Classifications

• • 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
  • 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
  • B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
  • B65G47/74—Feeding, transfer, or discharging devices of particular kinds or types
  • B65G47/84—Star-shaped wheels or devices having endless travelling belts or chains, the wheels or devices being equipped with article-engaging elements
  • B65G47/841—Devices having endless travelling belts or chains equipped with article-engaging elements
  • B65G47/845—Devices having endless travelling belts or chains equipped with article-engaging elements the article engaging elements being pushers moving in parallel and independently from the supporting conveyor
• • 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

Definitions

• the present invention relates to the general field of product conveying, and particularly relates to a particular device and method of implementation, to position the products, that is to say at least to modify the orientation perpendicular to the conveying plane.
• Some products of the bottle type have flattened faces at their sidewall, in particular for affixing a label presenting information on their contents.
• Such bottles, or products and have a main axis that is vertical when the products are positioned upright on a flat support. They may also have a section of oblong shape in the conveying plane.
• Installations are known for making displays of such products, in which the products are aligned one behind the other, forming one or more rows.
• product orientation devices have been implemented in the facilities to rotate the products about an axis perpendicular to the conveying plane, namely a vertical axis.
• the document FR 2 285 303 thus describes an installation equipped with a device for orienting the products.
• the installation comprises an endless conveyor on which said products are aligned one behind the other, the endless conveyor having a direction of supply and a direction of supply of said products.
• the installation is equipped in particular with a worm allowing the setting of products and a given orientation.
• the orientation that the products take in the screw may or may not conform to the desired orientation.
• downstream of the worm there is provided an orientation device which ensures the pivoting of the product to 180 degrees.
• the screw used to orient the products and to put them in step has dimensions adapted to the products. Also, when the types of products processed change shapes or dimensions, it is necessary to change the screws. However, a change of screw requires to immobilize the installation, which affects the overall productivity of the installation. In some applications, it may be necessary to provide an alternative solution to the screws;
• the document FR 3,018,789 describes an installation offering an alternative to the use of the worm.
• the orientation of the products is performed by manipulating each product separately, using an actuator dedicated to said product and moving transversely to the conveying direction. Orientation being performed while the products are transported by a conveyor, the actuators are also movable along the conveying direction to be able to accompany the products while they are oriented.
• the mobility of the actuators along the conveying direction is obtained by virtue of the fact that they are mounted on rails running along the conveyor.
• the invention proposes to carry out the orientation of each product with the aid of an actuator mounted on at least one guide means which forms a circulation loop, at least a portion of this guide means running along the means of conveyance which transports the products.
• the actuators can be positioned at the height of the products and rotate them accompanying them in their movement along the conveying direction.
• the invention proposes a device in which the actuators, instead of going back and forth along the conveying direction, advantageously circulate continuously along a closed loop.
• Actuators can therefore be active, that is to say rotate products, while others are returning further upstream in the conveying direction, after rotating products, to be able to rotate others.
• the invention thus relates to a positioning device for positioning products simultaneously to their conveying one behind the other on a conveying means in a conveying plane and along a conveying direction.
• This device is characterized in that it comprises a plurality of orientation means, each comprising at least one pusher movably mounted on a guide means, said guide means being located on the side of the conveying means and defining a closed loop at least a portion is located along the conveying direction, the at least one pusher being adapted to act on a product by pushing it to rotate it by a predetermined angle around an axis perpendicular to the plane of conveying, said orientation means being movable independently of each other on said guide means.
• the invention also relates to a method implemented by this device, namely a method for positioning products simultaneously to their conveying one behind the other on a conveying means in a conveying plane and along a direction conveying.
• FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment in which the products are oriented and grouped through independent fingers
• FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the part of the embodiment of Figure 1 for orientation.
• the elements arranged to the right of the conveying means looking in the conveying direction have been removed in this diagram;
• FIG. 3 shows a schematic view from above, in the conveying plane of the portion of the embodiment of Figure 1 for orientation;
• FIGS. 4a and 4b show a schematic view from above in the conveying plane representing respectively:
• FIG. 5 shows a schematic top view of another embodiment in which the products are oriented
• FIG. 6 shows a schematic top view of yet another embodiment in which the products are oriented.
• the first object of the invention is therefore a positioning device 1 for positioning products 2 simultaneously with their conveying one behind the other on a conveying means 3 in a conveying plane 4 and along a direction of travel. conveying 5.
• the products 2 generally have a particular shape, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3: the shape of the products is not a shape resulting from a symmetry of revolution about a vertical axis.
• the products 2 are then bottles or others having for example a base of oblong shape, that is to say a longer than wide shape with preferably rounded edges.
• the products 2 may also have a base of another shape, for example square or rectangular. In a preferred manner, the base of the products 2 is of oblong shape.
• the products 2 are transported by the conveying means 3 one behind the other in a single line extending along the conveying direction 5.
• the products 2 are generally spaced each other a regular non-zero distance or not, that is to say that two successive products 2 are not in contact.
• the term spacing (or distance) between two products the distance between the upstream end of a product 2 at the downstream end of the product 2 which succeeds.
• the products 2 have a base whose two dimensions are of different size, and therefore not square, they are generally oriented longitudinally because of greater stability in this direction . In other words, as represented in FIGS. 1 to 4, the axis of symmetry of their base corresponding to the largest dimension of the shape, in particular oblong, is parallel to the conveying direction 5.
• the conveyor means 3 generally corresponds to a single conveyor or to a sequence of several conveyors following each other along the conveying direction 5.
• the conveyor (s) used in the present invention is (are) in principle a chain, belt, belt or belt conveyor (s) which circulates around at least two windings at the upstream and downstream ends of the conveyor (s) ).
• the conveying plane 4 extends on the upper surface of the conveying means 3 which supports the products 2. It is usually horizontal.
• the positioning device 1 comprises a plurality of orientation means 6, each comprising at least one pusher 7 movably mounted on a guide means 8, said guide means 8 being located on the side of the conveying means 3 and defining a closed circulation loop of which at least a portion is located along the conveying direction 5, the at least one pusher 7 being able to act on a product 2 by pushing it to rotate it by a predetermined angle around an axis perpendicular to the conveying plane 4, said orientation means 6 being movable independently of each other on said guide means 8.
• Each orientation means 6 is thus intended to orient a product 2 at a time by means of at least one pusher 7.
• a pusher 7 is movable along a guide means 8 which is arranged on the side left or right of the conveying means 3 when looking in the direction of conveying 5.
• a pusher 7 always flows in the same direction along the guide means 8, so that it moves from the upstream of the positioning device 1 downstream when it acts on a product 2.
• the guiding means 8 defines a closed circulation loop, in particular of oblong shape.
• the circulation loop is plane and in particular forms a plane parallel or perpendicular to the conveying plane 4.
• At least a portion of the guide means 8 extends along the conveying direction 5, in particular near the conveying means 3 and substantially at the height where the products flow 2. When the pusher 7 is in this section, it is able to act on a product 2.
• a pusher 7 To rotate a product 2, it moves from an inactive position to an active position, performing a translational movement in particular transverse to the conveying direction 5 and parallel to the conveying plane 4. In the inactive position, a pusher 7 is too away from products 2 to be able to get in touch with them. On the other hand, in the active position, a pusher 7 can come into contact with a product 2. In this position, it then comes into contact with a product 2 and makes it pivot by pushing it. Once oriented as desired, the pusher 7 can return to its inactive position so as to no longer interact with the product 2. Throughout this action, the pusher moves on the guide means 8 along the conveying direction 5 in the conveying direction, so as to rotate the product 2 during its movement.
• the orientation means 6 are movable independently of each other on said guide means 8. In other words, the relative position of the orientation means 6 on said guide means, and therefore the distance between two means of orientation. different orientations, is likely to be modified. This advantageously results in a capacity of the device of positioning 1 to rotate products 2 brought in an irregular flow.
• At least one cam 9 is formed on the side of the conveying means 3 along the conveying direction 5, said cam 9 being able to cause the movement of the at least one pusher 7 to act on a product 2.
• the cam 9 is able to move the pushers 7 from their inactive position to their active position so as to act on a product 2, and vice versa.
• the pushers 7 can be mounted on the guide means 8 free in translation in a direction substantially transverse to the conveying direction 5 and substantially parallel to the conveying plane 4.
• Each pusher 7 may comprise a pin 15 (or roller ) on its free part in translation, such a pin 15 being dimensioned to circulate in a groove (or rail) which acts as a cam 9.
• the cam 9 can then guide the pin 15 of a pusher 7 along a path causing the translation pusher 7.
• Such a cam 9 may for example follow a path parallel to that of the circulation loop of the guide means 8 and then make a first recess to approach the conveying means 3. During this first recess, the pushers 7 flowing on the means 8 from the inactive to active position. The cam 9 can then follow a path parallel to the conveying means 3 during which the pushers 7 remain in the active position, then make a second recess to move away from the conveying means 3. During this second recess, the pushers 7 return from the active position to the inactive position. In the rest of the text, the zone of the cam located between the beginning of the first step and the end of the second step will be called action zone 16 of the cam 9.
• this action zone 16 is at the level of a portion of the guide means 8 which extends along the conveying direction 5 so that the pushers 7 are able to act on the products 2.
• the first recess of the action zone 16 is upstream of the second setback in the conveying direction 5.
• the positioning device 1 comprises such a cam 9
• the orientation of the products 2 takes place in a precise and fixed area of the device, namely at the zone of action 16 of the cam 9.
• the pushers 7 pass from their inactive position to active and vice versa each at the same location of the device 1 but not simultaneously. These changes of position are made successively for each pusher 7 in their order of their passage.
• cam 9 to transmit to the pushers 7 a translational movement advantageously to dispense with a system requiring complicated wire feed to implement the fact that the pushers 7 circulate in a closed loop.
• the pushers 7 are controlled by jacks to move from the inactive position to active and vice versa.
• the orientation of the products 2 does not necessarily occur in a fixed zone of the device, the jacks can be actuated at any point of a portion of the guide means 8 along the conveying means 3.
• the cylinders can be operated simultaneously or not.
• each orientation means 6 comprises a pair of pushers 7 able to act together on a product 2, the two pushers 7 of the same orientation means 6 being mounted on respective guide means 8 located each on one side of the conveying means 3.
• the positioning device 1 can thus comprise two guiding means 8 situated facing each other with respect to the conveying means 3.
• the device 1 comprises a first guiding means 8 situated on one side of the conveying means 3 and a second guide means 8 located on the other side of the conveying means 3.
• Each orientation means 6 then comprises a pusher 7 mounted on a guide means 8 and a push rod 7 mounted on the other guide means.
• the two pushers 7 of the same orientation means 6 are then substantially facing.
• half of the pushers 7 is disposed on one side of the product line 2, while the other half of the pushers 7 is disposed on the other side of the product line 2.
• the orientation means 6 are movable independently of each other, on each guide means 8, the pushers 7 are movable independently of each other.
• the fact that the orientation means 6 each have a pair of similar pushers 7 and placed substantially vis-à-vis, allows a symmetrical action on the products 2.
• the rotation of a product 2 can for example be obtained by the action of a single pusher 7, as long as a stop is formed in facing relation, slightly shifted to obtain the desired effect.
• the orientation means 5 therefore comprises only one pusher 6, and an abutment vis-à-vis, shifted sufficiently to create a rotation.
• the pivoting movement of a product 2 about an axis perpendicular to the conveying plane 4 is however obtained under the effect of two movable pushers 7 mounted one vis-à-vis the other.
• the orientation means 6 then comprises a pair of pushers 7 which are slightly offset in the conveying direction 5, so that they each act on one side of the product 2 to create the expected pivoting movement.
• Two pushers 7 thus opposite then create parallel forces, of opposite directions, preferably parallel to the conveying plane 4 and perpendicular to the conveying direction 5, which may have the effect of rotating the product 2 about an axis perpendicular to the plane of conveying 3.
• each orientation means 6 comprises a pair of pushers 7 intended to act, each on one side of the product 2, along a translation movement perpendicular to the conveying direction. and parallel to the conveying plane 4.
• the device comprises two cams 9 arranged on each side of the means
• the two pushers of the same orientation means must be slightly offset along the conveying direction 5 in order to be able to rotate a product 2.
• the zones of action of the two cams 9 can be offset in the conveying direction 5, as shown in Figure 3. They are generally offset by a distance such that the two pushers 7 of an orientation means 5 are actuated at the same time.
• the device 1 according to the invention can be made to treat asymmetrical products 2, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4. The length of such a product 2, measured in the conveying direction 4, then changes according to its orientation and the action of the pushers 7 may then be impossible after a certain angle of rotation if they can not tighten against the product 2.
• the distance between the two pushers 7 of an orientation means 6 is adjustable along the guide means 8, thanks to a relative mobility of said pushers 7 on the guide means 8. fact, the size variation of the product 2 following its orientation by pivoting about an axis perpendicular to the conveying plane 4 is compensated.
• each pusher 7 is mounted on a shuttle 12.
• the shuttles 12 cooperate with the guide means 8, so that the pushers 7 circulate along the guide means 8.
• the pushers 7 are in principle mounted on shuttles 12 via a slide link in a direction substantially transverse to the conveying direction 5.
• the pushers 7 are able to move from the inactive position to active to rotate products 2 and vice versa, while while traveling along the guide means 8.
• each pusher 7 is mounted on a shuttle 12 which circulates on a guide means 8 by means of a magnetic linear motor principle.
• the linear motor function is provided by the guide means 8, which is generally a rail.
• the fact that the shuttles 12 are animated using a linear magnetic motor advantageously eliminates the need for a system requiring complicated wire feeding to implement the fact that the pushers 7 circulate in a closed loop.
• each shuttle 12 is variable and the position of each shuttle 12 is controlled to unity and known at each moment.
• the shuttles 12 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 2, when it interacts with at least one pusher 7 carried by a shuttle 12.
• the shuttles 12 are thus advantageously moving relative to each other.
• each pusher 7 is mounted on a shuttle 12 which circulates on a guide means 8 by means of a motor on each shuttle 12.
• the products 2 are spaced more or less regularly with their length which extends generally along the conveying direction 5.
• the positioning device undergoes the products 2 a rotation of 90 ° about an axis perpendicular to the conveying plane 4.
• the products 2 are then generally oriented transversely to the conveying direction 5, that is to say with their width the along the conveying direction 5. This results in an increase in the spacing between the products 2 and therefore greater difficulty in grouping several products 2 together if desired.
• This also results in increased instability of the products 2, because the largest dimension of their base extends transversely to the conveying direction 5. This greater instability is felt more particularly when the products 2 undergo accelerations or decelerations. when, for one reason or another, it is necessary to stop the conveying means 3 or restart it for example.
• the device 1 it is advantageous for the device 1 to be able to modulate the spacing between the products 2 and to manage the problem of instability of the products 2 after their pivoting.
• said conveying means 3 is a succession of an upstream conveyor 10 and a downstream conveyor 11, the portion of said guide means 8 lying along the conveying direction 5 extending along the two upstream and downstream conveyors 10,11, and, where appropriate, said cam 9 being on the side of the conveyors 10,11.
• the products 2 transported by the conveying means 3 are thus transported successively by the upstream conveyor 10 and then by the downstream conveyor 11.
• the pushers 7 which circulate on a guide means 8 are capable of acting on the products 2 when they are on the upstream conveyor 10 and when they are on the downstream conveyor 11.
• the products 2 are pivoted when they are on the upstream conveyor 10.
• the second conveyor mainly makes it possible to adjust the spacing between the products 2.
• the upstream conveyor 10 is traveling at a constant speed VI and the downstream conveyor 11 is traveling at a variable speed V2.
• the speed V2 can be adjusted according to the flow of products 2 that arrive so that the products 2 are spaced a predetermined fixed or variable distance.
• the speed V2 is adjusted so that the products 2 are evenly spaced on the downstream conveyor 11.
• the speed V2 is lower than the speed VI in order to tighten the products 2.
• the device according to the invention thus advantageously makes it possible to in step products 2, that is to say to transform an irregularly spaced product stream 2 into a product stream 2 regularly spaced.
• the device 1 tightens and struts the products 2.
• the variable distance D which separates the upstream end of two successive products 2 before their orientation is reduced to a constant distance d when passing on the downstream conveyor 11, the distance d being less than the distance D.
• the orientation means 6 each comprise a pair of pushers 7, the two guide means 8 of the device have a substantially rectilinear portion which extends along the conveying means 3 from the level of the upstream conveyor 10 to the level of the downstream conveyor 11. It is the same for the (the) cam (s) 9 to operate the pushers. More specifically, when the device 1 according to the invention comprises one or two cams 9, its (their) zone of action 16 extends on the side of the conveying means 3, along the upstream conveyors 10 and downstream 11.
• the orientation means are generally actuated to accompany the products 2 to the downstream conveyor 11 so as to ensure the stability of the products during their passage over the downstream conveyor 11.
• the orientation means 6 preferably flow at the speed V2 when accompanying the products 2 on the conveyor 11. According to FIG. a preferred variant, when they arrive on the downstream conveyor 11 the distance separating two successive products 2 corresponds to the width of two pushers 7. According to another preferred variant, when they arrive on the downstream conveyor 11, the distance that separates the upstream end of two successive products 2 corresponds to the width of a shuttle 12 which carries a pusher 7.
• a device 1 provided with two such conveyors 10,11 is advantageous for several reasons. Firstly, the speed V2 of the conveyor 11 can be lowered relative to the speed VI of the conveyor 10 since the products 2 are oriented transversely to the conveying direction 5 on the conveyor V2. This results in a saving of time to stop the conveyor 11 or restart it without dropping the products 2 since the corresponding deceleration or acceleration is less compared to the upstream conveyor 10.
• the fact of being able to tighten the products 2 by tightening the corresponding pushers 7 and the modification of the speed of the downstream conveyor 11 is particularly advantageous especially in the case where the pushers 7 move along the guide means 8 to the using a linear motor.
• the shuttles that support the pushers 7 are relatively wide, generally wider than the width of the products 2.
• the succession of two conveyors 10,11 as described then allows to tighten as much as possible the products 2 to facilitate a subsequent grouping to maintain a good rate.
• the distance separating the upstream end of two successive products 2 corresponds approximately to the width of a shuttle 12 carrying a pusher 7.
• the relative positioning of the orientation means 6 is preferably adapted to the position of the products 2 on the conveying means 3 so as to be able to synchronize the position of the orientation means 6 with the position of the products 2.
• the products 2 arrive one after the other, with a more or less repeatable spacing, in a certain range of precision.
• the products 2 may be spaced completely randomly, without a form of repetition being identified. It is therefore preferable to identify the position of the products 2 and their mutual spacing before orienting them.
• the device 1 comprises a means of information of the position of the products 2, mounted upstream of the orientation means 6 in the conveying direction 5, to identify the position of each product 2 to orient , and a control unit for receiving the signal from said information means and conditioning the operation of the device, in particular by positioning the means orientation 6 substantially at the level of the products 2 to rotate, along the conveying direction 5.
• a sensor cell also called sensor or detector.
• the device further comprises at least two fingers 13 mounted on at least one guide 14 which extends at least partly along the conveying means 3 downstream of said orientation means 6, said fingers 13 being movable independently of one another along the at least one guide 14, and able to group a predetermined number of successive products 2 by tightening them against each other.
• the device 1 comprises a single guide 14 disposed on one side of the conveying means 3. It may however comprise two guides 14 arranged on each side of the conveying means 3 along the conveying direction 5.
• the fingers 13 can be mounted indifferently on one or the other guide 14.
• the fingers 13 comprise an active position in which they are able to act on the products 2 and an inactive position in they can not act on the products 2.
• Two fingers 13 are able to act when they are each at the opposite end of a series of products 2 to group them. The two fingers 13 can then move closer so that the products 2 come into contact with each other.
• the device 1 comprises more than two fingers 13 so as to be able to form several groups simultaneously.
• each finger 13 is movable along the at least one guide 14 independently of the others.
• Groups of products 2 can thus be formed by placing a finger at the downstream end of the most downstream group to form, a finger at the upstream end of the group upstream to form with a finger 13 between each of the groups to separate them.
• a device 1 comprising n fingers 13 is thus capable of forming n-1 groups of products 2 simultaneously.
• the conveying means is formed of a succession of an upstream conveyor 10 and a downstream conveyor 11, the fingers 13 and thus the guide (s) 14 are arranged at the downstream conveyor 11 .
• the at least one guide 14 is substantially rectilinear.
• the fingers 13 move in both directions along the conveying direction 5 to be able to form groups of products 2.
• the (the) guide (s) 14 can (de) define a closed loop similarly to the guide means (s) 8.
• the fingers 13 are controlled by jacks, to move from the inactive position to active and vice versa.
• the grouping of the products 2 does not necessarily take place in a fixed zone of the device 1, the actuators being actuatable at any point of a portion of the guide 14 along the conveying means 3.
• the jacks can be operated simultaneously or not.
• a cam similar to the cam 9 can be arranged to actuate the fingers 13.
• each finger 13 is mounted on a carriage 17 which circulates on a guide 14, in the same way that each pusher 7 is generally mounted on a shuttle 12 which circulates on a guiding means 8.
• the carriages 17 can circulate on a guide 14 thanks to a magnetic linear motor principle or thanks to a motor embedded on each carriage 17.
• the invention also relates to a method implementing the device 1 as described above, namely a method for positioning products 2 simultaneously to their conveying one behind the other on a conveying means 3 in a plane of conveying 4 and along a conveying direction 5.
• This method is characterized in that the positioning of each product 2 comprises the following successive steps:
• step (iii) of defining the position of the products 2 can be carried out using a means of information of the position of the products 2 placed upstream of the orientation means 6. It can notably be a position sensor. Such a sensor may be coupled with a device for controlling the displacement of the orientation means 6 along the guiding means (s) 8, so that they position themselves to be able to act on the products 2.
• the orientation means 6 are positioned to arrive substantially at the same level as the products 2 along the conveying direction 5 at the moment when the pushers 7 go into the active position to rotate the products 2.
• the orientation means 6 can therefore move along the (the) means (s) for guiding 8 at a different speed from the speed of the conveying means 3.
• the orientation means 6 circulate independently of each other along the (the) guiding means 8. That is to say that they can move closer or away, and move at different speeds. Thus, they are able to orient products 2 irregularly spaced.
• step (iii) the pushers 7 of the orientation means 6 are in their active position and come into contact with the products 2 to push them by rotating them for example at an angle of 90 °.
• the pusher (s) 7 of each orientation means 6 (s) in the active position at different times.
• the device 1 comprises a (of) cam (s).
• the products 2 are oriented successively in their order of passage on the conveying means 3.
• the orientation step in this case always takes place at the same location of the device, that is to say in a zone immobile relative to the frame on which the conveying means 3 travels. More specifically, it may be the beginning of the action zone 16 of the cam (s), when it (s) approaches ( nt) of the conveying means 3 and thus make the pusher (s) 7 of an orientation means 6 in the active position.
• the orientation step is implemented when the product 2 arrives in a predefined fixed area.
• the change of position of the pushers When the change of position of the pushers is operated by jacks, they can move to the active position to rotate products 2 at any time and at any point of the conveying means 3 as long as the means (s) guide 8 along the conveyor means 3.
• the orientation step of the process can take place at different locations of the conveying means 3.
• Several products 2 can be oriented simultaneously as long as the orientation means 6 are placed substantially at the same level as the products 2 to be oriented.
• the products 2 when cylinders are implemented, the products 2 can also be oriented successively for example in their order of passage on the conveying means 3 and the process orientation step can also take place when the products 2 arrive in a predefined fixed area.
• the conveying means 3 preferably comprises two successive conveyors, namely, an upstream conveyor 10 and a downstream conveyor 11 which both extend along the conveying direction 5.
• the step (iii) orientation generally takes place on the upstream conveyor 10.
• the upstream conveyor 10 runs at a feed rate VI, usually constant.
• the speed V2 of the downstream conveyor 11 may preferably vary during the process.
• the method according to the invention may further comprise a step (iv) subsequent to the orientation step (iii) in which the spacing between the products 2 can be modulated by adjusting the speed of the downstream conveyor 11 by depending on the spacing of the products 2 brought by the upstream conveyor 10.
• the pushers 7 are always in the active position during this step and thus accompany the products 2 onto the downstream conveyor 11 so as to ensure their stability during transfer products 2 of the upstream conveyor 10 to the downstream conveyor 11.
• the pushers 7 preferably flow at the speed V2.
• the spacing of the products 2 can in particular be reduced after their orientation. Indeed, the products 2 are generally oriented longitudinally before the step (iii) orientation, they are then oriented transversely at the end of this step. This results in an increase in their spacing. It is therefore desirable to bring them together, in particular to facilitate a subsequent grouping with a view to their packaging. For this reason, the speed V2 is generally lower than the speed VI. Thus, the distance D between the upstream ends of two successive products 2 before the process can be reduced at a distance d in step (iv) of the process.
• the distance d is constant and thus corresponds to the pitch between the products 2 at the end of step (iv) of the process.
• the distance D can also be constant is then corresponds to the pitch between the products 2 before step (iv) of the process.
• step (iv) corresponds to a reduction of the pitch between the products 2.
• the method furthermore comprises a step (iv) of pitching after step (iii) of orientation, during which:
• the at least one pusher 7 which rotates a product 2 brings it up to the downstream conveyor 11, the at least one pusher 7 then circulating preferably at the same speed as that of the downstream conveyor 11.
• the products 2 may be gathered together to form groups of products 2 comprising a predetermined number of products 2, preferably in contact with each other.
• the method may then comprise a grouping step (v), such a step being performed after the step (iii) orientation.
• step (v) grouping also occurs after this step (iv).
• the grouping step makes it possible to form groups of products 2 which will be cashed simultaneously in a box and preferentially forming a line or column of products 2 in a box.
• step (iii), and, if applicable, of step (iv) the two pushers 7 the most upstream and the downstream of a product group 2 to collect can be maintained in their active position while the other pushers, placed between the products 2 of a group to form pass into their inactive position. Then the two active pushers, which are at both ends of the group of products 2 to be formed are brought closer to one another, so that the products 2 between these two pushers come into contact. For example, the pusher 7 active downstream can slow down, and / or the pusher 17 active upstream can accelerate.
• the step (v) of grouping can be carried out using fingers 13 arranged downstream of the orientation means 6.
• the method further comprises a grouping step (v) performed after the step (iii) of orientation, and, where appropriate, of setting
• a first finger 13 moves to the active position, that is to say it can come into contact with products 2, and is placed between the product 2 the most downstream of the group to form and the product 2 directly downstream thereof.
• a second finger 13 goes into the active position, and is placed between the product 2 the most upstream of the group to be formed and the product 2 directly upstream thereof.
• the two fingers 13 are then brought closer to each other to tighten the products 2 located between these two fingers against each other. For example, the finger 13 the most downstream can slow down, and / or the finger 13 the most upstream can accelerate.
• (v) grouping then consists in bringing the two fingers 13 situated at the upstream and downstream ends of the set of products 2 to be grouped together.
• the fingers 13 are movable independently of each other along a guide 14. They can therefore move at a variable speed that can be different from that of the conveying means 3. They can move along the direction 5, generally as well in the same direction as the conveying means 3, that in the opposite direction.
• the positioning device 1 comprises a conveying means 3 consisting of the succession of an upstream conveyor 10 and a downstream conveyor 11 mounted one after the other. These two conveyors 10, 11 are endless conveyors and extend in the same substantially horizontal conveying plane 3, along a conveying direction 5.
• this device 1 may comprise two guiding means 8 which each define a closed circulation loop extending in a substantially vertical plane, that is to say perpendicular to the conveying plane 3.
• two guide means 8 face each other and are arranged on each side of the conveying means 3.
• these two guide means 8 are rails. They both comprise a substantially linear portion which runs along the conveying means 3, more or less at the height of the products 2 which are conveyed by the conveying means 3. It is in this portion that the pushers 7 can act on the products 2 when in contact with them when in active position.
• This portion of the guide means 8 extends both along the upstream conveyor 10 and the conveyor 11.
• the positioning device 1 is provided with a plurality of orientation means 6 each comprising a pair of pushers 7.
• the two pushers 7 of the same orientation means are placed substantially face to face, slightly offset along the conveying direction 5, so as to act together on a product 2.
• each guide means 8 supports one of the pushers 7 of the same orientation means 6.
• Each Orientation means 6 can move along the guide means 8 independently of the others.
• the relative distance between two orientation means 6 is likely to vary. Therefore, the pushers 7 traveling on the same guide means 8 can also move independently of each other.
• two pushers 7 of the same orientation means 6 are also able to move relative to each other to take account of the potential difference in size between the two dimensions of the base of the products 2.
• the pushers 7 of Figures 1 to 3 are carried by shuttles 12 which preferably flow along the guide means 8 with a magnetic linear motor. However, the shuttles 12 can circulate using onboard engines on each of the shuttles 12. The pushers 7 are mounted on the movable shuttles 12 in translation along a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction 5 and parallel to the conveying plane 4.
• the pushers 7 can be in the inactive position, during which they are on the sides of the product line 2 and can not come into contact with the products 2, or in the active position, in which they can come into contact with the products 2.
• they move into the active position they perform a translation movement along a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction 5 parallel to the conveying plane 4, and to the means of guide 8 on which they are not mounted.
• the two pushers 6 of a pair are capable of approaching one another transversely to the conveying direction 5 when they move into the active position and then move away from each other transversely to the conveying direction 5 when they go into the inactive position.
• the change of position of the pushers is managed by means of a cam 9 disposed near each guide means 8 and pins 15 placed on the pushers 7.
• the cams 9 are a kind of groove in which the pins 15 of the pushers.
• Each cam 9 has an inactive zone 18 which substantially follows the path of the guide means 8.
• the pushers 7 whose pins 15 are in this zone are in the inactive position.
• each cam also has an action zone in which the push-buttons 7 can act on the products 2.
• This zone can be located at the substantially rectilinear portion of the guide means 8 which runs along the conveying means 3 substantially at the height of the products 2.
• the action zone 16 can extend from the level of the upstream conveyor 10 to the level of the downstream conveyor.
• the action zone 16 of a cam 9 may be slightly offset with respect to the action zone 16 of the other cam 9 along the conveying direction 5.
• the two pushers 7 of the same pair go from their inactive position to active (and vice versa) at the same time, to perform a symmetrical action on a product 2.
• the action zone 16 may comprise an upstream part which is a zone of approaching the conveying means 3, a central part, substantially rectilinear and parallel to the conveying means 3 and a part downstream in which the cam 9 moves away from the conveying means 3 to reach the inactive zone 18 of the cam.
• the pushers 7 go from the inactive to active position and are able to push the products 2 to rotate them.
• the pushers 7 remain active and are able to modulate the spacing between the products 2, and in particular to reduce the distance between the upstream end of two successive products 2.
• the pushers 7 go from the active position to the inactive position.
• the upstream portion of the action zone 16 preferably extends along the upstream conveyor 10.
• the central portion preferably extends along the upstream conveyors 10 and downstream 11 and the downstream portion of the action zone 16 s' preferably extends along the downstream conveyor 11.
• the positioning device 1 may further comprise at least one sensor disposed upstream of the orientation means 6 and intended to define the position of the products 2 on the conveying means 3, in particular on the upstream conveyor 10. It may also be comprising a control module, which receives the positioning of the products 2 and consequently controls the displacement of the orientation means 6 to rotate the products 2, and possibly the speed of the downstream conveyor 11 and the movement and actuation of the fingers 13.
• the positioning device 1 may further comprise, downstream of the guide means 8, and thus orientation means 6, fingers 13 intended to group together several products 2 together before a gripping zone when which products 2 of the same group are cashed simultaneously.
• Each finger 13 can be mounted on a carriage 17 which circulates along a guide 14.
• the guide 14 can in particular be substantially rectilinear and extend along the conveying means 3, in particular along the downstream conveyor 11.
• the fingers 13 can therefore be mounted side by side along the guide 14.
• the carriages 17 preferably circulate on the guide 14 by means of a linear magnetic motor but can also circulate with the aid of onboard engines.
• the fingers 13 are mounted to move in translation along a direction transverse to the conveying direction 5 and parallel to the conveying plane 4, so as to act on the products 2.
• the fingers 13 can thus be in the active position, as shown in Figure 1, that is to say able to come into contact with the products 2, or inactive position.
• the fingers 13 are arranged on the side of the product line 2 but at a distance, so that they can not come into contact with them. They are then translated in a direction transverse to the conveying direction 5, parallel to the conveying plane 4 and to the products 2 so as to group a predefined number of products 2 between them.
• the change of position of the fingers 13 can be effected by means of a jack arranged on each finger 13.
• the fingers 13 are movable independently of each other along the conveying direction 5 and can flow in the same direction as the conveying means 3 or in the opposite direction. Thus, when they are in the active position, two fingers 13 arranged at the upstream and downstream ends of a succession of products 2 to be grouped can come together so as to group several products 2 together. Several groups can be formed simultaneously by inserting a finger 13 in the active position at the upstream and downstream end of the product line 2 to be grouped in several groups and by inserting a finger 13 in the active position between each of the groups of products 2 to be formed . The fingers 13 located at both ends of the file are then brought closer to one another.
• FIG. 1 represents the formation of 6 groups of 3 products 2 each.
• the products 2 circulate in single file along the conveying means 3. They may be oblong, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, but may also be of another shape, such as square or rectangular for example. Before being treated by the device 1, they preferentially circulate with their longest dimension along the conveying direction 5, that is to say longitudinally.
• the products 2 can be fed to the orientation means 6 being spaced a distance e which can be different between the products 2 successive.
• the distance D which separates the upstream end of two successive products 2 is also not regular between the successive products 2. That is to say that the products 2, before being processed by the device 1, are not necessarily not.
• step (i) of determining the position of the products 2 can take place: the position of the products 2 on the conveying means 3, in particular on the upstream conveyor 10, can be identified by means of at least one sensor disposed upstream of the orientation means 6.
• step (ii) of positioning the orientation means 6 the pushers 7 can then be positioned on their guide means 8 to be able to be substantially at the same level, along the conveying direction 5, that the products 2 to orient, when they arrive at the beginning of the action zone of the cam 9.
• the orientation means 6 are therefore oriented successively, over the circulation of the products 2 on the conveying means 3.
• the two pushers 7 of the same orientation means 6 are substantially positioned at the same time.
• the orientation means 6 are synchronized with the products 2 to then be rotated.
• the next step is generally the step (iii) of orientation, during which the two pushers 7 of the same orientation means 6 pass substantially simultaneously from their inactive position to their active position, that is to say ie move closer to each other in the direction transverse to the conveying direction 5. While moving from their inactive position to active, they continue to advance along the conveying direction 5, preferably at a distance of a speed substantially equal to the speed of the conveying means 3, in particular at the speed V 1 of the upstream conveyor 10.
• the two pushers 7 of an orientation means 6 thus push a product 2 while rotating it around an axis perpendicular to the conveying plane 4, in particular at an angle of 90 °.
• the two pushers 7 can come closer to each other along the conveying direction 5 in order to manage the potential difference in length between the two dimensions of the base of the product 2. which they act.
• step (iii) the products 2 can be arranged transversely along the conveying means 3.
• the distance D which separates the upstream ends of two successive products 2 has not changed during these three steps.
• the spacing e has been modified, in particular elongated, to reach a length e '.
• the first three steps of the method generally take place at the level of the upstream conveyor 10.
• This conveyor circulates at a speed VI, in principle constant over time.
• the method may also comprise a step (iv) of setting products 2 at a step.
• This step generally takes place when the products 2 pass from the upstream conveyor 10 to the downstream conveyor 11.
• the speed of the downstream conveyor 11 is synchronized with the spacing of the products 2 just after their orientation, so that the products 2 arrive on the conveyor 11 regularly spaced a distance e ", preferably less than the distances e '.
• conveyor 11 is variable and preferably lower than the speed VI of the upstream conveyor 10.
• the pushers 7 are maintained in their active position , so that each pair of pushers 7 encloses a product 2, and circulates at the same speed V2 as the downstream conveyor 11. Once the products 2 on the downstream conveyor 11, the pushers 7 iron in positi we inactivate.
• this step (iv) of setting is represented by block B.
• the products 2 are regularly spaced a distance e "identical between each product 2 and preferably less than the distance e 'that can vary from one product 2 to the other
• the products 2 are placed on the downstream conveyor 11 with a pitch d, generally less than the distance D.
• the method may also comprise a step (v) of grouping products 2. Such a step may notably take place after step (iv). During this step, one or more group (s) of products 2 can be formed (s).
• the most downstream finger 13 is positioned downstream of the product 2 to be grouped situated furthest downstream
• the most upstream finger 13 is positioned upstream of the product 2 to be grouped located furthest upstream
• the other five fingers are positioned between each of the groups to be formed.
• the fingers 13 generally circulate at the same speed as the downstream conveyor 11 and are placed in their active position by translating along the direction transverse to the conveying direction 5 and parallel to the conveying plane 4.
• two fingers 13 located at the upstream and downstream ends of all the products to be grouped are then tightened along the conveying direction 5 so that the products 2 of the same group are in contact with each other.
• the device 1 may comprise two separate guide means 8 each arranged on one side of the conveying means 3 facing each other and orientation means 6 each comprising a pair of pushers 7 with each pair, a pusher 7 mounted on a guide means 8 and the other pusher 7 mounted on the other guide means.
• the device 1 may comprise two cams 9 each disposed on one side of the conveying means 3, vis-à-vis one relative to the other and suitable, one of the cams 9 being able to cause the movement of one of the pushers 7 of each orientation means 6, the other of the cams 9 being able to cause the movement of the other pusher 7 of each orientation means 6.
• each cam 9 is intended to generate the movement of the pushers mounted on one or the other of the guide means 8, to act on the products 2.
• the device 1 may comprise, on each side of the conveying means 3, two cams 9 as described above, that is to say four cams 9 In totality.
• these cams 9 are substantially identical, especially in terms of dimensions.
• the two cams 9 arranged on the same side of the conveying means 3 may be called “pair of cams 9" or "first and second cam 9".
• Each pusher 7 mounted on the same guide means 8 can then be integral with one or other of the cams 9 located on the same side as said guide means 8 relative to the conveying means 3.
• two cams 9 distinct are used to manage the transition to the active and reciprocally inactive position, all of the pushers 7 mounted on the same guide means 8.
• Such a device is particularly advantageous, insofar as according to the way in which the cams 9 belonging to the same pair are positioned, it is possible to modulate the direction of rotation of the products 2 around an axis perpendicular to the conveying plane 4.
• some products 2 may be rotated clockwise, while others may be counter-clockwise.
• the products 2 concerned have a base devoid of axis of symmetry perpendicular to the largest dimension of the base. For example, they may be triangular products.
• it may be interesting that these products 2 are not all rotated in the same direction for their packaging in batches, for example, their boxing.
• the push-buttons 7 mounted on the same guide means 8 are alternately secured to one or the other of the pair of cams 9 situated on the same side as this means. guidance.
• the pusher that follows directly will be secured to the second cam and so on.
• the two cams 9 of the same pair are positioned one above the other superimposed (that is to say that seen from above, we can distinguish only the cam 9 from above ) or else shifted along the conveying direction 5 while being aligned perpendicularly to this direction 5. It will be understood that when the two cams 9 of a pair are superimposed, all the products 2 undergo a rotation which will be in the same meaning. On the other hand, when they are shifted, some products 2 are rotated in the clockwise direction, while others are rotated counterclockwise, the direction of rotation being determined by the cams 9 to which the orientation means are connected. 6 acting on the products 2.
• At least one cam 9 of each pair of cams 9 is mounted movably along the conveying direction 5.
• the same device 1 can be advantageously capable, by simple adjustment or to rotate all the products. 2 in the same direction, or to rotate some products 2, preferably a product 2 out of two in order of scrolling of the products 2 in one direction, and the other in the other direction.
• FIG. 5 shows a device 1 in a configuration in which the two cams 9 of each pair are superposed and in which, on each side of the conveying means 3, the pushers 7 are alternately secured, via a pin 15 (which may also be called a cam follower), of one or other of the cams 9 arranged on the same side of the conveying means 3 as the guide means 8 which carries them .
• a pin 15 which may also be called a cam follower
• the pushers 7 integral with a cam 9 are shown in black while the pushers 7 integral with the other cam 9 are shown in white.
• the products 2 have a black colored area at one end to easily identify the direction in which they rotate.
• the orientation means 6 act in the same way on each of the products 2. More precisely, for each orientation means, the pusher 7 from the top in the figure is upstream with respect to the pusher 7 of the bottom in the figure, along the conveying direction. Thus, the pusher 7 from the top acts systematically at the upstream part of a product 2 by pushing it downwards, while the pusher 7 from the bottom acts systematically at the downstream part of a product 2 by pushing it to the top. This results in a rotation in the counterclockwise direction.
• Figure 6 is similar to Figure 5 except that the two cams 9 of each pair are shifted along the conveying direction.
• the device of FIG. 6 is the same as that of FIG. 5, in which a cam of each pair has been translated along the conveying direction to allow head-to-tail orientation of the products 2.
• the orientation means 6 act in two different ways.
• the orientation means 6 whose push-buttons 7 are black in FIG. 6 act as follows.
• the pusher 7 from the top in the figure is downstream with respect to the pusher 7 of the bottom in the figure, along the conveying direction 5.
• the pusher 7 at the top acts at the downstream part of a product 2 by pushing it downwards
• the pusher 7 at the bottom acts systematically at the upstream part of a product 2 by pushing it upwards . This results in a clockwise rotation.
• the cam 9 of the top, to which the black pushers 7 are associated is offset downstream with respect to the other cam 9 from the top, along the conveying direction 5, and
• the cam 9 of the bottom which are associated with the black pushers 7 is offset upstream relative to the other cam 9 of the bottom, along the conveying direction 5.
• the products 2 are alternately oriented in the clockwise and counterclockwise direction, during their travel on the conveying means 3. This results in an arrangement of products 2 head to tail.
• the invention it is thus possible to rotate products during their conveying, along an axis perpendicular to the conveying plane, that these products arrive regularly spaced or not. Thanks to the orientation means which circulate in a closed circulation loop, the rotation of the products can be ensured at a good rate, and in particular without degrading the products.
• the invention makes it possible to slow down the speed of transport of the products while maintaining the rate by reducing the distance separating the upstream end of two successive products after their rotation.
• the result is improved product stability and the ability to stop and restart the conveyor that transports the products more quickly. This also results in easier grouping of products.
• the invention also makes it possible to step the products and / or to form groups of a predefined number of products.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Attitude Control For Articles On Conveyors (AREA)

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• 2017
  • 2017-04-19 FR FR1753383A patent/FR3065449B1/fr active Active
• 2018
  • 2018-04-19 WO PCT/FR2018/050987 patent/WO2018193218A1/fr unknown
  • 2018-04-19 EP EP18725271.3A patent/EP3612476A1/de active Pending
  • 2018-04-19 US US16/606,505 patent/US11286120B2/en active Active

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