EP0316247A2 - Machine for the automatic delivery of trays - Google Patents

Abstract

The machine is noteworthy in that it comprises, suitably mounted on a support frame, at least one magazine (1) shaped and arranged with means for permitting the positioning and the holding, in superposition, of a plurality of trays above a conveying and discharge means (3) under which is mounted, in line with the magazine, at least one element (4) capable of physically seizing a tray and positioning it on the said conveying and discharge means; a loader (13) is mounted opposite the magazine, arranged in order to receive several stacks of trays disposed in juxtaposition, being equipped with means capable of, on the one hand, depending on the height of the stack of trays in the magazine, automatically placing a new stack in the said magazine. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to the technical sector of handling, more particularly the handling of flat shaped materials.

It is known to use, in particular for the packaging of food products, trays made of light material. Generally, these trays are arranged successively on a transfer mat where they are filled, manually or automatically, with the desired product. Downstream of this filling phase, the packaging chain includes other items such as: packaging, labeling, and others ...

In most cases, the empty trays are placed on the transfer belt manually. The empty trays being nested one inside the other according to stacks of different heights, the operator grasps a tray in the stack and places it on the mat, this operation being repeated throughout the working time of the operation. It is understood that such a method is painful and permanently requires a person. In addition, the rate is necessarily reduced, and above all, it cannot be regular and constant throughout the operator's intervention, which prohibits or greatly disrupts the automation of other stations.

Some conveyors are equipped with automatic tray dispensers, but these are an integral part of the whole machine and can therefore only be used for specific applications. In addition, the assembly thus formed is very expensive, the dispenser being further limited in terms of capacity and type of trays to be used. In addition, the trays must be placed manually in the dispenser.

To overcome these drawbacks, we have proposed independent devices allowing the automatic distribution, in a unitary manner, of the trays. However, the known devices are not entirely satisfactory and the results obtained are difficult to use industrially.

For example, in US Pat. No. 3,091,363, the tray is deformed transversely to escape a support plate, and then be placed on a conveyor. It is understood that this transverse deformation requires a special tray and considerably limits its application.

Patent GB 979,689 teaches another solution for the automatic setting of trays, but which is limited to a single type of tray taking into account the complexity of the means of implementation. This is also the case of Patent FR 2,450,767 where the trays are of a particular type, with imprints for housing the products.

In addition, it appears that in none of the known devices, means are provided for ensuring the automatic supply of trays for their distribution. Such devices are therefore limited in capacity or else require the presence of a person for the purpose of feeding them.

The invention has set itself the goal, in a simple, efficient and rational way of overcoming the various aforementioned drawbacks by developing a machine which solves the problems posed by being shaped to constitute a completely independent assembly in the packaging chain. by being able to adapt to any type of conveyor, and to receive all types of trays whatever their dimensions.

The invention solves on the one hand the problem of the unitary grip of the tray from a stack, in a safe and effective manner, taking into account the nature of the material constituting these trays and, on the other hand, the problem of automatic tray feeding of the machine.

For this purpose, the machine suitably includes mounted on a support frame, at least one store shaped and arranged with means to allow the positioning and maintaining in superposition of a plurality of trays above a means of transport and evacuation under which is mounted, in alignment with the store, at least one member capable of physically grasping a container and positioning it on said means of transport and evacuation; next to the store, is mounted a charger arranged to receive several stacks of trays arranged in juxtaposition while being equipped with means capable of ensuring, on the one hand, the temporary retention of said trays and, on the other hand, depending on the height of the stack of trays in the store, the automatic installation of a new stack in said store.

To solve the double problem posed of picking up the trays and of their automatic loading in the store, at the level of the temporary retaining means of the trays, fingers are fitted capable of cooperating with the edges of the tray located above the tray. to be gripped by the gripping member, said fingers being subject to means for being controlled in synchronism with said gripping member.

The problem of automatic loading of trays into the store is advantageously solved by one of the characteristics below.

According to a first characteristic, the feed conveyor at the bottom of the loader is equipped with members capable of subjecting the stacks of trays contained in said loader to a combined movement of reciprocating movement in height and in translation towards the store.

According to another characteristic, the feed conveyor at the bottom of the charger is equipped with means capable of moving all of the stacks towards the store and, concomitantly with the installation of a new stack in the store, to temporarily release all of the other batteries in said store.

The latter solution is particularly advantageous and avoids any contact between the battery which has just been positioned in the magazine and the next battery of the charger ready to be transferred to said magazine, which allows, under these conditions, a secure positioning and efficient stack of trays in the store.

• La figure 1 est une perspective de la machine, le chargeur n'étant pas représenté.
• La figure 2 est une vue en coupe longitudinale de la machine avec le chargeur.
• La figure 3 est une vue en coupe considérée selon la ligne 3-3 de la figure 2.
• Les figures 4 et 5 montrent respectivement la retenue et la prise des barquettes dans le magasin.
• Les figures 6, 7 et 8 sont des vues schématiques de fonctionnement de la machine, le chargeur n'étant pas représenté.
• Les figures 9, 10 et 11 montrent la prise d'une barquette.
• La figure 12 est une vue en perspective montrant les moyens de retenue des barquettes au moment de leur prise.
• La figure 13 est une vue en perspective montrant les principaux éléments de l'organe de déplacement des piles de barquettes dans le chargeur.
• La figure 14 est une vue en coupe transversale du fond du chargeur.
• La figure 15 est une vue en coupe longitudinale, considérée selon la ligne 15-15 de la figure 14. On a illustré en traites mixtes la position haute de l'organe de déplacement.

The invention is set out below in more detail with the aid of the appended drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a perspective of the machine, the charger is not shown.
• Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the machine with the loader.
• Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Figure 2.
• Figures 4 and 5 respectively show the retention and taking of the trays in the store.
• Figures 6, 7 and 8 are schematic views of operation of the machine, the loader not being shown.
• Figures 9, 10 and 11 show the grip of a tray.
• FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the means for retaining the trays when they are taken.
• FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the main elements of the device for moving the stacks of trays in the loader.
• Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of the bottom of the charger.
• FIG. 15 is a view in longitudinal section, considered along line 15-15 of FIG. 14. The upper position of the displacement member has been illustrated in mixed drafts.

In order to make the object of the invention more concrete, it is now described in a nonlimiting manner with reference to the exemplary embodiments of the figures of the drawings.

The machine comprises a magazine (1) shaped for allow the positioning and maintenance in superposition, of a plurality of trays (2) above a means of transport and evacuation (3). Under the transport and evacuation means (3) and in alignment with the magazine (1), is mounted a member (4) capable of physically gripping a tray and positioning it on said means of transport (3).

The magazine (1) comprises parallel lateral guides (1a) and (1b) mounted at adjustable spacing relative to a bottom wall (1c), each being equipped with vertical support rods (1d) cooperating with the edge of the trays . At the base of these guides (1a) and (1b) are mounted elastic retaining means (5) shaped to cooperate with part of the bottom of the tray and ensure its retention while being able to move apart when said tray is pulled towards the bottom by the member (4), and return to the closed position as soon as the tray is seized. The entire magazine (1) is inclined at the rear to allow positioning by gravity of all the trays pressing against the bottom plate (1c).

The spacing adjustment of the guides (1a) and (1b) receiving the support rods (1d) is carried out by any known and appropriate means. For example, these guides are engaged, two by two in lights (1c1) established in the bottom plate (1c) to cooperate through the sleeve (6) with a threaded axis (7) maneuverable by a crank (8 ) Or other. In a known manner, the ends of the axis (7) cooperating with the sockets, are each threaded in an opposite pitch to allow, according to the direction of rotation of said axis, the approximation or separation of the guides (1a) and (1b).

In a first embodiment, the elastic means for retaining (5) the trays, are constituted by tongues having elastic deformation capacities. These tongues are fixed on support elements (5a) independent or integral with the guides (1a) and (1b), at the base of the vertical support rods (1d). In the event that the elements support (5a) are independent, they are mounted, in the same way as the guides, with spacing adjustment capacity.

To avoid any risk of unexpected departure of several trays, at the elastic retaining means (5) are mounted fingers (21) capable of cooperating with the edges of the tray located above the tray to be gripped. These fingers (21) are engaged in free sliding, at each end, in the thickness of the support elements (5a) of the retaining tabs (5). The rear part of the fingers (21) is fixed, in an adjustable manner, in a plate (22) fixed to the rod (23a) of a control cylinder (23). In the example illustrated in Figures 9 to 12, the cylinder body (23) is integral with the support elements (5a) by means of a squared tab (24).

The control of the jack (23) is established in synchronism with that of the jack (4), to ensure the next operating cycle.

As soon as the jack (4) is commanded to grip by the suction cup (s) (4b) a tray, the fingers (21) are moved in translation by the jack (23), to position themselves under the rim of the tray located at - above that to be entered (Figure 9).

When the suction cup (4b) cooperates with the bottom of the lower tray, the latter is very slightly displaced in height against the fingers (21) thus ensuring a safe and effective grip. It therefore appears that the other trays in the stack are not used, consequently avoiding any unexpected departure from another tray (FIG. 10).

Once the tray has been grasped and released from the tongues (5), the fingers (21) are retracted back to allow the positioning of the lower tray in abutment on said tongues (FIG. 11).

The member (4) consists of a pneumatic cylinder, the rod of which receives a head (4a) equipped with at least one suction cup (4b) subject to a control means to create a vacuum at will and create or not a vacuum. The cylinder body is further mounted with lateral displacement capacity on guide rods in order to position the head (4a), in particular the suction cup (4b) very substantially in the middle part of the bottom of the tray, according to its dimensions. For example, the cylinder body can be slaved to an operating screw (9) to be moved along the rods. The entire cylinder is oriented at the same angle as the magazine (1) so that the active part of the suction cup (4b) is arranged perpendicular to the bottom of the trays.

Provision is made to make the entire magazine (1) adjustable in height relative to the head (4a) of the jack by means, for example, of an operating screw (10) connected to the bottom plate (1c). In this case, the bottom plate (1c) is slidably mounted along a support frame (1e) receiving the operating screw (10). The uprights (1e1) of the frame (1e) have lights for the passage of the control axis (7) of the lateral guides (1a) and (1b). This height adjustment makes it possible to use any depth of trays in order to correctly position the suction cup (4b) relative to the bottom of the tray. Obviously, a reverse design can be provided, that is to say making the whole of the member (4) adjustable relative to the store.

The means of transport and evacuation is composed of several toric bands (3a) mounted in grooves formed on the periphery of drive rollers (3b) - (3c) slaved to a pneumatic control motor (3d). The head (4a) of the jack (4) passes between the bands (3a).

the ends of the roller (3c) carry two arms (11) between which is mounted free in rotation another roller (3e). This roller (3e), preferably of smaller diameter than that of the roller (3c), is coupled to the drive roller (3c) by means of O-bands (3f) to be positively driven in rotation. The support arms (11) are mounted with angular adjustment capacity with respect to the drive roller, to vary the height of the roller (3c) accordingly.

All of the main components of the device as defined are suitably mounted on a support frame (12) advantageously fitted with rolling members, to allow easy movement of the device with a view to its positioning, for example opposite from another workstation. Importantly, the machine as described above, is equipped with a loader capable of ensuring the automatic supply of trays to the store.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the charger designated as a whole by (13) is placed opposite the magazine (1) on the side of the vertical holding rods (1d). The bottom (13a) of the loader receiving the folded trays, is oriented perpendicular to the magazine (1), so that said bottom (13a) is angularly oriented at an angle (α), towards said magazine along a slope descending.

The bottom (13a) is constituted by two parallel bars (13b) between which are mounted a plurality of rollers (14) for ensuring the permanent descent by gravity of the stacks of trays (2) towards the store. The rollers (14) can optionally be motorized. Lateral flanges (13c) are established vertically with respect to the bottom (13a) of the charger to ensure the height maintenance of the stacks of trays. These flanges which may have different variant embodiments, are subject to means for being adjustable in spacing according to the dimensions of trays.

It therefore appears that the bottom of the loader (13) constitutes, in a known manner, a feed conveyor. The whole of this charger can for example be mounted on a support frame (15) integral with the magazine.

As indicated, the axis of the loader is arranged according to the axis of the magazine, so that the stacks of the prepositioned trays in said magazine (13) are in correspondence with the stack arranged in the magazine, to engage between the vertical rods of the guide (3d). Importantly, it is necessary that the stack of trays located at the end of the charger, on the side of the magazine (1), is not in direct contact with the stack positioned in said magazine.

For this purpose, at the end of the loader, two vertical adjustable flaps (16) are mounted capable of cooperating with in particular the edges of the stack of trays to ensure its temporary maintenance, set back from the stack engaged in the magazine (1). These flaps are subject to control means (17) to be angularly oriented in order to release the stack when the upper end of the stack engaged in the magazine has arrived at a level lower than the feed conveyor (13a) of the loader. .

In a preferred manner, the control means (17) is constituted for each flap by a pneumatic cylinder whose rod (17a) has at the end a yoke (17b) cooperating with a sole integral with a vertical axis (18) receiving the corresponding section. Each of the axes (18) is mounted to rotate freely in bearings (19) which, for example, have the amounts of the flanges (13c) of the loader. These jacks (17) are slaved to a photoelectric cell for example or other sensor member capable of detecting the level of the stack of trays contained in the store (1). In addition, the closing of the flaps is timed, according to a determined time corresponding to the placement of the stack of trays in the store.

It is planned to have under the feed conveyor (13a) of the loader, a sliding mounted plate (20), the end of which is very slightly curved to facilitate the positioning and positioning of the stack of trays between the rods of the store. Note that in the closed position of the flaps (16), the latter are very slightly behind with respect to the end rollers (13b1) of the conveyor.

The charger assembly (13) as described can be mounted on a support frame with capacity for adjustment in translation relative to the magazine (1) to vary the spacing between the front end of said charger and said magazine depending on the dimensions of trays.

To position and always engage the trays of trays contained in the magazine (13) perfectly in the magazine (1), the bottom (13a) of said charger is equipped with a member capable of giving said batteries a combined movement of reciprocating movement in height and travel towards the store.

For this purpose, the bottom (13a) is composed of two rows of rollers (14) between which are fixed, in a parallel manner, two angle irons (25).

The vertical wings of each iron (25) are provided, at each of their ends, with elements (26) acting as a ramp.

More particularly, each element (26) comprises a transverse axis (26a) on which is articulated a tab (26b) positioned angularly to ensure the desired ramp effect. This tab is locked angularly in one direction with the ability to pivot in the other. The free end of the tab is very substantially at the level of the horizontal wing of the irons (25).

These two irons (25) are coifffés by a U-shaped profile (28) subject to a control means in the form of a cylinder (29), to be moved in translation. The vertical wings (28a) of the U (28) are internally equipped with rolling members (30) capable of cooperating with the ramps (26). In the lower position of the U (28) corresponding to a position of the rolling members at the level of the horizontal wings (25b) of the angles (25), the upper face (28b) of the said U is situated very slightly below the horizontal plane defined by the rollers (14). This upper face (28b) has an anti-friction coating (31).

The rod (29a) of the jack (29) is connected by a plate (29b) to the U-shaped iron (28). This plate (29b) passes between the vertical wings (25a) of the angles (25) while being mounted to slide in a light (13a1) of the bottom (13a) of the charger. The jack (29) is controlled in an alternating translational movement. In addition, the control of this cylinder is triggered by the sensor for detecting the height of the stack of trays contained in the store and which controls the opening of the flaps.

It therefore appears that the U-shaped iron (28), under the actuating effect of the jack (29), is simultaneously displaced in translation towards the magazine (1) and displaced in height under the ramp effect of the elements (26 ) cooperating with the rolling members (30). At this level, the upper face (28b) of the U (29) projects from the rollers (14). When the rolling members (30) escape the ramp (26b), the U (28) is lowered and then brought back by the return of the rod (29a) of the jack (29). The rolling members (30) cooperate with the horizontal wing of the angle iron (27) by temporarily retracting the tab (26b) of the ramp elements (26). The U-shaped profile therefore essentially describes a square cycle.

It therefore results therefrom, when the cell detects that the stack contained in the magazine arrives at a level lower than that of the conveyor (13a), the order is given to the control jacks for opening the flaps and to the jack (29). control unit (28). By gravity and under the effect of the movement indicated above of the U-shaped profile, the batteries contained in the charger (13) are directed towards the magazine (1), the most forward battery being released by the flaps, comes automatically center in said store. The shutters are then closed.

Note that the actuator (29) of the U (28) is slaved to a time delay and continues for a short time time, after closing the flaps, to move said U (28), which has the effect of nested in each other the different trays.

Still having the objective of ensuring a safe and efficient positioning of the stacks of trays contained in the loader (13), in the magazine (1), the feed conveyor at the bottom of said loader is equipped with means capable of moving the 'all the batteries towards said store and, concomitantly to temporarily release all the other batteries of said store.

For example, the feed conveyor consists of an inclined ramp mounted to slide guided between two flanges and being subject to a control jack for its movement in translation. The rod of this jack is coupled to a freewheel system whose drive shaft carries at the end, a pinion which meshes with a rack integral with a fixed part of the loader. The freewheel system is coupled by a set of belts to a transfer belt which has the inclined ramp. This results in the following operation.

As previously indicated when the cell detects that the stack contained in the magazine arrives at a level lower than that of the conveyor, the flaps (16) are controlled in the open position and the jack controls in translation the entire ramp to bring a stack of trays against the store. Note that the pinion which cooperates with the rack during the displacement of the ramp, does not cause the set of belts of the transfer belt, taking into account the freewheel system which, in this sense, is in the disengaged position.

As soon as the flaps (16) are controlled in the closed position, the jack is controlled in the opposite direction so that the freewheel-pinion-rack system drives the set of belts in a direction opposite to that of the feeding of the trays, which has the effect of temporarily separating all of the other batteries from the one just introduced into the store.

The operation of the machine is as follows:

The different trays nested one inside the other, are arranged in superposition in the magazine (1) by being centered between the vertical rods (1d) and held in height by the elastic tongues (5). An action on the jack (4) has the effect of physically gripping a tray by means of its suction cup head (4b) which cooperates with the bottom of the lower tray. When the tray is set, the stack is very slightly raised to ensure safe and efficient gripping of said tray.

The tray thus seized is directed under the effect of lowering the head of the jack, on the means of transport (3). At this level, a proximity sensor detects the presence of the tray and cuts the power to the cylinder and the suction effect of the suction cup, so that the tray is perfectly positioned flat on the strips (3a) of the means of transport. The conveyor belt (3) being supplied continuously, or intermittently, the tray is evacuated to another work station. As indicated, the angular adjustment of the arms (11) makes it possible to very precisely adjust the end roller (3e) of the means of transport (3) at this other work station.

When the stack of trays reaches a level lower than that of the conveyor (13a), the cell detects this state and gives the control order to the jacks (17) for the opening of the flaps (16). The most forward stack is released and automatically centers itself between the vertical rods (3d) of the magazine, interlocking with the remaining stack in said magazine. Immediately, the flaps crossed by the stack of trays, the latter are closed by the jacks (17) taking into account the time delay.

For certain applications, provision may be made to equip the same machine with several magazines and loaders, arranged in juxtaposition and each shaped according to the principle described.

The advantages are apparent from the description.

Claims (18)

-1- Machine for the automatic distribution of trays comprising suitably mounted on a support frame, at least one store (1) shaped and arranged with means to allow the positioning and the maintenance in superposition of a plurality of trays above d 'a means of transport and evacuation (3) under which is mounted, in alignment with the store, at least one member (4) capable of physically gripping a tray and positioning it on said means of transport and evacuation; next to the store is mounted a charger (13) arranged to receive several stacks of trays arranged in juxtaposition while being equipped with means capable of ensuring, on the one hand, as a function of the height of the stack of trays in the store, the automatic insertion of a new battery in said store. -2- Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for positioning and holding the trays in the store (1) are constituted by parallel lateral guides (1a) and (1b) mounted with adjustable spacing relative to a bottom wall (1c) each being equipped with vertical support rods (1d) cooperating with the edge of the trays, the base of these guides being equipped with temporary retaining means (5) of the trays. -3- Machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the temporary retention means (5) consist of bands with elastic deformation capacity cooperating with a portion of the bottom of the tray to ensure its retention while being able to s 'move aside when said tray is pulled towards the bottom. -4- Machine according to claim 3, characterized in that at the level of the temporary retaining means (5) of the trays, are mounted fingers (21) adapted to cooperate with the edges of the tray located above the tray to be gripped by the gripping member, said fingers (21) being subject to means (23) to be controlled by synchronism with said gripping member. -5- Machine according to claim 4, characterized in that the fingers (21) are engaged in free sliding in the thickness of the support element (5a) of the retaining members (5), the rear part of the fingers being fixed in a plate (22) secured to the control means (23). -6- Machine according to any one of claims 1, 2 and 3, characterized in that the entire magazine (1) is tilted back to allow positioning by gravity of all the trays bearing against the plate bottom (1c). -7- Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the member (4) is constituted by a jack whose head is equipped with at least one suction cup (4b) subject to a control means to empty at will and whether or not to create a depression. -8- Machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the cylinder body is mounted with lateral displacement capacity on guide rods in order to position the suction cup (4b) very substantially in the middle part of the bottom of the tray, l 'assembly of the actuator and its head being inclined in the same angular orientation as that of the magazine. -9- Machine according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8, characterized in that the magazine (1) and the member (4) are subject to means capable of ensuring the adjustment of the distance between the gripping head (4b) of said member, and the bottom of the tray placed in the lower part of the magazine (1). -10- Machine according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8 and 9, characterized in that the means of transport and evacuation (3) is composed of several toric bands (3a) mounted in grooves formed on the periphery of drive rollers (3b - 3c) slaved to a control motor (3d), the head of the jack passing between said strips. -11- Machine according to claim 10, characterized in that the ends of the motor roller (3c) carry two arms (11) between which is mounted free in rotation a roller (3e) coupled to said roller (3c) by O-rings (3f) to be positively rotated, said support arms (11) being mounted with angular adjustment capacity to vary the height of the roller (3e). -12- Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the bottom (13a) of the charger receiving the stacks of trays is oriented in a manner substantially perpendicular to the store (1) to be oriented towards said store along a downward slope, the bottom (13a) being equipped with members and means capable of ensuring the transfer of the stacks of trays towards the store. -13- Machine according to any one of claims 1 and 12, characterized in that at the end of the magazine on the side of the store, are mounted retaining means (16) adapted to cooperate with in particular the edges of the stack of trays end to ensure its temporary withdrawal from the stack engaged in the store. -14- Machine according to any one of claims 1, 12 and 13, characterized in that the means (16) are constituted by adjustable flaps subject to control means (17) to be angularly opened in order to release the end stack of the charger when the upper part of the stack engaged in the magazine has arrived at a level lower than the feed conveyor (13a). -15- Machine according to claim 14, characterized in that the control means (17) is constituted for each flap by a jack whose rod (17a) is arranged to rotate a vertical axis (18) integral with said flap, each axis being mounted on a part of the loader at the store. -16- Machine according to claim 15, characterized in that the jacks (17) are slaved to a sensor capable of detecting the level of the stack of trays contained in the store, the closing of said flaps being timed. -17- Machine according to claims 1 and 14 together, characterized in that the feed conveyor (13a) of the bottom of the loader, is equipped with members (27 - 28) capable of subjecting the stacks of trays contained in said loader , to a combined movement of alternative movement in height and in translation towards the store. -18- Machine according to any one of claims 1 and 14, characterized in that the feed conveyor of the bottom of said loader is equipped with means capable of moving all of the batteries towards said store and, in a way concomitant with the installation of a new battery in the store, to temporarily release all the other batteries from said store.

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