DPA automated assembly and packaging machine
OwnerDavid Kraenzleinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This patent relates to a machine that automatically assembles, inspects, and packages disposable prophylaxis angles. The machine includes a movable table including a plurality of fixtures on which angle components are assembled and the assembled angles are inspected. The movable table is surrounded by a number of stations, each of which performs a different operation of the assembly and inspection procedure. Feeders automatically supply the angle components to their respective stations for assembly. Angles that are incorrectly assembled are automatically rejected. Properly assembled angles are automatically sealed in individual bags. Individually bagged angles are counted into batches by the machine and automatically sealed into cartons.
Claims15
A machine adapted to assemble a dental product, the dental product having a body, first and second gears, and a tool, the machine comprising:
- feeders for automatically supplying the component parts;
- contiguous assembly stations coupled to the feeders for receiving the component parts and for performing assembly steps of the dental product, the assembly stations comprising a body station for receiving and holding the body of the product, at least two gear stations for introducing the first and second gears of the dental product into the body, and a tool station for connecting the tool to the second gear of the dental product.
A machine for automating the assembly of a dental product, the dental product comprising a body, first and second gears, and a tool, the machine comprising:
- a moveable table having a plurality of fixtures for holding the dental product during assembly;
- a body feeder for supplying the body of the dental product;
- a body transfer mechanism for moving the body from the body feeder to the fixtures;
- a first gear feeder for supplying the first gear of the dental product;
- a first gear transfer mechanism for moving the first gear from the first gear feeder and locating it in the body of the dental product;
- a second gear feeder for supplying the second gear of the dental product;
- a second gear transfer mechanism for moving the second gear from the second gear feeder and locating it in the body of the dental product;
- a tool feeder for supplying the tool of the dental product;
- a tool transfer mechanism for moving the tool and attaching it to the dental product;
- and
- an assembled dental product transfer mechanism for transferring an assembled dental product from the moveable table.
A machine for automating the assembly of a dental prophylaxis angle, the angle comprising a body, two gears, and a prophy cup, the machine comprising:
- feeders for the body, the two gears, and the prophy cup;
- transfer mechanisms for moving the body, the two gears, and the prophy cup from the feeders to an assembly table and for assembling the body, the two gears, and the prophy cup into an assembled dental prophylaxis angle;
- sensors for distinguishing correctly assembled angles from incorrectly assembled angles;
- an assembled angle diverter for diverting incorrectly assembled angles to a reject location and for diverting correctly assembled angles to a first conveyor;
- a bagging unit for receiving correctly assembled angles from the first conveyor and automatically bagging the correctly assembled angles;
- a second conveyor for moving the bagged angles from the bagging unit;
- a batch-counting unit for receiving the bagged angles and counting a batch, the batch comprising a predetermined number of angles and for placing the batch into one of a plurality of containers to form a filled container;
- a first accumulating conveyor for supplying the plurality of containers to the batch-counting unit;
- a second accumulating conveyor for moving the filled container from the batch-counting unit;
- and
- a container sealer for sealing the filled container.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.