Automatic apple bagging device

Abstract

The utility model discloses an automatic apple bagging device which comprises a sorting mechanism which comprises a sorting funnel, a plurality of discharging openings are formed in the bottom of the sorting funnel, and apples fall into the sorting funnel, move to the discharging openings along the side wall of the sorting funnel and fall from the discharging openings. The conveying mechanism is arranged below the discharging ports, a plurality of rows of trays are arranged on the conveying mechanism at equal intervals, and the number of the trays in each row corresponds to the number of the discharging ports; and the bagging mechanism is arranged on one side of the sorting mechanism and comprises a sleeve assembly, the sleeve assembly is arranged above the conveying mechanism, a packaging bag is arranged on the sleeve assembly, and when the conveying mechanism drives the apples to move to the position below the sleeve assembly, the sleeve assembly drives the packaging bag to fall, so that the apples are sleeved with the packaging bag. The apple bagging machine can automatically bag apples, the bagging efficiency is improved, no manual intervention exists in the whole cutting process, damage to the surfaces of the apples is avoided, and the storage time of the apples can be effectively prolonged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of mechanical equipment, and in particular to an automatic apple bagging device. Background Technology

[0002] Apples are a common fruit in consumers' daily lives, with high nutritional value. They are widely distributed in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere and have undemanding growth requirements. Therefore, they are widely cultivated in many parts of my country. Apple trees are deciduous trees that ripen once a year. During their growth and development, they often face various problems that affect their quality, such as pests, diseases, sun exposure, and pesticide residues. Furthermore, due to the phototropism of auxin, apples often grow unevenly and have uneven surface color, affecting their appearance.

[0003] After apples are harvested, they are usually covered with foam mesh bags to ensure the quality of their surface. Currently, apple bagging on the market is usually done manually. On the one hand, manual bagging is inefficient and cannot guarantee the bagging efficiency; on the other hand, the process of picking up and bagging apples manually can damage the surface of the apples, affecting their preservation. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to solve the technical problem of the lack of existing bagging equipment for apples. This invention provides an automatic apple bagging device that can automatically bag apples, improving bagging efficiency. The entire process requires no manual intervention, avoiding damage to the apple surface and effectively extending the apple's shelf life.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention discloses an automatic apple bagging device, comprising:

[0006] The sorting mechanism includes a sorting funnel with multiple discharge ports at the bottom. Apples fall into the sorting funnel and move along the side wall of the sorting funnel to the discharge ports and fall down from the discharge ports.

[0007] The transport mechanism is located below the discharge port. Multiple rows of pallets are evenly spaced on the transport mechanism, and the number of pallets in each row corresponds to the number of discharge ports. When the transport mechanism moves the pallets to below the discharge port, the apples fall from the discharge port onto the pallets and are then moved along a preset direction by the transport mechanism.

[0008] The bagging mechanism is located on one side of the sorting mechanism. The bagging mechanism includes a sleeve assembly, which is located above the transport mechanism. A packaging bag is placed on the sleeve assembly. When the transport mechanism moves the apples to the area below the sleeve assembly, the sleeve assembly causes the packaging bag to fall and cover the apples with the packaging bag.

[0009] By adopting the above technical solution, apples can be automatically bagged, which improves bagging efficiency. The entire process is done without human intervention, avoiding damage to the apple surface and effectively extending the apple's shelf life.

[0010] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, the sorting mechanism further includes:

[0011] The feeding conveyor belt has baffles spaced at equal intervals, and the apples are placed in the gaps between two adjacent baffles.

[0012] An opening and closing device is located at the bottom of the discharge port. The opening and closing device includes an openable and closable baffle, which is used to control the number of apples that fall into the tray from the discharge port.

[0013] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, the sorting mechanism further includes a first detection device, which is disposed on the opening and closing device and is used to detect the position of the tray. When the tray is located below the discharge port, the first detection device is triggered, the transport mechanism stops moving, and the opening and closing device controls the baffle to open so that the apples at the discharge port fall onto the tray.

[0014] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, the sorting mechanism further includes a vibration device, which is disposed on one side of the feeding conveyor belt and connected to the sorting funnel. The vibration device is used to vibrate the sorting funnel so that the apples in the sorting funnel fall into the discharge port.

[0015] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, the transportation mechanism further includes a material conveyor belt, a pallet is disposed on the material conveyor belt, and a speed regulating device is disposed on the material conveyor belt for controlling the material conveying speed of the material conveyor belt.

[0016] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, the present invention discloses a bagging mechanism including a bracket, the bracket including a fixed plate and support legs connected to both ends of the fixed plate, the support legs being disposed on both sides of the transport mechanism to support the fixed plate above the transport mechanism, and the sleeve assembly being installed at the bottom of the fixed plate.

[0017] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, the sleeve assembly disclosed in this embodiment includes:

[0018] Multiple sleeves are set at the bottom of the fixed plate via connecting rods, and packaging bags are placed inside the sleeves. The number of sleeves corresponds to the number of pallets.

[0019] The bagging component is connected to the fixing plate via a telescopic rod. The bagging component is located below the sleeve and is used to place the packaging bag over the apple.

[0020] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, the sleeve assembly further includes a spreading push rod, which is installed on a telescopic rod. The packaging bag inside the sleeve extends out of the sleeve and is fitted onto the spreading push rod, which is used to spread the packaging bag open.

[0021] According to another specific embodiment of the present utility model, the sleeve assembly further includes a push rod sleeve, which is connected to the bottom rod of the telescopic rod. The push rod sleeve is disposed below the expanding push rod, and the bottom of the packaging bag is connected to the push rod sleeve.

[0022] When the tray is below the sleeve assembly, the telescopic rod pushes the push rod sleeve and the packaging bag connected to the push rod sleeve downwards so that the packaging bag is placed on the apple.

[0023] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, the embodiment of the present invention also includes a cutting device disposed on the telescopic rod. The cutting device is disposed between the spreading push rod and the sleeve. When the packaging bag is placed on the apple, the cutting device is used to cut the packaging bag.

[0024] The beneficial effects of this application are as follows: by providing an automatic apple bagging device, apples can be automatically bagged, improving bagging efficiency. The entire process does not require manual intervention, avoiding damage to the apple surface and effectively increasing the apple's shelf life. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This diagram shows the structure of an automatic apple bagging device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 This diagram shows the structural schematic of the transport mechanism of the automatic apple bagging device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 3 This diagram shows the structural schematic of the bagging mechanism of the automatic apple bagging device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The following specific embodiments illustrate the implementation of this utility model. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of this utility model from the content disclosed in this specification. Although the description of this utility model will be presented in conjunction with preferred embodiments, this does not mean that the features of this utility model are limited to this embodiment. On the contrary, the purpose of describing the utility model in conjunction with the embodiments is to cover other options or modifications that may be derived based on the claims of this utility model. To provide a deep understanding of this utility model, many specific details will be included in the following description. This utility model may also be implemented without using these details. Furthermore, to avoid confusion or obscuring the focus of this utility model, some specific details will be omitted in the description. It should be noted that, without conflict, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of this utility model can be combined with each other.

[0029] It should be noted that in this specification, similar reference numerals and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0030] In the description of this embodiment, it should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower", "inner", "bottom", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship that the utility model product is usually placed in during use. They are only for the convenience of describing the utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the utility model.

[0031] The terms “first”, “second”, etc., are used only to distinguish descriptions and should not be interpreted as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0032] In the description of this embodiment, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "set up," "connected," and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this embodiment based on the specific circumstances.

[0033] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the embodiments of this utility model will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] Reference Figure 1This application provides an automatic apple bagging device, including a sorting mechanism 1, a transport mechanism 2, and a bagging mechanism 3. The sorting mechanism 1 includes a sorting funnel 12 with multiple discharge ports 121 at its bottom. Apples fall into the sorting funnel 12 and move along its side wall to the discharge ports 121, where they fall. The transport mechanism 2 is located below the discharge ports 121, and multiple rows of trays 22 are evenly spaced on it. The number of trays 22 in each row corresponds to the number of discharge ports 121. Corresponding to the quantity of 21, when the transport mechanism 2 moves the pallet 22 to below the discharge port 121, the apples fall from the discharge port 121 onto the pallet 22 and are moved along a preset direction by the transport mechanism 2; the bagging mechanism 3 is set on one side of the sorting mechanism 1. The bagging mechanism 3 includes a sleeve assembly, which is set above the transport mechanism 2. A packaging bag is set on the sleeve assembly. When the transport mechanism 2 moves the apples to below the sleeve assembly, the sleeve assembly moves the packaging bag down so that the packaging bag is placed on the apples.

[0035] In this embodiment, the sorting funnel 12 has an overall conical structure, and the inner wall is made of smooth stainless steel. The conical structure of the sorting funnel 12 can minimize the friction of apples during movement, ensuring that apples can smoothly roll along the side wall to the discharge port 121. The discharge port 121 is slightly larger than the diameter of a typical apple, ensuring that apples can pass through smoothly and preventing multiple apples from getting stuck in the discharge port 121 at the same time and causing a blockage.

[0036] In this embodiment, an adjustable feed baffle 111 is also provided at the top opening of the sorting funnel 12. By adjusting the opening degree of the baffle 111, the flow rate of apples entering the sorting funnel 12 can be controlled to avoid too many apples flooding in at one time, which would affect the accuracy and efficiency of sorting.

[0037] The transport mechanism 2 mainly consists of a motor, a conveyor belt, and pallets 22 mounted on the conveyor belt. The motor, as the power source, drives the conveyor belt to rotate at a preset uniform speed, causing the pallets 22 to move in an orderly manner. The shape of the pallets 22 conforms to the shape of apples, being a shallow, curved groove with slightly upturned edges. This shallow, curved groove design effectively prevents apples from rolling off during transport due to shaking. The spacing between each row of pallets 22 and the interval between adjacent pallets 22 are precisely set according to the size of the apples and the bagging rhythm requirements in actual production, ensuring that each apple has an independent and suitable placement space and can accurately connect with the discharge port 121, ensuring that the apples fall accurately onto the pallets 22 and move smoothly with the transport mechanism 2 towards the bagging mechanism 3.

[0038] The sleeve assembly in the bagging mechanism 3 is crucial to the entire bagging operation. The sleeve assembly consists of multiple retractable sleeve units 31, whose diameter can be flexibly adjusted to accommodate different sizes of packaging bags. The packaging bag is a fruit foam mesh sleeve, a long, narrow mesh structure containing small pores to absorb impacts during transportation or storage, reducing damage to apples caused by squeezing and collisions. The mesh design allows for air circulation, preventing the fruit from rotting due to moisture buildup in a confined environment, while also reducing microbial growth. The packaging bag prevents apples from rolling and rubbing during handling, maintaining the fruit's intact appearance and avoiding damage to the skin that could affect sales. The packaging bag is housed within the sleeve assembly, and a pushing device ensures that the bag is accurately pushed onto the sleeve assembly each time bagging is needed. When the transport mechanism 2 moves the pallet 22 carrying apples to the precise position under the sleeve assembly, the sleeve assembly, driven by the corresponding pneumatic or electric device, quickly drops with the packaging bag, accurately placing the packaging bag on the apple. Then, with the action of the auxiliary opening device inside the sleeve assembly, the packaging bag can completely wrap the apple, completing the key step of bagging. The whole process is fast and stable, greatly improving the automation level of apple bagging.

[0039] By adopting the above technical solution, apples can be automatically bagged, which improves bagging efficiency. Moreover, the entire process is done without human intervention, avoiding damage to the apple surface and effectively extending the apple's shelf life.

[0040] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 In one feasible embodiment, the sorting mechanism 1 further includes a feeding conveyor belt 11, on which baffles 111 are provided at equal intervals, and apples are disposed in the gap between two adjacent baffles 111.

[0041] An opening and closing device is located at the bottom of the discharge port 121. This device includes an openable and closable baffle 111, which controls the number of apples falling from the discharge port 121 onto the tray 22. A first detection device is located on the opening and closing device and detects the position of the tray 22. When the tray 22 is below the discharge port 121, the first detection device is triggered, the transport mechanism 2 stops moving, and the opening and closing device controls the baffle 111 to open, allowing apples at the discharge port 121 to fall onto the tray 22. A vibration device is located on one side of the feeding conveyor belt 11 and connected to the sorting funnel 12. This vibration device vibrates the sorting funnel 12 to cause apples inside to fall into the discharge port 121.

[0042] The transport mechanism 2 also includes a material conveyor belt 21, a pallet 22 is mounted on the material conveyor belt 21, and a speed regulating device 24 is mounted on the material conveyor belt 21 to control the material conveying speed of the material conveyor belt 21.

[0043] In this embodiment, the feeding conveyor belt 11 is made of high-strength rubber, possessing good flexibility and wear resistance to adapt to long-term apple conveying operations. Its surface is equipped with equally spaced baffles 111, made of rigid plastic, with a moderate height. These baffles effectively prevent apples from rolling around during conveying without being too high to interfere with the subsequent entry of apples into the sorting funnel 12. The gap between two adjacent baffles 111 is designed to accommodate a standard-sized apple, ensuring that the apples are neatly arranged on the conveyor belt and move orderly towards the sorting funnel 12.

[0044] The feeding conveyor belt 11 is driven by a motor, which is connected to the drive shaft of the conveyor belt through a gearbox. This converts the high-speed rotation of the motor into the appropriate speed required by the conveyor belt, ensuring that the apples are conveyed at a stable speed. Meanwhile, adjustable-height side baffles 111 are installed on both sides of the conveyor belt to further prevent the apples from slipping off the sides during conveying. The height of the side baffles 111 can be flexibly adjusted according to the size of the apples and the actual conveying conditions.

[0045] The feeding conveyor belt 11 adopts a feeding conveyor belt with baffles 111 set at equal intervals, which can ensure that the apples are neatly arranged and transported in an orderly manner in the gap between two adjacent baffles 111, avoiding the situation where the apples collide with each other and pile up in a mess during the transport process. This makes the flow of apples entering the sorting funnel 12 more stable and regular, laying the foundation for accurate sorting.

[0046] The conveyor belt is driven by a motor and a gearbox, allowing for precise control of its speed and flexible adjustment of the apple conveying flow rate according to actual production needs. This ensures a continuous and appropriate apple input to the sorting funnel 12, preventing clogging or insufficient sorting due to excessive input, while also allowing for appropriate slowing down when necessary to ensure that each apple smoothly enters the sorting process.

[0047] The adjustable-height side baffles 111 on both sides further enhance the stability of the conveying process, effectively prevent apples from accidentally slipping off the sides, ensure the integrity of the apples during the conveying process, and reduce the loss caused by apples falling to the ground and the labor cost of subsequent re-sorting.

[0048] The opening and closing device is installed at the bottom of the material inlet 121. Its openable and closable baffle 111 is made of lightweight aluminum alloy with a smooth surface, which facilitates quick opening and closing and prevents jamming. The opening and closing action of the baffle 111 is controlled by a small electric push rod. The electric push rod is connected to the control system and receives corresponding commands to realize the opening and closing operation of the baffle 111.

[0049] The opening and closing device and the control system have a precise coordination logic. When the first detection device detects that the tray 22 is below the discharge port 121 and triggers a signal, the control system immediately sends a command to the electric push rod, causing the electric push rod to open the baffle 111, allowing the apples at the discharge port 121 to fall onto the tray 22. Moreover, the opening time and angle of the baffle 111 can be preset and adjusted in the control system. For example, the opening time of the baffle 111 can be flexibly adjusted according to factors such as the number of apples piled up at the discharge port 121 and the desired number of apples to fall into the tray 22, precisely controlling the number of apples falling into the tray 22 each time. Generally, it can be set to allow one apple to fall at a time to ensure the orderly progress of subsequent bagging.

[0050] The opening and closing device can precisely control the number of apples falling from the discharge port 121 onto the tray 22 according to the instructions of the control system, so that the subsequent bagging process can be carried out one by one according to the standard procedure. This avoids problems such as bagging chaos and packaging bag damage that may be caused by multiple apples falling into the tray 22 at the same time, and improves the accuracy and success rate of bagging.

[0051] The opening time and angle of the baffle 111 can be preset and adjusted to adapt to the diverse needs for the amount of material dropped in different production scenarios. When packaging apples of different specifications and with different order requirements, the amount of material dropped each time can be easily adjusted, enhancing the adaptability of the entire device to various packaging tasks and improving the versatility and practicality of the equipment.

[0052] The first detection device uses a high-precision photoelectric sensor, which is installed at a specific position on the opening and closing device. It can accurately detect whether the tray 22 has moved below the discharge port 121. The photoelectric sensor emits light continuously. When the tray 22 reaches the corresponding position, the light is reflected or blocked by the tray 22. After the receiving end receives the corresponding signal change, it immediately transmits this trigger signal to the control system.

[0053] The photoelectric sensor is equipped with a protective shell made of transparent, high-strength plastic. This shell effectively protects the photoelectric sensor from interference from external factors such as dust and moisture, without affecting its light emission and reception functions, enabling it to work stably and reliably in complex production environments.

[0054] A high-precision photoelectric sensor is selected as the primary detection device. Its accurate detection of the position of pallet 22 ensures timely and reliable triggering of the corresponding signal, guaranteeing perfect coordination between the transport mechanism 2 and the opening / closing device. This prevents apples from falling into pallet 22 too early or too late due to misjudgment, minimizing errors in the production process and ensuring the continuity and efficiency of the entire sorting and bagging process.

[0055] The transparent, high-strength plastic protective shell on the outside of the photoelectric sensor enables it to operate stably in complex production environments, free from interference from dust, moisture, and other factors. This reduces the number of equipment downtimes caused by sensor failures, extends the equipment's trouble-free operating time, improves production efficiency, and lowers equipment maintenance costs.

[0056] The vibrating device is installed on one side of the feeding conveyor belt 11 and is tightly connected to the sorting funnel 12. It mainly consists of a vibrating motor and an elastic connector. The vibrating motor is a small, appropriately powered motor capable of generating stable vibration at a suitable frequency. The elastic connector uses a high-strength rubber spring, with one end fixed to the vibrating motor and the other end connected to the sorting funnel 12. This effectively transmits the vibration force generated by the vibrating motor to the sorting funnel 12 while also acting as a buffer, preventing the vibration from adversely affecting other components of the entire device.

[0057] The vibration frequency and intensity of the vibrating device can also be adjusted by the control system. The vibration frequency and intensity can be adjusted appropriately based on the accumulation of apples in the sorting funnel 12 and the required speed at which the apples fall into the discharge port 121. For example, when there is a large accumulation of apples in the sorting funnel 12 and it is necessary to accelerate the movement of the apples towards the discharge port 121, the vibration frequency and intensity can be appropriately increased, allowing the apples to fall into the discharge port 121 more quickly, ensuring the efficient operation of the entire sorting process.

[0058] The vibration device, through the cooperation of a vibration motor and an elastic connector, can vibrate the sorting funnel 12 at a suitable frequency and intensity, causing apples to fall into the discharge port 121 more quickly and smoothly. Especially when there are many apples piled up in the sorting funnel 12, by adjusting the vibration parameters, it can effectively avoid apple jamming and accumulation, speed up the sorting speed, increase the sorting volume per unit time, and thus improve the overall production efficiency of the device.

[0059] The elastic connector uses rubber springs, which not only transmit vibration force but also provide good buffering, avoiding excessive impact and damage to other parts of the device caused by vibration. This extends the service life of the entire sorting mechanism 1 and even the entire bagging device, reduces the cost of equipment replacement, and ensures the long-term stable and reliable operation of the equipment.

[0060] The conveyor belt of transport mechanism 2 is driven by drive motor 23, which is a variable frequency motor with good speed regulation performance, allowing for flexible adjustment of the conveyor belt's running speed according to actual production conditions. In addition to being wear-resistant and slip-resistant, the conveyor belt material is also coated with an anti-static coating to prevent dust and other impurities from being attracted by static electricity during transport, thus ensuring the cleanliness of the apples.

[0061] The tray 22 is securely fixed to the conveyor belt by screws or clips, and there is a certain cushioning structure between the bottom of the tray 22 and the conveyor belt, such as a small rubber pad. When the tray 22 encounters slight bumps or collides with other parts during movement, the cushioning structure can effectively reduce the impact and protect the apple from damage.

[0062] Guide wheels are installed on both sides of the transport mechanism 2. The guide wheels roll along a fixed track to ensure that the conveyor belt always maintains a straight movement during operation, avoids deviation, and ensures that the pallet 22 can accurately transport the apples to the bottom of the bagging mechanism 3.

[0063] The conveyor belt is driven by a variable frequency motor with good speed regulation performance. The running speed can be flexibly adjusted according to the actual production situation, ensuring that the apples on the pallet 22 can be transported at a stable speed to the bottom of the bagging mechanism 3. This avoids the problem of apples falling due to excessive speed or affecting production efficiency due to excessive speed, and ensures a smooth and efficient transportation process.

[0064] The anti-static coating on the conveyor belt effectively prevents static electricity from attracting dust and other impurities, maintaining the cleanliness of the apples and helping to improve product quality. Meanwhile, the cushioning structure between the pallet 22 and the conveyor belt, such as rubber pads, reduces impact when encountering bumps or collisions, protecting the apples from damage, reducing apple losses due to unexpected situations during transportation, and improving the product qualification rate.

[0065] The guide wheels installed on both sides roll along the fixed track, keeping the conveyor belt moving in a straight line and eliminating deviation. This ensures that the pallet 22 can accurately transport the apples to the designated location, providing a reliable guarantee for the precise bagging of the bagging mechanism 3. It avoids problems such as bagging failure and repeated operations caused by deviations in the transportation position, further improving production efficiency.

[0066] The sleeve assembly of the bagging mechanism 3 has multiple flexible telescopic support arms inside. The support arms are made of lightweight metal material and are covered with soft rubber sleeves. When bagging, the support arms can extend outward under the drive of the electric device to open the foam net bag so that it can be smoothly covered on the apple. The presence of the rubber sleeve can not only prevent the support arms from scratching the foam net bag, but also increase the friction between the support arms and the net bag, making the opening effect better.

[0067] The flexible, extendable support arm inside the sleeve assembly extends outward under the drive of an electric device, which can open the foam mesh bag and make the bagging process smoother. Moreover, the soft rubber sleeve wrapped around the support arm can not only prevent scratching the foam mesh bag and ensure the integrity of the packaging bag, but also increase the friction between the support arm and the mesh bag, resulting in a better opening effect. This allows the mesh bag to wrap tightly and evenly around the apple, improving the quality and appearance of the bagging.

[0068] The bag storage compartment above the sleeve assembly has a cleverly designed internal structure with multiple partitions, each layer neatly accommodating foam mesh bags. Furthermore, the bagging mechanism 3 is equipped with a second detection device, also employing photoelectric sensors, installed at a suitable location below the sleeve assembly to detect whether the apples have been accurately transported to the bagging position. Once the apples are detected as being in place, the control system coordinates the movements of the sleeve assembly, support arm, and other related components to achieve precise bagging. After bagging, the transport mechanism 2 continues to move the tray 22, conveying the bagged apples to the subsequent collection area. The entire process proceeds smoothly and cyclically, efficiently completing the automatic bagging task for the apples.

[0069] By using photoelectric sensors as the second detection device, it is possible to accurately detect whether apples have been transported to the bagging position. Only when the apples are accurately in place will the bagging operation be triggered, ensuring the accuracy of bagging, avoiding invalid bagging actions when the apples are not in place, reducing the waste of packaging bags, and improving the success rate of bagging, thereby improving the overall efficiency and product quality of the entire bagging process.

[0070] Reference Figures 1 to 3 In one feasible embodiment, the bagging mechanism 3 includes a support 34, which includes a fixed plate 38 and legs 35 connected to both ends of the fixed plate 38. The legs 35 are disposed on both sides of the transport mechanism 2, supporting the fixed plate 38 above the transport mechanism 2. A sleeve assembly is installed at the bottom of the fixed plate 38. The sleeve assembly includes multiple sleeves 31, which are disposed at the bottom of the fixed plate 38 via connecting rods. Packaging bags are disposed inside the sleeves 31, and the number of sleeves 31 corresponds to the number of trays 22. A bagging component is connected to the fixed plate 38 via a telescopic rod 32 and is disposed below the sleeves 31. The bagging component is used to cover the apples with packaging bags.

[0071] The sleeve assembly also includes a spreading push rod 36, which is mounted on the telescopic rod 32. The packaging bag inside the sleeve 31 extends out of the sleeve 31 and is fitted onto the spreading push rod 36. The spreading push rod 36 is used to spread the packaging bag open.

[0072] Push rod sleeve 33 is connected to the bottom rod of telescopic rod 32. Push rod sleeve 33 is located below the expanding push rod 36. The bottom of the packaging bag is connected to push rod sleeve 33.

[0073] When the tray 22 is below the sleeve assembly, the telescopic rod 32 pushes the push rod sleeve 33 and the packaging bag connected to the push rod sleeve 33 downward to place the packaging bag on the apple.

[0074] In this embodiment, the fixing plate 38 is made of high-strength aluminum alloy and is rectangular in shape. Its length and width are determined according to the corresponding size of the transport mechanism 2 and the layout of the pallet 22 to ensure that it can fully cover the area that needs to be bagged without leaving any dead corners.

[0075] On the upper surface of the fixed plate 38, multiple mounting holes for installing connecting rods and telescopic rods 32 are evenly distributed. These holes are precisely drilled using a CNC machine tool, with extremely small diameter tolerances, ensuring a tight fit when connected to the corresponding components. Simultaneously, to enhance the structural strength of the fixed plate 38, crisscrossing reinforcing ribs are provided below it. These ribs are also made of aluminum alloy and are connected to the main body of the fixed plate 38 by welding. The welding process undergoes rigorous quality inspection to ensure a strong weld without defects such as porosity or cracks. This allows the fixed plate 38 to maintain good rigidity and prevent deformation even when bearing the weight of heavy sleeve components and bagging components.

[0076] The outriggers 35 are made of steel pipes. The wall thickness of the steel pipes has been carefully calculated to ensure sufficient support strength while minimizing the overall weight, facilitating equipment handling, installation, and adjustment. Both the inner and outer surfaces of the steel pipes undergo rust-proofing treatments, such as galvanizing, to improve their corrosion resistance and extend their service life.

[0077] The connection between the outrigger 35 and the fixed plate 38 is secured together with high-strength bolts to ensure reliable connection. At the bottom of the outrigger 35, adjustable-height anchor bolts are installed. The anchor bolts have large nuts for easy tool operation. The bolt shanks are threaded to the bottom of the outrigger 35, and a locking nut is provided at the connection point. After adjusting the height of the outrigger 35, tighten the locking nut to prevent the anchor bolts from loosening due to equipment vibration, ensuring the levelness and stability of the entire support frame 34.

[0078] The sleeve 31 is made of a wear-resistant, impact-resistant, and flexible high-molecular polymer material. This material has good self-lubricating properties, which can minimize the friction when the packaging bag is inserted and removed. The sleeve 31 is cylindrical in shape, and its inner diameter is designed according to the outer diameter of commonly used foam mesh bags with a certain allowance. Generally, the allowance is controlled between 2 and 5 mm, which ensures that the mesh bag can be easily inserted without causing the mesh bag to shake or tilt inside the sleeve 31 due to excessive gaps.

[0079] The top opening of the sleeve 31 is flared to form a trumpet-shaped guide structure, facilitating the smooth insertion of the packaging bag into the sleeve 31. The flared edge is rounded to prevent scratching the packaging bag or the operator's hands. Multiple slots are evenly distributed along the axial direction on the outer wall of the sleeve 31 for snap-fit ​​connection with the connecting rod. The depth and width of the slots match the corresponding structure of the connecting rod, ensuring that the sleeve 31 is securely fixed to the connecting rod and can be easily disassembled when the sleeve 31 needs to be replaced.

[0080] The connecting rod is made of stainless steel, which has good corrosion resistance and mechanical strength. It is long and narrow, with one end designed with a threaded structure that matches the mounting hole at the bottom of the fixing plate 38. The connecting rod is fixed to the fixing plate 38 by tightening the nut. The other end is machined into a buckle shape that matches the slot of the sleeve 31. By inserting the buckle into the slot of the sleeve 31 and pressing it appropriately, a tight connection between the two is achieved.

[0081] To ensure that the spacing between each sleeve 31 is uniform and fixed, equally spaced positioning marks are also set on the connecting rod. When installing the sleeve 31, the operation is carried out according to the positioning marks to ensure that all sleeves 31 are arranged neatly and accurately correspond to the pallet 22 on the lower transport mechanism 2. This ensures that the apples on each pallet 22 can accurately correspond to a sleeve 31 and its packaging bag, laying the foundation for subsequent accurate bagging.

[0082] The main structure of the push rod 36 is a hollow aluminum alloy tube, which reduces weight while ensuring sufficient strength and facilitates telescopic operation. Its outer surface is covered with a soft and highly elastic food-grade silicone material, with a thickness of about 2-3 mm. This effectively prevents scratching the packaging bag and provides good friction when opening the packaging bag, allowing the packaging bag to open fully and evenly.

[0083] One end of the push rod 36 is connected to the telescopic rod 32 via a specially designed connector. The connector is made of high-strength engineering plastic and features internal slots and threads to ensure a tight fit with the corresponding part on the telescopic rod 32. It is further secured with screws to ensure a firm connection and prevent loosening or detachment during use. The other end of the push rod 36, which is used to open the packaging bag, is designed with a slightly outward-expanding arc shape. This allows it to better conform to the shape of the packaging bag when opened, making the space after the bag is opened more suitable for the shape of the apple, facilitating a tight wrapping of the apple after bagging.

[0084] The main body of the push rod sleeve 33 is also made of a high-molecular polymer material, similar to that of the sleeve 31, to ensure overall compatibility and wear resistance. It is shaped like a closed cylinder at the bottom, with an inward-facing annular protrusion at the top opening to hold the bottom of the packaging bag in place, creating a tight connection between the packaging bag and the push rod sleeve 33 and preventing the packaging bag from accidentally falling off during the bagging process.

[0085] The outer wall of the push rod sleeve 33 has a threaded structure that connects to the bottom rod of the telescopic rod 32. It is securely connected to the bottom rod of the telescopic rod 32 by rotating and tightening. A sealing gasket is also provided at the connection point to prevent dust, debris, etc., from entering and affecting the reliability of the connection and the normal extension and retraction of the telescopic rod 32. The bottom edge of the push rod sleeve 33 is rounded to prevent it from scratching the apple or other parts when moving downwards to bag the apple, ensuring a smooth bagging process.

[0086] The telescopic rod 32 adopts a multi-section electric actuator structure, composed of multiple nested aluminum alloy tubes of different diameters. The telescopic movement is achieved between adjacent tubes through a precision lead screw transmission mechanism. The lead screw is made of high-strength alloy steel and undergoes heat treatment and machining processes such as quenching and grinding, resulting in high hardness and precision, ensuring smooth and accurate transmission.

[0087] The electric linear actuator is equipped with a high-precision motor and reducer. The motor is a servo motor, which can precisely control the speed and rotation angle. The reducer converts the high-speed rotation of the motor into the appropriate speed of the lead screw, thereby driving each section of the telescopic rod 32 to extend and retract according to the set speed and stroke. At the top of the telescopic rod 32, there is a mounting flange that connects to the fixed plate 38. The mounting flange is fixed to the corresponding holes on the fixed plate 38 by multiple high-strength bolts, and shock-absorbing rubber pads are installed at the connection point to buffer the vibration generated during the extension and retraction of the telescopic rod 32, so as to avoid affecting the fixed plate 38 and the entire support structure 34.

[0088] To achieve precise control over the telescopic rod 32's extension and retraction, a displacement sensor is also equipped on the electric push rod. The displacement sensor monitors the extension and retraction length of the telescopic rod 32 in real time and feeds the signal back to the control system. The control system precisely adjusts the extension and retraction length of the telescopic rod 32 according to the position of the tray 22 and the preset bagging program, ensuring that the push rod sleeve 33 and the packaging bag can move accurately downwards to the appropriate position, thereby achieving precise bagging of the apples.

[0089] During equipment operation, when the transport mechanism 2 moves the pallet 22 to below the sleeve assembly, a photoelectric sensor installed at a specific position on the transport mechanism 2 detects the pallet 22's arrival signal and transmits this signal to the control system. Upon receiving the signal, the control system first issues a start command to the electric push rod, driving the telescopic rod 32 to begin its extension movement.

[0090] The telescopic rod 32 pushes the push rod sleeve 33 and the connected packaging bag downwards at a preset speed and stroke. During this process, the opening push rod 36 also receives the command from the control system, and the drive device connected to it starts to work, causing the opening push rod 36 to extend outwards along the axis, gradually opening the packaging bag to form a space that can accommodate the apple.

[0091] As the telescopic rod 32 continues to push, the packaging bag smoothly fits onto the apple following its unfolded shape. When the telescopic rod 32 extends to its preset maximum stroke position, the control system pauses briefly to ensure the packaging bag is fully fitted and adheres to the apple. Then, the control system retracts the telescopic rod 32 back to its initial position at a set speed, preparing for the next bagging operation. Throughout the entire bagging process, the coordinated movements of all components are precisely controlled by the control system, ensuring the efficiency, accuracy, and stability of the bagging process.

[0092] In one feasible embodiment, a cutting device 37 is also provided on the telescopic rod 32. The cutting device 37 is disposed between the spreading push rod 36 and the sleeve 31. When the packaging bag is placed on the apple, the cutting device 37 is used to cut the packaging bag.

[0093] In this embodiment, the cutting device 37 mainly consists of a cutting blade, a blade holder, and a drive mechanism. The cutting blade is made of high-hardness, sharp stainless steel and undergoes a special heat treatment process to ensure its cutting performance and durability. The blade holder is made of aluminum alloy and is bolted to the telescopic rod 32 to ensure its stable position. The drive mechanism can be a small electric push rod or a pneumatic push rod, used to drive the cutting blade to rotate for cutting.

[0094] Once the packaging bag is placed over the apple, the control system receives a signal that the telescopic rod 32 has reached its position, simultaneously triggering the drive mechanism of the cutting device 37. The drive mechanism pushes the cutting blade to rotate rapidly 180°, cutting the packaging bag. The cutting stroke and speed of the cutting blade can be precisely adjusted by the control system to accommodate packaging bags of different thicknesses and materials.

[0095] To prevent accidental injury or damage to other components from the cutting blade when not in operation, a protective cover is installed on the cutting device 37. The cover is made of transparent plastic, protecting the operator's safety while allowing for easy observation of the cutting process. A buffer device is also installed at the blade mounting location. After the cutting blade completes its cutting action, the buffer device reduces the impact force between the blade and the blade holder, extending the service life of both the blade and the blade holder.

[0096] Although the present invention has been illustrated and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that the above description is a further detailed explanation of the present invention in conjunction with specific embodiments, and should not be construed as limiting the specific implementation of the present invention to these descriptions. Those skilled in the art can make various changes in form and detail, including some simple deductions or substitutions, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic apple bagging device, characterized in that, include: The sorting mechanism includes a sorting funnel with multiple discharge ports at the bottom. Apples fall into the sorting funnel and move along the side wall of the sorting funnel to the discharge ports, where they fall down. A transport mechanism is located below the discharge port. Multiple rows of trays are evenly spaced on the transport mechanism, and the number of trays in each row corresponds to the number of discharge ports. When the transport mechanism moves the trays to below the discharge port, apples fall from the discharge port onto the trays and are moved along a preset direction by the transport mechanism. A bagging mechanism is provided on one side of the sorting mechanism. The bagging mechanism includes a sleeve assembly, which is located above the transport mechanism. A packaging bag is provided on the sleeve assembly. When the transport mechanism moves the apples to below the sleeve assembly, the sleeve assembly causes the packaging bag to fall and cover the apples with the packaging bag.

2. The automatic apple bagging device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The sorting mechanism also includes: A feeding conveyor belt, on which baffles are provided at equal intervals, and apples are placed in the gap between two adjacent baffles; An opening and closing device is provided at the bottom of the discharge port. The opening and closing device includes an openable and closable baffle, which is used to control the number of apples falling into the tray from the discharge port.

3. The automatic apple bagging device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The sorting mechanism also includes a first detection device, which is disposed on the opening and closing device and is used to detect the position of the tray. When the tray is located below the discharge port, the first detection device is triggered, the transport mechanism stops moving, and the opening and closing device controls the baffle to open so that the apples at the discharge port fall onto the tray.

4. The automatic apple bagging device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The sorting mechanism also includes a vibration device, which is located on one side of the feeding conveyor belt and connected to the sorting funnel. The vibration device is used to vibrate the sorting funnel so that the apples in the sorting funnel fall into the discharge port.

5. The automatic apple bagging device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The transport mechanism also includes a material conveyor belt, on which the pallet is disposed. The material conveyor belt is equipped with a speed regulating device for controlling the material conveying speed of the material conveyor belt.

6. The automatic apple bagging device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The bagging mechanism includes a bracket, which includes a fixed plate and legs connected to both ends of the fixed plate. The legs are located on both sides of the transport mechanism to support the fixed plate above the transport mechanism. The sleeve assembly is installed at the bottom of the fixed plate.

7. The automatic apple bagging device as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The sleeve assembly includes: Multiple sleeves are set at the bottom of the fixing plate via connecting rods, and packaging bags are placed inside the sleeves. The number of sleeves corresponds to the number of trays. The bagging component is connected to the fixing plate via a telescopic rod. The bagging component is located below the sleeve and is used to cover the apple with a packaging bag.

8. The automatic apple bagging device as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The sleeve assembly also includes a spreading push rod, which is mounted on the telescopic rod. The packaging bag inside the sleeve extends out of the sleeve and is fitted onto the spreading push rod, which is used to spread the packaging bag open.

9. The automatic apple bagging device as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The sleeve assembly also includes a push rod sleeve, which is connected to the bottom rod of the telescopic rod. The push rod sleeve is located below the spreading push rod, and the bottom of the packaging bag is connected to the push rod sleeve. When the tray is located below the sleeve assembly, the telescopic rod pushes the push rod sleeve and the packaging bag connected to the push rod sleeve downwards so that the packaging bag is placed on the apple.

10. The automatic apple bagging device as described in claim 9, characterized in that, It also includes a cutting device disposed on the telescopic rod, which is located between the spreading push rod and the sleeve. When the packaging bag is placed on the apple, the cutting device is used to cut the packaging bag.

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