EP0053563A1 - Method and apparatus for feeding caps to closing machines - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for feeding caps to closing machines Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0053563A1 EP0053563A1 EP81420169A EP81420169A EP0053563A1 EP 0053563 A1 EP0053563 A1 EP 0053563A1 EP 81420169 A EP81420169 A EP 81420169A EP 81420169 A EP81420169 A EP 81420169A EP 0053563 A1 EP0053563 A1 EP 0053563A1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- cells
- conveyor
- capsules
- cell
- corridor
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
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- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 7
- 239000002775 capsule Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 100
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 29
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims description 33
- 238000002788 crimping Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 210000004027 cell Anatomy 0.000 description 94
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 description 8
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 7
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- 238000012432 intermediate storage Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005187 foaming Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000033001 locomotion Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 210000004460 N cell Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 235000013405 beer Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000014171 carbonated beverage Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007799 cork Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009826 distribution Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007943 implant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000002372 labelling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000011837 pasties Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000003456 pulmonary alveoli Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 239000002994 raw material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000630 rising effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000011664 signaling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003068 static effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001052 transient effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67B—APPLYING CLOSURE MEMBERS TO BOTTLES JARS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; OPENING CLOSED CONTAINERS
- B67B3/00—Closing bottles, jars or similar containers by applying caps
- B67B3/02—Closing bottles, jars or similar containers by applying caps by applying flanged caps, e.g. crown caps, and securing by deformation of flanges
- B67B3/06—Feeding caps to capping heads
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67B—APPLYING CLOSURE MEMBERS TO BOTTLES JARS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; OPENING CLOSED CONTAINERS
- B67B3/00—Closing bottles, jars or similar containers by applying caps
- B67B3/02—Closing bottles, jars or similar containers by applying caps by applying flanged caps, e.g. crown caps, and securing by deformation of flanges
- B67B3/04—Cutting caps from strip material in capping machines
Definitions
- the invention relates to an installation for supplying fragile capsules to a capping machine operating at high speed by means of several manufacturing cells delivering capping members to a common conveyor.
- the capsule manufacturing cells are machines with precise and delicate mechanical parts. They cannot be installed in the immediate vicinity of the capping machine the stopping or starting of which may result in the breaking of containers containing aggressive or foaming products. Bottlers request that, near the capping machine, space be left free for the carousel for bringing in and taking out containers, to allow cleaning often with plenty of water from these machines. It is therefore practically impossible to set up, in the immediate vicinity of the capping machine, a capsule manufacturing cell and, a fortiori, two or more cells.
- the solution to this complex problem is to put several capsule manufacturing cells in parallel, the number (N) of these cells being that necessary to meet the requested blocking rate (C). More precisely, we put in parallel N + 1 cells, each of capacity CN capsules / hour.
- the additional cell of rank N + 1 is a reserve cell. For greater flexibility and to avoid suddenly when a cell stops in operation, the reserve cell is standardized. In normal operation, the N + 1 cells operate continuously at a reduced rate, each providing CN + 1 capsules / hour.
- a cell can stop, the N cells in activity accelerate their production at the theoretical rate of CN each.
- main corridor constitutes an intermediate storage of capsules blocked in a row.
- This storage has a minimal capacity, but sufficient however to control the operation of the conveyor and, consequently, of the cells downstream, it makes it possible to adjust at any time the manufacture of capsules according to demand.
- the conveyor is fed from each cell by gravity via an individual inclined corridor also constituting minimal intermediate storage.
- Each individual corridor is equipped with two detectors defining two levels, an upper or "maximum” level and a lower or “minimum” level. If each cell provides a number of capsules + ⁇ greater than the number required, the corridor fills up. When the level of the capsules reaches the "maximum” detector, the latter stops the cell, or better, makes it operate at a slower speed. The hallway empties. The level of the capsules reaches the "mini” level. The second detector again controls the operation of the cell at its nominal flow + ⁇ .
- the level of capsules waiting in each individual lane must be able, in this case also, to oscillate between the levels of the minimum and maximum detectors.
- the corresponding cell is operated at its maximum flow + ⁇ .
- the cell To empty the corridor N to the minimum level, the cell must operate at a speed lower than the necessary flow C, i.e. a flow C - ⁇ 'Thus each cell is adjusted to operate at two flows + ⁇ N and C 'Whether with N or N + 1 cells in operation, cell production responds to demand, the level of the individual lanes constantly varies between the minimum and maximum levels.
- the conveyor is a cell conveyor, each cell of which has dimensions corresponding to those of a capsule, this in order to preserve the orientation of the capsules originating from the cells via the corridors.
- the conveyor is supplied by the N + 1 individual lanes arranged successively along its route. All the alveoli of the conveyor must be supplied with capsules, without two capsules being able to enter the same alveolus and risk being trapped and deforming therein. This is the reason for the selectors located at the end of each individual corridor. Each distributes the capsules of its lane one by one in the successive cells by circular permutation. Each selector feeds the cells in a step (N + I) leaving the N intermediate cells available to be supplied from the N other individual lanes.
- the main corridor is equipped with two detectors defining minimum and maximum levels. These detectors control a slow speed and a fast speed respectively.
- Fast speed is set for cell flow + ⁇ 1 , the slow speed for C - ⁇ ' 1 with ⁇ > and ⁇ '>
- the slow speed of the conveyor controlled by the upper detector gives a flow of capsules C - e ' 1 lowers the level slowly in the main corridor.
- the rapid speed of the conveyor C + ⁇ 1 allows the level of capsules to rise when the minimum level is reached in the main corridor located downstream.
- all the inclined corridors both the main corridor and the individual corridors, are fitted with two additional detectors.
- a high detector above the maximum detector a low detector below the minimum detector.
- the high detector detects an anomaly downstream and stops the conveyor.
- the low detector detects an anomaly upstream. It sets off an alarm and stops the capping machine.
- the high detector stops the corresponding cell
- the low detector restarts the cell if it is stopped, or stops it by signaling an anomaly if it is operating.
- the integrated packaging chains are not suddenly put into operation at their maximum capacity, but gradually, or, more often, in stages.
- the nominal blocking rate gradually varies from a minimum C m to a maximum C M.
- the motors of the various machines, including those of the conveyor cells, are powered by speed motors is variable.
- the entire installation operates according to a program based on the instantaneous nominal rate C .. i
- the installation shown corresponds to the case where the number (N + 1) of cells installed is 5. This installation can operate with only four cells in service. Each element of the installation is defined by a numerical reference. Identical elements such as the five cells are differentiated by alphabetical indices.
- FIG. 1 there are five cells (1a - lb - 1c - 1d - 1e) for making capsules schematized here by simple parallelepipeds. These five cells (1a-1b-1c-1d-1e) can feed by gravity, via five individual inclined corridors (2a-2b-2c-2d-2e) a single conveyor (3) which combines the production of five cells.
- the cells 1a-1c-1d-1e are in the operating position P 1 .
- Cell Ib is set back, in position for maintenance P 2 .
- a dotted position P 3 is indicated for reloading.
- the conveyor is formed of an endless chain of wagons each comprising a vertical cylindrical cell (4) without bottom which opens at the upper and lower part.
- the horizontal section of these plastic cells closely corresponds to the cross section of a capsule (5), as shown in Figure 5, so that the tab capsules inserted vertically are forced to keep the orientation they had in the individual corridors (2a-2b-2c-2d-2e).
- the conveyor (3) shown in Figures 1, 2 or 3 is straight horizontal. It rests on a table (6) on which slide the capsules (5) driven in their vertical cells (4). But the conveyor (3) may as well have curves, rising or falling portions, which gives maximum flexibility to the installation. Instead of sitting on a table (6), it can also be accompanied by a simple lower slide which supports the capsules in the alveoli.
- the conveyor (3) feeds the capping machine via an inclined main corridor (8) and a distributor disc (9) as specified below.
- the capping machine (7) comprises several crimping heads (10) which make it possible to cork at the rate of 60,000 operations per hour for the bottles (11) brought by a carousel (12).
- the five cells (1a-1b-1c-1d-1e) are each suspended on two slides (13a-14a, 13b-14b, 13c-14c, 13d-14d, 13e-14e) arranged at the top of a frame defining the volume of the capsule manufacturing unit offset in height relative to each other. These slides make it easy to move the five cells (1a-1b-1e-1d-1e) transversely in front of or behind the conveyor (3) for reloading of raw material (aluminum strip or plastic seal) or for maintenance.
- the three positions (P 1 -P 2 -P 3 ) are shown in Figure 3. Suspending the cells from elevated slides makes them particularly easy to access while protecting them from most liquid splashes.
- each cell is associated with a hopper (15a-15b-15c-15d-15e) and with a mechanism for supplying seals produced according to a known technique.
- the cells are in fact placed on the slides by means of pads (16). They little They can therefore be easily lifted by a hoist or forklift, and very easily replaced.
- the movement of each cell in the three positions P 1 -P 2 -P 3 is controlled by an easily disconnectable cylinder.
- FIG. 3 there is a strip of aluminum wound on a reel (17).
- the skeleton (18) of this strip after cutting blanks corresponding to the dimensions of the capsules (5) is driven by a wheel (19) to be recovered.
- the cut capsules, forced and provided with their seal by the mechanisms (20a-20b-20c-20d-20e) of each cell are immediately distributed in the corresponding individual corridor (2a-2b-2c-2d-2e). They are in vertical position with their tabs at the rear, that is to say, here, at the top, as shown in FIG. 4 in the main corridor (8).
- Each individual corridor (2a-2b-2c-2d-2e) is split into two rigid elements, an upper element secured to the corresponding cell, a lower element secured to the conveyor table (3). These two elements are connected by a snap-on device (21a-21b-21c-21d-21e) which precisely fixes, when in service, the position of each cell with respect to the conveyor (3). Only, the latching (21) of the corridor (2a) is indicated in Figure 3, but the same device is used on the five individual corridors.
- Each individual lane (2a-23-2c-2d-2e) is provided with four detectors respectively (22a-23a-24a-25a, 22b-23b-24b-25b, 22c-23c-24c-25c, 22d-23d-24d -25d, 22e-23e-24e-25e) distributed successively along its length and a distribution selector (26a-26b-26c-26d-26e) at its end, that is to say at its connection with the conveyor (3) as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 3.
- These selectors are in the form of a star wheel whose branches are spaced apart by a capsule diameter. They control the exit of the capsules in synchronization with the passage of the alveoli (4) of the transporter.
- the cells (4) are filled by circular permutation, the selectors assigning each of the successive cells to one of the five lanes ((2a-2b-2c-2d-2e). If one selector stops, one in five cells will not be filled.
- the main corridor (8) is also provided with 4 detectors (27-28-29- 30). It opens inside the crown, divided into compartments, of a distributor disc (9) as shown in FIG. 4.
- This disc has an axis of rotation parallel to that of the capping machine (7). It rotates with a circumferential speed substantially half that of the heads (10).
- the disc compartments are arranged to each face a head (10) when the installation is in operation and the disc and the heads are in rapid rotation.
- the capsules (5) first pass by gravity from the corridor (8) into the compartments where they are retained by a peripheral belt. They are then projected one by one by centrifugal force through a lumen from the compartments in each of the heads (10).
- a compressed air nozzle (31) facilitates the passage of the capsules (5) in the heads (10).
- the relatively low speed of rotation of the disc (9) allows loading without difficulty of the compartments from the corridor (8) static. This same speed of rotation of the disc (9) then allows the loading of the heads (10) without too much variation in speed.
- This disc (9) also prevents wastage of capsules (5).
- an unused capsule (5) remains from a previous passage in a head (10), it drives back the one which occurs in a disc compartment (9) which in turn drives back the one which will appear at the bottom of the corridor ( 8).
- Each of the lanes (2a-2b-2c-2d-2e-8) has a cross section closely corresponding to that of the capsules (5). It is the same for the cross section of the cells (4) of the conveyor, as well as the disc compartments (9). Thus, the orientation initially given to the capsules at the exit of the cells (la-lb-Ic-ld-le) is preserved up to the heads (10).
- Each corridor thus constitutes a small intermediate storage loaded on the downstream device, i.e. the conveyor (3) for the individual corridors (2a-2b-2c-2d-2e) or the distributor disc (9) for the main corridor (8).
- the vertical corridors allow a safe and regular feeding of the capping machine, this with a very simple servo system, and while maintaining the orientation of the capsules as they exit the manufacturing cells.
- the detector (30) immediately stops the capping machine (7) and the carousel (12) for supplying bottles (11).
- the detector (27) If the level of the capsules (5) rises above the upper detector (27) there is engorgement in capsules due to an incident on the capping machine (7) or to the supply of bottles (II). The detector (27) immediately stops the conveyor (3), and consequently, the cells (1a-1b-1c-Id-le) downstream.
- the detectors (28) and (29) define “maximum” and “minimum” levels in the corridor (8).
- the presence of a capsule at the maximum level (28) causes the conveyor (3) to slow down to its slow speed.
- the absence of a capsule at minimum level (29) causes the conveyor (3) to accelerate at its rapid speed.
- the capping rate (C) of the machine (7) is 60,000 bottles per hour.
- the fast speed of the conveyor (3) corresponds to a maximum flow of cells C + ⁇ 1, i.e. 75,500 cells / hour, its slow speed C - ⁇ ' 1 to 59,500 cells / hour.
- the main corridor feeds the main corridor at rates of 4/5 59,500 or 4/5 75,500 capsules / hour , or respectively 47,600 or 60,400 capsules / hour depending on whether it operates at low or high speed. Since the consumption of capsules is 60,000 capsules / hour, the level in the main corridor can vary between the minimum and the maximum (29-28).
- the conveyor feeds the main corridor (8) at the rate of 59,500 or 75,500 capsules / hour.
- the level of capsules in the main corridor can still oscillate between the mini (29) and the maxi (28).
- the two production rates for each cell (1a-1b-1c-1d-1e) are + ⁇ and - There are 15,200 and 11,800 here.
- the production varies between 76,000 and 59,000 capsules / hour.
- the production capacities frame the possibilities of racking by the conveyor (3) at the bottom of the individual lanes.
- the level of capsules in each of the individual lanes (2a-2b-2c-2d-2e) varies between the mini (24a-24b-24c-24d-24e) and the maxi (23a-23b-23c-23d-23e) with always a few capsules waiting between the selector (26a-26b-26c-26d-26e) and the corresponding minimum level (25a-25b-25c-25d-25e).
- the motors of the entire capsule manufacturing facility are variable speed motors. Their speed varies according to the nominal rate C.
- the small reserve of capsules, which exists in the main corridor (8) between the distributor disc (9) and the lower detector (30) which controls the general stop as well as the few capsules which are stored in the disc (9) and the heads (10) are very useful in allowing the installation shutdown to be somewhat damped.
- the small reserve of capsules between each of the individual selectors (26a-26b-26c-26d-26e) and the lower detector (25a-25b-25c-25d-25e) of each individual lane (2a-2b-2c-2d-2e ) is also highly appreciated by the responsible for the bottling plant.
- the wagons are assembled by cardan hooks which allow the conveyor to follow an uneven path, to move away the mechanical part where the five cells are gathered (1a-1b -1c-1d-1e) of the bottling and capping area of the bottles (11).
- the cells (4) of the wagons are vertical cells without bottom. They are only blocked at the bottom by the table (6) of the conveyor (3). They therefore easily receive, by simple gravity, the capsules (5) coming from the individual lanes (2a-2b-2c-2d-2e). An orifice (32) of suitable section above the passage (8) is sufficient for the filled cells (4) to discharge into this passage, by gravity.
Abstract
L'invention concerne un procédé et une installation d'alimentation en capsules fragiles d'une machine de bouchage fonctionnant à cadence élevée. Des capsules fragiles ne peuvent être stockées en vrac ni manipulées brutalement sans être détérioriées. Ces capsules sont fabriquées sur place dans plusieurs cellules (1) fonctionnant en parallèle puis alimentées à la machine de bouchage (7) par un convoyeur unique qui conserve leur orientation. Des détecteurs disposés sur des couloirs inclinés (2-8) intermédiaires commandent le débit des cellules et du convoyeur pour assurer à tout instant l'alimentation de la machine (7) même lorsqu'une cellule est arrêtée pour entretien. Cette invention trouvera sa principale application dans le bouchage de bouteilles par des capsules fragiles à languette de préhension.The invention relates to a method and an installation for supplying fragile capsules to a capping machine operating at high speed. Fragile capsules cannot be stored in bulk or handled roughly without being damaged. These capsules are produced on site in several cells (1) operating in parallel and then supplied to the capping machine (7) by a single conveyor which retains their orientation. Detectors arranged on intermediate inclined corridors (2-8) control the flow of the cells and of the conveyor to ensure at all times the supply of the machine (7) even when a cell is stopped for maintenance. This invention will find its main application in the corking of bottles with fragile capsules with a gripping tab.
Description
L'invention est relative à une installation d'alimentation en capsules fragiles d'une machine de bouchage fonctionnant à cadence élevée au moyen de plusieurs cellules de fabrication délivrant des organes de bouchage à un convoyeur commun.The invention relates to an installation for supplying fragile capsules to a capping machine operating at high speed by means of several manufacturing cells delivering capping members to a common conveyor.
L'alimentation d'une machine de bouchage fonctionnant à cadence élevée, c'est-à-dire assurant de l'ordre de 60.000 bouchages/heure, pose de nombreux problèmes.The feeding of a capping machine operating at a high rate, that is to say ensuring the order of 60,000 plugs / hour, poses many problems.
Ces machines sont elles-mêmes intégrées dans des chaînes de conditionnement qui comportent des installations d'amenées de récipients et de remplissage à l'amont, d'étiquetage et d'emballage à l'aval. Un arrêt, même de courte durée de telles chaînes complexes, représente une perte de production importante. Ces chaînes fonctionnant a cadences élevées mettent en mouvement des flux de produits, de récipients, ou de capsules considérables de sorte que des stockages intermédiaires correspondant à des arrêts même: de courte durée représentent des volumes et des investissements importants. Les récipients le plus souvent élancés et déplacés à grande vitesse ne peuvent être arrêtés instantanément sans risquer de se renverser, entraîner a la fois une perte de produit et une perturbation considérable tout au long du circuit de conditionnement. Ceci est encore plus grave si les récipients sont fragiles, comme les bouteilles en verre allégé. Pour certaines boissons gazeuses, un arrêt trop brutal entraîne un débordement du contenu sous forme de mousse. Pour la bière, on pratique même le "bouchage sur mousse" où la formation de mousse est amorcée volontairement. Le bouchage doit se faire au moment précis où la mousse atteint le niveau supérieur du goulot. Enfin, la remise en route de chaînes complexes de conditionnement est une opération délicate et longue. Il importe que tous les éléments de la chaîne de conditionnement, depuis l'alimentation en produit, en récipients ou en capsules jusqu'à l'emballage, fonctionnent de façon absolument sûre sans à coup ni interruption.These machines are themselves integrated into packaging lines which include facilities for supplying containers and filling upstream, labeling and packaging downstream. Even a short shutdown of such complex chains represents a significant loss of production. These chains operating at high rates set in motion considerable product, container or capsule flows so that intermediate storage corresponding to even short-term stops represents significant volumes and investments. The containers, most often slender and moved at high speed, cannot be stopped instantly without risking overturning, causing both loss of product and considerable disturbance throughout the packaging circuit. This is even more serious if the containers are fragile, such as light glass bottles. For certain carbonated drinks, a too abrupt stop results in an overflow of the foam content. For beer, we even practice "foam capping" where foaming is initiated voluntarily. The capping must be done at the precise moment when the foam reaches the upper level of the neck. Finally, restarting complex packaging chains is a delicate and time-consuming operation. It is important that all the elements of the packaging chain, from the supply of product, containers or capsules to the packaging, function absolutely safely without sudden or interruption.
Si, pour des raisons économiques et écologiques, on veut utiliser des capsules fragiles, en particulier des capsules en aluminium mince comportant des languettes de préhension faisant saillie comme celles décrites dans le brevet français 2.375.136 ou son addition FR.2 445 295, le problème de l'alimentation en capsules devient particulièrement difficile. On doit proscrire tout transport et stockage en vrac dans des cartons ou trémies ainsi que tout dispositif d'orientation de telles capsules. Elles se déforment facilement et occasionneraient trop fré- quemment des bourrages et arrêts dans la chaîne de conditionnement.If, for economic and ecological reasons, we want to use fragile capsules, in particular thin aluminum capsules having protruding gripping tabs like those Criteria in French Patent 2,375,136 or its addition FR 2,445,295, the problem of feeding capsules becomes particularly difficult. Any transport and storage in bulk in cartons or hoppers as well as any device for orienting such capsules should be prohibited. They deform easily and would cause jams and stops in the packaging chain too frequently.
Pour utiliser des capsules fragiles, surtout si elles sont dissymétriques, il s'est avéré que la seule solution était de les fabriquer sur place dans une unité de production intégrée à la chaîne d'embouteillage ou à proximité immédiate, et de les amener directement à la machine de bouchage en conservant leur orientation initiale à la sortie de fabrication.To use fragile capsules, especially if they are asymmetrical, it turned out that the only solution was to manufacture them on site in a production unit integrated into the bottling line or in the immediate vicinity, and to bring them directly to the capping machine while retaining their initial orientation at the end of manufacturing.
Cette solution est, d'ailleurs, doublement économique. Si elle permet d'utiliser des capsules minces, elle réduit également les frais de transport et de stockage. Il suffit d'approvisionner l'unité de fabrication en bandes d'aluminium enroulées en bobines compactes au lieu de capsules préformées, donc volumineuses et fragiles.This solution is, moreover, doubly economical. If it allows the use of thin capsules, it also reduces transport and storage costs. It suffices to supply the manufacturing unit with aluminum strips wound in compact coils instead of preformed capsules, therefore bulky and fragile.
En utilisant des machines à plusieurs têtes de sertissage qui défilent successivement au poste de bouchage, on arrive à atteindre des cadences de bouchage supérieures à 60 000 opérations à l'heure. A ces cadences, on doit, plus que jamais, éviter tout arrêt. Or, la fabrication de capsules comporte plusieurs opérations successives : découpage d'un flan dans une bande, emboutissage, mise en place d'un joint. Il s'avère que l'on ne peut réaliser actuellement une cellule de fabrication compacte délivrant des capsules à des cadences suffisantes, ceci avec une entière fiabilité.By using machines with several crimping heads which pass successively at the capping station, we can achieve capping rates higher than 60,000 operations per hour. At these rates, we must, more than ever, avoid stopping. However, the manufacture of capsules comprises several successive operations: cutting a blank in a strip, stamping, fitting a seal. It turns out that one cannot currently produce a compact manufacturing cell delivering capsules at sufficient rates, this with complete reliability.
Il s'avère que la solution au problème posé est de constituer l'unité de production de plusieurs cellules de fabrication travaillant à des cadences plus raisonnables, mais dont les capacités s'additionnent.It turns out that the solution to the problem posed is to set up the production unit of several manufacturing cells working at more reasonable rates, but whose capacities add up.
Par ailleurs, les cellules de fabrication de capsules sont des machines comportant des pièces mécaniques précises et délicates. Elles ne peuvent être installées à proximité immédiate de la machine de bouchage dont l'arrêt ou la mise en route peut entraîner le bris de récipients contenant des produits agressifs ou moussants. Les embouteilleurs demandent que, à proximité de la machine de bouchage, de la place soit laissée libre pour le carrousel d'amenée et de sortie des récipients, pour permettre un nettoyage souvent à grande eau de ces machines. Il est donc pratiquement impossible d'implanter, à proximité immédiate de la machine de bouchage, une cellule de fabrication de capsules et, a fortiori, deux ou plusieurs cellules.In addition, the capsule manufacturing cells are machines with precise and delicate mechanical parts. They cannot be installed in the immediate vicinity of the capping machine the stopping or starting of which may result in the breaking of containers containing aggressive or foaming products. Bottlers request that, near the capping machine, space be left free for the carousel for bringing in and taking out containers, to allow cleaning often with plenty of water from these machines. It is therefore practically impossible to set up, in the immediate vicinity of the capping machine, a capsule manufacturing cell and, a fortiori, two or more cells.
Ainsi, la solution à ce problème complexe est de mettre en parallèle plusieurs cellules de fabrication de capsules, le nombre (N) de ces cellules étant celui nécessaire pour répondre à la cadence de bouchage demandée (C). Plus exactement, on met en parallèle N + 1 cellules, chacune de capacité CN capsules/heure. La cellule supplémentaire de rang N + 1 est une cellule de réserve. Pour une plus grande souplesse et pour éviter tout à-coup en cas d'arrêt d'une cellule en fonctionnement, la cellule de réserve est banalisée. En marche normale, les N + 1 cellules fonctionnent en permanence à cadence réduite en fournissant chacune CN+1 capsules/heure. Thus, the solution to this complex problem is to put several capsule manufacturing cells in parallel, the number (N) of these cells being that necessary to meet the requested blocking rate (C). More precisely, we put in parallel N + 1 cells, each of capacity CN capsules / hour. The additional cell of rank N + 1 is a reserve cell. For greater flexibility and to avoid suddenly when a cell stops in operation, the reserve cell is standardized. In normal operation, the N + 1 cells operate continuously at a reduced rate, each providing CN + 1 capsules / hour.
A tout instant, une cellule peut s'arrêter, les N cellules en activité accélèrent leur production à la cadence théorique de CN chacune.At any time, a cell can stop, the N cells in activity accelerate their production at the theoretical rate of CN each.
La production de toutes les cellules fonctionnant en parallèle est regroupée sur un convoyeur unique qui alimente seul la machine de bouchage tout en maintenant l'orientation des capsules. Ce convoyeur, en plus de sa fonction de regroupement des capsules, permet d'éloigner les cellules de la machine de bouchage, ou même de les implanter dans une enceinte isolée, à l'abri de toute projection de liquide.The production of all cells operating in parallel is grouped together on a single conveyor which alone feeds the capping machine while maintaining the orientation of the capsules. This conveyor, in addition to its function of grouping the capsules, makes it possible to move the cells away from the capping machine, or even to implant them in an isolated enclosure, protected from any projection of liquid.
Pour augmenter encore la sécurité et la régularité de l'alimentation en capsules de la machine de bouchage, celle-ci est alimentée par gravité à partir d'un couloir incliné interposé entre la machine et le convoyeur. Ce couloir appelé ci-après "couloir principal" constitue un stockage intermédiaire de capsules bloquées en file. Ce stockage a une capacité minime, mais suffisante cependant pour commander le fonctionnement du conVoyeur et, par suite, des cellules à l'aval, il permet d'ajuster à tout instant la fabrication de capsules selon la demande.To further increase the security and regularity of the capsule supply to the capping machine, it is fed by gravity from an inclined passage interposed between the machine and the conveyor. This corridor called hereinafter "main corridor" constitutes an intermediate storage of capsules blocked in a row. This storage has a minimal capacity, but sufficient however to control the operation of the conveyor and, consequently, of the cells downstream, it makes it possible to adjust at any time the manufacture of capsules according to demand.
De même, le convoyeur est alimenté à partir de chaque cellule par gravité par l'intermédiaire d'un couloir incliné individuel constituant également un minime stockage intermédiaire.Likewise, the conveyor is fed from each cell by gravity via an individual inclined corridor also constituting minimal intermediate storage.
Ces couloirs inclinés ont une section correspondant à celle des capsules et conservent ainsi leur orientation. Ils ont, de plus, l'avantage que si l'on veut une installation compacte avec un convoyeur horizontal, celui-ci se trouve surélevé au-dessus de la machine de bouchage et les cellules au-dessus du convoyeur. Ainsi, le convoyeur et, a fortiori, les cellules sont à l'abri dé toute projection de produits liquides ou pâteux provenant du poste d'embouteillage.These inclined corridors have a section corresponding to that of the capsules and thus retain their orientation. They also have the advantage that if you want a compact installation with a horizontal conveyor, it is raised above the capping machine and the cells above the conveyor. Thus, the conveyor and, a fortiori, the cells are protected from any projection of liquid or pasty products coming from the bottling station.
Lorsqu'une cellule est arrêtée et les N cellules restantes fonctionnent simultanément, elles sont, en pratique, réglées pour fournir chacune un nombre de capsules un peu supérieur à la quantité nécessaire
Chaque couloir individuel est muni de deux détecteurs définissant deux niveaux, un niveau supérieur ou "maxi" et un niveau inférieur ou "mini". Si chacune des cellules fournit un nombre de capsules
Lorsque toutes les cellules soit (N + 1) sont en service, le niveau des capsules en attente dans chaque couloir individuel doit pouvoir, dans ce cas également, osciller entre les niveaux des détecteurs mini et maxi. Pour remplir chaque couloir jusqu'au niveau maxi, on fait fonctionner la cellule correspondante à son débit maximal
Lorsque la totalité des cellules, soit N + 1, sont en service, le convoyeur est alimenté par les N + 1 couloirs individuels disposés successivement le long de son parcours. Toutes les alvéoles du convoyeur doivent être alimentées en capsules, sans que deux capsules ne puissent pénétrer dans la même alvéole et risquer de s'y coincer et déformer. C'est la raison d'être des sélecteurs disposés à la sortie de chaque couloir individuel. Chacun distribue une à une les capsules de son couloir dans les alvéoles successives par permutation circulaire. Chaque sélecteur alimente les alvéoles selon un pas (N + I) laisant les N alvéoles intermédiaires disponibles pour être alimentées à partir des N autres couloirs individuels.When all the cells, ie N + 1, are in service, the conveyor is supplied by the N + 1 individual lanes arranged successively along its route. All the alveoli of the conveyor must be supplied with capsules, without two capsules being able to enter the same alveolus and risk being trapped and deforming therein. This is the reason for the selectors located at the end of each individual corridor. Each distributes the capsules of its lane one by one in the successive cells by circular permutation. Each selector feeds the cells in a step (N + I) leaving the N intermediate cells available to be supplied from the N other individual lanes.
Ainsi, lorsque les N + 1 cellules fonctionnent simultanément, toutes les alvéoles du convoyeur sont alimentées à leur tour à partir des N + 1 couloirs faisant suite aux N + 1 cellules. Lorsqu'une cellule s'est arrêtée pour une raison quelconque, le couloir correspondant se viderait rapidement si le sélecteur de sortie n'arrêtait immédiatement la distribution de capsules dans les alvéoles. Le sélecteur maintient en permanence quelques capsules en charge dans le couloir et évite des phénomènes transitoires lors de la remise en service de la cellule. Par suite une alvéole se trouve chaque fois vide à la suite de N alvéoles pleines. Le convoyeur doit cependant alimenter dans tous les cas la machine de bouchage à la cadence moyenne de C capsules/heure. Pour cela, on fait varier la vitesse du convoyeur en fonction du niveau de capsules dans le couloir principal, de la même façon que le débit de chaque cellule en fonction du niveau de son couloir individuel.Thus, when the N + 1 cells operate simultaneously, all the alveoli of the conveyor are in turn supplied from the N + 1 lanes following the N + 1 cells. When a cell has stopped for any reason, the corresponding lane would empty quickly if the exit selector did not immediately stop dispensing capsules in the alveoli. The selector permanently keeps a few capsules loaded in the corridor and avoids transient phenomena when the cell is put back into service. As a result, a cell is empty each time following N full cells. The conveyor must, however, supply the capping machine in all cases at an average rate of C capsules / hour. For this, the speed of the conveyor is varied as a function of the level of capsules in the main corridor, in the same way as the flow rate of each cell as a function of the level of its individual corridor.
De même que les couloirs individuels, le couloir principal est muni de deux détecteurs définissant des niveaux mini et maxi. Ces détecteurs commandent respectivement une vitesse lente et une vitesse rapide. La vitesse rapide est réglée pour un débit d'alvéoles
Ainsi, lorsque toutes les N+l cellules fonctionnent et toutes les alvéoles sont chargées, la vitesse lénte du convoyeur commandée par le détecteur supérieur, donne un débit de capsules C - e'1 fait descendre lentement le niveau dans le couloir principal. Inversement, lorsque l'une des N+1 cellules est arrêtée et qu'une alvéole sur chaque série de N+1 n'est pas remplie, la vitesse rapide du convoyeur C
Enfin, tous les couloirs inclinés, aussi bien le couloir principal que les couloirs individuels, sont munis de deux détecteurs supplémentaires. Un détecteur haut au-dessus du détecteur maxi, un détecteur bas au-dessous du détecteur mini. Pour le couloir principal, le détecteur haut décèle une anomalie à l'aval et arrête le convoyeur. Le détecteur bas décèle une anomalie à l'amont. Il met en route une alarme et arrête la machine de bouchage.Finally, all the inclined corridors, both the main corridor and the individual corridors, are fitted with two additional detectors. A high detector above the maximum detector, a low detector below the minimum detector. For the main corridor, the high detector detects an anomaly downstream and stops the conveyor. The low detector detects an anomaly upstream. It sets off an alarm and stops the capping machine.
Pour chaque couloir individuel, le détecteur haut arrête la cellule correspondante,le détecteur bas remet la cellule en route si elle est arrêtée, ou l'arrête en signalant une anomalie si elle fonctionne.For each individual lane, the high detector stops the corresponding cell, the low detector restarts the cell if it is stopped, or stops it by signaling an anomaly if it is operating.
On voit qu'en cas d'incident à l'amont ou à l'aval, l'ensemble de l'installation s'arrête en cascade sans qu'il soit nécessaire de prévoir d'autre asservissement.It can be seen that in the event of an upstream or downstream incident, the entire installation stops in a cascade without the need for any other servo-control.
En pratique, étant donné la complexité de l'installation, l'inertie du matériel et des récipients à mettre en mouvement, les chaînes de conditionnement intégrées ne sont pas mises brutalement en fonctionnement à leur capacité maximale, mais progressivement, ou, plus souvent, par paliers. Ainsi, la cadence nominale de bouchage varie progressivement d'un minimum Cm à un maximum CM. Les moteurs des diverses machines, y compris ceux des cellules du convoyeur, sont actionnés par des moteurs à vitesse variable. L'ensemble de l'installation fonctionne selon un programme fonction de la cadence nominale instantanée C.. iIn practice, given the complexity of the installation, the inertia of the equipment and the containers to be moved, the integrated packaging chains are not suddenly put into operation at their maximum capacity, but gradually, or, more often, in stages. Thus, the nominal blocking rate gradually varies from a minimum C m to a maximum C M. The motors of the various machines, including those of the conveyor cells, are powered by speed motors is variable. The entire installation operates according to a program based on the instantaneous nominal rate C .. i
L'invention sera mieux comprise par la description ci-après d'un exemple concret illustré par les figures jointes.
- La figure 1 représenté en vue cavalière une installation de fabrication de capsules, un convoyeur et une machine de bouchage.
- La figure 2 représente schématiquement une vue en plan de la même installation.
- La figure 3 représente schématiquement en élévation, la même installation.
- La figure 4 représente en coupe verticale le convoyeur et son raccordement par un couloir incliné à la machine de bouchage.
- La figure 5 représente en vue en plan l'un des wagonnets du convoyeur.
- Figure 1 shown in a side view of a capsule manufacturing installation, a conveyor and a capping machine.
- FIG. 2 schematically represents a plan view of the same installation.
- Figure 3 shows schematically in elevation, the same installation.
- Figure 4 shows in vertical section the conveyor and its connection by an inclined corridor to the capping machine.
- Figure 5 shows in plan view one of the conveyor wagons.
L'installation représentée correspond au cas où le nombre (N + 1) de cellules installées est de 5. Cette installation peut fonctionner avec quatre cellules en service seulement. Chaque élément de l'installation est défini par un repère numérique. Les éléments identiques tels que les cinq cellules sont différenciés par des indices alphabétiques.The installation shown corresponds to the case where the number (N + 1) of cells installed is 5. This installation can operate with only four cells in service. Each element of the installation is defined by a numerical reference. Identical elements such as the five cells are differentiated by alphabetical indices.
En figure 1, on distingue cinq cellules (1a - lb - 1c - 1d - 1e) de fabrication de capsules schématisées ici par de simples parallélépipèdes. Ces cinq cellules (1a-1b-1c-1d-1e) peuvent alimenter par gravité, par l'intermédiaire de cinq couloirs individuels inclinés (2a-2b-2c-2d-2e) un convoyeur unique (3) qui regroupe la production des cinq cellules.In FIG. 1, there are five cells (1a - lb - 1c - 1d - 1e) for making capsules schematized here by simple parallelepipeds. These five cells (1a-1b-1c-1d-1e) can feed by gravity, via five individual inclined corridors (2a-2b-2c-2d-2e) a single conveyor (3) which combines the production of five cells.
Dans les figures 1, 2, 3, les cellules 1a-1c-1d-1e sont en position de fonctionnement P1. La cellule Ib est en retrait, en position pour entretien P 2.In FIGS. 1, 2, 3, the
En figure 3, est indiquée en pointillés une position en avant P3 pour rechargement.In FIG. 3, a dotted position P 3 is indicated for reloading.
Le convoyeur est formé d'une chaîne sans fin de wagonnets comportant chacun une alvéole cylindrique verticale (4) sans fond qui débouche à la partie supérieure et inférieure. La section horizontale de ces alvéoles en matière plastique correspond étroitement à la section transversale d'une capsule (5), comme représenté en figure 5, en sorte que les capsules à languettes introduites verticalement sont contraintes de conserver l'orientation qu'elles avaient dans les couloirs individuels (2a-2b-2c-2d-2e). Le convoyeur (3) représenté en figures 1, 2 ou 3 est rectiligne horizontal. Il repose sur une table (6) sur laquelle glissent les capsules (5) entraînées dans leurs alvéoles verticales (4). Mais le convoyeur (3) peut aussi bien comporter des courbes, des portions montantes ou descendantes, ce qui donne une souplesse maximale à l'installation. Au lieu de reposer sur une table (6), il peut aussi bien être accompagné par une simple glissière inférieure qui soutient les capsules dans les alvéoles.The conveyor is formed of an endless chain of wagons each comprising a vertical cylindrical cell (4) without bottom which opens at the upper and lower part. The horizontal section of these plastic cells closely corresponds to the cross section of a capsule (5), as shown in Figure 5, so that the tab capsules inserted vertically are forced to keep the orientation they had in the individual corridors (2a-2b-2c-2d-2e). The conveyor (3) shown in Figures 1, 2 or 3 is straight horizontal. It rests on a table (6) on which slide the capsules (5) driven in their vertical cells (4). But the conveyor (3) may as well have curves, rising or falling portions, which gives maximum flexibility to the installation. Instead of sitting on a table (6), it can also be accompanied by a simple lower slide which supports the capsules in the alveoli.
Le convoyeur (3) alimente la machine de bouchage par l'intermédiaire d'un couloir principal incliné (8) et d'un disque distributeur (9) comme précisé plus loin. La machine de bouchage (7) comporte plusieurs têtes de sertissage (10) qui permettent de boucher à la cadence de 60 000 opérations à l'heure des bouteilles (11) amenées par un carrousel (12).The conveyor (3) feeds the capping machine via an inclined main corridor (8) and a distributor disc (9) as specified below. The capping machine (7) comprises several crimping heads (10) which make it possible to cork at the rate of 60,000 operations per hour for the bottles (11) brought by a carousel (12).
Les cinq cellules (1a-1b-1c-1d-1e) sont suspendues chacune sur deux glissières (13a-14a, 13b-14b, 13c-14c, 13d-14d, 13e-14e) disposées à la partie supérieure d'un bâti définissant le volume de l'unité de fabrication de capsules décalées en hauteur l'une par rapport à l'autre. Ces glissières permettent de déplacer facilement les cinq cellules (1a-1b-1e-1d-1e) transversalement en avant ou en arrière du convoyeur (3) pour rechargement en matière première (bande d'aluminium ou joint plastique) ou pour entretien. Les trois positions (P1-P2-P3) sont représentées sur la figure 3. La suspension des cellules à des glissières en élévation rend leur accès particulièrement facile tout en les protégeant de la plupart des projections de liquide.The five cells (1a-1b-1c-1d-1e) are each suspended on two slides (13a-14a, 13b-14b, 13c-14c, 13d-14d, 13e-14e) arranged at the top of a frame defining the volume of the capsule manufacturing unit offset in height relative to each other. These slides make it easy to move the five cells (1a-1b-1e-1d-1e) transversely in front of or behind the conveyor (3) for reloading of raw material (aluminum strip or plastic seal) or for maintenance. The three positions (P 1 -P 2 -P 3 ) are shown in Figure 3. Suspending the cells from elevated slides makes them particularly easy to access while protecting them from most liquid splashes.
Comme représenté en figure 3, chaque cellule est associée à une trémie (15a-15b-15c-15d-15e) et à un mécanisme d'alimentation en joints d'étanchéité réalisés selon une technique connue. Les cellules sont en fait posées sur les glissières par l'intermédiaire de patins (16). Elles peuvent ainsi être facilement soulevées par un palan ou chariot élévateur, et très facilement remplacées. Le déplacement de chaque cellule dans les trois positions P1-P2-P3 est commandé par un vérin facilement dé- branchable.As shown in FIG. 3, each cell is associated with a hopper (15a-15b-15c-15d-15e) and with a mechanism for supplying seals produced according to a known technique. The cells are in fact placed on the slides by means of pads (16). They little They can therefore be easily lifted by a hoist or forklift, and very easily replaced. The movement of each cell in the three positions P 1 -P 2 -P 3 is controlled by an easily disconnectable cylinder.
On distingue en figure 3, une bande d'aluminium enroulée en bobine (17). Le squelette (18) de cette bande après découpe de flans correspondant aux dimensions des capsules (5) est entraîné par une roue (19) pour être récupéré. Les capsules découpées, forcées et pourvues de leur joint par les mécanismes (20a-20b-20c-20d-20e) de chaque cellule sont immédiatement distribuées dans le couloir individuel correspondant (2a-2b-2c-2d-2e). Elles sont en position verticale avec leurs languettes à l'arrière, c'est-à-dire, ici, en haut, comme représenté en figure 4 dans le couloir principal (8).In FIG. 3, there is a strip of aluminum wound on a reel (17). The skeleton (18) of this strip after cutting blanks corresponding to the dimensions of the capsules (5) is driven by a wheel (19) to be recovered. The cut capsules, forced and provided with their seal by the mechanisms (20a-20b-20c-20d-20e) of each cell are immediately distributed in the corresponding individual corridor (2a-2b-2c-2d-2e). They are in vertical position with their tabs at the rear, that is to say, here, at the top, as shown in FIG. 4 in the main corridor (8).
Chaque couloir individuel (2a-2b-2c-2d-2e) est scindé en deux éléments rigides, un élément supérieur solidaire de la cellule correspondante, un élément inférieur solidaire de la table du convoyeur (3). Ces deux éléments se raccordent par un dispositif à encliquetage (21a-21b-21c-21d-21e) qui fixe, de façon précise, lorsqu'elle est en service, la position de chaque cellule par rapport au cpnvoyeur (3). Seul, l'encliquetage (21) du couloir (2a) est indiqué sur la figure 3, mais le même dispositif est utilisé sur les cinq couloirs individuels.Each individual corridor (2a-2b-2c-2d-2e) is split into two rigid elements, an upper element secured to the corresponding cell, a lower element secured to the conveyor table (3). These two elements are connected by a snap-on device (21a-21b-21c-21d-21e) which precisely fixes, when in service, the position of each cell with respect to the conveyor (3). Only, the latching (21) of the corridor (2a) is indicated in Figure 3, but the same device is used on the five individual corridors.
Chaque couloir individuel (2a-23-2c-2d-2e) est pourvu de quatre détecteurs respectivement (22a-23a-24a-25a, 22b-23b-24b-25b, 22c-23c-24c-25c, 22d-23d-24d-25d, 22e-23e-24e-25e) répartis successivement sur sa longueur et d'un sélecteur de distribution (26a-26b-26c-26d-26e) à son extrémité, c'est-à-dire à son raccordement avec le convoyeur (3) comme représenté schématiquement en figure 3. Ces sélecteurs sont en forme de roue en étoile dont les branches sont espacées d'um diamètre de capsule. Ils commandent la sortie des capsules en synchronisation avec le passage des alvéoles (4) du transporteur. Les alvéoles (4) sont remplies par permutation circulaire les sélecteurs affectant chacune des alvéoles successives à l'un des cinq couloirs- (2a-2b-2c-2d-2e). Si un sélecteur s'arrête, une alvéole sur cinq ne sera pas remplie.Each individual lane (2a-23-2c-2d-2e) is provided with four detectors respectively (22a-23a-24a-25a, 22b-23b-24b-25b, 22c-23c-24c-25c, 22d-23d-24d -25d, 22e-23e-24e-25e) distributed successively along its length and a distribution selector (26a-26b-26c-26d-26e) at its end, that is to say at its connection with the conveyor (3) as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 3. These selectors are in the form of a star wheel whose branches are spaced apart by a capsule diameter. They control the exit of the capsules in synchronization with the passage of the alveoli (4) of the transporter. The cells (4) are filled by circular permutation, the selectors assigning each of the successive cells to one of the five lanes ((2a-2b-2c-2d-2e). If one selector stops, one in five cells will not be filled.
Le couloir principal (8) est également pourvu de 4 détecteurs (27-28-29-30). Il débouche à l'intérieur de la couronne, divisée en compartiments, d'un disque distributeur (9) comme représenté en figure 4. Ce disque a un axe de rotation parallèle à celui de la machine de bouchage (7). Il tourne avec une vitesse circonférentielle sensiblement moitié de celle des têtes (10). Les compartiments du disque sont disposés pour se présenter chacun en vis-à-vis d'une tête (10) lorsque l'installation est en fonctionnement et que le disque comme les têtes sont en rotation rapide. Ainsi les capsules (5) passent d'abord par gravité du couloir (8) dans les compartiments où elles sont retenues par une ceinture périphérique. Elles sont ensuite projetées une à une par la force centrifuge à travers une lumière depuis les compartiments dans chacune des têtes (10). Si besoin est une buse d'air comprimé (31) facilite le passage des capsules (5) dans les têtes (10). La vitesse de rotation relativement faible du disque (9) permet un chargement sans difficulté des compartiments à partir du couloir (8) statique. Cette même vitesse de rotation du disque (9) permet ensuite le chargement des têtes (10) sans trop grande variation de vitesse. Ce disque (9) évite par ailleurs un gaspillage de capsules (5). Lorsqu'une capsule (5) non utilisée subsiste d'un passage précédent dans une tête (10), elle refoule celle qui se présente dans un compartiment du disque (9) qui à son tour refoule celle qui se présentera au bas du couloir (8).The main corridor (8) is also provided with 4 detectors (27-28-29- 30). It opens inside the crown, divided into compartments, of a distributor disc (9) as shown in FIG. 4. This disc has an axis of rotation parallel to that of the capping machine (7). It rotates with a circumferential speed substantially half that of the heads (10). The disc compartments are arranged to each face a head (10) when the installation is in operation and the disc and the heads are in rapid rotation. Thus the capsules (5) first pass by gravity from the corridor (8) into the compartments where they are retained by a peripheral belt. They are then projected one by one by centrifugal force through a lumen from the compartments in each of the heads (10). If necessary, a compressed air nozzle (31) facilitates the passage of the capsules (5) in the heads (10). The relatively low speed of rotation of the disc (9) allows loading without difficulty of the compartments from the corridor (8) static. This same speed of rotation of the disc (9) then allows the loading of the heads (10) without too much variation in speed. This disc (9) also prevents wastage of capsules (5). When an unused capsule (5) remains from a previous passage in a head (10), it drives back the one which occurs in a disc compartment (9) which in turn drives back the one which will appear at the bottom of the corridor ( 8).
Chacun des couloirs (2a-2b-2c-2d-2e-8) a une section transversale correspondant étroitement à celle des capsules (5). Il en est de même pour la section transversale des alvéoles (4) du convoyeur, ainsi que des compartiments du disque (9). Ainsi, l'orientation donnée initialement aux capsules à la sortie des cellules (la-lb-Ic-ld-le) est conservée jusqu'aux têtes (10).Each of the lanes (2a-2b-2c-2d-2e-8) has a cross section closely corresponding to that of the capsules (5). It is the same for the cross section of the cells (4) of the conveyor, as well as the disc compartments (9). Thus, the orientation initially given to the capsules at the exit of the cells (la-lb-Ic-ld-le) is preserved up to the heads (10).
En fonctionnement normal, une petite quantité de capsules (5) est bloquée en file dans chacun des couloirs respectifs (2a-2b-2c-2d-2e et 8) comme représenté en figure 4.In normal operation, a small quantity of capsules (5) is blocked in line in each of the respective lanes (2a-2b-2c-2d-2e and 8) as shown in Figure 4.
Si l'on utilise des capsules à deux languettes en V selon FR 2.445.295 la jupe de chaque capsule (5) s'engage entre les deux languettes en V de la précédente, les capsules ne pouvant ni se chevaucher ni se coincer mutuellement comme exposé dans le brevet FR 2 445 295.If capsules with two V-shaped tabs according to FR 2,445,295 are used, the skirt of each capsule (5) engages between the two V-shaped tabs of the previous one, the capsules being able neither to overlap nor to wedge mutually as disclosed in patent FR 2 445 295.
Chaque couloir constitue ainsi un petit stockage intermédiaire en charge sur le dispositif aval, c'est à-dire le convoyeur (3) pour les couloirs individuels (2a-2b-2c-2d-2e) ou le disque distributeur (9) pour le couloir principal (8).Each corridor thus constitutes a small intermediate storage loaded on the downstream device, i.e. the conveyor (3) for the individual corridors (2a-2b-2c-2d-2e) or the distributor disc (9) for the main corridor (8).
Lors d'un arrêt quelques capsules sont maintenues dans les couloirs par les sélecteurs ou le disque ce qui évite tout incident au redémarrage. Les couloirs verticaux permettent une alimentation sûre et régulière de la machine de bouchage, ceci avec un système d'asservissement très simple, et tout en conservant l'orientation des capsules à leur sortie des cellules de fabrication.When stopping, a few capsules are kept in the lanes by the selectors or the disc, which avoids any incident during restart. The vertical corridors allow a safe and regular feeding of the capping machine, this with a very simple servo system, and while maintaining the orientation of the capsules as they exit the manufacturing cells.
Dans le couloir principal (8), si le niveau des capsules (5) descend en dessous du détecteur inférieur (30) du couloir principal (8), il y a défaut d'alimentation en capsules. Le détecteur (30) arrête aussitôt la machine de bouchage (7) et le carrousel (12) d'alimentation en bouteilles (11).In the main corridor (8), if the level of the capsules (5) drops below the lower detector (30) of the main corridor (8), there is a lack of supply of capsules. The detector (30) immediately stops the capping machine (7) and the carousel (12) for supplying bottles (11).
Si le niveau des capsules (5) monte au-dessus du détecteur supérieur (27) il y a engorgement en capsules dû à un incident sur la machine de bouchage (7) ou à l'alimentation en bouteilles (II). Le détecteur (27) arrête aussitôt le convoyeur (3), et par suite, les cellules (1a-1b-1c-Id-le) à l'aval.If the level of the capsules (5) rises above the upper detector (27) there is engorgement in capsules due to an incident on the capping machine (7) or to the supply of bottles (II). The detector (27) immediately stops the conveyor (3), and consequently, the cells (1a-1b-1c-Id-le) downstream.
Entre ces deux niveaux extrêmes (27-30), les détecteurs (28) et (29) définissent des niveaux "maxi" et "mini" dans le couloir (8). La présence d'une capsule au niveau maxi (28) entraîne le ralentissement du convoyeur (3) à sa vitesse lente. L'absence de capsule au niveau mini (29) entraîne l'accélération du convoyeur (3) à sa vitesse rapide.Between these two extreme levels (27-30), the detectors (28) and (29) define "maximum" and "minimum" levels in the corridor (8). The presence of a capsule at the maximum level (28) causes the conveyor (3) to slow down to its slow speed. The absence of a capsule at minimum level (29) causes the conveyor (3) to accelerate at its rapid speed.
Ici, la cadence de bouchage (C) de la machine (7) est de 60 000 bouteilles à l'heure. La vitesse rapide du convoyeur (3) correspond à un débit maximal d'alvéoles C
Ainsi, lorsque quatre cellules de fabrication seulement sont en service et que seulement quatre alvéoles sur cinq du convoyeur (3) sont remplies, celui-ci alimente le couloir principal aux débits de 4/5 59 500 ou 4/5 75 500 capsules/heure, soit respectivement 47 600 ou 60 400 capsules/ heure selon qu'il fonctionne à la petite ou à la grande vitesse. La consommation de capsules étant de 60 000 capsules/heure, le niveau dans le couloir principal peut varier entre le mini et le maxi (29-28).Thus, when only four manufacturing cells are in service and only four out of five cells of the conveyor (3) are filled, the latter feeds the main corridor at rates of 4/5 59,500 or 4/5 75,500 capsules / hour , or respectively 47,600 or 60,400 capsules / hour depending on whether it operates at low or high speed. Since the consumption of capsules is 60,000 capsules / hour, the level in the main corridor can vary between the minimum and the maximum (29-28).
Par contre, lorsque les cinq cellules (1a-1b-1c-1d-1e) sont en service et toutes les alvéoles (4) du convoyeur (3) sont remplies, le convoyeur alimente le couloir principal (8) à raison de 59 500 ou 75 500 capsules/ heure. Le niveau de capsules dans le couloir principal peut encore osciller entre le mini (29) et le maxi (28).On the other hand, when the five cells (1a-1b-1c-1d-1e) are in service and all the cells (4) of the conveyor (3) are filled, the conveyor feeds the main corridor (8) at the rate of 59,500 or 75,500 capsules / hour. The level of capsules in the main corridor can still oscillate between the mini (29) and the maxi (28).
Parallèlement, les deux cadences de production de chacune des cellules (1a-1b-1c-1d-1e) soit
Enfin, on sait que pour des installations d'embouteillage a des cadences à partir de 20 000, et a fortiori, de 60 000, les installations ne sont pas mises en service ou arrêtées brutalement, mais progressivement, ou au moins par paliers. Ainsi, pour une cadence nominale (C) de 60 000, on prévoit des cadences intermédiaires C1, C2' C3, C4 de 5000, 10 000, 20 000, 40 000.Finally, it is known that for bottling plants at rates starting from 20,000, and a fortiori, from 60,000, the plants are not put into service or stopped suddenly, but gradually, or at least in stages. Thus, for a nominal rate (C) of 60,000, intermediate rates C 1 , C 2 ′ C 3 , C 4 of 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 40,000 are provided.
Les moteurs de toute l'installation de fabrication de capsules sont des moteurs à vitesse variable. Leur vitesse varie en fonction de la cadence nominale C. La petite réserve de capsules, qui existe dans le couloir principal (8) entre le disque distributeur (9) et le détecteur inférieur (30) qui commande l'arrêt général ainsi que les quelques capsules qui sont emmagasinées dans le disque (9) et les têtes (10) sont très utiles en permettant d'amortir quelque peu l'arrêt de l'installation. La petite réserve de capsules entre chacun des sélecteurs individuels (26a-26b-26c-26d-26e) et le détecteur inférieur (25a-25b-25c-25d-25e) de chaque couloir individuel (2a-2b-2c-2d-2e) est également fort appréciée par le responsable de l'installation d'embouteillage.The motors of the entire capsule manufacturing facility are variable speed motors. Their speed varies according to the nominal rate C. The small reserve of capsules, which exists in the main corridor (8) between the distributor disc (9) and the lower detector (30) which controls the general stop as well as the few capsules which are stored in the disc (9) and the heads (10) are very useful in allowing the installation shutdown to be somewhat damped. The small reserve of capsules between each of the individual selectors (26a-26b-26c-26d-26e) and the lower detector (25a-25b-25c-25d-25e) of each individual lane (2a-2b-2c-2d-2e ) is also highly appreciated by the responsible for the bottling plant.
En ce qui concerne le convoyeur (3), on doit noter que les wagonnets sont assemblés par des crochets à cardan qui permettent de faire suivre au convoyeur un parcours accidenté, d'éloigner la partie mécanique où sont rassemblées les cinq cellules (1a-1b-1c-1d-1e) de la zone d'embouteillage et de capsulage des bouteilles (11).Regarding the conveyor (3), it should be noted that the wagons are assembled by cardan hooks which allow the conveyor to follow an uneven path, to move away the mechanical part where the five cells are gathered (1a-1b -1c-1d-1e) of the bottling and capping area of the bottles (11).
Comme représenté en figures 4 et 5, les alvéoles (4) des wagonnets, sont des alvéoles verticales sans fond. Elles ne sont bouchées à la partie inférieure que par la table (6) du convoyeur (3). Elles reçoivent donc sans difficulté, par simple gravité, les capsules (5) provenant des couloirs individuels (2a-2b-2c-2d-2e). Il suffit d'un orifice (32) de section appropriée au-dessus du couloir (8) pour que les alvéoles (4) pleines se déchargent dans ce couloir, par gravité.As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the cells (4) of the wagons, are vertical cells without bottom. They are only blocked at the bottom by the table (6) of the conveyor (3). They therefore easily receive, by simple gravity, the capsules (5) coming from the individual lanes (2a-2b-2c-2d-2e). An orifice (32) of suitable section above the passage (8) is sufficient for the filled cells (4) to discharge into this passage, by gravity.
On voit que cette installation d'apparence compliquée est, cependant, de fonctionnement très souple et très sur, grâce à son implantation et sa régulation originale.We can see that this seemingly complicated installation is, however, very flexible and very safe to operate, thanks to its layout and its original regulation.
Claims (11)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
FR8024691A FR2494250B1 (en) | 1980-11-14 | 1980-11-14 | METHOD FOR SUPPLYING CAPSULES TO A CAPPING MACHINE |
FR8024691 | 1980-11-14 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0053563A1 true EP0053563A1 (en) | 1982-06-09 |
EP0053563B1 EP0053563B1 (en) | 1984-06-06 |
Family
ID=9248187
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP81420169A Expired EP0053563B1 (en) | 1980-11-14 | 1981-11-12 | Method and apparatus for feeding caps to closing machines |
Country Status (11)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US4445310A (en) |
EP (1) | EP0053563B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JPS57114495A (en) |
BR (1) | BR8107309A (en) |
CA (1) | CA1167427A (en) |
DD (1) | DD201993A5 (en) |
DE (1) | DE3164008D1 (en) |
DK (1) | DK502981A (en) |
ES (1) | ES8304025A1 (en) |
FR (1) | FR2494250B1 (en) |
OA (1) | OA06950A (en) |
Families Citing this family (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS62174096U (en) * | 1986-03-28 | 1987-11-05 | ||
US5038952A (en) * | 1989-12-14 | 1991-08-13 | Coors Brewing Company | Closure assembly for pressurized plastic beverage container |
US5026237A (en) * | 1990-01-24 | 1991-06-25 | Coors Brewing Company | Method and apparatus for crimping a container cap |
US6135676A (en) * | 1997-12-23 | 2000-10-24 | Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation | System and method for bulk handling closures |
US6263940B1 (en) | 1999-04-21 | 2001-07-24 | Axon Corporation | In-line continuous feed sleeve labeling machine and method |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR926222A (en) * | 1945-05-03 | 1947-09-25 | Alka Aluminiumkapslar Ab | Improvements to automatic bottle capping machines |
US2866306A (en) * | 1956-07-24 | 1958-12-30 | Continental Can Co | High speed cover feed and control arrangement |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2952104A (en) * | 1958-02-04 | 1960-09-13 | Anchor Hocking Glass Corp | Method and means for remote cap feeding |
US3546847A (en) * | 1969-04-11 | 1970-12-15 | Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd | Crown cap feeder device for bottle stopper fitting machine |
BE754413A (en) * | 1969-08-04 | 1971-01-18 | Seitz Werke Gmbh | DRIVING DEVICE ADDITIONED TO ROTATING CAPPING MACHINES HANDLING CROWN CAPS OR EQUIVALENT CAPSULES |
GB1519777A (en) * | 1974-11-27 | 1978-08-02 | Molins Ltd | Systems for making and packing cigarettes |
-
1980
- 1980-11-14 FR FR8024691A patent/FR2494250B1/en not_active Expired
-
1981
- 1981-11-06 US US06/318,961 patent/US4445310A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1981-11-10 JP JP56180253A patent/JPS57114495A/en active Pending
- 1981-11-11 BR BR8107309A patent/BR8107309A/en unknown
- 1981-11-11 DD DD81234781A patent/DD201993A5/en unknown
- 1981-11-12 DE DE8181420169T patent/DE3164008D1/en not_active Expired
- 1981-11-12 EP EP81420169A patent/EP0053563B1/en not_active Expired
- 1981-11-13 CA CA000390067A patent/CA1167427A/en not_active Expired
- 1981-11-13 ES ES507098A patent/ES8304025A1/en not_active Expired
- 1981-11-13 DK DK502981A patent/DK502981A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1981-11-14 OA OA57546A patent/OA06950A/en unknown
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR926222A (en) * | 1945-05-03 | 1947-09-25 | Alka Aluminiumkapslar Ab | Improvements to automatic bottle capping machines |
US2866306A (en) * | 1956-07-24 | 1958-12-30 | Continental Can Co | High speed cover feed and control arrangement |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DD201993A5 (en) | 1983-08-24 |
EP0053563B1 (en) | 1984-06-06 |
DK502981A (en) | 1982-05-15 |
BR8107309A (en) | 1982-08-03 |
OA06950A (en) | 1983-07-31 |
CA1167427A (en) | 1984-05-15 |
FR2494250A1 (en) | 1982-05-21 |
ES507098A0 (en) | 1983-02-16 |
JPS57114495A (en) | 1982-07-16 |
US4445310A (en) | 1984-05-01 |
FR2494250B1 (en) | 1985-07-05 |
DE3164008D1 (en) | 1984-07-12 |
ES8304025A1 (en) | 1983-02-16 |
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