Automatic separation method and automatic separation device

Abstract

The application belongs to the technical field of tobacco production, and discloses an automatic separation method and an automatic separation device. The automatic separation method sequentially performs air charging operation and film stripping operation. After the paper box is opened and / or the film-wrapped material is conveyed to the first conveying belt and the paper box is separated from the film-wrapped material, the air charging operation is performed: air is charged between the material and the film wrapped outside the material. After the film-wrapped material is conveyed to the first conveying belt and the paper box is separated from the film-wrapped material, the film stripping operation is performed: the first conveying belt is controlled to work, the limiting structure is controlled to lift, the film-wrapped material abuts against the limiting structure, the film is cut on three sides, when the friction of the first conveying belt drives the lower part of the film to separate from the bottom of the material, the limiting structure is controlled to lift away from the material, and the film is clamped away. The occupied space is small, the phenomenon that tobacco leaves are scattered due to overturning of the tobacco stack and the phenomenon that film debris is inserted into the tobacco stack due to cutting of the film from the top sealing part of the material are avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of tobacco production equipment, in particular to an automatic separation method and an automatic separation device. Background Art

[0002] To facilitate the transportation of tobacco leaves, they are usually compacted into stacks, wrapped with film and packaged in cardboard boxes. During the cigarette production process, the stacks wrapped with film need to be removed from the boxes, and the film wrapped around the stacks needs to be separated after being removed from the boxes so that the stacks can be further processed.

[0003] Specifically, when the cigarette stack wrapped with film is removed from the box, the upper part of the cardboard box is opened manually or by a box opening mechanism. When separating the film wrapped outside the cigarette stack: One separation method in the prior art is to first turn the cardboard box, cigarette stack and film as a whole by using a turning mechanism 180° at the first turning station, turn 180° to the second turning station and move to the first film removal station to remove the cardboard box, then cut a circle of film around the cigarette stack and remove the upper half of the film, then turn the cigarette stack and the lower half of the film at the first film removal station as a whole by using a turning mechanism 180°, turn 180° to the second film removal station and remove the lower half of the film, so as to remove the film from the cigarette stack. However, this separation method requires turning twice, and two turning stations and two film removal stations are set, resulting in a large space occupation, and the process of turning from the first film removal station to the second film removal station is time consuming. This can easily cause tobacco leaves to scatter and be wasted, and the scattered tobacco leaves can cause dust; another separation method in the prior art is to first directly cut the film on the top of the cigarette stack and take away the cut film, and then use the turning mechanism to turn the cardboard box, cigarette stack and remaining film as a whole 180° at the first turning station, and then turn it 180° to the second turning station and take away the cardboard box and remaining film in turn. Although it only needs to be turned over once, it can save space, but the tobacco leaves still scatter during the process of turning from the first turning station to the second turning station. Secondly, since the sealing part of the film is located at the top of the cigarette stack and the film at the sealing part is folded in multiple layers, and the cutting force is vertically downward, it is easy to cause film fragments to be inserted into the cigarette stack when cutting the film on the top of the cigarette stack and cannot be taken away at one time. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide an automatic separation method and an automatic separation device to solve the above-mentioned problems existing in the prior art when the cardboard box and the film are separated from the cigarette stack.

[0005] To achieve this object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0006] The automatic separation method includes an automatic separation device comprising a first conveyor belt and a limiting structure spaced apart from the first conveyor belt in a height direction; the limiting structure can be raised and lowered in the height direction; the automatic separation method includes an inflation operation and a demolding operation performed sequentially:

[0007] After the carton is opened, and / or after the material wrapped with the film is conveyed onto the first conveyor belt and the carton is removed from the material wrapped with the film, the inflation operation is performed;

[0008] The inflation operation includes: inflating air between the material and the film wrapped around the material, so that a portion of the film embedded in the material is ejected;

[0009] After the material wrapped with the film is conveyed to the first conveyor belt and the cardboard box is pulled away from the material wrapped with the film, the film stripping operation is performed;

[0010] The film stripping operation includes: controlling the first conveyor belt to work, controlling the limiting structure to rise and fall along the height direction, so that the material wrapped with the film along the conveying direction of the first conveyor belt abuts against the limiting structure; starting from a certain position in the height direction of the material, cutting the film on three sides along the circumference of the material, so that the film is divided into an upper half of the film and a lower half of the film; when the friction force of the first conveyor belt drives the lower half of the film to separate from the bottom of the material, controlling the limiting structure to rise and fall along the height direction away from the material, and clamping the film.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment of the above automatic separation method, the first conveyor belt is a particle conveyor belt; or

[0012] The outer peripheral surface of the first conveyor belt is provided with an anti-slip pattern.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment of the above-mentioned automatic separation method, the following steps are included between the time when the carton is opened and the time when the material wrapped with the film is removed from the carton:

[0014] Convey the cardboard box and the material wrapped with film as a whole to the turning mechanism;

[0015] Controlling the flipping mechanism to flip the carton and the material wrapped with the film as a whole, so that along the height direction, the opening of the carton faces downward and the material wrapped with the film at the opening is supported on the flipping mechanism;

[0016] The flipped cardboard box and the material wrapped with the film are conveyed as a whole to the first conveyor belt.

[0017] As a preferred embodiment of the above-mentioned automatic separation method, in the inflation operation: before inflating air between the material and the film wrapping the material, the film above the top of the material is pierced to form a vent hole; and air is inflated between the material and the film wrapping the material through the vent hole.

[0018] As a preferred solution of the above-mentioned automatic separation method, whether the part of the film embedded in the material is ejected is determined based on the amount of air inflated between the material and the film wrapping the material and / or the duration of the air inflated.

[0019] The automatic separation device includes a first conveyor belt and a limiting structure spaced apart from the first conveyor belt along a height direction, wherein the limiting structure can be raised and lowered along the height direction; and is used to perform the above-mentioned automatic separation method.

[0020] As a preferred solution of the above-mentioned automatic separation device, the automatic separation device also includes a cutting mechanism, which includes a first multi-degree-of-freedom driving mechanism, a cutting driving member arranged at the output end of the first multi-degree-of-freedom driving mechanism, and a cutting knife arranged at the output end of the cutting driving member. The first multi-degree-of-freedom driving mechanism can drive the cutting driving member and the cutting knife to move synchronously, and the cutting driving member can drive the cutting knife to cut.

[0021] As a preferred solution of the above-mentioned automatic separation device, the automatic separation device also includes an inflation mechanism, which includes a second multi-degree-of-freedom drive mechanism, an inflation nozzle fixedly arranged at the output end of the second multi-degree-of-freedom drive mechanism, and a gas source selectively connected to the input end of the inflation nozzle. The second multi-degree-of-freedom drive mechanism can drive the inflation nozzle to move, and the gas source is used to deliver gas to the inflation nozzle.

[0022] As a preferred embodiment of the automatic separation device, the automatic separation device further comprises a flip mechanism, the flip mechanism comprising a flip drive and a flip frame, the output end of the flip drive being fixedly connected to the flip frame and capable of driving the flip frame to rotate around its own central axis, the central axis of the flip frame, the height direction, and the conveying direction of the first conveyor belt being perpendicular to each other;

[0023] An inlet and outlet are provided on one side of the turnover frame along the conveying direction.

[0024] As a preferred solution of the above-mentioned automatic separation device, the automatic separation device also includes two second conveyor belts. Along the height direction, the two second conveyor belts are arranged one by one at the top and the bottom of the flip frame; the second conveyor belts are used to transport the structure to be transported through the inlet and outlet into and out of the flip frame.

[0025] Beneficial effects of the present invention:

[0026] The present invention provides an automatic separation method and an automatic separation device. The automatic separation method includes sequentially performing an inflation operation and a film stripping operation. After the cardboard box is opened and / or before the film-wrapped material is conveyed onto a third conveyor belt and the cardboard box is removed from the film-wrapped material, the inflation operation is performed. The inflation operation includes inflating air between the material and the film wrapping the material, causing the portion of the film embedded in the material to be ejected. After the film-wrapped material is conveyed onto the first conveyor belt and the cardboard box is removed from the film-wrapped material, the film stripping operation is performed. The film stripping operation includes controlling the first conveyor belt to control a limit structure to rise and fall in the height direction so that the film-wrapped material along the conveying direction of the first conveyor belt abuts the limit structure; starting from a certain position in the height direction of the material, cutting the film on three sides along the circumference of the material to separate the film into an upper half and a lower half; and when the friction force of the first conveyor belt drives the lower half of the film away from the bottom of the material, controlling the limit structure to rise and fall in the height direction away from the material and clamp the film away.

[0027] By using this automatic separation method to separate both the cardboard box and the film from the cigarette stack, the space occupied by the automatic separation device can be effectively reduced. Furthermore, it can effectively prevent the wasteful scattering of tobacco leaves caused by turning the cigarette stack and the resulting dust. Furthermore, it can effectively avoid the phenomenon of film fragments being inserted into the cigarette stack and unable to be removed all at once due to direct cutting of the film at the top of the cigarette stack. This effectively reduces the cost of the separation film and improves its quality. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figures 1 to 12 This is a process diagram of separating the cardboard box and the film from the material provided by a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 13 It is a flow chart of the automatic separation method provided by a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] In the picture:

[0031] 100, cardboard box; 110, material; 120, film; 121, upper half of film; 122, lower half of film;

[0032] 1. First conveyor belt; 2. Limit block; 3. Cutting knife; 4. Inflating nozzle; 5. Turning frame; 51. Inlet and outlet; 6. First clamping head; 7. Second clamping head. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. It will be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are intended only to illustrate the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. It should also be noted that, for ease of description, the accompanying drawings only illustrate portions relevant to the present invention, not all structures.

[0034] In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "connected," "connected," and "fixed" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they may refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integration; mechanical connections or electrical connections; direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and internal communication between two components or interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention in specific circumstances.

[0035] In the present invention, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may include the first and second features being in direct contact, or may include the first and second features being in contact not directly but through another feature between them. Furthermore, a first feature being "above," "above," and "above" a second feature may include the first feature being directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or may simply mean that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being "below," "below," and "below" a second feature may include the first feature being directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or may simply mean that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0036] In the description of this embodiment, the terms "upper," "lower," "right," and other orientations or positional relationships are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are intended solely for ease of description and simplified operation. They do not indicate or imply that the devices or components referred to must have, be constructed, or operate in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the present invention. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used solely for descriptive purposes and have no special meanings.

[0037] Figures 1 to 12 1 is a process diagram of separating the cardboard box 100 and the film 120 from the material 110 in this embodiment. Figures 1 to 12 The up and down direction is the height direction; Figures 1 to 12 The direction from left to right in the figure is the conveying direction of the first conveyor belt 1.

[0038] The present invention discloses an automatic separation device, which comprises a first conveyor belt 1 and a limiting structure, a box opening mechanism, a cutting mechanism, an inflation mechanism, a turnover mechanism and two second conveyor belts.

[0039] The limiting structure is spaced apart from the first conveyor belt 1 in the height direction. The limiting structure can be raised and lowered in the height direction. When the first conveyor belt 1 conveys the material 110, the setting position of the limiting structure in the height direction can be adaptively adjusted according to the actual working conditions. Specifically, when it is necessary to limit the material 110 to the expected position along the conveying direction of the first conveyor belt 1, the limiting structure is controlled to be raised and lowered in the height direction so as to abut against the material 110, so as to limit the material 110 to the expected position; Figures 6 to 10 As shown, for the need to peel off the film 120 wrapped around the material 110, the limiting structure is controlled to rise and fall in the height direction so that it abuts against the material 110, and starting from a certain position in the height direction of the material 110, the film 120 is cut on three sides along the circumference of the material 110, and the film 120 is divided into an upper half film 121 and a lower half film 122, and then the lower half film 122 is driven away from the bottom of the material 110 under the friction force of the first conveyor belt 1. After the lower half film 122 is separated from the bottom of the material 110, the limiting structure is controlled to rise and fall in the height direction away from the material 110, and clamp the film 120, so as to realize the peeling off of the film 120 wrapped around the material 110.

[0040] Preferably, when the film 120 is cut on three sides, the film 120 is cut from any position between the middle position in the height direction of the material 110 and the bottom in the height direction of the material 110. This is to improve the efficiency of driving the lower half of the film 122 away from the bottom of the material 110 under the friction of the first conveyor belt 1. In other embodiments, when the film 120 is cut on three sides, the film 120 is cut from any position between the middle position in the height direction of the material 110 and the top in the height direction of the material 110. In this embodiment, as Figure 7 As shown, when the film 120 is cut on three sides, the film 120 is cut exemplarily from the middle position in the height direction of the material 110 .

[0041] Preferably, in this embodiment, the first conveyor belt 1 is a particle conveyor belt. This effectively improves the reliability of the first conveyor belt 1 in driving the lower half of the film 122 away from the bottom of the material 110 and effectively improves the efficiency of peeling off the film 120 wrapped around the material 110. As an alternative, the outer surface of the first conveyor belt 1 is provided with an anti-slip pattern. The anti-slip pattern also increases the friction of the first conveyor belt 1, thereby effectively improving the reliability of the first conveyor belt 1 in driving the lower half of the film 122 away from the bottom of the material 110 and effectively improving the efficiency of peeling off the film 120 wrapped around the material 110.

[0042] Specifically, in the present embodiment, the material 110 is a cigarette stack. It is understandable that the material 110 can also be used for other materials 110 that need to be packaged and transported by the film 120 and the cardboard box 100. It is understandable that the cardboard box 100 can also be replaced with other types of hard packaging shells etc.

[0043] Furthermore, in this embodiment, based on the type of material 110, the first conveyor belt 1 is preferably made of food-grade TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer). In other embodiments, other food-grade materials may also be used to make the first conveyor belt 1. It is understood that if the material 110 is non-food, other non-food-grade materials may also be used to make the first conveyor belt 1.

[0044] Specifically, the automatic separation device further includes a first conveyor belt driving mechanism for driving the first conveyor belt 1 to convey the material 110. The specific structure of the first conveyor belt driving mechanism belongs to the prior art and will not be described in detail here.

[0045] Specifically, if Figures 6 to 10 As shown, the limiting structure includes a limiting block drive mechanism and a limiting block 2. The limiting block 2 is connected to the output end of the limiting block drive mechanism. The limiting block drive mechanism can drive the limiting block 2 up and down in the height direction, so that the material 110 wrapped with the film 120 can abut the limiting block 2 along the conveying direction of the first conveyor belt 1. Specifically, the limiting block drive mechanism can be a linear motor, electric push rod, or pneumatic cylinder, capable of driving the limiting block 2 up and down in the height direction.

[0046] As an alternative, the limit block drive mechanism is a multi-axis robotic arm capable of driving the limit block 2 in lifting, translation, and rotation. As an alternative, the limit block drive mechanism is a lifting and translation mechanism capable of driving the limit block 2 in lifting, translation, and rotation. This configuration enables the limit block 2 to confine the material 110 to any desired position on the first conveyor belt 1 based on actual working conditions. The specific structures of the linear motor, electric push rod, pneumatic cylinder, multi-axis robotic arm, and lifting and translation mechanism are all prior art and will not be elaborated upon here.

[0047] The box opening mechanism is used to unseal the cardboard box 100 and expose the top of the material 110 wrapped with the film 120. The specific structure of the box opening mechanism belongs to the prior art and will not be described in detail here.

[0048] Among them, such as Figure 7 and Figure 8As shown, the cutting mechanism includes a first multi-degree-of-freedom drive mechanism, a cutting drive member arranged at the output end of the first multi-degree-of-freedom drive mechanism, and a cutting knife 3 arranged at the output end of the cutting drive member. The first multi-degree-of-freedom drive mechanism can drive the cutting drive member and the cutting knife 3 to move synchronously, and the cutting drive member can drive the cutting knife 3 to cut. So as to drive the cutting knife 3 to cut the film 120 wrapped around the material 110. Specifically, the first multi-degree-of-freedom drive mechanism is a multi-axis robotic arm that can drive the cutting drive member and the cutting knife 3 to rise, fall, translate, and rotate synchronously. As an alternative, the first multi-degree-of-freedom drive mechanism is a lifting and translation mechanism that can drive the cutting drive member and the cutting knife 3 to rise, fall, translate, and rotate synchronously. Among them, the specific structure of the cutting drive member belongs to the existing technology and will not be repeated here.

[0049] Preferably, the cutting knife 3 is a cutting knife that cuts on three sides. This enables the film 120 to be cut on three sides at one time; secondly, the cutting knife 3 is set as a cutting knife that cuts on three sides, which is convenient for avoiding structures such as the limit block 2; secondly, the cutting knife 3 is set as a cutting knife that cuts on three sides. When the lower half of the film 122 is separated from the bottom of the material 110, the film 120 can be clamped away from the material 110 at one time. In other embodiments, the cutting knife 3 can also be a single-sided cutting knife, etc., which can achieve three-sided cutting of the film 120. Among them, the specific structures of the cutting knife that cuts on three sides and the single-sided cutting knife belong to the existing technology and will not be repeated here.

[0050] Among them, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the inflation mechanism includes a second multi-degree-of-freedom drive mechanism, an inflation nozzle 4 fixedly mounted at the output end of the second multi-degree-of-freedom drive mechanism, and a gas source selectively connected to the input end of the inflation nozzle 4. The second multi-degree-of-freedom drive mechanism drives the inflation nozzle 4, and the gas source is used to deliver gas to the inflation nozzle 4. This configuration enables inflation between the material 110 and the film 120 surrounding the material 110, allowing the portion of the film 120 embedded within the material 110 to be ejected. Specifically, the second multi-degree-of-freedom drive mechanism is a multi-axis robotic arm capable of driving the inflation nozzle 4 in both elevation, translation, and rotation. As an alternative, the second multi-degree-of-freedom drive mechanism is a lifting and translation mechanism capable of driving the inflation nozzle 4 in both elevation and translation. Specifically, in this embodiment, the gas source is compressed air. It will be appreciated that the gas source can be adjusted to other types of gas depending on the specific type of material 110.

[0051] Preferably, the injection end of the inflation nozzle 4 is tapered, with the larger end of the cone located between the smaller end and the input end of the inflation nozzle 4. This arrangement allows the second multi-degree-of-freedom drive mechanism to first drive the inflation nozzle 4 to pierce the film 120 above the top of the material 110 to form an inflation hole before inflating the space between the material 110 and the film 120 wrapping the material 110. The second multi-degree-of-freedom drive mechanism then drives the inflation nozzle 4 through the vent hole to inflate the space between the material 110 and the film 120 wrapping the material 110.

[0052] Among them, such as Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the automatic separation device also includes a flipping mechanism, which includes a flipping drive and a flipping frame 5. The output end of the flipping drive is fixedly connected to the flipping frame 5 and can drive the flipping frame 5 to rotate about its own central axis. The central axis and height direction of the flipping frame 5 are perpendicular to the conveying direction of the first conveyor belt 1. An inlet and outlet 51 is provided on one side of the flipping frame 5 along the conveying direction. Specifically, the cardboard box 100 and the material 110 wrapped in the film 120 are moved into the flipping frame 5 as a whole through the inlet and outlet 51. The flipping drive is then controlled to drive the flipping frame 5 to rotate 180° about its own central axis, so that the opening of the cardboard box 100 faces downward and the material 110 wrapped in the film 120 at the opening is supported on the flipping frame 5. The cardboard box 100 and the material 110 wrapped in the film 120 are then removed from the flipping frame 5 as a whole through the inlet and outlet 51, thereby separating the cardboard box 100 from the material 110 wrapped in the film 120. This allows the cardboard box 100 to be separated from the material 110 wrapped in the film 120. Specifically, in this embodiment, the flip drive member is a rotary motor. Furthermore, the motor and the flip frame 5 can be connected by a coupling and / or a gear transmission structure. The specific connection method belongs to the existing technology and will not be described here.

[0053] Specifically, the automatic separation device also includes two second conveyor belts, which are arranged one-to-one at the top and bottom of the flip frame 5 in the height direction; the second conveyor belts are used to convey the structure to be conveyed into and out of the flip frame 5 through the inlet and outlet 51. It can be understood that in this embodiment, the structure to be conveyed includes a cardboard box 100 and a cigarette stack wrapped with a film 120. This allows the flip frame 5 to move the cardboard box 100 and the material 110 wrapped with a film 120 as a whole into or out of the flip frame 5 through the inlet and outlet 51 before and after it is turned over. Specifically, the automatic separation device also includes a second conveyor belt driving mechanism for driving the second conveyor belt to convey the material 110. The specific structure of the second conveyor belt driving mechanism belongs to the prior art and will not be described in detail here.

[0054] As an alternative, roller conveyor mechanisms can be installed at both the top and bottom of the flip frame 5 in the height direction. These roller conveyor mechanisms can also transport the cardboard box 100 through the inlet and outlet 51 into and out of the flip frame 5. As another alternative, an electric push rod or pneumatic cylinder can be installed inside the flip frame 5 to push the cardboard box 100 out of the flip frame 5 through the inlet and outlet 51; an electric push rod or pneumatic cylinder can be installed outside the flip frame 5 to push the cardboard box 100 through the inlet and outlet 51 into the flip frame 5. The specific structure of the roller conveyor mechanism is conventional and will not be described in detail here.

[0055] Preferably, the automatic separation device further includes a third conveyor belt and a third conveyor belt drive mechanism for driving the third conveyor belt to convey material 110. The conveying direction of the third conveyor belt is parallel to that of the first conveyor belt 1. The third conveyor belt is used to convey the structure to be conveyed. The specific structure of the third conveyor belt drive mechanism is prior art and will not be described in detail here. As an alternative, the third conveyor belt can also be replaced with a roller conveyor mechanism.

[0056] In this embodiment, the unpacking mechanism, the third conveyor belt, the reversing frame 5, and the first conveyor belt 1 are arranged sequentially along the conveying direction of the first conveyor belt 1. The unpacking mechanism first unpacks the cardboard box 100. The unpacked cardboard box 100 and the material 110 wrapped in film 120 are then conveyed as a whole to the reversing frame 5 via the third conveyor belt. A second conveyor belt then moves the unpacked cardboard box 100 and the material 110 wrapped in film 120 as a whole into the reversing frame 5. A reversing drive element drives the reversing frame 5 to reverse the unpacked cardboard box 100 and the material 110 wrapped in film 120 as a whole. Another second conveyor belt then moves the reversing cardboard box 100 and the material 110 wrapped in film 120 as a whole out of the reversing frame 5 and onto the first conveyor belt 1. It should be understood that the conveying directions of the first conveyor belt 1, the second conveyor belt, and the third conveyor belt are all parallel.

[0057] Preferably, if Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the automatic separation device further includes a first gripping head 6 and a first gripping drive mechanism for driving the first gripping head 6 to grip a first structure to be gripped. Specifically, in this embodiment, the first structure to be gripped is a cardboard box 100. Specifically, the first gripping drive mechanism is a gripping robot arm. The specific structures of the gripping robot arm and the first gripping head 6 are prior art and will not be further described here. As an alternative, the cardboard box 100 can also be manually removed.

[0058] Preferably, if Figure 11 and Figure 12As shown, the automatic separation device further includes a second gripping head 7 and a second gripping drive mechanism for driving the second gripping head 7 to grip a second structure to be gripped. Specifically, in this embodiment, the second structure to be gripped is a film 120. Specifically, the second gripping drive mechanism is a gripping robot arm. The specific structures of the gripping robot arm and the second gripping head 7 are prior art and will not be described in detail here. As an alternative, the film 120 can also be manually removed.

[0059] In summary, by adopting the above-mentioned automatic separation device, the cardboard box 100 and the film 120 can be fully automatically separated from the cigarette stack, thereby effectively saving labor costs.

[0060] The present invention also provides an automatic separation method for use in the aforementioned automatic separation device. By using this automatic separation method to separate both the cardboard box 100 and the film 120 from the cigarette stack, the space occupied by the automatic separation device can be effectively reduced. Furthermore, the wasteful scattering of tobacco leaves caused by flipping the cigarette stack and the resulting dust generation can be effectively avoided. Furthermore, the phenomenon of film fragments being inserted into the cigarette stack and unable to be removed all at once, caused by directly cutting the film 120 at the top of the cigarette stack, can be effectively avoided. This effectively reduces the cost of the separation film 120 and improves its quality.

[0061] Specifically, if Figure 13 As shown, the automatic separation method includes an inflation operation and a demolding operation performed in sequence:

[0062] After the carton 100 is opened and / or the material 110 wrapped with the film 120 is conveyed onto the first conveyor belt 1 and the carton 100 is removed from the material 110 wrapped with the film 120, an inflation operation is performed. The inflation operation includes inflating air between the material 110 and the film 120 wrapping the material 110, so that the portion of the film 120 embedded in the material 110 is ejected.

[0063] After the material 110 wrapped with the film 120 is conveyed onto the first conveyor belt 1 and the cardboard box 100 is removed from the material 110 wrapped with the film 120, a film stripping operation is performed. The film stripping operation includes: controlling the operation of the first conveyor belt 1 and controlling the limiting structure to rise and fall in the height direction so that the material 110 wrapped with the film 120 abuts the limiting structure along the conveying direction of the first conveyor belt 1; starting from a certain position in the height direction of the material 110, cutting the film 120 on three sides along the circumference of the material 110, so that the film 120 is divided into an upper half film 121 and a lower half film 122; when the friction force of the first conveyor belt 1 drives the lower half film 122 away from the bottom of the material 110, controlling the limiting structure to rise and fall in the height direction away from the material 110, and clamping the film 120 away.

[0064] Specifically, after the suitcase is opened, and / or, the material 110 wrapped with the film 120 is conveyed to the first conveyor belt 1 and the cardboard box 100 is pulled out of the material 110 wrapped with the film 120, air is inflated between the material 110 and the film 120 wrapped around the material 110, so that part of the film 120 embedded in the material 110 can be ejected, thereby facilitating the subsequent cutting of the film 120 on three sides, and can effectively avoid the phenomenon in the prior art of directly cutting the film on the top of the cigarette stack, which causes film fragments to be inserted into the cigarette stack and cannot be removed at one time.

[0065] Specifically, after the material 110 wrapped with the film 120 is conveyed to the first conveyor belt 1 and the cardboard box 100 is pulled away from the material 110 wrapped with the film 120, the film 120 will be cut on three sides along the circumference of the material 110, and then the friction force of the first conveyor belt 1 will drive the lower half of the film 122 to separate from the bottom of the material 110, which can effectively avoid the waste of tobacco leaves caused by the flipping of the cigarette stack in the prior art and the phenomenon that the scattered tobacco leaves will cause dust.

[0066] Specifically, between the time when the carton 100 is opened and the time when the material 110 wrapped with the film 120 is removed from the carton 100, the following steps are also included:

[0067] The cardboard box 100 and the material 110 wrapped with the film 120 are conveyed as a whole to the turning mechanism.

[0068] The flipping mechanism is controlled to flip the carton 100 and the material 110 wrapped with the film 120 as a whole, so that along the height direction, the opening of the carton 100 faces downward and the material 110 wrapped with the film 120 at the opening is supported on the flipping mechanism.

[0069] The flipped cardboard box 100 and the material 110 wrapped with the film 120 are conveyed as a whole to the first conveyor belt 1 .

[0070] This enables the cardboard box 100 to be pulled away from the material 110 wrapped with the film 120 .

[0071] Preferably, during the inflation operation, before inflating the space between the material 110 and the film 120 wrapping the material 110, the film 120 on top of the material 110 is punctured to form a vent hole; and air is inflated into the space between the material 110 and the film 120 wrapping the material 110 through the vent hole. Specifically, the second multi-degree-of-freedom drive mechanism drives the inflation nozzle 4 to puncture the film 120 on top of the material 110 to form the inflation hole; and the second multi-degree-of-freedom drive mechanism drives the inflation nozzle 4 to inflate the space between the material 110 and the film 120 wrapping the material 110 through the vent hole. This facilitates inflation of air into the space between the material 110 and the film 120 wrapping the material 110.

[0072] Preferably, the inflation operation is performed after the carton 100 is opened, the material 110 wrapped in the film 120 is conveyed onto the first conveyor belt 1, and the carton 100 is removed from the material 110 wrapped in the film 120. It is understood that when the material 110 wrapped in the film 120 is conveyed onto the first conveyor belt 1, it indicates that both the carton 100 and the material 110 wrapped in the film 120 have been turned over. When the material 110 wrapped with the film 120 is conveyed onto the first conveyor belt 1 and the cardboard box 100 is removed from the material 110 wrapped with the film 120, an inflation operation is also performed, which can eject the portion of the film 120 that is embedded in the material 110 and is located at the bottom of the material 110 before the material 110 is turned over, and further eject the portion of the film 120 that is embedded in the material 110 around the material 110. This can further facilitate the subsequent cutting of the film 120 on three sides along the circumference of the material 110, and further facilitate the subsequent separation of the lower half of the film 122 from the bottom of the material 110 through the friction force of the first conveyor belt 1, and further reduce the phenomenon of tobacco leaves being scattered and wasted, thereby further improving the quality of the separation film 120 and further facilitating the subsequent separation of the film 120 from the material 110. In other embodiments, the inflation operation is performed after the cardboard box 100 is opened. In other embodiments, the inflation operation is performed after the material 110 wrapped with the film 120 is conveyed onto the first conveyor belt 1 and the cardboard box 100 is removed from the material 110 wrapped with the film 120 .

[0073] Alternatively, whether the portion of film 120 embedded in the material 110 has been ejected is determined based on the amount and / or duration of air inflated between the material 110 and the film 120 wrapping the material 110. Specifically, when the amount of air inflated between the material 110 and the film 120 wrapping the material 110 is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount, it is determined that substantially all of the portion of film 120 embedded in the material 110 has been ejected. Alternatively, when the duration of air inflated between the material 110 and the film 120 wrapping the material 110 is greater than or equal to a predetermined duration, it is determined that substantially all of the portion of film 120 embedded in the material 110 has been ejected. As another alternative, when the amount of air inflated between the material 110 and the film 120 wrapping the material 110 is greater than or equal to a set amount of air, and the duration of air inflated between the material 110 and the film 120 wrapping the material 110 is greater than or equal to a set duration of air inflated, it is determined that the portion of the film 120 embedded in the material 110 has been substantially ejected. As another alternative, whether the portion of the film 120 embedded in the material 110 has been ejected can be determined through human observation.

[0074] Specifically, in this embodiment, Figures 1 to 12As shown, the exemplary process of separating the cardboard box 100 and the film 120 from the material 110 is as follows: the cardboard box 100 is opened by the opening mechanism. The second multi-degree-of-freedom drive mechanism drives the inflation nozzle 4 to puncture the film 120 above the material 110 to form a vent hole. The second multi-degree-of-freedom drive mechanism drives the inflation nozzle 4 to inflate air between the material 110 and the film 120 wrapped around the material 110 through the vent hole. The third conveyor belt transports the unpacked cardboard box 100 and the material 110 wrapped with the film 120 as a whole to the turning frame 5. A second conveyor belt drive mechanism drives the second conveyor belt to move the unpacked cardboard box 100 and the material 110 wrapped with the film 120 as a whole into the turning frame 5. The turning drive element drives the turning frame 5 to turn the unpacked cardboard box 100 and the material 110 wrapped with the film 120 as a whole. Another second conveyor belt drive mechanism drives another second conveyor belt to move the inverted cardboard box 100 and the material 110 wrapped in the film 120 as a whole out of the inverted frame 5 and onto the first conveyor belt 1. The first clamping drive mechanism drives the first clamping head 6 to extract the cardboard box 100 from the material 110 wrapped in the film 120. The first conveyor belt drive mechanism drives the first conveyor belt 1 to convey the material 110 wrapped in the film 120, and the limit block drive mechanism drives the limit block 2 to rise and fall, so that the material 110 wrapped in the film 120 abuts the limit block 2 along the conveying direction of the first conveyor belt 1. After the material 110 wrapped in the film 120 abuts the limit block 2, starting from a certain position in the height direction of the material 110, the cutting mechanism cuts the film 120 on three sides along the circumference of the material 110, dividing the film 120 into an upper half film 121 and a lower half film 122. The first conveyor belt drive mechanism drives the first conveyor belt 1 to continue running. When the friction of the first conveyor belt 1 causes the lower half of the film 122 to separate from the bottom of the material 110, the stopper drive mechanism drives the stopper 2 to rise and fall, causing the stopper 2 to move away from the material 110 in the height direction. The second gripper drive mechanism drives the second gripper head 7 to grip away from the film 120. The first conveyor belt drive mechanism drives the first conveyor belt 1 to continue running, conveying the material 110 to the desired location.

[0075] Obviously, the above embodiments of the present invention are merely examples for the purpose of clearly illustrating the present invention and are not intended to limit the embodiments of the present invention. A person skilled in the art would be able to make various obvious changes, readjustments, and substitutions without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. It is not necessary and impossible to enumerate all embodiments here. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention shall be included within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. Automatic separation method, characterized in that, The automatic separation device comprises a first conveyor belt (1), an inflation mechanism, a cutting mechanism, and a limiting structure spaced apart from the first conveyor belt (1) in a height direction; the limiting structure can be raised and lowered in the height direction; the automatic separation method comprises an inflation operation and a demolding operation performed in sequence: After the carton (100) is opened, the inflation operation is performed, and after the material (110) wrapped with the film (120) is conveyed onto the first conveyor belt (1) and the carton (100) is pulled away from the material (110) wrapped with the film (120), the demolding operation is performed; or, after the carton (100) is opened, the material (110) wrapped with the film (120) is conveyed onto the first conveyor belt (1) and the carton (100) is pulled away from the material (110) wrapped with the film (120), the inflation operation is performed, and then the demolding operation is performed; or, after the carton (100) is opened, the inflation operation is performed, and after the material (110) wrapped with the film (120) is conveyed onto the first conveyor belt (1) and the carton (100) is pulled away from the material (110) wrapped with the film (120), the inflation operation is performed, and then the demolding operation is performed; The inflation operation includes: inflating air between the material (110) and the film (120) wrapped around the material (110), so that a portion of the film (120) embedded in the material (110) is ejected; The film stripping operation includes: controlling the first conveyor belt (1) to work, controlling the limiting structure to rise and fall in the height direction, so that the material (110) wrapped with the film (120) abuts against the limiting structure along the conveying direction of the first conveyor belt (1); starting from a certain position in the height direction of the material (110), cutting the film (120) on three sides along the circumference of the material (110), so that the film (120) is divided into an upper half film (121) and a lower half film (122); when the friction force of the first conveyor belt (1) drives the lower half film (122) to separate from the bottom of the material (110), controlling the limiting structure to rise and fall in the height direction away from the material (110), and using the second clamping head (7) to clamp the film (120) or manually pull out the film (120).

2. The automatic separation method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first conveyor belt (1) is a particle conveyor belt; or The outer peripheral surface of the first conveyor belt (1) is provided with an anti-slip pattern.

3. The automatic separation method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The process from the cardboard box (100) being opened to the material (110) wrapped with the film (120) being removed from the cardboard box (100) comprises the following steps: The cardboard box (100) and the material (110) wrapped with the film (120) are transported as a whole to the turning mechanism; Controlling the flipping mechanism to flip the cardboard box (100) and the material (110) wrapped with the film (120) as a whole, so that along the height direction, the opening of the cardboard box (100) faces downward and the material (110) wrapped with the film (120) at the opening is supported on the flipping mechanism; The flipped cardboard box (100) and the material (110) wrapped with the film (120) are conveyed as a whole to the first conveyor belt (1).

4. The automatic separation method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: During the inflation operation: before inflating the space between the material (110) and the film (120) wrapped around the material (110), the film (120) above the top of the material (110) is pierced to form a vent hole; and air is inflated between the material (110) and the film (120) wrapped around the material (110) through the vent hole.

5. The automatic separation method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: Whether the portion of the film (120) embedded in the material (110) is ejected is determined based on the amount of air inflated between the material (110) and the film (120) wrapped around the material (110) and / or the duration of the air inflated.

6. Automatic separation device, characterized in that, The automatic separation device comprises a first conveyor belt (1), an inflation mechanism, a cutting mechanism and a limiting structure spaced apart from the first conveyor belt (1) in a height direction, wherein the limiting structure can be raised and lowered in the height direction, and the automatic separation device executes the automatic separation method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The automatic separation device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The cutting mechanism comprises a first multi-degree-of-freedom driving mechanism, a cutting driving member arranged at the output end of the first multi-degree-of-freedom driving mechanism, and a cutting knife (3) arranged at the output end of the cutting driving member. The first multi-degree-of-freedom driving mechanism can drive the cutting driving member and the cutting knife (3) to move synchronously, and the cutting driving member can drive the cutting knife (3) to cut.

8. The automatic separation device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The inflation mechanism comprises a second multi-degree-of-freedom drive mechanism, an inflation nozzle (4) fixedly arranged at the output end of the second multi-degree-of-freedom drive mechanism, and a gas source selectively connected to the input end of the inflation nozzle (4); the second multi-degree-of-freedom drive mechanism can drive the inflation nozzle (4) to move, and the gas source is used to deliver gas to the inflation nozzle (4).

9. The automatic separation device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The automatic separation device further comprises a flip mechanism, the flip mechanism comprising a flip driving member and a flip frame (5), the output end of the flip driving member being fixedly connected to the flip frame (5) and capable of driving the flip frame (5) to rotate around its own central axis, the central axis of the flip frame (5), the height direction and the conveying direction of the first conveyor belt (1) being perpendicular to each other; Along the conveying direction, an inlet and outlet (51) is provided on one side of the turnover frame (5).

10. The automatic separation device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The automatic separation device also includes two second conveyor belts, which are arranged one-to-one at the top and bottom of the flip frame (5) along the height direction; the second conveyor belts are used to convey the structure to be conveyed into and out of the flip frame (5) through the inlet and outlet (51), and the structure to be conveyed includes the cardboard box (100) and the material (110) wrapped with a film (120) contained in the cardboard box (100).

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