FR3085363A1 - BUCKET FOR TRANSPORTING A BOTTLE-LIKE CONTAINER IN A PRODUCTION LINE - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a bucket (100) for transporting a container (F) in a production line comprising: - a main body (10) having a cavity (11) opening onto an upper face (10a) of said main body (10) and forming a receptacle intended to receive said container (F), and - means for guiding and / or holding in position (20) comprise cooperation elements (21) configured to guide and / or maintain in position said container (F) in said cavity (11), in which said cooperation elements (21) comprising at least three balls (21a), each of said at least three balls (21a) being mounted to rotate freely in a first recess (12) formed in said main body (10) and dimensioned to receive each of said balls (21a), each first recess (12) opening into said cavity (11) so that a portion of each of said at least three balls (21a) get in touch with ec said container (F) for guiding and holding it in position in said cavity (11).

Description

TRANSPORT BUCKET OF A CONTAINER OF THE BOTTLE TYPE IN A

PRODUCTION CHAIN

Technical field and prior art

The present invention relates to the field of container transport buckets.

The object of the present invention relates more particularly to a transport cup for container of the type, for example bottle comprising means for holding in anti-scratch position for the transport and / or conveying of said container on a production line.

By container bucket within the meaning of the present invention is meant here throughout this description which follows a receptacle intended to receive a container of the type, for example bottle, said receptacle being used for transporting and / or conveying said container in a production line (or conveyor line) to bring said container to a processing station and present it for carrying out said processing.

It can for example be a bucket which will transport a bottle in a bottling line to fill it with a cosmetic product, close the bottle with a stopper, affix a label and / or engrave the said container.

By container, it is understood here that it can be either a rigid container of the type for example bottle / jar made of a rigid material of the type for example glass or equivalent as a flexible container of the type for example bottle / pot / tube made of a flexible material.

The present invention will find numerous advantageous applications in the field of the cosmetic industry for transport and / or conveying on the production lines of containers of the vial type or the like comprising inside a cosmetic product of the type, for example perfume, cream, shampoo or even shower gel or makeup for example.

In production lines in the cosmetic industry using conveyor lines, buckets are generally used that are configured to receive and support containers intended to receive inside a cosmetic product of the type, for example a perfume.

Conventionally, the transport buckets are in the form of machined or molded blocks comprising a cavity adapted to the shape of the container to be conveyed on the conveyor of the packaging line.

The cavity opens at least on the upper face of the block so as to allow treatments of the type for example the filling of said container.

Generally, the transport buckets are therefore made to measure according to the dimensions of the container.

Such buckets are thus appreciated in the cosmetic industry because the cavity is perfectly adjusted to the container, which ensures secure transport of the container along the conveyor line and makes it possible to carry out each of the treatments correctly.

However, it is necessary to have buckets adapted to each container, which creates logistical and financial constraints.

Document FR 3 024 871 A1 belonging to the company MECANICKEL attempts to propose a solution to this problem by providing for a design of adaptable buckets with means for centering and / or blocking the container in the cavity.

The bucket proposed in this document more particularly discloses a bucket type receptacle for transporting a container in a production line.

According to this document, the receptacle has in known manner a cavity intended to receive the container and comprising a bottom and a peripheral wall extending from the bottom.

According to this document, it is further provided that the receptacle comprises a centering and / or blocking device intended to center and / or block the object in order to adapt it to the shape of the container to be received.

To this end, the document provides:

- A cooperation element taking the form of a roller which is intended to bear on the container during its installation in the cavity, said roller having a coating of silicone type to increase friction; and

- A support element of the roller being elastically mobile and intended to apply a centering and / or blocking force on the container.

It is understood here that the roller is movable in rotation around the elastic axis of the support element.

In this document, the contact area of the container with the roller is therefore mobile and has a degree of freedom along the Z axis.

In this document, the support element of the roller is located in a first recess in the peripheral wall and the roller as such is located in a second recess in the peripheral wall, the second recess opening inside the cavity.

The Applicant observes that such a design has many drawbacks.

In terms of manufacturing, the integration of the cooperation element and the support element requires multiple machining operations, which lengthens the production time and consequently increases the manufacturing cost.

The elasticity of the cooperation element is only along the Z axis. The transport bucket as proposed in this document therefore leaves the container free along the other two axes X and Y. It will thus be noted that the container can be damaged if it rubs on the edge of the caster.

The Applicant further submits that the cavities machined on the upper side of the block to accommodate the cooperation and support elements form retention zones which keep dust, dirt and projections.

The design of these accessible cavities on the upper side favors clogging of the buckets, which requires regular maintenance.

In addition, the operator in charge of maintenance must anticipate the maintenance and replacement of the elastic elements and the roller, which implies additional stock management (screws, spring and roller) and an additional maintenance operation (dismantling , reassembly of the device). The operator must therefore ensure that the complete device is present, that the screws are properly tightened and that the casters are not locked.

It should also be noted here that the use of silicone coating around the roller promotes the encrustation of dust and dirt.

The Applicant finally submits that the design of this bucket open on the upper side and revealing the roller and support system makes the receptacle unsightly and the bucket vulnerable (risk of deterioration).

For these reasons, the Applicant submits that the transport buckets offered so far in the state of the art are not fully satisfactory.

Subject and summary of the present invention

The object of the present invention is to improve the situation described above.

The present invention therefore aims to remedy the various drawbacks mentioned above by proposing a simple and inexpensive bucket design ensuring, when conveying a container in a production line, guidance and locking in position of the container according to three degrees of freedom while limiting the risk of scratching the container and ensuring a minimum of maintenance.

The object of the present invention relates more particularly to a bucket for transporting a container in a production line.

Advantageously, the cup according to the present invention comprises a main body having a cavity opening onto an upper face of the main body and forming a receptacle intended to receive the container.

It will be understood here that the cavity comprises a bottom and a peripheral wall extending from the bottom, the operator or the mechanical arm positioning the container in the cavity by inserting it as far as the bottom of the cavity.

Advantageously, the cup according to the present invention further comprises means for guiding and / or holding in position configured to guide and / or hold in position the container in the cavity.

According to the present invention, the means for guiding and / or holding in position comprise cooperation elements comprising at least three balls.

Preferably, each of the balls is mounted to rotate freely in a first recess in the main body, such a recess being dimensioned to receive each of said balls.

Advantageously, each first recess opens into the cavity so that a portion of each of the balls comes into contact with the container to guide the latter into the cavity and keep it in position.

Thus, thanks to the use of balls mounted free in rotation in recesses opening into the cavity, the container is guided naturally towards the bottom of the cavity, even if the container is not oriented correctly in an initial position.

The fact of having a set of balls mounted free in rotation avoids possible scratches and / or deterioration of the container as is the case with the bucket system proposed in document FR 3 024 871 A1 in which the rollers have only 'a degree of freedom.

Furthermore, once the container is in position in the cavity, it is properly maintained and does not risk any scratching or deterioration as is also the case with the bucket system proposed in the document FR 3 024 871 Al.

Advantageously, the balls are positioned symmetrically and / or at regular intervals along a peripheral wall of the cavity. This configuration ensures good guidance and / or good holding in position of the container in the cavity of the main body.

Advantageously, the means for guiding and / or holding in position comprise support elements capable of cooperating with the balls so as to constrain them in the direction of the cavity so that the balls bear against the container while remaining free in rotation.

In an advantageous embodiment, the support elements comprise an elastic member housed behind each of the balls, said elastic member being capable of exerting a compressive force against said ball.

It is therefore understood here that the elastic member is configured to exert on each of the balls an effort of guiding and / or holding in position in the direction of the cavity so that each of the balls bears on the container during the insertion of the latter into the cavity, which ensures good guidance and good holding in position of the container in the cavity.

Once the container is positioned in the bottom of the cavity, the cup prevents the container from moving by the cooperation of the set of balls mounted free in rotation with the elastic members.

It is understood here that the cup according to the present invention also allows the centering of the container in the cavity. When a container is incorrectly inserted in the cavity (not aligned for example with the Z axis), the means of guidance and / or holding in position then make it possible to straighten the vertical axis of the container to bring it to '' it coincides with the vertical axis of the bucket during insertion.

It is also observed that, during the conveying of the container along the production line, these means for guiding and / or holding in position allow the container to be straightened: a glass bottle has a sufficient weight to naturally generate this straightening.

The receptacle according to the invention thus allows support and centering of the container along the Z axis. This is in particular due to the fact that the means for guiding and / or holding in position do not prevent the insertion of the container in the cavity. Thus, the weight of the container is sufficient so that it is centered and guided naturally in the cavity.

Preferably, the elastic member comprises a compression spring.

Preferably, the elastic member is housed in a second substantially elongated recess and opening onto the first recess, said first and second recesses being coplanar.

Preferably, the second recess is oriented and positioned with respect to the first recess so that the elastic member exert a force on the ball in the direction of said cavity.

It is preferably understood that the second recess is oriented towards the center of the vertical axis of the main body.

In a particular embodiment, each ball is made of a rigid material of the polytetrafluoroethylene type or of the polyacetal type. The use of such a material ensures minimal friction with the container, which further reduces the risk of scratches.

Preferably, the bucket according to the present invention comprises a protective cover capable of covering the upper face of the main body.

The use of such a cover is appreciated when the first and second recesses are visible on the upper face of the main body.

Preferably, the protective cover has in the central part an opening for the passage of the container in the cavity.

Thus, by its different functional and structural technical characteristics described above, there is a simple transport bucket of design and easy to maintain with means of guidance and / or holding in position comprising a set of freely mounted balls rotating in the main body of the bucket and ensuring direct contact with the container in the cavity according to three degrees of freedom so that the point of contact between the container and each ball is mobile, which limits the risk of scratches.

Brief description of the attached figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description below, with reference to the appended FIGS. 1 to 5 which illustrate an embodiment thereof devoid of any limiting nature and in which:

Figure 1 schematically shows a front view of a transport bucket for transporting and / or conveying a container in a production line according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 schematically shows a top view of a container transport bucket according to Figure 1;

Figure 3 schematically shows an exploded view of a container transport bucket according to Figure 1;

Figure 4 schematically shows a top view of a container transport cup according to Figure 1 without the protective cover; and Figure 5 schematically shows a top view of a container transport cup according to Figure 1 without the protective cover and without the guide means and / or holding in position.

Detailed description according to an advantageous exemplary embodiment

A bucket for transporting a container in a production line according to an exemplary embodiment will now be described in what follows with reference to Figures 1 to 5.

As a reminder, one of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a transport bucket having a low manufacturing cost and making it possible to secure the transport of a container in a production line.

One of the other objectives of the present invention is to improve the quality of implementation of the treatments carried out on a container on a production line and in particular to promote the correct positioning of the container in the bucket cavity as well as its maintenance in position.

Yet another of the other objectives of the present invention is to provide a bucket design that is easy to maintain and requires little maintenance.

These various objectives, as well as others which will appear subsequently, are achieved thanks to the present invention which relates to a bucket 100 for transporting a container F of the vial type in a production line.

In the example described here, the bucket 100 according to the present invention comprises a one-piece main body 10 which has on its upper face 10a a cavity 11 intended to receive the container along an axis Z.

In the example described here, the cavity 11 is formed from a bottom 11a and a peripheral wall 11b extending from the bottom 11a.

In this example, the cavity 11 opens onto the upper face 10a of said main body 10 and thus forms a receptacle which is intended to receive the container F. It is understood here that the container F can therefore be inserted into the cavity 11 of the main body 10 .

As stated above, one of the objectives of the present invention is to promote the guidance and the maintenance in position of the container F at the bottom 11a of the cavity 11.

We therefore seek to design means for guiding and / or holding in position 20 which promote this guiding and this holding in position by allowing centering and natural positioning of the container once the lower portion of the container F is engaged in the cavity. 11.

As explained above, this engagement of the container F in the cavity 11 is generally carried out by a robotic mechanical arm or an operator. It can be seen that, during this engagement, the container F is not always perfectly aligned with the axis Z of the cavity 11.

The incorrect positioning of the container F in the cavity 11 can lead to a bad treatment of the container F on each of the processing stations of the production line, such as for example a bad filling of the container F, an incorrect positioning of the label on the container or an incorrect engraving of the container.

This is not acceptable on an industrial level: improper treatment on a workstation can lead to the destruction of the product.

The concept underlying the present invention is here to provide cooperation elements 21 taking the form of a set of balls 21a mounted freely in rotation in the main body 10 and a portion of which opens at least partially into the volume of the cavity 11 to bear against container F and thus guide container F to the bottom of cavity 11 during its insertion, then hold it in position.

The use of balls mounted free in rotation is characteristic of the present invention. The fact of having such balls 21a makes it possible to have a point of mobile contact with the container, which allows it to be guided and maintained in the cavity.

In this example, the balls 21a are made of a rigid material such as, for example, polytetrafluoroethylene. Such a material with good rigidity ensures good guidance and good positional maintenance.

In the example described here, maintaining the container F in the cavity 11 is favored by the use of support elements 22 cooperating with the balls 21a.

Here, the support elements 22 comprise an elastic member 22a, here a spring, positioned behind each of the balls 21a and exerting a compressive force, here a force of guiding and / or holding in position, towards the constraining cavity 11 thus the balls 21a to bear against said container F so as to hold it in position, or even block it in position.

In the example described here and as illustrated in particular in FIGS. 4 and 5, provision is made to machine the one-piece body 10 so as to allow the integration of these balls 21a and these springs 22a.

In this example, the main body 10 is thus machined so as to present for each ball 21a a first recess 12 dimensioned to receive the ball 21a.

These first recesses 12 are made at precise positions on the peripheral wall 11b of the cavity 11. These positions as well as the number of recesses (and of balls) are determined as a function of the shape of the cavity 11 and therefore of the container F Generally, at least three recesses 12 are provided for three balls 21a, thus making it possible to guide and / or maintain in position a container F of cylindrical shape.

When the container F is of rectangular or square shape, a set of four balls 21a is provided, and therefore four recesses 12.

Each of the first recesses 12 is produced so as to partially open into the cavity 11; thus, a portion of the ball 21a housed in this first recess 12 protrudes from this recess 12 and is located in the volume defined by the cavity 11.

In this example, the main body 10 is also machined so as to have second recesses 13. Here, there is provided behind each ball 21a a second recess 13 extending substantially perpendicularly to the peripheral wall 11b of the cavity 11.

This second recess 13 housed behind the first recess 12 opens onto the first recess 12 and is dimensioned so as to receive the spring 21a. It forms a groove.

It will therefore be understood here that, as illustrated in FIG. 4, each of the balls 21a is housed in a first recess 12 so as to be free to rotate relative to the main body 10; the spring 22a which is in turn housed in the second recess 13 behind the ball 21a then exerts a guiding and / or holding force in position in the direction of the ball 21a so that the latter bears against the container F which is inserted into the cavity 11.

This configuration of balls 21a mounted freely in rotation on springs 22a allows guidance and / or holding in position of the container F in the cavity.

To limit maintenance and upkeep operations, a protective cover 30 is provided covering the upper face 10a of said main body 10. Such a cover 30, taking for example the form of a plate, closes on this upper face 10a by a bolting system 32 which is inserted into perforations 33 provided for this purpose on the cover 30.

The design of this cover 30 makes it possible to machine the recesses 12 and 13 so that they are accessible on the upper face 10a of the main body 10. The springs 22a and the balls 21a can then be easily replaced by lifting the cover protection 30.

Provision is therefore made for the presence in the central part of the protective cover 30 an opening 31 sized for the passage of the container F in said cavity 11.

Having a closed device makes the receptacle aesthetic and protects the device.

Those skilled in the art will understand here that other embodiments could provide for the design of these recesses in the middle part of the main body 10, with for example a main body 10 which can open in two portions giving access to the balls 21a and springs 22a.

The present invention thus makes available to industries in charge of packaging containers of the flask or pot or tube type on a production line a simple and inexpensive transport bucket 100 whose shape is adapted to the container F.

In the example described here, the cup 100 which serves as a receptacle for the container F is equipped with means for guiding and / or holding in position respecting the shape and the material of the container F.

The cup 100 according to the present invention implements cooperation elements 21 taking the form of mobile balls 21a which are mounted free in rotation and which cooperate with support elements 22 taking the form of spring 22a ensuring the maintenance of the container F in the cavity 11 during packaging operations.

The ball 21a is in constant contact with the container F. The spring 22a exerts a slight pressure on the ball 21a in order to allow the container F to be held in the cavity 11 while leaving the ball 21a free in rolling so that it does not not damage container F.

The spring 22a is in fact placed behind the ball 21a in order to exert a force on the latter while leaving it free to rotate and allowing permanent contact with the container F.

The ball / spring assembly maintains the container in the bucket while leaving freedom. An anti-scratch effect is obtained.

The bucket 100 as designed in the context of the present invention is innovative by its simplicity of construction and maintenance, its resistance and its aesthetics.

The ball 21a is designed not to retain dirt, to remain clean and to make no deposit on the container F.

The bucket according to the invention thus has many advantageous.

The machining time of the main body is optimized. From the raw material, it is possible to machine both the cup 100 while respecting all the constraints (passage of labeling machine, stability of the bottle, particular recess, etc.), the housing 12 for the ball 21a (first recess 12) and the groove 13 for the spring 22a (second recess 13).

In masked time, the upper plates 30 are machined to protect the means 20 for guiding and / or holding the position.

The device developed in the context of the present invention offers complete freedom of rotation of the cooperation element 21 in all axes. The container F is therefore in permanent contact with the ball 21a but it is not always the same point of contact since the ball 21a accompanies the container F.

In terms of maintenance, there are no longer any open retention zones as is the case in document FR 3 024 871 A1, which considerably limits the fouling of the device.

In addition, the material of the ball 21a is always selected with respect to the material of the container F so as not to retain the dust and not to damage the container.

Furthermore, the replacement of the elements of the device 100 is simple, quick and economical. The operator need only have a key to unscrew the protective plate 30. Then the balls 21a and springs 22a do not require any tools to be changed.

The replacement manipulations are extremely simple: the ball 21a is placed in its housing 12 and then the spring 22a is inserted just behind in the groove 13 with the fingers. Finally, the plate 30 is repositioned to block balls 21a and springs 22a and it is screwed onto the body 10.

One can also provide inserts made of an elastomer having properties for absorbing shocks and reducing noise.

The buckets can also be engraved for easier identification.

It should be observed that this detailed description relates to a particular embodiment of the present invention, but that in no case this description does not have any limiting character with the object of the invention; on the contrary, it aims to remove any possible inaccuracy or misinterpretation of the claims which follow.

It should also be observed that the reference signs put in brackets in the following claims are in no way limiting; the sole purpose of these signs is to improve the intelligibility and understanding of the claims which follow, as well as the scope of the protection sought.

Claims (7)

1. Bucket (100) for the transport of a container (F) in a production line comprising: a main body (10) having a cavity (11) opening onto an upper face (10a) of said main body (10) and forming a receptacle intended to receive said container (F), and means for guiding and / or holding in position (20) comprising cooperation elements (21) configured to guide and / or maintain in position said container (F) in said cavity (11), in which said cooperation elements (21) comprise at least three balls (21a) , each of said at least three balls (21a) being mounted to rotate freely relative to said main body (10) in a first recess (12) formed in said main body (10) and dimensioned to receive each of said balls (21a), each first recess (12) opening into said cavity (11) so that a portion of each of said at least three balls (21a) comes into contact with said container (F) to guide and hold it in position in said cavity ( 11), and in which the means for guiding and / or holding in position (20) comprise support elements (22) having an elastic member (22a) housed in a second recess (13) located behind each of said balls (21a ), said elastic member (22a) being able to cooperate with each of said balls (21a) by exerting a force for guiding and / or holding in position in the direction of each of the balls (21a) so as to constrain them (21a ) towards the cavity (11) so that said balls (21a) bear against said container (F) while remaining free to rotate. 2. Bucket (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the balls (21a) are positioned symmetrically and / or at regular intervals along a peripheral wall (11b) of the cavity (11). 3. Bucket (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the elastic member (22a) comprises a compression spring. 4. Bucket (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said second recess (13) substantially elongated and opening onto the first recess (12), said first (12) and second (13) recesses being coplanar. 5 5. Bucket (100) according to any one of claims, characterized in that each ball (21a) is made of a rigid material of the polytetrafluoroethylene type or of the polyacetal type. 6. Bucket (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that 10 that it comprises a protective cover (30) capable of covering the upper face (10a) of said main body (10). 7. Bucket (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that said protective cover (30) has in the central part an opening (31) for the passage of said container (F) in said cavity (11).