CN220078117U - Continuous automatic folding machine - Google Patents

Continuous automatic folding machine Download PDF

Info

Publication number
CN220078117U
CN220078117U CN202222439388.8U CN202222439388U CN220078117U CN 220078117 U CN220078117 U CN 220078117U CN 202222439388 U CN202222439388 U CN 202222439388U CN 220078117 U CN220078117 U CN 220078117U
Authority
CN
China
Prior art keywords
paper
conveying
frame
continuous automatic
folding
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
Active
Application number
CN202222439388.8U
Other languages
Chinese (zh)
Inventor
刘云云
梁秀英
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Huahui Printing Products Shenzhen Co ltd
Original Assignee
Huahui Printing Products Shenzhen Co ltd
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 Huahui Printing Products Shenzhen Co ltd filed Critical Huahui Printing Products Shenzhen Co ltd
Priority to CN202222439388.8U priority Critical patent/CN220078117U/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CN220078117U publication Critical patent/CN220078117U/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Landscapes

  • Folding Of Thin Sheet-Like Materials, Special Discharging Devices, And Others (AREA)

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of folding machines, and particularly discloses a continuous automatic folding machine, which comprises a frame, a conveying device and a folding device, wherein the conveying device and the folding device are arranged on the frame; the folding device comprises a folding bar, the folding bar comprises a connecting part and a bending part, the connecting part is movably arranged on the frame, the connecting part extends into a placing gap to enable the bending part to be lower than a conveying plane of paper, the connecting part and the bending part are used for driving the paper side to fold under the thrust action of the paper, an included angle matched with the paper is formed between the connecting part and the bending part, the paper moves to the included angle, the bending part folds the paper under the action of the paper thrust, and therefore the folding device is applicable to paper with different sizes and thicknesses. The utility model has the effect of being suitable for automatic folding of paper with different sizes and thicknesses.

Description

Continuous automatic folding machine
Technical Field
The utility model relates to the technical field of folding machines, in particular to a continuous automatic folding machine.
Background
Folding machines are modern printing equipment that accompanies the modern printing industry, and printing plants typically include three processes, pre-press, printing and post-press, with the primary carrier medium being paper. The common books are usually printed on a piece of paper, the paper needs to be folded after printing, and the books are manually folded by hands in the past, so that the working efficiency is low and the labor intensity is high.
For this purpose, a folder has been proposed which includes a cylinder connected to a folding blade through a connecting plate, and a folding blade controlled to move by the cylinder to perform folding processing on sheets, but the folder in the related art is not suitable for folding sheets of different sizes and thicknesses.
Therefore, the folder of the above technical scheme has a problem that it is not suitable for folding sheets of different sizes and thicknesses.
Disclosure of Invention
In order to accommodate folding of sheets of different sizes and thicknesses, the present utility model provides a continuous automatic folder.
The utility model provides a continuous automatic folding machine, which adopts the following technical scheme:
a continuous automatic folder comprising:
a frame;
the conveying device is arranged on the frame and used for conveying paper, and a placing gap is formed in the conveying device and used for suspending the paper partially;
the folding device is arranged on the frame and comprises a folding bar, the folding bar comprises a connecting part and a bending part, the connecting part is movably arranged on the frame, the connecting part extends to the placing gap to enable the bending part to be lower than the conveying plane of the paper, the connecting part and the bending part are used for driving the paper side to fold under the thrust action of the paper, and an included angle matched with the paper is formed between the connecting part and the bending part so as to fold the paper.
Based on the technical scheme, the conveying device drives the paper to move, the conveying device is provided with the placing gap, the bending part is positioned in the placing gap so that the bending part is lower than the conveying plane of the paper, when the paper is transported to the folding device, under the thrust action of the paper, the connecting part and the bending part move along the X axis and the Z axis, an included angle is formed between the bending part and the connecting part so that the paper is positioned in the included angle, and the bending part folds the paper, so that the paper is automatically folded, and the automatic folding machine is applicable to paper with different sizes and thicknesses.
Preferably, the folding device comprises a fixing structure, a connecting rod is arranged on the frame, the fixing structure comprises a sliding seat and a fixing rod, the sliding seat is connected with the connecting rod in a sliding manner, the fixing rod is connected with the sliding seat, and the fixing rod is used for fixing paper.
Based on the technical scheme, the sliding seat can slide on the connecting rod, so that the position of the fixing rod is changed, the position of the fixing rod can be changed according to paper with different specifications, and the fixing rod can firmly press the paper.
Preferably, an adjusting rod is arranged between the sliding seat and the fixed rod, a conveying gap is arranged between the fixed rod and the driven mechanism, and the adjusting rod is used for adjusting the size of the conveying gap.
Based on the technical scheme, the size of the conveying gap between the adjustable fixing rod and the driven device is adjusted by the adjusting rod, and the adjusting rod is adjusted according to the thickness of paper, so that the fixing rod can better fix the paper.
Preferably, a limiting piece is arranged on the frame and used for driving the folding bar to reset.
Based on the technical scheme, the conveying device drives the paper to move, the paper pushes the folding strip to enable the connecting part and the bending part to move along the X axis and the Z axis, and when the paper moves, the limiting part limits the position of the folding strip, and after the paper is folded, the limiting part drives the folding strip to reset.
Preferably, the conveying device comprises a main driving mechanism and a secondary driving mechanism, the main driving mechanism comprises a first motor, the secondary driving mechanism comprises two transmission shafts and a conveyor belt wound between the two transmission shafts, the first motor is fixedly connected with the transmission shafts, the first motor is used for driving the transmission shafts to rotate, and the placement gap is positioned between the conveyor belts so as to realize automatic folding of paper during paper conveying.
Based on the technical scheme, the first motor drives the transmission shaft to rotate, the transmission shaft drives the conveyor belt arranged on the transmission shaft to convey paper, and the folding strip is positioned in the placement gap on the conveyor belt, so that automatic folding and conveying of the paper are realized.
Preferably, the feeding device is arranged on the frame and comprises a second motor, a plurality of conveying rollers and a material belt wound on the conveying rollers, the second motor is fixedly connected with the conveying rollers, and the second motor is used for driving the conveying rollers to rotate.
Based on the technical scheme, the second motor is fixedly connected with the conveying roller, and the conveying roller is driven by the second motor to rotate so that paper is conveyed around the material belt arranged on the conveying roller, and therefore automatic feeding is achieved.
Preferably, a limiting plate is arranged on the frame, the limiting plate is located on one side close to the conveying device, and a feeding gap is arranged between the limiting plate and the frame.
Based on the technical scheme, a feeding gap is arranged between the limiting plate and the frame, and the feeding gap can pass through single paper, so that the paper is limited to pass through, and automatic folding of subsequent paper is facilitated.
Preferably, the frame is further provided with a pushing device, the pushing device is located between the feeding device and the conveying device, the pushing device comprises a first driving motor, two groups of rotating shafts and a chain assembly wound between the two groups of rotating shafts, the first driving motor is fixedly connected with the rotating shafts, and the first driving motor is used for driving the rotating shafts to rotate;
the chain assembly comprises two chain wheels and a chain wound between the two chain wheels, the chain wheels are fixedly connected with the rotating shaft, a pushing block is arranged on the chain and used for pushing paper to move towards the conveying device.
Based on the technical scheme, the first driving motor drives the rotating shaft to rotate, so that the chain conveys paper to move towards the conveying device, the pushing block on the chain can push the paper to move, and meanwhile, the position of the paper is prevented from being deviated.
Preferably, a supporting rod is arranged on the frame, and the supporting rod is parallel to the chain and is used for supporting paper.
Based on the technical scheme, the supporting rod is parallel to the chain, the feeding device pushes the paper to the chain and the supporting rod, and the supporting rod is used for supporting the paper.
Preferably, a rubberizing device is arranged above the conveying device, the rubberizing device comprises a second driving motor and a conveying roller, the second driving motor is used for driving the conveying roller to rotate, a rubberizing pad is arranged on the conveying roller, and the rubberizing pad is used for rubberizing paper.
Based on the technical scheme, the second driving motor drives the conveying roller to rotate, the conveying roller drives the rubber pad to rotate, and the rubber pad is used for gluing paper so that the bending part of the subsequent paper is attached to the paper.
In summary, the present utility model includes at least one of the following beneficial technical effects:
1. the conveying device conveys the paper to the folding device, the paper pushes the connecting part and the bending part to move along the X-axis and Z-axis directions, the paper moves to an included angle between the bending part and the connecting part, and the size of the included angle is matched with the paper so that the bending part can fold the bending part of the paper, thereby realizing automatic folding of the paper;
2. the fixing structure can fix the non-bending part of the paper to avoid the paper from turning over when the paper is folded;
3. the position of the fixing structure is adjusted through the sliding seat so as to be suitable for paper with different sizes, and meanwhile, the conveying gap between the fixing rod and the conveying belt is adjusted by the adjusting rod so as to be suitable for paper with different thicknesses.
Drawings
Fig. 1 is a schematic view showing an overall structure of a continuous automatic folding machine according to an embodiment of the present utility model.
Fig. 2 is a schematic view showing the overall structure of the continuous automatic folding machine in a sheet folding state according to the embodiment of the present utility model.
Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a state of folding sheets of a continuous automatic folding machine according to an embodiment of the present utility model.
Fig. 4 shows an enlarged view of the portion a in fig. 3.
Reference numerals illustrate: 10. a frame; 11. a connecting rod; 12. a limit rod; 13. placing a gap; 20. a conveying device; 21. a main driving mechanism; 211. a first motor; 22. a slave drive mechanism; 221. a transmission shaft; 222. a conveyor belt; 30. a material folding device; 31. folding the strip; 311. a connection part; 312. a bending part; 32. a fixed structure; 321. a slide; 322. a fixed rod; 323. an adjusting rod; 40. a feeding device; 41. a second motor; 42. a conveying roller; 43. a material belt; 44. a limiting plate; 45. a baffle; 50. a pushing device; 51. a first driving motor; 52. a rotating shaft; 53. a chain assembly; 54. a sprocket; 55. a chain; 56. a pushing block; 57. a support rod; 60. a limiting piece; 70. paper sheets; 80. a protective cover; 90. a sizing device; 91. a second driving motor; 92. a main conveying roller; 93. from the transfer roller; 94. and (5) rubber cushion is arranged.
Detailed Description
The utility model is described in further detail below with reference to fig. 1-4.
The embodiment of the utility model discloses a continuous automatic folding machine.
Referring to fig. 1, the continuous automatic folding machine includes a frame 10, a conveying device 20, a folding device 30, a feeding device 40 and a pushing device 50, wherein the feeding device 40, the pushing device 50 and the conveying device 20 are sequentially arranged on the frame 10 along the conveying direction of a paper 70, the feeding device 40 is connected with the pushing device 50, the pushing device 50 is connected with the conveying device 20, the paper 70 is fed onto the pushing device 50 through the feeding device 40, the pushing device 50 pushes the paper 70 to move onto the conveying device 20, the folding device 30 is arranged on the conveying device 20, and when the paper 70 is conveyed to the folding device 30 by the conveying device 20, the folding device 30 folds the paper 70, so that the paper 70 is automatically folded. Wherein the paper is creased paper.
Referring to fig. 2, the conveying device 20 includes a main driving mechanism 21 and a secondary driving mechanism 22, the main driving mechanism 21 includes a first motor 211, the secondary driving mechanism 22 includes two transmission shafts 221 and two groups of conveyor belts 222, an output shaft of the first motor 211 is fixedly connected with one group of transmission shafts 221, the two groups of transmission shafts 221 are rotatably connected with the frame 10, the two groups of conveyor belts 222 are wound between the two groups of transmission shafts 221, a placing gap 13 is arranged between the two groups of conveyor belts 222, and the first motor 211 drives the transmission shafts 221 to rotate so as to drive the conveyor belts 222 to move to realize transportation of the paper 70.
Referring to fig. 3 and 4, the folder 30 includes a folding bar 31, the folding bar 31 includes a connection portion 311 and a bending portion 312, the connection portion 311 is mounted on the frame 10, the bending portion 312 is connected with the connection portion 311, and the connection portion 311 extends into the placement gap 13, so that the bending portion 312 is located below the conveying plane of the paper 70, so that the bending portion 312 folds the portion of the paper 70 to be folded.
Referring to fig. 3 and 4, when the paper 70 is transported to the folder 30, the paper 70 pushes the connection portion 311 and the folding portion 312 to move in the X-axis and Z-axis directions, and the folding portion 312 drives the portion of the paper 70 to be folded to fold under the pushing force of the paper 70. An included angle is formed between the bending part 312 and the connecting part 311, and the included angle is matched with the paper 70 so as to facilitate the paper 70 to move into the included angle, thereby realizing the folding of the paper 70. Wherein the folded strip 31 is an elastic material that is easily elastically deformed.
Referring to fig. 3 and 4, the frame 10 is further provided with a fixing structure 32, the fixing structure 32 includes a sliding seat 321 and a fixing rod 322, the fixing rod 322 is installed on the sliding seat 321, the fixing rod 322 is used for fixing the paper 70, so that the whole paper 70 is prevented from being folded in the folding process, the sliding seat 321 is slidably sleeved on the connecting rod 11, and the fixing structure 32 is conveniently slidably moved on the connecting rod 11 to adapt to the paper 70 with different sizes.
Referring to fig. 3 and 4, a fixing member is disposed on the sliding seat 321 for fixing the sliding seat 321 and the connecting rod 11, and after the fixing member is loosened, the position of the fixing structure 32 can be adjusted, and after the adjustment, the fixing structure 32 and the connecting rod 11 are fixed by the fixing member, wherein the fixing member can be a fastening structure such as a bolt, a screw rod, etc.
Referring to fig. 3 and 4, a feeding gap is provided between the fixing rod 322 and the conveyor belt 222, an adjusting rod 323 is provided between the sliding seat 321 and the fixing rod 322, one end of the adjusting rod 323 is rotatably connected with the sliding seat 321, the other end of the adjusting rod 323 is fixedly connected with the fixing rod 322, and the size of the feeding gap can be adjusted by rotating the adjusting rod 323, so that the feeding gap is suitable for fixing paper 70 with different thicknesses.
Referring to fig. 3 and 4, the frame 10 is provided with a limiting rod 12 and a limiting member 60, the limiting rod 12 and the limiting member 60 are arranged in parallel, a connecting portion 311 of the folding bar 31 is located between the limiting rod 12 and the limiting member 60, the paper 70 pushes the connecting portion 311 and a bending portion 312 to move upwards, and after the paper 70 is folded by the bending portion 312, the limiting member 60 cooperates with the limiting rod 12 to enable the folding bar 31 to return to the original position, so that the paper 70 can be folded continuously.
Referring to fig. 3, the feeding device 40 includes a plurality of conveying rollers 42 and a second motor 41, the second motor 41 is fixedly connected with one of the conveying rollers 42, the second motor 41 is used for driving the conveying rollers 42 to rotate, and a material belt 43 is wound on the conveying rollers 42 to drive the conveying rollers 42 to rotate. A limiting plate 44 is arranged on one side close to the conveying device 20, the limiting plate 44 is fixedly connected with the frame 10, and a feeding gap is formed between the limiting plate 44 and the bottom of the frame 10, and the feeding gap can be used for conveying single paper sheets 70. Two groups of baffles 45 are fixedly connected to the limiting plate 44, the two groups of baffles 45 are located above the conveying roller 42 and are perpendicular to the limiting plate 44, a placing cavity is formed between the limiting plate 44 and the two groups of baffles 45, and the placing cavity is suitable for placing paper 70.
Referring to fig. 1, the pushing device 50 includes a first driving motor 51, two sets of rotating shafts 52 and two sets of chain components 53, the first driving motor 51 is connected with one set of rotating shafts 52, the rotating shafts 52 are rotatably connected with the frame 10, the chain components 53 are arranged on the rotating shafts 52, the chain components 53 include two chain wheels 54 and a chain 55 wound between the two chain wheels 54, the chain wheels 54 are fixedly connected on the rotating shafts 52, pushing blocks 56 are arranged on the chain 55 at intervals, two sets of supporting rods 57 are further arranged on the frame 10, the supporting rods 57 are parallel to the chain 55 and are higher than the chain 55, the supporting rods 57 are used for supporting paper 70, and the pushing blocks 56 are used for pushing the paper 70 on the supporting rods.
Referring to fig. 1 and 2, a sizing device 90 is disposed above the conveying device 20, the sizing device 90 includes a second driving motor 91 and two sets of conveying rollers, the conveying roller connected with the second driving motor 91 is a main conveying roller 92, the other set is a secondary conveying roller 93, the main conveying roller 92 is abutted against the secondary conveying roller 93, and a rubber pad 94 is disposed on the secondary conveying roller 93 so as to facilitate sizing of the paper 70. A protective cover 80 is provided on the upper side of the gumming device 90 to prevent dust intrusion.
The implementation principle of the continuous automatic folding machine provided by the embodiment of the utility model is as follows: the second motor 41 drives the conveying roller 42 to rotate so that the paper 70 is conveyed onto the chain wheel 54, the chain wheel 54 drives the paper 70 to move towards the conveying device 20, the pushing block 56 on the chain wheel 54 enables the paper 70 to be stably conveyed onto the conveying belt 222, the conveying belt 222 conveys the paper 70 to move to an included angle between the connecting portion 311 and the bending portion 312, the fixing structure 32 fixes one end of the paper 70, the bending portion 312 pulls the folding portion of the paper 70 to move upwards, and therefore automatic folding of the paper 70 is achieved, and the paper folding machine is applicable to paper 70 with different sizes and thicknesses.
The above embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present utility model, so: all equivalent changes in structure, shape and principle of the utility model should be covered in the scope of protection of the utility model.

Claims (10)

1. A continuous automatic folder, comprising:
a frame (10);
a conveying device (20) arranged on the frame (10) and used for conveying the paper (70), wherein the conveying device (20) is provided with a placing gap (13), and the placing gap (13) is used for suspending the paper (70) partially;
the folding device (30) is arranged on the frame (10) and comprises a folding bar (31), the folding bar (31) comprises a connecting part (311) and a bending part (312), the connecting part (311) is movably arranged on the frame (10), the connecting part (311) extends into the placing gap (13) to enable the bending part (312) to be lower than the conveying plane of the paper (70), the connecting part (311) and the bending part (312) are used for driving the side edge of the paper (70) to fold under the thrust action of the paper (70), and an included angle matched with the paper (70) is arranged between the connecting part (311) and the bending part (312) so as to fold the paper (70).
2. The continuous automatic folding machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the folding device (30) comprises a fixing structure (32), the frame (10) is provided with a connecting rod (11), the fixing structure (32) comprises a sliding seat (321) and a fixing rod (322), the sliding seat (321) is slidingly connected with the connecting rod (11), the fixing rod (322) is connected with the sliding seat (321), and the fixing rod (322) is used for fixing paper (70).
3. The continuous automatic folding machine according to claim 2, characterized in that an adjusting lever (323) is provided between the slider (321) and the fixing lever (322), a conveying gap is provided between the fixing lever (322) and a conveying plane of the paper (70), and the adjusting lever (323) is used for adjusting the size of the conveying gap.
4. Continuous automatic folding machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the frame (10) is provided with a stop (60), the stop (60) being adapted to drive the return of the folding bar (31).
5. The continuous automatic folding machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the conveying device (20) comprises a main driving mechanism (21) and a secondary driving mechanism (22), the main driving mechanism (21) comprises a first motor (211), the secondary driving mechanism (22) comprises two transmission shafts (221) and a conveyor belt (222) wound between the two transmission shafts (221), the first motor (211) is fixedly connected with the transmission shafts (221), the first motor (211) is used for driving the transmission shafts (221) to rotate, and the placement gap (13) is located between the conveyor belt (222) so as to realize automatic folding of the paper (70) during conveying of the paper.
6. The continuous automatic folding machine according to claim 1, wherein a feeding device (40) is arranged on the frame (10), the feeding device (40) comprises a second motor (41), a plurality of conveying rollers (42) and a material belt (43) wound on the conveying rollers (42), the second motor (41) is fixedly connected with the conveying rollers (42), and the second motor (41) is used for driving the conveying rollers (42) to rotate.
7. The continuous automatic folding machine according to claim 6, characterized in that a limiting plate (44) is provided on the frame (10), the limiting plate (44) is located at a side close to the conveying device (20), and a feeding gap is provided between the limiting plate (44) and the frame (10).
8. The continuous automatic folding machine according to claim 6, wherein the frame (10) is further provided with a pushing device (50), the pushing device (50) is located between the feeding device (40) and the conveying device (20), the pushing device (50) comprises a first driving motor (51), two sets of rotating shafts (52) and a chain assembly (53) wound between the two sets of rotating shafts (52), the first driving motor (51) is fixedly connected with the rotating shafts (52), and the first driving motor (51) is used for driving the rotating shafts (52) to rotate;
the chain assembly (53) comprises two chain wheels (54) and a chain (55) wound between the two chain wheels (54), the chain wheels (54) are fixedly connected with the rotating shaft (52), a pushing block (56) is arranged on the chain (55), and the pushing block (56) is used for pushing paper (70) to move towards the conveying device (20).
9. Continuous automatic folding machine according to claim 8, characterized in that the frame (10) is provided with a support bar (57), which support bar (57) is parallel to the chain (55) for supporting the sheets (70).
10. The continuous automatic folding machine according to claim 1, characterized in that a sizing device (90) is arranged above the conveying device, the sizing device (90) comprises a second driving motor (91) and a conveying roller, the second driving motor (91) is used for driving the conveying roller to rotate, a rubber pad (94) is arranged on the conveying roller, and the rubber pad (94) is used for sizing paper (70).
CN202222439388.8U 2022-09-14 2022-09-14 Continuous automatic folding machine Active CN220078117U (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN202222439388.8U CN220078117U (en) 2022-09-14 2022-09-14 Continuous automatic folding machine

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN202222439388.8U CN220078117U (en) 2022-09-14 2022-09-14 Continuous automatic folding machine

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CN220078117U true CN220078117U (en) 2023-11-24

Family

ID=88831062

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CN202222439388.8U Active CN220078117U (en) 2022-09-14 2022-09-14 Continuous automatic folding machine

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CN (1) CN220078117U (en)

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CN110921367B (en) Feeding device of folding forming machine
CA2709475C (en) Method and apparatus for overlapping sheets in a sheet feeder and providing the overlapped sheets to a printing press
CN220078117U (en) Continuous automatic folding machine
CN213622564U (en) Feeding positioning device of printing machine
CN110861348A (en) Split type corrugated container board adsorbs paper feeder
CN214934332U (en) Printed matter folding mechanism
CN110228289B (en) Roller shaft conversion device and gold stamping die cutting equipment
CN215287206U (en) Feeding mechanism
KR20100048906A (en) Automated booklet maker
CN213798700U (en) A adjustable impression equipment for books and periodicals magazine printing
US6629690B1 (en) Apparatus and method for conveying a product
EP0502742B1 (en) Letter processing apparatus
CN102407685A (en) Digital plateless printing die cutting grooving machine
CN220841640U (en) Carton processingequipment convenient to fold cardboard
CN214779735U (en) Paper conveying belt of printing machine
CN214137536U (en) Crease device is used in carton processing
CN212331960U (en) Split type corrugated container board adsorbs paper feeder
US6458066B1 (en) Linear folding device and method
CN213568704U (en) Adjustable paper-receiving table paper-clamping and conveying mechanism
CN219636463U (en) Gear gauge adjusting device of paper folding mechanism
CN215704487U (en) Standard box folding machine
CN221318672U (en) Page folding device for book manufacturing
CN220904249U (en) Pre-folding mechanism of box pasting machine
CN220578555U (en) Material collecting conveying line of collating machine
CN219407078U (en) Feeding mechanism of mask folding machine

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
GR01 Patent grant
GR01 Patent grant