EP2858942B1 - Multi-station packaging machine having a circular tray and device for filling vials - Google Patents

Multi-station packaging machine having a circular tray and device for filling vials Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2858942B1
EP2858942B1 EP13733373.8A EP13733373A EP2858942B1 EP 2858942 B1 EP2858942 B1 EP 2858942B1 EP 13733373 A EP13733373 A EP 13733373A EP 2858942 B1 EP2858942 B1 EP 2858942B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
nozzle
holder
filling
guiding plate
machine
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EP13733373.8A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2858942A1 (en
Inventor
Laurent FAVIER
Christophe Guyard
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PKB
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PKB
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
    • B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
    • B67C3/02—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
    • B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
    • B67C3/02—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus
    • B67C3/22—Details

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a multi-station packaging machine for liquid or semi-liquid or pasty products with a circular vial transport tray, according to the preamble of claim 1, and a filling device according to the preamble of claim 12.
  • a multi-station packaging machine for liquid or semi-liquid or pasty products with a circular vial transport tray, according to the preamble of claim 1, and a filling device according to the preamble of claim 12.
  • Such machine is known from the document FR 2 908 759 .
  • Automated product packaging machines in vials must have increasing rates in order to to reduce packaging costs. These machines are in themselves relatively expensive and it is also desirable that they are easily adaptable to various substances and flasks as in the field of cosmetology or health where various substances, perfumes, eau de toilette, aftershave , shampoos, after shampoo, bubble bath, shower bath, hair dye, liquid soaps, lotions, gels, cleansing milk, nail polish, sun milk, foundation ... can be packaged at different times in vials different on the same chain.
  • the present invention relates to machines of the second type in which the bottles are transported on the periphery of a rotating circular plate. Indeed, these machines are more compact than those online.
  • the automated machines may comprise several stations in which complementary filling operations take place sequentially, such as for example the introduction of a pump, a hoop or a bonnet and its screwing or depression. Some of these operations require that the bottle is at a standstill and therefore the circular tray for transporting the bottles is stopped. In addition, these operations being sequentially, the one that is the longest is the limiting factor of the rate of production. However, it is usually the filling of a bottle that takes the most time and it is then necessary to perform a filling in parallel on several bottles and to fill the bottles continuously as well when they are stopped and when they are moving.
  • the filling device is mounted centrally on a support coaxial with the vertical axis passing through the center of the tray.
  • the machine has an outer shape that is generally square or rectangular, the off-board surface of the machine is also increased and there is a certain space at the outer periphery of the circular plate, in particular in the corners of the machine.
  • the applicant has developed a new filling device which is supported, no longer centrally, but peripherally, on the outside, of the tray without causing a significant loss of compactness of the machine due to this arrangement and which presents other advantages including high rigidity, a decrease in inertia and cantilever moving elements of said device. These latter advantages allow precise control of the mobile elements of the filling device even at high rates, 60 vials treated per minute or more, producing high speeds and accelerations / decelerations of these moving elements.
  • the proposed device allows a simultaneous filling of several bottles during the stop and during the circular progression of the bottles in a packaging machine of a liquid or semi-liquid substance. It also allows filling beginning at the bottom, the filling spout having been lowered to the bottom of the bottle, and up the spout during filling to the outlet of the spout out of the bottle after filling is completed.
  • the invention relates to a multi-station vial packaging machine with a horizontal circular vial transport tray, the tray being rotatably mounted on a fixed frame, the tray for transporting the vials at its periphery and causing a circular movement and intermittent flasks between stations, said machine allowing the simultaneous filling of a given number of bottles continuously during both the movements of the bottles and when the bottles are stopped, said machine comprising a first motorized means for raising and lowering filling nozzles and a second means motorized allowing the movement of the filling spouts back and forth following the bottles on a segment of their movements.
  • the first motorized means for raising-lowering the head carriage, that is to say the guide plate and the mouthpiece, is fixed.
  • the second motorized means is movable on the other hand because it is fixed on the guide plate of the movable carrier carriage.
  • This second motorized means acts on the nozzle to drive horizontally along the guide plate and parallel to the latter.
  • the two motorized means are therefore functionally mounted in tandem to obtain a displacement at the same time horizontal co-circular, intermittent, and vertical filling nozzles mounted on the nozzle.
  • the filling spouts can thus move both vertically and in an arc, co-circularly with the intermittent movement of the flasks which allows filling starting with the bottom of the flasks and with progressive rising of the nozzles in the flasks while following the intermittent circular movement of the flasks over part of their circular path. It is called a co-circular displacement of the beaks with respect to that of the plate, a displacement of the beaks which follows that of the periphery of the plate; it is therefore circular and of the same center as that of the plateau. According to the invention, this movement of the nozzles is produced without them being mechanically connected to an articulated part on the axis of the plate.
  • the invention also relates to a filling device according to claim 12 for a filling station of a packaging machine for multi-station vials with a circular tray for the intermittent transport of bottles.
  • the machine of the invention is an automated packaging unit filled with vials by a liquid or semi-liquid substance installed in a packaging line.
  • a packaging machine 27 is represented on the Figures 6 and 7 with virtually all of its functional positions and on Figures 4 and 5 with only the filling station comprising the filling device 1 which is shown to it in detail on the Figures 1 , 2 and 3 .
  • the flasks arrive by an upstream line 28 one after the other in the machine, the necks of the bottles being upwards.
  • the machine comprises a rotating circular plate 24 with a rotating cell 26 for transporting the bottles between functional stations of the unit, the rotation being intermittent to enable the stations to act on each of the bottles, the cells being disposed at the periphery of the plate 24.
  • the filling device installed in the machine enables the continuous filling in parallel of a certain number of bottles, both at the stop and during the rotation of the bottles on such an intermittent rotary machine and by following the rotation of said bottles.
  • each of the bottles is placed in a cup 25 in the packaging line, the cup comprising a bottle-receiving part which is adapted to each type of bottle and an identical functional part whatever the cups and bottles and which are it adapts to corresponding functional means of the packaging line which, for the packaging machine, the cells 26 of the periphery of the tray.
  • the packaging line including the packaging machine, can be used with any type of bottle, the cups being changed depending on the bottles. The result is a versatile packaging machine, multiformat and multifunction, and requiring relatively reduced adaptation operations during a change of the type of bottle and / or product.
  • the buckets remain in the cells of the packaging machine and the bottles, which are free on the upstream lines 28 and downstream 29 (30), are placed in said buckets in the first station of the machine which is a bottle receiving station and out of the buckets in the bottle outlet station or in that, if any, ejection flask defective.
  • the first of the stations of the packaging machine is a receiving station of one of the bottles of the upstream line 28 in one of the cells of the tray, open neck / neck towards the top, and one of the last stations is a bottle outlet station to a downstream line 29. Between the two is implemented various stations including a filling station which acts on a segment of the plate in order to be able to fill in parallel a set of bottles at a time.
  • the device 1 equipping the filling station comprises a part with filling spouts which is movable in rotation and synchronously follows the intermittent movement of the plate on a given segment of its circular path between two extreme positions, a starting position and a position arrival.
  • the filling is carried out continuously on a set of bottles during the intermittent movement of the bottles, to go between the starting position and the arrival position, the filling nozzles returning to the return to the starting position after they filled said set of flasks.
  • This intermittent rotation of the filling spouts is oscillating / reciprocating in contrast to the plate which always rotates in the same direction.
  • the rotation in arc-of-the beaks of the filling station is also discontinuous / intermittent for be in synchronism with the plate but that during the return of the nozzles of the filling station, while the nozzles are outside the bottles, this return is preferably performed in a continuous manner and therefore fast.
  • the filling is continuous both when stopped and during rotation of the tray.
  • co-circular means that the filling spouts can follow the bottles on a segment of their circular path and that the spouts have a movement parallel to that of the flasks on this segment to allow the entry of the nozzles in vial necks and collar monitoring.
  • the filling spouts are further movable vertically between two extreme positions, a low position in which the spout end of the spout is in the bottle to the bottom of said flask and a high position in which the spout is out of the bottle.
  • the machine comprises means for at the beginning of a cycle of the filling station, said filling station is in the starting position and high position of the beaks then passes in the lower position of the nozzles, in the bottles, and starts the filling, the nozzles back during filling while synchronously following the intermittent rotational movements of the plate, then, after the end of filling, the nozzles being brought to the high position before the nozzles of the filling station return to their position of departure.
  • the rising of the beaks can be regular or not according to the mode of implementation.
  • the packaging machine which is one of the elements of a packaging line of a fluid in a bottle, is seen from above. It is in the form of a block closed by side walls of safety, preferably transparent, so that the staff can see the operation of the machine. These opening side walls are provided with opening detectors stopping the operation in case of opening. The operation of the machine is under the control of an industrial PC whose control panel 31 is accessible to the outside.
  • the flasks arrive via an upstream line 28 in the packaging machine.
  • the flasks are conveyed by the circular plate 24 indexed in peripheral cells comprising cups of bottles each comprising a bottle.
  • the plate is rotated by a specific motor member (not shown).
  • the plate rotates in a direction determined to bring the vials station.
  • reception, end of line of upstream there is a first functional station called reception, end of line of upstream, and which receives one by one the bottles at each passage of a cell and its cup in front of the line d upstream.
  • a filling station which implements the filling device of the invention.
  • downstream positions of the filling station one can for example find: a dust blower station, a leveling station, then a pump insertion station, then a sinking station and crimping of pump, then a sinking station, then a screwing station, a fret setting station and fret driving, then a quasi-last post that is a broken collar or other fault and that is associated with a defective bottle ejection station to a scrap line 30 and an outlet station vials to the downstream line 29.
  • Other types of functional stations can be installed in the packaging machine as, for example, a crimping station or pre-crimping or sinking or pre-sinking pump or reducer or diffuser or other types of functional stations.
  • the station is the defective bottles ejection station towards the scrap line 30, in alternative embodiments, the last station is the outlet station of the flasks towards the downstream line 29.
  • the other stations act on one bottle at a time.
  • one or more non-filling stations can act on several bottles at a time, for example on two bottles at a time.
  • the filling station is extended in an arc on a number of cells of the tray so as to fill in parallel / at the same time several bottles while following said bottles along part of their path.
  • the nozzles of the filling station move synchronously with the plate between two extreme positions, a starting position and an arrival position, on a sector of the plate.
  • the return of the nozzles to the starting position, at the end of filling is free and can be very fast.
  • the machine also comprises a fixed module (not shown) with a nurse and as many flowmeters as filling devices and which is arranged substantially opposite the filling station towards the center of the machine, flexible pipes connecting each nozzle to its flow meter or other fluidic components of the packaging machine.
  • a flow filling filling is done under pressure of the substance, which allows a high reactivity.
  • the invention can thus be used for packaging perfumes or cosmetic products.
  • a closure device is preferably arranged at the end of each spout to open it (during filling) or close it.
  • the closure device may be electrically controlled or, preferably, pneumatically.
  • the filling device installed in the packaging machine is represented alone on the Figures 1 to 3 and in relation to the packaging machine on the Figures 4 and 5 .
  • the device is viewed from the outside relative to the center of the rotation plate (not shown) of the machine.
  • the device is seen from the inside, by the side of the device which is on the side of the rotation plate (not shown) of the machine.
  • the packaging machine has been simplified to facilitate understanding of the relationship of the device 1 with the plate 24.
  • the filling device 1 comprises a frame formed by two vertical lateral uprights 2 connected to their upper ends by a horizontal connecting piece 3 in order to stiffen the frame which is intended to be fixed on a frame 23 of the packaging machine carrying the tray circular 24 vial transport.
  • the two uprights 2 are fixed on the frame 23 at the edge of the periphery of the plate 24.
  • a horizontal slider carriage 4 that can move vertically between the two uprights is slidably mounted at its two lateral ends on the two uprights 2.
  • the slider carriage 4 is disposed above the tray so that the slats can, by the top, enter through the necks of the flasks, into the flasks.
  • the trolley 4 consists of two main parts: a horizontal guide plate 6 which is the sliding element on the two uprights and a horizontal mouthpiece 21 which can move horizontally in a circular arc below the guide plate 6 and is maintained by the latter.
  • the nozzle supports a number of substantially vertical fillers 5 terminating downwardly with fillers 16. As a result of this arrangement, the spouts 16 can move vertically and horizontally.
  • a first motorized means 7 makes it possible to raise and lower the carriage by means of two vertical ball screws 10 whose balls are engaged 11 towards the lateral ends of the guide plate 6.
  • the first motorized means 7 is secured to the connecting piece 3 and rotates the ball screws via a horizontal transmission shaft 9 and two angle gears 12.
  • elastic couplings 22 are implemented on this transmission.
  • the vertical ball screws, movable in rotation are held fixed at their two ends on the uprights 2 and / or the connecting piece 3 and in this case, at the bottom, on a plate 13 secured to the upright and, in top, on the connecting piece 3.
  • the first motorized means is preferably arranged towards the outside of the device.
  • the connecting means which are connected to the device, in particular the pipes and / or others (not shown), are arranged on the inside / towards the center of the plate.
  • a second motorized means 8 allows the arcuate movements and back and forth of the nozzle holder 21 under the guide plate 6.
  • the second motorized means 8 is fixed to the guide plate 6 substantially median thereto.
  • the guide plate 6 comprises, in this particular case on its lower face, means for guiding and slidingly fixing the nozzle-holder 21. Means facilitating the sliding of the nozzle-holder under the guide plate, ball-bearing type or rollers, are preferably implemented.
  • the fitting of the filling devices 5 fixed under the nozzle-holder 21 is stiffened, at the level of the jaws 16, by a horizontal blade 14 which is itself fixed to the nozzle-holder 21 by two vertical rods 17. Since a vial neck centering means 15 is disposed under the horizontal blade 14 in connection with each filling spout 16, said blade 14 then forms a collar centering bar.
  • the spouts and collar centering bar are arranged in an arc to be in correspondence with the cells on the periphery of the plate and therefore with the bottles to be filled.
  • the nosepiece moves in an arc and back and forth under the guide plate, guiding devices and collar centering bar follow the same path.
  • the filling spouts 16 can slide through the collar blade / centering bar.
  • the height of the rods 17 is constant or is made variable or adjustable, possibly with damping means and / or elastic.
  • this height is variable, the rods comprising an elastic means that in the absence of a bottle, the collet centering bar 14,15 substantially descends against or very close to the plate 24 and / or cups 25 in the low position of the nozzles as visible on the Figure 4 . It is understood that in the presence of flasks, the descent of the neck centering bar 14,15 will be stopped along the way by the bottles during the descent of the nozzles to the bottom of the bottles, the latter sliding through the centering bar of collars 14,15.
  • bottles are seen in buckets 25 in the cells 26 of the periphery of the circular plate 24.
  • a fixed circular horizontal table of diameter smaller than that of the horizontal plate 24 is disposed above the plate. The table can be used to secure some of the functional stations of the packaging machine.
  • the filling device 1 is installed on the frame 23 of the packaging machine along the periphery of the circular plate 24, externally to this plate.
  • the frame 23 comprises two superposed parallel horizontal plates on which the uprights 2 are fixed, which increases the rigidity and stability of the gantry.
  • each of the filling apparatus 5 comprises various members including a means 18 as a valve opening / closing nozzle, fittings for product lines, pneumatic control, possibly suction, any sensors. ..
  • the pipes and electrical cables for filling devices 5 are flexible to follow the movements of back and forth in rotation and up / down beaks and they are for example held together by a rack 19 secured to the holder 21.
  • the rack 19 is kept at a distance from said holder by tabs 20.
  • the rack 19 is here arranged on the side inside the filling device. In variants, the rack may be omitted or arranged in a different manner.

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  • Filling Of Jars Or Cans And Processes For Cleaning And Sealing Jars (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)

Description

L'invention concerne une machine de conditionnement multiposte de produits liquides ou semi liquides ou pâteux à plateau circulaire de transport de flacons, selon le préambule de la revendication 1, ainsi qu'un dispositif de remplissage selon le préambule de la revendication 12. Une telle machine est connue du document FR 2 908 759 .The invention relates to a multi-station packaging machine for liquid or semi-liquid or pasty products with a circular vial transport tray, according to the preamble of claim 1, and a filling device according to the preamble of claim 12. Such machine is known from the document FR 2 908 759 .

Elle permet le remplissage et l'équipement de flacons, et elle a des applications dans le domaine de l'emballage/conditionnement et plus particulièrement la mise en flacon de substances fluides, notamment de type liquide, semi-liquide ou gel, par exemple en parfumerie, cosmétologie ou pharmacie.It allows the filling and the equipment of vials, and it has applications in the field of packaging / packaging and more particularly the bottling of fluid substances, in particular of liquid, semi-liquid or gel type, for example in perfumery, cosmetology or pharmacy.

Les machines automatisées de conditionnement de produits dans des flacons (terme utilisé dans un sens générique et entendu comme couvrant tout contenant/récipient pouvant être rempli par une substance fluide) utilisées dans des chaînes d'emballage doivent avoir des cadences de plus en plus importantes afin de réduire les coûts de conditionnement. Ces machines sont en elles-mêmes relativement coûteuses et il est également souhaitable qu'elles soient facilement adaptables à des substances et flacons divers comme dans le domaine de la cosmétologie ou de la santé où des substances diverses, parfums, eaux de toilette, après rasage, shampoings, après shampoing, bain moussant, bain douche, teinture pour les cheveux, savons liquides, lotions, gels, lait démaquillant, vernis à ongles, lait solaire, fond de teint... peuvent être conditionnées à des moments différents dans des flacons différents sur une même chaîne. De plus, certaines des substances à conditionner ont des comportements, notamment rhéologiques, qui peuvent poser des problèmes lors du remplissage comme, par exemple, l'emprisonnement de bulles d'air, la création de mousse, un écoulement difficile. Enfin, la qualité du remplissage doit être maintenue constante pour toutes les conditions prévues de remplissage et notamment en termes de volume ou de propreté (absence d'éclaboussures ou de débordement).Automated product packaging machines in vials (term used in a generic sense and understood as covering any container / container that can be filled with a fluid substance) used in packaging lines must have increasing rates in order to to reduce packaging costs. These machines are in themselves relatively expensive and it is also desirable that they are easily adaptable to various substances and flasks as in the field of cosmetology or health where various substances, perfumes, eau de toilette, aftershave , shampoos, after shampoo, bubble bath, shower bath, hair dye, liquid soaps, lotions, gels, cleansing milk, nail polish, sun milk, foundation ... can be packaged at different times in vials different on the same chain. In addition, some of the substances to be packaged have behaviors, including rheological, which can cause problems during filling such as, for example, the imprisonment of air bubbles, the creation of foam, a difficult flow. Finally, the quality of the filling must be kept constant for all the expected conditions of filling and especially in terms of volume or cleanliness (no splashing or overflow).

Ces machines peuvent être de deux grand types selon le trajet de déplacement des flacons : en ligne ou circulaire. La présente invention concerne des machines du second type dans lesquelles les flacons sont transportés sur la périphérie d'un plateau circulaire tournant. En effet, ces machines sont plus compactes que celles en ligne.These machines can be of two major types depending on the movement path of the bottles: in line or circular. The present invention relates to machines of the second type in which the bottles are transported on the periphery of a rotating circular plate. Indeed, these machines are more compact than those online.

Les machines automatisées peuvent comporter plusieurs postes dans lesquels des opérations complémentaires du remplissage ont lieu séquentiellement, comme par exemple la mise en place d'une pompe, d'une frette ou d'un capot puis son vissage ou son enfoncement. Certaines de ces opérations nécessitent que le flacon soit à l'arrêt et donc que le plateau circulaire de transport des flacons soit arrêté. De plus, ces opérations se faisant séquentiellement, celle qui est la plus longue est le facteur limitant de la cadence de production. Or, c'est généralement le remplissage d'un flacon qui prend le plus de temps et on est alors amené à effectuer un remplissage en parallèle sur plusieurs flacons et à remplir les flacons en continu aussi bien lorsqu'ils sont à l'arrêt que lorsqu'ils sont en mouvement.The automated machines may comprise several stations in which complementary filling operations take place sequentially, such as for example the introduction of a pump, a hoop or a bonnet and its screwing or depression. Some of these operations require that the bottle is at a standstill and therefore the circular tray for transporting the bottles is stopped. In addition, these operations being sequentially, the one that is the longest is the limiting factor of the rate of production. However, it is usually the filling of a bottle that takes the most time and it is then necessary to perform a filling in parallel on several bottles and to fill the bottles continuously as well when they are stopped and when they are moving.

Le déplacement des flacons en rotation étant intermittent, des problèmes de remplissage sont générés à cause des à-coups et accélérations centrifuges dans le transport des flacons en périphérie du plateau transporteur circulaire. On privilégie donc la mise en oeuvre d'un remplissage par le fond avec remontée progressive du bec de remplissage. De plus, il se pose des problèmes de synchronisation des différents éléments de la machine et, notamment, des organes de remplissage avec la rotation du plateau.The displacement of the rotating flasks being intermittent, problems of filling are generated because of jerks and centrifugal accelerations in the transport of vials at the periphery of the circular conveyor plate. We therefore privilege the implementation work of filling at the bottom with progressive rise of the filling spout. In addition, there are problems of synchronization of the various elements of the machine and, in particular, the filling members with the rotation of the plate.

Il avait été proposé de nombreuses solutions pour améliorer les machines de remplissage comme, par exemple, dans EP-0 579 480 ou US-3 986 320 ou GB-1 217 421 avec des machines de remplissage dont la rotation est continue et mettant en oeuvre un remplissage classique avec éventuellement des buses de remplissage spécifiques (injection latérale notamment) ou par le fond pour éviter la formation de mousses ou autres problèmes de remplissage. Dans le document US-4 159 608 , il a été proposé une machine à rotation intermittente. Le demandeur a lui-même proposé dans la demande FR 2 908 759, publiée le 23 mai 2008 , une machine à rotation intermittente et remplissage en continu par le fond et accompagnement, document que l'on pourra consulter pour mieux apprécier le domaine de l'invention.Many solutions have been proposed to improve filling machines, for example in EP-0 579 480 or US-3,986,320 or GB-1 217 421 with filling machines whose rotation is continuous and implementing a conventional filling with possibly specific filling nozzles (lateral injection in particular) or by the bottom to prevent the formation of foams or other filling problems. In the document US-4,159,608 a machine with intermittent rotation has been proposed. The applicant himself proposed in the application FR 2,908,759, published on May 23, 2008 , a machine with intermittent rotation and continuous filling by the bottom and accompanying, document that can be consulted to better appreciate the field of the invention.

Dans cette dernière machine qui permet d'obtenir des performances très bonnes en termes de cadence et de qualité de remplissage, le dispositif de remplissage est monté centralement, sur un support coaxial à l'axe vertical passant par le centre du plateau. Or, pour augmenter les cadences, on est conduit à augmenter le nombre de postes et/ou le nombre de flacons remplis en même temps/en parallèle ce qui peut conduire à augmenter le diamètre du plateau. La machine ayant une forme externe généralement carrée ou rectangulaire, la surface hors plateau de la machine est aussi augmentée et on dispose d'une certaine place en périphérie extérieure du plateau circulaire, en particulier dans les coins de la machine.In the latter machine which provides very good performance in terms of rate and filling quality, the filling device is mounted centrally on a support coaxial with the vertical axis passing through the center of the tray. However, to increase the rates, it is necessary to increase the number of stations and / or the number of vials filled at the same time / in parallel which can lead to increase the diameter of the plateau. Since the machine has an outer shape that is generally square or rectangular, the off-board surface of the machine is also increased and there is a certain space at the outer periphery of the circular plate, in particular in the corners of the machine.

D'autres modalités de réalisation ont également été présentées dans les documents suivants : US 5 971 041 , US 2002/139436 , DE37 40 942 , US 4 004 620 , US 4 159 608 .Other modalities of realization were also presented in the following documents: US 5,971,041 , US 2002/139436 , DE37 40 942 , US 4,004,620 , US 4,159,608 .

Le demandeur a développé un nouveau dispositif de remplissage qui est supporté, non plus centralement, mais en périphérie, à l'extérieur, du plateau sans pour autant entraîner une perte significative de compacité de la machine due à cette disposition et qui présente d'autres avantages dont une grande rigidité, une diminution de l'inertie et des porte-à-faux des éléments mobiles dudit dispositif. Ces derniers avantages permettent une commande précise des éléments mobiles du dispositif de remplissage même sous des cadences élevées, 60 flacons traités à la minute ou plus, produisant des vitesses et accélérations/décélérations élevées de ces éléments mobiles.The applicant has developed a new filling device which is supported, no longer centrally, but peripherally, on the outside, of the tray without causing a significant loss of compactness of the machine due to this arrangement and which presents other advantages including high rigidity, a decrease in inertia and cantilever moving elements of said device. These latter advantages allow precise control of the mobile elements of the filling device even at high rates, 60 vials treated per minute or more, producing high speeds and accelerations / decelerations of these moving elements.

Le dispositif proposé permet un remplissage simultané de plusieurs flacons pendant l'arrêt et lors de la progression circulaire des flacons dans une machine de conditionnement d'une substance liquide ou semi-liquide. Il permet également un remplissage commençant par le fond, le bec de remplissage ayant été descendu vers le fond du flacon, et en remontant le bec lors du remplissage jusqu'à la sortie du bec hors du flacon une fois le remplissage terminé.The proposed device allows a simultaneous filling of several bottles during the stop and during the circular progression of the bottles in a packaging machine of a liquid or semi-liquid substance. It also allows filling beginning at the bottom, the filling spout having been lowered to the bottom of the bottle, and up the spout during filling to the outlet of the spout out of the bottle after filling is completed.

Ainsi, l'invention concerne une machine de conditionnement de flacons multiposte à plateau circulaire horizontal de transport de flacons, le plateau étant monté mobile en rotation sur un châssis fixe, le plateau permettant le transport des flacons à sa périphérie et entraînant par un mouvement circulaire et intermittent les flacons entre les postes, ladite machine permettant le remplissage simultané en continu d'un nombre déterminé de flacons aussi bien lors des mouvements des flacons que lors de l'arrêt des flacons, ladite machine comportant un premier moyen motorisé permettant la montée et la descente de becs de remplissage et un second moyen motorisé permettant le déplacement en va et vient des becs de remplissage en suivant les flacons sur un segment de leurs mouvements.Thus, the invention relates to a multi-station vial packaging machine with a horizontal circular vial transport tray, the tray being rotatably mounted on a fixed frame, the tray for transporting the vials at its periphery and causing a circular movement and intermittent flasks between stations, said machine allowing the simultaneous filling of a given number of bottles continuously during both the movements of the bottles and when the bottles are stopped, said machine comprising a first motorized means for raising and lowering filling nozzles and a second means motorized allowing the movement of the filling spouts back and forth following the bottles on a segment of their movements.

Selon l'invention, la machine comporte un poste de remplissage comportant un dispositif de remplissage,
ledit dispositif de remplissage comportant

  • Figure imgb0001
    un portique comportant au moins deux montants verticaux fixés solidairement au châssis et
  • Figure imgb0001
    un chariot porte-becs comportant
    • ▪ une platine de guidage et
    • ▪ un porte-becs,
  • le chariot porte-becs étant apte à se déplacer verticalement entre les montants du portique et le porte-becs étant apte à être mobile contre la platine de guidage en mouvement co-circulaire aux flacons transportés par le plateau,
  • ledit portique supportant le premier moyen motorisé agissant sur la platine de guidage du chariot porte-becs afin de permettre un déplacement vertical en montée et descente de ladite platine de guidage par rapport aux montants, la platine de guidage supportant le second moyen motorisé apte à agir sur le porte-becs afin de produire le déplacement horizontal et co-circulaire en arc de cercle, intermittent, et en va-et-vient dudit porte-becs le long de la platine de guidage.
According to the invention, the machine comprises a filling station comprising a filling device,
said filling device comprising
  • Figure imgb0001
    a gantry comprising at least two vertical uprights fixed integrally to the frame and
  • Figure imgb0001
    a trolley with
    • ▪ a guide plate and
    • ▪ a mouthpiece,
  • the carriage-mouthpieces being able to move vertically between the uprights of the gantry and the nozzle-holder being able to be movable against the guide plate in co-circular movement with the bottles transported by the plate,
  • said gantry supporting the first motorized means acting on the guide plate of the carriage-mouthpieces to allow a vertical displacement in rise and descent of said guide plate relative to the uprights, the guide plate supporting the second motorized means adapted to act on the spigot to produce the horizontal and circular co-circular displacement, intermittent, and back and forth of said spout along the guide plate.

Le premier moyen motorisé permettant la montée-descente du chariot porte-becs, c'est-à-dire de la platine de guidage et du porte-becs, est fixe. Le second moyen motorisé est par contre mobile car il est fixé sur la platine de guidage du chariot porte-becs mobile. Ce second moyen motorisé agit sur le porte-becs pour l'entraîner en déplacement horizontal le long de la platine de guidage et parallèlement à cette dernière. Les deux moyens motorisés sont donc montés fonctionnellement en tandem pour obtenir un déplacement à la fois horizontal co-circulaire, intermittent, et vertical des becs de remplissage montés sur le porte-becs. Les becs de remplissage peuvent ainsi se déplacer à la fois verticalement et en en arc de cercle, co-circulairement avec le déplacement intermittent des flacons ce qui autorise un remplissage en commençant par le fond des flacons et avec remontée progressive des becs dans les flacons tout en suivant le mouvement circulaire intermittent des flacons sur une partie de leur trajet circulaire. On appelle déplacement co-circulaire des becs par rapport à celui du plateau, un déplacement des becs qui suit celui de la périphérie du plateau ; il est donc circulaire et de même centre que celui du plateau. Selon l'invention, ce mouvement des becs est produit sans qu'ils ne soient mécaniquement reliés à une pièce articulée sur l'axe du plateau.The first motorized means for raising-lowering the head carriage, that is to say the guide plate and the mouthpiece, is fixed. The second motorized means is movable on the other hand because it is fixed on the guide plate of the movable carrier carriage. This second motorized means acts on the nozzle to drive horizontally along the guide plate and parallel to the latter. The two motorized means are therefore functionally mounted in tandem to obtain a displacement at the same time horizontal co-circular, intermittent, and vertical filling nozzles mounted on the nozzle. The filling spouts can thus move both vertically and in an arc, co-circularly with the intermittent movement of the flasks which allows filling starting with the bottom of the flasks and with progressive rising of the nozzles in the flasks while following the intermittent circular movement of the flasks over part of their circular path. It is called a co-circular displacement of the beaks with respect to that of the plate, a displacement of the beaks which follows that of the periphery of the plate; it is therefore circular and of the same center as that of the plateau. According to the invention, this movement of the nozzles is produced without them being mechanically connected to an articulated part on the axis of the plate.

Dans divers modes de mise en oeuvre de l'invention, les moyens suivants pouvant être utilisés seuls ou selon toutes les combinaisons techniquement possibles, sont employés :

  • en alternative, le portique supporte le premier et le second moyens motorisés, un arbre de transmission cannelé étant étendu entre le second moyen motorisé et le porte-becs afin de produire le déplacement horizontal et co-circulaire en arc de cercle, intermittent, et en va-et-vient dudit porte-becs le long de la platine de guidage,
  • le premier et le second moyens motorisés sont des moteurs électriques,
  • le moteur électrique est du type sans-balai « brushless »,
  • le moteur électrique est du type à asservissement « servo drive »,
  • le portique comporte deux montants latéraux verticaux,
  • le portique comporte deux montants latéraux verticaux et un montant médian, le montant médian étant décalé vers l'extérieur afin de former un portique en triangle dont le montant médian n'interfère pas avec le chariot porte-becs,
  • le portique comporte quatre montants latéraux verticaux, deux de chaque côté latéral du portique,
  • la machine est à mouvement intermittent des flacons, les flacons devant s'arrêter dans un/des postes autres que celui de remplissage pour y subir des opérations correspondantes,
  • la machine est à remplissage continu des flacons,
  • la machine est à remplissage par le fond des flacons,
  • la machine est à remplissage avec remontée des becs lors du remplissage,
  • la machine est à remplissage par le haut des flacons,
  • la machine est polyvalente dans son fonctionnement,
  • le remplissage est débitmétrique,
  • le remplissage est volumétrique,
  • le remplissage est effectué par le vide,
  • le remplissage est effectué sous vide d'aspiration dans le flacon,
  • le chariot porte-becs est déplacé verticalement en montée et descente par l'intermédiaire d'une transmission comportant une vis a bille verticale à chacune des deux extrémités latérales de la platine de guidage en relation avec chacun des deux montants, les deux vis à billes verticales étant entraînées en rotation d'une manière commune par un axe de transmission horizontal sur lequel agit le premier moyen motorisé,
  • le chariot porte-becs est déplacé verticalement en montée et descente par l'intermédiaire d'une transmission avec une courroie à chacune des deux extrémités latérales de la platine de guidage en relation avec chacun des deux montants, les deux courroies étant entraînées en rotation d'une manière commune par un axe de transmission horizontal sur lequel agit le premier moyen motorisé,
  • l'axe de transmission horizontal est un arbre plein,
  • le premier moyen motorisé actionne l'axe de transmission horizontal par l'intermédiaire d'un réducteur,
  • le premier moyen motorisé est fixé sur un des deux montants,
  • le portique comporte une pièce de liaison horizontale étendue et fixée entre les deux montants latéraux verticaux vers leurs extrémités supérieures, le premier moyen motorisé étant fixé sur ladite pièce de liaison,
  • le porte-becs est disposé et se déplace à l'avant de la platine de guidage,
  • le porte-becs est disposé et se déplace à l'arrière de la platine de guidage,
  • le porte-becs est disposé et se déplace sur la platine de guidage,
  • le porte-becs est disposé et se déplace sous la platine de guidage,
  • la platine de guidage comporte un rail semi-circulaire sur lequel peut se déplacer horizontalement co-circulairement ledit porte-becs, le porte-becs comportant une partie de palier semi-circulaire complémentaire de celle du rail, un moyen de fixation mobile maintenant le porte-becs sur la platine de guidage lors de ses déplacements,
  • le moyen de fixation mobile est une partie horizontale du porte-becs venant prendre appui par le dessus sur une partie horizontale de la platine de guidage, de préférence lesdites parties horizontales faisant parties respectivement du palier et du rail,
  • des galets de roulement sont mis en oeuvre entre le porte-becs et la platine de guidage,
  • le second moyen motorisé agit sur le porte-becs par l'intermédiaire d'une transmission à engrènement, un engrenage du second moyen motorisé fixé sur la platine de guidage s'engrainant dans une crémaillère étendue le long du porte-becs,
  • le second moyen motorisé agit sur le porte-becs par l'intermédiaire d'une transmission à courroie, le second moyen motorisé fixé sur la platine de guidage entraînant la courroie qui est fixée sur le porte-becs,
  • la courroie est une bande,
  • la courroie est un câble,
  • la courroie est en boucle fermée,
  • la courroie est en boucle ouverte,
  • la platine de guidage est symétrique par rapport à un plan vertical médian et le second moyen motorisé est fixé sur la platine de guidage sensiblement sur la médiane définissant ledit plan vertical médian,
  • les extrémités latérales de la platine de guidage coulissent le long des montants du portique,
  • les montants sont pleins,
  • les montants sont creux,
  • les montants sont creux et les vis à bille verticales sont à l'intérieur des montants, la platine de guidage venant en prise sur la vis à bille à travers une fente/ouverture verticale de chaque montant,
  • les vis à bille verticales sont à l'extérieur, par opposition à être à l'intérieur de montants creux, des montants et disposées le long desdits montants,
  • les vis à bille verticales sont disposées côté plan médian de la platine de guidage le long desdits montants,
  • le dispositif comporte en outre un râtelier solidaire du porte-becs et disposé à distance dudit porte-becs et destiné à maintenir des conduites et/ou des câbles électriques des appareils de remplissage et/ou du second moyen motorisé,
  • le râtelier est disposé vers l'axe de rotation du plateau de la machine,
  • le porte-becs comporte entre trois et neuf becs,
  • le porte-becs comporte six becs,
  • le porte-becs peut se déplacer sur un arc de cercle correspondant à un nombre déterminé de positions indexées/alvéoles du plateau de remplissage,
  • le plateau de la machine comporte entre 16 et 42 positions indexées,
  • le plateau de la machine comporte 32 positions indexées,
  • le porte-becs comporte un nombre déterminé d'appareils de remplissage comportant chacun à leur extrémité inférieure un bec de remplissage,
  • chaque appareil de remplissage comporte au moins un des éléments suivants : un bec de remplissage, un moyen de centrage de col de flacon, une vanne commandée, un moyen d'aspiration, un capteur, ou tout autre élément utile,
  • un dispositif d'obturation est disposé vers l'extrémité inférieure de chaque bec pour l'ouvrir ou le fermer,
  • un dispositif d'obturation est disposé à l'extrémité inférieure de chaque bec pour l'ouvrir ou le fermer,
  • un moyen de centrage de col de flacon est en relation avec chaque bec de remplissage, le bec traversant le moyen de centrage de col,
  • les becs de remplissage sont solidarisés entre eux par une lame horizontale, ladite lame horizontale étant fixée au porte-becs par au moins une tige,
  • les becs de remplissage peuvent coulisser à travers la lame horizontale,
  • un moyen de centrage de col de flacon est disposé sous la lame horizontale en relation avec chaque bec de remplissage, ladite lame formant alors une barre de centrage de cols,
  • la distance entre la platine de guidage et la lame horizontale est variable, la hauteur de la ou les tiges étant variable,
  • la distance entre la platine de guidage et la lame horizontale est réglable, la hauteur de la ou les tiges étant réglable par un moyen de blocage amovible,
  • la distance entre la platine de guidage et la lame horizontale est ajustable, la hauteur de la ou les tiges étant ajustable par un moyen de d'ajustement automatique, de préférence à ressort,
  • la distance entre la platine de guidage et la lame horizontale est commandable, la hauteur de la ou les tiges étant commandable par un organe effecteur,
  • l'organe effecteur est un piston,
  • la ou les tiges comportent un moyen amortisseur,
  • la ou les tiges comportent un moyen élastique compressible de type ressort hélicoïdal,
  • la ou les tiges sont passives, la barre de centrage de cols retombant sous son propre poids et remontant par la poussée des cols lors de la descente des becs,
  • la machine comporte en outre au moins un ou plusieurs postes supplémentaires de types suivants : d'entrée d'un flacon dans une position indexée du plateau, de mise à niveau, de bouchage, d'insertion de pompe, de sertissage ou enfonçage de pompe, de pose de frette, de pose de capot, d'insertion de réducteur, de vissage de bouchon ou de pompe, d'enfonçage de bouchon ou de frette, de surbouchage, de contrôle de qualité, d'éjection de flacon défectueux, de sortie d'un flacon d'une position indexée du plateau, ou tout autre type de poste utile,
  • le poste de type contrôle de qualité est un poste de contrôle de niveau,
  • le poste de contrôle de qualité est un poste de détection de flacon cassé,
  • le poste de contrôle de qualité est un poste de détection de présence de tigelle de pompe,
  • les appareils de remplissage du porte-becs sont reliés à des moyens de pompage et/ou débimétriques de la machine par des conduites souples,
  • les appareils de remplissage du porte-becs sont reliés à des moyens de commande pneumatiques et/ou électriques de la machine par des conduites ou des câbles souples,
  • les conduites et/ou les câbles sont maintenus par un râtelier solidaire du porte-becs et disposé à distance dudit porte-becs,
  • le râtelier est disposé vers l'axe de rotation du plateau de la machine,
  • la machine comporte des moyens de gestion permettant la commande des premier et second moyens motorisés ainsi que celle d'un moteur d'entraînement du plateau selon au moins l'une ou plusieurs des modalités suivantes : rotation intermittente du plateau, remplissage en continu par le fond avec remontée progressive pendant le remplissage, remplissage par le haut, remplissage continu, remplissage volumétrique, remplissage débimétrique, remplissage par le vide,
  • la machine comporte des moyens de gestion informatiques de son fonctionnement sous forme d'un automate programmable ou d'un PC industriel,
  • la machine comporte entre 24 et 36 positions indexées du plateau,
  • le porte-becs du dispositif de remplissage peut se déplacer sur un segment correspondant à entre 6 et 16 positions indexées successives,
  • la machine comporte 32 ou 36 positions indexées du plateau,
  • le porte-becs du dispositif de remplissage peut se déplacer sur un segment correspondant à au moins 11 positions indexées successives,
  • la machine comporte 32 positions indexées du plateau et le porte-becs du dispositif de remplissage peut se déplacer sur un segment correspondant à 11 positions indexées successives.
In various embodiments of the invention, the following means can be used alone or in any technically possible combination, are employed:
  • alternatively, the gantry supports the first and second motorized means, a splined transmission shaft being extended between the second motorized means and the nozzle-holder in order to producing the horizontal and circular co-circular displacement, intermittent, and back and forth of said nozzle-holder along the guide plate,
  • the first and the second motorized means are electric motors,
  • the electric motor is of the "brushless" brushless type,
  • the electric motor is of the "servo drive" servo type,
  • the gantry comprises two vertical lateral uprights,
  • the gantry comprises two vertical lateral uprights and a median upright, the median upright being shifted outwards to form a triangular gantry whose median amount does not interfere with the slider carriage,
  • the portico has four vertical lateral uprights, two on each lateral side of the gantry,
  • the machine is in intermittent movement of the bottles, the bottles having to stop at one or more stations other than the filling station to undergo corresponding operations,
  • the machine is continuously filling the bottles,
  • the machine is filled by the bottom of the bottles,
  • the machine is filled with upflow of nozzles during filling,
  • the machine is filled from the top of the bottles,
  • the machine is versatile in its operation,
  • the filling is flow meter,
  • the filling is volumetric,
  • filling is done by vacuum,
  • the filling is carried out under vacuum suction in the bottle,
  • the carrier carriage is moved vertically up and down by means of a transmission comprising a vertical ball screw at each of the two lateral ends of the guide plate in relation to each of the two uprights, the two ball screws vertical members being rotated in a common manner by a horizontal transmission axis on which the first motorized means acts,
  • the trolley-carrier is moved vertically up and down through a transmission with a belt at each of the two lateral ends of the guide plate in relation to each of the two uprights, the two belts being driven in rotation of a common way by a horizontal transmission axis on which the first motorized means acts,
  • the horizontal transmission axis is a solid tree,
  • the first motorized means actuates the horizontal transmission axis via a gearbox,
  • the first motorized means is fixed on one of the two uprights,
  • the gantry comprises an extended horizontal connecting piece and fixed between the two vertical lateral uprights towards their upper ends, the first motorized means being fixed on said connecting piece,
  • the mouthpiece is arranged and moves in front of the guide plate,
  • the mouthpiece is arranged and moves at the rear of the guide plate,
  • the mouthpiece is arranged and moves on the guide plate,
  • the mouthpiece is arranged and moves under the guide plate,
  • the guide plate comprises a semicircular rail on which can move horizontally co-circularly said nozzle-holder, the nozzle-holder having a semicircular bearing portion complementary to that of the rail, a movable fixing means holding the door -becs on the guide plate during his travels,
  • the movable fixing means is a horizontal part of the nozzle-holder coming to bear from above on a horizontal part of the guide plate, preferably said horizontal parts forming parts of the bearing and of the rail, respectively;
  • rollers are used between the nozzle and the guide plate,
  • the second motorized means acts on the mouthpiece via a meshing transmission, a gear of the second motorized means fixed on the guide plate engraining in a rack extended along the mouthpiece,
  • the second motorized means acts on the nozzle by means of a belt transmission, the second motorized means fixed on the guide plate driving the belt which is fixed on the nozzle-holder,
  • the belt is a band,
  • the belt is a cable,
  • the belt is in a closed loop,
  • the belt is in an open loop,
  • the guide plate is symmetrical with respect to a median vertical plane and the second motorized means is fixed on the guide plate substantially on the median defining said median vertical plane,
  • the lateral ends of the guide plate slide along the amounts of the gantry,
  • the amounts are full,
  • the amounts are hollow,
  • the uprights are hollow and the vertical ball screws are inside the uprights, the guide plate engaging on the ball screw through a slot / vertical opening of each upright,
  • the vertical ball screws are outside, as opposed to being inside hollow amounts, amounts and arranged along said amounts,
  • the vertical ball screws are arranged on the median plane side of the guide plate along said uprights,
  • the device further comprises a rack secured to the nozzle-holder and disposed at a distance from said nozzle-holder and intended to hold pipes and / or electric cables of the filling apparatus and / or the second motorized means,
  • the rack is disposed towards the axis of rotation of the machine plate,
  • the nozzle has between three and nine nozzles,
  • the mouthpiece has six nozzles,
  • the nozzle can be moved on a circular arc corresponding to a determined number of indexed positions / alveoli of the filling plate,
  • the machine tray has between 16 and 42 indexed positions,
  • the machine tray has 32 indexed positions,
  • the nozzle comprises a predetermined number of filling devices each comprising at their lower end a filling spout,
  • each filling device comprises at least one of the following elements: a filling spout, a bottle neck centering means, a controlled valve, a suction means, a sensor, or any other useful element,
  • a closure device is disposed towards the lower end of each spout for opening or closing it,
  • a closure device is arranged at the lower end of each spout for opening or closing it,
  • vial neck centering means is connected to each filling spout, the spout passing through the neck centering means,
  • the filling spouts are joined together by a horizontal blade, said horizontal blade being fixed to the nozzle-holder by at least one rod,
  • the filling spouts can slide through the horizontal blade,
  • vial neck centering means is disposed under the horizontal blade in relation to each filling spout, said blade then forming a collar centering bar,
  • the distance between the guide plate and the horizontal blade is variable, the height of the rod or rods being variable,
  • the distance between the guide plate and the horizontal blade is adjustable, the height of the rod or rods being adjustable by a removable locking means,
  • the distance between the guide plate and the horizontal blade is adjustable, the height of the rod or rods being adjustable by means of automatic adjustment, preferably spring,
  • the distance between the guide plate and the horizontal blade is controllable, the height of the rod or rods being controllable by an effector member,
  • the effector member is a piston,
  • the rod or rods comprise damping means,
  • the rod or rods comprise a compressible elastic means of helical spring type,
  • the rod or rods are passive, the collar centering bar falling under its own weight and rising by the pushing of the necks during the lowering of the beaks,
  • the machine further comprises at least one or more additional stations of the following types: inlet of a bottle in an indexed position of the tray, leveling, capping, pump insertion, crimping or sinking of pump , hoop installation, bonnet installation, gearbox insertion, plug or pump screwing, corking or capping, overcapping, quality control, defective bottle ejection, outlet of a bottle from an indexed position of the tray, or any other type of useful station,
  • the quality control position is a level checkpoint,
  • the quality control station is a broken bottle detection station,
  • the quality control station is a pump pit presence detection station,
  • the nozzle filling devices are connected to pumping means and / or flow meters of the machine by flexible pipes,
  • the filling devices of the mouthpiece are connected to pneumatic and / or electrical control means of the machine by pipes or flexible cables,
  • the pipes and / or the cables are held by a rack integral with the nozzle-holder and disposed at a distance from said nozzle-holder,
  • the rack is disposed towards the axis of rotation of the machine plate,
  • the machine comprises management means for controlling the first and second motorized means and that of a drive motor of the tray according to at least one or more of the following modes: intermittent rotation of the plate, continuous filling by the bottom with progressive rise during filling, top filling, continuous filling, volumetric filling, flow filling, filling with vacuum,
  • the machine comprises computer management means for its operation in the form of a programmable logic controller or an industrial PC,
  • the machine has between 24 and 36 indexed positions of the tray,
  • the nozzle of the filling device can move on a segment corresponding to between 6 and 16 successive indexed positions,
  • the machine has 32 or 36 indexed positions of the tray,
  • the nozzle of the filling device can move on a segment corresponding to at least 11 successive indexed positions,
  • the machine has 32 indexed positions of the tray and the nozzle of the filling device can move on a segment corresponding to 11 successive indexed positions.

L'invention concerne également un dispositif de remplissage selon la revendication 12 pour poste de remplissage d'une machine de conditionnement de flacons multiposte à plateau circulaire de transport intermittent de flacons.The invention also relates to a filling device according to claim 12 for a filling station of a packaging machine for multi-station vials with a circular tray for the intermittent transport of bottles.

La présente invention va maintenant être exemplifiée sans pour autant en être limitée avec la description qui suit en relation avec les figures suivantes:

  • la Figure 1 qui représente une vue schématique en perspective à partir du haut et extérieurement d'un dispositif de remplissage selon l'invention,
  • la Figure 2 qui représente une vue schématique en perspective à partir du bas et intérieurement/centralement du dispositif de remplissage de la Figure 1,
  • la Figure 3 qui représente une vue schématique de côté du dispositif de remplissage de la Figure 1,
  • la Figure 4 qui représente une vue schématique de côté du dispositif de remplissage de la Figure 1 installé en tant que poste de remplissage dans une machine de conditionnement sans ses autres postes fonctionnels,
  • la Figure 5 qui représente le dispositif de remplissage dans la machine de la Figure 4 en vue schématique en perspective à partir du haut et extérieurement, des flacons ayant été installés dans des godets dans les alvéoles du bord du plateau circulaire,
  • la Figure 6 qui représente une vue schématique du haut d'une machine de conditionnement avec le dispositif de l'invention pour le poste de remplissage et d'autres postes fonctionnels, et la Figure 7 qui représente une vue schématique de côté de la machine de conditionnement de la Figure 6.
The present invention will now be exemplified without being limited thereto with the description which follows in relation to the following figures:
  • the Figure 1 which represents a schematic view in perspective from the top and the outside of a filling device according to the invention,
  • the Figure 2 which represents a schematic view in perspective from the bottom and internally / centrally of the filling device of the Figure 1 ,
  • the Figure 3 which represents a schematic side view of the filling device of the Figure 1 ,
  • the Figure 4 which represents a schematic side view of the filling device of the Figure 1 installed as a filling station in a packaging machine without its other functional stations,
  • the Figure 5 which represents the filling device in the machine of the Figure 4 in a schematic perspective view from above and externally, bottles having been installed in buckets in the cells of the edge of the circular plate,
  • the Figure 6 which represents a schematic view of the top of a packaging machine with the device of the invention for the filling station and other functional stations, and the Figure 7 which represents a schematic side view of the packaging machine of the Figure 6 .

La machine de l'invention est une unité automatisée de conditionnement avec remplissage de flacons par une substance liquide ou semi-liquide installée dans une ligne de conditionnement. Une telle machine de conditionnement 27 est représentée sur les Figures 6 et 7 avec pratiquement tous ses postes fonctionnels et sur les Figures 4 et 5 avec seulement le poste de remplissage comportant le dispositif de remplissage 1 qui est lui représenté en détail sur les Figures 1, 2 et 3. Les flacons arrivent par une ligne d'amont 28 les uns à la suite des autres dans la machine, les cols des flacons étant vers le haut. La machine comporte un plateau circulaire 24 alvéolé 26 mobile en rotation pour le transport des flacons entre des postes fonctionnels de l'unité, la rotation étant intermittente pour permettre une action des postes sur chacun des flacons, les alvéoles étant disposées en périphérie du plateau 24 et étant destinées à recevoir et maintenir chacune un flacon lors du transport. Le dispositif de remplissage installé dans la machine permet le remplissage en continu en parallèle d'un certain nombre de flacons, aussi bien à l'arrêt que pendant la rotation des flacons sur une telle machine rotative intermittente et en suivant la rotation desdits flacons.The machine of the invention is an automated packaging unit filled with vials by a liquid or semi-liquid substance installed in a packaging line. Such a packaging machine 27 is represented on the Figures 6 and 7 with virtually all of its functional positions and on Figures 4 and 5 with only the filling station comprising the filling device 1 which is shown to it in detail on the Figures 1 , 2 and 3 . The flasks arrive by an upstream line 28 one after the other in the machine, the necks of the bottles being upwards. The machine comprises a rotating circular plate 24 with a rotating cell 26 for transporting the bottles between functional stations of the unit, the rotation being intermittent to enable the stations to act on each of the bottles, the cells being disposed at the periphery of the plate 24. and being intended to receive and maintain each a bottle during transport. The filling device installed in the machine enables the continuous filling in parallel of a certain number of bottles, both at the stop and during the rotation of the bottles on such an intermittent rotary machine and by following the rotation of said bottles.

De préférence, chacun des flacons est disposé dans un godet 25 dans la ligne de conditionnement, le godet comportant une partie de réception de flacon qui est adaptée à chaque type de flacon et une partie fonctionnelle identique quels que soient les godets et flacons et qui s'adapte à des moyens fonctionnels correspondants de la ligne de conditionnement dont, pour la machine de conditionnement, les alvéoles 26 de la périphérie du plateau. Ainsi, la ligne de conditionnement, dont la machine de conditionnement, peut être utilisée avec tout type de flacon, les godets étant changés en fonction des flacons. Il en résulte une machine de conditionnement polyvalente, multiformat et multifonction, et nécessitant des opérations d'adaptation relativement réduites lors d'un changement de type de flacon et/ou de produit. Dans une variante et comme représenté, les godets restent dans les alvéoles de la machine de conditionnement et les flacons, qui sont libres sur les lignes amont 28 et aval 29 (30), sont placés dans lesdits godets dans le premier poste de la machine qui est un poste de réception de flacon et sont sortis des godets dans le poste de sortie de flacon ou dans celui, éventuel, d'éjection de flacon défectueux.Preferably, each of the bottles is placed in a cup 25 in the packaging line, the cup comprising a bottle-receiving part which is adapted to each type of bottle and an identical functional part whatever the cups and bottles and which are it adapts to corresponding functional means of the packaging line which, for the packaging machine, the cells 26 of the periphery of the tray. Thus, the packaging line, including the packaging machine, can be used with any type of bottle, the cups being changed depending on the bottles. The result is a versatile packaging machine, multiformat and multifunction, and requiring relatively reduced adaptation operations during a change of the type of bottle and / or product. In a variant and as shown, the buckets remain in the cells of the packaging machine and the bottles, which are free on the upstream lines 28 and downstream 29 (30), are placed in said buckets in the first station of the machine which is a bottle receiving station and out of the buckets in the bottle outlet station or in that, if any, ejection flask defective.

Le premier des postes de la machine de conditionnement est un poste de réception de l'un des flacons de la ligne d'amont 28 dans une des alvéoles du plateau, col ouvert/goulot vers le haut, et un des derniers postes est un poste de sortie de flacon vers une ligne d'aval 29. Entre les deux on met en oeuvre divers postes dont un poste de remplissage qui agit sur un segment du plateau afin de pouvoir remplir en parallèle un ensemble de flacons à la fois.The first of the stations of the packaging machine is a receiving station of one of the bottles of the upstream line 28 in one of the cells of the tray, open neck / neck towards the top, and one of the last stations is a bottle outlet station to a downstream line 29. Between the two is implemented various stations including a filling station which acts on a segment of the plate in order to be able to fill in parallel a set of bottles at a time.

Le dispositif 1 équipant le poste de remplissage comporte une partie avec des becs de remplissage qui est mobile en rotation et suit en synchronisme le déplacement intermittent du plateau sur un segment déterminé de son trajet circulaire entre deux positions extrêmes, une position de départ et une position d'arrivée. Le remplissage s'effectue en continu sur un ensemble de flacons pendant le déplacement intermittent des flacons, à l'aller entre la position de départ et la position d'arrivée, les becs de remplissage revenant au retour à la position de départ après qu'ils aient rempli ledit ensemble de flacons. Cette rotation intermittente des becs de remplissage est oscillante/en va-et-vient contrairement au plateau qui tourne toujours dans le même sens. On comprend que lors du remplissage, à l'aller, alors que les becs sont dans les flacons, la rotation en arc-de-cercle des becs du poste de remplissage, co-circulaire à celle des flacons, est également discontinue/intermittente pour être en synchronisme avec le plateau mais que lors du retour des becs du poste de remplissage, alors que les becs sont en dehors des flacons, ce retour s'effectue de préférence d'une manière continue et donc rapide. Le remplissage est continu aussi bien à l'arrêt que lors de la rotation du plateau. On comprend donc que le terme co-circulaire signifie que les becs de remplissage peuvent suivre les flacons sur un segment de leur trajet circulaire et que les becs ont un mouvement parallèle à celui des flacons sur ce segment afin de permettre l'entrée des becs dans les cols des flacons et le suivi des cols.The device 1 equipping the filling station comprises a part with filling spouts which is movable in rotation and synchronously follows the intermittent movement of the plate on a given segment of its circular path between two extreme positions, a starting position and a position arrival. The filling is carried out continuously on a set of bottles during the intermittent movement of the bottles, to go between the starting position and the arrival position, the filling nozzles returning to the return to the starting position after they filled said set of flasks. This intermittent rotation of the filling spouts is oscillating / reciprocating in contrast to the plate which always rotates in the same direction. It is understood that during the filling, in the go, while the spouts are in the flasks, the rotation in arc-of-the beaks of the filling station, co-circular to that of the flasks, is also discontinuous / intermittent for be in synchronism with the plate but that during the return of the nozzles of the filling station, while the nozzles are outside the bottles, this return is preferably performed in a continuous manner and therefore fast. The filling is continuous both when stopped and during rotation of the tray. It is therefore understood that the term co-circular means that the filling spouts can follow the bottles on a segment of their circular path and that the spouts have a movement parallel to that of the flasks on this segment to allow the entry of the nozzles in vial necks and collar monitoring.

Les becs de remplissage sont en outre mobiles verticalement entre deux positions extrêmes, une position basse dans laquelle l'extrémité d'écoulement du bec est dans le flacon vers le fond dudit flacon et une position haute dans laquelle le bec est hors du flacon.The filling spouts are further movable vertically between two extreme positions, a low position in which the spout end of the spout is in the bottle to the bottom of said flask and a high position in which the spout is out of the bottle.

Ainsi, la machine comporte des moyens pour qu'au début d'un cycle du poste de remplissage, ledit poste de remplissage soit en position de départ et position haute des becs puis passe en position basse des becs, dans les flacons, et débute le remplissage, les becs remontant lors du remplissage tout en suivant en synchronisme les mouvements intermittents de rotation du plateau, puis, après la fin du remplissage, les becs étant amenés en position haute avant que les becs du poste de remplissage ne retournent vers leur position de départ. La remontée des becs peut être régulière ou non selon la modalité de mise en oeuvre.Thus, the machine comprises means for at the beginning of a cycle of the filling station, said filling station is in the starting position and high position of the beaks then passes in the lower position of the nozzles, in the bottles, and starts the filling, the nozzles back during filling while synchronously following the intermittent rotational movements of the plate, then, after the end of filling, the nozzles being brought to the high position before the nozzles of the filling station return to their position of departure. The rising of the beaks can be regular or not according to the mode of implementation.

Sur la Figure 6, la machine de conditionnement qui est un des éléments d'une chaîne de conditionnement d'un fluide dans un flacon, est vue de dessus. Elle se présente sous forme d'un bloc fermé par des parois latérales de sécurité, de préférence transparentes, pour que le personnel puisse voir le fonctionnement de la machine. Ces parois latérales pouvant s'ouvrir sont munies de détecteurs d'ouverture arrêtant le fonctionnement en cas d'ouverture. Le fonctionnement de la machine est sous le contrôle d'un PC industriel dont le pupitre de commande 31 est accessible à l'extérieur.On the Figure 6 , the packaging machine which is one of the elements of a packaging line of a fluid in a bottle, is seen from above. It is in the form of a block closed by side walls of safety, preferably transparent, so that the staff can see the operation of the machine. These opening side walls are provided with opening detectors stopping the operation in case of opening. The operation of the machine is under the control of an industrial PC whose control panel 31 is accessible to the outside.

Les flacons (non représentés) arrivent par une ligne d'amont 28 dans la machine de conditionnement. Les flacons sont convoyés par le plateau circulaire 24 indexé dans des alvéoles périphériques comportant des godets de flacons comportant chacun un flacon. Le plateau est entraîné en rotation par un organe moteur spécifique (non représenté). Le plateau tourne dans un sens déterminé pour amener les flacons de poste en poste. Dans le sens de circulation des flacons on trouve un premier poste fonctionnel dit de réception, en bout de ligne d'amont, et qui reçoit un à un les flacons à chaque passage d'une alvéole et de son godet en face de la ligne d'amont. Ensuite, on trouve un poste de remplissage qui met en oeuvre le dispositif de remplissage de l'invention. Puis, en tant que postes avals du poste de remplissage, on peut par exemple trouver éventuellement : un poste souffleur de poussière, un poste de mise à niveau, puis un poste d'insertion de pompe, puis un poste d'enfonçage et sertissage de pompe, puis un poste d'enfonçage, puis un poste de vissage, un poste de pose de frette et d'enfoncement de frette, puis un quasi avant dernier poste qui est un poste de contrôle de col cassé ou d'autre défaut et qui est associé à un poste d'éjection de flacons défectueux vers une ligne de rebus 30 et à un poste de sortie des flacons vers la ligne d'aval 29. D'autres types de postes fonctionnels peuvent être installés dans la machine de conditionnement comme, par exemple, un poste de sertissage ou pré-sertissage ou d'enfonçage ou de pré-enfonçage de pompe ou de réducteur ou de diffuseur ou d'autres types de postes fonctionnels.The flasks (not shown) arrive via an upstream line 28 in the packaging machine. The flasks are conveyed by the circular plate 24 indexed in peripheral cells comprising cups of bottles each comprising a bottle. The plate is rotated by a specific motor member (not shown). The plate rotates in a direction determined to bring the vials station. In the direction of circulation of the flasks there is a first functional station called reception, end of line of upstream, and which receives one by one the bottles at each passage of a cell and its cup in front of the line d upstream. Then, there is a filling station which implements the filling device of the invention. Then, as downstream positions of the filling station, one can for example find: a dust blower station, a leveling station, then a pump insertion station, then a sinking station and crimping of pump, then a sinking station, then a screwing station, a fret setting station and fret driving, then a quasi-last post that is a broken collar or other fault and that is associated with a defective bottle ejection station to a scrap line 30 and an outlet station vials to the downstream line 29. Other types of functional stations can be installed in the packaging machine as, for example, a crimping station or pre-crimping or sinking or pre-sinking pump or reducer or diffuser or other types of functional stations.

On comprend que la répartition et le type des postes peuvent être différents en fonction des besoins de la chaîne de conditionnement, certains postes pouvant être omis et/ou d'autres ajoutés. De même, si sur la Figure 6 le poste est le poste d'éjection de flacons défectueux vers la ligne de rebus 30, dans des variantes de réalisation, le dernier poste est le poste de sortie des flacons vers la ligne d'aval 29.It is understood that the distribution and type of positions may be different depending on the needs of the packaging line, some positions may be omitted and / or others added. Similarly, if on the Figure 6 the station is the defective bottles ejection station towards the scrap line 30, in alternative embodiments, the last station is the outlet station of the flasks towards the downstream line 29.

A l'exception du poste de remplissage, les autres postes ont une action sur un seul flacon à la fois. Dans d'autres variantes, un ou plusieurs des postes autres que de remplissage peuvent agir sur plusieurs flacons à la fois, par exemple sur deux flacons à la fois.With the exception of the filling station, the other stations act on one bottle at a time. In other variants, one or more non-filling stations can act on several bottles at a time, for example on two bottles at a time.

Il en résulte que si le mouvement du plateau est circulaire, ce mouvement est intermittent, en pratique indexé pour chaque alvéole, chaque flacon devant s'arrêter en face de chaque poste pour y subir l'action correspondante (mise en place d'une pompe ou d'un bouchon, etc.).As a result, if the movement of the plate is circular, this movement is intermittent, in practice indexed for each cell, each bottle to stop in front of each station to undergo the corresponding action (setting up a pump or a plug, etc.).

Le poste de remplissage est étendu en arc de cercle sur un certain nombre d'alvéoles du plateau afin de pouvoir remplir en parallèle/en même temps plusieurs flacons tout en suivant lesdits flacons le long d'une partie de leur trajet. Ainsi, lors du remplissage, les becs du poste de remplissage se déplacent de manière synchrone avec le plateau entre deux positions extrêmes, une position de départ et une position d'arrivée, sur un secteur du plateau. Par contre, le retour des becs vers la position de départ, à la fin du remplissage, est libre et peut être très rapide.The filling station is extended in an arc on a number of cells of the tray so as to fill in parallel / at the same time several bottles while following said bottles along part of their path. Thus, during filling, the nozzles of the filling station move synchronously with the plate between two extreme positions, a starting position and an arrival position, on a sector of the plate. On the other hand, the return of the nozzles to the starting position, at the end of filling, is free and can be very fast.

La machine comporte également un module fixe (non représenté) avec nourrice et autant de débitmètres que d'appareils de remplissage et qui est disposé sensiblement en regard du poste de remplissage vers le centre de la machine, des conduites flexibles reliant chaque bec à son débitmètre ou à d'autres organes fluidiques de la machine de conditionnement. Dans le cas d'un remplissage débitmétrique, le remplissage se fait sous pression de la substance, ce qui permet une réactivité importante. L'invention peut ainsi être mise en oeuvre pour le conditionnement de parfums ou de produits cosmétiques. Un dispositif d'obturation est disposé de préférence à l'extrémité de chaque bec pour l'ouvrir (lors du remplissage) ou le fermer. Le dispositif d'obturation peut être commandé électriquement ou, de préférence, pneumatiquement.The machine also comprises a fixed module (not shown) with a nurse and as many flowmeters as filling devices and which is arranged substantially opposite the filling station towards the center of the machine, flexible pipes connecting each nozzle to its flow meter or other fluidic components of the packaging machine. In the case of a flow filling, filling is done under pressure of the substance, which allows a high reactivity. The invention can thus be used for packaging perfumes or cosmetic products. A closure device is preferably arranged at the end of each spout to open it (during filling) or close it. The closure device may be electrically controlled or, preferably, pneumatically.

Le dispositif de remplissage installé dans la machine de conditionnement est représenté seul sur les Figures 1 à 3 et en relation avec la machine de conditionnement sur les Figures 4 et 5.The filling device installed in the packaging machine is represented alone on the Figures 1 to 3 and in relation to the packaging machine on the Figures 4 and 5 .

Sur la Figure 1, le dispositif est vu de l'extérieur par rapport au centre du plateau de rotation (non représenté) de la machine. Sur la Figure 2, le dispositif est vu de l'intérieur, par le côté du dispositif qui est du côté du plateau de rotation (non représenté) de la machine. Sur les Figures 4 et 5, la machine de conditionnement a été simplifiée pour faciliter la compréhension des relations du dispositif 1 avec le plateau 24.On the Figure 1 , the device is viewed from the outside relative to the center of the rotation plate (not shown) of the machine. On the Figure 2 , the device is seen from the inside, by the side of the device which is on the side of the rotation plate (not shown) of the machine. On the Figures 4 and 5 , the packaging machine has been simplified to facilitate understanding of the relationship of the device 1 with the plate 24.

Le dispositif de remplissage 1 comporte un cadre formé de deux montants latéraux 2 verticaux reliés vers leurs extrémités supérieures par une pièce de liaison 3 horizontale afin de rigidifier le cadre qui est destiné à être fixé sur un châssis 23 de la machine de conditionnement portant le plateau circulaire 24 de transport des flacons. Les deux montants 2 viennent se fixer sur le châssis 23 en bordure de la périphérie du plateau 24.The filling device 1 comprises a frame formed by two vertical lateral uprights 2 connected to their upper ends by a horizontal connecting piece 3 in order to stiffen the frame which is intended to be fixed on a frame 23 of the packaging machine carrying the tray circular 24 vial transport. The two uprights 2 are fixed on the frame 23 at the edge of the periphery of the plate 24.

Un chariot porte-becs 4 horizontal pouvant se déplacer verticalement entre les deux montants est monté coulissant à ses deux extrémités latérales sur les deux montants 2. Le chariot porte-becs 4 est disposé au-dessus du plateau afin que les becs puissent, par le haut, entrer par les cols des flacons, dans les flacons. Le chariot porte-becs 4 est formé de deux parties principales : une platine de guidage 6 horizontale qui est l'élément coulissant sur les deux montants et un porte-becs 21 horizontal qui peut se déplacer horizontalement en arc de cercle sous la platine de guidage 6 et est maintenue par cette dernière. Le porte-becs supporte un certain nombre d'appareils de remplissage 5 sensiblement verticaux se terminant vers le bas par des becs de remplissage 16. Il résulte de ce montage que les becs 16 peuvent se déplacer verticalement et horizontalement.A horizontal slider carriage 4 that can move vertically between the two uprights is slidably mounted at its two lateral ends on the two uprights 2. The slider carriage 4 is disposed above the tray so that the slats can, by the top, enter through the necks of the flasks, into the flasks. The trolley 4 consists of two main parts: a horizontal guide plate 6 which is the sliding element on the two uprights and a horizontal mouthpiece 21 which can move horizontally in a circular arc below the guide plate 6 and is maintained by the latter. The nozzle supports a number of substantially vertical fillers 5 terminating downwardly with fillers 16. As a result of this arrangement, the spouts 16 can move vertically and horizontally.

A cette fin, un premier moyen motorisé 7 permet de faire monter et descendre le chariot porte-becs grâce à deux vis à billes 10 verticales dont les billes sont en prise 11 vers les extrémités latérales de la platine de guidage 6. Le premier moyen motorisé 7 est solidaire de la pièce de liaison 3 et entraîne en rotation les vis à billes par l'intermédiaire d'un axe de transmission 9 horizontal et de deux renvois d'angle 12. De préférence, des accouplements élastiques 22 sont mis en oeuvre sur cette transmission. Les vis à billes verticales, mobiles en rotation, sont maintenues fixes vers leurs deux extrémités sur les montants 2 et/ou la pièce de liaison 3 et dans le cas d'espèce, en bas, sur une plaque 13 solidaire du montant et, en haut, sur la pièce de liaison 3. Le premier moyen motorisé est de préférence disposé vers l'extérieur du dispositif. Les moyens de liaison qui sont raccordés au dispositif, notamment les conduites et/ou autres (non représentés), sont disposés côté intérieur/vers le centre du plateau.To this end, a first motorized means 7 makes it possible to raise and lower the carriage by means of two vertical ball screws 10 whose balls are engaged 11 towards the lateral ends of the guide plate 6. The first motorized means 7 is secured to the connecting piece 3 and rotates the ball screws via a horizontal transmission shaft 9 and two angle gears 12. Preferably, elastic couplings 22 are implemented on this transmission. The vertical ball screws, movable in rotation, are held fixed at their two ends on the uprights 2 and / or the connecting piece 3 and in this case, at the bottom, on a plate 13 secured to the upright and, in top, on the connecting piece 3. The first motorized means is preferably arranged towards the outside of the device. The connecting means which are connected to the device, in particular the pipes and / or others (not shown), are arranged on the inside / towards the center of the plate.

Un deuxième moyen motorisé 8 permet les déplacements en arc de cercle et va-et-vient du porte-becs 21 sous la platine de guidage 6. Le deuxième moyen motorisé 8 est fixé à la platine de guidage 6 sensiblement médianement à cette dernière. La platine de guidage 6 comporte, dans le cas d'espèce à sa face inférieure, des moyens de guidage et fixation coulissante du porte-becs 21. Des moyens facilitant le coulissement du porte-becs sous la platine de guidage, type roulements à billes ou rouleaux, sont, de préférence, mis en oeuvre.A second motorized means 8 allows the arcuate movements and back and forth of the nozzle holder 21 under the guide plate 6. The second motorized means 8 is fixed to the guide plate 6 substantially median thereto. The guide plate 6 comprises, in this particular case on its lower face, means for guiding and slidingly fixing the nozzle-holder 21. Means facilitating the sliding of the nozzle-holder under the guide plate, ball-bearing type or rollers, are preferably implemented.

Le montage des appareils de remplissage 5 fixés sous le porte-becs 21 est rigidifié, au niveau des becs 16, par une lame 14 horizontale qui est elle-même fixée au porte-becs 21 par deux tiges 17 verticales. Etant donné qu'un moyen 15 de centrage de col de flacon est disposé sous la lame 14 horizontale en relation avec chaque bec de remplissage 16, ladite lame 14 forme alors une barre de centrage de cols. Les becs et la barre de centrage de cols sont disposés en arc de cercle afin d'être en correspondance avec les alvéoles en périphérie du plateau et donc avec les flacons à remplir. Le porte-becs se déplaçant en arc de cercle et va-et-vient sous la platine de guidage, les appareils de guidage et la barre de centrage de cols suivent le même trajet. De préférence, afin de permettre un remplissage par le fond des flacons, les becs de remplissage 16 peuvent coulisser à travers la lame/la barre de centrage de cols.The fitting of the filling devices 5 fixed under the nozzle-holder 21 is stiffened, at the level of the jaws 16, by a horizontal blade 14 which is itself fixed to the nozzle-holder 21 by two vertical rods 17. Since a vial neck centering means 15 is disposed under the horizontal blade 14 in connection with each filling spout 16, said blade 14 then forms a collar centering bar. The spouts and collar centering bar are arranged in an arc to be in correspondence with the cells on the periphery of the plate and therefore with the bottles to be filled. The nosepiece moves in an arc and back and forth under the guide plate, guiding devices and collar centering bar follow the same path. Preferably, in order to allow bottom filling of the vials, the filling spouts 16 can slide through the collar blade / centering bar.

Selon les modes de réalisation et/ou de fonctionnement, la hauteur des tiges 17 est constante ou est rendue variable ou ajustable, possiblement avec un moyen amortisseur et/ou élastique. Dans le mode de réalisation représenté, cette hauteur est variable, les tiges comportant un moyen élastique faisant qu'en l'absence de flacon, la barre de centrage de cols 14,15 descend pratiquement contre ou très proche du plateau 24 et/ou des godets 25 en position basse des becs comme visible sur la Figure 4. On comprend qu'en présence de flacons, la descente de la barre de centrage de cols 14,15 sera arrêtée en chemin par les flacons lors de la descente des becs vers le fond des flacons, ces derniers coulissant à travers la barre de centrage de cols 14,15. Sur la Figure 5, on voit des flacons dans des godets 25 dans les alvéoles 26 de la périphérie du plateau 24 circulaire. Une table horizontale circulaire fixe de diamètre inférieur à celui du plateau 24 horizontal est disposée au-dessus du plateau. La table peut servir à la fixation de certains des postes fonctionnels de la machine de conditionnement. Le dispositif de remplissage 1 est installé sur le châssis 23 de la machine de conditionnement le long de la périphérie du plateau 24 circulaire, extérieurement à ce plateau. Dans l'exemple représenté, le châssis 23 comporte deux plaques horizontales parallèles superposées sur lesquelles les montants 2 sont fixés, ce qui permet d'augmenter la rigidité et stabilité du portique.According to the embodiments and / or operation, the height of the rods 17 is constant or is made variable or adjustable, possibly with damping means and / or elastic. In the embodiment shown, this height is variable, the rods comprising an elastic means that in the absence of a bottle, the collet centering bar 14,15 substantially descends against or very close to the plate 24 and / or cups 25 in the low position of the nozzles as visible on the Figure 4 . It is understood that in the presence of flasks, the descent of the neck centering bar 14,15 will be stopped along the way by the bottles during the descent of the nozzles to the bottom of the bottles, the latter sliding through the centering bar of collars 14,15. On the Figure 5 bottles are seen in buckets 25 in the cells 26 of the periphery of the circular plate 24. A fixed circular horizontal table of diameter smaller than that of the horizontal plate 24 is disposed above the plate. The table can be used to secure some of the functional stations of the packaging machine. The filling device 1 is installed on the frame 23 of the packaging machine along the periphery of the circular plate 24, externally to this plate. In the example shown, the frame 23 comprises two superposed parallel horizontal plates on which the uprights 2 are fixed, which increases the rigidity and stability of the gantry.

Outre le bec 16, chacun des appareils de remplissage 5 comporte divers organes dont un moyen type vanne 18 d'ouverture/fermeture de bec, des raccords pour des conduites de produit, pneumatiques de commande, éventuellement d'aspiration, d'éventuels capteurs... Les conduites et câbles électriques destinés aux appareils de remplissage 5 sont souples afin de suivre les mouvements de va-et-vient en rotation et de montée/descente des becs et ils sont par exemple maintenus ensembles par un râtelier 19 solidaire du porte-becs 21. Le râtelier 19 est maintenu à distance dudit porte-becs par des pattes 20. Le râtelier 19 est ici disposé côté intérieur du dispositif de remplissage. Dans des variantes, le râtelier peut être omis ou disposé d'une manière différente.In addition to the spout 16, each of the filling apparatus 5 comprises various members including a means 18 as a valve opening / closing nozzle, fittings for product lines, pneumatic control, possibly suction, any sensors. .. The pipes and electrical cables for filling devices 5 are flexible to follow the movements of back and forth in rotation and up / down beaks and they are for example held together by a rack 19 secured to the holder 21. The rack 19 is kept at a distance from said holder by tabs 20. The rack 19 is here arranged on the side inside the filling device. In variants, the rack may be omitted or arranged in a different manner.

Dans la machine de conditionnement, les déplacements en rotation intermittente du plateau, en rotation va-et-vient du porte-becs et de ses appareils de remplissage, verticaux du chariot porte-becs sont obtenus par des moyens motorisés mécaniquement indépendants et la synchronisation entre ces divers mouvements est obtenue par le contrôle d'un PC industriel. On dispose donc de moyens de réglages fins des éléments en mouvement, notamment en terme de suivi de cames électroniques, paramétrables aisément contrairement à une machine dont les divers éléments en mouvement seraient mécaniquement liés et entraînés entre eux.In the packaging machine, the movements in intermittent rotation of the tray, in rotating back and forth of the nozzle-holder and its filling devices, vertical of the carriage-mouthpieces are obtained by mechanically independent motorized means and the synchronization between these various movements is obtained by the control of an industrial PC. There are therefore fine adjustment means of the moving elements, particularly in terms of monitoring of electronic cams, easily parameterizable unlike a machine whose various moving elements are mechanically linked and driven between them.

Bien entendu la présente invention n'est pas limitée aux modes de réalisation particuliers qui viennent d'être décrits, mais s'étend à toutes variantes et équivalents conformes aux revendications ci-dessous.Naturally, the present invention is not limited to the particular embodiments which have just been described, but extends to all variants and equivalents according to the claims below.

Ainsi, on comprend bien que l'invention peut être déclinée selon de nombreuses autres possibilités sans pour autant sortir du cadre défini par les revendications.Thus, it is clear that the invention can be declined according to many other possibilities without departing from the scope defined by the claims.

Claims (12)

  1. A multi-station vial packaging machine (27) provided with a horizontal, circular vial-conveyor tray (24), the tray being mounted mobile in rotation on a fixed frame (23), the circular plate (24) allowing the vials to be conveyed at the periphery thereof and carrying the vials between the stations by a circular and intermittent movement, said machine (27) allowing the simultaneous and continuous filling of a determined number of vials, both during movements of the vials and when the vials are stopped, said machine (27) including a first motorized means (7) allowing the moving up and down of filling nozzles (16) and a second motorized means (8) allowing the reciprocating displacement of the filling nozzles following the vials over a section of their movements, said machine (27) including a filling station that includes a filling device (1), characterized in that said filling device includes
    o a crane (2, 3) including at least two vertical struts (2) secured to the frame (23), and
    o a nozzle-holder carriage (4; 6, 21, 5) including
    • a guiding plate (6) and
    • a nozzle-holder (21),
    - the nozzle-holder carriage (4) being able to move vertically between the struts of the crane and the nozzle-holder (21) being able to be mobile against the guiding plate (6) in a co-circular movement with the vials conveyed by the tray,
    - said crane supporting the first motorized means (7) acting on the guiding plate (6) of the nozzle-holder carriage (4) so as to allow a vertical up and down displacement of said guiding plate with respect to the struts (2), the guiding plate (6) supporting the second motorized means (8) able to act on the nozzle-holder (21) so as to produce the horizontal and co-circular according to an arc-of-a-circle, intermittent, reciprocating displacement of said nozzle-holder (21) along the guiding plate (6).
  2. The machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the vertical struts (2) of the crane are fixed to the frame (23) and at the external periphery of the tray (24).
  3. The machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the nozzle-holder carrier (4; 6, 21, 5) is vertically moved up and down through a transmission including a vertical ball screw (10, 11) at each of the two lateral ends of the guiding plate (6) in relation with each of the two struts (2), the two vertical ball screws being driven into rotation in a common manner by a horizontal transmission shaft (9) on which acts the first motorized means (7).
  4. The machine according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that crane includes a horizontal linking member (3) extended and fastened between the two vertical lateral struts (2) towards the upper ends thereof, the first motorized means (7) being fastened to said linking member.
  5. The machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guiding plate (6) includes a semi-circular rail on which said nozzle-holder (21) can move in a horizontal and co-circular manner, the nozzle-holder including a semi-circular bearing part, which is complementary to that of the rail, a mobile fastening means holding the nozzle-holder (21) on the guiding plate during these displacements.
  6. The machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second motorized means (8) acts on the nozzle-holder (21) through a gear transmission, a gear of the second motorized means fastened to the guiding plate (6) meshing with a rack extended along the nozzle-holder.
  7. The machine according to any one of claims 1 à 5, characterized in that the second motorized means (8) acts on the nozzle-holder (21) through a belt transmission, the second motorized means (8) fastened to the guiding plate (6) driving the belt that is fastened to the nozzle-holder.
  8. The machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guiding plate (6) is symmetrical with respect to a median vertical plane and in that the second motorized means (8) is fastened to the guiding plate (6) substantially on the median line defining said median vertical plane.
  9. The machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lateral ends of the guiding plate (6) slide along the struts (2) of the crane and in that the vertical ball screws (10) are outside the struts and arranged along said struts.
  10. The machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the nozzle-holder (21) includes a determined number of filling devices (5) each including at the lower end thereof a filling nozzle (16) and in that the filling nozzles are secured to each other by a horizontal blade (14), said horizontal blade being fastened to the nozzle-holder by at least one rod (17).
  11. The machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further includes at least one or several additional stations of the following types: entry of a vial into an indexed position of the tray, levelling, plugging, pump insertion, pump crimping or driving in, hoop installation, cap installation, reducer insertion, plug or pump screwing, plug or hoop driving in, over-plugging, quality control, defective vial ejection, exit of a vial from an indexed position of the tray, or any other useful type of station.
  12. A vial filling device (1) specially intended for the filling station of the multi-station packaging machine (27) provided with a circular vial-conveyor tray (24) of any one of the preceding claims, in said machine, the circular tray (24) tray being mounted mobile in rotation on a fixed frame (23), the plate allowing the vials to be conveyed at the periphery thereof and carrying the vials between the stations by a circular and intermittent movement, said machine allowing the simultaneous and continuous filling of a determined number of vials, both during movements of the vials and when the vials are stopped, said machine including a first motorized means (7) allowing the moving up and down of filling nozzles (16) and a second motorized means (8) allowing the reciprocating displacement of the filling nozzles (16) following the vials over a section of their movements,
    characterized in that the device includes:
    a crane (2, 3) including at least two vertical struts (2), and
    a nozzle-holder carriage (4; 6, 21, 5) including
    • a guiding plate (6) and
    • a nozzle-holder (21),
    - the nozzle-holder carriage (4) being able to move vertically between the struts of the crane and the nozzle-holder (21) being able to be mobile against the guiding plate (6) in a co-circular movement with the vials conveyed by the tray,
    - said crane supporting the first motorized means (7) acting on the guiding plate (6) of the nozzle-holder carriage (4) so as to allow a vertical up and down displacement of said guiding plate with respect to the struts (2), the guiding plate (6) supporting the second motorized means (8) able to act on the nozzle-holder (21) so as to produce the horizontal and co-circular according to an arc-of-a-circle, intermittent, reciprocating displacement of said nozzle-holder (21) along the guiding plate (6).
EP13733373.8A 2012-06-08 2013-06-07 Multi-station packaging machine having a circular tray and device for filling vials Active EP2858942B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR1255380A FR2991675B1 (en) 2012-06-08 2012-06-08 CIRCULAR PLATFORM MULTI-POST CONDITIONING MACHINE AND BOTTLE FILLING DEVICE
PCT/FR2013/051315 WO2013182826A1 (en) 2012-06-08 2013-06-07 Multi-station packaging machine having a circular tray and device for filling vials

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2858942A1 EP2858942A1 (en) 2015-04-15
EP2858942B1 true EP2858942B1 (en) 2016-03-30

Family

ID=46754646

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP13733373.8A Active EP2858942B1 (en) 2012-06-08 2013-06-07 Multi-station packaging machine having a circular tray and device for filling vials

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EP (1) EP2858942B1 (en)
CA (1) CA2875953C (en)
ES (1) ES2578355T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2991675B1 (en)
PL (1) PL2858942T3 (en)
WO (1) WO2013182826A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR3010398B1 (en) * 2013-09-10 2016-05-27 Michael Paetzold SEMIAUTOMATIC DEVICE FOR FILLING AND BOTTLEING A BOTTLE
NL2012834B1 (en) 2014-05-16 2016-03-02 Sluis Cigar Machinery Bv System for performing a processing step on cigarette parts of an electronic cigarette.
CN105463735B (en) * 2015-12-18 2018-02-09 立信染整机械(深圳)有限公司 A kind of guiding device that nozzle is carried for fabric dyeing machine
CN106428659B (en) * 2016-12-28 2019-03-15 成都宇亨智能设备科技有限公司 A kind of multistation dispensing machine
CN106742329B (en) * 2016-12-28 2019-08-27 成都宇亨智能设备科技有限公司 A kind of rotatable lower medicine body
CN106428794B (en) * 2016-12-28 2019-06-18 成都宇亨智能设备科技有限公司 A kind of multiple degrees of freedom prescribe medicine machine
CN115394685B (en) * 2022-08-20 2024-01-12 江西瑞晟光电科技有限公司 COB multi-chip integrated packaging device and packaging method

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US4004620A (en) * 1974-10-04 1977-01-25 Sidney Rosen Fluid filling machine
US4159608A (en) * 1978-04-28 1979-07-03 Package Engineering Corporation Bottling machine
DE3740942A1 (en) * 1987-12-03 1989-06-15 Quetsch Karl Heinz Bottle filling and sealing combination which operates in series
US5971041A (en) * 1998-06-22 1999-10-26 Kalish Canada Inc. Container filling apparatus with walking nozzles bank
US6761191B2 (en) * 2000-11-03 2004-07-13 Robert A. Rosen Liquid filling system with improved fluid displacement, nozzle and container handling, cleaning, and calibration/set-up capabilities
FR2908759B1 (en) * 2006-11-17 2010-04-16 P K B AUTOMATED UNIT FOR FILLING BOTTLES WITH A LIQUID OR SEMI-LIQUID SUBSTANCE FOR A LINE OF MANUFACTURE

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES2578355T3 (en) 2016-07-26
CA2875953A1 (en) 2013-12-12
CA2875953C (en) 2020-09-01
FR2991675B1 (en) 2014-07-04
WO2013182826A1 (en) 2013-12-12
PL2858942T3 (en) 2016-10-31
EP2858942A1 (en) 2015-04-15
FR2991675A1 (en) 2013-12-13

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