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
  • B65G47/682—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 from a single conveyor lane consisting of one conveyor or several adjacent conveyors
  • B65G47/684—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 from a single conveyor lane consisting of one conveyor or several adjacent conveyors with recirculation of articles forming a buffer
• • 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
  • B65G47/5145—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 with recirculation means
• • 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
  • 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
  • B65G2201/0252—Cans
• • 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
  • B65G47/846—Star-shaped wheels or wheels equipped with article-engaging elements

Definitions

• the present invention falls within the field of grouping products within a line for the production and packaging of said products.
• Such products can be, without limitation, receptacles or containers, such as bottles, cans, cardboard bricks. Such containers are presented individually, preferably individually.
• the products can undergo a first phase consisting of several different successive treatments, ranging from the manufacture of the container by a plastic injection or stretch-blow molding operation, passing in particular by filling, closing with a cap and labeling of individual products.
• the finished products are transported one behind the other, generally in a single-line fashion, with a view to their packaging in batches of several products grouped together in boxes, cases, cartons or bundles.
• packaging can be carried out by bundling several products grouped together in batches.
• Bundling products involves grouping them into batches and then wrapping each batch of products with a sheet of heat-shrinkable film.
• a coated batch then undergoes a heating step so that the sheet conforms to the overall exterior shape of the batch.
• the film sheet shrinks under the effect of heat to apply a shrinkage ensuring the maintenance of the products grouped in batches.
• Grouping into batches, coating and heating are carried out by means of a dedicated shrink wrapper-type device, through several successive stations.
• the invention is particularly aimed at the grouping of finished products, prior to a subsequent step, in particular of packaging.
• Such a grouping takes place at the level of a grouping zone situated between the succession of processing stations situated upstream and a conditioning station situated downstream.
• a complementary solution consists in regulating the flow of products between the treatment stations and the packaging station.
• the products pass through an accumulation zone, passing from a single-line flow towards one or more wider conveyors where the products are distributed in bulk over their width.
• the products are channeled to corridors by suitable guide means, with a view to positioning them in several rows parallel to each other, which will then be separated during a selection step, successively forming the groups of products to be packaged in batches. .
• a drawback of this configuration lies in the blockages and recurring drops occurring at the level of an accumulation zone, between and along the conveyors, as well as at the levels of the guide means, resulting in a stop to remedy, which can go as far as 'to deteriorate certain products.
• the passage of products between different conveyors increases the aforementioned risks.
• the accumulation of products generates shocks, liable to deteriorate the products, in particular generating a noisy sound environment, especially in the case of glass containers.
• a line is dedicated to the production of one or more formats of products to be processed and several geometries of product groupings to be packaged in batches or bundles, requiring long and tedious configuration steps when changing the format of the products. products.
• production lines must make it possible to adapt as many product formats as possible, while limiting the interventions required when changing formats.
• the aim of the invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the state of the art by proposing a product grouping device for a production line, capable of directly taking charge of the products from a single-line flow with a view to grouping them into lots.
• such a grouping device provides for distributing the single-line flow of products from upstream processing stations, separating it into at least two distinct flows.
• the invention envisages at least doubling the single-line flow, which can then ensure a grouping of the products of this double flow, preferably symmetrically with respect to a deposit zone.
• said device for grouping said products conveyed in a single-line flow comprises
• said circuit comprises a first loop and at least a second loop located downstream of said transfer means with respect to said direction of movement, at least said first loop extending at least longitudinally along at least part of said first drop-off area;
• the first and second loops comprising a common section
• said first loop and said second loop can extend on either side of said receiving conveyor at least longitudinally along at least said first deposit zone.
• Said transfer means may comprise a wheel provided with means for individually receiving each product.
• Said circuit may comprise, over at least part of said transfer zone, a section extending tangentially to said transfer wheel.
• At least a portion of said circuit may comprise a linear motor, said device comprising shuttles for individual reception of each of said products, said shuttles cooperating with each portion provided with said linear motor.
• the grouping mechanism may include:
• said circuit comprising at least a third loop located downstream of said means of transfer, said third loop extending at least along said second drop zone, on one side of said receiving conveyor;
• said management means sending a product from said transfer means to said third loop.
• the first loop and the second loop may comprise at least one common recycling portion extending from a portion located downstream of said first depositing zone up to upstream of said transfer means.
• the invention offers management in the conveying of each product, freeing itself from any interference between them during their handling and making it possible to improve the control of their conveying speed, especially
• the invention therefore provides a transition from the single-line speed of product feed to the batch output speed of said products.
• the invention makes it possible to reduce the footprint through a more compact grouping zone, which in particular makes it possible to modify the orientation of the production line at this location, improving flexibility in its installation.
• FIG. 1 schematically showing a simplified top view of a first embodiment of a grouping device, showing a single inlet distributing a single-line flow of products along a circuit provided with two upper and lower loops, extending on either side of a receiving conveyor;
• FIG. 2 schematically showing a simplified top view of a second embodiment of a grouping device, showing a single input distributing a single-line flow along a circuit provided with two upper and lower complex loops, extending from on either side of a receiving conveyor;
• FIG.3 schematically showing a simplified top view of a detail of said second embodiment, showing in particular the duplication of the flow with individual handling of the products;
• FIG. 4 schematically showing a simplified top view of a detail of a third embodiment, showing in particular a first, a second and a third loop of said circuit.
• the present invention relates to the grouping of products 1 within a line for the production and packaging of said products 1. To this end, the invention relates to a device 2 for grouping said products 1.
• Such products 1 can be, without limitation, receptacles or containers, such as bottles, cans, cardboard bricks. Such containers are presented individually, preferably individually.
• the products 1 can undergo a first phase upstream with respect to the direction of movement of said products 1 along said line and with respect to the grouping device 2.
• This first phase consists of several successive different treatments, ranging from the manufacture of the container by an operation of injection of a plastic preform and a forming operation, in particular of the blow-molding or stretch-blow molding type, then passing in particular through the filling, closing with a cap and labeling of individual products. These operations are carried out by dedicated stations, such as a filling machine or a labeling machine, not shown.
• the finished products 1 are transported one behind the other, generally in a single-line fashion, with a view to their packaging in batches of several products 1 grouped together in boxes, crates, cartons or bundles, in particular coated with plastic films.
• packaging can be carried out by bundling several products 1 grouped together in batches.
• the packaging is therefore carried out downstream, through one or more dedicated stations, not shown, after grouping together several products 1 by the grouping device 2.
• the products 1 are conveyed in a single-line flow, namely one behind the other.
• the products 1 can be spaced, regularly or not, or even joined to each other.
• the configuration of the line of products 1 depends in particular on the stations located upstream and on their operation.
• the single-line flow of the products 1 is routed by a suitable conveyor 3, in particular under the one or more conveyors, moving the products 1 on the upper face, the products 1 resting on their bottom.
• the conveyor can be equipped with a corridor 4 provided with parallel side walls, ensuring the guiding of the line of products 1 under the effect of the movement of the conveyor 3.
• the conveyor 3 feeds the grouping device 2 which comprises an inlet 5 receiving said single-line flow of products 1.
• the grouping device 2 may or may not include the conveyor 3.
• the grouping device 2 comprises at least one conveyor 6 for successively receiving several products 1 grouped together.
• the products 1 are conveyed to be deposited successively on said at least one conveyor 6 which receives them.
• Such a receiving conveyor 6 ensures the movement of the products 1 during their grouping by the grouping device 2.
• Such a movement takes place on the upper face of said receiving conveyor 6, the bottom of the products 1 resting on said upper face.
• said receiving conveyor 6 moves these groups through an outlet 7, to another station located downstream for another operation, in particular packaging, for example by bundling.
• the grouping device 2 comprises a circuit 8 for the unitary transport of said products 1.
• Said circuit 8 ensures the movement of the products 1 in a direction of displacement. Such a direction extends essentially longitudinally, from upstream to downstream, from the inlet 5 to the outlet 7, as shown in the figures from the left to the right. This direction extends globally, including in particular transverse or inclined directions of movement on portions of the circuit 8.
• said circuit 8 extends at least from said inlet 5 to at least a first deposit zone 9 along said receiving conveyor 6. In the case of several depositing zones 9, the circuit 8 therefore extends from said inlet 5, along each depositing zone 9, to the last one. The portion of the circuit 8 from the entrance 5 to the last drop zone forms one or more outward paths, along which the products 1 are transported.
• the depositing zones 9 can be ordered according to said direction of movement, from upstream to downstream, successively in a first deposit zone 9, a second deposit zone 90, a third deposit zone 91, etc. .
• the depositing zones 9, 90, 91 follow one another longitudinally on the receiving conveyor 6.
• FIG. 1 shows a single depositing zone 9, while FIG. 2 shows a first depositing zone 9 followed by a second depositing zone 90, while FIG. 4 shows a first depositing zone 9 followed by a second deposit zone 90 followed by a third deposit zone 91.
• the depositing zones 9, 90, 91 can form sections of the receiving conveyor 6, separated by free zones for transporting products 1 by said receiving conveyor 6. Between the drop zones 9,90,91, the products 1 can be partially grouped.
• Circuit 8 can also include one or more portions along one or more return paths. The outward and return paths are connected so as to form a closed circuit 8.
• the circuit 8 can also include additional portions, making it possible to extract products 1, in particular with a view to their sampling or else if they are non-compliant, or else for reasons inherent in production.
• the movement of the products 1 along the circuit is effected by suitable mobile supports.
• said grouping device 2 comprises shuttles for preferentially individual reception of each of said products 1.
• the same shuttle can receive several products 1 and move them simultaneously along the circuit 8.
• the products 1 can be gripped to hold and / or lock the products 1 during their transport, in particular by each shuttle which is then equipped with suitable means, in particular in the form of a clamp coming from cooperate with each product 1, such as for example at the neck or stopper for a product 1 of the bottle type.
• At least a portion of said circuit 8 can comprise a linear motor.
• the shuttles of the regrouping device 2 then cooperate with each portion provided with said linear motor.
• all the portions of circuit 8 include a linear motor.
• This type of linear motorization technology makes it possible in particular to independently manage the movements of each shuttle along the circuit 8, ensuring flexibility in the movements of the products 1 that they transport.
• This technology also makes it possible to move the shuttles more quickly along the return path (s), with a view to their recycling, when they are empty, to return to take charge of products 1 at entry 5 and then return to the where the paths go.
• the grouping device 2 comprises means 10 for the individual transfer of said products 1 from said inlet 5 to said circuit 8.
• a transfer means 10 extends along a transfer zone.
• Such a transfer zone is in particular situated between the return path (s) and the outward path (s) of circuit 8.
• the transfer means 10 ensures the handling of the products 1, one by one, from the incoming single-line flow. at input 5, in order to send them to circuit 8, in particular by placing each product 1 on board a shuttle. Therefore, the transfer means 10 ensures synchronization between the products 1 moved by the
• this synchronization can be supplemented by a modification of the displacement of each shuttle as it passes through said transfer zone, in order to facilitate the handling of each product 1.
• said transfer means 10 comprises a transfer wheel 11 provided with means for receiving the unit of each product 1. Said transfer wheel 11 is actuated in rotation, rotating for take charge of the products 1 of the single-line flow one after the other appearing at the input 5.
• This support is carried out by said receiving means, configured to accompany the products 1 during this transfer, for example in the form of housings or cells distributed regularly around the periphery of said transfer wheel 1 1.
• the receiving means may comprise a gripping of part of the products 1, for example in the form of a clamp gripping the body of the products 1, or else the neck or neck of products 1 of the flask or bottle type.
• the transfer wheel 11 is positioned relative to the inlet 5 so that the receiving means align with the products 1 to take them over.
• Such an alignment can be tangential or substantially tangential.
• the transfer means 10 is specific to the grouping device 2; in short, it comprises a wheel which is distinct from the wheel of the last station located upstream.
• the grouping device 2 is installed so that the transfer means 10 is shared with the last upstream station; the transfer wheel 11 is then formed by the last wheel of said upstream station and it is the circuit 8 which is installed jointly in order to adapt to said upstream station, such as for example a filler-capper or a labeling machine.
• the transfer means 10 in particular through its transfer wheel 11, makes it possible to select one by one the products 1 of the single-line flow, in order to send them to the circuit 8.
• said circuit 8 may comprise, over at least part of said transfer zone, a section extending tangentially to said transfer wheel 11.
• said tangential section is located near the periphery of the transfer wheel 11, so that the path of the shuttles along this tangential section is aligned or vis-à-vis the receiving means. of the wheel 11.
• the products 1 taken over from the inlet 5 by the transfer means 10 can then be transferred to each shuttle which circulates along the circuit 8, at this tangent portion within said transfer zone .
• the tangential section extends transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of movement of the single-line flow of products 1 by the conveyor 3.
• Other configurations can be envisaged, in particular with a tangential section s 'extending longitudinally or in an inclined manner relative to the direction of movement of the products 1, in particular induced by the conveyor 3.
• the entrance 5 sees the corridor 4 of the conveyor 3 provided with a curvature in order to orient the products 1 along a path
• the invention provides for managing the grouping of products 1, by ensuring in particular a division of the single-line flow into several distinct flows.
• said circuit 8 comprises a first loop and at least one second loop located downstream of said transfer means 10 with respect to said direction of movement.
• At least said first loop extends along at least said first deposit zone 9.
• the same loop can extend along a single or several drop zones 9,90,91, or each loop can extend along one or more drop zones 9 , 90.91.
• the first loop and second loop extend on either side of said receiving conveyor 6 longitudinally along said first deposit zone 9.
• the first loop and second loop extend substantially symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal median axis of said receiving conveyor 6, on each side of its longitudinal edges.
• the circuit 8 comprises loops extending longitudinally on either side of said receiving conveyor 6 along said first depositing zone 9 and said second depositing zone 90. More particularly, a first loop extends inferiorly to the first depositing zone 9, a second loop extends inferiorly to the second depositing area 90, a third loop extends superiorly to the first zone. 9 deposit and a fourth loop extends superiorly to the second deposit zone 90.
• the circuit 8 comprises below a first loop extending at the level of the first deposit zone 9, a second loop extending at the level of the second deposit zone 90 and a third loop extending at the level of the third deposit zone 91.
• Circuit 8 can symmetrically comprise other loops in the upper part, not shown.
• the products 1 can circulate towards at least one or the other of the first loop, second loop, third loop by means of independent or joint portions .
• first loop and the second loop may comprise at least one common recycling portion extending from a portion situated downstream of said first depositing zone 9 up to said transfer means 10. Consequently, each loop can share a recycling portion with another loop, as a single lane of shuttle traffic. This sharing makes it possible in particular to optimize the lengths of the portions of the return paths.
• the first loop and second lower loop share a common recycling portion, while the third loop and fourth upper loop share another common recycling portion.
• the loops share a common recycling portion, with for the first loop another recycling portion which corresponds to a forward portion for conveying the products 1 to the second loop and third loop, while the second loop comprises yet another common recycling portion with a short portion of routing of it produces 1 to the third loop; some shuttles then circulate with products 1 to a next loop while other shuttles circulate empty with a view to their recycling without going through said next loop.
• the first loop comprises a first recycling portion
• the second loop comprises a second recycling portion
• the first and second recycling portions being distinct, namely specific to a loop.
• the first loop and the second loop comprise a common section 12.
• the loops share at least along said common section 12 a portion of circuit 8, in particular by means of a single shuttle traffic lane or else separate but contiguous lanes, having substantially parallel paths. .
• Such a common section 12 is preferably located at the level of the transfer means 10.
• the common section 12 can extend along said transfer zone or else downstream of this transfer zone, just after.
• the grouping device 2 comprises a means for managing, at least along said common section 12, the sending of a product 1 from the transfer means 10 to the first loop or to the second loop.
• the management means make it possible to send said transferred product 1 to one or the other of the loops.
• the management means thus make it possible to divide the single-line flow of products 1 by distributing it, evenly or not, along the loops of circuit 8.
• a product 1 is taken over by the transfer means 10, in particular its transfer wheel 11, to be received by a shuttle.
• the management means then ensure the sending of a shuttle to the circuit 8 by directing it towards one or the other of the loops of said circuit 8, namely by directing it towards the first loop or towards the second loop .
• the circuit 8 may include switches between the loops, allowing, when they are actuated, to define a path of movement of the shuttles to one or the other of said loops.
• Such switches can be provided mechanical, but present themselves preferably in electromagnetic form, coupled with the linear motorization of the sections of circuit 8.
• the shuttles are then removable with respect to their travel lane, being able to move along a first lane and be routed to another lane, in particular parallel to the lane. along which they continue to move.
• the management means can equally send one product out of two to the first loop and the second loop, or else send more products 1 to one or the other.
• the grouping device 2 comprises a second depositing zone 90 situated downstream of said depositing zone 9.
• Said circuit 8 comprises at least one third loop situated downstream of said transfer means 10, said third loop extending at least along said second depositing zone 90, on one side of said receiving conveyor 6.
• said third loop comprises said common sections 12, said management means sending a product 1 from said transfer means 10 to said third loop.
• the products 1 can be selected as a function of a parameter linked to the specificity of said products 1, in particular their volume or their type of content, their label or the like.
• a selection can be carried out by a dedicated detection means located at the level of the input 5 making it possible to identify and distribute the products 1 to one or the other loop according to the detected characteristic.
• FIG. 3 shows in particular a possible selection of products 1, two of which are sent to a lower loop and two following are sent to an upper loop.
• the grouping device 2 makes it possible to dispense with a conventional lane setting followed by a selection in one or more rows forming successive batches of grouped products 1.
• the grouping device 2 comprises, at the level of each depositing zone 9, 90, 91, along the corresponding loop which runs along it, corresponding depositing means, not shown.
• Each depositing means makes it possible to transfer one or more products 1 from the same corresponding loop in order to deposit them on the surface of the receiving conveyor 6.
• each depositing means makes it possible to simultaneously transfer several products 1 from several shuttles in order to position them on said receiving conveyor 6.
• the same loop can comprise several successive depositing means within the same depositing zone 9, 90, 91, a first means making it possible to deposit a first row of arriving products 1 and a second means making it possible to deposit a second row of products shipped next.
• each depositing means can comprise an arm ensuring the transverse displacement of the products 1 from one or more shuttles to the receiving conveyor 6.
• the shuttles can be stopped or continue to advance, in order to accompany the start of the transverse removal movement.
• the transverse laying distance can be adjusted, allowing products 1 to be deposited at different locations depending on the width of the receiving conveyor 6.
• the same depositing zone 9, 90, 91 when they pass through the same loop, it is possible to deposit a first row of products 1 at the start. zone to a first lateral position, then depositing another row arriving behind at another lateral position, for example in a contiguous manner with said first row, by aligning or not transversely the products 1, to form a group of two rows of products 1.
• This same deposit configuration can be obtained or combined with a first deposit zone 9 followed by another deposit zone 90, 91.
• the corresponding means deposits a first row of products 1 in a lateral position, then once the first row has been moved by the reception conveyor 6 up to the next depositing zone 90,91, a means corresponding to another loop deposits another row of products 1 at another lateral position, forming a group.
• the grouping device 2 can comprise loops distributed symmetrically on either side of the length of the receiving conveyor 6, which can perform one or more deposits simultaneously on each side, as can be seen in FIGS. 1. and 2 below and above.
• Such removal operations can be adapted according to the groups of products 1 to be obtained, in particular from the rate of the single-line flow at the input 5, but also from the number of loops present in the circuit 8 and / or in use. .
• the management means make it possible to distribute the products 1 to the loops in order to obtain the desired grouping.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=68138184

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

Family Cites Families (9)

• 2019
  • 2019-03-19 FR FR1902803A patent/FR3094007B1/fr active Active
• 2020
  • 2020-03-13 EP EP20710165.0A patent/EP3941859A1/fr active Pending
  • 2020-03-13 CN CN202080023362.6A patent/CN113614007B/zh active Active
  • 2020-03-13 WO PCT/EP2020/056952 patent/WO2020187784A1/fr unknown

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