FR2706584A1 - Machine for checking the state of and for sorting the caps of gas bottles - Google Patents

Abstract

Automatic machine (300) for checking the state of and for sorting the caps (11) of gas bottles (10). According to the invention, this machine includes a conveyor (300a) capable of moving a plurality of vertical mounts (301) intended to accommodate the caps, the said mounts being distributed along the conveyor and it comprises a plurality of autonomous checking and sorting stations, namely at least one station (310) for positioning a cap, a station (320) for orientating the cap, a station (330) for checking the colour of the cap, a station (340) for checking the external shape and a station (340) for checking the internal shape of the cap and a station (350) for ejecting the cap, the autonomous checking and sorting stations being located with even spacing along the conveyor such that the said conveyor, in moving, offers up each mount in succession to all the checking and sorting stations.

Description

 The present invention relates to an automatic state control and sorting machine for used gas cylinder caps of the "butane" or "propane" type.

 When used gas bottles return from customers to the filling center, it is necessary to sort the hats of these bottles because it is common that the hats are not of the same origin and then have different shapes and colors. In addition, these hats may or may not have handles. The purpose of sorting the hats is to identify, among all the hats, those which conform and which can then be reused.

 Currently, the control and sorting of hats is carried out manually by an operator who, in order to sort the compliant and non-compliant hats, applies well-defined control and sorting instructions. Thus, it can release so-called compliant caps and subsequently place them on recycled and filled gas cylinders.

 This cap control and sorting operation is generally inserted in a facility for treating gas cylinders and more particularly caps.

 The fact that the control and sorting operations are carried out by an operator poses a certain number of drawbacks.

 First of all, the use of an operator is relatively expensive and does not allow very high control and sorting rates to be obtained.

 In addition, the handling of hats by the operator during control and sorting requires compliance with safety rules to prevent the hats from falling. Finally, it should be noted that the higher the rate requested from the operator, the greater the risk of errors and of falling.

In order to solve the aforementioned problems of the prior art, the invention proposes an automatic state control and sorting machine for the caps of gas cylinders, which makes it possible to automatically carry out the following operations on the caps:
- reception and centering of a cap on a stud,
- orientation of the handle of a hat in the desired position,
- hat color control,
- checking the interior and exterior shape of the hat,
- sorting by hat ejection.

 More particularly, the invention provides an automatic condition control and sorting machine comprising a conveyor capable of moving a plurality of vertical studs intended to receive caps, said studs being distributed over the conveyor, said machine further comprising a plurality autonomous control and sorting stations including at least a hat-laying station, a hat orientation station, a hat color control station, an external shape control station and a control of the internal shape of the hat and a hat ejection station, the independent control and sorting stations being arranged at regular intervals along the conveyor so that the said conveyor, moving, presents each stud successively at all the stations control and sorting.

 According to one embodiment of the automatic machine according to the invention, the conveyor is a linear conveyor which advances along a line path, the autonomous control and sorting stations being arranged along the linear conveyor.

 According to another embodiment of the control and sorting machine according to the invention, the conveyor is a horizontal plate driven in step-by-step rotation by means of a central axis of rotation perpendicular to said plate, the pads being distributed at regular intervals on a circumference around the central axis of rotation and the independent control and sorting stations being arranged around the central axis of rotation of the plate so that said step-by-step rotating plate presents each stud successively at all control and sorting stations.

 This automatic state control and sorting machine for gas cylinder caps easily fits into a facility for processing used gas bottle caps, essentially comprising automated treatment stations.

 The description which follows with reference to the appended drawings, given by way of nonlimiting examples, will make it clear what the invention consists of and how it can be implemented.

 Figure 1 is a schematic top view of a first embodiment of the cap processing installation according to the invention.

 Figure 2 is a schematic side view in longitudinal section of a removal and installation device according to the invention.

 FIGS. 3 to 6 represent the different stages of removal and fitting of a hat using the device of FIG. 2.

 Figure 7 is a schematic side view of a control and sorting machine according to the invention.

 FIG. 8 is a view along arrow A of the machine in FIG. 7.

 FIG. 9 is a schematic side view in longitudinal section of the installation station of the machine in FIG. 7.

 FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of the orientation station of the machine in FIG. 7.

 FIG. 11 is a schematic side view in longitudinal section of the orientation station of the machine in FIG. 7.

 Figures 12 and 13 are a sectional view along the plane A-A of the orientation station of Figure 11 in two different positions.

 FIG. 13bis is a top view of the orientation station and the color control station of a second embodiment of the sorting machine comprising a linear conveyor.

 Figure 1 3ter is a schematic sectional view along the plane A-A of Figure 13bis.

 FIG. 14 is a schematic side view of the color control station of the machine in FIG. 7.

 Figures 15 and 16 are a schematic partial top view of the color control station of Figure 14 in two different positions.

 FIG. 17 is a schematic side view in longitudinal section of the shape control station of the machine in FIG. 7.

 FIGS. 18 to 20 show the principle of checking the external shape of a hat at the checkpoint in FIG. 17.

 FIGS. 21 and 22 show the principle of checking the internal shape of a hat at the checkpoint in FIG. 17.

 Figures 22bis and 22ter show the principle of checking the internal shape of a hat at the control station of a sorting machine with a linear conveyor.

 FIGS. 23 and 24 represent a schematic side view in longitudinal section of the ejection station in the rest position and in the ejection position of the machine of FIG. 7.

 Figure 24bis is a schematic top view of an ejection station of the sorting machine with linear conveyor.

 Figure 24ter is a sectional view along the plane B-B of Figure 24bis.

 FIG. 25 is a schematic top view of a second embodiment of the installation of FIG. 1.

 FIG. 26 is a schematic top view of a third embodiment of the installation of FIG. 1.

 FIG. 27 is a detailed view of a pallet of the palletized transfer and storage installation in row of the installation of FIG. 26.

 Figure 28 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the device for transferring and storing the installation according to the invention.

 FIG. 29 is a partial schematic side view of the device in FIG. 28.

 Figures 30 and 31 are a schematic side view of the transfer device in two different positions of the device of Figure 28.

 Figure 32 is a schematic top view of a fourth embodiment of the installation according to the invention.

 Preliminary, it will be noted that from one figure to another, identical and / or similar elements will be referenced as far as possible by the same reference numbers and will not be described each time.

 In Figure 1, there is shown an automatic installation for processing the caps of used gas cylinders. This installation comprises a first conveyor 20 of the chain conveyor type, which here has a straight path on which, at one end, the used gas bottles 10 are deposited. Said bottles 10 are then positioned vertically on their base one after the other others on this first conveyor 20.

 In addition, the installation of FIG. 1 comprises a unscrewing station composed according to the required rate of one or two identical unscrewing machines 100, positioned one after the other on the path of the gas cylinders scrolling on the first conveyor 20. These unscrewing machines 100, well known to those skilled in the art, respectively comprise a unscrewing head (not shown) below which the gas bottles 10 pass. The two unscrewing heads are suitable for automatically unscrew the caps 1 1 of the scrolling gas cylinders 10. In particular, each of said unscrewing machines 100 unscrews the cap 1 1 of a gas cylinder 10 out of two so that at the exit from the unscrewing station each gas bottle 10 wears its cap 11 unscrewed and covering its valve.

 Following the unscrewing station, the installation comprises, on the path of the gas bottles 10 scrolling on the first conveyor 20, a depositing station constituted by a depositing and laying device 200 which allows on the one hand to automatically remove each cap unscrewed It held on the tap of each gas cylinder 10 and on the other hand to automatically deposit said cap removed, in an automatic state control and sorting machine 300 of caps 11. The device for removing and installation 200 and the state control and sorting machine 300 will be described in more detail later.

 At the exit from the deposition station, the gas cylinders 10 no longer have caps, and they are conveyed to a valve closing station 30. At this station, a machine well known to those skilled in the art makes it possible to close the taps of the said bottles and, if necessary, detect the caps and caps which have not been deposited at the previous station. At the exit from this closing station 30, the non-compliant gas bottles are diverted for treatment by an operator.

 Furthermore, as can be seen in FIG. 1, the installation includes a waste bin 400 in which the condition and sorting machine 300 evacuates non-compliant caps, and a storage and transfer device 500 having an input connected to said control and sorting machine 300. Thus, the control and sorting machine 300 automatically transfers the compliant hats for recycling to said transfer device 500 able to take said hats to a hatching station 600 constituted by an installation and pre-tightening machine.

 According to the embodiment of the installation shown in FIG. 1, the storage and transfer device 500 comprises a conveyor 501 of the pallet type whose input is connected to an output of the control and sorting machine 300 and the outlet of which is located at the top station 600. This conveyor 501 here has an angled path in order to limit the total size of the treatment installation.

 Thus, the control and sorting machine 300 automatically places the compliant hats, head up, one after the other on the conveyor 501, and these advance step by step to the hatching station, then accumulate one behind the others on said conveyor, before being released one by one and taken by the head, not shown, of the laying and unscrewing machine.

 It should be noted that, according to the embodiment described, the accumulation of the caps alone 1 1 on the conveyor 501 cannot be significant. Said conveyor allows only twenty five to thirty hats to be stored at the top station.

 Above thirty caps in storage on the conveyor, said caps can, under the thrust, overlap and tip over from the conveyor.

 Also, in order to overcome this aforementioned drawback, the treatment installation shown in FIG. 1 comprises a buffer storage tank 700 in which the control and sorting machine 300 ejects the caps 11 conform in bulk after control in the event that the length of accumulation of the caps on the transfer conveyor 501 becomes too great. This allows the jamming of said conveyor to be quickly resolved since no compliant cap is placed by said sorting machine on said conveyor 501 as long as the accumulation is too great.

 In this buffer storage tank 700, the compliant caps 1 1 are placed on standby and they can then, depending on the desired processing rates, be returned manually to said conveyor 501.

 Note that this installation can easily be integrated into an existing layout.

 Furthermore, as can be seen in FIG. 1, the installation comprises a rectilinear conveyor 21 on which are placed bottles of recycled gas that have been removed from the skin 10 '. These scaffolded bottles parade at the cap station 600 one after the other and the laying and pre-sealing machine automatically places a compliant cap 11 'on each free tap of each recycled gas bottle 10'. This machine also allows you to preview each cap on each tap.

 FIG. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of the device for removing and fitting 200 hats This device for removing and fitting comprises a fixed frame 201 for example in the form of a frame, here arranged at the station for removing the installation, on one side of the conveyor 20, along the latter. In addition, the device shown in FIG. 2 comprises a vertical pivot shaft 221 with a central axis 221a, which is pivotally mounted at each end, in two bearings provided respectively in the upper 201a and lower 201b parts of the fixed frame 201. The pivoting of the vertical shaft 221 about its central axis 221a is achieved by means of a rotary actuator 1800, 230 secured to the upper part 201a of the frame 201. The vertical pivoting shaft 221 carries two symmetrical vertical bars 222 relative to the central axis 221a of said shaft 221 and on which respectively slide two identical vertical translation devices 220.

 The removal and laying device 200 here comprises two vertical gripping heads 210 symmetrical with respect to the central axis 221 a and secured respectively to the two vertical translation devices 220.

Each gripping head 210 comprises a bell 211 of essentially cylindrical interior shape and open downwards. This bell 211 intended to cover each cap 1 1 to be deposited, has a height and an inner section greater than those of the cap. In addition, each bell 211 contains an inflatable clamping enclosure 212 inside which the cap is positioned when said bell 211 covers the latter. This enclosure 212 has here the shape of a cylindrical sleeve, the outer walls of said enclosure being integral with the interior walls of the bell 211. In addition, each enclosure 212 comprises a part 212a which emerges outside each bell 211 in perpendicularly passing through the wall of each bell, located outside with respect to the pivot shaft 221. This part 212a which has an opening to the outside thus forms an inflation and deflation pipe from the outside of each enclosure 212.

 Furthermore, it can be seen in FIG. 2 that each bell 211 has an external side extension 211a part which extends from the upper part of each bell 211, perpendicular to the side walls thereof, in the direction of the pivot shaft 221. This external lateral extension part 211a carries a vertical stop 213 positioned parallel to the external lateral walls of the bell 211, between the latter and the pivot shaft 221. More particularly, said external lateral extension part 211a is secured to the stop 213 which is slidably mounted, as will be seen later, in a vertical base 213. Each stop 213 extends from each lateral part 211a downwards beyond the bell 211.

 Each vertical base 213a of each gripping head 210 is integral with a support piece 214a which has a vertical part which extends upwards in the direction opposite to the stop 213, and a horizontal upper part which extends towards the outside with respect to the pivot shaft 221. Thus, each support piece 214a has the shape of an inverted L so that the horizontal part of the L is opposite the lateral extension part 211a of each bell 211.

Each vertical part of each support piece 21 4a is integral with each translation device 220 and each horizontal part of each support piece 214a carries vertically a damper device 214 of the jack type.

 Referring to Figures 3 to 6, we will describe the operation of the removal and installation device 200 of Figure 2, and more particularly the operation of a gripping head 210. it should be noted that the gripping head 210 shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 is a variant of that shown in FIG. 2 in the sense that it comprises two stops 213 arranged symmetrically on either side of the bell 211.

 In Figure 3, there is shown the gripping head 210 in the rest position. In this position, the vertical translation device 220, not shown here, maintains said head in the high position to allow the arrival of a gas bottle 10 provided with its cap 1 1 unscrewed. The clamping chamber 212 is then deflated.

 In Figure 4, there is shown the descent phase of the gripping head 210. When a gas cylinder 10 arrives below the gripping head 210, it descends using the vertical translation device 220 , not shown, so that the stops 213 come into contact with the dome of said bottle. While the stops 213 come into contact with the dome of the gas bottle 10, the head 210 continues its descent using the translation device so that the stops slide in the bases 213a. Thus, the bell covers the cap 11 and rises so as to adjust its position thereon. Going back up, the lateral extension part 211a of the bell 211 comes into abutment against the damping device 214 which slows down the fitting of the bell 211 on the cap 11. The enclosure 212 of the bell 211 remains at this stage at l deflated state.

 In FIG. 5, the gripping head 210 has been shown in the position for removing the cap 11. As can be seen in this figure, the gripping head 210 is in the low position so that the bases 213a are positioned against flanges 213b provided on each stop 213. The position of these flanges 213b on the stops 213 is determined so that when the bases 2 13a are against them, the bell 211 has a position adjusted on the cap 11. We then inflate the enclosure 212 by means of pipe 212a so that the interior walls of enclosure 212 come into contact with the cap. In the inflated state, the enclosure 212 clamps the cap 11 in order to maintain it while the vertical translation device rises the gripping head 210 provided with the cap.

 In Figure 6, there is shown the gripping head 210 in the position of fitting the cap on the control and sorting machine. To reach this position, the gripping head 210 has pivoted by a half turn, in the high position, around the central axis 221a by means of the pivoting shaft 221 not shown, in order to be positioned above 'a receiving pad 301. Then the gripping head 210 descends using the vertical translation device in the same way as during removal described in Figure 4, to place the cap 1 1 on the pad 301. The stops 213 and the damping device 214 allow the shock-free approach of the cap 1 1 on the stud 301. Then, the enclosure 212 is deflated so as to release the cap 11.

 Subsequently, the gripping head rises and pivots by a half-turn around the central axis of the removal and installation device, to return to the rest position, ready for a new grip.

 It should be noted that according to the embodiment of the removal and laying device shown in FIG. 2, the two gripping heads 210 operate alternately, as described above, that is to say that when a head is in the removal position, the other is in the installation position. The ascent and descent, as well as their pivoting, are coordinated. Thus, the rate of removal and fitting of hats 11 is doubled compared to that of a single head.

 Referring first to Figures 7 and 8, there is shown a first embodiment of the state control and sorting machine according to the invention.

 This control and sorting machine 300 comprises a horizontal circular plate 300a, rotatably mounted on a central rotation shaft 300b perpendicular to said plate and connected to a motor 300c disposed below said plate 300a. As best shown in FIG. 8, the plate 300a is equipped with vertical receiving pads 301 identical to the caps 11, here eight pads, distributed at regular intervals over the largest circumference of the plate 300a. In addition, the control and sorting machine 300 here comprises eight autonomous control and sorting stations 310, 320, 330, 340, 350, 360, 370, 380, placed respectively at the locations of the eight receiving pads 301 of the plate 300a . These autonomous stations are each specialized for a particular operation. The plate 300a rotates step by step, here in the anticlockwise direction, so as to present each pad successively to all the control and sorting stations. More particularly, the control and sorting machine 300 here comprises firstly a hat-laying station 310, then an orientation station 320, a color control station 330, an external shape control station and interior 340, three ejection stations 350, 360, 370, and finally a free station 380.

 In FIG. 9, the hat fitting station 310 has been shown. With reference to this figure, we will first of all describe a reception pad 301. Each pad 301 has a generally symmetrical shape with respect to a vertical axis YY 'and comprises a receiving head 302 of a cap, which emerges in the vertically extended position from the upper surface of the plate 300a. This reception head 302 is integral with a horizontal template 303 which allows, as will be seen later, the control of the internal shape of the cap. This template 303 positioned below the head 302, in the thickness of the plate 300a, is integral with a vertical operating axis 304 which extends along the axis of symmetry Y-Y 'below the plate 300a. At the lower end of this operating axis 304 is a small horizontal roller 305. Below the template 303, a balancing and return spring 306 is positioned around the vertical operating axis 304. This spring is linked to template 303.

The head, jig and vertical operating axis assembly provided with the return spring, is slidably mounted in a body 307 mounted rotating around the axis YY 'in a bearing 308 provided in the thickness of the plate 300a. The body 307 has at its lower end a drive roller 308a. In addition, the body 307 comprises at the upper surface of the plate 300a, two reflectors 309 for optical cells of the position of the orientation of the handles of the caps.
At the laying station 310 of the control and sorting machine 300, the head 302 of the pad 301 receives a cap posed for example by the gripping head 210 of the depositing and laying device 200.

 Then the plate 300a rotates so as to present this stud provided with a cap at the orientation station 320.

 With reference to FIGS. 10 to 13, the orientation station 320 of this control and sorting machine 300 has been shown. This station makes it possible to correctly orient the handle of each hat and to detect hats without a handle. The orientation station includes a device for rotating the stud 301 located below the plate 300a. This drive device comprises a first drive roller 324 mounted for free rotation on a vertical axis and intended to cooperate with the roller 308a of the body 307 of the stud 301, a second roller 326 driven in rotation on a vertical axis by a motor 326a, this second roller 326 driving said first drive roller 324 in rotation by means of a belt 325. The assembly consisting of the two drive rollers 324, 326 and the drive motor 326a, is mounted on a horizontal support 327 comprising a vertical lever 327a actuated by a jack 328 fixed to a second fixed support so that said support 327 pivots about a vertical fixed axis 329 in order to take two positions, a disengaged position and a engaged position.

 In addition, the orientation station 320 includes a device for controlling the handles and stopping the orientation, constituted by two optical cells 322, 323 mounted on a support 321 above the stud 301 provided with the cap 11, and positioned on either side of said cap, symmetrically with respect to the axis YY 'of the pad 301, so that each of the cells is located opposite each reflector 309 of the pad 301.

 Thus, when a stud arrives at the orientation station 320, the jack 328 is triggered in order to pivot said support 327 and bring it from the disengaged position to the engaged position in which the first drive roller 324 comes into contact with the roller 308a of said pad 301. In this way, the pad is driven in rotation about its axis Y-Y '. At the same time, during the rotation of the stud, the optical cells control the passage of the handle. When the two reflectors are masked by the handle (see FIG. 9), the latter is correctly oriented and the order is given to the jack 328 to return the support 327 to the disengaged position.

 A delay not shown limits the orientation time of the hat and makes it possible to detect the hats without a handle or poorly oriented if the stop order has not intervened in the meantime. In this case, a fault signal is set.

 When the orientation check is carried out, the table turns and presents the stud at the color check station 330.

 In FIG. 13a, an alternative embodiment of the control and sorting machine in FIG. 8 has been shown. According to this variant, the machine comprises a linear conveyor 300'a, of the chain conveyor type, which advances along a path in line not shown and which carries studs on which hats are arranged 11. The hats 1 1 are arranged at a laying station (not shown) by the removal and laying device described.

 This sorting machine has control and sorting stations, such as an orientation station, a color control station, an exterior shape control station, an interior shape control station and a station. ejection, placed at regular intervals along the linear conveyor 300'a in such a way that said conveyor while moving presents each hat 1 1 successively at each control and sorting station.

 As can be seen in FIG. 13bis, this sorting machine comprises a position for orienting the handles of each cap 11, which comprises two deflectors 320 ′, 320 ″ disposed respectively on the two longitudinal edges of the conveyor 300 ′. two deflectors are able to rotate each cap on the conveyor to correctly orient its handles, relative to the direction of advancement of the cap, here parallel to said longitudinal edges of the conveyor.

 Thus, when the orientation control is carried out, the linear conveyor brings each hat to the color control station (see Figures 13bis, 13ter).

 In FIGS. 14 to 16, the color control station 330 of the caps 11 is shown. This station includes a fiber optic transmitter / receiver assembly 331 mounted on a first support 332. This transmitter / receiver assembly 331 is positioned at outside the plate 300a, facing the pad 301 provided with the oriented cap 11. The transmitter / receiver assembly 331 is connected to an electronic box 333 for analyzing the colors transmitted.

 Thus, when the pad 301 provided with the oriented cap 1 1 arrives at the color control station, the transmitter / receiver assembly 331 emits a light signal in the direction of the cap. The light emitted by the optical fibers is recovered by the latter after reflection on the cap and transmitted to the electronic box 333. This electronic box 333 analyzes the reflected light signal and positions a fault signal if the color of the hat is not that desired.

 I1 it should be noted that the first support 332 of the transmitter / receiver assembly 331 is pivotally mounted on a second fixed support 334, and is equipped with an erasing security system if the handle of the mis-oriented hat comes into contact .

 It will be noted in FIGS. 13bis and 13ter that in the embodiment with a linear conveyor, the color control station is identical to the embodiment with a tray, and in this case the second fixed support 334 is fixed to the frame of said linear conveyor .

 When the color control is carried out, according to the first embodiment, the plate turns one step and presents the pad 301 at the shape control station 340.

In FIG. 17, the shape control station 340 is shown in the embodiment with a turntable. This station allows the control of the exterior, interior shapes and the height of the caps. More particularly, this station comprises a fixed vertical support 340a positioned outside the plate 300a. This fixed support 340a carries a vertical translation unit 342 which extends horizontally above the stud provided with the cap. This translation unit 342 moves vertically at
Using a cylinder type system integral with the fixed support 340a. In addition, the control station 340 comprises an external shape control gauge 341 secured to the vertical translation unit 342 and positioned in line with the stud 301 provided with the cap 11. This gauge 341 has the negative external shape of the conforming cap and is fitted with a detection finger 341a. This detection finger 341a comprises a vertical rod mounted to slide in said template and a detection system integral with the vertical translation unit 342, the rod being adapted by sliding to actuate the detection system.

 In addition, the shape control station 340 includes an adjustable detection device for controlling the height, which includes a height-adjustable support 343 mounted on the fixed support 340a and serving as a stop for the vertical translation unit 342 of the template. 341 and a position sensor 344.

 The control station 340 also includes a device for maneuvering the internal shape control jig 303. This maneuvering device comprises a fork 345 disposed below the plate 300a so that when the stud 301 arrives at the form control station, the vertical axis 304 of the stud 301 is partly inserted in the fork 345 and the small roller 305 placed at the end of the vertical axis 304 rests on the support of the fork 345. This fork 345 rests on a vertical cylinder 346 fixed on a horizontal part fixed to the vertical fixed support 340a. In addition, the operating device comprises a position sensor 347 positioned near the fork 345 and connected to a detection system 348.

 With reference to FIGS. 18 to 22, we will describe the operation of the shape control station 340.

 First of all, when the stud 301 provided with a cap arrives at this control station, the translation unit 342 in the high position above the cap, descends until the external shape control gauge 341 come in contact with the hat. In this position, the translation unit 342 abuts against the height-adjustable support 343 and the position sensor 344 is in contact with said translation unit. Otherwise, the position sensor 344 sets a fault signal.

 As can best be seen in FIGS. 18, 19 and 20, when the external shape control jig 341 is in position on a conforming cap (FIG. 18), the latter perfectly matches the external shape of the cap which fits in the template 341 and actuates the detection finger In the two other cases (FIGS. 19 and 20), the detection finger is not actuated and a fault signal is positioned. When the external shape control is finished, the template 341 is raised to the high position.

 The interior shape control is carried out simultaneously with the exterior shape control. The maneuvering fork 345 is raised under the action of the jack 346, which causes the vertical maneuvering axis 304 and therefore that of the internal control gauge 303 to rise. If the internal shape of the cap conforms, the gauge 303 does not get inside the hat. On the other hand, if the template panes inside the cap, the fork 345 comes into contact with the position sensor 347 which transmits a fault signal. This detection is used to report significant wear on the bonnet thread or too large an internal diameter.

When the internal control is finished, the fork 345 descends in order to return the vertical operating axis 304 of the stud 301 to its initial position
Thereafter, the turntable pivots so as to present the stud 301 at one of the ejection stations.

 According to the second embodiment of the control and sorting machine, when the color control is carried out, the linear conveyor brings each hat to a control station for the external shape and the height of the hat.

 This station, not shown, is arranged on the side of the conveyor and comprises the same elements already described for the first embodiment with a plate, it then operates in a similar manner.

 Subsequently, when the control of the external shape is carried out, the linear conveyor brings each hat to a control station of the internal shape 340 ′, more particularly shown in FIGS. 22a and 22b. This control station includes a pad 301 'disposed on an edge of the linear conveyor 300'a. This stud 301 'has a symmetrical shape with respect to an axis Y1-Y'1 and includes a receiving head 302' intended to receive a cap 11, as well as a ring 303 'arranged around the stud 301' at the base of the reception head 302 '. This ring 303 'is mounted on a spring 306' so as to slide along the axis Y1-Y'1. In addition, this station includes a manipulator 800 constituted by a gripping head 801 slidably mounted vertically by means of a jack on a horizontal arm 802 capable of sliding horizontally using another jack. This manipulator 800 is able to grasp with its gripping head 801 each cap 11 on the linear conveyor and to position it on the receiving head 302 'of the pad 301'. If the cap placed on said pad 301 ′ (see FIG. 22 b) does not have the correct interior dimensions, it presses the ring 303 ′. A detector 803 detects the axial displacement of said ring 303 ′ and positions a fault signal on the cap. When the control is carried out, the manipulator reposition the hat in question on the linear conveyor.

 FIGS. 23 and 24 show an ejection station 350, 360, 370 of the first embodiment of the control and sorting machine 300.

It will be noted that said machine comprises three identical ejection stations which can evacuate the conforming caps or not.

 This ejection station 350 includes a vertical support 351 positioned outside of the plate 300a. This vertical support 351 carries a transfer unit 352 positioned above the stud 301 provided with the cap 11. This transfer unit 352 comprises a horizontal ramp 3 52a on which slides a pusher 352b. The vertical pusher 352b is able to come into contact with the cap 11 to evacuate it. In addition, the ejection station 350 comprises below the turntable 300a, at the level of the operating axis 304 of the stud 301, a fork 353 secured to a vertical operating cylinder 354 fixed on a horizontal support.

 When the stud 301 provided with a cap 1 1 arrives at the ejection station 350, the latter is in the "rest" position (see FIG. 23). In this position, the pusher 352b is placed at the end of the ramp 352a, above the plate 300a, so that it is positioned behind said cap 11. In addition, the fork 353 is placed in the high position, at using the jack 354 in the extended position, so that the lower part of the operating axis 304 of the stud 301 engages in the fork 353. On an ejection signal, the ejection station 350 goes into "eject" position (see figure 24). The actuating cylinder 354 returns by lowering the fork 353. The latter pulls down the operating axis 304 of the stud 301, by means of the small roller 305 which comes against the edges of the fork 353. Thus, the receiving head 302 enters inside the body 307, compressing the return spring. The cap 1 1 is then placed freely on the plate 300a, the pusher 352b then advances on the ramp 35 2a and pushes the cap 11 to evacuate it from the plate. Then the ejection station 350 returns to the "rest" position.

 n should be specified that the first ejection station 350 of the control and sorting machine 300 makes it possible to evacuate the non-compliant caps towards the waste storage 400, the second ejection station 360 makes it possible to transfer the compliant caps to the transfer and storage device 500 and the third ejection station 370 evacuate the compliant caps in a buffer storage tank in the event of jamming of the transfer and storage device, the order of these stations can be modified according to the configuration of the site of establishment. The sorting of the hats is carried out according to the signals of anomalies coming from the previous checkpoints. In fact, if a hat receives an anomaly signal at one of the previous stations, it is evacuated to storage-scrap.

Otherwise, the first ejection station 350 is not activated when the conforming cap passes and one of the other ejection stations 360, 370 is activated when said cap passes.

 Furthermore, the control and sorting machine 300 comprises an empty buffer station 380, placed between the last ejection station 370 and the laying station 310.

 In FIGS. 24bis and 24ter, the ejection station 350 ′ of the control and sorting machine with a linear conveyor is shown.

 This ejection station 350 ′ comprises a pusher 900, such as a jack fitted with a nozzle, capable of translating each cap 1 1 positioned on the linear conveyor 300 ′ a and arriving at its level, in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction X of movement of said conveyor, outside of the latter. This station further comprises a mat 901 positioned on the horizontal direction of evacuation of the caps and making it possible to receive the ejected caps to transfer them to a scrap storage bin here not shown.

 It should be noted that according to an alternative embodiment of the sorting machine with a linear conveyor, it is possible to envisage an ejection station as pre-described after each control station.

 In Figure 25, there is shown a first variant of the installation shown in Figure 1. According to this variant, the storage and transfer device 500 comprises a first conveyor 502 of the pallet type, one end of which is connected to the station d 360 ejection of the control and sorting machine 300. The other end of the first conveyor 502 is connected to the inlet of a buffer storage station 503 where the caps 1 1 conform are stored for example manually.

Thus, the first conveyor 502 brings the compliant caps from the control and sorting machine to the buffer storage station 503. In addition, the transfer and storage device comprises a second conveyor 504 of the pallet type positioned between the station buffer storage 503 and the cap station 600. As a result, the compliant caps stored at the buffer storage station 503, are for example manually arranged, according to the desired rate, on said conveyor 504 and advance in step behind each other the others to the top station. They then come to stand by one after the other.

 This transfer and storage device has a greater storage capacity compared to that shown in FIG. 1. In fact, when the queue of hats on the second conveyor 504 is too large, the hats are no longer disposed of. on this second conveyor while the control and sorting machine can continue to evacuate the compliant caps on the first conveyor 502, these then being stored at the buffer storage station 503. The capacity of the buffer storage station 503 is such that 'It makes it possible to wait for the second conveyor 504 to empty, without thereby causing the first conveyor 502 to jam.

 In FIG. 26, a second variant of the transfer and storage device 500 is shown. According to this variant, this device comprises a transfer conveyor 510 of the pallet type which starts here from the ejection station 360 of the machine control and sorting 300 and which arrives at a removal and laying manipulator 520 for example of the type described above. This transfer conveyor 510 has a route defined according to the configuration of the site of implantation. Thus, the transfer conveyor 510 brings the hats step by step to the removal and laying manipulator 520. There the hats are arranged one behind the other forming a queue before being picked up by said manipulator.

 As we have already described in FIGS. 1 and 2, the removal and laying manipulator 520 is arranged on one side of the transfer conveyor 510. In addition, the transfer and storage device 500 comprises a transfer and storage installation. storage on pallets 530 of hats 11.

This installation 530 comprises a first pallet transfer conveyor 531 in line. This first pallet transfer conveyor 531 transports the pallets 50 arranged one after the other, in line, in order to bring the empty pallets one by one up to 'to the removal and fitting manipulator 520 so that the latter fills them with caps. Following this first in-line transfer conveyor for pallets 531, the installation comprises a first transfer and storage conveyor in row 532 for full pallets 50. On this storage conveyor 532, full pallets 50 are stored in row and are brought step by step to a second in-line pallet transfer conveyor 533. The row transfer and storage conveyor 532 here allows eight pallets to be stored. The second in-line transfer conveyor 533 makes it possible to bring the full pallets 50 in line one after the other to the cap station where the pre-packing machine takes the caps one by one to place them on gas cylinders recycled, and thus empties said pallets. Then, the empty pallets are brought in line to a second transfer and row storage conveyor 534 of empty pallets 50. This second transfer and row storage conveyor 534 has here a storage capacity of eight pallets and brings step by step the empty pallets 50 to the first in-line transfer conveyor 531.

 As can best be seen in FIG. 27, each pallet 50 has vertical studs 51 on which the caps 11 are placed vertically. In order to be able to be handled by an operator, each pallet, equipped with gripping handles allowing the handling and the stacking these pallets, has about ten hats.

 It should be noted that this transfer and storage facility in 530 pallets allows the storage of approximately 200 hats. This number can of course be increased, by increasing the capacity of the transfer and row storage conveyors, or else by creating superimposed row storage with elevators and pallet lowerers.

 Referring to Figures 28 to 31, there is shown a variant of the transfer and storage installation on pallets 530. According to this variant, the installation comprises an upper conveyor for transferring and storing pallets 535. This upper conveyor 535 here presents a lace-up path between the removal and laying manipulator, not shown here, and the cap station, also not shown. The upper conveyor 535 has individual pallets 52 on which the removal and laying device, puts hats 11. Said upper conveyor 535 then transports and stores said pallets provided with hats, in order to bring them one behind the other to the hatching station where the laying and pre-tightening machine takes the hats one by one. In addition, the transfer and storage installation 530 comprises a lower transfer and storage conveyor 536 of the empty individual pallets 52 identical to the upper conveyor.

The two upper and lower conveyors are superimposed and present the same path here. The lower conveyor 536 allows the individual pallets 52 to be brought back to the departure of the upper conveyor 535.

Finally, the installation comprises two transfer devices 537 for empty pallets 52 between the two upper and lower conveyors 535, 536. These two identical transfer devices 537 are placed respectively at the head and at the tail of the two superimposed conveyors. Each transfer device 537 consists of two vertical and horizontal jacks 537a, 53 7b which operate alternately. When an individual pallet unloaded from its cap 11 arrives at the end of the upper conveyor 535, it is automatically transferred to the plate of the vertical cylinder 53 7a in the extended position, then the latter descends to the level of the lower conveyor 536 where the cylinder horizontal 537b, positioned at the level of the lower conveyor, then pushes said empty pallet onto the lower conveyor 536. Similarly, when an empty pallet reaches the end of the lower conveyor 536, it is transferred to the plate of the vertical cylinder 537a by retracted position, then the latter rises the pallet to the level of the upper conveyor 535 where the horizontal cylinder 537b, positioned at the level of the upper conveyor pushes said pallet onto said upper conveyor.

 It should be noted that each individual pallet is made up of a receiving pad mounted on a base whose dimensions are greater than the diameter of a cap.

 This installation allows on the one hand the accumulation of pallets by eliminating the risks of overlapping and tilting of the caps, and on the other hand to adapt the layout of the upper and lower conveyors to the space available for the whole of the installation.

 In FIG. 32, another variant of the transfer and storage device 500 has been shown which only comprises an installation of the type described in FIGS. 28 to 31. According to this variant, the upper conveyor 535 and the lower conveyor 536 are extended up to to the control and sorting machine 300. Thus, there are directly between said sorting machine and the top station, the two upper and lower conveyors 535, 536. This makes it possible to simplify the whole of the transfer and storage device. by eliminating the first transfer conveyor of the pallet type and the removal and laying manipulator. There is then a continuous handling of the caps between the sorting machine and the hatching station.

Claims (17)

 1. Automatic state control and sorting machine (300) for the caps (11) of gas bottles (10), characterized in that it comprises a conveyor (300a) capable of moving a plurality of vertical pads (301 ) intended to receive caps (11), said studs (301) being distributed over the conveyor (300a) and in which it comprises a plurality of autonomous control and sorting stations including at least one laying station (310) of a hat (11), an orientation station (320) of the hat (11), a color control station (330) of the hat (11), an external shape control station (340) and a station for checking the internal shape (340) of the cap (11) and an ejection station (350) of the cap (11), the independent control and sorting stations being arranged at regular intervals along the conveyor (300a) of so that said conveyor (300a) while moving presents each pad (301) successively at all the control stations e and sorting.  2. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the conveyor is a linear conveyor (300'a) which travels along a line path, the autonomous control and sorting stations being arranged along the linear conveyor (300'a ).  3. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the conveyor is a horizontal plate (300a) driven in rotation step by step via a central axis of rotation (300b) perpendicular to said plate (300a), the studs (301) being distributed at regular intervals on a circumference around the central axis of rotation (300b) and the autonomous control and sorting stations being arranged around the central axis of rotation (300b) of the plate (300a) of such that said turntable step by step presents each stud (301) successively at all the control and sorting stations.  4. Machine according to claim 3, characterized in that the studs (301) are identical and each stud (301) having a symmetrical shape with respect to a vertical axis Y-Y ', comprises a receiving head (302) which, in the extended position, emerges vertically from the upper surface of the plate, and which is integral with a horizontal template (303), disposed below said receiving head (302) and intended for controlling the internal dimension of the cap (11) , said horizontal template being integral with a maneuvering axis (304) which extends below the plate (300a) along the vertical axis of symmetry Y-Y ', the assembly formed by the receiving head (302) , the horizontal template (303) and the operating axis (304) being slidably mounted along the axis YY 'in a body (307) pivotally mounted around the axis YY' in a bearing (308) provided in the thickness of the plate (300a) and comprising at its lower end a horizontal roller (3 08a).  5. Machine according to claim 4, characterized in that each stud (301) has a balancing and return spring (306) positioned around the operating axis (304), in the pivoting body (307).  6. Machine according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that each stud (301) comprises two reflectors (309) arranged symmetrically on either side of the receiving head (302) at the surface upper plate (300a), and integral with the body (307).  7. Machine according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the orientation station (320) comprises on the one hand a device for driving in rotation each stud (301) constituted by two motor rollers ( 324, 326) connected by a belt (325) and driven in rotation by a motor (326a), said motor rollers (324, 326) being mounted on a support (327) orientable able to take two positions, a engaged position in which one of the two drive rollers (324) is in contact with the roller (308a) of the body (307) of the stud (301) and a disengaged position in which the two drive rollers (324, 326) are free, and on the other hand a handle control device comprising at least two optical cells (322, 323) positioned above the stud (301) on either side of the cap (11) opposite the two reflectors (309) of the stud (301) , to control the passage of the handle during the rotation of the cap.  8. Machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the orientable support (327) of the two drive rollers (324, 326) is actuated by a jack (328).  9. Machine according to any one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the control station of the interior shape (340) comprises a device for operating the template for controlling the interior shape (303) of the stud (301) able to vertically translate said internal shape control template (303).  10. Machine according to any one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that the ejection station (350) comprises on the one hand a device for operating the pad (301) intended to translate the pad vertically so as to enter the receiving head (302) inside the plate (300a) to release the cap (11) and on the other hand, a pusher (352b) able to translate horizontally and positioned so that during its translation , he pushes the hat (11) released out of the tray.  11. Machine according to any one of claims 3 to 10, characterized in that it comprises eight vertical pads (301), and eight control and sorting station including a laying station (310), an orientation station (320), a color control station (330), an exterior and interior shape control station (340), three identical ejection stations (350, 360, 370) and a free station (380).  12. Machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the orientation station comprises two deflectors (320 ′, 320 ″) disposed respectively on the two edges of the conveyor (300 ′ a), and capable of rotating the caps on the conveyor (300'a) for correctly orienting the handles of said caps relative to the direction of advance of the conveyor (300'a).  13. Machine according to one of claims 2 or 12, characterized in that the control station of the internal shape (340 ') comprises a stud (301') disposed on an edge of the linear conveyor (300'a), stud (301 ') having a symmetrical shape with respect to a vertical axis Y1-Y'1, comprises a receiving head (302'), a ring (303 ') arranged around the stud (301') at the base of the receiving head (302 '), this ring (303') being mounted on a spring (306 ') so as to slide along the axis Y1 Y' î, the control station for the internal shape comprising on the one hand a detector (803) of the axial displacement of the ring (303 '), and on the other hand a manipulator (800) able to grasp each cap (11) on the linear conveyor (300'a), to position it on the head of reception (302 ') of the pad (301') and to reposition each cap (11) on the linear conveyor (300'a) after inspection.  14. Machine according to any one of claims 2, 12 or 13, characterized in that the ejection station (350 ') comprises a pusher (900) capable of translating each cap (11) positioned on the linear conveyor (300 'a), in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction X of movement of the linear conveyor (300'a), outside the linear conveyor (300'a).  15. Machine according to any one of claims 2, 12 to 14, characterized in that it comprises an ejection station (350 ') positioned after each control station.  16. Machine according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the color control station (330) comprises a transmitter / receiver assembly (331) of light signals positioned opposite the cap (11), a box electronics (333) connected to said transmitter / receiver assembly, capable of analyzing the light signals transmitted by said transmitter / receiver (331).  17. Machine according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the control station of the external shape comprises a control template (341) having the negative external shape of the conforming cap, positioned above said cap ( 11) and able to translate vertically so as to come into contact with the latter, said template (341) comprising a detection finger (341a) which emits a fault signal when the cap is not in conformity.