A glove folding mechanism

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of glove packaging technology, specifically disclosing a glove folding mechanism, comprising: a folding rack with folding loading positions for accommodating folded gloves; two sets of folding and flipping mechanisms symmetrically arranged within the folding rack about the folding loading positions, for performing folding actions; a connecting and transferring mechanism laterally disposed within the folding rack for conveying folded gloves to an unloading station; and a lifting loading mechanism vertically slidable within the folding rack for supporting the gloves and cooperating with the folding and flipping mechanisms to fold the gloves at different vertical heights. This invention achieves automatic, continuous, and orderly folding of multiple gloves, realizing multi-functional integration of "lifting-guiding-transferring," improving folding accuracy and unloading efficiency, simplifying equipment structure, and increasing space utilization.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of glove packaging technology, and more specifically to a glove folding mechanism. Background Technology

[0002] In the production and packaging of gloves, neatly folding the finished gloves is a crucial pre-processing step before they enter the boxing stage. The neatness of the folding directly affects the success rate of subsequent boxing and the packaging quality.

[0003] Currently, glove folding mainly relies on manual operation or semi-automated equipment. Manual folding methods suffer from problems such as low efficiency, high labor intensity, and poor folding consistency, making it difficult to meet the needs of large-scale production.

[0004] Existing semi-automatic folding equipment often adopts a single-station, single-glove sequential folding mode. Its working principle is typically: a glove is laid flat at the folding station, and multiple robotic arms or flippers complete the folding step by step, then the glove is removed, and the next glove is placed in for the next operation. This "single-glove serial folding" method has significant limitations: firstly, there is a waiting time in the process of removing the folded glove and placing the new glove, making it difficult to improve efficiency; secondly, when multiple gloves need to be stacked, existing equipment lacks an effective cross-stacking mechanism, often requiring additional stacking steps, increasing equipment complexity and production cycle time.

[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need in this field for an automated folding device that can achieve continuous cross-folding and vertical stacking of multiple gloves in an integrated manner, so as to improve the efficiency and quality of pre-packaging processing of gloves. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the aforementioned problems in the prior art, the present invention provides a glove folding mechanism.

[0007] The objective of this invention can be achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0008] A glove folding mechanism, comprising:

[0009] A folding rack, the folding rack having a folding loading position for accommodating folded gloves;

[0010] Two sets of folding and flipping mechanisms are arranged symmetrically about the folding loading position within the folding compartment to perform the folding action;

[0011] A connecting and transplanting mechanism is arranged laterally inside the folding compartment to transport the folded gloves to the unloading station;

[0012] A lifting and loading mechanism is vertically slidably disposed within a folding compartment frame to support gloves and coordinate with a folding and flipping mechanism to fold gloves at different vertical heights.

[0013] Preferably, the folding rack includes: a rack base plate, a hollow plate installed on the top of the rack base plate by a plurality of vertical rods, two material discharge plates provided on the top of the hollow plate, and two functional frames provided on the top of the hollow plate, the two functional frames cooperating with the two material discharge plates to form a folding loading position.

[0014] Preferably, the functional frame is L-shaped, and multiple working cavities are formed in the vertical and horizontal sections of the functional frame.

[0015] Preferably, each set of the folding and flipping mechanisms includes: a pull-out reset module, which is disposed at the top of the hollow plate, and the output end of the pull-out reset module is provided with a folding mechanism for folding the gloves.

[0016] Preferably, the folding mechanism includes: a rotating shaft, rotatably mounted on the top of the output end of the extraction and reset module, a flipping servo motor is provided at the top of the output end of the extraction and reset module, the output shaft of the flipping servo motor is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft through a coupling, and multiple levers are provided on the side wall of the rotating shaft, the levers being matched with the working cavity of the functional frame.

[0017] Preferably, the transplanting mechanism includes: a transplanting hopper servo module, which is mounted in the folding hopper frame via a plate. The output end of the transplanting hopper servo module is provided with a transplanting hopper. Two pressing cylinders are provided on one outer wall of the transplanting hopper. The output end of the pressing cylinder is provided with a pressing insert plate via a bracket to prevent the folded gloves from popping out from the top opening of the transplanting hopper. An opening and closing mechanism is provided at the bottom of the transplanting hopper.

[0018] Preferably, multiple insertion holes are provided on both sides of the connecting hopper, and the pressing plate matches the insertion holes.

[0019] Preferably, the opening and closing mechanism includes two baffles, which are symmetrically distributed and slidably disposed at the bottom opening of the connecting hopper. The outer walls of the opposite sides of the connecting hopper are respectively provided with opening and closing cylinders for driving the baffles to slide.

[0020] Preferably, the lifting and loading mechanism includes: a lifting module, which is vertically disposed between the bottom plate of the warehouse rack and the hollow plate; the output end of the lifting module is provided with a U-shaped frame; the top of each of the two vertical sections of the U-shaped frame is provided with a transverse servo component; the output end of the transverse servo component is provided with a loading insert plate; and the loading insert plate matches the working cavity of the functional rack.

[0021] Preferably, the loading insert includes a support portion and a Z-shaped functional portion. When the loading insert rises to the top of the folding loading position, the functional portion of the loading insert partially extends out of the working cavity to receive gloves. When the loading insert descends for folding operations, the functional portion slides downward along the working cavity, and the sidewall of the working cavity guides and limits the functional portion.

[0022] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0023] 1. By setting up two sets of folding and flipping mechanisms symmetrically arranged around the folding loading position, and configuring a flipping servo motor to drive the rotating shaft to achieve precise 180-degree rotation, each set includes a pull-out reset module and a folding mechanism with a lever. When the left folding mechanism performs a 180-degree fold on glove #1, the right folding mechanism is ready; when the right mechanism folds glove #2, the left mechanism pulls out and resets; this cycle repeats, with left and right alternating, and the pull-out and reset precisely coordinated, ensuring that multiple gloves are sequentially and cross-stacked in vertical space, greatly improving folding efficiency and stacking neatness.

[0024] The beneficial effects are: the alternating action and coordinated operation of the left and right folding mechanisms are realized, and the automatic, continuous and orderly folding of multiple gloves is completed.

[0025] 2. By setting up a lifting and loading mechanism consisting of a lifting module, a U-shaped frame, a transverse servo component, and a Z-shaped loading plate, and by sliding the functional part of the loading plate with the working cavity of the functional frame, the lifting module drives the U-shaped frame to lower the loading plate step by step, allowing the gloves to be folded at different heights. The Z-shaped functional part of the loading plate always slides along the working cavity of the functional frame, and the side wall of the working cavity provides precise guidance and limitation, ensuring that the position of each glove is stable and does not shift during the folding process. After folding, the transverse servo component drives the loading plate to move laterally into the receiving bin, completing the overall transfer of the stacked gloves. This achieves multi-functional integration of "lifting-guiding-transfer", improving folding accuracy and unloading efficiency.

[0026] The beneficial effects are: it integrates vertical intermittent support, precise guidance and lateral transfer during the folding process of the glove, thereby improving folding accuracy and material feeding efficiency.

[0027] 3. By setting up a folding rack consisting of a rack base plate, a hollow plate, a feeding plate, and functional structures, and forming multiple working cavities in the L-shaped vertical and horizontal sections of the functional rack, a dedicated workstation for folding multiple gloves in an orderly manner is constructed. The folding loading position formed by the two functional racks and the two feeding plates provides a precise positioning boundary for the vertical stacking of gloves; the working cavities distributed within the functional racks provide swing space for the lever of the folding mechanism and a sliding guide rail for the Z-shaped functional part of the loading insert.

[0028] The beneficial effect is that it achieves an integrated design that allows for "multiple uses in one cavity". Attached Figure Description

[0029] To facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art, the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the folding storage rack in this invention;

[0032] Figure 3 This is a side view of the folding storage rack in this invention;

[0033] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the folding and flipping mechanism in this invention;

[0034] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the connecting and transplanting mechanism in this invention;

[0035] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the pressing cylinder and pressing insert plate in this invention;

[0036] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the lifting and loading mechanism in this invention;

[0037] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing the open state of the opening and closing mechanism in this invention.

[0038] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0039] 1. Warehouse rack base plate; 2. Hollow core plate; 3. Feeding plate; 4. Functional rack;

[0040] 11. Pull-out reset module; 12. Folding mechanism;

[0041] 21. Transplanting hopper servo module; 22. Connecting hopper; 23. Pressing cylinder; 24. Pressing insert plate; 25. Opening and closing mechanism;

[0042] 31. Lifting module; 32. U-shaped frame; 33. Horizontal servo assembly; 34. Loading insert. Detailed Implementation

[0043] To further illustrate the technical means and effects adopted by the present invention to achieve its intended purpose, the specific implementation methods, structures, features, and effects of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of them. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0044] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by terms such as "inner" and "outer" are based on the orientation or position shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or a specific orientational structure and operation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0045] Example 1:

[0046] Reference Figures 1-8 The present invention discloses a glove folding mechanism, comprising:

[0047] To achieve the construction and support of the glove folding station, in this embodiment: a folding rack is formed to accommodate the folding loading position of gloves. The folding rack includes: a rack base plate 1, a hollow plate 2 installed at the top via multiple vertical rods, two feeding plates 3 at the top of the hollow plate 2, and two functional frames 4 at the top of the hollow plate 2. The two functional frames 4 cooperate with the two feeding plates 3 to form the folding loading position. The functional frames 4 are L-shaped, and multiple working cavities are formed in their vertical and horizontal sections respectively.

[0048] To achieve automated folding of the gloves, in this embodiment: two sets of folding and flipping mechanisms are symmetrically arranged within the folding rack about the folding loading position of the folding rack, for performing the folding action. The folding and flipping mechanism includes: a pull-out reset module 11, which is set at the top of the hollow plate 2. The output end of the pull-out reset module 11 is provided with a folding mechanism 12 for folding the gloves. The folding mechanism 12 includes: a rotating shaft, which is rotatably mounted at the top of the output end of the pull-out reset module 11. A flipping servo motor is set at the top of the output end of the pull-out reset module 11. The output shaft of the flipping servo motor is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft through a coupling. Multiple levers are provided on the side wall of the rotating shaft, and the levers are matched with the working cavity of the functional frame 4.

[0049] To achieve lateral transfer and unloading of folded gloves, in this embodiment: a transfer mechanism is provided, which is laterally positioned within the folding frame to transport the folded gloves to the unloading station. The transfer mechanism includes a transfer hopper servo module 21, which is mounted on a plate within the folding frame. A transfer hopper 22 is located at the output end of the transfer hopper servo module 21. Two pressing cylinders 23 are located on one outer wall of the transfer hopper 22. The output ends of the pressing cylinders 23 are connected via… The bracket is equipped with a pressing plate 24 to prevent the folded gloves from popping out of the top opening of the connecting hopper 22. Multiple insertion holes are provided on both sides of the connecting hopper 22. The pressing plate 24 matches the insertion holes. An opening and closing mechanism 25 is provided at the bottom of the connecting hopper 22. The opening and closing mechanism 25 includes two baffles, which are symmetrically distributed and slidably disposed at the bottom opening of the connecting hopper 22. Opening and closing cylinders are provided on the outer walls of both sides of the connecting hopper 22 to drive the baffles to slide.

[0050] To achieve vertical support and coordinated lifting during the folding process of the gloves, in this embodiment: a lifting loading mechanism is slidably disposed vertically within the folding rack to support the gloves and coordinate with the folding and flipping mechanism to fold the gloves at different vertical heights. The lifting loading mechanism includes: a lifting module 31, which is disposed vertically between the rack bottom plate 1 and the hollow plate 2. A U-shaped frame 32 is disposed at the output end of the lifting module 31. A horizontal servo component 33 is disposed at the top of each of the two vertical sections of the U-shaped frame 32. A loading insert 34 is disposed at the output end of the horizontal servo component 33. The loading insert 34 matches the working cavity of the functional frame 4. The loading insert 34 includes a support part and a Z-shaped functional part. When the loading insert 34 rises to the top of the folding loading position, the functional part of the loading insert 34 partially extends out of the working cavity to receive the gloves. When the loading insert 34 descends for folding operations, the functional part slides downward along the working cavity, and the side wall of the working cavity guides and limits the functional part.

[0051] The working principle and usage process of this invention: The working principle of this glove folding mechanism is based on the collaborative operation process of "lifting and loading - symmetrical folding - cross stacking - connection and transfer", which realizes the automated and orderly cross folding of medical gloves and other products.

[0052] Step 1: Glove Receiving and Initial Positioning

[0053] In the initial state, the lifting module 31 of the lifting loading mechanism drives the U-shaped frame 32 to rise, causing the two lateral servo components 33 at the top of the U-shaped frame 32 to lift the loading plate 34 to the top of the folding loading position. At this time, the Z-shaped functional part of the loading plate 34 partially extends out of the working cavity of the functional frame 4, forming a receiving posture. The external feeding mechanism moves the No. 1 glove to be folded to this position, and the glove is supported on the support part of the loading plate 34, completing the initial positioning.

[0054] Step 2: Repeatedly fold and cross-fold multiple gloves

[0055] After receiving glove #1, the glove folding mechanism enters the cross-folding cycle operation mode. The specific operation process is as follows:

[0056] S21, First fold: The lifting module 31 drives the loading plate 34 to descend to the first preset height, the left folding and flipping mechanism is activated, and its extraction and reset module 11 drives the folding mechanism 12 to move towards the No. 1 glove, so that the lever on the side wall of the rotating shaft is aligned with the working cavity of the functional frame 4; then, the flipping servo motor drives the rotating shaft to rotate 180 degrees, causing the lever to swing in the working cavity of the functional frame 4, folding the left half of the No. 1 glove upward by 180 degrees, completing the first fold.

[0057] S22, Right side folding and left side extraction: The lifting module 31 continues to drive the loading plate 34 to descend to the second preset height. The right side folding and flipping mechanism is activated simultaneously to perform a 180-degree folding action to fold the subsequently fed No. 2 glove. At the same time, the extraction and reset module 11 of the left side folding and flipping mechanism drives the folding mechanism 12 to be pulled outward, so that the lever is disengaged from the working chamber, ready to receive the next glove.

[0058] S23. Left side reset and transfer: After the left side folding mechanism 12 is pulled out, its flipping servo motor drives the rotating shaft to reverse and reset. At the same time, the pull-out reset module 11 drives the folding mechanism 12 to transfer and reset, so that it returns to the initial position and prepares for the next action.

[0059] S24, Left folding and right pull-out: When the #3 glove is sent into the folding loading position, the lifting module 31 drives the loading plate 34 to descend to the third preset height, the left folding and flipping mechanism is activated again, and performs a 180-degree folding action to fold the #3 glove; at the same time, the pull-out reset module 11 of the right folding and flipping mechanism drives the folding mechanism 12 to be pulled outward, so that the lever is disengaged from the working chamber.

[0060] S25. Right side reset and transplant: After the right side folding mechanism 12 is pulled out, its flipping servo motor drives the rotating shaft to reverse and reset. At the same time, the pull-out reset module 11 drives the folding mechanism 12 to transplant and reset, preparing for the next action.

[0061] S26. Repeat steps S22-S25, folding gloves #4, #5, and #6 in a crisscross pattern. Through the alternating movements of the left and right folding and flipping mechanisms, and the precise coordination of extraction and resetting, multiple gloves are neatly stacked in a vertical space. During this process, the functional part of the loading plate 34 slides down the working cavity of the functional frame 4, with the side walls of the working cavity providing precise guidance and limiting, ensuring the stability of each glove during folding.

[0062] Step 3: Connecting, transplanting, and unloading materials

[0063] Once the loading plate 34 has descended to its lowest position and the preset number of gloves have all been cross-folded, the transfer mechanism is activated. The transfer hopper servo module 21 drives the transfer hopper 22 to move to the folding loading position, aligning the opening of the transfer hopper 22 with the folded gloves. Subsequently, the lateral servo component 33 of the lifting loading mechanism actuates, moving the loading plate 34 along with the folded gloves laterally into the transfer hopper 22. After the gloves are fully inside the transfer hopper 22, the pressing cylinder 23 drives the pressing plate 24 to extend and insert into the insertion hole on the side wall of the transfer hopper 22, pressing the gloves down from above to prevent the opening of the transfer hopper from popping out during subsequent transfer. Finally, the transfer hopper servo module 21 drives the transfer hopper 22 to move laterally to the unloading position, where the opening and closing mechanism 25 cooperates to complete the final release or transfer of the gloves, achieving automated unloading.

[0064] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make some modifications or alterations to the above-disclosed technical content to create equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent changes, and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A glove folding mechanism, characterized in that, include: A folding rack, the folding rack having a folding loading position for accommodating folded gloves; Two sets of folding and flipping mechanisms are arranged symmetrically about the folding loading position inside the folding compartment to perform the folding action; A connecting and transplanting mechanism is arranged laterally inside the folding compartment to transport the folded gloves to the unloading station; A lifting and loading mechanism is slidably disposed vertically within a folding compartment to support gloves and cooperate with a folding and flipping mechanism to fold gloves at different vertical heights.

2. The glove folding mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The folding rack includes: a rack base plate (1), a hollow plate (2) is installed on the top of the rack base plate (1) by multiple vertical rods, two feeding plates (3) are provided on the top of the hollow plate (2), and two functional frames (4) are provided on the top of the hollow plate (2). The two functional frames (4) cooperate with the two feeding plates (3) to form a folding loading position.

3. A glove folding mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, The functional frame (4) is L-shaped, and multiple working cavities are formed in the vertical and horizontal sections of the functional frame (4).

4. A glove folding mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, Each set of the folding and flipping mechanisms includes: a pull-out reset module (11) disposed at the top of the hollow plate (2), and the output end of the pull-out reset module (11) is provided with a folding mechanism (12) for folding the gloves.

5. A glove folding mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that, The folding mechanism (12) includes: a rotating shaft, which is rotatably mounted on the top of the output end of the extraction and reset module (11). The top of the output end of the extraction and reset module (11) is provided with a flip servo motor. The output shaft of the flip servo motor is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft through a coupling. The side wall of the rotating shaft is provided with multiple levers, which are matched with the working cavity of the functional frame (4).

6. A glove folding mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transplanting mechanism includes: a transplanting hopper servo module (21), which is set in the folding hopper frame through a plate. The output end of the transplanting hopper servo module (21) is provided with a transplanting hopper (22). Two pressing cylinders (23) are provided on one side of the outer wall of the transplanting hopper (22). The output end of the pressing cylinder (23) is provided with a pressing insert plate (24) through a bracket to prevent the folded gloves from popping out from the top opening of the transplanting hopper (22). The bottom end of the transplanting hopper (22) is provided with an opening and closing mechanism (25).

7. A glove folding mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that, The connecting hopper (22) has multiple insertion holes on both sides facing each other, and the pressing plate (24) matches the insertion holes.

8. A glove folding mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that, The opening and closing mechanism (25) includes two baffles, which are symmetrically distributed and slidably disposed at the bottom opening of the connecting hopper (22). The outer walls of the opposite sides of the connecting hopper (22) are respectively provided with opening and closing cylinders for driving the baffles to slide.

9. A glove folding mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that, The lifting and loading mechanism includes: a lifting module (31) which is vertically disposed between the bottom plate (1) of the warehouse rack and the hollow plate (2). The output end of the lifting module (31) is provided with a U-shaped frame (32). The top of the two vertical sections of the U-shaped frame (32) is provided with a horizontal movement servo component (33). The output end of the horizontal movement servo component (33) is provided with a loading insert plate (34). The loading insert plate (34) matches the working cavity of the functional frame (4).

10. A glove folding mechanism according to claim 9, characterized in that, The loading insert (34) includes a support portion and a Z-shaped functional portion. When the loading insert (34) rises to the top of the folding loading position, the functional portion of the loading insert (34) extends partially out of the working cavity to receive gloves. When the loading insert (34) descends for folding operations, the functional portion slides downward along the working cavity, and the side wall of the working cavity guides and limits the functional portion.

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