FR2918653A1 - Freeze-drying treating cabinet/tank plate unloading device for pharmaceutical field, has push bar selectively activated and having sweeping traversal area sweeping plate to reach base zone of plate upto inlet boundary of collection surface - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a push bar (40) returning vials (8) and provided with a transfer arm (30) deployed between a position moved back upto an inlet boundary (24) of a collection surface (20) and a deployment position. The bar has, at an operational state, a sweeping traversal area sweeping a plate (52) on a preset useful width. The sweeping is carried out from an operation rest position reach the deployed position and reaches a base zone (53) of the plate upto the boundary, where the push bar are selectively activated.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for unloading a cabinet

  processing of products contained in a batch of containers. If one takes the example of a lyophilization treatment, in order to preserve certain products, in particular pharmaceuticals, by drying, the product is frozen and evacuated in a freeze-drying tank to cause the sublimation of the ice formed in the product during its freezing. The products are generally placed in a batch of identical bottles, compactly arranged on shelves forming a stack of cells in the lyophilization tank. It is necessary to be able to load and unload quickly a large batch, for reasons of profitability on the one hand, but also because during these loading and unloading operations, the tank is open to the outside atmosphere. However, such a process requires very strict hygiene conditions, requiring limiting trade with the outside of the tank. Conventionally, an automatic unloading device uses transfer frames, which surround the batch of bottles to drive it outside the tank. For this, the frame is first introduced into the tank by sliding over the vials, in the space gap defined by the tops of the flasks and the upper shelf, ceiling, until abutting on the rear wall of the tank. The lot is thus belted, just pull on the front edge of the frame so that its rear edge pushes the lot to the outlet of the tank. Such a procedure, however, poses problems. Indeed, to ensure hygiene, the depression of the caps of the bottles is effected in the tank, by an elevator mechanism which causes a relative crushing of the stack of shelves, that is to say, which decreases temporarily ceiling height until the plugs are pushed in, before going back to the desired height to reconstruct the upper space slice for the horizontal frame passage. It happens however that some plugs remain glued, parasitically, to the upper shelf which is raised, thus partially blocking this horizontal passage. When the frame is inserted in this slice of space, it abuts on the neck of the bottles thus suspended, and the shear thus induced causes the detachment of the plug considered, and the fall of the bottle. The latter may break or overturn, which disrupts the regular placement of the bottles, and there is a risk of blockage, or even breakage of the flasks.

  Even if the plugs are squeezed out of the tank, in any case, the frame that has just been removed must be sterilized for the next freeze-drying cycle. For this, this frame is transferred to a sterilization unit. This involves handling, and therefore a certain time of treatment, which represents a certain cost in equipment and manpower.

  In general, the present invention aims at simplifying the unloading operations of a cabinet, or tank, of batch processing of products contained in containers, while limiting the possible risks of improper handling, in particular by avoiding the need to a slice of upper space of passage of a transverse bar over the entire width above the whole lot.

  To this end, the invention relates to a device for unloading an inner tray from a treatment cabinet of a batch of containers containing a product to be treated, the device comprising means for returning the batch of containers by sliding back and forth. the tray to at least one entrance edge of a collection surface, the return means comprising

  at least one transfer arm, deployable between a position, retracted to the entry edge, and a deployment position, and batch return means having, in the functional state, a right-of-way transverse sweeping back of the tray to a predetermined useful width, the sweep being performed from a functional position of rest reached in said extended position and to achieve a bottom of the tray area, to at least the border of input, the return thrust means being selectively activatable.

  The return thrust means and the at least one transfer arm thus have a global shape of rake, squeegee or false, whose handle is formed by the transfer arm, this rake or equivalent having a right of way corresponding to the useful width the plateau that we intend to unload. Of course, the comparison stops there, that is to say that the return thrust means can only rely on the end of the at least one transfer arm, not to rub on the plateau, and, in addition, their thrust surface, located opposite the rear of the lot, will be free of reliefs likely to damage the containers.

  Said selective activation of the return thrust means can be done in two ways. On the one hand, they can be disconnected from the coupling means, at a free end of transfer arm, so that they can be removed from the cabinet, leaving in place, in the functional position of rest located in the bottom zone of the plate, a transverse bar serving as means of thrust back. On the other hand, it is possible to provide the possibility of bringing the return thrust means to the functional rest position only after loading a batch of containers, so that the need for a abandonment of the return thrust means, by the transfer arm, in their functional position of rest at the rear of the plate, that is to say the need for a disconnection with the transfer arm, which must back to the outside of the cabinet so that it can be closed before treatment. In this embodiment, the unfolding arm brings with it the push means back to their functional position of rest. These will have, to achieve this, the flexibility or the desired joints to respectively align longitudinally as the arm, or even fall back on, or at least to fall back in substantially the vertical plane containing the arm, preferably a plane close to a side wall bordering the plate, being preferably telescopic. In the first case, folding down the arm, it is therefore sufficient to reserve, for example against the side wall, a lateral passage "service", limited section, forming chute, reserved for the arm, longitudinal, and the means of back thrust which then have a direction of longitudinal extension, and which will go to the transverse functional state, only after arrival of the free end of the arm opposite the functional position of rest of the thrust means back. In the second case, of vertical folding, the lateral passage must have an increased height compared to the first case, since the return thrust means, which are "seen" from the side and not the end, therefore have a jig increased vertically. Note that it can be envisaged that said passage, according to one type or the other, is somewhat central with respect to the plate, at an appropriate height, for example in the ceiling of the housing limited by the plate, if for example the containers , a priori arranged in staggered rows, present a narrower section of vertex, releasing a said passage which is in a straight line.

  A free end of the at least one transfer arm advantageously comprises coupling means with the return thrust means. Preferably, a device according to the present invention comprises two said transfer arms mounted near two opposite side edges of the collection surface.

  Thus, it is possible to better distribute the forces exerted by the thrust means on the batch of containers, so that the containers can remain aligned, in line or staggered, depending on the width of the useful surface, during the pushing. return containers. Advantageously, the at least one transfer arm is telescopic, and can thus, in the deployed position, have a total length, adapted to reach the bottom of the cabinet or the vessel to be unloaded, while being smaller in size. in retreat position. Motor means for actuating the said at least one transfer arm are advantageously provided, to enable automation of the unloading device.

  In an advantageous embodiment, the back-thrust means comprise a push bar. The coupling means may then comprise means for removably capturing coupling elements belonging to the push-back bar. It is thus possible to disconnect the return thrust means with respect to each free end of the transfer arm, so that the latter or these can be removed from the cabinet, leaving in place, in the functional rest position, located in the bottom zone of the plate, the means of thrust back, while the free end must move back outside the cabinet, to be closed before treatment. Advantageously, the return thrust bar comprises means for stabilizing it in the operative position of rest, after decoupling by the coupling means. The bar is in fact preferably of rectangular section extending upwards, on the one hand, occupy less space, and on the other hand, pushing the containers not at their base but higher, closer to their center of gravity to avoid a risk of tipping over. It is therefore necessary to stabilize the push rod back when it is free, to prevent it from tilting, in one direction or the other, during the coupling / uncoupling operations with the at least one transfer arm on the one hand in the functional rest position.

  By providing stabilization means which comprise at least one lateral support leg on the plate, its support polygon, initially almost linear in a straight band, thus acquires a lateral dimension. Advantageously, the lateral support lug comprises a free edge, at a lateral distance from the remainder of the return thrust means, having, in the operative position, a determined height, so as to constitute, by a lower end, support on the plate , an anti-tilt stop in one direction, and constitute, by an upper end, an anti-tilt stop in the other direction, provided to abut on a cabinet ceiling opposite the tray. Thus, the present thrust bar is blocked in 1 o tilting in both directions. It can be provided that the support lug has a mass representing at least 10% of the total mass of the return thrust means and a center of gravity located at a distance of at least 3% of said useful width. With these geometrical features, the push rod can exhibit good stability in the operative position. In a variant, the stabilizing means comprise at least one removable clipping element designed to cooperate with a retaining element of the push rod in return to the operative position of rest, after decoupling of the coupling means, arranged to be fixed to the cupboard in the bottom area of the tray. Thus, when the free end of the transfer arm and the push rod are separated from the free end, it is possible to allow it to remain correctly positioned, without risk of tipping, in the bottom zone of the plate. As indicated above, in an alternative embodiment, the back-thrust means are retractable along the at least one transfer arm to allow deployment thereof without causing a "go" scan. of the plateau. In this embodiment, the inhibition of the return thrust means is obtained by their retraction. Thus, it is possible to provide the possibility of bringing, in the functional rest position, the means of thrusting back after loading a batch of containers, so that the need for their abandonment by the arm of the container disappears. : Transfer folding, that is to say a disconnection of this arm whose free end must retreat to the outside of the cabinet, to be closed before treatment. In this embodiment, the arm brings back with it the means of thrust back, that is to say that they have the flexibility or the desired joints to align or fall back along the arm, or at least to fall back in substantially the vertical plane containing the arm, preferably a plane near a side wall bordering the plate.

  Advantageously, the return thrust means are shape memory, to be deported, to the functional position of rest, by sliding along the at least one transfer arm, and then to extend in the transverse direction , by guiding substantially at right angles, provided by a free end of the at least one transfer arm arrived in deployed position, to come to occupy their functional position of rest by continuing sliding. It can then be provided that the return thrust means comprise a flexible strip of determined stiffness, straight in the absence of stress and non-rectilinear cross-section, to thereby increase a value of moment of inertia in lateral flexion, the strip being elastically deformable in lateral bending to perform a folding in said transverse direction during the guided passage at the free end of the at least one transfer arm, and then resume, by elasticity, a rectilinear appearance, functional state , in the functional position of rest. Advantageously, two said transfer arms carry two said respective flexible strips whose free ends are provided to come end to end in the operative position of rest and then connect mutual latching means associated with a release actuator comprising a stop sensor against one of the said ends. The flexible strips are thus temporarily connected in a loop, so that it is sufficient to stretch them, at their other end, external to the cabinet, to avoid any risk 2.5 of deformation thereof during the thrust back of the lot. In a variant, the back-thrust means are articulated on the coupling means to occupy a longitudinal position folded against the at least one transfer arm during its deployment, and then to pivot in order to occupy their functional position of rest. In this case, the return thrust means do not necessarily change shape, whether in the operative position or retracted along the transfer arms.

  In a variant, the return thrust means comprise a return thrust functional section connected to the coupling means through a double-joint connection section, so that the return thrust means first pivot in a block along an axis substantially vertically, with respect to the coupling means, and then the functional section comes to occupy the functional position of rest by pivoting relative to the connecting section along a longitudinal axis. In another variant, the return thrust means are articulated on the coupling means along a longitudinal axis to occupy a vertical position during the deployment of the at least one transfer arm, and then to pivot around the transfer arm to fall back to their functional position of rest. The return thrust means may be telescopic, whether it is the push-back bar or any other means. Preferably, motor means are provided for retracting the return thrust means. Other advantages, objects and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description of four embodiments of a freeze-drying tank unloading apparatus according to the invention, with reference to the drawing. FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing the first embodiment of the unloading device of a batch of flasks out of an oven or freeze-drying tank by the action of a pushing member. 2 is a perspective detail view showing an embodiment of the push-back bar, FIG. 3, taken from FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D and 3E, is a continuation of FIG. plan views of different steps of unloading the vessel by the unloading device of Figure 1, Figure 4, formed of Figures 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E, is a series of plan views of different steps the unloading of the tank of FIG. 1, according to the second embodiment of the unloading device, in which the return thrust element is here a flexible strip, slidingly retractable along the transfer arm of this strip, FIG. 5, formed from FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F and 5G, is a series of plan views of different stages of the unloading of the tank of FIG. 1, according to the third embodiment of the device of FIG. unloading, wherein the push-back element is a retractable bar against the transfer arm to be introduced into the tank and then fall back into the operative position of rest at the bottom thereof, by pivoting around the free end of the transfer arm, FIG. 6, formed of FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, 6F and 6G, is a series of plan views of different stages of the unloading of the tank of FIG. fourth embodiment of the unloading device, variant of the third embodiment, wherein the pushing element back is a bar, retractable by pivoting around the free end of the transfer arm, and folding a functional section parallel to the arm Figure 7 shows a plan view of still another embodiment of the unloading device of a batch of bottles from an oven or freeze-drying tank. In this embodiment, the loading and unloading in the vessel takes place on the opposite side with respect to the devices of FIGS. 1 to 6, and FIG. 8 is an example of the push-back element and the transfer arms. adapted for the device of Figure 7.

  FIG. 1 is a general diagram of a freeze-drying cabinet or tank 50, comprising a urea of cells delimited by shelves, determining a ceiling height for each cell and each forming a plate 52, here rectangular at depth. determined up to a bottom area 53, close to a vertical bottom wall 57, opposite an inlet edge 54 having a useful width L determined by two side walls 55, right, and 56, left, limiting the tray 52. The tank 50 is associated with a device for loading and unloading batch of bottles 8 to be treated in each cell, slid on various trays 52, device associated with a conveyor equipment supply and discharge of lots.

  The bottle supply equipment 8 comprises a conveyor belt 6 conveying the bottles 8, of a workstation 4, for example a packaging station where the bottles 8 are filled, to a storage surface 10 belonging to 8 for conveying, the bottles 8 are channeled in a convergent supply channel 12, bounded by two slides 13, 14, which converge from the work station 4 to an edge d the inlet of the accumulation surface 10, on the right in FIG. 1, with a spacing corresponding to the bottle diameter 8, then two parallel rear slides 14A and 13A are continued to form an accumulation channel 12A, of length corresponding to said useful width L of the plate 52, in a direction of arrival of the bottles. Throughout the description, the forward direction is that, rising on the various figures in plan, the rear direction being obviously opposite. Thus, in FIG. 1, the forward direction is that, substantially perpendicular to the direction of arrival of the flasks on the accumulation channel, followed by the batch entering the tank 50 from the accumulation surface 10, through a collection surface 20, the rear direction being obviously opposite.

  To form a row of bottles 8, the first bottle 8 arriving, downstream, is stopped by a movable abutment 16 closing bottom of the accumulation channel 12A, on an opposite left edge of the accumulation surface 10, at a downstream end of the conveyor belt 6, the other bottles 8 then accumulate behind. When the expected number N of bottles 8 is reached to form a row of length corresponding at most to the useful width value L of the plate 52, a loading motor pushes forward a transverse loading bar 18, having a corresponding length. to said useful width L, which may be the rear slide 14A, so that it pushes the row of bottles 8 laterally towards the front, that is to say towards the plate 52, to shift it by a distance equal to diameter of the bottles 8, and release the accumulation channel 12A to receive a next row. The front slide 13A, serving as a counter-support, is retractable and movable forward to be pushed first forward each time. The cycle repeats until it reaches the desired number of rows to form a batch. A batch of bottles 8 here comprises seven rows of vials 8, here ordered in staggered rows, the abutment 16 being able to advance in the accumulation channel 12A of a half diameter, to vary, from one row to the other, the location of the first bottle 8 of each row.

  When a batch is formed, the slide 13A, counter-support, then retracts and the loading bar 18 pushes forward the last row of the batch to transfer it, by sliding in one block, on the collection surface 20, buffer of said useful width L, belonging to a device for loading and unloading batches, on which are stored the batches, in transit between the conveyor belt 6 and the tank 50 and vice versa, before and after treatment. The collecting surface 20 has, on the conveyor belt side 6, a loading edge 22, bordering on a downstream edge 102, or before, the accumulation surface 10, opposite an upstream edge 101, or a rear edge, comprising the channel 12, and, Io tank side 50, a border 24, before, loading inlet of the tank 50 and, in the opposite direction, receiving by return input vials 8 treated in the tank 50. When a batch has been transferred to the collection surface 20, a loading push bar pushes the bottles 8, in block, to transfer them to one of the trays 52 at the desired level. The loading thrust bar may be a specific bar 15 for this purpose or a so-called pushback bar 40, substantially rigid, used for unloading and therefore being bi-functional. The various trays 52 can be fixed and successively packed by the loading device, then forming a freight elevator, for example by a worm-shaped column lift system supporting a nut carrying a plate forming the collection surface 20, or rack-and-pinion columns coupled to an ascent gear of the above plate. A door of the lyophilization tank 50 is then closed, and the heat treatment can take place. However, in the present example, the collection surface 20 is located at a fixed height, and the trays 52 are vertically movable, to successively run past the collection surface 20, in order to cooperate with it. The trays are cascaded by a chain of links for deploying the stack of trays from a storage state, in which they rest on each other, to an expanded state, in which they are spaced apart from each other. desired height. It is therefore sufficient to pull on the upper end of the link between trays to successively bring each tray to the level of the collection surface. The internal volume of the tank is essentially a volume of freight elevator.

  After treatment, the unloading of the bottles 8 out of the tank 50 is performed by the unloading device comprising the transverse push bar 40, transverse, of length equal to substantially the useful width L of the plate 52. The push rod back 40 is initially, in a functional position of rest, in the bottom zone 53 of the plate 52, that is to say extending in a transverse direction in front view of the tank 50. To perform a scanning movement front-rear emptying of the plate 52 by the return push bar 40 to the input edge 24, its two ends are carried by two free ends 32 respectively of two longitudinal transfer arms 30, direction of extension 30A, mounted along two opposite side edges of the collection surface 20, respectively right and left 25 26. Each transfer arm 30 is mounted on a shoe 36 sliding on a longitudinal guide rail 34 inal, extending along the length of the collection surface 20, substantially to the right of the two side walls 55 and 56, the transfer arm 30 and the associated guide rail 34 thus forming a telescopic system. As a variant, each transfer arm 30 is formed of a cascade of pairs of links articulated in X, to form a sequence of cascadable deformable lozenges, so that the command of crushing or deployment of a first "X", remaining external to the tank 50, is sufficient to deploy or fold the transfer arm 30.

  It should be noted that a single transfer arm 30 could suffice, the second transfer arm here provided, operating in synchronism with the first, making it possible to always maintain the push rod 40 in a transverse direction so that, when repels the batch, which offers a certain resistance by the friction of the bottles 8 on the plate 52, the junction between each end of arm 32, longitudinal, and the transverse push bar 40, transverse, undergoes no stress which tends to open it more than 90 degrees. The shoes 36 are controlled by a control motor for the deployment / retraction of the transfer arms 30. It may be a common motor located in the area of the collection surface 20, associated with control cables, or even more: 30 remote controlled electric micro-motors housed in each shoe 36. In the retracted position of the transfer arms 30, when the shoe 36 is on a rear end section of the guide rail 34, distal to the 50, the arm end 32 is located substantially at the level of the entry edge 24, that is to say that the arm ends 32 and the back push bar 40 are outside the tank 50 , which can then be closed. It can even be expected that the shoe 36 is sliding on the guide rail 34 and also on the transfer arm 30, for all things being equal, increase the rear stroke of the arm end 32. Thus, the push bar In return, the tray 52 and the collection surface 20, or even the accumulation surface 10, can be loaded and unloaded to serve as a transverse loading bar 18. In the deployed position, the shoe 36 then being on a front end section of the guide rail 34, the transfer arms 30 have a predetermined offset length beyond the front edge 24, input return, dimension corresponding substantially to the depth of the plate 52, so that the free end 32 of the transfer arm 30 reaches the bottom zone 53 of the plate 52, to enter the return thrust bar 40, previously deposited in the operative position of rest. For this purpose, the arm end 32 comprises a removable coupling clamp 38, which pinches a corresponding end section of the push-back bar 40, under the control of a gripping actuating motor 37. may be a common motor located in the area of a collection surface 20, associated with control cables clamps 38, or even remotely controlled electric micro-motors and housed in the free end sections 32 of the transfer arm 30. The transfer arms 30 are telescopic, so that the maneuvering space to be reserved to the rear is limited, that is to say that, contrary to the drawing, it can be provided a cascade mounting several shoes 36 on a succession of arm sections 30.

  A sequencing central unit 9 is in communication with the various actuator elements, the transfer arm actuating motor 37, the gripping actuating motor 37, an actuating motor of the loading bar 18, an actuating motor for retracting the slide rail before 13A, for controlling the various actions of the unloading and loading steps of the tank 50.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2 in perspective, the push-back bar 40 here has a substantially rectangular cross-section, elongated vertically to form a railing high enough to push the bottles 8 at their base but also at a higher level. , thus avoiding any risk of tilting thereof to the front when the push bar return 40 will push backward exit. In this example, the back push bar 40 has a length section, that is to say in height, of value practically reaching the height value under ceiling. The rear surface of the push-back bar 40 may have, in plan view, a regularly corrugated profile in a pitch equal to the diameter of the bottles 8, or at least two reliefs in end flaps or fangs, of lateral confinement, turned rearward and spaced a little more than N-1 times the bottle diameter 8, for example up to N times, to push the two end vials 8 of the extreme forward row to a respective laterally external to the center of gravity of the bottle 8 which is located vertically from the respective circular surface that it occupies on the plate 52. The two bottles 8 front end end will thus receive two respective forces of thrust, to the the outlet, directed in convergent directions, towards a longitudinal median of the plate 52. This prevents their exit paths from diverging and that they rub on the respective edge wall 55, 56. Due to the storage in quinc ounce from one row to the next, this precise longitudinal guidance of these two bottles 8 end of front row is reflected on the next row. In a variant, it is the free ends of arms 32 which bear such lateral confinement reliefs. To better stabilize the return push bar 40 when it is disconnected from the transfer arms 30 in the bottom zone 53 of the plate 52, it comprises here, at one end, a tab 42 of stabilization by pressing on the plate 52, tab 42 which extends in a lateral direction relative thereto, that is to say, precisely here with rearward extension, preventing a tilting towards the entry edge 54. When the pushback bar 40 rests on its small lower side, the tab 42 may be provided to be supported on the plate 52 or be at a short distance above it to abut. In this example, the stabilization tab 42 has a height substantially equal to the height under ceiling. The tab 42 has a double stabilizing function, in both tilting directions, because its end section or free edge 41B has a lower free edge 43, bearing on the plate 52, and an upper free edge 44 , which abuts against the ceiling in case of start of tilting of the push bar back 40 forward. It is therefore an absolute stability, respectively by pressing on the plate 52 and abutting on the ceiling. The lower free edges 43 and 44 may, as shown, belong to the rectangular tab 42. They could, however, belong to two separate stabilization tabs, low and high, possibly at each respective end of the push-back bar 40. The approximate plan of extension of each tab 42 can also be vertical as in the figure 2, or substantially horizontal. In a variant, particularly if the bottom wall 57 serves as a front anti-tilt stop, the upper support edge 44 is omitted, that is to say that the tab 42 provides a tilt lock only rearward. Very schematically, the rectangular tab 42 can then for example become triangular, with the tip down. To then ensure at least a minimum of stability in tilting forward, that is to say towards the bottom wall 57, which is greater than a low parasitic torque threshold value of tilting forward, by vibration or other, the support lug 42 may have a mass representing at least 10%, preferably at least 20%, of the total weight of the push-back bar 40 and a center of gravity located at a distance longitudinal axis representing at least 3%, preferably at least 5%, said useful width L.

  In this same FIG. 2, it is also represented, as an alternative to replacing the support lug 42, a clipping slot 45, 46 formed in the push-back bar 40, cooperating with a nipple 47 (all in duplicate). ) fastened rearwardly on the bottom wall 57 to stabilize the push bar 40 by hooking in the bottom zone 53. Each retaining pin 47 comprises a head 48 and a body 49, front sections respectively complementary d a said lower light 45, input of the head 48, and a said light 46 forming a rising channel extending the inlet port 45 to receive the body 49 and thus block the head 48. Thus, after discharging d a batch, when the bar 40 is returned to the bottom zone 53, to be deposited in the functional position of rest, with separation 3o of each free end 32, the push bar back 40, then much lower height to the height under ceiling, is slightly raised, by a lever or a micromotor 32M attachment located at the end 32 of the transfer arm 30, to be so attached, then it is released from them, so with locking slip pin 47 in the channel light 46. In a variant, the push-back bar 40 comprises two studs that are upright at each end and that temporarily fit into two respective resilient clips fastened to the ceiling. The unloading device of the bottles 8 of the tank 50 functions as explained below, with reference to FIG. 3, formed from FIGS. 3A to 3E. In FIG. 3A, the batch that has just been processed on the plate 52, the tank 50 has been opened. The push-back bar 40 is hooked above the bottom zone 53, in the functional position of rest, the holding studs 47 cooperating with the slots 45, 46. The transfer arms 30 are again folded, On FIG. 3B, the transfer arms 30 have grasped the return push bar 40. For this purpose, they have been deployed so that their free ends 32 reach the level of the bottom zone 53 in order to connect to the push-back bar 40, occupying its functional position of rest. Each of the two clamps 38, under the action of the gripper actuator motor 37, pinches the corresponding end of the push-back bar 40, precisely each time two opposite coupling surfaces 41A, 41B and 42A, 42B, vertical or horizontal, among the four surfaces that has the rectangular section of the push-back bar 40. To facilitate its capture, each end portion may have a reduced section, and for example be a simple horizontal tab, easy to grasp. The return thrust bar 40 thus grasped is then detached from the stud 47. In FIG. 3C, the back-thrust bar 40 is in an intermediate scanning position at the outlet of the plate 52. The transfer arms 30 fold back from of the deployment position, so that their free ends 32 bring back the push bar 40 to at least the retracted position, at the entry edge 24 of the collection surface 20. The batches of bottles 8 are thus brought back by sliding on the outside of the tank 50, on the collection surface 20.

  In Figure 3D. the push-back bar 40, remained connected to the free ends 32 of the transfer arms 30, finishes pushing the batch back on the accumulation surface 10, by scanning the collection surface 20.

  Finally, in FIG. 3E, once the bottles 8 have been unloaded on the accumulation surface 10, the transfer arms 30, which still carry the push-back bar 40, are again deployed to the bottom 53, where the back push bar 40 is hooked again in the functional position of rest.

  Then, after hooking to the pin 47, the clamps 38 release and abandon the push bar back 40, in the functional position of rest, so that the transfer arms 30 can be removed from the tank 50, by folding. A loading operation can start again. Thus, unlike the frames in the devices of the prior art, the return push bar 40 may not leave the sterilized interior of the tank 50, the outlet for the scanning of the collection surface 20 being optional, short term, and in a space also significantly protected against pollution. In addition, since the return thrust bar 40 remains at rest in the bottom zone 53 of the plate 52, beyond the zone thereof receiving the bottles 8, in order to be able to push them back, it is not possible to no longer necessary to slip a transfer frame above the bottles 8 to then be able to surround them and extract them from the tank 50. Not only are the risks of falling bottles 8 limited, but the total time of this bottle can be reduced. unloading operation, which is obviously desirable both for economic reasons and to limit the exposure of the tank 50 to the outside atmosphere.

  FIG. 4, formed from FIGS. 4A to 4G, shows a succession of plan views of the different steps of the unloading of the tank 50, according to the second embodiment of the invention. Compared with the first embodiment, the main difference lies in the fact that the return push bar 40 is replaced by a flexible backing strap 240 of determined rigidity, in this case metallic, with shape memory and rectilinear. the absence of constraint, retractable by sliding along the transfer arm 230, to abandon its functional position of rest, and a corresponding functional state, that is to say to deployment of transverse right of way value of useful width L. It is in fact provided two flexible return thrust bands 240 of useful range L / 2, the ends of which thus stop at half the width of the tank 50.

  Each return thrust band 240 is of non-rectilinear cross-section, thereby increasing the inertia in lateral bending with respect to the same section which would be rectilinear. In this example, the cross section is in "C" or "V" lying, in vertical section. The return thrust band 240 could be provided telescopically, with several sections mounted mutually sliding telescopically. The elements taken as such from the first embodiment have retained their reference and the reference of the modified functional elements is preceded by the hundred "2". In this second embodiment, the arm 230 deploying, by the action of a motor 235 of deployment / refolding of the transfer arms 230, brings with it the return thrust band 240 to its functional rest position . It is therefore never abandoned in the bottom area 53. The following explanation relates to the transfer arm 230 on the right, the transfer arm 230 on the left having an identical operation. Once the transfer arm 230 has been deployed, the back-thrust band 240 can then take the functional position of rest in the bottom zone 53, by deployment sliding and 90-degree transverse off-axis guidance by a rigid elbow 232C located at the free end 232 and constituting the output of a longitudinal sliding channel of the return thrust band 240. The return thrust band 240 therefore has, at the deflection elbow 232C, a short section forming a 240C elbow which the absolute position is fixed with respect to the free end 232 and whose relative position on the return thrust band 240 therefore slides as it unfolds. The useful section of the return thrust strip 240 thus has a variable length, that is to say that it is deformable under the control of a motor 239 for deploying the return thrust band 240. The engine seizure 37 is therefore omitted. In FIG. 4A, the tank 50 is open, and the bottles 8 are arranged in a batch on the plate 52. The transfer arms 230 are folded, on both sides along the collection surface 20, and the strip back thrust 240 is in the retracted position along the associated transfer arm 230. Specifically, a base portion of the backing stripe 240 is wound in a housing 241, with an inner or proximal end attached to a winding / unwind spool 242 controlled by the web deployment engine 239, and a slot in the housing 241 allows entry or exit of a certain length of web to deploy or retract the outer portion of the backing stripe 240. Alternatively, the inner end of the backing stripe 240 is free and the deployment motor 239 rotates a toothed wheel meshing with slots of a longitudinal drive track formed in the web 240, i.e., cavities or perforations or a rack pattern of dotted training reliefs.

  In FIG. 4B, the free ends 232 of the transfer arms 230 have arrived in the deployment position, at the bottom zone 53 of the plate 52 opposite the bottom wall 57, in front of the batch. The return thrust band 240, under the action of the rotation in the unwinding direction of the spool 242, also slides along the transfer arm 230 during the deployment thereof, but it remains in the lateral position, retracted. In FIG. 4C, the back-thrust band 240 has just been deployed in the functional state and in the operative position of rest. From FIG. 4B, the web deployment engine 239 has in fact continued its output action of the back-thrust band 240 from the casing 241, so that, since the arm end 232 is stationary, the back-thrust band 240 has abutted against the elbow 232C at right angles opposite the arm end 232 and, thus deviated by transverse folding, it comes to occupy its functional rest position, at the bottom zone 53. In Figure 4D, the lot is going out. The transfer arms 230 fold back from the deployed position, so that their free ends 232 return the backing stripe 240 to at least the retracted position, at the entry edge 24 of the collection surface 20 To avoid the appearance of an over-length due to the recoil, the tape deployment motor 239 controls a longitudinal folding of the return thrust band 240 of value equal to the recoil of the ends of the arms 232. The batches of flasks 8 are thus slid back to the outside of the tank 50, on the collection surface 20. In FIG. 4E, all the bottles 8 have been extracted from the tank 50, the return thrust band 240 is again folded transversely. , in the functional state, at the free end 320 of the associated transfer arm 230.

  Finally, in FIG. 4F, once the unloading of the bottles 8 has been completed, the back-thrust band 240 has just been retracted retracted along the transfer arms 230.

  A loading operation can thus be started again, the retraction of the pushing strip 240 making it possible to bring the push-back strip 240 after loading, so without the need to previously deposit a rigid bar 40. It could, however, be provided a single transfer arm assembly 230 and associated back-pushing flexible band 240. However, in this example, since the useful end portion of the flexible back-biasing strap 240 will be cantilevered beyond the arm end 232, there are in fact two flexible strips provided. back thrust 240 useful range L / 2, end-ends halfway width of the tank 50. However, it can be provided that the two free ends of the two flexible return thrust strips 240 are mutually hooked temporarily, to thereby form a continuous belt section in the bottom zone 53. Thus, the free end of the left transfer arm 230, for example, will comprise an end open housing, towards the free end on the right, with a mouth constricted by a keeper shoulder, for example on the front side close to the bottom wall 57 to form a projection, or rear fixed hook, intended to receive a lateral hook of the same kind and opposite direction, but mobile, forming clique bolt, protruding forward and carried by the free end of the strip 240 on the right. In order to subsequently be able to automatically disconnect the two return push belts 240 with a view to their final retraction along the associated carrier transfer arm 230, the movable front hook will be controlled to be retracted backwards. It will be noted, however, that the main problem is to couple together the free ends of the two return thrust strips 240 to the bottom of the tank 50, filled, while the decoupling is not a major problem since it is carried out outside the tank 50. However, to be able to perform the above disconnection automatically, and with simple means, the mobile hook can be integrated with a bistable tilting element carried by the free end of the 240 back pushing strip right and controlled by a local piston extending transversely to the left, that is to say towards the bottom of the housing associated above, extending in a longitudinal vertical plane. The piston detects the opposite reverse thrust band end 240 and thus serves as a relative position sensor.

  The batch having been unloaded, the front mobile croc will be retracted backwards to allow it to avoid the rear strike shoulder. For this purpose, the deployment motor 239 of one of the two return straps 240 will deploy a little more so that the control piston of the bistable element abuts on the bottom of the housing. The change of state of the bistable element thus causing the front mobile croc to retract rearward, the deployment motors 239 of the two return thrust bands 240 can then pull each to retract it. Of course, the front or rear orientation of the fangs is only one example, other orientations, for example high and low, being conceivable.

  FIG. 5, formed from FIGS. 5A to 5G, shows a succession of plan views of the different steps of the unloading of the tank 50 by an unloading device according to the third embodiment. The elements taken as such from the first embodiment have retained their reference and the reference of the modified functional elements is preceded by the hundred "3". The push-back element here is a bar 340 which is rigid, as in the case of the first embodiment, but which is pivotally mounted by a hinge-mounted section 340P on a 330P hinge-carrying section. the free end 332 of the transfer arm 330 associated to be retracted along it, precisely here in a position perpendicular thereto. The transfer arm 330 occupies, here, a low level, just above that of the plate 52. The hinge mounted portion 340P is articulated on the hinge bearing portion 330P along a longitudinal axis corresponding to the direction of 330A extension of the transfer arm 330, to occupy a vertical retraction position during deployment (/ refolding) of the transfer arm 330, and then to pivot by folding substantially horizontally to come to occupy its functional position of rest , transverse. A retraction motor 339 controls the retraction of the push-back bar 340, and a deployment motor 335 controls the deployment of each transfer arm 330. In a variant, only one transfer arm is provided. 330, the back push bar 340 then having a useful length L, and not L / 2. In Figure 5A. the tank 50 is open, and the bottles 8 are arranged in batch on the plate 52. The two transfer arms 330 are folded, longitudinally on either side of the collection surface 20. On the free end 332 of each transfer arm, located just above the level of the plate 52, is the back push bar 340, extending vertically upwards, forming a raised barrier. The back push bar 340 is telescopic, to be able to present, in the raised state, non-functional, a reduced length of jig, not exceeding the ceiling height. The back push bar 340 can thus be slid towards the bottom of the plate 52 in a vertical space gap "service" lateral to the cell, reserved for this purpose. In FIG. 5B, the transfer arms 330 have been deployed in a telescopic manner, in the deployed position, their free end 332 having reached the level of the zone 1 o of bottom 53. The bar 340 is thus also arrived at the level of the bottom zone 53, but it is still in a vertical, non-functional position. In FIG. 5C, the return thrust bar 340 has folded horizontally towards its functional rest position, in the manner of a crossing barrier, by pivoting substantially 90 degrees along the axis 330A. However, the back push bar 340 is still in the folded state, so that it occupies only a base section of its operative position of rest. In FIG. 5D, the back push bar 340 has deployed, horizontally, in its functional state corresponding to half the useful length L desired to occupy completely its functional rest position, with the desired right-of-way, substantially corresponding to the half useful width L of the plate 52. In FIG. 5E, the transfer arms 330, operating in return from the push bar 340 from its functional rest position, fold to bring the bar of return thrust 340 to at least the retracted position at the entry edge 24 of the collection surface 20. The batches of bottles 8 are thus slidably returned to the outside of the tank 50, on the surface of the 20. In FIG. 5F, all the bottles 8 have been extracted from the tank 50, and the transfer arms 330 continue to fold so that the push rod 340 returns the batch to the accumulation surface. 10. Finally, in Figure 5G, u When the unloading of the bottles 8 has been completed, the thrust bar 340 is again retracted, that is to say folded and pivoted back into the non-functional vertical position, by a rotation of 90 degrees around the transfer arm. 330, in an outward direction of the tray 52.

  FIG. 6, formed from FIGS. 6A to 6G, shows a succession of plan views of the different steps of the unloading of the tank 50, according to the fourth embodiment of the unloading device according to the invention. It can be considered that it is a variant of the third embodiment, in which the back push bar 340 comprises a second point of articulation. The elements taken as such from the first embodiment have retained their reference and the reference of the modified functional elements is preceded by the hundred "4". As in the third embodiment, the return thrust bar 440 is retractable, along the associated transfer arm 430, here parallel thereto, by pivoting around the free end 432 of the transfer arm 430, according to the longitudinal extension axis 430A thereof. The transfer arm 430 is at a low level, just above the level of the plate 52. The case of FIG. 6 differs from the case of FIG. 5 essentially in that a functional section 440A for pushing back of the return push bar 440 initially occupies a longitudinal high position, folded back parallel to the transfer arm 430, above it. As a result, the push-back bar 440 is not necessarily telescopic, although this can be expected. A motor 435 controls the deployment of the transfer arms 430 and a deployment motor assembly 439 controls the various pivoting of the return push bar 440, for example by sets of cables and pulleys or by electric micro-motors. The functional section 440A is connected to the free end 432 of the transfer arm 430 by a link 440B of slightly shorter length than the ceiling height, comprising two articulated end sections, one of which has a double axis of articulation. On the one hand, on the support side by a 430P articulation bearing section belonging to the free end 432, a 440P hinge mounted section of the link 440B can pivot about a vertical axis 440V to rotate a quarter turn horizontally the functional section 440A, between its retracted position with longitudinal extension 430A rearward and its functional position of rest, transverse. On the other hand, the mutually articulated sections 430P and 440P allow pivoting of the tie rod 440B at 90 degrees or less horizontally about the longitudinal axis 430A of the extension of the transfer arm 430. that the functional section 440A down substantially halfway up the cell. In order for the functional section 440A to maintain its substantially horizontal orientation during this second pivoting of the link 440B, these two elements 440A, 440B are connected by two articulation sections 440R and 440Q mutually articulated along a horizontal longitudinal axis 440C, which is that is parallel to the direction of longitudinal extension 430A. Functionally, the link 440B could also be considered as belonging to the free end of arm 432. Thus, once the transfer arm 430 has been deployed, the functional section 440A pivots horizontally a quarter of a turn along the axis Vertical 440V, in the space gap near the ceiling, to come in transverse position, but high, then it translate laterally downwards, by the pivoting of the link 440B around, simultaneously, longitudinal axial directions 430A and 440C. The pivoting of the functional section 440A can be provided by a same pivoting of the link 440B, as explained above, or by only a pivoting of the functional section 440A relative to the link 440B. In FIG. 6A, the tank 50 is open, and the bottles 8 are placed on the plate 52. The transfer arms 430 are folded, on either side of the collection surface 20. The link 440B, at the free end 432 of the transfer arms 430, is in the vertical position. The functional section 440A is folded backwards in an upper longitudinal position with respect to the collection surface 20, above the transfer arm 430. In FIG. 6B, the transfer arms 430 have been deployed in a telescopic manner, deployment position, their free end 432 having reached the level of the bottom area 53. In Figure 6C. the link 440B has pivoted the functional section 440A 90 degrees along the vertical axis 440 V, in a transverse direction, in a space slice formed above the bottles 8. This quadrant space slot could be reduced radius if the functional section 440A was telescopic.

  In FIG. 6D, the horizontal functional section 440A has just been lowered to an intermediate level, of functional rest position, by pivoting the link 440B of 90 degrees or less around in the longitudinal axial directions 430A and 440C. In FIG. 6E, the transfer arms 430, from the deployment position, fold back to bring back the push bar 440 back to at least the retracted position, at the entry edge 24 of the collection surface. 20. The batches of vials 8 are thus slid back to the outside of the tank 50, on the collection surface 20. In FIG. 6F, all the bottles 8, extracted from the tank 8, are pushed towards the surface of accumulation 10 by the push bar 440 remained coupled to the transfer arms 430.

  Finally, in FIG. 6G, once the unloading of the bottles 8 has been completed, the return thrust bar 440 is again delivered, by an operation opposite to that described, in the retracted position along the transfer arms 430. Another form The embodiment of the device for unloading a batch of bottles from an oven or freeze-drying tank 550 is illustrated with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. In this variant, the functional elements retain their reference, however preceded by the hundredths. In this embodiment, the lyophilization tank 550 is adjacent to the feed and unload conveyor, and the loading in the tank 550 is from the opposite side with respect to the devices of FIGS. 1 to 6. other words, whereas in the previous embodiments, the batches 8 arrived in the accumulation channel 12A were loaded into the tank 50 in a direction directed to the right of the rising channel in Figure 1, the loading direction is on the contrary to the left, that is to say descending if one still refers to Figure 1. Precisely, the bottles 8 are temporarily discharged on an accumulation surface 510, to the right of the accumulation channel, then they are pushed in block, on the opposite side, in the direction of the tank. Thus, the accumulation surface also provides the function of the collection surface. In the following description, elements similar to those of the first embodiments will not be described in detail. Figure 7 is an overall schematic of the vial batch loading and unloading device, associated with a batch conveyor feeding and evacuation equipment.

  As in the previous embodiments, the bottles 8 are conveyed from a work station (not shown), via a conveyor belt 506 and an accumulation channel 512A, according to the arrival direction A vials 8, then, when the expected number N of vials 8 is reached to form a row of length substantially corresponding to the useful width of a tray 552 of the tank 550, a loading motor pushes a crossbar accumulation 518 , which pushes the bottles 8 on an accumulation surface 510, in order to form the batches of flasks. The accumulation surface 510 has, on the conveyor belt side 506 and the tank 550, a border 511, bordering on a downstream edge 5102, or before, the accumulation surface 510, opposite to an upstream edge 5101, or rear, comprising the accumulation channel 512, the border 511 being a loading inlet border of the tank 550 and, in the opposite direction, receiving by return inlet the treated bottles 8 in the tank 550, and the accumulation surface 510 has, on the side opposite the tank 550, a border of the accumulation surface 502. Longitudinal transfer arms 530, with an extension direction substantially identical to the direction of charge of the batches, are mounted along two opposite lateral edges. of the accumulation surface 510, and they carry, by their respective two free ends 532, the ends of a transverse bar 540 push back, and opposite side to the conveyor belt 506, the ends of another crossbar ale 541, called loading thrust. More specifically, the transverse bar 541, loading thrust, makes it possible to push the bottles 8, in batch, on the accumulation surface 510, to transfer them, by sliding and as a single block, on a plate 552 of the In a similar manner, the transverse push-back bar 541 makes it possible to push the bottles 8, in a batch, onto a plate 552 of the tank 550, in order to transfer them, by sliding and in a single block, to the accumulation surface 510, once the heat treatment performed. To perform a forward-backward sweeping motion by the loading push-bar 541, respectively emptying the tray 552 by the push-back bar 540, each transfer arm 530 is mounted on a shoe 536 sliding on a rail longitudinal guide, extending along the length of the accumulation surface 510, substantially to the right of the two side walls 555 and 556 of the tank 550, the transfer arm 530 and the associated guide rail 534 thus forming a system telescopic. In the retracted position of the transfer arms 530, when the shoe 536 is on a rear end portion of the guide rail 534, distal to the vessel 550, the arm end 532 is located substantially at the edge 511, i.e. the arm ends 532 are outside the tank 550, which can then be closed. In the deployed position, the shoe 536 then being on a front end portion of the guide rail 534, the transfer arms 530 have a determined offset length, a value substantially corresponding to the depth of the accumulation surface 510 and the plate 552, so that the free end 532 of the transfer arm 530 reaches the bottom zone 553 of the plate 552, to bring the push rod back 540, or grasp the push rod back 540, after heat treatment when it has been previously deposited in the functional rest position.

  Moreover, the back-thrust bar 540 is movably mounted in height here according to an arcuate path, on the transfer arms 530, by means of a link 533 articulated at one end 583 to an arm of FIG. transfer 530, about a horizontal axis 533A, the other end carrying the push-back bar 540. Thus, the push-back bar 540 may have a path along an angular sector having a vertical component, so that it can take a high position, corresponding substantially at least to the height of a bottle 8 to allow the passage of bottles 8 under the bar 540, and a low position, holding or blocking the bottles 8. Thus, during the step of accumulation of vials 8 and batch formation, the back pushbar 540 is in the up position, to allow the transit of the bottles 8 from the accumulation channel 512A to the accumulation surface 510. When a lot is formed on the accumulation surface 510, the back-thrust crossbar 540 is brought into the down position, holding and blocking the batches. The assembly consisting of the back-thrust transverse bar 540, the loading thrust transverse bar 541 and the transfer arms 530 thus forms a transfer frame C, as illustrated in FIG. 8, which can surround the batch of flasks. 8, to transfer it, by sliding and in one piece, on one of the trays 552, the bottles 8 being pushed by the loading push rod 541, the back push bar 540 then serving as counter-support. Once the lot of bottles 8 has been transferred to the tray 552, the push-back bar 540 is returned to the raised position, and the two push bars, in return 540 and in loading 541, are brought back to the accumulation surface 510. by folding the transfer arms 530, the bar 540 transiting above the bottles 8, in the upper space gap, formed between the top of a bottle 8 and the tray 552 or the next upper surface. The cycle is repeated until the number of batches, for example t o four, is reached to fill the plateau. Apart from the volume of elevator dedicated to the trays 552, the tank 550 comprises a vertical rear volume slice, limited by the rear wall 553 of the tank 550, in which slice the back push bar 540 will be temporarily stored, at the height of the accumulation surface 510, when the newly-filled tray has to be reassembled to make room for the next lower tray. A new tray loading cycle 552 can thus begin, to successively fill the desired number of trays 552. When the last batch is loaded on the last tray 552. the back push bar 540 is deported to the bottom of the tray. tank 550, to be hooked, in the operative position of rest, as described with reference to the first embodiment, for example by means of holding studs belonging to the return push bar 540 cooperating with a tank light 550. For this purpose, the distance between the return push bar 540 and the loading push bar 541, i.e., the depth of the transfer frame C, may vary between a corresponding loading depth. substantially to the depth of a batch of flasks, which is substantially the depth corresponding to the number of rows of flasks 8 constituting a batch, for the belting, and the useful depth of a tray 552. A Once the back push bar 540 hooks to the bottom of the tank 550, the transfer arms 530 are folded back into the retracted position, i.e. the tank 550 can be closed, and the heat treatment proceed. Advantageously, the back push bar 540 also undergoes the heat treatment cycle, and thus remain substantially in a sterile space. The unloading device of the bottles 8 of the tank 550 operates as explained below.

  After treatment, the tank 550 is opened. The transfer arms 530 are then deployed so that their free ends 532 reach the level of the bottom zone 553 in order to connect to the back push bar 540, occupying its functional position of rest. The transfer arms 530 fold back from the deployed position, so that their free ends 532 return the push rod back 540, in the low position to push the batches, to at least the retracted position, at the edge of the 511 of the accumulation surface 510. The batches of vials 8 are thus slid back to the outside of the tank 550, on the accumulation surface 510. The successive batches are brought back to the accumulation surface 510 and then evacuated, one after the other, and not in a single block as was the case in the first embodiments, and the tank 550 is thus emptied by successive emptying of the different trays 552. A loading operation can so start again.

Claims (21)

claims   1. Device for unloading a tray (52) internal to a cabinet (50) for treating a batch of containers (8) containing a product to be treated, the device comprising means (40; 240; 340; 440) for returning the batch of containers (8) by sliding from the plate (52) to at least one entry edge (24) of a collection surface (20), the return means comprising at least one transfer arm (30; 230; 330; 430), deployable between a retracted position to the entry edge (24). and a deployment position, and means (40; 240; 340; 440) of the batch (8) which have, in the functional state, a transverse sweep position in return of the plate (52) over a predetermined useful width, the sweep being effected from a rest functional position reached in said extended position and making it possible to reach a bottom zone of the plate (53), up to at least the entry edge (24), the back-thrust means (40; 240; 340; 440), being selectively activatable.   2. Device according to claim 1, wherein a free end (32; 232; 332; 432) of the at least one transfer arm (30; 230; 330; 430) comprises means (38; 232C; 330P; 430P) for coupling with the return thrust means (40; 240; 340; 440).   3. Device according to one of claims 1 and 2, comprising two said transfer arm (30; 230; 330; 430) mounted near two opposite side edges of the collection surface (20).   4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one transfer arm (30; 230;; 330; 430) is telescopic.   5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, comprising motor means (35; 235; 335; 435) for actuating said at least one transfer arm (30; 230; 330; 430).   6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the return thrust means comprises a thrust bar (40; 340; 440).   7. Device according to claim 6 in dependence on claim 2, wherein the coupling means comprise means (38) for removably gripping coupling elements (41A, 41B, 42A, 42B) belonging to the push rod back (40).   8. Device according to one of claims 6 and 7, wherein the return thrust bar (40) comprises means (41; 45, 46) for stabilizing it in the operative position of rest, after decoupling by the coupling means (38).   9. Device according to claim 8, wherein the stabilizing means comprise at least one lateral lug (42) bearing on the plate (52), the lateral support leg (42) having a free edge (41B), at a lateral distance from the rest of the return thrust means (40), having, in the operative position, a predetermined height, so as to constitute, by a lower end (43), bearing on the plate (2), a stop anti-tilt in one direction, and constitute, by an upper end (44), an anti-tilt stop in the other direction, provided to abut on a cabinet ceiling opposite the plate (52).   10. Device according to claim 8, wherein the stabilizing means comprise at least one removable clipping element (45, 46) adapted to cooperate with a member (47, 48, 49) for holding the push rod back ( 40) in the operative position of rest, after decoupling of the coupling means (38), arranged to be fixed to the cabinet (1) in the bottom zone of the plate (53).   11. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the return thrust means (240; 340; 440) are retractable along the at least one transfer arm (230; 330; 430). , when deploying it.   12. Device according to claim 11, wherein the return thrust means (240) are shape memory, to be deported to the functional position of rest, by sliding along the at least one arm of transfer (230), 25 and then to extend in the transverse direction, by a substantially right-angle guide (232C), provided by a free end (230) of the at least one transfer arm (230) arrived in position deployment, in order to come to occupy their functional position of rest by continuing the sliding.   13. Device according to claim 12, wherein the return thrust means (240) comprise a flexible strip of determined rigidity (240), rectilinear in the absence of stress and non-rectilinear cross-section, to thereby increase a value. a moment of inertia in lateral bending, the return thrust band (240) being elastically deformable in lateral bending to effect folding in said transverse direction during the guided passage at the free end (232) of the at least one a transfer arm (230), and then resume, by elasticity, a rectilinear appearance, functional state, in the functional position of rest.   14. Device according to claim 13 in dependence on claim 3, wherein the two transfer arms (230) carry two said respective flexible strips (240) whose free ends are provided to come end to end in the rest position and then connect mutual latching means associated with a release actuator comprising a stop sensor against one of said ends.   15. Device according to claim 11, wherein the return thrust means (340) are articulated (340P) on the coupling means (330P) to occupy a longitudinal position folded against the at least one transfer arm (330). during its deployment, and then rotate (330A) to come to occupy their functional position of rest.   Device according to claim 11, wherein the back-thrust means (440) comprise a back-thrust functional section (440A) connected to the coupling means (430P) through a double joint connection section (440B). , so that the return thrust means (440) first pivot in a block along a substantially vertical axis (440V), relative to the coupling means (430P), and then the functional section (440A) comes to occupy the functional rest position by pivoting with respect to the connection section (440B) along a longitudinal axis (440C).   17. Device according to claim 11, wherein the return thrust means (340) are articulated on the coupling means (330P) along a longitudinal axis (330A) to occupy a vertical position during the deployment of the at least one transfer arm (330), and then to pivot around the transfer arm (330) to fall back to their functional position of rest.   18. Device according to one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the return thrust means (240; 340; 440) are telescopic.   19. Device according to one of claims 11 to 18, comprising motor means (239; 339; 439) for retraction of the return thrust means (240; 340; 440).   20. Device according to one of claims 1 to 19, comprising motor means (37; 239; 339; 439) for controlling the coupling means (38, 232C; 330P; 430P).   21. Device according to one of claims 1 to 20, wherein at least one of the return thrust means (40; 240; 340; 440) and a free end (32; 232; 332; 432) associated transfer arm comprises a lateral confinement relief lo of at least one end container (8) of an extreme row of the batch of containers (8).