FR2785890A1 - Support and guide for objects such as suspended bottles on conveyor line has grippers in form of elastically-operated retaining members - Google Patents

Abstract

The support and/or guide (1) has grippers (2) for the suspended objects (3) in the form of retractable retaining members (11) in the form of articulated claws (13) operated by elastic elements (12) which press them against the objects. The support itself has a body (15) that is at least partially annular in shape, with a ring (17) for the claws.

Description

 The invention relates to a device for supporting and / or guiding objects for conveying, such as, in particular, shuttle for conveying bottles, flasks or similar objects.

 The invention also relates to an installation for conveying objects, in particular bottles, flasks or similar objects.

 However, although more particularly intended for such applications, it can also be used for conveying any type of object, in particular in the suspended position.

 Currently, in the field of conveying bottles, flasks or similar objects, it is known from document FR-2,749,286 an installation allowing the transport of such objects under the action of an air flow, the objects being supported and / or guided along a rail by means of a shuttle to which they are subjected in the suspended position by gripping means.

 Although satisfactory, such installations can be improved, in particular as regards the mode of operation of the shuttles and more particularly as regards the gripping of the objects.

Indeed, with the currently known solutions, it is necessary to provide different shuttles depending on the shape and / or the size of the objects to be conveyed
The object of the present invention is to provide a device for supporting and / or guiding objects for conveying, such as, in particular, shuttle for conveying bottles, flasks or similar objects in the suspended position, which overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks and which allows the gripping of objects of different sizes or shapes, while ensuring the reliability of the gripping.

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

 The invention relates to a device for supporting and / or guiding objects for conveying such as, in particular, shuttle for conveying bottles, flasks or similar objects, in the suspended position, comprising means for gripping said objects, characterized by the fact that said gripping means consist of retractable retaining means cooperating with elastic means for applying the retaining means against said objects, according to a pinching force, from an open position to a closed position for blocking objects , adaptable according to the dimensions and / or the outline of said objects.

 The invention also relates to an installation for conveying objects, in particular bottles, flasks or similar objects, in the suspended position, comprising such devices.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, accompanied by the appended drawings which form an integral part thereof and among which:
FIG. 1 describes, according to a transverse sectional plane, an installation using an embodiment of the support device and guide guide according to the invention,
FIGS. 2a and 2b partially illustrate, according to a diametral sectional plane, the embodiment of the support and / or guide device according to the invention shown in the preceding FIG. 1, in two different states,
FIGS. 3a and 3b are sectional views along the lines Illa and Illb shown respectively in the preceding figures 2a and 2b,
FIGS. 4a and 4b illustrate, according to a diametral sectional plane, an alternative embodiment of the device for supporting and / or guiding objects in accordance with the invention, in two different states,
FIGS. 5a and 5b are sectional views along the lines Va and Vb shown respectively in the preceding FIGS. 4a and 4b,
FIG. 6 is a front view in section illustrating another variant of the support and / or guide device according to the invention.

 The invention relates to a support device and / or object guide for conveying, such as, in particular, shuttle conveying bottles, flasks or similar objects. By similar object is meant, for example, with a neck.

 However, although more particularly intended for such applications, it can also be used for conveying any other type of object, in particular in the suspended position.

 As illustrated in FIG. 1, the device 1 according to the invention comprises means 2 for gripping objects 3.

 To allow its training and, consequently, the transport of said objects 3, it further comprises, for example, means 4 for cooperating with a support and / or means 6 for allowing its propulsion.

Said means 4 for cooperating with a support consist, in particular, of wheels 7. Said means 6 for enabling propulsion operate, for example, under the action of an air flow and consist, in particular, of a sail 8, provided capable of being driven under the faction of said air flow.

 Said propulsion means 6 are located, for example, in the upper part of said device, the wheels 7 in an intermediate zone and said gripping means 2 in the lower part, the orientation given however being relative.

 The example of a conveying installation illustrates in which the device according to the invention is used thus comprises, for example, a rail 5 to constitute said support, a blowing chamber 9 allowing the projection of air into a channel 10 of circulation of the sail 8, provided along the trajectory of said objects 3.

 However, as illustrated in the other figures, according to the invention, the gripping means 2 of said objects 3 consist of retractable retaining means 11 cooperating with elastic means 12 to apply the retaining means 11 against said objects 3, according to a pinching force, from an open position, illustrated in FIGS. 2a, 3a, 4a and 5a, to a closed position for blocking objects 3, illustrated in FIGS. 2b, 3b, 4b, 5b and 6, adaptable as a function dimensions and / or outline of said objects 3.

 It is thus possible to have reliable and universal gripping means. Said retaining means 11 consist, for example of articulated claws 13,14.

 As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the device 1 comprises, in particular, a body 15, at least partially in the form of a ring 16 of circular section, and a ring 17.

 Said means 12 for applying the retaining means 11 against the objects 3 then consist first of all of means 18 of articulation in rotation of the ring 17 relative to the body 15 along the longitudinal axis 19 of the annular part 16 of said body 15.

 They further comprise means 20 for guiding said claws 13 provided articulated between said body 15 and said ring 17 to move in a plane substantially parallel to that of said ring 17, as a function of the rotation of the latter relative to said body 15 , so as to define a diaphragm, as well as means 21 for elastic return between said body 15 and said ring 17, tending to close said diaphragm.

 Said means 18 of articulation of the ring 17 relative to the body 15 consist, in particular of one or more grooves 22, provided in said body 15, at a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 19 of the part annular 16 of said body 15, and of one or more lugs 23, provided on said ring 17 and capable of sliding in said groove or grooves 22.

 Said guide means 20 consist, for example, of pivoting articulation means 24 of said claws 13 relative to said ring 17 as well as cam means 25 for driving said claws 13 as a function of the rotation of the ring 17 by report to said body 15.

 Said articulation means 24 of the claws 13 with respect to the ring 17 consist, in particular, of protrusions 26 forming a pivot produced at the level of said ring 17, as well as orifices 27 produced at the level of said claws 13, the latter being provided able to rotate around said pivots 26 inside said orifices 27.

 Said orifices 27 for articulation of the claws 13 are provided, for example, at one of the ends thereof. Said cam means 25 consist, for example, of grooves 28, in particular oblong, produced at the level of said claws 13, cooperating with guide fingers 29, provided on said body 15. Said claws 13 are, in particular, slippery on said ring 17 .

 Said elastic return means 21 consist, for example, of at least one spring 30, 31 caught in abutment between said body 15 and said ring 17, said spring or springs 30, 31 being in extension when said retaining means 11 are in the open position, and tending towards their rest position when the retaining means 11 are in the closed position.

 The said spring or springs 30, 31 are provided, in particular, in a plane perpendicular to said longitudinal axis 19 of the annular part 16 of the body 15. There are provided, for example, two said diametrically opposite springs 30, 31.

 Said body 15 has, in particular, a cavity 32, capable of receiving said objects 3 between its envelope 33 and said claws 13.

 One of the advantages of such an embodiment with a diaphragm of the gripping means is that it allows the blocking of the objects 3 to be optimized by making their maintenance insensitive to the consequences of possible oscillations of said objects 3 along the longitudinal axis 19.

 For the installation of said objects 3 in said device 1, one can use an external device allowing, for example, by means of cams to cooperate with said lugs 23 to open the diaphragm.

 In this regard, said pins 23 are provided on said ring 17 at a skirt 34 extending the latter inside and / or outside said body 15.

 With such a device 1, said wheels 7 of said body 15 and / or said sail 8 can be provided at its top.

 As illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 5, according to another embodiment, the device 1 comprises a body 35 consisting, in particular, of a base 36 and of said claws 14, provided extending in a flared manner from said base 36 around an axis 37.

 Said means 12 for applying the retaining means 11 against said objects 3 then consist of a ring 38, capable of sliding from said base 36 along said axis 37 along said claws 14, the latter being provided articulated with respect to said base 36. Said means 12 for applying the retaining means 11 against said objects 3 also consist of means for holding said ring 38 at said claws 14.

 When said ring 38 is in the vicinity of said base 36, the retaining means 11 are then, in particular, in the open position while, when said base 36 is at the level of said claws 14, said retaining means 11 are in closed position .

 Said base 36 and said claws 14 are, in particular monobloc and / or made of an elastically deformable material. To facilitate the articulation of said claws 14 relative to said base 36, a thinning 40 could possibly be provided between these two parts of the body 35.

 Maintaining the ring 38 at the claws 14 is ensured, for example, by the choice of the material or materials constituting said ring 38 provided more rigid than that or those constituting said claws 14.

 The latter have, in particular, a distribution with axial symmetry, for example frustoconical with axis 37. Said claws 14 are thus carried, in particular, by a fictitious truncated cone, for example of circular section, of which they define generatrices. Said claws 14 are possibly evenly distributed around said truncated cone. There are six in particular.

 Said base 36 consists, for example, of a cover 41 and / or a skirt 42 extended by said claws 14. Said cover 41 is, in particular, substantially perpendicular to said axis 37 around which said claws 14 are provided. Said skirt 42 is possibly partial and constitutes the birth of said claws 14.

 Said skirt 42 has, for example, a shape substantially similar to that of the internal contour of said ring 38. It optionally defines a shoulder 43 constituting a stop for said ring 38 against said cover 41.

 At their distal end, said claws 14 are provided, for example, with hooks 44.

 However, to allow the passage from the open position to the closed positions, said ring 38 has a groove 45, capable of cooperating with external cam systems to allow it to slide along said axis 37.

 With such an embodiment, said wheels 7 and / or said sail 8 can be secured, in particular, with said base 36.

 As illustrated in FIG. 6, according to a still different embodiment, said retaining means 11 consist, in particular, of two jaws 46, 47 articulated relative to each other about an axis 48, said jaws 46,47 having a zone 49,50 intended to cooperate with said objects 3, provided on one side of said axis 48.

 Said means 12 for applying said retaining means 11 against said objects 3 then consist, for example, of elastic return means 51 in abutment between said jaws 46, 47 on the other side of said axis 48, said return means 51 tending closing said jaws 46,47.

 Said return means 51 consist, for example, of a spring 52, provided in extension when said jaws 46, 47 are in the open position.

 According to this embodiment, said wheels 7 are provided, for example, at the level of said jaws 46, 47 and / or said sail 8 at the level of one of them.

 In the case of applications for conveying bottles, flasks or the like, said claws 13, 14 and / or jaws 46, 47 cooperate, in particular with the neck of these, for example at the level of a groove provided on the neck to accommodate a tamper evident ring with a cap.

 As illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 5, the device according to the invention may also comprise shutter means 53. They consist, in particular, of a part 54, able to move in a perpendicular direction 19,37 to the direction of the pinching forces exerted by the means 12 to apply the retaining means 11 against said objects 3.

 They also include, for example, a spring 55 between the body 15, 35 of said device 1 and said part 54 for applying the latter against said objects 3.

 In the case of bottles, flasks or the like, it is thus possible to seal their orifice hermetically.

 Said part 54 cooperates with a sleeve 56 / rod 57 guide pair, provided on said body 15, 35 or said part 54 and oriented parallel to its axis of movement 19, 37.

 Naturally, other modes of implementation, within the reach of the skilled person. could have been envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (11)

 1. Device for supporting and / or guiding (1) objects for conveying, such as, in particular, shuttle for conveying bottles, flasks or similar objects, in the suspended position, comprising means (2) for gripping said objects (3), characterized by the fact that said gripping means (2) consist of retractable retaining means (11) cooperating with elastic means (12) for applying the retaining means (11) against said objects (3), according to a pinching force, from an open position to a closed position for blocking objects (3), adaptable as a function of the dimensions and / or of the outline of said objects (3).  2. Device according to claim 1, wherein said retaining means (11) consist of articulated claws (13,14).  3. Device according to claim 2, comprising a body (15) at least partially in the form of a ring (16) of circular section, and a ring (17), said means (12) for applying the retaining means (11) against objects (3) being made up:  means (18) of articulation in rotation of the ring (17) relative to the body (15) along the longitudinal axis (19) of the annular part (16) of said body (15),  -guiding means (20) of said claws (13), provided articulated between said body (15) and said ring (17) to move in a plane substantially parallel to that of said ring (17), depending on the rotation of the latter relative to said body (15), so as to define a diaphragm,  -means (21) for elastic return between said body (15) and said ring (17), tending to close said diaphragm.  4. Device according to claim 3, wherein said means (18) of articulation of the ring (17) relative to the body (15) consist of one or more grooves (22), provided in said body (15) , at a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (19) of the annular part (16) of said body (15), and one or more lugs (23), provided on said ring (17) and suitable to slide in said groove (s) (22).  5. Device according to claim 4, in which said guide means (20) consist of:  means (24) for pivoting articulation of said claws (13) relative to said ring (17),  cam means (25) for driving said claws (13) as a function of the rotation of the ring (17) relative to said body (15).  6. Device according to claim 4, wherein said elastic return means (22) consist of at least one spring abutted between said body (15) and said ring (17), said spring or springs being in extension when said retaining means (11) are in the open position and tending towards their rest position when said retaining means (11) are in the closed position.  7. Device according to claim 2, comprising a body (35) consisting of a base (36) and said claws (14), provided extending in a flared manner from said base (36) about an axis ( 37), said means (12) for applying the retaining means (11) against said objects (3) consisting of a ring (38), capable of sliding from said base (36) along said axis (37) along said claws (14), provided articulated with respect to said base (36), and of means (39) for holding said ring (38) at the level of said claws (14).  8. Device according to claim 1, in which said retaining means (11) consist of two jaws (46,47), articulated relative to each other about an axis (48), said jaws ( 46,47) having a zone (49,50) intended to cooperate with said objects (3), provided on one side of said axis (48) and said means (12) for applying said retaining means (11) against said objects (3) being constituted by elastic return means (51) in abutment between said jaws (46,47) on the other side of said axis (48), said return means (51) tending to close said jaws.  9. Device according to claim 1, further comprising closure means (53).  10. Device according to claim 9, wherein said shutter means (53) consist of a part (54), capable of moving in a direction perpendicular (19,37) to the direction of the pinching forces exerted by the means (12) for applying the retaining means (11) against the objects (3).  11. Installation for conveying objects, in particular bottles, flasks or similar objects, in the suspended position, comprising devices according to claim 1.