FR2865465A1 - Cylindrical product e.g. cheese, conveying equipment, has transfer device including support unit that performs cyclic to and fro movement, and exerts supporting force on product for controlling rolling movement along path on support - Google Patents

Abstract

The equipment has a transfer device (2) including a support unit (6) that performs cyclic to and fro movement which applies rolling movement to a product on a support (4), until the product reaches another support (5). The to and fro movement permits return movement of the unit (6) into its initial position. The unit (6) exerts supporting force on the product to control the rolling movement along a path on the support (4). The product is placed on the support (4) such that its central axis (3`) extends parallelly to plane of the support (4).

Description

The present invention relates to the general field of

  handling. It relates more specifically to an installation adapted for the handling of cylindrical products, in particular fragile products of the cheese type shaped into logs.

  In some types of industries, and for some manufacturing or simple handling operations, it may be necessary to move products from one medium to another.

  This is particularly the case in the cheese industry where cheeses shaped into logs may need to be transferred from an endless conveyor to trays or storage bins, for their grouping in batches, for example.

  These transfer operations are usually performed by gripper-shaped grippers. But the materials in question are quite complex to implement; they are not easy to adjust and the clamps used have the risk of marking the envelope of the products handled, especially when it comes to cheese.

  The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks by proposing a new handling facility whose transfer device, of simple design, ensures efficient movement of the products between two adjacent supports, in particular by limiting the risk of tampering with these products.

  In the installation in question, the products are initially arranged on a first plane support so that their central axis extends parallel to the plane of this support, this installation is characterized by the fact that it comprises a transfer device provided with at least one support member movable in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the products, which support member is adapted to come, during its displacement, in contact with the cylindrical envelope of at least one product, so as to apply to it a controlled rolling movement on the first support, until it reaches the second support.

  According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the corresponding support member is provided with a planar active surface which is adapted to bear on the upper part of the products, so as to apply to these products a rolling movement during of his displacement.

  Preferably, the support member comprises a generally pallet-shaped part, whose planar active surface has a length adapted to remain in constant contact with the supported product or products, all along their path on at least the first support.

  According to another particular provision, at least one of the support members is mounted on a carrier frame driven by a back and forth movement perpendicular to the axis of the products, the forward movement, parallel to the first support, corresponding to the support of the products to ensure their transfer, and the return movement ensuring a replacement of said support member or bodies in an original position, for a new cycle.

  Preferably, the carrier frame is also movable vertically upwards to allow the release of the support members during the return movement, and also downwards for bringing the active surface of said support members into contact with the support member. cylindrical envelope of at least one of the products arranged on the first support, in view of the forward movement transfer.

  The support member or members are advantageously mounted vertically floating relative to their support frame, in particular to ensure a constant bearing force on the products. Preferably, or the support members are constituted by a pallet extended by a connecting structure with a movable carrier frame; this connecting structure comprises at least one end protrusion capable of sliding freely vertically in a housing provided in said carrier frame.

  According to another particular embodiment of the invention, the second support of the installation is placed under the level of the first plane support; the products in controlled rolling movement then leave the first support to reach the second by simple gravity.

  In a particular embodiment, the first and second supports are animated with advancement movements. And preferably, the second plane support is animated with a forward movement perpendicular to the forward movement of the first support.

  Still according to a particular embodiment, the first plane support is animated with a continuous advancement movement; the supporting frame or supporting members, in addition to its first movement back and forth perpendicular to the axis of the products and possibly its vertical movement, is animated by a second movement back and forth parallel to the product axis, the forward phase of this movement having a direction and a speed identical to those of the products on the first plane support, and the forward phases of said first and second back and forth movements being combined with each other to ensure optimal transfer of products.

  The second support can move in a stepwise advance movement.

  According to an interesting embodiment, the first support consists of an endless conveyor, and the second support is in the form of storage bin (s) products.

  Of course, the installation according to the invention can find application in fields other than the cheese industry, in particular in any field where products, fragile or otherwise, can be moved in rotation.

  However, the invention will be further illustrated, without being limited in any way, by the following description in association with the appended drawings in which: FIGS. 1 to 6 are diagrammatic elevational views illustrating the main steps of the kinetics of the transfer device; an installation according to the invention; - Figures 7 to 14 are also schematic views showing the main steps of the kinetics of another possible form of a transfer device, here provided with a support member mounted vertically floating; FIGS. 15 and 16 are diagrammatic perspective views, which show a particular embodiment of a handling installation according to the invention, the transfer device of which is illustrated respectively in the initial position of taking over the products. and in the final transfer position; - Figure 17 is a partial view, in perspective, showing an enlargement of the transfer device fitted to the handling installation of Figures 15 and 16; FIG. 18 is a side view of the transfer device of FIG. 17.

  FIGS. 1 to 6 are diagrammatic views of the main constituent elements of a handling installation 1 according to the invention, which show the main stages of the kinetics of the transfer device 2 for the displacement of a cylindrical product 3 of a first plane support 4 on a second plane support 5 which is directly underlying it.

  The cylindrical product 3 in question may be a cheese in the form of a log, for example; this is particularly the case of some goat cheeses.

  The cheese 3 is initially placed on the first support 4 so that its axis 3 'extends parallel to the plane of this support 4.

  The device 2 for transferring the product 3 to the second support 5 is in the form of a support member 6 mounted on a mobile frame 7. The corresponding support member 6 is here in the form of an inverted tee having a vertical structure 8 providing the connection between the movable frame 7 and a horizontal portion 9 in the form of a pallet.

  The pallet structure 9 comprises a flat bottom face 10 which forms an active surface intended to come into contact with the cylindrical envelope of the product 3 that is to be moved.

  This active surface 10, of generally rectangular shape, is delimited by a front edge 11, a rear edge 12 and two lateral edges 13.

  The movable frame 7 is maneuvered so as to give the support member 6 a reciprocating movement in a direction perpendicular to the axis 3 'of the product 3 disposed on the first support 4. This movement of va and It combines a horizontal translation and a vertical translation, makes it possible to apply a controlled rolling motion to the product 3 on the first support 4, until it reaches the second support 5, as described in more detail below. relationship with Figures 1 to 4, then ensures a return movement of the support member in the initial position to start a new cycle, as detailed in connection with Figures 5 and 6.

  First of all, in FIG. 1, the support member 6 is in a high initial position, that is to say directly above and at a distance from the product 3 which is suitably disposed on the first support 4 .

  The support member 6 is then driven vertically downwards, so that the front edge 11 of its active surface 10 bears on the upper portion 15 of the product 3 (Figure 2).

  The forward movement of the support member 6 is then performed, as shown in Figures 2 to 4. In this case, the support member 6 circulates parallel to the first support 4, and perpendicular to the axis 3 of the product 3. The active surface 10 thus remains in permanent contact with the upper part 15 of the product 3 so as to apply to this product 3 a controlled rolling movement on the first support 4. Likewise, the upper part 15 of the product 3 rolls along the length of the active surface 10 from its front edge 11 to its rear edge 12.

  Note that the length of the pallet 9, namely the distance between the front borders 11 and rear 12, must be sufficient to remain in contact with the cylindrical shell of the product 3, throughout its management on the first support 4.

  The bearing force of the active surface 10 on the product 3 must be adapted to correctly control the rolling movement along the path on the first support 4, while being limited to prevent deterioration of the envelope of said product.

  Under the action of the pallet 9, the product 3 leaves the first support 4 and reaches the second underlying support 5 by gravity, where it stops itself (Figure 4).

  The transfer of the product 3 is complete, the support member 6 undergoes the return movement for replacement in the original position, the main steps are illustrated in Figures 4 to 6.

  The corresponding return movement begins with a vertical upward movement of the support member 6, with a view to placing it in the raised position (FIGS. 4 and 5). The support member 6, and in particular its pallet 9, can thus flow over a new product 3 awaiting transfer, suitably arranged on the first support 4 (FIGS. 5 and 6), so as to return in initial position (Figure 6).

  The support member 6 is then able to perform a new transfer cycle.

  The new product 3 awaiting transfer is correctly positioned relative to the transfer device 2 by any appropriate means, for example by moving the support 4 if the support 4 consists of a mobile support. On the other hand, the removal location on the receiving medium 5 must be released; for this purpose, and as illustrated in FIG. 5, the second support 5 can be moved relative to the first support 4, this having a length corresponding at least to the diameter of the products 3.

  For example, the first support 4 may consist of an endless belt with continuous advance movement or stepwise, bringing the products 3 to the transfer device 2, and the second support 5 may consist of trays or lockers animated by a continuous advance movement or step by step perpendicular to the movement of the first support 4. Once filled, the tray or corresponding bin is replaced by another tray or empty bin.

  FIGS. 7 to 14 are schematic views of a variant of a handling installation 1 according to the invention, which shows the main stages of the kinetics of the transfer device 2.

  In these FIGS. 7 to 14 are found the cylindrical product 3 of cheese type in the shape of a log, which is placed initially on the first support 4 so that its central axis 3 'extends parallel to the plane of this support 4. also the second support 5, directly underlying this first support 4.

  There is also a transfer device 2 comprising a support member 6 in the form of an inverted tee, mounted on a mobile frame 7.

  In this case, the support member 6 is mounted floating vertically on the carrier frame 7, to ensure an optimum and constant support force on the product 3.

  For this, the connecting structure 8 is terminated at its upper end 19 by a monobloc protuberance 20 forming a stop member. This protrusion 20 of the connecting structure 8 is guided vertically by free sliding in a vertical housing 21 arranged in the frame 7, between a fully extracted position (FIGS. 7 and 11 to 14) and a partially retracted position (FIGS. 8 to 10). ). For this purpose, the housing 21 has an internal shape which corresponds to clearance close to that of the protrusion 20; the housing 21 has a lower shoulder 22 adapted to form a stop for the protrusion 20 when the support member 6 is in the fully extracted position.

  As described previously with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, the support member 6 is driven, by the associated frame 7, with a forward movement of support of the product 3 for its transfer (FIGS. 8 to 12) and a return movement of replacement to the initial position (Figures 12 to 14).

  Prior to the aforementioned movement, the carrier frame 7, initially in the up position, moves vertically downwards (FIGS. 7 and 8). The active surface 10 of the support member 6 is placed against the upper portion 15 of the product 3, disposed on the first support 4 (Figure 8). The support member 6 being mounted floating, the upper end 19 of the connecting structure 8, initially fully extracted, partially retracts by sliding upwards in the housing 21 of the frame 7; the bearing force applied by the member 6 on the product 3 is thus determined solely by its weight.

  As described in the previous variant, the forward movement of the support member 6 allows a controlled rolling movement of the product 3 on the first support 4 (Figures 8 and 9).

  In addition, the passage of the product 3 from the first support 4 to the second 5 is here in part accompanied by the support member 6, to better control the fall of this product on the second support 5 (FIGS. and 11). Indeed, during the descent of the product 3 to the second support 5, the support member 6 is gradually removed from the housing 21 of the frame 7, and there is some time in contact with the upper portion 15 of the product 3 to accompany his downhill movement. When the product 3 reaches the second support 5, the support member 6 is entirely extracted and its active surface 10 is at a distance from the upper part 15 of the product 3 (FIG. 12).

  The transfer of the product 3 carried out, the carrier frame 7 is animated with the return movement to the initial position, as illustrated in FIGS. 12 to 14.

  In this case, the frame 7 undergoes a vertical upward movement (Figures 12 and 13), then it runs perpendicularly to the axis 3 'of the product 3 so as to return to the initial position over a new product arranged appropriately on the first support 4 (Figures 13 and 14).

  Still as described above in relation to FIGS. 1 to 6, the support member 6 and the associated frame 7 can perform a plurality of cycles of identical back and forth movements. The second support 5 then moves, at each cycle, a pitch whose length corresponds at least to the diameter of a product 3.

  Of course, the transfer devices 2, described above in connection with FIGS. 1 to 14, can also be implemented in an installation 1, the first and second supports 4 and 5 of which would be, in particular, adjacent and coplanar.

  FIGS. 15 and 16 are perspective views of a possible embodiment of a handling installation 1 according to the invention, which shows the two main positions of its transfer device 2.

  In this particular embodiment, the two flat supports 4 and 5 are found.

  The first support 4 is constituted by the upper strand of an endless conveyor belt 25, ensuring the continuous conveying of products 3, in the direction indicated by the arrow 26. The cylindrical products 3 are initially arranged longitudinally on this upper strand 4 so that their central axis 3 'is parallel to the plane of this upper strand 4; in addition, the products 3 are arranged co-axially along the length of this upper strand 4.

  This particular arrangement of the products 3 on this upper run 4 is achieved by any suitable removal means, known to those skilled in the art.

  The second support 5 consists of a rectangular tray in the form of storage bin, whose width is adapted to allow the coaxial juxtaposition of three cylindrical products 3. In addition, this plate 5 is able to be stacked on an identical tray so as to constitute one of the shelves of a storage structure.

  As discussed above in connection with FIGS. 1 to 14, this plate 5 travels step by step, directly under the upper end 4 of the endless belt 25, in a direction perpendicular to that of said belt 25, represented by the arrow 27. This stepwise advance movement of the second support 5 is achieved by means of a suitable conveying system, known to those skilled in the art.

  The transfer device 2 is here similar in its operation to that described above in relation to FIGS. 7 to 14.

  We find a carrier frame 7 on which are mounted here, freely floating vertically, three support members 6, for a simultaneous transfer of three products 3 of the endless belt 4 to the plate 5.

  The undercarriage 7 is associated with an operating system 28 maintained above the supports 4 and 5 by a bracket 29. The operating system 28 drives the chassis 7 in a first reciprocating movement perpendicular to the axis 3 'of the products. 3, to ensure the transfer cycles described above in connection with Figures 7 to 14, but also in a second movement back and forth parallel to the axis 3 'of the products 3, for the optimal transfer of these products, conveyed here continuously.

  In the present case, in FIG. 15, the frame 7 and its three associated support members 6 are in the initial position of taking over the products, as previously described in relation with FIG. 8; each support member 6 allows the management of a product 3.

  As can be seen in FIG. 16, the frame 7 and its support members 6 are subjected to a movement going perpendicular to the axis 3 'of the products, for their transfer onto the second support 5, as previously described in FIG. This forward movement is in addition combined with a movement going parallel to the axis 3 'of the products, whose direction and speed are identical to those of the products 3 conveyed by the upper strand 4 of the carpet. endless 25.

  This combination of the two forward movements is particularly advantageous for ensuring optimal transfer of the products 3, when the first support 4 ensures continuous conveying of said products 3.

  The return to the initial position consists, firstly, in a movement of the frame 7 in a vertical direction upwards, to disengage the support members 6. Then, the frame 7 makes a return movement to the initial position where the front edge of the support members 6 is located vertically and at a distance from the products 3 conveyed by the upper run 4 of the endless belt 25.

  When the three support members 6 are correctly positioned above three products 3 conveyed by the upper strand 4, the frame 7 undergoes a vertical downward movement, allowing the contacting of each support member 6 with a cylindrical product 3, as previously described in connection with FIG. 15.

  The synchronization of the movement of the transfer device 2 with the movement of the products 3 on the upper run 4 is controlled by an encoder equipping the motorization of the endless belt 25; for this purpose, this encoder is adapted to inform the operating device 28 of the frame 7 on the position, at each moment, of the products 3.

  It will also be noted that the tray 5, when complete, is disconnected from its conveyor system to be stacked on a similar tray, which allows vertical storage of the product supports. At the same time, an empty tray takes the place of the previous tray to receive new products 3.

  According to this embodiment, the support of the products is optimized by the particular structure of the floating assembly of the support members 6 on the frame 7, as illustrated in detail in FIGS. 17 and 18. These two figures illustrate partially the carrier frame 7 on which is mounted vertically floating a support member 6.

  The corresponding support member 6 comprises a pallet-shaped element 9 associated with a connecting structure 8 allowing its floating mounting on the frame 7. The pallet 9 has a generally rectangular shape delimited by a front edge 11, a rear edge 12 and two end edges 13. Its flat bottom face 10 is the active bearing surface on a product 3, for its rolling movement controlled on the first support, as described above. As discussed above, the length of the active surface 10, corresponding to the distance between the front 11 and rear 12 edges, is adapted to allow a permanent support on the upper part of a product when it is rolled on the upper strand 4 of the endless band 25.

  In addition, the width of the active surface 10, namely the distance between the two end edges 13, here corresponds substantially to the length of the product 3, for support and optimum contact on this product.

  The upper surface 30 of the pallet 9 is provided, at its two end edges 13, a longitudinal monobloc member 31 in the form of a hook, facing vis-à-vis. These longitudinal members 31 are intended to allow attachment of the pallet 9 on the connecting structure 8.

  The corresponding connecting structure 8 consists of two cylindrical longitudinal members 32 connected by two U-shaped crosspieces 33; each crosspiece 33 is provided with two vertical uprights 34, cylindrical and parallel to each other, each of which is terminated by an end protrusion 20 intended to cooperate with the frame 7 for the floating assembly as described above and in more detail thereafter . The protrusion 20 has a generally cylindrical shape extended by a frustoconical base.

  The pallet 9 is mounted on the connecting structure 8 by sliding the longitudinal members 32 in the longitudinal hooks 31, until the rear edge 12 of the pallet 9 comes into abutment against the heads 35 arranged at the end. rear end of the two side members 32.

  This mounting of the pallet 9 is maintained by an attached locking element 36, provided on its underside with a transverse groove 37 adapted to allow its mounting on the front cross member 33 of the connecting structure 8; the rear face of this locking element 36, when mounted, is placed against the front face of a one-piece stud 38 arranged on the upper face 30 of the pallet 9, so as to block the latter between said element of locking 36 and the heads 35 of the longitudinal members 32.

  The chassis 7 consists of two units 7 'held parallel and at a distance on two cylinders 40 connected to the operating system 28.

  Each unit 7 'has a general L shape consisting of a horizontal part 41, intended to cooperate with the support members 6, and a vertical part 42, properly secured to the cylinders 40.

  The horizontal portion 41 of each unit 7 'is delimited by a top face 43, a bottom face 44, a front face 45 and a rear face 46.

  The horizontal portion 41 is provided with three pairs of vertical housing through 21 (only a pair of housings 21 is shown here); each housing 21 consists of an upper section 48 of generally cylindrical shape, and a lower section 49 of generally frustoconical shape, defining an opening 50 at the lower face 44.

  These orifices 21 are each adapted to receive a vertical upright 34 of the connecting structure 8, to ensure the floating mounting of the support member 6. For this, the cylindrical upper section 48 of the housing 21 has an internal diameter corresponding to the play close to that of the protrusion of the uprights 34; the frustoconical lower section 49 has an internal contour corresponding to the clearance close to that of the base of the protrusion 20; and the opening 50 of the orifice 21, at the lower face 44, has a diameter corresponding to the clearance close to that of the vertical upright 34. The protrusion 20 can thus slide at the upper portion 48 of the housing 21, and the upright 34 slides in its opening 50; the lower section 49 further forms a shoulder 22 on which the base of the protrusion 20 comes to rest when the support member is fully extracted, as described above in connection with Figures 7 and 11 to 14.

  It can still be seen in FIG. 17 that the through-housings 21 of the two units 7 'are open on the front face 45 of the horizontal part 41. These openings 51, whose width is substantially greater than the diameter of the cylindrical posts 34 of the structure of FIG. 8, allow the mounting of the support members 6 on the frame 7. For this, the support member 6 is brought to the frame 7 so that the vertical uprights 34 front and rear are placed opposite the pairs openings 51 of the units 7 'respectively front and rear (the projections 20 of each amount 34 are above the plane of the upper face 43 of the adjoining horizontal portion 41). It will be noted that the separation between the two units 7 'of the chassis, namely the distance between the front face 45 of the rear unit 7' and the rear face 46 of the front unit 7 ', allows the positioning of the rear vertical uprights 34 next to the pair of openings 51 of the unit 7 'rear.

  The vertical uprights 34 are then inserted into the through-housing 21, through the apertures 51 facing each other; then the support member 6 is lowered vertically so that the protrusions 20 of each upright 34 are positioned in the corresponding housing 21.

  As described above, the support member 6 is thus mounted vertically floating; this member 6 is able to exert a constant bearing force, corresponding to its weight, on the upper part of the product supported. Of course, the two units 7 'of the frame 7 are each provided with two

  other pairs of vertical through housings 21, in which are mounted, in a similar manner to that described above, two other support members 6 identical.

  The three support members 6 are thus mounted floating vertically, independently of each other.

Claims (13)

- CLAIMS -   1.- Installation for handling cylindrical products, for example of the type of cheeses shaped like a log, which installation comprises a device (2) for the transfer of said products (3) of a first support plane (4) on a second adjacent support (5), which products (3) are arranged on said first support (4) so that their central axis (3 ') extends parallel to the plane of this support (4), characterized in that it comprises a device transfer member (2) provided with at least one support member (6) movable in a direction perpendicular to the axis (3 ') of the products (3), which support member (6) is adapted to come, during its displacement, in contact with the cylindrical envelope of at least one product (3), so as to apply to it a controlled rolling movement on said first support (4), so that it reaches said second support (5).   2.- Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one support member (6) provided with a planar active surface (10) which is adapted to bear on the upper part (15) products (3) during its movement, so as to apply to said products (3) a controlled rolling movement.   3.- Installation according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises one or more support members (6) each provided with a portion (9) in the form of a pallet whose active surface plane (10) has a length adapted to remain in constant contact with the supported product (s) (3), all along their path on at least the first support (4).   4.- Installation according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that it comprises at least one support member (6) mounted on a carrier frame (7) animated by a movement back and forth perpendicularly to the axis (3 ') of the products (3), the forward motion, parallel to the first support (4), corresponding to the support of the products (3) to ensure their transfer, and the return movement ensuring a replacement of said or said support members (6) in their original position, for a new cycle.   5.- Installation according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises a carrier frame (7) movable vertically upwards to allow the release of the support members (6) during the return movement, and vertically downwards for contacting the surface (10) of said support members (6) with the upper part (15) of the products (3) for the forward transfer movement.   6.- Installation according to any one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that it comprises one or more support members (6) mounted vertically floating relative to their support frame (7), in particular to ensure a constant bearing force on the products (3).   7.- Installation according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises at least one support member (6) consisting of a pallet (9) extended by a structure (8) for connection with a movable carrier frame (7). ), which connecting structure (8) comprises at least one end protrusion (20) able to slide freely in a housing (21) provided on said frame (7).   8.- Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a second support (5) disposed below the level of the first plane support (4), the products (3) animated by a movement rolling bearing leaving said first support (4) and reaching said second support (5) by gravity.   9.- Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises first and second supports (4 and 5) animated movement advancement.   10.- Installation according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises a second plane support (5) animated with a forward movement perpendicular to the advancement movement of the first support (4).   11.- Installation according to claims 4 or 5, and 9 or 10, characterized in that it comprises a first plane support (4) animated with a continuous advancement movement, the carrier frame (7) of the supporting members (6), in addition to its first reciprocating movement perpendicular to the axis (3 ') of the products (3), and possibly its vertical movement, being animated by a second movement of va and is parallel to the axis (3 ') of said products (3), the going phase of this second movement having a speed identical to that of said products (3) on the first support (4), and the going phases of said first and second back and forth movements being combined with one another to ensure optimal transfer of the products (3).   12.- Installation according to claim 11, characterized in that it comprises a second support (5) provided with a step advance movement.   13.- Installation according to any one of claims 11 or 12, characterized in that it comprises a first support (4) in the form of endless conveyor, and a second support (5) in the form of rack (s) of storage of products.