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
  • B65G47/52—Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors i.e. discharging or feeding devices
  • B65G47/68—Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors i.e. discharging or feeding devices adapted to receive articles arriving in one layer from one conveyor lane and to transfer them in individual layers to more than one conveyor lane or to one broader conveyor lane, or vice versa, e.g. combining the flows of articles conveyed by more than one conveyor
  • B65G47/71—Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors i.e. discharging or feeding devices adapted to receive articles arriving in one layer from one conveyor lane and to transfer them in individual layers to more than one conveyor lane or to one broader conveyor lane, or vice versa, e.g. combining the flows of articles conveyed by more than one conveyor the articles being discharged or distributed to several distinct separate conveyors or to a broader conveyor lane
• • 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
  • B65G47/82—Rotary or reciprocating members for direct action on articles or materials, e.g. pushers, rakes, shovels
• • 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
  • B65G47/34—Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyor 
  • B65G47/46—Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyor  and distributing, e.g. automatically, to desired points
  • B65G47/51—Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyor  and distributing, e.g. automatically, to desired points according to unprogrammed signals, e.g. influenced by supply situation at destination
  • B65G47/5104—Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyor  and distributing, e.g. automatically, to desired points according to unprogrammed signals, e.g. influenced by supply situation at destination for articles
  • B65G47/5109—Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyor  and distributing, e.g. automatically, to desired points according to unprogrammed signals, e.g. influenced by supply situation at destination for articles first In - First Out systems: FIFO
  • B65G47/5113—Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyor  and distributing, e.g. automatically, to desired points according to unprogrammed signals, e.g. influenced by supply situation at destination for articles first In - First Out systems: FIFO using endless conveyors

Definitions

• the present invention relates to the field of conveying products within an industrial processing line, and has for its object, on the one hand, a device for transferring to and from an accumulation surface, and, on the other hand, two methods implementing this transfer device, namely a feeding process and a method of evacuating an accumulation surface.
• the products which may be bottles, cans, bottles, boxes, boxes, cartons, bundles, or other, are routed between successive processing stations using conveyors essentially of the endless belt type.
• the products are processed or even conveyed in single-line, multi-wire, and conveyed and even in bulk.
• accumulation solutions are known, in which the products can enter and exit in single or multi-filament.
• the present invention is more particularly concerned with accumulation solutions whose entry and / or exit of products is single-ended.
• transfer devices comprising a transit zone disposed along the accumulation surface respectively between the single-input conveyor and the accumulation surface (transit zone d). input) and between the accumulation surface and the single output conveyor (exit transit area).
• This transit zone is formed of two longitudinal conveyors operating alternately and spaced apart from a sliding sole. The presence of such a zone respectively, depending on whether it is an input or output transit zone, a supply or an evacuation of the accumulation surface devoid of the defects mentioned above.
• the transfer of the products from the input transit zone to the accumulation surface is carried out in particular as follows, and as illustrated in FIG. 1: the continuous single-wire flow of the input conveyor is directed alternately towards the longitudinal conveyor 6 of the transit zone 4 farthest from the accumulation surface 3 and to the longitudinal conveyor 5 of the transit zone 4 which is abutted at the accumulation zone 3, with the aid of a deflector.
• the two conveyors 5; 6 of the transit zone 4 then operate alternately to accommodate or not products of the input conveyor.
• a conveyor 5; 6 of the transit zone 4 is at a standstill, the products therein are pushed towards the accumulation surface 3 while the other conveyor 5; from the input conveyor.
• the transfer of the products from the accumulation surface to the exit transit zone is effected in particular as follows, and as illustrated in FIG. 2: the exit conveyor disposed downstream of the transit zone 4 'receives permanently products coming alternately from one or the other of the conveyors 5 ', 6' of the transit zone 4 '.
• the exit conveyor disposed downstream of the transit zone 4 'receives permanently products coming alternately from one or the other of the conveyors 5 ', 6' of the transit zone 4 '.
• the transfer devices described in these documents occupy a lot of ground space because the pushing tools used extend out of the transit zone. on the opposite side to the accumulation surface.
• the transfer devices described in these documents occupy a lot of ground space because the pushing tools used extend out of the transit zone. on the opposite side to the accumulation surface.
• two separate tools are required to transfer the products from the transit area to the accumulation surface, which is particularly expensive.
• the invention essentially proposes carrying out the transfer operation between the transit zone and the accumulation surface by means of a single tool comprising at least three longitudinal vertical walls, at least one of whose walls is movably mounted transversely within said tool.
• a single tool comprising at least three longitudinal vertical walls, at least one of whose walls is movably mounted transversely within said tool.
• the subject of the invention is thus a device for transferring products in an industrial line for processing products in the chain, between an accumulation surface and a transit zone along the accumulation surface, said transit zone comprising at least two longitudinal conveyors spaced from a sliding sole and each intended to carry a line of products, said device comprising:
• a transfer tool between the accumulation surface and the transit zone provided with at least three longitudinal vertical walls, and for pushing transversely longitudinal rows of products each disposed between two walls.
• This device is characterized in that at least one wall of the transfer tool is mounted to move in translation on said tool along a transverse direction, for a pushing movement of said products.
• the transverse displacement of at least one wall inside the tool provides a thrust movement to perform at least part of the transfer of products.
• the subject of the invention is also a method implemented by this device, namely a method for supplying products with an accumulation surface installed between two stations of an industrial line for treating chain products, from an input transit area supplied with products continuously by an inlet conveyor, said transit area comprising at least one inner longitudinal conveyor and one outer longitudinal conveyor spaced apart from a sliding floor and each intended for transporting a line of products, the transit zone along the accumulation surface at the inner longitudinal conveyor, comprising at least the cyclic reproduction of the following succession of steps:
• steps c) and e) are carried out using the same transfer tool comprising at least three longitudinal vertical walls, and in that step c) is carried out at least at least one using a movement of at least one wall of the transfer tool within said tool.
• the invention also relates to another method implemented by this device, namely a method for discharging products arranged in longitudinal rows side by side on an accumulation surface installed between two stations of an industrial line of treatment of goods in a chain, up to an exit transit zone so as to discharge products continuously on an exit conveyor, said transit zone comprising at least one inner longitudinal conveyor and one outer longitudinal conveyor spaced from a sole each for transporting a line of products, the transit zone along the accumulation surface at the inner longitudinal conveyor, comprising at least the cyclic reproduction of the following succession of steps:
• steps a) and c) being performed using a single transfer tool having at least three longitudinal vertical walls.
• step c) is performed at least by means of a movement of at least one wall 9 of the transfer tool 8 within said tool 8.
• FIGS. 1 and 2 show respectively the transfer of products from a transit zone to an accumulation surface and from an accumulation surface to a transit zone, as already described in the prior art;
• FIGS. 3 to 6 and 10 schematize the transfer of products from a transit zone to an accumulation surface according to various embodiments of the invention
• FIGS. 7 to 9 show schematically the transfer of products from an accumulation surface to a transit zone according to different embodiments of the invention.
• FIG. 11 shows schematically and partially seen from above a transfer device provided with an accumulation surface and two transit zones;
• Figure 12 shows schematically and viewed from above a tool provided with three longitudinal walls, the two outer walls are movable ( Figure 13a)) with an example of a pantograph type system that can be implemented to manage this mobility ( Figures 13 (b) and (c)); and
• FIG. 13 shows schematically and viewed from above a tool provided with three longitudinal walls of which an outer wall is movable (FIG. 12 a) with an example of a pantograph type system that can be implemented to manage this mobility (FIG. 12). b) and c)).
• the invention therefore firstly relates to a device 1 for transferring products 2 in an industrial product processing line 2 to the chain, between an accumulation surface 3 and a transit zone 4; accumulation surface 3, said transit zone 4; 4 'comprising at least two longitudinal conveyors 5; 5 ';6;6' spaced from a sliding sole 7; 7 'and each intended to carry a line of products 2.
• the accumulation surface 3, and more generally the transfer device 1, is installed between two successive stations in an industrial installation.
• Such an industrial plant is a production line and / or product processing 2 chain, so that works continuously.
• Such an installation comprises a succession of stations each dedicated to the accomplishment of a specific task.
• the products 2 are generally objects of the type bottles, vials, cans or other containers, individually or in the form of bundles, in boxes or cartons.
• the device 1 is thus located between an upstream machine and a downstream machine.
• Such machines may for example be a labeler and a shrinkwrapper or a filler and a packager or a packager and a palletizer.
• accumulation surface 3 means a buffer surface receiving products that circulate between two machines that process them for example on one or more files.
• Such an accumulation surface 4 makes it possible that stopping the downstream machine does not cause stopping of the upstream machine and vice versa. This surface also makes it possible to manage potential differences in cadence between said two machines.
• the transfer device 1 moves products 2, in particular rows of products 2, between an accumulation surface 3 and a transit zone 4; 4 ', that is to say both from a transit zone 4 4 'to an accumulation surface 3 only from an accumulation surface 3 to a transit zone 4; 4'.
• the device 1 thus makes it possible to feed and / or evacuate an accumulation surface 3 via a transit zone 4; 4 'which can be an input transit zone 4 or an exit transit zone 4'.
• This transit zone 4; 4 ' is generally supplied or released continuously using a single-input or output conveyor according to whether it is respectively an input transit zone 4 or exit 4 '.
• the upper surface of the transit zone 4; 4 ' that is to say the surface which supports the products 2 extends in a conveying plane 15 which is in principle horizontal.
• This transit zone 4; 4 ' extends along a longitudinal direction 16 and carries products 2 which circulate along this direction 16.
• the transit zone 4; 4 ' comprises at least two longitudinal conveyors 5; 5'; 6; 6 'which extend along the longitudinal direction 16, these conveyors 5; 5'; 6; 6 'being independently motorized. In other words, these conveyors 5; 5 '; 6; 6' can operate simultaneously or not and at equal or different speeds.
• Each of these conveyors 5; 5 '; 6; 6' is intended to carry a single file of products 2, that is to say a succession of products 2 which extends along the longitudinal direction 16 and wide of A single product 2.
• These conveyors 5; 5 '; 6; 6' are thus single-wire conveyors.
• a sliding sole 7; 7 ' is located between the at least two longitudinal conveyors 5; 5'; 6; 6 '.
• This sliding sole 7; 7 ' extends along the longitudinal direction 16 and can generally accommodate at least one longitudinal row 9 of products 2.
• the accumulation surface 3 extends in a horizontal plane. Generally, it extends in the same plane as the upper surface of the transit zone 4; 4 '.
• the accumulation surface 3 makes it possible to store successive rows of products 2. These rows are transferred transversely, from or to the transit zone 4; 4 '. In other words, they are transferred in a direction of transverse transfer, that is to say an inclined direction, in particular substantially perpendicular, or even perpendicular, with respect to the longitudinal direction 16, and which extends in a horizontal plane.
• the products 2 move along the transfer direction 17.
• the transit zone 4; 4 ' runs along the accumulation surface 3, that is to say that it lies along one of the edges of this surface 3.
• the upper surface of the transit zone 4; 4' and the accumulation surface 3 extend from Preferably in the same conveying plane 15.
• the transit zone 4, 4 'and the accumulation surface 3 are abutted and flush.
• the accumulation surface 3 may be embodied by a dead plate, but is preferably carried by a transverse conveyor capable of moving the products 2 which are there along the transfer direction 17.
• the conveyors used in the present invention are chain, belt, belt or belt conveyors which circulate around at least two windings located at the upstream and downstream ends of the conveyors.
• the transfer device 1 comprises:
• Such a transfer is therefore carried out in a direction transverse to said longitudinal direction.
• the device 1 may comprise one or more accumulation surfaces 3, one or more transit zones 4, 4 'and one or more transfer tool (s). There are as many transfer tool (s) 8 as transit zone (s) 4; 4 '.
• the accumulation surface 3 is preferably of rectangular shape.
• the transverse transfer direction 17 is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 16.
• the transfer tool 8 is therefore intended both to push the products 2 from a transit zone 4; 4 'to an accumulation surface 3 that from an accumulation surface 3 to a transit zone 4; 4'.
• This tool 8 can therefore be respectively a tool 8 for supplying or discharging an accumulation surface 3.
• This tool 8 pushes the products 2, more precisely rows of products 2 along a transfer direction 17 cross.
• Such a tool 8 comprises at least three longitudinal vertical walls 9. These walls therefore extend along the longitudinal direction 16 and are parallel to each other.
• they Preferably, they have a length substantially equal to the longitudinal dimension of the accumulation surface 3, so as to transfer rows of products 2 having a length substantially equal to the longitudinal dimension of the accumulation surface 3.
• Each row 9 of products 2 is between two walls 9 of the tool 8 during its transfer.
• the transfer tool 8 is generally mounted on a manipulator, in particular robotized, so as to be able to perform movements both in the transverse direction (to perform a pushing action) and vertical (to position itself in the right place before pushing products 2 and withdraw once the transverse thrust has been performed).
• the transfer device 1 is characterized in that at least one wall 9 of the transfer tool 8 is mounted to move in translation on said tool 8 along a transverse direction, in thrust of said products 2.
• such mobility of at least one wall 9 within the tool advantageously allows at least to reduce the floor space of the transfer device 1. Indeed, not only the tool 8 to it alone can perform the entire transfer of products 2 between a transit zone 4; 4 'and an accumulation surface 3 without impacting the rate of the line, but this transfer can also be achieved while this tool 9 s extends barely, if at all, beyond the transit zone 4; 4 'along the transverse transfer direction 17. The tool 8 does not encroach or little on the adjacent accumulation surface 3.
• the at least one movably mounted wall 9 can move in a transverse translational movement within the transfer tool 8, that is to say in a direction that comprises at least one component perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 16 .
• the at least one movably mounted wall 9 is thus configured to move towards or away from the other walls 9 of the tool 8 while remaining parallel to these other walls 9. During such movement, a row 10 of products 2 is thus pushed transversely, especially without movement of the tool 8 itself.
• this thrust movement can be effected by moving at least the wall 9 relative to said tool 8, while the tool 8 is at a standstill.
• the stroke of at least the wall 9 inside and with respect to the structure of said tool 8 is long enough to come into contact with the products 2 present
• the number of longitudinal conveyors 5; 5 '; 6; 6' and the width of the sliding sole 7; 7 ' is variable from one device 1 to the other, and can in particular be adjusted according to the configuration of the line.
• the device 1 feeds several machines downstream or that the device 1 is supplied by several machines upstream.
• the transfer tool 8 is also sized accordingly, in particular in terms of number of walls 9 and tool width.
• FIG. 10 shows a device 1 in which the transit zone 4; 4 'comprises three longitudinal conveyors 5; 5';6; 6 'and a sliding sole 7; 7' able to receive two rows 2.
• the other devices 1 shown in the accompanying figures consist of two conveyors longitudinals 5, 5 ';6;6' spaced apart from a sliding sole 7; 7 'adapted to receive a single longitudinal row of products 2.
• the transit zone 4; 4 ' consists of two longitudinal conveyors 5; 5'; 6; 6 'spaced from a sliding sole 7; 7'.
• the transit zone 4; 4 ' can support three rows of products 2, one row by conveyor 5; 5'; 6; 6 'and one row on the sliding floor 7; 7'.
• the tool 8 comprises in this case, generally three or four vertical walls 9, depending on the degree of stability of the transferred products 2.
• the transfer device comprises two distinct accumulation surfaces 3 disposed on either side of the transit zone 4; 4 '.
• the transit zone 4; 4 ' runs along two accumulation surfaces 3, an accumulation surface 3 located on one side of the transit zone 4; 4' and the other accumulation surface 3 located on the other side of the transit zone 4; 4 'with respect to the longitudinal circulation of the products 2 over the transit zone 4; 4'.
• the upper surface of the transit zone 4; 4 'and the two accumulation surfaces 3 extend in the same conveying plane 15 which is preferably horizontal.
• the transit zone 4; 4 ' is flush and flush with these two accumulation surfaces 3.
• the same transit zone 4; 4 ' can then be used to feed two distinct accumulation surfaces 3 into products 2 or to evacuate the products 2 accumulated on two distinct accumulation surfaces 3.
• the same transfer tool 8 is preferably used to carry out the transfer between the two accumulation zones 3 and the transit zone 4; 4 '.
• the transit zone 4; 4 ' is an input transit zone 4 of the products 2 on the accumulation surface 3.
• the transfer tool 8 makes it possible to push the products 2 from the input transit zone 4 towards the accumulation surface 3.
• Such input conveyor 11, in principle supports a compact flow of products 2 with products 2 in contact with each other or slightly spaced, regularly or not.
• a deflector is arranged at the downstream end of this conveyor to orient the products 2 alternately towards one or other of the two longitudinal conveyors 5; 6 of the input transit zone 4
• the input transit area is fed continuously.
• a transfer tool 8 from an inlet transit zone 4 to an accumulation surface 3 advantageously makes it possible to dispense with a thrust plate 13 (used in a known manner in addition to a thrusting tool with fixed walls type double cover 14), in particular vertical and longitudinal as shown in Figure 1 attached to transfer the products 2 to the sliding surface 7 of the input transit zone 3.
• a thrust plate 13 used in a known manner in addition to a thrusting tool with fixed walls type double cover 14
• the use of such a plate 13 is known in installations provided with an input transit zone 3 along an accumulation surface 4 as previously described to allow the supply of the second longitudinal input conveyor 5; 6 during the transfer of the first conveyor 5; 6 on the sliding floor 7.
• Such a plate 13 is generally placed outside the device 1, along the inlet transit zone 3.
• the relative mobility of at least one of the walls 9 of the tool 8 makes it possible to perform the thrust movement of the products 2 from a longitudinal conveyor 5; 6 when stopped towards the sliding floor while supplying products 2 with another longitudinal conveyor 5; 6.
• the transit zone 4; 4 ' is an exit transit zone 4' of the products 2 of the accumulation surface 3.
• the transfer tool 8 makes it possible to push the products 2 from the accumulation surface 3 towards the exit transit zone 4 '.
• the longitudinal conveyors 5', 6 ' Downstream from such an outlet transit zone 4 ', the longitudinal conveyors 5', 6 'generally meet with a single single-wire outlet conveyor 12 which releases the products 2 from the transit zone 4' of exit to drive them. to a machine downstream to the device 1.
• This output conveyor 12 is running continuously so as to feed the downstream machine with a good rate.
• the transit zone 4 'in principle frees products 2 continuously alternately from one or the other of the two longitudinal conveyors 5', 6 'of the output transit zone 4'.
• the relative mobility of at least one of the walls 9 of the tool 8 allows the tool 8 to remain above the device 1.
• the device 1 is provided with an input transit zone 4, an accumulation surface 3 and a transit zone 4 'of exit.
• a device 1 can then be provided with one or two transfer tools 8.
• such a device 1 comprises two transfer tools 8, a first dedicated to push the products 2 from the input transit zone 4 to the accumulation surface 3, and a second, dedicated to push the products 2 from the accumulation surface 3 to the exit transit area 4 '.
• the transfer tool 8 comprises preferably three or four vertical longitudinal walls 9.
• a transfer tool 8 provided with four walls 9 is particularly preferred when transferring products 2 little stable in that it is generally possible, in this configuration, to maintain each row 10 of products 2 between two walls 9 relatively close to the products 2 transferred throughout the transfer to or from the accumulation surface 3, as illustrated in particular in Figures 6 and 9 attached.
• the two walls 9 located on the same side of the tool 8 are not movable relative to each other. Indeed, the distance separating the two walls 9 on the left and the two walls 9 on the right is generally adjusted to the size of the products 2 to be transferred to limit any risk of falling during their transfer.
• the tool 8 has four vertical walls:
• either the two walls 9 situated on the same side of the tool 8 are movably mounted (namely the two walls 9 on the left or the two walls 9 on the right) on the tool 8,
• either the four walls 9 are movably mounted on the tool 8.
• the transfer tool 8 comprises three longitudinal vertical walls 9.
• FIGS. 3 to 5 Such embodiments are shown in FIGS. 3 to 5,
• Such a tool 8 may thus comprise a two or three movable vertical walls 9 within the tool 8.
• only one or two of the three walls 9 are movable in translation within the tool 8.
• the tool 8 When the tool 8 is provided with three walls 9, it comprises two side walls 9 or outer and a central wall 9.
• the mobility of the side wall 9 can be generated using any system for generating mobility in translation in the image of the examples mentioned above.
• two of the lateral vertical walls 9 are movably mounted, as shown in FIGS. and 8. It may be in particular a side wall 9 and the central wall 9 in the image of FIG. 8.
• the movable walls 9 are preferably the two side walls 9, as shown in FIG. 4. Indeed, such mobility within the tool 8 can advantageously be managed with a single actuator.
• the two corridors formed by the free space between a side wall 9 and the central wall 9 are of identical width regardless of the movements of the side walls 9.
• the spacing between the central wall 9 and a side wall 9 is identical to the spacing between the central wall 9 and the other side wall 9.
• Such a system proves particularly advantageous, since in addition to requiring a single actuator, and therefore being particularly economical, it is compatible with several product formats 2.
• the two corridors are systematically the same width, and this width is adjustable, it can be adapted to the dimensions of products 2 treated.
• this width is also modulated to contribute to the transfer of the products 2 between the transit zone 4; 4 'and the accumulation surface 3.
• this type of configuration is carried out using a device of the pantograph type in the image of that shown in FIG. 12, which will be detailed later.
• a device of the pantograph type in the image of that shown in FIG. 12, which will be detailed later.
• any other system allowing the use of a single actuator to modulate in the same way the width of the two corridors by moving only the two side walls 9 is also suitable.
• the subject of the invention is also a method implementing the device as described above, namely a method for feeding products 2 with an accumulation surface 3 installed between two stations of an industrial processing line. of products 2 to the chain, from an input transit zone 4 supplied with products 2 continuously by an input conveyor 11, said transit zone 4 comprising at least one internal longitudinal conveyor 5 and an outer longitudinal conveyor 6 spaced apart from a sliding sole 7 and each intended to carry a line of products 2, the transit zone 4 along the accumulation surface 3 at the inner longitudinal conveyor 5, comprising at least the cyclic reproduction of the succession of following steps:
• steps c) and e) are carried out using the same transfer tool 8 comprising at least three vertical longitudinal walls 9, and in that step c) is carried out at least by means of a movement of at least one wall 9 of the transfer tool 8 within said tool 8. Therefore, it is the displacement of at least one wall 9 inside and with respect to the tool 8, preferably fixed at this time, which makes it possible to operate the thrust movement of the products 2 during at least part of their transfer.
• the input conveyor 11 is thus disposed upstream of the transit zone 4. It conveys the products 2 from an upstream machine, in the form of a single-wire flow, to the input transit zone 4.
• a deflector is in principle at the downstream end of this input conveyor so that it continuously supplies the transit zone 4 with products 2.
• the input conveyor 11 alternately supplies each longitudinal conveyor of the transit zone 4.
• the input conveyor 11 alternately supplies the inner and outer conveyor 5 the transit area 4.
• the transfer tool 8 arrives from above by means of a movement of a manipulator on which is mounted said tool 8.
• the tool 8 is then lowered so as to act on the products 2 by transverse thrust with at least one wall 9 placed at each end of the transit zone 4 along the direction of transfer. He is then in his initial position.
• This thrusting movement is performed at least by moving at least one wall 9 within the tool 8 so as to allow the supply of the conveyor 5 during thrust. According to the arrangement and the number of moving walls 9 within the tool 8, this thrusting movement is carried out solely by the displacement of one or more walls 9 within the tool 8 or else by a combined movement with tool 8 itself.
• the tool 8 is then placed back to its initial position so as to be ready to act when the conveyor 6 is again stopped, once its supply is completed.
• This return to the initial position is operated by the manipulator, rising, moving at the transit area 4 and then lowering. Meanwhile, the mobile wall (s) 9 are also placed correctly to at least contribute to the thrust of the products 2 on the sliding floor 7.
• step c) of pushing the products 2 on the sole 7 is generated by means of a transverse movement of at least one wall 9 within the tool 8 alone or in combination with a movement of tool 8 itself.
• step c) is carried out using a combined movement of at least one wall 9 of the transfer tool 8 and the tool 8 of transfer itself.
• FIGS. 4 and 6 Such embodiments are illustrated in particular in FIGS. 4 and 6.
• step c) is carried out at least by means of a simultaneous movement of two walls 9 of the transfer tool 8 within said tool 8.
• FIG. 4 Such embodiments are illustrated in particular in FIG. 4.
• Another subject of the invention is another method implementing the device as described above, namely a method for discharging products 2 arranged in longitudinal rows side by side on an accumulation surface 3 installed between two stations of a chain-line product processing line 2, up to an exit transit zone 4 'so as to discharge products 2 continuously on an exit conveyor 12, said transit zone 4' comprising at least one least one inner longitudinal conveyor 5 'and one outer longitudinal conveyor 6' spaced from a sliding sole 7 'and each intended to carry a line of products 2, the transit zone 4' along the accumulation surface 3 at the level of inner longitudinal conveyor 5 ', comprising at least the cyclic reproduction of the succession of following steps:
• steps a) and c) being performed using a same transfer tool 8 having at least three longitudinal vertical walls 9;
• step c) is performed at least by means of a movement of at least one wall 9 of the transfer tool 8 within said tool 8.
• the output conveyor 12 is therefore disposed downstream of the transit zone 4 '.
• the conveyors 5 ', 6' of the transit zone 4 ' meet so as to be able to feed each in turn the conveyor 12.
• This conveyor 12 then receives the products 2 coming from the transit zone 4' to convey them to a conveyor. machine downstream to the device 1.
• the transfer tool 8 arrives from above by means of a movement of a manipulator on which it has climbed.
• the tool 8 is then lowered so as to act on the products 2 by transverse thrust.
• the walls are arranged to be placed as close to the rows to be moved as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9.
• evacuation process relate more specifically to a method adapted to a transit area 4 'provided with only a conveyor 5' and a conveyor 6 '.
• the principle nevertheless remains similar with a device comprising more conveyors 5 ', 6'.
• the conveyor 12 is then supplied with products 2 by the inner conveyor 5 'while the outer conveyor 6' is stopped.
• the row 10 of products 2 on the sliding floor is then pushed using the tool 8 to the conveyor 6 '.
• This thrusting movement is effected at least by moving at least one wall 9 in the tool 8 so that the tool
• this thrust movement can be performed only by moving one or more walls 9 within the tool 8 or by a combined movement with the tool 8 itself.
• the tool 8 is again placed in its initial position so as to push two new rows 10 of products 2 from the accumulation surface 3 to respectively on the conveyor 5 'and the sole 7' while the conveyor 6 'is released from its products 2.
• This return to the initial position is operated by the manipulator, rising, moving at the accumulation surface 3 and then lowering when positioned above two rows 10 Meanwhile, the wall (s)
• the devices 1 shown comprise a transit zone 4; 4 'abutted and flush with an accumulation surface 3.
• the upper surface of the transit zone 4; 4 'which supports the products 2, as well as the accumulation surface 3 are included in the same conveying plane 15, which is horizontal.
• the transit zones 4, 4 ' are formed of two longitudinal conveyors 5, 5', 6, 6 'which are single-spaced apart from a sliding floor 7, 7' able to receive a row 9 of Products 2.
• the transit areas 4, 4 'shown in these figures can therefore support three rows 9 of products 2 simultaneously.
• These transit zones 4; 4 'each comprise an inner longitudinal conveyor 5; 5' which is in contact with the accumulation surface 3 and an outer longitudinal conveyor 6; 6 'which is located at a transverse end of the device 1.
• the devices 1 represented in FIGS. 3 to 6 comprise a transit zone 4 of entry, that is to say a zone on which circulate the products 2 for transfer to the accumulation surface 3.
• the devices 1 shown in Figures 7 to 9 comprise a transit zone 4 'output, that is to say a zone on which the products 2 are transferred from the accumulation surface 3.
• the device 1 shown in FIG. 11 has an inlet transit zone 4 and a transit transit zone 4 'spaced apart from an accumulation surface 3.
• the device 1 represented in this figure is in progress. evacuation, the outer longitudinal conveyor 6 'output is releasing products 2 to the output conveyor 12, while the tool 8 (not shown for the sake of clarity) is preparing to transfer two rows 10 of products 2 on the accumulation surface 3, to the inner 5 'output conveyor and the sliding sole 7'.
• the device 1 represented in FIG. 10 is a device 1 for transferring products 2 from an input transit zone 4 to an accumulation surface 3. It thus notably comprises an input transit zone 4.
• This zone Transit 4 comprises three longitudinal single-row conveyors 5; 6; 18 and a sliding sole 7 adapted to accommodate two longitudinal rows 9 of products 2 side by side.
• the longitudinal conveyors 5; 6; 18, the inner longitudinal conveyor 5 is in contact with the accumulation surface 3, the outer longitudinal conveyor 6 is at a transverse end of the device 1 and the longitudinal conveyor 18 is located between the inner longitudinal conveyor 5 and the inner longitudinal conveyor 5.
• the tools 8 shown in Figures 3, 5, 7 and 13 comprise a single movable wall 9 in a translational movement relative to the tool 8, namely, a side wall 9.
• FIG. 13 shows several configurations of possible mobility of a lateral wall 9 within a three-wall tool 8.
• FIG. 13 a) generally illustrates a mobility of one of the side walls 9, namely the wall from the top in the diagram, in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the walls extend 9.
• Such mobility is generated by means of two transverse elements perpendicular to the walls 9 may for example be belts, slides or a pantograph .
• This FIG. 13 also shows in detail a nonlimiting example of a possible system making it possible to generate such a movement of a lateral wall (FIG. 13b) and c)).
• FIG. 13 shows a tool 8 before (a)) and after (b) movement of the mobile lateral wall 9 within the tool 8.
• the tools 8 represented in FIGS. 4, 8 and 12 comprise two movable walls 9 in a translational movement transverse to the tool 8. More specifically, FIG. 8 illustrates a tool in which the central wall 9 as well as a side wall 9 are movable within the tool 8. FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment in which the two side walls 9 are symmetrically movable with respect to the longitudinal central wall 9, along an direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 16.
• FIG. 12 shows several configurations of possible mobility of the two lateral walls 9 within a three-walled tool 8.
• FIG. 12 a generally illustrates a mobility of the lateral walls 9, in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the walls extend 9.
• Such mobility is generated by means of two transverse elements perpendicular to the walls 9 may for example be belts, slides or a pantograph.
• FIG. 12 also shows in more detail a nonlimiting example of a possible system, making it possible to generate a concerted and symmetrical movement of the two lateral walls 9 as illustrated in FIG. 4 (FIG. 12b) and c)).
• It is a pantograph type system, allowing, with the aid of an actuator common to the two side walls 9, to generate the movements of the two side walls 9.
• two bars are arranged parallel to each other, the center of each bar being pivotally attached at a point of the fixed central wall 9 (A or B), and the ends of each bar being pivotally attached respectively at a point of the first movable side wall 9 and at a point of the second movable side wall 9.
• FIG. 12 shows a tool 8 before (a)) and after (b) movement of the mobile side walls 9 within the tool 8.
• Figures 6 and 9 show tools 8 comprising exactly four vertical walls 9 which are particularly used in devices 1 provided with transit areas 4, 4 'to three channels, when the transferred products 2 are unstable.
• the four walls 9 are all movable symmetrically with respect to the center of the tool 8.
• a pantograph type system can for example be used to generate this type of mobility.
• FIG. 10 represents an exemplary tool 8 comprising five vertical longitudinal walls 9.
• This type of tool can be implemented in configurations in which the transit zone 4; 4 'comprises more than three traffic lanes, for example five, as in FIG. 10.
• the tool 8 of Figure 10 comprises two walls mounted movable, namely, two walls disposed on one side of the central wall 9, but other tools 8 can be used to transfer the products 2 between a transit zone 4; 4 'to five lanes and an accumulation surface 3.
• FIGS. 3 to 10 show the transfer of products 2 between the accumulation surface 3 and the transit zone 4; 4 '. More precisely, FIGS. 3 to 6 and 10 represent possible embodiments of transfers of products 2 during a product feed process 2 of an accumulation surface 3 from an input transit zone 4.
• step (s) c) of thrusting the products 2 from the outer conveyor 6 onto the sliding floor 7 is effected only by means of a movement of at least one
• this (these) steps c) are also performed with a scanning movement of the tool 8 along the transfer direction 17, which is preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 16.
• FIGS. 7 to 9 represent possible embodiments of product transfers 2 during a product discharge process 2 from an accumulation surface 3 to an outlet transit zone 4 '.
• step (s) c) of pushing the products 2 from the sliding sole 7 to the outer conveyor 6 ' is carried out only by means of a movement of at least one wall 9 within
• step c) is also performed with a scanning movement of the tool 8 along the transfer direction 17, which is preferably perpendicular to the direction longitudinal 16.
• the present invention also makes it possible to easily transfer between a transit zone 4, 4 'longitudinal and two accumulation surfaces 3 placed on either side of said transit zone 4; 4'. Indeed, during the transfer of the products 2, the tool 8 advantageously does not extend beyond the transit zone 4; 4 'along the transfer direction 17, thus simplifying the transfers between a transit zone 4, 4 'and two accumulation surfaces 3.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Branching, Merging, And Special Transfer Between Conveyors (AREA)
• Attitude Control For Articles On Conveyors (AREA)
• Intermediate Stations On Conveyors (AREA)
• Special Conveying (AREA)
• Reciprocating Conveyors (AREA)
• Feeding Of Articles To Conveyors (AREA)

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• 2017
  • 2017-12-27 FR FR1763241A patent/FR3075769B1/fr active Active
• 2018
  • 2018-12-20 JP JP2020556345A patent/JP7344901B2/ja active Active
  • 2018-12-20 EP EP18842637.3A patent/EP3732121A1/de active Pending
  • 2018-12-20 US US16/958,163 patent/US11767177B2/en active Active
  • 2018-12-20 CN CN201880083639.7A patent/CN112074473B/zh active Active
  • 2018-12-20 WO PCT/FR2018/053472 patent/WO2019129966A1/fr unknown

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