FR3000033A1 - DEVICE FOR GROUPING PRODUCTS - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a product grouping device (5) arriving aligned one behind the other on a conveyor (1) supply, in a direction (D) of supply, said device comprising at least one collector (21; 22), associated with a displacement system (81, 82), said at least one manifold (21; 22) having a plurality of cells (4; 40) for receiving the products (5) and being able to present itself at one end of the conveyor (1) in a direction (c) loading. The cells (4; 40) are hinged to each other, said displacement system (81, 82) is connected to at least one drive shaft (71, 72), and said displacement system (81, 82) forms a loop circuit comprising: (i) a loading zone (Z1) along said loading direction (c), (ii) an unloading zone (Z2) in a direction (d) of unloading, different from said direction (c) ), (iii) as well as a first transfer zone (t1) and a second transfer zone (t2) located between the loading zone (Z1) and the unloading zone (Z2).

Description

The invention relates to a device for grouping products arriving in line, arranged one behind the other, on a supply conveyor, and to move the group of products to a downstream unloading station. Such devices are known for example described in document FR 2 940 788. This device uses a collector made in the form of a comb which is animated by a movement that it repeats indefinitely.

The collector in the form of a comb is thus disposed at the end of the conveyor, transversely. The comb comprises several cells which thus merge with the conveyor and which are each able to receive a product. The products are introduced one by one into each cell of the comb by shifting the comb a given pitch until the comb is full of products. Then the comb is moved to the downstream station where the group of products collected in the cells of the comb are deposited. Such a system is effective, but allows only one result: that of having bundled product lines that are perpendicular to the direction of supply products.

At the origin of the invention, the applicant has sought to develop a device that allows to group the products in the manner of the comb described in document FR 2 940 788, but which would make it possible to arrange the rows of products collected following a direction parallel to the direction of supply of products by the conveyor, or at least in a direction different from that obtained with the device of FR 2 940 788. Moreover, anxious to always improve its products, the applicant has sought to achieve a device that would allow better rates for the realization of batches of products. The invention relates for this purpose to a device of the aforementioned type, that is to say a device for grouping incoming products aligned one behind the other on a supply conveyor, in a feed direction, said device comprising at least one manifold, associated with a displacement system, said at least one manifold comprising a plurality of receptacles for receiving the products and being capable of presenting itself at one end of the conveyor in a direction of loading different from said supply direction; - each cell having an axis of orientation and an opening in said axis of orientation. The device is remarkable in that the cells are hinged to each other, in that said displacement system is connected to at least one drive shaft, and in that said displacement system forms a closed loop circuit comprising a) a loading zone in said loading direction and in which the products are collected in the cells of said at least one manifold; b) an unloading zone in an unloading direction, different from said loading direction; and wherein the collected products are unloaded; c) a first transfer zone located between the loading zone and the unloading zone; d) and a second transfer zone located between the unloading zone and the loading zone. Thus realized, the device makes it possible to orient the batches in a direction different from the direction of loading, thanks to the presence of the distinct loading and unloading zones, which can extend in different directions, the zones being interconnected. by transfer zones. In this way, a removal station can be provided at the unloading area of the circuit. The invention may also comprise the following characteristics, taken separately or in combination: the device may comprise at least two collectors, and the displacement system may comprise two loop circuits, each carrying a collector, each of the two circuits being connected to a drive shaft of its own, the drive shafts being independent of each other in their operation. Thus achieved, the device provides better rates, thanks to the presence of two collectors; said at least one manifold and its displacement system can be integral with a frame driven in displacement along said axis of orientation of the cells which are in the unloading zone, in a direction opposite to the opening of the cells, and a actuator controlling the displacement of said frame. Thus realized, the device makes it possible to release the products without having recourse to additional tools, for example a gripping head making it possible to take the products out of the cells; the actuator can communicate with a control system of the at least one drive shaft.

The invention also relates to a method of grouping products, implementing a device as defined above, said method comprising the following steps: a) collecting the products in the cells of the collector, in a direction of loading, by advancing said collector in said loading zone, b) moving said collector in the first transfer zone to the unloading zone, said unloading zone extending in an unloading direction different from said loading direction. The method may also comprise the following characteristics, taken separately or in combination: A - In the case of an implementation of a device whose collector comprises straight cells, the method may comprise an additional step aimed at: i. moving said frame in a first direction along said axis of orientation of the cells of the collector which are in the unloading zone, in a direction opposite to the opening of the cells, for a predetermined distance, by controlling the actuator, in order to release the products of said collector, ii) moving said collector in said second transfer zone to said loading zone, iii) moving said frame in the opposite direction in the first direction, the batch of products can thus be released without having to implement other devices.

B -In the case of an implementation of a device comprising at least two collectors, when the frame is moved to release the products, the drive shaft associated with the collector which is in said loading area causes said collector to be displaced by an additional distance which is substantially equal to said predetermined distance and of direction opposite to the direction of movement of the frame, so as to compensate for the position of said collector relative to the conveyor. Thus, the operation of the device is optimum because it does not require stopping one collector when the other is at the product release stage. - In the case of an implementation of a device whose collector 20 comprises cavities in ears, the method may comprise an additional step for: - moving said frame in a first direction which is opposite to the opening of cells which are in the unloading zone, by a predetermined distance, by control of the actuator and, in synchronization with this displacement, backing said collector unloading zone to a second predetermined distance, so that the cells recede globally following said axis of orientation of the spike cells, in order to release the products of said collector, - move said collector in said second transfer zone to said loading zone, - moving said frame in the opposite direction in the first direction.

Thus, the cells of the collector located in the unloading zone are moved with a recoil bias movement, which favors the exit of the products in the alveolus ears.

To be able to be executed, the invention is described in a sufficiently clear and complete manner in the following description which is, in addition, accompanied by drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the device according to the invention, with a view to from above, said device comprising a collector with straight cells, - Figure 2 shows the device of Figure 1, at the time of release of a batch of products, in plan view, the device is also shown schematically, - FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a second device according to the invention, seen from above, said device comprising a collector with spike cells, FIG. 4 shows the device of FIG. 3 at the time of the release of a batch of products, in plan view, the device is also schematically represented, and FIG. 5 shows another variant of a device conforming to FIG. nvention, in plan view and schematically represented. In the following description, the terms "lower", "higher", "high", "low", etc. are used with reference to the drawings for greater ease of understanding. They should not be understood as limitations of the scope of the invention. All the figures schematically represent a device according to the invention, seen from above. All the devices shown also comprise two collectors 21 and 22 which are each fixed on a belt forming a circuit 81 or 82 in a loop, the collectors being respectively driven by trees 71 and 72. The devices being shown in plan view, the two belts forming the loop circuits 81 and 82 are superimposed, so that they have been represented by a single line. It should be understood, however, that each manifold 21 or 22 is attached to its own belt forming a loop circuit 81 or 82, driven in displacement by a shaft 71 or 72 which is specific to it, the operation of each shaft being independent of the 'other.

The loop circuit 81 or 82 is of rectangular shape. Also, two wheels 2 mounted crazy about their axis can form the other two corners of the rectangle. FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment in which the collectors 21 and 22 comprise cell trains 4 (that is to say cells which are interconnected and articulated with one another), the cells being elements which include housing to accommodate products. The cells can be of two kinds: either they have housings made straight (these are the cells bearing the reference 4), or they comprise slanted formed housing, called "in ears" (these are the cells shown in FIGS. and 4, 40). The cells 4 called "straight" have an axis a which is perpendicular to the bottom 41 of the housing and parallel to the walls forming the areola. The so-called "inclined" or "spike" cells 40 comprise an axis a2 which is inclined relative to the bottom 41.

Each cell 4 or 40 also has an opening located in its axis a or a2. We will first look at the embodiment of a device according to the invention, which comprises two sets of cells 4 called "straight", with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

According to the invention, the device is designed to group products that arrive aligned one behind the other on a supply conveyor in a direction D of supply.

The device comprises two belts forming loop circuits 81 and 82 which each form a rectangle. One side of the rectangle is placed perpendicular to the end of the supply conveyor and constitutes a first zone called zone Z1 loading.

When the collector 21 or 22 passes in front of the end of the conveyor to collect products 5, it follows a direction of loading which is different from the direction D of product feed, because the direction of loading is perpendicular to the direction D 5. It is in this direction that the collector 21 or 22 collects the products in its cells 4: each product being introduced into each cell 4 by advancing the collector, and until the collector 21 or 22 be filled with products. The circuit also includes a zone Z2 for unloading the collected products.

The unloading zone Z2 is made by a portion of the adjacent side of the rectangle. The unloading zone is therefore in a direction of unloading which is different from the direction of loading. In the present case, the loading and unloading directions c are perpendicular because they are carried by two adjacent sides of the rectangle constituting the loop circuit 81 or 82. Between the loading zone Z1 and the unloading zone Z2, locates a first transfer zone t1. A second transfer zone t2 is located between the unloading zone Z2 and the loading zone Z1.

The second transfer zone t2 consists of the loop circuit portion formed by the two other sides of the rectangle. The conveyor shown in the figures also comprises means for discharging the cells in the discharge zone Z2 without having to use a robot.

The conveyor has, for this purpose, the following feature: the loops circuits 81, 82, the shafts 71, 72 and the collectors 21 and 22 are all mounted on a common frame 9, which is mounted movably in displacement between two positions.

The first position of the frame 9 is illustrated in FIG. 1. The second position of the frame 9 is illustrated in FIG. 2. In order to move the frame, it is intended to mount it on a rail. The displacement itself is controlled by an actuator 10 schematically represented by a cube in the figures. The actuator 10 also controls the rotational drive of the shafts 71 and 72 directly or indirectly. For example, the shafts 71 and 72 can be rotated under the action of a control system of their own. In this case, the actuator 10 communicates with the control system so that the actuator 10 can intervene on the rotational drive of the shafts 71 and / or 72. The displacement of the frame 9 is made in the same direction as the direction of the axis of the cells 4 when they are in the zone Z2 unloading, but in the opposite direction to the opening 6 of the cells 4, so that the cells are moved back. The displacement distance of the frame is predetermined: it is sufficient so that the products are completely cleared when the cells recede. The distance thus depends on the depth of the cells. We will now describe the method of grouping products using the device shown in Figures 1 and 2. It is considered that the collector 21 is fixed on the belt forming the loop circuit 81, and the belt is driven in displacement 71. The collector 21 is located in zone Z1 of loading in FIGS. 1 and 2. It is loaded while advancing, since it is fixed on the belt of the loop circuit 81 driven in displacement by the shaft 71. A product 5 enters each cell 4. The collector 22 is, for its part, already filled with products 5 and is in zone Z2 unloading. After having been loaded in product in the loading zone Z1, it was moved along the discharge zone Z2, passing through the first transfer zone t1, since the manifold 22 is fixed to the belt forming the circuit. loop 82, which is animated by the shaft 72.

Thus, the products which have been collected in a first direction of loading are placed in another zone (the unloading zone Z2) in another direction of unloading, which is different from that of the loading zone.

It is thus understood how the invention makes it possible both to group products arriving on a conveyor and to orient said group made in a direction which is different, often more adapted to the configuration of the installation for cardboard packaging. grouped products, for example. In Figure 2, we see that the frame 9 is driven in the direction of the direction of the axis of the cells 4, but in opposite direction to the opening 6 of the cells 4. In other words, the frame 9 moves back. It moves back a predetermined distance, which is sufficient so that the products 5 contained in the cells 4 are completely free of them.

The frame 9 is driven in displacement when the presence of the collector 22 is detected in zone Z2 of unloading - concretely, the detection of the position of the collector is carried out by the actuator 10. The position of the collector is thus known of the actuator 10 The presence sensor has not been shown for readability of the figures. It should be noted, however, that the presence sensor which detects the position of a collector in zone Z2 unloading warns the actuator 10 which then controls the displacement of the frame 9, to release the products 5. When the frame 9 recedes, the collector 21, which is in zone Z1 loading, should also move back. However, to ensure that the collector located in zone Z1 of loading is not affected by this recoil of the frame, the collector 21 is advanced by an additional distance which corresponds substantially, in the case shown, to the predetermined distance of the recoil frame.

To do this, the belt 81 is driven faster by movement of the shaft 71, so that it travels more distance and thus offsets the recoil of the frame 9. The acceleration of the shaft 71 is also controlled by the actuator 10, or the actuator 10 gives the recoil information of the frame 9 to a control system of the shaft 71, which then triggers the necessary acceleration of the belt 81. Of course, the same Acceleration system is provided for the collector 22 in the case where it is the collector 22 which is Z1 loading zone.

Thus, the shaft 72 is also connected to the actuator 10, directly or indirectly. Once the products 5 have been released from the cells 4 in zone Z2 of unloading, the frame 9 returns to its initial position, moving in the opposite direction to the first direction Si (direction of recoil).

The position of the collector 21 with respect to the conveyor 1 is then corrected again by controlling the actuator 10 on the shaft 71. The collector 22 then moves in the second transfer zone t2 to release the unloading zone Z2 and rejoin the zone Z1 of loading. We will now be interested in Figures 2 and 3 which show a device according to the invention slightly different. The same references have been kept for the elements common to the devices shown in Figures 1 and 2 on the one hand, and in Figures 3 and 4 on the other hand. The difference between the two devices lies in the fact that the cells are in ears in the case of the device of Figures 3 and 4, as indicated above. The orientation of the cells 40 ears is specific to the need for storage of products in crates. Thanks to the cavities 40 at the spikes, the products 5 are oriented obliquely, in a direction that allows them to be staggered.

The loading of the products 5 is however in the same way as that of the products 5: the collector 21 collects the products 5 simply by advancing (see FIG. 3). For the unloading of the products 5 into cells 40, the process is slightly different: it comprises an additional step, which combines with the step of recoil. Indeed, when the frame 9 is driven in the direction Si (Figure 4), the collector 22 is also driven, simultaneously with the recoil of the frame 9, a recoil motion on a second predetermined distance dp2.

The combination of the two movements (retreat of the frame 9 and retreat of the collector 22) leads to a movement of the cells 40 at an angle, which corresponds to a displacement along the axis a2 of the cells which are in zone Z2 unloading, in a sense opposite to their opening 6.

Thus, the products 5 are disengaged from the cells 40. When the collector 21, during this recoil movement, it advances more quickly under the action of an acceleration of the shaft 71 controlled by the actuator 10 (or a control system). control via the actuator 10). Thus, as for the device shown in Figures 1 and 2, the collector 21 is not hindered in its collection of products 5. We will now be interested in the embodiment shown in Figure 5. This is an alternative embodiment of the device. In this example, the loop-shaped circuit is triangular. Two collectors 21 and 22 are each mounted on a belt 11 and 12, respectively, the belts being independent of one another. Each belt 11 and 12 is driven in displacement by a shaft 31, 32 which is specific to it, the shafts being independent in their operation. A third shaft 2, mounted crazy, forms the loop-shaped loop circuit of the belts 11 and 12.

The assembly of shafts, belts and collectors is mounted on a frame 90, mounted movably in displacement (in translation) between two positions, in a direction perpendicular to the direction of supply of the products 5, thanks to an actuator 10, which also controls the drives of the shafts 31 and 32 in case of displacement of the frame, so as to compensate for the displacement of the collector 21 or 22 in the loading zone Z1 during the displacement of the frame 90. The cells of the collectors are so-called "straight" cells 4. The operation of the device is identical to that of the device shown in Figures 3 and 4. Indeed, as the displacement of the frame is made along a line segment which is inclined relative to the direction of advance of the products in the unloading area Z2, it is necessary to perform a slight retreat dp2 belts (11 or 12) at the same time as the displacement of the frame 90, as in the example described above, to release the products 5 which are in the cells 4. A such exemplary embodiment aims to make the reader understand that the device according to the invention is not limited to a rectangular shape, allowing an orientation of the batch of collected products only along an axis perpendicular to the axis c of the collection. In the present case, in the example shown in FIG. 5, the products collected in batch in zone Z2 of unloading are aligned along an axis which is inclined with respect to the collection axis, but not perpendicular.

It is thus understood how the invention makes it possible to orient batches of collected products in any direction, depending on the positioning of the zone Z2 of unloading with respect to zone Z1. Various orientations can be obtained according to the shape of the loop circuit which is achieved by the belts 11 or 12, or 81 and 82.

The invention is therefore not limited to the embodiments described, but extends to the implementation of any equivalent means.

Claims (8)

REVENDICATIONS1. Apparatus for grouping products (5) arriving aligned one behind the other on a conveyor (1) for supply, in a direction (D) of supply, said device comprising - at least one collector (21; 22), associated to a displacement system (81, 82; 11; 12), - said at least one manifold (21; 22) having a plurality of cells (4; 40) for receiving the products (5) and being capable of presenting itself at a end of the conveyor (1) in a direction (c) of loading different from said direction (D) of supply, - each cell (4; 40) having an axis (a, a2) of orientation and an opening (6) located in said axis (a; a2) of orientation, characterized in that the cells (4; 40) are hinged to each other, in that said displacement system (81, 82; 11; 12) is connected to at least one driving shaft (71, 72; 31, 32), and in that said displacement system (81, 82; 11; 12) forms a closed loop circuit comprising: a) a loading zone (Z1) along said loading direction (c) and in which the products (5) are collected in the cells (4) of said at least one manifold (21; 22), b) an unloading zone (Z2) in a direction (d) of unloading, different from said direction (c) of loading, and in which the products (5) collected are unloaded, c) a first zone (t1 ) of transfer between the loading zone (Z1) and the unloading zone (Z2), d) and a second transfer zone (t2) located between the unloading zone (Z2) and the loading zone (Z1). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least two collectors (21; 22), and in that said system (81, 82; 11; 12) displacement comprises two circuits (81, 82; 11; 12) in loops, each carrying a manifold (21; 22), each of the two circuits being connected to a drive shaft (71, 72; 31; 32) which is specific thereto, the shafts (71, 72; 31, 32) being independent of one another in operation. 3. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one manifold (21; 22) and its system (81, 82; 11; 12) displacement are integral with a frame (9) driven in displacement along said axis (a; a2) of orientation of the cells (4, 40) which are in zone (Z2) of unloading, in the opposite direction to the opening (6) of the cells (4; 40), and an actuator (10) controlling the displacement of said frame (9). 4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that said actuator (10) communicates with a control system of said at least one drive shaft (71; 72). 5. Method of grouping products, using a device according to any one of the preceding claims, said method comprising the following steps: c) collecting the products (5) in the cells (4; 40) of the collector, following a direction (c) of loading, advancing said collector (21; 22) in said loading zone (Z1), d) moving said collector (21; 22) in the first transfer zone (t1) to the zone ( Z2), said unloading zone (Z2) extending in a direction (d) of unloading different from said direction (c) of loading. 6. Method according to claim 5, implementing a device whose collector (21; 22) comprises cells (4) straight, characterized in that it comprises an additional step to: i. moving said frame (9) in a first direction (Si) along said axis (a) of orientation of the cells (4) of the collector (22) which are in the unloading zone (Z2), in the opposite direction to the opening (6) cells (4), over a predetermined distance (dp), by controlling the actuator (10), to release the products (5) from said manifold (22), ii. moving said collector (22) in said second transfer zone (t2) to said loading zone (Z1), iii. moving said frame (6) in the opposite direction to the first direction (Si). 7 Process according to claim 6, implementing a device according to claim 2, characterized in that, at the moment when the frame (9) is moved to release the products (5), the associated drive shaft (71) at the collector (21) which is in said loading zone (Z1) causes said collector (21) to be displaced by an additional distance which is substantially equal to said predetermined distance (dp) and direction opposite to the direction (Si) of the movement of the frame (9), so as to compensate for the position of said collector (21) relative to the conveyor (1). 8. The method of claim 6, implementing a device whose collector (21; 22) comprises cavities (40) in ears, characterized in that it comprises an additional step for: - moving said frame (9) in a first direction (Si) which is opposed to the opening (6) of the cells (40) which are in the unloading zone (Z2), over a predetermined distance (dp), by controlling the actuator (10) and in synchronization with this displacement, causing said collector (22) to move back into the unloading zone over a second predetermined distance (dp2), so that the cells (40) recede globally along said cell orientation axis (a2) ( 40) in order to release the products (5) of said collector (22), - moving said collector (22) in said second transfer zone (t2) to said loading zone (Z1), - moving said frame (9) in the opposite direction to the first direction (Si).