Container separation and placement mechanism and packaging machine

Abstract

A container separation and placement mechanism and a packaging machine having same. The container separation and placement mechanism comprises a bottom plate (1), a separation assembly (2) and a driving assembly (3), wherein a first through hole is formed in the bottom plate (11); the separation assembly comprises a support portion (21) and a separation portion (22), the support portion being slidably connected to the bottom plate, a support face (211) being formed on the top of the support portion, material dropping notches (212) being formed on the support face, the separation portion being mounted on the support portion, the separation portion being arranged above the material dropping notches, and snap grooves (23) being formed between the separation portion and the support face; and the driving assembly is used for driving the support portion to move, such that the material dropping notches move close to or away from the first through hole.

Description

Container separation and placement mechanism and packaging machine

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on December 20, 2023, with application number 202323489094.7 and invention name “Container separation and placement mechanism and packaging machine”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into the application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the technical field of food machinery, and in particular to a container separation and placement mechanism and a packaging machine. Background Art

[0003] For ease of transportation and storage, paper cups or plastic cups are often packed in stacks of dozens or even dozens. These need to be separated one by one when in use. For example, in canning equipment, cup-shaped containers are used for automatic canning and packaging of instant noodles, milk tea, etc. Manual separation of stacked containers is inefficient, and some are even stacked so tightly that they are difficult to separate.

[0004] In view of this, it is necessary to provide a new container separation and placement mechanism and packaging machine to solve or at least alleviate the above technical defects. Technical issues

[0005] The main purpose of this application is to provide a container separation and placement mechanism and a packaging machine, aiming to solve the technical problem of low efficiency in separating containers. Technical Solutions

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, according to one aspect of the present application, the present application provides a container separation and placement mechanism, comprising:

[0007] A bottom plate having a first through hole formed therein;

[0008] The separation assembly includes a support portion and a separation portion, wherein the support portion is slidably connected to the bottom plate, a support surface is formed on the top of the support portion, and a blanking notch is formed on the support surface; the separation portion is mounted on the support portion, the separation portion is arranged above the blanking notch, and a slot is formed between the separation portion and the support surface;

[0009] A driving assembly is used to drive the support portion to move so that the blanking notch is close to or away from the first through hole.

[0010] In one embodiment, the container separation and placement mechanism further includes a container storage cylinder, wherein the container storage cylinder cover is disposed on the first through hole, and an accommodating cavity is formed in the container storage cylinder, and the accommodating cavity is communicated with the first through hole.

[0011] In one embodiment, the bottom plate is provided with a mounting portion, the mounting portion is formed with a mounting hole, and the container storage barrel extends into the mounting hole and is threadedly connected to the mounting portion.

[0012] In one embodiment, the supporting portion includes two groups of support blocks arranged opposite to each other, and the minimum spacing between the two groups of support blocks is smaller than the diameter of the first through hole; the separating portion includes two separating blocks, and the two separating blocks are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the two groups of support blocks, each of the support blocks is formed with the blanking notch, and the two blanking notches are arranged opposite to each other, and the card slot is formed between each of the separating blocks and the support block, and the two card slots are arranged opposite to each other.

[0013] In one embodiment, an upwardly inclined lifting slope is formed on the top of the separation block in a direction close to the blanking notch.

[0014] In one embodiment, the driving assembly includes a driving member and a connecting plate, the driving member is mounted on the base plate, the output end of the driving member is connected to the connecting plate, and the connecting plate is respectively connected to the two groups of support blocks.

[0015] In one embodiment, the driving member is a cylinder.

[0016] In one embodiment, the base plate is further provided with a guide rail, and the support portion is slidably connected to the guide rail.

[0017] In one embodiment, the guide rail is formed with a guide groove, the support portion is formed with a limiting boss, and the limiting boss extends into the guide groove and is slidably connected to the guide groove.

[0018] According to another aspect of the present application, the present application further provides a packaging machine, which includes the container separation and placement mechanism as described above, and also includes a collecting device, wherein the collecting device is arranged below the first through hole. Beneficial effects

[0019] In the technical solution of the present application, the container is always on the same axis as the first through hole. When the separation portion moves backward and approaches the first through hole, the separation portion gradually engages the gap between the lip of the lowest container and the lip of the upper container, separating the two. During this process, the entire container slides relative to the support portion, and the lip of the lowest container gradually approaches the blanking notch through the slot. As the drive assembly continues to drive the support portion backward, the position of the blanking notch coincides with the axis of the first through hole, and the lip of the lowest container completely enters the blanking notch. At the blanking notch position, the container is not supported by the support surface. Under the action of gravity, the lowest container falls from the blanking notch and passes through the first through hole to the collection device below, thereby completing the automatic separation and placement of the stacked containers. Afterwards, the drive assembly drives the support portion forward, and the stacked containers return to the support surface, awaiting the next separation action.

[0020] The present application drives the separation part into the gap between the container lips and enables the bottom container to enter the blanking gap and fall, thereby separating the containers one by one. It has the advantages of simple structure, strong reliability and high separation efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the implementation regulations or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without any creative work.

[0022] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of a container separation and placement mechanism according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0023] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the bottom plate, separation assembly, drive assembly and container according to an embodiment of the present application (the container storage cylinder and mounting portion are hidden);

[0024] FIG3 is a side view of FIG2;

[0025] FIG4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the bottom plate, separation assembly, drive assembly, and container according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0026] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the support block and the separation block according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0027] Description of Figure Numbers:

[0028] Reference numerals: Reference numerals: 1 Base plate 11 First through hole 2 Separation assembly 12 Mounting portion 3 Driving assembly 13 Guide rail 4 Container storage cylinder 121 Mounting hole 200 Container 131 Guide groove 300 Gap 211 Support surface 21 Support portion 212 Blanking notch 22 Separation portion 213 Support block 23 Slot 214 Limiting boss 221 Separation block 31 Driving member 222 Lifting slope 32 Connecting plate

[0029] The realization of the objectives, functional features and advantages of this application will be further explained in conjunction with embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0030] The following will be combined with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of this application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the implementation regulations described are only part of the embodiments of this application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making any creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0031] It should be noted that all directional indications in the embodiments of the present application (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.) are only used to explain the relative position relationship, movement status, etc. between the various components under a certain specific posture (as shown in the accompanying drawings). If the specific posture changes, the directional indication will also change accordingly.

[0032] In addition, the terms "first," "second," and so on, used in this application are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, features specified as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one such feature. In the description of this application, "plurality" means at least two groups, such as two groups, three groups, etc., unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0033] In this application, unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms "connection" and "fixed" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, "connection" can mean fixed connection, detachable connection, or integration; it can mean mechanical connection or electrical connection; it can mean direct connection or indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can mean internal communication between two groups of components or interaction between two groups of components, unless otherwise specified. For those skilled in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0034] In addition, the technical solutions between the various embodiments of the present application can be combined with each other, but it must be based on the fact that ordinary technicians in this field can implement it. When the combination of technical solutions is mutually contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be deemed that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection required by this application.

[0035] Please refer to Figures 1 to 5. According to one aspect of the present application, the present application provides a container 200 separation and placement mechanism, including a base plate 1, a separation component 2 and a drive component 3; the base plate 1 is formed with a first through hole 11; the separation component 2 includes a support portion 21 and a separation portion 22, the support portion 21 is slidably connected to the base plate 1, and a support surface 211 is formed on the top of the support portion 21, and a blanking notch 212 is formed on the support surface 211; the separation portion 22 is installed on the support portion 21, and the separation portion 22 is arranged above the blanking notch 212, and a card slot 23 is formed between the separation portion 22 and the support surface 211; the drive component 3 is used to drive the support portion 21 to move so that the blanking notch 212 is close to or away from the first through hole 11.

[0036] In the above embodiment, the support surface 211 is used to support the containers 200 and abut against them. Stacked containers 200 can be placed upright or inverted on the support surface 211. When placed upright, a second through-hole is provided in the support portion 21 for the cup body to pass through. The support portion 21 abuts against the lip (or protruding edge boss) of the container 200, leaving a gap 300 between the lips of adjacent containers 200. The drive assembly 3 can drive the support portion 21 to move forward and backward, simultaneously driving the separation portion 22 mounted on the support portion 21 to move forward and backward together.

[0037] The container 200 is always on the same axis as the first through hole 11. When the separation part 22 moves backward and approaches the first through hole 11, the separation part 22 will gradually get into the gap 300 between the lip of the lowest container 200 and the lip of the upper container 200, so that the two are separated; and in this process, the container 200 as a whole will also slide relative to the support part 21, and the lip of the lowest container 200 will gradually approach the blanking notch 212 through the card slot 23. As the driving assembly 3 continues to drive the support part 21 to move backward, the position of the blanking notch 212 coincides with the axis of the first through hole 11, and the lip of the lowest container 200 completely enters the blanking notch 212. At the position of the blanking notch 212, the container 200 is not supported by the support surface 211. Under the action of gravity, the lowest container 200 will fall from the blanking notch 212 and pass through the first through hole 11 to the collection device below, thereby completing the automatic separation and placement of the stacked containers 200. Afterwards, the driving assembly 3 drives the supporting portion 21 to move forward, and the stacked containers 200 return to the supporting surface 211 to wait for the next separation action.

[0038] This embodiment drives the separation portion 22 into the gap 300 between the lips of the containers 200, and enables the bottom container 200 to enter the blanking notch 212 and fall, thereby separating the containers 200 one by one. It has the advantages of simple structure, strong reliability and high separation efficiency.

[0039] The container 200 may be a cup-shaped object such as a paper cup or a plastic cup, and is also suitable for separating other objects with lips, such as disposable bowls and plates.

[0040] It should be noted that the depth and height of the slot 23 can be adaptively set according to the lip size of the container 200. By replacing and changing the size of related parts, the container 200 separation placement mechanism can adapt to containers 200 of different sizes.

[0041] With reference to Figures 1 and 2 , in one embodiment, the container 200 separation and placement mechanism further includes a container storage tube 4, which is positioned over the first through-hole 11 and defines a receiving cavity that communicates with the first through-hole 11. During installation, the stacked containers 200 are mounted together with the container storage tube 4 on the base plate 1. The inner wall of the container storage tube 4 also serves as a position limiter for the containers 200, preventing them from moving in directions other than up and down and deviating from the axis of the first through-hole 11. Furthermore, a sensor may be provided within the container storage tube 4 to detect the number of containers 200 within the receiving cavity, providing a prompt reminder to the user to refill containers 200 when the number is low.

[0042] Referring to Figure 1 , in one embodiment, a base plate 1 is provided with a mounting portion 12 having a mounting hole 121 formed therein. The container storage cartridge 4 extends into the mounting hole 121 and is threadedly connected to the mounting portion 12. Specifically, the mounting hole 121 is internally threaded, and the container storage cartridge 4 is externally threaded. The external threads are threadedly connected to the internal threads, allowing the container storage cartridge 4 to be quickly installed, fixed, or removed by simply twisting. This provides the advantages of convenient assembly and disassembly and easy operation.

[0043] 2 and 4 , in one embodiment, the support portion 21 includes two groups of support blocks 213 disposed opposite to each other. The minimum spacing between the two groups of support blocks 213 is smaller than the diameter of the first through hole 11 and also smaller than the diameter of the lip of the container 200, thereby supporting the lip of the container 200 and preventing the container 200 from falling from the first through hole 11. When the container 200 is placed upright, the bottom of the container 200 passes through the first through hole 11. This placement does not cause interference and also reduces the falling height of the container 200, making the cup drop more stable. The separation portion 22 includes two separation blocks 221, which are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the two sets of support blocks 213. Each support block 213 is formed with a blanking notch 212, which is arranged opposite each other. The distance between the two blanking notches 212 is greater than the diameter of the lip of the container 200. A clamping slot 23 is formed between each separation block 221 and the support block 213. The two clamping slots 23 are arranged opposite each other. During operation, the two clamping slots 23 support the lip of the lowermost container 200 from the left and right sides respectively, allowing it to pass through. The drive assembly 3 is used to drive the two sets of support blocks 213 to move forward or backward together.

[0044] 1 to 3 , the drive assembly 3 specifically includes a drive member 31 and a connecting plate 32. The drive member 31 is mounted on the base plate 1 , and the output end of the drive member 31 is connected to the connecting plate 32 , which is in turn connected to the two sets of support blocks 213 . The drive member 31 is mounted on the base plate 1 via a threaded connector, and the support blocks 213 are similarly secured to the connecting plate 32 via a threaded connector, enabling the two sets of support blocks 213 to move synchronously via the connecting plate 32 .

[0045] In one embodiment, the driving member 31 is a cylinder. The cylinder has the advantages of being light, responsive, and quick to move. The separation block 221 can move forward and backward as the piston rod of the cylinder is extended and retracted.

[0046] Referring to Figure 5, in one embodiment, an upwardly inclined lifting surface 222 is formed on the top of the separation block 221, near the blanking notch 212. When the stacked containers 200 fall onto the support surface 211, there is a gap between the lips of the stacked containers 200. When the cylinder extends, the lip of the bottommost container 200 first enters the retaining groove 23, and the lifting surface 222 enters the gap between the lips of the containers 200. As the cylinder extends, the lifting surface 222 lifts the second container 200 at the bottom and the container 200 above it, separating them from the bottommost container 200. The inclination of the lifting surface can be set according to the desired lifting height to prevent the containers 200 from getting stuck together. As the cylinder continues to extend, the bottommost container 200 enters the blanking notch 212, at which point it loses its support and falls to the collection device below under the action of gravity, completing automatic separation and placement.

[0047] With reference to Figures 2, 4, and 5, in one embodiment, the base plate 1 is further provided with a guide rail 13, with the support portion 21 being slidably connected to the guide rail 13. The guide rail 13 is mounted to the base plate 1 via bolts. The guide rail 13 serves as a limit guide for the movement of the support portion 21, ensuring smoother forward and backward movement of the support portion 21. There can be two guide rails 13 arranged opposite each other, corresponding one-to-one to the two sets of support blocks 213.

[0048] In one embodiment, the guide rail 13 is formed with a guide groove 131, and the support portion 21 is formed with a limiting boss 214. The limiting boss 214 extends into and is slidably connected to the guide groove 131. The length direction of the guide groove 131 is the front-to-back direction. The limiting boss 214 cooperates with the guide groove 131 and can move back and forth within the guide groove 131 as the piston rod of the cylinder extends and retracts, thereby enabling the separation block 221 to move only forward and backward.

[0049] According to another aspect of the present application, a packaging machine is provided. The packaging machine includes the container 200 separation and placement mechanism described above, and also includes a collection device disposed below the first through-hole 11. This packaging machine can automatically provide separated individual containers 200, offering the advantage of high efficiency. The specific structure of the container 200 separation and placement mechanism is similar to that of the aforementioned embodiments. Since the packaging machine utilizes all of the technical solutions of these embodiments, it at least possesses all of the beneficial effects provided by the technical solutions of these embodiments, and therefore will not be further elaborated here.

[0050] The above are merely embodiments of the present application and are not intended to limit the patent scope of the present application. All equivalent structural transformations made using the contents of the present application specification and drawings under the application concept of the present application, or direct / indirect application in other related technical fields are included in the patent protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A container separation and placement mechanism, wherein: The container separation and placement mechanism comprises: A bottom plate having a first through hole formed therein; The separation component comprises a support part and a separation part, wherein the support part is slidably connected to the bottom plate, a support surface is formed on the top of the support part, and a blanking notch is formed on the support surface; the separation part is mounted on the support part, the separation part is arranged above the blanking notch, and a slot is formed between the separation part and the support surface; The driving assembly is used to drive the supporting part to move so that the blanking notch is close to or away from the first through hole.

2. The container separation and placement mechanism according to claim 1, wherein: The container separation and placement mechanism further includes a container storage tube, the container storage tube is covered with the first through hole, and the container storage tube forms a receiving cavity, and the receiving cavity is communicated with the first through hole.

3. The container separation and placement mechanism according to claim 2, wherein: The bottom plate is provided with a mounting portion, the mounting portion is formed with a mounting hole, and the container storage tube extends into the mounting hole and is threadedly connected with the mounting portion.

4. The container separation and placement mechanism according to claim 1, wherein: The supporting part includes two groups of supporting blocks arranged opposite to each other, and the minimum spacing between the two groups of supporting blocks is smaller than the diameter of the first through hole; the separating part includes two separating blocks, and the two separating blocks are arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the two groups of supporting blocks, each of the supporting blocks is formed with the blanking notch, and the two blanking notches are arranged opposite to each other, and a slot is formed between each of the separating blocks and the supporting block, and the two slots are arranged opposite to each other.

5. The container separation and placement mechanism according to claim 4, wherein: Along the direction close to the blanking notch, the top of the separation block is formed with an upwardly inclined lifting slope.

6. The container separation and placement mechanism according to claim 4, wherein: The driving assembly comprises a driving member and a connecting plate. The driving member is mounted on the bottom plate. The output end of the driving member is connected to the connecting plate. The connecting plate is respectively connected to the two groups of support blocks.

7. The container separation and placement mechanism according to claim 6, wherein: The driving member is a cylinder.

8. The container separation and placement mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The bottom plate is also provided with a guide rail, and the support part is slidably connected to the guide rail.

9. The container separation and placement mechanism according to claim 8, wherein: The guide rail is formed with a guide groove, the support portion is formed with a limiting boss, and the limiting boss extends into the guide groove and is slidably connected with the guide groove.

10. A packaging machine, wherein: The packaging machine comprises the container separation and placement mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 9, and further comprises a collecting device, wherein the collecting device is arranged below the first through hole.

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