Device for transferring objects

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for transferring objects (1) of an installation comprising at least two lines each comprising an upstream machine (2) being a blower, filler, or labeller machine, an intermediate machine (3) being a film-wrapping or boxing machine, and a palletizer (4) downstream. The transfer device comprises, for each line, at least one linear stator (5), a plurality of carriages (7), each provided with a means (8) for holding at least one object (1), and each secured to the rotor (6) configured to move along one of said linear stators (5) according to the principle of a linear motor. The transfer device also comprises at least one switch (9), configured to allow a choice between a transfer limited to one and the same line, and a transfer with change of line. The present invention relates also to a method for transferring objects implementing a device according to the invention.

Claims

1. A device for transferring objects (1) of an installation comprising: at least two lines each comprising an upstream machine (2) being a blower, filler, or labeller machine, an intermediate machine (3) being a film-wrapping or boxing machine, and a palletizer (4) downstream, for each line, at least one linear stator (5), a plurality of carriages (7), each provided with a means (8) for holding at least one object (1), and each secured to a rotor (6) configured to move along one of said linear stators (5) according to the principle of a linear motor, and at least one switch (9), configured to allow a choice between a transfer limited to one and the same line, and a transfer with change of line.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said holding means (8) is arranged above or below said rotor (6), so as to allow said rotor (6) to be guided by one or both of two opposing lateral sides.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, said switch (9) is mechanically controlled, comprising a mechanical transfer device for guiding a first stator (5) to a diversion stator.

4. The device as claimed in claim 1-, wherein said switch (9) is magnetically controlled, said rotor (6) being able to be guided on one lateral side by a first stator (5), and by its opposing lateral side by a diversion stator (5).

5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each line comprises, between the upstream machine (2) and the intermediate machine (3) and, between the latter and the palletizer (4) downstream, two stators (5) in closed loop configuration in a horizontal plane, arranged in the alignment of one another.

6. The device as claimed in claim 5, comprising: between the upstream machine (2) and the intermediate machine (3) and between the latter and the palletizer (4) downstream, at least one stator (5) linking, by switches (9) on the one hand, the first stator (5) in closed loop configuration of the first line to that of the second line so as to allow the movement of carriages (7) from the first line to the second line, and on the other hand, the second stator (5) in closed loop configuration of the first line to that of the second line so as to allow the movement of carriages (7) from the second line to the first line.

7. A method for transferring objects (1) in an installation comprising at least two lines each comprising an upstream machine (2) being a blower, filler, or labeller machine, an intermediate machine (3) being a film-wrapping or boxing machine, and a palletizer (4) downstream, implemented by a device as claimed in claim 1.

8. The method for transferring objects (1) as claimed in claim 7, wherein one of the machines (2, 3, 4) of a line is stopped, and the other machines of said lines are operating, the objects being transferred to at least one other line just before said machine (3, 4) that is stopped, and/or from at least one other line to said line just after said machine (2, 3) that is stopped.

9. The method for transferring objects as claimed in claim 7, said device comprising at least two lines, wherein an intermediate machine (3) is stopped on a line, and the objects (1) are distributed to the other intermediate machines (3), then a similar number of objects (1) are brought to the palletizer (4) of said line.

10. The method for transferring objects (1) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the upstream machine (2) of the first line produces objects (1) that are different from that of the second line, and some of the objects (1) of the first line are transferred before the palletizer (4) to the second line, and some of the objects (1) of the second line are transferred before the palletizer (4) to the first line, so as to allow the palletizer (4) to produce pallets with layers of different objects (1).

11. The method for transferring objects (1) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the upstream machine (2) of the first line produces objects (1) that are different from that of the second line, and some of the objects (1) of the first line are transferred before the intermediate machine (3) to the second line, and some of the objects (1) of the second line are transferred before the palletizer (4) to the first line, so that the film-wrapping or boxing machine (3) can produce packs of at least two distinct objects (1).

Description

[0023] The present invention will be better understood on reading the followed detailed description, with reference to the attached figures in which:

[0024] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a device according to the invention,

[0025] FIG. 2 is a view of a detail of FIG. 1,

[0026] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of an object being transported by a rotor according to the invention.

[0027] The transfer device according to the invention, represented in FIGS. 1 to 3. comprises at least two lines for processing objects 1. Each line comprises an upstream machine 2, which can be a blower-filler-labeler, an intermediate machine 3, which is a film-wrapping machine or a boxing machine, and a palletizer 4 downstream, and a flow of products is set up preferably in this line in normal operation.

[0028] An object can consist for example of a bottle or a carton of fruit juice or of milk which leaves the machine upstream. These objects are then film-wrapped or boxed on the intermediate machine 3, and packs or boxes are obtained, which are then transferred in single entity form to the palletizer. Such packs or boxes are also considered as objects in the context of the present invention, objects which are then transferred individually to the palletizer 4 downstream.

[0029] The device also comprises, for each line, at least one linear stator 5, on which rotors 6 move according to the principle of a linear motor. As illustrated in FIG. 3, to each rotor 6 there is fixed a carriage 7, provided with a means 8 for holding an object 1. The objects 1, in the form of an individual bottle or carton on the one hand, or in the form of packs produced by the film-wrapping machines, or boxes produced by the boxing machines on the other hand, can therefore be transferred individually along the stators 5, via the rotors 6 that are controlled in a centralized manner.

[0030] In particular, at the output of the upstream machine, the holding means 8 being individual for each object 1, such as a plate or a clamp gripping a container by its neck, the risk of the dropping of objects 1 is highly reduced and the risk of wedging or of jamming that are commonplace in the use of conveyors is eliminated.

[0031] Such devices make it possible to arrange for the control of the device to have permanently, for each object 1, in the form of an individual bottle or carton on the one hand, or in the form of packs produced by the film-wrapping machines, or boxes produced by the boxing machines on the other hand, individual information on position, as well as its planned destination. There is a positive referencing of each object 1.

[0032] The device finally comprises at least one switch 9. The switch 9 can be configured either to leave the object 1 on the same line or to transfer the object 1 to another line.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the holding means 8 is arranged above or below the rotor 6. Thus, the rotor 6 can be guided by one of its lateral sides, cooperating with the stator 5. This makes it possible for example to produce a switch 9 with magnetic control, the implementation of which can proceed, as illustrated in FIG. 2, according to the following steps: [0034] the rotor 6, on approaching the switch 9, moves along an upstream stator 5 via the contact of one of its lateral sides with the upstream stator 5. [0035] at the switch 9, the rotor 6 enters into magnetic contact with a diversion stator 5, via its opposing lateral side, [0036] the magnetic contact between the stator 5 and the rotor 6 is deactivated, [0037] at the output of the switch, the rotor 6 continues to advance on the diversion stator 5.

[0038] The rotors 6 being controlled individually, the switch 9 with magnetic control makes it possible to switch each rotor 6 individually, and therefore provides the device according to the invention with a very high degree of flexibility. It is for example possible to transfer one object 1 in every two to the diversion stator 5 and to leave one object 1 in every two on its original stator, or any other type of necessary distribution.

[0039] In another embodiment that is not represented, the switch 9 can be mechanically controlled. The switch 9 then comprises a mechanical transfer device for the guiding of a first stator 5 to a diversion stator. This embodiment presents the drawback that it requires moving parts to actuate the switch 9.

[0040] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, each line of the device according to the invention comprises, on the one hand, between the upstream machine 2 and the intermediate machine 3 and, on the other hand, between the intermediate machine 3 and the palletizer 4 downstream, two stators 5 in closed loop configuration in a horizontal plane. These two stators 5 can be arranged in the alignment of one another and linked by switches 9. The objects 1 to be transferred between two successive machines 2, 3, 4 of one and the same line pass over both the stators 5. It is then possible to provide, as illustrated in FIG. 1, additional stators 5 situated between the lines of the device and arranged between the machines 2 and 3, and between the machines 3 and 4, in order to link: [0041] the first stator 5 in closed loop configuration of a first line to the first stator 5 in closed loop configuration of the next line, in order to allow the transfer of objects 1 from a first line to the next line, [0042] the second stator 5 in closed loop configuration of a first line to the second stator 5 in closed loop configuration of the next line, in order to allow the transfer of objects 1 from the next line to the first line.

[0043] It is then possible, for an object 1 from an upstream machine 2, to continue on the same line and to be processed by the intermediate machine 3 of the same line, or to change line and be processed by the intermediate machine 3 of any other line. The same applies for an object 1 from an intermediate machine 3, and which can be transferred to the palletizer 4 of any line.

[0044] The embodiment of FIG. 1 makes it possible, when, on a given line, just one of the machines 2, 3, 4 is stopped, for the objects 1 present upstream on this same line to be able to be transferred to another line, or distributed over several other lines if the device comprises at least three lines. However, this transfer method can operate also with at least two lines. The objects 1 can then be processed by the corresponding machine 2, 3, 4 of another line. Since the rotors 6 are controlled individually in a centralized manner, the distribution of the objects 1 to other lines is flexible; it can be done according to the load level that the other lines are already supporting, and can be reconfigured in real time. Once the objects 1 have been processed by the corresponding machine 2, 3 of another line, they can be transferred or not to their original line for the next machine 3, 4.

[0045] By virtue of the device according to the invention, in the case of maintenance of a machine 2, 3, 4, it is not necessary to stop all the line. Each machine 2, 3, 4 can be stopped for the time required, the rest of the line continuing to operate.

[0046] For example in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, in the case of maintenance of the film-wrapping machine 3 of the second line, the objects 1 coming from the upstream machine 2 of the second line can be distributed to the film-wrapping machines 3 of the first line and of the third line, or indeed of a fourth or fifth line, then redirected at the output of the film-wrapping machine 3 to the palletizer 4 of the second line.

[0047] The centralized individual control of the carriages 7 makes it possible, on the restarting of a machine 2, 3, 4, for it to be very easily possible to send a reduced flow of objects 1 to test the machine 2, 3, 4, then gradually increase the load to the normal production rate.

[0048] For example, if the palletizer 4 of the first line is stopped, it is possible to consider having the objects 1 at the output of the film-wrapping machine 3 of the first line being transferred to the palletizers 4 of the second and third lines, or even more lines. When the palletizer 4 of the first line is restarted, it is possible to continue to send most of the objects 1 to the palletizers 4 of the second and third lines for the palletizer 4 of the first line to restart at a low rate, before gradually increasing the rate of the palletizer 4 of the first line until there is no longer a need to transfer the objects 1 to the palletizers of the second and third lines.

[0049] Another advantage of the present invention is that, in the case of the installation of an additional line in the device, each machine can start independently of the other machines of the line and particularly of the preceding machine, which allows for a much more flexible startup of the new line, and one that is easier to organize.

[0050] The device according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 can also be used to produce pallets whose layers each comprise at least two different objects 1, for example according to the following method: [0051] The upstream machine 2 of the first line produces objects A, that of the second line produces objects B, and that of the third line produces objects C. [0052] At the output of the film-wrapping machine 3, there are obtained, for the first line, packs of objects A, on the second line, packs of objects B and, on the third line, packs of objects C. [0053] By partially transferring the packs of objects of each line to the palletizers of the other lines, it is possible to obtain pallets in which one layer is composed of packs of objects A, the next layer is composed of packs of objects B and the next layer is composed of packs of objects C. It is also possible to obtain packs of different objects in one and the same layer or one and the same pallet.

[0054] Such a method can be of particular benefit for delivering to clients who have a low consumption for each type of product.

[0055] The film-wrapping machines 3 of the different lines can also produce packs of objects 1 of different sizes. By distributing some of the packs at the output of the film-wrapping machine 3 to the palletizers 4 of the other lines, it is possible to obtain multiple-format pallets, comprising layers with packs of different sizes. It is possible to consider, for example, having the film-wrapping machine 3 of the first line produce packs of 6 bottles, that of the second line produce packs of 12 and that of the third line produce packs of 24. By shrewdly distributing the packs to the palletizers 4, by virtue of the individual control of the movement of each pack, it is possible to produce pallets comprising, alternately, one layer of packs of 6 objects 1, one layer of packs of 12 objects 1 and one layer of packs of 24 objects 1.

[0056] Such multiple-format pallets can be particularly useful for procuring intermediate stocks, from which packs suited to each final destination can leave. However, such multiple-formal pallets make it possible to avoid repackaging, i.e. the pallet no longer has to pass through an intermediate packaging company, the pallet is ready directly for the final vendor.

[0057] The device can finally be used to produce packs comprising different products. The method for obtaining packs of different products comprises a step of transfer of objects 1 of different types originating from different lines to a common film-wrapping machine or boxing machine. It is thus possible to produce packs comprising a promotional product, for example according to the following method implementing a device comprising five lines: [0058] The upstream machine 2 of the first line produces objects X.sub.1, that of the second line produces objects X.sub.2, that of the fourth line produces objects X.sub.3, that of the fifth line produces objects X.sub.4, whereas that of the third line produces promotional objects Y. [0059] The objects Y at the output of the upstream machine 2 are partially distributed to the film-wrapping machines 3 of the other lines. The individual control of the movement of each object 1 makes it possible to have, for example, each film-wrapping machine receive 5 objects X.sub.1 from the first line then one object Y from the third line. [0060] Some objects Y remain on the third line and are processed by the film-wrapping machine 3 of the third line in order to produce complete packs of products Y. [0061] The film-wrapping machine 3 of the first line then produces packs of six objects 1, composed of five objects X.sub.1 and one object Y. That takes place similarly on the second, fourth and fifth lines.

[0062] It is thus possible to produce packs comprising, for example, 5 conventional objects 1 and one object 1 to be discovered, or even 5 bottles of water and one bottle of syrup. The promotional product can it self be produced in the form of complete packs.

[0063] The fact that the objects Y are produced on the third line is one choice among others, which offers the advantage of optimization of the distances to be traveled by the objects. Other arrangements are of course possible.

[0064] As indicated previously, according to some embodiments, each line comprises, on the one hand, between the upstream machine 2 and the intermediate machine 3 and, on the other hand, between the later and the palletizer 4 downstream, two stators 5 in closed loop configuration in a horizontal plane, arranged in the alignment of one another.

[0065] In other words, the stators 5 which are located between two consecutive machines are located one after the other along the path of the objects in the line. As such, two successive stators 5 can in particular: [0066] be completely independent of one another, that is to say with no area of contact between a stator 5 and the stator 5 which follows it as represented in FIG. 1; in this case, these two stators 5 in closed loop configuration are linked to one another using at least one other stator 5 (in closed loop configuration or not) which links them by means of switches 9; [0067] comprise at least one common section which then belongs to the first stator and to the second stator 5; in this case, switches 9 are placed at each end of the common section; or [0068] intersect; in this case, switches 9 are arranged at the intersections between the two stators 5 to be able to pass from the first stator 5 to the second and vice versa.

[0069] Obviously, according to these embodiments, there can be more than two stators 5 between two consecutive machines. As an example, there can be three stators 5 in closed loop configuration with common portions, or indeed, as represented in FIG. 1, there can be two stators 5 in closed loop configuration that are independent of one another linked by two other linear stators 5, that is to say going from a point A to a point B without forming a loop.

[0070] Although the above description is based on particular embodiments, it is no way limiting on the scope of the invention, and modifications can be made, in particular by the substitution of technical equivalents or by different combinations of all or some of the features developed above.