FR2957334A1 - PROCESS FOR PACKAGING AND DISPENSING A PLURALITY OF SUCCESSIVE FILLING PRESSURE FLUID BOTTLES - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of packaging and dispensing a plurality of pressurized fluid cylinders (10) with successive fillings, comprising a step (1) of filling empty bottles (10) in a filling center, a step (2) of transport bottles (10) filled in the preceding step to a distribution site, a delivery step (3) in a dispensing site, bottles filled and transported in the preceding step, a step (4) of setting provision to bottle users (10) delivered in the preceding step, a step (5) of removing empty bottles from a dispensing site and a step (6) of transporting empty bottles (10) withdrawn to a center filling device, characterized in that the bottles (10) are distributed in groups of bottles (10) in respective independent roll baskets (11), the bottles (10) being handled by rolling baskets (11) during the step ( 2) transportation filled bottles, that is to say that the bottles (10) filled are loaded and transported in their cart (11) rolling and in that the bottles (10) filled are delivered in baskets during step (3) ) delivery, that is to say that the bottles (10) are delivered in groups with their basket (11) rolling.

Description

The present invention relates to a method of packaging and dispensing a plurality of pressurized fluid bottles. The invention relates more particularly to a method for packaging and dispensing a plurality of pressurized fluid bottles with successive fillings, comprising a step of filling empty bottles in a filling center, a step of transporting the filled bottles to the filling station. previous step towards a distribution site, a delivery step, in a distribution site, bottles filled and transported to the previous step, a step of making available to users of bottles delivered in the previous step, a step of removing empty bottles from a distribution site and a step of transporting empty bottles withdrawn to a filling center. The operations required to manage the packaging and logistics of industrial or medical gas cylinders are complex and costly. Companies involved in this cyclical process must take into account the large number of cylinder and gas references as well as regulatory, safety and economic constraints. Currently, for the transport and handling of gas cylinders, it is possible to use pallets with side reinforcements. These pallets generally consist of a horizontal tray on which the bottles are placed, usually vertically. These pallets are provided with means for their movement by means of a forklift. A lifting ring can be provided for handling the pallet with a crane. The pallets are sized to hold up to twenty bottles with a volume of water of fifty liters. When it comes to small bottles (volume of ten liters or less, for example), the pallets can typically contain more than thirty heterogeneous bottles. State-of-the-art pallets are generally used for the handling of gas cylinders in packaging centers, for their transport on trucks and their storage, for example in users. The bottles are usually strapped inside the pallets. The bottles are taken out of the pallets in particular for their filling phase. Because of the large number of bottles per pallet and the large number of gas references or types of packaging operated by a company operating industrial or medical gases, bottle sorting steps are necessary. These sorts or preparations are particularly necessary: - extraction of empty bottles before packaging, - when filling pallets with full bottles (before deliveries). These sorting operations are long, expensive and tedious for the operators. These pallet operations are sources of accidents or musculoskeletal disorders for operators. An object of the present invention is to overcome all or part of the disadvantages of the prior art noted above. To this end, the method according to the invention, moreover in accordance with the generic definition given in the preamble above, is essentially characterized in that the bottles are distributed in groups of bottles in respective independent rolling baskets, the bottles being handled by roll baskets during the step of transporting filled bottles, that is to say that the filled bottles are loaded and transported in their rolling basket and that the filled bottles are delivered in baskets at the time of delivery; delivery stage, that is to say that the bottles are delivered in groups with their cart. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following features: - during the step of withdrawal of empty bottles, the bottles are also distributed in groups in respective rolling baskets, it is that the bottles are handled by roll baskets during the withdrawal step, - during the step of transporting the empty bottles to a filling center, the empty bottles are handled by roll baskets, that is, that is to say that the empty bottles are loaded and transported in their respective rolling baskets, - at least during part of the filling step, the bottles are handled by roll baskets and remain in their respective baskets, - during the step filling, the bottles are conveyed by roll baskets upstream and / or level and / or downstream of a filling station shaped to ensure the transfer of gas in the bottles, - the baskets rollers comprise a body with a wired or wire structure whose upper end is selectively reclosable by a pivoting or foldable lid, the lower base of the body of the baskets comprising one or more wheels, - during at least part of the process, the bottles are divided into groups of homogeneous bottles in respective rolling baskets, that is to say that the baskets contain bottles of the same nature storing a fluid of the same nature, - during the filling stage, the bottles remain housed in their basket during the transfer of fluid from a filling station to the inside of the bottles, - the method comprises a step of checking the external condition of the bottles to remove the damaged bottles and that the verification step is performed visually and / or automatically optically through the baskets, - the method includes a step of verifying the external condition of the bottles via a camera provided with an image processing device, said camera being arranged at a level of a basket of bottles on a conveyor belt of said baskets of a filling center, - the camera is disposed under a conveyor belt and scans the baskets via an opening formed in said carpet and in that the base of the baskets, that is to say the bottom, is perforated and non-opaque, - the bottles are gas bottles pressurized with a tap at their upper end and possibly a protective cap, - the bottles are placed vertically in the baskets, the tap being in the upper part, - the baskets delimit a storage volume whose dimensions are between 700 and 1200mm for the height, 250 and 500mm for the width, and 400 and 700mm for the depth, so as to be able to store between three and six type) bottles having a volume in water between two and twenty liters, - at least during a portion of a bottle conveying by roll baskets, upstream and / or downstream and / or at a filling station, baskets are attached one behind the other, to allow online packaging on conveying ramps, at least a portion and preferably all the faces of the roll baskets are not opaque so as to allow control of the bottles inside the basket, in particular the visual inspection of the external state of the bottles - the baskets comprise a pull / push handle, - the baskets have a top cover retractable in one part or articulated in at least two sub-parts, - the basket or baskets comprise a locking system of the lid in the closed position of the basket, for example a locking striker and a loop or ring provided for the introduction of an anti-theft device, - at least during part of one of the steps of the procedure , For example during a transport step, one or more bottles baskets are handled and / or transported on pallets.

The invention may also relate to any alternative device or method comprising any combination of the above or below features. Other features and advantages will appear on reading the description below, with reference to the figures in which: - Figures 1 and 2 show views, respectively in perspective and side, of an example of a rolling basket according to FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a pallet loaded with a plurality of rolling baskets according to FIG. 1 or 2; FIGS. 4 and 5 represent views, respectively from above and from the side, of an example of an optional detail of a packaging center according to the invention; FIG. 6 represents a schematic view illustrating the structure and operation of an exemplary method according to the invention. According to an advantageous feature the bottles 10 are distributed by 15 groups, preferably homogeneous (homogeneity in bottle type, gas type and homogeneity in empty / full state) in 11 rolling baskets. The baskets 11 can carry a single bottle 10 but preferably provide transportation and handling for a group of at least two bottles 10. Preferably, a basket 11 provides for the transport and handling of a compound group up to three bottles with a volume of water greater than or equal to ten liters. Basket 11 can also carry and handle a group of up to six bottles with a water volume of six liters or less. For example, the overall capacity of all the transportable bottles in a basket 11 can be between fifteen liters and fifty liters of water (or more, for example 120 liters). The baskets 11 can be used during at least part of: - packaging (that is to say effective filling, see ref 1 figure 6), - transport (truck or other, see references 2 and 6). , Figure 6), - the distribution of gas cylinders (in a delivery center, for example at a distributor, see reference 3, Figure 6). The basket 11 has dimensions of between 700 and 1200mm for the height, 400 and 700mm for the width, and 250 and 500mm for the depth, so as to be able to store between three and six type bottles having a water volume of 10 liters. . Of course, it is conceivable to place in the baskets 11 35 bottles of less capacity (two liters for example) or larger capacity (up to twenty liters for example). These dimensions allow the loading of one or more baskets 11 on a conventional pallet 15 cf. Figures 3 and 6. The pallets 15 of baskets 11 of bottles 10 can thus be transported on delivery trucks of bottles, cf. Figure 6. Forklifts can be used conventionally to load / unload pallets 15 of the truck.

Of course, the rolling baskets 11 according to the invention can be used alone, that is to say transported and handled without pallet 15, especially on trucks. In this case, the trucks and / or the packaging centers may be provided with handling tools adapted specifically to the baskets 11. The baskets 11 are preferably provided with carrying and / or lifting elements adapted for this purpose to cooperate with handling tools. As represented for example in FIGS. 1 and 2, the baskets 11 have a wire or mesh structure formed, for example, by welded steel wires. This structure allows the attachment of straps for holding and blocking the bottles 10 inside the basket 11.

The baskets 11 may optionally be hung one behind the other to allow online packaging, particularly on conveying ramps (see references 1 and 9, Figure 6). The structure of the baskets 11 is preferably non-opaque, that is to say that the state of the bottles 10 can be observed without removing them from the basket 11.

In addition, preferably the structure of the basket 11 makes it possible to carry out all or part of the operations of the conditioning cycle and in particular the filling of the bottles 10 with fluid, inside the basket 11. Preferably, the bottles 10 may be placed in rotation around their base without removing them from the basket 11, thus allowing, by a manual or automated means, the control of the outer surface of all or part of the bottles. This can be obtained via dimensions and relative geometries of the basket 11 and bottles stored in said basket 11. In one variant of the invention, the baskets are made of plastic (or metal-plastic composite). The amounts thereof can be assembled by a method such that the structure is not opaque and that the outer surface of the bottles is visible from outside the basket without removing the bottles from the basket. The baskets 11 make it possible to control the external state of the bottles 10 inside the basket (for example, checking external marks of damage to the bottles judged to be unacceptable before a filling operation).

In the non-limiting example of FIGS. 1 and 2, the baskets 11 may comprise a six-sided parallelepipedal structure delimiting a closed volume in which can be housed entirely from one to four bottles of type B15 (water volume of fifteen liters). with their faucet and hat. The bottles 10 can be wedged or fixed inside the baskets 11 by straps or other suitable means. The base of the basket 11 comprises one or more wheels 102 provided to allow the displacement of the group of bottles 10 by rolling (at a site 1 of conditioning, the site 3 distributor, the user ...).

Preferably, the baskets 11 have a stable non-rolling position and an unstable rolling position (for example by pivoting the basket or disengaging a brake system or the like). The upper portion of the basket 11 may include a handle 103 for pulling or pushing the basket 11.

The upper part of the basket 11 preferably comprises a retractable cover 101 selectively allowing access to the internal volume provided for the bottles 10. For example, the retractable cover 101 can be hinged on one side. Similarly, the cover 101 may be composed of a panel or at least two parts hinged together, one of the parts may come to cover an opening, for example on the front face of the basket 11. The cover and / or a side of the basket 11 is preferably provided with a locking system of the closure of the cover 101 (for example, a locking trigger, a loop or a ring allowing the establishment of an anti-theft padlock ... ).

The basket 11 may include an identification zone (identification of the contents, with a regulatory zone, a free zone for distributor information, carrier information, information of the operator in packaging, etc.). The lower base of the basket 11 may comprise a removable raised, possibly honeycombed for the positioning of bottoms, for the positioning of bottles 10 of low height relative to the height of the basket 11. The use of such a basket 11 rolling In order to manage groups of bottles 10 in the supply chain of a set of bottles 10, there are many advantages over the prior art treatment. FIG. 4 schematically represents an exemplary conditioning and logistics management cycle of a fleet of pressurized gas cylinders.

The bottles 10 are filled with gas (or other fluid) in a filling station 1. The station 1 comprises a filling station 12 for transferring fluid from a source 112 to the inside of bottles 10 via hoses and systems appropriate connections (automated filling solutions are possible). As shown, the bottles can be treated in groups in their basket 11 rolling in the filling station and in particular on a conveyor 9. Preferably, (that is to say, without this being necessary), the bottles 10 are filled without not being removed from their basket 11. Fastening systems (such as hooks or straps ...) may be provided for attaching baskets 11 one behind the other, in particular on the conveying system 9. The bottles 10 can also be moved by several basket units 11, that is to say several groups of bottles 10. That is to say that several baskets 11 are placed on pallets 15 (see FIG. ). The baskets 11 can be fixed inside the pallets 15 by straps or any other suitable means. The pallets 15 can be manipulated by forklifts. The pallets 15 loaded with baskets 11 of bottles 10 can be mounted in the transport trucks and then transported 2 to a distribution center 3 where the baskets 11 are delivered with their bottles 10 filled. The pallets 15 can be fixed to the truck by means of straps or slats or any other suitable fastening system. For example, the pallets loaded with rolling baskets are lowered from the truck by forklift. The empty pallets are preferably raised on the truck. The groups of bottles 10 can therefore be moved and manipulated in groups in the rolling baskets. Bottle users travel to distributors to receive the number of bottles needed for their application (see reference 4, 30 figure 6). Extraction of the bottles 10 out of the baskets 11 wheels can intervene at this stage. When the user returns to his dispenser with his empty bottle (s), the dispenser can recompose baskets 11 of empty bottles (preferably groups of homogeneous bottles), cf. Ref. 5, Fig. 6. Bottle racks 11 of empty bottles can then be returned (for example within pallets 15) to the packaging centers for refilling 1.

Of course, the dimensioning (length, width, height) of the rolling basket 11 can be adapted to the type and number of bottles 10 to be transported (preferably between one and six bottles B2 to B20 (volume in water between two and twenty liters)).

The sizing of the basket 1 1 may also be a function of the dimensions of the pallet 15 provided for transporting baskets 11. Preferably, the heights of the baskets 11 and pallets 15 are provided to allow at least two pallets to be stacked 15 one over the other. In the case of the management of a set of gas cylinders 10, the unit weight of a basket can be optimized so that, reduced to the unit weight of a bottle 10 taking into account the number of bottles housed in a basket 11, the overweight of the basket 11 per bottle 10 filled with gas is between 10 and 100%, and preferably between 20 and 40%. This additional overweight in the handling is according to the invention largely offset by the profits and savings made in the supply chain obtained through the use of baskets 11 of groups of bottles 10. In particular, the treatment of cylinders by rolling group allows a simplification, rationalization and more optimized treatment of a fleet of bottles.

The method according to the invention may have simplifications and savings in operations - sorting empty or full bottles, - packaging, - transport - delivery, - use, - return packaging ... The figure 5 illustrates an optional advantageous feature according to the invention. This feature can also be used independently of the above characteristics of the invention (that is to say, in particular regardless of the rolling character of the baskets 11). Thus, the detection of damaged bottles can be carried out automatically. This verification of the external condition of the bottles 10 may in particular be carried out through the basket 11. This inspection may in particular be carried out laterally and / or above and / or, as shown, not downwards. That is to say, a camera 8 can scan the state of all or part of the bottles 10 and in particular the state of their lower base.

A step of checking the condition of the bottles 10 is indeed important to guarantee the integrity and the quality of the bottles 10. In the case of a basket 11 that can accommodate several bottles, for example four small bottles (20). liters for example), the verification of the bottles 10 may, depending on the case, not necessarily require their extraction from the basket 11. However, to check the condition of the base of the bottles 10 without removing it from the basket 11, a verification installation 8 may be provided under the passage of baskets 11.

This is particularly advantageous in the context of automation of a packaging center with automated conveyors 9 allow to move these baskets 11 without or with minimal intervention of an operator. In the absence of conveyors, an inspection system independent of any other stage of the conditioning circuit is possible. That is to say, the inspection system is not necessarily linked to another stage of the circuit by an automatic conveyor type system for example. Based on identical technology, for example image processing by camera, this inspection system will be dedicated to the verification of the condition and integrity of the bottles in their entirety or in certain specific areas, for example the basement. The deposition of the baskets 11 hosting one or more bottles 10 on this type of independent system will be performed manually by an operator or via a machine, for example a forklift adapted, or automatically. A camera 8 or other equivalent system may be provided to detect, preferably automatically, damaged bottles 10, especially at the base. This detection may for example use an image processing analysis system. One or a combination of several cameras 8, for example linear type can thus be placed under an opening 12 of a conveyor 9. The or cameras 8 are directed for example upwards. During the passage of the basket 11 above the camera or cameras 8, shooting cameras 8 associated or not with a suitable processing algorithm, can detect the damaged bottles 10. A system, for example automated, may be provided for: - stopping the filling line and / or - moving the basket 11 concerned from the conditioning circuit to bring it to an auxiliary circuit dedicated to access to maintenance. This solution will be preferred to ensure the maintenance of the productivity of the conditioning circuit, particularly if the circuit is for example highly automated. The image processing algorithm may notably disregard any minor surface obstacles (grid of the basket 11 in particular) with respect to the observed useful surface area (visible surface of the bottle 10). A partial reconstruction of the segments observed may be provided to detect the presence of defects in the structure of the bottle 10. In the case where this process is automated, a real economy is obtained. In addition, the risks related to handling are greatly reduced for the 10 operators in the packing center.

Claims (11)

REVENDICATIONS1. A method of packaging and dispensing a plurality of pressurized fluid cylinders (10) with successive fillings, comprising a step (1) of filling empty bottles (10) in a filling center, a step (2) of transport bottles (10) filled in the preceding step to a distribution site, a delivery step (3) in a dispensing site, bottles filled and transported in the preceding step, a step (4) of setting provision to bottle users (10) delivered in the preceding step, a step (5) of removing empty bottles from a dispensing site and a step (6) of transporting empty bottles (10) withdrawn to a center filling device, characterized in that the bottles (10) are distributed in groups of bottles (10) in respective independent roll baskets (11), the bottles (10) being handled by rolling baskets (11) during the step ( 2) transportation filled bottles, that is to say that the bottles (10) filled are loaded and transported in their cart (11) rolling and in that the bottles (10) filled are delivered in baskets during step (3) ) delivery, that is to say that the bottles (10) are delivered in groups with their basket (11) rolling. 2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the step (5) for removing empty bottles (10), the bottles (10) are also distributed in groups in respective baskets (11), that is to say that the bottles (10) are handled by baskets (11) rolling during the step (3) withdrawal. 3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, during the step (6) of transporting the empty bottles (10) to a filling center, the empty bottles (10) are handled in baskets (11) rolling, that is to say that the empty bottle (10) are loaded and transported in their respective basket (11) rolling. 4. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, at least during part of the filling step (1), the bottles (10) are handled by baskets (11) rolling and remain in their respective baskets (11). 5. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, during the step (1) of filling, the bottles (10) are conveyed by baskets (11) rolling upstream and / or level and / or downstream of a filling station (12) shaped to ensure the transfer of the gas into the bottles (10). 6. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the baskets (11) rolling comprise a body with a wire frame or wire mesh whose upper end is selectively reclosable by a cover (101) pivoting or foldable the lower base of the body of the baskets (11) comprising one or more wheels (102). 7. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, during at least part of the process, the bottles (10) are distributed in groups of bottles (10) homogeneous in respective baskets (11) rolling , that is to say that the baskets (11) contain bottles (10) of the same nature storing a fluid of the same nature. 8. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that during the step (1) of filling, the bottles (10) remain housed in their basket (11) during the transfer of fluid d a station (12) for filling the bottles (10) inwards. 9. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a step (7) for checking the external condition of the bottles (10) to remove the damaged bottles (10) and in that the verification step (7) is performed visually and / or automatically (8) optically through the baskets (11). 10. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises a step (7) of checking the external condition of the bottles (10) via a camera (8) provided with an image processing device, said camera (8) being arranged at a passage of baskets (11) of bottles on a carpet (9) for conveying said baskets (11) of a filling center. 11. A method according to claim 10, characterized in that the camera (8) is disposed under a conveyor belt (9) and scans the baskets (11) via an opening (12) formed in said belt (9) and in that that the base of the baskets, that is to say the bottom, is perforated and not opaque.