A carton opening structure

Abstract

This invention provides a carton opening structure, belonging to the field of packaging machinery and equipment. It includes a carton storage unit, with an opening component on one side for retrieving and opening cartons. The storage unit includes a storage platform with a carton placement station, a carton retrieval station, and a conveying component for transporting cartons from the placement station to the retrieval station. The storage unit separates the placement and retrieval positions. While the opening component is retrieving cartons, cartons can be replenished at the placement station simultaneously. Once the cartons at the retrieval station are depleted, the conveying component transports the cartons from the placement station to the retrieval station, quickly replenishing cartons and avoiding conflicts between placement and retrieval. This enables continuous carton retrieval and packaging, improving production efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of packaging machinery and equipment, and particularly relates to a carton opening structure. Background Technology

[0002] Automated cardboard packaging production lines are essential equipment in the modern packaging industry. Integrating automation and intelligent technologies, they significantly improve packaging efficiency and accuracy. These lines typically consist of multiple stages, including cardboard feeding, forming, pasting, opening, filling, sealing, and labeling. Each stage is seamlessly connected through advanced sensors and control systems. During production, the cardboard is precisely cut and formed, then automatically fed into the packaging station. The opening mechanism opens the formed carton, and the product is accurately placed inside. The carton is then automatically sealed and labeled. The entire process requires minimal human intervention, greatly reducing labor costs.

[0003] The cutting and forming of cartons takes longer than the packaging process, so the efficiency of the entire production line depends on the cutting and forming section. To improve production efficiency, cutting and forming are usually separated from product packaging. The cut cartons are placed in a storage warehouse, and the unpacking assembly then retrieves the cartons from the warehouse for unpacking and packaging, forming a production line structure with multiple cutting and forming sections and one packaging section working together.

[0004] However, the current carton storage system cannot continuously feed the carton opening components. After the cartons in the storage system are used up, the machine needs to be stopped to refill or the storage system needs to be replaced before the packaging operation can be carried out again. The level of automation is still insufficient, which restricts the improvement of efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned problems in the existing technology, the present invention provides a packaging carton opening structure, including a carton storage warehouse. One side of the carton storage warehouse is provided with an opening component for taking out the carton from the carton storage warehouse and opening the carton. The carton storage warehouse includes a carton storage platform, and the carton storage platform is provided with a carton placement station, a carton retrieval station, and a conveying component for conveying the carton from the carton placement station to the carton retrieval station.

[0006] The conveying assembly includes several rotating conveyor rollers mounted on the storage platform. A conveyor belt is sleeved on the conveyor rollers. One of the conveyor rollers is driven by a conveyor motor, which drives the conveyor belt to rotate. A gantry frame is fixedly installed on the storage platform at the middle of the corresponding conveyor belt. A baffle plate is slidably installed on the gantry frame, which divides the storage platform into two parts, which serve as a box placement station and a box retrieval station, respectively. When the baffle plate slides to the bottom, it prevents the boxes from being transported from the box placement station to the box retrieval station. A blocking cylinder that drives the baffle plate to slide up and down is also fixedly installed on the gantry frame.

[0007] The carton opening assembly includes an opening platform and a robotic arm. The opening platform is equipped with negative pressure suction cups for adsorbing cartons. The end effector of the robotic arm includes a first gripping plate, a second gripping plate is hinged to the top of the first gripping plate, a gripping cylinder is rotatably mounted on the back of the first gripping plate, and an obtuse angle bracket is rotatably mounted on the telescopic end of the gripping cylinder. One side of the obtuse angle bracket is rotatably connected to the telescopic end of the gripping cylinder, and the other side of the obtuse angle bracket is fixedly connected to the back of the second gripping plate. The telescopic movement of the gripping cylinder drives the second gripping plate to rotate relative to the first gripping plate. Negative pressure suction cups are provided on the front of both the first and second gripping plates.

[0008] The first and second gripping plates are each equipped with multiple negative pressure suction cups, and the negative pressure suction cups on the first and second gripping plates are arranged in a rectangular array.

[0009] The unpacking platform has several sets of lifting components evenly spaced below the platform surface. Each lifting component includes a lifting cylinder fixedly installed on the unpacking platform. The telescopic end of the lifting cylinder extends upward and is fixedly installed with a crossbar. Multiple negative pressure suction cups are evenly fixedly installed on the crossbar. The arrangement direction of the lifting components is perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the negative pressure suction cups.

[0010] The unpacking platform has an inclined surface. The lifting assembly is installed on the lower side of the platform and is arranged parallel to the inclined surface. Limiting baffles are fixedly installed on the lower edge and one of the inclined sides of the platform. A positioning slide rail is fixedly installed on the lower side of the platform. A straightening rod for moving the carton is slidably installed on the positioning slide rail. A straightening motor for driving the straightening rod to slide is also fixedly installed on the platform.

[0011] The unpacking platform has two rotating gears, one of which is fixedly connected to the shaft of the alignment motor. The two gears are meshed with the same toothed belt, and the alignment rod is fixedly connected to the toothed belt.

[0012] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: the carton storage separates the placement and retrieval of cartons. During the retrieval process by the carton opening component, cartons can be replenished at the placement station simultaneously. Once the cartons at the retrieval station are depleted, the conveying component transports the cartons from the placement station to the retrieval station, quickly replenishing the cartons and avoiding conflicts between placement and retrieval. This enables continuous carton retrieval and packaging, improving production efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the opening mechanism of a packaging carton.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the opening structure of a packaging carton from another angle.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the storage box warehouse.

[0016] Figure 4 This is a 3D structural diagram of the unpacking platform.

[0017] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Enlarged view of point A.

[0018] Figure 6 This is a structural diagram of the lifting assembly.

[0019] Figure 7 This is a 3D structural diagram of the robotic arm.

[0020] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 Enlarged view of point B.

[0021] Figure 9 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the robotic arm from another angle. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0023] As attached Figure 1-9 The diagram illustrates an opening structure for a packaging carton 30, comprising a storage bin 1. An opening assembly 2 is provided on one side of the storage bin 1 for retrieving and opening the carton 30. The storage bin 1 includes a storage platform 3, on which a carton placement station 4, a carton retrieval station 5, and a conveying assembly 6 for transporting the carton 30 from the placement station 4 to the retrieval station 5 are provided. The conveying assembly 6 includes multiple rotating conveyor rollers 7 mounted on the storage platform 3. The extension direction of the conveyor rollers 7 is perpendicular to the conveying direction. A conveyor belt 8 is fitted onto each conveyor roller 7. One conveyor roller 7 serves as the driving roller, and the remaining conveyor rollers 7 serve as driven rollers. The driven rollers are connected to the driving roller via the conveyor belt 8, and the driving roller is further connected to the conveyor belt 8 via a belt and pulley. A conveyor motor 9 drives the conveyor belt 8 to rotate. A gantry frame 10 that spans the conveyor belt 8 in the width direction is fixedly installed in the middle of the storage platform 3. Slide rails are fixedly installed on both sides of the gantry frame 10. A baffle plate 11 is installed on the gantry frame 10 by sliding up and down through the cooperation of the slide rails and the slider. The baffle plate 11 divides the storage platform 3 into two parts, which serve as the box placement station 4 and the box retrieval station 5, respectively. When the baffle plate 11 slides to the bottom, it prevents the carton 30 from being transported from the box placement station 4 to the box retrieval station 5, which can avoid misoperation to a certain extent. A baffle cylinder 12 is fixedly installed on the top of the gantry frame 10. The telescopic end of the baffle cylinder 12 extends downward and is fixedly connected to the baffle plate 11. The baffle plate 11 slides up and down by telescopic drive.

[0024] The unpacking assembly 2 includes an unpacking platform 13 and a four-axis robotic arm 14. The platform 13 has a vertically inclined surface 15. Three sets of lifting assemblies 16 are evenly spaced and installed below the lower side of the platform 13. The arrangement direction of the three sets of lifting assemblies 16 is parallel to the inclined platform 15. Each lifting assembly 16 includes two lifting cylinders 17 fixedly installed on the platform 13. The telescopic ends of the two lifting cylinders 17 extend upwards and are fixedly installed on the same crossbar 18. The two lifting cylinders 17 are located at the two ends of the crossbar. Twelve negative pressure suction cups 19 are evenly fixedly installed on the crossbar 18. The arrangement direction of the three sets of lifting assemblies 16 is perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the negative pressure suction cups 19. Limiting baffles 20 are fixedly installed on the lower side and one of the inclined sides of the platform 15. A positioning slide rail 21 is fixedly installed on the lower side of the platform 15 of the opening table 13. A straightening rod 22 for moving the carton 30 is slidably installed on the positioning slide rail 21. A straightening motor 23 and two gears 24 are also fixedly installed on the opening table 13. One of the gears 24 is fixedly connected to the shaft of the straightening motor 23. The same toothed belt 25 is meshed on the two gears 24. The straightening rod 22 is fixedly connected to the toothed belt 25. The initial position of the straightening rod 22 is located on the inclined side of the opening table 13 where the limiting baffles 20 are not set. The straightening rod 22 is driven by the straightening motor 23 to slide to the other side. The robotic arm 14 uses a conventional four-axis robotic arm body combined with a specially designed end effector. The end effector includes a first gripping plate 26. A second gripping plate 27 is hinged to the top of the first gripping plate 26 via two hinges. Two gripping cylinders 28 are rotatably mounted on the back of the first gripping plate 26. Obtuse-angle brackets 29 are rotatably mounted on the telescopic ends of the gripping cylinders 28. One side of the obtuse-angle bracket 29 is rotatably connected to the telescopic end of the gripping cylinder 28, and the other side of the obtuse-angle bracket 29 is fixedly connected to the back of the second gripping plate 27. The telescopic drive rotates the second gripping plate 27 relative to the first gripping plate 26 by 90°, from when the first gripping plate 26 and the second gripping plate 27 are on the same plane to when they are perpendicular to each other. The front of the first gripping plate 26 and the second gripping plate 27 are provided with multiple negative pressure suction cups 19, and the negative pressure suction cups 19 on the first gripping plate 26 and the second gripping plate 27 are arranged in a rectangular array. The negative pressure suction cups 19 on the robotic arm 14 and the negative pressure suction cups 19 on the opening platform 13 are connected to an external negative pressure pump through ventilation pipes to achieve negative pressure adsorption.

[0025] The unpacking structure provided in this embodiment is part of the automatic packaging production line of carton 30. After being cut and shaped, the carton 30 is transported to the carton placement station 4 of the storage platform 3 through an external conveying structure. The carton 30 is then stacked on the carton placement station 4, or stacked elsewhere, and the stacked carton 30 is placed on the carton placement station 4. The conveyor motor 9 starts and drives the conveyor belt 8 to send the carton 30 on the carton placement station 4 to the carton retrieval station 5. At this time, the blocking cylinder 12 is activated to drive the blocking plate 11 to slide downward and separate the box placement station 4 and the box retrieval station 5. Then, the robotic arm 14 drives the end effector to move to the carton 30 at the box retrieval station 5. The negative pressure suction cup 19 of the first box gripping plate 26 adsorbs the carton 30. Then, the robotic arm 14 moves the carton 30 to the top of the opening platform 13 through the first box gripping plate 26 and stops the adsorption of the negative pressure suction cup 19 of the first box gripping plate 26. The carton 30 falls onto the opening platform 13 and automatically slides down the table surface 15 of the opening platform 13 under the action of gravity until it contacts the limiting baffle 20 on the lower edge of the table surface 15. Then, the centering motor 23 starts and drives the centering rod 22 to slide. The sliding of the centering rod 22 pushes the carton 30 to contact the limiting baffle 20 on the inclined side of the table 15 and center it. Then, the lifting cylinder 17 starts and drives the crossbar 18 and the negative pressure suction cup 19 on the crossbar 18 to rise and suction the bottom of the carton 30 through the negative pressure suction cup 19. The robotic arm 14 then drives the end effector to move to the carton 30 on the opening table 13 and suctions the carton 30 through the negative pressure suction cup 19 of the first gripping plate 26. Then, the robotic arm 14 drives the end effector to pull back and open the carton 30. The gripping cylinder 28 starts and causes the second gripping plate 27 to rotate and suction the other side of the carton 30 through the negative pressure suction cup 19, so that the carton 30 is kept open. At this time, the opening of the carton 30 is completed. The robotic arm 14 can move the opened carton 30 to the packing equipment for product packing.

[0026] The above-described embodiments are merely one implementation of the present invention, and while the descriptions are specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of this patent should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A carton opening structure, comprising a storage compartment (1), wherein one side of the storage compartment (1) is provided with an opening component (2) for retrieving a carton (30) from the storage compartment (1) and opening the carton (30), characterized in that, The storage warehouse (1) includes a storage platform (3), which is equipped with a box placement station (4), a box retrieval station (5), and a conveying assembly (6) for conveying cartons (30) from the box placement station (4) to the box retrieval station (5). The conveying assembly (6) includes several rotating conveyor rollers (7) mounted on the storage platform (3). A conveyor belt (8) is sleeved on the conveyor rollers (7). One of the conveyor rollers (7) is connected to a conveyor motor (9) and the conveyor motor (9) drives the conveyor belt (8) to rotate. A gantry frame (10) is fixedly installed on the storage platform (3) at the middle of the corresponding conveyor belt (8). A baffle plate (1) is installed on the gantry frame (10) that slides up and down. 1) The baffle plate (11) divides the storage platform (3) into two parts, which serve as the box placement station (4) and the box retrieval station (5) respectively. When the baffle plate (11) slides to the bottom, it prevents the carton (30) from being transported from the box placement station (4) to the box retrieval station (5). The gantry frame (10) is also fixedly installed with a baffle cylinder (12) that drives the baffle plate (11) to slide up and down. The box opening assembly (2) includes a box opening platform (13) and a robotic arm (14). The box opening platform (13) is equipped with a negative pressure suction cup (19) for adsorbing the carton (30). The end effector of the robotic arm (14) includes a first box gripper (26). The top of the first box gripper (26) is hinged to a second box gripper. The first gripping plate (26) has a gripping cylinder (28) mounted rotatably on its back side. The telescopic end of the gripping cylinder (28) extends upward and is mounted with an obtuse angle bracket (29). One side of the obtuse angle bracket (29) is rotatably connected to the telescopic end of the gripping cylinder (28), and the other side of the obtuse angle bracket (29) is fixedly connected to the back side of the second gripping plate (27). The telescopic movement of the gripping cylinder (28) drives the second gripping plate (27) to rotate relative to the first gripping plate (26). Negative pressure suction cups (19) are provided on the front sides of both the first gripping plate (26) and the second gripping plate (27). The opening platform (13) has several sets of evenly spaced components installed below the platform (15). The lifting assembly (16) includes a lifting cylinder (17) fixedly installed on the opening platform (13). The telescopic end of the lifting cylinder (17) extends upward and is fixedly installed with a crossbar (18). Multiple negative pressure suction cups (19) are evenly fixedly installed on the crossbar (18). The arrangement direction of the lifting assembly (16) is perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the negative pressure suction cups (19). The platform (15) of the opening platform (13) is an inclined platform (15). The lifting assembly (16) is installed on the lower side of the platform (15) and its arrangement direction is parallel to the inclined platform (15). Limiting baffles (20) are fixedly installed on the lower side and one of the inclined sides of the platform (15).The unpacking platform (13) has a positioning slide rail (21) fixedly installed on the lower side of the platform (15). A slidable straightening rod (22) for moving the carton (30) is mounted on the positioning slide rail (21). A straightening motor (23) for driving the slidable straightening rod (22) is also fixedly installed on the unpacking platform (13).

2. The packaging carton opening structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, Multiple negative pressure suction cups (19) are provided on the first gripping plate (26) and the second gripping plate (27), and the negative pressure suction cups (19) on the first gripping plate (26) and the second gripping plate (27) are arranged in a rectangular array.

3. The packaging carton opening structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, Two gears (24) are mounted on the unpacking platform (13). One of the gears (24) is fixedly connected to the shaft of the centering motor (23). The same toothed belt (25) is meshed on both gears (24). The centering rod (22) is fixedly connected to the toothed belt (25).

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