EP2200534A1

EP2200534A1 - Chaff conditioning machine

Info

Publication number: EP2200534A1
Application number: EP08836331A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Claude Toujas; Christian Beau
Original assignee: IMV Technologies SA
Current assignee: IMV Technologies SA
Priority date: 2007-09-07
Filing date: 2008-09-04
Publication date: 2010-06-30
Anticipated expiration: 2028-09-04
Also published as: US8464762B2; FR2920750A1; US20100200113A1; DE602008005486D1; DK2200534T3; ATE500799T1; FR2920750B1; EP2200534B1; WO2009044043A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a machine for conditioning chaff (11) of predetermined diameter, that comprises a filling unit (3) for said chaff (11), including n filling stations (4), and a conveying device (2) for said chaff, said device (2) including at least one conveying member (5) provided with a succession of receiving housings (15) for said chaff (11) arranged along a predetermined pitch (E), said conveying member (5) further including, in addition to said succession of receiving housings (15) for said chaff (11) or first housings, a succession of receiving housings (16) or second housings for the chaff having another predetermined diameter, said second housings (16) being arranged along said pitch (E), and each of said second receiving housings (16) being provided between two first receiving housings (15).

Description

Glitter packaging machine

The present invention relates to the conditioning of predetermined doses of liquid substance in flakes.

It is known that flakes are conditioning units formed of a thin plastic tube whose inner diameter is in particular sufficiently small to allow the retention in place of the dose of liquid substance by capillarity and a plug engaged in the thin tube near one end.

Also known, in particular from the patent application EP 1 125 870, machines for packaging such flakes in which these straws, previously arranged in a dispensing hopper, are conveyed by means of a conveying device to a filling unit of these flakes and up to a welding unit of these flakes filled, the filling unit being provided with four filling stations arranged side by side with a predetermined spacing between each station, each filling station having a nozzle filling and a suction nozzle sealingly engage at each end of a corresponding flake.

The conveying device of such a machine is formed of a pair of identical conveyor belts and provided for flakes of a determined diameter (such as the belts illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 for two different flake diameters). These belts are arranged apart from each other and each provided with a succession of housings for receiving said flakes, these housings being arranged at a predetermined pitch (that is to say the distance separating the spacings of two successive housings) equal to the predetermined distance between the filling stations to be able to place each straw, in groups of four, in alignment with a corresponding filling station (that is to say between a nozzle corresponding suction and filling nozzle).

The filling is effected by a movement of approximation of the filling and suction nozzles in the direction of the flakes then filled simultaneously. Once these are completed, the belts are moved one distance equal to four times the pitch mentioned above in order to place four new empty flakes next to the four flakes just filled between the corresponding filling and suction nozzles, the filled flakes being then conveyed to the unit welding. The invention aims to provide a machine of the same type but more convenient while remaining economical and efficient.

It proposes for this purpose a flake conditioning machine of a predetermined diameter comprising a filling unit of said straws having n filling station (s), n being an integer at least equal to 1, and a device for conveying said flakes for disposing n flake (s) each in the alignment of a said filling station, said device having at least one conveying element provided with a succession of reception housings said flakes arranged in a predetermined pitch, said element of conveying being adapted to be moved, after each filling n n straw (s), a distance equal to n times said predetermined pitch to have n new (s) straw (s), neighbor (s) previous n (s) , each in alignment with a said filling station, characterized in that said conveying element comprises, in addition to said succession of housing reception said flakes, said prem iers housing, a succession of accommodation for straws of another predetermined diameter, said second housing, said second housing being arranged according to said step, each said second accommodation being disposed between said two first housing reception .

The conveying device of the machine according to the invention is thus made compatible with flakes of different diameters, for example flakes of small and large diameters without having to replace the conveying element. When the machine is used with flakes of small diameter, they are arranged in the appropriate housing. The same applies when the machine is used with flakes of large diameter except that in this case the flakes are received in the other housing. To switch from one use of the machine to another, simply move the conveyor element by half a step to change the type of straw to align with the filling stations. The interleaving of housings for flakes of different diameters also makes it possible to keep for a given length of the conveying element the same number of flakes of the same diameter that can be conveyed by this element as for the conveying elements of the machines according to the invention. the prior art. In fact, in the machine according to the invention, the density of flakes of the same diameter (ie the number of flakes of the same diameter per unit length) is unchanged since it takes advantage of the space separating two dwellings. identical to insert additional housing (for glitters of different diameter). In particular, it is not necessary to have to lengthen the conveying element.

According to preferred features, for reasons of simplicity and convenience both in manufacture and use, if n is at least 2, with said filling stations which are arranged side by side with a prefixed gap, said not predetermined of said conveying element is equal to said prefixed gap. The machine according to the invention is thus particularly versatile since it makes it possible to package flakes of different diameters for a reduced additional cost. In fact, the pitch separating two identical dwellings is retained whatever the type of housing and is chosen equal to the predetermined distance between two filling stations, with the first and second housings which are interposed between them, the conveying device of the machine according to the invention thus does not involve a major change in the configuration of the machine according to the prior art, the machine according to the invention remaining compatible with existing filling stations and glue welding as well as with the mechanism of displacement of the conveying element. According to still other preferred features, for the same reasons as those set out above, said conveying element comprises a belt in which are formed first gutters with a predetermined diameter forming said first housings and second gutters of another predetermined diameter forming said second housing. According to still other preferred features, said conveying element comprises a first and a second belt arranged side by side, said first housings belonging to said first belt, said second housings belonging to said second belt. According to still other preferred features, said first belt is offset by half of said pitch relative to said second belt and in said first belt are formed, between said first housing, grooves located in alignment with said second housing of said second belt; belt and in said second belt are formed, between said second housing, grooves located in alignment with said first housing of said first belt.

The conveying device of the machine according to the invention can thus be produced from two conventional belts by machining these belts to provide the corresponding grooves and by shifting these belts by one half-step relative to one another. other, each flake thus being housed in a corresponding housing and in a groove aligned with this housing. According to still other preferred features: said grooves are crenellated grooves; - Each said conveyor element has the opposite side to said housing a succession of teeth; said device further comprises said conveying element, said first element, a second conveying element, identical to said first conveying element and disposed apart and parallel to said first conveying element at a distance less than the length of said webs. condition; and / or each filling station comprises, on either side of the conveying device, a suction nozzle and a nozzle for filling the liquid to be introduced into said flakes.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which follows, given by way of a preferred but nonlimiting example, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: FIGS. 1 and 2 are two elevational views illustrating two portions of conveyor belts according to the prior art respectively provided to receive small diameter flakes and flakes of large diameter; FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIGS. 1 and 2 but illustrating a conveyor belt portion of a machine according to the invention; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a part of this machine on which are represented four filling stations arranged side by side and one conveying device provided with two conveying elements, here two belts as illustrated in Figure 3, arranged in parallel and in which are engaged flakes of small diameter; Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 except that in this case it is flakes of large diameter which are engaged in the two belts; Figures 6 and 7 are two views illustrating, respectively for flakes of large diameter and flakes of small diameter, a second embodiment of the machine according to the invention for which the conveying elements are arranged differently; and FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the detail indicated by VIII in FIG.

The machine, as partially illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, includes a number of equipment necessary for packaging initially empty flakes.

In the example illustrated, the flakes are flakes whose plug (not shown) comprises two porous pads and between these pads a volume of gelling powder, that is to say, turning into a gel in contact with an aqueous liquid, but the machine according to the invention can of course be used for other types of flakes with particular plugs of different design.

This machine 1 comprises a fixed frame (not shown) supporting a removable and interchangeable hopper (not shown) containing a batch of small empty flakes 11, of the order of 2 mm in diameter (FIG. 4), or large empty flakes.

12, of the order of 3 mm in diameter (FIG. 5), a conveying device 2 for these flakes, a filling unit 3 comprising four filling stations 4 for filling the flakes of seed, a welding unit comprising four stations welding (not shown) for example by ultrasound to weld the ends of the flakes once filled and finally, a receiving receptacle flakes filled and welded (also not shown).

The dispensing hopper (not shown) is a parallelepipedal box open on top for loading a batch of empty flakes and making it possible to deliver these flakes one by one to the conveying device 2.

The unit 3 comprises four filling stations 4 arranged side by side according to a prefixed gap, each filling station 4 being provided with a suction nozzle 6 and a filling nozzle 7. The filling and suction nozzles are respectively connected to a not shown seed bottle and to a vacuum source also not shown by means of flexible ducts.

The conveying device 2 comprises two conveying elements 5 spaced from each other by a distance less than the length of a straw and a rotational movement mechanism of these elements comprising a hub actuated by a motor (not shown).

Each conveying element 5 is formed of a belt 8 having a first succession of accommodating housings 15 for flakes such as 11 (flakes of small diameter), as well as a succession of reception housings 16 for flakes. such as 12 (flakes of large diameter). The housings 15 are arranged at a predetermined pitch E (distance separating the centers of two successive identical housings) equal to the predetermined distance between the filling stations 4, and the same applies to the housings 16, each housing 16 being disposed between and halfway between two dwellings 15.

The belts 8 cooperate with the hub of the movement mechanism through a series of teeth 13 located on the opposite side of the housings 15 and 16.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, each housing 15 (respectively 16) has the shape of a channel 18 (respectively 19) in the hollow of which is received a straw of the corresponding diameter.

The conveying device 2 is also provided, for each belt, with a guide element 20 of these belts.

We will now describe the method of packaging flakes made by this machine.

In a first step, by moving the belts 8 in the direction of the arrow A, the straws initially stored in the hopper (the flakes 11 or the straws 12) are distributed by this hopper in the corresponding housing of the belts at the level where these belts are curved, in the vicinity of the guide elements 20, the curvature of the belts for opening the housing 15 and 16 to facilitate the loading of flakes. The dimensions of the housings 15 (respectively 16) are chosen so that the straws 11 (respectively 12) which are housed therein are kept motionless in these housings after loading. so that the filling step to follow can be performed in good conditions, especially when inserting the suction and filling nozzles in the flakes.

The motor is controlled so that the belts move so as to convey the straws, in groups of four, to the level of the filling unit 3 where each straw of this group aligns with a corresponding filling station 4.

In this position, the movement of the belts 8 is stopped and the suction nozzles 6 and filling 7 of these stations perform a movement towards the end portions of the flakes that project from the straps for sealingly engaging the cannulas suction 21 and filling 22 (Figure 5) in these end portions.

The suction is then controlled so that, for each straw of the group of four straws, the seed passes through the filling nozzle to be introduced into the corresponding straw until it comes into contact with the plug of this straw (not shown ) which is thus sealed.

Once the filling is completed, the nozzles 6 and 7 are moved in a movement opposite to the movement made to fit into these flakes so as to clear the end portions of these flakes. The motor of the conveying device is then controlled to move the belts in the direction of arrow A by a length equal to four times the distance E in order to have new empty straws at the level of the filling unit 3 and so that to arrange the four flakes of the group of flakes that have just been filled at the welding unit (not shown), this station comprising four welding stations with the same gap E prefixed as for the filling stations, each flake newly filled aligning with a corresponding welding station to be welded.

The motor of the conveyor device is then again controlled to move the belts in the direction of the arrow A with a length equal to four times the distance E in order to move the welded flakes to an accessory of the machine

(not shown) to disengage the flakes of their housing so that they fall into a storage receptacle. This cycle is repeated regularly until emptying the hopper storage straws it contains.

To change the use of the machine, namely to pass from the packaging of small flakes 11 to large flakes 12 or vice versa, it is sufficient to control the motor of this machine for the hub to advance the pair of belts 8 to a length equal to half of the pitch E (ie E / 2) so as to have at filling stations 4 is a group of four housings 15 or a group of four housings 16.

Another embodiment of the machine according to the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8.

In general, the same references have been used for similar elements, but for this embodiment a sum of 100 has been added.

In this embodiment, each conveying element 105 is constituted not of a belt 8 but of a pair of belts 109 and 110 arranged side by side and each resulting from a belt of the prior art (similar to those illustrated in Figures 1 and 2) after machining. The belts 109 of each element 105 are arranged opposite each other relative to the belts 110 of these elements.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, each belt 109 is obtained from a belt of the prior art, similar to the belt 9 shown in FIG. 1 (except that the flared portions 23 of the belt 9 are not present on the belt 109), in which machining slots have been machined

121 between the receiving housing 115 straws so that the modified belt 109 has a succession of receiving housing 115 in the form of a gutter for flakes of small diameter 11 and between these housing a succession of slots grooves 121 for y house large flakes

12.

Likewise, each belt 110 is obtained from a belt of the prior art, similar to the belt 10 illustrated in FIG. 2 (except that the flared portions 24 of the belt 10 are not present on the belt. the belt 110), in which machined grooves 122 have been machined between the reception seats 116 of the flakes so that this modified belt 110 has a succession of housing 116 in the form of a gutter for flakes. large diameter 12 and between these housing a succession of crenellated grooves 122 to accommodate flakes of small diameter 11.

For each conveying element 105, the housing 115 of the belt

109 are shifted by half a step, ie E / 2 (FIG. 8) with respect to the housings 116 of the belt 110 against which this belt is contiguous so that the housings

115 are located in the alignment of the grooves 122 and the housings 116 are located in alignment with the grooves 121.

As a result and as illustrated in FIG. 6, each straw of large diameter 12 is housed in a slot 121 of a belt 109 and in a housing 116 of a belt 110 of the first conveying element 105 as well as in a housing 116 of a belt 110 and in a slot 121 of a belt 109 of the second conveying element 105.

Similarly, as illustrated in FIG. 7, each straw of small diameter 11 is housed in a housing 115 of a belt 109 and in a slot 122 of a belt 110 of the first conveying element 105 and then in a slot 122 of a belt 110 and in a housing 115 of a belt 109 of the second conveying element 105.

The motor and the hub of the machine according to this embodiment do not cause in this case not the two belts 8 but the two pairs of belts 109 and 110 through the teeth 113 of these belts, the machine according to this embodiment of the invention. embodiment to reuse advantageously conventional belts.

In a variant not shown, the belts 8, 109 and 110 have for each housing flared portions similar to the portions 23 and 24 of the belts 9 and 10 (Figure 1 and 2) adapted to center and guide the flakes inward housing .

In yet another variant, the belts of the machine are replaced by any other conveyor element that may have a similar arrangement, such as a single belt, a barrel, a grooved belt or one or more discs with notches.

In yet another variant, the number n of filling stations is different from four, n being at least equal to one. In yet another variant, with a sufficient gap E, the conveying elements according to the invention are designed to receive flakes not of two different diameters, but of three or more than three different diameters, the housing successions for each type. sequins being alternated, two successive identical housings being always separated by a step equal to E, two successive housings of different types being then in this case separated by a distance equal to E / p with p which corresponds to the number of types of flakes of different diameters that can be received in these conveying elements.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown but encompasses any variant embodiment.

Claims

1. Glitter packaging machine (11) of a predetermined diameter comprising a filling unit (3) of said flakes (11) having n filling station (s) (4), n being an integer at least equal to 1 , and a conveying device (2) of said straws for disposing n straw (s) (11) each in alignment with a said filling station (4), said device (2) having at least one conveying element ( 5; 105) provided with a succession of receiving housings (15; 115) of said flakes (11) arranged in a predetermined pitch (E), said conveying element being adapted to be moved after each filling of n flake ( s), a distance equal to n times said predetermined pitch (E) to arrange n new straws (s), neighbor (s) of previous n (s), each in alignment with a said post filling device (4), characterized in that said conveying element (5; 105) further comprises said succe Ssion of host homes (15; 115) said flakes (11), said first housing, a succession of housing (16; 116) for flakes (12) of another predetermined diameter, said second housing, said second housing (16; 116) being disposed in said step (E), each said second receiving housing (16; 116) being disposed between two said first homes (15; 115).

2. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that if n is at least 2, with said filling stations (4) which are arranged side by side with a prefixed gap, said predetermined pitch (E) of said conveying element (5; 105) is equal to said prefixed gap.

3. Machine according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said conveying element (5) comprises a belt (8) in which are formed first gutters (18) of a predetermined diameter forming said first housing (15) and second gutters (19) of another predetermined diameter forming said second housing (16).

4. Machine according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said conveying element (105) comprises a first (109) and a second (110) belt arranged side by side, said first housings (115) belonging to said first belt (109), said second housings (116) belonging to said second belt (110).

5. Machine according to claim 4, characterized in that said first belt (109) is offset by half of said pitch (E) relative to said second belt (110) and in that are formed in said first belt (109) between said first housing (115), grooves (121) in alignment with said second housing (116) of said second belt (110) and in said second belt (110) between said second housing (116), grooves (122) in alignment with said first housing (115) of said first belt (109).

6. Machine according to claim 5, characterized in that said grooves (121, 122) are crenellated grooves.

7. Machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each said conveying element (5; 105) has on the opposite side to said housing (15, 16; 115, 116) a succession of teeth (13). 113).

8. Machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said device comprises, in addition to said conveying element (5; 105), said first element, a second conveying element (5; 105), identical said first conveying element and disposed apart and parallel to said first conveying element (5; 105) at a distance less than the length of said flakes (11, 12) to be conditioned.

9. Machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that each filling station (4) comprises, on either side of the conveying device (2), a suction nozzle (6) and a filling nozzle (7) of the liquid to be introduced into said flakes (11, 12).