Device for providing sorted closure elements

Abstract

A device for providing sorted closure elements in the form of crown caps, having a space for bulk storage of the caps, a lifting conveyor in the form of a belt entering the space and including, on an outer face, a plurality of cleats oriented transversely and spaced in order to define a recess between a lower cleat and an upper cleat, wherein each recess collects a plurality of the caps as the recess passes through the storage space and is capable of sorting unbalanced caps present inside the recess. The lower edge of the upper cleat has a convex section opposite the belt. The sorting of the unbalanced caps is configured to cooperate with the movement of the lifting conveyor to cause the incorrectly oriented caps to fall.

Claims

1. A device (2) for providing sorted crown capping elements comprising: a volume (3) for storage in loose form of said caps (1); a lifting conveyor (4) in the form of a belt (40) provided with an ascending strand that enters said storage volume (3); said lifting conveyor (4) comprising, on its outer face, a plurality of cleats (5) that are oriented transversely with respect to said belt (40) and spaced apart so as to determine a housing (6) between the upper edge face (501) of a lower cleat (500) and the lower edge face (510) of an upper cleat (51), each housing (6) picking up a plurality of said caps (1) as it passes through said storage volume (3); a means (9) for sorting by unbalancing caps (1) that are present within said housing (1), said sorting means (9) cooperating with the movement of said lifting conveyor (4), so as to cause the poorly oriented caps (1) that are present in said housing (6) to drop, wherein the lower edge face (510) of the upper cleat (51) has a convex section in opposition to said belt (40), and wherein the upper edge face (501) of the lower cleat (50) comprises a concave section that forms a groove (8).

2. The provision device (2) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said convex section of the lower edge face of the upper cleat has an angle with respect to the face of said belt (40), said angle being determined with respect to an inclination of an edge of said caps (1).

3. The provision device (2) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said convex section is rounded.

4. The provision device (2) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said convex section is rounded in an arc of a circle corresponding to the flare of the peripheral edge of said caps (1).

5. The provision device (2) as claimed in claim 1, wherein athe housing (6) comprises a rear distance (7) situated against the belt (40) between the upper edge face (501) of the lower cleat (50) and the lowest point of the lower edge face (510) of convex section of the upper cleat (51), said rear distance (7) being smaller than the outside diameter of the crenellated edge of a cap (1).

6. The provision device (2) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said groove (8) has an asymmetric section and comprises a rear slope situated against the belt (40) that is inclined less than the slope that is situated in opposition toward the outside of the housing (6).

7. A cleat (5) for a device (2) for providing sorted capping elements according to claim 1, comprising a flattened bar, wherein the lower edge face of said bar of said cleat (5) has a convex section.

8. The cleat (5) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said convex section is rounded.

9. The cleat (5) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the upper edge face of the bar of said cleat (5) comprises a concave section that forms a groove (8).

10. The provision device (2) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the housing (6) comprises a rear distance (7) situated against the belt (40) between the upper edge face (501) of the lower cleat (50) and the lowest point of the lower edge face (510) of convex section of the upper cleat (51), said rear distance (7) being smaller than the outside diameter of the crenellated edge of a cap (1).

11. The provision device (2) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the housing (6) comprises a rear distance (7) situated against the belt (40) between the upper edge face (501) of the lower cleat (50) and the lowest point of the lower edge face (510) of convex section of the upper cleat (51), said rear distance (7) being smaller than the outside diameter of the crenellated edge of a cap (1).

12. The provision device (2) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the housing (6) comprises a rear distance (7) situated against the belt (40) between the upper edge face (501) of the lower cleat (50) and the lowest point of the lower edge face (510) of convex section of the upper cleat (51), said rear distance (7) being smaller than the outside diameter of the crenellated edge of a cap (1).

13. The provision device (2) as claimed in claim 2, wherein that the upper edge face (501) of the lower cleat (50) comprises a concave section that forms a groove (8).

14. The provision device (2) as claimed in claim 3, wherein that the upper edge face (501) of the lower cleat (50) comprises a concave section that forms a groove (8).

15. The provision device (2) as claimed in claim 4, wherein that the upper edge face (501) of the lower cleat (50) comprises a concave section that forms a groove (8).

16. The provision device (2) as claimed in claim 5, wherein that the upper edge face (501) of the lower cleat (50) comprises a concave section that forms a groove (8).

17. The cleat (5) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the upper edge face of the bar of said cleat (5) comprises a concave section that forms a groove (8).

Description

(1) Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the non-limiting embodiments of the invention, with reference to the appended figures, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 schematically shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a device for providing sorted capping elements;

(3) FIG. 2 schematically shows a perspective view of a detail of a provision device, partially showing a lifting conveyor;

(4) FIG. 3 schematically shows a perspective view of a part of a cleat according to a first embodiment;

(5) FIG. 4 schematically shows a view similar to FIG. 3, showing a cleat according to another embodiment;

(6) FIG. 5 schematically shows a sectional view of a housing according to one embodiment, showing the positioning of a correctly oriented cap by insertion; and

(7) FIG. 6 schematically shows a sectional view of a housing according to one embodiment, showing a poorly oriented and off-balance cap.

(8) The present invention relates to the provision of capping elements within an industrial line for production and processing of products forming containers. Said capping elements are each intended to close off the opening of one of the products, after it has been filled.

(9) Specifically, a container comprises an opening, in the form of a mouth, which is generally situated in the upper part of a neck. After filling, the opening of a container is hermetically closed off via a capping element, which is preferentially in the form of a cap 1.

(10) Such a cap 1 generally has a flattened tubular shape, closed by a concave bottom in order to internally receive a seal that ensures the sealing once the cap 1 is positioned in contact with the mouth. Such a cap 1 has a crenellated peripheral edge, resulting from its manufacture by stamping a metal sheet, which is in particular made of thick tinplate. This crenellated edge comprises a flare from the bottom toward the outside, giving such a cap 1 the name of crown (or crown cap).

(11) An example of such a cap 1 is visible in section in FIGS. 5 and 6.

(12) In this context, the provision of capping elements, in the form of caps 1, is effected via a sorting module, which receives said caps 1 at the inlet. This module sorts these caps 1 so as to dispose them in a suitable position in order then to supply sorted caps 1 continuously to a workstation situated downstream on the production line, like a capping station.

(13) Therefore, the invention relates to the invention relates to a device 2 for providing sorted capping elements.

(14) The provision device 2 is supplied with capping elements, namely with caps 1. Such a supply can be effected from a station situated upstream, such as a module for manufacturing capping elements, for example a station for stamping caps 1. Such a supply can then be carried out automatically.

(15) The supply can also be effected by pouring the caps 1, which have previously been manufactured and packaged, for example in cartons. These cartons are emptied in the device 2 by an operator, such that the caps 1 can be picked up and sorted.

(16) To do this, the provision device 2 comprises a volume 3 for storage in loose form of said caps 1. Preferentially, this storage volume 3 can have the form of a hopper or a trough, which is as one with the provision device 2, in particular forming an integral part or securely attached to the structure thereof.

(17) The caps 1 supply the storage volume 3 and remain there temporarily, before being picked up and sorted.

(18) To this end, the provision device 2 comprises a lifting conveyor 4 in the form of a belt 40 provided with an ascending strand that enters said storage volume 3. The conveyor 4 is preferentially of the endless belt type, said belt 40 being wound around return rollers, which are free and motorized.

(19) In addition, said belt 40 of the conveyor 4 extends vertically or substantially vertically. The motor therefore drives the ascending strand from the bottom toward the top, transporting the caps 1 from said storage volume 3.

(20) To do this, said lifting conveyor 4 comprises, on its outer face, a plurality of cleats 5. These cleats 5 are fastened to said belt 40.

(21) Said cleats 5 are oriented transversely with respect to said belt 40. In other words, said cleats 5 are positioned across the width of the conveyor 4, extending from one edge to the other of the belt 40. The cleats 5 therefore extend horizontally or substantially horizontally. The cleats 5 are parallel to each other. Consequently, the cleats 5 are orthogonal with respect to the direction of movement of the conveyor 4.

(22) In addition, the cleats 5 are spaced apart so as to determine a housing 6. The housing 6 is therefore formed between the upper edge face 501 of a lower cleat 50 and the lower edge face 510 of an upper cleat 51. In sum, two adjacent cleats 50, 51 constitute a housing 6 between their edges that face each other.

(23) The cleats 5, 50, 51 are spaced apart in particular at regular intervals.

(24) In addition, each cleat 5, 50, 51 can be in the form of a flattened bar, which is of generally rectangular parallelepipedal shape.

(25) Each housing 6 picks up a plurality of said caps 1 as it passes through said storage volume 3. Therefore, the interval between the cleats 5, 50, 51 is determined so that the dimensions of a housing 6 correspond to the dimensions of the capping elements, in particular their external diameter, such that said capping elements pass at least partially into a housing 6 as it passes through said storage volume 3.

(26) It will be noted that during this picking up, the capping elements can be introduced into a housing 6 in any orientation, namely with their top turned toward the belt 40 or else turned in opposition to said belt 40 toward the outside. An example of a cap 1 with its top turned toward the belt 40 is visible in FIG. 5, while a cap 1 oriented in the opposite direction is visible in FIG. 6.

(27) Like at the outlet of the provision device 2, the capping elements have to all be oriented in the same way, preferentially with their top turned toward the belt 40, the capping elements that are turned in the other direction should be sorted.

(28) To do this, the provision device 2 makes provision for a first sorting during the ascent of the capping elements, by generating unbalancing of the capping elements, such that, if they are poorly oriented, or even poorly positioned or introduced into the housings 6, these elements drop under the effect of gravity. Preferably, the off-balance capping elements drop toward the storage volume 3 where they can be picked up again. Therefore, such a provision device 2 is commonly called a waterfall type device.

(29) Consequently, the provision device 2 comprises a means 9 for sorting by unbalancing caps 1 that are present within said housing 6. This sorting means 9 cooperates with the movement of said lifting conveyor 4, so as to cause the poorly oriented caps 1 that are present in said housing 6 to drop.

(30) Such a sorting means 9 can comprise means that are suitable for amplifying the unbalancing of the caps 1, such as for example by generating vibrations of the belt 40, by propelling blown air or else by modifying the inclination of said belt 40 over a distance, forming a boss or speed bump at the ascending strand of said belt 40.

(31) In order to improve the sorting of the capping elements during their lifting by the conveyor 4, the provision device 2 provides specifically shaped cleats 5, 50, 51.

(32) Advantageously, at least the lower edge face 510 of the upper cleat 51 has a convex section in opposition to said belt 40. In other words, said lower edge face 510, preferentially of each cleat 5, 50, 51, comprises a section that is inclined with an increasing slope from the belt 40 toward said cleat 5, 50, 51. In sum, the lower edge face 510 forms a bevel or chamfer.

(33) Preferentially, the upper cleat 51 can have a rear height situated against the belt 40 that is greater than its height that is situated in opposition toward the outside of the housing 6. In sum, its rear face is higher than its front face.

(34) Such a bevel can be straight or rectilinear. Preferentially, said convex section is rounded, namely having an arc of a circle. Therefore, the section is domed toward the outside.

(35) Preferentially, the lower edge face 500, 510 can have a rounded convex section, which namely in particular has a rounded portion and a straight portion. Said rounded section can be situated toward the outside, namely in a distal manner with respect to said belt 40. An example of such a convex section with a rounded portion and a rectilinear portion is visible in FIGS. 2 to 6.

(36) In addition, such a rounded configuration makes it easier to introduce the capping elements, in particular caps 1, into a housing 6 during picking up thereof. In sum, the rounding allows better nesting of the correctly oriented caps 1 and limits the possibility of poorly oriented caps being introduced into and remaining in the housing 6. These aspects are in particular visible in FIGS. 5 and 6.

(37) Furthermore, said convex section can be rounded in an arc of a circle corresponding to the flare of the peripheral edge of said caps 1. In sum, at least the lower edge face 500, 510 is machined during the manufacture of the cleats 5, 50, 51, according to dimensions and/or shapes that correspond to those of the capping elements to be picked up.

(38) Likewise, said convex section can have an angle with respect to the face of said belt 40, said angle being determined with respect to the inclination of the edge of said caps 1. This angle extends in a general manner preferentially along the rectilinear section of said convex portion. Such an angle can be between 5 and 85 with respect to a plane that is orthogonal to the surface of the belt 40, namely with respect to the normal of said belt 40. Preferentially, in the case of a cap 1, the angle is 35 with respect to said normal to the belt 40. FIG. 5 shows most particularly the angle of inclination of the convex part, improving the introduction of a cap 1.

(39) Furthermore, a housing 6 can comprise a rear distance 7 situated against the belt 40 between the upper edge face 501 of the lower cleat 50 and the lowest point of the lower edge face 510 of the convex section of the upper cleat 51, such that said rear distance 7 is smaller than the outside diameter of the crenellated edge of a cap 1. Such a distance is visible in particular in FIG. 5. Therefore, a cap 1 can be introduced perfectly into the housing 6 until it comes against the surface of the belt 40.

(40) As such, the diameter of a standard cap 1 can be between 10 and 50 mm (millimeters), preferentially 26 mm, 29 mm or 32 mm for a cap 1 of crown type.

(41) In sum, in the general case of a capping element, the shape of the top and bottom walls of the housing 6 can be provided complementary to the shape of a capping element, preferentially to the specific shape of a cap 1.

(42) It will be noted that the upper edge 501, 511 of a cleat 5, 50, 51 can be straight, as visible in particular in the embodiment in FIG. 3.

(43) In order to improve the retention in a housing 6 of a correctly oriented cap 1, the upper edge face 501 of a lower cleat 50 can comprise a concave section that forms a groove 8.

(44) Such a groove 8 can be formed by a bevel or a chamfer, forming a slope toward the surface of the belt 40. Thus, said groove 8 is formed by this slope and the belt 40.

(45) Preferentially, said groove 8 has an asymmetric section and comprises a rear slope situated against the belt 40 that is inclined less than the slope that is situated in opposition toward the outside of the housing 6. This asymmetric configuration of the groove 8 is particularly visible in FIGS. 4 to 6.

(46) Thus, at the outlet of the provision device 2, the invention ensures that all the capping elements are correctly oriented.

(47) As such, in a subsidiary manner, once the capping elements have been picked up and transported in an ascending manner by the conveyor 4, which effects sorting during their lifting, the sorted elements that remain in each housing 6 are sent downstream, in particular in order to reference the flow of elements according to a determined rate. This sending is effected in particular via suitable ejection means, which ensure the linear extraction of the elements that are present in each housing 6, in successive lines. Such ejection means can comprise a mechanical pushing member, a blower using air, in particular compressed air, or else configured to eject the elements under the effect of gravity.

(48) In a related manner, the invention also relates to a cleat on its own, as described above. Hence, the provision device 2 comprises at least one of these cleats 5.

(49) Preferentially, one of these cleats 5 comprises a flattened bar with its lower edge face 500, 510 having a convex section.

(50) In addition, said convex section can be rounded.

(51) In addition, the upper edge face 501, 511 of the bar can comprise a concave section that forms a groove 8.