An automatic filling and capping machine

Abstract

The application provides an automatic filling and capping machine, and belongs to the technical field of filling machines. The automatic filling and capping machine solves the problems of low assembly and output efficiency of the existing spring bottle. The automatic filling and capping machine comprises a machine body base, a bottle control turntable is arranged on the machine body base, a plurality of processing stations are arranged on the bottle control turntable, a conveying belt for conveying and outputting the bottle body is arranged at the side end of the bottle control turntable, a liquid medicine filling station, a liquid nitrogen filling station, an inner plug feeding station, an outer cover feeding station and an exhaust station are sequentially arranged on the circumferential side of the bottle control turntable, an installation station is arranged on the machine body base and is located between the inner plug feeding station and the outer cover feeding station, a driving mechanism for controlling the circumferential rotation of the bottle control turntable is arranged at the lower end of the machine body base, and the spring bottle on the bottle control turntable is sequentially filled, filled and assembled by each station through the circumferential rotation of the bottle control turntable. The application has the advantages of improving the assembly efficiency and output qualified rate of the spring bottle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of filling machine technology, and specifically relates to an automatic filling and capping machine. Background Technology

[0002] Spring bottles, as a type of specially structured packaging container, consist of a bottle body, an inner stopper, and an outer cap. Due to their excellent sealing performance and structural stability, they are widely used in pharmaceuticals, fine chemicals, and specialty beverages—fields with high requirements for packaging sealing and preservation of contents. In the conventional production and filling process of spring bottles, to extend the shelf life of the liquid medicine and prevent oxidation and deterioration, the industry commonly employs a process of adding liquid nitrogen after filling. This involves precisely injecting -196°C liquid nitrogen into the bottle before sealing. Utilizing the property that liquid nitrogen expands approximately 700 times in volume upon vaporization, it quickly displaces residual oxygen inside the bottle, reducing the residual oxygen level to an extremely low level, significantly slowing down the oxidation process of the contents, and extending the product's shelf life.

[0003] On traditional spring bottle production lines, the four processes of liquid filling, liquid nitrogen filling, inner stopper pre-compression, and outer cap locking are completely dispersed across different independent workstations. Not only do these workstations require long-distance conveyor tracks, but they also require a large number of manual workers to complete transfer and repositioning: after liquid nitrogen filling, the spring bottles need to be manually transferred to the stoppering station. If the bottle body is misaligned or the inner stopper is stuck, manual adjustment is required. Some older equipment even requires manual initial alignment of the inner stopper, resulting in low efficiency in spring bottle assembly and production. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to address the aforementioned problems in the prior art by providing an automatic filling and capping machine that improves the assembly efficiency and yield of spring bottles.

[0005] The objective of this invention can be achieved through the following technical solution: an automatic filling and capping machine, comprising a machine base, on which a bottle control turntable is provided, and the bottle control turntable is provided with a plurality of processing stations. The bottle control turntable is characterized in that a conveyor belt for conveying and outputting bottles is provided on its side end; a liquid filling station, a liquid nitrogen filling station, an inner stopper feeding station, an outer cap feeding station, and an exhaust station are sequentially arranged around the bottle control turntable; an installation station is provided on the machine base, relative to the inner stopper feeding station and the outer cap feeding station; and a drive mechanism for controlling the circumferential rotation of the bottle control turntable is provided at the lower end of the machine base. The circumferential rotation of the bottle control turntable causes the spring bottles on it to be sequentially filled, injected, and assembled by each station.

[0006] In the aforementioned automatic filling and capping machine, the liquid filling station includes a pre-nitrogen filling station and a lifting frame. The mounting frame is equipped with several liquid inlet pipes that cooperate with the processing stations on the bottle control turntable. Each liquid inlet pipe is located above the processing station, and the liquid inlet pipes feed liquid into the corresponding spring bottles at the processing station under the action of the lifting frame.

[0007] In the aforementioned automatic filling and capping machine, the liquid nitrogen filling station includes a liquid nitrogen tank, a liquid nitrogen channel, a lifting cylinder, and a liquid nitrogen filling head. The liquid nitrogen filling head is positioned above the spring bottle in the processing station. The lifting cylinder causes the liquid nitrogen filling head to rise and fall, thereby filling the inside of the spring bottle with liquid nitrogen.

[0008] In the aforementioned automatic filling and capping machine, the inner plug feeding station includes an inner plug conveyor line and a cap-separating mechanism. A vibrating plate is provided on one side of the inner plug conveyor line, and the other side of the inner plug conveyor line is connected to the cap-separating mechanism. The outer cap feeding station includes an outer cap conveyor line and a cap-separating mechanism. A vibrating plate is provided on one side of the outer cap conveyor line, and the other side of the inner plug conveyor line is connected to the cap-separating mechanism.

[0009] In the aforementioned automatic filling and capping machine, the installation station includes a lifting cylinder, a double-headed swing arm, and two cap-removing components. The two cap-removing components are respectively located on both sides of the double-headed swing arm. During the assembly process, the two cap-removing components on the double-headed swing arm respectively clamp the inner plug on the cap-separating mechanism in the inner plug feeding station and the outer cap on the cap-separating mechanism in the outer cap feeding station onto the spring bottle of the bottle control turntable for assembly.

[0010] In the aforementioned automatic filling and capping machine, the exhaust station includes two frames, each of which is equipped with a robotic arm assembly. Each robotic arm assembly includes two robotic arms, and there is a clamping space between the two robotic arms for clamping the outer cap. The frame is equipped with a drive cylinder for clamping and lifting the robotic arm assembly.

[0011] In the aforementioned automatic filling and capping machine, a pneumatic pusher plate is provided between the conveyor line and the bottle control turntable to push the spring bottle into the bottle control turntable.

[0012] Compared with existing technologies, this automatic filling and capping machine is an automated process, which greatly reduces labor costs and improves the assembly efficiency of spring bottles. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a structural schematic diagram of the present invention from another perspective.

[0015] Figure 3This is a structural schematic diagram of the inner plug feeding station, the outer cover feeding station, and the installation station in this invention.

[0016] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the exhaust station in this invention.

[0017] In the diagram, 1. Machine base; 2. Bottle control turntable; 3. Processing station; 4. Conveyor belt; 5. Liquid filling station; 6. Liquid nitrogen filling station; 7. Inner plug feeding station; 8. Outer cap feeding station; 9. Exhaust station; 10. Installation station; 11. Lifting frame; 12. Liquid inlet pipe; 13. Liquid nitrogen tank; 14. Liquid nitrogen channel; 15. Liquid nitrogen filling head; 16. Inner plug conveyor line; 17. Cap splitting mechanism; 18. Outer cap conveyor line; 19. Double-headed swing arm; 20. Lifting cylinder; 21. Cap removal component; 22. Machine frame; 23. Robotic arm; 24. Pneumatic push plate. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The following are specific embodiments of the present invention, which are described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0019] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown, this automatic filling and capping machine includes a base 1, on which a bottle control turntable 2 is mounted. The bottle control turntable 2 has several processing stations 3. A conveyor belt 4 for conveying and outputting bottles is mounted on the side of the bottle control turntable 2. The bottle control turntable 2 is arranged with a medicine filling station 5, a liquid nitrogen filling station 6, an inner plug feeding station 7, an outer cap feeding station 8, and an exhaust station 9 in sequence around its perimeter. An installation station 10 is arranged on the base 1 between the inner plug feeding station 7 and the outer cap feeding station 8. A drive mechanism for controlling the circumferential rotation of the bottle control turntable 2 is provided at the lower end of the base 1. The circumferential rotation of the bottle control turntable 2 causes the spring bottles on it to be filled, injected, and assembled sequentially by each station.

[0020] To elaborate further, the liquid filling station 5 includes a pre-nitrogen filling station and a lifting frame 2211. The mounting frame 22 is equipped with several liquid inlet pipes 12 that cooperate with the processing station 3 on the bottle control turntable 2. Each of the liquid inlet pipes 12 is located above the processing station 3. Under the action of the lifting frame 2211, the liquid inlet pipes 12 feed liquid into the corresponding spring bottles on the processing station 3.

[0021] To elaborate further, the liquid nitrogen filling station 6 includes a liquid nitrogen tank 13, a liquid nitrogen channel 14, a lifting cylinder 20, and a liquid nitrogen filling head 15. The liquid nitrogen filling head 15 is located above the spring bottle in the processing station 3. The lifting cylinder 20 is used to raise and lower the liquid nitrogen filling head 15 to fill the inside of the spring bottle with liquid nitrogen.

[0022] To elaborate further, the inner plug feeding station 7 includes an inner plug conveyor line 16 and a cap-splitting mechanism 17. A vibratory feeder is provided on one side of the inner plug conveyor line 16, and the other side of the inner plug conveyor line 16 is connected to the cap-splitting mechanism 17. The outer cap feeding station 8 includes an outer cap conveyor line 18 and a cap-splitting mechanism 17. A vibratory feeder is provided on one side of the outer cap conveyor line 18, and the other side of the inner plug conveyor line 16 is connected to the cap-splitting mechanism 17.

[0023] To elaborate further, the installation station 10 includes a lifting cylinder 20, a double-headed swing arm 19, and two cap-removing components 21. The two cap-removing components 21 are respectively located on both sides of the double-headed swing arm 19. During the assembly process, the two cap-removing components 21 on the double-headed swing arm 19 respectively clamp the inner plug on the cap-separating mechanism 17 in the inner plug feeding station 7 and the outer cap on the cap-separating mechanism 17 in the outer cap feeding station 8 onto the spring bottle of the bottle control turntable 2 for assembly. The double-headed swing arm 19 assembles simultaneously at two processing stations 3 on the bottle control turntable 2. When installing the inner plug, the left cap-removing component 21 is located at processing station 3 of the bottle control turntable 2 to install the inner plug. At the same time, the right cap-removing component 21 is located at the outer cap of the cap-separating mechanism 17. After the inner plug is installed, the double-headed swing arm 19 rotates, and the left cap-removing component 21 is located at the inner plug of the cap-separating mechanism 17, while the right cap-removing component 21 is located at the processing station 3 of the bottle control turntable 2 where the inner plug has been installed, thereby installing the outer cap. The double-headed swing arm 19's configuration at the installation station 10 improves the assembly efficiency of the inner plug and outer cap, thus improving the assembly efficiency of the spring bottle.

[0024] To elaborate further, the exhaust station 9 includes two frames 22, each of which is equipped with a robotic arm 23 assembly. The robotic arm 23 assembly includes two robotic arms 23, and there is a clamping space between the two robotic arms 23 for clamping the outer cover. The frame 22 is equipped with a drive cylinder for clamping and lifting the robotic arm 23 assembly.

[0025] To elaborate further, a pneumatic pusher 24 is provided between the conveyor line and the bottle control turntable 2 to push the spring bottle into the bottle control turntable 2.

[0026] The working principle of the automatic filling and capping machine of this application is as follows: The first step is that when nitrogen is started to be added, the spring bottle is sent to the bottle inlet position by the conveyor belt 4, and the pneumatic pusher plate 24 pushes the bottle into the corresponding bottle inlet position of the bottle control turntable 2. The second step is to rotate the bottle control turntable 2 to send the bottle to the pre-nitrogen filling and filling station for gas replacement and liquid filling (pre-nitrogen filling and filling can be carried out simultaneously or separately at the front and rear stations). The third step is to rotate the bottle control turntable 2 to move the bottle after filling to the liquid nitrogen filling station 6 to add a certain amount of liquid nitrogen. At this time, the liquid nitrogen in the bottle begins to evaporate, expelling some air. The fourth step is to rotate the bottle control turntable 2 to move the bottle after liquid nitrogen filling to the inner plug feeding station 7. The inner plug is taken out individually by the cap separating mechanism 17. The inner plug is inserted into the bottle mouth by the cap taking part 21 of the double-headed swing arm 19. The inner plug is one-way, which can prevent oxygen from entering the bottle when the liquid nitrogen in the bottle evaporates. Fifth step, the bottle control turntable 2 rotates to move the bottle with the one-way inner plug to the outer cap feeding station 8. The outer cap is pressed and locked in place by the cap removal part 21. At this time, the bottle body begins to expand and stretch due to the evaporation of liquid nitrogen, and the internal pressure increases. Step 6: The bottle control turntable 2 rotates to move the bottle with increased internal pressure after the outer cap is added to the venting station 9 for removing the cap. The robot arm 23 quickly removes the dustproof sealing cap on the outer cap. Under the pressure of the liquid nitrogen evaporating in the bottle, the air inside the outer cap and the space above the liquid in the bottle is instantly carried out, thereby reducing the oxygen content in the space above the liquid. After the robot arm 23 quickly removes the dustproof sealing cap, it is pressed back onto the outer cap after a very short interval to seal it, so as to prevent excessive pressure release, maintain the nitrogen concentration in the bottle, and keep the positive pressure. Step 7: The bottle control turntable 2 rotates to move the depressurized bottle to the bottle outlet station, where it is sent out by the conveyor belt 4 to the next process.

[0027] The specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the spirit of the invention. Those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains may make various modifications or additions to the described specific embodiments or use similar methods to substitute them, without departing from the spirit of the invention or exceeding the scope defined by the appended claims.

[0028] Although this paper frequently uses terms such as machine base 1, bottle control turntable 2, processing station 3, conveyor belt 4, liquid filling station 5, liquid nitrogen filling station 6, inner plug feeding station 7, outer cap feeding station 8, venting station 9, installation station 10, lifting frame 11, liquid inlet pipe 12, liquid nitrogen tank 13, liquid nitrogen channel 14, liquid nitrogen filling head 15, inner plug conveyor line 16, cap separating mechanism 17, outer cap conveyor line 18, double-headed swing arm 19, lifting cylinder 20, cap removal component 21, frame 22, robotic arm 23, pneumatic pusher 24, the possibility of using other terms is not excluded. The use of these terms is merely for the convenience of describing and explaining the essence of the invention; interpreting them as any additional limitation would contradict the spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. An automatic filling and capping machine, comprising a machine base (1), wherein a bottle control turntable (2) is provided on the machine base (1), and the bottle control turntable (2) is provided with a plurality of processing stations (3), characterized in that, The side end of the bottle control turntable (2) is provided with a conveyor belt (4) for conveying and outputting bottles. The bottle control turntable (2) is provided with a medicine filling station (5), a liquid nitrogen filling station (6), an inner plug feeding station (7), an outer cap feeding station (8) and an exhaust station (9) in sequence. An installation station (10) is provided on the machine base (1) between the inner plug feeding station (7) and the outer cap feeding station (8). The lower end of the machine base (1) is provided with a drive mechanism to control the bottle control turntable (2) to rotate circumferentially. The circumferential rotation of the bottle control turntable (2) causes the spring bottles on it to be filled, injected and assembled in sequence by each station.

2. The automatic filling and capping machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The liquid filling station (5) includes a pre-nitrogen filling station and a lifting frame (22) (11). The mounting frame (22) is provided with several liquid inlet pipes (12) that cooperate with the processing station (3) on the bottle control turntable (2). Each liquid inlet pipe (12) is respectively located above the processing station (3). Under the action of the lifting frame (22) (11), the liquid inlet pipe (12) feeds liquid into the corresponding spring bottle on the processing station (3).

3. The automatic filling and capping machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The liquid nitrogen filling station (6) includes a liquid nitrogen tank (13), a liquid nitrogen channel (14), a lifting cylinder (20), and a liquid nitrogen filling head (15). The liquid nitrogen filling head (15) is located above the spring bottle in the processing station (3). The liquid nitrogen filling head (15) is raised and lowered by the lifting cylinder (20) to fill the spring bottle with liquid nitrogen.

4. The automatic filling and capping machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner plug feeding station (7) includes an inner plug conveyor line (16) and a cap-splitting mechanism (17). A vibratory feeder is provided on one side of the inner plug conveyor line (16), and the other side of the inner plug conveyor line (16) is connected to the cap-splitting mechanism (17). The outer cap feeding station (8) includes an outer cap conveyor line (18) and a cap-splitting mechanism (17). A vibratory feeder is provided on one side of the outer cap conveyor line (18), and the other side of the inner plug conveyor line (16) is connected to the cap-splitting mechanism (17).

5. The automatic filling and capping machine according to claim 4, characterized in that, The installation station (10) includes a lifting cylinder (20), a double-headed swing arm (19) and two cap-removing parts (21). The two cap-removing parts (21) are respectively located on both sides of the double-headed swing arm (19). During the assembly process, the two cap-removing parts (21) on the double-headed swing arm (19) respectively clamp the inner plug on the cap-separating mechanism (17) in the inner plug feeding station (7) and the outer cap on the cap-separating mechanism (17) in the outer cap feeding station (8) to the spring bottle on the bottle control turntable (2) for assembly.

6. The automatic filling and capping machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The exhaust station (9) includes two frames (22), and each of the two frames (22) is equipped with a robot arm (23) assembly. The robot arm (23) assembly includes two robot arms (23), and there is a clamping space between the two robot arms (23) for clamping the outer cover. The frame (22) is equipped with a drive cylinder for clamping and lifting the robot arm (23) assembly.

7. The automatic filling and capping machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, A pneumatic pusher plate (24) is provided between the conveyor line and the bottle control turntable (2) to push the spring bottle into the bottle control turntable (2).

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