EP0053563B1 - Method and apparatus for feeding caps to closing machines - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method and an installation for supplying fragile capsules to a stoppering machine operating at high speed from several cells for manufacturing said capsules, the capsules being collected at the outlet of the cells and transferred to the capping machine by an endless chain conveyor, according to the preambles of claims 1 and 3, respectively, as they are known from patent application FR-A-2 375 136.

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.

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 stops represents significant volumes and investments. The containers, most often slender and moved at high speed, cannot be stopped instantaneously 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.

If, for economic and ecological reasons, it is desired to use fragile capsules, in particular thin aluminum capsules comprising protruding gripping tabs such as those described in French patent 2,375,136 or its addition FR 2,445,295, the problem 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 are easily deformed and too often cause jams and stops in the packaging line.

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.

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.

By using machines with several crimping heads which pass successively through 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.

It turns out that the solution to the problem posed is to constitute the production unit of several manufacturing cells working at more reasonable rates, but whose capacities, but whose capacities add up.

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.

un peu supérieur à la quantité nécessaire

, et un débit inférieur

inférieur au débit nécessaire C N+1, le passage d'un débit à l'autre étant commandé par les détecteurs de niveau du couloir correspondant, chaque couloir individuel étant pourvu d'un sélecteur de distritution alimentant par permutation circulaire les capsules dans les alvéoles successives du transporteur, chaque alvéole étant ainsi affectée à l'un des couloirs individuels successifs. Selon l'installation de l'invention, la solution au problème est indiquée dans la partie caractérisante de la revendication 3.Thus, according to the method of the invention, the solution to the problem is characterized in that one puts in parallel (N + 1) manufacturing cells, N being the number of cells necessary to respond to the requested blocking rate (C ), in that the connection between the conveyor and the machine is ensured by an inclined main corridor, provided with at least two detectors detecting minimum and maximum levels, in that the conveyor is a two-speed honeycomb conveyor, of which the maximum flow rate is at least equal to the production rate of the (N + 1) cells and can be reduced to a lower flow rate corresponding as much as possible to the nominal capping rate (C), the transition from the first speed to the second being controlled by the main corridor detectors, in that the connection between each cel lule and the conveyor is ensured by an individual inclined corridor, each being provided with at least two detectors detecting minimum and maximum levels, each cell being able to operate at two flow rates: a maximum flow rate

a little more than the amount needed

, and a lower flow

lower than the required flow C N + 1, the passage from one flow to the other being controlled by the level detectors of the corresponding lane, each individual lane being provided with a distribution selector supplying the capsules in the alveoli by circular permutation of the conveyor, each cell thus being assigned to one of the successive individual lanes. According to the installation of the invention, the solution to the problem is indicated in the characterizing part of claim 3.

More precisely, we put in parallel (N + 1) cells, each of capacity C N capsules / hour. The additional cell of rank (N + 1) acts as a reserve. For greater flexibility and to avoid suddenly in the event of a cell stopping in operation, this reserve is constituted by any one of the N + 1 cells. In normal operation, the (N + 1) cells operate permanently at a reduced rate, each supplying C N + 1 capsules / hour.

At any time, a cell can stop, the N cells in activity accelerate their production at the theoretical rate of c each.

As is known, the production of all cells operating in parallel is grouped 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, keeps the cells away from the capping machine, or even places them in an isolated enclosure, protected from any projection of liquid.

According to the present invention, to further increase the safety and regulation of the supply of capsules to the capping machine, the latter 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 line. 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.

Likewise, the conveyor is fed from each cell by gravity via an individual inclined corridor also constituting minimal intermediate storage.

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.

When a cell is stopped and the N remaining cells operate simultaneously, they are, in practice, adjusted to each supply a number of capsules slightly greater than the necessary quantity C N, ie C N + c. They each feed their individual corridor which is provided, at the bottom, with a selector controlling the outlet of the capsules towards the conveyor. A certain number of capsules are thus retained in the corridor. They are blocked in the corridor in a linear row without being able to overlap, waiting to be able to feed the conveyor one by one by simple gravity.

Each individual corridor is equipped with two detectors defining two levels, an upper level or "maximum" and a lower level or "minimum". If each of the cells provides a number of N + e capsules greater than the number necessary, the corridor is filled. When the level of the capsules reaches the "maximum" detector, this 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 rate E + ε.

, soit un débit

Ainsi chaque cellule est réglée pour fonctionner à deux débits

Que ce soit avec N ou N + 1 cellules en fonctionnement, la production des cellules répond à la demande, le niveau des couloirs individuels varie constamment entre les niveaux mini et maxi.When all the cells (N + 1) are in service, 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. To fill each lane to the maximum level, the corresponding cell is operated at its maximum flow CN + e. To empty the corridor to the minimum level, the cubicle must operate at a speed lower than the required flow

, or a debit

So each cell is set to operate at two rates

Whether with N or N + 1 cells in operation, cell production meets demand, the level of the individual lanes varies constantly 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.

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 placed at the exit 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 + 1) leaving the N intermediate cells available to be supplied from the N other individual lanes.

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 the average rate of C capsules / hour. To do 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.

la vitesse lente pour

Like the individual corridors, 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

slow speed for

permet au niveau de capsules de remonter lorsque le niveau mini est atteint dans le couloir principal situé à l'aval.Thus, when all the N + 1 cells are operating and all the cells are loaded, the slow speed of the conveyor controlled by the upper detector, gives a flow of capsules C - e ^l lowers the level slowly in the main corridor. Conversely, when one of the N + 1 cells is stopped and one cell on each series of N + 1 is not filled, the rapid speed of the conveyor

allows the level of capsules to rise when the minimum level is reached in the main corridor located downstream.

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.

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.

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 control.

In practice, given the complexity of the installation, the inertia of the equipment and the containers to be put in motion, 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 variable speed motors. The entire installation operates according to a program based on the instantaneous nominal rate C _; .

• La figure 1 représente 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.

The invention will be better understood from the description below of a concrete example illustrated by the attached figures.

• FIG. 1 shows a view in perspective of an installation for manufacturing capsules, 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.

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.

In FIG. 1, there are five cells (1 a-1 b-1 c-1 d-1 e) for making capsules schematized here by simple parallelepipeds. These five cells (1 a-1 b-1 c-1 d-1 e) can feed by gravity, via five individual inclined corridors (2a-2b-2c-2d-2e) a single conveyor (3) which combines the production of the five cells.

In Figures 1,2,3, cells 1 a-1 c-1 d-1 e are in operating position P _l . Cell 1b is set back, in position for maintenance P ₂ .

In FIG. 3, 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 dispensing container (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 (1) brought by a carousel (12).

The five cells (1 a-1 b-1 c-1 d-1 e) are each suspended on two slides (13a ― 14a, 1 3b-14b, 13c-14c, 13d ― 14d, 13e ― 14e) arranged at the upper part of a frame defining the volume of the capsule manufacturing unit offset in height relative to one another. These slides allow easy movement of the five cells (1 a-1 b-1 c-1 d-1 e) transversely in front of or behind the conveyor (3) for reloading with 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.

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 can thus be easily lifted by a hoist or forklift, and very easily replaced. The movement of each cell in the three positions P _l -P ₂ -P ₃ is controlled by an easily disconnectable cylinder.

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, formed 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-in device (21 a-21 b-21 c-21 d-21 e) which fixes, precisely, when it is in service, the position of each cell relative to the conveyor ( 3). Only the latching (21) of the corridor (2a) is indicated in FIG. 3, but the same device is used on the five individual corridors.

Each individual lane (2a-2b-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. 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).

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 (1 a-1 b-1 c-1 d-1 e) is preserved up to the heads (10).

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.

If capsules with two V-shaped tabs according to patent FR-A-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 to neither overlap nor get stuck mutually as explained in patent FR-A-2 445 295.

Each corridor thus constitutes a small intermediate storage loaded on the downstream device, that is to say the conveyor (3) for the individual corridors (2a-2b-2c-2d-2e) or the distributor disc (9) for the main corridor (8).

During a stop a few capsules are kept in the corridors by the selectors or the disc which avoids any incident on restarting. 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.

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).

If the level of the capsules (5) rises above the upper detector (27), the capsules are engorged due to an incident on the capping machine (7) or to the supply of bottles (11). The detector (27) immediately stops the conveyor (3), and consequently, the cells (1 a-1 b-1 c-1 d-1 e) downstream.

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 the minimum level (29) causes the accelerator (3) to accelerate at its rapid speed.

soit 75 500 alvéoles/heure, sa vitesse lente C-e_; à 59 500 alvéoles/heure.Here, 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

or 75,500 cells / hour, its slow speed Ce _; at 59,500 cells / hour.

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 the flow rates of 4/5 x 59,500 or 4/5 x 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).

On the other hand, when the five cells (1 1 a-1 b-1 c-1 d-1 e) 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 fluctuate between the mini (29) and the maxi (28).

sont ici 15 200 et 11 800.In parallel, the two production rates for each cell (1 a-1 b-1 c-1 d-1 e) or

are here 15,200 and 11,800.

In operation with five cells, production varies between 76,000 and 59,000 capsules / hour. In both cases, 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).

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 Ci, C ₂ , C ₃ , C ₄ of 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 40,000 are provided.

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 making it possible to somewhat dampen the stoppage of the installation. 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 person responsible for the bottling plant.

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).

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.

We can see that this seemingly complicated installation is, however, very flexible and very safe to operate, thanks to its original layout and regulation.

Claims (10)

1. A process for continuously supplying fragile caps in a given orientation, to a closure machine operating at a high rate, from a plurality of cells for producing said caps, the caps being collected at the outlet of the cells and transferred towards the closure machine by an endless chain conveyor, characterised in that the number of production cells is (N + 1), N being the number of cells necessary to comply with the required closure rate (C), that the connection between the conveyor (3) and the machine (7) is provided by an inclined main channel (8) provided with at least two detectors for detecting mini and maxi levels (29 and 28 respectively), that the conveyor (3) is a two-speed cavitytype conveyor, the maximum rate of which is at a minimum equal to the rate of production of the (N + 1) cells and can be reduced to a lower rate corresponding at maximum to the nominal closure rate (C), the conveyor being caused to go from the first speed to the second speed by the detectors (28, 29) of the main channel, that the connection between each cell (1 a) and the conveyor (3) ist provided by an inclined individual channel (2a), each of which ist provided with at least two detectors for detecting mini and maxi levels (24a and 23a respectively), each cell being capable of operating at two rates: a maximum rate f + e, which is a little higher than the required quantity c and a lower rate

which is lower than the necessary rate C N+1, the cell being caused to go from one rate to the other by the level detectors (23a, 24a) or the corresponding channel (2a), each individual channel (2a) being provided with a distribution selector (26a) which by circular transposition feeds the caps (5) into the successive cavities (4) of the conveyor, each cavity (4) thus being associated with one of the successive individual channels (2a).

2. A process according to claim 1 characterised in that the caps (5) are transferred from the outlet of the main channel (8) to the crimping heads (10) by a distributor disc (9) which rotates at a circumferential speed that is half the speed of the heads (10).

3. An installation for the supply without interruption, in accordane with the process of claim 1 or claim 2, of fragile caps which are in a given orientation, to a closure machine which operates at a high rate, said installation comprising, in a parallel arrangement, a plurality of cap production cells and, as a means for supplying caps to the machine from the cells, a cavity-type conveyor in the form of an endless chain, characterised in that the cavities are vertical bottomless cavities (4), that the means for feeding caps to the cavities from each cell (1 a) is an inclined individual channel (2a) provided with at least two detectors for detecting mini and maxi levels (24a and 23a respectively), that the outlet of each individual channel (2a) is provided with a selector (26a) controlling the supply of caps to the successive cavities (4) of the conveyor by circular transposition, that the means for supplying the machine from the conveyor (3) is another inclined channel (8) which opens on to a distributor disc (9) having compartments which are movable into positions opposite the crimping heads (10).

4. An installation according to claim 3 characterised in that the cross-section of each of the inclined channels (main channel (8) and individual channel (2a)) and that of the conveyor (3) and the compartments of the distributor disc (9) substantially corresponds to the cross-section of the caps (4).

5. An installation according to claim 4 characterised in that each inclined channel (main channel (8) and individual channel (2a)) is also provided, besides the mini-maxi level detectors (29, 28) (24a, 23a), with go-stop detectors (27-30) (22a, 25a) respectively below and above the mini and maxi detectors.

6. Installation according to any one of claims 3, 4 or 5 characterised in that the production cells are disposed above the conveyor (3) and are each suspended on horizontal slide members (13a, 14a) in a plane perpendicular to the conveyor (3), which slide members (13a, 14a) permit each cell (1 a) to be independently displaced laterally with respect to the conveyor (3) without interfering with operation of the remainder of the installation.

7. An installation according to any one of claims 3, 4, 5 or 6 characterised in that each channel (2a) providing for the transfer of caps (4) from a cell (1 a) to the conveyor (3) comprises two elements, one being fixed with respect to the conveyor and the other with respect to the cell, the two elements being connected together by a latching means (21 a) and thus defining a defined position for each cell (1 a) when it is in operation.

8. An installation according to any one of claims 3,4,5,6 or 7 characterised in that the cap production cells are suspended from transverse slide members which are disposed at an elevated position and can thus be easily displaced into three positions: operational, reloading and maintenance.

9. An installation according to claim 8 characterised in that the cells are mounted on slide members by way of slide shoes (16).

10. An installation according to any one of claims 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 characterised in that the production cells are controlled to operate at two speeds

which are respectively controlled by the mini and maxi detectors of the corresponding individual channels, while the conveyor is controlled to operate at two cavity movement rates, one being a rapid rate

and the other being a slow rate

said rates being controlled respectively by the mini detector (29) and the maxi detector (28) of the main channel (8).

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