Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B21/00—Packaging or unpacking of bottles
  • B65B21/02—Packaging or unpacking of bottles in or from preformed containers, e.g. crates
  • B65B21/04—Arranging, assembling, feeding, or orientating the bottles prior to introduction into, or after removal from, containers
  • B65B21/06—Forming groups of bottles
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B35/00—Supplying, feeding, arranging or orientating articles to be packaged
  • B65B35/30—Arranging and feeding articles in groups
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B7/00—Closing containers or receptacles after filling
  • B65B7/16—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
  • B65G15/00—Conveyors having endless load-conveying surfaces, i.e. belts and like continuous members, to which tractive effort is transmitted by means other than endless driving elements of similar configuration
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
  • B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
  • B65G47/02—Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors
  • B65G47/04—Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors for feeding articles
  • B65G47/06—Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors for feeding articles from a single group of articles arranged in orderly pattern, e.g. workpieces in magazines
  • B65G47/08—Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors for feeding articles from a single group of articles arranged in orderly pattern, e.g. workpieces in magazines spacing or grouping the articles during feeding
  • B65G47/084—Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors for feeding articles from a single group of articles arranged in orderly pattern, e.g. workpieces in magazines spacing or grouping the articles during feeding grouping articles in a predetermined 2-dimensional pattern
  • B65G47/088—Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors for feeding articles from a single group of articles arranged in orderly pattern, e.g. workpieces in magazines spacing or grouping the articles during feeding grouping articles in a predetermined 2-dimensional pattern cylindrical articles
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
  • B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
  • B65G47/74—Feeding, transfer, or discharging devices of particular kinds or types
  • B65G47/82—Rotary or reciprocating members for direct action on articles or materials, e.g. pushers, rakes, shovels
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B35/00—Supplying, feeding, arranging or orientating articles to be packaged
  • B65B35/02—Supply magazines
  • B65B35/04—Supply magazines with buffer storage devices

Definitions

• TITLE PROCESS FOR COLLECTING AT LEAST ONE PRODUCT AND INSTALLATION ENSURING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE METHOD
• the invention relates to a method for collecting at least one product from a product line, in order to move this product to a dispensing station that is close to the product line.
• the latter aims to create batches of products on the dispensing station.
• the grouping of products like vials, bottles or other can be made in several ways depending on the type and nature of products and also according to the desired rates.
• a form of grouping is described in GB2174667.
• the products arrive online on a conveyor and they are supported, on the fly, by a push device that carries a batch of products.
• the pusher device is in the form of a rack which is arranged longitudinally on the side of the product line.
• This rack is animated by a movement combined with a loop: both a longitudinal movement in the direction of advancement of the products and a transverse movement to deposit the batch of products in a row, on the side of the conveyor, where they are then taken by other means.
• This management device can not suffer any disorder in the distribution of products on the supply conveyor.
• the batch of products must indeed be perfectly established to be supported by the pusher.
• the conveyor for feeding the products, the conveyor having a feed direction and a feeding direction,
• At least one collector comprising at least one cell capable of collecting at least one product, said at least one cell being oriented in the direction of supply of the products, the collector being movably mounted in displacement in a direction parallel to the direction of brought and in a direction transverse to the direction of supply in a plane perpendicular to the conveyor.
• the invention aims to improve the state of the art as described, and in particular aims to increase the rates and / or solve the stability problem during reception.
• the invention thus relates, as a first step, to a method for collecting at least one product from a queue of incoming products aligned one behind the other on a supply conveyor, said conveyor having a direction of supply of the products. and a supply direction, said method implementing at least one collector of at least one product, said collector comprising at least a first cell capable of accommodating at least one product, said collector being mounted to move in the feed direction products in the supply direction and in the opposite direction.
• the method is remarkable in that it comprises at least a first step of collecting said at least one product in said at least one cell by moving said at least one collector over the conveyor in the feed direction and in said direction. 'feed.
• the advantage of collecting the products by moving the collector in the direction of supply of the products is twofold.
• the relative speed of the product with respect to the collector can result in a shock of the product against it, or shocks between the products, on the one hand, the entry of a product into the cell is damped due to the displacement of the product. the cell in the same direction.
• the collection is carried out at the same time as the product advances, which makes it possible to combine two stages, namely moving and collecting, and makes it possible to increase the rate.
• the process according to the invention may also comprise the following characteristics, taken separately or in combination:
• the method may implement at least one collector which is mounted vertically movable, and may include a step of positioning said at least one collector at the height of the products above said conveyor by displacement of the collector in a substantially vertical direction, to allow said at least a first step of collecting said at least one product in said at least one cell;
• the method can implement a collector comprising a second cell, said first and second cells being contiguous and oriented in the same direction, and the method can comprise at least a second step of collecting at least a second product in said at least one a second cell by lateral offset of said collector after the introduction of said at least one product in said at least a first cell;
• the collector can also be moved in the direction of supply;
• said at least one first and second cells may be closed, in particular to prevent any rocking movement of the collected products
• the method may comprise a step of depositing said at least one collected product, by lateral displacement of said collector to a removal station positioned on the side of the conveyor;
• the method can implement at least two collectors each comprising at least one cell that can accommodate at least one product; Said at least two collectors can be implemented at the same time to collect said at least one product in each of said at least one cell;
• Said at least two collectors are implemented in turn to collect said at least one product in said at least one cell; -
• the method can implement several pairs of collectors each having at least one cell that can accommodate at least one product, said pairs of collectors being implemented in turn.
• the invention also aims at an installation such as that implemented in the document FR2 918 359, which is however remarkable in that the collector is movable in the supply direction when it is positioned above the conveyor.
• the installation according to the invention can also comprise the following characteristics, taken separately or in combination:
• said at least one manifold can be mounted movably in displacement in a substantially vertical direction
• the installation may comprise means for closing said at least one cell.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of certain elements of an installation according to the invention, schematically illustrated,
• FIGS. 2 to 8 are perspective views also showing certain elements of an installation according to the invention, at different stages of the process according to the invention.
• the invention therefore firstly relates to a method for collecting at least one product 3 from a row of products 3 arriving aligned one behind the other on a supply conveyor 2, said conveyor 2 having a direction of supply X of the products and a supply direction S, said method implementing at least one manifold 1 V of at least one product 3, said collector 1; V comprising at least a first cell 7 adapted to receive at least one product 3, said collector 1; V being movably mounted in the supply direction X of the products 3 in the supply direction S and in the opposite direction.
• the method comprises at least a first step of collecting said at least one product 3 in said at least one cell 7 by moving said at least one collector 1; 1 'above the conveyor 2 in the supply direction X and in said supply direction S.
• This displacement of the collector can be done at product height 3, which then requires a spacing between the products 3 so that said collector can be intercalated.
• This displacement can also be done above the products 3, the collector fitting into the product stream 3 from above, the interval between the products 3 can then be lower, since it is not necessary to make to pass the teeth of the comb between two products 3 which follow each other.
• the method comprises a step of positioning said at least one collector 1; 1 'at the height of the products 3 above said conveyor 2 by displacement of the collector 1; 1 'in a substantially vertical direction, to allow said at least a first step of collecting said at least one product 3 in said at least one cell 7.
• Such an insertion movement from above allows among other things to increase the flow of produced 3 since it is not necessary to arrange a space to let the collector run transversely.
• said method comprises at least a second step of collecting at least a second product 3 in said at least one second cell 7 lateral shifting of said at least one collector 1; 1 'after the introduction of said at least one product 3 in said at least one first cell 7.
• the collector is then used to form packets of products organized in a matrix, that is to say in the form of several columns of products. next to each other, each received in a particular cell.
• the collector 1; V is also moved in the feed direction X, especially in the supply direction of the products 3, to minimize shocks and also avoid having to space the products 3 for the circulation of the collector.
• the method comprises a step consisting essentially in closing the aureole 7 after collecting collected products 3.
• the method comprises a step of depositing said at least one collected product 3, by lateral displacement of said collector 1; 1 'to a removal station 4 positioned on the side of the conveyor 2.
• the method implements at least two collectors 1, 1 'each having at least one cell 7 which can accommodate at least one product 3.
• the collectors can act one after the other, so that, then, at least two collectors 1 , 1 'are implemented in turn to collect said at least one product 3 in said at least one cell 7.
• the collection can also be done by pair-driven collectors, each processing a portion of the column of products, another pair collecting another part of the column after clearing.
• the method implements several pairs of collectors 1, 1 'each having at least one cell 7 which can accommodate at least one product 3, said pairs of collectors 1, 1' being implemented in turn .
• the invention also relates to an installation for the implementation of such a method, and which comprises a conveyor 2 for feeding the products 3, said conveyor 2 having a supply direction X and a supply direction S , a station 4 removal, contiguous to the supply conveyor 2, and at least one collector 1; 1 'having at least one cell 7 capable of collecting at least one product 3, said at least one cell being oriented in the direction of supply of the products, said collector 1; V being movably mounted in displacement in a direction parallel to the feed direction X and in a direction transverse to the feeding direction X in a plane perpendicular to the conveyor 2.
• the at least one collector 1; 1 ' is movable in the feed direction S when it is positioned above the conveyor 2.
• FIG. 1 to describe in detail one embodiment of an installation according to the invention.
• the installation according to the invention is not limited to the presence of four collectors. Indeed, the installation could have only one collector, or two, or three, or more than four collectors.
• the collectors are implemented in pairs.
• Figure 1 shows a supply conveyor 2 on which products 3 arrive aligned one behind the other.
• the supply conveyor 2 has a supply direction X of the products 3, and a supply direction S, shown in Figure 1 in particular.
• a dispensing station 4 is adjacent to the conveyor 2. More particularly, the dispensing station 4 has a conveyor belt 5 which is at the same level as a conveyor belt 6 of the conveyor 2, so that the products 3 can be slid off. one carpet 6 to the other 5.
• the carpet 5 of the dispensing station 4 can be fixed, or it can be driven in displacement.
• the installation comprises at least one collector, and in particular, according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the installation comprises two collectors 1.
• Each manifold 1 has one or two combs 8 vertically aligned one above the other, having teeth 9 which are also vertically aligned one above the other.
• the spaces between the teeth 9 of the two superimposed combs constitute cells 7, able to collect at least one product 3.
• the cells 7 are oriented towards the arrival of the products 3.
• the spacing between the teeth 9 of the collector combs 8 is at least slightly greater than the width of the products 3.
• the vertical spacing between the two combs 8 ensures partial retention of the product at the top and bottom .
• collector could be made differently without departing from the scope of the invention.
• the collector could have only one comb, or even one cell.
• the comb would have only two teeth and would have a U shape.
• the teeth 8 of the combs 9 are sufficiently long to accommodate several products 3 in line in each cell 7.
• Each of the collectors 1 is mounted on a device 10, carried by a frame.
• brackets 1 1 of the chassis have been shown, so as to simplify the reading of the figure.
• the brackets 1 1 have directions parallel to the supply direction X of the products.
• the devices 10 are movably mounted in displacement along the brackets January 1, so that the devices 10, and the collectors 1 which they comprise, are also movable in a direction parallel to the direction of supply of the products 3.
• Mobility devices 10 on the gallows 1 1 has been shown schematically by a sleeve 12 of square section, fitted around a rod 13 of the bracket 1 1.
• Each of the sleeves 12 is attached to the end of another vertical rod 14, which is perpendicular to the rod 13 of the bracket 1 1 and on which is fitted a second sleeve 15.
• the sleeve 15 is also movable on the vertical rod 14, so that the device 10 (carrying the collector 1) can be driven up and down over the conveyor 2 and the dispensing station 4.
• the sleeve 15 carries a rod 16, perpendicular to the rod 15 and transverse to the supply direction X, and in particular perpendicular to the supply direction X.
• An angled arm 17 is also attached to the second sleeve 15, whose utility will be defined later.
• the rod 16 forms a transverse stem above the conveyor 2.
• An element 18 is movably mounted on the rod 16 forming a bracket. It is thus animated by a transverse movement relative to the direction of supply of the conveyor 2.
• the element 18 is equipped with means 19, located under the element 18, the means 19 for fixing the collector 1.
• the collector 1 can thus be animated:
• the collector 1 may be simultaneously moved in the direction of supply of the products 2 and be positioned above the conveyor 2.
• the device 10 allows a vertical movement of the collector 1, it can also be introduced into a line of products 3 aligned one behind the other, as will be seen later.
• the angled arm 17 has a fixed position relative to the second sleeve 15.
• the angled arm 17 closes the cells 7 when one or more products are introduced into the cell 7, by moving the collector to (or opposite to - according to the representation) the sleeve 15. It then constitutes a counter-comb for closing the cells 7 of the collector 1.
• the crank arm or counter-comb 17 has the function of holding in place the products collected in the cells, during the displacement of the collector. Indeed, as the products are collected as they move, when they enter the collector, they tend to swing and may fall backwards. By closing the cells filled with products, products are prevented from swaying backwards.
• crank arm or counter-comb 17 allows the products to be held in the collector during its movement.
• bent arm 17 As the bent arm 17 is also fixed to the sleeve 15, it is driven by a rising and falling movement and a movement movement which is parallel to the direction of supply of the products, in the feed direction, and in the opposite direction (as the sleeve 12 is moved in one direction or the other on the rod 13).
• the movements of the collectors and counter-combs could be different without departing from the scope of the invention.
• the counter-comb could be associated with an actuator different from that of the collector to allow it to move vertically independently of the collector. This would in particular to clear the counter-comb vertically to the removal station without the collector is evacuated.
• FIGS. 2 to 8 show the position of several collectors of the same installation at different stages of the collection process.
• Figure 1 shows an installation using two collectors 1 which were implemented in turn (one collected the products 3 while the other remained in retracted position above the conveyor 2 waiting for the end collection of the other collector).
• FIGS 2 to 8 show the implementation of four collectors, the collectors being implemented in pairs.
• the two collectors working simultaneously perform substantially the same movements at the same times. Only the movements of removal of the collected products are different.
• two references have been attributed to the collectors: two collectors bear the reference 1 and work substantially simultaneously.
• the other two collectors bear the reference 1 ', and they also work substantially simultaneously but offset in time with respect to the collectors 1; the collectors V only intervene when the collectors 1 have collected and are in the phase of depositing the products at the dispensing station.
• collectors could be animated differently.
• the collectors could work substantially simultaneously if and only if the sideband selector has sent a train of products corresponding to their fills.
• the collectors could not be synchronized at all, without departing from the scope of the invention.
• collectors 1 and 1 'in the upper position two collectors 1 placed above the conveyor 2, ready to begin a collection cycle.
• the other two collectors 1 ' are above the dispensing station 4, according to their own end of cycle position.
• the counter-combs 17 (collectors 1) and 17 '(collectors 1') are superimposed.
• the manifolds 1 and 1 ' are all identical: they each comprise three cells, contiguous to each other, oriented in the same direction, and can each accommodate four aligned products.
• collectors could accommodate a different number of products, larger or smaller, without departing from the scope of the invention.
• a space e has been left between two consecutive product groups 3.
• the space e between each group of products is smaller than the width of a single product 3.
• Groups of four products were trained prior to collection.
• the example described and illustrated aims to create, at the dispensing station, batches of 12 products, arranged in 3 rows corresponding to the product lines entering each of the three cells of the collectors 1 and 1 '.
• the collectors 1 and 1 ' are all capable of being displaced in three directions, among which the supply direction X of the products 3.
• FIG. 1 shows that one of the three cells 7 of each of the two collectors 1 is positioned at the line of the line formed by the products on the conveyor 2.
• the collectors 1 When two groups of four products 3 are positioned just below two cells 7 of two collectors 1 (a group of products 3 being positioned below and to the right of a cell of each of the two collectors 1), the collectors 1 are moved. at a speed substantially identical to the speed of the collector, so that the position of each of the two groups of four products 3 remains the same with respect to the positions of the cells 7 of the collectors 1.
• the two collectors 1 While continuing to advance at the same speed as the conveyor 2, the two collectors 1 are moved vertically down to a certain height above the conveyor 2, said certain height corresponding to a height of the product 3.
• height of product a height such that the cells face at least a portion of the products 3 positioned on the conveyor 2.
• the space e left between two groups of four products 3 on the conveyor 2 is sufficient to allow the insertion of the collector 1 between two groups of products 4.
• the vertical displacement of the collectors 1 makes it possible to insert into a cell a number of products without having to leave large gaps between each group of products 3 aligned on the conveyor 2, as is the case for horizontal transverse displacement. collector 1 so as to bring the cell in the extension of the product line.
• the collector has a bottom wall thickness 21 of cell less than the space e left between two groups of products 3.
• the products 3 can be taken care of by being more tightly packed one behind the other, which contributes to increasing the rates to achieve the groupings of products 3.
• the first group of four products is also collected by simultaneously moving the collector in the same direction as the conveyor 2. This also makes it possible to substantially increase the rates of processing of the products, because the products continue to advance when they are supported by the collector. There are more products 3 that circulate on the conveyor 2.
• the collection is done by limiting the shocks when the first product of the group of four products reaches the bottom 21 of the cells.
• the first cell 7 collectors 1 After the insertion of a first group of four products 3 in the first cell 7 collectors 1, the latter move laterally to the dispensing station 4. In this way, the second cells 7 collectors 1 are found in the aligning the products 3 on the conveyor 2 (see Figure 4).
• the lateral shift of the collectors 1 moves the first cell 7 filled with four products 3 behind the counter-comb 17, which thus closes the cell 7.
• the displacement of the collectors 1 in the supply direction and in the supply direction of the products 3 is stopped punctually, to allow the introduction of a second group of four products 3 into the second cell 7 of each collector 1.
• the collector is again driven in displacement in the supply direction and in the supply direction. This allows, as indicated above, to dampen the reception of the group of products 3 in motion in the second cell 7 (see Figure 5).
• the speed of displacement of the collector follows a profile that can be adjusted, in particular to the type of product and its characteristics such as weight, dimensions, etc.
• the collectors 1 are again shifted to the dispensing station 4 to align the third and last cell 7 with the aligned products 3 on the conveyor 2 ( Figure 6).
• the second full cells are positioned behind the combs 17 that do not move relative to the dispensing station.
• the collectors 1 also move, in the high position, in order to align their first cell 7 to the right of the row of products 3 aligned on the conveyor 2, above the conveyor 2 (see movement arrows of the collectors 1 and 1 'in Figure 6).
• the collectors 1 are first stopped in their displacement so as to let the products 3 into their cell 7 free.
• the collectors 1 ' in the upper position in the installation, continue their displacement in order to position a first cell 7 above the product line 3, above the conveyor 2.
• the two batches of products 3 are positioned at different or identical distances from the conveyor 2.
• the two collectors 1 are offset laterally at different distances, so that the two groups (or batches) of products 3 collected are not aligned with the dispensing station 4.
• each of the collectors 1 on the removal station can easily be controlled by the skilled person by programming the lateral displacement distances of each of the collectors 1.
• the collectors 1 At the moment when the collectors 1 position the batches of products collected on the dispensing station 4, the collectors 1 'are correctly positioned above the conveyor 2 to start a new collection cycle.
• the collectors 1 are raised in the upper position in the installation and stand on hold.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Attitude Control For Articles On Conveyors (AREA)
• Intermediate Stations On Conveyors (AREA)

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• 2014
  • 2014-03-24 FR FR1400700A patent/FR3018793A1/fr active Pending
• 2015
  • 2015-03-20 US US15/128,566 patent/US9975655B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2015-03-20 WO PCT/FR2015/050695 patent/WO2015145039A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2015-03-20 EP EP15717549.8A patent/EP3122663A1/de not_active Withdrawn

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