EP3595991A1 - Réalisation de lots de produits en vue d'une palettisation par couches - Google Patents
Réalisation de lots de produits en vue d'une palettisation par couchesInfo
- Publication number
- EP3595991A1 EP3595991A1 EP18714583.4A EP18714583A EP3595991A1 EP 3595991 A1 EP3595991 A1 EP 3595991A1 EP 18714583 A EP18714583 A EP 18714583A EP 3595991 A1 EP3595991 A1 EP 3595991A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- products
- shuttles
- batches
- downstream
- rail
- 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.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
- B65G47/22—Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors
- B65G47/24—Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors orientating the articles
- B65G47/244—Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors orientating the articles by turning them about an axis substantially perpendicular to the conveying plane
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
- B65G47/02—Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors
- B65G47/04—Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors for feeding articles
- B65G47/06—Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors for feeding articles from a single group of articles arranged in orderly pattern, e.g. workpieces in magazines
- B65G47/08—Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors for feeding articles from a single group of articles arranged in orderly pattern, e.g. workpieces in magazines spacing or grouping the articles during feeding
- B65G47/084—Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors for feeding articles from a single group of articles arranged in orderly pattern, e.g. workpieces in magazines spacing or grouping the articles during feeding grouping articles in a predetermined 2-dimensional pattern
- B65G47/088—Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors for feeding articles from a single group of articles arranged in orderly pattern, e.g. workpieces in magazines spacing or grouping the articles during feeding grouping articles in a predetermined 2-dimensional pattern cylindrical articles
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G54/00—Non-mechanical conveyors not otherwise provided for
- B65G54/02—Non-mechanical conveyors not otherwise provided for electrostatic, electric, or magnetic
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G2201/00—Indexing codes relating to handling devices, e.g. conveyors, characterised by the type of product or load being conveyed or handled
- B65G2201/02—Articles
- B65G2201/0235—Containers
- B65G2201/0244—Bottles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G2203/00—Indexing code relating to control or detection of the articles or the load carriers during conveying
- B65G2203/02—Control or detection
- B65G2203/0208—Control or detection relating to the transported articles
- B65G2203/0233—Position of the article
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G2203/00—Indexing code relating to control or detection of the articles or the load carriers during conveying
- B65G2203/04—Detection means
- B65G2203/042—Sensors
Definitions
- the present invention relates to the field of the preparation of products with a view to their dispatch, and its object is, on the one hand, a device for producing particular batches of products, an installation comprising such a device, and a method implement this device.
- the products treated are generally of the box, cardboard, bundle or other type containing objects of the type bottles, bottles etc. These objects are generally organized in a rectangular matrix, with or without a quinconage and held together for example by a plastic film type coating then forming a burden, with or without a bottom portion in a cardboard tray.
- a conditioning step from objects finalized to unity, consisting of forming groups in which the objects are held together as burdens for example. These groups are generally in the form of a rectangular base, with several objects extending along each of the two edges.
- Burdens can then be obtained using a shrinkwrapper, in which usually a film is wrapped around each group of objects and then a heating furnace ensures, by retractation, the maintenance together of the different objects of the same group .
- a shrinkwrapper in which usually a film is wrapped around each group of objects and then a heating furnace ensures, by retractation, the maintenance together of the different objects of the same group .
- the products circulate spaced from each other, in one or more rows.
- the products thus obtained undergo a palletizing step in which they are grouped together and possibly reoriented to form batches of a predefined formation to obtain layers to arrange on each other on pallets.
- the batches may in particular correspond to a row or part of a row of a layer of products on the pallet.
- US Pat. No. 7,896,151 B2 describes the formation of layers of layers to be palletized. This document thus proposes to spare three conveyors following each other operating at different speeds.
- the arrangement of the rows is performed from a single-line flow of products in contact with each other. Groups of products are then obtained during the passing from the first to the second conveyor by adjusting their speed difference to create a spacing between two successive products at predefined locations.
- the flow is then composed of isolated products and / or groups of products.
- a robot then makes it possible to move the products or groups of products transversely and / or to rotate them along the vertical axis to lead to the rows.
- US 2005/0246056 A1 relates to the formation of palletizable layers also using three conveyors following each other operating at different speeds.
- the products circulate on the first conveyor in contact with each other in at least one file.
- the second conveyor operates at a higher speed than the first to space the products from each other.
- the products are grouped or not using a cyclic timer.
- a robot arranges the groups of products and / or the products individually to form a palletizable layer of a predefined configuration.
- DE 102 19 129 A1 proposes a gripping means capable of selectively grasping a group of products within a set of products and of rotating them by 90 °.
- EP 2 792 623 A1 is concerned with the formation of a palletizable layer of products of a predetermined configuration by introducing a manipulator disposed between two conveyors perpendicular to each other.
- the manipulator grasps the packs circulating in a single line after the first conveyor, deflects and directs them taking into account the predefined formation and then transmits them on the second conveyor.
- a retaining element perpendicular to the transport direction of the second conveyor then allows the products to accumulate to form the desired palletizable layer.
- EP 2 185 448 B1 discloses a product conveying system in which a gripping device can grip the products to rotate them while advancing them along the conveying direction so as to optimize the rate of conveying.
- the object of the invention is therefore to propose a solution in which the same structure can be used for all the configuration of a palletizable layer, and in which the formation of the batches in a desired configuration is carried out by positive transfer of the packs, that is, that is, without relative movement of the pack on its support.
- the invention makes it possible to control the position of each product individually during the formation of a batch and thus also the distance between two successive products while minimizing the shocks between the constituent objects of the same product and therefore the noise caused. by such shocks.
- the invention proposes to produce batches of products of a predefined conformation from a continuous supply of packs spaced from each other in line by implementing a shuttle system circulating on a rail.
- Each shuttle is intended to receive at least one product or pack, is movable relative to other shuttles or is able to rotate independently of others.
- the subject of the invention is thus a device for producing batches of products from a plurality of products, said batches having a predefined configuration, with a view to downstream layer palletizing, said device comprising:
- an upstream conveyor which extends along a first conveying direction and on which the products are aligned in rows;
- a displacement means intended to transfer to the downstream receiving surface the products brought by the upstream conveyor.
- This device is characterized in that the moving means comprises a main rail and a plurality of movable shuttles independently of each other and flowing on said rail, each shuttle being intended to receive at least one product on its upper surface.
- the invention also relates to an installation comprising this device, namely a device for producing batches of products.
- This installation is characterized in that it further comprises, mounted downstream of said production device, a training device palletizable layers from batches of products and a palletizing device for stacking the palletizable layers on a pallet.
- the invention also relates to a method implemented by this device, namely a method of producing at least one batch of products, which has a predefined configuration from a plurality of products for palletizing purposes. layered downstream.
- FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment device according to one embodiment of the invention
- FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment device according to another embodiment of the invention
- FIG. 3 shows a schematic top view of an embodiment device according to yet another embodiment of the invention.
- the object of the invention is therefore first of all a device 1 for producing batches 2 of products 3 from a plurality of products 3, said batches having a predefined configuration, with a view to downstream layer palletisation. .
- the products 3 are generally crates or burdens containing objects such as bottles, flasks, cans, or others. These objects can be arranged as a matrix with or without a quincunx.
- a This type of wrapper-wrapper machine is therefore present upstream of the device 1 according to the invention in order to prepare the products 3.
- the objects are organized in a matrix and held together either by introduction into a box or by packaging in a box. shrink film to form a self-supporting burden under the action of heat.
- a product layer corresponds in principle to a set of products 3 extending along both edges of the pallet and comprising only a product 3 along the vertical direction.
- a palletizing scheme is established to determine how to arrange the products 3 in each layer so that the stack of layers on the same pallet is as stable as possible.
- the device according to the invention aims precisely to form batches 2 of products 3 in a predetermined configuration.
- a batch 2 of products 3 corresponds to a row or part of a row of a layer to be palletized, that is to say that the same layer comprises several batches 2 of products 3.
- a batch 2 of products 3 extends in a single direction, that is to say, it is wide of a single product.
- a lot 2 comprises at least two products 3, side by side.
- the products 3 of the same batch are generally contiguous to each other. There may however be a small gap between two products 3 side by side of the same batch 2. This space is preferably smaller than the smallest dimension of the products 3, that is to say in principle of a size smaller than the width of the base of the products 3.
- the configuration of batches 2 of products 3 is predefined on the basis of the following parameters, which can therefore change from one predefined configuration to another:
- a predetermined configuration is therefore characterized by a number of products 3, with a predefined distance between the products 3, and optionally, a specific orientation to each product 3, that is to say possibly rotated relative to at least one other product 3, for example at a right angle or at an angle of 180.degree. vertical axis.
- This predetermined configuration for each batch 2 allows, in the palletizer located downstream of the device 1 according to the invention, to stack layers formed of several batches 2 on a pallet, these layers having a configuration corresponding to that of the palletizing scheme.
- the embodiment device 1 according to the invention comprises:
- an upstream conveyor 4 which extends along a first conveying direction 6 and on which the products 3 are aligned in line 5;
- a displacement means 8 intended to transfer to the downstream receiving surface 7 the products 3 brought by the upstream conveyor 4.
- the products 3, for example from a packager or wrapper are brought on the upstream conveyor 4.
- This conveyor is usually located in the extension of the one that carries the products.
- the conveyor 4 may be the conveyor which transports the products 3 at the outlet of the upstream machine to the device 1.
- a line 5 of products 3 generally extends over the conveyor 4. along the first conveying direction 6.
- the products 3 of the same file are preferably regularly spaced from each other, that is to say that the distance separating two consecutive products 3 is identical all along the However, the products 3 can also be contiguous to each other, that is to say the touch key.
- the downstream receiving surface 7 may for example extend parallel or perpendicular to the first conveying direction 6. This surface is intended to receive the batches 2 of products 3 which are prepared on the moving means. It simultaneously receives the products 3 constituting the same batch.
- the term downstream receiving zone will be used to designate the zone of the device 1 according to the invention, at which the batches 2 of products 3 are transferred from the moving means 8 to the downstream receiving surface. 7.
- the moving means 8 is able to receive the products 3 brought by the upstream conveyor 4, move them to the level of the downstream receiving surface 7 while forming the batches 2 of a predetermined configuration.
- the upstream reception zone which corresponds to the location of the device 1 according to the invention, at which the products 3 are transferred to the moving means 8. This zone can be find at the end of the upstream conveyor 4 if the products 3 are directly transferred from the upstream conveyor 4 to the moving means 8.
- the device 1 can also comprise a dead plate 18 (or passage plate) located at the end of the upstream conveyor 4, in its extension along the first direction 6.
- a dead plate 18 or passage plate located at the end of the upstream conveyor 4, in its extension along the first direction 6.
- Such a plate is disposed at the same height as the surface 13 of the upstream conveyor 4 on which the products 3 rest so that they can easily be brought from the conveyor 4 to the passage plate 18.
- the products 3 are not transferred directly from the upstream conveyor 4 to the moving means 8 but pass through the dead plate 18.
- the upstream receiving zone is then at the end of the dead plate 18.
- the advantage of using a passage plate 18 is that it can be much thinner than the conveyor 4, and that the products 3 leaving such a plate 18 to descend on a shuttle that circulates below subiss then a less dangerous vertical shock than if they had to go down the whole thickness of a conveyor 4.
- the upstream conveyor 4, the moving means 8 and the downstream receiving surface 7 extend in a horizontal plane.
- the embodiment device 1 is characterized in that the moving means 8 comprises a main rail 9 and a plurality of shuttles 10 movable independently of each other and circulating on said rail 9, each shuttle being intended to receive at less a product 3 on its upper surface.
- the main rail 9 defines a circulation loop and extends from the upstream receiving zone to the downstream receiving zone.
- the circulation loop extends from the outlet of the upstream conveyor 4 to the level of the downstream receiving surface 7. the entire movement of the products 3 caused by the moving means is done using a rail.
- the circulation loop extends from the end of the passage plate 18 to the level of the downstream receiving surface 7.
- the shuttles are therefore generally surmounted by a product 3 between the upstream receiving zone and the downstream receiving zone and then circulating empty between the downstream receiving zone and the upstream reception area.
- Each shuttle 10 is intended to receive at least one product 3 at its upper surface, that is to say that each shuttle 10 is able to support at least one product 3.
- each shuttle 10 is intended to receive a single product 3.
- the shuttles 10 running on the rail 9 are movable independently of each other. That is to say that it is possible to move two successive shuttles closer or away so as to group the products 3 they carry to form a lot 2 of products 3 or to separate two separate lots 2. In other words, the shuttles 10 can move separately relative to each other. To do this, the shuttles 10 are set in motion by a linear motor principle. The linear motor function is provided by the rail 9.
- the batches are thus advantageously formed or spaced by considerably reducing the slippage of the products 3 on their support.
- the batches 2 are directly formed by the displacement of the supports of the products 3 and not by displacement of the products 3 on their support.
- the shuttles 10 consist of a lower part which cooperates with the rail 9 and an upper part intended to support at least one product 3, the upper parts of said shuttles 10 being rotatable along the vertical axis.
- Each shuttle 10 thus comprises two parts:
- the upper part of a shuttle 10 can rotate relative to its lower part.
- the trays of the shuttles 10 can turn along the vertical axis thus generating the rotation of the products 3 they carry. This allows for a greater variety of batch configurations 2 and thus palletizing schemes.
- the upper parts of the shuttles 10 are able to undergo such rotation independently of each other.
- the same batch 2 of products 3 may for example comprise a product 3 which has been rotated and other products 3 which have not undergone such rotation.
- the upper parts of the shuttles 10 can rotate at an angle of 90 ° or 180 °, in particular 90 °.
- the displacement means 8 comprises at least one additional rail 11 separate from said main rail 9 downstream of the upstream conveyor 4, the main rails 9 and annex 11 then being joined on a single track before the receiving surface downstream 7.
- Such an auxiliary rail 11 is particularly useful when the machine located upstream of the device 1, namely for example a shrinkwrapper, supplies the products 3 in a multiwire flow.
- the flow of products 3 brought by the upstream conveyor 4 comprises several rows of products 3 parallel to each other, generally two, three or four rows of products 3, preferably two or three rows 5, in particular two 5.
- the presence of at least one rail 11 thus advantageously makes it possible to form batches 2 of products 3 from products 3 arranged in several rows 5.
- Each auxiliary rail 11 corresponds to a zone of division of the main rail 9 by means for example of two points.
- a first switch is then located upstream of the upstream receiving zone, to give birth to the rail 11 and a second referral disposed between the upstream receiving zone and the downstream receiving zone allows the rail 11 to join the rail principal 9.
- Shuttle buses 10 run on the rail (s) annex (s) 11 in the same way as on the main rail 9, and are therefore also intended for receiving and moving products 3.
- the shuttles 10 of the main rail 9 and the (the) rail (s) annex (s) 11 are synchronized so that they do not collide when the rails attached (s) 11 and main 9 come together to form a single path.
- the moving means 8 comprises a main rail 9 and an auxiliary rail 11.
- the shuttles 10 traveling on the main rail 9 ensure the reception and movement of the products 3 from a first file 5
- the shuttles 10 running on the auxiliary rail 11 ensure the receipt and movement of the products 3 from the other file 5.
- the main rails 9 and 11 appendix extend along the first conveying direction 6, the two rails 9, 11 therefore circulate under the upstream conveyor 4, or, where appropriate under the passage plate 18, just before the upstream receiving zone.
- the rotation of the trays of the shuttles 10 can for example be caused by a rotating system on board the shuttles 10 or by an element disposed outside the shuttles 10.
- At least one shuttle 10 embodies a rotary system to allow its upper portion to be rotated along the vertical axis.
- each shuttle 10 embodies a rotating system, so that the upper part of each shuttle 10 is adapted to be rotated along the vertical axis.
- the trays of shuttles embarking such a rotary system can rotate about the vertical axis, preferably at an angle of 90 °.
- the trays of the shuttles can rotate or not independently of each other, so as to form batches 2 leading to the formation of product layers 3 of a configuration according to the predefined palletizing scheme.
- the device 1 further comprises an element disposed outside said shuttles 10, this element being able to rotate vertically to the upper part of at least one shuttle 10.
- this element is able to rotate vertically to the plate of each shuttle 10.
- this element may for example be a stop or a particularly retractable cam.
- a stop or cam In the working position, such a stop or cam is in the path of the trays of the shuttles 10 circulating on the rail 9 so as to rotate around the vertical axis when the trays come into contact with the stop or cam. In the rest position, such a stop or cam is arranged so that the trays can not come into contact with it.
- this element may for example be an auxiliary shuttle, connected to the axis of rotation of the plate of a shuttle 10 to rotate.
- These two shuttles can be attached via a system for causing the rotation of the tray when the shuttle 10 and the auxiliary shuttle that is linked to the shuttle 10 come closer or move away from each other.
- the device 1 further comprises an upstream transverse pusher 12 intended to transfer the products 3 from the upstream conveyor 4 to the shuttles 10 of the displacement means 8 in a first direction of transfer 12 parallel to the first conveying direction 6.
- Such a pusher extends perpendicular to the first conveying direction 6 and pushes the products 3, preferably to the unit, from the rear parallel to the first conveying direction 6. If the products 3 are brought by the conveyor 4 according to a multifilament flow, there may be as many pushers 12 as files or there may be a single pushbutton 12 simultaneously pushing a product of each file.
- the device may comprise a sensor so as to be able to synchronize the shuttles 10 with the arrival of the products 3.
- the upstream transverse pusher 12 When the device 1 is devoid of passage plate 18, the upstream transverse pusher 12 is placed at the end of the conveyor 4, and pushes the products 3 from the upstream conveyor 4 to the shuttles 10.
- the upstream transverse pusher 12 When the device 1 comprises a plate of passage 18 in the extension of the upstream conveyor 4, the upstream transverse pusher 12 is disposed on the passage plate 18, and pushes the products 3 from the passage plate 18 to the shuttles 10.
- the products 3 on the shuttles 10 are preferably at a standstill and are located in the extension of the upstream conveyor 4, or, where appropriate, the passage plate 18, according to the first conveying direction.
- a pusher may extend along the first conveying direction and push the products 3 from the upstream conveyor 4 to the shuttles 10 in a transfer direction perpendicular to the first conveying direction 6
- the upstream conveyor 4 is preferably a distribution conveyor having rollers oriented perpendicularly to the first conveying direction 6, in particular when the device 1 does not include a passage plate. 18.
- the upper surface of said shuttles 10 is offset downward in the vertical direction relative to the surface 13 of said upstream conveyor 4 supporting the products 3 so that the products 3 descend on the shuttles 10 because movement of said upstream conveyor 4.
- the device 1 according to the invention can be devoid of passage plate 18 being in the continuity of the upstream conveyor 4.
- the products 3 are directly transferred from the upstream conveyor 4 on the shuttles 10 flowing on the rail main 9 or annex 11.
- the transfer of the products 3 on the shuttles 10 is ensured by the movement of the upstream conveyor 4 along the first conveying direction 6 which then causes the products 3 on the shuttles 10.
- the products 3 are transferred. on the shuttles 10 in a first direction of transfer 12, which is parallel to the first conveying direction.
- a shuttle 10 When a shuttle 10 receives a product 3, it is in the extension of the upstream conveyor 4, lower than the upstream conveyor 4.
- the horizontal surface of its tray which accommodates the product 3 is lower than the surface 13 of the upstream conveyor 4, which supports the products 3 before their transfer.
- the difference in height between these two surfaces is less than the height of the products 3 to be transferred to minimize the risk of falling during the transfer.
- the rail can flow under the conveyor 4 before the upstream receiving zone, the winding of the upstream conveyor 4 is preferably small, and in particular, of a diameter less than the height of the products. 3.
- a sensor may for example be arranged at the end of travel of the upstream conveyor 4 in order to synchronize the shuttles 10 with the products 3 so that each shuttle 10 can receive a product 3.
- batches 2 of products 3 of a predetermined configuration are formed along the rail 9, 11 by bringing together or at least two shuttles 10 each surmounted by a product 3 and possibly by rotation of at least an upper part of a shuttle 10 surmounted by a product 3.
- two successive batches 2 are separated by a distance greater than that between two successive products of the same lot.
- the products 3 of the same batch 2 are preferably contiguous but may be spaced a distance conventionally less than the length, or even the width of the base of the product 3.
- two batches 2 successive are spaced a distance conventionally greater than the width, or even the length of the base of the product 3.
- the rail 9 is generally located along the downstream receiving surface 7, more precisely along one of the edges of the downstream receiving surface 7, so that the transfer of the batches 2, from the shuttles 10 to the downstream receiving surface 7 is carried along a second direction of transfer 14, which is perpendicular to the direction of circulation of the shuttles 10 on the rail 9 in this area.
- the second direction of transfer 14 is preferably parallel or perpendicular to the first direction of transfer 12.
- the batches 2 are preferably stationary along the rail 9, that is to say that the shuttles 10 carrying the products 3 constituting the same batch 2 are stopped on the rail 9.
- the device 1 further comprises a gripping means for gripping the batches 2 of products present on the shuttles 10 and transfer them to the downstream receiving surface 7 in a second direction of transfer 14 perpendicular to that of the shuttle traffic 10 on the main rail 9 at this location.
- Such a gripping means may in particular be a gripper of a robot.
- This gripping means simultaneously grasps the products 3 of a same batch 2 then raises them, moves them and deposits them on the downstream receiving surface 7. It performs this operation batch 2 after batch 2 so as to transfer each batch 2, one after the other on the receiving surface downstream 7.
- the device 1 further comprises a downstream transverse pusher 15 for transferring the batches 2 of products 3 present on the shuttles 10 to the downstream receiving surface 7 in a second transfer direction 14 perpendicular to that of the circulation of the shuttles 10 on the main rail 9 at this location.
- Such a downstream transverse pusher 15 may be similar to the upstream transverse pusher previously described. It simultaneously pushes the products 3 constituting the same batch 2 from the rear from the shuttles 10 to the downstream receiving surface 7. It performs this operation batch 2 after batch 2 so as to transfer each batch 2, the one after the other on the downstream receiving surface 7.
- downstream receiving surface 7 is carried by a downstream conveyor intended to move the batches 2 of products 3 along a second conveying direction.
- the downstream conveyor therefore extends along a second conveying direction and its upper surface which supports the batches 2 corresponds to the downstream receiving surface 7.
- the second conveying direction is preferably parallel or perpendicular to the first conveying direction 6 and / or the first direction of transfer.
- the second conveying direction is parallel or perpendicular to the second direction of transfer 14 of the batches 2 of products 3 from the shuttles 10 to the downstream receiving surface 7.
- the rail 9 runs along the entrance of the downstream conveyor.
- the rail 9 is perpendicular to the second conveying direction at the receiving zone.
- the batches 2 of products present on the downstream conveyor extend transversely to the second conveying direction.
- the rail 9 runs along one of the sides of the downstream conveyor.
- the rail 9 is parallel to the second conveying direction at the receiving zone.
- lots 2 of products on the downstream conveyor extend along the second conveying direction.
- the downstream conveyor is generally a distribution conveyor having rollers oriented perpendicularly to the second conveying direction.
- the products 2 can be transferred to the downstream conveyor perpendicular to its direction of circulation.
- the rails 9, 11 can define two circulation loops, each along one side of the downstream conveyor, parallel to the second conveying direction. Two batches 2 can therefore be transferred simultaneously on the downstream conveyor perpendicular to the second conveying direction.
- the subject of the invention is also an installation comprising a device 1 for producing batches 2 of products 3, as defined above, characterized in that it furthermore comprises, downstream of said embodiment device 1, a device for forming palletizable layers from batches 2 of products 3 and a palletizing device for stacking the palletizable layers on a pallet.
- the layer forming device may simply be a vertical retaining surface 16 disposed at the end of the downstream conveyor perpendicular to the second conveying direction. Such a surface forms a stop for the products 3 arriving at its contact.
- such a surface advantageously makes it possible to retain the lot 2 situated furthest downstream, the next batch to be retained against the lot located most downstream and so on.
- the batches 2 are accumulated against each other until a layer of products 3 to be palletized.
- such a surface advantageously makes it possible to retain the product 3 furthest downstream of each batch 2 constituting the layer to be palletized.
- the batches 2 constituting the same layer are then found side by side, the product 3 furthest downstream of each batch 2 being in contact with the retaining surface 16.
- the layer forming device may also comprise a clamp for tightening the products of the same layer against each other.
- the palletizing device makes it possible to transfer each layer of products 3 respecting the predefined palletizing scheme onto a pallet. Such a device transfers the products 3 layer by layer on a pallet so as to create a stack of layers. Such a device can also introduce an interlayer, especially cardboard or plasticized to separate two successive layers of products 3 on the pallet. In other words, the palletizer deposits the product layers 3 one after the other on a pallet ensuring good stability of the stack of layers formed on the pallet.
- the installation according to the invention further comprises, mounted upstream of said embodiment device 1, a machine 17 delivering the circulating products 3 aligned in line 5 along a first conveying direction 6.
- the machine 17 is a shrinkwrapper or a packager.
- a machine 17 can deliver a single or multi-filament flow of products 3.
- the products 3 can be spaced or not with respect to each other.
- a shrinkwrapper can deliver a single or multi-threaded flow.
- a packager preferably delivers a single-wire flow.
- the invention also relates to a method implementing the device as described above, namely a method for producing at least one batch 2 of products 3, which has a predefined configuration from a plurality of products 3 for downstream palletizing, characterized in that it comprises at least the following steps:
- Step (ii) is performed after step (i).
- the method further comprises a step (iii) of simultaneous transfer of the products 3 forming a lot 2 of products 3 from shuttles 10 to a downstream receiving surface 7 along a second direction of transfer 14 perpendicular to that of the shuttle traffic 10 on the rail 9, 11 at this location.
- Step (iii) is performed after step (ii).
- the upper part of at least one shuttle is rotated along the vertical axis, preferably at an angle of 90 °.
- the embodiment device 1 has an upstream conveyor 4 extending in a horizontal plane and may in particular be a belt conveyor.
- the products 3 circulate through this upstream conveyor 4 in single-spaced, spaced from each other, along a first conveying direction 6.
- Products 3 are generally crates or burdens containing objects such as bottles, flasks, cans, etc. In principle, they are substantially in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped.
- the objects are preferably arranged along the height of the parallelepiped, that is to say vertically, and with their opening upwards. However, they can also be arranged with their opening down. They are grouped in rectangular matrix with or without quinconçage.
- the products 3 are usually all oriented identically on the conveyor 4.
- the lengths and widths of the bases of the products 3 are all parallel to each other.
- the lengths of the bases of the products 3 may be perpendicular to the first conveying direction 6 of the upstream conveyor 4 and the widths of the bases of the products 3 may be parallel to the first direction of Conveying 6 of the upstream conveyor 4.
- the products are oriented transversely.
- the lengths of the bases of the products 3 may be parallel to the first conveying direction 6 of the upstream conveyor 4 and the widths of the bases of the products 3 may be perpendicular to the first conveying direction 6 of the upstream conveyor 4.
- the products are oriented longitudinally.
- the machine upstream of the device 1 according to the invention namely in particular a packager or shrinkwrapper usually delivering products 3 at regular time interval, the products 3 are generally spaced all the same distance on the upstream conveyor.
- the upstream machine is a packager
- the spacing is not regular between successive products 3, in particular due to variation (s) of cadence at the machine upstream to device 1.
- the embodiment device 1 is provided with a displacement means 8 which serves to transport the products 3 from the upstream conveyor 4 to a downstream receiving surface 7 while grouping the products 3 to form batches 2 which have a predetermined configuration for downstream layer palletizing.
- the moving means 8 makes it possible to move from a product organization 3 in spaced file at the exit of the shrinkwrapper or the packager to an organization in which several products 3 are contiguous. or close to each other in an optimized arrangement for palletizing.
- the moving means 8 also makes it possible to pass from a product organization 3 in a compact file to the output of a packager (that is to say without space between the successive products of the same file), to an organization wherein a space is provided groups of products 3 arranged in an arrangement optimized to achieve the palletizing.
- Each batch 2 of products 3 formed using the moving means 8 comprises a set of products 3, that is to say at least two close products 3, and is spaced from the previous batch and the next batch.
- a lot 2 of products 3 corresponds to a set of products 3 which are simultaneously transferred to the downstream receiving surface 7.
- a lot 2 corresponds to a row or portion of row of a layer of products 3 present on a pallet at the end of a palletizing device present downstream of the device 1 embodiment.
- a row typically corresponds to a series of products 3 side by side with or without contact between products extending from one edge to the other of the pallet and wide of a single product.
- the products of the same batch and therefore of the same row are contiguous.
- a lot 2 of products 3 corresponds to a group of products 3 arranged next to each other, that is to say extending along a single direction, these products 3 being generally contiguous to the each other being understood that a space can also be provided between two successive products 3 according to the palletizing scheme considered.
- the configuration of the batches 2 is predetermined so that each batch 2 corresponds to a row or part of a row of a layer of a palletizing scheme. What defines the configuration of a lot 2 is the number of products 3 constituting the batch, the spacing between these products 3 as well as their orientation. Two lots 2 may be different from each other. More specifically, the elements that can be different from one batch to another are the number of products, the spacing between the products and their orientation along the vertical axis. The transition from the configuration in queue 5 to the batch configuration 2 by the moving means 8 is described here.
- the moving means 8 thus comprises at least one main rail 9 on which a plurality of movable shuttles 10 move independently of each other, in the sense that it is possible to bring them closer to one another or to move them away from each other depending on whether the it is desired to form batches 2 of products 3 or to separate batches 2 from each other.
- the main rail 9 thus defines a circulation loop connecting the upstream receiving zone and the downstream receiving surface 7 and extends in a horizontal plane.
- each shuttle 10 is each able to receive a product 3 at the end of the upstream conveyor 4 and to move it up to the level of the downstream receiving surface 7. More specifically each shuttle has a substantially flat and horizontal upper surface intended to support at least one product 3 and preferably a single product 3. The products 3 therefore rest on the upper surface of the shuttles 10.
- the shuttles 10 consist of a lower part, which cooperates with the rail 9 and a upper part, also called plateau.
- the upper surface of the shuttles 10 corresponds to the upper surface of their tray.
- the trays of the shuttles 10 can be of rectangular shape, as well as circular or oval for example. Preferably, they are rectangular in shape. They can be full or hollowed out then forming a grid or other.
- the shuttles 10 are movable in a controlled and known manner, which advantageously makes it possible to know at each instant with precision the position of the product 3 that they move. To do this, the movement of shuttles 10 is driven by a magnetic linear motor principle, which has the advantage of managing and controlling the position and speed of each shuttle separately. Unlike the solutions developed in the prior art, the device 1 according to the invention thus makes it possible to precisely control the spacing between two successive products 3.
- the shuttles 10 being movable independently of each other, they are particularly likely to approach each other, so that two products 3 carried by two shuttles 10 which follow can approach or even come into contact so as to form a lot 2 of products 3. Two successive shuttles are also likely to move away from one another to create a space of a selected distance between two successive batches 2. In other words, the pitch between two shuttles 10 can evolve dynamically so that products 3 can be grouped to form batches 2 or to separate to separate two batches 2. Thus the shuttles 10 of the device 1 are not mechanically connected to each other.
- the device 1 according to the invention thus makes it possible to form batches 2 comprising a chosen number of products 3, this number possibly corresponding to the desired number of products 3 per row in a layer of products deposited on a pallet during the palletizing of the products 3 .
- the dimensions of the shuttles extending in the horizontal plane in which the main rail 9 extends are less than or equal to the length and the width 3.
- the upper part of the shuttles 10 in other words, their plate, can be secured to the lower part and therefore to the rail 9.
- the plates shuttles are rotatable about a vertical axis.
- the upper parts of the shuttles 10 are capable, independently of each other, to perform a rotary movement along the vertical axis so as to change the orientation of the products they carry.
- it is a rotation of an angle of 90 °, or even 180 °. This rotational movement can be operated as well if the shuttles are stopped and if they are moving along the rail.
- the trays of the shuttles are capable, independently of each other, to perform a rotary movement along the vertical axis so as to change the orientation of the products they carry.
- it is a rotation of an angle of 90 °, or even 180 °. This rotational movement can be operated as well if the shuttles are stopped and if they are moving along the rail.
- batches 2 of products 3 can not only comprise a certain number of products because the shuttles 10 can move closer to or away from each other, but these products 3 can also be oriented differently from each other depending on the desired configuration for the row for palletizing.
- FIGS. 1 and 2 represent, for example, a batch 2 of three products 3 present on shuttles just before they are transferred to the downstream receiving surface 7. In these batches, the two products situated at the ends of the batch have retained their original orientation, whereas that the product of the medium has undergone a rotation of 90 °.
- the rotation of the products 3 on the shuttles 10 can be achieved in particular using the systems described below.
- the shuttles 10 may comprise a rotary drive system allowing their plate to rotate along the vertical axis.
- the device 1 according to the invention may comprise an element located outside the shuttle capable of rotating vertically to all or part of the trays of the shuttles 10.
- the element causing the rotation of the trays is not shipped on the shuttle that carries the product to run.
- the trays can rotate along the vertical axis by means of an outer element allowing the upper parts of the shuttles to rotate if desired.
- Such an outer element is for example a stop against which comes to hit a portion of the shuttle tray, in particular one or more pins (s) disposed (s) under the tray.
- This abutment may for example be in the form of a bar extending along the vertical axis and whose upper end is at the height of the plates, in particular the (the) pin (s), but remains offset from the lower part of the shuttles so as not to impede their circulation on the rail 9. It may also be a bar extending along the horizontal axis whose nearest end trays come into contact with them without coming into contact with the lower part of the shuttles.
- Such an outer member may also be a cam which may for example guide a pin carried along a path causing rotation of the plate.
- the (the) pins disposed (s) on the plate is (are) offset (s) relative to the axis of rotation of the plate.
- Such abutment or cam can be retractable so that only rotate certain trays according to the desired configuration for the batch to be formed.
- the stop or cam In the rest position, the stop or cam is arranged so as not to come into contact with the pin (s) carried by the shuttles.
- a control can for example actuate a cylinder that translates the stop or the cam so that it comes into contact with a pin of the turntable.
- the trays are locked in rotation except during the precise moment when the trays are rotated, if desired. This prevents the platters rotate randomly for example under the effect of their circulation on a curved portion of the rail.
- Such an external element may also be an ancillary shuttle also running on the rail 9 and linked to a shuttle 10.
- a shuttle annex is in principle devoid of plateau, that is to say, it is not intended to 3.
- Each auxiliary shuttle is coupled to a shuttle 10, more precisely at the vertical axis of rotation of the tray of a shuttle 10 and circulates just in front of or just behind it. There is therefore no shuttle 10 between an auxiliary shuttle and the shuttle 10 with which it is associated. This is the relative movement of the shuttle shuttle in relation to the shuttle 10 to which it is attached which causes the rotation of the plate of this shuttle 10.
- the tray of a shuttle 10 and the adjoining shuttle to which it is coupled can be connected in the following ways. They can be linked by a linkage type system, that is to say by a bar attached on the one hand to the shuttle annex and secondly at the axis of rotation of the plate and having at least one pivot connection or ball joint. Such a system must be offset with respect to the axis of rotation of the shuttle plate 10.
- a bar is attached at one of its ends to the shuttle annex and has at its other end, a rack which cooperates with a gear placed on the shuttle 10. More precisely, such a wheel toothed is carried by the axis of rotation of the plate of the shuttle 10 and is integral with this axis. The rotation of such a wheel then drives the plate carried by this axis in rotation.
- each shuttle annex can preferably be:
- the transfer of the products 3 from the upstream conveyor 4 to the shuttles 10 is carried out simply using the movement of the upstream conveyor 4.
- the horizontal plane in which extends the main rail 9 is located downwards in the vertical direction relative to the horizontal plane in which the upstream conveyor 4 extends.
- the upper surface of the shuttles 10 intended to receive the products 3 is situated below with respect to the upper surface of the upstream conveyor, that is to say the surface 13 of the upstream conveyor 4 supporting the products 3.
- the upstream conveyor 4 does not correspond to the output conveyor of the upstream equipment 17 to the device 1 according to the invention, namely, in particular a shrinkwrapper or a packager.
- the output conveyors of this type of machine have a relatively large winding diameter so that they are relatively thick. There is therefore a risk of falling products 3 when they are transferred to the shuttles 10, especially when the shuttles are traveling in a direction parallel to the first conveying direction 6 immediately after the transfer of the products.
- the rail must necessarily pass below the upstream conveyor 4 before the product transfer area on the shuttles so that during the transfer, the products 3 are shifted down a height at least equal to that of the winding diameter of the upstream conveyor 4.
- the upstream conveyor 4 is generally a conveyor located in the extension of the output conveyor of the upstream equipment device 1 according to the invention, along of the conveying direction at the output of this upstream equipment.
- the conveyor 4 may be in the extension of an intermediate conveyor itself located in the extension of the machine upstream to the device 1.
- the upstream conveyor 4 differs from the output conveyor of the shrinkwrapper or the case packer for example, or even the intermediate conveyor, in that it is thinner at least at its downstream end.
- the winding diameter of the upstream conveyor 4 is smaller than that of the output conveyor of the preceding machine and, if appropriate, that of the intermediate conveyor.
- These two or three conveyors circulate in the same conveying direction, namely the first conveying direction 6 and preferably at the same speed.
- the packs coming out of the shrinkwrapper circulate successively on the output conveyor of the shrinkwrapper then possibly on an intermediate conveyor, then on the upstream conveyor 4 before being transferred on the shuttles 10.
- the transfer of the products 3 from the upstream conveyor 4 to the shuttles 10 is carried out using an upstream transverse pusher. Such a pusher pushes the products 3 from the rear in a direction parallel to the first conveying direction 6.
- the upstream transverse pusher is a cycler.
- the cycler bar is synchronized with the product 3 to push so that it only comes into contact with the desired product 3 and with such a force that it can push this product 3 but not tilt it.
- the horizontal plane defined by the upper surfaces of the shuttles 10 intended to receive the products 3, can be located at the same height, preferably slightly below, with respect to the upper surface of the upstream conveyor 4, that is to say the surface 13 of the upstream conveyor 4 supporting the products 3.
- the device 1 comprises such a pusher disposed at the output of the upstream conveyor 4, so as to push the products 3 from the rear from the upstream conveyor 4 to the shuttles 10.
- the device 1 comprises a dead plate 18 also called a passage plate, situated in the extension of the upstream conveyor 4 and extending along the first direction of
- the products 3 are not transferred directly from the upstream conveyor 4 to the shuttles 10, but they pass through the passage plate 18 located between the upstream conveyor and the moving means 8.
- the surface the upstream conveyor 4 and the surface of the passage plate 18 which support the products 3 are on the same horizontal plane.
- the passage plate 18 is much thinner than the upstream conveyor 4.
- the transverse pusher is disposed in this case on the dead plate 18, so as to push the products 3 from behind the along the dead plate 18 to the shuttles 10.
- each shuttle 10 when it arrives just at the end of the upstream conveyor 4 or where appropriate the passage plate 18, that is to say, when it is in the extension of this element, along the first conveying direction 6, receives a product 3 on its surface.
- each product 3 is received by a shuttle 10 when it reaches the end of the upstream conveyor 4 or, if appropriate, at the end of the dead plate 18.
- the shuttles 10 are stopped when they receive a product 3.
- This mode is particularly preferred when the rail 9 extends along a direction perpendicular to the first conveying direction 6 to level of the upstream receiving zone, in other words, when the shuttles 10 are traveling along a direction perpendicular to the first conveying direction 6 during the transfer of the products 3 on their upper surface.
- the shuttles 10 circulate on the rail 9, 11 when they receive a product 3.
- This mode is particularly preferred when the rail 9 extends along a direction parallel to the first direction of travel. conveying 6 at the upstream receiving zone, in other words, when the shuttles 10 are traveling along a direction parallel to the first conveying direction 6 during the transfer of the products 3 on their upper surface.
- the shuttles 10 travel at the same speed as the upstream conveyor 4 and / or, where appropriate, at the same speed as the products 3 when they are pushed by the upstream transversal pusher.
- the products 3 are referenced before they are transferred to the shuttles 10.
- the device 1 according to the invention is provided with an upstream transverse pusher, it is the latter which references the products 3.
- a sensor may be disposed at the end of travel of the upstream conveyor 4, or, where appropriate, of the dead plate 18, to ensure the detection of the products 3 and to provide the information necessary for the synchronization of the shuttles with the arrival of the products 3.
- each shuttle can receive on its surface a product 3.
- the area where the shuttles receive the products 3 can be called upstream reception area.
- the products 3 are transferred onto the shuttles 10 in a first direction of transfer 12 parallel to the first conveying direction 6, the shuttles 10 preferably being immobile during the transfer of the products 3.
- the rail 9 defines a circulation loop making it possible to bring the products 3 from the upstream reception zone to the surface of downstream receiving 7.
- the section of the rail 9 located around the upstream receiving zone is rectilinear.
- the circulation loop defined by the main rail 9 passes under the element arranged directly in upstream of the moving means 8.
- the main rail 9, and therefore the shuttles 10 flow under the upstream conveyor 4, or where appropriate, under the passage plate 18, just before the upstream receiving zone.
- the upstream conveyor 4, or the dead plate 18, where appropriate it is thus advantageous for the upstream conveyor 4, or the dead plate 18, where appropriate, to be as thin as possible so as to limit the drop height of the products 3 during their transfer onto the shuttles 10.
- the section of the rail 9 situated around the reception zone may extend along a direction perpendicular to the first conveying direction 6.
- the section of the rail 9 located around the zone the upstream conveyor extends along the upstream conveyor 4 or, if appropriate, the passage plate 18 transversely to the first conveying direction 6 and the first transfer direction 12.
- the upper surfaces of the shuttles 10 can be located at the same height as the element directly upstream by means of displacement 8. That is to say that the upper surface of the shuttles 10 can belong to the same horizontal plane as that defined by the surface 13 of the upstream conveyor 4 or, as the case may be, the passage surface 18.
- the shuttles 10 can also be located downwards in the direction vertical to the horizontal plane in which the upstream conveyor 4 or, where appropriate, the passage surface 18 extends.
- the products 3 circulating on the upstream conveyor 4 form a single file 5. However, they can also form two rows 5, or even three or four rows 5. When they run in several rows 5, they can also circulate on a single upstream conveyor 4 only on several different conveyors.
- a conveyor may be dedicated to a file 5 of products 3.
- FIG. 2 represents products 3 circulating along two rows on the upstream conveyor 4.
- the various queues are parallel to each other and extend along the first conveying direction.
- a stream may especially be multifilar since the machine located directly upstream of the device according to the invention, for example a shrinkwrapper, delivers products 3 in a multi-filament flow. It can also be multi-layered because of the presence of several machines arranged side by side parallel to each other upstream of the device 1 each feeding a single-phase flow of products 3.
- the moving means 8 when the flow of products 3 flowing on the upstream conveyor 4 is multi-wire, the moving means 8 according to the invention comprises at least one additional rail 11 on which a plurality of shuttles 10 circulates to be able to ensure the transfer of each product 3 on the moving means 8.
- An upstream flow of products 3 in two columns as shown in FIG. 2 thus requires an auxiliary rail 11, the shuttles 10 of the main rail 9 ensuring the reception of the products 3 of a column and the shuttles 10 of the rail 11 receiving the products 3 of the other column.
- an upstream flow of products 3 in three columns, or in four columns requires respectively two or three additional rails 11.
- the main rails 9 and annex (s) 11 run parallel to each other at the level of the upstream receiving zone, along the first direction of 6. They are each arranged in the extension of a product line 3 flowing on the upstream conveyor 4 or, where appropriate, on the passage plate 18.
- the main and annex rails (s) therefore circulate under the upstream conveyor 4 or, if applicable, the dead plate 18 just before the shuttles 10 receive the products 3.
- the transfer of products 3 on the shuttles 10 running on an auxiliary rail is carried out in the same manner as if the shuttles 10 were traveling on the rail principal 10.
- the device 1 according to the invention when the device 1 according to the invention is provided with only one additional rail 11, it can be arranged around the upstream reception zone.
- the auxiliary rail 11 is connected to the main rail 9 by means of two switches located respectively before and after the upstream receiving zone.
- the shuttles 10 circulate on the main rail 9 in the section of the rail 9 located before the separation of the main rail 9 in two ways, that is to say before a first switch.
- the shuttles 10 are then distributed on the main rail 9 and the auxiliary rail 11 before arriving in the upstream receiving area. Once arrived in the upstream reception area, the shuttles on the main rail 9 and on the rail 11 retrieve products 3 and circulate along substantially parallel and rectilinear directions, along the first conveying direction 6.
- a second switch generally located upstream of the downstream receiving surface 7, then allows the two channels to be joined so that all the shuttles surmounted by 3 products then circulate only on the main rail 9.
- the auxiliary rail extends from the first switch to the second switch.
- the shuttles 10 traveling on the main rail 9 are synchronized with those flowing on the auxiliary rail to prevent them from colliding at the switch.
- the shuttles 10 flowing downstream of the second switch come alternately from the main rail 9 and the auxiliary rail 11.
- the device 1 according to the invention when the device 1 according to the invention is provided with a single auxiliary rail 11, it defines a circulation loop independent of the circulation loop defined by the main rail.
- the two traffic loops do not intersect and therefore do not have switches. They extend in a single horizontal plane.
- the shuttles 10 traveling on the main rail 9 and on the auxiliary rail 11 form, independently of one another, batches 2 of products 3 which they then deposit on the same downstream receiving surface 7 or on two surfaces 7 separate downstream reception.
- the fact of having two separate receiving surfaces 7 advantageously makes it possible to simultaneously form two layers to be arranged on a pallet. If the device according to the invention comprises a single downstream receiving surface 7, the rails 9 and 11 each extend along an opposite side of this surface 7.
- FIG. 3 schematically shows a top view of the device 1 according to the invention wherein the moving means 8 comprises a main rail and two additional rails.
- two rails form independent circulation loops from one another to circulate products 3 from the upstream conveyor 4 (or the passage surface 18 if the device comprises one) to the receiving surface downstream while forming batches 2.
- the third rail may come from the gathering of two rails each having a switch located on each of the traffic loops before the upstream receiving zone. Between the upstream receiving zone and the downstream receiving surface 7, the third rail splits in two rails by means of a switch, each of its two rails then joining a different independent circulation loop.
- the device according to the invention comprises one or more surface (s) of downstream receiving 7 intended (s) to receive the batches 2 of products 3 formed using the moving means 8.
- the receiving surface downstream 7 preferably extends in a horizontal plane. It is thus parallel to the surface 13 of the upstream conveyor 4 supporting the products 3 and to the rail 9, 11.
- This surface 7 is arranged along the main rail 9 or an adjoining rail 11 sufficiently far from the upstream conveyor 4 so that the moving means can convert products 3 in a row spaced regularly from each other in batches 2 of a configuration corresponding to a part of a palletization scheme.
- the section of the rail 9,11 which adjoins the downstream receiving surface 7 is substantially rectilinear in order to make the transfer of the batch 2 on the surface 7 easier.
- the downstream receiving surface 7 is generally disposed outside the loop defined by the main rail 9 in order to make the use of the device 1 more convenient.
- the receiving surface is typically between the two loops in an area where the rails of these two loops adjacent to the downstream receiving surface 7 are substantially parallel to go along two opposite edges of this surface.
- the downstream receiving surface 7 is preferably of rectangular shape When the device 1 comprises a single circulation loop, the width of the downstream receiving surface 7 is generally along the main rail 9. When the device 1 comprises two circulation loops for a downstream receiving surface, the length of the downstream receiving surface 7 is generally along the rails 9 and 11.
- Each batch 2 of products 3 arriving along the downstream receiving surface 7 is thus transferred onto it in a second direction of transfer 14 perpendicular to the direction of circulation of the shuttles carrying the lot 2 along the receiving surface. downstream 7. All the products 3 of a batch 2 are simultaneously transferred from the displacement means 8 to the downstream receiving surface 7.
- the second transfer direction 14 may be perpendicular to the first conveying direction 6 and at the first transfer direction 12.
- the second transfer direction 14 can also be parallel to the first conveying direction 6 and the first transfer direction 12.
- the shuttles 10 are immobile during the transfer of the batches 2 on the downstream receiving surface 7 .
- the downstream receiving surface 7 is in principle at the same height or shifted downwards in the vertical direction so as to make the reception of the batches 2 easier. However, in certain embodiments detailed below, it is possible for the downstream receiving surface 7 to be shifted upward in the vertical direction.
- the device 1 may also comprise means for transferring the batches 2 from the trays of the shuttles 10 to the downstream receiving surface 7. It may in particular be a downstream transverse pusher 15 as shown in FIG. 2 or a gripping means.
- the transfer of the batches 2 from the shuttles 10 to the downstream receiving surface 7 takes place using a downstream transversal pusher 15.
- a downstream transversal pusher pushes simultaneously the products 3 of the same batch 2 by rear in a direction perpendicular to the direction of circulation of the shuttles arriving at this point.
- the upstream transverse pusher can especially be a scanning pusher or a rotary pusher.
- the downstream transverse pusher is a cycler.
- the horizontal plane defined by the downstream receiving surface 7 may be at the same height or preferably slightly lower than the upper surfaces of the shuttles 10 supporting the products 3.
- the transfer of the batches 2 from the shuttles 10 to the downstream receiving surface 7 is effected by means of a gripping means.
- a gripping means simultaneously grasps the products 3 constituting the same batch 2, moves them and then deposits them on the downstream receiving surface 7. It can in particular be a gripper controlled by a robot.
- the horizontal plane defined by the downstream receiving surface 7 can be at the same height or be shifted downwards or upwards in the vertical direction relative to the upper surfaces of the shuttles 10 supporting the products 3 Preferably, it is located slightly below, compared to the upper surfaces of the shuttles 10 supporting the products 3.
- the device 1 according to the invention can be used to form palletizable layers from batches 2 present on the downstream receiving surface 7.
- the products 3 are arranged according to the predefined palletizing scheme.
- the layers are formed by accumulating batches 2 against a retaining surface 16, as shown in FIG. 1.
- the downstream receiving surface 7 can be carried by a downstream moving conveyor along a second conveying direction.
- a vertical retaining surface 16 is then disposed along a direction transverse to the second conveying direction.
- the most downstream batch 2 is then held against the retaining surface 18, so as to group several batches 2 of products 3.
- the layer is formed by accumulating successive batches 2 against each other.
- the downstream conveyor may extend along a direction parallel or perpendicular to the direction in which the upstream conveyor 4 extends. In other words, the first conveying direction 6 and the second conveying direction are parallel or perpendicular to one another. to the other.
- the second conveying direction is generally parallel to the second direction of transfer 15.
- the second conveying direction is generally perpendicular to the second transfer direction 15.
- the downstream conveyor is preferably a conveyor distribution having rollers oriented perpendicular to the second conveying direction. The use of such a conveyor allows the batches 2 to be easily transferred to the downstream conveyor in a second direction of transfer 14 which is perpendicular to the second conveying direction.
- the layers are formed by tightening the batches 2 present on the downstream receiving surface 7.
- a batch 2 arriving after another on this surface can for example push the previous batch according to the second direction of transfer 14.
- the downstream receiving surface 7 is carried by a downstream conveyor traveling along a second conveying direction.
- the downstream conveyor accompanies the transfer of the batches 2 on the downstream receiving surface 7 and prevents the sliding of the products 3 on this surface 7.
- the device 1 according to the invention may then comprise a gripping means adapted to tighten the products 3 of several batches 2 against each other so as to form a palletizable layer. Once the number of batches corresponding to a layer deposited on the downstream receiving surface, the gripping means is actuated to collect the products 3 and form a palletizable layer.
- a palletizer may be arranged downstream of the device 1 according to the present invention.
- the palletizer successively transfers the product layers 3 from the downstream receiving surface 7 to a pallet so as to stack the layers on others. It may or may not place a spacer, in the form of a sheet for example cardboard, plasticized or otherwise, to separate two successive layers of products 3 on the pallet.
- a palletizer can be provided with a handling arm carrying a gripping means capable of gripping layers of products 3 so as to keep the products tight against each other.
- the palletizer When the products 3 are arranged in the form of batches 2 at the end of the device 1 according to the invention, the palletizer also has the role of forming the palletizable layers. He then grasps the batches 2 of products to bring them to a layer formation module that can operate in a similar way as when the layers are directly formed on the device 1. Then, he seizes the layers arranged on the layer formation module for place them on a pallet in the same way as described above.
- the device 1 is located between a packaging unit (typically a cartoner or a shrinkwrapper) for holding together a plurality of articles to form a product and a palletizing unit for collecting a plurality of batches 2 formed within the device 1 to form palletizable layers and then stack several layers on the same pallet.
- a packaging unit typically a cartoner or a shrinkwrapper
- a palletizing unit for collecting a plurality of batches 2 formed within the device 1 to form palletizable layers and then stack several layers on the same pallet.
- the device 1 thus contributes to the formation of the palletizable layers since it makes it possible to form batches 2 of products 3, which correspond to a row portion, or even a complete row of a palletizable layer, the products 3 being arranged within the batch 2 according to the planned palletizing scheme.
- the packaging unit is directly upstream of the device 1 and the palletizing unit directly downstream of the device 1, that is to say that there is no machine for processing the containers.
- products 3 on the one hand between the packaging unit and the device 1 and on the other hand between the dipsositifl and the palletizing unit.
- the packaging unit is also called machine 17, which delivers the products 3 aligned in file 5.
- the palletizing unit comprises in principle a palletizable layer forming device from batches 2 of products 3 and a palletizing device. to stack the palletizable layers on a pallet.
- the palletizable layer forming device is in principle directly at the end of the device 1 as described below, at the level of the downstream receiving surface and may for example comprise a retaining surface 16 serving as a stop or a means gripping device capable of tightening the batches 2.
- the installation according to the invention may comprise a device 1 for producing batches 2 of products 3 and, furthermore, mounted directly downstream of said embodiment device 1, a device for forming palletizable layers from batches 2 of products. 3 and a palletizing device for stacking the palletizable layers on a pallet.
- This installation may further comprise, mounted directly upstream of said embodiment device 1, a machine 17 delivering the circulating products 3 aligned in a line 5 along a first conveying direction 6.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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FR1752222A FR3063984B1 (fr) | 2017-03-17 | 2017-03-17 | Realisation de lots de produits en vue d'une palettisation par couches |
PCT/FR2018/050629 WO2018167437A1 (fr) | 2017-03-17 | 2018-03-15 | Réalisation de lots de produits en vue d'une palettisation par couches |
Publications (1)
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EP3595991A1 true EP3595991A1 (fr) | 2020-01-22 |
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EP18714583.4A Withdrawn EP3595991A1 (fr) | 2017-03-17 | 2018-03-15 | Réalisation de lots de produits en vue d'une palettisation par couches |
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US (1) | US11136199B2 (fr) |
EP (1) | EP3595991A1 (fr) |
CN (1) | CN110431095B (fr) |
FR (1) | FR3063984B1 (fr) |
WO (1) | WO2018167437A1 (fr) |
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FR3081849B1 (fr) * | 2018-05-29 | 2021-04-16 | Gebo Packaging Solutions France | Transfert de produits en enserrement vers ou depuis une surface d'accumulation |
DE102019115198A1 (de) * | 2019-06-05 | 2020-12-10 | Krones Aktiengesellschaft | Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Verteilen und/oder Gruppieren von Behältern |
BR112022017787A2 (pt) * | 2020-03-04 | 2022-11-29 | Westrock Packaging Systems Llc | Sistemas e métodos para orientação de pacotes |
US11623777B2 (en) * | 2020-04-27 | 2023-04-11 | David Nichols | Packaging equipment and systems |
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- 2018-03-15 CN CN201880018736.8A patent/CN110431095B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
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FR3063984B1 (fr) | 2021-12-17 |
CN110431095B (zh) | 2022-06-14 |
US20210114817A1 (en) | 2021-04-22 |
WO2018167437A1 (fr) | 2018-09-20 |
CN110431095A (zh) | 2019-11-08 |
US11136199B2 (en) | 2021-10-05 |
FR3063984A1 (fr) | 2018-09-21 |
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