EP3882719B1 - Packaging of timepiece hands - Google Patents

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a packaging for watchmaking hands, said hands each comprising at least one barrel defining a needle axis, a support surface connected to the barrel and substantially perpendicular to the needle axis, and a barrel body. needle substantially radial with respect to the barrel, said packaging comprising at least one pallet provided for receiving, holding, storing and transporting said needles of the same needle height, said at least one pallet comprising a series of bores for receiving said guns according to a constant pitch, each said bore being contiguous to a housing arranged to house a said needle body resting on an upper surface of the paddle opposite a lower surface of the paddle.

The invention also relates to an automated production means for the manufacture of such watch hands, said automated production means comprising at least one manufacturing unit by stamping and/or milling and/or diamond coating.

The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such watch hands.

The invention relates to the field of the manufacture of small horological display components, in particular hands or the like.

Background of the invention

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

The usual technique is the insertion of needles on paper cards, pierced and split, and grouped in boxes. The inserting is done manually by threading, which can deform the needle, and damage it by friction on the paper, the exit of the needle presents the same risks. Such a paper support makes it difficult to carry out correctly and completely inspection operations, retouching of the diameter of the barrel, or even stripping for re-geometry of the needle body, for lack of having a bearing surface rigid under the needle. Any automation project with such support is therefore difficult to achieve.

EP 3 336 615 A1 discloses packaging for small timepiece components, and in particular hands, as well as a method of manufacturing hands involving the use of said packaging. The packaging according to this document comprises a pallet fitted with housings and bores.

Summary of the invention

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

To this end, the invention relates to a packaging according to claim 1.

The invention also relates to an automated production means for the manufacture of such watch hands, said automated production means comprising at least one manufacturing unit by stamping and/or milling and/or diamond coating, according to claim 19.

The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such watch hands, according to claim 23.

Brief description of the drawings

• la figure 1 représente, de façon schématisée, et en vue de dessus, une carte en papier, selon l'art antérieur, comportant des trous de passage des canons, et des fentes pour l'insertion de corps d'aguille, une aiguille étant représentée dans sa position enfilée ;
• la figure 2 représente, de façon schématisée, et en coupe passant par l'aiguille, l'ensemble de la figure 1 comportant une carte et une aiguille ;
• la figure 3 représente, de façon schématisée, et en perspective vue de dessus, une première variante de palette constitutive d'un conditionnement selon l'invention, sur laquelle sont positionnées plusieurs aiguilles;
• la figure 4 représente, de façon schématisée, et en vue de dessus, une deuxième variante de palette constitutive d'un conditionnement selon l'invention,
• la figure 5 représente, de façon schématisée, et en vue de côté dans sa longueur, la palette de la figure 4;
• la figure 6 représente, de façon schématisée, et en vue de dessous, la palette de la figure 4;
• la figure 7 représente, de façon schématisée, et en section dans sa longueur, selon la figure 4, un assemblage de deux palettes selon la figure 4;
• les figures 8, 9, 11 et 12 sont des détails de la figure 7 ;
• la figure 10 représente, de façon schématisée, et en vue de côté dans sa largeur, la palette de la figure 4;
• la figure 13 représente, de façon schématisée, et en vue de dessus, la première variante de palette de la figure 3 ;
• la figure 14 représente, de façon schématisée, et en section dans sa largeur, un assemblage de deux palettes selon la figure 13;
• la figure 15 représente, de façon schématisée, et en vue de dessus, une troisième variante de palette;
• la figure 16 représente, de façon schématisée, et en section dans sa largeur, un assemblage de deux palettes selon la figure 15;
• la figure 17 représente, de façon schématisée, et en vue de dessus, une quatrième variante de palette pour aiguilles cambrées telles que visibles en figure 18, ou galbées telles que visibles en figure 19;
• la figure 20 représente, sous forme d'un schéma-blocs, un moyen de production automatisé qui comporte, desservies par un palettiseur associé à des moyens d'identification, une unité de mise en forme par usinage, un équipement de traitement et de lavage, et un poste d'inspection et de contrôle ;
• la figure 21 représente, sous forme d'un schéma-blocs, les opérations d'un procédé de fabrication d'aiguilles, comportant des étapes de préparation de conditionnements, de préparation de matière première, de fabrication, de traitement de surface, de lavage, et de visitage.

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

• the figure 1 represents, schematically, and in top view, a paper card, according to the prior art, comprising holes for the passage of the guns, and slots for the insertion of needle bodies, a needle being represented in its threaded position;
• the picture 2 represents, schematically, and in section passing through the needle, the whole of the figure 1 comprising a card and a needle;
• the picture 3 represents, schematically, and in perspective seen from above, a first variant of pallet constituting a packaging according to the invention, on which are positioned several needles;
• the figure 4 represents, schematically, and in top view, a second variant of pallet constituting a packaging according to the invention,
• the figure 5 represents, in a schematic way, and in side view in its length, the pallet of the figure 4 ;
• the figure 6 represents, in a schematic way, and in bottom view, the palette of the figure 4 ;
• the figure 7 represents, schematically, and in section along its length, according to the figure 4 , an assembly of two pallets according to the figure 4 ;
• them figures 8, 9, 11 and 12 are details of the figure 7 ;
• the figure 10 represents, in a schematic way, and in side view in its width, the palette of the figure 4 ;
• the figure 13 represents, schematically, and in top view, the first pallet variant of the picture 3 ;
• the figure 14 represents, in a schematic way, and in section in its width, an assembly of two pallets according to the figure 13 ;
• the figure 15 represents, schematically, and in top view, a third pallet variant;
• the figure 16 represents, in a schematic way, and in section in its width, an assembly of two pallets according to the figure 15 ;
• the figure 17 represents, schematically, and in top view, a fourth variant of pallet for curved needles such as visible in figure 18 , or curved as seen in figure 19 ;
• the figure 20 represents, in the form of a block diagram, an automated means of production which comprises, served by a palletizer associated with means of identification, a unit for shaping by machining, treatment and washing equipment, and a inspection and control post;
• the figure 21 represents, in the form of a block diagram, the operations of a process for the manufacture of needles, comprising stages of preparation of packaging, preparation of raw material, manufacture, surface treatment, washing, and visit.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

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

For simplicity, the first shaping operation will be referred to hereinafter as the "manufacturing operation", whether it is carried out by adding material (foundry, 3D printing, welding), or by removing material with a cutting tool ( stamping and/or milling and/or diamond grinding) or by abrasion (grinding), or both by adding and then removing material.

We will call “hand 2” a small display component comprising at least one barrel, carrying an indicator blade, called “hand body 5”, extending substantially radially in a plane passing through the axis of the barrel. Such a needle 2 can also include a counterweight 6 extending diametrically opposite this needle body 5, more massive and of radial amplitude less than that of the blade. The needle body 5 can itself be straight or curved.

The invention relates to a packaging 1 for watch hands 2. A needle 2 comprises at least one barrel 4 defining a needle axis D, a bearing surface 3 connected to the barrel 4 and substantially perpendicular to the needle axis D, and a needle body 5 substantially radial with respect to at 4 barrel. The most common needles feature a single 4 barrel. Some deformable needles may have at least two barrels, as described in the patent EP2863274B1 . Needle height is the maximum height of a needle, in the direction of its needle axis D, above its bearing surface 3.

This packaging 1 includes at least one pallet 10 which is provided for receiving, holding, storing and transporting such needles 2; preferably but not limitatively, a given pallet 10 is provided for needles 2 of the same height in the direction of the axis D, and, even more particularly, for needles 2 of the same type. This pallet 10 comprises a series of receptacles, in particular constituted by bores 11, or else pins 110, for the reception of such guns 4, and preferably according to a constant pitch. Each receptacle or bore 11 or trunnion 110 is contiguous to a housing 12, which is arranged to house a needle body 5, resting on an upper surface of the paddle 13, opposite a lower surface of the paddle 14 located on the opposite side of the considered pallet.

According to the invention, these housings 12 are parallel to each other, each arranged to receive such a needle 2 in a longitudinal direction DL of the pallet 10. Each housing 12 is delimited by at least two lateral stops 120 in a transverse direction DT perpendicular to the longitudinal direction DL and to the needle axes D. And at least one pallet 10 comprises at least one transverse bearing surface 130, which is arranged to receive all the bearing surfaces 3 of a series of needles 2, and which is oriented in the transverse direction DT. This at least one pallet 10 comprises, substantially parallel to this transverse bearing surface 130 and on a first side thereof, first oblongs 131 whose width in the longitudinal direction DL is adapted to the insertion of tweezers or robot grippers for loading or unloading such needles.

More particularly, these first oblongs 131 have a width greater than or equal to 1.0 mm. More particularly still, these first oblongs 131 have a width greater than or equal to 1.4 mm.

These first oblongs 131 are also arranged to limit, as much as possible, any cladding by capillarity of the needles 2 on the upper surface of the pallet 13 which would be detrimental to the handling of the needles 2, so as to facilitate the removal or recovery of the needles 2 by vacuum handling means, and to facilitate the passage of leaching fluids and/or the application of certain treatments, such as PVD, galvanization, or others, to the needles 2 deposited on this at least one pallet 10, at the through the thickness of this pallet 10.

More particularly, this transverse support surface 130 is continuous and flat, between the bores 11 or pins 110 respectively that it comprises.

More particularly, each first oblong 131 has, in the transverse direction DT, a length which is greater than or equal to the total length of at least two contiguous housings 12 .

More particularly still, each first oblong 131 has, in the longitudinal direction DL, a width which is greater than or equal to 1.5 mm.

More particularly, at least one pallet 10 comprises, substantially parallel to the transverse bearing surface 130 and on a second side thereof opposite the first side, second oblongs 132, the width of which in the longitudinal direction DL is adapted the insertion of tweezers or grippers of robots for the loading or unloading of needles 2 at the level of counterweight 6 when these needles 2 comprise them. These second oblongs 132 are also arranged to limit plating by capillarity of the needles 2 on the upper surface of pallet 13 so as to facilitate their removal or their recovery by a vacuum handling means, and to facilitate the passage of leaching fluids and/or the application of certain treatments to the needles 2 deposited on this at least one pallet 10.

More particularly, each said second oblong 132 has, in the transverse direction DT, a length which is greater than or equal to the total length of at least two contiguous housings 12 .

More particularly still, each second oblong 132 has, in the longitudinal direction DL, a width which is greater than or equal to 1.5 mm.

Advantageously, each pallet 10 comprises position indexing means 20, to ensure its precise positioning with respect to a production means and/or with respect to a handling means.

And, more particularly, each pallet comprises at least one spacer 15, which extends in a vertical direction (that is to say parallel to the direction in which the barrels 4 are threaded into their receptacles or bores 11, itself parallel to the axes of the needle D), and which is arranged to cooperate in abutment with a lower surface of the pallet 14 of another pallet 10, or else with a lower surface of the spacer that includes a spacer that includes the packaging 1. such a block has the same plane dimensions as a pallet 10, and it may be necessary to hold the needles 2 arranged on the upper pallet 10 in a stack of pallets.

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

These spacers 15 can be formed from flanges surrounding the pallet 10, in particular from angled flanges such as visible in the figures, or from discrete projections distributed over its upper surface.

These spacers 15 can also, for some, constitute polarizers, guaranteeing the stacking of pallets in a particular direction, and prohibiting overlapping head to tail. For example, an angled rim may have dimensions greater than the others, in particular at the level of a projection 16, paired with a housing 17 of corresponding profile on the opposite face.

More particularly, as seen in the figure 17 , at least one pallet 10 comprises, substantially parallel to the transverse bearing surface 130, a release pocket 135 or a succession of release pockets 135 for housing the distal ends of needles 2 bent according to the figure 18 or arched, or curved according to the figure 19 .

More particularly, at least one pallet 10 comprises, in the transverse direction DT, at least one series of bores 11 or pins 110 respectively at a constant pitch.

More particularly, each pallet 10 and/or wedge is inscribed in a rectangle in each plane perpendicular to the direction of the needle axes D.

Preferably, the packaging 1 comprises a plurality of the same pallets 10, of identical plan size between them. Thus joining together such pallets by stacking makes it possible to ensure full protection of all the needles they carry.

In a particular embodiment illustrated by the figures, each pallet 10 and/or said wedge is inscribed in a rectangle in each plane perpendicular to the direction of the needle axes D

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

Different plane layouts of the pallet can be made. In a particular variant, at least one housing 12, or more particularly each housing 12, is separated from the adjacent housings 12 by at least one lateral abutment 120, which is interrupted at the level of each first oblong 131 that comprises the pallet 10 concerned. This separation can, again, be achieved by bosses, which can themselves constitute spacers 15. More particularly, at least one such lateral stop 120 is interrupted at the level of each second oblong 132 that comprises the pallet 10 concerned.

To facilitate production management, in an advantageous variant, at least one, or more particularly each pallet 10 and/or wedge comprises means of identification 50 of its dimensioning, readable by an automatic, optical, magnetic, inductive detection means , mechanical, or other, and/or recognizable by an operator, in particular by colored and/or identification marking; the pallet 10 can, in particular, be made entirely in a color allowing its identification. In particular, these identification means 50 comprise at least one colored pin, characteristic of the type of paddle or of the type of needle 2 that the paddle 10 in question can receive, inserted into a bore 31 that comprises the upper surface of the paddle 13. The means identification 50 may also consist of an RFID chip embedded in the material of the pallet, or other, allowing the identification and traceability of the batch, at the same time as providing a guarantee of origin to the Customer.

Preferably, at least one, or more particularly each paddle 10 and/or wedge is entirely made of a material that is insensitive and resistant to the treatments included in the range of manufacture of the needles 2 concerned, for example made of plastic material or a material prepared for this purpose. effect, for example polycarbonate in case of cold treatment.

More particularly, and in a safe and economical way, the packaging 1 comprises a plurality of pallets 10 and/or shims of the same plane size, each comprising at least two cutouts 40 made on opposite edge faces 41, 42, and arranged to receive at least one elastic bracelet 43 or clamping means arranged to temporarily secure all of the pallets resting on each other. More particularly, this packaging 1 then comprises only a plurality of identical pallets 10 and at least one such elastic bracelet 43. It is thus easy to group together under a reduced volume a large production of needles of a given model. Preferably, the elastic bracelet 43 is made of a material without latex or sulphur, and without outgassing.

In an advantageous variant, at least one, or more particularly each pallet 10 and/or wedge comprises, in addition to the first oblongs 131 and the second oblongs 132, a plurality of other recesses which are arranged to allow the passage of fluid through its thickness. In a variant, for at least one, or more particularly each pallet 10, each bore 11 is away from at least one such recess by a value less than or equal to the constant pitch between the bores 11.

The pallets 10 illustrated include markings 25 along the transverse direction DT, and 26 along the longitudinal direction DL, which make it possible to easily designate the position of a bore 11 or of a journal 110 by its Cartesian coordinates according to this marking, for example 5B or 6A, which simplifies programming of a position, or even the designation of a hand having a defect, or the like.

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

This automated production means 100 comprises at least one manufacturing and initial shaping unit, in particular a manufacturing unit 1100 by stamping and/or milling and/or diamond coating, or by manufacturing on another manufacturing station adapted to the performing a needle manufacturing operation.

According to the invention, this automated production means 100 further comprises a palletizer mechanism 120, which is arranged to receive and identify a pallet 10 provided for the reception, maintenance, storage and transport of needles 2 of the same needle height. , and which comprises position indexing means 20 for its precise positioning on this palletizer mechanism 120.

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

In a particular variant, the automated production means 100 comprises surface treatment means 160 for the treatment of needles 2 kept positioned on pallets 10 after their shaping or machining.

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

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

• dans une étape 910 on se munit, pour chaque lot de fabrication d'aiguilles 2, d'une hauteur d'aiguille donnée, d'au moins un tel conditionnement 1 adapté à ce dimensionnement ;
• dans une étape 920 on se munit de matière première utilisable par un tel moyen de production automatisé 10 ;
• dans une étape 930 on effectue au moins l'usinage des aiguilles 2 sur un tel moyen de production automatisé 100, lequel dépose des aiguilles 2 usinées sur au moins une palette 10 de dimensions adéquates ;
• dans une étape 950 on effectue au moins un lavage des aiguilles 2 usinées en position sur leur palette 10 ;
• dans une étape 960 on effectue un visitage des aiguilles 2 en position sur leur palette 10.

According to the invention:

• in a step 910, for each production batch of needles 2, of a given needle height, at least one such packaging 1 adapted to this dimensioning is provided;
• in a step 920, raw material is provided which can be used by such an automated production means 10;
• in a step 930, at least the machining of the needles 2 is carried out on such an automated production means 100, which deposits the machined needles 2 on at least one pallet 10 of suitable dimensions;
• in a step 950, at least one washing of the needles 2 machined in position on their pallet 10 is carried out;
• in a step 960, the needles 2 are inspected in position on their pallet 10.

More particularly, after washing and before final inspection, these needles 2 machined and held in position on their pallet 10 are carried out in a step 940 at least one surface treatment and/or covering with a peripheral layer.

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

In particular, different versions of pallets 10 can be produced, which are distinguished in particular by:

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

• leur utilisation directement sur un moyen de fabrication grâce à un palettiseur, ce qui évite la remise en vrac des aiguilles après fabrication, en permettant un rangement facile pour toute la fin de gamme de fabrication ;
• le maintien des aiguilles sans nécessiter le moindre appui direct sur le corps d'aiguille, un tel appui se traduisant souvent par des défauts d'aspect : ici le maintien est gravitaire, et le débattement des aiguilles est limité grâce aux butées latérales ; chaque aiguille est ainsi maintenue de façon indépendante, sans contact avec les aiguilles voisines ;
• la manutention des aiguilles avec un manipulateur robotisé, grâce aux oblongs permettant le passage des outils de préhension ;
• le choix d'une épaisseur de palette supérieure à celle des cartes en papier de l'art antérieur, et notamment de l'ordre de 3 à 5 mm, apporte de la rigidité à la palette, nécessaire pour une manutention fiable, et aussi pour autoriser des retouches d'aiguilles directement sur la palette laquelle constitue une surface d'appui rigide qui autorise une remise en géométrie sans détérioration ;
• le retournement éventuel de la palette et de son contenu sur une surface plane, pour effectuer une opération sur la surface d'appui des aiguilles, puis une reprise de l'ensemble des aiguilles par la même palette avant son retournement ;
• une autonomie augmentée de la machine, suffisamment alimentée pour un lot de production par l'équipement d'une palette complète ;
• le lavage, ou un traitement de surface, ou un traitement thermique, ou autre, des aiguilles directement sur les palettes ;
• le visitage des aiguilles directement sur les palettes ;
• le maintien dans de bonnes conditions d'une bonne quantité d'aiguilles, au moins dix dans les exemples illustrés par les figures ; une même palette permet aussi l'arrangement de plusieurs rangées d'aiguilles de petite taille, permettant alors le rangement de plusieurs dizaines d'aiguilles.

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

• their use directly on a means of manufacture thanks to a palletiser, which avoids the bulk delivery of the needles after manufacture, by allowing easy storage for the entire end of the manufacturing range;
• the maintenance of the needles without requiring any direct support on the needle body, such support often resulting in appearance defects: here the maintenance is by gravity, and the travel of the needles is limited thanks to the lateral stops; each needle is thus maintained independently, without contact with the neighboring needles;
• the handling of the needles with a robotic manipulator, thanks to the oblongs allowing the passage of the gripping tools;
• the choice of a pallet thickness greater than that of the paper cards of the prior art, and in particular of the order of 3 to 5 mm, provides rigidity to the pallet, necessary for reliable handling, and also for allow retouching of needles directly on the pallet which constitutes a rigid support surface which allows geometry to be restored without deterioration;
• the possible reversal of the pallet and its contents on a flat surface, to carry out an operation on the support surface of the needles, then a recovery of all the needles by the same pallet before its reversal;
• increased autonomy of the machine, sufficiently supplied for a production batch by equipping a complete pallet;
• the washing, or a surface treatment, or a heat treatment, or other, of the needles directly on the pallets;
• inspection of the needles directly on the pallets;
• the maintenance in good condition of a good quantity of needles, at least ten in the examples illustrated by the figures; the same pallet also allows the arrangement of several rows of small needles, then allowing the storage of several dozen needles.

Indeed, once removed from the means of production which ensure the initial shaping, the needles no longer leave the pallet, in order to minimize handling costs, and to preserve the aesthetic quality of the product as much as possible until delivery. to the client.

The invention can also be used for watch components other than hands, such as counter disks, which can be fitted onto journals, or the like.

The figures illustrate four variants of pallets, which alone are sufficient to cover at least 90% of the production of a manufacturer of watchmaking hands, allowing correct removal of the hands with the extreme geometries.

Claims (24)

1. Packaging (1) for clock hands (2), each of said hands (2) comprising at least one pipe (4) defining a hand axis (D), and a bearing surface (3) connected to said pipe (4) and substantially perpendicular to said hand axis (D), and at least one hand body (5) that is substantially radial relative to each said pipe (4), said packaging (1) comprising at least one pallet (10) provided for receiving, holding, storing and carrying said hands (2), said at least one pallet (10) comprising a series of bores (11) or trunnions (110) for receiving said pipes (4), each said bore (11) or respectively trunnion (110) being adjacent to a recess (12) arranged to house one said hand body (5) resting on an upper pallet surface (13) which is opposite a lower pallet surface (14) situated on the opposite face of said at least one pallet (10), said recesses (12) being parallel to one another, each being arranged to receive a said hand (2) in a longitudinal direction (DL) of said pallet (10), each said recess (12) being delimited by at least two lateral stops (120) in a transverse direction (DT) perpendicular to said longitudinal direction (DL) and to said hand axes (D), and at least one said pallet (10) comprising at least one transverse bearing surface (130) arranged to receive all of said bearing surfaces (3) of a series of said hands (2) and oriented in said transverse direction (DT), and, substantially parallel to said transverse bearing surface (130), characterised in that a first side of at least one transverse bearing surface (130), comprises first oblong pieces (131), the width whereof in said longitudinal direction (DL) is adapted for the insertion of robotic grippers or of tweezers for loading or unloading said hands (2), and which are arranged to limit capillarity plating of said hands (2) on said upper pallet surface (13) so as to facilitate the deposition thereof by a vacuum handling means, and to facilitate the passage of leaching fluids and/or the application of certain treatments on said hands (2) deposited on said at least one pallet (10), through the thickness thereof.
2. Packaging (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that said transverse bearing surface (130) is continuous and planar between said bores (11) or respectively trunnions (110) comprised therein.
3. Packaging (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the length of each said first oblong piece (131), in said transverse direction (DT), is greater than or equal to the total length of at least two said adjacent recesses (12).
4. Packaging (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the width of each said first oblong piece (131), in said longitudinal direction (DL), is greater than or equal to 1.5 mm.
5. Packaging (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that at least one said pallet (10) comprises, substantially parallel to said transverse bearing surface (130) and on a second side thereof that is opposite said first side, second oblong pieces (132), the width whereof in said longitudinal direction (DL) is adapted for the insertion of robotic grippers or of tweezers for loading or unloading said hands (2) by the counterpoise (6) if said hands (2) are provided therewith, and which are arranged to limit capillarity plating of said hands (2) on said upper pallet surface (13) so as to facilitate the deposition thereof by a vacuum handling means, and to facilitate the passage of leaching fluids and/or the application of certain treatments on said hands (2) deposited on said at least one pallet (10).
6. Packaging (1) according to claim 5, characterised in that the length of each said second oblong piece (132), in said transverse direction (DT), is greater than or equal to the total length of at least two said adjacent recesses (12).
7. Packaging (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the width of each said second oblong piece (132), in said longitudinal direction (DL), is greater than or equal to 1.5 mm.
8. Packaging (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that at least one said pallet (10) comprises position indexing means (20) and comprises at least one spacer (15) which extends in a vertical direction and which is arranged to co-operate such that it bears against a said lower pallet surface (14) of another said pallet (10), or against a lower skid surface forming part of a skid comprised in said packaging (1) and of the same overall planar dimensions as a said pallet (10), each said spacer (15) extending, from said upper pallet surface (13), over a pallet height (HP) which exceeds the maximum axial overall dimensions of each said hand (2) above said bearing surface (3) thereof, by the value of a predefined functional clearance (J).
9. Packaging (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that at least one said pallet (10) comprises, substantially parallel to said transverse bearing surface (130), a clearance pocket (135) or a succession of clearance pockets (135) for housing the distal ends (53) of said bent or curved hands (2).
10. Packaging (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that at least one said pallet (10) comprises, in said transverse direction (DT), at least one series of said bores (11) or respectively of said trunnions (110) according to a constant pitch.
11. Packaging (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that each said pallet (10) and/or said skid lies within a rectangle in each plane perpendicular to the direction of said hand axes (D).
12. Packaging (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that at least one said pallet (10) comprises, extending beyond each said spacer (15) from said upper pallet surface (13), at least one clipping or centring pin (16) arranged to cooperate with a clipping or centring installation (17) comprised in a said lower pallet surface (14) of another said pallet (10) or a said lower skid surface forming part of a said skid.
13. Packaging (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that each said recess (12) is separated from said adjacent recesses (12) by at least one said lateral stop (120), which is interrupted at each said first oblong piece (131) comprised in said pallet (10) concerned.
14. Packaging (1) according to claim 5 and one of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that each said recess (12) is separated from said adjacent recesses (12) by at least one said lateral stop (120), which is interrupted at each said second oblong piece (132) comprised in said pallet (10) concerned.
15. Packaging (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that each said pallet (10) and/or said skid comprises means (50) for identifying the size thereof, capable of being read by an automated sensing means, and/or of being recognised by an operator, and/or at least one coloured pin, characteristic of the type of pallet or type of hand that can be received, inserted into a perforation (31) comprised in said upper pallet surface (13).
16. Packaging (1) according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterised in that each said pallet (10) and/or said skid is entirely made of a material that is insensitive and resistant to the treatments included in the manufacturing process of said hands (2).
17. Packaging (1) according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterised in that said packaging (1) comprises a plurality of said pallets (10) and/or said skids of the same overall planar dimensions, each comprising at least two cut-outs (40) made on faces of opposite edges (41; 42), and arranged to receive at least one elastic strap (43) or clamping means arranged to temporarily rigidly connect all of said pallets resting one on top of the other.
18. Packaging (1) according to claim 17, characterised in that said packaging (1) solely comprises a plurality of said identical pallets (10) and at least one said elastic strap (43).
19. Automated production means (100) for producing and/or packaging clock hands (2), said hands (2) comprising, on either side of a bearing surface (3), a pipe (4), and a hand body (5) which extends over a hand height (HA) above said bearing surface (3), said automated production means (100) comprising at least one manufacturing unit (1100), characterised in that said automated production means (100) comprises a palletiser mechanism (120), which is arranged to receive and identify a pallet (10) of a packaging (1) according to one of claims 1 to 18, intended for receiving, holding, storing and carrying said hands (2) having the same said hand height, and which comprises position indexing means (20) for the precise positioning thereof on said palletiser mechanism (120).
20. Automated production means (100) according to claim 19, characterised in that said palletiser mechanism (120) comprises at least one automated sensing means (150) arranged to identify identification means (50) comprised in each said pallet (10) of a packaging (1) according to claim 15.
21. Automated production means (100) according to claim 19 or 20, characterised in that said automated production means (100) comprises surface treatment means (160) for treating the surface of said hands (2) held in position on said pallets (10).
22. Automated production means (100) according to one of claims 19 to 21, characterised in that said automated production means (100) comprises means (170) for controlling and/or inspecting said hands (2) held in position on said pallets (10) after the machining thereof.
23. Method for manufacturing clock hands (2), each of said hands (2) comprising at least one pipe (4) defining a hand axis (D) and a bearing surface (3) connected to said pipe (4) and substantially perpendicular to said hand axis (D), and at least one hand body (5) that is substantially radial relative to each said pipe (4), characterised in that, for each manufacturing lot of said hands (2) of a given hand height, at least one packaging (1) is procured according to one of claims 1 to 18, and in that raw material that can be used by a said automated production means (100) according to one of claims 19 to 22 is procured, in that at least the manufacture of said hands on a said automated production means (100) according to one of claims 19 to 22 is carried out, which deposits said machined hands (2) on at least one said pallet (10) of adequate dimensions, in that at least one washing process is carried out for said machined hands (2) in position on said pallet (10) thereof, and in that an inspection is carried out of said hands (2) in position on said pallet (10) thereof.
24. Manufacturing method according to claim 23, characterised in that, after washing and before final inspection, at least one surface treatment and/or treatment for coating in a surrounding layer is carried out on said machined hands (2) held in position on said pallet (10) thereof.

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