second mesh belt. The discharge end of the first mesh belt is equipped with a flipping feeding mechanism, and a buffer area is provided in front of the discharge end of the first mesh belt for the flipping feeding mechanism to pick up materials. The discharge end of the second mesh belt is equipped with a tubular positioning mechanism for moving the tubular containers on the second mesh belt to the buffer area. The horizontal position of the tubular containers in the buffer area is lower or higher than the horizontal position of the tubular containers on the first mesh belt. The flipping feeding mechanism is used to simultaneously feed the tubular containers in the buffer area and the tubular containers on the first mesh belt into the conveying mechanism. Compared with the prior art, this invention can simultaneously feed two sets of vertically positioned tubular containers at a time. Combined with the first mesh belt and buffer area set at different heights, it enables staggered feeding of the conveying mechanism, greatly improving the assembly efficiency of the tubular containers. Secondly, it saves conveying time and improves feeding efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of tubular formulation feeding technology, and in particular to a tubular container feeding device and method. Background Technology

[0002] In daily life, people often take various medications, including sugar pills and other granules and powders, with water. This often requires swallowing the medication first, followed by drinking water to allow it to enter the stomach for digestion and absorption. This feeding process is cumbersome and prone to choking, causing discomfort. For bedridden individuals, administering medication is even more difficult. With market development, customized tubular containers have emerged, primarily for storing and quickly administering powders (pills). Currently, most domestic dry powder inhaler manufacturers use manual feeding for tubular container production, which is inefficient. Therefore, automated feeding equipment is now commonly used to improve efficiency. However, tubular containers are relatively flexible and difficult to keep upright without deformation. Currently, horizontal placement is used for transport and assembly. However, components need to be installed at both ends of the tubular container, and the powder or liquid medication also needs to be filled in. Vertical transport and assembly of tubular containers at various workstations offers significant advantages. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention provides a tubular container feeding device and method to solve the problems in the prior art where tubular containers are relatively soft and difficult to feed vertically, and how to improve feeding efficiency.

[0004] This invention provides a tubular container feeding device, including a first mesh belt and a second mesh belt. The discharge end of the first mesh belt is provided with a flipping feeding mechanism, and a buffer area is provided in front of the discharge end of the first mesh belt for the flipping feeding mechanism to pick up materials. The discharge end of the second mesh belt is provided with a tubular positioning mechanism for moving the tubular containers on the second mesh belt to the buffer area. The horizontal position of the tubular containers on the buffer area is lower than or higher than the horizontal position of the tubular containers on the first mesh belt. The flipping feeding mechanism is used to simultaneously feed the tubular containers on the buffer area and the tubular containers on the first mesh belt into the conveying mechanism.

[0005] Preferably, the flipping feeding mechanism is provided with two sets of vacuum nozzles. The first set of vacuum nozzles is located above the first mesh belt, and the second set of vacuum nozzles is located above the buffer area. The two sets of vacuum nozzles are not distributed along the same straight line.

[0006] Preferably, the vacuum nozzle includes multiple push blocks arranged from top to bottom, each push block having a limiting groove adapted to the tubular container, and the top push block and the bottom push block each having an air hole.

[0007] Preferably, the flipping feeding mechanism further includes a flipping moving component and a bracket, the vacuum nozzle is disposed on the flipping moving component, the flipping moving component is fixed on the bracket, and the flipping moving component drives the vacuum nozzle to flip and move.

[0008] Preferably, the flipping and moving assembly includes: a flipping frame, a rotating shaft, and a power component. The vacuum nozzle is slidably mounted on the flipping frame, and a rotating shaft is provided between the flipping frame and the support. The power component drives the flipping frame to rotate around the rotating shaft.

[0009] Preferably, the flipping and moving assembly further includes a first cylinder and a guide rod. The piston rod of the first cylinder and the guide rod are both fixedly connected to the vacuum nozzle. The guide rod is slidably connected to the flipping frame. Both sets of vacuum nozzles are connected to the first cylinder and the guide rod.

[0010] Preferably, the first and second mesh belts are respectively provided with a visual inspection mechanism, which is located at the end of the flipping feeding mechanism near the feeding end of the first mesh belt.

[0011] Preferably, the buffer area, the first mesh belt, and the second mesh belt are all provided with storage slots for placing tubular containers. The two ends of the storage slot in the buffer area pass through the two sides of the buffer area, and the two ends of the storage slot in the second mesh belt pass through the two sides of the second mesh belt.

[0012] Preferably, the pipe positioning mechanism includes: a push plate, a second cylinder, and a positioning plate fixed on the buffer area. The positioning plate and the push plate are respectively located on both sides of the buffer area. The push plate is fixedly connected to the piston rod of the second cylinder. The storage groove of the buffer area is a guide groove at one end near the second mesh belt. The width of the guide groove at one end near the second mesh belt is greater than the width at the other end.

[0013] The present invention also provides a method for feeding tubular containers, including the tubular container feeding device as described above, and the method further includes the following steps:

[0014] S1: The first and second mesh belts convey the tubular container toward the tilting feeding mechanism;

[0015] S2: The pusher plate pushes the tubular container on the second mesh belt to the buffer area so that it is flush with the tubular container on the first mesh belt;

[0016] S3: The vacuum nozzle flips the tubular containers on the buffer area and the first mesh belt from a horizontal state to a vertical state and then sends them into the first row of clamping slots of the first conveyor mechanism and the second row of clamping slots of the second conveyor mechanism.

[0017] S4: Repeat steps S1 to S3 until the feeding is complete.

[0018] Compared with existing technologies, this invention, through its feeding method, can simultaneously feed two sets of vertically positioned tubular containers at a time. Combined with a first mesh belt and buffer zone set at different heights, it allows for staggered feeding of the conveying mechanism, enabling the conveyor to transport two sets of tubular containers for subsequent assembly, greatly improving the assembly efficiency of the tubular containers. Furthermore, through the cooperation of the second mesh belt, buffer zone, and tubular container positioning mechanism, when one set of tubular containers is conveyed to its position on the first mesh belt, the other set is also conveyed to its position. This design saves conveying time and improves feeding efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in this invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the tubular container during material feeding according to the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a top view of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 for Figure 1 Enlarged schematic diagram of the structure at point A;

[0024] Figure 5 for Figure 3 Enlarged schematic diagram of the structure at point B.

[0025] Figure label:

[0026] 1. First mesh belt, 7. Second mesh belt, 2. Tilting feeding mechanism, 21. Vacuum nozzle, 211. Push block, 212. Air hole, 22. Tilting moving component, 23. Support, 221. Tilting frame, 222. Rotating shaft, 223. Power component, 3. Buffer area, 4. Tubular container, 5. Tube material positioning mechanism, 51. Push plate, 52. Second cylinder, 53. Positioning plate, 6. Vision inspection mechanism, 8. Conveying mechanism, 81. Clamping groove, 100. Limiting groove, 200. Storage groove, 300. Guide groove. Detailed Implementation

[0027] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the technical solutions of this 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 this invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0028] See attached document Figure 1-2 This embodiment provides a tubular container feeding device, including a first mesh belt 1 and a second mesh belt 7. The discharge ends of the first mesh belt 1 and the second mesh belt 7 are located in the same direction. The discharge end of the first mesh belt 1 is provided with a flipping feeding mechanism 2. A buffer zone 3 for the flipping feeding mechanism 2 to pick up materials is provided in front of the discharge end of the first mesh belt 1. Specifically, the buffer zone 3 is flush with the discharge end of the second mesh belt 7. The discharge end of the second mesh belt 7 is provided with a tubular positioning mechanism 5 for moving the tubular containers 4 of the second mesh belt 7 to the buffer zone 3. The horizontal position of the tubular containers 4 on the buffer zone 3 is lower or higher than the horizontal position of the tubular containers 4 on the first mesh belt 1 so as to achieve staggered feeding. The flipping feeding mechanism 2 is used to simultaneously feed the tubular containers 4 on the buffer zone 3 and the tubular containers 4 on the first mesh belt 1 into the conveying mechanism 8. Specifically, the flipping feeding mechanism 2 flips the tubular containers 4 from a horizontal state to a vertical state and then feeds them into the clamping groove 81 on the conveying mechanism 8. Each time the flipping feeding mechanism 2 performs a feeding operation, it sends two sets of tubular containers 4 into two clamping slots 81. This setup effectively increases the feeding speed, and the staggered feeding doubles the number of tubular containers 4 transported by the conveyor mechanism 8. Secondly, if a single conveyor belt is used to transport two sets of tubular containers 4, located at points A and B respectively, with point A corresponding to the position reached by the tubular containers 4 transported by the first mesh belt 1 and point B corresponding to the buffer zone 3, the conveyor belt would need to continue transporting the tubular containers 4 to point A until reaching point B to complete the transport. However, this invention, through the cooperation of the buffer zone 3, the second mesh belt 7, and the tubular container positioning mechanism 5, ensures that when the tubular containers 4 on the first mesh belt 1 reach point A, the tubular containers 4 on the second mesh belt 7 also reach the buffer zone 3 under the push of the tubular container positioning mechanism 5, thus saving the time required for the tubular containers 4 to travel from point A to point B. The feeding of tubular containers 4 is done in batches; saving a little time in each batch accumulates to a significant amount of time savings over time.

[0029] For details, please refer to the appendix. Figure 3 The flipping feeding mechanism 2 is equipped with two sets of vacuum nozzles 21. The first set of vacuum nozzles 21 is located above the first mesh belt 1, and the second set of vacuum nozzles 21 is located above the buffer zone 3. The two sets of vacuum nozzles 21 are not distributed along the same straight line. (See attached diagram.) Figure 5When the flipping feeding mechanism 2 feeds the tubular container 4 into the conveying mechanism 8, one set of vacuum nozzles 21 is positioned forward and the other set of vacuum nozzles 21 is positioned backward, thereby ensuring that the material can be fed in a staggered manner. This arrangement corresponds to the two rows of staggered tubular containers 4 of the conveying mechanism 8.

[0030] As another embodiment of the present invention: refer to the appendix Figure 4 The vacuum nozzle 21 includes multiple push blocks 211 arranged from top to bottom. Each push block 211 has a limiting groove 100 adapted to the tubular container 4. The top and bottom push blocks 211 are respectively provided with air holes 212. When vacuuming is activated, the tubular container 4 is sucked in through the air holes 212. The push blocks 211 provide a limiting function to prevent the tubular container 4 from bending or deforming on the vacuum nozzle 21. When the vacuum nozzle 21 pushes the tubular container 4 into the clamping groove 81 of the conveying mechanism 8, the two top push blocks 211 cooperate to push the upper end of the tubular container 4 into the clamping groove 81 of the conveying mechanism 8, and the two bottom push blocks 211 cooperate to push the lower end of the tubular container 4 into the clamping groove 81 of the conveying mechanism 8. At this time, the two middle push blocks 211 cooperate with the support part of the conveying mechanism 8 to prevent the tubular container 4 from bending or deforming.

[0031] In another embodiment of the present invention, the flipping feeding mechanism 2 further includes a flipping moving component 22 and a support 23. The vacuum nozzle 21 is disposed on the flipping moving component 22, and the flipping moving component 22 is fixed on the support 23. The flipping moving component 22 drives the vacuum nozzle 21 to flip and move. The two sets of vacuum nozzles 21 of the present invention are driven by a single flipping moving component 22, which saves manufacturing costs.

[0032] In another embodiment of the present invention, the flipping and moving assembly 22 includes a flipping frame 221, a rotating shaft 222, and a power component 223. The vacuum nozzle 21 is slidably mounted on the flipping frame 221. The rotating shaft 222 is provided between the flipping frame 221 and the support 23. The power component 223 drives the flipping frame 221 to rotate around the rotating shaft 222, thereby causing the vacuum nozzle 21 to flip. Specifically, the power component 223 is a motor, which is located at the lower end of the support 23. The motor drives the rotating shaft 222 to rotate via a synchronous belt, thereby causing the vacuum nozzle 21 to flip.

[0033] In another embodiment of the present invention, the flipping and moving assembly 22 further includes a first cylinder and a guide rod. The piston rod of the first cylinder and the guide rod are both fixedly connected to two sets of vacuum nozzles 21, and the guide rod is slidably connected to the flipping frame 221. Both sets of vacuum nozzles 21 are connected to the first cylinder and the guide rod. The piston rod of the first cylinder drives the vacuum nozzles 21 to move along the flipping frame 221, at which time the guide rod plays a guiding role. Specifically, when the vacuum nozzles 21 are downward sucking up the tubular container 4, the piston rod of the first cylinder drives the vacuum nozzles 21 to move up and down along the flipping frame 221; when the vacuum nozzles 21 push the tubular container 4 into the conveying mechanism 8, the piston rod of the first cylinder drives the vacuum nozzles 21 to move back and forth along the flipping frame 221. By setting up a buffer zone 3 with a height difference and a first mesh belt 1, the two sets of vacuum nozzles 21 can share a single cylinder, saving one cylinder. Secondly, the first cylinder and the guide rod are mounted on the rotatable flipping frame 221, and the fewer power structures, the lower the installation difficulty.

[0034] As another embodiment of the present invention: the first mesh belt 1 and the second mesh belt 7 constitute a mesh belt, and a vision inspection mechanism 6 is provided above the mesh belt. The vision inspection mechanism 6 is located at one end of the flipping feeding mechanism 2 near the feeding end of the mesh belt. The vision inspection mechanism 6 is used to detect whether the tubular container 4 conveyed on the mesh belt is missing.

[0035] As another embodiment of the present invention: both the buffer zone 3 and the mesh belt are provided with storage slots 200 for placing tubular containers 4. The two ends of the storage slots 200 of the buffer zone 3 pass through the two sides of the buffer zone 3 respectively, and the two ends of the storage slots 200 of the mesh belt pass through the two sides of the mesh belt respectively. The tubular containers 4 can move along the width direction of the mesh belt, which facilitates the subsequent pushing of the tubular containers 4 of the second mesh belt 7 into the buffer zone 3.

[0036] The pipe positioning mechanism 5 includes: a push plate 51, a second cylinder 52, and a positioning plate 53 fixed on the buffer zone 3. The positioning plate 53 and the push plate 51 are respectively located on both sides of the buffer zone 3. The push plate 51 is fixedly connected to the piston rod of the second cylinder 52. The lower end of the push plate 51 is provided with a push block 211 that is compatible with the storage groove 200 of the mesh belt. The push block 211 passes through the storage groove 200 of the second mesh belt 7 and pushes the tubular container 4 in the groove into the storage groove 200 of the buffer zone 3.

[0037] Specifically, the storage slot 200 of the buffer zone 3 is a guide slot 300 at one end near the second mesh belt 7. The width of the guide slot 300 at one end near the second mesh belt 7 is greater than the width at the other end. This setting facilitates guiding the tubular container 4 on the second mesh belt 7 into the storage slot 200 of the buffer zone 3.

[0038] Specifically, the tubular container 4 on the second mesh belt 7 is positioned horizontally higher than the tubular container 4 on the buffer zone 3. This arrangement facilitates the entry of the tubular container 4 from the second mesh belt 7 into the buffer zone 3.

[0039] Specifically, the mesh belt is connected to a transmission motor that drives its rotation.

[0040] A feed wheel is provided above the feed end of the mesh belt. The feed wheel is connected to a feed wheel motor that drives it to rotate. The tubular containers 4 fall one by one into the storage tank 200 below through the feed wheel.

[0041] The present invention also provides a method for feeding a tubular container, including the above-mentioned tubular container feeding device, and further including the following steps:

[0042] S1: After the guide wheel arranges the tubular containers 4 in an orderly manner on the first mesh belt 1 and the second mesh belt 7, the first mesh belt 1 and the second mesh belt 7 transport the tubular containers 4 towards the flipping feeding mechanism 2. During this transport process, the vision inspection mechanism 6 first determines whether the tubular containers 4 are present on the mesh belt and their orientation. For missing materials or individual tubular containers 4 with inconsistent orientations, the station system automatically records the position and automatically blocks that station during subsequent assembly. Tubular containers 4 with inconsistent orientations are finally rejected on the finished product discharge mesh belt line.

[0043] S2: The pusher plate 51 pushes the tubular container 4 on the second mesh belt 7 to the buffer area 3, which is flush with the tubular container 4 on the first mesh belt 1. Specifically, the tubular container 4 on the first mesh belt 1 is transported to the bottom of the vacuum nozzle 21. At the same time, the pusher plate 51 also pushes the tubular container 4 on the second mesh belt 7 to the buffer area 3. The tubular container 4 on the buffer area 3 and the tubular container 4 on the first mesh belt 1 are distributed at different heights. The ends of the tubular container 4 on the buffer area 3 and the ends of the tubular container 4 on the first mesh belt 1 are flush.

[0044] S3: The vacuum nozzles 21 flip the tubular containers 4 on the buffer area 3 and the first mesh belt 1 from a horizontal state to a vertical state and then send them onto the first row of clamping slots 81 of the first conveying mechanism 8 and the second row of clamping slots 81 of the second conveying mechanism 8. Specifically, the vacuum nozzles 21 move downward to suck up the tubular containers 4 on the buffer area 3 and the first mesh belt 1, and then flip the tubular containers 4 from a horizontal state to a vertical state. One set of vacuum nozzles 21 sends one set of tubular containers 4 onto the first row of clamping slots 81 of the first conveying mechanism 8, and another set of vacuum nozzles 21 sends another set of tubular containers 4 onto the second row of clamping slots 81 of the second conveying mechanism 8.

[0045] S4: Repeat steps S1 to S3 until the feeding is complete.

[0046] During the initial loading, only one set of vacuum nozzles 21 delivers the tubular container 4 to the first row of clamping slots 81 of the conveying mechanism 8, while the other set of vacuum nozzles 21 does not deliver. Once the conveying mechanism 8 has delivered one set of tubular containers 4 to one workstation, both sets of vacuum nozzles 21 will simultaneously begin loading.

[0047] In this invention, this feeding method allows for the simultaneous feeding of two sets of vertically positioned tubular containers 4. Combined with the first mesh belt 1 and buffer zone 3, which are positioned at different heights, this enables staggered feeding of the conveying mechanism 8, allowing the conveying mechanism 8 to transport two sets of tubular containers 4 for subsequent assembly, greatly improving the assembly efficiency of the tubular containers 4. Furthermore, through the cooperation of the second mesh belt 7, buffer zone 3, and tubular container positioning mechanism 5, when one set of tubular containers 4 is conveyed into position by the first mesh belt 1, the other set of tubular containers 4 is also conveyed into position. This design saves conveying time and improves feeding efficiency.

[0048] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A tubular container feeding device, characterized in that, The system includes a first mesh belt (1) and a second mesh belt (7). The discharge end of the first mesh belt (1) is provided with a flipping feeding mechanism (2). A buffer area (3) for the flipping feeding mechanism (2) to pick up materials is provided in front of the discharge end of the first mesh belt (1). The discharge end of the second mesh belt (7) is provided with a tubular positioning mechanism (5) for moving the tubular containers (4) of the second mesh belt (7) to the buffer area (3). The horizontal position of the tubular containers (4) on the buffer area (3) is lower or higher than the horizontal position of the tubular containers (4) on the first mesh belt (1). The flipping feeding mechanism (5) 2) Used to simultaneously feed the tubular containers (4) on the buffer area (3) and the tubular containers (4) on the first mesh belt (1) into the conveying mechanism (8) so that the number of tubular containers (4) transported by the conveying mechanism (8) can be doubled through staggered feeding; the vacuum nozzle (21) of the flipping feeding mechanism (2) includes multiple push blocks (211) arranged from top to bottom, the push blocks (211) have limiting grooves (100) adapted to the tubular containers (4), and the push blocks (211) at the top and the push blocks (211) at the bottom are respectively provided with air holes (212).

2. The tubular container feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vacuum nozzles (21) are in two sets. The first set of vacuum nozzles (21) is located above the first mesh belt (1), and the second set of vacuum nozzles (21) is located above the buffer area (3). The two sets of vacuum nozzles (21) are not distributed along the same straight line.

3. The tubular container feeding device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The flipping feeding mechanism (2) further includes a flipping moving component (22) and a bracket (23). The vacuum nozzle (21) is mounted on the flipping moving component (22), and the flipping moving component (22) is fixed on the bracket (23). The flipping moving component (22) drives the vacuum nozzle (21) to flip and move.

4. The tubular container feeding device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The flipping and moving assembly (22) includes: a flipping frame (221), a rotating shaft (222), and a power component (223). The vacuum nozzle (21) is slidably disposed on the flipping frame (221). A rotating shaft (222) is provided between the flipping frame (221) and the support (23). The power component (223) drives the flipping frame (221) to rotate around the rotating shaft (222).

5. The tubular container feeding device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The flipping and moving assembly (22) also includes a first cylinder and a guide rod. The piston rod and the guide rod of the first cylinder are fixedly connected to the vacuum nozzle (21). The guide rod is slidably connected to the flipping frame (221). Both sets of vacuum nozzles (21) are connected to the first cylinder and the guide rod.

6. The tubular container feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first mesh belt (1) and the second mesh belt (7) are respectively provided with a visual inspection mechanism (6), and the visual inspection mechanism (6) is located at the end of the flipping feeding mechanism (2) near the feeding end of the first mesh belt (1).

7. The tubular container feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The buffer zone (3), the first mesh belt (1) and the second mesh belt (7) are all provided with storage slots (200) for placing tubular containers (4). The two ends of the storage slots (200) of the buffer zone (3) pass through the two sides of the buffer zone (3) respectively, and the two ends of the storage slots (200) of the second mesh belt (7) pass through the two sides of the second mesh belt (7) respectively.

8. The tubular container feeding device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The pipe positioning mechanism (5) includes: a push plate (51), a second cylinder (52) and a positioning plate (53) fixed on the buffer area (3). The positioning plate (53) and the push plate (51) are respectively located on both sides of the buffer area (3). The push plate (51) is fixedly connected to the piston rod of the second cylinder (52). The storage groove (200) of the buffer area (3) is a guide groove (300) at one end near the second mesh belt (7). The width of the guide groove (300) at one end near the second mesh belt (7) is greater than the width of the other end.

9. A method for feeding materials into a tubular container, characterized in that, The tubular container feeding device as described in any one of claims 1-8, the tubular container feeding method further includes the following steps: S1: The first mesh belt (1) and the second mesh belt (7) convey the tubular container (4) towards the flipping feeding mechanism (2); S2: The pusher plate (51) pushes the tubular container (4) on the second mesh belt (7) to the buffer area (3) so that it is flush with the tubular container (4) on the first mesh belt (1); S3: The vacuum nozzle (21) flips the tubular container (4) on the buffer area (3) and the first mesh belt (1) from the horizontal state to the vertical state and sends it into the first row of clamping slots of the first conveying mechanism (8) and the second row of clamping slots of the second conveying mechanism (8); S4: Repeat steps S1 to S3 until the feeding is complete.

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