EP0334769B1 - Machine for loading and unloading articles, arranged in layers - Google Patents

Machine for loading and unloading articles, arranged in layers Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0334769B1
EP0334769B1 EP89420073A EP89420073A EP0334769B1 EP 0334769 B1 EP0334769 B1 EP 0334769B1 EP 89420073 A EP89420073 A EP 89420073A EP 89420073 A EP89420073 A EP 89420073A EP 0334769 B1 EP0334769 B1 EP 0334769B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
articles
machine
loading
layers
bottles
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP89420073A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0334769A1 (en
Inventor
Robert Garnier
André Bouttaz
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.)
D'etudes Et De Modelage Mecanique Semm Ste
STONE Ets
Original Assignee
D'etudes Et De Modelage Mecanique Semm Ste
STONE Ets
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Priority to AT89420073T priority Critical patent/ATE70507T1/en
Publication of EP0334769A1 publication Critical patent/EP0334769A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0334769B1 publication Critical patent/EP0334769B1/en
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B21/00—Packaging or unpacking of bottles
    • B65B21/02—Packaging or unpacking of bottles in or from preformed containers, e.g. crates
    • B65B21/025—Packaging or unpacking of bottles in or from preformed containers, e.g. crates the bottles being arranged in a head-to-bottom formation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B21/00—Packaging or unpacking of bottles
    • B65B21/02—Packaging or unpacking of bottles in or from preformed containers, e.g. crates
    • B65B21/14—Introducing or removing groups of bottles, for filling or emptying containers in one operation
    • B65B21/18—Introducing or removing groups of bottles, for filling or emptying containers in one operation using grippers engaging bottles, e.g. bottle necks
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B35/00—Supplying, feeding, arranging or orientating articles to be packaged
    • B65B35/56—Orientating, i.e. changing the attitude of, articles, e.g. of non-uniform cross-section
    • B65B35/58—Turning articles by positively-acting means, e.g. to present labelled portions in uppermost position

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a machine for loading and unloading articles arranged in layers. More particularly, this invention relates to a machine also called “emboxeuse-deboxeuse", used for loading bottles stored in the supine position in containers or crates, and for unloading bottles thus stored.
  • bottles initially in the upright position are gripped by this type of machine, to be placed in the supine position in containers or in crates, where they form a certain number of overlapping and overlapping layers.
  • the bottles are usually arranged in two groups of bottles or "half-layers", having opposite directions. It is therefore advisable to form bottle lines, to lay down these bottles and to nest the half-layers of bottles to form complete layers. All of these functions can be performed using various methods:
  • the bottles are brought into a standing position on two lines located at the same level.
  • the bottles thus reach a sleeping table, where they are laid horizontally, forming two parallel rows.
  • a gripping device with a rotating arm then simultaneously grasps the two rows of bottles, forming a half-layer, to deposit them in the container or in the box.
  • the operating rate of such a machine is limited by the need to bring the bottles one behind the other on two lines, and to wait for the accumulation of a certain number of bottles at the end of these lines before to coat the bottles.
  • the presence of the sleeping table complicates the machine and makes it more expensive.
  • Another known machine does not have a sleeping table.
  • the bottles are brought into a standing position on two lines located at different levels, and superimposed. Two rows of bottles are thus formed, one above the other, in the same vertical plane.
  • a robot with a manipulating arm then grabs the two rows of bottles, and deposits them in the container or in the crate while laying them down horizontally.
  • the performance of this machine is also limited by the need to accumulate a certain number of bottles. behind the others on two lines, before they can be taken. Furthermore, the implementation of such a machine complicates the installations, by imposing a supply of the bottles on two distinct levels.
  • the present invention aims to remedy the drawbacks of current machines for loading and unloading articles arranged in layers, by providing a new machine whose performance is no longer dependent on the accumulation of bottles or other similar articles at the end of the lines. feed, and in which the formation of the half-layers is ensured by a simple and rapid technical solution.
  • means for bringing the articles to an accumulation table along a plurality of parallel lanes in the same number as the articles of a row to be formed, so that the articles which reach the ends of these corridors form a row, and lifting means are provided towards the ends of said corridors to move such a row to a certain height above the accumulation table, gripping means being capable of simultaneously gripping a row of articles thus brought to a certain height above the accumulation table, and another row of articles held at this table accumulation, to lay down these rows of articles and to deposit them in a container or in a crate.
  • the bottles or other articles all arrive in a standing position on one and the same plane, and that the machine itself ensures, by its lifting means, the vertical offset of certain rows of bottles, constituting the foreshadowing of the half-layers of bottles.
  • the machine object of the invention also has the advantage of eliminating any accumulation of bottles brought in line to form rows of bottles, since the bottles arrive on an accumulation table along several parallel corridors, the rows being formed at the ends of these corridors transversely to the direction of arrival of the bottles. This mode of supply and formation of the rows makes it possible to accelerate the rate of operation of the machine, while avoiding impacts between the bottles and allowing continuous and bulk arrival of the bottles.
  • the accumulation table can be arranged perpendicular to a conveyor for feeding the bottles in standing position.
  • the accumulation table comprises endless pallet conveyor chains on which the articles are brought, are distributed in the different lanes and are driven towards the ends of these lanes, in the loading operation. In reverse operation during unloading, the accumulation table is used for the evacuation of articles, the endless chains being driven in the other direction.
  • the lifting means provided towards the ends of the corridors are constituted by a movable deck, guided in translation in a substantially vertical direction and coupled to means for controlling its vertical movement, this movable deck comprising two support trays for horizontal and superimposed articles, extending transversely to the corridors of the accumulation table, and the control means being provided for moving the apron between a low position, in which the upper support tray is at level of the accumulation table, and a high position, in which the lower support plate is located at the level of the accumulation table.
  • the movable apron being in the low position, articles can be admitted on the upper support plate where they form a row; then bringing the apron in the high position, this row is shifted upwards.
  • the following articles, then arriving on the lower support plate of the apron form another row which remains at the level of the accumulation table. After removing these two rows of superimposed articles, the apron can be lowered for a new cycle.
  • a movable rake is also guided in translation in a substantially vertical direction and coupled to control means for its vertical displacement, this rake comprising substantially vertical teeth whose distribution corresponds to the corridors of the accumulation table, serving as stops for the articles at the front of these corridors, as well as guides for the same articles when these are moved vertically by the movable deck.
  • the two guardrails can belong to a mobile assembly, guided in translation in a direction substantially vertical and coupled to means for controlling its vertical movement, the upper guardrail being fixed on this mobile assembly, while the lower guardrail is mounted movable from front to back, and is associated with other control means for its movement back and forth.
  • the lowering of this mobile assembly causes the simultaneous retraction of the two guardrails, making it possible to take bottles from the two support plates of the deck.
  • the additional movement back and forth of the lower guardrail only intervenes in the operation of the unloading machine, to push towards the accumulation table a row of bottles resting on the deck, and thus cause the evacuation of these bottles.
  • the gripping means are constituted by a gripping head, with gripping blocks with suction cups arranged in two parallel rows, which is carried by the end of a telescopic arm held by a mounted support pivoting about a horizontal axis, at the lower end of a support column movable in translation and in rotation along a vertical axis.
  • the machine which is the subject of the invention is arranged on the side of a conveyor allowing the supply or the evacuation of articles, which in the example considered are bottles 2.
  • This machine ensures the loading or unloading of containers 3, in which the bottles 2 are stored in the supine position, in several superimposed layers.
  • the machine comprises an accumulation table 4, with endless conveyor chains with pallets 5 extending, and moving in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction of the conveyor 1.
  • the conveyor chains 5 pass over various guide and guide wheels. reference 6, 7, 8 and 9, as well as on drive wheels 10 connected by a transmission to a gear motor 11 - see also Figure 5.
  • the accumulation table 4 comprises, above the rear part of the conveyor chains 5, a series of partitions 12 which extend substantially in the direction of movement of these chains 5, to delimit a plurality of parallel corridors 13.
  • the partitions corridors 12 are associated with control means, such as a jack, making it possible to animate them with an oscillating movement in the transverse direction of the chains 5.
  • horizontal guides 14 are provided, located at the height of the necks of the bottles 2 resting on these chains 5.
  • the machine In front of the conveyor chains 5, therefore at the end of the corridors 13, the machine comprises an apron 15 mounted movably in a substantially vertical direction.
  • the movable deck 15 comprises a lower plate 16 and an upper plate 17, of narrow and elongated shape, the corresponding ends of which are joined by lateral uprights 18, guided in substantially vertical slides 19 carried by the frame 20 of the machine.
  • Control means such as at least one jack 21, are provided for moving the movable deck 15 between a low position, in which the upper plate 17 is located at the level of the accumulation table 4, and a high position, in which the lower plate 16 is located at the level of the accumulation table 4.
  • a rake 21 mounted movable parallel to the deck 15 under the action of other control means, such as at least one actuator 22.
  • the movable rake 21 comprises a series of parallel teeth 23, substantially vertical, which in the lowered position of this rake 21 take place at the ends of the different lanes 13 of the accumulation table 4, between these lanes 13, as shown in FIG. 4.
  • the upper guardrail 26 is fixed, at its ends, on two lateral uprights 27 of the mobile assembly 24, which can be raised or lowered by control means, such as at least one actuator 28 - see FIG. 5.
  • the lower guardrail 25 is mounted movable, by means of arms 29 pivoting on an axis horizontal 30, so that it can be animated with a substantially horizontal additional movement, oriented from front to back, under the action of other control means, such as at least one jack 31 acting on the arms 29 by the 'through at least one lever 32 and a connecting rod 33.
  • the same slides 19 ensure, on each side, the guiding of the movable deck 15, of the rake 21 and of the assembly 24.
  • the machine comprises a gripping assembly 34 for the bottles 2, carried by the upper part 35 of the frame 20 forming a sort of bracket projecting in front of the accumulation table 4 and the movable apron 15.
  • the gripping assembly 34 comprises a support column 36, movable in translation and in rotation along a fixed vertical axis 37. At the lower end of the support column 36 is pivotally mounted, around a horizontal axis 38, a support 39 provided with a telescopic arm 40, carrying at its end a gripping head 41 which extends in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 42 of the arm 40.
  • the gripping head 41 is provided with two parallel rows of gripping blocks 43 with suction cups, each block 43 being provided for gripping a bottle 2. As shown more particularly in FIGS. 7 to 9, all the gripping blocks 43 of the same row are fixed, at suitable intervals which can be adjusted, on two parallel support bars 44 and 45.
  • Each block 43 comprises two superposed suction cups 46 and 47, of different diameters, connected to the same vacuum source; most large suction cup 46 is used to hold a bottle 2, substantially at its center of gravity, while the smallest suction cup 47 prevents tilting of the bottle 2.
  • Each gripping block 43 still has, at its base and at its top, rigid parts shaped as "V", respectively 48 and 49, which exactly position the bottle 2.
  • the gripping assembly 34 surmounts a container loading or unloading station 3, which comprises a roller table 50 of length approximately three times that of a container 3, and extending parallel to the conveyor 1, so as to define : a central location for the container 3 being loaded or unloaded, an extreme location for a container 3 awaiting loading or unloading, and another extreme location for a loaded or unloaded container to be evacuated.
  • the central location is located exactly under the gripping assembly 34.
  • a drive device 51 controls the movement of the containers 3 resting on the roller table 50, to bring these containers 3 from one location to another at the desired time .
  • bottles 2 arrive in a standing position, in any way, on the conveyor 1 according to the arrow 52 of FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • a deflector 53 placed above the conveyor 1 facing the machine, deflects the bottles 2 to direct them to the rear of the accumulation table 4.
  • the conveyor chains 5 of the accumulation table 4 are moved in a forward direction, and simultaneously the lane partitions 12 are set in oscillating motion, to facilitate the separation of the 2 bottles arriving on the table 4 and their introduction between the neck guides 14.
  • the conveyor chains 5 drive the bottles 2 forward, in the different corridors 13, and thus lead them to the front of the table 4, where these bottles 2 are stopped by the rake 21.
  • a series of tabs 54 makes it possible to detect the presence of a determined number of bottles 2 accumulated in each lane 13.
  • the detection carried out by means of the cleats 54 controls the lifting of the rake 21.
  • the first row of bottles 2 is then transferred to the upper plate 17 of the apron 15, being helped in this by the thrust of the rows of bottles 2 located behind and driven by the advance of the conveyor chains 5.
  • the lower guard 25 stops the first row of bottles 2, so that this row is positioned exactly on the upper plate 17 of the deck 15.
  • the rake 21 is then lowered to block, by its teeth 23, the second row of bottles 2 which has reached the front end of the table 4 - see FIG. 4.
  • the deck 15 rises and stops in high position, its lower plate 16 then being brought into level with the accumulation table 4 while the upper plate 17 reaches a certain height H above the level of the accumulation table 4.
  • the bottles 2 which rest on the upper plate 17 lean against the rake 21, which then serves as a guide.
  • the rake 21 is then raised, and the second row of bottles 2 is transferred from the conveyor chains 5 to the lower plate 16 of the deck 15. Once this second row of bottles 2 is positioned, the rake 21 lowers again, to stop the next row of bottles 2.
  • Two rows of bottles 2 are then positioned, respectively, on the lower 16 and upper 17 plates of the deck 15, the two rails 25 and 26 forming at this time stops in front of these two rows of bottles 2.
  • the mobile assembly 24 is slightly lowered, so as to bring the two rails 25 and 26 into below the respective levels of the two plates 16 and 17 of the deck 15.
  • the telescopic arm 40 of the gripping assembly 34 is deployed, in the direction of its axis 42, and it drives the gripping head 41 by bringing it closer to the deck 15, until the various gripping blocks 43 come into contact with the bottles 2 of the two superimposed rows, by their suction cups 46 and 47. All these bottles 2 being taken up by the suction created by means of the suction cups 46 and 47, the telescopic arm 40 retracts and, simultaneously, its support 39 pivots around the horizontal axis 38, while the support column 36 is raised.
  • the telescopic arm 40 is deployed, and simultaneously the support column 36 descends, for depositing the bottles 2 either at the bottom of the container 3, or on the half-layer deposited in the previous cycle.
  • the following gripping and removal cycle is carried out in the same manner, however with an additional movement: the telescopic arm 40, and with it the gripping head 41, rotate over the container 3 by 180 °, to allow the next half-layer to be stored in the opposite direction. It is understood that the repeated stacking of half-layers in alternating directions leads to a superposition of complete layers, with the overlapping of the half-layers, over the entire height of the container 3. Of course, the operation is programmed, in particular as regards vertical strokes, to take into account the distinct positions of the successive layers.
  • the conveyor chains 5 of the accumulation table 4 are driven in a movement directed towards the back.
  • the corridor separations 12 are kept stationary.
  • the apron 15 rises to its high position, as does the rake 21, while the guardrails 25 and 26 are retracted by lowering the mobile assembly 24.
  • the gripping head 41 takes the upper half-layer of bottles 2 from the container 3, and it deposits the two rows of bottles 2, constituting this half-layer, respectively on the two plates 16 and 17 of the apron 15. During this phase, the gripping assembly 34 performs the opposite movements to those of the removal from the apron 15.
  • the telescopic arm 40 and the gripping head 41 are withdrawn, and the mobile assembly 24 is lifted, so that the guardrails 25 and 26 are put in place in front of the two rows of bottles 2 which have just been deposited.
  • the jack 31 transmitted by the lever 32 and the connecting rod 33 to the arm 29, the lower guard 25 is moved horizontally backwards, to push the lower row of bottles 2, placed on the lower plate 16 of the deck 15, towards the accumulation table 4 where the conveyor chains 5 evacuate these bottles 2 towards the conveyor 1.
  • the lower guard 25 is brought back to its initial advanced position, and the apron 15 descends to its low position to bring the upper support 17, carrying the other row of bottles 2, to the level of the accumulation table 4.
  • the lower guardrail 25 is actuated again, and it then pushes this other row of bottles 2 to evacuate it like the previous one.
  • the lower guardrail 25 then returns to the advanced position, the mobile assembly 24 with the two guardrails 25 and 26 is lowered and, simultaneously, the deck 15 is raised to its high position.
  • This apron 15 is thus ready to receive two new rows of bottles 2, coming from the next half-layer of the container 3, and so on ...
  • the conveyor 1 When using a machine for unloading a container 3, the conveyor 1 ensures the evacuation of the bottles 2 along the arrow 55 in FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • the deflector 52 is then removed, and it can be replaced by a appropriate guide 56.
  • the machine can be easily installed on the side of a pre-existing conveyor 1, at any point of the conveyor and on one side or the other of this conveyor.
  • the invention is not limited to the only embodiment of this loading and unloading machine which has been described above, by way of example; on the contrary, it embraces all of the variant embodiments and applications respecting the same principle.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Wrapping Of Specific Fragile Articles (AREA)
  • Stacking Of Articles And Auxiliary Devices (AREA)
  • Warehouses Or Storage Devices (AREA)
  • Specific Conveyance Elements (AREA)
  • Vending Machines For Individual Products (AREA)
  • De-Stacking Of Articles (AREA)

Abstract

The articles (2), brought into the upright position by a conveyor (1), arrive on an accumulation table (4) where they are divided into parallel corridors in order to form rows of articles at the ends of these corridors. A vertically displaceable mobile apron (15) permits a row of articles (2) to be raised to a certain height (H) above the accumulation table (4). A gripping assembly (34) is provided in order to grasp simultaneously a row of articles (2) thus brought to the height (H) above the table (4), another row of articles (2) being maintained at the level of this table (4), in order to lay these articles down and deposit them in a container (3). Application: Loading and unloading of bottles (2) forming interleaved "half-layers". <IMAGE>

Description

La présente invention concerne une machine de chargement et de déchargement d'articles disposés en couches. Plus particulièrement, cette invention se rapporte à une machine dite aussi "emboxeuse-déboxeuse", utilisée pour le chargement de bouteilles rangées en position couchée dans des conteneurs ou des caisses, et pour le déchargement des bouteilles ainsi rangées.The present invention relates to a machine for loading and unloading articles arranged in layers. More particularly, this invention relates to a machine also called "emboxeuse-deboxeuse", used for loading bottles stored in the supine position in containers or crates, and for unloading bottles thus stored.

Dans des installations d'embouteillage, des bouteilles initialement en position debout sont saisies par ce genre de machines, pour être posées en position couchée dans des conteneurs ou dans des caisses, où elles forment un certain nombre de couches superposées et imbriquées. Dans chaque couche, les bouteilles sont disposées habituellement en deux groupes de bouteilles ou "demi-couches", ayant des sens opposés. Il convient donc de former des lignes de bouteilles, de coucher ces bouteilles et d'imbriquer les demi-couches de bouteilles pour former des couches complètes. L'ensemble de ces fonctions peut être réalisé selon des procédés divers:In bottling plants, bottles initially in the upright position are gripped by this type of machine, to be placed in the supine position in containers or in crates, where they form a certain number of overlapping and overlapping layers. In each layer, the bottles are usually arranged in two groups of bottles or "half-layers", having opposite directions. It is therefore advisable to form bottle lines, to lay down these bottles and to nest the half-layers of bottles to form complete layers. All of these functions can be performed using various methods:

Dans une machine connue, les bouteilles sont amenées en position debout sur deux lignes situées au même niveau. Les bouteilles parviennent ainsi sur une table de couchage, où elles sont couchées à l'horizontale en formant deux rangées parallèles. Un dispositif de préhension à bras rotatif saisit alors simultanément les deux rangées de bouteilles, formant une demi-couche, pour les déposer dans le conteneur ou dans la caisse.In a known machine, the bottles are brought into a standing position on two lines located at the same level. The bottles thus reach a sleeping table, where they are laid horizontally, forming two parallel rows. A gripping device with a rotating arm then simultaneously grasps the two rows of bottles, forming a half-layer, to deposit them in the container or in the box.

La cadence de fonctionnement d'une telle machine est limitée par la nécessité d'amener les bouteilles les unes derrière les autres sur deux lignes, et d'attendre l'accumulation d'un certain nombre de bouteilles à l'extrémité de ces lignes avant de procéder au couchage des bouteilles. De plus, la présence de la table de couchage complique la machine et la renchérit.The operating rate of such a machine is limited by the need to bring the bottles one behind the other on two lines, and to wait for the accumulation of a certain number of bottles at the end of these lines before to coat the bottles. In addition, the presence of the sleeping table complicates the machine and makes it more expensive.

Une autre machine connue ne possède pas de table de couchage. Dans cette machine, les bouteilles sont amenées en position debout sur deux lignes situées à des niveaux différents, et superposées. On forme ainsi deux rangées de bouteilles situées l'une au-dessus de l'autre, dans un même plan vertical. Un robot à bras manipulateur saisit alors les deux rangées de bouteilles, et il les dépose dans le conteneur ou dans la caisse tout en les couchant à l'horizontale. Le rendement de cette machine est également limité par la nécessité d'accumuler un certain nombre de bouteilles les unes derrière les autres sur deux lignes, avant de pouvoir les prélever. Par ailleurs, la mise en oeuvre d'une telle machine complique les installations, en imposant une amenée des bouteilles sur deux niveaux distincts.Another known machine does not have a sleeping table. In this machine, the bottles are brought into a standing position on two lines located at different levels, and superimposed. Two rows of bottles are thus formed, one above the other, in the same vertical plane. A robot with a manipulating arm then grabs the two rows of bottles, and deposits them in the container or in the crate while laying them down horizontally. The performance of this machine is also limited by the need to accumulate a certain number of bottles. behind the others on two lines, before they can be taken. Furthermore, the implementation of such a machine complicates the installations, by imposing a supply of the bottles on two distinct levels.

La présente invention vise à remédier aux inconvénients des machines actuelles de chargement et de déchargement d'articles disposés en couches, en fournissant une nouvelle machine dont le rendement n'est plus tributaire de l'accumulation des bouteilles ou autres articles similaires en bout de lignes d'amenée, et dans laquelle la formation des demi-couches est assurée par une solution technique simple et rapide.The present invention aims to remedy the drawbacks of current machines for loading and unloading articles arranged in layers, by providing a new machine whose performance is no longer dependent on the accumulation of bottles or other similar articles at the end of the lines. feed, and in which the formation of the half-layers is ensured by a simple and rapid technical solution.

A cet effet, dans la machine selon l'invention pour le chargement et le déchargement d'articles disposés en couches, des moyens sont prévus pour l'amenée des articles sur une table d'accumulation suivant une pluralité de couloirs parallèles en même nombre que les articles d'une rangée à former, de telle sorte que les articles parvenus aux extrémités de ces couloirs forment une rangée, et des moyens élévateurs sont prévus vers les extrémités desdits couloirs pour déplacer une telle rangée à une certaine hauteur au-dessus de la table d'accumulation, des moyens de préhension étant aptes à saisir simultanément une rangée d'articles amenés ainsi à une certaine hauteur au-dessus de la table d'accumulation, et une autre rangée d'articles maintenus au niveau de cette table d'accumulation, pour coucher ces rangées d'articles et pour les déposer dans un conteneur ou dans une caisse.To this end, in the machine according to the invention for loading and unloading of articles arranged in layers, means are provided for bringing the articles to an accumulation table along a plurality of parallel lanes in the same number as the articles of a row to be formed, so that the articles which reach the ends of these corridors form a row, and lifting means are provided towards the ends of said corridors to move such a row to a certain height above the accumulation table, gripping means being capable of simultaneously gripping a row of articles thus brought to a certain height above the accumulation table, and another row of articles held at this table accumulation, to lay down these rows of articles and to deposit them in a container or in a crate.

On comprend que, dans cette machine, les bouteilles ou autres articles arrivent toutes en position debout sur un seul et même plan, et que la machine assure elle-même, par ses moyens élévateurs, le décalage vertical de certaines rangées de bouteilles, constituant la préfiguration des demi-couches de bouteilles. La machine objet de l'invention a aussi pour avantage de supprimer toute accumulation de bouteilles amenées en ligne pour former des rangées de bouteilles, puisque les bouteilles arrivent sur une table d'accumulation suivant plusieurs couloirs parallèles, les rangées étant formées aux extrémités de ces couloirs transversalement au sens d'arrivée des bouteilles. Ce mode d'alimentation et de formation des rangées permet d'accélérer la cadence de fonctionnement de la machine, tout en évitant les chocs entre les bouteilles et en permettant une arrivée continue et en vrac des bouteilles. De plus, l'implantation de la machine dans une installation existante ou à créer s'en trouve facilitée: la table d'accumulation peut être disposée perpendiculairement à un convoyeur d'amenée des bouteilles en position debout. D'une manière connue en soi, la table d'accumulation comporte des chaînes transporteuses sans fin à palettes sur lesquelles les articles sont amenés, sont répartis dans les différents couloirs et sont entraînés vers les extrémités de ces couloirs, dans le fonctionnement en chargement. Dans le fonctionnement inverse en déchargement, la table d'accumulation est utilisée pour l'évacuation des articles, les chaînes sans fin étant entraînées dans l'autre sens.It is understood that, in this machine, the bottles or other articles all arrive in a standing position on one and the same plane, and that the machine itself ensures, by its lifting means, the vertical offset of certain rows of bottles, constituting the foreshadowing of the half-layers of bottles. The machine object of the invention also has the advantage of eliminating any accumulation of bottles brought in line to form rows of bottles, since the bottles arrive on an accumulation table along several parallel corridors, the rows being formed at the ends of these corridors transversely to the direction of arrival of the bottles. This mode of supply and formation of the rows makes it possible to accelerate the rate of operation of the machine, while avoiding impacts between the bottles and allowing continuous and bulk arrival of the bottles. In addition, the installation of the machine in an existing installation or to be created is facilitated: the accumulation table can be arranged perpendicular to a conveyor for feeding the bottles in standing position. In a manner known per se, the accumulation table comprises endless pallet conveyor chains on which the articles are brought, are distributed in the different lanes and are driven towards the ends of these lanes, in the loading operation. In reverse operation during unloading, the accumulation table is used for the evacuation of articles, the endless chains being driven in the other direction.

Dans une forme de réalisation de l'invention, les moyens élévateurs prévus vers les extrémités des couloirs sont constitués par un tablier mobile, guidé en translation suivant une direction sensiblement verticale et accouplé à des moyens de commande de son déplacement vertical, ce tablier mobile comprenant deux plateaux-supports d'articles horizontaux et superposés, s'étendant transversalement aux couloirs de la table d'accumulation, et les moyens de commande étant prévus pour déplacer le tablier entre une position basse, dans laquelle le plateau-support supérieur se trouve au niveau de la table d'accumulation, et une position haute, dans laquelle le plateau-support inférieur se trouve au niveau de la table d'accumulation. Le tablier mobile étant en position basse, des articles peuvent être admis sur le plateau-support supérieur où ils forment une rangée; en amenant ensuite le tablier en position haute, on décale cette rangée vers le haut. Les articles suivants, arrivant alors sur le plateau-support inférieur du tablier, forment une autre rangée qui reste au niveau de la table d'accumulation. Après prélèvement de ces deux rangées d'articles superposées, le tablier peut être abaissé pour un nouveau cycle.In one embodiment of the invention, the lifting means provided towards the ends of the corridors are constituted by a movable deck, guided in translation in a substantially vertical direction and coupled to means for controlling its vertical movement, this movable deck comprising two support trays for horizontal and superimposed articles, extending transversely to the corridors of the accumulation table, and the control means being provided for moving the apron between a low position, in which the upper support tray is at level of the accumulation table, and a high position, in which the lower support plate is located at the level of the accumulation table. The movable apron being in the low position, articles can be admitted on the upper support plate where they form a row; then bringing the apron in the high position, this row is shifted upwards. The following articles, then arriving on the lower support plate of the apron, form another row which remains at the level of the accumulation table. After removing these two rows of superimposed articles, the apron can be lowered for a new cycle.

On prévoit avantageusement sur la table d'accumulation, au-dessus de l'extrémité antérieure des chaînes transporteuses et juste en arrière du tablier mobile, un râteau mobile lui aussi guidé en translation suivant une direction sensiblement verticale et accouplé à des moyens de commande de son déplacement vertical, ce râteau comportant des dents sensiblement verticales dont la répartition correspond aux couloirs de la table d'accumulation, servant de butées pour les articles à l'avant de ces couloirs, ainsi que de guides pour les mêmes articles lorsque ceux-ci sont déplacés verticalement par le tablier mobile.Advantageously, on the accumulation table, above the front end of the conveyor chains and just behind the movable deck, a movable rake is also guided in translation in a substantially vertical direction and coupled to control means for its vertical displacement, this rake comprising substantially vertical teeth whose distribution corresponds to the corridors of the accumulation table, serving as stops for the articles at the front of these corridors, as well as guides for the same articles when these are moved vertically by the movable deck.

Il est en outre prévu, à l'avant du tablier mobile, deux rambardes escamotables servant à la retenue des articles reposant sur les deux plateaux-supports du tablier mobile. Les deux rambardes peuvent appartenir à un ensemble mobile, guidé en translation suivant une direction sensiblement verticale et accouplé à des moyens de commande de son déplacement vertical, la rambarde supérieure étant fixe sur cet ensemble mobile, tandis que la rambarde inférieure est montée mobile d'avant en arrière, et est associée à d'autres moyens de commande pour son déplacement d'avant en arrière. L'abaissement de cet ensemble mobile provoque l'escamotage simultané des deux rambardes, rendant possible le prélèvement de bouteilles sur les deux plateaux-supports du tablier. Le déplacement supplémentaire d'avant en arrière de la rambarde inférieure intervient uniquement dans le fonctionnement de la machine en déchargement, pour pousser vers la table d'accumulation une rangée de bouteilles reposant sur le tablier, et provoquer ainsi l'évacuation de ces bouteilles.There are also provided, at the front of the movable apron, two retractable guardrails used for retaining articles resting on the two support plates of the movable apron. The two guardrails can belong to a mobile assembly, guided in translation in a direction substantially vertical and coupled to means for controlling its vertical movement, the upper guardrail being fixed on this mobile assembly, while the lower guardrail is mounted movable from front to back, and is associated with other control means for its movement back and forth. The lowering of this mobile assembly causes the simultaneous retraction of the two guardrails, making it possible to take bottles from the two support plates of the deck. The additional movement back and forth of the lower guardrail only intervenes in the operation of the unloading machine, to push towards the accumulation table a row of bottles resting on the deck, and thus cause the evacuation of these bottles.

Selon une autre caractéristique de l'invention, les moyens de préhension sont constitués par une tête de préhension, avec blocs de préhension à ventouses disposés en deux rangées parallèles, qui est portée par l'extrémité d'un bras télescopique tenu par un support monté pivotant, autour d'un axe horizontal, à l'extrémité inférieure d'une colonne-support déplaçable en translation et en rotation suivant un axe vertical.According to another characteristic of the invention, the gripping means are constituted by a gripping head, with gripping blocks with suction cups arranged in two parallel rows, which is carried by the end of a telescopic arm held by a mounted support pivoting about a horizontal axis, at the lower end of a support column movable in translation and in rotation along a vertical axis.

De toute façon, l'invention sera mieux comprise, et d'autres caractéristiques seront mises en évidence, à l'aide de la description qui suit, en référence au dessin schématique annexé représentant, à titre d'exemple non limitatif, une forme d'exécution de cette machine de chargement et de déchargement d'articles disposés en couches:

  • Figure 1 est une vue d'ensemble, en plan par dessus, d'une machine conforme à la présente invention, l'ensemble de préhension n'étant pas indiqué;
  • Figure 2 est une vue de face de la machine de figure 1, ici également représentée en omettant l'ensemble de préhension;
  • Figure 3 est une vue de côté de cette machine;
  • Figure 4 est une vue partielle, en plan par dessus et à échelle agrandie, montrant un détail de la partie avant de la table d'accumulation;
  • Figure 5 est une vue de côté partielle de la machine à échelle agrandie, et avec coupes partielles;
  • Figure 6 est une vue de face partielle, à échelle agrandie, montrant le guidage latéral de diverses parties mobiles de cette machine;
  • Figure 7 montre, en vue de face, un détail de la tête de préhension;
  • Figure 8 est une vue de dessus, avec coupe partielle, correspondant à figure 7;
  • Figure 9 est une vue de côté correspondant à figure 7.
In any case, the invention will be better understood, and other characteristics will be highlighted, with the aid of the description which follows, with reference to the appended schematic drawing representing, by way of nonlimiting example, a form d execution of this machine for loading and unloading of articles arranged in layers:
  • Figure 1 is an overall view, in plan from above, of a machine according to the present invention, the gripping assembly is not indicated;
  • Figure 2 is a front view of the machine of Figure 1, here also shown by omitting the gripping assembly;
  • Figure 3 is a side view of this machine;
  • Figure 4 is a partial plan view from above and on an enlarged scale, showing a detail of the front part of the accumulation table;
  • Figure 5 is a partial side view of the machine on an enlarged scale, and with partial sections;
  • Figure 6 is a partial front view, on an enlarged scale, showing the lateral guidance of various moving parts of this machine;
  • Figure 7 shows, in front view, a detail of the gripping head;
  • Figure 8 is a top view, with partial section, corresponding to Figure 7;
  • Figure 9 is a side view corresponding to Figure 7.

La machine objet de l'invention, représentée de manière générale aux figures 1 à 3, est disposée sur le côté d'un transporteur permettant l'amenée ou l'évacuation d'articles, qui dans l'exemple considéré sont des bouteilles 2. Cette machine assure le chargement ou le déchargement de conteneurs 3, dans lesquels les bouteilles 2 sont rangées en position couchée, en plusieurs couches superposées.The machine which is the subject of the invention, represented generally in FIGS. 1 to 3, is arranged on the side of a conveyor allowing the supply or the evacuation of articles, which in the example considered are bottles 2. This machine ensures the loading or unloading of containers 3, in which the bottles 2 are stored in the supine position, in several superimposed layers.

La machine comprend une table d'accumulation 4, avec des chaînes transporteuses sans fin à palettes 5 s'étendant, et se déplaçant suivant une direction horizontale perpendiculaire à la direction du transporteur 1. Les chaînes transporteuses 5 passent sur diverses roues de guidage et de renvoi 6, 7, 8 et 9, ainsi que sur des roues d'entraînement 10 reliées par une transmission à un moto-réducteur 11 ― voir aussi figure 5.The machine comprises an accumulation table 4, with endless conveyor chains with pallets 5 extending, and moving in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction of the conveyor 1. The conveyor chains 5 pass over various guide and guide wheels. reference 6, 7, 8 and 9, as well as on drive wheels 10 connected by a transmission to a gear motor 11 - see also Figure 5.

La table d'accumulation 4 comprend au-dessus de la partie arrière des chaînes transporteuses 5, une série de séparations 12 qui s'étendent sensiblement dans la direction de déplacement de ces chaînes 5, pour délimiter une pluralité de couloirs parallèles 13. Les séparations de couloirs 12 sont associées à des moyens de commande, tels qu'un vérin, permettant de les animer d'un mouvement oscillant dans la direction transversale des chaînes 5.The accumulation table 4 comprises, above the rear part of the conveyor chains 5, a series of partitions 12 which extend substantially in the direction of movement of these chains 5, to delimit a plurality of parallel corridors 13. The partitions corridors 12 are associated with control means, such as a jack, making it possible to animate them with an oscillating movement in the transverse direction of the chains 5.

Au-dessus des chaînes transporteuses 5 et en avant des séparations de couloirs 12, sont prévus des guides horizontaux 14 situés à hauteur des goulots des bouteilles 2 reposant sur ces chaînes 5.Above the conveyor chains 5 and in front of the corridor partitions 12, horizontal guides 14 are provided, located at the height of the necks of the bottles 2 resting on these chains 5.

En avant des chaînes transporteuses 5, donc à l'extrémité des couloirs 13, la machine comporte un tablier 15 monté mobile suivant une direction sensiblement verticale. Le tablier mobile 15 comprend un plateau inférieur 16 et un plateau supérieur 17, de forme étroite et allongée, dont les extrémités correspondantes sont réunies par des montants latéraux 18, guidés dans des glissières sensiblement verticales 19 portées par le bâti 20 de la machine. Des moyens de commande, tels qu'au moins un vérin 21, sont prévus pour déplacer le tablier mobile 15 entre une position basse, dans laquelle le plateau supérieur 17 se situe au niveau de la table d'accumulation 4, et une position haute, dans laquelle le plateau inférieur 16 se situe au niveau de la table d'accumulation 4.In front of the conveyor chains 5, therefore at the end of the corridors 13, the machine comprises an apron 15 mounted movably in a substantially vertical direction. The movable deck 15 comprises a lower plate 16 and an upper plate 17, of narrow and elongated shape, the corresponding ends of which are joined by lateral uprights 18, guided in substantially vertical slides 19 carried by the frame 20 of the machine. Control means, such as at least one jack 21, are provided for moving the movable deck 15 between a low position, in which the upper plate 17 is located at the level of the accumulation table 4, and a high position, in which the lower plate 16 is located at the level of the accumulation table 4.

A l'arrière du tablier mobile 15, et au-dessus de la table d'accumulation 4, il est prévu un râteau 21 monté mobile parallèlement au tablier 15 sous l'action d'autres moyens de commande, tels qu'au moins un vérin 22. Le râteau mobile 21 comprend une série de dents parallèles 23, sensiblement verticales, qui dans la position abaissée de ce râteau 21 prennent place aux extrémités des différents couloirs 13 de la table d'accumulation 4, entre ces couloirs 13, comme montré à la figure 4.At the rear of the movable deck 15, and above the accumulation table 4, there is provided a rake 21 mounted movable parallel to the deck 15 under the action of other control means, such as at least one actuator 22. The movable rake 21 comprises a series of parallel teeth 23, substantially vertical, which in the lowered position of this rake 21 take place at the ends of the different lanes 13 of the accumulation table 4, between these lanes 13, as shown in FIG. 4.

Il est encore prévu, à l'avant du tablier mobile 15, un ensemble 24 monté mobile parallèlement au tablier 15, avec deux rambardes horizontales superposées 25 et 26. La rambarde supérieure 26 est fixée, par ses extrémités, sur deux montants latéraux 27 de l'ensemble mobile 24, lequel peut être levé ou abaissé par des moyens de commande, tels qu'au moins un vérin 28 ― voir figure 5. La rambarde inférieure 25 est montée mobile, par l'intermédiaire de bras 29 pivotants sur un axe horizontal 30, de manière à pouvoir être animée d'un mouvement supplémentaire sensiblement horizontal, orienté d'avant en arrière, sous l'action d'autres moyens de commande, tels qu'au moins un vérin 31 agissant sur les bras 29 par l'intermédiaire d'au moins un levier 32 et d'une bielle 33.There is also provided, at the front of the movable apron 15, an assembly 24 movably mounted parallel to the apron 15, with two overlapping horizontal guardrails 25 and 26. The upper guardrail 26 is fixed, at its ends, on two lateral uprights 27 of the mobile assembly 24, which can be raised or lowered by control means, such as at least one actuator 28 - see FIG. 5. The lower guardrail 25 is mounted movable, by means of arms 29 pivoting on an axis horizontal 30, so that it can be animated with a substantially horizontal additional movement, oriented from front to back, under the action of other control means, such as at least one jack 31 acting on the arms 29 by the 'through at least one lever 32 and a connecting rod 33.

Comme le montre la figure 6, les mêmes glissières 19 assurent, de chaque côté, le guidage du tablier mobile 15, du râteau 21 et de l'ensemble 24.As shown in FIG. 6, the same slides 19 ensure, on each side, the guiding of the movable deck 15, of the rake 21 and of the assembly 24.

Par ailleurs, la machine comprend un ensemble de préhension 34 des bouteilles 2, porté par la partie supérieure 35 du bâti 20 formant une sorte de potence dépassant en avant de la table d'accumulation 4 et du tablier mobile 15.Furthermore, the machine comprises a gripping assembly 34 for the bottles 2, carried by the upper part 35 of the frame 20 forming a sort of bracket projecting in front of the accumulation table 4 and the movable apron 15.

L'ensemble de préhension 34 comprend une colonne-support 36, déplaçable en translation et en rotation suivant un axe vertical fixe 37. A l'extrémité inférieure de la colonne-support 36 est monté pivotant, autour d'un axe horizontal 38, un support 39 muni d'un bras télescopique 40, portant à son extrémité une tête de préhension 41 qui s'étend dans un plan perpendiculaire à l'axe longitudinal 42 du bras 40.The gripping assembly 34 comprises a support column 36, movable in translation and in rotation along a fixed vertical axis 37. At the lower end of the support column 36 is pivotally mounted, around a horizontal axis 38, a support 39 provided with a telescopic arm 40, carrying at its end a gripping head 41 which extends in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 42 of the arm 40.

La tête de préhension 41 est munie de deux rangées parallèles de blocs de préhension 43 à ventouses, chaque bloc 43 étant prévu pour la préhension d'une bouteille 2. Comme le montrent plus particulièrement les figures 7 à 9, tous les blocs de préhension 43 d'une même rangée sont fixés, à des intervalles convenables pouvant être réglés, sur deux barres-supports parallèles 44 et 45. Chaque bloc 43 comporte deux ventouses superposées 46 et 47, de diamètres distincts, reliées à une même source de vide; la plus grande ventouse 46 sert à maintenir une bouteille 2, sensiblement au niveau de son centre de gravité, tandis que la plus petite ventouse 47 empêche le basculement de la bouteille 2. Chaque bloc de préhension 43 présente encore, à sa base et à son sommet, des parties rigides conformées en "V", respectivement 48 et 49, qui positionnent exactement la bouteille 2.The gripping head 41 is provided with two parallel rows of gripping blocks 43 with suction cups, each block 43 being provided for gripping a bottle 2. As shown more particularly in FIGS. 7 to 9, all the gripping blocks 43 of the same row are fixed, at suitable intervals which can be adjusted, on two parallel support bars 44 and 45. Each block 43 comprises two superposed suction cups 46 and 47, of different diameters, connected to the same vacuum source; most large suction cup 46 is used to hold a bottle 2, substantially at its center of gravity, while the smallest suction cup 47 prevents tilting of the bottle 2. Each gripping block 43 still has, at its base and at its top, rigid parts shaped as "V", respectively 48 and 49, which exactly position the bottle 2.

L'ensemble de préhension 34 surmonte un poste de chargement ou de déchargement des conteneurs 3, qui comprend une table à rouleaux 50 de longueur environ triple de celle d'un conteneur 3, et s'étendant parallèlement au transporteur 1, de manière à définir: un emplacement central pour le conteneur 3 en cours de chargement ou de déchargement, un emplacement extrême pour un conteneur 3 en attente de chargement ou de déchargement, et un autre emplacement extrême pour un conteneur chargé ou déchargé devant être évacué. L'emplacement central est situé exactement sous l'ensemble de préhension 34. Un dispositif d'entraînement 51 commande le déplacement des conteneurs 3 reposant sur la table à rouleaux 50, pour amener ces conteneurs 3 d'un emplacement à un autre au moment voulu.The gripping assembly 34 surmounts a container loading or unloading station 3, which comprises a roller table 50 of length approximately three times that of a container 3, and extending parallel to the conveyor 1, so as to define : a central location for the container 3 being loaded or unloaded, an extreme location for a container 3 awaiting loading or unloading, and another extreme location for a loaded or unloaded container to be evacuated. The central location is located exactly under the gripping assembly 34. A drive device 51 controls the movement of the containers 3 resting on the roller table 50, to bring these containers 3 from one location to another at the desired time .

On décrira ci-après le fonctionnement de la machine, en commençant par la description du chargement d'un conteneur 3, que l'on suppose déjà positionné à l'emplacement central de la table à rouleaux 50, au-dessous de l'ensemble de préhension 34. Dans la position initiale considérée, correspondant aux tracés en traits continus des figures 3 et 5:

  • ― la tête de préhension 41 en position d'attente est tournée vers le tablier 15, le bras télescopique 40 étant rétracté;
  • ― le tablier mobile 15 occupe sa position basse, donc avec son plateau supérieur 17 au niveau de la table 4;
  • ― le râteau 21 est aussi en position basse;
  • ― l'ensemble mobile 24, pourvu des rambardes 25 et 26, est en position haute.
The operation of the machine will be described below, starting with the description of the loading of a container 3, which is assumed to be already positioned at the central location of the roller table 50, below the assembly. gripping 34. In the initial position considered, corresponding to the plots in solid lines in FIGS. 3 and 5:
  • - The gripping head 41 in the standby position is turned towards the apron 15, the telescopic arm 40 being retracted;
  • - The movable deck 15 occupies its low position, therefore with its upper plate 17 at the level of the table 4;
  • - the rake 21 is also in the low position;
  • - The mobile assembly 24, provided with rails 25 and 26, is in the high position.

On suppose en outre que des bouteilles 2 arrivent en position debout, d'une manière quelconque, sur le convoyeur 1 suivant la flèche 52 des figures 1 et 2. Un déflecteur 53, disposé au-dessus du convoyeur 1 en regard de la machine, dévie les bouteilles 2 pour les diriger sur l'arrière de la table d'accumulation 4.It is also assumed that the bottles 2 arrive in a standing position, in any way, on the conveyor 1 according to the arrow 52 of FIGS. 1 and 2. A deflector 53, placed above the conveyor 1 facing the machine, deflects the bottles 2 to direct them to the rear of the accumulation table 4.

A la mise en marche de la machine, les chaînes transporteuses 5 de la table d'accumulation 4 sont animées d'un mouvement dirigé vers l'avant, et simultanément les séparations de couloirs 12 sont mises en mouvement oscillant, pour faciliter la séparation des bouteilles 2 arrivant sur la table 4 et leur introduction entre les guides de goulots 14. Les chaînes transporteuses 5 entraînent les bouteilles 2 vers l'avant, dans les différents couloirs 13, et les conduisent ainsi jusqu'à l'avant de la table 4, où ces bouteilles 2 sont arrêtées par le râteau 21.When the machine is started, the conveyor chains 5 of the accumulation table 4 are moved in a forward direction, and simultaneously the lane partitions 12 are set in oscillating motion, to facilitate the separation of the 2 bottles arriving on the table 4 and their introduction between the neck guides 14. The conveyor chains 5 drive the bottles 2 forward, in the different corridors 13, and thus lead them to the front of the table 4, where these bottles 2 are stopped by the rake 21.

Une série de taquets 54, dont la position est détectée par une cellule photo-électrique, permet de détecter la présence d'un nombre déterminé de bouteilles 2 accumulées dans chaque couloir 13. Lorsque tous les couloirs 13 sont remplis, auquel cas il est sûr qu'une première rangée complète de bouteilles 2 est formée par les bouteilles parvenues en appui sur le râteau 21 aux extrémités des couloirs 13, la détection effectuée par l'intermédiaire des taquets 54 commande la levée du râteau 21. La première rangée de bouteilles 2 est alors transférée sur le plateau supérieur 17 du tablier 15, étant aidée en cela par la poussée des rangées de bouteilles 2 situées derrière et entraînées par l'avance des chaînes transporteuses 5. La rambarde inférieure 25 arrête la première rangée de bouteilles 2, de telle sorte que cette rangée se positionne exactement sur le plateau supérieur 17 du tablier 15.A series of tabs 54, the position of which is detected by a photoelectric cell, makes it possible to detect the presence of a determined number of bottles 2 accumulated in each lane 13. When all the lanes 13 are filled, in which case it is safe that a first complete row of bottles 2 is formed by the bottles which have come to bear on the rake 21 at the ends of the corridors 13, the detection carried out by means of the cleats 54 controls the lifting of the rake 21. The first row of bottles 2 is then transferred to the upper plate 17 of the apron 15, being helped in this by the thrust of the rows of bottles 2 located behind and driven by the advance of the conveyor chains 5. The lower guard 25 stops the first row of bottles 2, so that this row is positioned exactly on the upper plate 17 of the deck 15.

Le râteau 21 est alors abaissé pour bloquer, par ses dents 23, la deuxième rangée de bouteilles 2 parvenue à l'extrémité avant de la table 4 ― voir figure 4. A ce moment là, le tablier 15 monte et vient s'arrêter en position haute, son plateau inférieur 16 étant alors amené en niveau de la table d'accumulation 4 tandis que le plateau supérieur 17 parvient à une certaine hauteur H au-dessus du niveau de la table d'accumulation 4. Au cours de la montée du tablier 15, les bouteilles 2 qui reposent sur le plateau supérieur 17 s'adossent sur le râteau 21, qui leur sert alors de guide.The rake 21 is then lowered to block, by its teeth 23, the second row of bottles 2 which has reached the front end of the table 4 - see FIG. 4. At this time, the deck 15 rises and stops in high position, its lower plate 16 then being brought into level with the accumulation table 4 while the upper plate 17 reaches a certain height H above the level of the accumulation table 4. During the rise of the apron 15, the bottles 2 which rest on the upper plate 17 lean against the rake 21, which then serves as a guide.

Le râteau 21 est ensuite relevé, et la deuxième rangée de bouteilles 2 est transférée des chaînes transporteuses 5 au plateau inférieur 16 du tablier 15. Une fois cette deuxième rangée de bouteilles 2 positionnée, le râteau 21 s'abaisse à nouveau, pour arrêter la rangée de bouteilles 2 suivante.The rake 21 is then raised, and the second row of bottles 2 is transferred from the conveyor chains 5 to the lower plate 16 of the deck 15. Once this second row of bottles 2 is positioned, the rake 21 lowers again, to stop the next row of bottles 2.

Deux rangées de bouteilles 2 se trouvent alors positionnées, respectivement, sur les plateaux inférieur 16 et supérieur 17 du tablier 15, les deux rambardes 25 et 26 formant à ce moment des butées en avant de ces deux rangées de bouteilles 2.Two rows of bottles 2 are then positioned, respectively, on the lower 16 and upper 17 plates of the deck 15, the two rails 25 and 26 forming at this time stops in front of these two rows of bottles 2.

Pour permettre la préhension de ces deux rangées de bouteilles, en vue de leur mise en place dans le conteneur 3, l'ensemble mobile 24 est légèrement abaissé, de manière à amener les deux rambardes 25 et 26 en dessous des niveaux respectifs des deux plateaux 16 et 17 du tablier 15.To allow the gripping of these two rows of bottles, with a view to their positioning in the container 3, the mobile assembly 24 is slightly lowered, so as to bring the two rails 25 and 26 into below the respective levels of the two plates 16 and 17 of the deck 15.

Le bras télescopique 40 de l'ensemble de préhension 34 est déployé, suivant la direction de son axe 42, et il entraîne la tête de préhension 41 en la rapprochant du tablier 15, jusqu'à ce que les différents blocs de préhension 43 viennent en contact avec les bouteilles 2 des deux rangées superposées, par leurs ventouses 46 et 47. Toutes ces bouteilles 2 étant prises par l'aspiration créée au moyen des ventouses 46 et 47, le bras télescopique 40 se rétracte et, simultanément, son support 39 pivote autour de l'axe horizontal 38, tandis que la colonne-support 36 se relève. Ces trois mouvements simultanés s'arrêtent lorsque le bras télescopique 40 est en position rétractée, son axe 41 étant vertical, et que la colonne-support 36 est en position haute; les bouteilles 2 prélevées sont alors en position horizontale, au-dessus du conteneur 3 à charger, comme indiqué par le tracé en traits mixtes de la figure 3.The telescopic arm 40 of the gripping assembly 34 is deployed, in the direction of its axis 42, and it drives the gripping head 41 by bringing it closer to the deck 15, until the various gripping blocks 43 come into contact with the bottles 2 of the two superimposed rows, by their suction cups 46 and 47. All these bottles 2 being taken up by the suction created by means of the suction cups 46 and 47, the telescopic arm 40 retracts and, simultaneously, its support 39 pivots around the horizontal axis 38, while the support column 36 is raised. These three simultaneous movements stop when the telescopic arm 40 is in the retracted position, its axis 41 being vertical, and the support column 36 is in the high position; the sampled bottles 2 are then in a horizontal position, above the container 3 to be loaded, as indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 3.

Ensuite le bras télescopique 40 est déployé, et simultanément la colonne-support 36 descend, pour la dépose des bouteilles 2 soit au fond du conteneur 3, soit sur la demi-couche déposée au cycle précédent.Then the telescopic arm 40 is deployed, and simultaneously the support column 36 descends, for depositing the bottles 2 either at the bottom of the container 3, or on the half-layer deposited in the previous cycle.

Les bouteilles 2 ayant été lâchées par les ventouses 46 et 47, pour former une demi-couche, tous les mouvements précédents de l'ensemble de préhension 34 sont décrits dans le sens inverse, afin de ramener la tête de préhension 41 dans sa position d'attente initiale.The bottles 2 having been released by the suction cups 46 and 47, to form a half-layer, all the preceding movements of the gripping assembly 34 are described in reverse, in order to return the gripping head 41 to its position d 'initial wait.

Le cycle suivant de préhension et de dépose s'effectue de la même manière, toutefois avec un mouvement supplémentaire: le bras télescopique 40, et avec lui la tête de préhension 41, effectuent au-dessus du conteneur 3 une rotation de 180°, pour permettre le rangement en sens opposé de la demi-couche suivante. On comprend que l'empilement répété de demi-couches de sens alterné conduit à une superposition de couches complètes, avec imbrication des demi-couches, sur toute la hauteur du conteneur 3. Bien entendu, le fonctionnement est programmé, notamment en ce qui concerne les courses verticales, pour tenir compte des positions distinctes des couches successives.The following gripping and removal cycle is carried out in the same manner, however with an additional movement: the telescopic arm 40, and with it the gripping head 41, rotate over the container 3 by 180 °, to allow the next half-layer to be stored in the opposite direction. It is understood that the repeated stacking of half-layers in alternating directions leads to a superposition of complete layers, with the overlapping of the half-layers, over the entire height of the container 3. Of course, the operation is programmed, in particular as regards vertical strokes, to take into account the distinct positions of the successive layers.

Dans le cas où la machine est utilisée pour le déchargement d'un conteneur 3, les différents éléments de cette machine sont placés, initialement, dans les mêmes positions que pour le chargement décrit ci-dessus.In the case where the machine is used for the unloading of a container 3, the various elements of this machine are placed, initially, in the same positions as for the loading described above.

A la mise en marche de la machine, les chaînes transporteuses 5 de la table d'accumulation 4 sont animées d'un mouvement dirigé vers l'arrière. Les séparations de couloirs 12 sont maintenues à l'arrêt. Le tablier 15 monte vers sa position haute, de même que le râteau 21, tandis que les rambardes 25 et 26 sont escamotées par abaissement de l'ensemble mobile 24.When the machine is started, the conveyor chains 5 of the accumulation table 4 are driven in a movement directed towards the back. The corridor separations 12 are kept stationary. The apron 15 rises to its high position, as does the rake 21, while the guardrails 25 and 26 are retracted by lowering the mobile assembly 24.

La tête de préhension 41 prélève la demi-couche supérieure de bouteilles 2 dans le conteneur 3, et elle dépose les deux rangées de bouteilles 2, constituant cette demi-couche, respectivement sur les deux plateaux 16 et 17 du tablier 15. Au cours de cette phase, l'ensemble de préhension 34 effectue les mouvements inverses de ceux du prélèvement sur le tablier 15.The gripping head 41 takes the upper half-layer of bottles 2 from the container 3, and it deposits the two rows of bottles 2, constituting this half-layer, respectively on the two plates 16 and 17 of the apron 15. During this phase, the gripping assembly 34 performs the opposite movements to those of the removal from the apron 15.

Après avoir déposé les bouteilles 2 en position debout sur le tablier 15, le bras télescopique 40 et la tête de préhension 41 se retirent, et l'ensemble mobile 24 est levé, si bien que les rambardes 25 et 26 se mettent en place devant les deux rangées de bouteilles 2 qui viennent d'être déposées. Par l'action du vérin 31, transmise par le levier 32 et la bielle 33 au bras 29, la rambarde inférieure 25 est déplacée horizontalement vers l'arrière, pour pousser la rangée inférieure de bouteilles 2, placée sur le plateau inférieur 16 du tablier 15, vers la table d'accumulation 4 où les chaînes transporteuses 5 évacuent ces bouteilles 2 vers le convoyeur 1.After having deposited the bottles 2 in a standing position on the apron 15, the telescopic arm 40 and the gripping head 41 are withdrawn, and the mobile assembly 24 is lifted, so that the guardrails 25 and 26 are put in place in front of the two rows of bottles 2 which have just been deposited. By the action of the jack 31, transmitted by the lever 32 and the connecting rod 33 to the arm 29, the lower guard 25 is moved horizontally backwards, to push the lower row of bottles 2, placed on the lower plate 16 of the deck 15, towards the accumulation table 4 where the conveyor chains 5 evacuate these bottles 2 towards the conveyor 1.

Ensuite la rambarde inférieure 25 est ramenée à sa position initiale avancée, et le tablier 15 descend jusqu'à sa position basse pour amener le support supérieur 17, portant l'autre rangée de bouteilles 2, au niveau de la table d'accumulation 4. La rambarde inférieure 25 est actionnée de nouveau, et elle pousse alors cette autre rangée de bouteilles 2 pour l'évacuer comme la précédente.Then the lower guard 25 is brought back to its initial advanced position, and the apron 15 descends to its low position to bring the upper support 17, carrying the other row of bottles 2, to the level of the accumulation table 4. The lower guardrail 25 is actuated again, and it then pushes this other row of bottles 2 to evacuate it like the previous one.

La rambarde inférieure 25 revient ensuite en position avancée, l'ensemble mobile 24 avec les deux rambardes 25 et 26 est abaissé et, simultanément, le tablier 15 est relevé jusqu'à sa position haute. Ce tablier 15 est ainsi prêt pour recevoir deux nouvelles rangées de bouteilles 2, issues de la demi-couche suivante du conteneur 3, et ainsi de suite...The lower guardrail 25 then returns to the advanced position, the mobile assembly 24 with the two guardrails 25 and 26 is lowered and, simultaneously, the deck 15 is raised to its high position. This apron 15 is thus ready to receive two new rows of bottles 2, coming from the next half-layer of the container 3, and so on ...

Lors de l'utilisation de machine pour le déchargement d'un conteneur 3, le convoyeur 1 assure l'évacuation des bouteilles 2 suivant la flèche 55 des figures 1 et 2. Le déflecteur 52 est alors retiré, et il peut être remplacé par un guide approprié 56.When using a machine for unloading a container 3, the conveyor 1 ensures the evacuation of the bottles 2 along the arrow 55 in FIGS. 1 and 2. The deflector 52 is then removed, and it can be replaced by a appropriate guide 56.

On comprend que la machine peut être facilement installée sur le côté d'un convoyeur 1 pré-existant, en tout point du convoyeur et d'un côté ou de l'autre de ce convoyeur.It is understood that the machine can be easily installed on the side of a pre-existing conveyor 1, at any point of the conveyor and on one side or the other of this conveyor.

Comme il va de soi, et comme il ressort de ce qui précède, l'invention ne se limite pas à la seule forme d'exécution de cette machine de chargement et de déchargement qui a été décrite ci-dessus, à titre d'exemple; elle en embrasse, au contraire, toutes les variantes de réalisation et d'application respectant le même principe. En particulier, l'on ne s'éloignerait pas du cadre de l'invention par le recours à des équivalents techniques, tel que le remplacement des vérins par d'autres moyens de commande des divers mouvements, ou par une adaptation du fonctionnement de la machine pour un rangement en demi-couches avec une disposition différente, ou encore par une utilisation de cette machine pour charger ou décharger des articles autres que des bouteilles, mais pouvant être disposés en couches d'une manière similaire.As is obvious, and as is clear from the above, the invention is not limited to the only embodiment of this loading and unloading machine which has been described above, by way of example; on the contrary, it embraces all of the variant embodiments and applications respecting the same principle. In particular, one would not depart from the scope of the invention by the use of technical equivalents, such as the replacement of the jacks by other means of controlling the various movements, or by an adaptation of the operation of the machine for storing in half-layers with a different arrangement, or alternatively by using this machine to load or unload articles other than bottles, but which can be arranged in layers in a similar manner.

Claims (10)

1. A machine for loading and unloading articles arranged in layers, more particularly "boxing and unboxing" used for loading bottles (2) in rows in a laid down position in containers (3) or cases, and for unloading bottles (2) thus laid down, characterised in that it includes: means (5 to 12) for bringing the articles (2) in an upright position onto a collecting table (4) along a plurality of parallel channels (13) the same in number as the number of articles of a row to be formed, such that the articles (2) which have reached the ends of these channels (13) form a row; lifting means (15) provided towards the ends of said channels (13) to move such a row of articles (2) to a certain height (H) above the collecting table (4); and gripping means (34) adapted to seize simultaneously a row of articles (2) thus brought to a certain height (H) above the collecting table (4) and another row of articles (2) held at the level of the collecting table (4), in order to lay down these rows of articles (2) and place them in a container (3) or in a case.
2. A machine for loading and unloading articles arranged in layers, according to Claim 1, characterised in that the collecting table (4) is arranged perpendicular to a conveyor (1) for bringing in or taking away articles (2) in an upright position.
3. A machine for loading and unloading articles arranged in layers, according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that it has endless transporter chains (5) having plates, on which the articles (2) can be delivered, distributed into the various channels (13) and driven towards the ends of the channels (13), said chains (5) being drivable in either direction.
4. A machine for loading and unloading articles arranged in layers, according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the lifting means provided towards the ends of the channels (13) are constituted by a movable table (15) guided in translation in a substantially vertical direction and coupled to means (21) for controlling its vertical movement, this movable table (15) including two horizontal and superposed article support plates (16, 17) extending transversely to the channels (13) of the collecting table (4), and the control means (21) being provided for moving the table (15) between a low position, in which the upper support plate (17) is at the level of the collecting table (4), and a high position, in which the lower support plate (16) is at the level of the collecting table (4).
5. A machine for loading and unloading articles arranged in layers, according to Claim 4, characterised in that there is provided on the collecting table (4), above the forward end of the transporter chains (5) and just behind the movable table (15), a movable rake (21) guided in translation in a substantially vertical direction and coupled to means (22) controlling its vertical movement, this rake (21) having substantially vertical teeth (23) the distribution of which corresponds to the channels (13) of the collecting table (4), acting as abutments for the articles (2) at the front of these channels (13), as well as guides for the same articles (2) when the latter are moved vertically by the movable table (15).
6. A machine for loading and unloading articles arranged in layers, in accordance with Claim 4 or 5, characterised in that there is furthermore provided, forwardly of the movable table (15), two retractable rails (25, 26) serving to retain the articles (2) resting on the two support plates (16, 17) of the movable table (15).
7. A machine for loading and unloading articles arranged in layers, according to Claim 6, characterised in that the two rails (25, 26) belong to a movable assembly (24) guided in translation in a substantially vertical direction and coupled to means (28) for controlling its vertical movement, the upper rail (26) being fixed to this movable assembly (24), whilst the lower rail (25) is mounted to be movable from front to rear, and is associated with other means (31, 32, 33) for controlling its movement from front to rear.
8. A machine for loading and unloading articles arranged in layers, according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the gripping means (34) are constituted by a gripping head (41), having gripping units (43) with suckers (46, 47) arranged in two parallel rows, which head is carried by the end of a telescopic arm (40) held by a support (39) pivotally mounted about a horizontal shaft (38), at the lower end of a support column (36) movable in translation and in rotation with respect to a vertical axis (37).
9. A machine for loading and unloading articles arranged in layers, according to Claim 8, characterised in that each gripping unit (43) has two superposed suckers (46, 47) having separate diameters, connected to the same vacuum source.
10. A machine for loading and unloading articles arranged in layers, according to Claim 8 or 9, characterised in that each gripping unit (43) also has, at its base and its top, rigid V-shaped portions (48, 49).
EP89420073A 1988-03-25 1989-02-27 Machine for loading and unloading articles, arranged in layers Expired - Lifetime EP0334769B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT89420073T ATE70507T1 (en) 1988-03-25 1989-02-27 DEVICE FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING LAYERED OBJECTS.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8804553A FR2629046B1 (en) 1988-03-25 1988-03-25 LAYER LOADING AND UNLOADING MACHINE
FR8804553 1988-03-25

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0334769A1 EP0334769A1 (en) 1989-09-27
EP0334769B1 true EP0334769B1 (en) 1991-12-18

Family

ID=9365022

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP89420073A Expired - Lifetime EP0334769B1 (en) 1988-03-25 1989-02-27 Machine for loading and unloading articles, arranged in layers

Country Status (5)

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EP (1) EP0334769B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE70507T1 (en)
DE (1) DE68900555D1 (en)
ES (1) ES2028463T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2629046B1 (en)

Families Citing this family (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19540594C2 (en) * 1995-10-31 2000-06-15 Kurt F Faulhaber Device for placing bottles in transport containers
FR2755680B1 (en) * 1996-11-12 1998-12-24 Newtec Palettisation METHOD FOR STACKING AND UNPILING LAYERS OF BOTTLES AND DEVICE FOR CARRYING OUT SAID METHOD
EP1533234B1 (en) * 2003-10-30 2006-08-16 TMG Impianti S.r.l. An apparatus for boxing bottles
FR2878507B1 (en) * 2004-12-01 2008-10-10 Bobard Freres Sas METHOD FOR PACKAGING BOTTLES
FR2926063B1 (en) * 2008-01-04 2009-12-25 Champaconcept DEVICE FOR PALLETING / DEPALLETIZING BOTTLES.
FR2940794A1 (en) * 2009-01-07 2010-07-09 Champaconcept Wine bottles handling and layering method, involves handling batch of bottles to position axes of batch of bottles parallel to each other in horizontal plane along one layer and according to step defined by set of support and spacing units
CN106184874B (en) * 2016-06-29 2018-10-09 广州珐玛珈智能设备股份有限公司 A kind of equidistant bottle separating device of multiple spot
FR3059926B1 (en) * 2016-12-08 2018-12-14 Duguit Technologies Sas TOOL FOR TITANIUM ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING ROBOT

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2217248B1 (en) * 1973-02-09 1977-08-19 Faiveley Sa

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0334769A1 (en) 1989-09-27
ES2028463T3 (en) 1992-07-01
DE68900555D1 (en) 1992-01-30
ATE70507T1 (en) 1992-01-15
FR2629046A1 (en) 1989-09-29
FR2629046B1 (en) 1991-02-15

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