[go: up one dir, main page]

WO2014122595A1 - Appareil et procédé permettant de démouler et de transporter un produit flexible depuis un appareil de moulage par immersion - Google Patents

Appareil et procédé permettant de démouler et de transporter un produit flexible depuis un appareil de moulage par immersion Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2014122595A1
WO2014122595A1 PCT/IB2014/058813 IB2014058813W WO2014122595A1 WO 2014122595 A1 WO2014122595 A1 WO 2014122595A1 IB 2014058813 W IB2014058813 W IB 2014058813W WO 2014122595 A1 WO2014122595 A1 WO 2014122595A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
conveyors
orientation
glove
transporting
product
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2014/058813
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Jonathan William Stollery
Kim Marie Stollery
Original Assignee
Altevo Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Altevo Limited filed Critical Altevo Limited
Publication of WO2014122595A1 publication Critical patent/WO2014122595A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C37/00—Component parts, details, accessories or auxiliary operations, not covered by group B29C33/00 or B29C35/00
    • B29C37/0003—Discharging moulded articles from the mould
    • B29C37/0017—Discharging moulded articles from the mould by stripping articles from mould cores
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C41/00—Shaping by coating a mould, core or other substrate, i.e. by depositing material and stripping-off the shaped article; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C41/34—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
    • B29C41/42—Removing articles from moulds, cores or other substrates
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C41/00—Shaping by coating a mould, core or other substrate, i.e. by depositing material and stripping-off the shaped article; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C41/02—Shaping by coating a mould, core or other substrate, i.e. by depositing material and stripping-off the shaped article; Apparatus therefor for making articles of definite length, i.e. discrete articles
    • B29C41/14—Dipping a core

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for the handling of flexible products produced in a dip moulding process, particularly the handling of flexible products such as gloves, condoms, balloons, catheters and cannulas after forming on a dip moulding former.
  • the invention particularly relates to the handling of dip moulded disposable inspection gloves for use in clinical, veterinary or medical environments.
  • MRSA methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus
  • Such systems work most effectively when gloves are presented to a packing station in a predictable or regular manner by a conveyor.
  • a conveyor for example a belt conveyor.
  • Dip moulded products are produced on a mould or tool, referred to herein as a "former”, having a particular shape.
  • the former is dipped into a liquid bath and then raised out of the bath and heated, dried or cured in order to remove solvent from the liquid clinging to the former or to cross-link polymer chains, and so leave a solid film on the former.
  • the resulting film is referred to as having been "cured”.
  • Disposable inspection gloves are increasingly made from nitrile, owing to its relatively low cost, good flexibility and elasticity and non-allergenic properties. Such gloves are formed on a former that is shaped with a hand at the end, which is oriented lowermost when dipped into and raised from a tank of liquid.
  • a production plant will have a long continuous chain conveyor which transports the formers through the various production steps, which will include a stripping step in which the cured glove is stripped off the former inside out. Following this, the empty former is checked for any residues and cleaned, which can include dipping in an acid bath.
  • a glove manufacturing line will normally have two pairs of such chain conveyors, making four parallel lines, passing through the same tanks. Production speeds are of the order of about one glove per second per line.
  • Stripping gloves off formers normally involves manual labour, at least in part of the stripping process. There is normally the need for at two to four workers per line. Gloves are normally dropped in boxes or in piles at the glove stripping station. The cost of labour is an increasing component of the total cost of production. However, the issue is not just the labour required at the stripping station, but also labour needed to handle gloves after these are removed from the stripping station for packing into boxes or dispensers.
  • Utility Model document CN 201472679 U discloses a machine for automatically stripping gloves from a dip moulding former and placing the stripped gloves, one at a time, on a belt conveyor.
  • the machine uses a hook to hook a cuff portion of a glove which is then peeled off the former cuff first so that the peeled glove is inside out relative to the formed glove.
  • a problem with this machine is the risk of damaging the cuff end of the glove with the hook. This would particularly be a problem with very thin dip moulded products, for example disposable inspection gloves.
  • an apparatus for stripping and conveying a flexible product from a dip moulding former comprising at least one pair of conveyors, the or each pair having a first conveyor and a second conveyor, a first actuating means, a second actuating means, a third actuating means, a carriage and a controller, wherein:
  • said first and second conveyors have, respectively, a first transporting surface and a second transporting surface
  • said first and second transporting surfaces are each movable in a first direction and in a second direction, the first direction being opposite to the second direction;
  • said first and second transporting surfaces are in facing juxtaposition with each other said juxtaposition defining a separation between said surfaces;
  • the first conveyor and the second conveyor are relatively movable with respect to each other whereby said separation is decreased when said first and second conveyors are moved relatively towards one another and said separation is increased when said first and second conveyors are moved relatively away from one another;
  • the first actuating means is operatively connected to said first and second conveyors to cause said movement of said juxtaposed first and second transporting surfaces in one or the other of said directions such that both of said transporting surfaces move in the same direction at the same time;
  • the second actuating means is operatively connected to said first and second conveyors to cause said movement of said first and second conveyors whereby said juxtaposed first and second transporting surfaces move relatively towards and away from one another;
  • said first and second conveyors are mounted on the carriage, and the carriage is movable between a first position in which said conveyors have a first orientation and a second position in which said conveyors have a second orientation ;
  • the third actuating means is operatively connected to the carriage to cause said movement of the carriage whereby said first and second conveyors have said first and second orientations;
  • the controller is configured to operate the first, second and third actuating means such that, in use:
  • the second actuating means causes said separation to decrease in order to grip a portion of said flexible product extending freely away from said former;
  • the first actuating means causes said transporting surfaces to move in the first direction to pull said gripped flexible product off the dip moulding former whereby said product is held between said juxtaposed first and second transporting surfaces;
  • the third actuating means causes said first and second conveyors to move from the first orientation to the second orientation
  • the first actuating means causes said transporting surfaces to move in the second direction whereby said held product is ejected from between said juxtaposed first and second transporting surfaces.
  • the dip moulded product is flexible by virtue of being may from a flexible or elastic material and by being relatively thin. Examples of materials which are used in such dip moulding processes include latex silicone, polyurethane, vinyl, nitrile, polychlorprene and polyisoprene.
  • the flexible dip moulded product may therefore comprise one or more film-like walls.
  • the conveyors may extend along a first direction when in the first orientation and along a second direction when in the second orientation. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first direction is not parallel with the second direction. The first direction may be substantially at right angles to said second direction.
  • the first orientation and said second orientation are orientations or positionings of the paired conveyors that are rotated relative to one another.
  • the first conveyor may be a belt conveyor having at least one belt.
  • the second conveyor may be a belt conveyor having at least one belt.
  • the first and second transporting surfaces are angled with respect to each other when the separation between the first and second glove transporting surfaces is increased in order to provide where this separation is greatest an opening for receiving the flexible product.
  • the first and second transporting surfaces may be substantially parallel with each other when the separation between the first and second glove transporting surfaces is decreased in order to grip the extending portion of the flexible product.
  • the apparatus comprises additionally a fourth actuating means, the carriage being movable in at least one linear direction and the fourth actuating means is operatively connected to the carriage to cause this linear movement of the carriage.
  • the carriage is rotatable about an axis and the third actuating means is operatively connected to the carriage to cause this rotation of the carriage about the rotation axis whereby the first and second conveyors rotate between the first and second orientations.
  • first and second transporting surfaces are substantially parallel when the separation between the first and second glove transporting surfaces is decreased.
  • the first and second transporting surfaces thereby define a plane.
  • the rotation axis is then offset from this plane such that when the carriage rotates about the rotation axis, the plane defined by the first and second transporting surfaces is both rotated and linearly translated.
  • the rotation axis may be substantially parallel to the plane defined by the first and second transporting surfaces when these are brought together.
  • the orientation of the first and second conveyors is rotated by 90 ° between the first and second orientations.
  • first and second actuating means may be configured to operate each of the conveyors in tandem (i.e. so that these are all moved in concert) whereby the apparatus in use is adapted to strip and convey at the same time a plurality of the flexible products from a dip moulding production line.
  • Each of the first conveyors may then be parallel with each other and each of the second conveyors may also be parallel with each other. At least some of this plurality of first conveyors may be in line with each other and at least some of this plurality of second conveyors may also in line with each other.
  • first and second conveyors there may be a two-dimensional array of paired first and second conveyors, for example arranged in two banks, one behind the other. In some embodiments of the invention, these banks are laterally offset with respect to each other in a direction defined by linear motion of two parallel lines of dip moulding formers.
  • the first and second conveyors each have a first end, and opposite this first end a second end, the first and second ends being at opposite extents of travel of the respective glove transporting surface.
  • the first ends may provide an opening for receiving the flexible product when the separation between the first and second glove transporting surfaces is increased.
  • the first and second conveyors are pivotable with respect to each other whereby the separation between the first and second glove transporting surfaces is increased when the first and second conveyors are pivoted relatively apart and whereby the separation between the first and second glove transporting surfaces is decreased when the first and second conveyors are pivoted relatively together.
  • Both the first and second conveyors may be pivotable with respect to each other.
  • just one of the first and second conveyors may be pivotable, with the other of the first and second conveyors being not pivotable.
  • the pivot(s) may conveniently be provided proximate the second ends of the first and second conveyors.
  • a method of stripping and conveying a flexible product from a dip moulding former using an apparatus comprising a first conveyor, a second conveyor and a carriage, the first conveyor having a first transporting surface, the second conveyor having a second transporting surface, said transporting surfaces facing each other in juxtaposition with a first opening therebetween, the method comprising the steps of:
  • the transporting surfaces facing each other in juxtaposition may have a second opening, the method comprising in step v) moving the first and second glove transporting surfaces the first direction whereby the product is ejected from between the first and second glove transporting surfaces.
  • the first and second glove transporting surfaces are moved in a second direction, this second direction being opposite to the first direction whereby the product is ejected from between said first and second glove transporting surfaces.
  • the apparatus comprises a conveying surface.
  • the flexible product may then be ejected onto the conveying surface which can then be used to convey or move the ejected product away from the first and second conveyors, for example for further processing or for packing into packaging or a suitable container.
  • these conveyors may be moved from the second orientation back to the first orientation.
  • the first and second conveyors are rotated in the process of moving between the first and second orientations.
  • the first and second conveyors are preferably pivotable with respect to each other.
  • the first and second conveyors may then be pivoted relatively apart to widen the opening between the juxtaposed transporting surfaces.
  • first and second conveyors may be pivoted relatively together to reduce or substantially close the opening between the juxtaposed transporting surfaces.
  • the apparatus may comprise additionally a carriage on which the first and second conveyors are mounted. This carriage may then be used to move the first and second conveyors between the first and second orientations.
  • the first conveyor and the second conveyor in the first orientation are positioned such that the opening between the juxtaposed transporting surfaces faces upwards for receiving the portion of a flexible product hanging downwards away from the dip moulding former.
  • first and second conveyors in the second orientation are positioned such that the first and second conveyors are configured to eject the flexible product from between the first and second glove transporting surfaces in a substantially horizontal direction.
  • the flexible product may be a dip moulded glove, this glove having a cuff portion and a finger portion and the portion extending freely away from the dip moulding former being the cuff portion of this glove.
  • the glove may be partially stripped from the dip moulding former whereby the cuff portion extends freely away from the former. All or some of the finger portion then remains on the former. The free cuff portion may then be received and gripped by the apparatus of the invention in the opening between the juxtaposed transporting surfaces.
  • the invention is particularly useful when combined with a conveying surface, for example an upwards facing surface of a belt conveyer.
  • the first and second conveyors may then deposit the glove flat on the conveying surface, which can then transport the flexible product singly to another location for further processing or for packaging or packing into a container.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention for stripping and conveying a flexible product from a dip moulding former, the apparatus having two banks of paired conveyors in a first orientation for gripping free ends of a dip moulded product, here moulded gloves, and for then pulling a free cuff portion of the gloves to strip the gloves from two parallel lines of dip formers;
  • Figure 2 is an enlarged view of one of the pairs of conveyors of Figure 1 , showing how the conveyors have a juxtaposed pair of transporting surfaces separated at one end by an opening wide enough to receive the free end of the dip moulded product;
  • Figure 3 is an enlarged view of one of the pairs of conveyors of Figure 1 , showing how the juxtaposed pair of transporting surfaces are pivoted together to grip the cuff end and then moved in the same direction to pull the glove inside the conveyors;
  • Figure 4A is a schematic side view drawing showing the substantially vertical orientation of the two banks of paired conveyors and two corresponding dip moulding formers and with partially stripped product hanging from each of the formers;
  • Figure 4B is a schematic drawing of one of the paired conveyors when rotated to a substantially horizontal orientation in which the stripped glove may be ejected cuff first onto a conveying surface, here a belt conveyor;
  • Figures 5 to 7 are more detailed and complete side schematic views of the apparatus of Figure 1 , showing how the paired conveyors are mounted on a carriage which moves from the first orientation to a different, second orientation in the process of gripping and stripping gloves from the dip moulding formers and then depositing the gloves individually flat onto a pair of conveying surfaces;
  • Figures 8A is a simplified side view similar to that of Figure 5, and omitting for clarity most of the carriage, showing how in a second preferred embodiment of the invention the banks of paired conveyors rotate about an axis that is in between and below the banks of paired conveyors;
  • Figure 8B is a view from above of Figure 8A;
  • Figure 8C is a side view of the banks of paired conveyors of Figure 8A after these have rotated about an axis, showing how the height of each of the paired conveyors is matched to one or two conveying surfaces;
  • Figure 8D is shows schematically in a view from above similar to Figure 8B the movement of the conveying surface and the rotated banks of paired conveyors during depositing of a glove on one of the conveying surfaces;
  • Figure 9A is a schematic view from above of part of a twin parallel dip moulding production line for gloves, showing how in a third preferred embodiment of the invention each of two banks of paired conveyors may be longitudinally offset from one another in the direction of travel of the production line;
  • Figure 9B is a side view of Figure 9A;
  • Figure 9C is a side view in the same orientation as that of Figure 9B, including a pair of conveying surfaces of a belt conveyer and showing how the paired conveyors can then be rotated to deposit gloves on longitudinally offset and non-overlapping portions of the conveying surfaces, so that none of the paired conveyors has to be inserted in between the two belt conveyors;
  • Figure 10A is a schematic view from above of part of a twin parallel dip moulding production line for gloves, showing how in a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention each of two banks of paired conveyors may be longitudinally offset from one another in the direction of travel of the production line, each bank having its own rotation axis for rotating the paired conveyors between different orientations; and
  • Figure 10B is a side view in the same orientation as that of Figure 10A, including a pair of conveying surfaces of a belt conveyer and showing how the paired conveyors can then be rotated about different axes to deposit gloves on longitudinally offset portions of a single conveying surface, so that the gloves from one line are on a left side of the conveying surface and the gloves from the other line are on a right side of the conveying surface.
  • FIGS 1 to 3, 4A, 4B and 5 to 7 show a first embodiment of apparatus 1 for stripping and conveying flexible gloves 2 from a dip moulding former.
  • the gloves are disposable nitrile inspection or examination gloves, however, the principles of the invention are applicable to similar other dip moulded items of thin, flexible or elastomeric material.
  • the gloves are formed on dip moulding formers 4 using production processes which will be familiar to those skilled in the art.
  • each glove 2 has already been partially stripped from its former 4.
  • One known way of doing this is to introduce a blade under a cuff portion 10 of the glove and then to blow the edge of the cuff towards a finger portion of the glove.
  • the glove tends to retract and fold back on itself, and it is possible to do this in a production environment such that some, or preferably all of a finger portion 1 1 of the glove remains attached to the former, so that the cuff portion hangs freely downwards under its own weight.
  • this is done either so that workers can then manually strip the gloves from the formers, or so that a machine can strip the formers, for example as disclosed in patent document CN 102582008 A.
  • each pair of conveyors 14 has a first conveyor 15 and a second conveyor 16, having, respectively, a first transporting surface 17 and a second transporting surface 18. These transporting surfaces are in facing juxtaposition with each other this juxtaposition defining a separation 19 between said surfaces.
  • the separation 19 initially varies between a first end 21 and a second end 22 of each of the paired conveyors.
  • each pair of conveyors is in a first orientation with each conveyor extending along a first direction that is substantially vertical.
  • Each conveyor has the same general shape, being substantially rectangular with a long dimension extending between the first and second ends 21 , 22.
  • the conveyors are in a V-orientation so that the two transporting surfaces 17, 18 define an opening 26 at the first ends 21 of the conveyors 15, 16.
  • the cuff ends 10 enter into the openings whereupon an actuating means in the form of a motor 27 and drive linkage 28 is activated by a controller 30 to pivot both the first and second conveyors 15, 16 inwards towards one another in order to grip the cuff portion 10 of the hanging glove 1 0.
  • the separation 19 between the transporting surfaces 17, 18 then decreases to a minimal, parallel spacing which provides space for the glove and avoids rubbing contact between the transporting surfaces.
  • the opening 26 also closes to a minimum size, as indicated with reference numeral 26'.
  • the apparatus includes a carriage 20 on which the paired conveyors are mounted.
  • the carriage includes wheels 31 that run in guides 29 and a motor 32 to drive the movement of a main carriage chassis 33 back and forth in direction parallel with the motion of the chains 7.
  • the controller activates another actuating means in the form of a motor 34 and drive linkage 35 which, through a series of gears 36, 37, 38 which drives a second end roller 39 at the second end 22 each of the first and second conveyors 15, 16.
  • each of the first and second conveyors is, respectively a first continuous belt 41 and a second continuous belt 42.
  • the motor 34 and drive linkage 35 are activated to drive both these belts in the same direction 40 where the belts are opposed to one another over a distance sufficient to pull the glove 2 fully off the former 4 and in between the substantially closed pair of conveyors 15, 16, as shown in Figures 3 and 5.
  • Figures 5 to 7 show how the carriage rotates about a rotation axis offset to one side of the banks of paired conveyors in order to carry the conveyors from the first orientation to a second orientation in which each conveyor extends along a second direction that is substantially horizontal.
  • the first and second orientations are different from each other in the sense that these orientations are rotated with respect to each other, such that these two orientations are not parallel with each other.
  • the carriage also moves the banks of paired conveyors between a first location and a second location.
  • the first location is where the conveyors grip and strip gloves from the dip moulding formers and the second location is where the conveyors deposit the gloves individually flat onto a pair of conveying surfaces.
  • the first location is preferably elevated relative to the second location.
  • the second location is preferably offset laterally with respect to the first location.
  • the carriage stops tracking the movement of the chains 7, and, as shown in Figure 6, uses another actuating means 43 to rotate 46 the mounting platform 24 and the pairs of conveyors 14 through 90 °.
  • the platform 24 is attached to a subsidiary carriage chassis 33' at a hinge 44 which provides a pivot axis 45 about which the platform pivots.
  • the pivot axis 45 is essentially in the plane of the mounting platform and beneath and laterally offset to one side of the paired conveyors 14, and so the effect is to rotate the paired conveyors downwards and to one side of each of the formers 4.
  • Each pair of conveyors then extends along a second direction that is substantially horizontal. The second orientation of the conveyors is therefore rotated relative to the first orientation of the conveyors.
  • the carriage uses the controller 30 to activate another actuating means in the form of a motor 47 and guide track 48 in order to move the subsidiary carriage chassis 33' laterally away from the line of the tracks 5, 6, chain 7 and formers 4 towards a pair of superimposed belt conveyors 49, 50 each of which has a conveying surface 51 , 52 on a top side thereof.
  • Each of the paired conveyors 14 moves towards and partially over one of the conveying surface 51 , 52 with a clearance gap 53.
  • the controller 30 and actuating means 47, 48 reverse the direction of motion of the subsidiary carriage 33' and at the same time also use the actuating means 34, 35 for the conveyor pair transporting surfaces 15, 16 in order to eject the glove 2 cuff first out of the narrowed opening 26' and onto one of the conveying surfaces 51 , 52.
  • the controller 30 controls the motion of the main and subsidiary chassis 33, 33' in order to move in a diagonal direction (c.f. Figure 8D) so that there is no net relative speed between the paired conveyors 14 and the conveying surfaces 51 , 52 in the direction of motion of the conveying surfaces 51 , 52.
  • the controller uses the various actuating means and two chassis 33, 33' to move the platform back to the initial position, as well as to open the paired conveyors 14 back into the initial V-configuration and rotate the platform and paired conveyors so that the opening 26 again faces upright.
  • the top edge 21 of the innermost conveyor 16 may brush the next glove cuff, however the separation 19 of the opening is sufficiently large that the glove cuff does not become lodged on this top edge 21 , but falls back into the opening 26 ready to be gripped and stripped in the next cycle of operation of the apparatus.
  • Figures 8A to 8D show a second preferred embodiment of the invention 101 , in which features and components corresponding with the first embodiment are indicated using reference numerals incremented by 100.
  • the second embodiment differs 101 from the first embodiment 1 in that the axis of rotation 145 of the supporting platform 124, and hence the axis of rotation of the paired conveyors 1 14, is below and centered between the two rows of paired conveyors.
  • the result of this difference is that when the platform 124 rotates, this platform drops by about half the amount of the platform 24 in the first embodiment.
  • the paired conveyors 1 14, when rotated by 90 ° start off closer to the stacked belt conveyors 149, 150. The result is that the linear actuators in the carriage (not illustrated) do not need to travel as far to reach the belt conveyors 149, 150, and this provides advantages in terms of machine cost and the achievable operating cycle time.
  • Figure 8D shows the linear movement of the paired conveyors and how these need to travel diagonally 160 relative a fixed reference point when depositing a glove on the conveying surface 151 in order to match the speed 162 of the conveying surface 151 .
  • Figures 9A to 9C show a third preferred embodiment of the invention 201 , in which features and components corresponding with the first embodiment are indicated using reference numerals incremented by 200.
  • the third embodiment differs 201 from the first embodiment 1 in that the supporting platform 224 is just over twice the length of that in the first embodiment 1 .
  • the platform pivot axis 245 is in the same orientation as the pivot axis 45 of the first embodiment.
  • the longitudinal offsetting of the paired conveyors is in the same direction as the direction of motion 209 of the formers 204 and the direction of motion 262 of the two conveyors 251 , 252, avoids the complication of having to insert a lower one of the paired conveyors in between the two belt conveyors 249, 250.
  • an upper belt conveyor can end before this reaches the region where the lower paired conveyors 214 deposit gloves.
  • FIGS 10A to 10C show a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention 301 , in which features and components corresponding with the first embodiment are indicated using reference numerals incremented by 300.
  • the fourth embodiment differs 301 from the first embodiment 1 in that there are two supporting platforms 324, 324', one for a first, or front row of paired conveyors 314 and one for a second, or rear row of paired conveyors 314'.
  • the two platforms separate the front and rear paired conveyors in the longitudinal direction of movement 309 of the formers 304, which is also the direction of motion 362 of a belt conveyor, as in the third embodiment 201 .
  • the fourth embodiment differs from the previously described embodiments in that the two platforms 324, 324 are laterally spaced apart', and therefore each platform pivots about its own pivot axis 345, 345'.
  • the pivoting movement of each platform is the same with respect to its own paired conveyors 314, 314' so that when the paired conveyors are rotated by 90 ° these end up at the same height.
  • the benefit of this arrangement is that just one belt conveyer 349 need be used.
  • a further advantage of this arrangement is that each line of gloves can then feed a separate automatic glove packing station, for example of the type described in patent document WO 201 1/048414.
  • the carriage 20 could be provided with a third degree of freedom of movement, along the vertical axis. This would be useful if the paired conveyors were used to deposit flexible dip moulded items one at a time in a collection bin or on a static stacking surface to form a stack, for example, rather than on a conveying surface. Once the stack was formed, the stacking surface could be moved to transport the stack to another location for further processing or packaging.
  • the conveyor surfaces on which gloves are deposited move in the same direction as the dip moulding formers.
  • first and second conveyors may be mounted with respect to each other and there are different types of first, second, third and fourth actuating means which achieve the same type of movement of the first and second conveyors and the first and second transporting surfaces.
  • first conveyor and the second conveyor may be relatively movable straight towards and straight away from each other, i.e. without any rotational component of movement.
  • the carriage may also be changed while achieving the same effect.
  • the carriage may be a robotic arm which carries the first and second conveyors.
  • the robotic arm may have up to six degrees of freedom of movement, along three orthogonal axes and with rotation about each of these axes.
  • the third and fourth actuating means may be provided by several different motors or actuators of the robotic arm acting in synchrony.
  • the invention described above in its various embodiments, therefore provides a convenient apparatus and method for handling a variety of types of flexible products produced in a dip moulding process when such products are to be stripped off a former and then moved for further processing, for example being deposited on a conveyor, in a stack or in a box.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Specific Conveyance Elements (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un appareil et un procédé permettant de manipuler des produits flexibles produits lors d'un procédé de moulage par immersion, en particulier de produits tels que des gants (2), des gains d'examen jetables (2) destinés à être utilisés dans des environnements cliniques, vétérinaires ou médicaux, des préservatifs, des ballonnets, des cathéters et des canules après le formage sur un appareil de moulage par immersion (4). L'appareil comprend un premier convoyeur (15), un second convoyeur (16) et un chariot (20), le premier convoyeur (15) présentant une première surface de transport (17), le second convoyeur (16) présentant une seconde surface de transport (18), lesdites surfaces de transport étant orientées l'une vers l'autre en juxtaposition avec une première ouverture (26) entre elles. Le procédé comprend les étapes consistant à : • i) éloigner lesdites première et seconde surfaces de transport de gant (17,18) l'une de l'autre pour élargir ladite première ouverture (26), puis avec lesdits premier et second convoyeurs (15,16) dans une première orientation recevant dans la première ouverture une partie (10) d'un produit flexible (2) s'étendant librement à distance dudit appareil de moulage par immersion (4) ; • ii) déplacer lesdites première et seconde surfaces de transport de gant (17,18) ensemble ce qui permet de recevoir et de saisir ledit produit (2) dans la première ouverture (26) ; • iii) déplacer lesdites première et seconde surfaces de transport de gant (17,18) dans la même direction à distance de la première ouverture (26) afin d'extraire ledit produit saisi (2) plus loin entre lesdites première et seconde surfaces de transport de gant (17,18) ; • iv) déplacer lesdits premier et second convoyeurs (15,16) dans une seconde orientation, la seconde orientation étant différente de la première orientation ; et • v) avec lesdits premier et second convoyeurs (15,16) dans la seconde orientation, déplaçant lesdites première et seconde surfaces de transport de gant (17,18) dans la même direction pour éjecter ledit produit (2) d'entre lesdites première et seconde surfaces de transport de gant (17,18).
PCT/IB2014/058813 2013-02-06 2014-02-05 Appareil et procédé permettant de démouler et de transporter un produit flexible depuis un appareil de moulage par immersion WO2014122595A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB201302113A GB201302113D0 (en) 2013-02-06 2013-02-06 Dip moulded product production system
GB1302113.4 2013-02-06

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2014122595A1 true WO2014122595A1 (fr) 2014-08-14

Family

ID=47988817

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IB2014/058813 WO2014122595A1 (fr) 2013-02-06 2014-02-05 Appareil et procédé permettant de démouler et de transporter un produit flexible depuis un appareil de moulage par immersion

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB201302113D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO2014122595A1 (fr)

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN104325584A (zh) * 2014-11-20 2015-02-04 青岛双蝶集团股份有限公司 用于避孕套生产的模型架
WO2016139640A1 (fr) * 2015-03-04 2016-09-09 Altevo Limited Extraction d'un gant moulé par immersion depuis une forme de moulage
CN106346675A (zh) * 2016-08-29 2017-01-25 淄博荣琦自动化科技有限公司 一种适用于手套摘取机的毛刷辊
CN106346674A (zh) * 2016-08-29 2017-01-25 淄博荣琦自动化科技有限公司 一种未脱模手套自动摘取机
CN107548340A (zh) * 2015-01-30 2018-01-05 高产有限公司 用于对物品进行剥离、计数、以及分层堆放的设备和方法
WO2018037243A1 (fr) * 2016-08-26 2018-03-01 Safedon Limited Appareil et procédé de d'extraction de gants ainsi qu'une chaîne de production et un procédé de production mettant en oeuvre l'appareil et le procédé d'extraction de gants
WO2018138561A1 (fr) * 2017-01-30 2018-08-02 Ortho-Space Ltd. Machine de traitement et procédés de traitement d'articles moulés par immersion
US10092047B2 (en) 2014-11-13 2018-10-09 Allegiance Corporation Integrated elastomeric article manufacturing system and process
CN108908829A (zh) * 2018-08-27 2018-11-30 江苏恒辉安防股份有限公司 一种手套自动脱模装置
CN111267281A (zh) * 2020-01-20 2020-06-12 广州大明联合橡胶制品有限公司 一种避孕套智能生产方法及其系统
CN112971246A (zh) * 2021-04-07 2021-06-18 辽宁鸿恩医疗器材有限责任公司 一种一次性丁腈医疗手套生产用手套模
WO2021135905A1 (fr) * 2019-12-31 2021-07-08 青岛萨沃特机器人有限公司 Mécanisme de démoulage de gants, machine de comptage de gants et procédé de démoulage de gants
CN113119373A (zh) * 2021-04-16 2021-07-16 辽宁鸿恩医疗器材有限责任公司 一种脱模方便的丁腈手套生产用模具
CN113843941A (zh) * 2021-11-12 2021-12-28 张家港先锋自动化机械设备股份有限公司 一种手套脱模清理装置
CN113951591A (zh) * 2021-12-11 2022-01-21 英科医疗科技股份有限公司 一种防止pvc手套漏脱膜设备
CN114347329A (zh) * 2022-01-10 2022-04-15 安丹达工业技术(上海)有限公司 脱模机构

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3176059A (en) * 1961-03-10 1965-03-30 Oak Rubber Company Method and apparatus for stripping articles from forms
US3309732A (en) * 1963-10-11 1967-03-21 Thomas M Dodds Inc Apparatus for stripping articles from forms
GB1487738A (en) * 1973-12-17 1977-10-05 Lr Ind Ltd Manufacture of hollow elastomeric articles
US5776520A (en) * 1996-12-12 1998-07-07 Acc Automation Company Shell molded article stripping machine
US5909800A (en) * 1997-11-13 1999-06-08 Huang; Tsai-Hsiu Film article release machine

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3176059A (en) * 1961-03-10 1965-03-30 Oak Rubber Company Method and apparatus for stripping articles from forms
US3309732A (en) * 1963-10-11 1967-03-21 Thomas M Dodds Inc Apparatus for stripping articles from forms
GB1487738A (en) * 1973-12-17 1977-10-05 Lr Ind Ltd Manufacture of hollow elastomeric articles
US5776520A (en) * 1996-12-12 1998-07-07 Acc Automation Company Shell molded article stripping machine
US5909800A (en) * 1997-11-13 1999-06-08 Huang; Tsai-Hsiu Film article release machine

Cited By (31)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10092047B2 (en) 2014-11-13 2018-10-09 Allegiance Corporation Integrated elastomeric article manufacturing system and process
CN104325584A (zh) * 2014-11-20 2015-02-04 青岛双蝶集团股份有限公司 用于避孕套生产的模型架
CN107548340B (zh) * 2015-01-30 2019-08-27 高产有限公司 用于对物品进行剥离、计数、以及分层堆放的设备和方法
CN107548340A (zh) * 2015-01-30 2018-01-05 高产有限公司 用于对物品进行剥离、计数、以及分层堆放的设备和方法
CN107428041B (zh) * 2015-03-04 2019-08-20 萨菲顿有限公司 浸渍模制手套从模型的剥离
CN107428041A (zh) * 2015-03-04 2017-12-01 萨菲顿有限公司 浸渍模制手套从模型的剥离
US11213978B2 (en) 2015-03-04 2022-01-04 Safedon Limited Stripping of a dip-moulded glove from a former
WO2016139640A1 (fr) * 2015-03-04 2016-09-09 Altevo Limited Extraction d'un gant moulé par immersion depuis une forme de moulage
RU2705079C2 (ru) * 2015-03-04 2019-11-01 Сейфдон Лимитед Снятие сформованной окунанием перчатки с формы
US11426902B2 (en) 2016-08-26 2022-08-30 Safedon Limited Stripping of a dip-moulded glove from a former
CN109789656A (zh) * 2016-08-26 2019-05-21 萨菲顿有限公司 手套剥离设备和方法及使用手套剥离设备和方法的生产线和生产工艺
CN109789656B (zh) * 2016-08-26 2021-03-12 萨菲顿有限公司 手套剥离设备和方法及使用手套剥离设备和方法的生产线和生产工艺
AU2017315235B2 (en) * 2016-08-26 2022-09-22 Safedon Limited Glove stripping apparatus and method as well as a production line and production process using the glove stripping apparatus and method
WO2018037243A1 (fr) * 2016-08-26 2018-03-01 Safedon Limited Appareil et procédé de d'extraction de gants ainsi qu'une chaîne de production et un procédé de production mettant en oeuvre l'appareil et le procédé d'extraction de gants
CN106346674A (zh) * 2016-08-29 2017-01-25 淄博荣琦自动化科技有限公司 一种未脱模手套自动摘取机
CN106346675A (zh) * 2016-08-29 2017-01-25 淄博荣琦自动化科技有限公司 一种适用于手套摘取机的毛刷辊
EP3573806A4 (fr) * 2017-01-30 2019-12-11 Ortho-Space Ltd. Machine de traitement et procédés de traitement d'articles moulés par immersion
US11045981B2 (en) 2017-01-30 2021-06-29 Ortho-Space Ltd. Processing machine and methods for processing dip-molded articles
WO2018138561A1 (fr) * 2017-01-30 2018-08-02 Ortho-Space Ltd. Machine de traitement et procédés de traitement d'articles moulés par immersion
CN108908829A (zh) * 2018-08-27 2018-11-30 江苏恒辉安防股份有限公司 一种手套自动脱模装置
CN108908829B (zh) * 2018-08-27 2024-05-03 江苏恒辉安防股份有限公司 一种手套自动脱模装置
WO2021135905A1 (fr) * 2019-12-31 2021-07-08 青岛萨沃特机器人有限公司 Mécanisme de démoulage de gants, machine de comptage de gants et procédé de démoulage de gants
CN111267281A (zh) * 2020-01-20 2020-06-12 广州大明联合橡胶制品有限公司 一种避孕套智能生产方法及其系统
CN112971246A (zh) * 2021-04-07 2021-06-18 辽宁鸿恩医疗器材有限责任公司 一种一次性丁腈医疗手套生产用手套模
CN113119373A (zh) * 2021-04-16 2021-07-16 辽宁鸿恩医疗器材有限责任公司 一种脱模方便的丁腈手套生产用模具
CN113119373B (zh) * 2021-04-16 2022-05-17 辽宁鸿恩医疗器材有限责任公司 一种脱模方便的丁腈手套生产用模具
CN113843941A (zh) * 2021-11-12 2021-12-28 张家港先锋自动化机械设备股份有限公司 一种手套脱模清理装置
CN113951591A (zh) * 2021-12-11 2022-01-21 英科医疗科技股份有限公司 一种防止pvc手套漏脱膜设备
CN113951591B (zh) * 2021-12-11 2024-02-13 英科医疗科技股份有限公司 一种防止pvc手套漏脱模设备
CN114347329A (zh) * 2022-01-10 2022-04-15 安丹达工业技术(上海)有限公司 脱模机构
CN114347329B (zh) * 2022-01-10 2023-06-30 安丹达工业技术(上海)有限公司 脱模机构

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB201302113D0 (en) 2013-03-20

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
WO2014122595A1 (fr) Appareil et procédé permettant de démouler et de transporter un produit flexible depuis un appareil de moulage par immersion
US11213978B2 (en) Stripping of a dip-moulded glove from a former
AU2017315235B2 (en) Glove stripping apparatus and method as well as a production line and production process using the glove stripping apparatus and method
JP2018509319A5 (fr)
US10583948B2 (en) Stacking of folded gloves
JP6379012B2 (ja) 物品移送装置
GB2516649A (en) Lifting and placement of gloves
NZ734672B2 (en) Stripping of a dip-moulded glove from a former
CN222098058U (zh) 一种球形果实夹持转移搬运装置
CN118124885A (zh) 一种农产品纳米纤维原位自动包装装置及包装方法
JP2022164479A (ja) 食品盛り付け方法、ハンド装置、食品盛り付け装置、食品盛り付け制御装置
NL1035969C2 (nl) Stelsel voor verwerken van verpakking.

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 14706956

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 14706956

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1