WO1999052802A1

WO1999052802A1 - Device for conveying objects by blowing and element defining at least said device blowing chamber

Info

Publication number: WO1999052802A1
Application number: PCT/FR1999/000760
Authority: WO
Inventors: Frédéric Bernard
Original assignee: Rafale Technologie
Priority date: 1998-04-10
Filing date: 1999-04-01
Publication date: 1999-10-21
Also published as: BR9909557A; CN1299331A; CA2324891A1; KR20010042556A; MXPA00009894A; AU3039499A; EP1070014A1; FR2777267B1; FR2777267A1; JP2002511373A; AU749367B2

Abstract

The invention concerns a device for conveying objects, in particular bottles, flasks and the like, comprising at least a blowing chamber (1), for ejecting a propelling fluid under pressure at an emitting zone (2), arranged at least partially along said chamber (1) to ensure the transfer of said objects along a first direction (4), called conveying direction, and means (8) for inputting said fluid in said chamber (1) at a supply zone (9), along a second direction (10), concurrent with said conveying direction (4). The invention is characterised in that at least at said one supply zone (9), said chamber (1) comprises means (11) isolating a part, called protected part (12), of said emitting zone (2) with respect to the supply zone (9) to deviate into the rest of said chamber (1), beyond said protected part (12), the fluid input at said supply zone (9). Moreover, said protected part (12) is maintained in open communication with the rest of said chamber (1) at one of its longitudinal ends (13).

Description

1 TITLE: Device for conveying objects by blowing and element defining at least a longitudinal portion of the blowing chamber of said device. The present invention relates to a device for conveying objects by blowing. Although more particularly intended for the transport of bottles, flasks or the like, it can also be used to convey other types of objects, in particular provided with a protuberance.

Currently, in the field of bottle conveying, devices are known comprising blowing chambers, capable of allowing the ejection of a pressurized air flow to ensure the transfer of the bottles. For this, said chambers are provided with a flow emission zone, in particular in the form of a channel, inside which the necks circulate.

In order to maintain the necessary pressure, air is introduced into the blowing chambers at the level of supply zones provided at given intervals along the conveyor line.

Due to the internal structure of the devices currently used, there is a disturbance in the progression of the bottles in the vicinity of the supply zones. In fact, at this point, the behavior of the air in the blowing chambers is poorly controlled. The flow is turbulent.

When it is desired to have different pressures along certain portions of the conveying device, it is also known to use means for adjusting the air flow rates introduced to modulate the pressure upstream and downstream of said supply zones. .

Such pressure differences make it possible, for example, to group the bottles together before propelling them according to successive trains.

However, given the absence of control of the air ejection pressure in the vicinity of the supply zones, the position of the assembly points remains poorly controlled. In addition, regulating the pressures upstream and downstream of each of the supply zones proves to be 2 complex because these parameters remain highly interdependent.

With the currently known devices, there are also significant pressure losses due to a swirling flow of air in the blowing chambers at the place where it is introduced. The object of the present invention is to provide a device for conveying objects which overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks and makes it possible to ensure better control of the pressure of the flow ejected onto said objects throughout their trajectory.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for conveying objects which allows the ejection of air flow towards the objects conveyed from zones of different pressure, the borders between each zone being sharp and frank.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for conveying objects in which the pressure adjustment in the different portions of its blowing chamber is more independent from one portion to another.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for conveying objects which makes it possible to limit the pressure drops at the level of the fluid supply zones of its blowing chamber. Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear during the description which follows which is given for information only and which is not intended to limit it.

The present invention relates to a device for conveying objects, in particular bottles, flasks or the like, comprising at least one blowing chamber, capable of allowing the ejection under pressure of a propulsion fluid at an emission zone. , provided at least partially along said chamber, to ensure the transfer of said objects in a first direction, known as the conveying direction, and means for introducing said fluid into said chamber, at at least one supply zone, in a second direction, concurrent with said conveying direction, characterized in that, at the level of at least one said zone 3 supply, said chamber comprises means for isolating a part, said protected part, of said emission zone with respect to said supply zone to deviate into the rest of said chamber, beyond said part protected, the fluid introduced at said supply zone and by the fact that said protected part is kept open in communication with the rest of said chamber at one of its longitudinal ends.

The invention also relates to an element defining at least a longitudinal portion of the blowing chamber of the conveying device described above, said element comprising at least one said feeding zone at the level of which said isolation means are provided.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, accompanied by the appended drawings which form an integral part thereof and among which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a conveying device according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II - It represented in the preceding FIG. 1,

- Figure 3 is a sectional view, taken along the line H Mil shown in Figure 1 above. The invention relates to a device for conveying objects by blowing.

Although more particularly intended for the transport of bottles, flasks or the like, it can also be used in all areas of economic activity in which it is desired to transport objects, in particular provided with a protuberance.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the device according to the invention comprises at least one blowing chamber 1 adapted to allow the ejection under pressure of a propulsion fluid, in particular air, at a zone emission 2, for example according to the arrows identified 3. Said emission zone 2 is provided at least partially along said chamber 1 to ensure the transfer of said objects according to a 4 first direction 4, called the conveying direction. On this subject, in the rest of the text, the direction 4 illustrating the direction of movement of the conveyed objects will serve to define the concepts of upstream and downstream.

Said blowing chamber 1 is, for example, of rectangular section and said emission zone is defined, in particular by a channel 5, for example in the shape of an inverted U, provided at the level of the underside of said chamber 1 all along of the trajectory of objects. To allow the ejection of the fluid, said channel 5 is provided, in particular, with slots 6 directed so as to ensure the establishment of a propelling force intended to act on the objects circulating in said channel 5. A guide rail 7 is also provided for this purpose, in particular along the longitudinal edges of said channel 5.

However, in order to establish and maintain the propelling force acting on the objects at a relatively constant level, it is necessary to continuously supply the blowing chamber. The device according to the invention thus comprises means 8 for introducing the fluid. Such an operation is carried out at at least one supply zone 9, in a second direction 10 concurrent with said conveying direction 4.

According to the invention, at at least one said supply zone 9, said chamber 1 comprises means 11 for isolating a part, said protected part 12, of said emission zone 2 with respect to said feeding zone 9.

The purpose of said isolation means 11 is to deflect, in the rest of said chamber 1, beyond said protected part 12, the fluid introduced at said supply zone 9. In addition, said protected part 12 is kept open in communication with the rest of said chamber 1 at one of its longitudinal ends 13 while said insulated part 12, thanks to said isolation means 11, remains closed off from the rest of said chamber 1. By "ends longitudinal "means those transverse to the conveying direction 4.

With such a solution, a stable pressure is maintained at 5 level of said emission zone 2, even in the vicinity of said supply zone 9, preventing direct influence of the fluid introduced on said emission zone 2. More precisely, in the protected part 12, a pressure is ensured substantially equal to that established in the rest of the blowing chamber 1 and therefore allows objects to be transferred without disturbance.

In addition, if the pressure, as the possibility is developed further on, is different upstream and downstream of the supply zone 9, said protected part 12 will then be at the pressure, marked PO, of the part of the chamber blower 1 with which it communicates.

At its closed longitudinal end 14, the pressure will be PO under said isolation means 11 and, on the other side, will suddenly change to the value, marked P1, established in the corresponding part of the blowing chamber 1. Said protected part 12 defines, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped volume elongated in the conveying direction 4 and locally includes said channel 5. Said volume is open, in particular, on one of its faces orthogonal to said conveying direction 4 and closed elsewhere . Its length is provided sufficient to deflect the fluid introduced to a part of the blowing chamber 1 where its direction of flow will be relatively parallel to said conveying direction 4 and the pressure stabilized in said chamber 1.

Said supply zone 9 consists, for example, of an orifice 15 and the fluid is supplied, in particular, in a direction orthogonal to said conveying direction 4.

Said orifice 15 is located, for example, on the upper surface, that is to say opposite to the channel 6, of said blowing chamber 1. As illustrated, said isolation means 11 consist, in particular, of a plate 16 passing right through said chamber 1 between said supply zone 9 and said emission zone 2. 6

Said plate 16 is thus provided, for example, over the entire width of the chamber 1, just above the channel 6.

It is located at least vertically above said supply zone 9 and has, for example, a length of two to three times that of the orifice 15 with respect to which it will possibly be centered.

Said plate 16 has, in particular, a bend 17 at its longitudinal end 14 to close said protected part 12 at this level.

In order to promote a laminar flow of the introduced fluid, said elbow 17 is inclined, for example, relative to the direction of said plate 16 by an angle less than 90 °, in particular from 10 to 30 °.

A return 18 may possibly be provided at the longitudinal end 13 of the protected part 12 so as to promote the maintenance of pressure thereof.

The device according to the invention may also comprise, for example, means 19 for orienting the flow of the fluid in said chamber 1 upstream and downstream of the supply zone 9.

In order to avoid the appearance of vortex flow, said orientation means 19 are provided unitary for each of the upstream and downstream directions. They thus consist, in particular, of a deflecting surface 20 for each of said directions.

Said deflecting surfaces have, for example, a given curvature, in particular substantially elliptical. Their transverse ends 21, 22 are thus, for example, on the one hand, tangent to the direction 10 of introduction of the fluid and, on the other hand, to the conveying direction 4.

Said deflecting surfaces 20 are located in said blowing chamber 1, in particular, directly above said orifice 15, one of their ends 21 being flush with it while their other end 22 ends, in particular, at said plate 16 of the isolation means

11, for example, perpendicular to the transverse edges of said orifice 15. 7 Said deflecting surfaces 20 are, optionally symmetrical with respect to each other.

In order to avoid pressure drops, said defective surfaces 20 are, for example, provided contiguous along their edges 21 situated opposite said supply zone 9.

Said edge 21 is optionally provided centered with respect to said orifice 15, in particular in order to ensure a balanced distribution of the fluid introduced, the possible adjustment of pressure upstream and downstream of the latter taking place elsewhere. In this regard, the device according to the invention may comprise means 23 for adjusting the fluid flow rate respectively oriented upstream and downstream of said supply zone 9. This creates separate pressures for each of the sides of the orifice 15, in particular in order to be able to accelerate and / or slow down the conveyed objects. As previously mentioned, thanks to the invention, the pressure change zone in the vicinity of the emission zone 2 is located very precisely, namely at the level of the closed longitudinal end 14 of the protected part 12. The control of the conveying can therefore be exercised in a finer manner. Said adjustment means 23 consist, for example, of damper 24. In order to promote the laminarity of the flow of the fluid, said orientation means 19 and said dampers 24 have, in particular, the same curvature, approaching for example that deflecting surfaces 20. As shown, said blowing chamber 1 possibly includes a register 24 for each upstream and downstream direction. The one or more registers 24 are articulated, for example, in rotation about a transverse axis 25. They thus define, in particular, valves whose surfaces can close the blowing chamber 1 at least partially in order to control the amount of fluid passing from the supply zone 9 upstream and / or downstream of the blowing chamber 1. 8

By way of example, in the minimum closed position, said registers 24 and said deflecting surfaces 19 have a substantially parallel curvature. One of the transverse edges of said registers 24 is flush with said orifice 15 and each of said registers 24 defines two conduits of substantially identical section, at least in the vicinity of said orifices 15.

Said articulation axis 25 is situated, for example, directly above said orifice 15.

According to another embodiment, not shown, said adjustment means 23 can be made up, in particular of said deflecting surfaces 20, provided articulated in rotation independently of each other at their common edge 21.

Said means 8 for introducing the propulsion fluid consist, for example, of means, not shown, of generating a flow of pressurized fluid, such as a fan, connected to said chamber 1 at each of said zones d supply 9 via a conduit 26.

A general register 27 modulating the quantity of fluid introduced into the blowing chamber 1 may possibly be provided in said conduit 26. Said register is articulated in rotation, for example, about an axis 50, constituting an axis of symmetry of said register. Said axis 50 is oriented, in particular, orthogonal to the common edge 21 of the deflecting surfaces 20. Such an orientation makes it possible to promote the independence of the adjustment of the pressures, P ₀ and P ^ upstream and downstream. The invention also relates to an element 28 defining at least a longitudinal portion of the blowing chamber 1 of the conveyor device described above, said element 28 comprising at least one said feeding zone 9 at which said means are provided. isolation 11. According to the invention, said element 28 is provided, optionally, removable with respect to the rest of the conveying device, in particular for 9 facilitate its assembly / disassembly.

Naturally, other modes of implementation within the reach of ordinary skill in the art could have been envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

10 CLAIMS

1. Device for conveying objects, in particular bottles, flasks or the like, comprising at least one blowing chamber (1), capable of allowing the ejection under pressure of a propulsion fluid at an emission zone (2), provided at least partially along said chamber (1) to ensure the transfer of said objects in a first direction (4), called the conveying direction, and means (8) for introducing said fluid into said chamber (1 ) at at least one supply zone (9), in a second direction (10) concurrent with said conveying direction (4), characterized in that, at at least one said zone d supply (9), said chamber (1) comprises means (11) for isolating a part, said protected part (12), of said emission zone (2) with respect to said supply zone ( 9) to deflect into the rest of said chamber (1) beyond said protected part (12), the fluid introduced at said level feeding zone (9), and by the fact that said protected part (12) is kept open in communication with the rest of said chamber (1) at one of its longitudinal ends (13).

2. Device according to claim 1 in which said isolation means (11) consist of a plate (16) passing right through said chamber (1) between said supply zone (9) and said emission zone (2), said plate (16) having a bend (17) at one of its longitudinal ends to close said protected part (12) at this level.

3. Device according to claim 2 wherein said elbow (17) is inclined relative to the direction of said plate (16) by an angle less than 90 °.

4. Device according to claim 1 further comprising means (19) for orienting the flow of the fluid in said chamber (1) upstream and downstream of the supply zone (9), said orientation means (19) being provided unitary for each of the upstream and downstream directions. 11

5. Device according to claim 4 wherein said means (19) for orientation consist of a deflecting surface (20) for each of said upstream and downstream directions.

6. Device according to claim 5 wherein said deflecting surfaces (20) are provided contiguous along one of their edges

(21), located opposite said feed zone (9).

7. Device according to claim 4 further comprising means for adjusting the fluid flow rate respectively oriented upstream and downstream of said supply zone (9).

8. Device according to claim 7 wherein said adjustment means consist of registers (24), said orientation means (19) and said registers (24) having the same curvature.

9. Device according to claim 1 wherein said means for introducing the propulsion fluid consist of means for generating a flow of pressurized fluid, connected to said chamber (1) at each of said supply zones (9 ) through a conduit (26).

10. Element (28) defining at least a longitudinal portion of the blowing chamber of the conveyor device according to claim 1, said element (28) comprising at least one said feeding zone (9) at which said means are provided isolation (11).