FR2524441A3 - Inserting layer sepg. sheet when loading can steriliser cage - by horizontally advancing bottom sheet from gravity feed magazine stack - Google Patents

Abstract

A machine is described for loading a portable cage to be returned to a steriliser complete with containers. The containers are formed into superimposed layers with interlayers sepg. sheets. The cage is located alongside a magazine contg. a stack of sepg. sheets from which a horizontally reciprocating pusher advances one sheet at a time on top of a full layer of containers conveyed on to the top of the previous sheet. The magazine comprises a vertical enclosure guide for the stack of sheets which descend by gravity on to a reciprocable carrier plate equipped with pusher dogs. The carrier plate slides in guides at a height which positions the newly-transferred sepg. sheet above the top layer of containers. The carrier plate is pref. slidable on top of support bed providing reduced friction. The drive dogs are pref. retractable into the carrier plate against spring loading. The gravity feed of sheets from a stack above the pusher requires less costly mechanism and less operational energy than raising a stack below the level of the pusher. It is easier to ensure the delivery of each sheet at a correct fixed height.

Description

Loading device for sterilization baskets.

The present invention relates to a device for loading sterilization baskets of containers or objects1 which are stacked in the sterilization baskets in successive layers with insertion of an intermediate plate, and in which are next to a sterilization basket a magazine for a stack of intermediate plates and a sliding member, which being brought above the sterilization basket slides an intermediate plate on the upper layer of containers or objects, and there is provided a conveyor at one end of which the containers or objects accumulate and, after being released, are transferred to an intermediate plate in the sterilization basket, which is arranged in line with the conveyor.

A loading device of this kind is described in German Patent No. 2,650,882 and the German Utility Model No. 7,819,117. Each of these also shows that the containers are guided by means of a conveyor equipped with a conveyor belt on one side to a container retaining member controlled so as to be mobile and disposed in front of the area where the sterilization basket is located. After being accumulated, a group of containers or objects is released as a whole.

1 is also known ue the sterilization basket has an open bottom through which acts a lifting mechanism controlled in a clocked manner and carrying a bottom plate, movable in height, of the sterilization basket. In its lowest position, this bottom plate can be supported by supports from the sterilization basket. These characteristics also apply to the loading device according to the invention.

In known construction methods, a stack of intermediate plates is placed in a store, under the plane of the transport path, on a lifting mechanism capable of being controlled in a known manner, and an organ associated with the upper side sliding which can perform back and forth movements in side bars under the action of a control mechanism so as to slide each time by clocked control an intermediate plate on a layer of containers or objects.

This construction method is not only expensive, if only because of the lifting mechanism for the stack of intermediate plates, but also poses problems with regard to the introduction of new intermediate plates since it requires a shutdown. of operation.

The fact of sliding intermediate places directly on a layer of containers or objects is also very problematic since the top of the layer is not always regular so that jamming can occur. This is due to the fact that it is always the upper intermediate plate which is slid by the sliding member, without height guidance, out of the stack of intermediate plates. In another loading device are also provided loading trays for bringing a set of containers or objects above the sterilization basket. This known embodiment also has drawbacks since the intermediate plates must each time be placed by hand.

The object of the present invention is to improve a loading device of the kind indicated above so that the known guiding of intermediate plates is simplified and at the same time carried out so that the stack of intermediate plates can each time be easily completed, the intermediate plates can also be brought above the layer of containers or objects without coming into contact with the top thereof.

This object is achieved according to the invention, for a device intended for loading sterilization baskets of containers or objects, which are stacked in the sterilization baskets in successive layers with insertion of an intermediate plate, and in which are located next to a sterilization basket a magazine for a stack of intermediate plates and a sliding member, which being brought above the sterilization basket slides an intermediate plate on the upper layer of containers or objects, and provision is made a conveyor at one end of which the containers or objects accumulate and, after being released, are transferred to an intermediate plate in the sterilization basket, which is arranged in the extension of the conveyor, by the fact that the store presents a guide, oriented upwards above the plane of the transport route, for a stack of intermediate plates descending under the effect of gravity and that in the lateral guides formed in the side members of the device, a loading platform equipped with a control mechanism can be moved back and forth between a position located above the sterilization basket and another position located at the - below the stack of intermediate plates and has tabs for an intermediate plate.

 It is thus possible first of all to search for the guide always of intermediate plates from above. In addition, without any lifting mechanism, an intermediate plate always arrives in the position where it is ready to be brought to the layer of containers or objects. In this respect, the loading platform ensures that the intermediate plate is placed first above the layer of containers or objects without touching the top of the layer, after which the loading platform placed under the intermediate plate is brought back under the stack of intermediate plates. The result is a surprising solution due to the simplicity of its construction and its efficiency.

Preferably, the magazine guide for the intermediate plates has a bottom on which the loading plate is movable. It is thus obtained that the loading plate is always placed under the lowest intermediate plate of the stack and c; in addition the lateral guides provided in the frame of the device are not subjected to excessive stress when the plate load is brought under the stack of intermediate plates.

 It is also within the scope of the invention that the bottom has a means of reducing friction, whether it is a coating or small rollers.

The cleats are advantageously wedge-shaped with an upper face descending along a slope towards the plane of the loading platform on the side of the edge of the loading platform by which the latter can be engaged under the magazine for intermediate plates. We thus obtain at the same time that the loading plate can be placed under the stack of intermediate plates by lifting this p-it slightly.

The guide for the stack of intermediate plates is advantageously made in the form of a box and has a slot-shaped opening on the lower side of the wall located next to the sterilization basket.

The loading device comprises side members which extend from the conveyor on both sides of the space for the sterilization basket. Preferably, a control mechanism for the loading platform is mounted in a spar of the device with a means of associating with this mechanism on the control plane a lifting device capable of being controlled in a clocked manner which is located at the loading station in the area of the sterilization basket, which has an open bottom for the passage of the lifting device.

With regard to the control mechanism of the loading platform, it is within the scope of the invention to provide a control clocked with strokes of different lengths so that in the case of a shorter return stroke of the loading platform. loading under the stack of intermediate plates the tabs do not pass beyond the rear edge of the stack of intermediate plates so that during the next forward stroke the location above the sterilization basket is reached without plate intermediate and so as to allow the reception of a set of containers and / or objects.

Advantageously, the connection between the control mechanism and the loading platform is made with a flat adjoining element extending in the plane of the loading platform or is arranged at an edge, for example in the vicinity of the tabs, so as to be able to pass next to the stack of intermediate plates.

The loading plate advantageously has a chamfer at its front edge intended to be brought to the sterilization basket. The loading platform fulfills several functions and offers, above all in combination with a stack of intermediate plates, the advantage that the latter can be arranged at the top and that the lowest intermediate plate can be removed from the stack from below.

In this regard, it should be noted that the term "loading tray" also includes a flat tray having openings in its central part, although it is preferable to use a loading tray extending continuously over all its extent.

rushing to the multiple advantages of the loading platform, it is provided according to a particular embodiment- that
the tabs are mounted in the loading tray so that it can drown in it and the loading tray can be stopped above the sterilization basket to receive a grip of containers or objects and can be removed for allow the set of containers or objects to be placed in the sterilization basket. As regards the means allowing the cleats to drown in the loading tray, the latter are preferably made in the form of ribbons or of hollow carp attached in an articulated way to the loading platform so that their other end can be raised. In this respect it is advantageous that the end capable of being raised is subjected to the action of a spring. It is also possible to provide a member of the cam or spreader lever type for which a control motor is mounted on an edge of the loading platform. During the return stroke of the plate under the stack of intermediate plates, the tabs are pressed against the action of the spring.

Advance movement of the loading platform without an intermediate plate is particularly recommended when it comes to introducing the first set of containers or objects into a sterilization basket, taking into account that the plate forming the bottom risks not to be kept perfectly horizontal. With regard to the intermediate layers of the set of containers or objects, the advantage is also obtained that, when objects or containers having height tolerances form a support plane for an intermediate plate, possibly not having perfect horizontality, which is then of course compensated for in the entire stack, a group of containers or objects can be transferred from the conveyor plane on the loading platform and then be deposited.

The invention is explained in more detail below with the aid of an exemplary embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partially schematic, of the loading device for sterilization baskets during the 'introduction of a first group of containers or objects Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but which does not show a sterilization basket to better show the guidance and arrangement of the loading tray with its control mechanism1 certain parts being torn off; and Figure 3 is a partial view, in section along the line
III of Figure 2, of the loading plate at a cleat.

Identical elements of the two figures are designated by the same reference numerals.

The loading device comprises a frame 1 which ends on one side with a conveyor 2 equipped with a rotating feed strip. This ends in front of a zone situated above a sterilization basket 3. On the other side of this zone, that is to say on the side remote from the conveyor, a stack 4 of intermediate plates is provided. This stack extends upwards above the plane of the conveyor belt 2 so that the various intermediate plates, one of which is visible in FIG. 1 as an upper plate, while the edges of the other plates are indicated by 6, descend successively under the effect of gravity.

The device comprises two longitudinal members 7 and 8, the first of which is partially broken away in FIG. 2. In this figure is visible the box-shaped guide 9 for the stack of intermediate plates, which guide has in its wall 10 contiguous with the area of the sterilization basket, at the bottom, a slot-shaped opening 11 through which an intermediate plate 12 can be slid. This is the lowest intermediate plate of the stack shown in FIG. 1.

According to Figure 2 this intermediate plate is on a loading plate 13 which is movable back and forth in the direction of the double arrow 14 inside the side members by a hydraulic or pneumatic control mechanism 15 The loading plate 13 has, at its end situated on the right in FIG. 2, two tabs 16 and 17 which are arranged in the form of wedges and have a steep side, on the left in FIG. 2, for driving an intermediate plate 12 during the movement to the left, while the wedge-shaped back of the cleats allows movement back under the stack of intermediate plates.

The control mechanism 15 can be adjusted for strokes of different lengths so that sometimes the tabs 16 and 17 are brought behind the right edge of the stack to screen an intermediate plate and sometimes, during a following stroke without an intermediate plate, they are left under the pile near this edge.

The tabs 16 and 17 are arranged for example in openings 18, 19 of the loading platform so as to be movable up and down or capable of tilting outwards so that during the movement of the loading platform under the stack of intermediate plates they can drown in the tray. In the raised position, the tabs can be supported by springs 34 so as to be pushed in when returning under the stack of intermediate plates and to straighten behind this stack.

 I1 can also be provided an automatic control by putting the cleats during a back and forth movement to be maintained so as to be able to drown under the top of the loading platform. For this purpose can be used cams or spreaders mounted on the loading platform.

The control mechanism 15 is produced in the form of a jack.

On the piston rod 20 is a means 21 for connecting it to the loading plate 13. This connection means engages at a rear angle so that it can pass next to the stack of intermediate plates or else it is connected to the loading platform by means of a flat adjoining element which extends in the plane of the loading platform.

Figure 3 shows a detail of the loading plate 13 having the opening 19 and the cleat 17 disposed therein. This cleat is fixed at 33 in an articulated manner to the loading plate 13 and is subjected to the action of a support spring 34 so that the free end rises above the loading plate in the event of disengagement according to FIG. 3 but is pressed during the return movement under the stack of intermediate plates. If the cleat 17 is made in the form of a ribbon, there is provided at its free end at least one front wall oriented downwards which forms an uninterrupted stop for one edge of the stack of intermediate plates. In this respect it is also possible to provide side walls at the level where the cleat protrudes above the upper side of the loading plate 13.

It appears from the figures that in the frame 1 the sterilization basket 3 can be introduced by means of a cage frame in the form of a carriage 22, for which a guide and locking means 23 are provided, on bars 24 and 25 Between the bars is a carrier plate 26 on a scissor-type lifting device 27 which can be brought up through an opening in the bottom of the sterilization basket 3 and entine the plate forming the bottom of the sterilization basket to receive the layers formed by groups of containers or of objects. When the sterilization basket is introduced, a member 28 for blocking the basket is inserted. After the intrusive introduction of the sterilization basket, this member maintains the basket in its position and can trigger the control mechanisms for other movements.
At the end of the conveyor is a retaining member 29 controlled in a clocked fashion and in front of which the brought containers 30 accumulate before being released in a group in the zone situated above the sterilization basket 3.

Figure 1 shows the supply of the first layer on the loading plate 13 provided in this case. During this movement, the cleats 18 and 19 are drowned.

The loading platform itself is guided with an edge in lateral guides in the form of a slot 31, one of which is visible in the spar 8. In this regard there is the possibility of providing roller supports in the spars.

Similarly, the bottom 32 at the level of the guide 9 can be produced so as to reduce friction.

Claims (9)

Claims 1. Device for loading sterilization baskets of containers or objects, which are stacked in the sterilization baskets in successive layers with insertion of an intermediate plate, and in which are located next to a sterilization basket a magazine for a stack of intermediate plates and a sliding member, which, being brought above the sterilization basket, slides an intermediate plate on the upper layer of containers or objects, and a conveyor is provided at one of the ends of which the containers or objects accumulate and, after being released, are transferred to an intermediate plate in the sterilization basket, which is arranged in the extension of the conveyor, characterized in that the magazine has a guide (9), extending upwards above the plane of the transport path, for a stack (4) of intermediate plates descending under the effect of gravity and in that in lateral guides ( 31) formed in the side members (7, 8) of the device, a loading platform (13) equipped with a control mechanism (15) can be moved back and forth between a position located above the sterilization basket (3) and another position located below the stack (4) of intermediate plates and includes tabs (16, 17) for an intermediate plate (12). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide (9) of the magazine for intermediate plates has a bottom (32) on which the loading plate (13) is movable and which is produced so as to have reduced friction . 3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tabs (16, 17) are wedge-shaped with an upper side descending inclinedly towards the plane of the loading platform (13) on the side of the edge of the loading platform by which it can be engaged under  the magazine for intermediate plates (5, 6).  4. Device according to any one of the claims  1 to 3, characterized in that the guide (9) for the battery  (4) of intermediate plates is made in the form of  box and has a slot-shaped opening (11) on the lower side of the wall (10) adjacent to the sterilization basket (3). 5. Device according to any one of the claims  1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a control mechanism (15) for the loading platform (13), which mechanism is mounted in a beam (7) of the device.  6. Device according to any one of the claims  1 to 5, characterized in that the loading plate (13) has a chamfer at its front edge intended to be  brought over the sterilization basket.  7. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the tabs (16, 17) are mounted in openings  (18, 19) of the loading platform (13) so that  drown in it and in that the loading tray  (13) can be stopped above the sterilization basket to receive a group of containers or objects and can be removed to release the group of containers or objects in the sterilization basket.  b. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the tabs (16, 17) are produced in the form of ribbons  or hollow body hinged on one side to the plate  loading (13) so that their other end can be raised.  9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that  that a spring (3A) is mounted below the cleat (16, 17). 10. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the end capable of being raised can be controlled by a member of the cam or spreader lever type for which a control motor is mounted on an edge of the loading platform ( 13).