EP3336615B1 - Packaging of appliques for timepieces - Google Patents

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a packaging for timepieces, said appliques comprising, on either side of a support surface, at least one foot, and a body of applique extending over a height of applique above said support surface, said packaging comprising at least one pallet provided for receiving, holding, storing and transporting said sconces of the same applied height, said pallet comprising a series of bores for receiving said feet in a constant pitch, each said bore being contiguous with a housing arranged to house a said body of applique resting on an upper pallet surface opposite a lower pallet surface.

The invention also relates to an automated production means for the manufacture of such timepieces, said automated production means comprising at least one machining unit by cutting and / or milling and / or diamonding.

The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such timepieces.

The invention relates to the field of manufacturing small clock display components, particularly appliques, indexes, needles, or the like.

Background of the invention

The manufacture of small clock display components, such as appliques, indexes, needles, or the like, is always delicate, because these small components, difficult to handle without scratching, are appearance pieces that determine first glance the level of finish and quality of a watch or a timepiece. When such components are made of precious metal, it is important not to lose them among chips or in a treatment or washing bath.

Parts conditioning devices for watchmaking are known from the documents CH706143 , CH708074 and EP2799940 .

Summary of the invention

The invention proposes to develop a packaging ensuring, from the initial shaping, usually by machining, but which can also come three-dimensional foundry or printing, small timepiece display components, the collection of blanks, their intermediate storage during all the operations of their manufacturing range, and their washing, these components preferably remaining permanently on the packaging tool according to the invention, as soon as the initial shaping has been performed.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a package according to claim 1.

The invention also relates to an automated production means for the manufacture of such timepieces, said automated production means comprising at least one machining unit by machining and / or milling and / or diamonding, according to claim 11.

The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing such timepieces according to claim 15.

Brief description of the drawings

• la figure 1 représente, de façon schématisée, et en vue de face, une palette constitutive d'un conditionnement selon l'invention;
• la figure 2 représente, de façon schématisée, et en perspective, la palette de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 représente, de façon schématisée, partielle, et en coupe passant par une implantation d'applique, la palette de la figure 1 sur laquelle est montée une applique d'horlogerie ;
• la figure 4 représente, de façon schématisée, et en perspective, un étui en deux parties, que comporte le conditionnement selon l'invention, ces deux parties, complémentaires l'une à l'autre, comportant chacune une demi-chambre, agencée pour la réception d'un empilement compact de palettes selon la figure 1 éventuellement complétées avec des cales d'épaisseur ;
• la figure 5 représente, de façon schématisée, partielle, et en coupe, la mise en position de coopération de deux palettes superposées ;
• la figure 6 représente, de façon schématisée, partielle, et en coupe, l'étui de la figure 4 renfermant un empilement solidarisé de palettes selon la figure 1, complété par une cale d'épaisseur supérieur pour occuper à jeu minimal tout l'espace de la chambre définie dans cette étui par la juxtaposition des deux demi-chambres ;
• la figure 7 représente, sous forme d'un schéma-blocs, un moyen de production automatisé qui comporte, desservies par un palettiseur associé à des moyens d'identification, une unité de mise en forme par usinage, un équipement de traitement et de lavage, et un poste d'inspection et de contrôle ;
• la figure 8 représente, sous forme d'un schéma-blocs, les opérations d'un procédé de fabrication d'appliques, comportant des étapes de préparation de conditionnements, de préparation de matière première, d'usinage, de traitement de surface, de lavage, et de visitage.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• the figure 1 represents, schematically, and in front view, a pallet constituting a packaging according to the invention;
• the figure 2 represents, schematically, and in perspective, the palette of the figure 1 ;
• the figure 3 represents, schematically, partially, and in section passing through an implementation of applique, the pallet of the figure 1 on which is mounted a wall clock;
• the figure 4 represents schematically and in perspective, a case in two parts, which comprises the packaging according to the invention, these two parts, complementary to each other, each comprising a half-chamber, arranged for the reception of a compact stack of pallets according to the figure 1 possibly completed with shims;
• the figure 5 represents, schematically, partially, and in section, the setting in cooperation position of two superimposed pallets;
• the figure 6 represents, schematically, partially, and in section, the case of the figure 4 enclosing a stack of pallets secured according to the figure 1 , completed by a shim of greater thickness to occupy at minimal clearance all the space of the chamber defined in this case by the juxtaposition of the two half-chambers;
• the figure 7 represents, in the form of a block diagram, an automated production means comprising, serviced by a palletizer associated with identification means, a machining forming unit, a treatment and washing equipment, and a inspection and control post;
• the figure 8 represents, in the form of a block diagram, the operations of a method of manufacturing appliques, comprising steps of preparation of packaging, preparation of raw material, machining, surface treatment, washing, and of visit.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The invention proposes to develop a packaging ensuring, from the initial shaping, generally by machining, but which can also come from foundry or three-dimensional printing, small display components for timepiece, the collection of blanks, their intermediate storage during all operations of their range of manufacture, these components preferably remaining permanently on the packaging tool according to the invention, as soon as the initial shaping has been performed.

For simplicity, hereinafter called "machining operation" the first shaping operation, whether it is carried out by adding material (foundry, 3D printing, welding), or by cutting material removal tool (machining and / or milling and / or diamonding) or by abrasion (grinding), or both by addition and removal of material.

A small display component comprising at least one foot, as applied or indexed in their usual denomination, or comprising a barrel instead of a foot, such as a needle, will be referred to as "applique".

The invention relates to a packaging 1 for clockworks 2. These sconces 2 comprise, on either side of a support surface 3, at least one foot 4, and a wall 5 extending over a height of wall HA above the surface of the wall. support 3.

This package 1 comprises at least one pallet 10 provided for receiving, holding, storing and transporting such wall lights 2, of the same height of wall HA. This pallet 10 comprises a series of receptacles 11, in particular constituted by bores, for receiving such feet 4, and preferably in a constant pitch. Each receptacle or bore 11 is contiguous to a housing 12, which is arranged to house a bearing body 5, resting on a pallet upper surface 13, opposite a lower pallet surface 14.

According to the invention, each pallet 10 comprises indexing means in position 20, to ensure its precise positioning with respect to a means of production and / or with respect to a handling means.

And each pallet comprises at least one spacer 15, which extends in a vertical direction (that is to say parallel to the threading direction of the feet 4 in their receptacles or bores 11), and which is arranged to cooperate in abutment with a lower pallet surface 14 of another pallet 10, or with a lower wedge surface 34 that comprises a shim 30 which the packaging 1 comprises. Such a spacer 30 is of identical planar size to a pallet 10 and it may be necessary to hold the components arranged on the upper pallet in a stack of pallets.

Each spacer 15 extends, from the upper pallet surface 13, over an HP pallet height, which is greater than the application height HA by the value of a predefined functional clearance J, in particular but not exclusively limited to order of at least 0.05 mm.

These spacers 15 may be formed of flanges surrounding the pallet 10, or discrete projections distributed on its upper surface.

Preferably, the packaging 1 comprises a plurality of the same pallets 10, identical in plan size to each other. Thus a solidarity of such pallets by stacking ensures full protection of all the components they carry.

In a particular embodiment illustrated by the figures, each said pallet 10 and / or said wedge 30 is inscribed in a square in each plane perpendicular to said vertical direction.

In a particular variant, allowing a precise relative positioning in the space of the pallets 10 of the same stack, or even a clipping between adjacent pallets, at least one pallet 10, and more particularly each pallet of a stack, comprises, extending beyond each spacer 15 from the upper pallet surface 13, at least one centering or clipping pin 16, which is arranged to cooperate with a centering or clipping implantation 17, and that comprises a pallet lower surface 14 of another pallet 10, or a lower wedge surface 34 that comprises a shim 30.

Different flat layouts of the pallet can be realized. In a particular variant, at least one housing 12, or more particularly each housing 12, is separated from the adjacent housing 12. This separation can be achieved by bosses 19, which can themselves constitute spacers 15.

To facilitate the production management, in an advantageous variant, at least one, or more particularly, each pallet 10 and / or wedge 30 comprises identification means 50 of its dimensioning, readable by an automatic, optical, magnetic detection means, inductive, mechanical, or other, and / or recognizable by an operator, including a colored marking and / or identification; the pallet 10 may, in particular, be entirely made in a color for its identification.

Preferably, at least one, or more particularly each said pallet 10 and / or said shim 30 is entirely in an insensitive material and resistant to the treatments that includes the range of manufacture of the sconces 2, for example plastic or in a prepared material for this purpose.

In an advantageous variant, at least one or more particularly each pallet 10 and / or shim 30 has a plurality of recesses 18 arranged to allow the passage of fluid through its thickness.

In a variant, for at least one or more particularly each pallet 10, each bore 11 is moved away from at least one recess 18 by a value less than or equal to the constant pitch between the bores 11.

For secure storage and transport after the manufacturing and finishing operations of the sconces, the packaging 1 advantageously comprises a case 40, in at least two complementary parts 41 and 42, which together define, in the closed position of this case 40, a prismatic chamber 43, which is of dimensions adapted to receive a minimum clearance in the vertical direction, a plurality of pallets 10 and / or spacers 30 of equal planar size, and to receive a minimum clearance, in each plane perpendicular to this vertical direction , each pallet 10 and / or shim 30.

In a particular variant, this minimal clearance is zero, the case 40 then being deformable material, and can even ensure a slight tightening on the pallets 10 and wedges 30 it contains.

In a particular variant, this case 40 is expanded polystyrene, and each of the at least two parts 41, 42 comprises a half-chamber 44, 45, arranged to hold alone a stack of pallets 10 and / or shims 30, such as visible on the figure 4 .

The case 40 may, again, be made of another polymer, such as PC, POM, PP, PE, HDPE, PS, or other.

The invention also relates to an automated production means 100 for the manufacture of such timepieces 2.

This automated production means 100 comprises at least one initial shaping unit, in particular a machining unit 110 by free cutting and / or milling and / or diamond cutting.

According to the invention this automated production means 100 further comprises a palletizing mechanism 120, which is arranged to receive and identify a pallet 10 provided for receiving, holding, storing and transporting sconces 2 of the same height of applique HA, and which comprises indexing means in position 20 for its precise positioning on this palletizing mechanism 120.

Advantageously, this palletizing mechanism 120 comprises at least one automatic detection means 150, which is arranged to identify identification means 50 that each pallet 10 comprises.

In a particular variant, the automated production means 100 comprises surface treatment means 160 for processing applied appliques 2 positioned on pallets 10 after they have been shaped or machined.

In a particular variant, the automated production means 100 comprises control and / or inspection means 170 for the visit of applied appliques 2 positioned on pallets 10 after they have been shaped or machined.

The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such timepieces 2.

• dans une étape 10 on se munit, pour chaque lot de fabrication d'appliques 2, d'une hauteur d'applique HA donnée, d'au moins un tel conditionnement 1 adapté à ce dimensionnement ;
• dans une étape 20 on se munit de matière première utilisable par un tel moyen de production automatisé 10 ;
• dans une étape 30 on effectue au moins l'usinage des appliques 2 sur un tel moyen de production automatisé 100, lequel dépose des appliques 2 usinées sur au moins une palette 10 de dimensions adéquates ;
• dans une étape 50 on effectue au moins un lavage des appliques 2 usinées en position sur leur palette 10 ;
• dans une étape 60 on effectue un visitage des appliques 2 en position sur leur palette 10.

According to the invention:

• in a step 10 is provided, for each set of manufacture of appliques 2, a given HA application height of at least one such conditioning 1 adapted to this dimensioning;
• in a step 20 is provided with raw material used by such automated production means 10;
• in a step 30 is performed at least the machining of the appliques 2 on such automated production means 100, which deposits 2 machined appliques on at least one pallet 10 of adequate dimensions;
• in a step 50 is carried out at least one wash of the sconces 2 machined in position on their pallet 10;
• in a step 60 we make a visit of the appliques 2 in position on their pallet 10.

More particularly, after washing and before final visit, is carried out on these appliques 2 machined and maintained in position on their pallet 10, in a step 40, at least a surface treatment and / or covering by a peripheral layer.

• l'entraxe des alésages de réception de pieds, avec notamment des valeurs comprises entre 0.39 mm et 4.08 mm ;
• le diamètre de ces alésages, avec notamment des valeurs comprises entre 0.4 mm et 0.6 mm ;
• la hauteur des entretoises 15, définissant la distance entre les surfaces fonctionnelles de deux palettes successives, pour conserver la qualité des corps d'applique, avec notamment des valeurs d'espacement comprises entre 0.42 mm et 1.1 mm ;
• les moyens de repérage, notamment la couleur pour une identification rapide par les opérateurs de préparation.

In particular, one can realize different versions of pallets 10, which are distinguished in particular by:

• the spacing of the foot receiving bores, in particular with values between 0.39 mm and 4.08 mm;
• the diameter of these bores, with in particular values between 0.4 mm and 0.6 mm;
• the height of the spacers 15, defining the distance between the functional surfaces of two successive pallets, to maintain the quality of the applique bodies, in particular with spacing values of between 0.42 mm and 1.1 mm;
• the marking means, in particular the color for rapid identification by the preparation operators.

• leur utilisation directement sur un moyen d'usinage grâce à un palettiseur ;
• une autonomie augmentée de la machine, suffisamment alimentée pour un lot de production par l'équipement d'une palette complète ;
• le lavage, ou un traitement de surface, ou un traitement thermique, ou autre, des composants directement sur les palettes ;
• le visitage des composants directement sur les palettes

The use of such pallets 10 is advantageous because it allows:

• their use directly on a machining means through a palletizer;
• increased autonomy of the machine, sufficiently fed for a production batch by the equipment of a complete pallet;
• washing, or surface treatment, or heat treatment, or other components directly on the pallets;
• visiting components directly on the pallets

Indeed, once out of the means of production that ensure the initial shaping, the appliques do not leave the palette, to minimize the costs of handling, and to preserve the maximum aesthetic quality of the product until delivery to the customer.

The outer packaging is, in an economical version, an expanded polystyrene pouch 40, designed for fast closing, and to protect several pallets at a time against shocks, during transport. For example, such a case 40 contains a dozen pallets.

Claims (16)

1. Packaging (1) for timepiece appliques (2), said appliques (2) comprising, on either side of a bearing surface (3), at least one foot (4), and an applique body (5) extending over an applique height (HA) above said bearing surface (3), said packaging (1) comprising at least one pallet (10) designed for the receipt, holding, storage and transport of said appliques (2) of the same said applique height (HA), said pallet (10) comprising a series of bores (11) for receiving said feet (4) according to a constant pitch, each said bore (11) being adjacent to a housing (12) arranged so as to house one said applique body (5) bearing on an upper pallet surface (13) opposite a lower pallet surface (14), characterised in that each said pallet (10) comprises position indexing means (20) and comprises at least one spacer (15) extending in a vertical direction and arranged such that it engages, by bearing thereon, with one said lower pallet surface (14) of another said pallet (10) or with a lower skid surface (34) forming part of a skid (30) comprised in said packaging (1) and of planar overall dimensions that are identical to a said pallet (10), each said spacer (15) extending, from said upper pallet surface (13), over a pallet height (HP) that is greater than said applique height (HA) by the value of a predefined functional clearance (J).
2. Packaging (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that each said pallet (10) and/or said skid (30) is enclosed within a square in each plane perpendicular to said vertical direction.
3. Packaging (1) according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that at least one said pallet (10) comprises, extending beyond each said spacer (15) from said upper pallet surface (13), at least one centring pin (16) or clipping pin arranged such that it engages with a centring or clipping installation (17) comprised in one said lower pallet surface (14) of another said pallet (10) or one said lower skid surface (34) forming part of said skid (30).
4. Packaging (1) according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that each said housing (12) is separated from said adjacent housings (12).
5. Packaging (1) according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that each said pallet (10) and/or said skid (30) comprises means (50) for identifying the dimensioning thereof, capable of being read by an automated sensing means and/or of being recognised by an operator.
6. Packaging (1) according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that each said pallet (10) and/or said skid (30) is entirely made of a material that is insensitive and resistant to the treatments included in the manufacturing process of said appliques (2).
7. Packaging (1) according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that each said pallet (10) and/or said skid (30) comprises a plurality of recesses (18) arranged to allow fluid to pass through the thickness thereof.
8. Packaging (1) according to claim 7 characterised in that, for each said pallet (10), each said bore (11) is distant from at least one said recess (18) by a value of less than or equal to said constant pitch.
9. Packaging (1) according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that said packaging (1) comprises a case (40) in at least two parts (41; 42) jointly defining, in the closed position of said case (40), a prismatic chamber (43), the dimensions whereof are adjusted so as to receive, with minimal clearance in said vertical direction, a plurality of said pallets (10) and/or said skids (30) of the same planar overall dimensions, and so as to receive, with minimal clearance in each plane perpendicular to said vertical direction, each said pallet (10) and/or said skid (30).
10. Packaging (1) according to claim 9, characterised in that said case (40) is made of expanded polystyrene, and in that each of said at least two parts (41; 42) comprises a half-chamber (44; 45) arranged to hold only one stack of said pallets (10) and/or of said skids (30).
11. Automated production means (100) for manufacturing timepiece appliques (2), said appliques (2) comprising, on either side of a bearing surface (3), at least one foot (4), and an applique body (5) extending over an applique height (HA) above said bearing surface (3), said automated production means (100) comprising at least one unit (110) for machining by bar turning and/or milling and/or diamond milling, characterised in that said automated production means (100) comprises a palletiser mechanism (120) arranged to receive and identify a pallet (10) designed for the receipt, holding, storage and transport of said appliques (2) of the same said applique height (HA), and which comprises position indexing means (20) for the exact positioning thereof on said palletiser mechanism (120).
12. Automated production means (100) according to claim 11, characterised in that said palletiser mechanism (120) comprises at least one automated sensing means (150) arranged such that it identifies identification means (50) comprised in each said pallet (10).
13. Automated production means (100) according to either claim 11 or claim 12, characterised in that said automated production means (100) comprises means (160) for treating the surface of said appliques (2) held in position on said pallets (10) after the machining thereof.
14. Automated production means (100) according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterised in that said automated production means (100) comprises means (170) for checking and/or inspecting said appliques (2) held in position on said pallets (10) after the machining thereof.
15. Method for manufacturing timepiece appliques (2), said appliques (2) comprising, on either side of a bearing surface (3), at least one foot (4), and an applique body (5) extending over an applique height (HA) above said bearing surface (3), characterised in that, for each manufacturing lot of said appliques (2) of a said given applique height (HA), at least one packaging (1) is provided for according to one of claims 1 to 10, and in that raw material capable of being used by a said automated production means (100) according to one of claims 11 to 14 is provided, in that at least the machining of said appliques on a said automated production means (100) according to one of claims 11 to 14 is carried out, which automated production means (100) deposit said machined appliques (2) on at least one said pallet (10) of adequate dimensions, in that at least one washing process is carried out for said machined appliques (2) in position on said pallet (10) thereof, and in that an inspection is carried out of said appliques (2) in position on said pallet (10) thereof.
16. Manufacturing method according to claim 15 characterised in that, after washing and before final inspection, at least one surface treatment and/or treatment for coating in a surrounding layer is carried out on said machined appliques (2) held in position on said pallet (10) thereof.

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