Facility for packaging a product in containers

Abstract

NOT VISIBLE DUE TO STATUS OF PATENT

Description

[0001] INSTALLATION FOR PACKAGING PRODUCTS IN CONTAINERS

[0002] Description

[0003] Technical Field

[0004] The disclosure relates to an installation for packaging product in containers.

[0005] These containers are, for example, pots and the product may be a food product, in particular a liquid or pasty product, for example a dairy product or the like, a yogurt or even a compote. The product may comprise two basic products, for example a coulis, a sauce or others, associated with a basic product, of the aforementioned type, or even cereals, cake pieces or others also associated with a basic product.

[0006] The containers may be made in the facility, in which case it is a forming, filling and possibly closing type facility. Alternatively, the containers may be prefabricated outside the facility and placed in the facility for packaging the product in that container. The containers may be made of any suitable material. In particular, when prefabricated containers are involved, they may be made of plastic, glass, or another material, for example a cellulose-based material.

[0007] Typically, a packaging installation of this type has several stations between which the containers are driven. More precisely, the containers are arranged on supports which are driven in the different stations by a drive device. These supports can take the form of a continuous rolling belt with cells for supporting containers, the belt having an upper path for treatment and a lower path for returning to the entry point of the containers. Furthermore, from PCT patent application WO 2019 179 657, an installation is known in which container supports in the form of plates are driven on an upper path for the treatment and filling of the containers, then on a lower path to return to the entry point.

[0008] These installations are generally satisfactory but have the disadvantage of requiring a large footprint, particularly along their length. Another disadvantage is that the lower route back to the entry point is generally not used for processing or filling containers.

[0009] Carousel-type installations are also known, in which container supports are arranged on a platform which rotates around a vertical axis to allow these supports to pass from one station to another. The different stations are thus arranged in a ring on the carousel. Thus, overall, the container supports naturally return to their starting point by passing between the different stations and, unlike the above-mentioned upper and lower path installations, they do not travel any unnecessary path from the point of view of processing or filling the containers.

[0010] However, these carousel installations are also relatively bulky and a significant part of the space they occupy is unused. Indeed, angular sectors are available for processing in the different stations so that the width of the angular sectors in the regions close to the axis of rotation of the carousel is small so that, in order to be able to simultaneously process a sufficiently large number of containers or containers of sufficient size in the same station, the station in question must be relatively far from the axis of rotation. This disadvantage is all the more troublesome since it is generally sought to simultaneously process containers organized in rows whose width is constant.

[0011] Statement of the invention

[0012] The disclosure aims to at least substantially remedy the aforementioned drawbacks. Thus, the invention relates to an installation for packaging product in containers, the installation comprising a plurality of stations, container supports and a drive device configured to drive the container supports between these stations in a processing plane, the plurality of stations comprising at least one station for arranging containers on the supports, a dosing station in which the containers on the supports are supplied with product and a station for discharging the containers, the drive device comprising two processing sections, arranged parallel to each other in the processing plane and on which the container supports are driven in the same processing direction but in opposite directions,and two transfer sections on which the container supports are driven from one processing section to the other, in a transfer direction perpendicular to the processing direction, each of the processing sections passing through at least one station, the container supports being driven according to advancement sequences comprising a first phase in which the container supports present on the processing sections are driven while the container supports present on the transfer sections are stopped, and a second phase in which the container supports present on the processing sections are stopped while the container supports present on the transfer sections are moved.,

[0013] Viewed from above, the installation has a general square or rectangular shape. The treatment sections can have the same length so as to optimize the distribution of the stations between these two treatment sections. The transfer sections can, depending on the case, be more or less long, knowing that one or more stations can also be placed on the transfer sections. Thus, the space requirement is optimized and, compared to linear conveyor installations of the first type mentioned above, the length of the installation can be at least halved, or even more if one or two stations are placed on at least one of the transfer sections.

[0014] Furthermore, compared to the carousel-type installations mentioned above, the installation according to the present disclosure allows constant processing widths in the different stations, which is more compatible with an optimization of the processing space adapted to the size of the containers. Thus, the space requirement can also be limited.

[0015] Furthermore, the kinematics of the installation can be particularly simple and rational. In particular, the driving of the container supports in the various transfer processing sections can be very simple and compatible with high production rates. The drive device operates alternately, each advancement sequence comprising a first phase in which the supports of the processing sections are driven in movement while the supports of the transfer sections are stationary and a second phase in which the supports of the transfer sections are driven in movement while the supports of the processing sections are stationary. It can be ensured that an extremely large proportion of the overall space of the installation is used optimally, both on the processing sections and on the transfer sections.The various stations can be easily accessed from different sides of the facility, and the naturally available central space can also be optimized. In addition, it is easy to choose whether movements on the transfer and treatment sections are made at the same speed or at different speeds, to optimize production rates and processing. Treatments can be carried out in the station(s) present in the treatment sections at the same time as movements are carried out in the transfer sections, which therefore allows these movements to be made in masked time and optimize manufacturing rates.

[0016] Optionally, the container supports are driven step by step through the various stations.

[0017] Optionally, each container holder is configured to carry at least one container, preferably at least one row of containers.

[0018] Optionally, in which, each container support defining the same space requirement in the treatment plan, the drive device comprises N container supports and defines N+2 space requirements, so that two space requirements can simultaneously remain free either upstream or downstream of the transfer sections.

[0019] Optionally, each container support has at least one drive member, and the drive device comprises at least four drivers, namely a treatment driver for each treatment section and a transfer driver for each transfer section, the drivers being configured to cooperate with the at least one drive member to drive the container support on the treatment sections and the transfer sections.

[0020] Optionally, each container support has at least one processing drive member configured to cooperate with the processing drivers and a transfer drive member configured to cooperate with the transfer drivers.

[0021] Optionally, the treatment drive member comprises a series of elementary members oriented according to the treatment direction.

[0022] Optionally, the transfer drive member comprises a series of elementary members oriented in the transfer direction.

[0023] Optionally, the coaches and drive members have meshing reliefs.

[0024] Optionally, the drives are chosen from the group including worms, pinions and racks.

[0025] Optionally, the drive components are chosen from pins, rollers and pinions.

[0026] Optionally, the drivers are linear drivers, with the processing drivers being parallel to the processing direction and the transfer drivers being parallel to the transfer direction.

[0027] Optionally, each container holder has coupling means configured to couple the container holder to adjacent container holders in the processing direction and to adjacent container holders in the transfer direction.

[0028] Optionally, each container support has a first and a second treatment coupling member and a first and a second transfer coupling member, the first treatment coupling member being configured to cooperate with the second treatment coupling member of an upstream adjacent container support on the first treatment section or with the second treatment coupling member of a downstream adjacent container support on the second treatment section, and the first transfer coupling member being configured to cooperate with the second transfer coupling member of an upstream adjacent container support on the first transfer section or with the second transfer coupling member of a downstream adjacent container support on the second transfer section. Optionally, the coupling members are configured such that:

[0029] - the first transfer coupling member of a container support reaching the downstream end of the first treatment section is coupled to the second transfer coupling member of a container support present at the upstream end of the first transfer section;

[0030] - the second treatment coupling member of a container support reaching the downstream end of the first transfer section is coupled to the first treatment coupling member of a container support present at the upstream end of the second treatment section;

[0031] - the second transfer coupling member of a container support reaching the downstream end of the second treatment section is coupled to the first transfer coupling member of a container support present at the upstream end of the second transfer section;

[0032] - the first treatment coupling member of a container support reaching the downstream end of the second transfer section is coupled to the second treatment coupling member of a container support present at the upstream end of the first treatment section.

[0033] Optionally, the coupling members comprise male / female arrangements. Optionally, at least one of the first and second processing coupling members has a slide oriented in the transfer direction, and wherein, optionally, one of the first and second transfer coupling members has a slide oriented in the treatment direction.

[0034] Optionally, at least one functional device providing the power supply and / or control of the drive device or stations is housed in the central space provided between the treatment sections and the transfer sections and / or under the treatment plane.

[0035] Optionally, the container supports include guide members, optionally guide rollers, cooperating with guide tracks that the installation has in correspondence with the treatment and transfer sections.

[0036] Optionally, at least one of the transfer sections passes through at least one station.

[0037] Optionally, the stations further comprise at least one of a cleaning station, a container decontamination station, an additional dosing station, a container closing station, a container inspection station, a container closure inspection station, a container fill level inspection station and a container marking station.

[0038] Brief description of the drawings

[0039] The description will be clearly understood and its advantages will become more apparent upon reading the detailed description which follows, of an embodiment shown by way of non-limiting example. The description refers to the appended drawings in which:

[0040] [Fig. 1] is a general perspective view of an installation in accordance with the invention.

[0041] [Fig. 2] is a top view of the installation, without the stations, showing the positions of the container supports in a first situation.

[0042] [Fig. 3] is a view similar to Figure 2 for a following situation. [Fig. 4] is a top view of the installation showing different stations and their positioning relative to the paths of the container supports.

[0043] [Fig. 5] is a perspective view of the installation taken from below, the enlarged part showing container drive members on a treatment section.

[0044] [Fig. 6] shows, from another angle, the enlargement of Figure 5.

[0045] [Fig. 7] is a perspective view from below showing only part of the installation, in which we see more particularly the lower parts of the container supports, the containers in these supports, and the means for driving these supports.

[0046] [Fig. 8] is a bottom view of Figure 7.

[0047] [Fig. 9] is a simplified view of the installation, in which the stations are not shown and in which the container supports are partially shown, without the containers, the two enlargements showing two successive container coupling configurations at the time of the passage of a container support from one of the treatment sections to a transfer section.

[0048] [Fig. 10] is a view similar to Figure 9, this time showing the coupling at the moment of passing from a transfer section to a treatment section, in the situation about to occur in Figure 3.

[0049] [Fig. 11] partially shows three container supports cooperating with each other at the junction between a treatment section and a transfer section.

[0050] [Fig. 12] is a schematic top view showing a container support and the arrangement of its coupling members.

[0051] Description of the embodiments

[0052] Figure 1 shows an installation 10 for packaging product in containers. The installation comprises a frame 11 which supports constituent elements of the installation, in particular container supports 20 and a drive device for these supports, which drives them in a drive plane P to go from one station to another.

[0053] Seen from above, as for example in Figures 2 and 3, the container supports 20 are in the form of plates having cells into which containers 22 can be introduced, by being supported in these cells, for example by being suspended from the edges of the cells by their rims, or else being placed against the bottom of the cells, if these have a bottom.

[0054] In this case, we see that each container support has several cells organized so as to define a row of containers. It would of course be possible to provide different supports, for example supports each supporting a single container, or supports supporting several rows of containers, or supports on which the containers would be arranged in another way (for example in a staggered pattern). However, the organization of the containers on the supports in one or more rows of containers is advantageous.

[0055] It is understood that the container supports are driven into the installation in the directions indicated by the arrows. The drive device will be specified later, but it is understood that it has different sections on which the container supports are successively moved.

[0056] By convention, the treatment plane in which the container supports are driven is the plane of the upper faces of these supports. The containers carried by the supports are open upwards to receive the product which is poured into them in the dosing station(s). The term "lower" relating to an element therefore designates the part of this element which is turned away from the openings of the containers. The term "inner" in relation to an element of the installation designates the parts of this element which are located on the side of the central space C between the treatment sections and between the transfer sections.

[0057] It is thus understood, with particular reference to Figures 2 and 3, that the container supports pass successively through a first treatment section T1, a first transfer section t1, a second treatment section T2, then a second transfer section t2 before returning to the first treatment section T1. The container supports thus move in a closed loop describing in this case a parallelogram-shaped trajectory in the treatment plane. On the treatment sections, the container supports move in the same treatment direction T, but in opposite directions indicated by the arrows arranged on these sections. Similarly, on the transfer sections, the container supports move in the same transfer direction t, but in opposite directions indicated by the arrows.

[0058] Referring in particular to Figure 1 and Figure 4, it can be seen that different stations are arranged along the path of the container supports (certain stations are omitted in Figure 1 for clarity of the drawing).

[0059] For example, on the first processing section T1, there is an input station SE, which is a station for arranging containers 22 on container supports 20. It can be seen that this station is used to arrange containers in a row on the container support 20 which is located furthest upstream of the first processing section T1. The stations also include a dosing station SD1 in which the containers arranged on a support 20 are supplied with product. In this case, a first dosing station SD1 can be seen which is located in the downstream part of the first processing section T1. In this case, on the first processing section T1, the container supports carrying the containers can pass into other stations indicated in broken lines and identified by the reference S.These stations can, for example, be used to check the correct presence and correct arrangement of the containers 22 in each support 20, then to clean the containers, for example by subjecting them to a decontaminating treatment such as a radiation or heating treatment, before they arrive in the dosing station SD1.

[0060] When they leave this dosing station located in the downstream part of the first treatment section T1, the container supports arrive in the first transfer section t1 which transfers them to the second treatment section T2. ​​Provision may be made for an intermediate station, also designated by the reference S, to be arranged on this first transfer section. It may, for example, be used to check that each container present on the container support located in this station contains the correct dose of product.

[0061] Downstream of the first transfer section t1, the container support reaches the second processing section T2 which, in this case, may have a second dosing station SD2, for example to add a second product to the one placed in the containers in the first station SD1. This second product may for example be a topping, a sauce, granules or cake crumbs. Downstream of this second dosing station SD2, the container supports carrying the containers move along the second processing section T2 to reach an outlet station SS in which the containers are removed from the installation. On this second processing section T2, between the dosing station SD2 and the outlet station SS, other stations may be arranged.For example, in the direction of movement along the second processing section, this may involve a container closing station SF, in which lids 24 are placed on the containers, and stations S for checking that the containers are properly closed and that the closure is leak-proof.

[0062] In the example schematically represented, individual lids 24 have been identified waiting in the SF station. These may in fact be prefabricated or preformed lids which will be affixed to the containers, for example by clipping, then sealed or fixed in any other suitable manner. Of course, this is not limiting, and it is also possible to provide for the lids to be lids cut from a strip brought into this station.

[0063] Furthermore, having two dosing stations as shown here is an option. There could be only one or, on the contrary, more than two. In the exit station SS, the duly filled and closed containers are removed from the receiving support located in this station. Of course, other stations than those shown can be provided, and for example, means can be provided for extracting rows of containers containing defective containers, for example, containers that are incorrectly arranged, incorrectly filled or incorrectly closed.

[0064] Downstream of the second treatment section T2, the container supports arrive in the second transfer section t2 and are brought back to the first treatment section T1. In this case, a station SN has also been shown on the second transfer section t2. This may, for example, be a station used to clean the surface of the container support(s) located there, to eliminate any possible splashes of product or other things.

[0065] In Figure 1, some of these stations are also shown schematically, and a UF laminar flow unit is also indicated, which generates a laminar flow above the treatment plane, to protect the containers after their decontamination and until their closure. Furthermore, the installation includes a control unit, which is not shown.

[0066] Of course, the stations just referred to have been mentioned only as examples. However, in general, the installation will comprise at least one input station SE for placing the containers 22 on the supports 20, a dosing station SD1 or SD2 and a station SS for outputting or discharging the containers as well as, in general, a closing station SF generally located upstream of the container discharging station.

[0067] Generally, the container supports 20 are driven step by step on the different sections (treatment or transfer) of the installation, a step of advancement generally corresponding to the dimension of a container support, measured in the direction of movement considered. Thus, on the treatment sections, a step of advancement will correspond for example to the width I of the container supports, measured in the direction T, while, on the transfer sections, a step of advancement will correspond to the length L of these supports, measured parallel to the direction t. Of course, this is only given as an example. Moreover, only one container support has been shown here in each transfer section, but there could be several.

[0068] Referring in particular to Figures 1 and 3, it can be seen that each container support 20 defines the same space requirement in the treatment plane P. In this case, the container supports are rectangular. It can be understood from these figures that N supports are present in the space requirement plane, each defining the same space requirement, but that two additional space requirements are provided while remaining simultaneously free. In this case, Figure 3 shows an empty space requirement E1 downstream of the first treatment section T1 and a free space requirement E2 downstream of the second treatment section T2. ​​It can be understood that this makes it possible to move the container supports present on each treatment section in the direction indicated by the arrows shown here on the treatment sections T1 and T2.This constitutes a first phase of the sequence of movement of the container supports, in which the container supports present on the treatment sections T1 and T2 are driven in their respective directions of movement, while the container supports present on the transfer sections are stopped. In this first phase, the container supports located in the downstream zones of the treatment sections T1 and T2 are housed in the space gaps El and E2, respectively. Indeed, at the end of this movement phase, we arrive at the situation of Figure 3 where, this time, two space gaps respectively el and e2, respectively located upstream of the first treatment section T1 and upstream of the second treatment section T2 are created.This will allow the second phase of movement, in which, with the container supports of the treatment sections stopped, the container supports 20 located in the transfer sections t1 and t2 can move in the direction of the arrows indicated for these sections, so as to be housed in the above-mentioned space requirements e1 and e2. It is thus understood that the various container supports can be advanced step by step like the carriages of a train, but by passing through transfers at right angles between the treatment sections and the transfer sections. Of course, the qualifiers "first" and "second" for the movement phases of the advancement sequence which has just been described do not necessarily define a chronological order between them. If it is advantageous for the first phase to occur before the second, the order of these phases could be reversed.

[0069] With reference to Figure 5, the drive members of the container supports are now described. In this figure, the bottoms of the containers 22 (or the bottoms of the cells which contain these containers, if these have bottoms) can be seen, which protrude below the container supports. Furthermore, below the treatment plane P, and in this case further downwards than the bottoms of the containers 22, the container supports carry drive members 24 which protrude downwards. In this case, these drive members 24 are individual elements projecting downwards, which may be pins, or rollers. In particular, they may be rods carrying rollers freely rotating around a vertical axis, so as to limit friction.

[0070] Here, for example, we are on the processing section T2. ​​We see that, for the container supports which are located in the central part of this processing section, their drive members 24 mesh between the threads of a worm screw V2 whose axis of rotation is parallel to the processing direction T. Thus, the rotation of this screw in its forward rotation direction naturally advances the container supports concerned in the processing direction T and forward on the second processing section T2. ​​In this case, the drive members are fixed to the lower parts of the container supports 22 by plates or the like 26. These elements are also visible in Figure 6, in which we also see the position of a motor M2 which is used to drive the screw V2, via a belt C2. This is, for example, a direct or alternating current electric motor.

[0071] It can also be seen in Figure 6 that the container supports 22 also carry drive members 24' carried by plates or the like 26'. While the drive members 24 are aligned parallel to the treatment direction T, the drive members 24' are aligned parallel to the transfer direction t. Indeed, they make it possible to ensure the driving of the container supports on the transfer sections t1 and t2, by cooperating with transfer screws.

[0072] This is even more clearly visible in Figure 7, which shows the underside of the drive plane. This figure shows four drive screws, which are examples of processing and transfer drives.

[0073] Thus, the drive screw V2 is recognized, which serves as a treatment driver on the treatment section T2. ​​A similar screw VI, associated in the same way with a motor M1, is also materialized and serves as a treatment driver on the first treatment section T1. The two screws VI and V2 are parallel to each other. They are arranged in such a way that the drive members 24 aligned according to said drive naturally mesh in the threads of these screws when the container supports reach above these screws.

[0074] Similarly, this figure shows two screws serving as transfer drivers, respectively vl and v2, which are driven by motors ml and m2 in the same way as screws VI and V2 are driven by their motors Ml and M2 and which constitute transfer drivers on the transfer sections tl and t2. The screws vl and v2 are parallel to each other and oriented in the transfer direction t. It is understood that the drive members 24' of the container supports naturally mesh with these screws vl and v2 when the container supports reach above these screws. It is noted that only the container supports located towards the middle of the different sections Tl, T2, tl and t2 are directly driven by the screws Vl, V2, vl and v2, respectively, by the cooperation of their drive members 24 and 24' with these screws.

[0075] Indeed, the various container supports 20 are also coupled to each other to drive each other like train carriages. Before clarifying this point, it is emphasized that the production of the drivers in the form of the endless screws V1, V2, v1 and v2 constitutes only one example of an embodiment. In general, the installation according to the present description advantageously comprises a treatment driver (in this case, the screws V1 and V2) for each treatment section and a transfer driver (the screws v1 and v2) for each transfer section.

[0076] Likewise, in the example shown, the different drive members 24 and 24' constitute exemplary embodiments. Indeed, in this case, the drive members 24 aligned along the treatment direction T are used for driving in the treatment direction and the drive members 24' aligned along the transfer direction t are used for driving in the transfer direction. In this case, each container support comprises at least one treatment drive member for cooperating with the drive members. These are the drive members 24 which cooperate with the screws V1 and V2 which form the treatment drivers. Similarly, in the example shown, each container support comprises at least one transfer drive member for cooperating with the screws V1 and V2 which form the transfer drivers. These are the drive members 24'.

[0077] In the example shown, two drive members 24 are arranged on the short sides of the container supports and three drive members 24' are arranged on their long sides. They are therefore aligned, respectively according to the treatment direction T and the transfer direction t for each support 20. This being so, it could be provided that each support comprises only one treatment drive member and / or one transfer drive member, but it is then for juxtaposed container supports that the alignment could be checked with, respectively, the direction of a treatment and the transfer direction. It could also be provided that, for each support, the same drive member serves for cooperation with the transfer driver or the treatment driver, depending on where the container support is located in the installation.In this case, it was preferred to provide different drive members, so that these drive members, as well as the drivers, could be located outside the vertical space requirement of the containers carried by the container supports. This provides more flexibility in the use of the installation, and in particular facilitates maintenance and repair operations.

[0078] In the example just described, the drivers are worm screws. Generally, any type of driver could be provided, for example linear drivers, the processing drivers being parallel to the processing direction T and the transfer drivers being parallel to the transfer direction t. For example, linear drivers may comprise worm screws as shown, or racks arranged to progress, respectively, in the processing and transfer directions. Any other type of means causing translational movement could also be provided, for example jacks.Non-linear drives, in particular rotary pinion systems, can also be used, the circumferential speed of which at the point of engagement with the drive members of the container supports would be parallel to, respectively, the processing direction T and the transfer direction t.

[0079] Generally speaking, it is advantageous for the drive device, in particular the drivers of the installation and the drive members of the container supports, to be arranged under the treatment plane, so as not to hinder access from above to the containers, for their treatment in the different stations of the installation. In Figure 8, the drive means which have just been described can be seen, and in particular the motors M1, M2, ml and m2 have been identified, as well as, for some container supports 20, the drive members 24 and 24'. It can also be seen in this figure that the container supports 20 further comprise guide rollers 26. In this case, the container supports have generally rectangular shapes, and have a guide roller 30 at each of their four corners. It can also be seen that, under the treatment plane, the installation has guide tracks 32 and 32'.The guide track 32 forms an outer frame with which the guide rollers 30 located on the outer sides of the container supports cooperate. The guide track 32' forms an inner frame with which, on the contrary, the guide rollers formed on the inner edges of the container supports can cooperate.

[0080] For example, the guide rollers 30 may have grooves and the guide tracks 32 may form rails which penetrate into these grooves. It is therefore understood that the guide rollers and the guide tracks are located under the container supports 20, also being arranged so as not to interfere with the containers carried by these supports. They could of course be arranged differently. For example, the conformation of such a guide roller 30 and its cooperation with the internal guide track 32' can be seen in the enlarged part of FIG. 9.

[0081] This figure also shows how the different container supports can be coupled to each other.

[0082] For simplicity, Figure 9 shows, for each container support 20, a frame part 20' of this support. For example, a complete container support has a plate held on this frame part and having the cells capable of receiving the containers 22 as already defined.

[0083] We are therefore interested here in the frame part of the supports. Figure 9 shows, in particular in the enlargement of this figure, portions of frame parts of two supports located at the junction between the treatment section T2 and the transfer section t2. For clarity of explanation, the frame part located downstream of the treatment section T2 is designated by the reference 20'A while the frame part located upstream of the transfer section T2 is designated by the reference 20'B.

[0084] In the situation shown in the first enlargement, immediately below the general view of Figure 9, the space E2 is completely free downstream of the treatment section T2. ​​The container support whose frame part 20'A is shown is about to enter this space. The container support whose frame part 20'B is shown is located at the upstream end of the second transfer section t2. It can be seen that its edge has a slide 41 into which a slide 42 located on the edge of the frame part 20'A of the other container support is about to enter.In this case, this slide 41 has the shape of a groove open on the side of the frame part, that is to say on the side where the frame part 20'A is located and the lug 42 naturally enters this groove when, as can be seen by comparing the two enlarged views of Figure 9, the frame part 20'A has moved in the direction of advance F2 on the second treatment section T2. ​​In this case, the groove 41 is open at its two opposite ends in the treatment direction so that the lug 42 can enter it as shown but can also exit it in a subsequent phase of movement.It can also be seen that the slide 41 has a retention part 41' in which it provides a slot that is too small for the slide 42 to be able to exit in the direction parallel to the transfer direction, but also has in the middle part a widened slot part 41" which possibly allows the slide to be released in this direction, for example if the frame parts are poorly engaged with each other.

[0085] This slide is better visible in Figure 11 which shows several frame parts 20' of different container supports 20. The slides 42 can have generally mushroom shapes with a head allowing retention when the slide is in the narrowed part 41' of the slide. For example, two slides 42 are present each towards the two ends of the short sides of the frame parts. Thus, when the frame part 20'A is pushed in the direction F2 thanks to the drive provided by the driver, in this case the screw V2, the slides engage in the slide 41. When the frame part 20'A reaches the end of the second treatment section T2, it is coupled to the frame part 20'B. It is then understood that when this frame part 20'B moves in the transfer section t2 in the transfer direction, it will carry with it the frame part 20A which is coupled to it.

[0086] We have just described how the container support 20'A which reaches the downstream end of the second treatment section T2 can be coupled to the container support present at the upstream end of the second transfer section t2. The coupling between the container support which reaches the downstream end of the second transfer section t2 and the container support present at the upstream end of the first treatment section T1 is shown in Figure 10. Here, the reference 20'C designates the frame part of the container support which reaches the downstream end of the second transfer section t2, and the reference 20'D designates the frame part of the container support present at the upstream end of the first treatment section T1.It can be seen that the frame portion 20'D of the container support present at the upstream end of the first treatment section has a slide 43, while the container support 20'C which reaches the downstream end of the second transfer section t has lugs 44 which naturally penetrate into this slide when, as can be seen by comparing the two enlarged views of figure 10, the container support concerned advances into the unoccupied space present at this location. The slide 43 can be similar to the slide 41 previously described, with narrow portions 43" to retain the lugs 44 and widened portions 43' allowing their possible desired exit.Thus, for each container support, a first transfer coupling member is identified, formed in this case by the slides 41, a second transfer coupling member, formed in this case by the lugs 42, a first treatment coupling member, formed in this case by the lugs 44, and a second treatment coupling member, formed in this case by the slides 43.

[0087] Each container support may have several lugs 44 aligned on one of their edges (or on one of the edges of the support frame parts as shown) in the transfer direction t. Similarly, for each container support, several lugs 42 may be aligned parallel to the processing direction.

[0088] Overall, the container supports or their frame part having rectangular shapes, each of their four edges carries one of the first and second aforementioned treatment and transfer coupling members. Of course, the coupling in the form of lugs penetrating into slides is only one example of an embodiment. Generally speaking, it is advantageous for the coupling members to comprise male / female arrangements. These could, for example, be simple gutters oriented opposite to each other and engaging one into the other.

[0089] The organization of the various treatment and transfer coupling members 41 to 44 is shown very schematically in the simplified view of FIG. 12. The edges BT1 and BT2 of the support 20 which are parallel to the transfer direction t respectively carry the first and second treatment coupling members 44 and 43, while the edges Bt1 and Bt2 which are parallel to the treatment direction T respectively carry the first and second transfer coupling members 41 and 42.

[0090] The first and second phases of the container support advancement sequence described above are also phases of coupling and uncoupling the container supports to each other. This is described with reference also to Figures 2 and 3.

[0091] In the first phase, the situation in Figure 2 is changed to that in Figure 3: the container supports of the treatment sections T1 and T2 are driven while those of the transfer sections remain stationary. In this instance, the container supports 20T1 and 20T2 located in the downstream portions of the sections T1 and T2 enter the space gaps El and E2, respectively, and in doing so, they engage with the container supports 20t1 and 20t2 present in the upstream portions of the transfer sections t1 and t2. More specifically, the first transfer coupling members 41 of the container supports 20T1 and 20t2 engage with the second transfer coupling members 42 of the container supports 20t1 and 20T2, respectively.At the same time, the container supports 20T1' and 20T2' located in the upstream parts of the treatment sections T1 and T2 are uncoupled from the container supports 20t1 and 20t2 present in the downstream parts of the transfer sections. It is noted here that, in the example shown, only one container support is present in each transfer section, but there could be several, coupled to each other. This uncoupling is carried out by disengaging the first transfer coupling members 41 from the container supports 20t1 and 20T1', relative to the second transfer coupling members 42 from the container supports 20T2' and 20t2.

[0092] In the second phase, the situation in Figure 3 changes to that in Figure 2: the container supports of the transfer sections t1 and t2 are driven while those of the treatment sections remain stationary. On this occasion, the container supports 20t1 and 20t2 located in the downstream parts of the sections t1 and t2 enter the space e1 and e2, respectively, and in doing so, they engage with the container supports 20T2' and 20T1' present in the upstream parts of the treatment sections T1 and T2. More precisely, the first treatment coupling members 44 of the container supports 20T2' and 20t2 engage with the second treatment coupling members 43 of the container supports 20t1 and 20T1', respectively.At the same time, the container supports 20T1" and 20T2" respectively adjacent to the container supports 20T1 and 20T2 and located upstream of them on the treatment sections T1 and T2, are uncoupled from the latter. In fact, the first treatment coupling members 44 of the container supports 20T1" and 20T2 are disengaged from the second treatment coupling members 43 of the container supports 20T1 and 20T2", respectively. We thus return to the situation of figure 2 but having advanced one step on the treatment sections and one step on the transfer sections.

[0093] Processing in the stations can take place while the container supports located there are stationary. Thus, processing in the stations on the processing sections can take place during the second phase of movement, while the container supports of the transfer sections are being driven, and vice versa. If the drivers of the processing and transfer sections are driven at the same speed, the second phase may take longer than the first. This is used to carry out the longest operations in the processing sections. However, it is possible to plan for the transfer drivers v1 and v2 to be faster than the processing drivers VI and V2.

[0094] In this case, the drive is carried out from below and the aforementioned drive members 24 and 24' project downwards relative to the coupling members, which are closer to the treatment plane P.

[0095] A functional device providing the power supply and / or control of the drive device or stations may be housed in the central space C provided between the treatment sections T1, T2 and the transfer sections t1, t2 or / under the treatment plane P. The motors M1, M2, ml and m2 constitute examples of such functional devices which are located under the treatment plane. Other types of functional devices, designated by the general reference F are shown diagrammatically.

Claims

Claims

1. Installation (10) for packaging product in containers (22), the installation comprising a plurality of stations (SE, S, SD1, SD2, SF, SS, SN), a plurality of container supports and a drive device configured to drive the container supports (20) between these stations in a treatment plane (P), the plurality of stations comprising at least one station for arranging containers on the supports (SE), a dosing station (SD1, SD2) in which the containers on the supports are supplied with product and a station (SS) for discharging the containers, the drive device comprising two treatment sections (T1, T2), arranged parallel to each other in the treatment plane and on which the container supports are driven in the same treatment direction (T) but in opposite directions, and two transfer sections (t1,t2) on which the container supports are driven from one processing section to another, in a transfer direction (t) perpendicular to the processing direction, each of the processing sections passing through at least one station, the container supports (20) being driven according to advancement sequences comprising a first phase in which the container supports present on the processing sections (T1, T2) are moved while the container supports (20) present on the transfer sections (t1, t2) are stopped, and a second phase in which the container supports present on the processing sections are stopped while the container supports present on the transfer sections are moved.,

2. Installation according to claim 1, in which the container supports (20) are driven step by step in the different stations.

3. Installation according to claim 1 or 2, in which each container support (20) is configured to carry at least one container (22), preferably at least one row of containers.

4. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which, each container support (20) defining the same space requirement in the treatment plane (P), the drive device comprises N container supports and defines N+2 space requirements, so that two space requirements (El, E2, el, e2) can simultaneously remain free either upstream or downstream of the transfer sections.

5. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which each container support (20) has at least one drive member (24, 24Q, and the drive device comprises at least four drivers, namely a treatment driver (VI, V2) for each treatment section (Tl, T2) and a transfer driver (vl, v2) for each transfer section (tl, t2), the drivers being configured to cooperate with the at least one drive member to drive the container support on the treatment sections and the transfer sections.

6. Installation according to claim 5, in which each container support (20) has at least one treatment drive member (24) configured to cooperate with the treatment drivers (VI, V2) and a transfer drive member (24Q configured to cooperate with the transfer drivers (vl, v2) and, optionally, in which the treatment drive member comprises a series of elementary members oriented in the treatment direction (T) and, optionally, in which the transfer drive member comprises a series of elementary members oriented in the transfer direction (t).

7. Installation according to claim 5 or 6, in which the drivers (V1, V2, v1, v2) and the drive members (24, 249) have meshing reliefs.

8. Installation according to claim 7, in which the drivers (Vl, V2, vl, v2) are chosen from the group comprising worm screws, pinions and racks and in which, optionally, the drive members (24, 24') are chosen from pins, rollers and pinions.

9. Installation according to any one of claims 5 to 8, in which the drivers (Vl, V2, vl, v2) are linear drivers, the treatment drivers being parallel to the treatment direction and the transfer drivers being parallel to the transfer direction.

10. An installation according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein each container support (20) has coupling means (41, 42, 43, 44) configured to couple the container support to adjacent container supports in the processing direction (T) and to adjacent container supports in the transfer direction (t).

11. Installation according to claim 10, in which each container support (20) has a first and a second treatment coupling member (44, 43) and a first and a second transfer coupling member (41, 42), the first treatment coupling member being configured to cooperate with the second treatment coupling member of an adjacent upstream container support on the first treatment section (T1) or with the second treatment coupling member of an adjacent downstream container support on the second treatment section (T2), and the first transfer coupling member being configured to cooperate with the second coupling member transfer from an adjacent upstream container support to the first transfer section (tl) or with the second transfer coupling member from an adjacent downstream container support to the second transfer section (t2).

12. Installation according to claim 11, in which the coupling members are configured such that: - the first transfer coupling member (41) of a container support (20) reaching the downstream end of the first treatment section (T1) is coupled to the second transfer coupling member (42) of a container support present at the upstream end of the first transfer section (T1); - the second treatment coupling member (43) of a container support reaching the downstream end of the first transfer section (T1) is coupled to the first treatment coupling member (44) of a container support present at the upstream end of the second treatment section (T2); - the second transfer coupling member (42) of a container support reaching the downstream end of the second treatment section (T2) is coupled to the first transfer coupling member (41) of a container support present at the upstream end of the second transfer section (tl); - the first treatment coupling member (44) of a container support reaching the downstream end of the second transfer section (t2) is coupled to the second treatment coupling member (43) of a container support present at the upstream end of the first treatment section (T1).

13. An installation according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the coupling members (41, 42, 43, 44) comprise male / female arrangements.

14. Installation according to any one of claims 11 to 14. 13, in which at least one of the first and second processing coupling members has a slide (43) oriented in the transfer direction, and in which, optionally, one of the first and second transfer coupling members has a slide (41) oriented in the treatment direction.

15. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 14, in which at least one functional device (F) ensuring the power supply and / or control of the drive device or stations is housed in the central space (C) arranged between the treatment sections (Tl, T2) and the transfer sections (tl, t2) or / under the treatment plane (P).

16. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 15, in which the container supports comprise guide members, optionally guide rollers, cooperating with guide tracks that the installation has in correspondence with the treatment and transfer sections.

17. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 16, in which at least one of the transfer sections passes through at least one station.

18. An installation according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the stations further comprise at least one of a cleaning station, a container decontamination station, an additional dosing station, a container closing station, a container control station, a container closure control station, a container filling level control station and a container marking station.