WO2019129968A1

WO2019129968A1 - Movement of products on a transit zone

Info

Publication number: WO2019129968A1
Application number: PCT/FR2018/053476
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vincent Brachet; Gregory Choplin
Original assignee: Gebo Packaging Solutions France
Priority date: 2017-12-27
Filing date: 2018-12-20
Publication date: 2019-07-04
Also published as: FR3075768A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (2) for moving products (1), comprising a module for circulating the products (1) in a longitudinal direction, with a transit zone (3) extending along a transverse transfer direction, a longitudinal inlet (6) and outlet (7), conveying means (8) provided with shuttles (9) with thrust members (10), characterized in that said conveying means (8) independently move each shuttle (9) and comprise a lower outward guide (12) for driving from the inlet (6) to the outlet (7); an upper return guide (13) for driving in the opposite direction; a pair of vertical elevator guides, respectively upstream (14) and downstream (15), between said outward guide (12) and said return guide (13). The invention also relates to an installation having such a movement device (2) and to a method for moving products (1) using said device (2).

Description

Moving products over a transit zone

The present invention is in the field of moving products within a production line and / or packaging.

For the purposes of the present invention, the term "product" includes an individual object or a grouping of objects held together.

Such objects consist of containers, such as flasks, bottles, cans, etc. These products undergo a first so-called production phase during which they are finalized individually through a succession of several stages within corresponding modules, such as filling, capping and labeling.

Then, said products ready for use undergo subsequent steps through different modules, such as a batch packaging module, each batch being constituted by grouping, staggered or not, several products. During these steps, said products pass through at least one circulation module where they are moved along different transit zones, in particular on mobile zones constituted by conveyors, or are accompanied on fixed or moving zones by means of actuators holding or pushing said products, or the products are pushed at the time of transfer from one area to another, including crossing an intermediate zone called "dead zone".

The invention is particularly aimed at moving products along such a transit zone of a circulation module.

In known manner, a circulation module is provided with at least one transit zone extending from an upstream end to a downstream end. Such a module ensures the displacement of the products on said transit zone, along a transfer direction, from an inlet located along the upstream end to an exit located along the downstream end. The inlet and the outlet extend generally in a longitudinal direction and are parallel to each other. The inlet may be provided with at least one conveyor conveying, from an upstream module, a single product stream formed of a succession of rows of aligned products, each row having a length substantially equivalent to the size of the zone transit located in opposite and on which each row will be transferred transversely, and then moved in said direction of transfer. Said output may also include a conveyor to which one or more rows of products will be transferred, forming respectively a single row or a set of rows, which will then be moved again longitudinally to another module downstream.

Several solutions make it possible to move the products from the entrance to the exit and along said transit zone. The invention is specifically aimed at the displacement of products by thrust, namely by applying a contact of a pusher at the front or rear wall of one or more products, with respect to the direction of movement to be applied thereto according to said transfer direction, from the upstream end to the downstream end.

In addition, the pushers are conveyed over the transit zone, moving in a plane extending parallel and along said transit zone, from upstream to downstream with respect to the direction of traffic to inculcate. to products.

In the context of the present invention, the thrust is effected from above the products from the rear, from upstream to downstream in the direction of transfer.

One problem of current displacement devices lies in their flexibility of operation. Indeed, they generally ensure the transfer of products, from the input conveyor to the transit zone, and then moving at a constant speed along this transit zone in the form of a conveyor, until their transfer to the from the exit. The products are only maintained at the moment of their transfers from the entrance to the exit, leading to a risk of falling when they are moved on the transit zone.

Displacement devices are known documents

DE 20 2016 101207 U, WO 2016/102117 or WO 2010/100543, describing a path of movement of pushers in racetrack form, with rounded end portions for recycling pushers, shaped in a half-circular section . The pushers are moved in rotation around these portions, requiring a large space due to the rotation of the pushers in these places, or a complex articulation pivoting.

In addition, the pushers are spaced at regular intervals, secured mechanically to conveying means. The dimensions of the intervals are dependent on the format of the products to be moved and, as a result, it is necessary to intervene physically on the conveyance means in the event of a change of format, a tedious operation requiring a stoppage of production and causing a loss of time .

The present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the state of the art by proposing a displacement of products offering a flexible and simplified operation, providing support for the products along their movement along the transit zone .

In addition, preferably, the invention provides for the use of dynamic conveying of the pushers. Their speed can therefore be independent, making it possible to directly modify the intervals between them without mechanically intervening. It is then possible to push back a pusher that has just transferred and push a first rank, to grip another row next and 1 accompany him in his move.

To do this, the invention firstly relates to such a product moving device, comprising a product circulation module provided with at least one transit zone extending from an upstream end to an end downstream along a direction of transfer, at least one inlet extending along a longitudinal direction and at least one outlet of said products located respectively along the upstream end and the downstream end of said transit, said transfer direction extending transversely to said longitudinal direction, said device comprising conveying means provided with shuttles driven in displacement over said circulation module and thrust members along the direction of transfer of said at least one product, at least one thrust member being fastened below a shuttle.

Such a device is characterized in that said conveying means ensure the placing in independent displacement of each shuttle and comprise at least one lower guide of drive from the inlet to the outlet; at least one upper return drive guide of each shuttle from the output to the input; at least one pair of upstream and downstream vertical elevator guides between said forward guide and said return guide.

In addition, the guides, return and elevators upstream and downstream are constituted at least in part by rails ensuring the maintenance of each shuttle, while allowing their displacement in translation along at least the transfer direction, along such rails.

According to other features, said conveying means may constitute a linear motor, at least the rails of the upstream and downstream elevators may comprise a linear motor channel.

Each thrust member may extend vertically and orthogonally with respect to the direction of transfer.

The same shuttle can support a single thrust member.

Said conveying means may comprise several go guides, as many return guides and as many pairs of upstream and downstream elevator guides, respectively parallel to each other, and in that at least one same thrust member is supported during its travels. by several commuting shuttles synchronously reciprocated along said forward guides, along said return guides and along each of said pairs of upstream and downstream elevator guides.

Said transit zone may constitute a lot table and / or an accumulation table of said products.

Said device can be split symmetrically on either side of a central plane centered at said input or output, forming corresponding "right" and left "elements", said displacement device preferably comprising a same downstream elevator guide or upstream transfer between the right and left elements.

The invention also relates to a product processing installation, equipped with such a displacement device.

Said processing plant comprises a wrapping or packing station of one or more of said products. It is characterized in that it comprises at least one device for moving said products according to the invention, supplying products to said station through said outlet.

Such an installation may comprise at least one grouping station of several products in longitudinal groups of a single product of width, said grouping station being located upstream and feeding said displacement device through said input with a single file of said longitudinal groups spaced from each other.

The invention also relates to a method of moving products from an inlet to an outlet by means of the displacement device according to the invention. Such a method is characterized in that it comprises at least the following steps: feeding the inlet with a longitudinal row of products; stop the flow of products at the entrance level; pushing said longitudinal row of products from the inlet to the outlet, along a transfer direction, with the aid of a thrust member; and evacuate the products through said outlet. Said method may consist in bringing to or near the transit zone at least two rows pushed successively, by conveying the thrust members of each of said two rows at different speeds. During the pushing step, at least during the transfer to or from said transit zone, each row of products can be clamped on either side between two upstream and downstream thrust members. After the transfer of a first rank to or from the transit zone, it is possible to move back the thrust member having carried out said transfer, to a second rank to be transferred to or from said transit zone, until it comes into interference with said second row with a second upstream thrust member. Said row may be formed of several longitudinal groups of a single product widely spaced from each other.

The method may consist in forming matrix batches of said products at the output of said transit zone.

The use of a shuttle train supporting the thrust members of the products in the form of a linear motor makes it possible to modify the intervals between said members, but also to modify their speed of movement, without mechanical intervention at the level of said device. displacement. Using a linear motor thus confers dynamic and adaptable displacement of the pushers, allowing even their movement in the opposite direction.

Variable speeds allow in particular rapid recycling of the thrust members, from downstream to upstream, when empty, not exerting thrust.

The invention will find a preferential application, but in no way limiting, replacing a product grouping station at the entrance of a wrapping or boxing station, instead of a selection station and possibly a cycler. .

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments of the invention, with reference to the appended figures in which: Figure 1 schematically shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a dual displacement device, with two inputs and centered at a single output, showing only on a left portion a specific provision of the thrust members;

- Figure 2 shows schematically a view in a vertical cross section a simple device and an example of conveying several thrust members;

Figure 3 shows schematically an elevational view of an example of a simple device, with a continuous supply of products; and

Figure 4 schematically shows an elevational view of an example of a dual device, with a supply of products separated into groups.

The present invention relates to the movement of products 1 within a production line and / or packaging. For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a device 2 for moving products 1.

Such a device 2 comprises a product circulation module 1 provided with at least one transit zone 3. It extends from an upstream end 4 to a downstream end 5, along a transfer direction. Said device 2 can comprise other modules, located upstream and / or downstream, or at different levels of said transit zone 3.

Preferably, said transit zone 3 may constitute a lot table and / or an accumulation table of said products 1. An example of configuration according to which said transit zone 3 consists of an accumulation surface of said products 1 is represented on the FIG. 3, with an accumulation of products 1 in ranks, a single row arriving and two rows starting respectively towards and from said moving device 2.

Said transit zone 3 may be fixed or preferably mobile, in the form of a conveyor ensuring the displacement of the products 1 therein.

In addition, said displacement device 2 comprises at at least one input 6 of said products 1 extending along a longitudinal direction. Said inlet 6 is located along said upstream end 4. The device 2 also comprises at least one outlet 7 of said products 1, located along the downstream end 5.

The transit zone 3, the inlet 6 and the outlet 7 are abutted, their respective edges being flush. Their upper surfaces generally extend in the same plane, preferably a horizontal plane.

Preferably, the inlet 6 is equipped with at least one conveyor, carrying at least one row of products 1, in said longitudinal direction. Said outlet can also be equipped with a conveyor, conveying the products 1 in a parallel direction. The output 7 is thus preferentially parallel to the input 6. In the opposite case, the output 7 can be oriented obliquely, at an angle with respect to said longitudinal direction. The inlet 6 and outlet 7 conveyors can carry the products 1 that they support in the same direction or in different directions (i.e. with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, to the right or to the left).

At the input 6 as at the exit 7, the conveyors extend over at least the entire length of the transit zone 3. In other words, they are at least as long as the transit zone 3 along which they run along the opposite edges respective.

Preferably, said transfer direction extends transversely with respect to said longitudinal direction. In particular, it may be orthogonal, or substantially orthogonal, with an angle variation of up to plus or minus 45 °.

The products 1 arrive therefore transported by the conveyor of the inlet 6, to position itself vis-à-vis the transit zone 3, along the upstream end 4, in the form of at least one longitudinal row.

It will be noted that a longitudinal row may consist of an uninterrupted succession of products 1, on a line, as can be seen in FIG. 3, or else a succession of several products 1 grouped together, for example by two in the example of FIG. 4. A rank therefore corresponds roughly to the size of the transit zone 3 along from which extend the inlet 6 and outlet 7.

Then, this rank is moved from the input conveyor 6 to the transit zone 3. In order to authorize this first movement, the circulation of the products 1 is stopped at the level of the entry 6. In particular, it slows down or stopping the input conveyor 6 when a complete row of products 1 has arrived along the upstream end 4.

The longitudinal row of products 1 is pushed from the inlet 6 to the outlet 7, along said transfer direction.

Similarly, the output conveyor 7 is slowed down or stopped when one or more rows of products 1 are transferred to it.

Finally, products 1 are discharged through said outlet 7, in particular by starting the outlet conveyor 7.

To carry out this operation of moving the products 1, the device 2 according to the invention comprises conveying means 8 provided with shuttles 9 driven in displacement above said circulation module. In sum, the conveying means 8 ensure the entrainment of each shuttle 9 above the transit zone 3, but also higher than the inlet 6 and the outlet 7, or even preferentially beyond said inlet 6.

In addition, the conveying means 8 are provided with thrust members 10 of at least one product 1, preferably a row of products 1, along the transfer direction.

Therefore, a thrust member 10 is dimensioned so as to extend from its shuttle 9 to come against the front wall of the products 1, this contact ensuring the thrust for moving at least one product, preferably several products 1 simultaneously. For this purpose, a thrust member may have a length at least equal to the rank of products 1 transported on the transit zone 3. In addition, the height of a thrust member 10 is such that it preferably bears against each product 1 below its center of gravity, limiting the risks of tipping when the thrust is applied.

Without limitation, as shown in Figure 2, each thrust member 10 extends vertically and orthogonally with respect to the transfer direction. For this purpose, a thrust member 10 may be constituted by a sheet 11, as can be seen in FIG. 1. Other configurations may be envisaged, such as a bar suspended from rods fixed to each shuttle 9, or even pushers.

In particular, a sheet 11 may be subject to a shuttle 9 at its upper part, in particular its upper edge, leaving free its lower edge, for the purpose of bringing the surface located on the downstream side into contact. This configuration also allows to leave free the opposite surface, located on the upstream side.

In general, the thrust members 10 are fixed below the shuttles 9.

At least one thrust member 10 is fixed below a shuttle 9. Thus secured, the movement of the shuttle 9 induces the displacement of the member 10 that it supports.

Advantageously, said conveying means 8 provide for the independent positioning of each shuttle 9. To do this, they comprise at least one lower feed guide 12 for each shuttle 9 from the inlet 6 to the outlet 7, at least a top return guide 13 for driving each shuttle 9 from the outlet 7 to the inlet 6. In addition, the conveying means 8 comprise at least one pair of upstream vertical upstream guides 14 and downstream 15 between said forward guide 12 and said return guide 13.

Note that the forward guide 12 and the return guide 13 may be located in the same vertical plane or in a plane inclined relative to the surface of the transit zone 3. In addition, they are provided fixed. Each upstream and downstream elevator guide 14 is thus provided vertically or substantially vertically movable, from a low position to a high position, and vice versa. The upstream guides 14 upstream and downstream 15 are motorized in independent movements, one amount when the other goes down, or vice versa, or up or down simultaneously but at different speeds. Each upstream elevator guide 14 and downstream 15 is therefore movable in an at least vertical component. In addition, in the down position, each upstream and downstream elevator guide 15 is abutted at one end with the forward guide 12, while in the high position, they are contiguous and aligned with the return guide 13.

In addition, the guides go 12, return 13 and lifts upstream 14 and downstream 15 may be formed at least in part by rails ensuring the maintenance of each shuttle 9, in particular according to at least one vertical and / or horizontal component, while allowing their displacement in translation according to at least the transfer direction, namely along such rails. Preferably, each rail guides 12, return 13 and upstream 14 and downstream 15 extend horizontally. In particular, the rails of the upstream elevators 14 and downstream 15 may form a horizontal portion, along which one or more shuttles 9 may move. Such a configuration makes it possible to minimize the space required for the recycling of the shuttles 9, which can be operate multiple 9 shuttles at a time.

The shuttles 9 therefore run in a loop, ensuring the push of the products 1 according to a path to go back and empty on a return path. In particular, in the forward path, the upstream elevator 14 can be lowered directly above the input conveyor, but has preferably descended beyond the surface of the input conveyor 6, for example to the left within a free space as visible in Figure 2. A shuttle 9 is translated, passing on the guide 12, projecting above the input conveyor 6, then moving a push member 10 to come into contact with the row of products 1 to transfer to the transit zone 3. This shuttle 9 continues its thrust race of the products 1 following the guide to go 12 to pass on the downstream elevator guide 15 in the down position. Only then the downstream elevator guide 15 is raised to its upper position, raising the shuttle 9. Once aligned with the return guide 13, said shuttle 9 can circulate along said return guide 13 until 'to pass on the upstream elevator guide 14, which has been raised in the meantime in the high position. Once supported by the return guide 14, the latter is lowered to the low position and said shuttle 9 can then start a loop again.

It will be noted that, contrary to the inlet 6, the downstream elevator guide 15 is also located above the conveyor of the outlet 7. In fact, the thrust members 10 can be oriented in the direction of discharge at the outlet 7, does not hinder the movement of products 1 driven by this conveyor. Therefore, the thrust members 10, at the outlet 7 may also constitute means for channeling the products during their extraction from the displacement device 2.

According to a preferred embodiment, shown in FIG. 3, said conveying means 8 comprise several go guides 120, 121, as many return guides 130, 131 and as many pairs of upstream guide guides 140, 141 and downstream guide 150, 151, respectively parallel to one another. More specifically, a path on the left is constituted by a forward guide 120, a return guide 130 and a pair of upstream guides 140 and downstream 150, while on the right side, extend parallel, a guide 121, a return guide 131, as well as a bet of upstream guides 141 upstream and downstream 151.

Therefore, at least one same thrust member 10 can be supported during its movements by several shuttles 9 synchronously reciprocated movements along said guides 120,121, along said return guides 130,131 and along each of said pairs of elevator guides upstream 140,141 and downstream 150,151. In sum, each thrust member 10 is supported by two shuttles 9 driven simultaneously along identical paths in vertical (or substantially vertical) planes parallel to each other. A larger number of parallel guides can be envisaged depending on the length of the rows of products 1 to be moved, the size of the input conveyors 6 and output 7, or the surface of the transit zone 3.

Preferably, the same shuttle 9 supports a single thrust member 10, as can be seen in FIG. 2. According to another embodiment, a shuttle 9 can support several thrust members 10, spaced upstream or downstream, according to FIG. fixed intervals allowing each member 10 to be positioned on either side of at least one row of products 1.

Similarly, with parallel paths, several pushing members 10 can be supported on each side, left and right, by several shuttles 9 synchronized along their respective path.

With reference to FIG. 3, the displacement device 2 is provided in a simple manner, namely that it comprises conveying means 8 above a single transit zone 3.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the conditioning device 2 is split symmetrically on either side of a median plane, which is in principle vertical, centered at the level of said outlet 7, forming "elements" that are straight and corresponding left. The device thus comprises a first 30 and a second 31 transit zones, on either side of the outlet 7. Similarly, the products 1 feed each right and left part of the device 2 via a first input 60 and a second input 61.

Note that the device 2 can also be symmetrically split centrally on the same input 6, then having several outputs 7.

In this split configuration, around exit 7 as around the entrance 6, each right and left path of shuttles 9 can respectively comprise its own upstream guides 140,141 and downstream 150,151. According to the preferred configuration in duplication, the device 2 comprises a same downstream elevator guide 14 or upstream 15 transfer between the right and left elements. As shown in the example of FIG. 4, with a doubling centered on the outlet 7, the conveying means 8 on the right and on the left share two downstream elevator guides 150, 151 located parallel to the top of the output conveyor 7.

Advantageously, the movement of the shuttles 9 along their respective guides is carried out independently. It is then possible to accelerate or decelerate the speeds of each shuttle 9 and thus to apply increasing or decreasing thrust to the products 1, but also to move closer or apart rows of products 1 during their movements.

To do this, preferably, said conveying means 8 constitute a linear motor. In particular, each guide is part of a path of a linear motor, allowing a shuttle 9 to move at a different speed from another shuttle 9 along this path. In sum, each shuttle 9 can have its own speed, which can be easily and easily configured via a suitable interface, in particular offset from said displacement device 2. Each shuttle 9 then becomes autonomous in its movements.

According to a preferred embodiment, at least the rails of the upstream elevators 14 and downstream 15 may comprise a linear motor path. Such lanes thus allow to receive one or more shuttles 9 and to control their movement independently of each other.

This linear motor configuration of all or part of the rails of the device 1 ensures flexibility with independent movements of the shuttles 9.

In particular, it is possible to accelerate considerably the speed of movement of the shuttles 9 during their return journey, empty, along the return guide 13, from their departure along the downstream elevator guide 15, decelerating to the stop at the time of arrival at the level and along the upstream elevator guide 14.

Therefore, the invention can consist in bringing closer or away on the transit zone 3 at least two rows pushed successively, by conveying the thrust members 10 of each of said two rows at different speeds. Preferably, the speed of the first row, moved downstream, is less than the speed of the second row following, moved after and upstream, so that it catches said first row as and when their respective movements along said transit zone 3, to arrive jointly for transfer to exit 7.

In addition, the invention provides to be able to roll back a shuttle 9 and therefore the thrust member 10 that it supports. Thus, during the pushing step, at least during the transfer to or from said transit zone 3, each row of products 1 can be clamped on either side between two upstream and downstream thrust members (contrary to FIG. a simple thrust using a single thrust member 10 necessarily located upstream). Such clamping limits the risk of falling products 1 during their transfer, especially the passage of dead zones between different surfaces, such as between the transit zone 3 and the input 6 and exit 7 conveyors.

Further, after the transfer of a first rank to or from the transit zone 3, the first push member having carried out said transfer is moved back to a second rank to be transferred to the said transit zone 3 until it comes to gripping said second row with a second thrust member upstream. It is then possible to move the second row to catch the first row, the first member then taking up its thrust function of said first row.

It is also possible to separate two successive rows, according to an adaptable spacing. In sum, two successive ranks can then be found at any location in the transit area and / or exit 7 spaced transversely. This space can be predefined according to specific dimensions.

The invention also provides upstream to group these products transversely 1 then to transfer said longitudinal groups of products 1, aligned in a row, at said input 6 to said transit zone 3. An example of such a possibility is shown in Figure 4, showing a flow of product groups 1 supplying the input 6 two by two on a single line.

The invention also provides for forming matrix batches of said products 1 at the outlet 7 of said transit zone 3, as can be seen in the example of FIG. 4, with batches constituted by the gathering of four rows of products grouped two by two before each entry 6, two rows being moved from the bottom of the device 1 split, while two other rows come from the top.

As such, for the sake of readability, Figure 4 shows only the products 1 and the thrust members 10 located on one of the two devices 2 split.

The invention also relates to a product processing installation 1, comprising a wrapping or packing station of one or more of said products 1, said installation comprising at least one displacement device 2 of said products 1, feeding products 1 said wrapping or packing station through said outlet 7. In particular, the displacement device 2 according to the invention makes it possible to supply a wrapping module with products 1 assembled, in the form of successive batches at the outlet 7, free from a classic selection station.

Upstream, such a treatment facility may comprise at least one grouping station of several products 1 in longitudinal groups of a single product 1 wide, then forming a line of spaced product groups 1, which will be grouped together at the output 7 to form batches. Such a grouping post is located upstream and thus feeds said displacement device 2 through said inlet 6 with a single file of said longitudinal groups spaced from each other.

Note that if the output 7 is intended to receive several ranks, logically, the width of its conveyor is dimensioned accordingly with respect to the maximum number of products 1 to receive and their format.

In some embodiments of the invention, the inlet 6 may be fed with at least two longitudinal rows side by side which can then be pushed simultaneously from said inlet 6 to the transit zone 3. Preferably, the inlet 6 receives a single row of products. In this case, the successive rows are brought one after the other to the transit zone 3. With regard to the outlet 7, depending on its dimensioning, it is possible to transfer one or more rows of products from the zone of transit 3 to exit 7.

Thus, the invention may consist in feeding longitudinally said inlet 6 with a first row then a second row and pushing them along the transit zone 3 until they are transferred to the outlet 7, successively or together.

For this purpose, the invention also relates to a product displacement method 1 on a circulation module from an inlet 6 to an outlet 7 by means of the displacement device 2 as previously described. Such a displacement method comprises at least the following steps, of feeding the inlet 6 with a longitudinal row of products 1; to stop the circulation of the products 1 at the level of the entry 6; pushing said longitudinal row of products 1 from the inlet 6 to the outlet 7, along a transfer direction, with the aid of a thrust member 10; and evacuate the products 1 by said outlet 7.

Thus, the displacement of products 1 according to the invention offers flexible management during the transfer of said products 1 along a transit zone 3, providing support by thrust, but also a possible maintenance during their travels. The setting in displacement is ensured through shuttles with a specific routing, limiting the congestion within the line of production, but also allowing to manage independently the movements of each shuttle, towards the downstream in the direction of putting in circulation said products, but also backwards while backing up.

This management of the variable speed of the shuttles 9 offers the possibility to the invention to adapt to the flow of products 1 entering. Moreover, in case of discontinuity of the supply of products 1, regardless of whether products 1 arrive or not, it is possible to stop the shuttles 9 at the upstream elevator guide, as well as to store them at the guide level. return 13, the time that a row of products 1 is conveyed along the input conveyor 6. For example, sensors can detect the presence of products 1 and, thus, operate the movements of the shuttles 9 to perform the thrust of said products 1 at the right time.

In addition, it is possible to adapt the thrust force depending on the type of products 1 to move, especially if they are fragile, such as glass containers, or light. The thrust force will then be managed differently, allowing in particular contacting the thrust members 10 at a lower speed to avoid shocks for fragile or unstable products 1. It is also possible to manage the degree of acceleration according to the type of products 1, in particular at the levels of the inputs 6 and 7, without impacting the other thrusts of other rows of products 1, for example along the zone of transit 3.

Claims

Device for moving (2) products (1), comprising a product circulation module (1) provided with at least one transit zone (3) extending from an upstream end (4) to a downstream end (5) along a transfer direction, at least one inlet (6) extending along a longitudinal direction and at least one outlet (7) of said products (1) located respectively along the the upstream end (4) and the downstream end (5) of said transit zone (3), said transfer direction extending transversely with respect to said longitudinal direction, said device (2) comprising conveying means ( 8) provided with shuttles (9) driven in displacement above said circulation module and thrust members (10) along the direction of transfer of at least one product (1), at least one thrust member ( 10) being attached below a shuttle (9),

characterized by the fact that said conveying means (8) ensure the independent displacement of each shuttle (9) and comprise:

at least one lower feed guide (12) from the inlet (6) to the outlet (7);

at least one upper return guide (13) for driving each shuttle (9) from the outlet (7) to the inlet (6);

at least one pair of vertical upstream (14) and downstream (15) vertical elevator guides between said forward guide (12) and said return guide (13);

the guides go (12), return (13) and elevators upstream (14) and downstream (15) being constituted at least in part by rails ensuring the maintenance of each shuttle (9), while allowing their displacement in translation according to the minus the direction of transfer, along such rails.

2. A displacement device (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that said conveying means (8) constitute a linear motor, at least the rails of Upstream (14) and downstream (15) elevators may include a linear motor path.

3. Displacement device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each thrust member (10) extends vertically and orthogonally with respect to the direction of transfer.

4. Movement device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a same shuttle (9) supports a single thrust member (10).

5. Displacement device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said conveying means (8) comprise several guides go (120,121), as many return guides (130,131) and as many pairs of guides elevators upstream (140,141) and downstream 150,151, respectively parallel to each other, and in that at least one same thrust member (10) is supported during its movements by several shuttles (9) synchronously reciprocated movements along said guides go (120,121) along said return guides (130,131) and along each of said pairs of upstream (140,141) and downstream (150,151) elevator guides.

6. Movement device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said transit zone (3) constitutes a table and / or an accumulation table of said products (1).

7. A displacement device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is split symmetrically on either side of a central plane centered at said inlet (6) or said output (7), forming corresponding "right" and left "elements", said displacement device (2) preferably comprising a same downstream elevator guide (15) or upstream (14) transfer between the right and left elements.

8. Product treatment plant, comprising a wrapping or packing station of one or more of said products (1), characterized in that said installation comprises at least one displacement device (2) of said products (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, supplying products to said station through said outlet.

9. Processing plant according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises at least one grouping station of several products (1) in longitudinal groups of a single product wide, said grouping station being located upstream and feeding said displacement device (2) through said inlet (6) with a single file of said longitudinal groups spaced from each other.

Method for moving products (1) on a product circulation module from an inlet (6) to an outlet (7) by means of the displacement device (2) according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises at least the following steps:

- Feeding the inlet (6) with a longitudinal row of products (1);

- Stop the circulation of products (1) at the entrance (6);

- pushing said longitudinal row of products (1) from the inlet (6) to the outlet (7), along a transfer direction, with a thrust member (10); and

- Evacuate the products (1) by said outlet (7).

11. A method of displacement according to claim 10, characterized in that it consists in bringing closer or away on the transit zone (3) at least two rows pushed successively, by conveying the thrust members (10) of each of said two ranks at different speeds.

12. A method of displacement according to any one of claims 10 or 11, characterized in that during the pushing step, at least during the transfer to or from said transit zone (3), each row of products (1 ) is clamped on both sides between two upstream and downstream thrust members (10).

13. A method of displacement according to claim 12, characterized in that after the transfer of a first rank to or from the transit zone (3), the thrust member (10) having carried out said transfer is moved backwards. to a second row to be transferred to or from said transit zone (3), until it comes to grip said second row with a second upstream thrust member (10).

14. A method of displacement according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that said row is formed of several longitudinal groups of a single product (1) wide, said groups being spaced from each other.

15. The method of displacement according to any one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that it consists in forming matrix batches of said products (1) at the output of said transit area (3).