EP3378436B1 - Anlage zur verarbeitung von röhrchen zur verpackung von tierischem samen, die eine zuführ- und positioniervorrichtung dieser röhrchen umfasst - Google Patents

Anlage zur verarbeitung von röhrchen zur verpackung von tierischem samen, die eine zuführ- und positioniervorrichtung dieser röhrchen umfasst Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3378436B1
EP3378436B1 EP18163188.8A EP18163188A EP3378436B1 EP 3378436 B1 EP3378436 B1 EP 3378436B1 EP 18163188 A EP18163188 A EP 18163188A EP 3378436 B1 EP3378436 B1 EP 3378436B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
straws
straw
positioning device
machine
supply
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EP18163188.8A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP3378436A1 (de
Inventor
Eric Schmitt
Christian Beau
Joël GROSOS
Ludovic LEFRANC
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IMV Technologies SA
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IMV Technologies SA
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Publication of EP3378436A1 publication Critical patent/EP3378436A1/de
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61D—VETERINARY INSTRUMENTS, IMPLEMENTS, TOOLS, OR METHODS
    • A61D19/00—Instruments or methods for reproduction or fertilisation
    • A61D19/02—Instruments or methods for reproduction or fertilisation for artificial insemination
    • A61D19/022—Containers for animal semen, e.g. pouches or vials ; Methods or apparatus for treating or handling animal semen containers, e.g. filling or closing
    • A61D19/024—Tube-like containers, e.g. straws

Definitions

  • the invention relates generally to the preservation of liquid-based substance containing biological material, in particular animal semen, in packaging straws filled with a predetermined dose of such substance.
  • the invention more particularly relates to a processing installation comprising a machine for processing such flakes and a feed and positioning device configured to receive the flakes and arrange them one by one in a predetermined orientation for a treatment step of these flakes by the machine, for example a printing step, or a step of filling or welding.
  • the animal seed conditioning flakes are conventionally formed by a thin plastic tube and a plug engaged in the thin tube.
  • This plug is formed by two buffers of fibrous substance which enclose a powder transforming in contact with a liquid, a paste or an impermeable gel adhering to an inner wall of the tube, so that the cap is liquid-tight.
  • processing facilities and in particular for filling and welding flakes, which comprise a filling and welding machine configured to fill and weld flakes, a movable support configured to receive flakes and convey them to the machine. filling and welding, and a device for feeding and positioning flakes on the mobile support.
  • the filling and welding machine conventionally comprises a vacuum pump and filling needles mounted on a carriage, configured to cooperate with the flakes and to ensure their filling.
  • the filling and welding machine further comprises a welding station configured to weld ends of the flakes after filling.
  • the movable support is generally formed by coaxial rotary disks each having at their periphery a plurality of notches forming housings configured to receive the straws in a predetermined orientation.
  • the movable support is configured to convey the straws thus housed on the latter, from the feed and positioning device to the filling needles of the filling and welding machine for filling the straws, then from the needles of filling to the welding machine for the welding of flakes.
  • the feeding and positioning device comprises a removable feed hopper mounted on a frame of the plant and configured to receive a plurality of flakes.
  • the feed hopper is provided with an outlet chute in which the straws engage one after the other, and the feeding and positioning device further comprises a pair of levers allowing the evacuation of flakes. out of the outlet chute for the loading of these flakes, one by one, in the notches of the coaxial discs which ensure the conveying of flakes to the filling and welding machine.
  • the filling and welding installation further comprises a receptacle disposed at the outlet of the machine where the filled and welded flakes are ejected and fall into this receptacle.
  • the French patent application FR 2,729,638 discloses a machine for distributing, filling and sealing by welding straws for artificial insemination, which comprises a straw receiving hopper, means for transferring said straws from the hopper to filling and welding units, the means for transfer consisting of a horizontal axis rotary barrel which comprises a series of parallel peripheral grooves arranged according to the generatrices of the barrel, and adapted to each receive a straw, and means for causing the rotation of the barrel discontinuously, each time in the same direction on a fraction of a turn, said barrel being placed immediately below the lower opening of the hopper and the machine also comprising means able to periodically cause a reciprocating movement of the hopper, of low amplitude, centered on the axis of rotation of the barrel.
  • the aim of the invention is to provide an installation comprising a glitter processing machine and a device for feeding and positioning a similar to the one described above, which is more convenient and efficient.
  • the invention proposes a plant for treating flakes for conditioning a predetermined dose of liquid-based substance, in particular animal semen, comprising at least one machine for treating said flakes and a feeding and positioning device. configured to receive said flakes and arrange them one by one in a predetermined orientation for processing said glittering by said machine; characterized in that said feeder and positioning device comprises at least one curved ramp having a receiving portion of said straws and an ejection portion of said straws, opposite to said receiving portion and located lower than said latter, said ramp curved being configured to convey to said ejection portion a said straw received on said receiving portion and sliding freely on said ramp, said curved ramp having a concave profile facing upwards so that said profile has a closer orientation of the vertical in said receiving portion of said straws in said ejection portion of said straws, so that said straw received on said receiving portion is accelerated to said ejection portion where said straw is guided and ejected according to said predetermined orientation for the purpose of processing said pa illette by said processing machine.
  • the flakes are received and accelerated, that is to say that they take speed along this receiving portion.
  • the flakes take a sufficiently high speed so that their sliding in the device is not hindered by electrostatic forces.
  • the flakes are further guided along the ramp and ejected therefrom according to the predetermined orientation. view of their treatment.
  • the ejection portion preferably has a free ejection end, opposite to the receiving portion, located at the lowest point of the ramp.
  • the receiving portion has a free receiving end, opposite the free ejection end, located at the highest point of the ramp.
  • said processing machine said first processing machine, is disposed downstream of said feed and positioning device for the treatment of said flakes arranged according to said orientation predetermined by said feeding and positioning device; and said installation comprises a second processing machine configured to receive, process and eject said straws, said second processing machine being disposed upstream of said feeding and positioning device so that said straw ejected from said second processing machine is received on said receiving portion of said curved ramp of said feeding and positioning device and accelerated to said ejection portion where said straw is guided and ejected according to said predetermined orientation for the treatment of said straw by said first processing machine.
  • the installation according to the invention thus makes it possible to put in series at least two processing machines, with the feeding and positioning device which is interposed between these two machines.
  • the feeding and positioning device forms both a straw recovery hopper processed by the second machine and a straw feed hopper of the first machine.
  • the straws simply walk without hindrance and in a guided manner from the second machine to the first machine; which makes it possible to offer a continuous process of successive treatments of glitter.
  • the figures 1 and 2 illustrate an installation 1 of treatment flakes 2 for conditioning a predetermined dose of liquid-based substance, here animal semen.
  • the processing plant 1 is here an installation for filling, welding and printing flakes 2 and comprises a first processing machine 12, here a glitter printing machine 2, a second processing machine 14, here a machine for filling and welding flakes 2, and a supply and positioning device 16 disposed at the output of the second processing machine 14 and at the input of the first processing machine 12.
  • the filling and welding machine 14 is located upstream of the device 16, while the printing machine 12 is located downstream of the device 16.
  • the device 16 is configured to receive, from the filling and welding machine 14, the flakes 2 filled and welded, and to feed the printing machine 12 with these flakes 2 filled and welded.
  • the device 16 is configured to arrange the straws 2 one by one in a predetermined orientation, for processing by the printing machine 12.
  • the processing facility 1 further comprises a storage device (not shown), at least temporary, of the flakes 2, disposed at the output of the printing machine 12.
  • the filling and welding machine 14 comprises a processing device 3, here a device for filling and welding the flakes 2, a mobile support 4 configured to convey the flakes 2 to the filling and welding device 3, as well as a hopper 5 configured to receive the straws 2 and position them on the mobile support 4, for filling and welding the straws 2.
  • a processing device 3 here a device for filling and welding the flakes 2
  • a mobile support 4 configured to convey the flakes 2 to the filling and welding device 3, as well as a hopper 5 configured to receive the straws 2 and position them on the mobile support 4, for filling and welding the straws 2.
  • the treatment device 3, the mobile support 4 and the hopper 5 are here mounted on a frame 6 of the filling and welding machine 14.
  • the flakes 2 of animal seed conditioning generally extend longitudinally and are formed by a thin plastic tube having two free ends, and a plug engaged in the thin tube (not shown).
  • This plug is formed by two pads of fibrous substance which enclose a powder that is transformed on contact with a liquid, impermeable paste or gel adhered to an inner wall of the tube, so that the cap is liquid-tight.
  • the filling and welding device 3 comprises a pumping mechanism 7, in particular provided with a vacuum pump, filling nozzles 8 mounted on a first mobile carriage 9, suction nozzles 10 mounted on a second mobile carriage 11 which is arranged facing the first mobile carriage 9, and an animal seed tank (not shown).
  • the filling nozzles 8 and the suction nozzles 10 are configured to cooperate with the flakes 2 and to ensure their filling.
  • the filling nozzles 8 and the suction nozzles 10 are mounted on the first and second movable carriages 9 and 11 to be movable parallel to the length of the flakes 2 between an advanced filling position and a retracted position.
  • the filling and welding device 3 further comprises a welding station 13 configured to weld the ends of the flakes 2 after filling.
  • figures 1 and 2 show flakes 2 in the course of cooperation with filling nozzles 8 and suction nozzles 10.
  • each straw 2 Before filling, the stopper of each straw 2 is disposed near a first end of the tube of the straw 2 and it is expected that in the filled state, the dose of animal semen which must be stored in the straw 2 is disposed between the plug and a second end of the tube furthest from the plug.
  • the first end of the tube is placed in communication with the suction nozzle 10 with the pumping mechanism 7 while the second end is placed in communication by means of the filling nozzle 8 with the tank containing the seed to be introduced into the straw tube 2.
  • the air initially contained between the plug of the straw 2 and its second end is sucked through the plug while the seed progresses in the tube of the straw 2 until it meets its cap.
  • the filling nozzle 8 comprises a needle connected to the reservoir via a flexible duct (not shown) connected to a tip of the filling nozzle 8.
  • the suction nozzle 10 comprises a needle connected to the pumping mechanism 7 via a flexible duct (not shown) connected to a nozzle of the suction nozzle 10.
  • the filling and welding device 3 further comprises clamping members 15 of each of the flexible conduits making it possible to interrupt or allow fluid communication between the needle of the suction nozzle 10 and the reservoir and between the filling nozzle needle 8 and pumping mechanism 7.
  • first and second mobile carriages 9 and 11 are each provided with several filling nozzles 8 and suction 10 to allow the filling of several flakes 2 at the same time.
  • the clamping members 15 are configured to interrupt or allow, at the same time, the fluidic communication of all the conduits connected to the filling nozzles 8 and suction 10.
  • the filling and welding device 3 further comprises solenoid valves 17 configured to shunt at least one of the suction nozzles 10, by pinching the flexible duct connecting it to the pumping mechanism 7.
  • the flakes 2 are in the filled state, they are conveyed to the welding machine 13 and are welded in the vicinity of the second end of the tube, or even in the vicinity of the first end of the tube, and then they are recovered for be stored cold.
  • the mobile support 4 is formed by two conveyor belts 18 each having a plurality of grooves forming housings 19 (notably visible on figures 2 and 7 ) configured to receive the straws 2 in a predetermined orientation.
  • the mobile support 4 is configured to convey the straws 2 thus housed thereon, from the hopper 5 to the filling and suction nozzles 8 and 10 for filling the straws 2, and then from these nozzles to the station for welding 13 for welding flakes 2.
  • the conveyor belts 18 each have, at the output of the machine 14, a portion oriented substantially vertically, said vertical portion 32 ( figure 2 ).
  • the filling and welding machine 14 further comprises ejection members (not shown) configured to extract the housings 19 the filled and welded flakes 2, when they are in the vertical portions 32 of the conveyor belts 18.
  • the conveyor belts 18 and the ejection members form here a conveying device.
  • the flakes 2 which are conveyed in a predetermined orientation by the conveyor belts 18 are here, once filled and welded, ejected one by one by the ejection members at the outlet of the filling and welding machine 14, having this predetermined orientation.
  • the hopper 5 comprises a feed tray 20 having an internal space 21 configured to receive a plurality of straws 2, and a discharge chute 22 opening on the one hand, in the inner space 21 of the feed tray 20 and on the other hand, facing housing 19 of the mobile support 4.
  • the hopper 5 here further comprises a separator system 25 configured to set the flakes 2 in motion in the internal space 21 of the feed tray 20.
  • the flakes 2 are introduced into the internal space 21 of the feed tray 20, are agitated by the separator system 25, and are introduced, one after the other, into the vertical chute 22 . Then, the flakes 2 fall, following one another, into a respective housing 19 on the conveyor belts 18 of the mobile support 4.
  • the filling and welding machine 14 further comprises a control and control screen 27 connected to a control and control unit (not shown) of the machine 14, in particular for the implementation of the filling and welding steps. flakes 2, and a power supply and connection box 28 having an interface provided with a plurality of electrical and computer connection ports connected in particular to the control and control unit.
  • the frame 6 of the machine 14 is at least partially covered by ornamental panels, here formed in particular by a front panel 29, two side panels 30 (only one of which is visible on the figure 1 ), and a rear panel 31.
  • the frame 6 is arranged so as to provide a recess 33 having a first portion 34 extending generally horizontally at the bottom of the filling and welding machine 14, and a second portion 35 extending generally vertically facing the portions.
  • the printing machine 12 and the feeding and positioning device 16, which is here mounted on the printing machine 12, are nested in the recess 33.
  • the printing machine 12 is partially received in the first portion 34 while the feeding and positioning device 16 is partially received both in the first portion 34 and in the second portion 35.
  • the feed and positioning device 16 is arranged opposite and at the bottom of the vertical portions 32 of the conveyor belts 18, from which the flakes 2 are ejected.
  • the feeding and positioning device 16 thus forms a glitter recovery hopper 2 for the filling and welding machine 14, located at the outlet of the latter.
  • the printing machine 12 will now be described with reference to the figure 3 .
  • the step of printing the flakes 2 is characterized by the fact of affixing a predefined marking (not shown) on each flake, for example an identification marking having in particular a reference to a batch number of flakes, the source and / or the destination of animal semen, etc.
  • the printing machine 12 comprises a processing unit 36, here printed, configured to affix the predefined marking on each straw 2 and a conveyor device 37 of the straws 2 from the feeding and positioning device 16 to the printing unit 36, and also from the printing unit 36 to the output of the printing machine 12, where the flakes 2 are ejected in a predetermined orientation to be received in the storage device.
  • a processing unit 36 here printed, configured to affix the predefined marking on each straw 2 and a conveyor device 37 of the straws 2 from the feeding and positioning device 16 to the printing unit 36, and also from the printing unit 36 to the output of the printing machine 12, where the flakes 2 are ejected in a predetermined orientation to be received in the storage device.
  • the feeding and positioning device 16 here forms a feed hopper and positioning for the printing machine 12, located at the entrance of the latter.
  • the printing machine 12 further comprises a frame 38 on which the feed and positioning device 16 is secured.
  • the printing machine 12 further comprises a drive member 39, mounted on the frame 38, adjacent to the device 16, and configured to cooperate with the device 16.
  • the conveying device 37 is formed by a groove 40 formed longitudinally in a body 41 of the frame 38 and forming a housing for the flakes 2, the groove 40 being configured to receive the flakes 2 to slide in the housing.
  • the conveying device 37 is furthermore formed by rollers 42 housed in the groove 40 and regularly arranged along this groove 40 between the inlet and the outlet of the printing machine 12.
  • the conveying device 37 comprises a mechanism for driving the rollers 42 in rotation so as to allow the glitters 2 to be conveyed when they are in the housing.
  • the conveying device 37 further comprises, at one end 43 of the groove 40, at the output of the printing machine 12, a wheel (not shown) rotatably mounted in the groove 40 and configured to hold the flakes 2 in position. their predetermined orientation when they are ejected from the groove 40, to be received in the storage device.
  • the printing unit 36 comprises a support 45 having a fixed part mechanically and integrally secured to the frame 38 of the printing machine 12, and a movable part configured to be movable relative to the fixed part under the action of an adjusting wheel 46 of the support 45.
  • the printing unit 36 further comprises a print head (not shown) fixed on the mobile part of the support 45 so as to be adjustable in position, and a cord (not shown), also called umbilical, configured to feed in particular in ink the print head for affixing the markings on the flakes 2.
  • a print head (not shown) fixed on the mobile part of the support 45 so as to be adjustable in position
  • a cord (not shown), also called umbilical, configured to feed in particular in ink the print head for affixing the markings on the flakes 2.
  • the printing unit 36 further comprises an ink fountain 47 embedded in the frame 38, in the axis of the groove 40, between two successive rollers 42.
  • the inkwell 47 is provided with a bowl 48 disposed transversely to the groove 40 and partially interrupting it, so that the groove 40 opens into the bowl 48 by two facing orifices located on either side of the bowl 48 and forming a passage for the flakes 2 through the ink 47.
  • the print head When mounted on the movable portion of the support 45, the print head is disposed vertically above the bowl 48 of the inkwell 47, at the groove 40 in which the flakes 2 flow, and is adjustable in position for printing them.
  • the inkwell 47 is here configured to allow the printing of flakes 2 while recovering any ink projections occurring in the immediate vicinity of the print head.
  • the storage device is located in a predetermined position at the output of the printing machine 12, facing the end 43 of the groove 40, from which the flakes 2 are ejected, so as to receive them for storage, at least temporary.
  • the feeding and positioning device 16 will now be described with reference to the Figures 4 to 7 .
  • the feeding and positioning device 16 has an admission portion 49 of the straws 2, whereby the straws 2 are received by the device 16, and a discharge portion 50 of the straws 2, opposite to the admission portion , by which the flakes 2 leave the device 16.
  • the supply and positioning device 16 comprises a base 51, a plurality of guide members 80 (here three in number) each integrally fixed to the base 51 in the intake portion 49 of the device 16, and an evacuation system 53 mounted on the base 51 in the discharge portion 50 of the device 16.
  • the base 51 here has a substantially parallelepipedal shape and has two lateral flanges 54 disposed facing and a rear wall 55 attached to the flanges 54 and extending from one to the other of these flanges 54, in the intake portion 49 of the device 16.
  • the discharge portion 50 of the base 51 has two orifices 56 opposite, each formed in a respective flange 54.
  • the base 51 further comprises a front wall 57, opposite to the rear wall 55, removably attached to the flanges 54 and extending from one to the other of these flanges 54, in the discharge portion 50 of the device 16.
  • the front wall 57 here comprises two manually operable clamping members 58, each configured to attach the front wall 57 to a respective side flange 54.
  • the front wall 57 also has two front extensions 59 projecting towards the rear wall 55, and the rear wall 55 here has two rear extensions 60 projecting towards the front wall 57 ( figures 5 and 7 ).
  • the front extensions 59 and the rear extensions 60 delimit between them an evacuation passage 61 of the flakes 2, which passage 61 is located at the bottom of the evacuation portion 50 of the device 16 and extends opposite the groove 40 of the conveyor device 37 of the printing machine 12.
  • Each front extension 59 is here part of a flange having a curved edge 62, extending opposite the rear wall 55 and whose concavity is directed towards the rear wall 55 ( figure 7 ).
  • the guide members 80 are here attached elements mounted on the rear wall 55 by means of fasteners, here screws 63 ( figure 7 ).
  • Each guide member 80 has, on the opposite side to the rear wall 55, a curved surface forming a curved ramp 52 for guiding the flakes 2.
  • the curved ramps 52 are here identical, regularly spaced from one another, and uniformly distributed between the lateral flanges 54.
  • Each ramp 52 has a receiving portion 64 of the straws 2 and an ejection portion 65 of the straws 2, opposite to the receiving portion 64 and located lower than the latter.
  • the ejection portion 65 is located downstream of the receiving portion 64.
  • Each ramp 52 has a concave profile facing upwards.
  • the concave profile is further turned towards the evacuation portion 50 of the device 16.
  • the concave profile thus has an orientation, that is to say a slope, closer to the vertical in the receiving portion 64 than in the ejection portion 65.
  • the slope of the concave profile deviates from the vertical by an alpha angle ( figure 7 ) here approximately equal to 45 degrees. More generally, the angle alpha can be between 30 degrees and 45 degrees.
  • the concave profile is of the trochoidal type here, more precisely of the cycloidal type.
  • Such a cycloidal profile corresponds to the trajectory of a point attached to the periphery of a rolling disc without sliding on a straight line.
  • This cycloidal profile would have been obtained here by a circle of diameter approximately equal to 40 mm. More generally, the diameter may be between 30 mm and 50 mm.
  • the length of the concave profile is here about 30 mm. More generally, the length can be between 30 mm and 150 mm.
  • the concave profile here extends to a height of about 20 mm. More generally, the height is between 20 and 100 mm. This height corresponds to the difference in altitude between the highest point and the lowest point of the concave profile, which are respectively located in the receiving portion 64 and in the ejection portion 65 of the curved ramp 52.
  • the ejection portion 65 here has a free ejection end 75, opposite to the receiving portion 64, located at the lowest point of the ramp 52 ( figure 7 ).
  • the receiving portion 64 has a free receiving end 76, opposite the free ejection end 75, located at the highest point of the ramp 52.
  • the concave profile of the curved ramp here extends over an angular sector less than a quarter of a turn. More generally, the concave profile extends over an angular sector of at most about a quarter turn, that is to say that the normal directions concave profile respectively in the receiving portion 64 and in the portion of ejection 65 make an angle between them at most about 90 degrees.
  • Each curved ramp 52 is configured to convey to the ejection portion 65 a straw 2 received on the receiving portion 64 and sliding freely on the ramp 52.
  • a straw 2 received on the receiving portion 64 is accelerated to the ejection portion 65 where the straw 2 is guided and ejected with a predetermined orientation.
  • the evacuation system 53 comprises a barrel 66 rotatably mounted on the base 51 and disposed horizontally in line with the ejection portion 65 of the ramp 52.
  • the barrel 66 is disposed vertically above the groove 40 of the conveying device 37.
  • the barrel 66 is provided with a cylindrical body 67, a drive shaft 68 integral with the cylindrical body 67, and two bearings 69 mounted on the drive shaft 68 on either side of the cylindrical body 67 .
  • Each bearing 69 is engaged in an orifice 56 of a respective lateral flange 54 so as to form, with the respective lateral flange 54, a rolling bearing for the drive shaft 68.
  • the barrel 66 is here arranged so that the curved edges 62 of the flanges forming the front extensions 59 follow the cylindrical shape of the barrel 66 on almost the entire height of its side facing the front wall 57.
  • the cylinder 66 also has a pulley 70 ( figure 5 ) integral with the drive shaft 68 and configured to be rotated through a belt of the drive member 39 of the printing machine 12, so as to drive the barrel 66 in rotation .
  • the barrel 66 has a plurality of longitudinal slots 71 formed on the periphery of the cylindrical body 67. These longitudinal notches 71 each form a housing extending in the predetermined orientation that the flakes 2 exhibit when they leave the ejection portion. 65 of the curved ramp 52.
  • Each of these housings is configured to receive a straw 2 according to said predetermined orientation.
  • the longitudinal notches 71 come one after the other opposite the ejection portion 65 of the curved ramp 52. These notches 71 can thus receive one after the other in their housing a straw 2 leaving the curved ramp 52.
  • the barrel 66 is configured so that, when a notch 71 receiving a straw 2 arrives opposite the evacuation passage 61, the straw 2 is released and escapes from the feeding and positioning device 16 through the passage 61. This straw 2 is thus released at the right of the groove 40 of the conveyor device 37, to be introduced into this groove 40.
  • groove 40 extends longitudinally according to the predetermined orientation that the flakes 2 have when they are discharged from the device 16.
  • the evacuation system 53 further comprises a mechanism 72 for introducing the flakes 2 into the notches 71 of the barrel 66.
  • the insertion mechanism 72 comprises a movable finger 73 having a proximal end through which it is rotatably mounted on the front wall 57 of the base 51, and a rotary roller 74 mounted on a distal end of the movable finger 73.
  • the finger 73 is movable between a first position where the rotary roller 74 is at a distance from the ejection portion 65 of the curved ramp 52 and a second position in which the rotary roller 74 is in the immediate vicinity of the ejection portion 65 .
  • the insertion mechanism 72 is configured to move the movable finger 73 from its first position to its second position so as to push a flake 2 leaving the ejection portion 65 to introduce it into a notch 71 of the barrel 66 located in look at the ejection portion 65.
  • the latter stay successively in the tank 20 of the filling and welding machine 14, then on the conveyor belts 18 before being ejected one by one, filled and welded, at the outlet of the filling and welding machine 14, to the supply and positioning device 16 located downstream.
  • the supply and positioning device 16 is here arranged so that the receiving portions 64 of the curved ramps 52 are each vertically in line with the vertical portions 32 of the conveyor belts 18.
  • the flakes 2 are ejected by presenting a predetermined orientation.
  • the flakes 2 are thus received one by one on the receiving portions 64 of the curved ramps 52 of the feed and positioning device 16, having this predetermined orientation.
  • the three curved ramps 52 each receive a respective portion of the straw 2.
  • a first of the ramps 52 comes into contact with a first end portion of the straw 2
  • a second of the ramps 52 comes into contact with a second portion end of the straw 2, opposite to the first end portion
  • a third of the ramps 52 comes into contact with a central portion of the straw 2 extending between its first and second end portions.
  • the flakes 2 are ejected from the conveyor belts 18 when they are in close proximity to the receiving portions 64 of the curved ramps 52.
  • the flakes 2 are here ejected in the immediate vicinity of the free receiving ends 76, that is to say in the immediate vicinity of the place where the concave profile of the curved ramps 52 has an orientation closer to the vertical .
  • this point of contact 78 could alternatively be closer to the free receiving end 76.
  • the straws 2 are received and accelerated, that is to say that they take speed along this receiving portion 64.
  • the flakes 2 which are formed by a thin plastic tube, are capable of loading static electricity during the various manipulations they can undergo before being received in the feed device and positioning, and in particular during their stay in the filling and welding machine 14.
  • the flake 2 take a sufficiently high speed so that their sliding in the device 16 is not impeded by the electrostatic forces.
  • the angular deviation from the vertical is greater for the curved ramp 52 than for the flat surface 79.
  • the flakes 2 are further guided along the ramp 52 and ejected from the latter in the predetermined orientation, for processing by the printing machine 12.
  • the barrel 66 situated at the bottom of the ramp 52, is configured to evacuate the flakes 2 from the device 16 while retaining the predetermined orientation that the flakes 2 have when they leave the ejection portion 65 of the ramp 52.
  • the barrel 66 makes it possible to evacuate these flakes with a high rate.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Reproductive Health (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
  • Catching Or Destruction (AREA)
  • Feeding And Watering For Cattle Raising And Animal Husbandry (AREA)
  • Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)

Claims (15)

  1. Anlage zum Bearbeiten von Röhrchen zum Abpacken einer vorbestimmten Dosis einer flüssigkeitsbasierten Substanz, insbesondere von tierischem Samen, enthaltend zumindest eine Bearbeitungsmaschine (12; 14) zum Bearbeiten der Röhrchen (2) und eine Zuführ- und Positionierungsvorrichtung (16), die dazu ausgelegt ist, die Röhrchen (2) aufzunehmen und sie einzeln in einer vorbestimmten Ausrichtung zum Bearbeiten der Röhrchen (2) mittels der Maschine (12; 14) anzuordnen; wobei die Zuführ- und Positionierungsvorrichtung (16) zumindest eine gekrümmte Rampe (52) mit einem Aufnahmeabschnitt (64) zum Aufnehmen der Röhrchen (2) und mit einem Auswurfabschnitt (65) zum Auswerfern der Röhrchen (2) enthält, welcher dem Aufnahmeabschnitt (64) entgegengesetzt ist und tiefer liegt als der letztgenannte, wobei die gekrümmte Rampe (52) dazu ausgelegt ist, ein am Aufnahmeabschnitt (64) aufgenommenes und über die Rampe (52) frei gleitbewegliches Röhrchen (2) bis zum Auswurfabschnitt (65) zu fördern, wobei die gekrümmte Rampe (52) ein nach oben gewandtes, konkaves Profil hat, derart, dass das Profil in dem Aufnahmeabschnitt (64) zum Aufnehmen der Röhrchen (2) eine der Vertikalen näher liegende Ausrichtung als in dem Auswurfabschnitt (65) zum Auswerfen der Röhrchen (2) aufweist, so dass ein am Aufnahmeabschnitt (64) aufgenommenes Röhrchen (2) bis zum Auswurfabschnitt (65) beschleunigt wird, wo das Röhrchen (2) in der vorbestimmten Ausrichtung zum Bearbeiten des Röhrchens (2) mittels der Bearbeitungsmaschine (12; 14) geführt und ausgeworfen wird.
  2. Anlage nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Bearbeitungsmaschine, erste Bearbeitungsmaschine (12) genannt, der Zuführ- und Positionierungsvorrichtung (16) zum Bearbeiten der über die Zuführ- und Positionierungsvorrichtung (16) in der vorbestimmten Ausrichtung angeordneten Röhrchen (2) nachgelagert ist; wobei die Anlage (1) eine zweite Bearbeitungsmaschine (14) enthält, die dazu ausgelegt ist, die Röhrchen (2) aufzunehmen, zu bearbeiten und auszuwerfen, wobei die zweite Bearbeitungsmaschine (14) der Zuführ- und Positionierungsvorrichtung (16) vorgelagert ist, so dass ein aus der zweiten Bearbeitungsmaschine (14) ausgeworfenes Röhrchen (2) am Aufnahmeabschnitt (64) der gekrümmten Rampe (52) der Zuführ- und Positionierungsvorrichtung (16) aufgenommen und bis zum Auswurfabschnitt (65) beschleunigt wird, wo das Röhrchen (2) in der vorbestimmten Ausrichtung zum Bearbeiten des Röhrchens (2) mittels der ersten Bearbeitungsmaschine (12) geführt und ausgeworfen wird.
  3. Anlage nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Zuführ- und Positionierungsvorrichtung (16) an der ersten Bearbeitungsmaschine (12) oder an der zweiten Bearbeitungsmaschine (14) montiert ist.
  4. Anlage nach einem der Ansprüche 2 oder 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die zweite Bearbeitungsmaschine (14) eine Fördervorrichtung zum Fördern der Röhrchen (2) aufweist, die dazu ausgelegt ist, die Röhrchen (2) in der vorbestimmten Ausrichtung anzuordnen und sie einzeln auszuwerfen, so dass die Röhrchen (2) einzeln am Aufnahmeabschnitt (64) der gekrümmten Rampe (52) der Zuführ- und Positionierungsvorrichtung (16) aufgenommen werden, wobei sie in der vorbestimmten Ausrichtung angeordnet sind.
  5. Anlage nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Fördervorrichtung Transportbänder (18) enthält, die jeweils eine Mehrzahl von Nuten aufweisen, die Aufnahmen (19) bilden, die dazu ausgelegt sind, die Röhrchen (2) in der vorbestimmten Ausrichtung aufzunehmen, wobei die Transportbänder (18) jeweils einen Abschnitt (32) aufweisen, der im Wesentlichen vertikal ausgerichtet ist und sich am Auslass der Fördervorrichtung befindet; wobei die Fördervorrichtung ferner Auswurforgane enthält, die dazu ausgelegt sind, die Röhrchen (2), die sich in den im Wesentlichen vertikal ausgerichteten Abschnitten (32) der Transportbänder (18) befinden, aus den Aufnahmen (19) herauszubringen; wobei die Zuführ- und Positionierungsvorrichtung (16) so angeordnet ist, dass der Aufnahmeabschnitt (64) der Rampe (52) sich vertikal im Bereich der im Wesentlichen vertikal ausgerichteten Abschnitte (32) der Transportbänder (18) befindet.
  6. Anlage nach einem der Ansprüche 2 bis 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die zweite Bearbeitungsmaschine eine Füll- und Schweißmaschine (14) ist, die dazu ausgelegt ist, die Röhrchen (2) mit einer vorbestimmten Dosis der flüssigkeitsbasierten Substanz zu befüllen und die befüllten Röhrchen (2) zu verschweißen; während die erste Bearbeitungsmaschine eine Druckmaschine (12) ist, die dazu ausgelegt ist, eine vorgegebene Markierung auf jedes der befüllten und verschweißten Röhrchen (2) aufzubringen.
  7. Anlage nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das konkave Profil der gekrümmten Rampe (52) trochoidal verläuft.
  8. Anlage nach Anspruch 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das konkave Profil zykloidal verläuft.
  9. Anlage nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das konkave Profil der gekrümmten Rampe (52) sich über eine Höhe zwischen 20 und 100 mm erstreckt.
  10. Anlage nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Länge des konkaven Profils der gekrümmten Rampe (52) zwischen 30 mm und 150 mm beträgt.
  11. Anlage nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Zuführ- und Positionierungsvorrichtung (16) mehrere gekrümmte Rampen (52) enthält, die gleichmäßig voneinander beabstandet und dazu ausgelegt sind, jeweils mit einem von der Zuführ- und Positionierungsvorrichtung (16) aufgenommenen Abschnitt eines jeweiligen Röhrchens (2) in Kontakt zu gelangen.
  12. Anlage nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Bearbeitungsmaschine (12) eine Bearbeitungseinheit (36) und eine Fördervorrichtung (37) enthält, die dazu ausgelegt ist, die in der vorbestimmten Ausrichtung angeordneten Röhrchen (2) aufzunehmen und sie bis zur Bearbeitungseinheit (36) zu fördern, wobei die Fördervorrichtung (37) eine Führungsnut (40) aufweist, die sich in der vorbestimmten Ausrichtung erstreckt und dazu ausgelegt ist, die Röhrchen (2) gleitbeweglich aufzunehmen; und wobei die Zuführ- und Positionierungsvorrichtung (16) einen Drehzylinder (66) enthält, der im Bereich des Auswurfabschnitts (65) angeordnet ist, wobei der Zylinder (66) mit einem zylindrischen Körper (67) und einer Mehrzahl von longitudinalen Einkerbungen (71) versehen ist, die am Umfang des zylindrischen Körpers (67) ausgebildet sind und jeweils eine Aufnahme bilden, die sich in der vorbestimmten Ausrichtung erstreckt; wobei der Zylinder (66) dazu ausgelegt ist, in der Aufnahme einer beliebigen der Einkerbungen (71) ein Röhrchen (2) aufzunehmen, das die gekrümmte Rampe (52) verlässt.
  13. Anlage nach Anspruch 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Zylinder (66) lotrecht zur Führungsnut (40) der Fördervorrichtung (37) angeordnet und dazu ausgelegt ist, im Bereich der Führungsnut (40) das Röhrchen (2) von der Einkerbung (71) freizugeben, um das Röhrchen (2) in die Führungsnut (40) einzuführen.
  14. Anlage nach einem der Ansprüche 12 oder 13, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Zuführ- und Positionierungsvorrichtung (16) eine Basis (51) enthält, an welche die gekrümmte Rampe (52) befestigt ist, wobei der Zylinder (66) an der Basis (51) drehbar gelagert ist.
  15. Anlage nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 14, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Zuführ- und Positionierungsvorrichtung (16) einen Einführmechanismus (72) zum Einführen der Röhrchen (2) in die Einkerbungen (71) des Zylinders (66) enthält, wobei der Mechanismus (72) einen beweglichen Finger (73) und eine drehbare Rolle (74) enthält, die an einem distalen Ende des beweglichen Fingers (73) gelagert ist, wobei der Finger (73) zwischen einer ersten Position, wo die drehbare Rolle (74) von dem Auswurfabschnitt (65) der gekrümmten Rampe (52) beabstandet ist, und einer zweiten Position beweglich ist, in welcher die drehbare Rolle (74) in unmittelbarer Nähe des Auswurfabschnitts (65) ist; wobei der Mechanismus (72) dazu ausgelegt ist, den beweglichen Finger (73) aus seiner ersten Position zu seiner zweiten Position zu bringen, so dass ein den Auswurfabschnitt (65) verlassendes Röhrchen (2) in die dem Auswurfabschnitt (65) gegenüberliegende Einkerbung (71) des Zylinders (66) geschoben wird.
EP18163188.8A 2017-03-24 2018-03-21 Anlage zur verarbeitung von röhrchen zur verpackung von tierischem samen, die eine zuführ- und positioniervorrichtung dieser röhrchen umfasst Active EP3378436B1 (de)

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FR1752458A FR3064173B1 (fr) 2017-03-24 2017-03-24 Installation de traitement de paillettes de conditionnement de semence animale, comportant un dispositif d'alimentation et de positionnement desdites paillettes

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FR3064173A1 (fr) 2018-09-28
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US10709535B2 (en) 2020-07-14
US20180271633A1 (en) 2018-09-27

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