WO2002053458A1 - Method and device for conveying and positioning cans to a can filling station - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a method which consists in engaging each empty can (B) in a mobile retaining member (2) so as to make it integral therewith, said retaining member being driven by a conveyor (1), such as a rotary disc (10), continuously moving along a closed-circuit trajectory configured to cause the can to be conveyed to the can filling station (PE). The method is characterised in that, when the empty can (B) reaches the can filling station (PE), the member (2) retaining it is momentarily disengaged from the conveyor (1), it is temporarily blocked therein during the canning process, while the conveyor (1) moves on, and said member (2) is once more engaged with the conveyor (1) when the operation is over, after which the filled can (B') is disengaged from its retaining member (2). The invention has various application, in particular in the food industry for food canning.

Description

 METHOD AND DEVICE FOR BRINGING AND POSITIONING BOXES TO A CASING STATION

The present invention relates to a method and a device for bringing and positioning boxes, successively and individually, at a casing station.

By "casing station" will be understood in the present description and in the claims which follow the filling of the boxes with a product.

The invention applies particularly, but not exclusively to the food sector, for the production of cans.

In this application, the product in question is in particular a product in pieces and / or of viscous and fluid consistency. As product, mention may be made, for example, of fish crumbs, in particular tuna crumbs.

The objective of the invention is to propose a method and a device whose implementation is inexpensive, and which makes it possible to operate at high speed.

- that is to say with a good yield - in a safe and reliable manner, in an automated or semi-automated manner, and with a relatively reduced energy consumption.

According to the method of the invention, which achieves the above-mentioned objectives, each empty box is engaged in a movable retaining member, in order to make it integral with the latter, and the retaining member is driven by a conveyor continuously moving along a closed circuit path, shaped so as to pass the box to the casing station.

This process is remarkable by the fact that, when the empty box is present at the casing station, the member which retains it is momentarily uncoupled from the conveyor, it is immobilized there temporarily for the purpose of and during the casing operation, while the conveyor continues its movement, and coupling said member again with the conveyor as soon as this operation is completed, after which the solid box is separated from its retaining member.

The device for feeding and positioning boxes at a nesting station, which is the subject of the present invention, is of the type comprising a conveyor moving continuously along a closed circuit path adapted to pass the boxes successively and individually at the casing station, this conveyor driving a set of movable members - called retentions - each capable of supporting and retaining a box, means - called supply - located upstream of the casing station ensuring the successive placement of empty boxes each in a retaining member while means - called evacuation - located downstream of the casing station ensure the removal of full boxes. This device is remarkable in that it includes means suitable for automatically and momentarily uncoupling the retaining member of a box from the conveyor when it is present at the casing station (PE), and for immobilizing it there. temporarily in view and during the nesting operation, while the conveyor continues its movement, as well as means for re-coupling said member with the conveyor as soon as the operation is completed.

Furthermore, according to a certain number of additional, non-limiting characteristics, of this device:

- The conveyor comprises a rotary disc rotating at a uniform speed, and that said retaining members are arranged at the periphery of the latter;

- The device comprises a set of pushers regularly distributed on the periphery of the rotary disc and integral with the latter, each pushbutton being arranged to drive with it said retaining member by releasing it when it arrives at the casing station.

- The connection of the pusher with the retaining member is achieved by a pivoting lock whose actuation, in the direction of uncoupling, is done by means of a fixed stop;

- The device comprises a number of retaining members greater than one unit than the number of pushers, so that a retaining member which has been released by a pushbutton at the casing station is supported and driven, after the 'nesting operation, by the following pusher;

each of said retaining members comprises a honeycomb tray, the honeycomb of which is adapted to receive and retain a box; - the honeycomb plate is articulated on a support, its pivoting around its articulation axis being controlled by a cam path arranged along its closed circuit trajectory;

- The rotary disc is arranged horizontally, its axis of rotation being vertical, and that said articulated honeycomb plate occupies a vertical position when it is in the casing station, while it takes a horizontal orientation at said means supply and discharge; - the device being intended for the production of cans, it is equipped with a machine for forming a food product into pieces and / or of viscous consistency, for example fish crumbs, this machine comprising a pair of belts endless whose downstream end is provided with a cutting device, and being adapted to introduce into the box present at the casing station a determined dose of product.

It goes without saying that the term "tin can" means not only metal cans closed by crimping, but also pots, made of plastic for example, sealed (semi-preserved). Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear from the description and appended drawings which will follow, which represent by way of nonlimiting example, a possible embodiment of the invention. In these drawings:

- Figure 1 is a general and schematic top view of the device;

- Figures 2 and 3 show in cross section the endless belts of the forming machine supplying the casing station, these views corresponding to the cutting planes referenced respectively II-II and III-III in Figure 1; - Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of a movable retaining member;

- Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view, in a vertical plane, of the bodies for holding the full boxes at the evacuation station;

- Figures 6 and 8 are schematic views, respectively from the side and from above, of a coupled assembly composed of a pusher and a retaining member;

- Figure 7 is a front view (left view with respect to Figure 6) of a movable retaining member;

- Figure 9 is a front view of a pusher, this view illustrating the principle of uncoupling of the retaining member relative to the pusher, by means of a pivoting lock;

- Figure 10 is a top view of the means for supplying the device with empty boxes;

- Figures 11A to 11H are schematic and partial top views, intended to illustrate different stages of the process of feeding and positioning boxes at the casing station; - Figures 12A to 12E are views also intended to illustrate the different stages of the process, the retaining elements and the pushers being this time viewed from the front (as in Figures 7 and 9).

In Figure 1, there is designated by reference 1 a conveyor constituted by a rotary disc 10, arranged horizontally, and guided and driven in rotation about a vertical axis referenced O.

This disc, in practice, has the shape of a wheel composed of an annular outer part, which is connected to the center of the wheel (the hub) by a number of spokes 11, in this case eight in number. the illustrated example. These rays are distributed angularly in a regular manner, at 45 °.

At the periphery of the disc 10, opposite each spoke 11, is mounted a member 3, called a pusher, the function of which will be specified later.

The device therefore comprises eight pushers, regularly distributed at a 45 ° angle. Each pusher 3 is integral with the disc 10, and rotates at the same time as it, in a direction symbolized by the arrow R in certain figures, in particular in FIG. 1.

This rotation takes place at a uniform and continuous speed; the conveyor 1 is rotated by a suitable electric motor, not shown. There is also provided, at the periphery of the disc 10, a plurality of elements 2, called retaining members, each capable of retaining a box in order to bring it and position it at the casing station referenced PE in the figure, as will be explained later.

There is a number of retaining members 2 greater than one unit than the number of pushers 3; in this case, there are therefore nine retaining members, in the illustrated embodiment.

References 5, 6 and 7 respectively designate the means for supplying the device with empty boxes B, a machine for forming a food product into pieces and / or of viscous consistency, intended for filling the boxes and evacuation means. , intended for the removal of full boxes, referenced B '.

The machine for forming and supplying the food product is arranged, of course, downstream of the box supply means 5, and upstream of the discharge means 7. In the example illustrated, these three devices are located at 45 ° angle. The PE casing station is located downstream of the forming machine 6.

This machine, of known type, comprises a pair of endless belts 60a, 60b, arranged in a horizontal plane, and comprising converging parts, then parallel, driven and guided by appropriate pulleys, referenced 61, 62 in the drawing.

These are horizontal belts, each having a semi-cylindrical groove 600, which overhang an endless horizontal belt, also movable 63. They are driven jointly, step by step. As can be understood, on simple observation of FIGS. 1 and 2-3, when a viscous material and / or consisting of pieces, for example fish crumbs, is deposited in the converging part of the belts, on the carpet 63 , the joint movement of the two belts 60a 60b and 63, in the direction symbolized by the arrows f in the figure, there is obtained a progressive shaping of the material M which forms a flange 64; the axis of this tube, which progresses from left to right in Figure 1, is referenced XX '.

Appropriate means, not shown, ensure the joint drive, step by step, of the pair of belts 60a 60b and the lower belt 63.

At the outlet of the pair of adjacent belts 60a 60b, the product strand 64 passes through a tubular guide 66, at the outlet of which it is cut into sections by a cutting device 65; it is for example a rotating cutting disc, arranged vertically, the axis of which is situated below the axis XX '.

This disc is driven in a translational movement, in its own plane, and adapted to separate into sections, of determined length, the rod of material leaving the feed machine 6.

This height is determined to correspond substantially to the height of the boxes to be filled.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, each box B is retained and supported by an annular part 20, in the form of a cell tray, which is integral with a movable retaining member 2.

As will be seen below, the honeycomb plate 20 which carries a box B can pivot around a vertical axis, oriented tangentially with respect to the disc 10, and means are provided for automatically controlling the cyclic oscillation of this honeycomb plate around its axis of articulation, during the rotation of the disc 10. More precisely, this command is thus arranged for the plate 20 to have a horizontal arrangement when it is present at the PE casing station, in the axis XX ', while it occupies a horizontal or practically horizontal position, in the vicinity of the posts 5 and 7; the orientation of the honeycomb tray is changed gradually, from the horizontal position to the vertical position, and vice versa.

Similarly, in the portion of the intermediate trajectory between the discharge stations 7 and the feed stations 5, the honeycomb plate 20 will pass from a horizontal position to a vertical position, then return to a horizontal position, this in a progressive manner .

FIG. 4 makes it possible to understand how the pivoting control of a honeycomb plate 20 operates.

The latter is integral with a support 22, on which it is articulated by means of a horizontal axis 21, oriented tangentially with respect to the edge of the disc 10.

The support 22 has the general shape of a jaw, which is adapted to grip without tightening, and to slide freely, by sliding on the outer edge 100 of this plate 10, and following a circumferential trajectory.

This outer rim 100 is separated from the rest of the plate 10 by a pair of grooves 101, 101 ', so that the part 100 has the shape of a tenon retaining the support 22, guiding it with the possibility of tangential sliding of the latter. on disc 10.

The honeycomb tray 20 has a cell, the inner wall of which has a cylindrical shape, with a diameter corresponding to that of the boxes with which we are dealing.

Thus, each box can fit together with a slight tightening in the cell.

The bottom of the cell has been designated by the reference 23, and by the reference 24 a tongue, which corresponds to a lateral projection of the wall of the cell; this projection is located at the rear of the cell, if we consider its direction of movement, symbolized by the arrow R.

The bottom 23 rests by gravity, by its outer portion, on a cam track 8.

It is a flat annular rod, which is arranged below the circular path of each plate 20. This rod 8 is twisted so as to present horizontal parts

80, corresponding to a horizontal orientation of the plate 20, and vertical parts 81, corresponding to horizontal orientations of said plate; the horizontal and vertical zones are connected by transient zones which ensure the progressive modification of the orientation of the plate.

The setting up of a box B in a tray 20 is carried out by means of an endless screw 50 with variable pitch, driven in rotation about a horizontal axis disposed tangentially with respect to the disc 10, parallel to the axis XX '. This worm, with variable pitch, is rotated as symbolized by the arrow j in Figure 10; it is adapted to successively bring the boxes B, spacing them from each other, opposite a plate 20 in motion; at this box loading station, a horizontal supply of boxes B is simultaneously observed, and a straightening of the honeycomb trays 20, which progressively pass from an inclined position to the horizontal position, the device being synchronized so that the arrival of a cell corresponds to the reception and installation of an empty box in this cell.

At this level, the handling of a box is obtained by virtue of the tab 24 which has been mentioned, after which it automatically takes place by gravity of the box in the cell.

With reference to FIGS. 6 to 9, we will now describe in more detail the structure of a pusher 3 used for driving a retaining member 2.

Each pusher 3 comprises a block 30 which is fixed under the disc 10, by means of four vertical bolts 31.

More specifically, the block 30 is positioned close to the path of the members 22; it is positioned at the edge of the aforementioned lower groove 101 ′, towards the inside of the disc.

Inside the block 30 is mounted a pivoting latch 4. This consists of a cylindrical part 41, of axis YY 'extending horizontally and radially with respect to the disc.

The part 41 is guided in rotation in the block 30, and immobilized in translation therein. It is integral with a vertical rod 40 directed downwards, the end of which projects below the block. The block 30 is suitably hollowed out, so as to allow an angular movement, over a certain stroke, of the rod 40; this travel is visible in Figure 9 which shows in solid lines the rod 40 in its normal vertical position, while the representation in broken and mixed lines and the reference 40 'correspond to the extreme position of the rod, after pivoting.

A suitable spring 400 constantly tends to push the rod 40 back into its vertical position.

The cylindrical part 41 of the lock has an end portion 42 which projects outside the block 30, extending under the path of a retaining member 22.

This portion 42 constitutes an appendage in the form of a cylinder portion, the central part of which is largely hollowed out, as can be understood from the observation of FIGS. 7 and 9. The solid part extends angularly over a limited section, from the order of 135 ° for example.

Under each support 22 is mounted and fixed a flat part 26 provided with a spout 25 directed downwards. As shown in Figure 7, the spout 25 has a profiled face

250 concave, in the form of a cylinder sector, the diameter of which corresponds to that of the bolt portion 42.

When the rod 40 is vertical, the portion 42 comes to bear against the arcuate face 250 of this spout 25. The face 250 is directed towards the rear if we consider the direction of movement of the disc and the pusher which is integral with it.

It is understood that, in this locking position, the pusher will carry with it in its movement a retaining member which is located in front of it. On the other hand, when the bolt pivots so that the rod 40 comes to occupy its oblique position 40 ′ (see FIG. 9), it is the hollowed-out portion of the appendage 42 which is located opposite the spoiler 25, so that this spout - and correspondingly the retaining member 2 - is no longer driven by the appendage 42, which can pass under the spout. This tilting of the lock is achieved by means of a fixed stop 9, mounted under the trajectory of the pushers 3, opposite the PE casing station.

The release of a retaining member 2, furnished with an empty box B, takes place at the station PE, in a position such that the axis of the box coincides with the axis XX 'along which the supply of product M, at the outlet of the forming machine 6. As explained above, the box was previously removed from the feed station 5, by a pusher assembly 3 - retaining member 2.

In FIGS. 11A and 12A, the reference 2a has designated a retaining element for a box B at the casing station in the axis XX '. This retaining element is free, in the sense that it is no longer integral with the pusher 3a which had brought it to this position; as illustrated in FIG. 12A, said pusher 3a has taken over the retaining element 2 'which was previously at the casing station, and removed it with a full box B'.

The speed of movement of the conveyor 1 - in this case the speed of rotation of the disc 10 - which is done continuously and uniformly, is determined, of course, as a function of the flow rate of the forming machine 6, so that as soon as the box B, carried by the element 2a, is full, an element 2b - driven by a pusher 3b comes into contact with it (see FIG. 11 A and 12 A).

The element 2a - carrying a full box B '- is therefore moved away from the casing station, that is to say offset from the axis XX', while the retaining member 2b arrives in this alignment (see figures 11B to 11E and 12B).

At this stage, the lock rod 40b strikes the fixed stop 9, causing the pivoting of this rod in the unlocking direction, so that the retaining member 2b is released when it arrives in alignment XX ' . (See figures 11 E and 1 1 F and figures 12C and 12D).

Once past the obstacle constituted by the stop 9, the bolt - biased by the spring 400 mentioned above - automatically resumes its locking position, and takes charge of the retaining member 2a provided with a full box.

During this time, the same operation takes place between the following element 2c and element 2b, the box of which has just been filled.

Advantageously, such a device is equipped with a system adapted to immobilize positively, and precisely, each of the elements 2 when it is positioned at the PE casing station.

This system can consist, for example, of a retractable stopper.

This is so arranged and controlled that it projects on the trajectory of an element 2 which has just been released, so that it remains in alignment

XX '. It retracts when the box is filled. The arrival of the next retaining element (positively driven by the disc) then drives out the element which has just been released, with its full box. In practice, there is rarely a shock (and therefore noise), because the moving disc tends to naturally entrain a released element, this by simple friction effect.

The stop is then immediately activated again, to protrude, and intercept the new element. A full box B 'is transferred from the casing station PE to the evacuation station 7.

To prevent the material which has been introduced into a box at the PE station from inadvertently emerging during transfer, the device is advantageously equipped with appropriate additional equipment ensuring the retention of the material inside its box.

This equipment, not shown, may consist for example of a sheet metal with a profiled surface, thus shaped and positioned that before arriving at the PE casing station the box is supported, by its opening edge, against said sheet, this enduring support after filling, until the box returns to a position close to the horizontal, a little before the evacuation station 7.

Thus, this sheet maintains, at the same time, the box in its cell, and the product in its box, in the trajectory zone where the box takes a vertical orientation, or close to the vertical. Of course, the sheet is pierced with a suitable opening positioned opposite the PE casing station, along XX ', so as not to hinder the introduction of the product into the box which passes there.

During this transfer, the honeycomb tray supporting the box gradually straightens up, so that at station 7 the box takes a horizontal position.

As is well known, the station 7 comprises, for example, a support plate 70 in the form of a slide, the edges 71 of which are adapted to retain the upper rim (of larger diameter) of the boxes B '.

Once a box B ^! has been engaged in this slide, the honeycomb plate 20 gradually disengages from the box as a result of its pivoting, governed by the cam 8, which gradually makes it resume a vertical position, in the portion of intermediate trajectory between stations 7 and 5 Thanks to the invention, the conveyor 1 always moves continuously, that is to say without slowing down, stopping and restarting phases, so that it is possible to work at a very high rate, by means of a safe and reliable device; it is therefore possible to use a conveyor constituted by a solid and robust disc, having a relatively high moment of inertia, without the need to use significant energy. Indeed, only the organs of restraint, as well as the boxes they support, are subjected to the successive phases of braking, stopping and acceleration.

Such a device is advantageously equipped with a single electric motor ensuring the continuous drive of the rotating disc 10 and that step by step of the supply means 6, via an ad hoc movement transmission mechanism with adjustable stroke, as well as the means 5, 7 for feeding and evacuating the boxes.

Each retaining member 2 permanently follows a circular trajectory, with a rotation phase followed by a periodic stopping phase (at the casing station), this stopping phase nevertheless not deviating from said circular trajectory.

The system is therefore very simple.

Claims

1. Method for bringing and positioning boxes successively and individually at a casing station, according to which the empty box (B) is engaged in a movable retaining member (2), in order to make it integral, this member restraint being driven by a conveyor (1) moving continuously along a closed circuit path shaped so as to pass the box to the casing station (PE), characterized in that, when the empty box (B) present at said nesting station (PE), the member (2) which retains it is momentarily uncoupled from the conveyor (1), and it is temporarily immobilized there in view and during the nesting operation, while the conveyor (1) continues its movement, and that said member (2) is again coupled with the conveyor (1) as soon as this operation is completed, after which the solid box (B ') is separated from its retaining member (2 ). 2. Device for feeding and positioning boxes at a boxing station, which comprises a conveyor (1) moving continuously along a closed circuit path adapted to pass the boxes successively and individually to the boxing station ( PE), this conveyor driving a set of movable members (2), said retaining ones, each capable of supporting and retaining a box (B), means (5), said supply, located upstream of the casing (PE) ensuring the successive installation of empty boxes (B) each in a retaining member (2) while means (7) - said evacuation - located downstream of the casing station (PE) ensure removal of full boxes (B '), characterized in that it comprises means (3, 4, 9) adapted to automatically and momentarily uncoupled from the conveyor (1) the member (2) retaining a box (B) when it comes to the casing station (PE), and to immobilize it there temporarily nt in sight and during the nesting operation, while the conveyor (1) continues its movement, as well as means (42, 25) for re-coupling said member (2) with the conveyor (1) as soon as the the operation is finished. 3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that said conveyor (1) comprising a rotary disc (10) rotating at a uniform speed, and that said retaining members (2) are arranged at the periphery of the latter. 4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a set of pushers (3) regularly distributed around the periphery of the rotary disc (10) and integral with the latter, each pusher (3) being arranged to drive with it said retaining member (2) by releasing it when it arrives at the casing station (PE). 5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the connection of the pusher (3) with the retaining member (2) is formed by a pivoting lock (4) whose actuation, in the direction of uncoupling, is made by means of a fixed stop (9). 6. Device according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that it comprises a number of retaining members (2) greater than one unit than the number of pushers (3), so that a member retainer (2a) which has been released by a pusher (3a) at the casing station (PE) is taken over and driven, after the casing operation, by the following pusher (3b). 7. Device according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that each of said retaining members (2) comprises a honeycomb plate (20), the cell of which is adapted to receive and retain a box (B). 8. Device according to Claim 7, characterized in that the said honeycomb plate (20) is articulated on a support (22), its pivoting around its articulation axis (21) being controlled by a cam track (8) arranged along its closed circuit path. 9. Device according to claim 3 to 6 on the one hand, and claim 8 on the other hand, taken in combination, characterized in that the rotary disc (10) is arranged horizontally, its axis of rotation being vertical, and that said articulated honeycomb tray (20) occupies a vertical position when it is in the casing station, while it takes a horizontal orientation at said supply means (5) and evacuation (7). 10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, intended for the production of cans, characterized in that it is equipped with a machine (6) for forming a food product into pieces and / or of consistency viscous, for example fish crumbs, this machine comprising a pair of endless belts (60a, 60b) the downstream end of which is provided with a cutting device (65), and being adapted to introduce into the box (B ) presents a determined dose of product to the casing station (PE).