FR2468519A1 - ARRANGEMENT FOR STORING FLAT OBJECTS, PARTICULARLY SEALING JOINTS, METHOD FOR COLLECTING OBJECTS OF SUCH ARRANGEMENT, AND DEVICE FOR IMPLEMENTING SAID METHOD - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement intended for the storage of flat objects, circular, annular or button-shaped, more particularly seals such as O-rings 2 intended for pneumatic or hydraulic installations and devices. This arrangement consists of the joining of a certain number of objects in a unit of easy handling, the objects being juxtaposed in line to form a strip or a chain capable of being wound up in a compact body 18, or superimposed in a column. in a variant. Each object is connected to neighboring objects by at least one material bridge 8 and 9 which can be easily broken, which makes it possible to take the objects one by one, to bring them automatically to an assembly station.

Description

24685 19

  The present invention relates to an arrangement for storing flat objects preferably made of synthetic material, for example by injection or press, of circular, annular or button shape, such as closure caps, decorative buttons for furniture and furniture fittings, but more particularly flat, o-ring, or other

  pneumatic or hydraulic apparatus and installations.

  The invention further relates to a method for the one-off collection of the objects stored in the form of the aforementioned arrangement, and for the establishment of these objects, immediately after their removal. Finally, the invention also relates to a device for setting

of this process.

  In the most frequent case, the objects or articles of the type considered here, for example the O-rings intended for pneumatic or hydraulic apparatuses and installations, are packaged and delivered "in bulk" in sachets, a sachet containing a large number of objects without connection to each other. These objects must be extracted one by one from the bag, and put in place manually at the location intended to receive them. The disadvantage of such a presentation "loose" objects is that they are not pre-oriented at the time of their extraction of the bag, so that we can use automatic sampling and mounting devices. These present conditions of packaging and use are particularly unfavorable in the case of seals, including O-rings or flat used in the realization of devices and pneumatic or hydraulic systems, since in this case kind of applications the arrangements to be made for the assembly have a very unfavorable repercussions on the cost of manufacture. The object of the present invention is to overcome these disadvantages, by providing an arrangement for the storage of objects of the kind considered here which allows

24685 1 9

  automation of the handling of o-rings or the like, which is of great economic importance especially in the field of handling non-metallic products. The invention also proposes to provide a method and a device which also contribute to facilitating the assembly of objects of the kind

indicated above.

  For this purpose, the invention essentially proposes an arrangement which combines a certain number of objects to be stored in a unit of easy handling, in which the objects are juxtaposed in line or superimposed in a column, each of them being connected to the object or neighboring objects by at least one bridge of material or a connection zone which can be easily broken, for example by a part of least resistance. This arrangement makes it possible to advance the stored objects to their place of installation, and to separate each time the first object of the next, by cutting the bridge or the connection zone, in its weakest part, to carry out the assembly. ; the placement of the object thus separated, at the desired location, can therefore be done in a position suitably

oriented of this object.

  In a preferred embodiment of the storage arrangement according to the invention, more particularly applicable to O-ring seals, said seals are arranged one after the other, to realize a configuration in strip or chain of large length, capable of being wound into a compact body, each joint except the first and the last being joined by a bridge or a connecting zone, in the longitudinal direction of the strip or chain configuration, with the two adjacent joints. The handling of joints

  thus grouped and stored is particularly simple.

  In the case of seals providing so-called "static" seals, the bridges or connecting zones between two consecutive seals can be located, without disadvantages, on a line which coincides with the axis

  median band or string configuration.

  On the other hand, in the case of seals providing so-called "dynamic" seals, the bridges or connecting zones between two consecutive seals will advantageously be located on a line that does not coincide with the median axis of the strip configuration or chain,

  this line preferably being parallel to the median axis.

  In this embodiment, the rupture zones remain remote from the parts, located at the periphery of the seal, which serve for guiding and sealing during

  movements of the part bearing the seal.

  According to another embodiment of the storage arrangement according to the invention, which is also suitable for seals and more particularly O-rings, the seals are applied against one another or are turned towards each other. others, by their flat faces, to be joined in a stack for example vertical or horizontal, each seal of the stack comprising, on its or its flat faces facing towards a neighboring joint, at least one bridge or a

  connecting zone with the adjacent joint (s).

  The bridge or connecting area may, in the latter

  case, be unique and have a circular shape, correspond to

  to that of the joints. Each flat face of a joint may also comprise one or more bridges or connection zones, practically punctual. As a variant, each flat face of a joint may also comprise two bridges or connection zones, diametrically opposite, in the form of arcs of a circle. The method according to the invention, for one-to-one sampling of the objects stored in the form of the arrangement defined above, and for the placement of these objects, is characterized in that the line or the column of objects is moved "step by step" along its median axis, the advancement step being chosen equal to the distance, measured along the direction of advancement, between the median planes of two consecutive objects, while the time interval between two movements of advance is adapted to the rate of the machines or devices placed downstream, the line or the column of objects thus being brought to a separation station, where the breaking of the bridge or the zone of connection, possibly bridges or connecting areas, between the first object that presents itself and the one that arrives immediately after, and in that the separate object is then pushed or transferred, in the oriented position, to a mounting station, where is set up on a support , for example on a mechanical part. The implementation of this process may be such that, particularly in the case of seals, for example O-rings, the object travels, between the separation station and the assembly station, an additional lubrication station or lubricating oil, where it is lubricated or lubricated, for example by a mist of oil sprayed by means of a nozzle or the like. The method according to the invention allows in a simple way, and with simple means, a substantially fully automatic supply of O-rings or similar sealing elements, up to the part intended to support them. This method can be implemented, in a particularly advantageous manner, by means of a device which is also an integral part of the present invention and shaped in the manner of a pistol with expelling mechanism, to which are brought "step by step" , at the rate of machinery or devices placed downstream, the seals such as O-rings, joined in line or in column, the device in question separating the first seal from the remainder of the line or column of seals, and the transferant in the oriented position towards the mounting station. The expeller mechanism comprises, for example, a profiled finger which "engages" the first seal, after its separation, and which holds it during its transfer to the assembly station, where the seal is

  then set up on the piece intended to receive it.

  The realization of such a device is simple, and its

operation is safe and reliable.

  In any case, the invention will be better understood

  using the following description, with reference to the drawing

  schematic annexed representing, by way of non-limiting example, a few embodiments of this storage arrangement, and also illustrating the implementation of the sampling method according to the invention: Figure 1 is a very schematic side view, with section partially, of a first embodiment of the storage arrangement according to the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view from above of the storage arrangement according to Figure 1; Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1, showing a variant of the previous arrangement; 4 is a plan view from above and very schematically, another variant of the arrangement

FIGS. 1 and g.

  Figure 5 illustrates, in the form of a cat view, in section and at scale a.andie, application of the variant according to úigure, Figure 6 illustrates, ga'ecawen in the form of a side view, in section and enlarged scale, an application of the invention according to FIG. 2; -Legude 7: e '! <senteO side view and passing section

  by l9a.e: nrcore another variente agncemn-

  of ae obet '-, .. i gigure g eb a ... e r- =, u. above the ageneration 7; FIG. 9 shows, in section and in section, a detail of the device intended for implementing the sampling method according to the invention; Figures 10 and 11 show, also in side view, and very schematically, two last forms of

embodiment of the invention.

  The drawing shows, in FIGS. 1 and 2, an arrangement 1 constituted by a series of O-rings 2,

24685 1 9

  made of synthetic material, for example by injection or press. Instead of an arrangement for the storage of O-rings 2, it is also possible to envisage, as shown in FIG. 3, a similar arrangement 3 applied to flat seals 4. Instead of such O-rings or flat seals, the invention could also be applied to other known types of joints. In general, all the joints to which the invention applies are mainly used in pneumatic or hydraulic installations. However, the arrangement can also be applied to other objects in the form of rings or buttons, for example closure caps 5 for tapped holes, which is the case of the arrangement shown in FIG. 10, or still decorative buttons 7 for furniture and furniture fittings,

as shown in Figure 11.

  In all cases of application, the storage arrangement object of the invention combines a number of objects in a unit of easy handling, these objects being arranged in line (see Figures 1, 2 and 3) or optionally in column (according to Figures 7 and 8), so next to each other or above the others; these objects are joined to each other by material bridges or connecting zones 8, 9 (FIGS. 1 and 2), 10, 11 (FIG. 3), 12, 13 (FIG. 4), 15, 16 (FIGS. 8) or 17 (FIG. 10), which preferably can be easily broken, and which for this purpose comprise a part of least resistance, or are themselves

  shaped into easily cutable elements.

  In the arrangements according to FIGS. 1 to 4, the joints are arranged one after the other, in order to realize a configuration in strip or chain of great length which, as shown in FIG. 1, can be rolled up to form a body compact 18. It is provided, on either side of each joint, in the longitudinal direction of the strip or chain configuration, bridges or connecting zones 8, or 10, 11 or 12, 13

  with the two adjacent joints. Of course, the first -

  seal and the last seal of the series are an exception to the above because they have only one bridge or

only link zone.

  The arrangement according to FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises, between the consecutive O-rings 2, bridges or connecting zones 8, 9 situated on a line which coincides with the median axis 19 of the strip or chain configuration. In this case, after rupture of the bridges or connection zones thus located on the median axis of the strip or chain, we obtain asperities which are precisely at the periphery of the O-rings 2, and which harm the functions guaranteed guiding and sealing

  by these joints, in the case of joints called "dynamic".

  For this reason, the storage arrangement according to FIGS. 1 and 2 must be especially applied to so-called "static" seals, such as the O-ring 20 of the

  Figure 6, arranged between two parts 21 and 22.

  If it is desired to apply the invention to the storage of "dynamic" seals, advantageously, as shown in FIG. 4, the bridges or connecting zones 12, 13, between two consecutive seals, are located on a line 23. not coinciding with the median axis 24 of the strip or chain configuration, this line 23 being preferably parallel to the median axis 24. In this case, the asperities 2 resulting from the rupture (see FIG. on the mounted seal, in a place that is not used for guiding and sealing on the fixed part 26, during the movements of the moving part 27 which carries the

seal.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in the case of application to seals, and more particularly to O-rings, the storage arrangement which is the subject of the invention can also join the seals 25, 26, 27 , such that they are applied against each other, or are at least closely approximated, by their flat faces 28, 29, to form a

24685 1 9

  vertical stacking, or possibly a horizontal stack. As further shown in Figures 7 and 8, each seal of the stack comprises, on its plane face or faces facing towards a neighboring seal, at least one bridge or a connecting zone 15, 16 with the adjacent seal or seals. Each bridge or connecting zone 15, 16 may have an arcuate shape, corresponding to the diameter of the joints, and there are for example two such diametrically opposite bridges or connecting zones, according to FIG. 8. Bridges or zones link can also be entirely circular in shape, or remain practically punctual, the latter provision being revealed

  particularly advantageous in certain cases of application

  tion. In order to take the objects, such as O-rings, one by one from the storage arrangement shown in the figures previously described, and then to set up these seals, a method also forming part of the present invention is used. the line or the column of joints is advanced "step by step" along its median axis, as indicated by the arrow 30 (FIG. 1), the advancement steps being chosen so that they correspond to the distance, measured along the direction of travel, which separates the parallel median planes from two consecutive joints, i.e., the distance indicated in Figure 1 (in-line joints) or the indicated distance b in Figure 7 ( case of joints in column), while the time interval between two advance movements is adapted to the rate of the machines or devices placed downstream. The band or chain of joints, or the stack of joints, are thus brought to a separation station, where breaks the bridge or the connection zone between the first object that presents itself and the object that arrives immediately after (possibly: breakage of bridges or zones of

link between these two objects).

  At this separation station, a device such as a pistol or other percussion apparatus, powered by the seals or other objects and having an ejector mechanism is used. The seals or others, joined in line or in column, are brought "step by step" to this mechanism, at the operating rate of the machines or devices placed downstream; the mechanism in question separates the first object from the line or coloiine, and it

  trays, in the oriented position, to the assembly station.

  The separation of the first object can be effected by means of a punch moved abruptly, using an explosive product. In the case where the objects are joined by parts of very low resistance, especially with a pre-cut line, the separation can also be obtained by a simple jet of compressed air. In all cases, the object separated from the remainder of the line or column is pushed or transferred, in a properly oriented position, to the mounting station, where it is placed on the support, for example a mechanical part, intended to receive it. To push or transfer the object to the assembly station, it is possible to simply use compressed air6. However, it is also possible to use a profiled finger, such as that indicated at 2 in FIG. 9, which tilches "at each cycle the first joint of the line or column, after the separation thereof, and which laiieient the joint during its advance movement following the arrow 38, thanks to its part Z of reduced diameter, po éuistete put in place the seal in or on the room intended to receive it to the assembly station. In cases where it is useful to lubricate or grease the joint, provision is made, according to an embodiment of the method according to the invention, to move the seal between the separation station and the assembly station to a additional lubrication or lubrication station Here, the seal is lubricated or lubricated for example by means of a nozzle or the like,

  which makes it possible to spray a mist of oil.

Claims (8)

  1. Arrangement for storing flat objects made preferably of synthetic material, for example by injection or press, of circular, annular or button form, such as closure caps, decorative buttons for furniture and fittings furniture, but more particularly seals, O-rings, flat or other, for pneumatic or hydraulic apparatus and installations, characterized in that it combines a number of these objects (2;) j; 5; 25 to 27) in a unit of easy handling, in which the objects are juxtaposed in line or superimposed in column, each of them being joined to the object or neighboring objects by at least one bridge of material or a zone of bond (8, 9; 10, 11; 12, 13; 15, 16; 17) which can be easily broken, for example by a part of lower strength. 2.A storage arrangement according to claim 1, more particularly applied to O-rings, characterized in that said seals (2) are arranged one after the other, to perform a configuration (1) in strip or in a long chain, capable of being wound into a compact body (18), each seal (2) except the first and the last being joined by a bridge or a connecting zone (8, 9), in the longitudinal direction of the band or string configuration, with the two adjacent joints.   3.- storage arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that the bridges or areas (8, 9) connecting between two seals (2) consecutive are located on a line which coincides with the central axis (19). )   band or string configuration.   Storage arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that the connecting bridges or zones (12, 13) between two consecutive seals are located on a line (23) not coinciding with the central axis ( 2x) of the strip or chain configuration, this line (23) being preferably parallel to the axis median (24).   5.- storage arrangement according to claim 1, more particularly applied to O-rings, characterized in that the seals (25, 26, 27) are applied against each other, or are turned towards each other others, by their planar faces (28, 29), to be united in a stack for example vertical or horizontal, each seal of the stack comprising, on its or two planar faces turned towards a neighboring joint, at least one bridge or a connection zone (15, 16) with the or adjacent joints.   6. Storage arrangement according to claim 5, characterized in that the bridges or the connecting zones   have a circular shape, corresponding to that of the joints.   7. Arrangement s sacking according to claim 5, characterized in that each flat face of a seal comprises one or more bridges or connecting areas, practically punctual.   8.- storage arrangement according to claim 5, characterized in that each flat face (28, 29) of a seal (25, 26, 27) comprises two bridges or connecting zones (15, 16), diametrically opposite, arc-shaped circle.   9.- Method for the one-off collection of stored objects in the form of the arrangement according to one   any of claims 1 to 8, and for the implementation of   place of these objects, characterized in that the line or column of objects (2; 4; 5; 25 to 27) is moved "step by step" along its median axis (19; 24), the step of advancement being chosen equal to the distance (a; b), measured along the direction of advance (30), between the median planes of two consecutive objects, while the time interval between two advance movements is adapted to the rate machines or devices placed downstream, the line or column of objects thus being brought to a separation station, where the breaking of the bridge or the zone (8, 9; 10, 11; 12, 13 15, 16, 17), possibly bridges or connecting zones, between the first object that presents itself and the one that arrives immediately afterwards, and in that the separated object is then pushed or transferred, in the oriented position, to an assembly station, where it is set up on its support, for example on a mechanical part, while, in particular in the case of joi In the case of sealing rings, in particular O-rings, the object travels between the separation station and the mounting station by means of an additional lubrication or lubrication station, where it is lubricated or lubricated, for example by a mist of water. oil sprayed by means of a nozzle or the like.  10. A device for carrying out the method according to claim 9, characterized in that it is shaped in the manner of a pistol with expelling mechanism, which are brought "step by step" at the rate of the machines or downstream devices, seals such as O-rings, joined in line or column, the device in question separating the first seal from the remainder of the line or column of seals, and transferring it, in the oriented position, to the mounting station, said expelling mechanism preferably comprising a profiled finger (35) which "engages" the first seal (36), after its separation, and which holds it during its transfer to the assembly station, where the seal is then set up on the piece intended to receive it.