Abstract:
A film affixing apparatus is used for affixing a film to a workpiece. The film affixing apparatus includes a stand, a film provider, and an affixing and cutting device. The stand includes a work platform. The workpiece is capable of sliding around the work platform under an external force. The film provider is mounted to the stand, and a roll of film is mounted to the film provider to dispense the film. The affixing and cutting device includes a pressing part. The pressing part presses the film onto the workpiece, and the film is cut, allowing the workpiece to slide away from the affixing and cutting device and be removed manually.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present disclosure relates to a film affixing technology, particularly to a film affixing apparatus for automatically affixing a protective film to an object. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Surfaces of devices or components may include an outer film layer for preventing damage to the surfaces, such as scratches, devices or components. However, the film is typically affixed to the device or the component manually, which is time consuming. 
         [0005]    Therefore, there is room for improvement within the art. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    Many aspects of the embodiments can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present embodiments. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a film affixing apparatus with loaders in accordance with an embodiment. The film affixing apparatus includes a work platform, an affixing device, and an affixing and cutting device. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the film affixing apparatus in  FIG. 1  with one of the loaders separated from it. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is an isometric view of the work platform in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is the film affixing apparatus in  FIG. 1  viewed from another aspect. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is the film affixing apparatus in  FIG. 4  viewed from another aspect. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a view of the film affixing apparatus in  FIG. 1  with the affixing device and the affixing and cutting device separated from it. 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is the affixing device in  FIG. 6  viewed from another aspect. 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is the affixing and cutting device in  FIG. 6  viewed from another aspect. 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is the affixing and cutting device in  FIG. 8  viewed from another aspect. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show an embodiment of a film affixing apparatus  100 . The film affixing apparatus  100  affixes a film to workpieces  99 . Each workpiece  99  includes a rectangular top surface  990 , two parallel first sidewalls  991 , and two parallel second sidewalls  992 . The first sidewalls  991  and the second sidewalls  992  are adjacent to the top surface  990 . The top surface  990 , the first surface  991 , and the second surface  992  need to be covered with films. 
         [0017]    The film affixing apparatus  100  includes a stand  10 , loaders  20 , a film provider  40 , an affixing device  50 , an affixing and cutting device  60 , an operating box  70 , and a control box  80 . The loader  20 , the film provider  40 , the affixing device  50 , the affixing and cutting device  60 , the operating box  70 , and the control box  80  are mounted to the stand  10 . 
         [0018]    The loaders  20  include two positioning parts  21  not attached to each other. Each positioning part  21  positions one workpiece  99 . 
         [0019]    The stand  10  includes a top frame  11 , a work frame  12 , a holding frame  13 , two first legs  14 , two second legs  15 , a work platform  16 , a holding platform  17 , and four supporting stands  18 . The top frame  11 , the work frame  12 , and the holding frame  13  are parallel to each other, and the work frame  12  is located between the top frame  11  and the holding frame  13 . The work frame  12  and the holding frame  13  are the same size, and a width of the top frame  11  is smaller than a width of the work frame  12 . The two first legs  14  are connected to the top frame  11 , the work frame  12  and the holding frame  13  and are arranged on the same side of them. The two second legs  15  are connected to the work frame  12  and the holding frame  13  and are opposite to the two first legs  14 . The four supporting stands  18  are arranged under the holding frame  13  to stand off from the floor. The holding platform  17  is rectangular and placed on the holding frame  13 . The work platform  16  is rectangular and placed on the work frame  12 . 
         [0020]      FIG. 3  shows an embodiment of the work platform  16 . Two first blocking bars  160 , two second blocking bars  161 , and a third blocking bar  162  are arranged on one surface of the work platform  20  away from the holding platform  17 . The two first blocking bars  160  are parallel to each other. The two second blocking bars  161  are parallel to each other and are connected between the first blocking bars  160 . The second blocking bars  161  and the first blocking bars  160  cooperatively define a rectangular work region  163 . The third blocking bar  162  is positioned in the middle of the work region  163  and is parallel to the first blocking bars  160 . The third blocking bar  162  is shorter than the first blocking bars  160 , such that opposite distal ends of the third blocking bars  162  are separated from the two second blocking bars  161 . The third blocking bar  162  divides the work region  163  into an operating region  1630  and a waiting region  1632  for receiving the loaders  20 . The operating region  1630  is on the side of work platform  16  connected to the first legs  14 . The operating region  1630  and the waiting region  1632  are symmetrical with respect to the third blocking bar  162 . The operating region  1630  is capable of receiving four loaders  20  and includes a first end  1631  and a second end  1633  opposite to the first end  1631 . The waiting region  1632  includes a third end  1635  and a fourth end  1637  opposite to the third end  1635 . The first end  1631  and the third end  1635  meet each other, and each of them receives one loader  20 . The second end  1633  and the fourth end  1637  meet each other, and each of them receives one loader  20 . 
         [0021]    The work platform  16  has a first work station  164   a , a second work station  164   b , and a mounting part  166  and defines a first opening  165   a , a second opening  165   b , a third opening  165   c , and a fourth opening  165   d . The first opening  165   a , the second opening  165   b , the first work station  164   a , and the second work station  164   b  are arranged in the operating region  1630 . The first and the second work stations  164   a  and  164   b  meet each other, and each of them receives one loader  20 . The work platform  16  receives one loader  20  between the first work station  164   a  and the first end  1631 . The second work station  164   b  is positioned in the second end  1633 . The first opening  165   a  and the second opening  165   b  are rectangular and are defined in the first end  1631  and the second end  1633 , respectively. The first opening  165   a  runs along a first direction X parallel to the first blocking bars  160 . The second opening  165   b  runs along a second direction Y parallel to the second bars  161 . The third opening  165   c  is defined in the waiting region  1632 . The fourth opening  165   d  is defined in the fourth end  1637 . The mounting part  166  is a rectangular board and protrudes from one side of the first work station  164   a  adjacent to the operating region  1630  and extends from the first work station  164   a  to the second work station  164   b.    
         [0022]    Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a first driving device  167 , a second driving device  168 , and a sensor  169  are further set on the work platform  16 . The first driving device  167  and the second driving device  168  are arranged on the other surface of the work platform  16  as the first blocking bars  160 . The first driving device  167  drives the loaders  20  to move along the first direction X parallel to the first blocking bars  160 , and the second driving device  168  drives the loaders  20  to move along the second direction Y parallel to the second blocking bars  161 . 
         [0023]    The first driving device  167  includes a first driving body  1670 , a first driving arm  1671 , and a first driving block  1672 . The first driving body  1670  is adjacent to the first opening  165   a , the first driving arm  1671  extends along the length of the first opening  165   a , and the first driving block  1672  is received in the first opening  165   a . The first driving block  1672  is secured on an end of the first driving arm  1671  away from the first driving body  1670 . The first driving body  1670  drives the first driving arm  1671  to extend and retract along the first opening  165   a , causing the driving block  1672  to move toward and away from the second end  1633  along the first direction X (see  FIG. 3 ). In its original state, the first driving block  1672  is positioned in the end of the first opening  165   a  away from the second end  1633 , such that the first driving block  1672  abuts a side of the loader away from the second end  1633 . The first driving block  1672  pushes the loader  20  towards the second end  1633  as the first driving arm  1671  is caused to move along the first direction X towards the second end  1633 . 
         [0024]    The second driving device  168  includes a second driving body  1680 , a second driving arm  1681 , and a second driving block  1682 . The second driving body  1680  is adjacent to the second opening  165   b . The second driving arm  1681  is connected to the second driving body  1680  and extends along the length of the second opening  165   b . The second driving block  1682  is fixed on the end of the second driving arm  1681  away from the second driving body  1680  and is received in the second opening  165   b . The second driving body  1680  drives the second driving arm  1681  to extend and retract along the second direction Y (see  FIG. 3 ), causing the second driving block  1682  to move towards and away from the fourth end  1637 . In its original state, the second driving block  1682  is positioned in the end of the second opening  165   b  away from the fourth end  1637 . The second driving block  1682  abuts a side of the loader  20  away from the fourth end  1637  so that the second driving block  1682  pushes the loader  20  toward the fourth end  1637  when the second driving arm  1681  is caused to move along the second direction Y toward the fourth end  1637 . 
         [0025]    The sensor  169  is located in the fourth opening  165   d  to detect whether or not the loader  20  or any other object is positioned in the fourth end  1637 . 
         [0026]    Referring to FIGS.  1 , 2  and  6 , the film provider  40  and the affixing device  50  are arranged over the operating region  1630  to face the first work station  164   a . The affixing device  50  is adjacent to the film provider  40  away from the first end  1631 . The film provider  40  includes a hanging member  41  and a stretching member  42 . The hanging member  41  includes a supporting element  410  and a hanging element  412 . The supporting element  410  protrudes upwards from one side of the mounting part  166  away from the platform  16 . The hanging element  412  is cuboid and extends perpendicularly from one end of the supporting element  410  away from the mounting part  166 . Four ribs  4120  protrude from four side surfaces of the hanging element  412 . Three tabs  4121  protrude from the opposite ends and the middle of each rib  4120  so as to divide the hanging element  412  into a first hanging portion  4122  and a second hanging portion  4123 . The first hanging portion  4122  and the second hanging portion  4123  are sleeved by two rolls of films  413 , which unwind straight down. 
         [0027]    The stretching member  42  includes a first stretching element  420 , a second stretching element  421 , and a connecting element  423 . The first stretching element  420  and the second stretching element  421  are rollers and are substantially the same. The first stretching element  420  and the second stretching element  421  perpendicularly project from one side of the mounting part  166  and are parallel to the hanging element  412 . The first stretching element  420  is positioned between the second stretching element  421  and the hanging element  412 . The middle of the first stretching element  420  defines a groove  4201 , and the middle of the second stretching element  421  defines a groove  4211 . The connecting element  423  includes a first rectangular base  4230  and a second rectangular base  4231  that extends from one end of the first base  4230 . The first base  4230  is connected to one end of the second stretching element  421  away from the mounting part  166 , while the second base  4231  is connected to one end of the first stretching element  420  away from the mounting part  166 . The two rolls of the films  413  spread over and cover the first stretching element  420  and the second stretching element  421  and winds around the affixing device  50 , such that the film  413  is tightened via the first stretching element  420  and the second stretching element  421 . Furthermore, the two rolls of the films  423  remain separate from each other via the grooves  4201  and  4211 . 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , the affixing device  50  faces the first work station  164   a  and includes a fixing board  51 , two first connecting poles  52 , a second connecting pole  56 , a mounting case  53 , and five first rollers  54 . The fixing board  51  is parallel to the work platform  16  and is fastened to the mounting part  166 . The first connecting poles  52  and the second connecting pole  56  are mounted between the fixing board  51  and the mounting case  53 . The first connecting poles  52  and the second connecting pole  56  are columnar, and a diameter of the first connecting pole  52  is smaller than a diameter of the second connecting pole  56 . The first connecting poles  52  and the second connecting pole  56  are arranged in a line, and the first connecting poles  52  are symmetrically arranged on either side of the second connecting pole  56 . The mounting case  53  includes a top portion  530  and two side boards  531  extending from two opposite sides of the top portion  530 . The two side boards  531  are parallel to the mounting part  166 . The second connecting pole  56  is positioned in the middle of the top portion  530  to balance the mounting case  53 . The first rollers  54  are columnar and have the same size. Each first roller  54  is rotatably connected between the side boards  531 , and each first roller  54  is perpendicular to the mounting board  166 . The five first rollers  54  are arranged in a plane and rise above the side boards  531  to form a pressing portion  540  parallel to the work platform  16 . The pressing portion  540  faces the first work station  164   a . The loaders  20  loading the workpieces  99  pass under the first rollers  54  one by one, allowing the pressing portion  540  to press the film  413  onto the top surfaces  990 . 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the affixing and cutting device  60  faces the second work station  164   b  and includes a securing board  61 , a third driving device  62 , two parallel third connecting poles  68 , an installing part  63 , a blocking casing  64 , and four second rollers  65 . The blocking casing  64  includes two first parallel blocking boards  641  and a second blocking board  642  connected between the first blocking boards  641 . The first blocking boards  641  are secured on the mounting part  166  via screws (not shown), and one of the first blocking board  641  is adjacent to the affixing device  50 . The second blocking board  642  is parallel to the mounting part  166 . The securing board  61  is rectangular and is parallel to the work platform  16 . Two ends of the securing board  61  are fastened to the middle of the two first blocking boards  641 , and one side of the securing board  61  is fastened to the mounting part  166 . The third driving device  62  includes a third driving body  620  and a third driving arm  621  connected to the third driving body  620 . The third driving body  620  is mounted on a side of the securing board  61  away from the work platform  166 . The driving arm  621  extends through the securing board  61  to connect to the installing part  63 . One end of the third connecting poles  68  is connected to the securing board  61 , and the third connecting poles  68  are symmetrically positioned at opposite sides of the driving arm  621 . The other end of the third connecting poles  68  is connected to the installing part  63 . The installing part  63  includes a rectangular first base board  630  parallel to the securing board  61  and two parallel second base boards  631  perpendicularly mounted to the first based board  630 . The first base board  630  is connected to the driving arm  621  and the third connecting poles  68 , and the driving arm  621  is connected to the middle of the base board  630 . From each second base board  631  projects four bearings  632  that correspond with each other. The bearings  632  on each second base board  631  are divided into two identical pairs. A pressing block  66  protrudes between each pair of bearings  632 . The second base board  631  adjacent to the affixing device  50  has a blade  634  protruding toward the work platform  16 . The four second rollers  65  are columnar and identical. The two ends of each second roller  65  connects to corresponding bearings  632 , such that the four second roller  65  are also divided into two pairs. Axes of the four second rollers  65  are parallel to the mounting part  166  and perpendicular to the axes of the first rollers  54 . Each pair of second rollers  65  cooperatively forms a hollow pressing part  67  with a pressing block  66 . A distance between oppositely-facing pressing blocks  66  is the same as a distance between the two second sidewalls  992  of each workpiece  99 , and a distance between each pair of second rollers  65  is the same as a distance between the two first sidewalls  991 , such that each pressing part  67  can receive one workpiece  99  so that the first sidewalls  991  resist against the two second rollers  65 , and the second sidewalls  992  resist again the two pressing blocks  66 . In its original state, the installing part  63  is away from the work platform  16 . The installing part  63  moves along with the driving arm  621  to move the pressing parts  67  toward the work platform  16 . 
         [0030]    The control box  80  is arranged on the holding member  17  for controlling the first driving device  167  and the second driving device  168  to enable the affixing device  50  to affix film  143  to the workpieces  99 . The control box  80  pauses when the sensor  169  detects an object. 
         [0031]    The operating box  70  is secured in the third opening  165   c  to control the control box  80 . The control box  70  includes a start button  71 , a stop button  72 , and an indicator  73 . The start button  71  is pressed to start the control box  80 . The stop button  72  is pressed to stop the control box  80 . The indicator  73  informs the operator if the film affixing apparatus  100  is abnormal, allowing the operator to stop the control box  80  by pressing the stop button  72  or placing an object in the fourth end  1637 . 
         [0032]    In operation, the waiting region  1632  is fully filled with the loaders  20 , and each loader  20  loads two workpieces  99 . There is no loader  20  positioned in the operating region  1630 . The film  413  spreads over the first stretching element  420  and the second stretching element  421  in a third direction x 1  parallel to the first direction X, extends in a fourth direction x 2  (see  FIG. 4 ) opposite to the third direction x 1  to locate between the second stretching element  421  and the work platform  16 , and passes out of the affixing and cutting device  60  along the fourth direction x 2 . A first loader  20  positioned at the third end  1635  is manually pulled to the first end  1631 . Next, the start button  71  is pressed, and the control box  80  controls the first driving body  1670  to drive the first driving arm  1672  to move a predetermined first distance equal to the length of the loader  20  along the first direction X, such that the first driving block  1672  pushes the first loader  20  towards the first work station  164   a . Next, a second loader  20  is pulled from the waiting region  1632  to the first end  1631 , the start button  71  is pressed, and the control box  80  controls the first driving block  1672  to move the predetermined first distance so as to push the second loader  20 , which pushes the first loader  20  into the first work station  164   a  and under the film  413 . The pressing portion  540  presses the film  413  onto the top surfaces  990  of the two workpieces  99  loaded on the first loader  20 , and the film  413  is affixed to the top surface  990 . Next, a third loader  20  is pulled from the waiting region  163  to the first end  1631 , the start button  71  is pressed, the control box  80  controls the first driving block  1672  to move the first predetermined distance so as to push the third loader  20 , which pushes the second loader  20  into the first work station  164   a  under the film  413  and the first loader  20  into the second work station  164   b  under the film  413 . Then, the control box  80  controls the third driving body  1620  to drive the driving arm  1621  to extend a second predetermined distance to push the pressing part  67  towards the work platform  16 , and the second rollers  65  and each pair of the pressing blocks  66  press the film  143  onto the first sidewalls  991  and the second sidewalls  992  of each workpiece  99 , and the blade  634  cuts the film  413 . This process is repeated until the first loader  20  is positioned at the second end  1633 . At this point, the control box  80  controls the second driving body  1680  to drive the second driving arm  1681  to push the first loader  20  a third predetermined distance along the second direction Y into the fourth end  1637 , allowing the first loader  20  to be easily removed from the work platform  16 . Then the control box  80  controls the second driving arm  1681  to return to its original state. This ends the process for the first loader  20 . The workpieces  99  loaded onto the subsequent loaders  20  are affixed with the film  413  according to the above operations. 
         [0033]    As described above, the film affixing apparatus  100  automatically affixes the film to the workpieces  99  more conveniently than a manual method. Further, the film affixing apparatus  100  can affix film  413  to two workpieces  99  at a time, which improves the efficiency. 
         [0034]    Even though relevant information and the advantages of the present embodiments have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the functions of the present embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only; and changes may be made in detail, especially in the matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the present embodiments to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.