FR2803277A1 - Packaging conveyor for bottles has conveyor belt with spaced retractable pushers to selectively engage bottles - Google Patents

Abstract

The packaging conveyor for bottles has a conveyor belt (2) with multiple pushers (6) spaced regularly along it on a movable support (7). The pushers move in a closed path which extends in a plane (P) perpendicular to the conveying surface (S) and locally contiguous to it. Each pusher is movable between inactive and active positions. In the latter, the pusher extends from the conveying surface to engage an article to be pushed (3). The number of pushers active at any time can be varied. The conveyor belt speed changes can be pre-programmed.

Description

The invention relates to a device for constituting successive batches of articles, and a packaging installation for forming finished products such as packs from batches of articles, which comprises at least one such device.

The invention applies in particular to the packaging of articles such as bottles of cans, generally of cylindrical shape.

It is known that the articles are first individually conveyed to a grouping station where batches of articles are formed and spaced apart for transfer to an evacuation route along which they are packed. , or packaged.

To form a space between two batches of successive articles, it is known to accelerate the batches of articles between the supply path and the escape route. The space then formed between the same faces of two consecutive lots is called step or no machine.

où VS vitesse de sortie de l'article, VE sa vitesse d'entrée, P le machine la longueur d'un lot d'articles. Due to the conservation of the flow rate of the machine, it is easy to establish between the linear output speed of an article and its speed of entry, the following relation

where VS output speed of the article, VE its entry speed, P the machine the length of a batch of items.

Distributors are currently looking to reduce their inventories while offering ranges of packaged products ever more diversified.

As a result, the flow rates of packaging machines must be continually revised upwards. Thus, in the field of packaging bottles or cans, we currently reach flow rates of the order of 60 to 75,000 bottles per hour. elsewhere, distributors demand that they be able to vary their offer within the same range of products by offering consumers, for the same item such as a bottle or a can with drinks, various packaging such as packs of two. , three, four, six, eight or more items.

In order to meet these requirements, manufacturers must be able to continually renew their machine ranges, so that they can be adapted not only to the shapes of the new products, their sizes, their weights, but also to their size and shape. the shape of their packaging, usually cardboard blanks or equivalent.

Currently, manufacturers offer distributors packaging solutions that have many disadvantages. Some manufacturers offer distributors a machine for each type of finished product, which is heavy and expensive.

Other manufacturers offer a machine for each product line, which requires adjusting the machine according to the type of packaging desired: lots of two, four, six, eight, or more.

Indeed, at constant machine flow (so constant input speed), there is reason to adapt the output speed and / or the machine pitch, by the relationship mentioned above.

Most machines do not have a pitch control system. It is therefore necessary to increase the output speed, the step being fixed regardless of the number of articles per batch.

Thus, for example, going from batch grouping of twelve articles to batch grouping of four requires tripling the output speed of the machine, which is incompatible with the physical limits of the facilities, in particular packaging devices. .

Some machines have manual pitch control systems, which require as much manual intervention as there are product changes within the same range.

At present, the frequency of these changes can reach two to three per day, frequency difficult to reach by means of manual adjustments. The invention aims to solve the aforementioned drawbacks in particular, by proposing an installation that allows the automatic adjustment of the number of items per batch, the machine pitch, and the production rate.

For this purpose a first object of the invention is a device for constituting successive batches of articles, which comprises - a conveyor adapted to receive the batches of successive articles for routing them from a so-called upstream location to a downstream location , the upstream faces two successive batches being spaced a predetermined predetermined distance; a drive means of the conveyor; - A way of advancement along which the articles are conveyed one by one said conveyor being juxtaposed to each other; - Means for transferring articles from the advancement path to the conveyor, able to take and group the articles to form spaced batches; a means for driving the transfer means; and a device for controlling and controlling the drive means, able to apply to each drive means a speed profile chosen from a pre-programmed set of speed profiles, to enable the adjustment of not and / or the number of articles in batches according to the step and / or the type of wishes. each type of conditioning corresponds to a speed profile for each drive means.

By programming these speed profiles in advance, it is therefore possible to switch automatically from one to the other, so that the machine can be adjusted quickly and easily.

It is thus possible to immediately switch from one type of packaging to another, for example from a batch of eight batch packaging of four, keeping the output speed constant.

According to one embodiment, this device further comprises means adjacent to the advancement path and to the transfer means able to order and clock the articles coming from the advancing path so that they present the positioning and the spacing desired at the time of their grip by the transfer means; and means for driving means for ordering and clocking articles, slaved to the control device.

The control device is adapted to apply to the predetermined speed profile drive means selected from a pre-programmed set of speed profiles.

In order to be able to withstand different speed profiles, at least one of the drive means comprises at least one motor whose rotational speed is continuously adjustable, such as an electric motor, of the brushless DC type.

A second object of the invention is a packaging installation for forming finished products such as packs from batches of articles, which comprises at least one device such as that just described, as well as means for packaging of items to form finished products. This installation may comprise a carrier capable, on the one hand, of conveying one by one of the equivalent cardboard blanks laid substantially flat on the conveyor, towards the conveyor, and of arranging the blanks on the conveyor opposite the batches of articles; - Drive means of said carrier, slaved to the control device.

According to one embodiment, said conveyor comprises pushers blanks successively arranged on the conveyor, each push being adapted to come with a blank to convey it to the conveyor, the distance between two successive pushers engaged with a blank being predetermined and substantially equal to the pitch.

Furthermore, it is possible to provide means for adjusting the distance between two successive pushers engaged with a blank according to a predetermined value chosen from a group of pre-programmed values, all multiples of the same value called module.

a means for driving the adjustment means, slaved to the control device.

In order to supply the packaging means with blanks, the installation may comprise an unstacking device capable of transferring blanks from a stack to said conveyor; a drive means of the unstacking device, slaved to the control device.

According to one embodiment, the unstacking device comprises a rotary drum as well as substantially parallel pivoting arms, associated with the drum in the vicinity of the periphery thereof, the arms being regularly spaced and extended substantially perpendicular to the drum, each arm comprising suction means adapted to come into engagement with the blanks of said stack to ensure their transfer to the carrier.

A blank folding device, adjacent to the conveyor, capable of folding flaps holding the blanks, can also be provided.

For example, this folding device comprises - a first rotary arm adjacent to the conveyor, rotating non-constant speed, able to bend a portion of the blank facing upstream conveyor; a first drive means of the first arm, slaved to the control device, and adapted to drive the first arm in a movement whose speed is predetermined; - A second rotary arm adjacent to the conveyor and disposed downstream of the first arm, and rotating at a non-constant speed, able to bend a portion of the blank facing downstream of the conveyor; a second drive means of the second arm, slaved to the control device, and adapted to drive the second arm in a movement whose speed is predetermined.

Furthermore, the installation may comprise a device for setting the volume of the blanks around the batches of articles, disposed adjacent to the conveyor downstream of the folding device, and capable of folding side panels of the blanks.

For example, this volume setting device comprises a moving part of a movement back and forth from bottom to top and reciprocally, adapted to engage with a panel to fold it against the items of the lot.

It is also possible to provide a means for driving the volume-setting device, slaved to the control device, and able to drive the said part in a movement whose speed is predetermined. Furthermore, the installation may include a device for closing the blanks around batches to form the finished products, arranged above the conveyor.

closure device comprises for example a moving part of a movement back and forth, adapted to come into engagement with a blank panel flan to fold it against the items of the lot.

It is then possible to provide a means for driving the closing device, slaved to the control device, and able to drive the said piece in a movement whose speed is predetermined.

The installation may also include a device for guiding the batches along at least a portion of the conveyor, which comprises at least one endless belt running along the conveyor; a driving means of the guiding device, slaved to the control device, and adapted to drive the endless belt in a movement whose speed is predetermined.

According to one embodiment, the control device is arranged to apply to at least one of the drive means, and for example to each drive means, a predetermined speed profile, selected from a pre-programmed set of speed profiles.

To this end, the or each drive means may comprise a motor whose rotational speed is continuously adjustable, an electric motor, brushless DC type.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments, a description given with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which - Figure 1 is a perspective view of a packaging installation of which the adjustment is automated, this installation including including a way to route the items one by one; means for clocking and orienting the articles arranged near one end of this path; means for transferring the articles from the conveyor conveyor, which group the articles in batches by placing them on cardboard blanks or the like, originating from a conveyor; means for unstacking the blanks from a stack to this conveyor; means for setting the volume and closing the blanks around the batches to form packs.

FIG. 2 is a view of a detail of FIG. 1, illustrating an upstream part of the installation; FIG. 3 is a view of a detail of FIG. 1, illustrating a downstream part of the installation; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a detail of FIG. 1, which illustrates, within the packaging installation, two symmetrical devices arranged facing one another for the constitution of batches; successive articles, each comprising means for transferring articles from the advancement path to the conveyor, as well as means for ordering and timing the articles; according to the illustrated embodiment, the transfer means comprise a pivoting toothed wheel comprising a plurality of teeth, while the means for ordering and timing the articles comprise a star wheel also pivoting.

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 are plan views from above of the two devices of FIG. 2, which illustrate three successive stages of their operation for forming batches of three articles; FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a conveying system comprising two parallel endless conveyors for conveying flat objects such as cardboard blanks or the like; these conveyors each comprise a plurality of articulated pushers adapted to be engaged by an adjustable rotary actuating member; - Figure 9 is a view of a detail of Figure 8, which illustrates the pivoting pusher engaged with the actuating member; FIGS. 10 to 13 are longitudinal elevation views of the conveying system of FIGS. 8 and 9, which illustrate four successive steps of pivoting a pusher from a so-called inactive position to an active position, according to a first adjustment of the organ. for actuating, so that the last actuates a pusher on two <B>; </ B> - Figures 14 to 17 are views similar to the views of Figures 10 to 13, which illustrate four successive stages of the pivoting of a pusher from a so-called inactive position to an active position, according to a second adjustment of the actuating member, so that the latter actuates one pusher on three; FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating the evolution of the tangential velocity of a tooth of the toothed wheel of FIG. 4 as a function of its angular position, according to a first setting where the transfer means group articles in batches of two ( solid line), according to a second setting where the transfer means group the articles in batches of three (discontinuous lines), and according to a third setting where the transfer means group the articles in batches of four (mixed lines); and FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating the evolution of the speed of rotation of the actuating member of the conveying system of FIGS. 8 to 17, as a function of its angular position, according to a first setting where the actuating member engages with one pusher on two (solid lines), according to second setting where it comes into engagement with one pusher on three (mixed lines), and according to a third setting where it comes into engagement with one pusher on four (discontinuous lines) . In Figure 1 is shown a facility 1 for packaging articles such as bottles or cans, from which are formed finished products such as packs 3.

Articles 2 are introduced at an entry station 4 of the installation 1, while the packs 3 are evacuated from an outlet station 5.

To be packaged, articles 2 undergo a certain number of operations which, for convenience, are supposed to take place in the same substantially horizontal work plane M, along a conveying path represented by the arrows, which extends between the input station 4 and the output station 5, substantially in a longitudinal direction L, shown in Figures 1 to 17.

Figures 1 to 17 also shows a transverse direction T, substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L being contained in the work plane M.

An elevation direction E is also shown. This direction is substantially vertical, perpendicular to the plane M, so that the longitudinal directions L, transverse T and elevation E form an orthogonal reference with respect to which is carried out the present description.

The terms upstream, downstream are defined with respect to the longitudinal direction; the lateral term is defined with respect to the transverse direction, while the terms high, low are defined with respect to direction of elevation.

In this installation 1, the articles 2 undergo two main operations on the one hand the grouping spaced batches 7, and on the other hand the packaging packaging of the batches 7 to form the packs 3.

Each batch 7 comprises a predetermined number of aligned articles 2. This number can vary between 2 and 6, or more. Each pack 3 comprises at least one batch 7 of articles 2. In order for the pack to comprise at least two parallel batches 7 of articles 2, several convergent conveying paths 6 may be provided, to form separate series of batches. 7 successive groups that are then grouped together.

The installation shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is intended to form packs 3 comprising two identical batches 7 of aligned articles 2.

This is why two conveying paths symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal elevation plane are provided, for the formation of two distinct sets of batches 7.

This representation is of course given by way of example, and there may be a plurality of convergent separate conveying paths 6.

For each series of lots 7, the installation 1 comprises a device 8 for the constitution of the batches 7.

This device 8 comprises an advance channel 9 which extends between the input station 4 and an intermediate station 10 located between the input station 4 and the output station 5, for example at a distance substantially equal to the latter. The articles 2 are conveyed along the progress path 9, one by one, being juxtaposed to each other, by means of a motorized treadmill or any other equivalent means.

The device 8 also comprises a conveyor 11 capable of receiving the batches 7 of successive articles to convey them from an upstream location in the vicinity of the intermediate station 10, to a downstream location near the exit station 5. When they are arranged on the 11, the batches 7 have a face facing upstream and a face facing downstream. The upstream faces of two successive batches 7 are spaced a predetermined distance P said not. According to an embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 '3, the conveyor comprises two endless carrier belts 12, motorized, extending longitudinally.

elsewhere, the device 8 also comprises drive means 13 of the conveyor 11; means 14 for transferring articles 2 from the advancement path 9 to the conveyor 11, capable of taking and grouping the articles 2 to form the spaced batches; and - driving means 15 of the transfer means 14.

The structure 8 of this device and its mode of operation will be described in detail later in the description.

The installation 1 is provided so that the pitch P, the number of articles 2 per batch 7 and the production rate are automatically adjustable.

adjustments are made by applying in particular to the conveyor 11 and the transfer means 14 of the particular speed profiles through their respective drive means 13, 15.

For this purpose, the installation 1 further comprises a device 16 for controlling and controlling the drive means 13, 15.

The control device 16 is arranged to apply to each drive means 13, in particular, a speed profile selected from a set of programmed speed profiles. The control device 16 comprises for example a computer memory 17 in which are stored sets of speed profiles intended to be applied selectively to each of the drive means 13, 15.

The speed of each drive means 13, 15 may be a function of its angular position and / or the time.

So that the articles 2 present, at the time of their gripping by the transfer means 14, the desired positioning and spacing, the device 8 may also comprise means 18 able to order and clock the articles 2 from the advancement channel 9.

According to one embodiment, the means 18 are adjacent to the advancement path 9 and the transfer means 14.

The device 8 further comprises a drive means 19 for the means 18 for ordering and timing articles 2, slaved to the control device 16, which can apply to the drive means 19 a predetermined speed profile, chosen, as before, from as a pre-programmed set of speed profiles.

The speeds of the drive means can be variable over time, there are provided drive means 13, 15, 19 adapted to such variations.

For this purpose, at least one of the drive means 13, 15, 19, in particular the drive means 15 of the transfer means 14, comprises a motor 20 whose rotation speed is continuously adjustable.

This motor 20 is for example a brushless direct current electric motor, more commonly called a brushless motor, whose rotation speed can be modulated at will. Brushless motors are known and already have many applications in the industry.

Their main advantages are on the one hand a variable speed of rotation as a function of voltage applied to their terminals, and on the other hand an increased longevity of the absence of brushes and commutator, sources of friction of wear.

In order to form the packs 3, the installation 1 also includes means for packaging the batches 7 of articles 2.

According to an embodiment illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 8, 9, the installation comprises a conveyor system 22, which comprises - a conveyor 23 extended substantially longitudinally, which conveys through a blank 24 cardboard or equivalent to the post intermediate 10 to arrange them on the conveyor 11 next to lots 7 of articles 2; a drive means 25 of said conveyor 23, slaved to the control device 16.

The blanks comprise for example a central panel on which articles 2 are intended to be arranged, and around which are articulated lateral panels 24a and holding flaps 24b of the articles 2 (FIG. 4). The blanks 24 are arranged flat on the conveyor 23, being extended transversely in the plane M (Figure 8).

According to an embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and in FIGS. 8 to 17, the conveyor 23 comprises pushers 26, each being able to come into engagement with a blank 24 to convey it towards the conveyor 11.

An unstacking device 27 may be provided for transferring the blanks 24 from a stack 28 to the conveyor 23, as well as a drive means 29 of the unstacking device 27, slaved to the control device 16. According to an illustrated embodiment in Figures 1 and 2, the unstacking device comprises a rotary drum 30 of transverse axis which are fixed transversely pivotal arms substantially parallel and regularly spaced.

The arms 31 are associated with the drum in the vicinity of its periphery 32, and include suction cups 33 able to suck the blanks 24 and transfer them from the stack 28 to the conveyor 23, which in turn transports them to the conveyor 11.

The packs 3 are formed from batches 7 of articles 2 and blanks 24 by means in particular of a folding device 34, adjacent to the conveyor 11, designed to fold the shutters 24b of maintenance.

For this purpose, the folding device 34 comprises a first rotary arm adjacent to the conveyor 11, rotating at a non-constant speed about a transverse axis passing substantially through the center of gravity of the arm 35.

The first arm 35 is symmetrical about its axis and comprises, near each of its ends, a curved portion 36 such that the arm 35 has substantially the shape of an S in a longitudinal elevation plane.

The arm 35 is rotated at a speed such that each half turn of the arm 35 coincides with the passage of a blank 24.

One of the curved portions 36 then engages with a flap 24a of the blank 24 facing upstream, to bend it towards the items 2 of the batch 7 as and when the latter advances on the conveyor 11 .

According to an embodiment, the rotational speed of the arm is non-constant and varies as a function of its angular position around its arm. In particular, the speed of the arm is substantially constant when the curved portion 36 is engaged with the blank 24, while it is increasing then decreasing, or conversely depending on the setting of P, between two successive passages of a blank 24.

The first arm 35 is rotated first drive means 37, slaved to the control device 16.

Moreover, the folding device 34 may also comprise a second rotary arm 38 adjacent to the conveyor 11, similar to the first arm, and disposed downstream thereof, symmetrically with respect to a transverse elevation plane, so that the second arm 38 has substantially the shape of a Z in a longitudinal elevation plane.

The operation of the second arm 38 is substantially identical to that of the first, its rotational speed being however substantially different, so that it ensures the folding of a flap 24a facing downstream.

The second arm 38 is also rotated by a second drive means 39, also slaved to the control device 16.

According to one embodiment, provision is also made 40 for setting the volume of the blanks 24 around the batches 7 of articles 2.

This device 40, adjacent to the conveyor 11 downstream of the folding device 34 described above, is intended to fold the side panels 24a of the blanks 24.

The volume-setting device 40 comprises a lever 41 moving back and forth in a longitudinal elevation plane from bottom to top and vice versa (FIG. 3).

This lever 41 in movement pushes the panels 24b upwards as the batch 7 of items 2 advance on the conveyor 11, to fold them towards the articles 2 and partly to ensure the closure of the pack 3. This lever 41 is driven at a predetermined speed in its movement back and forth by a drive means 42 controlled by the control device 16.

A device 43 for closing the blanks 24 around the batches 7 to form the packs is also provided.

This device 43 is for example disposed above conveyor 11, and comprises a lever 44 moving in a reciprocal movement back and forth, to engage with a closure panel 45 of the blank 24 to fold the latter against items 2 of lot 7 .

This lever 44 is set in motion at a predetermined speed by a drive means 46 of the closing device 43, slaved to the control device 16.

The operating speeds of the drive means 42, 46 are predetermined, being pre-programmed in the memory 17 of the control device 16.

In addition, the installation 1 may comprise a device 47 for guiding the batches 7 along at least a portion of the conveyor 11, this device comprising for example at least one endless belt 48 traveling along the long conveyor 11.

The or each endless belt 48 is driven in motion at a predetermined speed by a driving means 49 of the guiding device 47, slaved to the control device 16.

In order to ensure a continuous and synchronized operation of the installation 1, it is necessary to synchronize its various drive means.

Each driving means controlled by the control device 16 corresponds to a predetermined set of speed profiles introduced into the memory 17. According to the operation provided for each of these drive means, programming device 16 is introduced by programming. in the memory 7, constant or variable speed profiles as a function of time. Examples of speed profiles are given hereinafter especially for the drive means 15 of the transfer means 14.

The drive means 25, 29, 37, 42, 46, 49 are chosen to be able to be applied to them with variable speed profiles.

For this purpose, at least one of them, and for example each of them comprises a motor 20 such as that mentioned above, for example a brushless motor.

Device 8 is now described in more detail.

Along the way of advancement 9, the articles 2 are conveyed one by one at linear speed so-called input VE substantially constant, being juxtaposed to each other.

While on the conveyor 11, the batches 7 are conveyed from upstream to downstream at a so-called linear output speed VS, which is also substantially constant.

Two successive batches 7 are spaced apart by a pitch P, and have a longitudinal dimension or length L.

The transfer means 14 are arranged between the advancement path 9 and the conveyor 11. They comprise a succession of gripping members 50 which engage the articles 2 at the exit of the advancement path 9 and disengage them at the entrance of the conveyor 11. The entry of the transfer means 14 is called a location where the gripping members 50 engage articles 2, and as opposed to the output of the transfer means 14 a location where the gripping members disengage the articles 2.

According to one embodiment, the transfer means 14 comprise a toothed wheel 51 pivotally mounted about axis R of substantially vertical rotation. This toothed wheel 51 is disposed near the advancement path 9 and the conveyor 11, substantially tangent thereto.

The gripping members 50 may be in the form of regularly spaced teeth protruding radially from the toothed wheel 51. For example, the toothed wheel 51 comprises teeth 50.

During the rotation of the wheel 51 about its axis R, each tooth 50 describes a circle, passing through a first angular position OE in which it engages at least one article 2 from the advancement path, and a second position angular OS in which it disengages it on the conveyor11.

0 is the angular position of the tooth arbitrarily defined as the angular difference between a fixed transverse radius of the toothed wheel, and the movable ray passing through the tooth 50.

According to an embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 7, the angular difference between the first and second angular positions OE, OS is about 90 degrees.

The teeth 50 are driven continuously at a tangential transfer speed VT greater than or equal to the input speed VE, so that the articles are accelerated between the input and the output of the transfer means 14. The transfer speed VT , that is to say the tangential velocity of the teeth 50, proportional to the speed of rotation of the motor 20.

control and servocontrol device 16 is arranged to apply motor 20 a non-constant speed profile. This is made possible on the one hand the use of a motor 20 variable speed, including the brushless, and secondly by programming the speed profile in memory 17 of the control device 16.

VE input and VS output speeds being predefined, this speed profile is chosen so that - at the input, the transfer speed VT of a tooth 50 is substantially equal to the input speed VE.

between the input and the output, the transfer speed VT of the teeth 50 is greater than the input speed VE; at the output, the transfer speed VT of the teeth 50 is substantially equal to the output speed VS.

Thus, the commitment and release of articles 2 is performed without shock and without jerks.

Such a speed is shown in Figure 18.

In conventional installations, where the gripping members travel at a constant speed equal to the exit speed, it is difficult to increase the rate without risk of damaging the articles, because of the shocks they undergo during sudden accelerations caused by the grasping organs.

Ainsi, pour agir sur la cadence C à pas P constant, on peut régler la vitesse de sortie VS. The installation 1, and more particularly the device 8, allow on the one hand the setting of the production rate C, and on the other hand the setting of the number of articles 2 per batch 7 and the pitch P. recalls that the production rate C of plant 1 is defined as follows

Thus, in order to act on the rate C with constant pitch P, the output speed VS can be adjusted.

adjustment of the output speed VS can be carried out by regulating, in particular, the operating speed of the drive means 14 of the conveyor 11. The speed of the teeth 50 at the output of the transfer means 14 being substantially equal to the output speed VS, is applied to the wheel 51 a suitable speed profile.

According to one embodiment, a set of different transfer speed profiles VT is programmed in the memory 17 of the control device 16, of which three are illustrated in FIG. 18.

The transfer speed VT of a tooth 50 is a continuous, periodic function of the time and / or the angular position of the tooth.

The time period of the transfer speed is substantially equal to the time interval separating two successive commitments of articles 2.

où N est le nombre de dents 50 sur la roue 51. Whereas the angular period T of the transfer speed VT is substantially equal to the angular difference separating two successive teeth, and is therefore provided by the following relationship

where N is the number of teeth 50 on the wheel 51.

In the case where the angular difference between two successive teeth 50 is smaller than the angular difference between the first and the second angular positions and 0S, the variations in the transfer speed VT can be defined as follows. When 8 substantially equal to 0E, the transfer speed is substantially equal to the input speed VE of the articles.

In this way, the tooth 50 engages at least two articles 2 continuously without striking them (FIGS. 5 and 18), forming a batch 7 of grouped articles.

The transfer speed VT then increases continuously with the angular position 0, to reach a maximum substantially equal to the output speed VS.

Thus, a space is created between the batch 7 and the articles 2 still on the way forward Then the transfer speed VT of the tooth 50 decreases with the angular position 0, to pass a minimum substantially equal to the entry speed VE when the next tooth 50 engages an article 2 (FIGS. 6 and 18).

The transfer speed VT then increases to reach its maximum VS again.

The batch 7 then reaches the outlet where it is placed on the conveyor 11 which supports them at a constant speed VS, while the tooth 2 disengages (Figures 7 and 16).

In one embodiment of the toothed wheel 51 where the angular difference between two successive teeth 50 (that is to say the angular period T of the speed VT of the tooth 50) is greater than the angular difference between input and output, the transfer speed VT does not go back by a minimum between the input and the output.

The setting of the pitch P is related to the setting of the number of articles per batch. More precisely, the pitch P is an increasing function of the number N of batch items 7.

each batch 7, comprising a number N of predefined articles, corresponds to a predefined pitch, adjusted in particular by means of the transfer speed profile of the toothed wheel 51.

decreasing the average transfer speed of the toothed wheel 51, the formation frequency of the batches is reduced. Thus, the number of articles per lot 7 and the step increase simultaneously.

In order to order and clock articles 2 from the advancement path 9 so that they have the desired positioning and spacing when engaged by the teeth 50, the device 8 may further comprise a star wheel 52.

star wheel 52 is pivotally mounted about an axis of rotation R 'substantially parallel to the axis R of rotation of the toothed wheel 51, and is controlled control device via the drive means 19.

The star wheel 52 comprises at its periphery a toothing 53 which meshes the articles 2 coming from the advancement path 9, and disengages them at the input of the transfer means 14.

For this purpose, the toothing 53 comprises housings 54 able to individually receive the articles 2, the shape of each housing 54 being substantially complementary to an article 2. In order to ensure a continuous movement of the articles 2, the tangential velocity of the wheel 52, or housing 54, is substantially equal to the input speed. The conveyor system 22 is now described in a particular embodiment.

This conveying system 22 makes it possible to route the blanks 24 flat, along a transport surface S extending in the plane M, towards the conveyor 11 while placing them opposite the batches 7 of articles, by example, under batches 7. It is adjustable, so that it can carry blanks 24 of different sizes, depending on the number of articles 2 per batch 7 and pitch P.

For this purpose, the conveyor 23 comprises a plurality of regularly spaced pushers 26, fixed to a movable support 55 which defines a closed-loop path, locally contiguous to the transport surface S.

The pushers circulate continuously, one-way and periodically along this path, which extends substantially in a plane P of longitudinal elevation, said conveying.

The support 55 is set in motion by the driving means 25, slaved to the control device 16, and whose speed can vary continuously. For this purpose, the drive means 25 may comprise an adjustable and / or variable speed motor, for example a brushless motor. Each pusher 23 is movably mounted between a so-called inactive position where the pusher 23 is located at a distance from the transport surface S, and a so-called active position where it is at least partially at least part of the transport surface S.

In its active position, the pusher 23 engages with a blank 24 and pushes it along the transport surface S. Each pusher 23 can be actuated by a rotary movable member called selector 56, engaging with the pusher 23 to move from its inactive position to its active position.

This selector 56 is set in motion by a drive means 57 whose speed is variable, and for this purpose comprises a brushless motor, any other motor whose rotational speed is adjustable and / or continuously variable.

The drive means 57 is slaved to the control device 16, whose memory contains a pre-programmed set of non-constant speed profiles applicable to the drive means 57.

According to an embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the support 55 is an endless chain meshing with two pinions 58, at least one of which is associated with the motor. In variants not shown, the support 55 is a toothed belt, or a towing cable. , or any other equivalent means.

While each pusher 26 is a V-shaped rigid piece which comprises a first branch 59 adapted to come into engagement with the selector, and a second leg 60 substantially perpendicular to the first. When the pusher is in the inactive position, this second branch protrudes at least part of the transport surface S to engage with blank 24.

For this purpose, the second branch 60 comprises a surface 61 which, when the pusher 26 is in its active position, extends in a transverse plane of elevation. The pushers 26 are evenly distributed along the chain 55, on which each is pivotally mounted about a transverse axis 62, forming means for fixing the pusher 26 to the chain 55.

pushers travel along their path by being guided in a rail 63 extends substantially in a longitudinal elevation plane, under the transport surface S, parallel to this path.

The rail has a substantially rectilinear, longitudinal upper zone 64, contiguous to the transport surface S, a lower zone which is also substantially rectilinear, longitudinal, located at a distance from the transport surface S, connected by a first and a second end zone 66 , 67, in the form of semicircles.

Along the upper zone 64, the rail 63 separates into two paths: an upper track 68, contiguous to the transport surface S, and a lower track 69 located under the first track 68.

Pusher 26, meanwhile, comprises a first lug 70, laterally projecting the first leg 59, and a second lug 71 projecting laterally from the second leg 60.

The lugs 70, 71 allow both the guiding and the pusher blocking 26 in the rail 63.

Near the first end zone 66, the conveyor 23 has a switching zone 72 where the tracks 70, 71 are interrupted, to allow the pushers 26 to pivot freely about their axis passing from fear inactive position to their position. active position.

The selector 56 is arranged near this switching zone 72. In order to ensure the pivoting of the pushers, the selector 56 comprises a cam 73 extended substantially in the plane P, and driven in rotation in this plane P around a transverse axis.

An angular position of the cam 73 in the plane is noted. The cam is adjacent to the upper zone 64 rail, in order to momentarily engage with the second push-button branch 26 so as to pivot the latter.

During its rotation, the cam 73 passes through a first angular position a1 where it engages at least the pusher 26 to rotate it about its axis 62, and a second angular position a2 where it releases the pusher 26.

The conveying system 22 is provided so that the cam 73 acts on a predetermined subassembly of the set of pushers 26 of the conveyor 23. For this purpose, the operation of the cam 73 is periodic, its period being defined as the time interval separating two successive passages of the cam 73 by the same angular position.

If we define the period of the conveyor 23 as the time interval separating the passage of two pushers by one and the same point of the trajectory defined by the chain 55, period of the cam 73 is a multiple of the period of the carrier. of the cam 73 is adjustable by applying to its drive means 57 a speed profile selected from a set pre-programmed in the memory 17 of the control device 16.

Thus, the cam 73 is provided to operate one pusher on two, one in three, one in four, or more. Its speed of rotation VC therefore regulated accordingly. The speed VC at which the cam 73 is driven by its drive means 57 is continuous, periodic, and variable depending on the angular position at the cam 73.

In particular, the speed VC has the following characteristics in particular: it is a constant sign, so that the cam 73 turns in one direction in the same direction as the chain 55; it is substantially constant from the first angular position a1 to the second angular position a2 of the cam 73; it is non-constant, for example increasing and decreasing, or conversely depending on the setting, from the second angular position a2 to the first angular position a1 of the cam 73.

The speed profile of the cam 73 is, for example, chosen from a set of speed profiles pre-programmed in the memory 17 control device 16.

In this way, as a function of its speed, the cam 73 can selectively engage a certain number of successive pushers 26 belonging to a predetermined subset of the set of pushers 26.

Three VC speed profiles of the cam 73, as a function of its angular position, are shown in FIG.

The profile shown in solid lines corresponds to a setting the cam 73 according to which the latter actuates a pusher 26 on two.

While profiles shown in mixed and discontinuous lines respectively correspond to two settings in which the cam 73 actuates one pusher on three, and push on four. The distance d between the surfaces 61 of two successive pushers active position is substantially equal to the pitch P of the installation.

Indeed, this distance corresponds to the difference between two successive blanks 24 intended to be arranged opposite batches 7 of articles 2, for example under them, prior to the constitution of the packs 3.

The distance d is therefore a multiple of the distance m between two successive pushers 26 on the chain 55.

This distance m, called module, is fixed during the manufacture of the installation, and in particular of the conveyor system 22.

We now describe an operating mode of the conveying device 22, in a first setting where the cam 73 engages a pusher 26 two, with reference to Figures 9 to 13.

We follow for this the race of a first, a second and a third pushers 26a, 26b, 26c successive along their path, starting from a location where the pushers 26a, 26b, 26c are all three. in the lower zone 65 of the rail 63.

The three pushers 26a, 26b, 26c are conveyed along the lower zone 65, then along the first end zone 66, being held fixed in rotation in the rail 63, the lugs 70, 71 being in abutment against the edges of the rail.

out of the first end zone 66, the first lug 70 pushers 26b, 26c is guided by the lower lane, while the second lug 71 guided by the upper lane 68.

The pushers 26a, 26b, 26c are then all three in their inactive position. When the first pusher 26a opens into the switching zone 72, its second leg 60 abuts against the cam 73, the latter being in its first angular position a1. The cam 73 then forces the pusher 26a to pivot about its axis (FIG. 10).

Under the action of the cam 73, which accompanies at a constant speed the first pusher 26a, the first lug 70 is directed towards the upper lane 68, the second leg 60 projecting from the conveying surface S upwards, to engage with a blank 24 (Figure 11). The first pusher is then in its active position.

When the cam 73, in the second angular position a2, disengages the first pusher 26a, the latter is held fixed in rotation, second lug 71 being guided by the upper track 68 of the rail along the surface S of transport.

The cam 73 then accelerates, pivoting about its axis. Meanwhile, the second pusher 26b travels through the switch zone 72 while remaining in its inactive position (FIG. 12).

Then the cam 73 decelerates to regain its first angular position a2, and engage the second pusher 26c in the same manner as the first pusher 26a (Figure 13).

Each pusher 26 pushes a blank 24 to the conveyor 11. After the blank has been taken over by the conveyor 11, the pusher 26 returns to its idle position in the second end zone 67 of the conveyor, for example by pivoting by gravity around its axis.

For this purpose, the rail 63 comprises an auxiliary channel 74 opening into the transport surface S, connecting the latter to the second end zone 67.

In the vicinity of this end zone 67, the auxiliary channels 74, upper 68 and lower are locally inclined downwards to force the active pushers 26 to move away from the transport surface S and clear the blanks 24. According to a second adjustment where the maximum speed of cam rotation 73 is decreased, it can engage one pusher 26 out of three. This operating mode, identical to that just described, is illustrated in FIGS. 14 to 17.

 describes now the course of a set of two consecutive articles 2 being said upstream, the other downstream, for the same batch 7, from the input station 4 to the output station 5, according to a setting where the Installation 1 produces packs of four items (i.e., two batches of two items).

The two items 2 are conveyed along the lane 9 at constant speed to the intermediate position where they are engaged by the star wheel 52 which makes them describe a trajectory in the form of a circular arc, always at a constant speed VE.

They are then simultaneously released by the starwheel 52 and engaged by the toothed wheel 51, a tooth 50 venting in engagement with the article 2 upstream at a speed equal to the entry speed VE.

The articles then undergo a gradual acceleration under the effect of the increase of the speed VT of the tooth 50.

This acceleration has the effect of grouping them in a batch 7, while spacing them from the following items, not yet engaged by the toothed wheel 51.

Articles 2 then describe a trajectory substantially in the form of a circle arc, for example a quarter circle, at the end of which they are arranged at times on the conveyor 11 and on a blank 24, at a speed equal to the output speed VS of the conveyor 11.

The batch is then conveyed on its blank 24 at constant speed VS to the packaging means 21 where the blank 24 is successively set in volume and then closed around the batch 7 to form a pack 3 near the exit station where the pack 3 comes out the installation 1.

In this operating mode, the conveying system 22 is set so that the selector 56 activates one pusher 26 out of two.

The blanks 24 conveyed by the conveyor 23 are chosen in dimensions that depend on the pack 3 to be produced, the longitudinal dimension of the blank 24 obviously being smaller than the pitch P.

The operation of the batch forming device 8 and the conveying system are synchronized by means of the control device 16, so that blank 24 and a batch 7 for the same pack are arranged simultaneously on the conveyor 11.

We now describe a setting of the installation 1, given by way of example for the shift from production in packs of 4 (lots of two) to production in packs of six (lots of three).

It is assumed that the input speed is kept constant and the flow rate conserved).

The pitch P, which depends on the type of pack 3 produced by the installation, chosen as a function of the length L of this pack, for example twice this length L.

According to relation (1), the output speed VS is then twice the input speed, regardless of the pitch or type of pack produced.

The packs length 3 is obviously proportional to the longitudinal dimension of an article 2 (for example the diameter of a bottle if the article 2 is one). By choosing as the value of the module m the length of a pack four articles (that is to say the longitudinal dimension of a batch of articles), it is possible to establish a proportionality relation between the pitch and the module.

For example, the pitch P can be chosen as the product of the module by the number n of articles per lot P = mxn <I> (4) </ I> Therefore, to go from a production of packs of four to one production in packs of six, we can proceed as follows.

VE input and VS output rates are kept constant. We change the size of the blank 24.

By means of the device 16, a change of speed profile for selector 56 is controlled, so that its average speed is reduced by one third. That 'then turns less quickly, to activate a pusher 26 on three place of a pusher 26 on two. The distance between two active pushers 26, equal to the pitch, is then equal to three times the module, according to relation (4) above.

By means of a change of velocity profile, a third average speed of rotation of the toothed wheel 51 is also reduced, which then engages groups of three articles instead of groups of two.

Furthermore, it also reduces by one third the operating speed of the packaging means, the packs of six being more spaced than packs of two.

The installation 1 is then ready to produce packs of six articles. Of course one can adjust the rate of the installation by increasing simultaneously and progressively the rotational speeds of all the drive means.

This is made possible by the use of steplessly adjustable or continuously variable speed motors, combined with the use of a control and servo device able to synchronize the drive means and to apply to them speed already programmed in memory.

Claims (25)

1. Device for the constitution of successive batches (7) of articles (2), which comprises - a conveyor (11) able to receive the batches (7) of successive articles (2) to convey them from a so-called upstream location towards a so-called downstream location, the upstream faces of two successive batches (7) being spaced apart by a predetermined distance, said pitch; - drive means (13) conveyor (11); - An advancement path (9) along which the articles (2) are conveyed one by one to the said conveyor 1) being juxtaposed to each other; - Transfer means (14) items (2) from the advance path (9) to the conveyor (11), able to take and group the articles (2) to form batches (7) spaced apart; a drive means (15) for transfer means (14), characterized in that it further comprises a device (16 for controlling and controlling the drive means (13, 15), able to apply to each driving means (13, 5) a speed profile selected from a pre-programmed set of velocity profiles, to allow the setting of the pitch (P) and / or the number of articles (2) per batch (7) in the desired step and / or batch type. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises - means (18) adjacent to advancing track (9) and the transfer means (14), able to order cadence articles (2) from the feed path (9) to have the desired positioning and spacing at the time of gripping by the transfer means (14); and a drive means (19) for the means (18) for ordering and timing the articles, slaved to the control device (16). 3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that control device (1 is adapted to apply to said drive means (19) a predetermined speed profile, selected from pre-programmed set of speed profiles. 4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least one drive means (13, 15, 19) comprises less than a motor whose rotational speed is continuously adjustable. 5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the motor is an electric motor, brushless DC type. 6. Packaging plant for forming finished products (3) such as packs from batches (7) of articles, which comprises at least one device according to one of claims 1 to 5, and packaging means (21) batches (7) of articles for forming the finished products (3). 7. Installation according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises - a carrier (23) adapted firstly to convey one by one of the blanks (24) cardboard or equivalent, placed substantially flat on the conveyor (23). ), towards the said conveyor (11), and to arrange the blanks (24) on the conveyor (11) facing the batches (7) of articles; - A drive means (25) of said conveyor (23), slaved to the control device (16). 8. Installation according to claim 6 or claim 7, characterized in that the carrier (23) comprises pushers (26) of the blanks (24) arranged successively on the conveyor (23), each pusher (26) being able to come taken with a blank (24) to convey it to the conveyor (11), the distance between two successive pushers (26) in engagement with a blank (24) being predetermined and substantially equal to the pitch (P). 9. Installation according to claim 8, characterized in that it further comprises means (57) for adjusting the distance between two successive pushers (26) engaged with a blank (24) according to a predetermined value chosen from a group pre-programmed values, all multiples of the same value called module (m). 10. Installation according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises a drive means (57) of the adjustment means, slaved to the control device (1). 11. Installation according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that it further comprises - an unstacking device (27) adapted to transfer the blanks (24) from a stack (28) to said conveyor (23) ; - A drive means (29) of the unstacking device (27), slaved to the control device (16). 12. Installation according to claim 11, characterized in that unstacking device (27) comprises a drum (30) rotating and arms (31) substantially parallel pivoting associated with the drum (30) in the vicinity of the periphery (32) of it, the arms (31) being regularly spaced extended substantially perpendicularly to the drum (30), each arm (31) comprising suction means (33) adapted to engage with the blanks (24) of said stack ( 28) to ensure their transfer to the carrier (23). 13. Installation according to one of claims 6 to 12, characterized in that it comprises a device (34) for folding blanks (24), adjacent to the conveyor (11), able to bend flaps (24b) holding . 14. Installation according to claim 13, characterized in that the folding device (34) comprises a first arm (35) rotating adjacent to the conveyor (11), rotating at a non-constant speed, able to bend a portion (24b) (24). facing upstream of the conveyor (11). 15. Installation according to claim 14, characterized in that it comprises a first drive means (37) of the first arm (35), slaved to the control device (16), and adapted to drive the first arm (35). in a motion whose speed is predetermined. 16. Installation according to one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the folding device (34) comprises a second arm (38) rotatable adjacent to the conveyor (11 and disposed downstream of the first arm (35), and rotating non-constant speed adapted to bend a portion (24a) of the blank (24) facing downstream of the conveyor (11). 17. Installation according to claim 16, characterized in that it comprises a second drive means (39) of the second arm (38), slaved to the control device (16), and adapted to drive the second arm (38). in a motion whose speed is predetermined. 18. Installation according to one of claims 6 to 17, characterized in that it comprises a device (41) volume of the blanks (24) around the batches (7) of articles disposed adjacent to the conveyor (11). ) downstream of the folding device (34), and able to fold side panels (24a) blanks (24). 19. Installation according to claim 18, characterized in that the device (40) volume setting comprises a part (41) moved back and forth from bottom to top and reciprocally, adapted to engage with a panel (24a) for folding it against the articles (2) of the batch (7). 20. Apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that it comprises a drive means (42) of the device (40) volume setting, controlled by the control device (16), and adapted to drive the said piece (41). ) in a movement whose speed is predetermined. 21. Installation according to one of claims 6 to 20, characterized in that it comprises a device (43) closing the blanks (24) around the batches (7) to form the finished products (3), arranged above below the conveyor (11). 22. Installation according to claim 21, characterized in that the device (43) closing comprises a part (44) moved back and forth, adapted to engage with a panel (45) closing the blank (24) to fold the latter against the articles (2) of the lot (7). 23. Installation according to claim 22, characterized in that it comprises a drive means (46) of the device (43) closing, controlled by the control device (16), and adapted to drive said piece (44) in a movement whose speed is predetermined. 24. Installation according to one of claims 5 to 23, characterized in that it further comprises - a device (47) for guiding batches (7) along at least a portion of the conveyor (11), which comprises at least one endless band (48) running along the conveyor (11); - A drive means (49) of the guiding device (47), slaved to the control device (16), and adapted to drive the endless belt (48) in a movement whose speed is predetermined. 25. Installation according to one of claims 7 to 24, characterized in that the control device (16) is arranged to apply to at least one of the drive means (25, 29, 37, 39, 42, 46 , 49, 57) a predetermined speed profile selected from a pre-programmed set of velocity profiles. Installation according to one of claims 7 to 25, characterized in that the control device (16) is arranged to apply to each drive means (25, 29, 37, 39, 42, 49, 57) a speed profile predetermined, selected from a pre-programmed set of speed profiles. 27. Installation according to claim 25 or claim 26, characterized in that the or each drive means (25, 29, 39, 42, 49, 57) comprises a motor (20) whose rotation speed is adjustable keep on going. 28. Installation according to claim 27, characterized in that said engine (20) is an electric motor, brushless DC type.