A dispensing device and method

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of material distributing device and material distributing method, belong to the technical field of automatic material distributing equipment of injection molding product. Material distributing device includes material guiding hopper, which contains upper layer cylinder section and middle layer cone cylinder section;Upper layer storage tray is fixed to upper layer cylinder section, and multiple circumferential distribution upper layer openings are opened on it;Lower layer discharge tray is fixed to upper layer cylinder section and located below upper layer storage tray, and multiple lower layer openings corresponding to upper layer opening are opened on it;Upper layer opening and lower layer opening profile are adapted to product cross section profile;Upper layer baffle is rotatably arranged between upper layer storage tray and lower layer discharge tray, and a middle layer opening is opened on it;Lower layer baffle is rotatably arranged below lower layer discharge tray, and a bottom layer opening is opened on it;Upper layer driving device drives upper layer baffle to rotate, so that middle layer opening passes below each upper layer opening in turn;Lower layer driving device drives lower layer baffle to rotate intermittently, so that bottom layer opening passes below each lower layer opening in turn, can realize flat tableware sequentially orderly material distribution and directional output.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automated material dispensing equipment for injection molded products, and in particular to a material dispensing device and method for automatic material dispensing and directional output of flat tableware (such as cake knives, cake forks, etc.). Background Technology

[0002] On an injection molding production line, for products manufactured using single-point hot runner molds with a circular arrangement (such as cake knives and cake forks), the injection molding machine produces a multi-cavity product after injection molding. A robotic arm picks up the product through a product suction port and removes waste material from the main injection channel and branch injection channels through a waste suction port. After waste material removal, the robotic arm transfers the product to the subsequent material sorting station.

[0003] In subsequent packaging processes, products need to be arranged one by one and transported in a uniform orientation to facilitate automated packaging. However, existing technologies have the following problems: First, the robotic arm transfers a whole mold of products at a time, while the subsequent packaging station needs to supply products one by one. The two cycles are mismatched, usually requiring machine downtime and making continuous production difficult. Second, for irregularly shaped products (such as cake knives, with one end being the blade and the other the handle), it is difficult to maintain a uniform orientation during the material distribution and transport process, making it impossible to automate subsequent packaging.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a material distribution device and method that can achieve orderly and directional distribution of flat tableware without interrupting production. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the issues of mismatched production cycles between the bulk transfer of products by robotic arms and the individual material supply at subsequent packaging stations in existing injection molding production lines, which hinders continuous production, and the inconsistent orientation of flat tableware during material distribution and conveying, this invention provides a material distribution device and method that enables orderly individual material distribution and directional output of flat tableware without interrupting production.

[0006] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention provides a material distribution device, including a guide hopper. The guide hopper comprises an upper cylindrical section and a middle conical section connected below the upper cylindrical section. An upper storage tray is fixed to the upper cylindrical section, and the upper storage tray has multiple upper openings evenly distributed along its circumference. The outlines of the upper openings are adapted to the cross-sectional outlines of the product to be distributed. A lower discharge tray is also fixed to the upper cylindrical section, located below the upper storage tray. The lower discharge tray has multiple lower openings evenly distributed along its circumference, and the outlines of the lower openings are adapted to the cross-sectional outlines of the product to be distributed. Each upper opening corresponds one-to-one with each lower opening and is positioned vertically opposite each other.

[0007] An upper baffle is rotatably mounted between the upper storage tray and the lower discharge tray. The upper baffle has a middle opening, the size of which is adapted to allow a single product to pass through at a time, so that only one product can fall through the middle opening at a time. A lower baffle is rotatably mounted below the lower discharge tray. The lower baffle has a bottom opening, the size of which is adapted to allow a single product to pass through.

[0008] The upper drive unit drives the upper baffle to rotate, causing the middle opening to pass under each upper opening in sequence, thereby transferring the products in the upper storage tray piece by piece to the lower openings of the lower discharge tray. The lower drive unit drives the lower baffle to rotate intermittently, causing the bottom opening to pass under each lower opening in sequence, thereby discharging the products in the lower discharge tray piece by piece downwards.

[0009] The product is transferred from top to bottom solely by gravity through the upper, middle, and lower openings. The contours of the upper and lower openings are adapted to the cross-sectional contours of the product, effectively accommodating it and limiting its range of motion within the openings, thus maintaining the product's posture during the top-to-bottom transfer. After exiting through the bottom opening, the product enters the middle conical section of the guide hopper. Guided by the conical surface of the middle conical section, the product's center-facing end (i.e., the handle end) detaches from the guide hopper downwards and falls onto the conveyor belt below, achieving directional output with the handle end facing forward.

[0010] During operation, the upper baffle rotates continuously, driven by an upper drive unit, while the lower baffle rotates intermittently, driven by a lower drive unit. After the robotic arm transfers the current batch of products to the upper storage tray, the upper baffle rotates, transferring the products piece by piece to the lower discharge tray. The lower baffle rotates intermittently, discharging the products piece by piece. After some products are discharged from the lower discharge tray, the robotic arm transfers the next batch of products to the upper storage tray. The upper drive unit drives the upper baffle to rotate continuously at a higher speed than the lower baffle, sequentially replenishing the lower discharge tray with the empty lower opening. When the last product in the upper storage tray falls into the lower discharge tray, the previous batch of products in the lower discharge tray has been completely emptied, preventing product overlap in the same opening. Through the double-layer buffer structure formed by the upper storage tray and the lower discharge tray, combined with the differential speed coordination of the upper and lower baffles, continuous operation between injection molding production and material distribution and packaging is achieved without stopping the machine.

[0011] The present invention also provides a material distribution method, comprising: driving an upper baffle to rotate continuously, so that the middle opening passes under each upper opening in sequence, transferring the products in the upper storage tray piece by piece to each lower opening of the lower discharge tray; driving the lower baffle to rotate intermittently, so that the bottom opening passes under each lower opening in sequence, discharging the products in the lower discharge tray piece by piece; after some of the products in the lower discharge tray are discharged, transferring the next batch of products to each upper opening of the upper storage tray; driving the upper baffle to rotate continuously at a speed higher than that of the lower baffle, so that the new batch of products is replenished to the empty lower openings in the lower discharge tray in sequence.

[0012] Furthermore, the guide hopper also includes a lower cone section connected below the middle cone section, the taper of which is smaller than that of the middle cone section. The lower cone section can further guide the product to a more vertical posture, allowing it to fall more stably into the conveyor belt with one end facing downwards, thus enhancing the reliability of directional output.

[0013] Furthermore, the material distribution device also includes a hollow shaft and a fixed shaft. The upper end of the fixed shaft is fixedly connected to the upper storage tray, and the hollow shaft is rotatably sleeved on the outside of the fixed shaft. The upper baffle is fixedly connected to the hollow shaft, and the upper drive device is driven by the hollow shaft through the first transmission assembly to drive the upper baffle to rotate. Through the coaxial nesting structure of the hollow shaft and the fixed shaft, the stable rotation of the upper baffle around the central axis is achieved, while ensuring that the installation space of the upper drive device and the lower drive device avoids the channel where the product falls.

[0014] Furthermore, a first bearing is installed between the lower end of the upper storage tray and the hollow shaft, allowing the hollow shaft to be rotatably mounted on the lower end of the upper storage tray via the first bearing. A second bearing is installed between the lower baffle and the lower discharge tray, allowing the lower baffle to be rotatably connected to the lower discharge tray via the second bearing. The lower drive device is connected to the lower baffle via a second transmission assembly. The bearings ensure low-resistance rotational connection between the rotating components, guaranteeing smooth operation.

[0015] Furthermore, the lower baffle has a first ring body at its upper end and a second ring body at its lower end. The first ring body is rotatably connected to the lower discharge disc via a second bearing, and the second ring body is drive-connected to the lower drive device via a second transmission assembly. By setting the first and second ring bodies to respectively perform the functions of bearing connection and transmission connection, the structure of the lower baffle is made more compact and reliable.

[0016] Furthermore, the upper drive unit includes an upper drive motor, and the lower drive unit includes a lower drive motor, both located within the guide hopper. A through-hole is provided at the center of the fixed shaft, through which the wires of the upper and lower drive motors are led upwards out of the guide hopper. By housing the drive motors and routing them through the central through-hole, the overall structure of the device is compact and its appearance is simple, and the wire routing does not interfere with the movement trajectory of the product.

[0017] Furthermore, the upper drive unit drives the upper baffle to rotate via the first transmission assembly, and the lower drive unit drives the lower baffle to rotate via the second transmission assembly. The first and second transmission assemblies are either gear transmission assemblies or synchronous belt transmission assemblies, respectively. Both gear transmission assemblies and synchronous belt transmission assemblies are mature transmission solutions and can be flexibly selected according to actual working conditions.

[0018] Furthermore, the upper storage tray has a first flange structure at its edge, and the upper end of the guide hopper has a second flange structure. The first flange structure and the second flange structure are fixedly connected by a bolt assembly. This flange connection method facilitates the disassembly, assembly, and maintenance of the upper storage tray.

[0019] Furthermore, a locking block is fixed to the inner wall of the feed hopper, and a locking groove is opened at the lower end of the lower discharge plate to cooperate with the locking block. The locking block and the locking groove engage. Through the cooperation of the locking block and the locking groove, the lower discharge plate can be supported and its circumferential rotation can be restricted. The structure is simple and reliable.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: 1. The upper storage tray serves as the receiving and temporary storage unit for the molded products, functionally separated from the lower discharge tray, allowing product receiving and output to be performed in parallel. With the differential speed coordination of the continuous rotation of the upper baffle and the intermittent rotation of the lower baffle, new batches of products can be received while the lower discharge tray is discharging, without the need to stop and wait. This achieves a non-stop, continuous connection between the robot's batch feeding and the subsequent packaging station's sequential feeding, greatly improving production efficiency. 2. By opening only one middle opening on the upper baffle and only one bottom opening on the lower baffle, and with the size of both the middle and bottom openings being adapted to the passage of a single product, only one product can fall through the baffle at a time, thus achieving orderly distribution of products one by one and avoiding the problems of jamming or overlapping caused by multiple products falling at the same time. 3. By designing the contours of the upper and lower openings to match the cross-sectional contours of the product, the upper and lower openings constrain the product's range of motion during the top-to-bottom transfer process, thus maintaining the product's posture. Combined with the conical section of the middle layer of the hopper guiding the falling product, the product leaves the hopper with the handle end facing down, achieving directional output of the product in a uniform orientation, providing a reliable prerequisite for subsequent automated packaging. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of the material dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a top view of the material dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Sectional view along line AA; Figure 4 for Figure 2 The diagram shows the state of the structure when the upper baffle completes the transfer of a batch of materials. Figure 5 for Figure 2 The diagram shows the state of the structure when the upper baffle begins to transfer the next batch of material to the lower discharge tray; Figure 6 Yes, yes Figure 1 Sectional view along the BB line; Figure 7 Yes, yes Figure 1 A magnified view of a section at point C; Figure 8 A schematic diagram illustrating the working process of the material distribution device in conjunction with the conveyor in this embodiment of the invention.

[0022] In the diagram: 1-Guide hopper; 11-Upper cylindrical section; 12-Middle conical section; 13-Lower conical section; 14-Second flange structure; 15-Clamping block; 2-Upper storage tray; 21-Upper opening; 22-First flange structure; 3-Upper baffle; 31-Middle opening; 4-Lower discharge tray; 41-Lower opening; 42-Clamping groove; 5-Lower baffle; 51-Bottom opening; 52-First ring body; 53-Second ring body; 6-Hollow shaft; 7-Fixed shaft; 71-Through hole; 8-Mounting plate; 9-Upper drive motor; 10-Lower drive motor; 16-First transmission assembly; 17-Second transmission assembly; 18-First bearing; 19-Second bearing. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. 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.

[0024] Please see Figure 1-3 This embodiment provides a material dispensing device. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the material distribution device includes a guide hopper 1, an upper storage tray 2, an upper baffle 3, a lower discharge tray 4, a lower baffle 5, a hollow shaft 6, a fixed shaft 7, a mounting plate 8, an upper drive motor 9, a lower drive motor 10, a first transmission assembly 16, a second transmission assembly 17, a first bearing 18, and a second bearing 19.

[0025] The feed hopper 1 has a funnel-shaped structure that gradually narrows from top to bottom, comprising an upper cylindrical section 11, a middle conical section 12, and a lower conical section 13 connected sequentially from top to bottom. The upper cylindrical section 11 is a straight cylinder of uniform diameter, providing space for product storage and distribution. The middle conical section 12 is connected below the upper cylindrical section 11, and its inner diameter gradually decreases from top to bottom, forming a conical surface with a first taper. The lower conical section 13 is connected below the middle conical section 12, and its inner diameter gradually decreases from top to bottom, forming a conical surface with a second taper. The second taper is smaller than the first taper, meaning the conical surface of the lower conical section 13 is steeper than that of the middle conical section 12. A second flange structure 14 is provided at the upper end of the feed hopper 1.

[0026] The upper storage tray 2 is a disc-shaped component. In this embodiment, the upper storage tray 2 is fixed to the top of the upper cylindrical section 11. Specifically, the edge of the upper storage tray 2 is provided with a first flange structure 22, which is fixedly connected to the second flange structure 14 at the upper end of the guide hopper 1 by a bolt assembly, thereby detachably fixing the upper storage tray 2 to the upper end of the guide hopper 1. In other embodiments, the upper storage tray 2 can also be fixed to the inner wall of the upper cylindrical section 11. Figure 2 As shown, the upper storage tray 2 has multiple upper openings 21, which are evenly distributed along the circumference. The outline of the upper opening 21 is adapted to the cross-sectional outline of the product to be dispensed (taking a cake knife as an example in this embodiment). That is, the upper opening 21 is designed as an irregular opening based on the outer outline of the cake knife, which can reasonably accommodate the product and restrict the circumferential movement range of the product within the upper opening 21.

[0027] The lower discharge tray 4 is also a disc-shaped component. In this embodiment, the lower discharge tray 4 is fixed to the inner wall of the upper cylindrical section 11 and is located below the upper storage tray 2. Figure 3As shown, the lower discharge tray 4 has multiple lower openings 41, which are evenly distributed along the circumference. The outline of the lower openings 41 matches the cross-sectional outline of the product to be processed, and the number of lower openings 41 is the same as the number of upper openings 21. Each upper opening 21 corresponds to each lower opening 41 and is positioned vertically opposite each other, meaning that there is a lower opening 41 directly below each upper opening 21. The lower end of the lower discharge tray 4 has a slot 42, and the inner wall of the guide hopper 1 is fixed with a corresponding locking block 15. The locking block 15 engages with the slot 42, providing vertical support for the lower discharge tray 4 and restricting its circumferential rotation.

[0028] The upper baffle 3 is rotatably disposed between the upper storage tray 2 and the lower discharge tray 4. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the upper baffle 3 has a middle opening 31. The middle opening 31 is fan-shaped, a single slot, and its size is larger than the cross-sectional outline of the cake knife, facilitating the smooth passage of the cake knife under gravity. Furthermore, the area and shape of the middle opening 31 only allow one cake knife to pass through smoothly under gravity, preventing two pieces from entering simultaneously. The inner edge of the middle opening 31 has a chamfered or rounded transition to avoid hard contact between the upper baffle 3 and the product during rotation. The thickness of the upper baffle 3 is appropriately selected based on the thickness of the product, ensuring that the product can quickly pass through the middle opening 31 under gravity without getting stuck.

[0029] The lower baffle 5 is rotatably positioned below the lower discharge plate 4. For example... Figure 1 As shown, a bottom opening 51 is provided on the lower baffle 5. The bottom opening 51 is fan-shaped and its size is larger than the cross-sectional profile of the cake knife, which facilitates the passage of a single product.

[0030] The upper end of the fixed shaft 7 extends to the top of the upper storage tray 2. The upper end of the fixed shaft 7 has a flange structure that is fixedly connected to the center of the upper storage tray 2. The central axis of the fixed shaft 7 coincides with the central axis of the guide hopper 1. The fixed shaft 7 extends downward, with its lower end located inside the guide hopper 1, and a mounting plate 8 is fixedly installed at its lower end. A through hole 71 extending axially is opened in the center of the fixed shaft 7.

[0031] The hollow shaft 6 is rotatably sleeved on the outside of the fixed shaft 7. A first bearing 18 is provided between the lower center of the upper storage tray 2 and the hollow shaft 6, and the hollow shaft 6 is rotatably mounted on the lower end of the upper storage tray 2 through the first bearing 18. The hollow shaft 6, the fixed shaft 7, and the first bearing 18 are coaxially arranged. The center of the upper baffle 3 is fixedly connected to the hollow shaft 6, and the upper baffle 3 rotates synchronously with the hollow shaft 6.

[0032] The lower baffle 5 has a central opening to avoid the hollow shaft 6 and the fixed shaft 7. The upper end of the lower baffle 5 has a first ring portion 52, and the lower end has a second ring portion 53. The first ring portion 52 and the second ring portion 53 are coaxially arranged with the hollow shaft 6. A second bearing 19 is provided between the lower baffle 5 and the lower discharge plate 4. Specifically, the first ring portion 52 is rotatably connected to the lower center of the lower discharge plate 4 via the second bearing 19, allowing the lower baffle 5 to rotate freely relative to the lower discharge plate 4.

[0033] Both the upper drive motor 9 and the lower drive motor 10 are fixedly mounted on the mounting plate 8 and are located inside the guide hopper 1.

[0034] In this embodiment, both the first transmission assembly 16 and the second transmission assembly 17 are gear transmission assemblies. Specifically, the first transmission assembly 16 includes a first driving gear fixed to the output shaft of the upper drive motor 9 and a first driven gear fixed to the outer periphery of the hollow shaft 6, with the first driving gear meshing with the first driven gear for transmission. The second transmission assembly 17 includes a second driving gear fixed to the output shaft of the lower drive motor 10 and a second driven gear fixed to the outer periphery of the second ring portion 53 of the lower baffle 5, with the second driving gear meshing with the second driven gear for transmission. Gear transmission has the advantages of high transmission accuracy and strong load-bearing capacity. In other embodiments, the first transmission assembly 16 and the second transmission assembly 17 can also be synchronous belt transmission assemblies, which include a driving synchronous pulley, a driven synchronous pulley, and a synchronous belt tensioned between them. Synchronous belt transmission has the advantages of smooth transmission, low noise, and no need for lubrication.

[0035] The wires of the upper drive motor 9 and the lower drive motor 10 are led upwards through the through hole 71 at the center of the fixed shaft 7 to the guide hopper 1. The wiring path is simple and does not interfere with the movement trajectory of the product. In this embodiment, the upper drive motor 9 and the lower drive motor 10 are stepper motors. In other embodiments, the upper drive motor 9 and the lower drive motor 10 can also be servo motors. Servo motors have the characteristics of fast response speed and high positioning accuracy, and can more accurately control the continuous rotation speed of the upper baffle 3 and the intermittent rotation angle of the lower baffle 5. They are especially suitable for applications with high requirements for the accuracy of material distribution cycle and differential speed coordination control.

[0036] On the injection molding production line, after the injection molding machine completes the injection of a batch of cake knife products, the robotic arm picks up each cake knife product through the product suction port, and simultaneously picks up waste material from the main injection channel and the branch injection channel through the waste material suction port. After the waste material is discharged, the robotic arm transfers the cake knife products to the top of the material distribution device, and each cake knife enters its respective upper opening 21 of the upper storage tray 2. Because the contour of the upper opening 21 is adapted to the cross-sectional contour of the cake knife, the range of motion of the cake knife within the upper opening 21 is restricted, and its posture is maintained.

[0037] Subsequently, the upper drive motor 9 drives the hollow shaft 6 to rotate via the first transmission assembly 16, and the hollow shaft 6 drives the upper baffle 3 to rotate continuously. As the upper baffle 3 rotates, the middle opening 31 passes under each upper opening 21 in sequence. When the middle opening 31 is aligned with a certain upper opening 21, the cake knife in that upper opening 21 falls through the middle opening 31 under the action of gravity and enters the lower opening 41 directly opposite that upper opening 21, where it is supported by the upper surface of the lower baffle 5. Since there is only one middle opening 31 and its size is only suitable for a single cake knife to pass through, only one cake knife falls at a time, thus achieving slice-by-slice distribution.

[0038] As the upper baffle 3 continues to rotate, the middle opening 31 passes through the remaining upper openings 21 in sequence, transferring the cake knife products in the upper storage tray 2 one by one to the lower openings 41 of the lower discharge tray 4. The state when all the materials in this batch have been transferred is as follows: Figure 4 As shown, only a small portion of the material in the lower discharge tray 41 is discharged through the relatively slow-moving lower baffle 5, while most of the material remains in the lower discharge tray 41. During this process, the cake knife passes through the upper opening 21, the middle opening 31, and the lower opening 41 sequentially from top to bottom. Since the contours of the upper opening 21 and the lower opening 41 are adapted to the cross-sectional contour of the cake knife, the range of motion of the cake knife within the upper opening 21 and the lower opening 41 is limited. However, the dimensions of the middle opening 31 and the bottom opening 51 are larger than the cross-sectional contour of the cake knife, facilitating the smooth passage of the cake knife under the action of gravity. The cake knife maintains its posture throughout the downward transfer process.

[0039] Meanwhile, the lower drive motor 10 drives the lower baffle 5 to rotate intermittently via the second transmission assembly 17. With each rotation of a step angle, the bottom opening 51 moves below a lower opening 41. The cake knife inside this lower opening 41 falls through the bottom opening 51 under gravity and enters the middle conical section 12 of the guide hopper 1. Guided by the conical surface of the middle conical section 12, the cake knife's center-facing end (i.e., the handle end) first detaches from the middle conical section 12 downwards and enters the lower conical section 13. The lower conical section 13 has a smaller taper and a steeper conical surface, further guiding the cake knife towards a near-vertical position, ultimately falling towards the conveyor belt with the handle end facing downwards. Figure 8 As shown. Cake knife ( Figure 8 The handle end (shown by the dashed line) first contacts the surface of the conveyor belt and is conveyed forward with the handle end facing forward under the conveyor belt, completing the directional output of the product and providing a product flow with a unified orientation for subsequent automated packaging processes.

[0040] The specific process for differential speed coordination control between the upper baffle 3 and the lower baffle 5 is as follows: After the robotic arm transfers the current batch of products to the upper storage tray 2, the upper drive motor 9 drives the upper baffle 3 to rotate continuously, transferring the products in the upper storage tray 2 piece by piece to the lower discharge tray 4. After some of the products in the lower discharge tray 4 are discharged, the robotic arm transfers the next batch of products to the upper openings 21 of the upper storage tray 2.

[0041] At this time, the upper drive motor 9 drives the upper baffle 3 to rotate continuously in the same direction at a speed higher than that of the lower baffle 5, so that the middle opening 31 passes successively below the emptied upper opening 21, replenishing the new batch of products into the emptied lower opening 41 in the lower discharge tray 4. The state of the upper baffle 3 when it begins to transfer the next batch of material to the lower discharge tray 4 is as follows. Figure 5 As shown, at this time, there is still a small amount of material in the lower opening 41 of the lower discharge tray 4 that has not been emptied.

[0042] It should be noted that the rotational speed of the upper baffle 3 cannot be arbitrarily increased. To ensure that each product can reliably pass through the middle opening 31 under gravity and fall into the corresponding lower opening 41, the rotational speed of the upper baffle 3 should meet the following condition: the time it takes for the middle opening 31 to sweep across the bottom of a single upper opening 21 is greater than the time required for the product to fall freely under gravity through the thickness of the upper baffle 3. Under this premise, the rotational speed of the upper baffle 3 is greater than the average rotational speed of the lower baffle 5. For those skilled in the art, a suitable rotational speed range for the upper baffle 3 can be determined through a limited number of experiments based on conventional parameters such as the thickness of the upper baffle 3, the size of the middle opening 31, the weight of the product, and the radius of rotation. At the same time, the rotational speed of the upper baffle 3 must also ensure that the order in which products are added to the middle opening 31 always follows the order in which products are discharged from the bottom opening 51, ensuring that new batches of products are only added to the emptied lower opening 41, and that two products are not stacked in the same lower opening 41.

[0043] When the last piece of product in the upper storage tray 2 falls into the lower discharge tray 4 through the middle opening 31, all the products of the previous batch in the lower discharge tray 4 have been discharged. The lower opening 41, which is waiting to receive the last piece of product, is in an empty state, ensuring that there will be no situation where two pieces of product are stacked in the same lower opening 41.

[0044] In this way, the upper storage tray 2, serving as the receiving and temporary storage unit for the molded products, is functionally separated from the lower discharge tray 4. This allows for parallel material receiving and output. Combined with the differential speed coordination of the continuous rotation of the upper baffle 3 and the intermittent rotation of the lower baffle 5, continuous operation between injection molding and material distribution / packaging is achieved without stopping the machine. Specifically, while the upper storage tray 2 is replenishing material downwards, the lower discharge tray 4 does not need to stop discharging; simultaneously, while the lower discharge tray 4 is discharging, the upper storage tray 2 can receive new batches of products transferred by the robotic arm. Therefore, the entire material distribution process requires no downtime, achieving continuous, automated, and highly efficient production.

[0045] During the aforementioned process, the entire falling motion of the product (from the upper opening 21 through the middle opening 31 into the lower opening 41, and then from the lower opening 41 through the bottom opening 51 into the guide hopper 1) is achieved solely by gravity, without the need for additional auxiliary power such as pushing or blowing. The vertical positional relationship of the upper opening 21, middle opening 31, lower opening 41, and bottom opening 51 allows the product to fall smoothly under its own weight.

[0046] In summary, the material distribution device of this embodiment achieves the following technical effects through the above-described structure and differential speed coordination control method: 1. The upper storage tray 2 serves as the receiving and temporary storage unit for the molded products. It is functionally separate from the lower discharge tray 4. The receiving and output of materials are performed in parallel. With the differential speed coordination of the continuous rotation of the upper baffle 3 and the intermittent rotation of the lower baffle 5, continuous production without stopping the machine is achieved. 2. The middle opening 31 of the upper baffle 3 and the bottom opening 51 of the lower baffle 5 are both single slots. With intermittent rotation, the products are divided into one piece in an orderly manner. 3. The contours of the upper opening 21 and the lower opening 41 are adapted to the product cross-sectional contour. Together with the middle conical section 12 of the guide hopper 1, the conical surface of the falling product is guided, thus realizing the directional output of the product.

[0047] This embodiment uses a cake knife as an example. In other embodiments, this dispensing device can also be applied to the dispensing process of injection-molded products with irregular shapes, such as cake forks and spoons, that require directional output. Simply adapt the contours of the upper opening 21 and the lower opening 41 to the cross-sectional contours of the corresponding product. This embodiment uses a cake knife as an example.

[0048] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A material dispensing device, characterized in that, include: The feed hopper (1) includes an upper cylindrical section (11) and a middle conical section (12) connected below the upper cylindrical section (11); The upper storage tray (2) is fixed to the upper cylindrical section (11) and has multiple upper openings (21) distributed along the circumference. The lower discharge tray (4) is fixed to the upper cylindrical section (11) and located below the upper storage tray (2). It has multiple lower openings (41) distributed along the circumference. Each upper opening (21) corresponds to each lower opening (41) and is arranged vertically opposite each other. The upper baffle (3) is rotatably disposed between the upper storage tray (2) and the lower discharge tray (4), and has a middle opening (31) on it, the size of which is adapted to allow a single product to pass through. The lower baffle (5) is rotatably disposed below the lower discharge tray (4), and has a bottom opening (51) on it, the size of which is adapted to allow a single product to pass through. The upper driving device is used to drive the upper baffle (3) to rotate, so that the middle opening (31) passes under each of the upper openings (21) in sequence; The lower drive device is used to drive the lower baffle (5) to rotate intermittently, so that the bottom opening (51) passes under each of the lower openings (41) in sequence.

2. The material dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The feed hopper (1) also includes a lower cone section (13) connected below the middle cone section (12), the taper of the lower cone section (13) being smaller than the taper of the middle cone section (12).

3. The material dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a hollow shaft (6) and a fixed shaft (7). The upper end of the fixed shaft (7) is fixedly connected to the upper storage tray (2). The hollow shaft (6) is rotatably sleeved on the outside of the fixed shaft (7). The upper baffle (3) is fixedly connected to the hollow shaft (6). The upper driving device is connected to the hollow shaft (6) through the first transmission assembly (16) to drive the upper baffle (3) to rotate.

4. The material dispensing device according to claim 3, characterized in that, A first bearing (18) is provided between the lower end of the upper storage tray (2) and the hollow shaft (6), and the hollow shaft (6) is rotatably mounted on the lower end of the upper storage tray (2) through the first bearing (18); a second bearing (19) is provided between the lower baffle (5) and the lower discharge tray (4), and the lower baffle (5) is rotatably connected to the lower discharge tray (4) through the second bearing (19); the lower drive device is connected to the lower baffle (5) through the second transmission assembly (17).

5. The material dispensing device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The lower baffle (5) has a first ring body (52) at its upper end and a second ring body (53) at its lower end. The first ring body (52) is rotatably connected to the lower discharge plate (4) through the second bearing (19), and the second ring body (53) is connected to the lower drive device through the second transmission assembly (17).

6. The material dispensing device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The upper drive device includes an upper drive motor (9), and the lower drive device includes a lower drive motor (10). Both the upper drive motor (9) and the lower drive motor (10) are located inside the guide hopper (1). A through hole (71) is provided at the center of the fixed shaft (7), and the wires of the upper drive motor (9) and the lower drive motor (10) are led out of the guide hopper (1) through the through hole (71).

7. The material dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper drive device drives the upper baffle (3) to rotate through the first transmission component (16), and the lower drive device drives the lower baffle (5) to rotate through the second transmission component (17). The first transmission component (16) and the second transmission component (17) are respectively a gear transmission component or a synchronous belt transmission component.

8. The material dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper storage tray (2) is provided with a first flange structure (22) on its edge, and the upper end of the guide hopper (1) is provided with a second flange structure (14). The first flange structure (22) and the second flange structure (14) are fixedly connected by bolt assembly.

9. The material dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner wall of the feed hopper (1) is fixed with a locking block (15), and the lower end of the lower discharge plate (4) is provided with a locking groove (42) that cooperates with the locking block (15). The locking block (15) is engaged with the locking groove (42).

10. A material dispensing method, using the material dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, include: Drive the upper baffle (3) to rotate continuously, so that the middle opening (31) passes under each of the upper openings (21) in sequence, and transfer the products in the upper storage tray (2) piece by piece to each of the lower openings (41) of the lower discharge tray (4); Drive the lower baffle (5) to rotate intermittently, so that the bottom opening (51) passes under each of the lower openings (41) in sequence, and discharge the products in the lower discharge tray (4) piece by piece; After the product portion in the lower discharge tray (4) is discharged, the next batch of products is transferred to each upper opening (21) of the upper storage tray (2); The upper baffle (3) is driven to rotate continuously at a speed higher than that of the lower baffle (5), and new batches of products are sequentially added to the empty lower opening (41) in the lower discharge tray (4).

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