BE540319A - - Google Patents

Description

       

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   The present invention relates to mechanisms for advancing containers and, in particular, to mechanisms for bringing containers to filling machines and removing them therefrom. The invention also relates to certain improvements to container support platforms or to rotary filling tables.



   The uniform advancement of bottles and bundles or the like between various machines in a bottling plant presents significant difficulties, particularly when a single machine, to perform an operation, supplies containers to a series. of machines to perform another operation or receives containers from this series of machines.

   Thus, if a filling machine is able to fill four hundred containers per minute, but if it is necessary to bring in empty bottles from two washing or soaking machines for bottles, having each with a capacity of two hundred bottles per minute, the two lines of bottles coming from the washing machines must be regularly placed in a single row to be supplied to the rotary filling table of the filling machine. The problem of thus combining lines or rows of containers is accentuated to an extraordinary extent when the merged line of containers has to move at a relatively high speed, for example at the rate of four hundred bottles per minute.

   One aspect of the problem is that if the containers intermittently come into contact with each other while moving at such a high speed, the cans or containers can be overturned and, in the particular case. bottles, they may be damaged or chipped.



   When the containers leave the filling machine, it may be necessary to divide them into two or more lines with each line or row going to a separate crating, labeling or mixing machine. In this case, too, the problem of effecting a uniform and quiet division of the containers into several rows is extremely complicated if the single row or row to be divided is moving at high speed.



   Although the above-mentioned problems relate to containers and the embodiment of the invention, which is described later in this specification, relates to a mechanism for handling beverage containers, it goes without saying that the invention is fully applicable to the handling of articles other than containers and having various shapes and sizes.



   Heretofore, various mechanisms have been proposed for combining and dividing rows of containers or other items. However, the arrangements hitherto proposed for the handling of containers are not entirely suitable when it comes to handling containers moving at the high linear speeds required by modern filling machines or other modern machines in a bottling plant. A particular drawback of the foregoing arrangements is that the bottles or containers are very prone to being knocked over or damaged during the transfer operation.

   The mechanisms proposed heretofore for dividing or combining lines or rows of articles other than bottles or cans moving at high speed are not applicable for the handling of bottles or cans, because the bottles and cans. boxes are relatively light in weight and have an appreciable height, while having a base of small cross-section.



   The present invention relates to a mechanism for uniformly transferring hinges relative to two sets of transfer elements, one of which is arranged to manipulate.

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 per minute, more items than the other, while the possibility for the items in question to be damaged, knocked over or crushed is reduced to a minimum.



   A further subject of the invention is a mechanism for transferring articles from a plurality of small capacity transfer elements to a single high capacity transfer element.



   The invention also relates to a mechanism for transferring articles from a single high capacity transport element to a plurality of low capacity transport elements.



   The invention also relates to a transfer mechanism, which is arranged so that, as soon as articles have been placed in a desired relative arrangement, for example by being spaced from one another, these articles remain. in this arrangement or arrangement.



   Difficulties arise if the operation of a machine for: filling bottles with beer is interrupted for a few minutes, as may be necessary when the flow of containers is momentarily interrupted at the filling machine. washing. Thus, when the filling machine is restarted, the beer poured into several of the first containers usually foams to a small extent, so that these first filled containers may have to be discarded. This foaming is usually due to the fact that the small amount of beer, which remains in each filling head while the machine is stopped, becomes very slightly hotter than the beer in the tank.

   Therefore, when the small load of beer goes into the bottle, foaming is initiated and this foaming can continue while the remainder of the load is introduced into the bottle.



   A peculiarity of the invention lies in the fact that the mechanism for advancing the containers is synchronized with respect to the rotating filling table, so that the containers brought to this table for each line or line of containers are always placed. on the same filling platforms of the rotary table. Thus, if two infeed conveyors are used, the containers from one conveyor will be placed on even-order filling platforms, while those from the other conveyor will be placed on the filling platforms. odd order.

   If one of the carriers, for example the one that supplies containers for even-order platforms, no longer receives containers from the bottle washing machine or other source of containers, the odd-order platforms will nevertheless continue to receive containers in a regular order, so that the filling of these containers will continue as normal. If the interruption of the supply of containers to the even-order platforms is prolonged for a sufficient period of time for foaming to occur, when the supply of containers to these platforms is resumed, the operator must not check that the containers brought to the even order platforms.

   Meanwhile, as indicated above, the receptacles received by the odd-order platforms all continue to be filled without difficulty.



   In comparison with the regularity of action described above, it will be understood that, if a pair of conveyors brought containers to the filling machine at random and if the supply of the containers by one of the conveyors were to be interrupted, it could be that some filling heads give, for a certain time, a foamy charge, so that each filled container should be carefully checked, until both conveyors have resumed the supply of containers to the filling machine.
The present invention further relates to an advance mechanism.

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 the provision of containers for supplying containers to a rotary filling table from two or more different sources, said mechanism being synchronized with respect to the rotary table,

   so that containers from a single source are always fed to the same series of platforms and filling heads of the rotary filling machine.



   As mentioned above, the present invention contemplates the supply of containers to the platforms of a filling machine from separate sources with a synchronism such that, if the supply of containers from one of the sources is temporarily interrupted, the operator only has to check the containers on a particular series of platforms, when the supply of containers to this series of platforms is resumed.

   In addition to this feature, the present invention also relates to the use of a transfer mechanism with a filling machine, ensuring that receptacles from separate sources are placed on platforms of the filling machine in one. sequence such that there is no need for an operator to be present if one of the container sources is temporarily stopped and then reactivated.



   The invention therefore relates to a container advancement mechanism for feeding containers to a rotary filling table from two or more different sources, which mechanism is synchronized with respect to the rotary table, so that the containers coming from one source are fed to a series of platforms and filling heads of the rotary table, during one revolution of the latter, and to another series of platforms and filling heads, during a subsequent revolution of the rotary filling table.



   The invention further relates to a container advancement mechanism for supplying containers alternately from two or more sources to a rotary filling table, the containers from one source being fed to alternating platforms of filling machine and to previously unused filling machine platforms during a subsequent revolution of the filling table.



   A further object of the invention is a transfer mechanism coupled to a rotary filling table, this mechanism being arranged to supply and receive containers from separate sources, in an efficient manner and with a high capacity. The arrangement is still such that the loss of time incurred when resuming work at full operating capacity and / or losses of liquid, after a temporary interruption in the flow of a power source, are eliminated.



   The invention also relates to a transfer mechanism, for use with a rotary filling machine, this mechanism being arranged to bring containers at high speed to a rotary filling table and without the possibility for the containers. to be overthrown.



   Finally, a further subject of the invention is a mechanism of improved shape intended to grip and center containers, this mechanism being intended to be used on the platforms of a rotary filling table.



   In the accompanying drawings - Figure 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of the invention, part of the length of a conveyor device being broken up and a modified arrangement being shown in broken lines. ; - Figure 2 is, on a larger scale, a horizontal section on line 2-2 of Figure 4;

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 - Figure 3 is, on a larger scale, a section along line 3-3 of Figure 1, with parts broken away; - Figure 4 is, on a larger scale, a detail vertical section along line 4-4 of Figure 1; FIG. 5 is an elevational view showing a container support platform and part of a filling head of a rotary filling machine; - Figure 6 is an axial section of the lower part of a filling head;

   FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a container centering plate; FIG. 8 is a plan view of a modified embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 9 is a plan view schematically showing still a modified embodiment of the invention.



   In Figures 1 to 4, the illustrated mechanism comprises two transport elements for bottles or boxes 10 and 11 forming part of a first transport device. The members 10 and 11 constitute conveyors of the endless link type extending in a straight line, these conveyors being formed of flat plates and being suitably guided in the upper surface of a table structure 12. In the embodiment of the invention described later, each of the elements 10 and 11 must handle containers from, by intermediate conveyors, a bottle washing apparatus or a can rinsing apparatus.



   A third element 13 for transporting bottles or cans, mounted in a second conveyor device, is of the same type as the elements 10 and 11 and extends beyond, parallel to and between the transport elements 10 and 11. In the arrangement under discussion, element 13 is intended to receive bottles or cans supplied by elements 10 and 11 of the first conveyor device. In Figures 1 and 2, arrows A indicate the direction of movement of the containers during the operation of the structure of Figures 1 to 4.

   As shown by these arrows A, the transport element 13 is arranged to supply containers to the inlet tray 14 of a machine for filling bottles or the like for beverages, the tray 14 then bringing the containers onto the platforms. 15 for supporting containers, movable in vertical direction, of the rotating filling table 16.



   In accordance with usual practice, the rotary filling table 16 is journaled so as to rotate about a fixed vertical axis with respect to the base structure, generally designated by the reference numeral 17, of the filling machine. The input tray 14 is also journaled so as to be able to turn in the base structure 17 and it will be understood that the right part of the transport element 13 is suitably mounted in this base structure, so that the upper strand: of element 13 moves across the upper surface of the base structure or work table of the filling machine. In figure 1, the left part of this table is broken.



   The transport member 10 feeds containers to a pocket tray 20 rotatable above the top surface of the table structure 12. The other transport member 11 feeds containers to a similar tray 21 also journaled. in the structure 12. Along the two transport elements extend suitable fixed guides and, immediately in front of the shelves 20 and 21, container spacers.

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22 and 23 are associated with the respective transport elements. Each of the devices 22 and 23 takes the form of a screw and can rotate about a horizontal axis substantially parallel to the elements 10 and 11.

   Thus, during the movement of a container on the element 10 along the feed screw
22, the helical groove formed therein will guide the container so that it is a predetermined distance from the immediately following container. As illustrated in the structure associated with the feed screw 22, to keep the containers in contact with the screws 22 and 23, as well as to stop the operation of at least the adjacent feed screw, in the event that a container would get stuck there, a hinged guide plate
24 is provided on the opposite sides of the transport members 10 and 11 for each of the feed screws.

   Each articulated plate 24 normally occupies a position, such as that shown in Figure 1, but if a container becomes jammed with respect to a feed screw, the corresponding plate is pivoted about its pivot 25. , moving away from the feed screw, so as to actuate a switch which stops at least the feed screw in question.



   As indicated above, the trays 20 and 21 receive containers from the transport elements 10 and 11. Since the screw 22 and the plate 20 are symmetrically out of phase with the screw 23 and the plate 21, the tray 20 will receive one container at a time midway between the times when tray 21 receives two immediately following containers. Trays 20 and 21 deliver containers to an additional pair of trays designated by reference notations 30 and 31. It will be observed that the plates 20 and 21 are arranged on either side of the center line of the transport element 13 and that the plates 30 and 31 are arranged similarly, the axes of the four plates being located at the sides. vertices of an imaginary rectangle.

   The four trays have the same meshing diameter, so that the containers move around all the trays at the same radii o Trays 20 and 21 each have five equidistant pockets and, in this case, each of trays 30 and 31 has ten pockets.



   As clearly shown in Figure 1, a container occupying position C 1 in a tray pocket 21 and moving along a stationary guide 34 will reach the position indicated at C 2, where it will be under the control of tray 31, which will bring the container along a stationary guide 35 to position C 3, where the container will also be collected in a pocket or a housing of the tray 30. (Element D shown in dotted lines in the figure 1 is not intended for use in the mode of operation described now, but is intended for a mode of operation which will be described later).



   While the trays 21 and 31 move the container referred to above, the trays 20 and 30 bring a container from position C 4, passing through position C 5, to position C 6. It will be noted that at position C 6, the container will be housed in the tray pocket 30, which is immediately behind the tray pocket 30 occupied by the container in position C 3. In short, (a) the tray 20 brings containers into alternate pockets (that is to say in every other pocket) of tray 30 and the latter-tray 30 brings these containers into positions where they come to be housed in alternate pockets of tray 31 , while (b) the tray 21 brings containers in des'positions such that they are housed in the other pockets of the trays 31 and 30.



   The pockets or housings of the trays 30 and 31 move in a corresponding manner and are arranged so that the containers moving with them have their vertical axes spaced from each other by a distance corresponding to the width. distance between the axes of the containers are on the

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 platforms 15 of the filling table 16 and those held by the platform 14. To ensure that the containers carried by the conveyor 13 are kept evenly spaced to the same extent, particularly during high speed running, a feed screw 40 extends along one side of the transport member 13, while a fixed guide plate 41 extends along the other side.



   The feed screw 40 is of the same type as the feed screw 22 and 23, except that its helical groove has a uniform pitch over its entire length and the device can ordinarily be of the same type. a length substantially greater than that of the feed screws 22 and 23. As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the entry end 45 of the feed screw 40 extends between the upper plates and lower 46 and 47 of the plate 31, this end of the feed screw being equipped with a journal 48, which is housed in an element in the form of a collar or sleeve 49 extending towards the front of the screw feed from the journal device described later and designated by the general reference notation 50.

   In Figures 1 to 4, an upright 51 extends upward on the edge of the support structure 12 outside the plate 31. The end tube 52 extends horizontally through an opening in the upright 51, the tube 52 being held in the adjusted position in the upright 51 by clamping screws 53 '. The tube 52 extends between the upper and lower plates 46 and 47 of the plate 31 in the immediate vicinity of the hub 33 of the plate.



   A rod 54 fits into the inner end of the tube 52, this rod 54 being firmly held coaxial with the tube 52 by means of a device such as that shown in FIG. 4, comprising a journal bush 55 mounted between the rod. and the tube and a nut 56 rotatably secured to the rod and screwable to the outside of the tube 52. At its lower end, the rod 54 is welded to the element 49, the axis of the rod. recess 57 of the element extending perpendicular to the axis of the rod.



   Therefore, the journal 48, which is coaxial with the feed screw 40, can extend into the recess 57.



   The journaling device provided at the entry end of the feed screw 40, described above, allows the feed screw to be easily aligned in any desired position relative to the transport member 13, the adjustment being made essentially by moving the tube 52 relative to the upright 51. It will be noted that the rod 54 can rotate on its axis and relative to the tube 52, so that the recess or sleeve
57 can be aligned with the axis of the feed screw 40.



   If the mechanism is to be used to handle a series of containers of different sizes from cells shown in the drawings, the various fixed guides and feed screws 22, 23 and 40 must be moved to move closer or further away. longitudinal center lines of their respective straight line carriers. It will also be necessary to remove the trays 20, 21, 30, 31 and 14 and replace them with trays having pockets of suitable dimensions.



   When it is necessary to remove the plate 31, it suffices to disconnect the upright 51 of FIG. 4 from the support structure 12 or simply release the tube 52 from the upright 51.



   As best shown in Figures 3 and 4, plates 58 of a material, such as a thermosetting phenol-formaldehyde resin, such as bakelite, can be affixed to the top surface of the top plates 46 of all the trays. in order to increase their height, when large containers, such as beer bottles with a capacity of 473 cc and a height of 24 cm must be provided. The plates 58 increase the height of the trays, so that the latter are in contact with the bottles at a level approximately 13 cm from the base of the plates.

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 bottles, which ensures that the bottles remain upright, even when they are moved at high speed.



   It will be understood that the transport elements 10 and 11 can be driven by a common shaft, but, in any case, these elements will be driven! - born under conditions suitably adjusted with respect to the other elements of the mechanism and to the filling table 16.



   The operation of the mechanism described above is as follows
During the operation of a bottle washer, a row of containers, for example twelve in number, can be placed simultaneously on each of the two transport elements in a straight line arranged respectively to the left of the transport elements 10 and 11. In Figure 1, the exit end of such a conveyor appears at 65. As soon as the row of twelve bottles has left the washer through a transport element such as 65, another row is formed. of the same number of bottles on the transport element 65.



   If bottles are handled, the conveyors, such as the one designated by the reference notation 65, are generally operated at a speed of the order of 1500 cm per minute, this speed being low enough so that the bottles do not tip over. not, when placed on the conveyor 65 by the washer. As described later, the transport elements 10 and 11 are operated at a higher speed than the discharge transport elements 65 of the washer.

   However, even tall bottles, such as beer bottles for export, can be conveniently transferred to the transport elements.
10 and 11, by a fixed deflector, such as 66, which can be seen disposed at the outlet end of element 65 and at the inlet end of element 10, so as to deflect the containers from the relatively slow transport element 65 to the faster transport element 10.



   The washer, the two transport elements, such as 65, and the corresponding transport element associated with the transport element 11, are generally operated at a speed such as a row or row of containers in contact. one with the other is maintained in the immediate vicinity of the inlet ends of the feed or advancing screws 22 and 23, so that an adequate supply of containers is available to the machine. no filling.



   The feed screws 22 and 23, the plates 20, 21, 30 and 31 and the feed screw 40 are operatively connected by a suitable gear, so that all these elements are actuated in synchronism at the relative speeds indicated below. All of the aforementioned elements are preferably geared to the control of the filling table, 16 and of the platen 14, although gear changing devices may be interposed, so as to allow independent adjustment of the speed. the speed of movement of the transport elements 10 and 11, as well as an independent adjustment of the feed screws 22 and 23 with respect to the remainder of the elements. The feed screws 22 and 23 will be driven by a gear provided at their right ends.

   The feed screw 40 will also be driven by a gear provided at its right end.



   With regard to the relative speed of the elements shown in figure 1, if the filling table 16 is operated to handle containers moving at a linear speed of 3000 cm per minute, the axes of the containers being spaced 76 mm apart, the transport element 13 and the feed screw 40, as well as the plates 20, 21, 30 and 31 will operate at the same linear speed. Under these conditions, the feed screw 40 will keep the containers 76 mm from one another from axis to axis and the pockets of the trays 30 and 31 will keep the containers on shelves.

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 centers 76 mm apart, while the pockets of trays 20 and 21 will move the containers on centers 152 mm apart.



   Since trays 20 and 21 move at linear speeds of 3000 cm per minute and handle containers with centers¯¯ spaced 152 mm apart, it will be necessary for transport elements 10 and 11 and screws Feeder 22 and 23 provide containers to trays 20 and 21, spaced 152mm center-to-center apart from each other and moving at linear speeds of the order of 3000cm per minute.



  This condition can be achieved by operating the transport elements 10 and 11 at linear speeds of 3000 cm per minute and rotating the feed screws 22 and 23 at a speed such that their left or input ends advance. the containers at linear speeds of the order of 1270 cm per minute, that is to say substantially at the speed of the transport element 65 and of the corresponding transport element, which brings bottles to transport element 11.

   With this arrangement, bottles can accumulate at the inlet ends of the feed augers if, in accordance with common practice, the flow rate of the washer is slightly greater than the demand of the machine or device. next, in this case the feed screw. @
Since the helical groove of each of the feed screws 22 and 23 has an increasing pitch towards its exit end and as the entry end of one of the feed screws rotates so as to advance containers at a speed of the order of 1270 cm per minute, the output end of the feed screw will allow the containers to move at a linear speed of the order of 2800 cm per minute.

   In other words, although the transport element 10, for example, is moving at a speed of 3000 cm per minute, it will simply slide under any receptacles in the vicinity of the inlet end of the machine. the feed screw 22 and when a container is removed from the group of containers by the inlet end of the screw 22, the container will move at the linear speed permitted by the end of the feed screw. entry of the screw, namely 1270 cm per minute.



  As the container moves along the screw, its linear speed will gradually increase due to the pulling action exerted by the transport member 10 and the progressively increasing step-allowing effect of the screw. power supply 22.



   By the time the container has completely disengaged from the feed screw groove, that container is free to move with the transport member 10 and at the same speed as the latter. At this point, a pocket of the tray will advance along its arcuate path towards the container in question. It will be noted, considering FIG. 1, that at the rear of each pocket of trays 20 and 21, the perimeter of the pockets gradually curves towards the axis of the pocket, as indicated at 62.

   Therefore, when a container is disengaged at the outlet end of the feed screw 22, the container will be free to move at the same linear speed as the transport member 10, except that it will be hampered in its movement by the part 62 of the perimeter of the tray located immediately in front of the pocket of this tray, which must receive said container. Due to the fact that the part 62 gradually approaches the axis of the plate, the free container may move forward somewhat with the transport element 10, but it will probably not reach a speed of 3000 cm. per minute, before being properly placed in a pocket of the tray in the manner indicated for the receptacle occupying position C4 in figure 1.

   As soon as a container is completely seized by a plate 20 or 21, its linear speed remains constant, at the value required by the filling machine. In addition, it will be observed that, as soon as the containers separate from one another at the inlet end of the feed screws 22 and 23, they will remain separated from each other, so that overturning of containers is completely avoided.

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   It will be noted, considering FIG. 1, that the gap between the pockets of the plates 20 and 21 is greater than that provided by the groove at the outlet end of the feed screws 22 and 23. However, causes the transport elements 10 and 11 to move at a speed greater than that imparted to the containers by the feed screws, a container released by a feed screw immediately moves away from the next container and when a pocket of 'a plate fully receives the container evacuated by the screw, this spacing increases further.



   It follows from the above that although the flow rate of the washers and rinsers may be only 200 containers per minute and although the feed screws 22 and 23 and the transport elements 10 and 11 may handle containers at this rate, the flow of the trays
30 and 31 may nevertheless be 400 containers per minute, the containers evacuated from the trays 30 and 31, moving at a linear speed equal to double that of the transport element 65 and the corresponding transport element, which brings transport isolation containers 11.



   It goes without saying that the feed screws 22 and 23 can be arranged to accept containers at a linear speed closer to that of the transport elements 10 and 11, for example at a linear speed of.
2300 cm per minute, if elements 10 and 11 are moving at a speed of 3000 cm per minute. Likewise, the linear speed of evacuation of the screws can be closer to the linear speed of the transport elements 10 and 11.



  However, if the containers leaving a feed screw, such as 22, are to be at center-to-center distances of 152 mm from each other, it is desirable to release the containers from the feed screw to a screw. weight slightly less than that of the transport elements 10 and 11 and to provide a time interval, during which a pocket or housing of the trays 20 and 21 can come into contact with the container.



   Since the feed screw 40 has a uniform pitch over its entire length and operates under time-regulated conditions with respect to the inlet plate 14 forming part of the filling machine, the containers will leave the chamber. screw 40 in perfect synchronism with the pockets of the plate 14. The fixed guide plate usually 70 is fixed in the vicinity of the plate 14, this plate 70 having a guide edge 71 concentric with the axis of the plate and arranged to come into contact with the parts constituting the body of the receptacles, so as to hold them firmly in the pockets of the tray.



   To further ensure that the containers are kept upright and protected from vibrations and overturning, at least during the last part of their movement with the tray 14 and also during their transfer from the tray 14 to the support platforms. 15 of the rotary filling table, the invention provides the arrangement described below. As best seen from the upper right-hand side of Figure 1, a guide rod 72 is secured to a vertical post 73 extending upwardly on the stationary table 17 of the filling machine. in FIG. 5, the guide rod 72 is located in a horizontal plane at a height such that it comes into contact with a container, in the immediate vicinity of its neck or the like.

   Figure 5 shows, for example, the rod 72 in place for gripping beer bottles for export. In this case, the rod 72 comes into contact with the bottles immediately below the widened part of their neck.



   The part 74 of the rod 72, close to its free end 75, is curved so as to be concentric with the axis of the plate 14 and on a radius such that the containers moving in the pockets of the plate are in contact with the rod at the height mentioned above. However, the entry end 75 of the rod 72 is bent so as to curve somewhat.

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 more towards the axis of the plate, so that the rod has an entry part.



   The portion 74 of the rod 72, which is concentric with the axis of the plate 14, terminates at the imaginary line extending between the axis of the plate 14 and the axis of the filling table 16 and, as shown in Figure 1, to the left of this point, the rod 72 has a part 76 concentric with the axis of the filling table 16. The part 76 has only a sufficient length to be engaged by containers located on the platform and occupying their lowest position, usually flush with the surface of the stationary table 17 of the filling machine, as shown in Figure 5.



   Each of the filling platforms 15 is equipped with a container holder 80, which has a height of about 76 mm and is arcuate in shape, so as to present an almost semi-cylindrical vertical surface, so as to come at least in contact with the lower part of the container body. If boxes with a lower rim are to be handled, the container holder must be hollowed out at its lower edge to accommodate the rim in question. Each container holder is secured to its platform 15 by locking screws 81 passing through slots in the lower rim of the container holder, these slots extending radially relative to the filling table.



   Each platform 15 is also equipped with two vertical rods 82 towards the interior of the container holder, each rod 82 being fixed in an opening 83 made in the interior edge of the platform by a locking screw 84. The upper end of each rod 82 is threaded, as shown at 85, and a plate 86 for contacting a container is supported at the upper ends of the set of rods. The plate 86 is shown in plan in FIG. 7 and has, in the vicinity of its inner edge, slots 87 intended to receive the rods 82, the plate being fixed in the adjusted position on the rods by means of opposite nuts. 88. The windows 87 also extend radially with respect to the filling table.



   The outer edge of each plate 86 has a V-shaped notch 89, the inner and central part of which is curved along a radius corresponding to the outer radius of the neck of a container. Thus, if the plate 86 is to be used to handle bottles of beer for export, the part 90 of the plate 86 is curved by a radius corresponding to the outer radius of the neck of such a bottle, at 'location immediately below the neck reinforcement shoulder. Since this surface of the bottles is slightly tapered upwards, the portion 90 of the notch 89 is also slightly tapered, as indicated by the dotted line 91 in Figure 7.



   It will be noted, considering FIG. 5, that when a platform 15 is in its lowest position, the plate 86 of a platform 15 will be located substantially in the same plane as the guide rod 72. Therefore, as long as a container is on the platform in this position, its neck and opening will be caught between rod 72 and plate 86. At the same time, the base part of the container will cooperate with the holder. container 80. This arrangement will ordinarily have the effect of counteracting the tendency of a bottle to vibrate, even in the event that its base is chipped.



   Figure 6 illustrates the lower part of a filling head 95, such as can be used to fill bottles for export on a filling machine equipped with the platform and the holding devices and guide for the containers described above, The internal part

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 The lower part of the filling head 95 comprises an adapter collar 96 fixed to the body 97 of the filling head by the usual nut 98. The adapter collar 96 has a central vertical bore, into which the beer tube is screwed. 99 of the nozzle 100. A ventilation duct 101 is inclined downwards in the adapter collar 96 and opens inside the outer sleeve 102 of the nozzle 100.



   The outside of the liquid tube 99 is reduced in diameter, as indicated at 103 from a point opposite the lower end 101 to orifices 104 in the outer tube 102. By virtue of this arrangement, when a container is filled, the gas and air contained therein can escape through the orifices 104 and the gap 103, to return upwards, through the passage or conduit 101, into the reservoir. A separate passage, not shown, may open through adapter collar 98 into space 103, for back pressure flow. A gasket 105 for sealing the mouth of containers is mounted in the part 96. The lower surface of this gasket extends immediately adjacent to the orifices 104.

   It will be noted that no centering bell, which can slide on the nozzle 100, should not be provided, when the bottle holding devices of FIG. 5 are provided. It follows that the nozzle 100 can have an outside diameter. maximum uniform to its lower end. Thus, in the case of a bottle whose mouth has a passage of 16 mm, the outer diameter of the nozzle 100 may be at least 13 mm. Likewise, its lower end can be rounded to center the containers.



   The mode of action of the guide rod 72, of the platform structure. and the filling nozzle of Figures 5 and 6 is as follows When a container moves with the plate 14 or at least during the part of its movement with this plate, where the container moves from the fixed table 17 to a platform 15, the container is not only in contact with the plate 14 'and the guide plates 70, but also with the guide rod 72. Because the guide rod 72 holds the container in the vicinity of its mouth , the vibration of this container is reduced to a minimum.

   As the container is firmly pressed against the container holder 80 on a platform 15, the top of the container is pressed between the interior 90 of the notch 89 of the plate 86, while the top of the container is still in contact with the guide rod. This position of the container with respect to the guide rod is indicated by the platform at 15a in FIG. 1.



   As the rotation of the filling table 16 continues, the container disengages from the tray 14, but remains in contact with the platform structure of FIG. 5 and with the guide rod 72. At the point of rotation from the table 16, where the platform 15 begins to rise, i.e. slightly to the right of the position indicated by the platform 15b of Figure 1, the guide rod 72 extends sharply towards the outside of the filling table 16, so as to come out, so as not to hinder the upward movement of the container.



   As illustrated in Figure 5, the nozzle 100 of the filling head 95 has its lower end only about 6.5mm above the mouth of the container, when the platform is in the lowered position.



  In order for the containers to be positively centered with respect to the nozzle 100, as soon as possible after the container has disengaged from the guide rod 72, the filling machine is equipped with a cam device to control. the platform of the kind described in USA Day patent and, Breeback No. 2,699,282 relating to filling machines. The level at which the steeply sloping cam, which initially acts, described in said patent causes the elevation of the container is indicated at 105a in FIG. 5 and this elevation may be about 25 mm. When the mouth of the container

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 In this elevated position relative to nozzle 100, it is impossible for the container to tip over or vibrate to any substantial extent, even during high speed travel.

   As also described in the aforementioned US patent, the platform is then raised at a slightly lower speed so as to bring the mouth of the container into contact with the sealing gasket 105 of the filling head.



   It goes without saying that if the containers to be handled have a lower height than the bottle illustrated in Figure 5, the guide rod 72 must be lowered and the plate 86 must also be lowered to a corresponding extent, so as to come. in contact with the receptacle, immediately below its mouth. It will be noted that since the container advancement mechanism of Figure 1 operates in synchronism with the plate 14 and with the rotary filling table 16, the containers supplied by one of the transport elements, such as 10 and 11, will always be placed on the same platforms 15 of a rotary filling table.



   Thus, assuming that the rotary filling table 16 has sixty filling heads and platforms, and the containers from screw 22 and tray 20 are placed on the even-order platforms, the containers from screw 23 and of board 21 will be placed on odd-order platforms. This arrangement is particularly effective with beer bottle filling machines, because if a load of beer remains in a filling head for a few minutes, that load becomes slightly hot and is, therefore, prone to foaming in. the first -recipient which is filled, when the filling is resumed.

   By virtue of the arrangement described above, if the supply of containers to the transport member 10 is interrupted, the supply of containers to the transport member 11, the feed screw 23 and the tray 21 can be stopped. continue and, in addition, the same filling heads will be kept in service at all times. When the supply of containers through the transport member 10, the screw 22 and the tray 20 resumes, the containers of the first circle of incoming containers will all be placed below the filling heads, which are prone to foaming and foaming. The operator will only have to worry about the containers leaving the platforms in question.



   The invention also relates to the movement of containers or other objects in the opposite direction to that indicated above, that is to say from the filling machine or other source to two reception points.



  If the mechanism of Figures 1 to 4 is operated to handle what comes out of a filling machine, the containers must move in the direction indicated by arrows B in Figure 1. In more detail, the containers must be moved. removed from the filling table 16 by the tray 14 functioning as the discharge tray and the containers must be brought from the tray 14 to the transport element 13 and the screw 40. Each container on the transport element must be gripped by opposite recesses of the plates 30 and 31, as indicated in position C3 of FIG. 1. Immediately beyond this position, the fixed table 12 must carry a tilting deflector or ejector D, shown in broken lines.

   The deflector D may have the shape shown, ie be hinged at 70 'to the guide plate 35 and may have a' tongue 71 'and side projections 72' and 73 '. As is customary with such devices if the tab 71 'extends upwards, when considering FIG. 1, as soon as a container moving in the direction indicated by the arrow has passed the position C 3, the tab 71 'will guide this container towards the plate 21. In this case, the side projection 73' will extend on the path followed by the container.

   As the container passes the protrusion 73 ', it will tilt or press the protrusion below the stationary guide plate 35, thereby tilting the tab 71' downward when

 <Desc / Clms Page number 13>

 consider FIG. 1, so that the next container will move with the plate 30 towards the plate 20 and will strike the projection 72 ', so as to straighten the deflector.



   It is well known practice to use a deflector or ejector, such as D, to direct objects or containers in alternating directions. However, if containers are moved at the relatively high linear speed in question, i.e., at a linear speed on the order of 3000 cm per minute, it may be desirable to ensure that the die - flector is operatively connected to the rest of the mechanism and thus prevents it from being actuated by the receptacles themselves.

   Thus, the deflector D need not have the projections 72 'and 73', but can be actuated electrically under the control of a cam or other control device actuated by or synchronized with one and the other. another of the plates 30 and 31, which device alternately excites adenoids, so as to bring the tongue 71 'to the suitable position.



   In any case, by the operating mode in question, the trays
30 and 31 and the deflector bring containers alternately to the trays
20 and 21, which then place them on the transport elements 10 and 11. The feed screws 22 and 23 can be used with and-arrangement, if it is desired to change the spacing of the containers on the transport elements.
10 and 11.

   It goes without saying that, when the device illustrated in figure 1 is used as an evacuation device, all the elements except the transport elements 10 and 11 can be actuated at a linear speed of 3000 cm per minute, while that the transport elements can be actuated at a slower linear speed, for example at half the speed, namely at a speed of 1500 cm per minute, depending on the distance at which the containers are to be separated one of the the other on the transport elements 10 and 11. The screws 22 and 23 will have the effect of slowing down the containers when they have been released from the trays 20 and 21.

   In other words, the screws 22 and 23 may have at their entry ends (right) a pitch such that they slide the containers along the transport elements 10 and 11 at a speed close to that. trays, in order to release the containers from the trays before they are brought back to a speed of 1500 cm per minute with the transport elements 10 and 11 In all this, the result is to divide or evenly distribute the containers Debited by the filling tabloid or other feeding mechanism and by the transport element 13 between the two transport elements 10 and 11.



   The variation illustrated in Figure 8 shows two straight line conveyors or guides 180 and 181, which direct containers or other objects respectively to rotating discs 182 and 183, which are suitably journaled in a table structure 184 and whose upper surfaces are flush with the upper surface of adjacent conveyor elements.

   Assuming that the arrangement is operated so as to combine containers, the parts should be operated so as to move the containers in the direction indicated by arrows B. By means of stationary arcuate guide elements, designated by the notations of general references 185 and 186 and associated with each disc, the direction of movement of the containers is changed by 90, so that the two rows of containers now move towards each other on short conveyors at the same time. straight line 186 and 187. Feeding or advancing screws 188 and 189, generally similar to screws 22 and 23 of FIG. 1, may be provided to control the movement of the containers fed by the transport elements 180 and 181.

   As discussed below, containers could accumulate at the inlet ends of the feed screws on disks 182 and 183 and transport members 180 and 181.



   1 A fixed guide plate 190 extends between the ends of the

 <Desc / Clms Page number 14>

 output of the two screws, this plate being similar in shape to that of the plate 35 of Figure 1, in that the edges, intended to come into contact with the containers, of the plate are concentric with the axes of the two adjacent rotary plates 191 and 192 and that the top of the guide plate extends halfway between the axes of these plates. The trays 191 and 192 have pockets in equivalent numbers, for example twelve in number, and the trays are adjusted with respect to each other so that their pockets move opposite one another. 'other.



   The feed screws 188 and 189 are synchronized with each other, so that each screw alternately brings a container to the final plate. In other words, when the tray 191 finally receives a container from the screw 188, the tray 189 will initially present a container to a pocket of the tray 192, so that when the first-mentioned container reaches a point between the two trays, the container supplied to the tray 192 will occupy a position immediately behind the first container. The containers from the trays 191 and 192 are fed to the conveyor 193, on which the adjacent containers will have their axes at a mutual distance equal to half that established by each of the screws 188 and 189.



   The transport elements 180 and 181 and the discs 182 and 183 can, for example, be operated at a linear speed of 1500 cm per minute, while the transporters 186, 187 and 193 and the trays 191 and 192 can be driven at a speed. speed of 3000 cm per minute. If each of the feed screws 188 and 189 is then actuated, so as to have an entry speed of the order of 1270 cm per minute and an exit speed equal to the linear speed of the plates 191 and 192 and if the pitch of the exit end of each screw is equal to twice the distance between the pockets of the trays, the containers can be evenly combined on the transport member 193 and kept apart, as would be the case with the The arrangement described with reference to FIG. 1.

   It will be observed that the mode of operation described above differs from that described with reference to FIG. 1, in that in FIG. 8, the linear speed of the containers leaving the screws 188 and 189 will be equal to that of the transport elements 186 and 187, trays 191 and 192 and the transport element 193.



   The arrangement shown in Fig. 8 can be operated to divide a row into a plurality of rows, if the elements are driven so as to move the containers in the direction of the arrows F. However, in this case, it is necessary to provide at the top of the guide plate 190 a deflector of the type indicated in! in FIG. 1 or of another type as mentioned during the description of this figure. In this case, containers slightly separated from each other are delivered, depending on the spacing of the pockets of the trays 191 and 192, by the conveyor 193 to the trays 191 and 192 and the deflector ¯13 will bring containers alternately in opposite directions from the trays to the conveyors 186 and 187.

   In this mode of operation, screws 188 and 189 could be omitted, although they could be provided to maintain, increase or decrease the spacing between containers. In any event, the net result would be that receptacles moving close to each other and at high speed on conveyor 193 could be split into two lanes which could move on the elements of. transport 180 and 181 at a speed equal to half of that at which they move on the transport element 193. Instead of using the deflector D of figure 1, in this mechanism or in that of figure 8, each opposing tray, such as 191 and 192, may have a cam rotating with it, so as to actuate a pusher, which would eject the containers from the pockets or housings of the trays at the desired time.

   In more detail, if the mechanism of Figure 8 is operated so as to move containers in the direction of arrows F, a container in front of

 <Desc / Clms Page number 15>

 moving with the tray 192 would be released from the tray 191 by the action of a pusher articulated to the table structure and controlled by a cam rotating with the shaft of the tray 191, while containers having to move with the tray 191 would be released from the plate 192 by a corresponding pusher actuated alternately by a cam mounted on the plate shaft
192.



   It will be seen that the mechanisms described above achieve the aforementioned objects of the invention and allow containers or other objects to be either combined so as to move at a speed greater than that of their initial speed, or divided and moved at a speed lower than their entry speed, all this taking place with a minimum possibility for the containers or other objects to be overturned, stuck or damaged.



   With the arrangement shown in Figure 1, particularly when used to move containers in the direction of the arrows, although the use of the helical screw devices 22 and 23 gives a more uniform and quieter spacing of the vessels. containers, devices
22 and 23 can nevertheless, if desired, be removed and the containers in the line on each of the conveyors 10 and 11 can be successively removed and separated from each other by the trays 20 and 21.



  To avoid jamming of containers in these circumstances, carriers 10 and 11 should travel along lines closer to the axes of trays 22 and 23, but parallel to their path shown in Figure 1.



  In other words, the trays 20 and 21 must pick up the containers from the conveyors 10 and 11 and move each container over an arc between 90 and 180, before the container comes into contact with the tray 30 or 31. arrangement, it is clear that the trays 20 and 21 constitute devices for controlling the spacing between containers.



   In Figure 9, two washing devices, rinsing devices, or the like, generally designated by the reference notations A 'and B', are provided for bringing containers, such as bottles or cans, to a rotary filling machine generally designated by the reference numeral 70 ". The washing or rinsing devices A 'and B' are of the common type and are arranged to deliver containers at a rate of about 200 or more per minute. on the other hand, the filling machine 70 "is arranged to fill approximately a number of containers equal to twice those supplied by the devices A 'and B', or approximately 400 containers per minute.



   Container transport members 72 "and 74 'advance containers in a straight line from devices A' and B 'respectively. Container transport members 72" and 74', which are part of a first one. Conveyor device, consist of conveyors of the endless link type extending in a straight line and formed into planar plates. These elements are suitably journaled at their outlet ends into the top surface of table structure 76 '. In the upper surface of the table structure 76 'are also mounted two transport elements 78' and 80 ', which move at the same linear speed as the transport elements 72 "and 74' and receive fresh containers. pectively transport elements 72 "and 74 '.

   Suitable guides 82Y and 84 "with deflecting portions 86 'and 88' are provided to guide the containers of devices A 'and B' to transport members 78 'and 80' respectively. 80 'which also form part of the first conveyor device are similar in structure to that of the conveyors 72 "and 74', in that they also constitute conveyors of the endless link type, extending in line. straight and formed of flat platelets.

 <Desc / Clms Page number 16>

 



   Between and parallel to the transport elements 78 'and 80' there is a collector transport element 90 'which receives containers from one and / or the other of the transport elements 78' and 80 '. The transport element-90 'operates at a linear speed substantially equal to the double that of the transport elements 78' and 80 'or, in other words, at a speed corresponding to a flow rate of 400 containers per minute. . The transport member 90 'delivers containers to an inlet tray 92' mounted on the filling machine 70 "and places the containers on the container support platforms 94", which are ordinarily movable in the vertical direction. and the rotary filling table (not shown).



   In accordance with usual practice, the rotary filling machine 70 'is journalled so as to rotate, about a vertical axis fixed with respect to the base of the filling machine. The inlet plate 92 'is also twisted so as to rotate in the base structure of the filling machine and it goes without saying that the right part of the transport member 90' is suitably mounted in the structure. base of the filling machine, so that the upper run of the transport member moves across the upper surface of the work table of the filling machine.



   Transport member 78 'feeds containers from source A' to a tray with recesses or pockets 96 'rotatable above the top surface of table 76'. The other transport member 80 'brings containers from source B' to a similar pocket tray 98 'also pivoted in table 76'. Suitable fixed guides - extending along transport members 78 'and 80' and terminating immediately in front of trays 96 'and 98' are provided in addition to guides 82 'and 84'. Each of the transport elements 78 'and 80' is equipped with container spacers 71 "and 73" respectively, these devices extending along the transport element immediately in front of the trays 96. 'and 98'.

   The feed screws 71 "and 73" have the effect of gradually moving the containers moving on the transport members 78 'and 80' apart from each other, so that these containers are suitably spaced for collection. in the pockets of the 96 'and 98' trays respectively.



   The feed screw 71 "and the plate 96 'are symmetrically offset or out of phase with the screw 73" and the plate 9811, so that the plate 96' will receive a container at a time midway between. those where the tray 98 'receives two successive containers. Trays 96 'and 98' deliver the containers to an additional pair of trays, designated 75 'and 77', respectively. Trays 75 'and 77' are on either side of the center line of transport element 90 ', as are trays 96' and 98 '. It will be noted, moreover, that the plates 96 ', 98', 75 'and 77' have the same meshing diameter, so that the containers move around all the plates on arcs of the same radii.

   Trays 96 'and 98' have five equidistant pockets, while trays 75 'and 77' have ten equidistant pockets. teso It is clear from the drawing that a container located at C1 in the pocket of the tray 96 'will move with the latter along the fixed guide 79' until it reaches a position C2, in which it is under the control of the two plates 96 'and 75'. The tray 75 'will then pick up and drive the container along a fixed guide 81', into a position, in which the container will be housed in a pocket of the tray 77 '.



  In this position, the container will be centered on the transport element 90 'and will thus be ready to be transferred therefrom to the platforms 94' of the filling machine 70 ".



   While trays 96 'and 75' drive the container referred to above, trays 98 'and 77' will move the containers

 <Desc / Clms Page number 17>

 'shown in broken lines starting from source B', so as to come and place them alternately between the containers shown full entangled. In other words, the containers transferred by tray 77 'from tray 98' will be surrounded by the alternate unoccupied pockets of tray 75 ', as shown at C3.



   Since the pockets of the trays 75 'and 77' move opposite each other and are arranged so that the containers moving with them have their vertical axes spaced from each other as a function of the distance between the axes of. containers on platforms
94 'of the filling machine 70 ", a screw 83' is provided along one side of the transport member 90 ', so as to maintain this spacing until the containers are collected in the pockets from the inlet tray 92 'of the rotary filling machine 70 ".

   The conveyor screw 83 ′ is similar to screws 7111 and 73 "except that its helical groove has a uniform pitch along its entire length, so as to maintain the spacing between the containers constant.



   It goes without saying that the transport containers 72 ", 74 'and 78' and
80 'can be driven by a common shaft and at a constant speed with a suitable time relationship with the other elements of the transfer mechanism and the filling table. In addition, the trays 96 ', 98',
75 'and 77' are driven at adjusted speeds with respect to each other and with respect to the transport elements 78 ', 80' and 90 '. The control of the various elements mentioned above can be coupled to that of the rotary table of the filling machine 70 "in any suitable manner, so that this table is driven in a controlled sequence with respect to said elements.



   The filling machine 70 "differs from the conventional rotary filling machine, in that it is provided with an odd number of filling heads and a corresponding number of container support platforms 94 '. The object, in which an odd number of filling heads and container support platforms is provided, will appear more clearly in the remainder of this specification.



   The operation of the structure described above with reference to Figure 9 is as follows.



   In normal operation, containers will be continuously fed from the washers or rinsers A 'and 3', in rows, to the conveyors 72 "and 74 'of the combination device. The containers are then transferred from the conveyors d. 'entry to the transport elements 78' and 80 ', on which these containers are brought to the desired spacing by the feed screws 71 "and 73" respectively, for reception by the trays 96' and 98 The combination of the rows of containers is produced by the cooperative movement of the trays 96 ', 98', 75 'and 77' in the direction indicated by the arrows in the drawing.



   Assuming that the capacity of the filling machine 70 "is four hundred containers per minute and that the washers or rinsers A 'and 3' can deliver two hundred containers or more per minute, the linear speed conveyors 72 ", 74 ', 78' and 80 'corresponds to about 200 containers per minute, while that of conveyor 90', on which the containers are combined, corresponds to 400 containers per minute. Since the trays 96 ', 98', 75 'and 77' are positively driven in a sequence adjusted with respect to the rotation of the rotary table of the filling machine 70 ", the containers will be combined alternately on the conveyor. evacuation 90 '.

   In other words, a container from the transport member 78 'is first transferred to the transport member 90', while a container from the conveyor 80 'is then transferred to the conveyor 90'.

 <Desc / Clms Page number 18>

 



   As soon as the containers are placed on the transport element 90 'in the desired sequence mentioned above and at the desired spacing from one another, these containers are maintained at said spacing on the transport element by virtue of to the feed screw 83 'until they reach the input tray 92', from where they are transferred to the container support device 94 'at the rotary filling table.

   The containers are then filled with a carbonated beverage and are then discharged from the rotary filling table by an discharge tray 85 'which in turn transfers the containers to a container capping or sealing machine. , generally designated by the reference notation 87 '
Since the container combination mechanism works in synchronism with the table 92 'and the rotary table 60' of the filling machine 70 "and since only an odd number of filling heads and container support devices on the rotary table,

   the containers coming from a washing device will be fed to a predetermined series of filling heads during one revolution of the filling table and to another predetermined series of filling heads during a subsequent revolution of the filling table .

   Assuming for example that the rotary table has sixty-one filling heads and container support platforms 94 ', the containers from the washing and rinsing device A' and indicated in solid lines are transferred by the intermediate of the combining mechanism on odd-order support platforms, such as 1 ', 3', 5 ', etc. During one complete revolution of the filling table, this placement of containers from of the washing device: or rinsing A 'on the odd-order filling heads will continue, but during a subsequent revolution of the filling table, the containers coming from the washing or rinsing device A' will be placed on even order support platforms, such as 2 ', 4', 6 ', etc.

   Likewise, during the first revolution of the filling table, the containers coming from the washing or rinsing device B ', which are shown in broken lines, will be placed on the support platforms of even order in- continued during a subsequent revolution of the filling table on the odd-order support platforms.



   If one of the power sources is momentarily dry, the same sequence as mentioned above will occur, except that every other support platform will not receive a container. However, since the spacing between containers is maintained, when these pass through the combining mechanism, the containers will first be brought to a predetermined series of platforms during one rotation of the rotary filling table and then. to another set of platforms during a subsequent revolution of the filling machine. Consequently, a filling head will only complete one revolution, without being presented to a container to be filled.

   The time required for the rotary filling table to complete one revolution is not long enough to allow the carbonated beverage in the filling head to heat up, so that no build-up will occur. foam in the head, when it completes a subsequent revolution. When the washers A 'and B' resume working at full capacity, it is not necessary to remove filled containers from the discharge conveyor of the filling machine, since no head The filling machine has not had the opportunity to warm up, so that the formation of foam is practically eliminated.



   CLAIMS.

** ATTENTION ** end of DESC field can contain start of CLMS **.


    

Claims (1)

1.- Mechanism for moving objects forward, comprising a first transport device, a second transport device and means <Desc / Clms Page number 19> for transferring objects from one transport device to another, characterized in that it comprises a pair of rotary trays with pockets or housings, a tray being provided on each side of one of the transport devices - port in question, as well as means for rotating the trays, so that their pockets or housings come opposite one another. 2. - Mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that there is provided means for deflecting objects on the path that they follow from the aforementioned plates. 3. - Mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that it further comprises means for actuating the deflection means in synchronism with the plates. 4.- Mechanism for advancing objects, characterized in that it comprises a first transport device comprising two devices for controlling the spacing between the objects, these devices being constructed and arranged so as to vary the distance. between the centers of the objects in contact with them, a second transport device arranged to move objects whose centers are at a mutual uniform distance, and means for transferring the objects from a transport device to the other. 5.- Mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that the second transport device comprises a transport element in a straight line and a third device for controlling the spacing between objects, the latter device being arranged along the element. transport. 6. - Mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that the second transport device comprises a straight line conveyor, movable between fixed guides. 7.- Mechanism according to one or the other of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the two control devices for the spacing between objects are actuated so as to move the objects at a linear speed lower than that. objects moving with the second transport device. 8.- Mechanism according to either of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the transfer means comprise a pair of trays with pockets or housings arranged on either side of the second transport device. 9. Mechanism according to claim 8, characterized in 'that the trays have their pockets or housings spaced circumferentially at a distance corresponding to the distance between the centers of the objects on the second transport device. 10.- A mechanism according to claim 8, characterized in that it further comprises means for driving the trays with pockets or housings, so that the latter come opposite one another. 11.- Mechanism according to one or the other of claims 4 to 10, characterized in that the first transport device comprises two elements for transporting objects, while the control devices of the parliament between objects are each arranged along the path of each of the transport elements. 12.- Mechanism according to claim 11, characterized in that the second transport device comprises a single object transport element, while means are also provided for transferring objects between the second transport device. and alternatively one and the other of the two object transport elements of the first transport device. <Desc / Clms Page number 20> 13.- Mechanism according to either of claims 4 to 11, characterized in that the devices for controlling the spacing between objects are constructed and arranged so as to change the spacing between the moving objects. in contact with said devices. 14.- Mechanism according to claim II, characterized in that a device for controlling the spacing between objects is arranged along the path of the object transport element of the second transport device, the control device in question being constructed and arranged so as to keep objects moving in contact with it at fixed mutual distances. 15.- Mechanism according to either of claims 8 to 14, characterized in that the means for transferring objects from one transport device to the other comprise a second pair of rotating elements interposed between the trays and the respective object transport elements of the first transport device. 16.- Mechanism according to either of claims 4 to 15, characterized in that the devices for controlling the spacing between objects of the first transport device are actuated so as to be out of phase one by one. compared to each other. 17.- Mechanism according to claim 15, characterized in that the second pair of rotary elements is constituted by trays with pockets or housings, each of the trays of the first pair of trays having a number of pockets which constitutes a multiple of the number of pockets provided in each of the trays of the second pair of pockets. 18.- Mechanism according to any one of claims 4 to 17, characterized in that all the plates have a shape such that they move objects on circular paths of the same radius. 19.- Mechanism according to claim 18, characterized in that the first and second transport devices are located on either side of the aforementioned trays, while their object transport elements are parallel, the transport elements d. The objects of the first transport device being laterally offset in opposite directions from the object transport member of the second transport device. 20.- Mechanism according to either of claims 12 to 19, characterized in that the means for transferring objects from one transport device to the other transfer objects alternately from the transport elements. objects from the first transport device to the single object transport member of the second transport device. 21. - Mechanism according to either of claims 8 to 20, characterized in that the pair of rotary trays with pockets or housings is located between the outlet end of the first transport device and the input end of the second transport device. 22.- Mechanism according to either of claims 4 to 21, characterized in that the devices for controlling the spacing between objects of the first transport device are helical screw elements of progressively increasing pitch in the direction in which the objects move. 23.- Mechanism according to either of claims 5 to 22, characterized in that the device for controlling the spacing between objects located along the path of the means of transporting objects of the se- The conveying device is constructed and arranged to maintain objects moving in contact with it at fixed mutual distances. 24.- Mechanism according to one or the other of claims 8 to 23, <Desc / Clms Page number 21> characterized in that it also presents means for rotating the pair of plates arranged on either side of the second transport device, so that their pockets are in synchronism, 25.-. Mechanism according to either of claims 8 to 24, characterized in that the devices for controlling the spacing between objects of the first transport device operate in such a way as to remove the objects at a linear speed less than those of the trays. 26.- Mechanism according to claim 25, characterized in that all the transport elements and the plates move at the same linear speed. 27. - Mechanism according to one or the other of claims l8 to 26, characterized in that the objects transport elements of the first transport device are arranged to bring objects to the respective trays of the second pair of trays, while the respective trays of the first pair of trays are arranged to cooperate simultaneously with objects brought there alternately by the second pair of trays and to bring the objects to the second transport device. 28.- Mechanism according to either of claims 4 to 24, characterized in that the transfer means transfer objects from the second transport device to the first transport device. 29.- Mechanism according to claim 28, characterized in that the devices for controlling the spacing between objects of the first transport device are constructed and arranged so as to reduce the spacing between the objects moving at their contact. 30.- Mechanism according to either of Claims 28 and 29, characterized in that the transfer means comprise an object deflection element, which can be actuated in synchronism with the second transport device. 31.- Mechanism according to one or other of claims 18 to 30, characterized in that the first and the second transport device are located on either side of the aforementioned trays having their objects transport elements parallel to each other, while the object transport elements of the first transport device and the second trays are located on either side of the object transport element of the second transport device and first trays. 32. - Object advancement mechanism, characterized in that it comprises a first object transport element of the straight line type, a device for controlling the spacing between objects placed on the path of the objects moving with the aforesaid transport element, this device being constructed and arranged to discharge objects at a predetermined linear speed and to initially receive objects at a lower linear speed, this mechanism comprising, in addition, a second object transport element for receiving objects from the straight line type transport element at a point in the vicinity of the outlet of said device and means for driving the first and second transport elements of said device. objects at a linear speed at least equal to the linear speed communicated to the objects at the output of said device. 33.- Mechanism according to claim 32, characterized in that the device for controlling the spacing between objects is a feed screw with a helical thread. 34. - Mechanism according to either of claims 32 and 33, characterized in that the second object transport element is located at a point located slightly beyond the outlet portion of said device <Desc / Clms Page number 22> control of the spacing between objects. 35.- Mechanism according to either of claims 32 to 34, characterized in that the second object transport element is driven at a linear speed greater than the speed communicated to the objects by the output end of the device for controlling the distance between objects. 36. - Mechanism according to one or the other of claims 32 to 34, characterized in that the second object transport element is driven at a linear speed equal to that communicated to the objects by the output end of the device for controlling the spacing between objects. 37.- Mechanism according to any one of claims 32 to 36, characterized in that the second object transport element comprises object collecting parts located at a mutual distance greater than that which separates the objects collected by the second device for controlling the spacing between objects . 38.- Mechanism according to any one of claims 32 to 36, characterized in that the second object transport element comprises - collecting parts of objects located at a mutual distance greater than that which separates an object at the output end of the object separation control device and the next object captured by this device. 39.- Mechanism according to either of claims 37 and 38, characterized in that the second object transport element is a rotary tray with pockets or housings. 40. - Mechanism for advancing containers, characterized in that it comprises a relatively slow straight line conveyor, a faster straight line conveyor, means for guiding containers from the slow conveyor to the fast conveyor, an element. of helical screw extending along one side of the rapid conveyor, a turntable located on the other side of the rapid conveyor and at the output end of the aforesaid screw member, means for driving the rapid conveyor, the plate and the screw element, so that they move containers at a substantially uniform linear speed, the screw element having a shape such that its pitch decreases at its input end, so that said speed at its inlet end moves containers at substantially the same linear speed as the slow conveyor. 41.- Mechanism for moving objects, characterized in that it comprises a base table, a pair of trays with pockets or housings mounted so as to be able to rotate, above the table, in a horizontal plane and around axes located at a distance such that the two plates can simultaneously come into contact with an object brought between them, means for rotating the plates with their pockets or housings, according to a synchronism such as a pocket of each of the two trays simultaneously receives an object, means comprising rotating elements with the respective trays for ejecting objects in opposite directions out of immediately successive opposite pockets, and means fixed to the aforementioned table and serving to guide the successively ejected objects along different routes. 42.- Mechanism according to claim 41, characterized in that the elements capable of rotating with the respective plates are cams. 43. - Filling machine comprising a rotary filling table, characterized in that it comprises, moreover, a plurality of filling heads and container supports below these heads, means for bringing containers to be filled to the supports in question from a plurality of sources of receptacles, - ' <Desc / Clms Page number 23> and means for driving the carriers in question in such connection with the path followed by the filling table that the containers coming from one of said sources are brought to predetermined filling heads. 44. Filling machine according to claim 43, characterized in that the drive means comprise a gear connecting the rotary filling table and the aforementioned means for supplying receptacles. 450- Filling machine characterized in that it comprises a base, a rotary table journalled on this base and provided with platforms for supporting objects capable of undergoing a reciprocating movement in vertical direction, thus than a plurality of filling heads aligned with the platforms in question, each of the latter comprising means intended to come into contact with the lower part of a container and means intended to come into contact with the neck of a container. 46. Filling machine according to claim 45, characterized in that the means intended to come into contact with the lower part. EMI23.1 xieure of a container: itsl ± .ct.e "± 6IÍlè arqüée.talid1 that the means a.:téi3 'to. come into contact with the neck of a container comprise a V-shaped recess, in which is fitted the neck of the container. 47.- Machine according to either of claims 45 and 46, characterized in that the means intended to come into contact with the neck of the container are constituted by a plate disposed horizontally and by a rod disposed vertically, fixed to the container support platform and extending upwardly with respect to this platform, means being provided to fix, in an adjustable manner, the plate to the aforesaid rod. 48.- Machine according to either of claims 45 to 47, characterized in that each of the filling heads comprises a filling nozzle extending downwards, rotary means for bringing the containers to said platforms, in a position such that their mouth is immediately below the lower end of the fitting, and means for moving each of the platforms, in a vertical direction, upwards, so as to bring the The mouth of the container to surround at least the lower part of the nozzle, as soon as the container has been placed on the platform. 49. - Machine according to either of claims 45 and 46, characterized in that it comprises rotary means for positioning containers on the aforesaid platforms, as well as opposed elements intended to come into contact with a container, fixed to the aforesaid base and extending above it, so as to come into contact with opposite sides of a container, while the latter moves with the aforesaid rotating means , one of said elements comprising a part extending beyond the other element and along a part of the path followed by a receptacle with the platforms 50.- Filling machine according to claim 45, characterized in that each of the filling heads comprises a sealing ring intended to come into contact with the mouth of a container and a filling nozzle extending downwards, means mounted on the platforms and intended to come into contact with the containers in the vicinity of their mouth, so as to keep these containers in axial alignment with the nozzles and so as to prevent them from moving relative to the platforms, means for positioning a container on one of the plates - forms in contact with the aforementioned contact means at a point located on the rotational path followed by washable, and means for moving a platform - (- downward form in front of this point, to initially raise, at this point, the platform, so as to bring the mouth of the container to surround the <Desc / Clms Page number 24> filling stage of the corresponding filling head, and then to further raise the platform, so as to bring the mouth of the container into contact with the sealing ring. 51. Filling machine according to claim 50, characterized in that the filling nozzle has a uniform outside diameter over its entire length, this diameter being only slightly less than the smallest inside diameter of the tube. The mouth of a container, the sealing rings being attached to the filling heads at the top of the filling nozzles. 52.- Filling machine according to either of claims 50 and 51, characterized in that it comprises means fixed to the base and intended to come into contact with a container moving with the aforementioned positioning means and this until the container reaches the aforementioned point. 53.- Filling machine comprising a rotary filling table, characterized in that it comprises, in addition, a plurality of filling heads and container supports mounted below these heads, means for bringing containers to be filled to the carriers in question from separate sources of containers, and means for driving the carriers in question in relation to the path followed by the filling table that the containers are alternately supplied from the separate sources to the platforms of the rotary filling table. 54. Filling machine according to claim 43, characterized in that it comprises an even number of filling heads and container support platforms. 55.- Method for bringing containers and positioning them on platforms of a rotary filling machine and then for filling the containers with carbonated liquid, characterized in that separate feed sources are used in containers, containers are transferred from one of these sources to a series of predetermined platforms of the filling machine during one revolution of the latter and to a second series of platforms of the filling machine during a subsequent revolution. of this, and the containers are filled with carbonated liquid, while they are on the platforms of the filling machine. 56, - A method according to claim 55, characterized in that one transfers the receptacles of the separate sources, in rows, to a combination point, the receptacles forming part of the rows of receptacles are combined, so as to obtain single row of containers, the filling machine is rotated in relation to the combination of the rows of containers in a single row, the containers from the single row of containers are transferred to platforms of the rotary filling machine in a sequence such that the containers coming from one of the feed sources are brought to a series of platforms during one revolution of the filling line, while containers from the other source are fed to another set of platforms during one revolution of the filling machine, and during a subsequent revolution of the filling machine, containers from the first source are fed to the second series of platforms, while the containers from the second source are brought to the first series of platforms, and finally the containers are filled with the carbonated liquid, while they are on the platforms. 57.- Process according to claim 55, characterized in that the containers are transferred from a first power source to a first <Desc / Clms Page number 25> series of alternating platforms from a rotating filling machine during one revolution of the same and to a second series of alternating platforms during a following revolution of the filling machine, containers are transferred from a second source of 'feeding to the second series of alternating platforms of the rotary filling machine during the first revolution of this machine, and the first series of alternating platforms during a following revolution of the filling machine, and finally the containers are filled to the using carbonated liquid while they are on these platforms. 58. - Filling machine comprising a rotating filling table, a plurality of filling heads and receptacle supports placed below the filling heads, characterized in that it further comprises separate sources. , feed or receptacles, means for supplying receptacles from these sources to receptacle supports for filling, and means for driving the supports in such relation to the path followed by the filling table that containers from one of the aforesaid sources are fed to a series of predetermined filling heads during one revolution of the filling table and to a second series of filling heads during a subsequent revolution of the filling table. 59. - Filling machine according to claim 58, characterized in that the first series of filling heads comprises every other head, the second series of filling heads comprises the filling heads arranged between those of the first series. . 60. Filling machine according to claim 58, characterized in that it comprises an odd number of filling heads, the first series of filling heads comprising one filling head out of two and the second series being formed. by the other filling heads. 61. Filling machine according to claim 60, characterized in that it comprises a combination device for combining a row of containers from one of the separate sources with a row of receptacles from the other source. , so as to form a single row, the combining device comprising means for alternately supplying receptacles from the separate sources into the single row, when the sources in question continuously supply receptacles, means for collecting the receptacles coming from the combining device, these collecting means maintaining the receptacles in a predetermined position with respect to one another, when they have been collected from the combining device, means for transferring the containers from the last mentioned positioning means to the container supports, on which the containers are filled, as well as means for driving the combining devices and the positioning means in synchronism with the path followed by the filling table. 62. - Filling machine according to claim 60, characterized in that it comprises means for alternately combining containers from separate sources in a single row, means for collecting containers from the last mentioned means and in order to keep them in a predetermined position relative to each other, when they have been collected from the combination means, the positioning means bringing the containers to the supports on which they are filled, while are also provided means for driving the combination means and the positioning means in synchronism with the path followed <Desc / Clms Page number 26> by the filling table.