EP0060786B1 - Method and apparatus for forming and encircling groups of articles - Google Patents

Abstract

1. Method of forming batches of objects and for banding these batches, in which batches of objects are made up, the objects of which these batches are constituted being drawn tightly against one another, the objects forming one batch being banded in a banding or hooping station and then being withdrawn from the said station, characterised in that the following sequence of operations are performed : - the routing of the objects, separately or partially grouped, towards a collecting and banding area where they are collected together in one layer, the objects being laterally in contact with one another, during this stage the frame of the banding apparatus being in a 'stand-by' position in which it does not interfere with the flow of the objects ; - the positioning of the frame of the banding apparatus in such a way that it completely encircles the batch formed and maintained on the said area, the banding frame in this position representing an obstacle to the flow of additional objects onto the collecting and banding area ; - the banding of the batch of objects and its removal from the collecting and banding area, and - positioning of the banding frame on 'stand-by' for a fresh sequence of operation.

Description

The invention relates to a method and a device for forming and strapping batches of objects. In particular the invention is applicable for packaging other products such as bottles, for example to form successive layers in any transaction of paletti _- Automatic adjustment.

More specifically, the invention relates to the formation of batches in a layer where the objects are arranged in a homogeneous manner against each other according to a compact assembly, and the strapping of these batches.

The strapping of batches of objects is traditionally carried out by means of a device comprising a mechanism for launching, tensioning and fixing the link, and a frame, surrounding the objects to be strapped, and serving to support and guide the link.

In the prior techniques for strapping batches of objects, the two operations which constitute, on the one hand, the formation of the batch, and on the other hand the strapping are carried out in two distinct places of the packaging chain.

A difficulty in these conditions is to maintain the batch of objects in the arrangement which is given to it during its formation, during its transport to the location where the strapping is carried out, and during this strapping itself. In addition, strapping usually requires a specific position for this operation.

This mode of forming batches of encircled objects is illustrated in particular in French Patent No. 1,485,252.

This patent shows the assembly of bottles, assembly carried out in at least two stages. The batch of bottles is firstly constituted by girls from neighboring bottles separated by guide rails. All the files making up the batch are then transported to a strapping table. During this transport, the lines are brought into contact with each other. The transport member deposits the batch of bottles on the strapping table. Clamps hold the bottles during strapping. The batch of rimmed bottles is picked up by the gripper and transported out of the strapping table.

It is also known from French Patent No. 2299223 to transfer a batch of bottles by means of a gripping member, from a location where the batch is formed, to a point where a pallet is loaded.

During the journey, the gripping member passes through a strapping machine whose position is fixed. At this level it stops to proceed with strapping the bottles. This way of doing things is satisfactory in particular by the fact that the strapping does not strictly speaking require a position in the chain. This operation carried out on the transfer path of the batch of objects nevertheless presents certain difficulties. In particular, it is necessary that the dimensions of the frame of the strapping machine are large enough to ensure a comfortable passage of the whole of the gripping member and of the batch of bottles. Consequently, the distance between the frame of the strapping machine and the batch of objects, at the time of strapping, is relatively large, and the tension and the precise positioning of the link are more difficult to ensure.

An object of the invention is to provide means for strapping batches of objects under conditions leading to satisfactory results without prohibitively complicating the necessary operations or equipment.

This was obtained according to the invention in particular by performing the strapping of the objects collected in a batch, at the same location where the batch is formed.

• - l'acheminement des objets, isolés ou partiellement regroupés, vers une aire d'accumulation et de cerclage où ils sont rassemblés en une couche, les objets étant latéralement au contact les uns des autres, pendant cette étape le cadre du dispositif de cerclage étant dans une position «d'attente» ne faisant pas obstacle à l'acheminement des objects,
• - la mise en position du cadre du dispositif de cerclage de façon qu'il entoure complètement le lot formé maintenu sur ladite aire, le cadre de cerclage dans cette position faisant obstacle à l'acheminement d'objets supplémentaires sur l'aire d'accumulation et de cerclage,
• - le cerclage du lot d'objets et son enlèvement de l'aire d'accumulation et de cerclage au moyen d'un organe de préhension,
• - la mise en position «d'attente» du dispositif de cerclage pour un nouveau cycle d'opérations.

The method according to the invention for forming and strapping batches of objects comprises the following steps:

• the routing of the objects, isolated or partially grouped, towards an accumulation and strapping area where they are gathered in a layer, the objects being laterally in contact with each other, during this step the frame of the strapping device being in a "waiting" position that does not prevent the delivery of objects,
• - the positioning of the frame of the strapping device so that it completely surrounds the formed batch maintained on said area, the strapping frame in this position obstructing the routing of additional objects on the accumulation area and strapping,
• - the strapping of the batch of objects and its removal from the accumulation and strapping area by means of a gripping member,
• - placing the strapping device in the "waiting" position for a new cycle of operations.

The transport of the objects to the accumulation area is carried out in a manner known per se, and in particular by means of conveyor belts or belts on which the objects are deposited. Other means such as pushers, slides or the like can also be used, alone, or in combination with conveyor belts.

It is advantageous in practice to constitute the accumulation area from a conveyor belt. The objects are then gathered along a stopper located at the end of the accumulation area, and transverse to the direction of progression, and they are dynamically held against each other by the friction exerted on the base of objects by movement of the conveyor.

It is however possible to constitute the accumulation area in a different way, for example by means of a plate on which the objects are pushed step by step, the first objects being pushed by the following ones and so on until that the lot is complete.

In an advantageous embodiment, the objects intended to constitute the batch are sent to the accumulation area according to a pre-established distribution corresponding to the final disposition of the objects in the batch. Thus for the formation of a batch of bottles, it is convenient to drive on the accumulation area of the rows of bottles in number and in well-defined position, according to the final arrangement desired in the batch. This method of loading the accumulation area is particularly useful for objects which, by their shape, would not lend themselves to a regular compact arrangement.

During the formation of the batch of objects, the strapping device is in such a position, relative to the accumulation area that it does not obstruct the objects driven on this area. In particular, when the accumulation area is formed directly on a conveyor belt, the part of the frame of the strapping device located on the side by which the objects are conveyed is sufficiently spaced from the belt to allow the objects to pass.

According to an advantageous mode, the passage from the strapping position to the waiting position, and vice versa, is obtained by pivoting at least a part of the strapping device comprising the frame, around an axis parallel to the area of accumulation and transverse to the progression of objects.

In the method according to the invention, when the frame of the device is in the strapping position, and before the actual strapping operation, it is advantageous for the gripping member to be brought to grip the objects.

Under these conditions, the objects, resting on the accumulation area and held by the gripping member, remain perfectly stable.

If the supply to the accumulation area is carried out continuously, and the rate of the objects (or partial groups of objects) is such that the succession of operations including setting the strapping position, the strapping itself - even, the removal of the circled lot and the placing in the waiting position, cannot be carried out in time separating the routing of two successive objects or groups of objects, it is preferable, during the course of operations, to proceed the retention of objects on the organ transporting them upstream of the accumulation area.

In practice, the automation of the control of these different operations can be very advanced. This notably allows perfect synchronization, and limits operator interventions to a strict minimum.

The invention also relates to a device for forming and strapping batches of objects according to the method described above. This device includes means for conveying the objects to an accumulation and strapping area. The strapping area is delimited by guides holding the objects in position. These guides are arranged around the periphery of the accumulation area, except for the side by which the objects are conveyed. This device also includes a strapping device at least part of which is movable. The movement of the movable part of the strapping device leads to at least two positions, a strapping position and a so-called waiting position. In the strapping position, the strapping frame surrounds the batch of objects formed on the accumulation area. In the waiting position, the side of the frame corresponding to that of the accumulation area through which the objects enter this area is placed so as not to obstruct the routing of the objects. The device also comprises a mobile gripping member of a type known per se (such as suction cups, pliers, magnets, tubes, etc.) for gripping the batch of circled objects and removing it from the accumulation and strapping, to lead it for example to the next station in the packaging chain.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the strapping device of the device according to the invention is mounted mobile around an axis substantially parallel to the accumulation area, and transverse to the direction of progression of the objects driven over this area. The axis is preferably located on the side of the accumulation area opposite to that by which the objects enter this area. This allows maximum movement on the "upstream" side of the frame, for a determined angle of rotation.

In the case of the mobile device in rotation, the frame, in the strapping position, is in a plane parallel to that of the accumulation area; it switches to the waiting position to let objects pass, for example conveyed on a conveyor belt.

Still for the strapping device mounted movable around an axis, it is advantageous to have the axis of rotation on the side of the frame also carrying the mechanism for launching tension and fixing the link. It is thus possible to balance the device so that setting it in motion requires a minimum of energy.

According to a preferred mode, the transport of the objects is carried out by means of a conveyor belt and the accumulation area is constituted on this same belt. The objects accumulate on a transverse guide (or stop). They are held laterally, also by the guides which delimit the accumulation and strapping area. These guides can have a particular profile leading to a determined arrangement of the objects.

The device according to the invention may also include a system forming a dam upstream on the path of the objects. This movable barrier stops the progression of objects when the frame is in the strapping position and therefore that the objects could not enter the accumulation and strapping area.

The device according to the invention can also include a distributor or distributor device, making it possible to deliver groups of objects online according to a predetermined arrangement and number which can vary from one line to the next.

• - la figure 1 représente de façon schématique une vue de dessus d'un dispositif selon l'invention,
• - les figures 2 et 3 sont deux vues schématiques en élévation d'un dispositif selon l'invention, montrant deux moments du cycle de fonctionnement.

In what follows the invention is described in more detail, with reference to the plates of attached drawings in which:

• FIG. 1 schematically represents a top view of a device according to the invention,
• - Figures 2 and 3 are two schematic elevational views of a device according to the invention, showing two moments of the operating cycle.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, objects of essentially cylindrical shape, for example bottles are transported on a conveyor belt 1. The progression of the objects is stopped by the transverse guide 4. Laterally the objects are held by the guides 5 The frame 2 of the strapping device is arranged opposite the zone delimited by the guides 4 and 5. This zone constitutes the area for the accumulation of objects.

A movable crossbar 6 constitutes a barrier making it possible to stop the progression of objects upstream of the accumulation area.

The objects are brought to the conveyor belt by means of a movable belt 7 and a distribution system 8, arranged at the end of the conveyor belt 1. The distribution system 8 comprises two bars 9 and 10 to hold and align the objects. The bar 9 can be raised to clear the row of objects, while the bar 10 serves as a pusher to transfer the row of objects from the belt 7 to the conveyor belt 1. Organs 12 and 13 regulate the length and the position of each row following a programmed command.

FIG. 2 represents elements of the device similar to those of FIG. 1.

In this figure the axis of rotation of the strapping device is shown at the tension launching and fixing mechanism. This position is advantageous, as we have indicated, because it allows the mobile device to be balanced, which facilitates the setting in motion of the assembly.

This movement is communicated by a connecting rod 14 articulated on the one hand at the end of the frame 2, and on the other hand, to a lever 16 actuated by a cam not shown, itself driven by an electric motor not shown. A system 15 makes it possible to adjust the amplitude of movement of the frame 2. A similar cam driven by the same motor actuates the lever 17, and makes it possible to raise, by means of the link 18, the support 19 of the bar 6, articulated on amounts 20.

The gripping member is formed of a frame 21 supporting gripping heads constituted by flanges 22, inflatable by means of a pneumatic supply system not shown.

The gripping member is carried by a lifting and transfer mechanism. In FIGS. 2 and 3, the vertical movement, provided by a cable and a motor not shown, is driven by an articulated structure with double parallelogram 23. The assembly is mounted on a carriage not shown, mobile on a rail allowing movement for come vertically from the next station in the packaging chain, for example a palletizing station.

The device further comprises a control assembly also ensuring fully automated operation. Detectors, for example photoelectric, check the progress of the process at the various stages in the cycle leading objects brought by the strip 7 to the circled lot and control its transfer for further packaging.

The operating cycle according to the invention is described in the following with reference to the case of strapping bottles. This obviously has no limiting character, the method and the device being able to be used for any type of objects likely to be assembled in batches by using strapping means.

The bottles 11 are brought continuously from a storage area by the conveyor belt 7. They are stopped by the member 12 which determines the position of the end of the row which is subsequently transferred to the conveyor. The row of bottles is formed between the bars 9 and 10. A detector, arranged on the path of the bottles at the entrance to the dispensing device counts the bottles in the row or determines the length thereof. When the predetermined number is reached (or, what is equivalent, when the row reaches the corresponding length) an element 13 obstructs the supply of additional bottles. The bar 9 is raised, releasing the bottles from the side of the conveyor belt and simultaneously the bar 10, in a translational movement, pushes the bottles onto the conveyor. After which, the row of bottles travels on the conveyor, the elements of the dispensing device return to their initial position and a new row is formed.

The distribution device adjusts the number and position of the bottles in each row according to the batch that we want to constitute. Thus, in Figure 1, there is shown the formation of a batch of objects arranged in staggered rows, the odd rows having one object less than the even rows. Other more complicated sequence combinations can easily be made. It is possible in particular, when constituting batches of cylindrical objects comprising a large number of objects per row and many rows, to progressively reduce the number of objects in the first and last rows. This gives lots that do not have "corners", which improves their stability under the tension of the link.

By way of example, batches of bottles comprising 13 rows are formed in this way. The first and last rows each include 12 bottles. For the rest the even rows include 13 bottles and the odd rows 14 bottles.

The rows of bottles placed on the conveyor advance towards the accumulation area. During their progression they pass successively under the dam 6 and the frame 2 of the strapping device, both in the raised position. They are stopped by the transverse guide 4 and maintained by the lateral guides 5 and accumulate in the order pre-established by the distributor on the accumulation and strapping area.

A detector not shown sends a signal when the batch is complete. This signal controls the simultaneous lowering of the hooping frame 2 and the dam 6 (FIG. 2). The grip is also lowered. The tubes 22 are inflated so as to trap the neck of the bottles. The strapping is carried out on the bottles while they rest on the conveyor belt and are held at their upper part by the gripping member.

Once the strapping has been completed, the cycle continues with the lifting of the gripping head carrying the batch of strapped bottles as indicated in FIG. 3. As soon as the batch of bottles is removed from the strapping frame 2, the latter is likewise lifted than barrier 6. The device is in position for a new cycle.

The presence of the dam 6 allows an increase in the frequency of the operating cycle. During the positioning of the gripping member, the swelling of the tubes, the strapping and the raising of the gripping member, the formation of the rows of bottles can continue. The row or rows formed during this time are stopped by the bar and released when the accumulation area is ready to receive a new batch of bottles.

In the above the strapping is carried out on batches of bottles. This is only an example and has no limiting character. The invention is applicable to objects whose surface and / or shape can be very diverse. These may in particular be boxes, pots, tubes, etc., the shapes of which are cylindrical, oval, square, or any polygonal shape suitable for forming batches of objects and for strapping these batches.

Claims (16)

1. Method of forming batches of objects and for banding these batches, in which batches of objects are made up, the objects of which these batches are constituted being drawn tightly against one another, the objects forming one batch being banded in a banding or hooping station and then being withdrawn from the said station, characterised in that the following sequence of operations are performed:

- the routing of the objects, separately or partially grouped, towards a collecting and banding area where they are collected together in one layer, the objects being laterally in contact with one another, during this stage the frame of the banding apparatus being in a 'stand-by' position in which it does not interfere with the flow of the objects;

- the positioning of the frame of the banding apparatus in such a way that it completely encircles the batch formed and maintained on the said area, the banding frame in this position representing an obstacle to the flow of additional objects onto the collecting and banding area;

- the banding of the batch of objects and its removal from the collecting and banding area, and

- positioning of the banding frame on 'stand-by' for a fresh sequence of operation.

2. Method according to Claim 1, characterised in that movement of the banding apparatus from the stand-by position to the banding position is achieved by rotation of at least one part of the banding apparatus comprising the frame of this apparatus, about a fixed axis, parallel with the collecting and banding area and disposed transversely to the direction of movement of the objects.

3. A method according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterised in that at least the part of the frame situated upstream in relation to the progression of objects towards the collecting and banding area is in the stand-by position at a distance sufficiently above the means of routing the objects in order not to impede the progress of the said objects, and is brought towards the said means in order to be moved into the banding position.

4. A method according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the collecting and banding are carried out on the means used for routing the objects.

5. A method according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the objects are routed in a continuous fashion.

6. A method according to Claim 5, characterised in that a barrier is disposed in the path of the objects during the banding operation in order to separate off and/or keep back excess objects.

7. A method according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the objects are routed towards the collecting and banding area in groups each formed of a pre-established row.

8. A method according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that, during the banding operation, the objects at rest on the collecting and banding area are likewise maintained in position by a gripping means serving to remove the batch of objects once it has been banded.

9. Apparatus for forming and banding batches of objects (11) by a method according to one of the preceding Claims, comprising means (1) for routing the objects towards an area for collecting together and banding the said objects, the said area being bounded by guides (4, 5) for retaining objects disposed around the area, except on the side through which the objects enter the area, a banding apparatus of which at least one part is movable in such a way that the frame (2) of the said apparatus can adopt at least two positions, a banding position in which the frame encircles the batch of objects to be banded and which are grouped together on the collecting and banding area, a stand-by position in which the side of the frame corresponding to that of the collecting area through which the objects enter the area is placed in such a way as not to impede the flow of the said objects, and a gripping means (21,22,23) which is movable in order to take hold of the batch of banded objects to remove them from the collecting and banding area.

10. Apparatus according to Claim 9, characterised in that banding apparatus is mounted to be movable about an axis substantially parallel with the collecting and banding area and transverse to the direction of progress of the objects.

11. Apparatus according to Claim 9 or Claim 10, characterised in that it furthermore comprises means (6) disposed upstream of the collecting and banding area, synchronised with the movement of the frame (2) of the banding apparatus in such a way that the said means provide a barrier to the progress of the objects when the frame is in the banding position, and allow the objects to pass when in the stand-by position.

12. Apparatus according to Claim 11, characterised in that the means forming the barrier (6) consist of a bar disposed transversely across the path of the objects, the said bar being mounted on supports (19) which are movable so as to rotate in such a way that, in the stand-by position, the bar is sufficiently removed from the means (1) carrying the objects so that it does not impede the progress of the objects.

13. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 10 to 12, characterised in that the means of routing the objects (11) consist of a conveyor belt (1) and in that the collecting and banding area is constituted on this conveyor belt.

14. Apparatus according to Claim 13, characterised in that the conveyer belt (1) is supplied with objects (11) by a distributor system (8) delivering the objects in a predetermined and aligned number, the number of objects in successive lines varying if necessary according to a distribution programmed as a function of the batch which is to be constituted.

15. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the gripping means (21, 22, 23) is made to perform a vertical movement in order to grip the objects during banding and to remove them from the collecting and banding area after the banding operation, a movement which is synchronised with that of the banding apparatus.

16. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 10 to 15, characterised in that mechanism (3) for projecting and fixing the banding member is rigid with the frame (2) and is disposed on that side of the frame which is close to the axis of rotation.

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