RYU, Jong-moo (Gaesin Jugong 3 danjI Apt, 590 Gaesin-dong, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju-cit, Chungcheongbuk-do 361-240, 306-1304, KR)
| WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. An apparatus for sorting caps, comprising:
a cap transfer section for aligning a plurality of pump/dosing
pump caps side by side and discharging them to the outside;
a cap sorting section inclined at an angle of 45° to 90°, and
raising the pump/dosing pump caps to transfer them to the cap transfer
section; and
a cap supply section for supplying the cap sorting section with the
pump/dosing pump caps,
wherein the cap sorting section comprises a conveyor belt; and a
plurality of lifters mounted on the conveyor belt and extending in a width
direction of the conveyor belt, and wherein a pair of adjacent lifters
among the plurality of lifters align the pump/dosing pump caps side by
side and raise them.
2. The apparatus for sorting caps according to claim 1 ,
wherein the pair of lifters comprise a first lifter; and a second lifter
adjacent to the first lifter, and the first and second lifters are spaced apart
from each other by a longer interval toward their outsides.
3. The apparatus for sorting caps according to claim 2,
wherein each of the pump/dosing pump cap comprises a cap body with
an outlet disposed at one side of the cap body; and a suction pipe
connected to a lower portion of the cap body, and the first lifter hangs the
lower portion of the cap body in an inclined manner to raise the
pump/dosing pump cap.
4. The apparatus for sorting caps according to claim 3,
wherein the second lifter supports the suction pipe.
5. The apparatus for sorting caps according to claim 1 ,
wherein the cap sorting section further comprises a cap removal section
mounted over the whole width direction of the conveyor belt and spaced
apart from the lifter and moves in forward and backward directions
toward the conveyor belt to strike unaligned pump/dosing pump caps.
6. The apparatus for sorting caps according to claim 5,
wherein the pair of lifters comprise a first lifter; and a second lifter
adjacent to the first lifter, and the cap removal section operates in parallel
with the second lifter.
7. The apparatus for sorting caps according to claim 6,
wherein the cap removal section moves in forward and backward
directions downward from the second lifter.
8. The apparatus for sorting caps according to claim 6,
wherein each of the unaligned pump/dosing pump caps comprises a cap
body with an outlet of the cap body facing one side; and a suction pipe
connected to a lower portion of the cap body, and the outlet is hung on
the first lifter.
9. The apparatus for sorting caps according to claim 6,
wherein the cap removal section strikes the suction pipe of the unaligned
pump/dosing pump cap.
10. The apparatus for sorting caps according to claim 5,
wherein the cap removal section comprises a cylinder; a power
transmission unit connected to the cylinder and moving in forward and
backward directions; and a cap removal section connected to the power
transmission unit and striking the unaligned pump/dosing pump cap.
11. The apparatus for sorting caps according to claim 5,
wherein the cap sorting section further comprises a cap erection section
for correctly orientating unaligned pump/dosing pump caps, and the cap
erection section is mounted below the cap removal section.
12. The apparatus for sorting caps according to claim 1 ,
wherein the cap sorting section further comprises a cap erection section
that is spaced apart from the lifter and is mounted over the whole width
direction of the conveyor belt, for correctly erecting the unaligned
pump/dosing pump cap.
13. The apparatus for sorting caps according to claim 12,
wherein the cap erection section is inclined toward an upper portion of
the conveyor belt.
14. The apparatus for sorting caps according to claim 13,
wherein the unaligned pump/dosing pump cap comprises a cap body;
and a suction pipe connected to a lower portion of the cap body, and the
suction pipe is hung on the lower portion of the cap erection section so that the pump/dosing pump cap is correctly orientated.
15. The apparatus for sorting caps according to claim 12,
wherein a distance between the lifter and the cap erection section is 7cm
to 30cm in a direction vertical to the conveyor belt as a reference.
16. The apparatus for sorting caps according to claim 1 ,
further comprising:
a cap return section that is vertically mounted at an opposite side
of the cap supply section with the cap sorting section disposed
therebetween, and receiving unaligned pump/dosing pump caps that are
transferred on the conveyor belt, and discharging them to the outside.
17. The apparatus for sorting caps according to claim 16,
wherein the unaligned pump/dosing pump caps are laid down between
the adjacent lifters.
18. The apparatus for sorting caps according to claim 17,
wherein the unaligned pump/dosing pump caps are not in contact with
the cap transfer section.
19. The apparatus for sorting caps according to claim 16,
wherein the cap return section comprises a receiving unit having an
opening at its upper portion and that receives the unaligned pump/dosing
pump caps; and a return unit communicating with the receiving unit and
returning the unaligned pump/dosing pump caps downward.
20. The apparatus for sorting caps according to claim 19,
wherein the receiving unit is inclined so as to have the opening facing
toward the upper side of the cap sorting section.
21. The apparatus for sorting caps according to claim 1 ,
wherein the cap transfer section comprises a transfer unit moving
forward toward the pump/dosing pump caps transferred on the conveyor
belt or moving backward from the pump/dosing pump caps; a support
unit spaced apart from an upper portion of the cap sorting section and
fixing the transfer unit; and a pipe chute aligning the pump/dosing pump
caps discharged from the transfer unit and transferring them to the
outside.
22. The apparatus for sorting caps according to claim 21 ,
wherein a lower portion of the pipe chute is opened.
23. The apparatus for sorting caps according to claim 21 ,
wherein each of the pump/dosing pump caps comprises a cap body and
a suction pipe connected to a lower portion of the cap body, and wherein
the transfer unit comprises a pusher mounted at one side of the transfer
unit for pushing the cap bodies toward the pipe chute along an arranging
direction of the pump/dosing pump caps after the transfer unit moves
forward; and a guide member extending along the arranging direction
and guiding the cap bodies when the pusher operates.
24. The apparatus for sorting caps according to claim 23,
wherein the pusher pushes the cap bodies toward the pipe chute and
then returns to one side of the transfer unit.
25. The apparatus for sorting caps according to claim 23,
wherein the guide member comprises a pair of guide units, and the cap
body is disposed in a space between the guide units.
26. The apparatus for sorting caps according to claim 1 ,
wherein the cap supply section comprises other conveyor belts and a
plurality of guide plates spaced apart from each other on the other
conveyor belts and separating the pump/dosing pump caps to guide
them to the cap sorting section.
27. The apparatus for sorting caps according to claim 26,
wherein the other conveyor belts comprise a first conveyor belt; and a
second conveyor belt disposed below a front end of the first conveyor
belt.
28. The apparatus for sorting caps according to claim 27,
wherein the cap supply section comprises a first directional adjustment
member spaced apart from the first conveyor belt and having an inclined
plane toward the front end of the first conveyor belt; and a second
directional adjustment member disposed below the front end of the first
conveyor belt and having an inclined plane in a direction opposite to the
inclined plane of the first directional adjustment member to guide the
pump/dosing pump caps.
29. The apparatus for sorting caps according to claim 27,
wherein the guide plates disposed on the first conveyor belt comprise
first guide plates disposed at central positions and second guide plates
adjacent to both sides of the first guide plates, and the first guide plates
are protruded more toward the inflow of the pump/dosing pump caps
than are the second guide plates.
30. The apparatus for sorting caps according to claim 29,
wherein a cap dispersing section is disposed in the front end of the guide
plates along the arranging direction of the guide plates.
31. The apparatus for sorting caps according to claim 30,
wherein the cap dispersing section comprises a rotational axis disposed
along the arranging direction of the guide plates, and a plurality of hooks
spaced apart from each other on the rotational axis and extending in a
circumferential direction of the rotational axis and pushing the
pump/dosing pump caps in accordance with the rotation of the rotational
axis.
32. The apparatus for sorting caps according to claim 31 , wherein the hooks are alternately disposed at upward and downward
sides.
33. The apparatus for sorting caps according to claim 31 ,
wherein each of the hooks is mounted to correspond to one of the guide
plates.
34. The apparatus for sorting caps according to claim 33,
wherein the guide plates pass concave portions of the hooks.
35. The apparatus for sorting caps according to claim 34,
wherein a front end of the guide plate where the concave portion of the
hooks passes is chamfered in a curved shape.
36. The apparatus for sorting caps according to claim 31 ,
wherein the rotational direction of the other conveyor belts is the same as
the rotational direction of the rotational axis.
37. The apparatus for sorting caps according to claim 36,
wherein an end of each of the hooks where the opening is disposed is bent in a direction opposite to the rotational direction of the rotational axis.
38. The apparatus for sorting caps according to claim 29,
further comprising
a casing surrounding the cap supply section,
wherein the guide plates are fixed to the casing by a plurality of
support rods disposed above the guide plates and fixing the guide plates
along the arranging direction of the guide plates.
39. The apparatus for sorting caps according to claim 38,
wherein the guide plates are spaced apart from the first conveyor belt
and are fixed. |
APPARATUS FOR SORTING CAPS
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an apparatus for sorting caps,
and more particularly, to an apparatus for sorting caps'which is capable
of dispersing and aligning pump/dosing pump caps to effectively sort
them.
BACKGROUND ART
A dispenser cap or a pump cap is used for discharging a liquid
from a liquid container. The dispenser cap is used for a shampoo
container or a rinse container. When the dispenser cap is depressed, a
predetermined amount of liquid is discharged. The pump cap is used
for a perfume container or a spray container. When the pump cap is
depressed, a small amount of liquid is sprayed and discharged. The
pump/dosing pump cap is a dispenser cap, a pump cap, and so forth,
which discharges a liquid to the outside.
After the liquid is contained in the liquid container, the liquid
container is combined with the pump/dosing pump cap. Such a method
is employed in the manufacture of shampoo products, rinse products,
and so forth. In general, the pump/dosing pump cap has a cap body
with an outlet, and a suction pipe connected to a lower portion of the cap
body. The suction pipe communicates with the outlet and is elongated.
When the liquid container is operated, the suction pipe sucks the liquid
below to have it discharged through the upper outlet. As such, the
pump/dosing pump cap has an elongated shape as a whole.
When the shampoo product or the rinse product is manufactured,
it is preferable to align the pump/dosing pump caps and supply them in
order to facilitate combination of the pump/dosing pump cap and the
liquid container. That is, it is preferable to correctly orientate and supply
the pump/dosing pump caps. To this end, an apparatus for sorting caps
has been developed that can correctly orientate and supply a large
number of pump/dosing pump caps.
The apparatus for sorting caps that has been used in the related
art is composed of a cap loading section for supplying the caps and a
cap sorting section for sorting the caps. The manufactured cap sorting
section has a rotational disc plate for separating the large number of
amassed caps. A large number of holders are mounted along a
circumference of the disc plate, and the cap sorting section rotates the
disc plate to separate the amassed caps. Rotation of the disc plate
enables the caps to be individually separated by the holders. The
separated caps are then sequentially transferred so that the shampoo
product or the rinse product can be manufactured.
However, when such a rotational type of cap sorting section is
employed, there is a problem in that the number of caps that are capable
of being sorted per minute is limited to about eighty due to its capacity
limitation. There also exists a limit in the shape of the caps that can be
sorted. In addition, the caps are deviated due to centrifugal force so
that the efficiency is degraded. Further, the caps often stick in the cap
sorting section such that operation of the cap sorting section must be
stopped often, and impacts due to centrifugal force cause the caps to be
damaged.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Technical Goal of the Invention
In order to solve the foregoing and/or other problems, the present
invention provides an apparatus for sorting caps that can disperse and
align pump/dosing pump caps to effectively sort them.
Disclosure of the Invention
In one aspect, the invention is directed to an apparatus for sorting
caps, which includes: a cap transfer section for aligning a plurality of
pump/dosing pump caps side by side and discharging them; a cap
sorting section that is inclined at an angle of 45° to 90° and that raises
the pump/dosing pump caps to transfer them to a cap transfer section;
and a cap supply section for supplying the cap sorting section with the
pump/dosing pump caps, wherein the cap sorting section includes a
conveyor belt, a plurality of lifters mounted on the conveyor belt and
extending in a width direction of the conveyor belt, and a pair of adjacent
lifters among a plurality of lifters to align the pump/dosing pump caps
side by side and raise them.
It is preferable that the pair of lifters include a first lifter and a
second lifter adjacent to the first lifter, and the first and second lifters are
spaced apart from each other by a longer interval toward their outsides.
It is preferable that each of the pump/dosing pump caps include a
cap body with an outlet disposed at one side of the cap body and a
suction pipe connected to a lower portion of the cap body, and the first
lifter hangs the lower portion of the cap body in an inclined manner to
raise the pump/dosing pump cap.
The second lifter may support the suction pipe.
It is preferable that the cap sorting section further include a cap
removal section that is mounted over the whole width direction of the
conveyor belt and spaced apart from the lifter and that moves in forward
and backward directions toward the conveyor belt to strike unaligned
pump/dosing pump caps.
The pair of lifters may include a first lifter and a second lifter
adjacent to the first lifter, and the cap removal section operates in parallel
with the second lifter.
The cap removal section may move in forward and backward
directions downward from the second lifter.
It is preferable that each of the unaligned pump/dosing pump cap
may include a cap body with an outlet of the cap body facing one side
and a suction pipe connected to a lower portion of the cap body, and the
outlet is hung on the first lifter.
The cap removal section may strike the suction pipe of the
unaligned pump/dosing pump cap.
The cap removal section may include a cylinder, a power
transmission unit connected to the cylinder and moving in forward and
backward directions, and a cap removal section connected to the power
transmission unit and striking the unaligned pump/dosing pump cap.
The cap sorting section may further include a cap erection
section for correctly orientating unaligned pump/dosing pump caps, and it
is preferable that the cap erection section is mounted below the cap
removal section.
The cap sorting section may further include a cap erection
section spaced apart from the lifter and mounted over the whole width
direction of the conveyor belt, for correctly orientating the unaligned
pump/dosing pump caps.
The cap erection section may be inclined toward an upper portion
of the conveyor belt.
It is preferable that the unaligned pump/dosing pump cap include
a cap body and a suction pipe connected to a lower portion of the cap
body, and the suction pipe is hung on the lower portion of the cap
erection section so that the pump/dosing pump cap is correctly orientated.
It is preferable that a distance between the lifter and the cap
erection section may be 7cm to 30cm in a direction vertical to the
conveyor belt as a reference.
The apparatus for sorting caps according to the present invention
may further include a cap return section that is vertically mounted at an
opposite side of the cap supply section with the cap sorting section
disposed therebetween, for receiving unaligned pump/dosing pump caps
that are transferred on the conveyor belt and discharging them to the
outside.
The unaligned pump/dosing pump caps may be laid down
between the adjacent lifters.
The unaligned pump/dosing pump caps may not contact the cap
transfer section.
The cap return section may include a receiving unit having an
opening at its upper portion and receiving the unaligned pump/dosing
pump caps, and a return unit communicating with the receiving unit and
returning the unaligned pump/dosing pump caps downward.
The receiving unit may be inclined so as to have the opening
facing toward the upper side of the cap sorting section.
It is preferable that the cap transfer section include a transfer unit
moving forward toward the pump/dosing pump caps that are transferred
on the conveyor belt or moving backward from the pump/dosing pump
caps, a support unit spaced apart from an upper portion of the cap
sorting section and affixing the transfer unit, and a pipe chute for aligning
the pump/dosing pump caps that are discharged from the transfer unit
and transferring them to the outside.
It is preferable that a lower portion of the pipe chute be opened.
Each of the pump/dosing pump caps may include a cap body and
a suction pipe connected to a lower portion of the cap body, and the
transfer unit includes a pusher mounted at one side of the transfer unit
for pushing the cap bodies toward the pipe chute along an arranging
direction of the pump/dosing pump caps after the transfer unit moves
forward, and a guide member extending along the arranging direction for
guiding the cap bodies when the pusher operates.
It is preferable that the pusher pushes the cap bodies toward the
pipe chute and then returns to one side of the transfer unit.
It is preferable that the guide member includes a pair of guide
units, and the cap body is disposed in a space between the guide units.
The cap supply section may include other conveyor belts, and a
plurality of guide plates spaced apart from each other on other conveyor
belts and separating the pump/dosing pump caps to guide them to the
cap sorting section.
The other conveyor belts may include a first conveyor belt, and a
second conveyor belt disposed below a front end of the first conveyor
belt.
The cap supply section may include a first directional adjustment
member spaced apart from the first conveyor belt and having an inclined
plane toward the front end of the first conveyor belt, and a second
directional adjustment member disposed below the front end of the first
conveyor belt and having an inclined plane in a direction opposite to the
inclined plane of the first directional adjustment member to guide the
pump/dosing pump caps.
It is preferable that the guide plates disposed on the first
conveyor belt may include first guide plates disposed at central positions
and second guide plates adjacent to both sides of the first guide plates,
and the first guide plates are more protruded toward the inflow of the
pump/dosing pump caps than are the second guide plates.
It is preferable that a cap dispersing section may be disposed in
the front end of the guide plates along the arranging direction of the
guide plates.
The cap dispersing section may include a rotational axis disposed
along the arranging direction of the guide plates, and a plurality of hooks
spaced apart from each other on the rotational axis and extending in a
circumferential direction of the rotational axis and pushing the
pump/dosing pump caps in accordance with the rotation of the rotational
axis.
It is preferable that the hooks are alternately disposed at upward
and downward sides.
Each of the hooks may be mounted to correspond to one of the
guide plates.
It is preferable that the guide plates pass concave portions of the
hooks.
It is preferable that a front end of the guide plate where the
concave portion of the hooks passes may be chamfered as a curved
shape.
It is preferable that the rotational direction of the other conveyor
belts is the same as the rotational direction of the rotational axis.
An end of each of the hooks where the opening is disposed may
be bent in a direction opposite to the rotational direction of the rotational
axis.
The apparatus for sorting caps according to the present invention
further includes a casing surrounding the cap supply section. It is
preferable that the guide plates are fixed to the casing by a plurality of
support rods disposed above the guide plates and fixing the guide plates
along the arranging direction of the guide plates.
The guide plates may be spaced apart from the first conveyor belt
and may be fixed.
Effect of the Invention
According to the present invention as described above, an
apparatus for sorting caps uses a pair of lifters to align and raise a
plurality of pump/dosing pump caps side by side. Accordingly, the
pump/dosing pump caps are supported in a safe way to facilitate sorting
thereof.
In particular, among a pair of lifters, a first lifter and a second lifter
are spaced apart from each other by a longer interval toward their
outsides, so that the pump/dosing pump caps can be supported in a
safer way.
In addition, the apparatus for sorting caps according to the
present invention includes a cap erection section, a cap removal section,
and a return section, so that it can remove or re-align pump/dosing pump
caps that are not correctly aligned.
A cap supply section includes a cap dispersing section and a
guide plate, so that it can introduce the pump/dosing pump caps to a
transfer direction side by side. Accordingly, alignment of the
pump/dosing pump caps in the apparatus for sorting caps is facilitated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a perspective view of an apparatus
for sorting caps in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
Fig. 2 illustrates a side view of a pump/dosing pump cap sorted
by an apparatus for sorting caps.
Fig. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the apparatus for sorting
caps shown in FIG. 1.
Figs. 4 and 5 schematically illustrate a procedure of removing an
un-aligned pump/dosing pump caps.
Figs. 6 to 8 schematically illustrate a procedure of removing
another un-aligned pump/dosing pump caps.
Fig. 9 illustrates an enlarged and perspective view of a cap
transfer section of FIG. 1.
Figs. 10 and 11 schematically illustrate a procedure of removing
yet another un-aligned pump/dosing pump caps.
Fig. 12 illustrates a partial perspective view of a cap supply
section of FIG. 1.
Fig. 13 illustrates a partial plan view of the cap supply section of
FIG. 12.
Figs. 14 to 16 schematically illustrate a procedure of switching a
direction of a pump/dosing pump cap in the cap supply device of FIG. 12.
BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be
described with reference to Figs. 1 to 16. These embodiments are
employed for exemplary purposes only and are not limited thereto.
Fig. 1 illustrates an apparatus for sorting caps 100 in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention. An exemplary structure of
the apparatus for sorting caps is shown in Fig. 1 , but the present
invention is not limited thereto.
The apparatus for sorting caps 100 includes a cap transfer
section 10, a cap sorting section 20, and a cap supply section 30. The
apparatus further includes a casing 90 surrounding the components.
Pump/dosing pump caps C supplied from the cap supply section 30 are
sorted by the cap sorting section 20, and are then transferred to the next
process by the cap transfer section 10.
The cap supply section 30 supplies the pump/dosing pump caps
C to the cap sorting section 20. The cap supply section 30 enables the
pump/dosing pump caps C to be smoothly supplied. The cap supply
section 30 includes a conveyor belt 301 and a guide plate 311. The cap
supply section may further include a cap dispersing section 313.
Motors (not shown) disposed at both ends of the conveyor belt
301 enable the conveyor belt 301 to move in the direction denoted by an
arrow. Accordingly, the pump/dosing pump caps C on the conveyor belt
301 can be supplied to the cap sorting section 20. A plurality of guide
plates 311 are mounted on the conveyor belt 301. In order to prevent
the guide plates 311 from being in contact with the conveyor belt 301 ,
support rods 312 are mounted to fix the guide plates 311. The support
rods 12 fix the guide plates 311 along the direction where the guide
plates 311 are arranged. For example, as shown in Fig. 1 , the support
rods 312 may penetrate the upper portions of the guide plates 311 to fix
the guide plates 311. The support rods 312 are fixed to the casing 90,
so that they can securely fix the guide plates 311.
A plurality of the guide plates 311 are spaced apart from each
other on the conveyor belt 301. The guide plates 311 separate the
plurality of pump/dosing pump caps C to guide them toward the cap
sorting section 20. In particular, the guide plates 311 align the
pump/dosing pump caps C to guide them toward the cap sorting section
20, so that the pump/dosing pump caps C can be raised in a safe way by
the cap sorting section 20.
The cap sorting section 20 raises the pump/dosing pump caps C
to supply them to the cap transfer section 10. An inclination angle (θ) of
the cap sorting section 20 preferably ranges from 45° to 90°. The cap
sorting section 20 is inclined by such an angle so that the pump/dosing
pump caps C can be safely raised. When the inclination angle of the
cap sorting section 20 is less than 45° or exceeds 90°, there is a problem
that the pump/dosing pump caps C cannot be safely fixed.
The cap sorting section 20 include a plurality of lifters 201 and a
conveyor belt 211. Motors (not shown) are mounted on both ends of the
conveyor belt 211 to raise the conveyor belt 211 in a direction denoted by
an arrow. A stop sensor (not shown) and a speed adjustment sensor
(not shown) are mounted on the conveyor belt 211 , so that a return
speed of the pump/dosing pump cap C can be freely adjusted. The
plurality of lifters 201 are mounted on the conveyor belt 211. The lifters
201 extend in a width direction (i.e., an X axis direction) of the conveyor
belt 211. Accordingly, the pump/dosing pump caps C can be aligned
with and raised in the X axis direction side by side.
The apparatus for sorting caps 100 according to the embodiment
of the present invention includes a cap erection section 220, a cap
removal section 240, and a cap return section 40, which act to align or
discharge unaligned pump/dosing pump caps C to the outside. The cap
erection section 220 and the cap removal section 240 correctly align the
unaligned pump/dosing pump caps C. The cap erection section 220
and the cap removal section 240 are fixed to the casing 90 that
surrounds the cap sorting section 20. The cap return section 40 returns
the unaligned pump/dosing pump caps C to the outside. That is, the
pump/dosing pump caps C, which are laid down on the lifter 201 , are
raised and returned through the cap return section 40.
The cap return section 40 is vertically mounted at an opposite
side of the cap supply section 30 with the cap sorting section 20
disposed therebetween. The cap return section 40 may be fixed to the
cap sorting section 20. The cap return section 40 may receive and
discharge the unaligned pump/dosing pump caps C that are transferred
on the conveyor belt 211 to the outside. To this end, the cap return
section 40 includes a receiving unit 401 and a return unit 403. An
opening 4011 is formed in an upper portion of the receiving unit 401.
The unaligned pump/dosing pump caps C fall down into the opening
4011. Such a method may be employed to receive the unaligned
pump/dosing pump caps C by using the receiving unit 401.
The return unit 403 communicates with the receiving unit 401.
Accordingly, the return unit 403 can return the unaligned pump/dosing
pump caps C downward. Although not shown in Fig. 1 , the return unit
403 may be connected to the cap supply section 30 to re-supply the
pump/dosing pump caps C to the cap sorting section 20.
The cap transfer section 10 aligns a plurality of pump/dosing
pump caps C side by side to discharge them to the outside through a
pipe chute 130. To this end, a lower portion of the pipe chute 130 is
opened. The cap transfer section 10 operates a transfer unit 110 in the
arrow direction to discharge the pump/dosing pump caps C that are
aligned side by side through the pipe chute 130. Accordingly, as shown
in the left side of Fig. 1 , the pump/dosing pump caps C can be aligned
side by side.
The above-described apparatus for sorting caps 100 enables the
pump/dosing pump caps C to be aligned side by side. Hereinafter,
functions and operations of constitutional components of the apparatus
for sorting caps 100 will be described in more detail with reference to
Figs. 2 to 16.
Fig. 2 schematically illustrates the state in which pump/dosing
pump caps C are raised by a pair of lifters 2011 and 2013.
The pump/dosing pump cap C includes a cap body C10 and a
suction pipe C20 connected to a lower portion of the cap body. The cap
body C10 and the suction pipe C20 are disposed in response to their
internal and external positions with respect to the liquid container when
they are actually combined with the container. When they are combined
with the liquid container, the cap body C10 is positioned outside the
container with the suction pipe C20 inside the container, so that the
pump/dosing pump cap C is divided as shown in Fig. 2.
The pump/dosing pump cap C sucks the liquid from below
through the suction pipe C20, and then discharges the liquid through the
outlet C1011 disposed at one side of the cap body C10. The cap body
C10 includes a head C100 and a container combining unit C110. The
outlet C1011 is disposed at one side of the cap body C10. When the
head C100 is depressed, the liquid is discharged through the outlet
C1011 due to its pumping operation. A large number of screw lines are
disposed on an inner wall of the container combining unit C110 and are
combined with the container.
As shown in Fig. 2, the first lifter 2011 hangs up and fixes a lower
portion of the cap body C10. The second lifter 2013 supports the
suction pipe C20. The pump/dosing pump cap C is slightly inclined to
be fixed to the lifters 2011 and 2013, so that the pump/dosing pump cap
C can be safely fixed. In particular, there exists a sharp step between
the cap body C10 and the suction pipe C20, so that a sufficient space for
supporting the lower portion of the cap body C10 by means of the first
lifter C2011 can be secured. As shown in Fig. 2, the first lifter 2011 and
the second lifter 2013 have a longer interval therebetween toward their
outsides, so that the pump/dosing pump cap C can be more safely fixed.
Fig. 3 illustrates an enlarged cap sorting section 20 of Fig. 1.
Referring to Fig. 3, the pump/dosing pump cap C is not shown for
simplicity of explanation. A pair of lifters 2011 and 2013 among a
plurality of lifters 201 align and raise pump/dosing pump caps C side by
side.
As shown in Fig. 3, the cap erection section 220 and the cap
removal section 240 are mounted on the casing 90. The cap erection
section 220 and the cap removal section 240 may be employed to align
or remove unaligned pump/dosing pump caps C from the cap sorting
section 20.
The cap erection section 220 includes a cap erection plate 2201
and a support 2203 for supporting the same. The support 2203 is
securely fixed to the casing 90. Accordingly, the cap erection section
220 is not moved and is securely fixed even when the cap erection plate
2201 collides with the pump/dosing pump cap C.
The cap erection section 220 is spaced apart from the lifter 201 in
order to prevent interference with the lifter 201. In addition, the cap
erection section 220 is mounted over a width direction (i.e., an X axis
direction) of the conveyor belt 211. Accordingly, all of the unaligned
pump/dosing pump caps C among the pump/dosing pump caps C
transferred by the lifters 201 can be correctly orientated. In particular,
the cap erection section 220 is inclined toward the upper portion of the
conveyor belt 211 , so that the pump/dosing pump caps C are effectively
and correctly orientated. An operation procedure of the cap erection
section 220 will be described in more detail with reference to Figs. 4 and
5.
The cap removal section 240 is mounted on an upper portion of
the cap erection section 220. The reason is as follows. The
pump/dosing pump caps C are first aligned so as to make a longitudinal
direction of the pump/dosing pump cap C to the same as a raising
direction of the conveyor belt 211. To this end, the cap erection section
220 is employed. The outlet is then hung on the lifter to preferably
remove the unaligned pump/dosing pump caps C using the cap removal
section 240. When the above-described procedures are sequentially
carried out to align the pump/dosing pump caps C, the pump/dosing
pump caps C can be more effectively aligned. Accordingly, the cap
erection section 220 is preferably disposed at a lower portion of the cap
removal section 240.
The cap removal section 240 operates in forward and backward
directions toward the conveyor belt 211 to strike the unaligned
pump/dosing pump caps C. The cap removal section 240 is spaced
apart from the lifters 201 in order to prevent interference with the lifters
201. In addition, the cap removal section 240 is disposed over the width
direction (i.e., an X axis direction) of the conveyor belt 211. Accordingly,
all of the unaligned pump/dosing pump caps C among pump/dosing
pump caps C transferred by the lifters 201 can be struck and fall down.
To this end, the cap removal section 240 includes a cylinder 2411 ,
a power transmission unit 2413, and a cap removal unit 2415. In
addition, the cap removal section 240 may further include a support 2417
for fixing the cylinder 2411 to the casing 90. The power transmission
unit 2413 is operated by oil or air inflowing from outside of the cylinder
2411. The power transmission unit 2413 is connected to the cylinder
2411 and operates in forward and backward directions. A plurality of
power transmission units 2413 enables the cap removal unit 2415 to
smoothly operate. The cap removal unit 2415 strikes the unaligned
pump/dosing pump caps C. A detailed structure of the above-described
cap removal section 240 can be easily understood by those skilled in the
art, so that a detailed description thereof will be omitted. An operation
procedure of the cap removal section 240 will be described in more detail
with reference to Figs. 6 to 8.
Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate sequential procedures for correctly
orientating pump/dosing pump caps C using the cap erection section 220.
Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, portions required for the explanation are
shown and the rest of the parts are omitted for simplicity of explanation.
The alignment procedures of the pump/dosing pump caps C shown in
Figs. 4 and 5 are exemplary, and the present invention is not limited
thereto. Accordingly, other methods may be employed to align the
pump/dosing pump caps C.
As shown in Fig. 4, motors 2110 are disposed on both sides of
the conveyor belt 211. The motors 2110 rotate in the arrow direction so
that the conveyor belt 211 operates in upward and downward directions
(i.e., the arrow directions). The pump/dosing pump caps C are correctly
aligned with the lifters 2011 and 2013 at upper and middle portions of Fig.
4, but the pump/dosing pump cap C at the lower portion of Fig. 4 is not
correctly aligned with the lifters 2011 and 2013. That is, as shown in the
lower portion of Fig. 4, the pump/dosing pump cap C may be laid down
on the first lifter 2011. In this case, the suction pipe C20 is protruded
forward, so that the suction pipe C20 needs to be manipulated for
correctly orienting the pump/dosing pump cap C. The fixed cap erection
section 220 is employed to correctly orient the pump/dosing pump cap C.
Meanwhile, the cap erection section 220 should not interfere with
the first lifter 2011. To this end, a distance d between the first lifter 2011
and the cap erection section 220 preferably ranges from 7 cm to 30 cm in
a direction vertical to the conveyor belt 211 as a reference. That is, the
distance d corresponds to the case in which the direction vertical to the
conveyor belt 211 is taken as a reference. The distance d is a value
that is calculated in consideration of the length of the suction pipe C20
that can be hung over the first lifter 2011 using the typical length of the
pump/dosing pump cap C as a reference. In this case, when the
distance d is less than 7cm, the cap erection section 220 is highly likely
to contact the first lifter 2011. In addition, when the distance d exceeds
30 cm, the laid pump/dosing pump cap C cannot be removed by the cap
erection section 220. The first lifter 2011 is exemplary in Fig. 4, and the
present invention may be applied to the second lifter 2013 in the same
way.
Fig. 5 illustrates a procedure of correctly orienting the
pump/dosing pump cap C by means of the cap erection section 220. As
shown in Fig. 5, the suction pipe C20 of the pump/dosing pump cap C is
hung below the cap erection section 220. In this case, the conveyor belt
211 continues rotating, so that the pump/dosing pump cap C rotates in
the arrow direction. Such a method can correctly orient the
pump/dosing pump cap C. The correctly oriented pump/dosing pump
cap C is hung on the first lifter 2011 to be raised or fall downward.
Although not shown in Fig. 5, a space is disposed in the lower portion of
the conveyor belt 211 so that the fallen pump/dosing pump cap C can be
recycled again.
Figs. 6 to 8 illustrate sequential procedures of removing the
pump/dosing pump cap C using the cap removal section 240. Referring
to Figs. 6 to 8, portions required for the explanation are shown and the
rest of the parts are omitted for simplicity of explanation. The procedure
of removing the pump/dosing pump cap C shown in Figs. 6 to 8 is only
exemplary, and the present invention is not limited thereto. Accordingly,
other methods may be employed to remove the pump/dosing pump cap
C.
As shown in Fig. 6, the cap removal section 240 enables the
pump/dosing pump cap C, in which the outlet C1011 thereof is hung on
the first lifter 2011 to be removed. Such a pump/dosing pump cap C
may have interference with the cap transfer section 10 (see Fig. 1) due to
an abnormal position at the top. Accordingly, the above-described
pump/dosing pump cap C can be removed in advance to prevent the
failure of the apparatus for sorting caps.
As shown in Fig. 6, the outlet C1011 of the pump/dosing pump
cap C is hung on the first lifter 2011 , so that the suction pipe C20 is
elongated and fixed downward from the second lifter 2013. Accordingly,
the suction pipe C20 disposed downward from the second lifter 2013 can
be struck to remove the pump/dosing pump cap C.
As shown in Fig. 7, the cap removal section 240 operates in
parallel with the second lifter 2013. That is, the cap removal unit 2415
moves in forward and backward directions in parallel with the second
lifter 2013. Accordingly, when the cap removal unit 2415 moves forward,
the suction pipe C20 simultaneously has a stress resulted from the cap
removal unit 2415 and a stress resulted from the second lifter 2013
supporting the suction pipe C20 in directions opposite to each other.
Accordingly, the pump/dosing pump cap C can be easily removed.
The cap removal section 240 does not always operate, but rather
it operates in forward and backward directions downward from the
second lifter 2013 in accordance with movements of the conveyor belt
211. When the cap removal section 240 otherwise operates, it also
strikes the correctly aligned pump/dosing pump cap C to be removed.
Accordingly, the cap removal section 240 moves forward only when the
cap removal section 240 faces downward from the second lifter 2013.
This timing can be matched by adjusting the rotational period of the
conveyor belt 211 and the operational period of the cap removal section
240. Details of the period adjustment can be easily understood by those
skilled in the art, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
Accordingly, in a case of the correctly aligned pump/dosing pump cap C,
the suction pipe C20 is not disposed downward from the second lifter
2013, so that the second lifter 2013 does not interfere with the
pump/dosing pump cap C even when the second lifter 2013 operates.
As shown in Fig. 8, the cap removal section 240 quickly moves
backward in the arrow direction while the pump/dosing pump cap C
rotates in the arrow direction. Such a method can remove the
pump/dosing pump cap C that is not correctly aligned. Since the
pump/dosing pump cap C instantaneously moves up into the air, it does
not interfere with another pump/dosing pump cap C moving upward and
falls downward. Such a method can remove the pump/dosing pump
cap C that is not correctly aligned.
Fig. 9 illustrates the cap transfer section 10 of Fig. 1 when seen
from a rear side of Fig. 1. Referring to Fig. 9, unnecessary portions are
omitted for simplicity of explanation. The shape of the cap transfer
section 10 of Fig. 9 is exemplary, but the present invention is not limited
thereto. Accordingly, various changes can be made to the shape of the
cap transfer section 10.
The cap transfer section 10 includes a transfer unit 110, a support
unit 120, and a pipe chute 130. The transfer unit 110 moves forward
toward the side of the pump/dosing pump cap C moving on and upward
from the conveyor belt 211 or moves backward from the side of the
pump/dosing pump cap C (i.e., in a thin arrow direction). The transfer
unit 110 has a cylinder so that it can operate by means of hydraulic
power or pneumatic power. The support unit 120 is spaced apart from
an upper portion of the cap sorting section 20 to fix the transfer unit 110.
The support unit 120 may be integrated with the casing 90 (shown in Fig.
1) as one body. The pipe chute 130 aligns a plurality of pump/dosing
pump caps C discharging from the transfer unit 110, and transfers them
to the outside in accordance with movements of the transfer unit 110.
The transfer unit 110 includes a pusher 1101 and a guide
member 1103. The pusher 1101 is mounted at one side of the transfer
unit 110. The guide member 1103 extends along the arranging direction
of the pump/dosing pump caps C. The guide member 1103 guides the
cap body C10 when the pusher 1101 operates.
The enlarged circle of Fig. 9 illustrates that the transfer unit 110
moves forward toward the pump/dosing pump cap C. The guide
member 1103 has a pair of guide units 1103a and 1103b, and the cap
body C10 is positioned in the space 1103s that is spaced apart between
the guide units 1103a and 1103b when the transfer unit 110 moves
forward. Accordingly, the guide units 1103a and 1103b enable the cap
body C10 to be safely fixed while the pusher 1101 operates to transfer
the pump/dosing pump cap C.
The pusher 1101 operates in the arranging direction of the cap
body C10 (i.e., in the thick arrow direction) to push the pump/dosing
pump cap C to the pipe chute 130. The pipe chute 130 is mounted
facing downward, so that the pump/dosing pump caps C can be safely
aligned and transferred.
As described above, after the pusher 1101 pushes the
pump/dosing pump caps C to the pipe chute 130, it returns to one side of
the transfer unit 110. The transfer unit 110 simultaneously moves
backward. Such a procedure may be repeatedly carried out to smoothly
transfer the pump/dosing pump caps C which are raised. A detailed
operational configuration of the transfer unit 110 can be easily
understood by those skilled in the art, so a detailed description thereof
will be omitted.
Figs. 10 and 11 illustrate a procedure of returning unaligned
pump/dosing pump caps C through the cap return section 40. The
procedure of returning the pump/dosing pump caps C shown in Figs. 10
and 11 is exemplary, and the present invention is not limited thereto.
As shown in Fig. 10, pump/dosing pump caps C that are correctly
aligned with the lifters 2011 and 2013 are raised while pump/dosing
pump caps C laying down between the adjacent lifters 2011 and 2013
are raised. The pump/dosing pump cap C laying on the first lifter 2011
is shown in Fig. 10, but it may be laid down on the second lifter 2013.
The cap transfer section only fixes the cap body of the
pump/dosing pump cap C on the upper portion of the first lifter 2011 and
transfers it to the outside (see Fig. 9). Accordingly, the cap transfer
section is not in contact with the pump/dosing pump cap C disposed at a
lower position. That is, the pump/dosing pump cap C is laid between
the lifters 2011 and 2013 so that it is not in contact with the cap transfer
section. Therefore, the pump/dosing pump cap C continues moving on
along the conveyor belt 211.
As shown in Fig. 11 , the pump/dosing pump cap C that continues
moving on along the conveyor belt 211 flicks off in the arrow direction
due to inertia. The flicked pump/dosing pump cap C is returned
downward through the cap return section 40. Such a procedure
enables the unaligned pump/dosing pump cap C to be effectively
removed.
Fig. 12 illustrates an enlarged cap supply section 30 of Fig. 1.
For simplicity of explanation, a casing surrounding the cap supply section
30 is not shown. The structure of the cap supply section 30 shown in
Fig. 12 is exemplary, and the present invention is not limited thereto.
Accordingly, other shapes may be applied to the structure of the cap
supply section 30.
The cap supply section 30 shown in Fig. 12 causes the cap
bodies of the pump/dosing pump caps C to face upward, and aligns the
pump/dosing pump caps C in the Y axis direction. Accordingly, it
supplies the aligned pump/dosing pump caps C to the cap sorting section
so that the pump/dosing pump caps C can be more effectively sorted.
The cap supply section 30 has equipment suitable for the same.
The cap supply section 30 includes a plurality of conveyor belts
301 and 303. The conveyor belt includes the first conveyor belt 301 and
the second conveyor belt 303. More conveyor belts may be mounted if
necessary. The first and second conveyor belts 301 and 303 are driven
by the respective motors 3011 and 3031. The second conveyor belt 303
is disposed below the front end 301 a of the first conveyor belt 301.
Accordingly, the pump/dosing pump caps C that have been transferred
on the first conveyor belt 301 can be continuously transferred on the
second conveyor belt 303. The second conveyor belt 303 is connected
to the conveyor belt of the cap sorting section to supply the pump/dosing
pump caps C to the cap sorting section.
The cap supply section 30 includes a first directional adjustment
member 321 and a second directional adjustment member 323. The
first directional adjustment member 321 is mounted at an end of the
upper guide plate 311 , and the second directional adjustment member
323 is mounted at an end of the lower guide plate 316. The first
directional adjustment member 321 switches the direction of the
pump/dosing pump cap C, and the second directional adjustment
member 323 guides the pump/dosing pump cap C. The first and
second directional adjustment members 321 and 323 will be described
later in detail with reference to Figs. 14 to 16.
The upper guide plate 311 disposed on the first conveyor belt 301
includes first guide plates 3111 and second guide plates 3113. The first
guide plates 3111 are disposed at central positions of the upper guide
plate 311 , and the second guide plates 3113 are disposed at both sides
thereof. In addition, the second guide plates 3113 are more protruded
toward the inflow of the pump/dosing pump caps C than are the first
guide plates 3111. Accordingly, the pump/dosing pump caps C that are
stuck in the first and second guide plates 3111 and 3113 cannot be laid
down in the X axis direction. Therefore, it is easy to switch the direction
so as to dispose the pump/dosing pump caps C in parallel with the Y axis
direction.
The cap dispersing section 313 is mounted at a front end of the
guide plates 311. The cap dispersing section 313 is mounted along the
arranging direction (i.e., the X axis direction) of the guide plates 311.
The cap dispersing section 313 disperses amassed pump/dosing pump
caps C to introduce the pump/dosing pump caps C to the guide plates
311.
The cap dispersing section 313 includes a rotational axis 3131
and a plurality of hooks 3133. The rotational axis 3131 is mounted
along the arranging direction (i.e., the X axis direction) of the guide plates
311. Although not shown in Fig. 12, the rotational axis 3131 is safely
fixed to the casing. The hooks 3133 are spaced apart from each other
and are mounted on the rotational axis 3131. The hooks 3133 extend in
a circumferential direction of the rotational axis 3131. The hooks 3133
can push the pump/dosing pump caps C in accordance with rotation of
the rotational axis 3131 shown in the arrow direction to disperse the
pump/dosing pump caps C. The rotational direction of the rotational
axis 3131 is the same as that of the first conveyor belt 301. Therefore,
the hooks push the pump/dosing pump caps C which move on along the
conveyor belt 301 in a direction opposite to the movement direction, so
that the pump/dosing pump caps C can be effectively dispersed.
As shown in Fig. 12, the hooks 3133 are alternately disposed at
upper and lower sides. That is, the adjacent hooks 3133 are disposed
in an angle to be different from each other. Accordingly, when a
pump/dosing pump cap C is hung at a position of the adjacent hooks
3133, the hooks 3133 may not operate together so that the pump/dosing
pump cap C can be disposed in parallel with the Y axis. In particular, as
shown in the enlarged circle of Fig. 12, the end 3133a of the hook 3133
where a concave portion 3133s is formed is bent in a direction opposite
to the rotational direction of the rotational axis 3131 , so that the
introduced pump/dosing pump caps C can be effectively pushed and
dispersed.
In addition, the hook 3133 is mounted to correspond to the guide
plate 3111 and is adjacent to the near position of the guide plate 3111 , so
that the hook 3133 passes the guide plate 3111 at the time of rotation.
When the guide plate 3111 passes the concave portion 3111s of the hook
3133, the hook 3133 should be smoothly rotated. Accordingly, a front
end 3111a of the guide plate 3111 is chamfered as a curved shape. As
a result, the hook 3133 does not hang on the guide plate 3111 but
smoothly rotates.
Fig. 13 illustrates a partial plan diagram of the cap supply section
30 shown in Fig. 12. Referring to Fig. 13, unnecessary portions are
omitted for explaining the cap dispersing section 313.
As shown in Fig. 13, hooks 3133 are mounted to correspond to
the respective guide plates 311. Since the hooks 3133 are not mounted
between the guide plates 311 , the pump/dosing pump caps C are
smoothly introduced between the guide plates 311. In particular, the
direction of the pump/dosing pump caps C can be switched to be in
parallel with the Y axis as the hooks 3133 rotate. That is, as shown in
the arrow direction, the pump/dosing pump caps C rotate. Accordingly,
the pump/dosing pump caps C are aligned with the direction in parallel
with the Y axis to be introduced between the guide plates 311. As
described above, the cap dispersing section 313 enables the
pump/dosing pump caps C to be dispersed. Therefore, the
pump/dosing pump caps C can be introduced side by side between the
guide plates 311.
Figs. 14 to 16 illustrate a sequential procedure of switching the
direction of the pump/dosing pump caps C and aligning them. The
procedure is exemplary, and the present invention is not limited thereto.
As shown in Fig. 14, since the first conveyor belt 301 moves
forward, the pump/dosing pump caps C stacked thereon also move
forward. The pump/dosing pump caps C do not fall downward but
continue to move even when the pump/dosing pump caps C reach near
the front end 301 of the first conveyor belt 301. That is, since the mass
of the cap body C10 is greater than the mass of the suction pipe C20 in
the pump/dosing pump cap C, the center of gravity is in the cap body
C10. Accordingly, the pump/dosing pump cap C continues to move
forward for a predetermined time even when the suction pipe C20 floats
up into the air.
As shown in Fig. 15, the pump/dosing pump cap C moves
forward along the inclined plane of the first directional adjustment
member 321. In this case, the suction pipe C20 is disposed on the
inclined plane 321a of the first directional adjustment member 321 , and
the cap body C10 floats up into the air. Since the center of gravity is in
the cap body C10, the pump/dosing pump cap C falls downward while
rotating in the clockwise direction (i.e., the arrow direction). As
described above, the first directional adjustment member 321 enables
the direction of the pump/dosing pump cap C moving with its suction pipe
C20 facing forward to be switched.
In contrast, since the pump/dosing pump cap C with its cap body
C10 facing forward has the center of gravity in the cap body C10, it does
not hang on the first directional adjustment member 321 and immediately
falls when it reaches the front end 301a of the first conveyor belt 301.
Since the first directional adjustment member 321 is spaced apart from
the first conveyor belt 301 by a sufficient interval, the pump/dosing pump
cap C with its cap body C10 facing forward can immediately fall
downward.
As shown in Fig. 16, the pump/dosing pump caps C, whose
direction is switched, are guided to the second conveyor belt 303 along
the inclined plane 323a of the second directional adjustment member
323. The second directional adjustment member 323 is mounted below
the front end 301a of the second directional adjustment member 301.
An inclined plane 323a is formed in the second directional adjustment
member 323 in a direction opposite to the direction of the inclined plane
321a of the first directional adjustment member 321. Therefore, the
pump/dosing pump caps can be safely guided to the second conveyor
belt 303.
As shown in Figs. 14 to 16, directions of the pump/dosing pump
caps C can be switched by the directional adjustment members 321 and
323, and then the pump/dosing pump caps C can be supplied to the cap
sorting section. Therefore, the efficiency of sorting the caps in the cap
sorting section is enhanced, so that about 120 pump/dosing pump caps
C can be sorted per minute.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention have been
disclosed herein and, although specific terms are employed, they are
used and are to be interpreted in a generic and descriptive sense only
and not for purpose of limitation. Accordingly, it will be understood by
those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details
may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention as set forth in the following claims.