Closure unit for closing an opening of a transport container and transport device
By using a sealing unit in the SLS process to seal the toner cartridge at the printing station, the problem of low toner cartridge transfer efficiency is solved, printing efficiency is improved and costs are reduced.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TPM DIRECT MFG CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-16
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-23
AI Technical Summary
In the existing SLS process, the toner cartridge needs to be disassembled and reassembled during the toner bag transfer, resulting in long equipment downtime and affecting printing efficiency.
A sealing unit combined with a transfer container is provided. The sealing unit seals the toner cartridges at the printing station, preventing the forming drum from moving and enabling the transfer of toner cartridges.
It improves printing efficiency, reduces equipment downtime, reduces the risk of powder contamination, and lowers costs.
Smart Images
Figure CN224393413U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of 3D printing technology, and in particular to a sealing unit for sealing the opening of a transfer container, and a transfer device including the same. Background Technology
[0002] In the post-processing stage of the existing SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) process, there is a significant efficiency bottleneck in toner bag transfer. The current operation is as follows: after printing is completed, once the temperature of the forming barrel drops to a safe threshold, the operator needs to transfer the forming barrel from the printing station to the toner cleaning station, and then unload the toner bags in the forming barrel onto the toner cleaning platform at the toner cleaning station.
[0003] Each toner bag transfer requires disassembling and reassembling the forming drum, resulting in prolonged equipment downtime and impacting printing efficiency. Utility Model Content
[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a sealing unit for sealing the opening of a transfer container, which can be combined with the transfer container to seal toner cartridges at the printing station, thereby eliminating the need to move the forming drum to transfer the toner cartridges and improving printing efficiency.
[0005] Another objective of this invention is to provide a transfer device including the aforementioned sealing unit, which can seal toner cartridges at the printing station, thereby eliminating the need to move the forming drum to transfer the toner cartridges and improving printing efficiency.
[0006] The sealing unit provided by this utility model is used to seal the opening of a transfer container. The transfer container has a flange around its opening. The sealing unit includes a fixing member and a sealing plate. The fixing member can be fixed to the flange and includes a first fixing plate. The first fixing plate is annular in shape, and when the fixing member is fixed to the flange, one side of the first fixing plate seals against the edge of the transfer container surrounding its opening. The sealing plate is detachably inserted into the first fixing plate and can close the opening formed by the first fixing plate.
[0007] The sealing unit seals the opening edge of the transfer container by sealing it with the first fixing plate and by inserting the sealing plate into the first fixing plate. This seals the opening of the transfer container to encapsulate the toner cartridge, eliminating the need to move the forming drum to transfer the toner cartridge and improving printing efficiency.
[0008] In another illustrative embodiment of the sealing unit for sealing the opening of a transfer container, the inner edge of the first fixing plate protrudes along its thickness to form an annular flange. With the fastener fixed to the flange, the annular flange extends into the transfer container and conforms to the inner wall of the transfer container. This facilitates the placement of the transfer container onto the first fixing plate and ensures a sealing fit between the container and the first fixing plate.
[0009] In another illustrative embodiment of the sealing unit for sealing the opening of a transfer container, the fastener further includes a second fixing plate and a clamping member. With the fastener fixed to the flange, the first and second fixing plates are stacked parallel to each other on both sides of the flange. The clamping member acts on the first and second fixing plates, clamping the flange together and thus securing the fastener to the flange. By clamping the flange with the first and second fixing plates, and further by the clamping action of the clamping member, the first fixing plate can be sealed against the transfer container.
[0010] In another illustrative embodiment of the sealing unit for closing the opening of a transfer container, the outer edge of the first fixing plate is rotatably connected to the outer edge of the second fixing plate to form a hinge-like structure. This facilitates clamping the flange of the transfer container.
[0011] In another illustrative embodiment of the sealing unit for sealing the opening of a transfer container, the first fixing plate has a square ring structure. The second fixing plate has three strips connected in sequence. The three strips can be stacked on the three sides of the square ring structure of the first fixing plate. The strip located in the middle is rotatably connected to the first fixing plate. The free ends of the two strips located at the ends are each connected to a clamping member. This facilitates clamping the flange of the transfer container and allows for a more secure clamping of the first and second fixing plates.
[0012] In another illustrative embodiment of the sealing unit for closing the opening of a transfer container, the fastener further includes a positioning member. The positioning member is connected to a second fixing plate. With the fastener fixed to the flange, the positioning member abuts against the outer surface of the transfer container. The positioning member has a positioning protrusion that can be inserted into a positioning slot on the target device to fix the relative position of the transfer container and the target device. This facilitates the operator in accurately placing the transfer container onto the target device.
[0013] In another illustrative embodiment of the sealing unit for closing the opening of a transfer container, the clamping element is a latch or snap. This structure is simple and facilitates clamping and releasing the flange.
[0014] In another illustrative embodiment of the sealing unit for sealing the opening of a transfer container, the sealing unit is provided with a handle. The handle is fixedly connected to a fastener. This facilitates lifting and placing the transfer container.
[0015] This invention also provides a transfer device for transferring toner cartridges after the SLS process. The transfer device includes a transfer container and a sealing unit. The transfer container receives the toner cartridges. A flange is provided around the edge of the transfer container's opening. The sealing unit can be fixed to the flange and close the opening. The transfer device includes a sealing unit capable of closing the opening of the transfer container to encapsulate the toner cartridges, thereby eliminating the need to transfer the forming drum to transfer the toner cartridges, which helps improve printing efficiency.
[0016] In another illustrative embodiment of the transfer device, the transfer container is a cardboard box, and a processing line is provided for partially opening the container walls. Cardboard boxes have low production costs, avoiding the use of expensive plastic transfer containers, thereby reducing costs. Furthermore, using cardboard boxes as disposable consumables avoids the powder contamination problem associated with using the same transfer container. Attached Figure Description
[0017] The following figures are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of the present invention.
[0018] Figure 1 This is an exploded structural diagram illustrating one schematic embodiment of the sealing unit.
[0019] Figure 2 For including Figure 1 The diagram shows the structure of the transfer device for the sealing unit.
[0020] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the transfer device from another angle.
[0021] Figure 4 This is a structural schematic diagram of the fastener.
[0022] Figure 5 Used to explain the working principle of the positioning component.
[0023] Label Explanation
[0024] 100 sealing units
[0025] 10 Fasteners
[0026] 11 First fixing plate
[0027] 111 Annular flange
[0028] 112 First Groove
[0029] 113 Insertion Port
[0030] 12 Second fixing plate
[0031] 121 Gap
[0032] 13 Clamping components
[0033] 131 Hook
[0034] 133 Buckle
[0035] 135 Second Groove
[0036] 14 Positioning components
[0037] 141 Positioning bump
[0038] 20 Sealing Boards
[0039] 21 Sealing plate body
[0040] 22 Hands
[0041] 30 handles
[0042] 60 Target Equipment
[0043] 61 Positioning slot
[0044] 90 Transfer Containers
[0045] 91 Opening
[0046] 92 Flip-edge
[0047] L First axis
[0048] P Insertion direction
[0049] S is the first clockwise direction. Detailed Implementation
[0050] To provide a clearer understanding of the technical features, objectives, and effects of this utility model, specific embodiments of the present utility model are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals denote the same parts.
[0051] In this document, “illustrative” means “serving as an example, illustration or description”, and any illustration or implementation described herein as “illustrative” should not be construed as a more preferred or advantageous technical solution.
[0052] In this document, terms such as "first" and "second" do not indicate their importance or order, but are only used to distinguish them to facilitate the description of the document.
[0053] To keep the drawings simple, each drawing only schematically shows the parts related to this utility model, and they do not represent the actual structure of the product.
[0054] Figure 1 This is an exploded structural diagram illustrating one embodiment of the sealing unit. Except for the transfer container 90, all other components belong to the sealing unit 100. See also... Figure 1 The transfer container 90 is located at one end (i.e. Figure 1The lower end of the transfer container 90 has an opening 91. In use, the opening 91 of the transfer container 90 is aligned, for example, with the opening of the forming barrel located at the printing station in the SLS process. A lifting device inside the forming barrel can lift the printed toner cartridge into the transfer container 90. The edge of the transfer container 90 surrounding the opening 91 has a flange 92. A sealing unit 100 is used to close the opening 91 of the transfer container 90. After the transfer container 90 is closed, the toner cartridge is sealed for easy transfer to the cleaning platform, preparing it for the next cleaning and powder recovery process.
[0055] like Figure 1 As shown, the sealing unit 100 includes a fastener 10 and a sealing plate 20. The transfer container 90 can, as Figure 1 It moves downwards onto the fixing member 10. The fixing member 10 can be fixed to the flange 92 (see the fixed state). Figure 2 and Figure 3 The fastener 10 includes a first fixing plate 11. The first fixing plate 11 is annular. When the fastener 10 is fixed to the flange 92, one side surface of the first fixing plate 11 (i.e. Figure 1 The upper side panel of the sealing plate 20 is sealed against the edge surrounding the opening 91 of the transfer container 90 (or against the flange 92 where a flange 92 is provided). The sealing plate 20 can be used as... Figure 1 As shown, it moves to the left and is detachably inserted into the first fixing plate 11 to close the opening formed by the first fixing plate 11, thereby, as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the sealing unit 100 fixed to the flange 92 can close the opening of the transfer container 90.
[0056] In use, for example, first fix the fastener 10 to the transfer container 90 and remove the sealing plate 20, then align the opening 91 of the transfer container 90 with the fastener 10 to the opening of the forming barrel located at the printing station, then lift the printed toner bag into the transfer container 90 through the lifting device inside the forming barrel, and finally insert the sealing plate 20 into the first fixing plate 11 to achieve the sealing of the toner bag.
[0057] The sealing unit seals the opening edge of the transfer container by sealing it with the first fixing plate and by inserting the sealing plate into the first fixing plate. This seals the opening of the transfer container to encapsulate the toner cartridge, eliminating the need to move the forming drum to transfer the toner cartridge and improving printing efficiency.
[0058] Figure 4 This is a structural schematic diagram of the fastener. See also... Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4In the illustrative embodiment, the fastener 10 further includes a second fixing plate 12 and two clamping members 13. In this illustrative embodiment, the clamping member 13 is a hook and latch, which includes a hook 131 and a latch base 133, but is not limited thereto. When the fastener 10 is fixed to the flange 92, the first fixing plate 11 and the second fixing plate 12 are stacked parallel to each other on both sides of the flange 92. The clamping members 13 can act on the first fixing plate 11 and the second fixing plate 12, causing the first fixing plate 11 and the second fixing plate 12 to clamp the flange 92, thereby fixing the fastener 10 to the flange 92.
[0059] Specifically, in this illustrative embodiment, the outer edge of the first fixing plate 11 is rotatably connected to the outer edge of the second fixing plate 12 about a first axis L to form a hinge-like structure. The first fixing plate 11 is, for example, a square ring-shaped structure. The second fixing plate 12, for example, has three strips connected in sequence. The three strips of the second fixing plate 12 can be respectively stacked on the three sides of the square ring-shaped structure of the first fixing plate 11, thereby forming a notch 121. The strip located in the middle is rotatably connected to the first fixing plate 11. Figure 1 As shown, when the transfer container 90 is placed on the first fixing plate 11, the second fixing plate 12 is rotated in the first clockwise direction S. Due to the presence of the notch 121, the second fixing plate 12 can smoothly cover the flange of the transfer container 90, thereby facilitating the clamping of the flange of the transfer container.
[0060] In this illustrative embodiment, the clamping member 13 is a snap fastener, which includes a hook 131 and a base 133. The hook 131 is rotatably mounted on the first fixing plate 11 and has a roller. The base 133 is mounted on the second fixing plate 12 and has a second groove 135. When the hook 131 is flipped to the base 133, the roller can be inserted into the second groove 135 to clamp the first fixing plate 11 and the second fixing plate 12. This clamping member has a simple structure and is easy to clamp or release. In other illustrative embodiments, the clamping member 13 may also be a snap fastener or other forms of clamping member, and there may be more than two clamping members.
[0061] Specifically, in this illustrative embodiment, each of the free ends of the two strips located at the ends of the second fixing plate 12 is connected to a buckle 133 of a clamping member 13. Correspondingly, each of the two strips located on the first fixing plate 11 is connected to a hook 131 of a clamping member 13. This allows for a more secure clamping of the first and second fixing plates.
[0062] like Figure 4 As shown, the inner edge of the first fixing plate 11 protrudes along the thickness direction to form an annular flange 111. In the transfer container 90, as... Figure 1When the transfer container moves downwards until its opening edge abuts against the first fixing plate 11 of the fixing member 10, the annular flange 111 extends into the transfer container 90 and abuts against the inner wall of the transfer container 90. This facilitates the placement of the transfer container into position on the first fixing plate and ensures a sealed abutment against the first fixing plate.
[0063] The first fixing plate 11 forms a first groove 112 on its inner edge facing the opening, and the first groove 112 is open on one side along the insertion direction P to form an insertion port 113. The sealing plate 20 can be inserted into the first groove 112 from the insertion port 113 along the insertion direction P, thereby being inserted into the first fixing plate 11.
[0064] like Figure 1 As shown in the illustrative embodiment, the sealing plate 20 includes a sealing plate body 21 and a handle 22. The operator can conveniently insert the sealing plate body 21 into the first groove 112 through the insertion port 113 by holding the handle 22, so as to close the opening formed by the first fixing plate 11.
[0065] The sealing unit 100 is also provided with a handle 30, for example. The handle 30 is, for example, a first fixing plate 11 that is fixedly connected to the fixing member 10. This facilitates the lifting and placing of the transfer container.
[0066] In actual use, first open the fixing part 10, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the first fixing plate 11 is moved away from the second fixing plate 12. Then, the transfer container 90 is placed on the first fixing plate 11, ensuring the opening edge of the transfer container 90 is completely flush with the first fixing plate 11. Next, the second fixing plate 12 is rotated in the first clockwise direction S. Due to the notch 121, the second fixing plate 12 can easily press down on the flange 92 of the transfer container 90. Then, the hook 131 is flipped to the buckle 133, allowing the roller to engage with the second groove 135, clamping the first fixing plate 11, the flange 92, and the second fixing plate 12. The operator can then use the handle 22 to insert the sealing plate 20 into the first fixing plate 11 through the insertion port 113 to close the opening 91 of the transfer container 90. Thus, the sealing unit 100 closes the opening of the transfer container 90, resulting in... Figure 2 and Figure 3 The structure shown.
[0067] In the illustrative embodiment, the fastener 10 also includes a positioning element 14. Figure 5 Used to explain the working principle of the positioning component. See also Figure 2 and Figure 5The positioning element 14 is connected to the second fixing plate 12. With the fixing element 10 fixed to the flange 92, the positioning element 14 abuts against the outer surface of the transfer container 90. The positioning element 14 has a positioning protrusion 141. The positioning protrusion 141 can be inserted into the positioning slot 61 of the target device 60 (e.g., a 3D printing platform) to fix the relative position of the transfer container 90 and the target device 60. This facilitates the operator to accurately place the transfer container in place on the target device.
[0068] In practical use, after the sealing unit 100 with the fixed transfer container 90 is placed on the target device 60, along as... Figure 5 The dotted line shown moves to the left until the positioning protrusion 141 is inserted into the positioning slot 61 of the target device 60, at which point the transfer container 90 is placed in place.
[0069] This utility model also provides a transfer device for transferring powder bags after the SLS process is completed, as shown in one illustrative embodiment, such as... Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, it includes a transfer container 90 and Figure 1 The sealing unit 100 is shown. A transfer container 90 is used to receive toner cartridges. A flange 92 is provided around the edge of the transfer container 90 surrounding its opening 91. The sealing unit 100 can be fixed to the flange 92 and close the opening 91. The transfer device includes a sealing unit capable of closing the opening of the transfer container to encapsulate the toner cartridge, thereby eliminating the need to transfer the forming drum to transfer the toner cartridge, which improves printing efficiency.
[0070] In the illustrative embodiment, the transfer container 90 has a cuboid structure with flanges 92 provided around the three sides of its opening 91. However, it is not limited to this; the flanges 92 of the transfer container 90 may also completely surround the edge of its opening 91. The transfer container 90 may also have other shapes, and its flanges 92 may be flexibly provided to partially or completely surround the edge of the opening 91 according to the shape of the transfer container 90.
[0071] In the illustrative embodiment, the transfer container 90 is a cardboard box and is equipped with a processing line for partially opening the container walls, such as... Figure 3 As shown. Partially opening the container wall facilitates unloading the contents. Furthermore, the carton wall may have multiple processing lines, including: single-dot lines (tear lines), double-dot lines (cut lines), and dotted lines (not cut through), indicating a cut at that point; and incomplete lines, indicating an uncut section that still provides some support for the carton. After the carton is torn open, the operator can open it to both sides (e.g., ...). Figure 3Tear downwards and to the right. The cut line on the right side has been severed; the operator only needs to tear the remaining uncut lines on the right to open the top of the carton. The operator must tear the three remaining uncut lines at the bottom to open the sides. Setting up processing lines facilitates partial opening of the container walls. The low production cost of cardboard boxes avoids the use of expensive plastic transfer containers, thus reducing costs. Furthermore, using cardboard boxes as disposable materials avoids the powder contamination problem associated with using the same transfer container.
[0072] When in use, transfer the receiving toner bag to the toner cleaning platform, first tear open the tear line of the carton, then tear the remaining uncut lines to both sides to tear open the top and one side of the carton to form an opening, and then pour the toner bag inside out of the transfer device through the opening.
[0073] The above application scenario is an illustrative implementation of the transfer device in the SLS process. The transfer device can also be applied in other fields.
[0074] It should be understood that although this specification is described according to various embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This way of describing the specification is only for clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the specification as a whole. The technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other implementation methods that can be understood by those skilled in the art.
[0075] The detailed descriptions listed above are merely specific descriptions of feasible embodiments of the present utility model, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present utility model. All equivalent implementation schemes or modifications made without departing from the spirit of the present utility model, such as combinations, divisions or repetitions of features, should be included within the scope of protection of the present utility model.
Claims
1. A sealing unit for closing the opening of a transfer container, wherein the transfer container has a flange around the edge of its opening, characterized in that, The sealing unit includes: A fastener (10) capable of being fixed to the flange, the fastener (10) comprising a first fixing plate (11) in the shape of an annular plate, wherein, when the fastener (10) is fixed to the flange, one side of the first fixing plate (11) is sealed against the edge of the transfer container surrounding its opening; and A sealing plate (20) is detachably inserted into the first fixing plate (11) and is capable of closing the opening formed by the first fixing plate (11).
2. The sealing unit as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The inner edge of the first fixing plate (11) protrudes along the thickness direction to form an annular flange (111). When the fixing member (10) is fixed to the flange, the annular flange (111) extends into the transfer container and fits against the inner wall of the transfer container.
3. The sealing unit as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The fastener (10) also includes: The second fixing plate (12), when the fixing member (10) is fixed to the flange, the first fixing plate (11) and the second fixing plate (12) are stacked parallel to each other on both sides of the flange; and The clamping member (13) can act on the first fixing plate (11) and the second fixing plate (12) to clamp the flange, thereby fixing the fixing member (10) to the flange.
4. The sealing unit as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The outer edge of the first fixing plate (11) is rotatably connected to the outer edge of the second fixing plate (12) to form a hinge-like structure.
5. The sealing unit as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The first fixing plate (11) has a square ring structure, and the second fixing plate (12) has three strips connected in sequence. The three strips can be stacked on the three sides of the square ring structure of the first fixing plate (11). The strip in the middle is rotatably connected to the first fixing plate (11), and the free ends of the two strips at the ends are each connected to a clamping member (13).
6. The sealing unit as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The fixing member (10) also includes a positioning member (14), which is connected to the second fixing plate (12). When the fixing member (10) is fixed to the flange, the positioning member (14) is attached to the outer surface of the transfer container. The positioning member (14) has a positioning protrusion (141), which can be inserted into the positioning groove of the target device to fix the relative position of the transfer container and the target device.
7. The sealing unit as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The clamping element (13) is a hook or snap.
8. The sealing unit as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The sealing unit is provided with a handle (30), and the handle (30) is fixedly connected to the fastener (10).
9. A transfer device for transferring powder bags after the SLS process is completed, characterized in that, The transfer device includes: A transfer container (90) for receiving the powder package, the transfer container (90) having a flange (92) around its opening (91); and The sealing unit as described in any one of claims 1 to 8 is capable of being fixed to the flange (92) and closing the opening (91).
10. The transfer device as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The transfer container (90) is a cardboard box and is equipped with a processing line for partially opening the container wall.