Apparatus for providing assorted capping elements

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus (2) for providing a classified capping element in the form of a "crown" type cap (1), comprising: a space (3) for bulk storage of caps (1); a lifting conveyor (4) in the form of a belt (40) entering the space (3) and including a plurality of clamps (5) on its outer surface, the clamps (5) being laterally oriented and spaced apart to define recesses (6) between a lower clamp (500) and an upper clamp (51), each recess (6) collecting a plurality of caps (1) as it passes through the storage space (3); a sorting device (9) for sorting unbalanced caps (1) present in the recesses (6), the sorting device (9) cooperating with the movement of the lifting conveyor (4) to cause poorly oriented caps (1) to fall, the apparatus being characterized in that the lower edge surface (510) of the upper clamp (51) has a convex portion opposite to the belt (40). The invention also relates to such clamps (5) themselves.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of providing assorted closure elements with the purpose of supplying downstream workstations on a production line.

[0002] Preferably, such a closure element comprises a closure for closing a container, in particular a bottle or a jar made of glass or metal, in particular aluminium. However, the invention will find application for closure elements which generally have a cylindrical, conical or frustoconical shape. The closure element may be made of any type of material, in particular plastic or metal.

[0003] In addition, the container includes an opening in the form of a mouth, which is usually located in the upper part of the neck. After filling, the opening of the container is sealed by a cover element such as a lid. This lid usually has a flat tubular shape, similar to a hollow dish. The lid is closed by a concave bottom so as to accommodate a seal inside, which ensures sealing once the lid is positioned in contact with the mouth. This lid has a serrated peripheral edge, which is the result of manufacturing the lid by stamping a metal sheet made of thick tin plate. The serrated edge includes a flared portion from the bottom toward the outside, which gives the lid the name of a "crown" (or "crown cap"). Background Art

[0004] In a known manner, the provision of capping elements in the form of caps is achieved by a sorting module commonly referred to as a "cap-feeder". This sorting module receives the caps dumped in a loose form into a reservoir such as a hopper at the inlet. The module sorts these caps so that they are arranged in a suitable position in turn, so that the sorted caps are continuously supplied to the workstations located downstream of the production line. The main function of this downstream workstation is to fill the container and then close the container by the sorted caps. For example, the downstream workstation can include a bottling module, which is provided with a unit for capping the container, or a unit for sterilizing the capping element.

[0005] In other words, the sorting module makes it possible to take up the caps, initially in a jolting state, and to orient all of them correctly in a regular and continuous stream that supplies at least the downstream workstation whose function it is to close each container by a cap. Such a sorting module is generally called a "cap feeder".

[0006] Existing sorting modules include in their lower part a reservoir for accommodating the capping elements in loose form, and the lifting device passing through the reservoir is usually formed by a vertically oriented and driven endless belt so as to extract and lift the cap. More specifically, the belt has on its outer surface a series of clamps juxtaposed along its length. The clamps are in the form of flat bars having a rectangular parallelepiped shape. Such clamps are spaced apart so as to provide a housing extending transversely from one edge of the belt to the other edge, the spacing between the two clamps corresponding approximately to the diameter of the cap to be picked up in the reservoir. In addition, the inclination of the belt, the configuration and size of the clamps ensure a determined positioning of the picked-up cap.

[0007] Specifically, during the vertical movement of the conveyor, covers positioned in the housing in a configuration different from the desired configuration (e.g., upside down or staggered) are unbalanced, tilt from their housing and naturally fall under the action of gravity. Thus, once they reach the end of their travel, only covers arranged in the selected configuration remain in the housing. This sorting technique is often referred to as the "waterfall" technique.

[0008] The main problem lies in the fact that said regular flow delivered to the outlet of the lifting device must have correctly positioned covers, most specifically with their open faces oriented towards the outside of the housing and with their serrated edges facing the outside of the housing.

[0009] Currently, the caps are already sorted once they have reached the top of the lifting device, which makes it impossible to ensure with certainty that no cap has an incorrect orientation.

[0010] In order to improve the sorting of the caps during their lifting, it has been envisaged to modify the shape of the housing intended to house said caps. Summary of the invention

[0011] Existing solutions include clamps whose upper edge faces are specifically shaped so as to accommodate the serrated peripheral edge of the cover. Specifically, the upper edge faces have a concave portion forming a groove over the entire length of each of the clamps. More specifically, the groove is asymmetrical with respect to the thickness of each clamp, the most reentrant point being positioned towards the outer surface of the clamp, i.e. the face of the belt on the opposite side of the strap resting on the clamp. Thus, the groove has a steeper inclined slope from the front to the most reentrant point than the inclination of the slope extending from the rear. Furthermore, the inclination of these slopes corresponds to the openness of the serrated peripheral edge.

[0012] Thus, a cap picked up from a slot provided in the housing between the two jaws is inserted into said slot via its lower part, by the bottom of its serrated peripheral edge. A correctly oriented cap (with its flared portion turned to the outside) sees its peripheral edge conform to the slope of the groove of the lower jaw of the housing. Furthermore, insertion into the groove allows the cap to enter completely into the housing, i.e. the top of the peripheral edge is inserted below the lower edge face of the top jaw.

[0013] Otherwise, the cover is partially or even completely introduced into the groove and thus into the housing between the lower edge of the upper clamping plate and said groove of the lower clamping plate. Its center of gravity is shifted, and this causes its imbalance and its fall towards the hopper even more strongly.

[0014] Furthermore, the imbalance can be enhanced by means of a sorting device cooperating with the belt of the lifting conveyor, so as to cause the caps present in the housing to fall down if they are not oriented properly. Such a sorting device may comprise means suitable for amplifying the imbalance of the caps, such as, for example, by generating vibrations of the belt, by pushing air blows or by varying the inclination of the belt over a certain distance, forming a boss or "speed bump" at the ascending line of the belt.

[0015] However, this solution is still not completely satisfactory. In particular, the badly oriented caps are still sent to the regular continuous flow. It is then necessary to perform a detection in the downstream unit in order to discharge the badly oriented caps.

[0016] Furthermore, ejection devices are known when the caps present in the housing are sent out. Such devices can be of various types, in particular pneumatic, sending pulses or compressed air, or even simply using the effect of gravity. Another solution can include mechanical devices, such as a member that moves so as to push laterally along the housing from one end towards the opposite end, thereby pushing the caps along a line as far as the outlet provided for this purpose. Thus, a badly oriented cap can be nested with an adjacent correctly oriented cap and ejected with other caps, which should not be ejected. Furthermore, a badly oriented cap can be fixed to the wall of the housing. The line of the suddenly fixed caps can then damage the members and the clamps, and can also bend the caps, which are now compressed, or even push them violently.

[0017] The object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing an improvement in the assortment of crown-shaped caps by means of a specific and defined shape of the lower edge face of the upper plate of the case.

[0018] Specifically, the present invention provides a dome-shaped lower edge surface having a convex portion to define a housing whose depth profile exactly matches the contour of the cover when the cover is properly oriented.

[0019] To this end, a providing device for providing assorted closure elements, in particular in the form of "crown" type caps, comprises:

[0020] - a storage volume for storing the cover in loose form;

[0021] - a lifting conveyor in the form of a belt provided with an ascending line into said storage volume;

[0022] - said lifting conveyor comprises, on its outer surface, a plurality of jaws oriented transversely to said belt and spaced apart so as to define, between the upper edge face of a lower jaw and the lower edge face of an upper jaw, housings each of which picks up a plurality of said caps as it passes through said storage volume;

[0023] - Sorting means for sorting by unbalancing the caps present in the housing, said sorting means cooperating with the movement of the lifting conveyor so as to cause the caps present in the housing to fall if they are not well oriented.

[0024] This providing device is characterized in that the lower edge face of the upper clamping plate has a convex portion opposite to the belt.

[0025] According to a non-limiting additional characteristic, the convex portion may have an angle relative to the surface of the strip, the angle being determined relative to the inclination of the edge of the cover.

[0026] The convex portion may be circular.

[0027] The convex portion may be rounded in an arc corresponding to the flared opening of the peripheral edge of the cover.

[0028] The housing may include a rear distance positioned against the band between the upper edge face of the lower jaw and the lowest point of the lower edge face of the convex portion of the upper jaw, the rear distance being less than the outer diameter of the serrated edge of the cover.

[0029] The upper edge surface of the lower clamping plate may include a concave portion forming a groove.

[0030] The groove may have an asymmetrical cross section and include a rear bevel located against the belt, the inclination of which is less than the inclination of the bevel located oppositely towards the exterior of the housing.

[0031] The invention also relates to a separate clamping plate, in particular for assembling a providing device for providing assorted covering elements.

[0032] The clamping plate of the providing device for providing assorted closure elements comprises a flat rod, characterized in that the lower edge face of the rod of the clamping plate has a convex portion.

[0033] According to a non-limiting additional feature, the convex portion may be circular.

[0034] The upper edge surface of the stem of the cleat may include a concave portion forming a groove. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0036] Figure 1 schematically shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an apparatus for providing assorted cover elements;

[0037] Figure 2 A perspective view providing details of the apparatus is schematically shown, partially showing a lifting conveyor;

[0038] Figure 3 schematically shows a perspective view of a portion of a splint according to a first embodiment;

[0039] Figure 4 Schematically shows a similar Figure 3 , which shows a splint according to another embodiment;

[0040] Figure 5 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a housing according to one embodiment showing positioning of the cover properly oriented by insertion; and

[0041] Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of a housing showing a poorly oriented and unbalanced cover is schematically shown according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] The present invention relates to providing closure elements on an industrial production line for producing and processing products forming containers. The closure elements are each used to close the opening of one of the products after it has been filled.

[0043] In particular, the container comprises an opening in the form of a mouth, which is usually located in the upper part of the neck. After filling, the opening of the container is sealingly closed by a closure element, which is preferably in the form of a cap 1 .

[0044] Such a cap 1 generally has a flat tubular shape, closed by a concave bottom in order to house inside a seal which ensures the seal once the cap 1 is positioned in contact with the mouth. Such a cap 1 has a serrated peripheral edge, which is formed by manufacturing by punching a metal sheet, in particular made of a thick tin plate. This serrated edge comprises an opening opening from the bottom towards the outside, giving such a cap 1 the name "crown" (or "crown cap").

[0045] An example of such a cover 1 is Figure 5 and6 It is visible in the cross-section view.

[0046] In this context, the provision of capping elements in the form of caps 1 is achieved by a sorting module which receives the caps 1 at the inlet. The module sorts the caps 1 so that they are arranged in suitable positions, thereby continuously supplying the sorted caps 1 to a workstation located downstream of the production line, such as a capping station.

[0047] The invention therefore relates to a providing device 2 for providing assorted covering elements.

[0048] The providing device 2 is supplied with the covering elements, ie the caps 1. Such supply may be effected from a station located upstream, such as a module for manufacturing the covering elements, such as a station for punching the caps 1. Such supply may then be performed automatically.

[0049] The supply can also be achieved by dumping previously manufactured and packaged (for example in cartons) covers 1. These cartons are emptied by an operator in the device 2 so that the covers 1 can be picked up and sorted.

[0050] To this end, the providing device 2 comprises a volume 3 for storing in loose form said caps 1. Preferably, this storage volume 3 may have the form of a hopper or trough integral with the providing device 2, in particular forming an integral part of the providing device 2 or firmly attached to its structure.

[0051] Before being picked up and sorted, the caps 1 are supplied to the storage volume 3 and temporarily held there.

[0052] To this end, the device 2 is provided comprising a lifting conveyor 4 in the form of a belt 40 provided with an ascending line entering said storage volume 3. The conveyor 4 is preferably of the endless belt type, said belt 40 being wound around return rollers which are free and motorized.

[0053] Furthermore, said belt 40 of the conveyor 4 extends vertically or substantially vertically. Thus, a motor drives the rising line from the bottom towards the top, thereby conveying the caps 1 from said storage volume 3.

[0054] To this end, the lifting conveyor 4 comprises on its outer surface a plurality of clamping plates 5. These clamping plates 5 are fastened to the belt 40.

[0055] The clamping plates 5 are oriented transversely with respect to the belt 40. In other words, the clamping plates 5 are positioned across the width of the conveyor 4, extending from one edge of the belt 40 to the other edge. Thus, the clamping plates 5 extend horizontally or substantially horizontally. The clamping plates 5 are parallel to each other. Thus, the clamping plates 5 are orthogonal with respect to the direction of movement of the conveyor 4.

[0056] Furthermore, the plates 5 are spaced apart so as to define a housing 6. Thus, the housing 6 is formed between the upper edge face 501 of the lower plate 50 and the lower edge face 510 of the upper plate 51. In summary, two adjacent plates 50, 51 form a housing 6 between their edges facing each other.

[0057] The clamps 5 , 50 , 51 are in particular spaced apart at regular intervals.

[0058] Furthermore, each clamping plate 5 , 50 , 51 may be in the form of a flat bar, generally in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped.

[0059] Each shell 6 picks up a plurality of said caps 1 as it passes through said storage volume 3. Therefore, the spacing between the jaws 5, 50, 51 is determined so that the dimensions of the shell 6 correspond to the dimensions of the cover element, in particular the outer diameter of the cover element, so that the cover element at least partially enters the shell 6 when passing through said cover element.

[0060] It should be noted that during this picking process, the cover elements can be introduced into the housing 6 in any orientation, ie with their tops turned towards the belt 40 or turned towards the outside relative to said belt 40. Figure 5 An example of a cover 1 with its top turned band 40 can be seen in Figure 6 In FIG. 1 , the cover 1 can be seen oriented in the opposite direction.

[0061] As at the outlet of the providing device 2, the capping elements must all be oriented in the same way, preferably with their tops turned towards the belt 40, the capping elements turned in the other direction should be sorted.

[0062] To this end, the providing device 2 provides a first sorting by creating an imbalance of the capping elements during their ascent, so that if these capping elements are badly oriented, or even badly positioned or badly introduced into the housing 6, these elements fall down under the effect of gravity. Preferably, the unbalanced capping elements fall towards the storage volume 3, where they can be picked up again. Therefore, such a providing device 2 is often referred to as a "waterfall" type device.

[0063] Therefore, the device 2 is provided comprising means 9 for sorting the caps 1 present in the housing 6 by unbalancing them. The sorting means 9 cooperate with the movement of the lifting conveyor 4 so as to cause the caps 1 present in the housing 6 that are not oriented well to fall.

[0064] Such a sorting device 9 may comprise means suitable for amplifying the imbalance of the caps 1 , for example by generating vibrations of the belt 40 , by pushing air blows or by varying the inclination of said belt 40 over a certain distance, thereby forming a boss or “speed bump” at the line of ascent of said belt 40 .

[0065] In order to improve the sorting of the capping elements during their lifting by the conveyor 4, the device 2 is provided with clamping plates 5, 50, 51 of a specific shape.

[0066] Advantageously, at least the lower edge face 510 of the upper plate 51 has a convex portion opposite to the strip 40. In other words, the lower edge face 510, preferably the lower edge face 510 of each plate 5, 50, 51, comprises a portion inclined with an increasing slope from the strip 40 towards the plate 5, 50, 51. In short, the lower edge face 510 forms a chamfer or a rounding.

[0067] Preferably, the upper clamping plate 51 may have a rear height disposed against the belt 40 which is greater than its height disposed oppositely toward the outside of the housing 6. In short, its rear face is higher than its front face.

[0068] Such a slope may be straight or rectilinear. Preferably, the convex portion is circular, ie has a circular arc. Thus, this portion forms a dome towards the outside.

[0069] Preferably, the lower edge surface 500, 510 may have a rounded convex portion, ie in particular a rounded portion and a straight portion. The rounded portion may be arranged towards the outside, ie in a distal manner relative to the belt 40. Figures 2 to 6 An example of such a convex portion having rounded portions and straight portions can be seen in .

[0070] Furthermore, this rounded configuration makes it easier to introduce the closure elements, in particular the caps 1, into the housing 6 during the picking up of the closure elements. In summary, the rounding allows for better stacking of correctly oriented caps 1 and limits the likelihood that badly oriented caps are introduced and retained in the housing 6. These aspects are particularly Figure 5 and 6 Visible in.

[0071] Furthermore, the convex portion may be rounded with an arc corresponding to the opening of the peripheral edge of the cover 1. In summary, at least the lower edge faces 500, 510 are machined during the manufacture of the clamping plates 5, 50, 51 according to a size and / or shape corresponding to the size and / or shape of the capping element to be picked up.

[0072] Likewise, the convex portion may have an angle relative to the face of the strip 40, the angle being determined relative to the inclination of the edge of the cover 1. The angle preferably extends in a conventional manner along a rectilinear portion of the convex portion. The angle may be between 5° and 85° relative to a plane orthogonal to the surface of the strip 40, i.e. relative to the normal to the strip 40. Preferably, in the case of the cover 1, the angle relative to the normal to the strip 40 is 35°. Figure 5Most particularly shown is the angle of inclination of the convex portion, which improves the introduction of the cap 1 .

[0073] Furthermore, the housing 6 may include a rear distance 7 between the lowest point of the upper edge face 501 of the lower clamping plate 50 and the lower edge face 510 of the convex portion of the upper clamping plate 51, the rear distance 7 being smaller than the outer diameter of the serrated edge of the cover 1. This distance is Figure 5 Thus, the cover 1 can be completely introduced into the housing 6 until it abuts against the surface of the belt 40 .

[0074] Thus, the diameter of a standard cap 1 may be between 10 mm and 50 mm (millimeters), preferably 26 mm, 29 mm or 32 mm for a crown-shaped cap 1 .

[0075] In summary, in the conventional case of a closure element, the shape of the top and bottom walls of the housing 6 may be arranged to be complementary to the shape of the closure element, preferably complementary to the specific shape of the lid 1 .

[0076] It should be noted that the upper edges 501, 511 of the splints 5, 50, 51 may be straight, as in Figure 3 As can be seen in the implementation method of .

[0077] In order to improve the retention of the correctly oriented cover 1 in the housing 6 , the upper edge face 501 of the lower jaw 50 may include a concave portion forming the groove 8 .

[0078] Such a groove 8 may be formed by a bevel or chamfer, forming a bevel facing the surface of the belt 40. Thus, the groove 8 is formed by the bevel and the belt 40.

[0079] Preferably, the groove 8 has an asymmetric cross section and comprises a rear bevel arranged against the belt 40, which is less inclined than the opposite bevel arranged towards the outside of the housing 6. This asymmetric configuration of the groove 8 is Figures 4 to 6 The details can be seen in .

[0080] Thus, at the outlet of the providing device 2, the invention ensures that all the capping elements are correctly oriented.

[0081] Thus, in an auxiliary manner, once the capping elements have been picked up by the conveyor 4 and conveyed in an ascending manner (which achieves sorting during their ascent), the sorted elements remaining in each shell 6 are sent downstream, in particular in order to refer to the flow of elements according to a determined rate. This sending is achieved in particular by suitable ejection devices that ensure linear extraction of the elements present in each shell 6 in successive rows. Such ejection devices may comprise mechanical pushing members, blowers using air (in particular compressed air), or other members configured to eject the elements under the action of gravity.

[0082] In a related manner, the invention also relates to a splint as described above with respect to itself. Thus, a device 2 is provided comprising at least one of these splints 5 .

[0083] Preferably, one of the clamps 5 comprises a flat bar, the lower edge face 500 , 510 of which has a convex portion / section.

[0084] Furthermore, the convex portion may be circular.

[0085] Furthermore, the upper edge surface 501 , 511 of the rod may comprise a concave portion / section forming the groove 8 .

Claims

1. A providing device (2) for providing assorted closure elements in the form of "crown"-type covers (1), the providing device (2) comprising: - a storage volume (3) for storing the cover (1) in loose form; - a lifting conveyor (4) in the form of a belt (40) provided with an ascending line entering the storage volume (3); - the lifting conveyor (4) comprises, on its outer surface, a plurality of clamping plates (5) oriented transversely to the belt (40) and spaced apart so as to define, between the upper edge face (501) of the lower clamping plate (50) and the lower edge face (510) of the upper clamping plate (51), a housing (6) each of which picks up a plurality of the caps (1) as it passes through the storage volume (3); - a sorting device (9) for sorting the caps (1) present in the housing (6) by unbalancing them, the sorting device (9) cooperating with the movement of the lifting conveyor (4) so ​​as to cause the caps (1) present in the housing (6) to fall if they are not oriented well, It is characterized in that at least The lower edge surface (510) of the upper clamping plate (51) has a convex portion protruding downwardly opposite to the belt (40), the convex portion is circular and has an angle relative to the surface of the belt (40), the angle being determined relative to the inclination of the edge of the cover (1), The upper edge surface (501) of the lower clamping plate (50) comprises a concave portion forming a groove (8), The groove (8) comprises a rear bevel positioned against the belt (40) and inclined at an acute angle relative to the belt (40), and The housing (6) includes a rear distance (7) positioned against the belt (40) between the upper edge surface (501) of the lower clamping plate (50) and the lowest point of the lower edge surface (510) of the convex portion of the upper clamping plate (51), and the rear distance (7) is smaller than the outer diameter of the serrated edge of the cover (1) and is less than 32 mm.

2. The providing device (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that The convex portion has an angle of 35 degrees relative to the surface of the belt (40).

3. The providing device (2) according to claim 2, characterized in that The convex portion is rounded in an arc corresponding to the opening of the peripheral edge of the cover (1).

4. The providing device (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that The groove (8) has an asymmetrical cross section and comprises the rear bevel positioned against the belt (40), the inclination of the rear bevel being less than the inclination of the bevel positioned opposite towards the outside of the housing (6).

5. The providing device (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that The rear distance (7) is less than 29 mm.

6. The providing device (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that The rear distance (7) is less than 26 mm.

7. A clamping plate (5) for a providing device (2) for providing assorted closure elements, comprising a flat rod, characterized in that The lower edge surface of the rod of the clamping plate (5) has a convex portion protruding downward, The upper edge surface of the rod of the clamping plate (5) comprises a concave portion forming a groove (8), The groove (8) comprises a rear bevel surface inclined at an acute angle relative to the rear edge surface of the rod, and The convex portion is circular, and the shape of the convex portion corresponds to an edge of one of the assorted cover elements.

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