EP1778415B1 - Device for sorting and grouping objects, containers and the similar - Google Patents

Device for sorting and grouping objects, containers and the similar Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1778415B1
EP1778415B1 EP05779714A EP05779714A EP1778415B1 EP 1778415 B1 EP1778415 B1 EP 1778415B1 EP 05779714 A EP05779714 A EP 05779714A EP 05779714 A EP05779714 A EP 05779714A EP 1778415 B1 EP1778415 B1 EP 1778415B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
bottles
station
tool
sorting
rows
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Not-in-force
Application number
EP05779714A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1778415A1 (en
Inventor
Marc Ottmann
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sidel Participations SAS
Original Assignee
Sidel Participations SAS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sidel Participations SAS filed Critical Sidel Participations SAS
Publication of EP1778415A1 publication Critical patent/EP1778415A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1778415B1 publication Critical patent/EP1778415B1/en
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
    • B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
    • B07C5/00—Sorting according to a characteristic or feature of the articles or material being sorted, e.g. by control effected by devices which detect or measure such characteristic or feature; Sorting by manually actuated devices, e.g. switches
    • B07C5/34—Sorting according to other particular properties
    • B07C5/342—Sorting according to other particular properties according to optical properties, e.g. colour
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
    • B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
    • B07C5/00—Sorting according to a characteristic or feature of the articles or material being sorted, e.g. by control effected by devices which detect or measure such characteristic or feature; Sorting by manually actuated devices, e.g. switches
    • B07C5/04—Sorting according to size
    • B07C5/12—Sorting according to size characterised by the application to particular articles, not otherwise provided for
    • B07C5/122—Sorting according to size characterised by the application to particular articles, not otherwise provided for for bottles, ampoules, jars and other glassware
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
    • B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
    • B07C5/00—Sorting according to a characteristic or feature of the articles or material being sorted, e.g. by control effected by devices which detect or measure such characteristic or feature; Sorting by manually actuated devices, e.g. switches
    • B07C5/34—Sorting according to other particular properties
    • B07C5/3404—Sorting according to other particular properties according to properties of containers or receptacles, e.g. rigidity, leaks, fill-level
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B21/00—Packaging or unpacking of bottles
    • B65B21/02—Packaging or unpacking of bottles in or from preformed containers, e.g. crates
    • B65B21/14—Introducing or removing groups of bottles, for filling or emptying containers in one operation
    • B65B21/18—Introducing or removing groups of bottles, for filling or emptying containers in one operation using grippers engaging bottles, e.g. bottle necks

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to an improvement in the sorting and grouping facilities of objects, and more particularly to the sorting and grouping of containers such as, for example, returnable bottles.
  • the selection criteria used vary according to the objects; for containers such as returnable bottles, the criteria may be related to their shapes, dimensions, colors, the nature of their constituent materials, their marks, their decorations or any other type of distinctive character. .
  • the recognition operation according to selected selection criteria tends to be carried out upstream of a handling station for said bottles, when the latter are still in crates, as delivered to the sorting center.
  • sorting rates are relatively low; they can be improved by multiplying the control chains but, in this case, the installation becomes complex and its footprint is relatively large.
  • the present invention proposes an improvement in the layout of sorting centers or installations in general, which makes them both more compact and, above all, more efficient in terms of speed.
  • the installation comprises a tool equipped with means for moving the rows of bottles individually and vertically between a high position where they are in the normal transport position, adjacent to the tool, and a low position where each row of bottles is placed in the field of action of the recognition means, allowing the reading and analysis of the characteristics of the different bottles.
  • the tool comprises means for separating the different rows of bottles transversely relative to each other, and for providing, on either side of each row, a space corresponding to the congestion of the recognition means, thus enabling the reading and analysis of the characteristics of each of said bottles, as and when they pass in front of said means of recognition of the corresponding station, for the whole batch of bottles carried by said tool.
  • This arrangement of the tool makes it possible to improve the compactness of the installation; it makes it possible to reduce the length of the recognition station to its simplest expression.
  • the tool comprises means which make it possible to simultaneously manipulate several rows of bottles in order to shift them relative to one another.
  • the recognition station comprises recognition means which are arranged vis-à-vis each other, forming a kind of corridor for the passage of a row of bottles extracted from the batch carried by the gripping tool and transport, and in this corridor, said bottles are examined over their entire surface visible by said recognition means.
  • the recognition station is divided into several elementary stations which each have several recognition corridors to examine the bottles of each row of the batch carried by the tool, which corridors are shifted transversely relative to each other on the path of said tool.
  • each elementary station comprises two juxtaposed corridors, for simultaneously examining two rows of bottles which are offset vertically and transversely relative to each other.
  • the tool for gripping and transporting objects can be of the multiple type, that is to say be able to take several batches simultaneously, each batch being taken, for example, in a line of boxes at the pick-up station.
  • this arrangement of sorting and grouping facilities can be applied either to facilities that use a transfer system consisting of a discontinuous conveyor or to facilities using a continuous continuous conveyor , provided in both cases with at least one tool that can take and carry at least one batch of bottles.
  • the system for transferring bottles from one station to the other consists of an endless conveyor of the continuous operation type, provided with at least one tool for gripping and transport of at least one batch of bottles, and each station, both at the level of the support and the removal, comprises at least one conveyor corridor whose entry is parallel to the path of said transfer system, and the conveyor said corridor is animated with a speed identical to that of said transfer system.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 show a sorting installation and grouping of bottles (1) recorded which are, for example, delivered in boxes (2). These boxes (2), as represented figure 2 in perspective, are generally standardized and contain, for example, in the illustrated cash register model, 24 bottles.
  • the crates are often filled with bottles of different shapes and characteristics.
  • the reuse of these bottles therefore involves grouping them by families, which makes it necessary to make not only a recognition of shapes but also recognition of colors, materials, marks, decoration or others.
  • the bottles (1) are represented with variations in their height.
  • the box (2) containing these bottles of different sizes, is positioned at the support station (3).
  • a tool (5) provided with pneumatically operated heads (6), of the tulip type, is responsible for taking the bottles (1) into the box (2) and moving this batch of bottles to the stations (7) of removal where they are grouped by families according to the criteria used for the classification. These stations (7) of removal correspond, for example, to the upstream part of an accumulation conveyor device, as described in document EP 1144285 .
  • the bottles are grouped in boxes, according to the criteria selected, by appropriate means, at the end of the various accumulation conveyors.
  • the tool (5) for gripping and transport is carried by a system (9) of transfer which allows to move at will said tool (5) and the set of bottles (1) post in station.
  • This transfer system (9) is in fact a conveyor and, depending on the installation, it may be of the discontinuous operation type or, as shown in dotted line on the figure 1 , of the endless type with continuous operation. In the first case, the operations are linked with a pause at each station; in the second case, with the endless conveyor, the operations are continually linked continuously, which makes it possible to work with much higher rates.
  • the recognition of the characteristics of the bottles (1) is carried out at the recognition station (10).
  • This recognition station (10) is located on the path of the tool (5) so that this recognition operation is carried out in masked time upstream of the various stations (7) of removal, between these and the station ( 3) support.
  • the recognition station (10) comprises means (11) for recognizing the type of sensors and / or cameras or other detectors capable of performing the reading and analysis of the characteristics of the bottles, according to the criteria which have been selected and retained to perform the sorting operation.
  • the installation also includes means of processing the data collected at the recognition station to guide the bottles controlled.
  • the dispensing stations for which they are intended such as the station (7A) of removal for a first type of bottle (small bottles, for example), the station (7B) of removal for a second type of bottles (larger bottles, for example). example) ... etc.
  • the tool (5) is provided with means (not shown) such as telescopic rods for example, which enable the heads (6) to be lowered to cover the bottlenecks of the bottles (1) with the tulips.
  • the stroke of each head (6) is more or less important to automatically adapt to the height of the different bottles.
  • a batch of bottles (1) After being taken at the station (3) supported by the tool (5), a batch of bottles (1) passes through the station (10) recognition, without stopping, at a speed appropriate to allow the means (11) of recognition to read and analyze the characteristics of bottles that scroll, and this batch of identified bottles is then positioned vertically to each of the deposit stations (7A, 7B, ...) where said bottles identified are selectively, according to their own characteristics and the sorting criteria established.
  • the figure 2 shows the detail of an installation comprising a system (9) continuous transfer of the endless conveyor type, which allows to convey at least one batch of bottles (1) continuously, without stopping at the various positions.
  • the crates (2) containing the bottles to be sorted are deposited on a conveyor (31) which is a conveyor of the endless type, and they are brought to the position (3) of support where the batch of bottles is supported by the tool (5) for gripping and transporting.
  • the boxes (2) are placed across the direction of travel of said conveyor and the tool (5), as shown in FIG. figure 2 ; as a result, the batch of bottles also moves across, from station to station.
  • the post (3) support the lot is seen from the side while further, at the station (10) of recognition, the batch of bottles is seen from the front.
  • the speed of the boxes (2) on the conveyor (31) is identical to that of the transfer system (9) so as to allow the tool (5) to collect on the fly the batches of bottles (1) in the different boxes (2).
  • the tool (5) for gripping and transporting is supposed to comprise a number of heads (6) corresponding to the number of bottles of the batch to be taken from the box (2), in this case 24 bottles.
  • the tool (5) for gripping and transport can also be of the multiple type and have a much larger number of heads, arranged in groups to simultaneously take several batches of bottles in crates juxtaposed on the conveyor (31).
  • the heads (6) of the tool (5) are positioned on the bottles by adapting to their dimensions, that is to say that some heads have a greater stroke than others but, during transport bottles, these different heads are locked in position so as to maintain the bottoms of said bottles in the same plane.
  • the various heads (6) of the tool (5) are grouped together and operate in rows. These rows, numbered from (51) to (56), are parallel to the direction of advance of the tool (5). As represented figure 2 by way of example, the rows are 6 in number, and each of them has 4 heads (6) so as to take all the bottles in a box (2) in one go.
  • each row is movable individually and vertically, between its normal position of transport and a position of recognition where the different bottles are placed projecting under the planes of the bottoms of the other bottles.
  • the position (10) of recognition comprises several recognition sub-stations (101, 102, 103), at which the bottle recognition operations are carried out. These sub-stations, or elementary positions, follow each other on the path of the tool (5) for gripping and transporting the bottles and they are in the form of corridors (13).
  • the recognition means (11) arranged in these corridors (13) are placed facing each other, on either side of a row of bottles, to examine practically the entire visible surface of each bottle.
  • each station (101, 102, 103) elementary may comprise a grouping of two corridors (13). These corridors (13) juxtaposed are offset transversely relative to each other, to simultaneously examine two rows of bottles which are themselves vertically offset and transversely.
  • the rows (51) and (56) of bottles are spaced from the other rows (52) to (55), by vertical displacement, so as to be placed each in a corridor (13) of recognition.
  • the corridors (13) of the item (101) elementary allow, as detailed previously, to examine each bottle rows (51) and (56); the corridors (13) of the elementary station (102) make it possible to examine the bottles of the rows (52) and (55); the corridors (13) of the station (103) elementary allow to examine the bottles of the rows (53) and (54), and so on optionally according to the number of rows carried by the tool (5).
  • the recognition operation proceeds in the same way for a tool (5) for gripping and transport of multiple type as detailed previously.
  • This arrangement of the recognition station (10) also applies in the same way to an installation that includes a discontinuous operation transfer system.
  • the reading and analysis of the characteristics of the bottles are carried out upstream of the stations (7) of removal, between the station (3) management and the first station (7) of removal.
  • the first station (7) for removing the continuous transfer system is sketched figure 2 . It consists of a conveyor (71) for accumulation and grouping, as described, for example, in the document EP1144285 aforementioned, whose input is located under the conveyor system (9) transfer. The entrance of this conveyor (71) grouping is parallel to the conveyor path of the system (9) transfer and its forward speed is identical to that of the latter to allow a continuous removal of bottles for said conveyor (71). ) grouping. It is the same for all other stations (7) of removal, not shown, which are of the endless accumulator conveyor type.
  • sorting rates can reach 6000 cases per hour, with, in addition, the possibility of concentrating the various posts, including the reconnaissance post, in a particularly small space.
  • the figure 3 shows a variant of the installation represented figure 2 .
  • This variant also comprises a system (9) for continuous transfer of the endless conveyor type, which can convey at least one batch of bottles (1) station in station.
  • the boxes (2) containing the bottles to be sorted are deposited on the conveyor (31) and they are brought to the position (3) for taking care where the batch of bottles is taken by a tool (5 ') gripping and transport.
  • the speed of the boxes (2) on the conveyor (31) is identical to that of the transfer system (9) so as to allow the tool (5 ') to collect on the fly, the batches of bottles (1) in the different boxes (2).
  • the boxes (2) are placed across the direction of advancement of said conveyor and the tool (5 '); they are seen from the side as well as the batch of bottles taken by the tool (5 ').
  • the batch of bottles is shown from the front, so as to show the arrangement of the recognition means with respect to the different rows of bottles.
  • the heads (6 ') of the tool (5') are positioned on the bottles by adapting in particular to their heights.
  • the various heads (6 ') are locked in the position they took at the support station so as to maintain the bottoms of said bottles in the same plane.
  • the different heads (6 ') of the tool (5') are grouped and operate in rows. These rows are, for example, 6 in number, marked from (51) to (56); they are parallel to the direction of advancement of the tool (5 ') and each of them comprises four heads (6') so as to collect all at once, all the batch of bottles arranged in the box (2) .
  • the figure 4 shows the tool (5 ') for gripping, seen from the front, with the batch of bottles as it appears before and after its passage to the station (10') of recognition.
  • the different rows (51) to (56) of bottles are touch-key and those at the end have a lateral spacing capacity C.
  • this ability to move rows at the level of the head is sufficiently large to allow to disjoin all said rows and pass simultaneously to the means (11) of recognition, that is to say in all the corridors (13) which are juxtaposed with respect to each other as shown figure 3 .
  • the tool (5 ') is of the type comprising means for spacing the rows relative to each other in order to provide, on each side of the latter, sufficient space which allows the passage of the means (11) of recognition.
  • the position (10 ') of recognition, figure 3 comprises several corridors (13) of the same type as those detailed previously in connection with the figure 2 .
  • the recognition means (11) arranged in these corridors (13) are placed facing each other, on either side of a row of bottles, to examine practically the entire visible surface of each bottle.
  • the number of rows (13) is chosen according to the number of rows of bottles to examine and these corridors (13) are juxtaposed to allow simultaneous examination of all rows of bottles.
  • the recognition operation proceeds in the same way for a tool (5 ') for gripping and transport of multiple type as detailed previously.
  • This arrangement of the recognition station (10 ') also applies in the same way to an installation which comprises a discontinuous operation transfer system.
  • the reading and analysis of the characteristics of the bottles are carried out upstream of the stations (7) of removal, between the setting station. load (3) and the first station (7) for removal.
  • the first station (7) for removing the continuous transfer system is also sketched figure 3 . It consists of an endless belt conveyor (71) whose entry is located under the conveyor of the transfer system (9). The entrance of this conveyor (71) grouping is parallel to the conveyor path of the system (9) transfer and the forward speed of said conveyor (71) is identical to that of said conveyor (9) to allow a continuous removal bottles for said grouping conveyor (71). It is the same for all other stations (7) of removal, not shown.
  • the installation of the figure 3 can reach or even exceed sorting rates of the order of 6000 cases per hour, with, in addition, a concentration of the different items in a particularly small space for this type of bottle treatment facility.
  • the invention is not limited to the sorting of bottles; it also applies to the sorting of objects in general, containers ... etc.

Abstract

The inventive sorting and grouping device comprises at least one station (3) for picking up said objects, stations (7) for placing said objects whose number corresponds at least to a number of fixed selection criteria, a system (9) for transporting the objects from one station to another comprising at least one tool (5') for gripping and transporting the objects, means for programming the depositing of the objects on said stations (7) according to the selected criteria and at least one recognition station (10) which is arranged on the path of the tool (5') upstream of said depositing stations (7) and is provided with means for reading and analysing the object characteristics. The tool (5') for gripping and transporting said bottles (1) is provided with several heads (6') which are distributed and operate by rows from (51) to (56), wherein said tool (5') is provided with means for severing said rows from each other at the recognition station (10') and makes it possible to individually inspect each bottle at said station (10').

Description

La présente invention concerne, d'une manière générale, un perfectionnement aux installations de triage et de regroupement d'objets, et, plus particulièrement, les installations de triage et de regroupement de récipients comme, par exemple, des bouteilles consignées.The present invention generally relates to an improvement in the sorting and grouping facilities of objects, and more particularly to the sorting and grouping of containers such as, for example, returnable bottles.

Dans ce domaine du triage et du regroupement de bouteilles consignées, la grande diversité des formes génère des installations complexes et nécessite une main d'oeuvre importante. Ces installations combinent bien souvent des opérations de tri manuel et des opérations de tri automatique par reconnaissance des formes, avant de procéder aux opérations de regroupement proprement dit des bouteilles, selon des critères de sélection déterminés.In this field of sorting and grouping of returnable bottles, the great diversity of forms generates complex installations and requires a large workforce. These installations often combine manual sorting operations and automatic sorting operations by pattern recognition, before proceeding with the actual grouping operations of the bottles, according to certain selection criteria.

Les critères de sélection retenus sont variables selon les objets ; ainsi, pour des récipients comme les bouteilles consignées, les critères peuvent être liés à leurs formes, à leurs dimensions, à leurs couleurs, à la nature de leurs matériaux constitutifs, à leurs marques, à leurs décorations ou à tout autre type de caractère distinctif.The selection criteria used vary according to the objects; for containers such as returnable bottles, the criteria may be related to their shapes, dimensions, colors, the nature of their constituent materials, their marks, their decorations or any other type of distinctive character. .

Dans de nombreux cas, en particulier celui des bouteilles consignées, l'opération de reconnaissance selon des critères de sélection déterminés a tendance à être effectuée en amont d'un poste de prise en charge desdites bouteilles, lorsque ces dernières sont encore dans des caisses, telles que livrées au centre de tri.In many cases, in particular that of the returnable bottles, the recognition operation according to selected selection criteria tends to be carried out upstream of a handling station for said bottles, when the latter are still in crates, as delivered to the sorting center.

Il existe aussi, comme décrit dans le document WO 0126828 , des installations qui comportent des moyens de contrôle disposés au niveau du poste de prise en charge des bouteilles, lesquelles bouteilles sont prélevées et examinées individuellement, c'est-à-dire une par une.There is also, as described in the document WO 0126828 , facilities that include control means arranged at the bottle handling station, which bottles are removed and examined individually, that is to say one by one.

De ce fait, dans ce type d'installation, les cadences de tri sont relativement faibles ; elles peuvent être améliorées en multipliant les chaînes de contrôle mais, dans ce cas, l'installation devient complexe et son encombrement au sol est relativement important.As a result, in this type of installation, sorting rates are relatively low; they can be improved by multiplying the control chains but, in this case, the installation becomes complex and its footprint is relatively large.

La grande diversité des bouteilles susceptibles d'être triées ne favorise pas non plus l'utilisation d'équipements automatiques, c'est-à-dire d'équipements capables d'analyser toutes leurs caractéristiques et de pratiquer des sélections très fines avec un nombre de critères de sélection élevé.The great diversity of bottles that can be sorted also does not favor the use of automatic equipment, that is to say, equipment capable of analyzing all their characteristics and making very fine selections with a number of high selection criteria.

La présente invention propose un perfectionnement à l'aménagement des centres ou installations de tri en général, qui permet de les rendre à la fois plus compacts et, surtout plus performants en terme de cadence.The present invention proposes an improvement in the layout of sorting centers or installations in general, which makes them both more compact and, above all, more efficient in terms of speed.

L'installation de triage et de regroupement de bouteilles consignées, selon l'invention, comprend :

  • un poste pour la prise en charge des bouteilles,
  • des postes pour la dépose desdites bouteilles, dont le nombre correspond au moins au nombre des critères de sélection retenus,
  • un système de transfert desdites bouteilles entre ledit poste de prise en charge et lesdits postes de dépose, comportant au moins un outil adapté pour la préhension et le transport de ces bouteilles,
  • un poste de reconnaissance des critères de tri qui ont été retenus pour trier lesdites bouteilles, lequel poste est équipé de moyens permettant de lire et d'analyser les caractéristiques desdites bouteilles, en partie ou dans leur intégralité,
  • des moyens pour programmer, selon les critères retenus, la dépose des bouteilles aux postes prévus à cet effet, par le système de transfert,
lequel poste de reconnaissance est disposé en amont desdits postes de dépose, entre ces derniers et ledit poste de prise en charge, et ledit outil de préhension et de transport desdites bouteilles est muni de plusieurs têtes du genre tulipe, pour prélever simultanément, audit poste de prise en charge, plusieurs bouteilles, lesquelles têtes sont réparties et fonctionnent par rangées de bouteilles, lesquelles rangées sont orientées selon le sens d'avancement dudit outil, lequel outil comporte des moyens pour disjoindre lesdites rangées les unes par rapport aux autres au niveau dudit poste de reconnaissance et permettre l'examen individuel de chaque bouteille dans sa rangée.The sorting and grouping of returnable bottles according to the invention comprises:
  • a post to take care of the bottles,
  • posts for the removal of said bottles, the number of which corresponds at least to the number of selection criteria selected,
  • a system for transferring said bottles between said support station and said removal stations, comprising at least one tool adapted for gripping and transporting these bottles,
  • an item of recognition of the sorting criteria that have been retained for sorting said bottles, which item is equipped with means for reading and analyzing the characteristics of said bottles, in part or in their entirety,
  • means for programming, according to the selected criteria, the removal of the bottles at the stations provided for this purpose, by the transfer system,
which recognition station is arranged upstream of said removal stations, between the latter and said handling station, and said tool for gripping and transporting said bottles is provided with several heads of the tulip type, for taking simultaneously at said station of supported, several bottles, which heads are distributed and operate in rows of bottles, which rows are oriented in the direction of advance of said tool, which tool comprises means for disjoining said rows relative to each other at said station of recognition and allow the individual examination of each bottle in its row.

Toujours selon l'invention, l'installation comporte un outil équipé de moyens pour déplacer individuellement et verticalement les rangées de bouteilles entre une position haute où elles sont en position normale de transport, attenantes à l'outil, et une position basse où chaque rangée de bouteilles est placée dans le champ d'action des moyens de reconnaissance, permettant la lecture et l'analyse des caractéristiques des différentes bouteilles.Still according to the invention, the installation comprises a tool equipped with means for moving the rows of bottles individually and vertically between a high position where they are in the normal transport position, adjacent to the tool, and a low position where each row of bottles is placed in the field of action of the recognition means, allowing the reading and analysis of the characteristics of the different bottles.

Selon une variante de réalisation de l'invention, l'outil comporte des moyens pour disjoindre transversalement les différentes rangées de bouteilles les unes par rapport aux autres, et pour ménager, de part et d'autre de chaque rangée, un espace qui correspond à l'encombrement des moyens de reconnaissance, permettant ainsi la lecture et l'analyse des caractéristiques de chacune desdites bouteilles, au fur et à mesure de leur passage devant lesdits moyens de reconnaissance du poste correspondant, pour l'ensemble du lot de bouteilles portées par ledit outil. Cet aménagement de l'outil permet d'améliorer la compacité de l'installation ; il permet en effet de réduire la longueur du poste de reconnaissance à sa plus simple expression.According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the tool comprises means for separating the different rows of bottles transversely relative to each other, and for providing, on either side of each row, a space corresponding to the congestion of the recognition means, thus enabling the reading and analysis of the characteristics of each of said bottles, as and when they pass in front of said means of recognition of the corresponding station, for the whole batch of bottles carried by said tool. This arrangement of the tool makes it possible to improve the compactness of the installation; it makes it possible to reduce the length of the recognition station to its simplest expression.

Selon une autre disposition de l'invention, l'outil comporte des moyens qui permettent de manipuler simultanément plusieurs rangées de bouteilles pour les décaler les unes par rapport aux autres.According to another embodiment of the invention, the tool comprises means which make it possible to simultaneously manipulate several rows of bottles in order to shift them relative to one another.

Toujours selon l'invention, le poste de reconnaissance comporte des moyens de reconnaissance qui sont disposés en vis-à-vis les uns des autres, formant une sorte de couloir pour le passage d'une rangée de bouteilles extraites du lot porté par l'outil de préhension et de transport et, dans ce couloir, lesdites bouteilles sont examinées sur toute leur surface visible par lesdits moyens de reconnaissance.Still according to the invention, the recognition station comprises recognition means which are arranged vis-à-vis each other, forming a kind of corridor for the passage of a row of bottles extracted from the batch carried by the gripping tool and transport, and in this corridor, said bottles are examined over their entire surface visible by said recognition means.

Toujours selon l'invention, le poste de reconnaissance est divisé en plusieurs postes élémentaires qui comportent chacun plusieurs couloirs de reconnaissance pour examiner les bouteilles de chacune des rangées du lot porté par l'outil, lesquels couloirs sont décalés transversalement les uns par rapport aux autres sur le parcours dudit outil.Still according to the invention, the recognition station is divided into several elementary stations which each have several recognition corridors to examine the bottles of each row of the batch carried by the tool, which corridors are shifted transversely relative to each other on the path of said tool.

Selon une autre disposition de l'invention, chaque poste élémentaire comporte deux couloirs juxtaposés, permettant d'examiner simultanément deux rangées de bouteilles qui sont décalées verticalement et transversalement l'une par rapport à l'autre.According to another embodiment of the invention, each elementary station comprises two juxtaposed corridors, for simultaneously examining two rows of bottles which are offset vertically and transversely relative to each other.

Toujours selon l'invention et dans le but d'atteindre des cadences très élevées, l'outil de préhension et de transport des objets peut être du type multiple, c'est-à-dire être susceptible de prélever simultanément plusieurs lots, chaque lot étant prélevé, par exemple, dans une ligne de caisses qui se trouvent au poste de prise en charge.Still according to the invention and with the aim of achieving very high speeds, the tool for gripping and transporting objects can be of the multiple type, that is to say be able to take several batches simultaneously, each batch being taken, for example, in a line of boxes at the pick-up station.

Toujours selon l'invention, cet aménagement des installations de triage et de regroupement peut s'appliquer soit à des installations qui utilisent un système de transfert constitué d'un convoyeur à fonctionnement discontinu, soit à des installations utilisant un convoyeur sans fin à fonctionnement continu, muni dans les deux cas d'au moins un outil susceptible de prendre et de transporter au moins un lot de bouteilles.Still according to the invention, this arrangement of sorting and grouping facilities can be applied either to facilities that use a transfer system consisting of a discontinuous conveyor or to facilities using a continuous continuous conveyor , provided in both cases with at least one tool that can take and carry at least one batch of bottles.

Selon une autre disposition de l'invention, le système de transfert des bouteilles d'un poste à l'autre, est constitué d'un convoyeur sans fin du type à fonctionnement continu, muni d'au moins un outil pour la préhension et le transport d'au moins un lot de bouteilles, et chaque poste, aussi bien au niveau de la prise en charge que de la dépose, comporte au moins un couloir convoyeur dont l'entrée est parallèle au chemin dudit système de transfert, et le convoyeur dudit couloir est animé d'une vitesse identique à celle dudit système de transfert.According to another embodiment of the invention, the system for transferring bottles from one station to the other, consists of an endless conveyor of the continuous operation type, provided with at least one tool for gripping and transport of at least one batch of bottles, and each station, both at the level of the support and the removal, comprises at least one conveyor corridor whose entry is parallel to the path of said transfer system, and the conveyor said corridor is animated with a speed identical to that of said transfer system.

L'invention sera encore détaillée à l'aide de la description suivante et des dessins annexés, donnés à titre indicatif et dans lesquels :

  • la figure 1 représente, schématiquement, les éléments essentiels d'une installation de tri selon l'invention, avec comme exemple d'objets à trier, des récipients constitués par des bouteilles consignées;
  • la figure 2 représente, d'une façon plus détaillée, l'enchaînement des principales opérations pour une installation de triage et de regroupement de bouteilles consignées ;
  • la figure 3 représente une variante de réalisation de l'installation;
  • la figure 4 montre l'outil de préhension vu de face, avec ses différentes rangées de bouteilles en position normale de transport, resserrées les unes contre les autres.
The invention will be further detailed with the aid of the following description and the accompanying drawings, given as an indication and in which:
  • the figure 1 represents, schematically, the essential elements of a sorting installation according to the invention, with as an example of objects to be sorted, containers consisting of returnable bottles;
  • the figure 2 represents, in greater detail, the sequencing of the main operations for a sorting and consolidation facility for returnable cylinders;
  • the figure 3 represents an alternative embodiment of the installation;
  • the figure 4 shows the gripping tool seen from the front, with its different rows of bottles in normal transport position, tightened against each other.

Les figures 1 et 2 montrent une installation de triage et de regroupement de bouteilles (1) consignées qui sont, par exemple, livrées dans des caisses (2). Ces caisses (2), comme représentées figure 2 en perspective, sont généralement normalisées et contiennent, par exemple, dans le modèle de caisse représenté, 24 bouteilles.The Figures 1 and 2 show a sorting installation and grouping of bottles (1) recorded which are, for example, delivered in boxes (2). These boxes (2), as represented figure 2 in perspective, are generally standardized and contain, for example, in the illustrated cash register model, 24 bottles.

Les caisses sont bien souvent remplies de bouteilles de formes et de caractéristiques différentes. La réutilisation de ces bouteilles implique donc de les regrouper par familles ce qui oblige à faire non seulement une reconnaissance des formes mais aussi une reconnaissance des couleurs, des matériaux, des marques, de la décoration ou autres.The crates are often filled with bottles of different shapes and characteristics. The reuse of these bottles therefore involves grouping them by families, which makes it necessary to make not only a recognition of shapes but also recognition of colors, materials, marks, decoration or others.

Sur le schéma de la figure 1, les bouteilles (1) sont représentées avec des variations au niveau de leur hauteur. La caisse (2) contenant ces bouteilles de tailles différentes, est positionnée au poste de prise en charge (3).On the diagram of the figure 1 , the bottles (1) are represented with variations in their height. The box (2) containing these bottles of different sizes, is positioned at the support station (3).

Un outil (5), muni de têtes (6) à fonctionnement pneumatique, du genre tulipe, est chargé de prendre les bouteilles (1) dans la caisse (2) et de déplacer ce lot de bouteilles vers les postes (7) de dépose où elles sont regroupées par familles selon les critères retenus pour le classement. Ces postes (7) de dépose correspondent, par exemple, à la partie amont d'un dispositif convoyeur d'accumulation, comme décrit dans le document EP 1144285 . Les bouteilles sont regroupées en caisses, selon les critères retenus, par des moyens appropriés, à l'extrémité des différents convoyeurs d'accumulation.A tool (5), provided with pneumatically operated heads (6), of the tulip type, is responsible for taking the bottles (1) into the box (2) and moving this batch of bottles to the stations (7) of removal where they are grouped by families according to the criteria used for the classification. These stations (7) of removal correspond, for example, to the upstream part of an accumulation conveyor device, as described in document EP 1144285 . The bottles are grouped in boxes, according to the criteria selected, by appropriate means, at the end of the various accumulation conveyors.

L'outil (5) de préhension et de transport est porté par un système (9) de transfert qui permet de déplacer à volonté ledit outil (5) et le lot de bouteilles (1) de poste en poste. Ce système (9) de transfert est en fait un convoyeur et, selon l'installation, il peut être du type à fonctionnement discontinu ou, comme représenté en pointillé sur la figure 1, du type sans fin à fonctionnement continu. Dans le premier cas, les opérations s'enchaînent avec un temps d'arrêt au niveau de chaque poste ; dans le second cas, avec le convoyeur sans fin, les opérations s'enchaînent sans arrêt, de façon continue, ce qui permet de travailler avec des cadences beaucoup plus élevées.The tool (5) for gripping and transport is carried by a system (9) of transfer which allows to move at will said tool (5) and the set of bottles (1) post in station. This transfer system (9) is in fact a conveyor and, depending on the installation, it may be of the discontinuous operation type or, as shown in dotted line on the figure 1 , of the endless type with continuous operation. In the first case, the operations are linked with a pause at each station; in the second case, with the endless conveyor, the operations are continually linked continuously, which makes it possible to work with much higher rates.

La reconnaissance des caractéristiques des bouteilles (1) s'effectue au poste (10) de reconnaissance. Ce poste (10) de reconnaissance se situe sur le parcours de l'outil (5) de sorte que cette opération de reconnaissance s'effectue en temps masqué en amont des différents postes (7) de dépose, entre ces derniers et le poste (3) de prise en charge.The recognition of the characteristics of the bottles (1) is carried out at the recognition station (10). This recognition station (10) is located on the path of the tool (5) so that this recognition operation is carried out in masked time upstream of the various stations (7) of removal, between these and the station ( 3) support.

Le poste (10) de reconnaissance comporte des moyens (11) de reconnaissance du genre capteurs et/ou caméras ou autres détecteurs aptes à réaliser la lecture et l'analyse des caractéristiques des bouteilles, selon les critères qui ont été sélectionnés et retenus pour effectuer l'opération de tri.The recognition station (10) comprises means (11) for recognizing the type of sensors and / or cameras or other detectors capable of performing the reading and analysis of the characteristics of the bottles, according to the criteria which have been selected and retained to perform the sorting operation.

Bien sûr, l'installation comprend aussi des moyens de traitement des données recueillies au poste de reconnaissance pour orienter les bouteilles contrôlées vers les postes de dépose auxquels elles sont destinées comme le poste (7A) de dépose pour un premier type de bouteilles (petites bouteilles, par exemple), le poste (7B) de dépose pour un second type de bouteilles (bouteilles plus grandes, par exemple)... etc.Of course, the installation also includes means of processing the data collected at the recognition station to guide the bottles controlled. to the dispensing stations for which they are intended such as the station (7A) of removal for a first type of bottle (small bottles, for example), the station (7B) of removal for a second type of bottles (larger bottles, for example). example) ... etc.

L'outil (5) est doté de moyens non représentés, du genre tiges télescopiques par exemple, qui permettent de descendre les têtes (6) pour coiffer les goulots des bouteilles (1) avec les tulipes. La course de chaque tête (6) est plus ou moins importante pour s'adapter automatiquement à la hauteur des différentes bouteilles.The tool (5) is provided with means (not shown) such as telescopic rods for example, which enable the heads (6) to be lowered to cover the bottlenecks of the bottles (1) with the tulips. The stroke of each head (6) is more or less important to automatically adapt to the height of the different bottles.

Après avoir été prélevé au poste (3) de prise en charge par l'outil (5), un lot de bouteilles (1) traverse le poste (10) de reconnaissance, sans s'arrêter, à une vitesse appropriée pour permettre aux moyens (11) de reconnaissance de lire et d'analyser les caractéristiques des bouteilles qui défilent, et ce lot de bouteilles identifiées est ensuite positionné à la verticale de chacun des postes de dépose (7A, 7B,...) où lesdites bouteilles identifiées sont déposées de façon sélective, selon leurs propres caractéristiques et les critères de tri établis.After being taken at the station (3) supported by the tool (5), a batch of bottles (1) passes through the station (10) recognition, without stopping, at a speed appropriate to allow the means (11) of recognition to read and analyze the characteristics of bottles that scroll, and this batch of identified bottles is then positioned vertically to each of the deposit stations (7A, 7B, ...) where said bottles identified are selectively, according to their own characteristics and the sorting criteria established.

La figure 2 montre le détail d'une installation comportant un système (9) de transfert à fonctionnement continu du type convoyeur sans fin, qui permet de véhiculer au moins un lot de bouteilles (1) en continu, sans arrêt au niveau des différents postes.The figure 2 shows the detail of an installation comprising a system (9) continuous transfer of the endless conveyor type, which allows to convey at least one batch of bottles (1) continuously, without stopping at the various positions.

Les caisses (2) contenant les bouteilles à trier sont déposées sur un convoyeur (31) qui est un convoyeur du type sans fin, et elles sont amenées au poste (3) de prise en charge où le lot de bouteilles est pris en charge par l'outil (5) de préhension et de transport.The crates (2) containing the bottles to be sorted are deposited on a conveyor (31) which is a conveyor of the endless type, and they are brought to the position (3) of support where the batch of bottles is supported by the tool (5) for gripping and transporting.

Sur le convoyeur (31), les caisses (2) sont placées en travers par rapport au sens d'avancement dudit convoyeur et de l'outil (5), comme représenté sur la figure 2 ; de ce fait, le lot de bouteilles se déplace lui aussi en travers, de poste en poste. Au poste (3) de prise en charge, le lot est vu de côté alors que plus loin, au poste (10) de reconnaissance, le lot de bouteilles est vu de face.On the conveyor (31), the boxes (2) are placed across the direction of travel of said conveyor and the tool (5), as shown in FIG. figure 2 ; as a result, the batch of bottles also moves across, from station to station. At the post (3) support, the lot is seen from the side while further, at the station (10) of recognition, the batch of bottles is seen from the front.

La vitesse des caisses (2) sur le convoyeur (31) est identique à celle du système (9) de transfert de façon à permettre à l'outil (5) de prélever à la volée, les lots de bouteilles (1) dans les différentes caisses (2).The speed of the boxes (2) on the conveyor (31) is identical to that of the transfer system (9) so as to allow the tool (5) to collect on the fly the batches of bottles (1) in the different boxes (2).

Sur la figure 2, l'outil (5) de préhension et de transport est sensé comporter un nombre de têtes (6) qui correspond au nombre de bouteilles du lot à prélever dans la caisse (2), en l'occurrence 24 bouteilles. Mais selon une variante, non représentée, l'outil (5) de préhension et de transport peut aussi être du type multiple et comporter un nombre de têtes beaucoup plus important, arrangées par groupes pour prélever simultanément plusieurs lots de bouteilles dans des caisses juxtaposées sur le convoyeur (31).On the figure 2 , the tool (5) for gripping and transporting is supposed to comprise a number of heads (6) corresponding to the number of bottles of the batch to be taken from the box (2), in this case 24 bottles. But according to a variant, not shown, the tool (5) for gripping and transport can also be of the multiple type and have a much larger number of heads, arranged in groups to simultaneously take several batches of bottles in crates juxtaposed on the conveyor (31).

Comme représentées simplement à la figure 2, les têtes (6) de l'outil (5) se positionnent sur les bouteilles en s'adaptant à leurs dimensions, c'est-à-dire que certaines têtes ont une course plus importante que d'autres mais, pendant le transport des bouteilles, ces différentes têtes sont bloquées en position de façon à maintenir les culs desdites bouteilles dans un même plan.As represented simply at the figure 2 , the heads (6) of the tool (5) are positioned on the bottles by adapting to their dimensions, that is to say that some heads have a greater stroke than others but, during transport bottles, these different heads are locked in position so as to maintain the bottoms of said bottles in the same plane.

Pour pouvoir passer en revue toutes les bouteilles du lot au poste (10) de reconnaissance, les différentes têtes (6) de l'outil (5) sont regroupées et fonctionnent par rangées. Ces rangées, numérotées de (51) à (56), sont parallèles au sens d'avancement de l'outil (5). Comme représentées figure 2, à titre d'exemple, les rangées sont au nombre de 6, et chacune d'elles comporte 4 têtes (6) de façon à prélever d'un seul coup, toutes les bouteilles disposées dans une caisse (2).In order to review all the bottles in the batch at the recognition station (10), the various heads (6) of the tool (5) are grouped together and operate in rows. These rows, numbered from (51) to (56), are parallel to the direction of advance of the tool (5). As represented figure 2 by way of example, the rows are 6 in number, and each of them has 4 heads (6) so as to take all the bottles in a box (2) in one go.

Cette distribution des têtes (6) sous forme de rangées permet d'effectuer une reconnaissance complète du lot de bouteilles portées par l'outil (5). En effet, chaque rangée est mobile de façon individuelle et verticalement, entre sa position normale de transport et une position de reconnaissance où les différentes bouteilles sont placées en saillie sous le plan des culs des autres bouteilles.This distribution of the heads (6) in rows allows complete recognition of the batch of bottles carried by the tool (5). Indeed, each row is movable individually and vertically, between its normal position of transport and a position of recognition where the different bottles are placed projecting under the planes of the bottoms of the other bottles.

Le poste (10) de reconnaissance, détaillé figure 2, comporte plusieurs sous-postes (101, 102, 103) de reconnaissance, au niveau desquels s'effectuent les opérations de reconnaissance des bouteilles. Ces sous-postes, ou postes élémentaires, se suivent sur le parcours de l'outil (5) de préhension et de transport des bouteilles et ils se présentent sous la forme de couloirs (13). Les moyens (11) de reconnaissance disposés dans ces couloirs (13) sont placés en vis-à-vis, de part et d'autre d'une rangée de bouteilles, pour examiner pratiquement toute la surface visible de chaque bouteille.The position (10) of recognition, detailed figure 2 , comprises several recognition sub-stations (101, 102, 103), at which the bottle recognition operations are carried out. These sub-stations, or elementary positions, follow each other on the path of the tool (5) for gripping and transporting the bottles and they are in the form of corridors (13). The recognition means (11) arranged in these corridors (13) are placed facing each other, on either side of a row of bottles, to examine practically the entire visible surface of each bottle.

Comme représenté sur la figure, chaque poste (101, 102, 103) élémentaire peut comporter un regroupement de deux couloirs (13). Ces couloirs (13) juxtaposés sont décalés transversalement l'un par rapport à l'autre, permettant d'examiner simultanément deux rangées de bouteilles qui sont, elles, décalées verticalement et transversalement. Ainsi, au poste (101) élémentaire, les rangées (51) et (56) de bouteilles sont écartées des autres rangées (52) à (55), par déplacement vertical, de façon à être placées chacune dans un couloir (13) de reconnaissance.As shown in the figure, each station (101, 102, 103) elementary may comprise a grouping of two corridors (13). These corridors (13) juxtaposed are offset transversely relative to each other, to simultaneously examine two rows of bottles which are themselves vertically offset and transversely. Thus, at the station (101) elementary, the rows (51) and (56) of bottles are spaced from the other rows (52) to (55), by vertical displacement, so as to be placed each in a corridor (13) of recognition.

Les couloirs (13) du poste (101) élémentaire permettent, comme détaillé auparavant, d'examiner chaque bouteille des rangées (51) et (56) ; les couloirs (13) du poste (102) élémentaire permettent d'examiner les bouteilles des rangées (52) et (55) ; les couloirs (13) du poste (103) élémentaire permettent d'examiner les bouteilles des rangées (53) et (54), et ainsi de suite éventuellement selon le nombre de rangées portées par l'outil (5).The corridors (13) of the item (101) elementary allow, as detailed previously, to examine each bottle rows (51) and (56); the corridors (13) of the elementary station (102) make it possible to examine the bottles of the rows (52) and (55); the corridors (13) of the station (103) elementary allow to examine the bottles of the rows (53) and (54), and so on optionally according to the number of rows carried by the tool (5).

L'opération de reconnaissance se déroule de la même façon pour un outil (5) de préhension et de transport de type multiple comme détaillé auparavant.The recognition operation proceeds in the same way for a tool (5) for gripping and transport of multiple type as detailed previously.

Cette disposition du poste (10) de reconnaissance s'applique aussi de la même façon à une installation qui comporte un système de transfert à fonctionnement discontinu. Dans les deux cas, c'est-à-dire pour un système de transfert continu ou discontinu, la lecture et l'analyse des caractéristiques des bouteilles s'effectuent en amont des postes (7) de dépose, entre le poste (3) de prise en charge et le premier poste (7) de dépose.This arrangement of the recognition station (10) also applies in the same way to an installation that includes a discontinuous operation transfer system. In both cases, that is to say for a continuous or discontinuous transfer system, the reading and analysis of the characteristics of the bottles are carried out upstream of the stations (7) of removal, between the station (3) management and the first station (7) of removal.

Le premier poste (7) de dépose du système de transfert en continu est esquissé figure 2. Il consiste en un convoyeur (71) d'accumulation et de regroupement, comme décrit, par exemple, dans le document EP1144285 précité, dont l'entrée se situe sous le convoyeur du système (9) de transfert. L'entrée de ce convoyeur (71) de regroupement est parallèle au chemin du convoyeur du système (9) de transfert et sa vitesse d'avancement est identique à celle de ce dernier pour permettre une dépose en continu des bouteilles destinées audit convoyeur (71) de regroupement. Il en est de même pour tous les autres postes (7) de dépose, non représentés, qui sont du type convoyeur accumulateur sans fin.The first station (7) for removing the continuous transfer system is sketched figure 2 . It consists of a conveyor (71) for accumulation and grouping, as described, for example, in the document EP1144285 aforementioned, whose input is located under the conveyor system (9) transfer. The entrance of this conveyor (71) grouping is parallel to the conveyor path of the system (9) transfer and its forward speed is identical to that of the latter to allow a continuous removal of bottles for said conveyor (71). ) grouping. It is the same for all other stations (7) of removal, not shown, which are of the endless accumulator conveyor type.

Au niveau de chacun des autres postes (7) de dépose dont il a été question précédemment, en liaison avec la figure 1, la dépose des bouteilles sur les convoyeurs de regroupement s'effectue en continu, de la même façon ; chacun de ces convoyeurs de regroupement recevant le type de bouteilles qui lui est destiné.At the level of each of the other items (7) of removal mentioned above, in connection with the figure 1 , the removal of the bottles on the grouping conveyors is carried out continuously, in the same way; each of these grouping conveyors receiving the type of bottles which is intended for it.

Pour une telle installation, fonctionnant en continu, avec un outil (5) de type multiple, pouvant, par exemple, prendre simultanément 3 lots de bouteilles à la fois, les cadences de tri peuvent atteindre 6000 caisses par heure, avec, en plus, la possibilité de concentrer les différents postes, y compris le poste de reconnaissance, dans un espace particulièrement réduit.For such an installation, operating continuously, with a tool (5) of multiple type, which can, for example, simultaneously take 3 batches of bottles at a time, sorting rates can reach 6000 cases per hour, with, in addition, the possibility of concentrating the various posts, including the reconnaissance post, in a particularly small space.

La figure 3 montre une variante de l'installation représentée figure 2. Cette variante comporte également un système (9) de transfert à fonctionnement continu du type convoyeur sans fin, qui permet de véhiculer au moins un lot de bouteilles (1) de poste en poste.The figure 3 shows a variant of the installation represented figure 2 . This variant also comprises a system (9) for continuous transfer of the endless conveyor type, which can convey at least one batch of bottles (1) station in station.

Au départ, les caisses (2) contenant les bouteilles à trier sont déposées sur le convoyeur (31) et elles sont amenées au poste (3) de prise en charge où le lot de bouteilles est prélevé par un outil (5') de préhension et de transport.Initially, the boxes (2) containing the bottles to be sorted are deposited on the conveyor (31) and they are brought to the position (3) for taking care where the batch of bottles is taken by a tool (5 ') gripping and transport.

La vitesse des caisses (2) sur le convoyeur (31) est identique à celle du système (9) de transfert de façon à permettre à l'outil (5') de prélever à la volée, les lots de bouteilles (1) dans les différentes caisses (2).The speed of the boxes (2) on the conveyor (31) is identical to that of the transfer system (9) so as to allow the tool (5 ') to collect on the fly, the batches of bottles (1) in the different boxes (2).

Sur le convoyeur (31), les caisses (2) sont placées en travers par rapport au sens d'avancement dudit convoyeur et de l'outil (5') ; elles sont vues de côté de même que le lot de bouteilles prélevées par l'outil (5'). Au poste (10') de reconnaissance, en revanche, le lot de bouteilles est représenté de face, de façon à faire apparaître la disposition des moyens de reconnaissance par rapport aux différentes rangées de bouteilles.On the conveyor (31), the boxes (2) are placed across the direction of advancement of said conveyor and the tool (5 '); they are seen from the side as well as the batch of bottles taken by the tool (5 '). At the station (10 ') of recognition, on the other hand, the batch of bottles is shown from the front, so as to show the arrangement of the recognition means with respect to the different rows of bottles.

Au poste de prise en charge, les têtes (6') de l'outil (5') se positionnent sur les bouteilles en s'adaptant notamment à leurs hauteurs. Pendant le transport des bouteilles de poste en poste, les différentes têtes (6') sont bloquées dans la position qu'elles ont prise au poste de prise en charge de façon à maintenir les culs desdites bouteilles dans un même plan.At the management station, the heads (6 ') of the tool (5') are positioned on the bottles by adapting in particular to their heights. During the transport of the post cylinders in position, the various heads (6 ') are locked in the position they took at the support station so as to maintain the bottoms of said bottles in the same plane.

Les différentes têtes (6') de l'outil (5') sont regroupées et fonctionnent par rangées. Ces rangées sont, par exemple, au nombre de 6, repérées de (51) à (56) ; elles sont parallèles au sens d'avancement de l'outil (5') et chacune d'elles comporte quatre têtes (6') de façon à prélever d'un seul coup, tout le lot de bouteilles disposées dans la caisse (2).The different heads (6 ') of the tool (5') are grouped and operate in rows. These rows are, for example, 6 in number, marked from (51) to (56); they are parallel to the direction of advancement of the tool (5 ') and each of them comprises four heads (6') so as to collect all at once, all the batch of bottles arranged in the box (2) .

La figure 4 montre l'outil (5') de préhension, vu de face, avec le lot de bouteilles tel qu'il se présente avant et après son passage au poste (10') de reconnaissance. Les différentes rangées (51) à (56) de bouteilles sont à touche-touche et celles qui sont en extrémité ont une capacité d'écartement latéral C. De préférence, et selon la place disponible, cette capacité de mouvement des rangées au niveau de la tête est suffisamment importante pour permettre de disjoindre toutes lesdites rangées et les faire passer simultanément devant les moyens (11) de reconnaissance, c'est-à-dire dans l'ensemble des couloirs (13) qui sont juxtaposés les uns par rapport aux autres, comme montré figure 3.The figure 4 shows the tool (5 ') for gripping, seen from the front, with the batch of bottles as it appears before and after its passage to the station (10') of recognition. The different rows (51) to (56) of bottles are touch-key and those at the end have a lateral spacing capacity C. Preferably, and depending on the space available, this ability to move rows at the level of the head is sufficiently large to allow to disjoin all said rows and pass simultaneously to the means (11) of recognition, that is to say in all the corridors (13) which are juxtaposed with respect to each other as shown figure 3 .

L'outil (5') est du type comportant des moyens pour réaliser l'écartement des rangées les unes par rapport aux autres afin de ménager, de chaque côté de ces dernières, un espace suffisant qui permet le passage des moyens (11) de reconnaissance.The tool (5 ') is of the type comprising means for spacing the rows relative to each other in order to provide, on each side of the latter, sufficient space which allows the passage of the means (11) of recognition.

Le poste (10') de reconnaissance, figure 3, comporte plusieurs couloirs (13) du même type que ceux détaillés précédemment en liaison avec la figure 2.The position (10 ') of recognition, figure 3 , comprises several corridors (13) of the same type as those detailed previously in connection with the figure 2 .

Les moyens (11) de reconnaissance disposés dans ces couloirs (13) sont placés en vis-à-vis, de part et d'autre d'une rangée de bouteilles, pour examiner pratiquement toute la surface visible de chaque bouteille.The recognition means (11) arranged in these corridors (13) are placed facing each other, on either side of a row of bottles, to examine practically the entire visible surface of each bottle.

Le nombre de couloirs (13) est choisi en fonction du nombre de rangées de bouteilles à examiner et ces couloirs (13) sont juxtaposés pour permettre l'examen simultané de toutes les rangées de bouteilles.The number of rows (13) is chosen according to the number of rows of bottles to examine and these corridors (13) are juxtaposed to allow simultaneous examination of all rows of bottles.

L'opération de reconnaissance se déroule de la même façon pour un outil (5') de préhension et de transport de type multiple comme détaillé auparavant.The recognition operation proceeds in the same way for a tool (5 ') for gripping and transport of multiple type as detailed previously.

Cette disposition du poste (10') de reconnaissance s'applique aussi de la même façon à une installation qui comporte un système de transfert à fonctionnement discontinu. Dans les deux cas, c'est-à-dire pour un système de transfert continu ou discontinu, la lecture et l'analyse des caractéristiques des bouteilles s'effectuent en amont des postes (7) de dépose, entre le poste de prise en charge (3) et le premier poste (7) de dépose.This arrangement of the recognition station (10 ') also applies in the same way to an installation which comprises a discontinuous operation transfer system. In both cases, that is to say for a continuous or discontinuous transfer system, the reading and analysis of the characteristics of the bottles are carried out upstream of the stations (7) of removal, between the setting station. load (3) and the first station (7) for removal.

Le premier poste (7) de dépose du système de transfert en continu est également esquissé figure 3. Il consiste en un convoyeur (71) de regroupement à tapis sans fin dont l'entrée se situe sous le convoyeur du système (9) de transfert. L'entrée de ce convoyeur (71) de regroupement est parallèle au chemin du convoyeur du système (9) de transfert et la vitesse d'avancement dudit convoyeur (71) est identique à celle dudit convoyeur (9) pour permettre une dépose en continu des bouteilles destinées audit convoyeur (71) de regroupement. Il en est de même pour tous les autres postes (7) de dépose, non représentés.The first station (7) for removing the continuous transfer system is also sketched figure 3 . It consists of an endless belt conveyor (71) whose entry is located under the conveyor of the transfer system (9). The entrance of this conveyor (71) grouping is parallel to the conveyor path of the system (9) transfer and the forward speed of said conveyor (71) is identical to that of said conveyor (9) to allow a continuous removal bottles for said grouping conveyor (71). It is the same for all other stations (7) of removal, not shown.

Avec un fonctionnement du type en continu et en utilisant un outil (5') multiple capable de prendre, par exemple, 3 lots de bouteilles à la fois, l'installation de la figure 3 peut atteindre, voire dépasser, des cadences de tri de l'ordre de 6000 caisses par heure, avec, en plus, une concentration des différents postes dans un espace particulièrement réduit pour ce type d'installation de traitement de bouteilles consignées.With continuous type operation and using a multiple tool (5 ') capable of taking, for example, 3 batches of bottles at a time, the installation of the figure 3 can reach or even exceed sorting rates of the order of 6000 cases per hour, with, in addition, a concentration of the different items in a particularly small space for this type of bottle treatment facility.

Comme mentionné in limine, l'invention ne se limite pas au tri de bouteilles ; elle s'applique également au tri d'objets en général, de récipients...etc.As mentioned in limine, the invention is not limited to the sorting of bottles; it also applies to the sorting of objects in general, containers ... etc.

Claims (10)

  1. Installation for sorting and grouping objects of the receptacle type and in particular returned empty bottles (1), on the basis of specific criteria, which installation comprises:
    - a pick-up station (3) for said bottles;
    - stations (7) for depositing these bottles, the number of which corresponds to at least the number of selection criteria adopted;
    - a system (9) for transferring said bottles between said pick-up station (3) and said depositing stations (7), comprising at least one tool (5, 5') for gripping and conveying these bottles;
    - a station (10, 10') for detecting the criteria adopted as a basis for sorting said bottles, which station has means enabling some or all of the characteristics of said bottles to be read and analysed;
    - means for programming the depositing of the bottles on the basis of the adopted criteria by said transfer system (9) at said depositing stations (7) provided for this purpose;
    characterised in that it has at least one detecting station (10, 10') disposed upstream of said depositing stations (7) between the latter and said pick-up station, and at least one tool (5, 5') for gripping and conveying said bottles (1), which tool is provided with several heads (6, 6') of the tulip type for picking up several bottles (1) simultaneously at said pick-up station (3), which heads (6, 6') are distributed and operate on the basis of rows (51) to (56) of bottles, which rows are oriented in the direction in which said tool (5, 5') moves, which tool (5, 5') has means for disjoining said rows from one another on a level with the detecting station (10, 10') and for enabling each bottle to be examined individually at said station (10, 10').
  2. Sorting and grouping installation as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that it has a tool (5) equipped with means for displacing the rows individually and vertically between a top position in which they are in a normal conveying position, contiguous with said tool (5), and a bottom position in which each row of bottles is placed within the operating range of detection means (11), enabling the characteristics of the different bottles to be read and analysed.
  3. Sorting and grouping installation as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that it has a gripping tool (5'), which has means for transversely displacing the rows in order to make sufficient space available for the detection means (11) to pass on either side of said rows, enabling the characteristics of the bottles to be read and analysed.
  4. Sorting and grouping installation as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the tool (5, 5') has means enabling several rows of bottles to be manipulated simultaneously and positioned offset one from the other.
  5. Sorting and grouping installation as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the detecting station (10, 10') has mutually facing detection means (11) forming a sort of corridor (13) in which the bottles of the row of the batch carried by the tool (5, 5') are examined across practically their entire surface.
  6. Sorting and grouping installation as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that the detecting station (10) is divided into several basic stations (101, 102, 103), each of which has several detection corridors (13) for examining the bottles of each of the rows of the batch carried by the tool (5), which corridors (13) are transversely offset from one another along the course of said tool.
  7. Sorting and grouping installation as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that each basic station (101, 102, 103) has two juxtaposed corridors (13) enabling two rows ofbottles which are vertically and transversely offset from one another to be examined simultaneously.
  8. Sorting and grouping installation as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that it has a tool (5, 5') of the multiple type, i.e. capable of gripping several batches of bottles disposed in juxtaposed crates at the pick-up station (3) simultaneously.
  9. Sorting and grouping installation as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the system (9) of transferring the bottles from one station to the other is a conveyor of the type which operates discontinuously, equipped with at least one tool (5, 5') for gripping and conveying at least one batch of bottles.
  10. Sorting and grouping installation as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the system (9) for transferring the bottles from one station to the other is an endless conveyor of the type which operates continuously, equipped with at least one tool (5, 5') for gripping and conveying at least one batch of bottles, and each station has, on a level with both the pick-up station and the depositing station, at least one conveyor corridor, the entrance to which is parallel with the path of said transfer system (9), and the conveyor of said corridor is operated at an identical speed to that of said transfer system.
EP05779714A 2004-07-01 2005-06-30 Device for sorting and grouping objects, containers and the similar Not-in-force EP1778415B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0407297A FR2872496B1 (en) 2004-07-01 2004-07-01 INSTALLATION FOR SORTING AND COMBINING OBJECTS, CONTAINERS OR OTHER
PCT/FR2005/001659 WO2006013253A1 (en) 2004-07-01 2005-06-30 Device for sorting and grouping objects, containers and the similar

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1778415A1 EP1778415A1 (en) 2007-05-02
EP1778415B1 true EP1778415B1 (en) 2008-03-26

Family

ID=34947409

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP05779714A Not-in-force EP1778415B1 (en) 2004-07-01 2005-06-30 Device for sorting and grouping objects, containers and the similar

Country Status (7)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1778415B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE390217T1 (en)
DE (1) DE602005005686T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2304713T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2872496B1 (en)
PT (1) PT1778415E (en)
WO (1) WO2006013253A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2905880A1 (en) * 2006-09-14 2008-03-21 Briane Environnement Soc Par A METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SORTING CONTAINERS FOR RECYCLING
DE102016211910A1 (en) * 2016-06-30 2018-01-04 Krones Ag Inspection apparatus and method for inspecting containers disposed in an emptying box
CN108502248A (en) * 2018-04-12 2018-09-07 泉州市科盛包装机械有限公司 A kind of abnormity cigarette conveying and stacking method

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IL82037A0 (en) * 1987-03-29 1987-10-20 Kalman Peleg Method and apparatus for automatically inspecting and classifying different objects
DE8903180U1 (en) * 1989-03-15 1989-05-11 Krones Ag Hermann Kronseder Maschinenfabrik, 8402 Neutraubling, De
US5134291A (en) * 1991-04-30 1992-07-28 The Dow Chemical Company Method for sorting used plastic containers and the like
SE9903714D0 (en) * 1999-10-14 1999-10-14 Bjoern Hallden Handling system for return bottles

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES2304713T3 (en) 2008-10-16
FR2872496A1 (en) 2006-01-06
DE602005005686T2 (en) 2009-04-09
PT1778415E (en) 2008-07-01
FR2872496B1 (en) 2007-09-28
EP1778415A1 (en) 2007-05-02
WO2006013253A1 (en) 2006-02-09
DE602005005686D1 (en) 2008-05-08
ATE390217T1 (en) 2008-04-15

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0706838B1 (en) Machine and method for sorting varied objects using at least one robotic arm
EP3256267B1 (en) Device for separating and individualising postal objects with laser-based vision system
EP0761578B1 (en) Palletising device and method
JP2008506515A (en) How to sort containers
FR2524867A1 (en) METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY STACKING, STORING AND PICKING UP GOODS AND DEVICE FOR CARRYING OUT SAID METHOD
EP1608470B1 (en) Bin transferring structure for a postal sorting machine
FR2983458A1 (en) Method for continuous packaging of e.g. objects, involves arranging buffer packing zone with cells, and continuously transferring objects by intermediate conveyor between buffer packing zone and filling zone
EP3302829A1 (en) System for sorting objects in bags
EP3797882B1 (en) Installation for sorting postal parcels or packages
EP1778415B1 (en) Device for sorting and grouping objects, containers and the similar
FR2559138A1 (en) METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR QUICKLY HANDLING ARTICLES IN A STORAGE FACILITY
EP1775241A1 (en) Method and device for the automatic palletizing of parcels, in particular for commissioning
EP3828107A1 (en) An installation for sorting articles such as parcels or packets with a system for monitoring the positioning of the articles by outline detection
FR2775204A1 (en) Sorting of fruit and vegetables based on at least one of their characteristics
EP0605316A1 (en) Method and device for automatically sorting nuclear fuel pellets
WO2018050990A1 (en) Device and method for grouping and transferring pallet crates of products sorted into batches
EP3558551A1 (en) Equipment for automatically sorting non-standard parcels
EP1318075B1 (en) Method and apparatus for calibrating and conditioning fruit with short term preservation
JP2005185993A (en) Tracking information processor
JP2973630B2 (en) Classification method of glass plate
JPS595030B2 (en) Automatic fruit processing method for fruits, etc.
FR2987826A1 (en) Device for grouping of cases of products e.g. fruits, sorted in batches, has grouping robots utilized for placing cases, where trajectory of displacement of each robot is minimized with respect to groups of alignment cases
JP4602527B2 (en) Fruit and vegetable automatic sorting device
EP0746519A1 (en) Robotic apparatus for picking up and transferring trays
JPH08182970A (en) Separator of fruits and vegerables and free tray used for this device

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20070110

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: LANGUAGE OF EP DOCUMENT: FRENCH

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 602005005686

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20080508

Kind code of ref document: P

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: PT

Ref legal event code: SC4A

Free format text: AVAILABILITY OF NATIONAL TRANSLATION

Effective date: 20080619

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20080326

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20080326

NLV1 Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act
PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20080326

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20080326

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2304713

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FD4D

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20080326

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20080326

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20080626

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20080326

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20080326

BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: SIDEL PARTICIPATIONS

Effective date: 20080630

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20080726

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20080630

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20080326

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20080326

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20080326

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20081230

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20080630

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20080626

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20080326

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20080326

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20090630

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20090630

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: HU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20080927

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20080630

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20080326

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20080627

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 11

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 12

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 13

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20170523

Year of fee payment: 13

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20170526

Year of fee payment: 13

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20170522

Year of fee payment: 13

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20170522

Year of fee payment: 13

Ref country code: PT

Payment date: 20170601

Year of fee payment: 13

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20170703

Year of fee payment: 13

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 602005005686

Country of ref document: DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20181231

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20180630

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20180630

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20190101

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20180630

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20180630

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20190916

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20180701