FR2739835A1 - Packaging system for vegetables or other elongate linear products - Google Patents

Abstract

Packaging system for vegetables or other elongate linear products includes several parallel channels in which products are aligned, prior to insertion in corresponding number of packets

Description

 The present invention relates to a method for storing filiform products such as, for example, green beans or the like, as well as a device for its implementation.

 Although developed for the storage of green beans, the present invention is however not limited to such uses and it will find its application in all areas of economic activity in which it is necessary to store filiform products having an appearance substantially irregular exterior such as, for example, food products such as carrots, asparagus or others, for example for packaging in boxes.

 With regard to green beans, various processes are currently known which make it possible to store them aligned in boxes. The most widespread are still manual processes. They therefore have low productivity. In addition, the tasks necessary for their implementation are repetitive and not very rewarding.

 In order to remedy this situation, automated processes have been devised allowing the green beans to be stored in a row. However, the known methods have the drawback of being able to be applied only to the single type of parallelepiped box. In addition, the aligned storage of green beans in the boxes is not done continuously, their production rates are not satisfactory.

 The object of the present invention is to provide a method and a device for its implementation which overcome the aforementioned drawbacks and make it possible to store aligned filiform products continuously and at high speed.

 Another object of the present invention is to provide an aligned storage method for filiform products as well as a device for its implementation which can then be applied to canning concerning all types of packaging.

 Another object of the present invention is to propose an aligned storage method for filiform products as well as a device for its implementation which allow the volume of the filiform products stored to be controlled.

 Another object of the present invention is to propose an aligned storage method for filiform products as well as a device for its implementation which make it possible to detect storage failures and to recover unstructured filiform products.

 Another object of the present invention is to provide an aligned storage method for filiform products as well as a device for its implementation which make it possible to ensure optimal hygienic conditions.

 An advantage of the method and of the storage device according to the invention lies in the fact that they make it possible to linearize a stream of filiform products initially provided in a heap.

 Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear during the description which follows which is given only for information and which is not intended to limit it.

The present invention relates to a method for storing filiform products such as, for example, green beans or the like, in which:
- a stream of filiform products is planned,
- the filiform products are aligned and spaceed, in a first direction, following at least one line,
a series of storage pockets for filiform products are provided facing said line,
- the filiform products are continuously transferred into at least one of the pockets,
- Moving said succession of pockets in a direction substantially orthogonal to said first direction.

The present invention also relates to a device for implementing the storage method, as described above, of filiform products such as, for example, green beans or equivalent, characterized in that it comprises
- means for generating a flow of filiform products,
means for aligning and means for spacing the filiform products in a first direction, following at least one line,
means for moving a succession of pockets in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction,
- Means for continuously transferring the filiform products from said queue into at least one of the pockets.

 The invention will be better understood if reference is made to the following description and to the accompanying drawings which form an integral part thereof.

 Figure 1 describes, in top view, a first embodiment of a device allowing the implementation of the method according to the invention.

 Figure 2 describes, in top view, a first embodiment of the supply of filiform products, according to the method according to the invention.

 Figure 3 describes, in side view, a particular embodiment of a detail of the supply of filiform products, illustrated in Figure 2 above.

 Figure 4 is a top view from Figure 3.

 FIG. 5 is a graphic representation of the variation, as a function of time, of the quantities of filiform products entering and leaving the element illustrated in preceding figures 3 and 4.

 Figure 6 is a principle view which illustrates the aligned storage of filiform products according to an exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention.

 Figure 7 is a side view which illustrates a detail of the aligned storage of the filiform products according to an exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention.

 FIG. 8 illustrates, in top view, the state of the filiform products during certain steps of the example of implementation of the method according to the invention, illustrated in FIG. 1.

 FIG. 9 is a sectional view along the line IX-IX shown in FIG. 8.

 FIG. 10 is a sectional view along the line X-X represented in FIG. 8.

 FIG. 11 is a sectional view along the line Xl-Xl shown in FIG. 8.

 FIG. 12 describes, in top view, a second embodiment of a device allowing the implementation of the method according to the invention.

 Figure 13 is a sectional view along line XIII-XIII shown in Figure 12 above.

 Figure 14 details a part, marked 14, of the previous figure 13.

 FIG. 15 illustrates, in perspective, a detail of the aligned storage of the filiform products according to an exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention.

 The present invention relates to a method for storing filiform products such as, for example, green beans or the like, as well as a device for its implementation.

 Although developed for the storage of green beans, the present invention is not however limited to such uses and it will find its application in all sectors of economic activity in which it is desired to store filiform products having a certain rigidity and a more or less irregular appearance such as, for example, food products such as carrots, asparagus or the like, with a view for example to their canning.

 As shown in FIGS. 1 and 12, according to the storage method, in accordance with the invention, of filiform products 1, provision is made for a stream, marked 4, in particular continuous, of filiform products 1.

 Said filiform products 1 are then aligned and spaced, in a first direction 2, following at least one row 3.

 In order to store them, a succession of pockets 12 is provided in particular opposite the file 3 and the filiform products 1 are continuously transferred into at least one of said pockets 12, said succession of pockets 12 being displaced in a marked direction 13, substantially orthogonal to the first direction 2.

 According to the different types of embodiment, provision may be made both for the pockets 12, a continuous movement as well as a sequential displacement in particular step by step, the said pockets 12 then advancing once a predetermined volume of filiform products 1 rows aligned reached inside said pocket 12, or after a time fixed in advance.

 With regard to green beans, the stream 4 of filiform products 1 is, for example, obtained in the following manner. After their picking, the green beans are cleaned beforehand, according to different methods and devices known to those skilled in the art, so as to remove parasitic pieces such as, for example, stems, leaves, clods of earth or others. They are also calibrated. According to a nonlimiting example of implementation of the method according to the invention, only green beans having a size of between 80 and 100 mm will be retained.

 As shown in FIGS. 2 and 12, once the green beans have been sorted and sized, they are introduced, according to an arrow marked 6, into a device 5 called whiteness so that they undergo a conservation treatment. To improve their condition, they are then degassed using techniques known to those skilled in the art, which make it possible not to alter their rigidity characteristic.

 The whiteness 5 is, for example, fed by a bucket chain whose speed is variable.

 According to the particular example of formation of the flow 4 represented in FIG. 2, after bleaching, the filiform products 1 are transferred, according to the arrows marked 7, and they are dosed.

 The corresponding weighing steps being most often discontinuous, provision is therefore made, at the output of the dosage, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, for an irregular flow of filiform products 1 distributed in heaps 102.

 To be able to obtain, downstream, a continuous flow and of substantially constant density, constituting an example of flow 4 in which, as developed below, it is possible to take the filiform products 1 for their subsequent alignment, said flow is advanced by vibrations and spreading said piles 102 simultaneously, longitudinally and / or transversely, by means of said vibrations.

 According to the particular example shown, said heaps 102 feed this step of the input process, at a zone marked E.

Depending on the flow rate of the upstream devices, they arrive more or less spaced from one another and, according to the example mentioned, they may even be separate or, in another mode, just contiguous.

 Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 5, according to the curve marked 103 which represents the variation of the quantity QE of filiform products 1, as a function of time, at the level of the entry zone E, this step of the process is fed according to a flow, in particular discontinuous and / or substantially periodic.

 If we refer again to Figures 3 and 4, we see that we advance, in a direction marked 104, for example substantially straight, said flow by vibration.

 In addition, thanks to said vibrations, the heaps 102 of which the flow at the input of the weighing device is made up are spread simultaneously. This spreading takes place, as shown by the arrows marked 105, 106 respectively, longitudinally and / or transversely.

 Thus, the heaps 102 of filiform products 1 extend progressively while advancing and then meet. There is therefore obtained, downstream, at an exit zone marked S, a continuous flow and of substantially constant density.

 This is moreover illustrated in FIG. 5 where the evolution of the quantity of filiform products 1 at the exit zone S is represented by a straight line 107. In fact, the quantity Qs of filiform products 1 is regular.

 By way of nonlimiting example, the heaps 102 are delivered at E every six seconds. They then constitute a heap about 30 cm long in direction 104 while the flow advances forward at least 30 cm.

The piles 102 are therefore substantially contiguous in the vicinity of E. After having traveled 2.5 m, they are spread out, in the vicinity of S, over 45 cm in width.

 According to a particular mode of implementation of this stage of the process, vibrations directed in a direction, marked 108, registered, are applied to the flow of filiform products, substantially in the same vertical plane as the direction 104 of progression of the flow of filiform products 1 and offset, in said plane, at an angle marked a of about 10 to 30 relative to said direction 104 of progression of the flow. Thanks to this orientation, the flow is spread over the shortest possible distance. We can choose, in particular, an orientation a of the order of 20 ".

 According to a particular embodiment of this step of the method, the horizontality of the direction 104 of progression of the flow of filiform products 1 is checked.

 Still according to a particular mode of implementation of this stage of the process, the frequency and / or the intensity of the vibrations applied to the flux is controlled.

 The control of said frequency can be carried out, in particular, as a function of the spacing of the heaps 102 at the input of the device, that is to say as a function of the time interval between the arrival of two successive heaps 102 . The frequency can also vary, for example, depending on the desired speed of progression.

 As for the intensity of the vibrations, it is a function, for example, of the mass of the heaps 102 to be moved and spread out as well as, in particular, of their viscosity.

 We can choose, for example, frequencies ranging from 10 to 40 Hz and, in particular, 25 Hz.

 The flow of filiform products 1 being thus regularized, it can be seen, by referring again to FIG. 2 that, according to the particular mode of implementation of the method according to the invention shown, said flow is then widened. For this, it is in particular oriented in a direction 9 perpendicular to direction 2, then it passes through a slot 10 arranged obliquely to said direction 9.

 An example of a flow 4 of filiform products 1 able to be stored is thus obtained. However, such an implementation mode is not limiting and said flow 4 can be obtained according to other implementation modes.

 Thus, according to the exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention shown in FIG. 12, said filiform products 1 are transported at the outlet of the whiteness 5, according to the arrows marked 207, then they are advanced, thanks to first vibrations , in a direction marked 204, while controlling their speed through the characteristics of said first vibrations.

 They are then moved at constant speed, according to an arrow marked 205, by means of second vibrations, by carrying out, simultaneously, a weighing of said filiform products. This gives their instantaneous flow.

 So as to regulate the flow of filiform products 1 and absorb the variations in flow rate coming from whiteness 5, it is possible to control the speed of said filiform products 1, displaced by said first vibrations, at said instantaneous flow rate measured when their progress is ensured by said seconds vibrations and thus reach and / or maintain the desired flow setpoint.

 Said filiform products 1 are then advanced, by means of third vibrations, according to the arrow marked 206, for example orthogonal to said first direction 2, in order in particular to complete the regularization of the flux of filiform products 1 and to eliminate variations which could still subsist.

 Finally, after having been widened, said flow can constitute, for example, flow 4 of filiform products 1, capable of being stored.

 If we refer again to Figures 1 and 12, we see that, for example, we separate said stream 4 of filiform products 1 into several rows 3, substantially oriented in the first direction 2. The rows 3 are thus, by example, substantially parallel. For this, the flow 4 of filiform products 1 will have been previously enlarged, as mentioned above, to a dimension substantially identical to the width of all the rows 3.

 At least part of the stream 4 having been taken to form each of said rows 3, the filiform products 1 are then vibrated, inside their row 3, in order to align them with one another. They are then, still inside their queue 3, gradually accelerated in order to space them apart from each other.

 By way of example, according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the filiform products 1 acquire, after the vibration alignment phase, a speed of 1 m / second. They are then accelerated to 2 seconds, then 3 m / second before being projected into a pocket 12.

 According to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 12, said filiform products 1 also acquire, after the vibration alignment phase, a speed of 1 second. On the other hand, they are then directly accelerated at a speed varying from 2.5 to 3 seconds, and are projected into a pocket 12.

 However, as shown in FIG. 6, the pockets 12 are moved, for example sequentially or else continuously, from one of the queues 3 to another of the queues 3 and layers 14 are superimposed of filiform products 1 rows aligned in pockets 12.

 More specifically, the pocket 12a, placed opposite a first row 3, receives a first layer 14a of filiform products 1, the pocket 12b, placed opposite a second row 3, receives simultaneously a second layer 14b, the pocket 12c, placed opposite a third row 3, simultaneously receives a third layer 14c, and so on, as long as there are rows 3, for example six.

 The pockets 12 are then and / or simultaneously displaced, according to the arrows identified 15, the pocket 12a taking the place of the pocket 12b, the pocket 12b the place of the pocket 12c, and so on. Each pocket then receives an additional layer 14 above the previous layer.

 The pocket facing the last row thus has, after filling, layers constituting a predetermined total volume, each layer representing in itself a fraction of this volume.

 According to the particular embodiment of the invention described, each layer represents substantially the same volume.

 According to an exemplary embodiment, the predetermined total mass is approximately 230 g to 460 g and the method according to the invention comprises six rows 3, the layers 14 representing a mass of approximately 38 g to 77 g.

 According to another filling method of the invention, provision may be made for simultaneous filling of the pockets present in front of the rows so as to constitute the predetermined total volume in one go. The displacement of the pockets 12, from one filling phase to the other, is then at least equal to the number of rows.

 Said pockets 12 constitute, for example, packaging intermediaries, the canning being carried out subsequently and independently, for example, in an area marked 43, in FIGS. 1 and 12. They may be jars as well as round, parallelepipedic or any shape boxes.

 According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, illustrated in FIG. 7, the rows 3 are offset in height relative to each other, in particular in an adjustable manner. Thus, the filiform products 1 of each row 3 are placed in a substantially constant position relative to the high level of the filiform products 1 stored in the pockets 12 in the preceding steps.

 We can choose, for example, the ends of the files placed at, approximately, 28 cm from the pockets 12 and, slightly overhanging with respect to the upper surface of the layer 14 filled during the previous step. This avoids rebound phenomena at the bottom of the pocket 12. According to the example shown, the last row 3 is, substantially horizontal.

 If we refer again to FIG. 1, we note that to ensure optimum flow, we provide a pocket 12 at least opposite each of the queues 3 and / or, according to FIG. 12, we scroll said succession of pockets 12 continuously facing the file or files 3.

 In order not to lose raw material, one can provide, for example, a diversion of filiform products 1, illustrated by the arrows marked 16, in particular, when the pockets 12 are not opposite a line 3 and / or when the latter come up against an already filled layer. The filiform products 1 thus recovered can be reinjected into the process, for example, upstream of the weighing step.

 In order to ensure satisfactory supply of the pockets 12, it is possible, for example, to control the flow rate of filiform products 1.

 For this, according to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 to 5, we control, in particular, the mass of the heaps 102 and / or their formation speed and / or their spreading speed and / or the transfer speed of the flow after spreading.

 According to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 12, the control of the flow rate is ensured, for example, as mentioned above, by regulation of the speed of the filiform products 1 obtained by means of said first vibrations as a function of said instantaneous flow rate measured when said filiform products 1 are transported, at constant speed, under the impulse of said second vibrations.

 The flow rate of filiform products 1 can also be checked downstream. Thus, one controls, for example, their alignment and / or their spacing. In case of over or under power, the speed of the upstream devices is adjusted.

 In case of stuffing of the pockets 12, the filiform products 1 are, for example, diverted, as mentioned above and / or stopped.

 Furthermore, in order to improve the arrangement of the filiform products 1 inside the pockets 12, provision is made for jogging of the latter.

Thus, after being transferred, the filiform products 1 are leveled at the bottom of the pocket in order to facilitate their subsequent canning. For this, one can also, for example, after complete filling of a pocket 12, shave the filiform products 1 which protrude in length.

 In addition, according to the invention, the volume of the filiform products 1 in the bags 12 is checked, for example, and a bag 12 of these filiform products 1 is emptied if the volume obtained is not the predetermined volume.

 Thus, if a bag 12, after filling, is not full enough, its contents are evacuated and, in order not to lose raw materials, it is then diverted, for example according to the principle mentioned above. Similarly, if a pocket 12 is too full, the surplus or the total content is evacuated and diverted as before. One can also consider, in the event of an anomaly, to evacuate, for example by blowing, the contents of a bag between two fillings with layers 14. This possibility can be envisaged, in particular in the case of filiform products whose aligned storage would not be satisfactory.

 In order to avoid any incident, provision is also made, for example, for checking the state of bags 12 before filling. If the latter are not empty, an ejection device 19 is provided. It diverts the filiform products 1, for example, according to the principle mentioned above.

 The present invention also relates to a device for implementing the storage method, mentioned above, of filiform products 1 such as, for example, green beans or the like.

 As shown in Figures 1 and 2 and in Figure 12, this device comprises, according to the invention, means 20 for generating a flow 4, in particular continuous, of filiform products 1. It also comprises, means 21 for aligning and means 51 for spacing the filiform products 1, in a first direction 2, following at least one line 3 as well as means 22 for moving a succession of pockets 12 in a direction 13 substantially orthogonal to the first direction 2. It comprises, in addition, means 23 for continuously transferring the filiform products 1 from the row or rows 3 into at least one pocket 12, for example by spraying.

 According to the embodiment detailed in FIG. 2, the means 20 for generating the flow 4 comprise, by way of nonlimiting example, a whiteness 5, a weigher 11, and a conveyor 8 capable of transporting the filiform products 1 of said whiteness 5 to said weigher 11.

 The latter having, more often than not, a discontinuous operation, one can provide, at the outlet, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, an irregular flow of filiform products 1 distributed in heaps 102. We are therefore dealing, upstream, in particular with the alignment and storage, to a stream of filiform products 1 that it is preferable to spread out before proceeding to the subsequent steps.

 Thus, so as to obtain, downstream, a continuous flow and of substantially constant density, the device comprises, for example, means for advancing said flow by vibration and means for simultaneously spreading, the piles 102, longitudinally and / or transversely, thanks to said vibrations, said means for advancing and said means for spreading therefore constituting, at least in part, an exemplary embodiment of the means 20 for generating the flow 4 of filiform products 1.

 As shown, this part of the device is supplied with input at the level of a zone E, either directly by the weigher 11, or via, for example, a conveyor 116 on which the piles 102 are more or less spaced . According to this embodiment, said piles 102 are deposited, in particular, from the weigher 11 or the conveyor 116, on a surface 109, for example flat. Thanks to the vibrations, they advance in a direction 104 and spread out simultaneously. There is then obtained downstream, at the outlet of this part of the device, a continuous flow and of substantially constant density.

 By way of nonlimiting example, the width of the outlet stream is increased by 50% compared to its inlet width. It then occupies the entire width of the surface 109.

 According to a particular embodiment, this part of the device comprises a plate 110. The latter constitutes an example of a surface 109 supporting the progression of the flow. It is oriented substantially horizontally.

 As shown in FIG. 3, the device moreover comprises, in particular, means for adjusting the horizontality of said plate 110.

 These are, in particular, feet 111 of independently adjustable height.

 In order to channel the flow, the plate 110 has edges 112 on its edges oriented in direction 104.

 The support plate 110 also has a coating made of a material capable of facilitating the sliding of the filiform products 1. It may be, in particular, an embossed stainless steel sheet. It is the same, possibly, of the banks 112.

 The means for advancing the flow and the means for spreading out the piles 102 of filiform products 1 are constituted by at least one vibrator 113 acting on the support plate 110. Said vibrator 113 is arranged, for example, below the latter.

 By way of nonlimiting example, the vibrator 113 follows a course whose oscillations vary from 0 to 5 mm and, in particular 3 mm.

 They are based, in particular, on a chassis 114. So that the vibrations are not transmitted to said chassis 114, the device comprises insulating elements 115 such as silent blocks. The assembly thus constitutes a vibrating plate.

 According to a particular embodiment of the device according to the invention, the force applied by the vibrator 113 is provided oriented in a registered direction, substantially in the same vertical plane as the direction 104 of progression of the filiform products 1 while being offset in said plane of approximately 10 to 30 relative to the plate 110. It will be possible to choose, for example, an angle a of inclination of approximately 20 ".

 The vibrator 113 is provided, for example, with means for controlling the frequency and / or the intensity of the force applied and / or with means for adjusting the inclination a.

 By way of example, an electromagnetic vibrator 113 will be chosen.

 Referring again to FIG. 2, it can be seen that, according to the particular embodiment mentioned, the means 20 for generating the flow 4 of filiform products 1 include, in particular, in addition, means for widening the flow obtained, for example, at the output of the vibrating plate 110.

 It is, for example, a second vibrating plate 17, provided with a slot 10. The latter is, for example perpendicular to the vibrating plate 110. The discharge of said vibrator 110 to said vibrator 17 is ensured, for example, thanks to a bias cut 117 oriented about 50 relative to the direction 104 and allowing the flow to substantially maintain its width.

 The slot 10 is oriented obliquely relative to the direction 9 of progression of the filiform products 1 on said vibrating plate 17.

The filiform products 1 pass through the slot 10 and the flow is redirected, for example, to 90 ". It is thus widened.

 It will be noted that the slot 10 is provided with a wedge 18, which gives it, substantially, the shape of an L so as to allow a more homogeneous transmission of the filiform products 1 downstream and thus to obtain, for example, a flow 4 able to be stored.

 For example, the vibrating plate 17 for widening the flow has a horizontal trough bottom. It is provided with a coating of embossed stainless steel sheet. The vibrations are of the electromagnetic type, their frequency being of the order of 50 Hz and their angle of attack relative to the bottom of approximately 20 ".

 Recall that the particular embodiment of the means for generating said flow 4 described in the previous paragraphs is not limiting.

 In fact, as shown in FIG. 12, said means for generating the flow 4 may consist, for example, in addition to the whiteness 5, of a conveyor belt 208, a first vibrator 201, a second vibrator 211 and a third vibrator 202, one in the extension of the other.

 Said conveyor belt 208 makes it possible to transport said filiform products 1 of whiteness 5 to the first vibrator 201, the latter being able to confer on said filiform product 1 an adjustable speed of progression and to allow permanent supply of the vibrator 211.

 Said second vibrator 211 makes it possible, for its part, to measure the instantaneous flow rate of said filiform products 1. In fact, it is mounted, for example, on a load cell, and ensures a displacement of said filiform products 1 at constant speed.

 So as to be able to regulate, as mentioned above, the flow rate of said filiform products 1, means for controlling their speed on the first vibrator 201 as a function of said instantaneous flow rate measured on said vibrator 211 are possibly provided.

 The third vibrator 202 is able, for example, to complete the regulation of the flow of filiform products 1. In addition, thanks to a slot 210 provided at its end opposite to that located opposite the second vibrator 211, said flow can be widened so as to be able to constitute, for example, the flow 4 of filiform products 1, capable of being stored.

 However, as in particular shown in Figures 1 and 12, according to an advantageous embodiment, the device according to the invention further comprises, for example, means 24 for separating the flow 4 of filiform products 1 in several rows 3, substantially oriented in the first direction 2.

 They consist, for example, of a vibrating plate 25, 225 provided with corridors 26, 226, capable of taking filiform products 1 from the flow 4.

 As regards the means 21 for aligning the filiform products 1 inside each row 3, the latter are constituted, for example, by at least said vibrating plate 25, 225. In fact, under the effect of vibrations, the filiform products 1 channeled through the corridors 26, 226 are oriented in the direction of progression 2.

 The means 51 for spacing the filiform products 1 are constituted, for example, by at least one accelerating strip 54, 55; 255, provided as an extension of the vibrating plate 25, 225.

 According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, said means 51 for spacing the filiform products 1 are constituted by two accelerating bands 54, 55 running, respectively, in particular at 2 m / second and 3 m / second, the speed of the products filiform on the vibrating plate 25 being of the order of 1 second.

 Referring now to FIG. 9, it can be seen that, according to this exemplary embodiment, in order to facilitate the separation of the stream 4 into several rows 3, the corridors 26 are bordered, in particular, by plastic profiles 52, for example screwed onto the vibrating plate 25. It can be noted that two profiles 52 placed on either side of a corridor 26 form, for example, thanks to their upper flanks 53, for example inclined by 60 relative to the horizontal, a funnel. The filiform products 1 which pass through the slot 1 are thus grouped in rows 3.

 In addition, it can be noted that the flanks 53 of the profiles 52 contribute to aligning the filiform products 1 inside their row 3. Indeed, the filiform products 1 oriented transversely to the direction 2 falling on said flanks 53 have tendency to orient in said direction 2.

 By way of example, the vibrating plate 25 for separating the flow has a horizontal trough bottom. It is provided with a coating based on embossed or flat stainless steel sheet. The vibrations are generated by an eccentric motor-connecting rod-crank device. Their angle of attack relative to the trough bottom is approximately 24 ".

 Referring to Figures 10 and 11, it can be seen that the accelerating strips 54, 55 consist, for example, of belts 56, 57 driven, in particular, electrically. Each of them is further provided with corridors 28 in extension of the corridors 26 of the vibrating plate 25. They are coated, for example, with a non-slip material.

 Said lanes 26 of the vibrating plate 25 and said lanes 28 of each accelerating strip 54, 55 are constituted, for example, of edges 58a, 58b, 58c, 59a, 59b, 59c, 60a, 60b, 60c presenting a profile, for each line 3, E-shaped lying.

 The edges 58a-58c of the plate 25 are formed, for example, by vertical sides of the profiles 52 and by a vertical plate 61, for example welded to the vibrating plate 25. The edges 59a-59c are constituted, for example, by folded sheets 62 and / or vertical sheets 63, provided above the carpet 56. The edges 60a-60c are constituted, for example, by vertical sheets 64 provided above the carpets 57 constituting the accelerating strip 55.

 By way of nonlimiting example, said accelerator strip 55 has a length of 1.80 m, a minimum length to be provided in order to overcome the problems of slippage of the filiform products 1. The corridors 26, 28 have a width 2 times 3 cm and are separated from each other by a distance of 15 cm, equal to the distance between two successive pockets 12.

 An example of alignment obtained thanks to the embodiment described above is illustrated in FIG. 8. The filiform products are first of all aligned in direction 2 on the vibrating plate 25. At this stage, they are still arranged, by example, in two or three overlapping layers.

During their passage on the accelerator strip 54, the filiform products are spaced from each other and form only one layer. Thanks to their passage on the accelerator strip 55, they are then aligned almost one behind the other.

 However, such an embodiment is not limiting and, according to the example of implementation illustrated in FIG. TZ, the means for spacing 51 and the means for transferring 23 are constituted, for example, by a single accelerating strip 255. The latter is formed, in particular, of several accelerator belts 257, defining said corridors 228.

 As for said vibrating plate 225, it has corridors 226 comprising a plurality of channels, each of said accelerator belts 257 consisting of acceleration ramps in extension of each of said channels.

 As shown in Figures 13 and 14, said vibrating plate 225 consists, for example, of stainless steel and / or plastic profiles defining, in particular, six lanes 228, each of them comprising nine channels 229, arranged in parallel. Said channels 229 are separated from each other, for example, by a partition 230, 3 mm thick and have, in particular, a width of 32 mm for a height of 30 mm, each passage 228 being separated from the other by a block 231 of substantially triangular shape, for example 86 mm wide.

 The vibrating plate 225 is possibly formed of two vibrators 232, mounted in parallel and, thanks to said corridor 228 and / or channels 229, it makes it possible to channel the flow of filiform products 1, the latter aligning in the different channels 229 , while being accelerated thanks to the particular vibration of said vibrators 232. At the outlet of the vibrating plate 225, the flow of filiform products 1 is thus, for example, also distributed over its entire width, ie approximately, for example, 2.3 m and the filiform products 1 are substantially aligned, in the direction 2.

 If we refer again to FIG. 12, we see that said accelerator belts 257 are, for example, six in number, each said accelerator belt 257 having, in particular, nine acceleration ramps corresponding to the channels of the plate vibrating 225. Such a subdivision makes it possible, inter alia ~ to avoid misalignment and blocking of said filiform products 1 in particular during their passage from the vibrating plate 22S to the accelerating strip 255.

 These are arranged, for example, parallel to each other, and their speed is adjustable, in particular between 2.5 and 3 seconds.

 However, if we now refer to Figure 7, we see that, especially in the two embodiments described above, the device according to the invention also optionally includes means for adjusting the inclination of the belts 357 constituting the accelerating strip 355.

 Indeed, each of these comprises, at its end opposite the pockets 12, an axis 66 whose height is adjustable.

The driving of the accelerator belts 357 is carried out by an axis 65 provided at the other end of the accelerating strip 355. The diameter of the axis 66 is provided relatively small so as to limit the gliding flight of the filiform products 1 between said strip accelerator 355 and the pockets 12. On the other hand, in order to promote training, the axis 65 is provided with a larger diameter than that of the axis 66.

 Said drive axis 65 thus has, for example, in the case of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a diameter of approximately 20 cm and said axis 66 a diameter of approximately 5 cm.

 Still by way of nonlimiting example, the belts 357 of the accelerating strip 355 has, opposite the pockets 12, a total offset in height, at their axis 66, of approximately 20 to 15 cm, the height of the pockets 12 being of the order of 30 cm.

 In this regard, the pockets 12 have, for example, a profile corresponding at least partially to the packaging in which the filiform products 1 must then be transferred. If we refer again to Figure 6, we see that a pocket consists, for example, of two vertical sides 48 connected by a bottom 49, substantially semi-cylindrical.

 As shown in Figures 1 and 12, we see that the means 22 for moving the succession of pockets 12, step by step or continuously, are constituted, for example, by a conveyor belt, chain or other 37 on which the pockets 12 are subject to regular spacing. It is, for example, a conveyor belt, chain or other, moving endlessly, in particular in a horizontal plane. It is provided with stepping or continuous drive means known to those skilled in the art. The pockets 12 are spaced apart, in particular by a pitch corresponding to the distance between two contiguous lines 3.

 In the case of displacement of the pockets 12 at constant speed, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the latter are, in particular, close together and / or substantially contiguous. It should be understood by this that the inter-axis between two contiguous pockets 12 may be smaller than in the case of a stepwise movement.

 Furthermore, if we now refer to Figure 15, we see that, as mentioned above, the device according to the invention further comprises, for example, means for jogging the filiform products 1 constituted by plates buffers 38 defining, for example, the storage depth in the pockets 12. They are in particular removable by a device rotating in rotation 39 tangentially to the direction 13. Thus, they are only present inside and / or at level of the pockets 12, only when these are placed opposite the rows 3.

 According to the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the stop plates 38 are placed, for example, so as to share the depth of the pocket 12 in two.

 According to the other embodiment shown in FIG. 15, they are placed, for example, at the end of the pockets 12 opposite those located opposite the rows 3.

 In order to improve the alignment of the filiform products in said pockets 12, it is also possible, in particular, to also divide said pockets 12 in two lengthwise by means of a plate 34, orthogonal to said plate stopper 38, said plate 34 also being shown in FIG. 6.

According to the embodiment corresponding to that illustrated in Figure 1, said pockets 12 thus constitute an E lying in extension of the
E lying corridors 26, 28.

 Referring again to FIG. 15, it can be seen that said device rotating in rotation 39 consists, for example, of a support 70 to which said stop plate 38 is subjected, said support 70 sliding, substantially vertically, on at least one rod 71, via a cam 72 cooperating with a guide 73 making it possible to raise and / or lower said stop plates 38 as a function of their position relative to the pockets 12.

 As illustrated by the arrow marked 74, the position of said plate 38 along the longitudinal axis of said pockets 12 is adjustable.

 However, after filling, the total volume reached is verified, as shown in FIG. 1, for example by sensors 45, in particular optical, which monitor, in particular, the high level of the last layer 14.

If this level is too low, the filiform products 1 are deflected, for example, by a first piston 46. If it is too high, the total content or the surplus of filiform products 1 is evacuated, for example, by said first piston 46 or by a second piston 47.

 When the filiform products are diverted, for one of the reasons mentioned above, they are reintroduced, for example, at the level of the conveyor belt 8, 208 by means of conveyor belts 40, 240 which allow them to be recovered and / or route.

 As mentioned above, a device 42, provided with cutting means, makes it possible to level off and / or cut out the portions of filiform products 1 which would protrude in length over the pockets 12 after the latter have been filled.

 According to the embodiment shown in Figure 1, said device 42 is located, for example, just upstream of a first wheel 35 around which the pockets 12 are wound after being filled.

 According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, said device 42, provided with cutting means, is located, for example, at the level of said wheel 35.

 However, in case of sequential movement of the pockets 12, during the passage of said pockets 12 from one file 3 to another file 3, a shutter plate 41, shown schematically in Figure 7, allows to divert the product flow filiform 1 which then falls on said conveyor belts 40 according to the arrow marked 44.

 In the event of continuous movement of said pockets 12, any residual space between said pockets 12 can be closed, for example, by a screen secured to said pockets 12. Said screen will, in particular, be flexible such as bellows, flexible elastic bands or others, able to accompany said pockets 12 in their movement.

 The materials chosen to constitute the various elements of the device make it possible to ensure optimal hygienic conditions.

 Naturally, other implementations of the present invention, within the reach of those skilled in the art, could have been envisaged without departing from the scope of the present application.

Claims (25)

 1. Method for storing filiform products (1), such as, for example, green beans or the like, in which:  - a flow of filiform products (1) is provided,  - the filiform products (1) are aligned and spaced, in a first direction (2), along at least one line (3),  a succession of pockets (12) for storing filiform products (1) is provided opposite said line (3),  the filiform products (1) are continuously transferred into at least one of the pockets (12),  - Moving said succession of pockets (12) in a direction (13) substantially orthogonal to said first direction (2).  2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that at least part of said flow is taken to form said line (3) and the filiform products (1) are vibrated in order to align them with each other. inside said line (3).  3. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the threadlike products (1) are gradually accelerated in order to space them apart within said line (3).  4. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the flow of filiform products (1) is separated into several rows (3), substantially oriented in said first direction (2), and the pockets are moved ( 12) from one of the rows (3) to another of the rows (3) so as to obtain superimposed layers (14) of filiform products (1) stored aligned in said pockets and constituting a predetermined total volume.  5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the rows (3) are offset in height relative to each other.  6. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that there is provided a pocket 12 at least in front of each of the lines (3).  7. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said succession of pockets (12) is scrolled continuously facing one or more rows (3).  8. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that provision is made for a diversion of the filiform products (1).  9. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that one controls the flow of filiform products (1).  10. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that there is provided a jogging of the filiform products (1) inside the pockets (12).  11. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the volume of the filiform products (1) is checked in the pockets (12) and a pocket (12) of its filiform products (1) is emptied if the volume obtained is not the predetermined volume.  12. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that an irregular flow of filiform products (1) distributed in heaps (102) is provided, said flow is advanced by vibrations and said heaps (102) are spread simultaneously longitudinally and / or transversely by virtue of said vibrations so as to obtain, downstream, a continuous flow and of substantially constant density constituting said flow from which filiform products are taken (1).  13. Device for implementing the storage method, according to claim 1, of filiform products (1), such as, for example, green beans or equivalent, characterized in that it comprises  - means (20) for generating a flow of filiform products (1),  - means (21) for aligning and means (51) for spacing the filiform products (1), in a first direction (2), following at least one row (3),  - means (22) for moving a succession of pockets (12) in a direction (13), substantially orthogonal to the first direction (2),  - Means (23) for continuously transferring the filiform products (1) from said queue (3) in at least one of the pockets (12).  14. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that it further comprises means (24) for separating the flow of filiform products (1) into several rows (3), substantially oriented in the first direction (2 ).  15. Device according to claim 14, characterized in that the means (24) for separating the flow consist of a vibrating plate (25; 225) provided with corridors (26; 226) inside which the flow is shared .  16. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that the means (21) for aligning the filiform products (1) inside said line (3) consist of at least said vibrating plate (25; 225).  17. Device according to claim 14, characterized in that the means (51) for spacing the filiform products (1) consist of at least one accelerating strip (54, 55; 255) in extension of said vibrating plate (25; 225 ).  18. Device according to claim 17, characterized in that each accelerator strip (54, 55; 255) is provided with corridors (28; 228) in extension of the corridors (26; 226) of the vibrating plate (25; 225).  19. Device according to claim 18, characterized in that it comprises two accelerating bands (54, 55) and in the fact that the corridors (26) of the vibrating plate (25) and the corridors (28) of each accelerating band (54, 55) consist of edges (58a-58c, 59a-59c, 60a-60c) having a profile, for each file (3) in the form of a coated E.  20. Device according to claim 17, characterized in that the means for spacing (51) and the means for transferring (23) are constituted by an accelerating strip (255) formed by several accelerating belts (257) defining said corridors (228 ) and by the fact that said corridors (226) of said vibrating plate (225) comprise a plurality of channels (229), each of said accelerator belts (257) being constituted by acceleration ramps in extension of each of said channels (229).  21. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that an irregular flow of filiform products (1), distributed in heaps (102), being provided upstream, the device comprises means for advancing said flow by vibrations and means for spreading, simultaneously, said piles (102) longitudinally and / or transversely, by virtue of said vibrations so as to obtain, downstream, a continuous flow and of substantially constant density, said means for advancing and said means for spreading constituting, at at least in part, said means (20) for generating the flow of filiform products (1).  22. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that the means (22) for moving the succession of pockets (12) consist of a belt conveyor (37) on which the pockets (12) are subject to regular spacing.  23. Device according to claim 14, characterized in that the pockets (12) are spaced apart by a pitch corresponding to the distance between two contiguous lines (3).  24. Device according to claim 14, characterized in that the pockets (12) are close together and / or substantially contiguous.  25. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that it further comprises means for jogging the filiform products constituted by stop plates (38) defining the storage depth in the pockets (12).