FR2903668A1 - FIXING MACHINE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CROSS LINKS AROUND PRODUCTS, ESPECIALLY CARNEY PRODUCTS - Google Patents

Abstract

The machine (10) comprises a conveyor (12) adapted to move in sequence along a transfer path the products to be tied. It also comprises, successively arranged along this transfer path: a first tying station (26) able to place and tie a first link around the product presented at this station by the conveyor; a handling station (30) adapted to apply to the product a pivoting movement on itself, so as to replace the product on the conveyor in a modified position, angularly offset from its initial position; and a second tying station (28) adapted to place and tie a second link around the product presented to this station by the conveyor. The machine thus ensures the automatic positioning and knotting around the product of at least two crossed links.

Description

ARC04.FRD 1 Tying machine for the establishment of cross links

  The invention relates to a machine for bundling products, for the positioning and knotting of at least two crossed links around a product. This machine is advantageously used in the agri-food industry, for example for the tying of pro-products such as paupiettes, fish breads, etc. This application is however in no way restrictive, and the machine of the invention can be used in a very large number of other situations where it is necessary to set up and tie by means of an automatic machine. links around products or other objects to be tied up such as cartons, bundles of newspapers, etc. FR-A-2,736,618 and FR-A-2,790,732, in the name of the Applicant, describe such tying machines which can be used to place and tighten a link, elastic or not, around a product to be tied. In these known machines, a movable arm brings the link around the product, then a suitable mechanism then ensures the tightening of the link, the formation of a knot, and finally the cutting of the link before the evacuation of the product out of the ma-chine of tying. These machines make it possible to tie the product by making the link turn around the product, for example for bundling stem products such as bouquets of flowers or the like. The geometry of these machines is however such that the turn of the link is always made in the same direction with respect to the product.

  However, in some cases, it is desirable to make at least two crossed links, that is to say two links extending in two directions at an angle to each other, for example two perpendicular directions oriented respectively along the length and the product width.

  This is for example the case of certain meat products such as roulades or similar rolled and / or stuffed culinary preparations.

  A comparable situation arises when you want to tie up bundles, bundles of newspapers, and so on. The problem of the present invention consists in producing, using an automatic machine, such a stringing comprising at least two crossed links. To achieve this purpose, the tying machine according to the invention comprises a conveyor adapted to move in sequence along a transfer path the products to be tied. It comprises, successively arranged along this transfer path: a first tying station able to place and tie a first link around the product presented at this station by the conveyor; a clean handling station to apply to the product a pivoting movement on itself, so as to replace this product on the conveyor in a modified position, angularly offset from its initial position; and a second home office to place and tie a second link around the product presented to that station by the conveyor. The conveyor may in particular carry a series of individual receivers for the products to be tied, these receptacles being adapted to hold the product against the stresses exerted in the transfer direction during the bundling. These receptacles advantageously have a shape homologous to that of the product taken in two offset angular positions corresponding to said respective initial positions and modified by the handling station. In a particular embodiment, the conveyor comprises two parallel synchronous strips spaced apart from each other by an interval allowing the passage of the link around the product during the positioning and the tying of the latter at the tying stations.

  The receptacles then advantageously comprise at least one receptacle portion on each conveyor belt, the receptacle portions of the two respective strips being spaced apart from each other by an interval allowing the passage of the bond around the product during the establishment and the knotting. from it to the tying stations. As far as the handling station is concerned, it may in particular comprise means for raising the product from a low position, where the product rests in the receptacle, to a high position where the product is raised above the receptacle at a height such that the receptacle does not impede the application to the product of said pivoting movement.In a preferred embodiment of the handling station, this includes a elevator plate and drive means of this plate both in vertical translation, for said lifting of the product from the low position to the high position and vice versa, and in rotation for the application to the same product of said movement 10 of Preferably, the handling station further comprises a retaining cup disposed above the lifting plate and adapted to cap the product when the latter is lifted and for example ndant the application of the pivoting movement, this cup being kept at a distance from the product when the latter is in the low position. This holding cup can in particular be mounted mobile both in vertical translation and in rotation, so as to freely follow the movement of the product during lifting and pivoting thereof. The configuration of the tying machine of the invention can be generalized so as to comprise at least three tying stations, these tying stations being placed along this transfer path: successively, for the positioning and the knotting of parallel respective links; and / or with the interposition of a manipulator station for setting and knotting angularly offset links. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the handling station comprises a manipulator having a rotation cam and a lift cam capable of respectively communicating a rotational movement and a translational movement to a supporting telescopic rod. It is advantageous for the tying machine to additionally comprise an unloading station.Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the following description of an example embodiment, given as a 1 is a general perspective view of the machine of the invention, showing the different stations and their respective configurations, FIG. meat product on which two crossed links were placed by means of the machine of the invention. e 3 is an enlarged view, in perspective, showing the main elements of one of the tying stations. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the main elements of the handling station. Figures 5a to 5d are side elevational views of the manipulation station, exposing the operating kinematics of this station. FIG. 6 illustrates a meat product of the same type as that of FIG. 2, but on which four crossed links have been laid, so as to give the strapped product a substantially rounded shape. Fig. 7 is a rear view of the machine of Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a side view of a manipulator forming part of the handling station. Figure 9 is a sectional view along the line IX-IX of Figure 8. Figure 10 is a sectional view along the line XX of Figure 8. Figure 11 is a perspective view of the mechanism of the ma-20 In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 generally designates the machine of the invention, which comprises a number of stations arranged along a conveyor 12 making it possible to move the products in sequence to tie (not shown in this figure) along a transfer path. These products are arranged in individual receptacles or cells 14 which will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 3. The conveyor 12 is a step-by-step conveyor comprising two synchronous strips 16, 18 supporting the receptacles 14, these strips being at the loading station 20, the goods to be tied are deposited individually in each of the receptacles 14, by hand or automatically. At the unloading station 22, the tied products are released from their receptacle 14 and grouped for further processing (further packaging, packaging, storage,

  .) on an exit conveyor (not shown) distinct from the conveyor 12.

The unloading station 22 comprises an endless three-belt conveyor which is synchronized with the conveyor 12. In the example, the conveyor of the unloading station 22 comprises a central endless belt 22-1 synchronized with the conveyor 12 and two Lateral end belts 22-2 which are synchronized with the central band 22-1. The existence of three synchronized bands makes it possible to offer a wider receiving surface for the products to be evacuated. The conveyor 12 is supported by a machine frame 24, which also supports two successive tying stations 26, 28, with an intermediate handling station 30 disposed between the two tying stations 26, 28. Advantageously, the conveyor 12 and the handling station 30 are driven by a single motor controlled by a frequency converter, thereby ensuring a perfect synchronism of the sequence of operations of the handling station with the step-by-step progression of the conveyor.

On the other hand, the tying stations 26 and 28 have their own motorization and are automatically actuated each time when a product is detected at the corresponding tying station. Details on the synchronization of the conveyor 12 and the handling station 30 will be described later with reference to FIG. 7.

5 The configuration of the example, with two tying stations and an intermediate handling station, corresponds to the simplest version of the machine, but it is quite possible as will be explained below to increase the number tying stations, as well as that of the intermediate handling stations, when it is desired to carry out not two cross links, but a greater number of cross-links, or to combine on the product staggered and crossed links.

On the other hand, the machine of the invention will be described in a configuration where the transfer path of the conveyor 12 is a rectilinear path, with the different stations 26, 28, 30 arranged successively in alignment along this conveyor. However, this configuration is not limiting, and other arrangements may be envisaged, in particular a circular configuration with a carousel-type conveyor making it possible to move the products along a circular transfer path in front of tying and demounting stations. successive manipulations angularly offset with respect to this path. Finally, the example that will be described is that of a machine where the transfer path of the conveyor is a horizontal path, the products being simply deposited in the receptacles 14 and moving in translation in the plane of the conveyor. conveyor. This configuration is the simplest to achieve, but it should not be considered as limiting the invention. C (2903668) FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a product 32 obtained at the outlet of the machine of the invention, which is, for example, a paupiette consisting of a meat slice 34 rolled on itself, surrounding a stuffing and surrounded by a bard, the assembly being held by two links 36, 38 formed at right angles.In a typical example, this product 32 has a very approximately parallelepipedal shape, with dimensions of the order of 55 x 70 mm and a height of 45 mm Figure 3 illustrates in more detail one of the tying stations.

In the example described, the two tying stations 26 and 28 are identical and arranged both in the same manner with respect to the conveyor 12. They are both designed to apply a link in a direction parallel to the advancement of the conveyor.

The product 32 is presented by the conveyor 12 under the tying station (the station 28, in Figure 3), where it is supported and retained against the stresses it can undergo in directions in the plane horizontal, by four tabs 40 mounted in pairs on the two synchronous strips 16, 18 of the conveyor. Each of these tabs has a concavity 42 of approximately-homologous shape that of the corners of the product, so as to form together the receptacle 14 to maintain it. For the product illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, which is approximately square or slightly rectangular in outline, the configuration of the stops 40 and concavities 42 is adapted so as to allow a satisfactory maintenance of the product whether it is placed indifferently. in two positions offset by a quarter turn. In other words, the product placed in a receptacle 14, even if it is rotated a quarter of a turn in one direction or the other, will still be satisfactorily maintained by this receptacle thanks to an arrangement and appropriate dimensioning of the holding tabs 40.

The tying station 28 is for example a device of the "baler-stringing SSB" type designed and marketed by the applicant, and described in particular in the documents FR-A-2,736,618 and FR-A-2,790,732 cited above. will be able to refer for further details. Essentially, the tying station 28 (as well as the station 26) includes a frame 44 laterally extended by a work table 46 extending under the conveyor belts 16, 18 so that the product to be tied 32 can placed on this work table 46 when the conveyor brings it facing the tying station 28. From the frame 44 extends a bracket 48 mounted cantilever and disposed above the work table 46 This stem carries at its end a mobile arm 50 in the shape of a counterfeit, one end 52 of which is pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis and whose other free end 54 serves to move and move a link 56 around the 32. The link is a flexible string-like link, elastic or not, which is unwound from a reel 58. The link 56, after having been guided by grommets 60, 62 and a mechanism (not shown) of re-tensioning, passes around the movable arm 50, leaves this arm at the free end 54, then passes through a slot 64 formed in the work table 46, to be recovered by a knotting mechanism (not shown) located at below the working table 46. The detail of this knotting mechanism is described for example in the aforementioned FR-A-2,736,618. The two strips 16, 18 of the conveyor are spaced from each other by an interval of 50 mm for example, allowing the free movement of the arm around the product 32 for the positioning and the knotting of the link, without the conveyor does not interfere with the operation of this mechanism. In FIG. 3, the arm has been shown in an intermediate position between a high position, where the link 56 is stretched in a position substantially at 45 relative to the vertical, and a low position, where the free end 54 is located below the work table 46, after pas-wise by a rectangular opening 66 extending the slot 64 at one end of the latter; at the other end of the slot 64, an orifice 68 allows the gripping of the thread by the knotting mechanism located under the working table 46, for the formation of the knot and the cutting of the link.

As the conveyor advances, the product 32 comes into contact with the link 56 and deflects it until it completely passes the orifice 68 of the tying mechanism. The conveyor is then immobilized, and the tying is performed by the descent of the arm 50: it will encircle the product, pass through the opening 66 of the work table 46, bring the wire to the knotting device located under the work table 46, then back up by a reverse movement.

The product once tied up, the arm and the link are repositioned for a new operation. The product can then be evacuated from the tying station to the next station in sequence along the conveying path of the conveyor. At the same time, the advance of the conveyor brings the next product to the tying station. As can be seen from the foregoing description, it can be seen that the tying stations (26 or 28) each apply the link in a direction parallel to the advancement of the conveyor. In order to be able to make one or more crossed links, the position of the product will be modified between the two tying stations by the intermediate handling station 30, which will make an angular displacement of the product, in the example illustrated by making it turn a quarter of a turn in his own plane.

Thus, the link posed by the first tying station 26, which at the exit of this station is oriented in the direction of advancement of the conveyor, will be after rotation of a quarter turn oriented transversely, perpendicularly to this same direction. . The second tying station 28 applying, like the first station 26, the link in the direction parallel to the advancement of the conveyor, the two respective links will be crossed at 90 at the exit of the second tying station 28, which is the goal sought.

FIG. 4 illustrates the main elements of the intermediate handling station 30, the kinematics of which is explained in FIGS. 5a to 5d.

This handling station 30 essentially consists of a lower plate 70 mounted on a telescopic rod 72 (in the vertical example) connected to a manipulator 74 allowing, on the one hand, to raise the plate 70 upwards. (arrow 76 in Figure 5a) and, secondly and then, to rotate this plate a quarter of a turn (arrow 78 in Figure 5b) when it is in the raised position. The manipulator 74, which will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 8 to 11, makes it possible to perform a combined mauve composed of upward or downward vertical translations alternating with rotational movements of a fraction of a turn, here of FIG. quarter turn. The handling station 30 also comprises in the upper part a holding cup 80, mounted on a rod 82 guided by a mechanism 84 mounted cantilevered on a bracket 86. The cup 80 is mounted idle in the mechanism 84, that is to say, it is freely mobile in translation (arrow 88 in Figure 5a) and in rotation 25 (arrow 89 in Figure 5b). The purpose of the retaining cup 80 is, in particular, to compensate for the deceleration of the product at the end of the stroke when raising the plate 70 at the end of its travel, a suitable damping being applied by the guiding mechanism 84.

As seen in FIGS. 5a to 5d, the cup 80 is a disc of a diameter substantially greater than that of the plate 70 to provide an extended bearing surface on the top of the product 32, causing a better maintenance of the latter. FIGS. 5a and 5b show the operating kinematics of the manipulation station 30. Essentially, the manipulation of the product is effected by a combination of a vertical translational movement and a rotation, thanks to the manipulator 74 which operates continuously. Initially (FIG. 5a), the product 32 is conveyed by the conveyor to a position situated between the elevator plate 70 and the cup 80, these two elements then being at a distance from the product 32. The conveyor is then immobilized and the manipulator 74 operates raising the plate 70 (arrow 76), which will come into contact with the product 32 and separate it from the tabs 40 which hold it in place, and until it comes into contact with the holding cup 80, which will pushed upwards (arrow 88) with application of a restoring force by the guiding mechanism 84.

The position reached at the end of the race is that illustrated in FIG. 5b. The product 32 is located vertically at a distance from the stops 40 which no longer hold it; it is henceforth retained between, on the one hand, the lower plate 70 and, on the other hand, the retaining cup 80. The manipulator 74 then comes to exert on the rod 72, and thus on the plate 70, a pivoting movement quarter turn (arrow 78). The position at the end of pivoting is that illustrated in FIG. 5c. The manipulator 74 then lowers the rod 72 which replaces the product 32, which has meanwhile been rotated, in the receptacle formed by the cleats 40.

The final position is that shown in Figure 5d. The product is again retained by the tabs 40, the plate 70 is lowered enough to be no longer in contact with the product 32, and the holding cup 80 is located at a distance from the product. . The conveyor can be actuated again to cause the product to leave the handling station 30 and bring it to the second tying station for postage and tying of the second link in a position perpendicular to the first link.

The configuration that has just been described is the basic version, the simplest, to put two links knotted cross.

Other more complex configurations may be envisaged, for example to give the product an approximately rounded shape, such as that illustrated in FIG. 6, where the product 32 has a diameter of approximately 70 mm for a height of approximately 45 mm. The stringing is then 25 with not two, but four links arranged at 45. This tying can be achieved by four tying stations, with three intermediate handling stations disposed along the transfer path, each handling station operating an eighth turn.

In another variant, for example for al-lined products, it is conceivable to provide two parallel links oriented in the widthwise direction of the product, and a cross-link oriented in the direction of the length of the product. . The machine will then comprise three tying stations, with two adjacent tying stations (for the realization of the two parallel links), followed by a handling station 5 rotating one quarter turn, then a third tying station ensuring laying the third link (in the direction of the length of the product). Referring now to FIG. 7, which shows a rear view of the machine on which an electric motor 90, controlled by a frequency converter (not shown), is seen, which drives synchronously the conveyor 12 and the station handling 30.

The motor 90 drives a first transmission belt 92 passing around a pulley 94 wedged onto an input shaft 96 of an indexer 98. The latter comprises an output shaft 100 which drives an end pulley 102 of the conveyor 12. The pulley 102 is located on the output side of the machine, i.e. near the unloading station 22. This pulley 102 synchronously drives the three endless belts of the unloading station 22 mentioned above. The indexer advantageously comprises a cam mechanism capable of imparting a step-by-step movement to the truss 102 and thus to the conveyor 12. Furthermore, the motor 30 drives a second transmission belt 104 which passes around it. a return pulley 106 keyed on an input shaft 108 of the manipulator 74.

Thus, thanks to the motor 90, the conveyor 12 is continuously driven in stepwise motion through the indexer 102, while the manipulator 74 is continuously dragged and synchronized with the conveyor 12.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 to 11, an example of a manipulator 74 for use in the manipulation station of the invention will be described. This is a mechanical manipulator operating with cams. However, other manipulators capable of performing the same functions could also be used in the context of the invention.

As can be seen in FIG. 8, the manipulator 74 comprises a housing 110 housing the mechanism described below and from which the input shaft 108, horizontally disposed and on which the return pulley 106 is wedged, protrudes (FIG. 7). . From the top of the housing 110 protrudes the upper end of the telescoping rod 72 mentioned above and on which the tray 70 (not shown) is mounted. On the input shaft 108 are wedged two cams sa-see a rotation cam 112 (Figure 9) and a lifting cam 114 (Figure 10).

The rotation cam 112 is intended to cooperate with rollers 116 carried by a rotatably mounted turret 118 traversed by the telescopic rod 72. The rollers 116 are each mounted idly about an axis of rotation which extends radially through relative to the axis of the turret 118. In the example, these rollers are four in number, therefore arranged in a cross, as also shown in the perspective view of FIG. 11. The rod 72 is integral in rotation with the turret 118 and can further telescopically move therein. The continuous rotation of the cam 112 causes rotation of the turret, and therefore of the rod 72, in successive turn fractions, alternately with translation movements. The telescopic rod 72 is moved in vertical translation from bottom to top or from top to bottom via the lifting cam 114. In FIGS. 9 and 10, the lifting cam 5 places the telescopic rod. 72 in a low position, thus retracted into the housing 110 of the manipulator 74. The raising cam 114 defines a cam path 120 (FIG. 10) in which a roller 122 mounted at the end 10 of a lever 124 carried to the end of a pivot shaft 126. This pivot shaft supports at its other end another lever arm 128 which cooperates with a sleeve 130 mounted at the lower end of the telescopic rod 72. With the two cams 112 and 114 driven in synchronism, the manipulator 74 allows an alternation of rotational movements (in this case 90) and displacement in vertical translation upward and downward vertical as shown schematically by the arrows of the f Figure 11.

Of course, and as already indicated, the combination of movements of the manipulation station could be obtained by means other than the manipulator 74 described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 11.... FITTING MACHINE FOR SETTING UP CROSSLINES AROUND PRODUCTS, IN PARTICULAR CARNY PRODUCTS

Claims (12)

claims   1. A machine (10) for bundling products, in particular meat products, for positioning and knotting around the product (32) of at least two crossed links (36, 38), this machine being characterized in what it comprises: a conveyor (12) able to move in sequence along a transfer path the products to be tied; and, successively arranged along this transfer path: a first tying station (26) adapted to place and tie a first link (36) around the product (32) presented at this station by the conveyor; a manipulation station (30) capable of applying to the product (32) a pivoting movement on itself, so as to replace this product on the conveyor in a modified position, angularly offset from its initial position ; and a second tying station (28) capable of placing and knotting a second link (38) around the product (32) presented at that station by the conveyor.   2. Bundling machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the conveyor carries a series of individual receptacles (14) for the products to be tied, these receptacles being adapted to maintain the product (32) against the stresses exerted in the transfer direction during tying. 30   3. Tying machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the receptacles (14) have a shape homologous to that of the product taken at two offset gular positions corresponding to said respective initial positions and modified by the handling station.   4. Tying machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the conveyor comprises two parallel synchronous strips (76, 18) spaced apart from each other by an interval allowing the passage (56) to pass around the product (32). during the establishment and knotting thereof at the tying stations (26, 28). 10   Tying machine according to claims 2 and 4 taken in combination, characterized in that the receptacles (14) have at least one receptacle portion (40) on each conveyor belt (16, 18), the receptacle portions cle of the two respective strips being spaced apart from each other by an interval allowing the passage of the link (56) around the product (.;; 2) during the setting up and the knotting thereof to the tying dosages.   Tying machine according to claim 1, characterized in that? the handling station (30) comprises means for raising the product from a low position, where the product rests in the receptacle, to a high position, where the product is raised above the receptacle to a height such that the receptacle does not prevent the application to the product of said pivoting movement.   7. Stringing machine according to claim 6, characterized in that the handling station (30) comprises a lifting plate (70) and means (74) for driving this plate both in vertical translation, for said raising of the product (32) from the low position to the high position and vice versa, and in rotation for the application to the same product of said pivoting movement.   Tying machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the handling station (30) further comprises a retaining cup (80) disposed above the lifting plate (70) and suitable for capping the produced (32) during lifting thereof and during the application of the pivoting movement, the cup (80) being hand-held away from the product when the latter is in the low position.   Tying machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the retaining cup (80) is movably mounted both in vertical translation and in rotation, so as to freely follow the movement of the product during lifting and of the pivoting thereof.   Tying machine according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least three tying stations, these tying stations being arranged along said transfer path: in succession, for the positioning and the knotting of parallel respective links; and / or 25 with the interposition of a manipulator station, for the introduction and the knotting of the respective links angularly offset.   Tying machine according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the handling station (30) comprises a manipulator (74) having a clean cam (112) and lift cam (114). respectively to communicate a rotational movement and a translation movement to a telescopic rod (72) supporting the elevator plate (70).   12. stringing machine according to one of claims 1 to 5 11, characterized in that it further comprises an unloading station (22). CABINET NE TER '' \ cer?)