FR3075187A1 - INSTALLATION OF SORTING AND MATCHING OF A TRAIN OF IDENTIFIED PRODUCTS - Google Patents

Abstract

 The invention provides an installation (20) for selecting and matching a train of identified products, which comprises:  - a feed conveyor (26) for products to be selected;  - Means (66) for temporary immobilization of n products on a linear section of the supply conveyor (26), each in one of n distinct longitudinal arrival positions;  - n modules (50) controlled for selection of immobilized products, each by transverse ejection of a product in place in one of said n associated positions of arrival;  - a buffer conveyor (28, 28-U, 28-D) for receiving and intermediate storage of the selected and ejected products;  - a member (34) for gripping and handling selected products on the buffer conveyor (28, 28-U, 28-D);  - And a reception station for selected and seized products housed in a tray (90).  The invention is particularly applicable to the automated preparation of product orders for the production of pairs of glasses.

Description

The invention relates to an installation for selecting and matching a train of identified products.

The invention relates in particular to an installation for the automated selection and matching of stored spectacle lenses, in particular for the preparation of orders for the production of pairs of spectacles

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention finds particular, but not only, to be applied in the field of the manufacturing industry of pairs of vision glasses.

A pair of glasses is made up of a frame and two lenses, sometimes also called lenses.

Each glass or lens is adapted to the patient's view and must be made to measure.

Indeed, in addition to the parameters which are linked to the patient's vision which characterize the correction with respect to the patient's vision defect, each lens can be of the single focal, multiple focal, tinted type and benefit from various specific anti - scratches, anti-reflection, etc.

Thus, a glass manufacturer must be able to store and manage several tens, even several hundreds of thousands of possible combinations, or as many glass references.

A glass manufacturer produces semi-finished glasses of which only the convex surface is prepared, and finished glasses of which the convex surface and the concave surface are prepared.

In order to be able to supply end users for the production and sale of pairs of glasses in the shortest possible time, distribution centers and laboratories have been created.

A distribution center stores as many references as possible, finished glasses, and delivers them as quickly as possible in the form of orders, for example to another local distribution center, to a laboratory, or even an optician.

A laboratory manufactures "custom" glasses, generally from semi-finished glasses, but also sometimes from finished glasses which it has in stock.

Thus, there is a major general problem of automated and individualized storage of the different glasses, of handling these products, and of selection with a view in particular to the preparation of orders to be dispatched.

Semi-finished glasses are generally packaged in a cardboard box, generally rectangular in shape, while finished glasses are generally packaged in a paper envelope or in a similar material, which are generally square in outline.

The automated storage and handling of such a product requires the ability to store each glass individually in a tray support comprising means for identifying the glass it contains.

The glasses are thus stored for example in storage robots in places where the most suitable storage areas which are in particular determined by software and algorithms for managing these robots and the associated stocks.

Different stakeholders, including opticians, issue orders that must be prepared from products stored automatically.

In particular, in the case of a so-called “individual” order, an optician orders two glasses for the production of a pair of glasses comprising a V-OD glass for the right eye and a V-OG glass for the left eye which can also be associated with a spectacle frame which is possibly supplied to the optician by the same supplier as that from which he orders the glasses.

Thus, once out of the storage robots, the right glass and the left green must be grouped in a paired manner, in a determined order corresponding to the distinction between the two eyes, for the purpose of carrying out a specific order.

Furthermore, depending on the time of day, a very large number of orders of the type mentioned above must be carried out as quickly as possible.

In order to ensure this rate of order preparation in periods of high demand, the software and algorithms of storage robots seek to minimize the movement of internal robot organs such as arms or handling heads.

Thus, the glasses necessary for carrying out a succession of a large number of orders “leave” the robots in an order which does not necessarily correspond to the ordered and individualized succession of pairs of glasses each corresponding to an order and to the suite of commands to prepare.

Even if we improve the capacity, the rate and the functioning of the storage robots, and in particular when several robots work in parallel, the glasses in large quantities necessary for the fulfillment of orders arrive on an output conveyor common to all the robots. , in an arbitrary order.

This results in the formation of a stream or train of a very large number of glasses which it is necessary to select or sort, at a high rate, in particular to group them by pairs of paired glasses.

The present invention aims to allow the processing, automated and at high speed, one by one of one of the products of such a train of products stacked in order to select and match them.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To this end, the invention proposes an installation for selecting and matching a train of identified products, which comprises:

- a feed conveyor for products to be selected;

- means for temporarily immobilizing n products on a linear section of the feeding conveyor, each in one of n distinct longitudinal arrival positions;

- n ordered modules for the selection of immobilized products, each by transverse ejection of a product in place in one of the n associated arrival positions;

- a buffer conveyor for receiving and intermediate storage of the selected and ejected products;

- an input and handling device for selected products on the buffer conveyor;

- a reception station for selected and seized products.

Thanks to such a design, the installation makes it possible to reorganize the flow of products in an orderly fashion on the buffer conveyor after having been selected and matched.

According to other characteristics of the installation:

the buffer conveyor has a linear section adjacent to the linear section of the feed conveyor;

- that the reception station for the selected products seized belongs to the evacuation conveyor for these selected products;

- the evacuation conveyor has a linear section adjacent to a linear section of the buffer conveyor;

- The gripping and handling member is shaped to simultaneously grip two adjacent products on the buffer conveyor;

- The installation comprises means for supplying the evacuation conveyor with evacuation trays, each of which is capable of carrying at least two selected products belonging to a pair of paired products;

- Each tray has at least two compartments capable of each housing a product, and at least one additional compartment capable of housing another component associated with said pair of products;

- each product is carried by an associated tray loaded on the feeding conveyor;

- the linear sections of the feed conveyor, the buffer conveyor and the discharge conveyor are parallel;

- downstream of the n arrival positions, the feed conveyor is connected to means for recovering unselected products;

- the installation includes a tray marking station;

- the marking station includes a label printer to report on the trays;

- that each selection module includes:

- two transversely opposite lateral guides between which a product transported by the feed conveyor is received longitudinally;

- a moving immobilized controlled finger which is arranged at the downstream end of the lateral guides;

- And an actuator for controlling the transverse movements in both directions of the lateral guides between a rest position in which it extends in line with the feed conveyor and a selection position in which it extends in line with the conveyor buffer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the reading of the detailed description which will follow for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view, from a first angle of view, of an exemplary design of an installation according to the invention;

- Figure 2 and a view of the installation of Figure 1 from another angle of view;

- Figure 3 is a top view of the installation shown in Figures 1 and 2;

- Figure 4 is a perspective view which illustrates the feed conveyor and the buffer conveyor of the installation illustrated in Figures 1 and 2;

- Figure 5 and a perspective view which illustrates the evacuation conveyor of the installation according to the invention;

- Figure 6 and a perspective view from above which illustrates all the selection and immobilization modules of a product of the installation according to the invention;

- Figure 7 is a perspective view in detail on a larger scale of one of the product selection and immobilization modules;

- Figure 8 is a partial perspective view in detail on a larger scale of all the selection and immobilization modules of a product, in place above the feed conveyor;

- Figure 9 is a partial perspective view in detail on a larger scale of the first module for selecting and immobilizing an upstream product, in place above the feed conveyor;

- Figure 10 is a partial perspective view of detail on a larger scale which illustrates the last selection and immobilization modules of a downstream product, and the adjacent parts of the buffer conveyor and the discharge conveyor, in combination with the gripping and handling device;

- Figure 11 is a partial perspective view of detail on a larger scale which mainly illustrates the gripping and handling member in place above the buffer conveyor and the discharge conveyor;

- Figure 12 is a partial top view of detail on a larger scale of Figure 3, in the implantation area of the input and handling member and the marking station of the prepared orders;

- Figure 13 is a schematic perspective view of an envelope containing a glass;

FIG. 14 is a top view of a transport container containing an envelope according to FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In the following description, elements having an identical structure or analogous functions will be designated by the same references.

In the following description, longitudinal, vertical and transverse orientations indicated by the trihedron L, V, T in the figures will be adopted without limitation. A horizontal plane is also defined which extends longitudinally and transversely.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an installation 20 according to the invention which makes it possible to select identified products from a train of products to be sorted by selection, then to pair for example with a view to producing an ordered batch of a pair of selected products belonging to an order to be carried out.

The installation 20 comprises a lower support frame 22 which carries an upper table 24 above which and around which the main components, assemblies and sub-assemblies of the installation are arranged.

Among these, the invention includes in particular a feed conveyor 26, a buffer conveyor 28 is a discharge conveyor 30.

The invention also comprises a set 32 of selection and immobilization modules 50, a gripping and handling member 34, as well as a sub-assembly 36 for printing and handling of labels.

The feed conveyor 26 is here a linear rectilinear conveyor over its entire length, and in particular with regard to its central main section which extends above the table 24, and whose conveyor belt runs longitudinally from upstream to downstream in the direction F1 indicated in the figures.

The buffer conveyor 28 comprises a first upstream linear section 28-U and a second downstream linear section 28-D which are mutually parallel and which are connected by a semi-circular section 29.

The two upstream linear sections 28-U and downstream 28-D are mutually parallel and parallel to the linear supply conveyors 26 and evacuation conveyors 30, being arranged between these two latter conveyors.

The conveyor belt of the first upstream linear section 28-U runs in the direction F2, in the opposite direction to the direction F1 of the travel of the feed conveyor 28, while the second downstream linear section 28-D runs in the direction F3, in the opposite direction of the first upstream linear section 28-U and against the direction of the evacuation conveyor 30.

The evacuation conveyor 30 is a linear rectilinear conveyor over its entire length and in particular concerning its central main section which extends above the table 24 as well as to the right and at a 90 degree angle considering FIG. 3 , upstream of its central main section by considering the direction of travel F4 of its conveyor belt.

Each conveyor 26, 28 and 30 is delimited by a substantially flat horizontal surface of its conveyor belt so that different objects which will be described later can rest there by gravity and be driven by the conveyors.

The upper face of the feed conveyor 26 is here located at the highest altitude, while the upper face of the buffer conveyor 28 is located at substantially the same altitude, being slightly offset downwards.

The upper face of the evacuation conveyor 30 is situated substantially at the same altitude as the upper face of the buffer conveyor 28.

The conveyor 26 supplies the installation with products to be treated from a train or product flow (not shown) which, for example, comes from one or more storage robots.

As can be seen in particular in FIGS. 1 to 3, at the outlet from the feed conveyor 26, an inclined outlet and recovery ramp 27 has been provided for unrecognized products or for products for which the second product to be paired does not arrive within a reasonable time on the feed conveyor 26.

The main function of the buffer conveyor 28 is to store, by accumulating them, a small "buffer" stock of products already selected and ordered on this conveyor, in pairs of products to be paired.

It is also on the buffer conveyor 28, and more particularly in the vicinity of the downstream end of its downstream linear section 28-D, that the products can be gripped by a gripping and handling member 34 in order to transfer them to a reception station which, without limitation, here belongs to the evacuation conveyor 30.

The conveyor belt of the evacuation conveyor 30 is wider than that of the feed conveyors 28 and buffer 30 in particular in order to be able to receive and transport another type of support of larger dimensions which can in particular accommodate simultaneously at least one pair of arranged products. side by side.

By way of nonlimiting example, the products to be treated by means of the installation 20 are spectacle glasses V each of which is here contained in an envelope E which is housed and transported in an individualized tray B with a generally rectangular outline (see Figures 13 and 14).

Each glass V has a coded and individualized identification marking M which is oriented upwards and which is for example in the form of a bar code carried by a large face of the envelope which can be read by any suitable device arranged above the V + E product housed in its tray B.

As a variant not shown, when the products are semi-finished glasses contained in rigid or semi-rigid boxes, the marking is on a large face of the box, and one can dispense with the use of trays.

For the purposes of the invention, a “train of identified products” means a batch or a series of products which arrive on the feed conveyor 26 at the upstream end thereof (on the left, considering FIG. 3), one behind the other in the direction of the set 32 of controlled selection and immobilization modules 50.

The glasses V thus arrive each in a tray B, the trays being able to be adjacent or more or less spaced from each other.

Thanks to ten controlled selection and immobilization modules 50, the assembly 32 here defines ten adjacent longitudinal positions P1 to P10 each of which is dimensioned to receive in position a tray B with its product V + E.

As can be seen in particular in FIG. 9, upstream of the assembly 32, and there is provided a “ginning” station one by one of the products arriving according to F1 in the direction of the assembly 32.

A known general design, such a ginning station includes means making it possible to stop and then release individually and in a controlled manner each product arriving at this station from upstream.

The ginning station includes in particular means 38, for example optical, for detecting the passage and or the presence of a product, horizontal tabs or fingers 40 of transverse orientation which are controlled to extend or not extend over the path of a product to immobilize it longitudinally and / or release it.

In addition, the ginning station here includes a reading device 42 arranged in line with a product to identify it, for example by reading its coded marking M.

After crossing the ginning station, a product penetrates longitudinally into the set 32 of controlled 50 selection and immobilization modules which are here ten in number arranged longitudinally and successively from upstream to downstream above the upper face of the conveyor belt of the supply conveyor 26.

All the selection and immobilization modules 50 are identical here and the design of a module 50 for selecting and immobilizing a product in a longitudinal position Pi associated with this module will now be described in detail.

In the design illustrated here by way of nonlimiting example, each module 50 for selection and immobilization integrates means making it possible on the one hand to provide the function of temporary immobilization of a product in a determined associated longitudinal position Pi , and on the other hand the function of selecting a product immobilized in this position, by transverse ejection in the direction of the upstream longitudinal section 28-U of the buffer conveyor 28.

As can be seen in particular in detail in FIGS. 6 and 7, each module 50 for selection and immobilization comprises an upper transverse beam 52 for supporting and fixing the module 50 for selection and immobilization between two parallel beams 54 of l '' together 32.

The beam 52 incorporates an actuator or jack not shown in detail which is capable of being actuated to cause controlled movements of a sub-assembly in the transverse direction and in both directions.

This sub-assembly here comprises a vertical and transverse support plate 56.

At its lower end 58, the plate 56 carries two vertical guides 60 of longitudinal orientation which are parallel and spaced transversely from one another.

The internal faces facing 61 of the guides 60 are spaced transversely so as to allow free passage, with reduced transverse play, of a product between these guides 60.

To facilitate the introduction of a product between the two guides 60, the upstream longitudinal end edge 62 of each guide 60 is bevelled.

On its downstream transverse face 57, the support plate 56 carries a controlled actuator 64 which is capable of causing vertical movements in both directions of a finger 66 of temporary longitudinal immobilization in position of a product which is here in the form of “T” overturned and which, in FIG. 7, is shown in the high retracted position in which the passage of a product in line with the module 50 for selection and immobilization and between the guides 60, is free.

From this high retracted position, the finger 66 can be actuated vertically downwards so as to extend between the guides 60 to interfere with the path of a product between the guides 60 and to constitute a longitudinal stop stop. of a product to the right of the selection and immobilization module 50, between the guides 60.

When a product is present between two guides 60 of a module 50 for selection and immobilization, and it is immobilized in this longitudinal position in a determined position Pi associated with this module, the product can be moved in the direction transverse from the position it occupies - placed on the upper face of the conveyor belt of the supply conveyor 26.

The product is thus displaced, to be ejected on the buffer conveyor 28, and more particularly on the portion transversely opposite the upper face of the conveyor belt of the upstream section 28-U of the buffer conveyor 28.

When the selected product “lands” on the buffer conveyor 28, it is driven longitudinally in the direction F2 by the upper face of the conveyor belt and it immediately exits from the selection and immobilization module 50 because no provision is made for stop or stop means at the other end of the module 50 for selection and immobilization.

In FIG. 8, the assembly 32 of the selection and immobilization modules 50 is shown, after having removed one of the modules 50 in order to reveal optical detection means 68 which are associated in pairs on either side. of each selection and immobilization module 50 to detect the presence or absence of a product at a position Pi, as well as the passage in longitudinal translation of a product upstream and downstream of each selection module 50 and immobilization.

To facilitate the transverse passage from the upper face of the conveyor belt of the feed conveyor 26 to the upper face of the conveyor belt of the upstream section 28-U of the buffer conveyor 28, the installation comprises an intermediate ramp 70 which removes almost any void between the two conveyors and which makes up for the slight difference in altitude between them.

As soon as a selected product is ejected from a position Pi by the module 50 for selection and immobilization associated on the upper face of the conveyor belt of the buffer conveyor 28, this product - after having passed through the section in an arc 29 - is driven by the downstream section 28-D (in the direction F3) in the direction of the member 34 for gripping and handling the selected products which reach the implantation area of the member 34 for gripping and handling, this zone constituting the reception station within the meaning of the invention which is illustrated in detail and on a large scale in FIGS. 10 and 11.

As at the ginning station previously described, there are provided optical means 72 for detecting the presence or passage of a product in this zone, as well as controlled tabs or horizontal fingers 74 of transverse orientation which are controlled for s '' spread or not on the path of a product to immobilize it longitudinally and / or release it.

In addition, the evacuation station here includes a reading device 76 arranged in line with a product to identify it, for example by reading its coded marking M.

All of these components and means 72, 74, 76 and 78 make it possible to isolate and immobilize a determined and identified product, for example the straight glass VD of a pair of selected glasses, which will be immediately followed by the VG associated left glass, also selected and transferred, to buffer conveyor 28.

Without limitation, the gripping and handling member 34 is here mounted fixed longitudinally with respect to the various conveyors, and it comprises a horizontal upper beam of transverse orientation 80 which carries a jack 82 capable of moving a horizontal plate 84 according to transverse and in both directions.

By way of example, the gripping and handling member 34 is here a double member making it possible to grip and simultaneously handle two adjacent products stopped in position in line with the gripping and handling member 34, which belong to the pair of paired products for the preparation of an order.

For this purpose, at each of the opposite longitudinal ends of the plate 84, there is provided an actuating cylinder 86 which extends generally in the vertical direction and which is capable of moving, vertically in both directions, a suction cup 88 for gripping 'a product opposite, in a controlled manner by suction, and of course of release of a product previously grasped or grasped by a suction cup.

The plate 84, and therefore the two suction cups 88, can move transversely between a first extreme transverse position, on the left considering FIG. 11, in which the suction cups 88 are located vertically above and to the right of products present in the position of gripping on the upper face of the conveyor belt of the buffer conveyor 28, and a second opposite extreme transverse position, on the right considering FIG. 11, in which the two suction cups 88 are situated vertically above and to the right of the upper face of the conveyor belt of the evacuation conveyor 30.

These two opposite extreme transverse positions correspond substantially to the end positions of the body of the jack 82 along its transverse stroke for driving and actuating the plate 84.

The capture and transfer from the buffer conveyor 28 to the conveyor belt of the discharge conveyor 26 is carried out by a first vertical stroke from top to bottom of the suction cups 88 for gripping the products, by a second vertical stroke from bottom to top of the suction cups 88, then by a transverse stroke of the plate 84 with the suction cups 88 in the high position which carry the gripped products, then by a vertical downward stroke of the suction cups 88, the products carried by the suction cups 88 being located then above the upper face of the conveyor belt of the evacuation conveyor 30 able to release the products.

According to a nonlimiting aspect of the invention, the paired products are not deposited directly on this upper face, but on the open upper face of a tray 90 for receiving a pair of paired products such as a pair of glasses. matched.

An example of design of these plates 90 and in particular illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 12.

Each plate 90 comprises a first pair of longitudinally adjacent housings 92-G and 92-D, each of which is designed to receive a corresponding product.

Thus, for example, considering the plate 90 located furthest to the right in FIG. 12, the right-hand housing 92-D is able to receive a right glass VD while the left-hand housing 92-G is able to receive the glass left VG paired with right glass VD.

By way of nonlimiting example, each tray 90 here also includes a third adjacent housing 94 which can for example receive a spectacle frame paired with the pair of lenses contained in the other housings 92-D and 92-G of the tray 90 to constitute a complete order for the production of a pair of glasses.

Along its longitudinal edge opposite the compartments 92-D and 92-G, each tray 90 has a longitudinal slot 95 open facing upwards which is capable of receiving a label for marking and identifying the determined tray 90 containing products. matched.

The empty trays 90 are supplied on the upper face of the conveyor belt of the evacuation conveyor 30 upstream of the gripping and handling member 34, that is to say on the right when considering FIG. 12.

In the same way as for the ginning stations described above, at the reception station on the evacuation convoy 30 at the level of the body 34 for gripping and handling, there are provided optical means 96 for detecting the presence in place of a tray 90 "to fill".

Stopping or immobilizing in this filling position of a tray 90 can be carried out, either by stopping the running of the conveyor belt of the evacuation conveyor 30 and / or by locking in position of the tray 90 for example between a plate 98 and a jaw 100 capable of being actuated in a controlled manner in the transverse direction to immobilize a plate 90 by transverse pinching.

After having been filled by the gripping and handling member 34, the plate 90 is then transferred longitudinally by the conveyor belt of the conveyor 30, from right to left considering FIG. 12 to the right of the subassembly 36 of printing and handling of labels.

After printing a label, this sub-assembly 36 comprises means for introducing this dedicated and matched label into the slot 95 of an associated plate 90 which is immobilized in line with the sub-assembly 36.

Finally, each tray 90 filled and labeled is then evacuated by the evacuation conveyor 30 beyond the subassembly 36, from right to left, considering Figures 3 and 12.

Claims (13)

1. Installation (20) for selecting and matching a train of identified products, which comprises: - a feed conveyor (26) for products to be selected; - Means (66) for temporary immobilization of n products on a linear section of the feed conveyor (26), each in one of n distinct longitudinal positions (Pi) of arrival; - n modules (50) controlled for selection of immobilized products, each by transverse ejection of a product in place in one of said n associated positions (Pi) of arrival; - a buffer conveyor (28, 28-U, 28-D) for receiving and intermediate storage of the selected and ejected products; - a member (34) for gripping and handling selected products on the buffer conveyor (28, 28-U, 28-D); - a reception station for selected and seized products. 2. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the buffer conveyor (28, 28-U, 28-D) has a linear section (28-U) adjacent to the linear section of the feed conveyor (26). 3. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the reception station for the selected products seized belongs to the evacuation conveyor (30) of these selected products. 4. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the evacuation conveyor (30) comprises a linear section adjacent to a linear section (28-D) of the buffer conveyor (28, 28-U, 28-D). 5. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the member (34) for gripping and handling is shaped to simultaneously grip two adjacent products on the buffer conveyor (28, 28-U, 28-D); 6. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises means for feeding the evacuation conveyor (30) in trays (90) of evacuation each of which is capable of carrying at least two selected products belonging to a pair of paired products. 7. Installation according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each plate (90) comprises at least two compartments capable of each housing a product, and at least one additional compartment capable of housing another component associated with said pair of products. 8. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that each product is carried by an associated tray loaded on the feed conveyor (26). 9. Installation according to claim 3, characterized in that the linear sections of the feed conveyor (26), the buffer conveyor (28, 28-U, 28-D) and the discharge conveyor (30) are parallel. 10. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that, downstream of said n arrival positions, the feed conveyor (26) is connected to means for recovering unselected products. 11. Installation according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises a tray marking station (90). 12. Installation according to claim 11, characterized in that the marking station comprises a label printer to be reported on the plates (90). 13. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that each selection module (50) comprises: - two transversely opposite lateral guides (60) between which a product transported by the feed conveyor (26) is received longitudinally; - A movable finger (66) controlled immobilization which is arranged at the downstream end of the lateral guides (60); - And an actuator for controlling the transverse displacements in both directions of the lateral guides (60) between 5 a rest position in which it extends to the right of the feed conveyor (26) and a selection position in which it extends to the right of the buffer conveyor (28, 28-U).