EP0731025B1 - Canning of elongated products such as green beans - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method of packaging of filiform products such as, for example example, green beans, as well as a device for its Implementation.

Although more particularly intended for green beans, however, the present invention is not limited to such uses and it will find its application in all sectors of economic activity in which we have to package products filiform with a more or less irregular appearance and a certain rigidity such as, for example, products food like carrots, asparagus or others.

Currently, to box products threadlike such as green beans, the processes more common are often manual. They implement demanding tasks and to stay competitive, using low-cost labor come back. In addition, these processes do not always fulfill the hygienic conditions necessary for the food industry.

To remedy these drawbacks, we have imagined different automated processes and devices allowing the packaging of filiform products.

We thus know, for example, the canning by gravity. According to this process, the products are collected that we want to condition over a box and we drops them in said box. We also know processes in which canning is carried out by vibrations.

Although satisfactory in some cases, these processes have the disadvantage, in the case of products filiform, to cause an alteration of these. Of more, if the filiform products are previously stored, these processes do not allow their alignment.

We also know different processes in which filiform products, previously arranged, are pushed into a box. These processes present the inconvenience of damaging filiform products, especially by crushing around the edges of the box during their introduction. In addition, they do not allow the storage of satisfactorily.

• l'on range les saucisses, sensiblement alignées suivant une première direction, dans une poche,
• l'on dispose une boíte, bocal ou équivalent, présentant un axe longitudinal, orienté sensiblement suivant ladite première direction, et muni d'une ouverture à son extrémité placée en regard de ladite poche,
• l'on prévoit un élément tubulaire entre ladite poche et le voisinage de ladite ouverture, orienté sensiblement suivant ladite première direction,
• l'on guide les saucisses dans ledit élément tubulaire vers l'ouverture avant l'introduction dans la boíte, bocal ou équivalent.

In the specific field of canning sausages, it has thus been proposed, in particular in document EP-A-180.002, a method of packaging sausages in which:

• the sausages, substantially aligned in a first direction, are stored in a pocket,
• there is a box, jar or equivalent, having a longitudinal axis, oriented substantially in said first direction, and provided with an opening at its end placed opposite said pocket,
• a tubular element is provided between said pocket and the vicinity of said opening, oriented substantially in said first direction,
• we guide the sausages in said tubular element towards the opening before introduction into the box, jar or equivalent.

However, in this document, the sausages are not accelerated but pushed regularly by each other, through a insert, right down to the box where they are intended to be preserved.

Document US-A-4,386,490 describes a process which is substantially identical to the previous one in which the sausages are furthermore enclosed gradually in tweezers wide open at the start.

The corresponding device is therefore not suitable for filiform products of small section which would get caught between the clamps.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method of packaging of filiform products as well as a device for its implementation work which do not alter the condition of the said filiform products.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a process for packaging filiform products as well as a device for its implementation which ensure the aligned storage of said products threadlike.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a packaging process and a device for its implementation which allow to ensure satisfactory rates.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a process for packaging filiform products and a device for placing it which make it possible to comply with the hygiene rules encountered in the field of the food industry.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear during the description which follows which is given only as indicative and which is not intended to limit it.

• l'on range les produits filiformes sensiblement alignés suivant une première direction, dans une poche,
• l'on dispose une boíte, bocal ou équivalent, présentant un axe longitudinal, orienté sensiblement suivant ladite première direction, et muni d'une ouverture à son extrémité placée en regard de ladite poche,
• l'on prévoit un élément tubulaire au regard et dans le voisinage de ladite ouverture, orienté sensiblement suivant ladite première direction,
• l'on guide les produits filiformes dans ledit élément tubulaire vers l'ouverture avant l'introduction dans la boíte, bocal ou équivalent,
  caractérisé par le fait que les produits filiformes sont également accélérés dans ledit élément tubulaire vers l'ouverture avant l'introduction dans la boíte, bocal ou équivalent, ledit élément tubulaire étant constitué par ladite poche, prévue plus longue que lesdits produits filiformes, et par un couvercle de forme complémentaire à, et faisant saillie dans, ladite poche.

The present invention relates to a process for packaging filiform products, such as, for example, green beans, in which:

• the filiform products which are substantially aligned in a first direction are stored in a pocket,
• there is a box, jar or equivalent, having a longitudinal axis, oriented substantially in said first direction, and provided with an opening at its end placed opposite said pocket,
• a tubular element is provided facing and in the vicinity of said opening, oriented substantially in said first direction,
• the filiform products are guided in said tubular element towards the opening before introduction into the box, jar or equivalent,
  characterized by the fact that the filiform products are also accelerated in said tubular element towards the opening before introduction into the box, jar or equivalent, said tubular element being constituted by said pocket, provided longer than said filiform products, and by a cover of shape complementary to, and projecting into, said pocket.

• des moyens pour ranger les produits filiformes, sensiblement alignés suivant une première direction, dans une poche,
• des moyens pour disposer une boíte, bocal ou équivalent, présentant un axe longitudinal, orienté sensiblement suivant ladite première direction, et muni d'une ouverture à son extrémité placée en regard de ladite poche,
• un élément tubulaire au regard et dans le voisinage de l'ouverture, orienté sensiblement suivant ladite première direction,
• des moyens pour guider les produits filiformes dans ledit élément tubulaire vers l'ouverture avant l'introduction dans la boíte, bocal ou équivalent,
  caractérisé par le fait que lesdits moyens pour guider sont prévus également aptes à accélérer les produits filiformes dans l'élément tubulaire vers l'ouverture avant l'introduction dans la boíte, bocal ou équivalent, ledit élément tubulaire étant constitué par ladite poche, prévue plus longue que les produits filiformes et par un couvercle de forme complémentaire à, faisant saillie dans, ladite poche.

The present invention also relates to a device for implementing the packaging method described above, of filiform products such as, for example, green beans, comprising:

• means for storing the filiform products, substantially aligned in a first direction, in a pocket,
• means for placing a box, jar or equivalent, having a longitudinal axis, oriented substantially in said first direction, and provided with an opening at its end placed opposite said pocket,
• a tubular element facing and in the vicinity of the opening, oriented substantially in said first direction,
• means for guiding the filiform products in said tubular element towards the opening before introduction into the box, jar or equivalent,
  characterized by the fact that said means for guiding are also provided capable of accelerating the filiform products in the tubular element towards the opening before introduction into the box, jar or equivalent, said tubular element being constituted by said pocket, provided more as long as the filiform products and by a cover of a shape complementary to, projecting into, said pocket.

La figure 1 montre de manière schématique, en vue de dessus, une installation munie d'un dispositif de conditionnement conforme à l'invention.

Les figures 2a, 2b et 2c sont des vues de coupe, suivant la ligne II-II représentée à la figure 3, qui illustrent les différentes étapes d'un mode de réalisation du procédé conforme à l'invention.

La figure 3 est une vue latérale qui présente un exemple de réalisation du dispositif conforme à l'invention.

La figure 4 est une vue de coupe, suivant la ligne IV-IV représentée à la figure 3, qui détaille, en vue de face, un mode particulier de réalisation d'un élément du dispositif conforme à l'invention.

La figure 5 est une vue de face qui reprend l'élément représenté à la figure 4 dans un état différent.

The present invention will be better understood if reference is made to the following description and to the accompanying drawings which form an integral part thereof.

Figure 1 shows schematically, in top view, an installation provided with a packaging device according to the invention.

Figures 2a, 2b and 2c are sectional views along the line II-II shown in Figure 3, which illustrate the different steps of an embodiment of the method according to the invention.

Figure 3 is a side view which shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention.

Figure 4 is a sectional view along the line IV-IV shown in Figure 3, which details, in front view, a particular embodiment of an element of the device according to the invention.

Figure 5 is a front view which shows the element shown in Figure 4 in a different state.

The present invention relates to a method of packaging of filiform products such as, for example example, green beans.

Although more particularly developed for green beans, the present invention is however not limited to such uses and it will find its application in all sectors of economic activity in which we have to package products filiform with a more or less external appearance irregular and some rigidity such as, for example, food products like carrots, asparagus or others.

As shown in Figure 1, according to the packaging process according to the invention, filiform products 1 such as, for example, green beans, substantially aligned, in a pocket 3.

According to the particular example of installation of shown packaging, this storage step takes place previously and independently in a marked area 4. The pocket 3 is then transferred, for example, by by means of transport 5, to a zone 6 boxing where the threadlike products 1 occur in a first direction, marked 2.

In this zone 6, according to the invention, we has a box 7, jar or equivalent, having an axis longitudinal, oriented substantially along said first direction 2. Box 7, jar or equivalent is provided with a opening 8 at its end placed opposite the pocket 3.

Regarding the boxes 7, jars or equivalents, for example, boxes of substantially cylindrical preserves, glass jars, or any other type of packaging in which one wishes store aligned filiform products parallel to the longitudinal axis and provided with an opening 8, substantially orthogonal to this axis, along one of the bases of the box.

There is also provision for a tubular element 9 between the pocket 3 and the vicinity of the opening 8. It is oriented substantially in the first direction 2.

According to the invention, before introducing the filiform products 1 in box 7, jar or equivalent, they are accelerated and guided in the tubular element 9 towards opening 8. They thus acquire a certain momentum which facilitates their penetration into the box. The filiform products 1 are then stored in the box without being altered and retaining their alignment.

To ensure the transfer of products filiform 1 of the tubular element 9 to the box 7, jar or equivalent, we can keep it in place during their introduction.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the first direction 2 is oriented substantially horizontal. Boxes 7, jars or equivalents are therefore shown lying next to the tubular element 9.

In order to ensure a satisfactory rate, scroll successively, notably step by step, boxes 7, jars or equivalent, in the extension of the tubular element 9. The boxes are brought into position filling according to the arrow marked 11. After having been filled, they are evacuated according to the arrow marked 12.

Before the boxing, we check the presence filiform products 1 in the pocket 3 and the presence box 7, jar or equivalent in the extension of the tubular element 9. The boxing is then carried out, after these verifications, only if the filiform products 1 and the box 7, jar or equivalent are present simultaneously.

These checks are performed, for example, by sensors 13, in particular optical. When the two elements are not simultaneously present, the triggering of the boxing is canceled.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the internal profile of the tubular element 9 corresponds to the dimensions of the opening 8.

According to another embodiment, these dimensions are different and we exercise a slight compression on filiform products 1 in the element tubular 9. By "light" it should be understood that the volume filiform products 1 in the tubular element 9 is slightly lower than the one it will occupy in the box 7, jar or equivalent.

After storage in the latter, the threadlike products 1, such as, for example, beans green, resume their initial level of expansion, in particular, thanks to their elasticity.

According to the particular embodiment of the invention shown in the following figures, the tubular element 9 by the pocket 3 provided longer than filiform products 1, and by a removable cover 19 of complementary shape to said pocket 3.

According to an example of implementation of the method according to the invention, a pocket 3 can be used, the length is approximately twice that of filiform products 1.

These are stored aligned, initially, at the end of the pocket 3 opposite the box 7, jar or equivalent.

If, as shown in Figure 1, in the packaging installation in which the process according to the invention is implemented, the products filiform 1 are provided rows aligned at the other end of pocket 3, they are pushed back, for example, using a cylinder 15, at the bottom of the pocket 3, that is to say at its end placed opposite the box 7, jar or equivalent.

To ensure satisfactory performance, we scroll successively, notably step by step, pockets 3 next to box 7, jar or equivalent to fill.

Thus, the packaging process in accordance with the invention follows, for example, the following sequences. We positions a pocket 3, filled with threadlike products 1 rows aligned, and simultaneously a box 7, jar or equivalent, empty, opposite said pocket 3. We put in place the cover 19 on the pocket 3. We transfer, as shown in Figures 2a to 2c, the filiform products 1 from the bottom of the pocket 3 in the box 7, jar or equivalent. The cover 19 is then retracted. A new pocket 3 and a new box 7, jar or equivalent and so on.

The present invention also relates to a device for packaging filiform products 1 such than, for example, green beans.

As shown in Figure 3, it includes, according to the invention, means 16 for storing the products filiform 1, substantially aligned along a first direction 2, in a pocket 3.

It also includes means 17 for have a box 7, jar or equivalent, having a longitudinal axis, oriented substantially along the first direction 2, and provided with an opening 8 at its end placed next to the pocket 3.

The device according to the invention comprises also a tubular element 9 between the pocket 3 and the vicinity of the opening 8, oriented substantially along the first direction 2.

Regarding pocket 3 and the element tubular 9, we will choose materials to ensure satisfactory hygiene and facilitating the sliding of filiform products 1. This could, for example, be metal, metal alloy, thermoplastic resin or other.

According to the invention, the device for packaging also includes means 18 for accelerate and guide filiform products 1 in the tubular element 9 towards the front opening 8 the introduction into the box 7, jar or equivalent.

To facilitate the transfer of products filiforms from pocket 3 in box 7, jar or equivalent, the tubular element 9 has a profile interior substantially the same as that of the box 7, jar or equivalent. It could be, for example, a cylindrical profile.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the first direction 2 is provided substantially horizontal.

As shown in Figure 4, the element tubular 9 is constituted by the pocket 3, expected longer than filiform products 1, and by a cover 19 of complementary shape to the pocket 3.

The latter consists, for example, of two sides 20 and a bottom 21 having a profile interior partially taking up the profile of the box 7, jar or equivalent in which the filiform products 1 are conditioned. In the case of boxes 7, jars or cylindrical equivalents, pocket 3 has thus, for example, a bottom 21 provided with an interior profile semi-cylindrical.

With regard to the cover 19, the term "complementary" means that the pocket 3 and the cover 19 define between them a space 22 constituting a tube. As already mentioned above, its profile corresponds to that box 7, jar or equivalent in which the products filiform 1 are packaged.

For this, the cover 19 cooperates with the sides 20 of the pocket 3. It has a thickness 23 protruding between said sides 20. This thickness 23 presents, at its end facing the bottom 21 of the pocket 3, a concave surface 35. It may be according to the example of implementation mentioned above, of a surface substantially semi-cylindrical.

If we refer again to Figure 3, we notes that the cover 19 has, for example, a identical length to that of pocket 3.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the means 18 for accelerating are constituted by a piston 24, able to move, substantially along the first direction 2, in the tubular element 9. The piston 24 is actuated, for example, by at least a second cylinder 25, in particular double effect.

Said second cylinder 25 is provided, for example, with control means 26 capable of inhibiting the movement of the piston 24 if the filiform products 1 are not present in pocket 3 or if box 7, jar or equivalent is not present in the extension of the tubular element 9.

The device according to the invention comprises, in addition, for example, a succession of pockets 3, filled of filiform products lined up aligned.

The pockets 3 are suitable for scrolling successively, notably step by step, at the element level tubular 9, opposite the box 7, jar or equivalent. They are secured, for example, on a conveyor 27 endless on which they are, in particular, spaced regularly.

The packaging device in accordance with the invention further comprises, for example, means for scroll successively, notably step by step, boxes 7, jars or equivalent, in the extension of the tubular element 9. These means for scrolling are consisting, for example, of a pocket conveyor, a chain or pocket wheel 29.

If we refer again to Figure 4, we note that the device according to the invention comprises, for example, means 30 for compressing the products filiform 1 inside the tubular element 9.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the means 30 for compressing are constituted by the cover 19. Indeed, as shown, the space 22 between the pocket 3 and the cover 19 defines a section slightly smaller than that, marked by dotted lines 31, from box 7, jar or equivalent.

As shown in Figure 5, the cover 19 is provided sliding relative to pocket 3. For this, the pocket 3 is provided with rods 32 cooperating with through holes 33 made in the cover 19.

We can thus, in particular, determine a cross-sectional area of space 22 slightly less than the section of the box 7, jar or equivalent thanks to a vertical translational movement according to the arrow identified 34.

In order to increase the rate of the process described above, we could, for example, combine several devices according to the invention in parallel.

Naturally, other implementations of the present invention, within the reach of ordinary skill in the art, could have been envisaged without leaving the part of this application.

Claims (13)

1. Process for packing filiform products (1) such as, for example, French beans, wherein :

   the filiform products (1) are placed substantially aligned in a first direction (2), in a pocket (3) ;

   there is provided a can (7), jar or equivalent item, having a longitudinal axis, orientated substantially in the said first direction (2), and having an opening (8) at its end placed opposite the said pocket (3) ;

   a tubular element (9) is provided opposite and in the vicinity of the said opening (8), so as to be orientated substantially in the said first direction (2) ;

   the filiform products (1) are guided through the said tubular element (9) towards the opening (8) before being introduced into the can (7), jar or equivalent item ;
   characterised by the fact that the filiform products (1) are also accelerated through the said tubular element (9) towards the opening (8) before being introduced into the can (7), jar or equivalent item, the said tubular element (9) being constituted by the pocket (3), which is designed to be longer than the filiform products (1), and by a cover (19) which has a shape matching that of the said pocket (3) and which projects thereinto.
2. Process according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that the said first direction (2) is provided so as to be substantially horizontally orientated.
3. Process according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that cans (7), jars or equivalent items are moved successively so as to be located in the continuation of the said tubular element (9).
4. Process according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that the presence of the filiform products (1) in the pocket (3) and the simultaneous presence of the can (7), jar or equivalent item in the continuation of the said tubular element (9) are checked, and canning is carried out following the said checks.
5. Process according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that the filiform products (1) are subjected to slight compression in the tubular element (9).
6. Process according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that pockets (3) are moved successively so as to be opposite the can (7), jar or equivalent item to be filled.
7. Device for packing filiform products (1) such as, for example, French beans, including:

   means (16) for placing the filiform products (1) substantially aligned in a first direction (2), in a pocket (3) ;

   means (17) for providing a can (7), jar or equivalent item, having a longitudinal axis, orientated substantially in the said first direction (2), and having an opening (8) at its end placed opposite the said pocket (3) ;

   a tubular element (9) opposite and in the vicinity of the said opening (8), orientated substantially in the said first direction (2) ;

   means (18) for guiding the filiform products (1) through the said tubular element (9) towards the opening (8) before introduction into the can (7), jar or equivalent item ;
   characterised by the fact that the said means for guiding are also designed to be capable of accelerating the filiform products (1) through the said tubular element (9) towards the opening (8) before introduction into the can (7), jar or equivalent item, the said tubular element (9) being constituted by the pocket (3), which is designed to be longer than the filiform products (1), and by a cover (19) which has a shape matching that of the said pocket (3) and which projects thereinto.
8. Process according to claim 7, characterised by the fact that the said first direction (2) is provided so as to be substantially horizontal.
9. Device according to claim 7, characterised by the fact that the means (18) for accelerating are constituted by a piston (24) capable of moving, substantially in the first direction (2), through the tubular element (9).
10. Device according to claim 7, characterised by the fact that it further includes a succession of pockets (3), filled with filiform products (1) placed in alignment, capable of moving successively past the tubular element (9).
11. Device according to claim 7, characterised by the fact that it further includes means for successively moving cans (7), jars or equivalent items so that they are located in the continuation of the said tubular element (9).
12. Device according to claim 7, characterised by the fact that it includes means (30) for compressing the filiform products (1) inside the tubular element (9).
13. Device according to claim 12, characterised by the fact that the means (30) for compressing are constituted by the cover (19), which is designed to slide in relation to the pocket (3).

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