METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DELIVERING FLUID DROPLETS ONTO AN OPEN AND STATIONARY TRAY

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for delivering droplets of fluids onto an open tray containing poultry. According to the invention, the apparatus includes a stationary working surface, a single arm carrying a plurality of fluid dispensing nozzles, a drive unit comprising an electric motor for driving the translation of said single arm, said plurality of dispensing nozzles being connected to at least one fluid supply circuit comprising a fluid reservoir for supplying dispensing nozzles, the volume of fluid drawn from said reservoir being determined by a syringe, movement of the plunger of which is controlled by an electrical control element so that the plunger has a feed velocity V in the corresponding syringe. The apparatus also includes a controller for controlling the motor speed and the plunger feed velocity, said controller being configured to synchronize the acceleration/deceleration of the movable arm and the acceleration/deceleration of the plunger of said syringe or of at least one of said syringes.

Claims

1. An apparatus for delivering droplets of fluids onto an open tray (15) containing birds, characterized in that it comprises: a stationary work surface for receiving and supporting said tray (15), a single arm (16) carrying a plurality of fluid-dispensing nozzles, an electric motor drive unit for moving said single arm (16) in translation in a first direction of the tray (15) when said tray is on said work surface, said arm (16) moving above said tray (15), said plurality of dispensing nozzles being connected to at least one fluid supply circuit, each fluid supply circuit comprising a fluid reservoir for supplying corresponding dispensing nozzles with said fluid, the volume of fluid drawn from this reservoir being determined by a syringe, the driving of the plunger of which is controlled by an electrical control element in such a way that said plunger has a feed velocity V in the corresponding syringe, and a control device for controlling the motor speed of the drive unit and the plunger feed velocity in each syringe, said control device being configured to synchronize the acceleration/deceleration of the movable arm (16) and the acceleration/deceleration of said plunger of said syringe or at least one of said syringes.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said control device comprises at least one detection element for detecting the motor speed of the drive unit, said at least one detection element emitting synchronization signals.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said control device is configured to define a movement duration of the arm (16) above said tray (15), comprising a gradual acceleration period, a constant speed period and a gradual deceleration period.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the electric motor of the drive unit comprises a toothed wheel, said toothed wheel meshing in a toothed movement path of a guide rail extending along the first direction of the tray (15).

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive unit is a linear actuator controlled by said electric motor, said movable arm (16) being mounted perpendicular to the free end of said actuator.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said apparatus is dimensioned in such a way that at least one of the dimensions of said work surface is at most equal to the corresponding dimension of said open tray (15) that it is intended to support.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said arm (16) carries a first set of dispensing nozzles (18) for dispensing at least one first fluid and a second set of dispensing nozzles (19) for dispensing at least one second fluid, distinct from the at least one first fluid, the dispensing nozzles of each set being arranged in such a way that the entire dimension of the tray (15) in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction is covered by these first and second sets of dispensing nozzles when said tray (15) is received on said work surface.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that it is configured to provide a time offset between the dispensing of at least one first fluid by means of said first set of dispensing nozzles (18) and at least one second fluid by means of said second set of dispensing nozzles (19).

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that said first and second sets of dispensing nozzles (18, 19) are spaced apart on said arm (16) in the first direction of a distance that determines said time offset.

10. The apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that said first set of nozzles (18) comprises nozzles for dispensing a fluid by spraying and in that said second set of nozzles (19) includes nozzles for dispensing a fluid by spraying or needles for ejecting individual drops of a fluid.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one optical device for determining the dimensions of said tray (15), said control device being configured to adjust the positioning of said arm (16) on a first end of said tray (15) before said droplets of fluid are dispensed.

12. A method for delivering droplets of fluids onto an open tray (15) containing birds, said tray (15) being stationary, characterized in that: a movable arm (16) is moved above said tray (15), in translation along a first direction of said tray (15), said arm (16) carrying a plurality of fluid-dispensing nozzles, said dispensing nozzles being arranged to cover the entire dimension of the tray (15) in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, said plurality of dispensing nozzles being connected to at least one non-therapeutic fluid supply circuit, each fluid supply circuit comprising a non-therapeutic fluid reservoir for supplying corresponding dispensing nozzles with said fluid, the volume of fluid drawn from this reservoir being determined by a syringe, the driving of the plunger of which is controlled by an electrical control element in such a way that said plunger has a feed velocity V in the corresponding syringe, the movement speed of this movable arm (16) being synchronized with the plunger advance rate of said or at least one of said syringes, and the acceleration and the deceleration of the arm (16) are performed above said tray (15) to minimize the movement stroke of the arm (16).

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that said arm (16) carrying a first set of dispensing nozzles (18) and a second set of dispensing nozzles (19), the said nozzles of each set being arranged to cover the entire dimension of the tray (15) in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, droplets of at least one first fluid are simultaneously dispensed by means of said first set of dispensing nozzles and droplets of at least a second fluid, separate from the first fluid by means of said second set of dispensing nozzles.

14. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that while said arm (16) carries a first set of dispensing nozzles (18) and a second set of dispensing nozzles (19), said nozzles of each set being arranged to cover the entire dimension of the tray (15) in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the following steps are carried out: a) initially droplets of at least one first fluid are dispensed by spraying by means of the first set of dispensing nozzles (18), and b) subsequently at least one second fluid, distinct from said at least one first fluid to be sprayed, is dispensed by ejecting individual drops by means of the second set of dispensing nozzles (19).

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that steps a) and b) are carried out in a single pass of the movable arm (16) above said tray (15), said sets of nozzles being arranged on said arm so as to generate a time offset between steps a) and b).

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that the time offset between steps a) and b) is determined so as to guarantee effective treatment of the birds with said at least one second fluid.

17. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that step a) is carried out when said arm is moving from a first edge to a second edge of said tray (15), said second edge being opposite the first edge, on a forward path extending along the first direction, and step b) is carried out when said arm is moving from the second edge to the first edge on a return path along the first direction.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0067] Further advantages, aims and particular features of the present invention will become clear from the following description, provided for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0068] FIG. 1

[0069] FIG. 1 is a front view of an apparatus for the mass treatment of chicks according to a particular embodiment of the present invention;

[0070] FIG. 2

[0071] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0072] FIG. 3

[0073] FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0074] FIG. 4

[0075] FIG. 4 is a perspective view and a top view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, a basket containing chicks being placed in its working zone and awaiting processing;

[0076] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, a basket containing chicks being placed in its working zone and awaiting processing;

[0077] FIG. 6

[0078] FIG. 6 shows the three operating phases of the motor of the drive unit of the movable arm, with acceleration, plateau and deceleration, and the identical phases of fluid flow at the outlet of each syringe of the mass treatment apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 5.

DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

[0079] The drawings and the description below contain, for the most part, elements that are certain in nature. They may therefore not only convey an improved understanding of the present invention, but also potentially contribute to defining it.

[0080] First, it is noted that the figures are not to scale.

[0081] FIGS. 1 to 5 schematically show an apparatus for the mass treatment of chicks 20 according to a particular embodiment of the present invention.

[0082] This apparatus comprises a frame 10 provided with feet 11, comprising at their free ends rollers 12 to provide movement of said frame. The apparatus may have 2 to 4 wheels 12. Each of these rollers 12 may include a blocking member (not shown) for fixing the apparatus in position.

[0083] This frame 10 comprises in its upper part an enclosed space delimited by walls 13, which are transparent at least in part for viewing the interior of said space. One of these walls 13 comprises a flap 14, which is movable in vertical translation to allow access to this enclosed space, in particular for introducing and removing a basket 15 loaded with chicks, and also for cleaning and maintaining the apparatus. In addition to this physical barrier formed by the movable flap 14, if it is desired for the apparatus to be able to remain open, said apparatus may include one or more protective elements (not shown) to detect the presence of an object intruding in the treatment zone, such as an operators hand or arm. Said protection element or elements are capable of sending detection signals to a central processing unit, which can stop processing that is underway or even prevent the triggering of the processing. By way of example, said protection element or elements are infrared detectors.

Of course, it is also possible for the frame 10 to be free of a movable flap 14 of this type or even of protective elements of this type.

[0084] The interior of this enclosed space comprises a working zone intended to receive and support a basket 15 open for treatment, this basket 15 then being in a stationary position.

[0085] A movable arm 16, mounted on a longitudinal rail 17 defining a first direction, can move in translation along said rail 17 above the working zone. The longitudinal rail 17 is secured to the upper end, or cover, of the frame 10.

[0086] Said movable arm 16 is driven in movement by a drive unit comprising an electric motor comprising a toothed wheel, said toothed wheel meshing in a toothed movement path of the longitudinal rail 17 extending along the first direction of the basket 15.

[0087] This movable arm 16 carries a set of nozzles 18 and a set of deposition needles 19, said nozzles and needles being arranged on the movable arm 16 in such a way that the entire dimension of the basket 15 in a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction defined by the longitudinal rail 17, is entirely covered by the set of nozzles 18 and by the set of deposition needles 19.

[0088] These nozzles and needles may be individually movable along the movable arm 16 to allow adjustment of the coverage of different baskets.

[0089] Of course, this apparatus may include position sensors (not shown) to determine the precise positioning of the basket in the working zone. It is then possible to automate the fluid-dispensing sequences by way of automatic recognition of the type of basket 15 placed in the dispensing device.

[0090] The set of nozzles 18 comprises spray dispensing nozzles, while the other set comprises deposition needles 19, each of these needles comprising an orifice, each needle being configured to eject an individual drop of fluid through its orifice for a given fluid pressure.

[0091] While being advantageously compact, this apparatus makes it possible to deliver two distinct fluids such as a spray and a gel within a very short time interval, or even almost simultaneously, for the mass treatment of the birds placed in an open basket 15.

[0092] This apparatus thus comprises two reservoirs 20, which are placed in a support 21 at the height of the user, these reservoirs 20 advantageously being transparent for inspecting the available fluid level in each of them.

[0093] Each fluid supply circuit connecting a reservoir 20 to its corresponding set of nozzles and deposition needles comprises a syringe 22 allowing the fluid to be drawn from its corresponding reservoir to send it into the supply circuit. Each syringe comprises a plunger, the movement of which is ensured by an electric motor. Each plunger thus has a feed velocity V in the corresponding syringe.

[0094] The feed rates of the nozzles and needles, as well as the movement speed of the movable arm 16, are controlled to guarantee uniform and homogeneous distribution of the dispensed fluids over the open basket 15.

[0095] More particularly, said apparatus comprises a control device for controlling the motor speed of the drive unit of the movable arm 16 and the feed velocity V of the plunger in each syringe, said control device being configured to synchronize the acceleration/deceleration of the movable arm 16 and the acceleration/deceleration of the plunger of each syringe.

[0096] Thus the flow rate of each fluid in each supply circuit follows operating phases the same as those of the motor of the movable arm drive unit, namely: [0097] a first startup and acceleration phase, [0098] a plateaued operation phase at a maximum possible speed Vm, and [0099] a deceleration and motor stopping phase, symmetrical with the first phase.

[0100] An embodiment of this type allows movement of the movable arm above the single basket 15 while guaranteeing a uniform distribution of the droplets over this open basket. The apparatus can therefore be of reduced dimensions.

[0101] Advantageously, the acceleration and deceleration phases are performed gradually to avoid any jerks in the movement of the movable arm 16.

[0102] The set of nozzles 18 and the set of deposition needles 19 are also arranged on the movable arm 16 to ensure a time offset between the dispensing of the first fluid (vaporizable fluid) and second fluid (gel).

[0103] Since this elongated movable arm 16 comprises two lateral edges defining a front face and a rear face, as considered in the direction of movement of this arm in translation along the first direction, the set of nozzles 18 is mounted on the front face of said movable arm 16 while the set of deposition needles 19 is mounted on the rear face of said arm 16, thus being spaced apart from the set of nozzles 18 along the first direction.

[0104] This ensures that the dispensing of the droplets of the first fluid by the first set of nozzles 18 by spraying, or even by atomization, always precedes the dispensing of the drops of the second fluid by the set of deposition needles 19. There is thus no risk that the mist of droplets formed by spraying the first fluid could prevent the adhesion of the drops of the second fluid to the feathers of the chicks, potentially leading to uneven treatment of said chicks.

[0105] In one embodiment of the present apparatus, the minimum distance d spatially separating the set of nozzles 18 from the set of deposition needles 19, along the first direction, is between 5 and 9 cm. The movement speed of the arm in its range of uniform movement is between 35 and 80 cm/s, preferably 55 cm/s.