Sleeve-shaped material conveying device and conveying method

Abstract

The invention discloses a sleeve-shaped material conveying device and method.The sleeve-shaped material conveying device comprises a hollow pipeline body, the pipeline body is in a Y shape and comprises a first port, a second port and a third port, the opening of the first port faces upwards and can be connected with an air pipe so that airflow for conveying materials can be formed in the pipeline body, and the opening of the second port faces upwards and can be connected with the air pipe; a filter plate is arranged at the first port to stop materials; the second port is communicated with the material inlet, so that materials enter the hollow pipeline body through the second port and are conveyed to the first port; the third port is designed in the mode that materials cut off at the first port can fall downwards from the third port. The material conveying method adopts the sleeve-shaped material conveying device. The device is reasonable in structure, ingenious in design and beneficial to guaranteeing the stretching state of materials, improving the production efficiency and improving the product quality.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of material handling technology, specifically to a sleeve-shaped material handling device and method. Background Technology

[0002] In the medical and health field, flexible material sheath products, open at one end and closed at the other, such as condoms and finger cots, are widely used. Condoms, also known as birth control pills, are a common contraceptive tool and can also help reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Correct and consistent use of condoms can effectively prevent unintended pregnancy and serves as a barrier against HIV and other STIs. Finger cots are worn on individual fingers for treating minor wounds, preventing cross-infection, etc. In production practice, damage inspection is still required before production and packaging. Specifically, it is necessary to open condom products for damage inspection. As shown in patent application number 202410758701.5, entitled "Fully Automatic Condom Electrical Inspection Equipment," with the condom opening facing down, a support claw extends into the opening of the condom to widen it, and then the upper assembly places the condom on the penis for inspection. However, when the condom opening faces backward, due to folding and twisting, the condom often flattens and sticks together. Figure 1 and 2 As shown, this can cause the condom opening to fail to open properly, which in turn prevents the support claw from being inserted, thus hindering production stability; or even if the condom opening is facing downwards, it is difficult to insert the support claw if the opening is tilted, which is detrimental to production continuity.

[0003] Furthermore, in existing technologies, the feeding devices used for damage detection of packaged products are often complex in structure and have a high failure rate, which is not conducive to reducing production costs or improving production efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention discloses a sleeve-shaped material conveying device and method, which solves the technical problem in the prior art that sleeve-shaped products are difficult to unfold properly before damage detection. It features a reasonable structure and ingenious design that helps ensure the material's unfolded state, improves production efficiency, reduces costs, and enhances product quality. The technical solution adopted is as follows: A sheath-shaped material conveying device includes a hollow pipe body, which is Y-shaped and includes a first port, a second port, and a third port. The first port is open upwards and can be connected to an air pipe. A solenoid valve is installed at the air pipe to create an airflow for material conveying within the pipe body. A filter plate is installed at the first port to stop the material flow. The second port is connected to a material inlet, allowing material to enter the hollow pipe body through the second port and be conveyed to the first port. The third port is designed so that material stopped at the first port can fall downwards through the third port. Preferably, a negative pressure is created within the air pipe under the action of an external fan. Preferably, the material is a sheath-shaped product, entering the pipe body through the second port with the sealed end in front and the open end behind.

[0005] Based on the above technical solution, a first pipeline extends vertically between the first port and the second port, and at least one first air blowing channel is provided on the side wall of the first pipeline, with the air blowing port of the first air blowing channel facing the first port. Preferably, the first pipeline includes an upper pipeline and a lower pipeline, the upper pipeline is connected to the outside through the first port, and the lower pipeline is connected to the outside downward through a third port, with the pipeline at the third port being inclined.

[0006] Based on the above technical solution, a third air blowing pipe is also included, which is located below the third port and the air blowing port of the third air blowing pipe faces the third port.

[0007] Based on the above technical solution, a valve is provided on the first pipeline near the third port to control the connection and disconnection between the third port and the first port.

[0008] Based on the above technical solution, a detection unit is also included. The detection unit is located on the first pipeline and arranged near the first port, and is used to detect the unfolding state of the material in the first pipeline and whether there is any material.

[0009] Based on the above technical solution, a second air blowing pipe is also provided on the side wall of the first pipeline below the detection unit. The air blowing port of the second air blowing pipe faces the second port to drive the material out of the second port. The second air blowing pipe is designed to blow air into the second port when the detection unit does not detect the material.

[0010] Based on the above technical solution, the second port is connected to the first pipeline through the second pipeline, and the second pipeline has a downward sloping angle from the inside to the outside.

[0011] A material transfer method, employing the sleeve-shaped material transfer device as described above, includes the following steps: S1. A first airflow is formed in the hollow pipe from the second port to the first port to transport the material from the second port to the first port; S2. A second airflow is formed in the hollow pipe toward the first port. Under the action of the second airflow and the weight of the material, the material falls toward the third port in a stretched state. Based on the above technical solution, a first pipeline extends vertically between the first port and the second port, and at least one first air blowing pipe is provided on the side wall of the first pipeline, with the air blowing port of the first air blowing pipe facing the first port; when performing step S1, the air pipe is opened, and an airflow from the second port to the first port is formed in the hollow pipeline; when performing step S2, the air pipe is shut off, and the first air blowing pipe is controlled to operate to provide a second airflow.

[0012] Based on the above technical solution, a detection unit is also included. The detection unit is located on the first pipeline and arranged close to the first port. It is used to detect the unfolding state of the material in the first pipeline and whether there is any material. When the material is transferred from the second port to the first port under the action of the first airflow, the detection unit detects whether the material is present and sends a signal to the external controller. A second air blowing pipe is also provided on the side wall of the first pipeline below the detection unit. The air blowing port of the second air blowing pipe faces the second port. When the detection unit does not detect material, the second air blowing pipe is activated to drive the material out of the second port.

[0013] Beneficial effects

[0014] This invention features a rationally designed sleeve-shaped material conveying device. The pipeline body is Y-shaped with three ports, providing conditions for feeding and spreading the material. Specifically, the first port is positioned above the second and third ports. Airflow propels the material from the second port to the first port, completing the feeding process. Then, the airflow in the pipeline body is adjusted so that the material falls slowly towards the third port in a near-suspended state. During this falling process, gas automatically enters through the material inlet and spreads the sleeve-shaped material, allowing it to spread and expand during the falling process. This facilitates further spreading of the material at subsequent workstations. The design is simple, provides excellent material spreading and expansion, and avoids mechanical contact, thus preventing material damage and improving finished product quality. Furthermore, for sleeve-shaped materials that may stick or twist, gas fills the sleeve-shaped material during the slow, suspended falling process from the first port to the third port, cleverly solving problems such as material sticking and twisting. The design is ingenious.

[0015] In this invention, at least one first air blowing pipe is provided on the side wall of the first pipeline, so that air can be blown into the first port. During the process of material falling from the first port to the third port, on the one hand, the rising airflow enters the sleeve-shaped material, expanding the material into a stretched state, thus relaxing the folded or twisted material; on the other hand, it causes the material to fall at a low speed in a near "suspended" state; furthermore, it facilitates the control of the airflow state within the pipeline body, providing conditions for shutting down the air pipe at the first port and allowing only the first air blowing pipe to blow air. In addition, a valve is provided on the first pipeline near the third port, so that when material is transferred from the second port to the first port, the valve can be closed, reducing energy consumption, noise, and production costs.

[0016] The invention also includes a detection unit and a second air blowing pipeline. In the event of a blockage, the blockage can be quickly identified and the material blocked in the pipeline can be blown out in a timely manner to ensure the continuity of production. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only one embodiment of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other embodiments can be derived from the provided drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 : A schematic diagram of the structure of a sheath-shaped material when it twists; Figure 2 : A schematic diagram of the structure of a sheath-shaped material when it is folded; Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the transmission device in this invention Figure 1 ; Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the transmission device in this invention Figure 2 ; Figure 5 : A cross-sectional structural schematic diagram of the transmission device in this invention from a side view; Figure 6 : A three-dimensional structural diagram of multiple transmission devices arranged in parallel in this invention. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The following description and accompanying drawings fully illustrate specific embodiments described herein to enable those skilled in the art to practice them. Some embodiments may include or substitute parts and features of other embodiments. The scope of the embodiments herein encompasses the entire scope of the claims and all available equivalents thereof. Throughout this document, the terms “first,” “second,” etc., are used only to distinguish one element from another without requiring or implying any actual relationship or order between the elements. Indeed, a first element can also be referred to as a second element, and vice versa. Furthermore, the terms “comprising,” “including,” or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a structure, apparatus, or device that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a structure, apparatus, or device. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase “comprising one…” does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the structure, apparatus, or device that includes said element. The various embodiments described herein are presented in a progressive manner, with each embodiment focusing on its differences from other embodiments; similar or identical parts between embodiments can be referred to interchangeably.

[0020] The terms "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer" used in this document to indicate orientations or positional relationships are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used solely for the convenience of describing the document 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. In the description herein, unless otherwise specified and limited, the terms "installed," "connected," and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to mechanical or electrical connections, or internal connections between two elements; they can be direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms according to the specific circumstances.

[0021] In this document, unless otherwise stated, the term "multiple" means two or more.

[0022] In this article, the character " / " indicates that the objects before and after it are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B means: A or B.

[0023] In this article, the term "and / or" describes an association between objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B means: A or B, or A and B.

[0024] Example 1

[0025] like Figures 3-5 The illustrated sleeve-shaped material conveying device includes a hollow pipe body 1, which is Y-shaped and includes a first port 11, a second port 12 and a third port 13.

[0026] The first port 11 faces upward and is connected to the air pipe. A solenoid valve is installed in the air pipe. Under the action of an external fan, a negative pressure is formed in the air pipe. The fan is existing technology and will not be described in detail here. This creates an airflow for transporting materials within the pipe body 1. In this embodiment, opening the air pipe can create an airflow from the second port 12 to the first port 11, transporting materials from the second port 12 to the first port 11. A filter plate 2 is installed at the first port 11 to stop the material from being discharged from the first port 11 under the action of the airflow. In this embodiment, several through holes are formed on the filter plate 2 to allow the airflow to pass through sequentially and to stop the material.

[0027] The second port 12 is connected to the material inlet so that the material enters the hollow pipe 1 body through the second port 12 and is transported to the first port 11. In this embodiment, the material is a sleeve-shaped product, which enters the pipe body 1 through the second port 12 with the sealed end in front and the open end behind. This makes it convenient for the airflow to enter the sleeve-shaped product when the material is dropped from the first port 11 to the third port 13, so that the material is stretched out.

[0028] In this embodiment, as Figures 3-5 As shown, the first pipeline between the first port 11 and the third port 13 extends vertically, with the third port 13 opening downwards. In other embodiments of the invention, the first port 11 and the third port 13 may also have a small angle of inclination. Furthermore, the third port 13 is designed so that material blocked at the first port 11 can fall downwards through the third port 13.

[0029] like Figure 3 As shown, a first air blowing pipe 3 is provided on the side wall of the first pipeline. The first air blowing pipe 3 is connected to the first air pump through an air pipe. In this embodiment, the first air blowing pipe 3 is arranged near the middle section of the first pipeline, and the air blowing port of the first air blowing pipe 3 faces the first port 11. Thus, when the air pipe at the first port 11 is shut off, the first air blowing pipe 3 blows air into the first port 11. The airflow enters the sleeve-shaped material to expand and stretch the material. At the same time, it can also overcome the weight of the material and make the material fall into the third port 13 in an almost "suspended" state.

[0030] like Figures 3-5As shown, it also includes a third air blowing pipe 4, which is connected to a third air pump via an air pipe. The third air blowing pipe 4 is located below the third port 13, and the air blowing port of the third air blowing pipe 4 faces the third port 13. On the one hand, it continues to blow air into the inner cavity of the sleeve-shaped material to keep the opening end of the material in a good open state, which is convenient for the support claw sleeve to be inserted into the opening end; on the other hand, it can avoid the penis rod and avoid interference.

[0031] In this embodiment, a valve 5 is provided on the first pipeline near the third port 13 to control the connection and disconnection between the third port 13 and the first port 11. Specifically, the valve 5 includes a drive cylinder 51 and a valve plate 52. An arc-shaped notch is provided on the side wall of the first pipeline near the third port 13. The valve plate 52 can extend into the pipeline through the arc-shaped notch under the action of the drive cylinder 51 to cut off the connection between the third port 13 and the first port 11. In this way, when the air pipe is opened and an airflow from the second port 12 to the first port 11 is formed in the pipeline body 1, the flow at the third port 13 is prevented from being diverted, which helps to reduce energy consumption and improve economic efficiency.

[0032] In this embodiment, for ease of assembly and disassembly, the first pipeline includes an upper pipeline 101 and a lower pipeline 103. The upper pipeline 101 is connected to the outside through a first port 11, and the lower pipeline 103 is connected to the outside downward through a third port 13. The upper pipeline 101 and the lower pipeline 103 are connected by a quick connector. The third port 13 is connected to the first pipeline through a second pipeline 102, and the second pipeline 102 has a downward tilt angle from the inside out.

[0033] like Figures 3-5 As shown, it also includes a detection unit 6, which is located on the first pipeline and near the first port 11, for detecting the unfolding state of the material in the first pipeline and whether there is any material. Detection unit 6 is prior art, and those skilled in the art can select it according to their needs. In this embodiment, two through holes are provided oppositely arranged on the side wall of the first pipeline near the first port 11. Detection unit 6 includes a detection switch 61 and a reflector plate 62. Detection switch 61 extends into the pipeline body 1 through the through hole and emits a light signal. The light signal can pass through the other through hole and be reflected by the emitting plate 62 before being received by detection switch 61. If, within a set time range after the material enters through the second port 12, detection switch 61 still receives the light signal reflected by the reflector plate 62, it is determined that the material has not entered the first pipeline, but is blocked in the second pipeline 102 where the second port 12 is located. In other embodiments of the present invention, another detection unit may be provided at the second port 12, which is used to detect whether the material has entered the pipeline body 1 through the second port 12.

[0034] like Figure 4 and 5As shown, a second air blowing pipe 7 is also provided on the side wall of the first pipeline below the detection unit 6. The second air blowing pipe 7 is connected to the second air pump through an air pipe. The air blowing port of the second air blowing pipe faces the second port 12 to drive the material out of the second port 12. The second air blowing pipe 7 is designed to blow air into the second port 12 when the detection switch 61 in the detection unit 6 does not detect the material, so that the second air blowing pipe 7 can blow the material out of the second port 12. In this embodiment, the air blowing port of the first air blowing pipe 3 is located above the air blowing port of the second air blowing pipe 7, so as to avoid the airflow blown out by the second air blowing pipe 7 from disturbing the formation of the airflow blown out by the first air blowing pipe 3 when blowing air into the second pipeline 102, which is conducive to improving the stability and continuity of production.

[0035] In this embodiment, an external controller is also included. The external controller is electrically connected to the solenoid valve that controls the opening and closing of the air pipe, the detection unit 6, the first air pump, the second air pump, the third air pump, and the drive cylinder 51, respectively, to achieve automated control.

[0036] In other embodiments of the present invention, there are multiple transmission devices, which are independent of each other and arranged in parallel, such as... Figure 6 As shown, this facilitates mass production and further improves production efficiency.

[0037] In this embodiment, another detection unit (not shown) is also provided at the third port 13. When the detection unit detects that material has passed through, it sends a signal to the corresponding control mechanism of the next station for continuous production. In other embodiments of the present invention, a detection unit is also provided at the second port 12. When the detection unit detects that material has passed through, it sends a signal to the aforementioned controller.

[0038] A material transfer method, employing the sleeve-shaped material transfer device as described above, includes the following steps: S1. The controller opens the solenoid valve at the air pipe, the air pipe opens, and at the same time the control valve plate 52 closes the third port 13. A first airflow from the second port 12 to the first port 11 is formed in the hollow pipe 1 to transport the material from the second port 12 to the first port 11. When the material enters from the second port 12, the sealed end of the sleeve-shaped material is in front and the open end is behind.

[0039] Afterward, the material continues to move towards the first port 11. When the detection unit 6 detects the material, it sends a signal to the controller.

[0040] S2. The controller closes the solenoid valve at the air pipe, the air pipe is closed, and at the same time, the control valve plate 52 retracts and opens the third port 13. Simultaneously, the first air pump is turned on, and the first air blowing pipe 3 blows air towards the first port 11. That is, a second airflow is formed in the hollow pipe 1 towards the first port 11. The airflow enters the sleeve-shaped material. In this embodiment, the second airflow is designed such that the upward support force of the second airflow on the material is slightly less than the weight of the material itself. Under the action of the second airflow and the weight of the material itself, the material slowly falls towards the third port 13 in a stretched state. During the falling process, air fills the inner cavity of the sleeve-shaped material, causing the folded or twisted material to stretch out.

[0041] At the same time, the controller also controls the third air pump to open, so that the third air blowing pipe 4 blows air to the third port 13. When the material falls below the first air blowing pipe 3, the third air blowing pipe 4 continues to provide upward support force, and this support force is less than the weight of the material itself, further expanding the material so that the material continues to fall downward to the third port 13 in a relaxed state, which helps to ensure that the material is fully expanded and relaxed.

[0042] When material enters through the second port 12 under the action of the first airflow, if the detection unit does not detect material within a set time, the detection unit sends a signal to the external controller. The controller then controls the second air pump to open, and the second air blowing pipe 7 to activate, blowing air into the second pipeline 102 to force the material out of the second port 12. This reduces the occurrence of malfunctions and helps ensure the stable and continuous operation of production.

[0043] Example 2 The difference between Example 2 and Example 1 is that in the material transfer method, the first air pump and the second air pump always remain in working condition. That is, when executing steps S1 and S2, the first air blowing pipeline and the second air blowing pipeline are always working, avoiding frequent start-stop of the first air pump and the second air pump, which is conducive to further improving the stability and continuity of production.

[0044] The present invention has been described above by way of example, but the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. Any modifications or variations made based on the present invention shall fall within the scope of protection claimed by the present invention.

Claims

1. A sleeve-shaped material conveying device, characterized in that, The system includes a hollow pipe body (1), which is Y-shaped and includes a first port (11), a second port (12) and a third port (13). The first port (11) is open upward and can be connected to an air pipe to form an airflow for transporting materials within the pipe body (1). A filter plate is provided at the first port (11) to stop the material. The second port (12) is connected to a material inlet so that the material enters the hollow pipe body (1) through the second port and is transported to the first port (11). The third port (13) is designed so that the material that is stopped at the first port (11) can fall downward through the third port (13).

2. The sleeve-shaped material conveying device according to claim 1, characterized in that, A first pipeline extends vertically between the first port (11) and the second port (12), and at least one first air blowing pipe (3) is provided on the side wall of the first pipeline, with the air blowing port of the first air blowing pipe (3) facing the first port (11).

3. The sheath-shaped material conveying device according to claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes a third air blowing pipe (4), which is located below the third port (13), and the air blowing port of the third air blowing pipe (4) faces the third port (13).

4. The sheath-shaped material conveying device according to claim 2, characterized in that, A valve (5) is provided on the first pipeline near the third port (13) to control the opening and closing of the third port (13) and the first port (11).

5. The sheath-shaped material conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, It also includes a detection unit (6), which is located on the first pipeline and arranged near the first port (11) for detecting the unfolding state of the material in the first pipeline and whether there is any material.

6. The sheath-shaped material conveying device according to claim 5, characterized in that, A second air blowing pipe (7) is also provided on the side wall of the first pipeline below the detection unit (6). The air blowing port of the second air blowing pipe (7) faces the second port (12) to drive the material out of the second port (12). The second air blowing pipe (7) is designed to blow air into the second port (12) when the detection unit (6) does not detect the material.

7. The sheath-shaped material conveying device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The second port (12) is connected to the first pipeline through the second pipeline, and the second pipeline has a downward angle from the inside to the outside.

8. A material transfer method, characterized in that, The sleeve-shaped material conveying device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, 6, and 7 includes the following steps: S1. A first airflow is formed in the hollow pipe (1) from the second port (12) to the first port (11) to transport material from the second port (12) to the first port (11); S2. A second airflow is formed in the hollow pipe (1) toward the first port (11). Under the action of the second airflow and the weight of the material, the material falls toward the third port (13) in a stretched state.

9. The material transfer method according to claim 8, characterized in that, A first pipeline extends vertically between the first port (11) and the second port (12), and at least one first air blowing pipe (3) is provided on the side wall of the first pipeline, with the air blowing port of the first air blowing pipe (3) facing the first port (11); when step S1 is executed, an airflow from the second port (12) to the first port (11) is formed in the hollow pipeline (1); when step S2 is executed, the first air blowing pipe (3) moves to provide a second airflow.

10. The material transfer method according to claim 9, characterized in that, It also includes a detection unit (6), which is located on the first pipeline and close to the first port (11) for detecting the unfolding state of the material in the first pipeline and whether there is any material. When the material is transferred from the second port (12) to the first port (11) under the action of the first airflow, the detection unit (6) detects whether there is any material and sends a signal to the external controller. A second air blowing pipe (7) is also provided on the side wall of the first pipeline below the detection unit (6). The air blowing port of the second air blowing pipe (7) faces the second port (12). When the detection unit (6) does not detect material, the second air blowing pipe (7) is activated to drive the material out of the second port (12).

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