Flexible edge cutting device and method for container covering film

Abstract

The flexible edge cutting device comprises a conveying line and lifting mechanisms, a plurality of evenly-distributed mold plates are fixed to the conveying line, the lifting mechanisms are located on the two sides of the conveying line, lifting plates are fixed to the lifting mechanisms, the lifting plates are located above the conveying line, and the mold plates are arranged on the conveying line. The edge cutting assembly is arranged at the bottom of the lifting plate, the flexible pad is arranged in the middle of the mold plate, the container is erected on the flexible pad, the mold plate conveys the container subjected to film covering to the position below the lifting plate, and the edge cutting assembly falls down to cut off film covering flashes on the edges of the container. The edge pressing frame and the flexible pad clamp the film on the two sides of the cutter and the edge of the container, it is guaranteed that the film deforms in a limited mode under the pressure of the cutter, the flexible pad plays a soft supporting role on the film, and it is guaranteed that the edge of the container and the film edge outside the edge are completely cut and separated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of edge-cutting equipment for container coating, and more particularly to a flexible edge-cutting device and method for container coating. Background Technology

[0002] With economic development and a faster pace of life, lunch boxes are widely used in daily life, mainly for takeout packaging and as preservation containers in supermarket refrigerated display cases. Currently, lunch boxes used for preservation are mainly divided into those made of plastic and those made of paper.

[0003] Plastic food containers are widely used due to their one-piece molding process and material properties, which ensure their airtightness and smooth edges. This, combined with a liner, guarantees a tight seal when food is packaged. However, the non-renewable nature of the material and its high polluting potential do not align with the current concept of sustainable development. Paper food containers, with their inner liner, can also provide airtightness and preservation. Replacing plastic food containers with paper containers is a viable development direction.

[0004] During the lamination process of cardboard boxes, the inner and outer films need to be trimmed to remove excess film. Current lamination processes typically use hard-blade cutting or hot-blade cutting, but this is unsuitable for vertical cuts along the edges of cardboard boxes. The inner cling film is highly resilient, making incomplete cutting with hard-blade cutting easy, and hot-blade cutting prone to damaging the film, affecting the box's seal. Neither method is suitable for automated continuous production, and this is a problem. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To overcome the shortcomings of the above-mentioned technologies, the present invention provides a flexible edge-cutting device and method for container film coating. The device uses a hard-on-soft cutting method, with the pressure frame and flexible pad clamping the film to ensure limited deformation of the film under the pressure of the cutter, thereby completing the cutting.

[0006] This invention is achieved through the following technical solution: A flexible edge-cutting device for container coating includes a conveyor line and a lifting mechanism. Several uniformly distributed mold plates are fixed on the conveyor line. The lifting mechanism is located on both sides of the conveyor line, and a lifting plate is fixed on the lifting mechanism, positioned above the conveyor line. An edge-cutting assembly is provided at the bottom of the lifting plate. A groove is formed in the middle of the mold plate, and a flexible pad is placed inside the groove. Several uniformly distributed through holes are formed on the groove and the flexible pad. The bottom of the container passes through the through holes, and the edge of the container rests on the flexible pad. The edge-cutting assembly includes a pressing frame, a cutter, and several fixing posts. The fixing posts are fixed to the bottom of the lifting plate. The pressing frame is vertically extendable and positioned at the lower end of the fixing posts. The pressing frame consists of an inner frame and an outer frame that are fixed to each other, with a gap between the inner and outer frames. The cutter is fixed to the bottom of the lifting plate and is located between the inner and outer frames. The mold plates convey the coated container to the area below the lifting plate, and the edge-cutting assembly descends to cut off the coating edge of the container.

[0007] Further optimized, the flexible pad has a slit, the depth of which is less than the thickness of the flexible pad, and the slit is closed in the absence of external force.

[0008] Further optimized, the cross-sectional shapes of the through hole, the edge of the container, the gap of the flexible pad, the inner frame, and the cutter are the same. The outer diameter of the edge of the container is the same as the outer diameter of the inner frame of the pressure frame. The inner diameter of the cutter is the same as the inner diameter of the gap of the flexible pad. The inner diameter of the cutter is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the edge of the container.

[0009] Further optimized, the lower end of the fixed column is provided with a sliding column, the pressure frame is provided with a sliding hole, the sliding column is embedded in the sliding hole, and the fixed column is also provided with a return spring, which is located between the pressure frame and the lifting plate.

[0010] In a further optimized manner, the inner frame and outer frame of the pressing edge are fixed to each other by a connecting plate, and the cutter has a connecting hole through which the connecting plate passes.

[0011] Further optimized, the bottom surface of the outer frame of the pressing edge is slightly lower than the bottom surface of the inner frame, and in the normal state, the bottom of the outer frame of the pressing edge is flush with the cutting blade.

[0012] In a further optimized manner, a positioning post is fixed at the bottom of each end of the lifting plate, and a positioning hole adapted to the positioning post is opened at each end of the mold plate, with the lower end of the positioning post being conical.

[0013] In a further optimized manner, the bottom of the conveyor line is provided with two support rods, and the support rods are provided with several support wheels. The support rods are located directly below the lifting plate.

[0014] In a further optimized manner, the conveyor line is also provided with a film feeding roller, a film coating device and a film taking-up roller in sequence. The film feeding roller and the film coating device are located in front of the lifting mechanism, and the film taking-up roller is located in the rear of the lifting mechanism.

[0015] Further optimized, S1, a custom mold plate with a flexible pad is fixed on the conveyor line, and the edge of the container rests on the flexible pad of the mold plate; S2, the mold plate is coated onto the container by the film feeding roller and the film coating device, and then conveyed to the edge cutting assembly of the lifting mechanism; S3, the edge cutting assembly falls, and the pressure frame and the flexible pad clamp the film on both sides of the cutter and the edge of the container, so that the film is deformed to a limited extent. At the same time, the cutter continues to fall to cut the film. The cutter extends into the gap of the flexible pad and contacts the bottom of the gap. With the support of the flexible pad, the edge of the container is completely cut and separated from the film outside the edge, and the cutting is completed; S4, the cutter rises, and at the same time the pressure frame returns to its original position to prevent the cutter from lifting the container. The conveyor line removes the cut mold plate and continues to the next set of cuts; S5, the cut mold passes through the film take-up roller, which rolls up the excess film. The remaining coated containers continue to be conveyed to the rear for other processes.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this invention are: This device employs a hard-on-soft cutting method. During film cutting, the cutting assembly descends, and the pressure frame and flexible pad clamp the film and container edge on both sides of the cutter, ensuring limited deformation of the film under the pressure of the cutter. The cutter continues to descend and cut the film, extending into the gap of the flexible pad. The gap is shallow, allowing the cutter to reach the bottom of the gap. The flexible pad provides soft support for the film, ensuring complete separation of the container edge from the film edge outside the edge. The gap is created because the film's toughness is greater than the flexible pad, preventing damage to the flexible pad while ensuring complete film cutting.

[0017] The pressure frame in the edge-cutting assembly of this device adopts a telescopic design. Because the cutter is a closed blade whose shape matches the edge of the container, and the inner wall of the cutter is very close to the edge of the container, it is easy to lift the container when the cutter is raised. The telescopic pressure frame can extend downward a short distance to reset when the cutter is raised, pressing the container onto the flexible pad and preventing the cutter from lifting the container along with it, which would affect subsequent processes.

[0018] The device is also equipped with positioning posts and positioning holes. The bottom of the positioning posts is conical, which facilitates the positioning of the cutting components and the mold plate, ensuring that the cutter accurately cuts within the gap of the flexible pad outside the edge of the container.

[0019] In this device, two support rods and several support wheels are also provided below the conveyor line. Since the conveyor line has poor support, the support wheels can provide stable support and better complete the film cutting. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the cut edge in this invention.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the edge-cutting device in this invention.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the mold plate in this invention.

[0023] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the lifting plate and the mold plate in this invention.

[0024] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Enlarged diagram of point A in the middle.

[0025] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the edge-cutting component in this invention.

[0026] Figure 7 for Figure 6 Enlarged diagram of point B in the middle.

[0027] Figure 8 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the edge-cutting component in this invention with the outer frame removed.

[0028] Figure 9 for Figure 8 Enlarged view of point C in the middle.

[0029] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure between the lifting plate and the cutting edge assembly in this invention.

[0030] Figure 11 for Figure 10 A magnified view of point D in the middle. In the picture: 1. Conveyor line; 2. Lifting mechanism; 3. Mold plate; 31. Positioning hole; 32. Groove; 33. Flexible pad; 331. Gap; 4. Lifting platform; 41. Positioning column; 5. Container; 6. Support rod; 61. Support wheel; 7. Pressing edge; 71. Outer frame; 72. Inner frame; 73. Cutting blade; 731. Connecting hole; 74. Connecting plate; 76. Fixing post; 761. Return spring; 762. Sliding post; 711. Sliding hole; 8. Through hole; 91. Film feeding roller; 92. Film coating device; 93. Film taking-up roller. Detailed Implementation

[0031] To clearly illustrate the technical features of this solution, the invention will be described in detail below through specific embodiments and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "left," "right," "front," "rear," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing the invention and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the invention.

[0032] like Figures 1-11 As shown, this invention provides a flexible edge-cutting device for container coating, including a conveyor line 1 and a lifting mechanism 2. A plurality of evenly distributed mold plates 3 are fixed on the conveyor line. The lifting mechanism 2 is located on both sides of the conveyor line 1, and a lifting plate 4 is fixed on the lifting mechanism, positioned above the conveyor line 1. An edge-cutting component is provided at the bottom of the lifting plate 4. A container 5 is placed on the mold plate 3 and is conveyed by the conveyor line 1 for coating and transported below the lifting plate 4. The lifting mechanism 2 controls the lifting plate and the edge-cutting component to fall and cooperate with the mold plate 3 to cut off the coating burrs (including burrs generated during the coating process and excess film outside the container edge) from the container edge. It should be noted that both the conveyor line and the lifting mechanism can employ existing technology, which will not be elaborated upon in this application.

[0033] like Figure 3 , 4 As shown, a groove 32 is provided in the middle of the mold plate 3, and a flexible pad 33 is laid in the groove. The flexible pad can be made of flexible material such as silicone. Several evenly distributed through holes 8 are provided on the groove 32 and the flexible pad 33. The bottom of the container 5 passes through the through holes, and the edge of the container rests on the flexible pad, that is, the container 5 is suspended on the flexible pad by its edge.

[0034] like Figure 6 , 7 As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the edge-cutting assembly includes a pressing frame 7, a cutter 73, and several fixing posts 76. The fixing posts are fixed to the bottom of the lifting plate 4. The pressing frame 7 is vertically extendable and is located at the lower end of the fixing posts 76. The pressing frame 7 is divided into an inner frame 72 and an outer frame 71 that are fixed to each other, with a gap between the inner frame 72 and the outer frame 71. The cutter 73 is fixed to the bottom of the lifting plate 4, and the cutter 73 is located between the inner frame and the outer frame, that is, the cutter 73 is relatively fixed to the lifting plate 4. The pressing frame 7 can move freely up and down to expose or hide the cutter. When cutting the film, the inner frame presses down on the edge of the container, and the outer frame presses down on the film outside the edge of the container. The cutter cuts the film from the middle of the inner and outer frames, and the film deforms to a limited extent under the pressure of the cutter.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the flexible pad 33 has a slit 331, the depth of which is less than the thickness of the flexible pad 33. The slit 331 is closed in the absence of external force. The slit is created on the flexible pad because the membrane's toughness and deformation are greater than the flexible pad's, making direct cutting difficult. However, it is important to note that the slit should not be too deep. After the cutter cuts into the slit, it should reach the bottom of the slit, ensuring that the flexible pad provides soft support for the membrane. The cutter and the flexible pad apply opposing pressure to the membrane, ensuring complete cutting. Furthermore, the slit 331 is closed in the absence of external force to avoid affecting the previous lamination process.

[0036] As a preferred implementation method, such as Figure 4 , 6 As shown, the cross-sectional shapes of the through hole 8, the edge of the container 5, the gap 331 of the flexible pad, the inner frame 72, and the cutter 73 are the same. The outer diameter of the edge of the container 5 is the same as the outer diameter of the inner frame 72 of the pressure frame, and the inner diameter of the cutter 73 is the same as the inner diameter of the gap 331 of the flexible pad. The inner diameter of the cutter 73 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the edge of the container 5 to ensure that the cutter can cut the film along the edge of the container.

[0037] As a preferred implementation method, such as Figure 6 , 10 As shown in Figure 11, the lower end of the fixed post 76 is provided with a sliding post 762, and the pressing frame 7 has a sliding hole 711. The sliding post 762 is embedded in the sliding hole 711. The fixed post 76 is also fitted with a return spring 761, which is located between the pressing frame 7 and the lifting plate 4. During film cutting, the cutting assembly falls, the pressing frame presses on the flexible pad and the edge of the container, and the cutter continues to descend to cut the film. When the cutting assembly is lifted, the pressing frame is reset under the action of the return spring, and the container 5 is pressed on the flexible pad and remains stationary, preventing the cutter from lifting the container along with it.

[0038] As a preferred implementation method, such as Figure 6 , 8 As shown in Figure 9, the inner frame 72 and the outer frame 71 of the pressing frame 7 are fixed to each other by a connecting plate 74. The cutter 73 has a connecting hole 731, and the connecting plate 74 passes through the connecting hole 731. The connecting hole and the connecting plate allow the inner frame and the outer frame to freely extend and retract up and down on both sides of the cutter.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment, the bottom surface of the outer frame 71 of the pressing frame 7 is slightly lower than the bottom surface of the inner frame 72. In the normal state, the bottom of the outer frame 71 of the pressing frame 7 is flush with the cutter 73. The purpose is that while the inner frame 72 is pressing on the edge of the container, the outer frame can be pressed on the flexible pad on the outside of the edge of the container.

[0040] As a preferred implementation method, such as Figure 4 , 6 As shown, a positioning post 41 is fixed at the bottom of each end of the lifting plate 4, and a positioning hole 31 adapted to the positioning post 41 is opened at each end of the mold plate 3. The lower end of the positioning post 41 is conical, which facilitates the positioning of the cutting component and the mold plate, and ensures that the cutter 73 accurately cuts in the flexible pad gap 331 outside the edge of the container.

[0041] As a preferred implementation method, such as Figure 1 , 2 As shown, the bottom of the conveyor line 1 is provided with two support rods 6, and the support rods are provided with several support wheels 61. The support rods 6 are located directly below the lifting plate 4. The conveyor line has poor support; the support wheels can provide stable support, better completing the film cutting, while not affecting the movement of the mold plate on the conveyor line.

[0042] As a preferred implementation method, such as Figure 2 As shown, the conveyor line 1 is also provided with a film feeding roller 91, a film covering device 92 and a film taking-up roller 93 in sequence. The film feeding roller 91 and the film covering device 92 are located in front of the lifting mechanism 2, and the film taking-up roller 93 is located in the rear of the lifting mechanism. The container is first covered with film, and then the excess film and flash are removed by the edge cutting component. Then the excess film is rolled up by the film taking-up roller, leaving the container on the mold plate for the next process.

[0043] This device uses a hard-on-soft cutting method to cut the film. During film cutting, the cutting edge assembly falls, and the pressing frame presses the film on both sides of the cutter and the edge of the covered container onto the flexible pad, ensuring limited deformation of the film. At the same time, the cutter continues to fall and cut the film, extending into the gap of the flexible pad. The gap is relatively shallow, allowing the cutter to contact the bottom of the gap. The flexible pad provides soft support for the film. The cutter and the flexible pad apply opposing pressure to the film, ensuring that the edge of the container is completely cut and separated from the film outside the edge.

[0044] More specifically, this application also discloses a flexible edge-cutting method for container coating, including the following steps: S1. Customize a mold plate with a flexible pad. The mold plate is fixed on the conveyor line, and the edge of the container rests on the flexible pad of the mold plate. S2. The mold plate is covered with film by the film feeding roller and the film covering device, and then conveyed to the edge cutting assembly of the lifting mechanism; S3. The cutting assembly falls, and the pressure frame and flexible pad clamp the film and container edge on both sides of the cutter, causing limited deformation of the film. At the same time, the cutter continues to fall and cut the film. The cutter extends into the gap of the flexible pad and contacts the bottom of the gap. With the support of the flexible pad, the edge of the container is completely cut and separated from the film outside the edge, and the cutting is completed. S4. The cutter rises while the pressure plate returns to its original position, preventing the cutter from lifting the container. The conveyor line removes the cut mold plate and continues the next set of cuts. S5. The cut mold passes through the take-up roller, which winds up the excess film. The remaining coated containers continue to be conveyed for other processes. All aspects not detailed herein are well-known to those skilled in the art. Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are merely illustrative of the technical solutions of this invention and not intended to limit it. Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can be made to the technical solutions of this invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications and substitutions should be covered within the scope of the claims of this invention.

Claims

1. A flexible edge-cutting device for container film coating, comprising a conveyor line and a lifting mechanism, characterized in that: Several evenly distributed mold plates are fixed on the conveyor line. The lifting mechanism is located on both sides of the conveyor line, and a lifting plate is fixed on the lifting mechanism. The lifting plate is located above the conveyor line, and a cutting edge assembly is provided at the bottom of the lifting plate. A groove is provided in the middle of the mold plate, and a flexible pad is laid in the groove. Several evenly distributed through holes are provided in the groove and the flexible pad. The bottom of the container passes through the through holes, and the edge of the container rests on the flexible pad. The edge-cutting assembly includes a pressing frame, a cutter, and several fixing posts. The fixing posts are fixed to the bottom of the lifting plate. The pressing frame is vertically extendable and is located at the lower end of the fixing posts. The pressing frame is divided into an inner frame and an outer frame that are fixed to each other. There is a gap between the inner frame and the outer frame. The cutter is fixed to the bottom of the lifting plate and is located between the inner frame and the outer frame. The mold plate conveys the coated container to the area below the lifting plate, and the edge-cutting component falls down to cut off the coating burrs along the edge of the container.

2. The flexible edge-cutting device for container film coating according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flexible pad has slits, the depth of which is less than the thickness of the flexible pad, and the slits are closed when there is no external force.

3. The flexible edge-cutting device for container film coating according to claim 2, characterized in that: The cross-sectional shapes of the through hole, the edge of the container, the gap of the flexible pad, the inner frame, and the cutter are the same. The outer diameter of the edge of the container is the same as the outer diameter of the inner frame of the pressure frame. The inner diameter of the cutter is the same as the inner diameter of the gap of the flexible pad. The inner diameter of the cutter is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the edge of the container.

4. The flexible edge-cutting device for container film coating according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower end of the fixed column is provided with a sliding column, and a sliding hole is opened on the pressure frame. The sliding column is embedded in the sliding hole. A return spring is also sleeved on the fixed column. The return spring is located between the pressure frame and the lifting plate.

5. The flexible edge-cutting device for container film coating according to claim 4, characterized in that: The inner and outer frames of the pressing edge are fixed to each other by a connecting plate, and the cutter has a connecting hole through which the connecting plate passes.

6. The flexible edge-cutting device for container coating according to claim 4, characterized in that: The bottom surface of the outer frame of the pressing edge is slightly lower than the bottom surface of the inner frame. Under normal conditions, the bottom of the outer frame of the pressing edge is flush with the cutting blade.

7. The flexible edge-cutting device for container film coating according to claim 1, characterized in that: A positioning post is fixed at the bottom of each end of the lifting plate, and a positioning hole adapted to the positioning post is opened at each end of the mold plate. The lower end of the positioning post is conical.

8. The flexible edge-cutting device for container film coating according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the conveyor line is provided with two support rods, and the support rods are provided with several support wheels. The support rods are located directly below the lifting plate.

9. The flexible edge-cutting device for container film coating according to claim 1, characterized in that: The conveyor line is also provided with a film feeding roller, a film coating device and a film taking-up roller in sequence. The film feeding roller and the film coating device are located in front of the lifting mechanism, and the film taking-up roller is located in the rear of the lifting mechanism.

10. A flexible edge-cutting method for container coating, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1. Customize a mold plate with a flexible pad. The mold plate is fixed on the conveyor line, and the edge of the container rests on the flexible pad of the mold plate. S2. The mold plate is covered with film by the film feeding roller and the film covering device, and then conveyed to the edge cutting assembly of the lifting mechanism; S3. The cutting assembly falls, and the pressure frame and flexible pad clamp the film and container edge on both sides of the cutter, causing limited deformation of the film. At the same time, the cutter continues to fall and cut the film. The cutter extends into the gap of the flexible pad and contacts the bottom of the gap. With the support of the flexible pad, the edge of the container is completely cut and separated from the film outside the edge, and the cutting is completed. S4. The cutter rises while the pressure plate returns to its original position, preventing the cutter from lifting the container. The conveyor line removes the cut mold plate and continues the next set of cuts. S5. The cut mold passes through the take-up roller, which rolls up the excess film. The remaining coated containers continue to be conveyed to the next stage for other processes.

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