WO2002070381A1 - Method for transporting light articles and pneumatic conveyor therefor - Google Patents

Method for transporting light articles and pneumatic conveyor therefor Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2002070381A1
WO2002070381A1 PCT/FR2002/000146 FR0200146W WO02070381A1 WO 2002070381 A1 WO2002070381 A1 WO 2002070381A1 FR 0200146 W FR0200146 W FR 0200146W WO 02070381 A1 WO02070381 A1 WO 02070381A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
transport channel
air
transport
articles
conveyor
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/FR2002/000146
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Jérôme BARILLER
Joël TRENEL
Carlos Rodrigues
Original Assignee
Netra Systems
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Publication date
Application filed by Netra Systems filed Critical Netra Systems
Publication of WO2002070381A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002070381A1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G51/00—Conveying articles through pipes or tubes by fluid flow or pressure; Conveying articles over a flat surface, e.g. the base of a trough, by jets located in the surface
    • B65G51/02—Directly conveying the articles, e.g. slips, sheets, stockings, containers or workpieces, by flowing gases
    • B65G51/03—Directly conveying the articles, e.g. slips, sheets, stockings, containers or workpieces, by flowing gases over a flat surface or in troughs
    • B65G51/035—Directly conveying the articles, e.g. slips, sheets, stockings, containers or workpieces, by flowing gases over a flat surface or in troughs for suspended articles, e.g. bottles

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of conveying, under the action of air jets, light articles, the upper part of which is introduced into a transport channel provided on the lower face with a continuous longitudinal opening, the articles being guided during transport by the longitudinal edges of this opening. It preferably finds its application in the transport of hollow plastic articles (PET, PVC, etc.). such as bottles, flasks, preforms, etc.
  • PET hollow plastic articles
  • PVC polyvinylene
  • the subject of the invention is a transport method and a conveyor which make it possible to limit contamination, by the surrounding air, of the transport channel and of the upper part of the articles surrounded by this transport channel.
  • the invention also makes it possible to limit, during transport, contamination of the interior of the articles by air. surrounding.
  • a first type of air conveyor which can be used for transporting plastic bottles suspended by their flange, is described for example in American patent US-A-5,452,789.
  • This conveyor comprises a blowing box which is supplied with pressurized air, and the underside of which has a central inner recess of rectangular section.
  • the conveyor is equipped with two spaced guide rails, which are more commonly called under-neck guides, and which define between them a continuous longitudinal opening.
  • the recess and the under-neck guides define a longitudinal channel, called in the following text "transport channel".
  • transport channel In operation, the bottles are suspended by their flange between the under-neck guides.
  • the side walls and the top wall of the transport channel are provided with blowing slots or openings, which allow the pressurized air to escape from the interior of the blowing box, in the form of a plurality of jets d transport air, which are directed in the direction of transport of the bottles, and in the direction of the neck of the bottles, above their flange.
  • These transport air jets make it possible to apply thrust forces on the bottles ensuring the movement of the bottles along the transport channel.
  • the air which is introduced under pressure into the transport channel is "clean" air, which has for example been filtered by means of very high efficiency or absolute filters, so as to reduce the risks of contamination of the transport channel and drinking bottles.
  • this transport air causes pressure variations in the transport channel and at the inside the transported bottles, which results in a significant renewal of air in the transport channel and inside the bottles.
  • This renewed air is not composed solely of filtered clean air, but is a mixture of clean air and unfiltered induced air coming from the air surrounding the conveyor. There is therefore a risk of contamination of the transport channel, of the part upper of the bottles housed in this channel, in particular of the drinking of the bottles, and also of the interior of the bottles.
  • a second known type of air conveyor differs from the conveyor described in US Pat. No. 5,452,789, cited above, mainly in that it is designed so that the transport air jets are generated below the sub-guides. neck, on the body of the bottles.
  • This second type of conveyor compared to the first type of conveyor mentioned above, lies in obtaining a better quality of conveying of the articles. This advantage is explained by the position of the transport air jets, which are directed on the body of the bottles. However, although one does not blow directly on the drinking of the bottles, this second type of conveyor also poses problems in terms of cleanliness, independently of the quality of the blown air. In fact, similar to the first type of conveyor, it has been possible to demonstrate that the transport air jets create, in the transport channel, a mainly horizontal air movement, composed of a mixture of air from the jets of transport air and induced air from the surrounding air.
  • a first solution described in particular in patent application WO-A-99/14143, essentially consists in isolating the surrounding air from the transported containers by enclosing them during transport in a transport case, which protects them from any contamination. .
  • This solution although very effective, has the disadvantage of being expensive, and also to impose precise regulation of the air pressures inside the transport case.
  • the present invention aims to provide a new transport solution, by air jets, of light articles, and in particular hollow articles, such as plastic bottles or the like, which makes it possible to obtain good conveying performance while by limiting the previously described contamination phenomena.
  • the articles are transported in the open air, that is to say are not enclosed in a covering which would completely isolate them from the surrounding air, unlike the solution described in the patent application.
  • WO-A-99/14143 WO-A-99/14143.
  • This objective is achieved by a method of transporting light articles which is known in that the upper part of the articles is introduced into a transport channel comprising on the lower face a continuous longitudinal opening, and at least one generates on the articles outside the transport channel, jets of transport air for propelling the articles along the transport channel.
  • a transport channel comprising on the lower face a continuous longitudinal opening, and at least one generates on the articles outside the transport channel, jets of transport air for propelling the articles along the transport channel.
  • air is continuously introduced inside the transport channel, and over its entire length. clean directed mainly vertically and towards the lower face of the transport channel.
  • clean air is introduced over the entire width of the transport channel.
  • clean air means any air treated so as to be made cleaner, from a chemical and / or particulate and / or micro-biological point of view, than the air surrounding the articles transported. Without limitation, it may for example be air which has been filtered using any known type of filter (gravimetric, opacimetric filters, etc.), or even air which has undergone heat treatment, chemical or other.
  • mainly vertically it is meant that in the absence of the transport air jets, the speeds of clean air in the transport channel have a component taken in a vertical plane transverse to the direction of transport, which is greater than their component taken in a horizontal plane.
  • the introduction of clean air into the transport channel is preferably adjusted so as to obtain an air pressure, at the longitudinal opening of the transport channel, perpendicular to this opening and towards the outside the transport channel, which is positive or zero.
  • Another object of the invention is also an air conveyor which allows the implementation of the above-mentioned transport method.
  • This conveyor is known in that it comprises a transport channel which comprises on the lower face a continuous longitudinal opening, and aeraulic means making it possible to generate jets of transport air at least outside the transport channel.
  • the conveyor further comprises a blowing duct, which is designed to be supplied with clean air under pressure, and which communicates with the interior of the transport channel via an interface, permeable to air, and designed so that by supplying the sheath with pressurized air, it is permanently introduced inside the transport channel and onto its entire length, clean air directed mainly vertically and towards the underside of the transport channel.
  • a blowing duct which is designed to be supplied with clean air under pressure, and which communicates with the interior of the transport channel via an interface, permeable to air, and designed so that by supplying the sheath with pressurized air, it is permanently introduced inside the transport channel and onto its entire length, clean air directed mainly vertically and towards the underside of the transport channel.
  • the interface between the blowing duct and the transport channel allows introduction of clean air over the entire width of the transport channel.
  • the interface between the blowing duct and the transport channel comprises at least one grid and preferably two superimposed and slightly spaced grids.
  • this interface comprises a textile wall, which is preferably flat and horizontal.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective and simplified representation of a first alternative embodiment of a conveyor of the invention, using a double grid,
  • FIG. 2 is a detail view on a larger scale of the conveyor of FIG. 1,
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view in a vertical plane of the conveyor of Figure 1
  • - Figure 4 is a perspective and simplified representation of a second embodiment of a conveyor of the invention, showing works a textile wall
  • FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view in a vertical plane of the conveyor of Figure 4
  • Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view in a vertical plane of a third alternative embodiment of a conveyor the invention, implementing a grid having a curved profile substantially in an arc
  • the duct is divided, by means of transverse partitions, into several successive air sections, each supplied by means of a fan.
  • the bottom wall 2 of each box forming a sheath 1 has a central recess 3 and re-entering, in the shape of an inverted U.
  • This recess 3 consists of an upper wall 3a substantially horizontal, and two side walls 3b substantially vertical.
  • On the underside of the bottom wall 2 of each box are fixed two guide rails 4 opposite and spaced, which protrude towards the inside of the recess 3.
  • the fixing of these guide rails 4, more commonly called guides under-neck, is carried out by any suitable known means, and for example by means of clamping brackets (not shown).
  • the ducts 7 are continuously supplied with pressurized air, and the bottles B are introduced into the conveyor one behind the other, so that the upper part of each bottle B (flange C and part above the flange ending with the rim of the bottle) is positioned in the transport channel 5.
  • the bottles are thus suspended on the two sub-neck guides 4 by means of their flange C, and are propelled along this channel of transport by the action of the transport air jets J which escape from the sheaths 7.
  • the blowing for the transport of the bottles B is of bilateral type, the jets of transport air J being generated outside of the transport channel 5, on either side of the body of the bottles B.
  • the invention is however not limited to such bilateral blowing.
  • the blowing could be of the mono-lateral type, for example by providing a single lateral blowing sheath 7.
  • one of the two sheaths 7 could include blowing slots 8 making it possible to generate in direction of the bottles B of the transport air jets J in a given direction of transport, the other sheath 7 comprising blowing slots 8 oriented in the opposite direction, and making it possible to generate air jets in the direction of the bottles B reverse oriented in the opposite direction to the direction of transport.
  • the two side walls 3b_ of the recess 3 are full, and the upper wall 3a forms a grid comprising a multitude of small openings 9 which are distributed over its entire surface, and which make it possible to communicate the internal chamber 1a of the sheath 1 with the transport channel 5.
  • a sheet metal section 10 having a U-shaped section, and consisting of a plate 10a forming the base of the U, and extending by two side walls 10b.
  • the plate 10a forms a grid comprising a multitude of small openings 11 distributed over its entire surface. More particularly, the dimension of the perforations 11 is preferably less than that of the perforations 9, and the number of perforations 11 is preferably greater than that of the perforations 9.
  • the profile 10 is removably mounted inside the transport channel 5 while being placed on the under-neck guides 4 via the free edges of the two side walls 10b.
  • the grid 3a of the step 3 and the grid 10a formed by the base of the profile 10 are substantially horizontal, and superimposed at a small distance d (FIG. 3) from each other, the grid 10a being positioned below the grid. 3a.
  • the transport air jets (J) create in the transport channel a mainly horizontal movement of air and oriented in the direction of transport.
  • the air set in motion is composed of induced air coming from the surrounding air (non-clean air) and air coming from the transport air jets. This air detrimentally contaminates the interior of the transport channel 5 and the upper part of the bottles housed in this channel, and in particular the drinking of the bottles. Also, the transported bottles not being blocked, there is a significant renewal of the air inside the bottles, which is replaced by air from the transport channel.
  • the sheath 1 is continuously supplied with pressurized clean air.
  • This clean air is for example (but not exclusively) air which has been filtered, before its introduction into the duct 1, by means of high or very high efficiency filters (absolute filters).
  • This clean pressurized air escapes from the sheath 1, passes through the two grids 3a and 10a and penetrates inside the transport channel 5, in the form of a substantially vertical and directed flow of protective air. towards the lower face 4a of the transport channel 5 (that is to say down in FIG. 3).
  • This protective air flow extends over the entire length (L) and over the entire width (I) of the transport channel 5. In FIG. 3, this air flow is symbolized by the vertical arrows F.
  • Ce protective air flow (F) opposes the air movement (previously described) generated by the transport air jets J. More particularly, this protective air flow forms a clean air barrier around the drinking bottles, which limits the renewal of air inside the bottles, the air flow thus acting as a sort of air stopper.
  • the effectiveness of the protection conferred by the air flow F depends in particular on the air pressure inside the sheath 1 and on the air flow rate through the grids 3a and 10a.
  • the width L1 and the height H1 of the sheath 1 were worth 254mm and 230mm respectively.
  • the width I and the height H of the channel 5 were respectively 46mm and 40mm.
  • the openings 9 of the grid 3a were circular with a diameter of 2mm, and represented 4.5% of the total surface of the grid.
  • the openings 11 of the grid 10a were circular with a diameter of 1 mm, and represented 23% of the total surface of the grid. These openings 9 and 11 were produced by drilling or punching the sheets 3a and 10a.
  • the distance d separating the two grids 3a and 10a was approximately 8mm.
  • the pressure inside the duct 1 was adjusted to a value making it possible to obtain an air pressure at the level of the longitudinal opening 6, perpendicular to this opening, and towards the outside of the transport channel 5, which was positive or zero.
  • This pressure was measured by means of a pressure probe inserted from below between the under-neck guides 4, such that its measurement surface was positioned in a plane substantially parallel to the surface 4a.
  • the transport channel 5 being open (longitudinal opening 6), and that the air inside this channel 5 being in motion, this air pressure measured at the opening 6 is essentially dynamic pressure, the static pressure being negligible.
  • this air pressure at the opening 6, between the sub-neck guides 4 was substantially zero, for a pressure of around 200 Pa inside the sheath 1.
  • the protective air flow is generated substantially vertically.
  • the protective air flow according to the invention can consist of any air flow directed “mainly vertically” towards the lower face 4a of the transport channel 5, without necessarily being perfectly vertical, but by being more or less inclined relative to the vertical.
  • mainly vertically it is meant that in the absence of the transport air jets J, the air speeds of the protective air flow in the transport channel have a component taken in a vertical plane transverse to the direction of transport (section plane of Figures 3, 5 or 6), which is greater than their component taken in a horizontal plane.
  • blowing sheath 1 is a flexible or rigid sheath comprising, at the interface with the transport channel 5, a textile wall 12 permeable to air, and which is perfectly airtight over its entire surface outside the wall 12. More particularly, the textile wall 12 is made of a micro-porous textile material.
  • the textile wall 12 forms the upper wall of the transport channel 5 and fulfills the same function as the two grids 3a and 10a of the variant previously described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.
  • the invention advantageously makes it possible to obtain protection against contamination, without it being necessary to use clean transport jets.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Cleaning In General (AREA)

Abstract

The invention concerns a method which consists in: inserting the upper part of the articles into a transport channel (5) comprising in its lower surface a continuous longitudinal opening (6), and generating on the articles, at least outside the transport channel (5), transporting air jets (J) enabling to drive the articles along the transport channel; permanently inputting inside the transport channel (5) and over its entire length, clean air directed mainly vertically and towards the lower surface (4a) of the transport channel, thereby limiting the risk for the articles (B) and the transport channel (5) to be contaminated.

Description

PROCEDE DE TRANSPORT D ' ARTICLES LEGERS ET CONVOYEUR A AIR POUR LA MISE EN OEUVRE DE CE PROCEDE METHOD FOR TRANSPORTING LIGHTWEIGHT ARTICLES AND AIR CONVEYOR FOR CARRYING OUT SAID METHOD
La présente invention concerne le domaine du convoyage, sous l'action de jets d'air, d'articles légers, dont la partie supérieure est introduite dans un canal de transport pourvu en face inférieure d'une ouverture longitudinale continue, les articles étant guidés en cours de transport par les bords longitudinaux de cette ouverture. Elle trouve préférentiellement son application au transport d'articles creux en plastique (PET, PVC,...). du type bouteilles, flacons, préformes, etc. Dans ce domaine, l'invention a pour objet un procédé de transport et un convoyeur qui permettent de limiter la contamination, par l'air environnant, du canal de transport et de la partie supérieure des articles entourée par ce canal de transport. Lorsque les articles transportés sont des articles creux ouverts en partie supérieure, tels que par exemple des bouteilles non fermées par un bouchon, l'invention permet également de limiter, en cours de transport, la contamination de l'intérieur des articles par l'air environnant.The present invention relates to the field of conveying, under the action of air jets, light articles, the upper part of which is introduced into a transport channel provided on the lower face with a continuous longitudinal opening, the articles being guided during transport by the longitudinal edges of this opening. It preferably finds its application in the transport of hollow plastic articles (PET, PVC, etc.). such as bottles, flasks, preforms, etc. In this field, the subject of the invention is a transport method and a conveyor which make it possible to limit contamination, by the surrounding air, of the transport channel and of the upper part of the articles surrounded by this transport channel. When the articles transported are hollow articles open at the top, such as for example bottles not closed by a stopper, the invention also makes it possible to limit, during transport, contamination of the interior of the articles by air. surrounding.
Dans le domaine du transport pneumatique de récipients, et plus particulièrement de bouteilles plastiques vides, il est à ce jour largement répandu d'utiliser des convoyeurs à air, dans lesquels les récipients sont guidés et supportés par l'intermédiaire de leur collerette, et sont mis en mouvement dans un sens de transport donné, les uns derrière les autres, sous l'action de jets d'air de transport.In the field of pneumatic transport of containers, and more particularly of empty plastic bottles, it is currently widespread to use air conveyors, in which the containers are guided and supported by means of their flange, and are set in motion in a given direction of transport, one behind the other, under the action of jets of transport air.
Un premier type de convoyeur à air, pouvant être utilisé pour le transport de bouteilles plastiques suspendues par leur collerette, est décrit par exemple dans le brevet américain US-A-5,452,789. Ce convoyeur comprend un caisson de soufflage qui est alimenté en air sous pression, et dont la face inférieure comporte un décrochement intérieur central de section rectangulaire. Au niveau de ce décrochement, le convoyeur est équipé de deux rails de guidage espacés, qui sont plus communément appelés guides sous-col, et qui délimitent entre eux une ouverture longitudinale continue. Le décrochement et les guides sous-col délimitent un canal longitudinal, appelé dans la suite du texte « canal de transport ». En fonctionnement, les bouteilles sont suspendues par leur collerette entre les guides sous-col. Les parois latérales et la paroi supérieure du canal de transport sont pourvues de fentes ou ouvertures de soufflage, qui permettent l'échappement de l'air sous pression de l'intérieur du caisson de soufflage, sous la forme d'une pluralité de jets d'air de transport, qui sont dirigés dans le sens de transport des bouteilles, et en direction du goulot des bouteilles, au dessus de leur collerette. Ces jets d'air de transport permettent d'appliquer sur les bouteilles des forces de poussée assurant le déplacement des bouteilles le long du canal de transport. De préférence, l'air qui est introduit sous pression dans le canal de transport est de l'air « propre », qui a par exemple été filtré au moyen de filtres très haute efficacité ou absolus, en sorte de réduire les risques de contamination du canal de transport et du buvant des bouteilles. Néanmoins, compte-tenu des vitesses d'air relativement élevées à la sortie des fentes de soufflage (en pratique de l'ordre de 15m/s), cet air de transport provoque des variations de pression dans le canal de transport et à l'intérieur des bouteilles transportées, qui se traduisent par un renouvellement important de l'air dans le canal de transport et à l'intérieur des bouteilles. Cet air renouvelé n'est pas composé uniquement d'air propre filtré, mais est un mélange d'air propre et d'air induit non filtré provenant de l'air environnant le convoyeur. Il y a donc un risque de contamination du canal de transport, de la partie supérieure des bouteilles logée dans ce canal, en particulier du buvant des bouteilles, et également de l'intérieur des bouteilles.A first type of air conveyor, which can be used for transporting plastic bottles suspended by their flange, is described for example in American patent US-A-5,452,789. This conveyor comprises a blowing box which is supplied with pressurized air, and the underside of which has a central inner recess of rectangular section. At this recess, the conveyor is equipped with two spaced guide rails, which are more commonly called under-neck guides, and which define between them a continuous longitudinal opening. The recess and the under-neck guides define a longitudinal channel, called in the following text "transport channel". In operation, the bottles are suspended by their flange between the under-neck guides. The side walls and the top wall of the transport channel are provided with blowing slots or openings, which allow the pressurized air to escape from the interior of the blowing box, in the form of a plurality of jets d transport air, which are directed in the direction of transport of the bottles, and in the direction of the neck of the bottles, above their flange. These transport air jets make it possible to apply thrust forces on the bottles ensuring the movement of the bottles along the transport channel. Preferably, the air which is introduced under pressure into the transport channel is "clean" air, which has for example been filtered by means of very high efficiency or absolute filters, so as to reduce the risks of contamination of the transport channel and drinking bottles. However, given the relatively high air speeds at the outlet of the blowing slots (in practice of the order of 15 m / s), this transport air causes pressure variations in the transport channel and at the inside the transported bottles, which results in a significant renewal of air in the transport channel and inside the bottles. This renewed air is not composed solely of filtered clean air, but is a mixture of clean air and unfiltered induced air coming from the air surrounding the conveyor. There is therefore a risk of contamination of the transport channel, of the part upper of the bottles housed in this channel, in particular of the drinking of the bottles, and also of the interior of the bottles.
Un deuxième type connu de convoyeur à air se différencie du convoyeur décrit dans le brevet américain US-A-5,452,789 précité principalement en ce qu'il est conçu de telle sorte que les jets d'air de transport sont générés au dessous des guides sous-col, sur le corps des bouteilles.A second known type of air conveyor differs from the conveyor described in US Pat. No. 5,452,789, cited above, mainly in that it is designed so that the transport air jets are generated below the sub-guides. neck, on the body of the bottles.
L'avantage principal de ce deuxième type de convoyeur, par rapport au premier type de convoyeur précité, réside dans l'obtention d'une meilleure qualité de convoyage des articles. Cet avantage s'explique par la position des jets d'air de transport, qui sont dirigés sur le corps des bouteilles. Cependant, bien que l'on ne souffle pas directement sur le buvant des bouteilles, ce deuxième type de convoyeur pose également des problèmes en termes de propreté, indépendamment de la qualité de l'air soufflé. En effet, de manière similaire au premier type de convoyeur, on a pu mettre en évidence que les jets d'air de transport créent , dans le canal de transport, un mouvement d'air principalement horizontal, composé d'un mélange d'air provenant des jets d'air de transport et d'air induit provenant de l'air environnant. Cet air vient de manière préjudiciable contaminer l'intérieur du canal de transport, la partie supérieure de bouteilles logée dans ce canal, en particulier le buvant des bouteilles, et également l'intérieur des bouteilles lorsque celles-ci ne sont pas bouchées. Différentes solutions ont été proposées à ce jour pour tenter de pallier aux problèmes de contamination précités. Une première solution, décrite notamment dans la demande de brevet WO-A- 99/14143, consiste essentiellement à isoler de l'air environnant les récipients transportés en les enfermant en cours de transport dans un caisson de transport, qui les protège de toute contamination. Cette solution, bien qu'étant très efficace, présente l'inconvénient d'être onéreuse, et également d'imposer une régulation précise des pressions d'air à l'intérieur du caisson de transport. Une autre solution, décrite par exemple dans la demande de brevet FR-A-2749286, consiste à utiliser des navettes de transport qui viennent obturer de manière étanche le goulot des bouteilles transportées. Cette solution présente toutefois l'inconvénient d'être onéreuse et complexe à mettre en œuvre, puisqu'elle impose à l'entrée du convoyeur, un assemblage automatique de chaque bouteille avec une navette de transport, et à la sortie du convoyeur, une désolidarisation de la bouteille et de sa navette, puis un recyclage de chaque navette de transport qui doit être ramenée vers l'entrée du convoyeur. En outre, cette solution ne permet pas de limiter la contamination du canal de transport et de la partie supérieure des articles, et pose de surcroît un problème de contamination des navettes. La présente invention vise à proposer une nouvelle solution de transport, par jets d'air, d'articles légers, et en particulier d'articles creux, tels que des bouteilles plastiques ou similaires, qui permet d'obtenir une bonne performance de convoyage tout en limitant les phénomènes de contamination précédemment décrits. Dans cette solution, les articles sont transportés à l'air libre, c'est-à-dire ne sont pas enfermés dans un capotage qui les isoleraient complètement de l'air environnant, à la différence de la solution décrite dans la demande de brevet WO-A-99/14143.The main advantage of this second type of conveyor, compared to the first type of conveyor mentioned above, lies in obtaining a better quality of conveying of the articles. This advantage is explained by the position of the transport air jets, which are directed on the body of the bottles. However, although one does not blow directly on the drinking of the bottles, this second type of conveyor also poses problems in terms of cleanliness, independently of the quality of the blown air. In fact, similar to the first type of conveyor, it has been possible to demonstrate that the transport air jets create, in the transport channel, a mainly horizontal air movement, composed of a mixture of air from the jets of transport air and induced air from the surrounding air. This air detrimentally contaminates the interior of the transport channel, the upper part of bottles housed in this channel, in particular the rim of the bottles, and also the interior of the bottles when the latter are not blocked. Various solutions have been proposed to date in an attempt to alleviate the aforementioned contamination problems. A first solution, described in particular in patent application WO-A-99/14143, essentially consists in isolating the surrounding air from the transported containers by enclosing them during transport in a transport case, which protects them from any contamination. . This solution, although very effective, has the disadvantage of being expensive, and also to impose precise regulation of the air pressures inside the transport case. Another solution, described for example in patent application FR-A-2749286, consists in using transport shuttles which seal the neck of the bottles transported. This solution however has the disadvantage of being expensive and complex to implement, since it requires at the entry of the conveyor, an automatic assembly of each bottle with a transport shuttle, and at the exit of the conveyor, a separation of the bottle and its shuttle, then a recycling of each transport shuttle which must be brought back to the entrance of the conveyor. In addition, this solution does not limit contamination of the transport channel and the upper part of the articles, and also poses a problem of contamination of shuttles. The present invention aims to provide a new transport solution, by air jets, of light articles, and in particular hollow articles, such as plastic bottles or the like, which makes it possible to obtain good conveying performance while by limiting the previously described contamination phenomena. In this solution, the articles are transported in the open air, that is to say are not enclosed in a covering which would completely isolate them from the surrounding air, unlike the solution described in the patent application. WO-A-99/14143.
Cet objectif est atteint par un procédé de transport d'articles légers qui est connu en ce qu'on introduit la partie supérieure des articles dans un canal de transport comportant en face inférieure une ouverture longitudinale continue, et on génère sur les articles, au moins à l'extérieur du canal de transport, des jets d'air de transport permettant de propulser les articles le long du canal de transport. De manière caractéristique selon l'invention, on introduit en permanence à l'intérieur du canal de transport, et sur toute sa longueur, de l'air propre dirigé principalement verticalement et vers la face inférieure du canal de transport. De préférence, l'air propre est introduit sur toute la largeur du canal de transport.This objective is achieved by a method of transporting light articles which is known in that the upper part of the articles is introduced into a transport channel comprising on the lower face a continuous longitudinal opening, and at least one generates on the articles outside the transport channel, jets of transport air for propelling the articles along the transport channel. Characteristically according to the invention, air is continuously introduced inside the transport channel, and over its entire length. clean directed mainly vertically and towards the lower face of the transport channel. Preferably, clean air is introduced over the entire width of the transport channel.
On désigne par air « propre », tout air traité en sorte d'être rendu plus propre, d'un point de vue chimique et/ou particulaire et/ou micro-biologique, que l'air environnant les articles transportés. De manière non limitative, il peut s'agir par exemple d'un air ayant été filtré au moyen de tout type connu de filtre (filtres gravimétriques, opacimétriques,...), ou encore d'un air ayant subit un traitement thermique, chimique ou autre. Par les termes « principalement verticalement », on signifie qu'en l'absence des jets d'air de transport, les vitesses d'air propre dans le canal de transport ont une composante prise dans un plan vertical transversal à la direction de transport, qui est supérieure à leur composante prise dans un plan horizontal. Plus particulièrement, l'introduction d'air propre dans le canal de transport est de préférence réglée en sorte d'obtenir une pression d'air, au niveau de l'ouverture longitudinale du canal de transport, perpendiculairement à cette ouverture et vers l'extérieur du canal de transport, qui est positive ou nulle. L'invention a également pour autre objet un convoyeur à air qui permet la mise en œuvre du procédé de transport précité. Ce convoyeur est connu en ce qu'il comporte un canal de transport qui comprend en face inférieure une ouverture longitudinale continue, et des moyens aérauliques permettant de générer des jets d'air de transport au moins à l'extérieur du canal de transport. De manière caractéristique selon l'invention, le convoyeur comporte en outre une gaine de soufflage, qui est prévue pour être alimentée en air propre sous pression, et qui communique avec l'intérieur du canal de transport par l'intermédiaire d'une interface, perméable à l'air, et conçue de telle sorte qu'en alimentant la gaine en air sous pression, on introduit en permanence à l'intérieur du canal de transport et sur toute sa longueur, de l'air propre dirigé principalement verticalement et vers la face inférieure du canal de transport.The term “clean” air means any air treated so as to be made cleaner, from a chemical and / or particulate and / or micro-biological point of view, than the air surrounding the articles transported. Without limitation, it may for example be air which has been filtered using any known type of filter (gravimetric, opacimetric filters, etc.), or even air which has undergone heat treatment, chemical or other. By the terms "mainly vertically", it is meant that in the absence of the transport air jets, the speeds of clean air in the transport channel have a component taken in a vertical plane transverse to the direction of transport, which is greater than their component taken in a horizontal plane. More particularly, the introduction of clean air into the transport channel is preferably adjusted so as to obtain an air pressure, at the longitudinal opening of the transport channel, perpendicular to this opening and towards the outside the transport channel, which is positive or zero. Another object of the invention is also an air conveyor which allows the implementation of the above-mentioned transport method. This conveyor is known in that it comprises a transport channel which comprises on the lower face a continuous longitudinal opening, and aeraulic means making it possible to generate jets of transport air at least outside the transport channel. Characteristically according to the invention, the conveyor further comprises a blowing duct, which is designed to be supplied with clean air under pressure, and which communicates with the interior of the transport channel via an interface, permeable to air, and designed so that by supplying the sheath with pressurized air, it is permanently introduced inside the transport channel and onto its entire length, clean air directed mainly vertically and towards the underside of the transport channel.
De préférence, selon une caractéristique additionnelle, l'interface entre la gaine de soufflage et le canal de transport permet une introduction d'air propre sur toute la largeur du canal de transport.Preferably, according to an additional characteristic, the interface between the blowing duct and the transport channel allows introduction of clean air over the entire width of the transport channel.
Plus particulièrement, dans une première variante de réalisation, l'interface entre la gaine de soufflage et le canal de transport comporte au moins une grille et de préférence deux grilles superposées et légèrement espacées. Dans une deuxième variante de réalisation, cette interface comprend une paroi textile, qui est de préférence plane et horizontale.More particularly, in a first alternative embodiment, the interface between the blowing duct and the transport channel comprises at least one grid and preferably two superimposed and slightly spaced grids. In a second variant embodiment, this interface comprises a textile wall, which is preferably flat and horizontal.
Les caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention apparaîtront plus clairement à la lumière de la description ci-après de trois variantes de réalisation d'un convoyeur conformes à l'invention, laquelle description est donnée à titre d'exemple non limitatif et en référence aux dessins annexés sur lesquels :The characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly in the light of the description below of three alternative embodiments of a conveyor in accordance with the invention, which description is given by way of nonlimiting example and with reference to annexed drawings in which:
- la figure 1 est une représentation en perspective et simplifiée, d'une première variante de réalisation d'un convoyeur de l'invention, mettant en œuvre une double grille,FIG. 1 is a perspective and simplified representation of a first alternative embodiment of a conveyor of the invention, using a double grid,
- la figure 2 est une vue de détail à plus grande échelle du convoyeur de la figure 1,FIG. 2 is a detail view on a larger scale of the conveyor of FIG. 1,
- la figure 3 est une vue en coupe transversale dans un plan vertical du convoyeur de la figure 1, - la figure 4 est une représentation en perspective et simplifiée d'une deuxième variante de réalisation d'un convoyeur de l'invention, mettant en œuvre une paroi textile,- Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view in a vertical plane of the conveyor of Figure 1, - Figure 4 is a perspective and simplified representation of a second embodiment of a conveyor of the invention, showing works a textile wall,
- la figure 5 est une vue en coupe transversale dans un plan vertical du convoyeur de la figure 4, - et la figure 6 est une vue en coupe transversale dans un plan vertical d'une troisième variante de réalisation d'un convoyeur de l'invention, mettant en œuvre une grille présentant un profil courbe sensiblement en arc de cercle,- Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view in a vertical plane of the conveyor of Figure 4, - and Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view in a vertical plane of a third alternative embodiment of a conveyor the invention, implementing a grid having a curved profile substantially in an arc,
Sur les figures 1 à 3, on a représenté une première variante de réalisation d'un convoyeur à air de l'invention, utilisé pour transporter des bouteilles plastiques B suspendues par l'intermédiaire de leur collerette C. Ce convoyeur comprend une gaine de soufflage 1 rigide formée par un caisson en tôle (par exemple en acier inoxydable) ou par une pluralité de caissons en tôle montés bout à bout. Sur les figures 1 et 2, seule une portion de faible longueur d'un caisson a été représentée. Ce ou ces caissons délimitent une chambre longitudinaleIn Figures 1 to 3, there is shown a first alternative embodiment of an air conveyor of the invention, used to transport plastic bottles B suspended by means of their flange C. This conveyor comprises a blowing duct 1 rigid formed by a sheet metal box (for example stainless steel) or by a plurality of sheet metal boxes mounted end to end. In Figures 1 and 2, only a short portion of a box has been shown. This or these boxes delimit a longitudinal chamber
1 a, qui correspond à la partie interne de la gaine 1, et qui est prévue pour être alimentée en air propre sous pression, au moyen d'au moins un ventilateur (non représenté). En pratique, la gaine est divisée, au moyen de cloisons transversales, en plusieurs tronçons aérauliques successifs, alimentés chacun au moyen d'un ventilateur.1 a, which corresponds to the internal part of the sheath 1, and which is designed to be supplied with clean air under pressure, by means of at least one fan (not shown). In practice, the duct is divided, by means of transverse partitions, into several successive air sections, each supplied by means of a fan.
La paroi inférieure 2 de chaque caisson formant une gaine 1 comporte un décrochement 3 central et rentrant, en forme de U inversé. Ce décrochement 3 est constitué d'une paroi supérieure 3a sensiblement horizontale, et de deux parois latérales 3b sensiblement verticales. Sur la face inférieure de la paroi inférieure 2 de chaque caisson sont fixés deux rails de guidage 4 en vis à vis et espacés, qui font saillie vers l'intérieur du décrochement 3. La fixation de ces rails de guidage 4, plus communément appelés guides sous-col, est réalisée par tout moyen approprié connu, et par exemple au moyen d'équerres de serrage (non représentées). Le décrochement 3 en forme de U inversé délimite avec les faces supérieures 4a des guides sous-col 4 un canal de transport longitudinal 5, dont la face inférieure comporte une ouverture longitudinale continue 6, correspondant à l'espace entre les deux guides sous-col 4. Au dessous de la gaine 1, sont montées deux gaines de soufflage latérales 7, qui sont de manière usuelle prévues pour être alimentées en air sous pression, au moyen d'une pluralité de ventilateurs (non représentés) judicieusement répartis sur la longueur des gaines 7. La face interne 7a de chaque gaine 7 est pourvue d'une pluralité de fentes (ou ouvertures) de soufflage 8, qui permettent à l'air sous pression contenu à l'intérieur des gaines 7 de s'échapper sous la forme d'une pluralité de jets d'air de transport J, orientés dans un sens de transport donné.The bottom wall 2 of each box forming a sheath 1 has a central recess 3 and re-entering, in the shape of an inverted U. This recess 3 consists of an upper wall 3a substantially horizontal, and two side walls 3b substantially vertical. On the underside of the bottom wall 2 of each box are fixed two guide rails 4 opposite and spaced, which protrude towards the inside of the recess 3. The fixing of these guide rails 4, more commonly called guides under-neck, is carried out by any suitable known means, and for example by means of clamping brackets (not shown). The recess 3 in the form of an inverted U delimits with the upper faces 4a of the under-neck guides 4 a longitudinal transport channel 5, the lower face of which has a continuous longitudinal opening 6, corresponding to the space between the two under-neck guides 4. Below the sheath 1, two lateral blowing sheaths 7 are mounted, which are usually provided to be supplied with pressurized air, by means of a plurality of fans (not shown) judiciously distributed over the length of the ducts 7. The internal face 7a of each duct 7 is provided with a plurality of blowing slots (or openings) 8 , which allow the pressurized air contained inside the ducts 7 to escape in the form of a plurality of transport air jets J, oriented in a given direction of transport.
En fonctionnement, les gaines 7 sont continuellement alimentées en air sous pression, et on introduit les bouteilles B dans le convoyeur les unes derrière les autres, de telle sorte que la partie supérieure de chaque bouteille B (collerette C et partie au dessus de la collerette se terminant par le buvant de la bouteille) se trouve positionnée dans le canal de transport 5. Les bouteilles sont ainsi suspendues sur les deux guides sous-col 4 par l'intermédiaire de leur collerette C, et sont propulsées le long de ce canal de transport par l'action des jets d'air de transport J qui s'échappent des gaines 7. Dans l'exemple particulier des figures 1 à 3, le soufflage pour le transport des bouteilles B, est de type bilatéral, les jets d'air de transport J étant générés à l'extérieur du canal de transport 5, de part et d'autre du corps des bouteilles B. L'invention n'est toutefois pas limitée à un tel soufflage bilatéral. Dans une autre variante, le soufflage pourrait être de type mono-latéral, par exemple en prévoyant une unique gaine de soufflage latéral 7. Egalement, dans une autre variante, une des deux gaines 7 pourrait comporter des fentes de soufflage 8 permettant de générer en direction des bouteilles B des jets d'air de transport J dans un sens de transport donné, l'autre gaine 7 comportant des fentes de soufflage 8 orientées dans le sens opposé, et permettant de générer en direction des bouteilles B des jets d'air inverses orientés dans le sens opposé au sens de transport. En référence aux figures 1 et 2, les deux parois latérales 3b_ du décrochement 3 sont pleines, et la paroi supérieure 3a forme une grille comprenant une multitude d'ouvertures 9 de faible dimension qui sont réparties sur toute sa surface, et qui permettent de faire communiquer la chambre interne 1 a de la gaine 1 avec le canal de transport 5. Egalement, à l'intérieur du canal de transport 5 est monté un profilé 10 en tôle présentant une section en U, et constitué d'une plaque 10a formant la base du U, et se prolongeant par deux parois latérales 10b. La plaque 10a forme une grille comprenant une multitude d'ouvertures 11 de faible dimension réparties sur toute sa surface. Plus particulièrement, la dimension des perforations 11 est de préférence inférieure à celle des perforations 9, et le nombre des perforations 11 est de préférence supérieur à celui des perforations 9. Le profilé 10 est monté de manière amovible à l'intérieur du canal de transport 5 en étant posé sur les guides sous-col 4 par l'intermédiaire des bords libres des deux parois latérales 10b. La grille 3a du décrochement 3 et la grille 10a formée par la base du profilé 10 sont sensiblement horizontales, et superposées à une faible distance d (figure 3) l'une de l'autre, la grille 10a étant positionnée au dessous de la grille 3a.In operation, the ducts 7 are continuously supplied with pressurized air, and the bottles B are introduced into the conveyor one behind the other, so that the upper part of each bottle B (flange C and part above the flange ending with the rim of the bottle) is positioned in the transport channel 5. The bottles are thus suspended on the two sub-neck guides 4 by means of their flange C, and are propelled along this channel of transport by the action of the transport air jets J which escape from the sheaths 7. In the particular example of FIGS. 1 to 3, the blowing for the transport of the bottles B is of bilateral type, the jets of transport air J being generated outside of the transport channel 5, on either side of the body of the bottles B. The invention is however not limited to such bilateral blowing. In another variant, the blowing could be of the mono-lateral type, for example by providing a single lateral blowing sheath 7. Also, in another variant, one of the two sheaths 7 could include blowing slots 8 making it possible to generate in direction of the bottles B of the transport air jets J in a given direction of transport, the other sheath 7 comprising blowing slots 8 oriented in the opposite direction, and making it possible to generate air jets in the direction of the bottles B reverse oriented in the opposite direction to the direction of transport. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the two side walls 3b_ of the recess 3 are full, and the upper wall 3a forms a grid comprising a multitude of small openings 9 which are distributed over its entire surface, and which make it possible to communicate the internal chamber 1a of the sheath 1 with the transport channel 5. Also, inside the channel transport 5 is mounted a sheet metal section 10 having a U-shaped section, and consisting of a plate 10a forming the base of the U, and extending by two side walls 10b. The plate 10a forms a grid comprising a multitude of small openings 11 distributed over its entire surface. More particularly, the dimension of the perforations 11 is preferably less than that of the perforations 9, and the number of perforations 11 is preferably greater than that of the perforations 9. The profile 10 is removably mounted inside the transport channel 5 while being placed on the under-neck guides 4 via the free edges of the two side walls 10b. The grid 3a of the step 3 and the grid 10a formed by the base of the profile 10 are substantially horizontal, and superimposed at a small distance d (FIG. 3) from each other, the grid 10a being positioned below the grid. 3a.
Dans l'hypothèse où seules les gaines 7 sont alimentées en air sous pression (gaine 1 non alimentée en air sous pression), les jets d'air de transport (J) créent dans le canal de transport un mouvement d'air principalement horizontal et orienté dans le sens de transport. L'air mis en mouvement est composé d'air induit provenant de l'air environnant (air non propre) et d'air provenant des jets d'air de transport. Cet air vient de manière préjudiciable contaminer l'intérieur du canal de transport 5 et la partie supérieure des bouteilles logée dans ce canal, et en particulier le buvant des bouteilles. Egalement, les bouteilles transportées n'étant pas bouchées, on observe un renouvellement important de l'air à l'intérieur des bouteilles, qui est remplacé par de l'air en provenance du canal de transport.Assuming that only the ducts 7 are supplied with pressurized air (duct 1 not supplied with pressurized air), the transport air jets (J) create in the transport channel a mainly horizontal movement of air and oriented in the direction of transport. The air set in motion is composed of induced air coming from the surrounding air (non-clean air) and air coming from the transport air jets. This air detrimentally contaminates the interior of the transport channel 5 and the upper part of the bottles housed in this channel, and in particular the drinking of the bottles. Also, the transported bottles not being blocked, there is a significant renewal of the air inside the bottles, which is replaced by air from the transport channel.
Pour protéger le canal de transport, le buvant et l'intérieur des bouteilles de cette contamination, on alimente en permanence la gaine 1 avec de l'air propre sous pression. Cet air propre est par exemple (mais non exclusivement) de l'air qui a été filtré, avant son introduction dans la gaine 1 , au moyen de filtres haute ou très haute efficacité (filtres absolus). Cet air propre sous pression s'échappe de la gaine 1, passe à travers les deux grilles 3a et 10a et pénètre à l'intérieur du canal de transport 5, sous la forme d'un flux d'air de protection sensiblement vertical et dirigé vers la face inférieure 4a du canal de transport 5 (c'est-à-dire vers le bas sur la figure 3). Ce flux d'air de protection s'étend sur toute la longueur (L) et sur toute la largeur (I) du canal de transport 5. Sur la figure 3, ce flux d'air est symbolisé par les flèches verticales F. Ce flux d'air de protection (F) vient s'opposer au mouvement d'air (précédemment décrit) généré par les jets d'air de transport J. Plus particulièrement, ce flux d'air de protection forme une barrière aéraulique propre autour du buvant des bouteilles, ce qui permet de limiter le renouvellement de l'air à l'intérieur des bouteilles, le flux d'air agissant ainsi comme une sorte de bouchon aéraulique. L'efficacité de la protection conférée par le flux d'air F est fonction notamment de la pression d'air à l'intérieur de la gaine 1 et du débit d'air à travers les grilles 3a et 10a.To protect the transport channel, the drink and the interior of bottles of this contamination, the sheath 1 is continuously supplied with pressurized clean air. This clean air is for example (but not exclusively) air which has been filtered, before its introduction into the duct 1, by means of high or very high efficiency filters (absolute filters). This clean pressurized air escapes from the sheath 1, passes through the two grids 3a and 10a and penetrates inside the transport channel 5, in the form of a substantially vertical and directed flow of protective air. towards the lower face 4a of the transport channel 5 (that is to say down in FIG. 3). This protective air flow extends over the entire length (L) and over the entire width (I) of the transport channel 5. In FIG. 3, this air flow is symbolized by the vertical arrows F. Ce protective air flow (F) opposes the air movement (previously described) generated by the transport air jets J. More particularly, this protective air flow forms a clean air barrier around the drinking bottles, which limits the renewal of air inside the bottles, the air flow thus acting as a sort of air stopper. The effectiveness of the protection conferred by the air flow F depends in particular on the air pressure inside the sheath 1 and on the air flow rate through the grids 3a and 10a.
Il revient à l'homme du métier de régler au cas par cas les différents paramètres du convoyeur (notamment pression d'air à l'intérieur de la gaine 1, dimensions de la gaine 1 et du canal de transport 5, caractéristiques dimensionnelles des grilles 3a et 10a, distance d entre grilles 3a et 10a et débit d'air à travers les grilles 3a etIt is up to the person skilled in the art to adjust the different parameters of the conveyor on a case-by-case basis (in particular air pressure inside the sheath 1, dimensions of the sheath 1 and of the transport channel 5, dimensional characteristics of the grids. 3a and 10a, distance d between grids 3a and 10a and air flow through grids 3a and
10a ) pour obtenir un flux d'air F assurant la protection souhaitée, tout en veillant à ce que ce flux d'air (F) créé ne vienne pas perturber le convoyage des bouteilles.10a) to obtain an air flow F ensuring the desired protection, while ensuring that this air flow (F) created does not interfere with the conveying of the bottles.
A titre d'exemple non limitatif, dans une réalisation particulière de l'invention conforme à la variante des figures 1 à 3, la largeur L1 et la hauteur H1 de la gaine 1 valaient respectivement 254mm et 230mm. La largeur I et la hauteur H du canal 5 valaient respectivement 46mm et 40mm. Les ouvertures 9 de la grille 3a étaient circulaires de diamètre 2mm, et représentaient 4,5% de la surface totale de la grille. Les ouvertures 1 1 de la grille 10a étaient circulaires de diamètre 1 mm, et représentaient 23% de la surface totale de la grille. Ces ouvertures 9 et 11 étaient réalisées par perçage ou poinçonnage des tôles 3a et 10a . La distance d séparant les deux grilles 3a et 10a valait environ 8mm. Le débit d'air à travers les grilles 3a et 10a était d'environ lOOmVh par mètre linéaire de convoyeur. La grille 3a permettait de créer une perte de charge de manière à répartir l'air sur une plus grande longueur du canal de transport 5 ; la grille 10a permettait la formation de jets d'air à plus basse vitesse, répartis de manière homogène sur toute la largeur (I) et sur toute la longueur (L) du canal de transport 5, et formant le flux d'air de protection F. La combinaison des deux grilles 3a et 10a, comparativement à la mise en œuvre d'une grille unique, permet avantageusement de réduire le nombre de tronçons aérauliques pour introduire de l'air propre dans le canal de transport, c'est-à-dire en pratique le nombre de ventilateurs raccordés à la gaine 1. Pour régler le flux d'air de protection F, la pression à l'intérieur de la gaine 1 était réglée à une valeur permettant d'obtenir une pression d'air au niveau de l'ouverture longitudinale 6, perpendiculairement à cette ouverture, et vers l'extérieur du canal de transport 5, qui était positive ou nulle. Cette pression était mesurée au moyen d'une sonde de pression introduite par le bas entre les guides sous-col 4, de telle que sa surface de mesure était positionnée dans un plan sensiblement parallèle à la surface 4a. Il convient de noter que le canal de transport 5 étant ouvert (ouverture longitudinale 6), et que l'air à l'intérieur de ce canal 5 étant en mouvement, cette pression d'air mesurée au niveau de l'ouverture 6 est essentiellement une pression dynamique, la pression statique étant négligeable. A titre d'exemple, avec la réalisation particulière précitée, cette pression d'air au niveau de l'ouverture 6, entre les guides sous-col 4, était sensiblement nulle, pour une pression d'environ 200 Pa à l'intérieur de la gaine 1.By way of nonlimiting example, in a particular embodiment of the invention in accordance with the variant of FIGS. 1 to 3, the width L1 and the height H1 of the sheath 1 were worth 254mm and 230mm respectively. The width I and the height H of the channel 5 were respectively 46mm and 40mm. The openings 9 of the grid 3a were circular with a diameter of 2mm, and represented 4.5% of the total surface of the grid. The openings 11 of the grid 10a were circular with a diameter of 1 mm, and represented 23% of the total surface of the grid. These openings 9 and 11 were produced by drilling or punching the sheets 3a and 10a. The distance d separating the two grids 3a and 10a was approximately 8mm. The air flow through the grids 3a and 10a was about 100 mVh per linear meter of conveyor. The grid 3a made it possible to create a pressure drop so as to distribute the air over a greater length of the transport channel 5; the grid 10a allowed the formation of air jets at lower speed, distributed uniformly over the entire width (I) and over the entire length (L) of the transport channel 5, and forming the protective air flow F. The combination of the two grilles 3a and 10a, compared to the implementation of a single grid, advantageously makes it possible to reduce the number of aeraulic sections to introduce clean air into the transport channel, that is to say -practically say the number of fans connected to the duct 1. To adjust the flow of protective air F, the pressure inside the duct 1 was adjusted to a value making it possible to obtain an air pressure at the level of the longitudinal opening 6, perpendicular to this opening, and towards the outside of the transport channel 5, which was positive or zero. This pressure was measured by means of a pressure probe inserted from below between the under-neck guides 4, such that its measurement surface was positioned in a plane substantially parallel to the surface 4a. It should be noted that the transport channel 5 being open (longitudinal opening 6), and that the air inside this channel 5 being in motion, this air pressure measured at the opening 6 is essentially dynamic pressure, the static pressure being negligible. By way of example, with the aforementioned particular embodiment, this air pressure at the opening 6, between the sub-neck guides 4, was substantially zero, for a pressure of around 200 Pa inside the sheath 1.
Dans la variante de réalisation des figures 1 à 3, le flux d'air de protection est généré sensiblement verticalement. Cette caractéristique, bien que préférentielle, n'est toutefois pas limitative de l'invention. D'une manière plus générale, le flux d'air de protection selon l'invention peut être constitué par tout flux d'air dirigé « principalement verticalement » vers la face inférieure 4a du canal de transport 5, sans être nécessairement parfaitement vertical, mais en étant plus ou moins incliné par rapport à la verticale. Par les termes « principalement verticalement», on signifie qu'en l'absence des jets d'air de transport J, les vitesses d'air du flux d'air de protection dans le canal de transport ont une composante prise dans un plan vertical transversal à la direction de transport (plan de coupe des figures 3, 5 ou 6), qui est supérieure à leur composante prise dans un plan horizontal.In the alternative embodiment of Figures 1 to 3, the protective air flow is generated substantially vertically. This characteristic, although preferred, is not however limiting of the invention. More generally, the protective air flow according to the invention can consist of any air flow directed “mainly vertically” towards the lower face 4a of the transport channel 5, without necessarily being perfectly vertical, but by being more or less inclined relative to the vertical. By the terms "mainly vertically", it is meant that in the absence of the transport air jets J, the air speeds of the protective air flow in the transport channel have a component taken in a vertical plane transverse to the direction of transport (section plane of Figures 3, 5 or 6), which is greater than their component taken in a horizontal plane.
On a représenté, sur les figures 4 et 5, une autre variante de réalisation dans laquelle la gaine de soufflage 1 est une gaine souple ou rigide comportant, à l'interface avec le canal de transport 5, une paroi textile 12 perméable à l'air, et qui est parfaitement étanche à l'air sur toute sa surface en dehors de la paroi 12. Plus particulièrement, la paroi textile 12 est réalisée dans un matériau textile micro-poreux. La paroi textile 12 forme la paroi supérieure du canal de transport 5 et remplit la même fonction que les deux grilles 3a et 10a de la variante précédemment décrite en référence aux figures 1 à 3.There is shown in Figures 4 and 5, another alternative embodiment in which the blowing sheath 1 is a flexible or rigid sheath comprising, at the interface with the transport channel 5, a textile wall 12 permeable to air, and which is perfectly airtight over its entire surface outside the wall 12. More particularly, the textile wall 12 is made of a micro-porous textile material. The textile wall 12 forms the upper wall of the transport channel 5 and fulfills the same function as the two grids 3a and 10a of the variant previously described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.
On a représenté sur la figure 6, une autre variante de réalisation, dans laquelle le décrochement 3 délimitant le canal de transport 5 est une grille 13, présentant en section transversale un profil sensiblement en arc de cercle. Le flux d'air de protection F est un flux radial principalement vertical et orienté vers la face inférieure du canal de transport, et non plus un flux sensiblement vertical comme dans les deux variantes des figures 1 à 5. Dans cette variante, les bouteilles B sont non seulement suspendues par leur collerette C, mais également supportées par un guide inférieur 14 en V.There is shown in Figure 6, another alternative embodiment, in which the recess 3 delimiting the transport channel 5 is a grid 13, having in cross section a profile substantially in an arc. The protective air flow F is a radial flow mainly vertical and oriented towards the underside of the transport channel, and no longer a substantially vertical flow as in the two variants of FIGS. 1 to 5. In this variant, the bottles B are not only suspended by their flange C, but also supported by a 14 V lower guide.
L'invention n'est pas limitée aux variantes de réalisation décrites en référence aux figures 1 à 6. En particulier, dans une autre variante de réalisation, on pourrait modifier les convoyeurs des figuresThe invention is not limited to the variant embodiments described with reference to Figures 1 to 6. In particular, in another variant embodiment, the conveyors of the figures could be modified
I à 6, en ajoutant autour des bouteilles un capotage latéral ouvert en partie inférieure, tel que celui mis en œuvre dans la demande de brevet européen EP-A-0070931 ( voir parois 76 et 78 des figures 1 et 2).I to 6, by adding around the bottles a side cover open in the lower part, such as that implemented in European patent application EP-A-0070931 (see walls 76 and 78 of Figures 1 and 2).
II convient également de souligner que l'invention permet avantageusement d'obtenir une protection contre la contamination, sans qu'il soit nécessaire de mettre en œuvre des jets de transport J propres. Néanmoins, pour atteindre un niveau de protection supérieur, il est préférable de mettre en œuvre des jets d'air de transport propres, en particulier en combinaison avec un capotage latéral. It should also be emphasized that the invention advantageously makes it possible to obtain protection against contamination, without it being necessary to use clean transport jets. However, to achieve a higher level of protection, it is preferable to use clean transport air jets, in particular in combination with a side cover.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1. Procédé de transport d'articles (B) légers selon lequel on introduit la partie supérieure des articles dans un canal de transport (5) comportant en face inférieure une ouverture longitudinale continue (6), et on génère sur les articles, au moins à l'extérieur du canal de transport (5), des jets d'air de transport (J) permettant de propulser les articles le long du canal de transport, caractérisé en ce qu'on introduit en permanence à l'intérieur du canal de transport (5) et sur toute sa longueur, de l'air propre dirigé principalement verticalement et vers la face inférieure (4a) du canal de transport.1. Method for transporting light articles (B) according to which the upper part of the articles is introduced into a transport channel (5) having a continuous longitudinal opening (6) on the lower face, and at least one article being generated on the articles outside the transport channel (5), transport air jets (J) for propelling the articles along the transport channel, characterized in that permanently introduced into the interior of the transport channel transport (5) and over its entire length, clean air directed mainly vertically and towards the underside (4a) of the transport channel.
2. Procédé selon la revendication 1 caractérisé en ce que l'air propre est introduit sur toute la largeur (I) du canal de transport (5).2. Method according to claim 1 characterized in that clean air is introduced over the entire width (I) of the transport channel (5).
3. Procédé selon la revendication 1 ou 2 caractérisé en ce que l'introduction d'air propre dans le canal de transport (5) est réglée en sorte d'obtenir une pression d'air au niveau de l'ouverture longitudinale (6), perpendiculairement à cette ouverture, et vers l'extérieur du canal de transport (5), qui est positive ou nulle.3. Method according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the introduction of clean air into the transport channel (5) is adjusted so as to obtain an air pressure at the longitudinal opening (6) , perpendicular to this opening, and towards the outside of the transport channel (5), which is positive or zero.
4. Convoyeur à air pour le transport d'articles légers (B), du type comportant un canal de transport (5) qui comprend en face inférieure une ouverture longitudinale continue (6), et des moyens aérauliques (7) permettant de générer des jets d'air de transport (J) au moins à l'extérieur du canal de transport (5), caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte en outre une gaine de soufflage (1), qui est prévue pour être alimentée en air propre sous pression, et qui communique avec l'intérieur du canal de transport (5) par l'intermédiaire d'une interface, perméable à l'air, et conçue de telle sorte qu'en alimentant la gaine (1) en air sous pression, on introduit en permanence à l'intérieur du canal de transport (5) et sur toute sa longueur, de l'air propre dirigé principalement verticalement et vers la face inférieure (4a) du canal de transport. 4. Air conveyor for the transport of light articles (B), of the type comprising a transport channel (5) which comprises on the lower face a continuous longitudinal opening (6), and ventilation means (7) making it possible to generate transport air jets (J) at least outside the transport channel (5), characterized in that it further comprises a blowing duct (1), which is designed to be supplied with clean air under pressure, and which communicates with the interior of the transport channel (5) via an interface, permeable to air, and designed so that by supplying the sheath (1) with air under pressure, there is permanently introduced inside the transport channel (5) and over its entire length, clean air directed mainly vertically and towards the lower face (4a) of the transport channel.
5. Convoyeur selon la revendication 4 caractérisé en ce que l'interface entre la gaine de soufflage (1) et le canal de transport (5) permet une introduction d'air propre sur toute la largeur (I) du canal de transport (5).5. Conveyor according to claim 4 characterized in that the interface between the blowing duct (1) and the transport channel (5) allows the introduction of clean air over the entire width (I) of the transport channel (5 ).
6. Convoyeur selon la revendication 4 ou 5 caractérisé en ce que l'interface entre la gaine de soufflage (1) et le canal de transport (5) comporte au moins une grille.6. Conveyor according to claim 4 or 5 characterized in that the interface between the blowing duct (1) and the transport channel (5) comprises at least one grid.
7. Convoyeur selon la revendication 6 caractérisé en ce que l'interface entre la gaine de soufflage (1) et le canal de transport (5) comporte deux grilles (3a, 10a) superposées et légèrement espacées.7. Conveyor according to claim 6 characterized in that the interface between the blowing duct (1) and the transport channel (5) comprises two grids (3a, 10a) superimposed and slightly spaced.
8. Convoyeur selon la revendication 4 ou 5 caractérisé en ce que l'interface entre la gaine de soufflage (1) et le canal de transport (5) comprend une paroi textile (12).8. Conveyor according to claim 4 or 5 characterized in that the interface between the blowing sheath (1) and the transport channel (5) comprises a textile wall (12).
9. Convoyeur selon la revendication 8 caractérisé en ce que la paroi textile (12) est plane et horizontale. 9. Conveyor according to claim 8 characterized in that the textile wall (12) is flat and horizontal.
PCT/FR2002/000146 2001-03-06 2002-01-15 Method for transporting light articles and pneumatic conveyor therefor WO2002070381A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0103027A FR2821834A1 (en) 2001-03-06 2001-03-06 METHOD AND CONVEYOR FOR THE TRANSPORT OF LIGHT ITEMS UNDER THE ACTION OF AIR JETS, USING AN AIRFLOW FOR PROTECTING ARTICLES AGAINST CONTAMINATION
FR01/03027 2001-03-06

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WO2002070381A1 true WO2002070381A1 (en) 2002-09-12

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EP0070931A1 (en) 1978-11-16 1983-02-09 THE MOTCH & MERRYWEATHER MACHINERY COMPANY Air conveyor for bottle members
JPH04365720A (en) * 1991-06-13 1992-12-17 Shibuya Kogyo Co Ltd Pneumatic conveyer for connecting inclined path for light weight bottle with reference path
US5452789A (en) 1991-09-24 1995-09-26 Pwh Anlagen & Systeme Gmbh Drive and guide arrangement for endless conveyer
EP0790200A2 (en) * 1996-02-15 1997-08-20 Jaime Marti Sala A device for conveying empty bottles in a hanging arrangement
FR2749286A1 (en) 1996-06-04 1997-12-05 Bernard Frederic DEVICE FOR CONVEYING OBJECTS PROVIDED WITH A CHUTE OR THE LIKE SUCH AS FOR EXAMPLE BOTTLES, BOTTLES OR THE LIKE AND DEVICE FOR LOADING SUCH OBJECTS DESIGNED FOR SAID CONVEYOR
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EP0070931A1 (en) 1978-11-16 1983-02-09 THE MOTCH & MERRYWEATHER MACHINERY COMPANY Air conveyor for bottle members
JPH04365720A (en) * 1991-06-13 1992-12-17 Shibuya Kogyo Co Ltd Pneumatic conveyer for connecting inclined path for light weight bottle with reference path
US5452789A (en) 1991-09-24 1995-09-26 Pwh Anlagen & Systeme Gmbh Drive and guide arrangement for endless conveyer
EP0790200A2 (en) * 1996-02-15 1997-08-20 Jaime Marti Sala A device for conveying empty bottles in a hanging arrangement
FR2749286A1 (en) 1996-06-04 1997-12-05 Bernard Frederic DEVICE FOR CONVEYING OBJECTS PROVIDED WITH A CHUTE OR THE LIKE SUCH AS FOR EXAMPLE BOTTLES, BOTTLES OR THE LIKE AND DEVICE FOR LOADING SUCH OBJECTS DESIGNED FOR SAID CONVEYOR
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WO1999014143A1 (en) 1997-09-12 1999-03-25 Netra Systems Pneumatic conveyor for articles, with transporting case, for minimising the level of contamination of articles, and method for cleaning such a conveyor

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2019243735A1 (en) * 2018-06-22 2019-12-26 Sidel Participations Pneumatic preform conveyor having offset nozzles
FR3082839A1 (en) * 2018-06-22 2019-12-27 Sidel Participations PNEUMATIC PREFORM CONVEYOR WITH OFFSET NOZZLES

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