FR2890060A1 - Article transferring device, has gripping units connected to support movable along axis and connected between them through assembly of end connecting rod and intermediate connecting rod - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (4) has gripping units connected to a support movable along an axis and connected between them through an assembly of end connecting rod and intermediate connecting rod. A pivoting joint ensures the connection between the connecting rods, and another pivoting joint ensures the connection between the support and connecting rods. The support is moved by using an electric, pneumatic, mechanical or manual unit.

Description

2890060 - 1 -

  The present invention relates to a device for transferring rows of articles, from an area in which the articles constitute rows with a given space between each article, the pitch (P), to other areas in which these rows will be arranged. with others not; this device will have the ability to process several operations successively or simultaneously.

  In many industrial installations, article handling devices are used for transferring them from one type of container to another or on a conveyor of a packaging, bottling, containerization production line. crating, dressing, assembly, etc. Various transfer devices that perform this type of operation are already known by the combination of gripping tools and mechanical systems associated with conveyors.

  In one embodiment, the means for transferring the articles comprises a system of mechanical stops on one or more conveyors making it possible to prepare the rows (as well as conveyors) of articles with the step corresponding to their storage in a container; in some cases the conveyors are equipped with a rotation device for laying the articles for gripping. A gripper then takes the batch of articles to deposit it in the container, in some cases the gripper will have a function of narrowing the rows between them.

  In another embodiment, the means for preparing the rows comprises conveyors associated with augers to obtain the desired pitch between the articles and possibly to lay them down (or pick up the items for the reverse operation) in order to their grip by a gripper performing the same functions as those described for the first existing mode enunciated.

  Known handling devices have the disadvantage of being complex, cumbersome and expensive and, moreover, their design significantly limits the simultaneous operations, and require significant tool changes for articles of different formats.

  The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks by providing a particularly simple device for automatically gripping and changing configuration, and in particular the step of the rows of articles during the movement of the assembly between the conveyor, and the different containers provided on each installation; this possibility of automatic change of row configuration also makes it possible to use the same device for several article formats.

  For this purpose, this article transfer device, grouped in rows on a conveyor or in a container or any other support, comprises one or more gripping means connected to each other and to their support by a transmission means allowing manual variations. or automatic and multiple of this step.

  This variation is possible during the movement of the device, itself, ensuring the transfer of a batch of articles, a container to or another container, a container to a conveyor, or a conveyor to a container for example.

  The displacement of the device, or the set of devices between the different work areas can be achieved by various means (5) of traditional load displacement connected to the ground (6), capable of moving the device (object of the invention ) or a set of devices and the set of items to handle, in the space and time required for the final application such as a gantry, a multi-axis robot, etc. One embodiment of the present invention will be described hereinafter by way of non-limiting example with reference to the drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view in plan view, without limitation of a installation incorporating a device (4) for transferring articles (B) and four working areas, two of which (Z3) and (Z4) are on the conveyor (3), another (Z1) located in a type of container ( 1) and another (Z2) in another type of container (2).

  FIGS. 2 and 3 are two non-limiting schematic representations of an identical article transfer device represented in two different pitch configurations (P).

  In these figures the articles shown are bottles, the gripping means (PR) shown are suction cups, but can be of any other type according to the characteristics of the articles to be treated.

  With reference to these drawings, the device (4) is composed of gripping means (PR) connected to supports (S) movable along an axis (R), interconnected by a set of connecting rods (B1) of intermediate ends and connecting rods (B2), the pivot links P1 ensuring the connection of the connecting rods to each other, the pivot links P2 ensuring the connection between the gripping supports (S) and the connecting rods B1 and B2, whose pitch, will vary from Automatically and accurately by setting in motion (Ml) one of the gripper supports (S) associated with the blocking or the setting in motion (M2) of another of these gripper supports (S). The speeds and stops of these starts will be defined according to the steps and the 35 positions to be reached.

  M1 and M2 starts will be done by one or more manual, mechanical, pneumatic or electrical means (Al and A2) according to the number of steps 2890060 - 4 - different and the precision that it will be necessary to obtain for each application .

  In one embodiment, several devices are juxtaposed or nested for the realization of more complex systems that can also follow higher production rates.

  Relative movements of the different juxtaposed devices allow the taking of articles in different positions, standing or lying, for example. - 5 -

Claims (4)

  1) Device for transferring articles, such as containers, in a row characterized in that it is composed of gripping means (PR) connected to each other and to their support by a transmission means allowing manual or automatic and multiple variations step between these gripping means.   2) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the means for the variation of pitch is composed of gripping means connected to supports (S) movable along an axis (R), interconnected by a set of connecting rods (B1) intermediate ends and connecting rods (B2), the pivot links P1 connecting the connecting rods to each other, the pivot links P2 ensuring the connection between the gripping supports (S) and the connecting rods B1 and B2, whose pitch , will vary automatically and accurately by the setting in motion (M1) of one of the gripper supports (S) associated with the blocking or the setting in motion (M2) of another of these gripper holders ( S). The speeds and stops of these movements will be defined according to the steps and the positions to be reached.   3) Device according to claims 1 or 2 characterized in that the setting M1 and M2 move will be by one or more means, manual, mechanical, pneumatic or electric (A) according to the number of different steps that will be necessary to achieve for each application.   4) Device according to claim 1 or 2 characterized by its connection to a means (5) of connection, lifting and positioning in the space relative to the ground (6)