Apparatus for transferring objects

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for transferring an object, the apparatus comprising: - an object extraction roller (10) having included, on its outer periphery, members (11) for individually clamping the object; - means for rotating the object extraction roller (10); - the individual clamping members being arranged in at least one ring; the apparatus comprising, for each ring, a linear actuator (13) disposed within an internal volume defined by the roller for moving the individual clamping member (11) opposite the linear actuator (13) between a rest position and a clamping position, in which the individual clamping member (11) extends radially and protrudes from the extraction roller (10) to clamp the object; the clamping position is obtained by abutting the individual clamping member (11) against a free-moving end of the linear actuator (13); the extraction roller (10) is configured to move the individual clamping members (11) in their rest positions one after another in front of each linear actuator (13) as the extraction roller rotates. According to the invention, - the free end of the linear actuator (13) is movable between a folded position and an unfolded position, in which the free end contacts a separate clamping member (11), and the linear actuator (13) is rotatably movable between at least an engaged position and a disengaged position, such that when the free end of the linear actuator (13) is in its unfolded position or in an intermediate position between its unfolded position and its folded position, when the linear actuator (13) contacts another separate clamping member (11) carried by the rotating take-off roller (10) in its rest position, the linear actuator freely moves from its engaged position to its disengaged position, - the disengaged position corresponding to a position where the actuator is spaced apart from the separate clamping member, and the assembly includes a return member (15) that returns the actuator from its disengaged position to its engaged position when the free end of the actuator is in its folded position or in an intermediate position where it cannot interact with the separate clamping member (11) in its rest position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a device for transferring a moving object located on a conveying device.

[0002] The present invention also relates to an apparatus for processing eggs placed in a container moving on a high-speed processing line. Background Technology

[0003] As is well known, in the poultry farming sector, especially in chick production, the optical properties of eggs are used to distinguish them and to bypass eggs that are considered unlikely to hatch or produce chicks during processing.

[0004] The latter, referred to as "non-viable," is essentially an unfertilized egg or a fertilized egg in which the egg cell embryo has died or is deformed.

[0005] This distinction is necessary to minimize vaccine loss during egg processing, i.e., during the injection of vaccines into the egg through the shell with a vaccine needle, in order to promote egg hatching and prevent the occurrence of diseases.

[0006] Therefore, once this differentiation step is performed, for example by light transmission testing, it is useful to remove non-viable eggs from the circuit so that they are not sent to processing stations reserved only for fertilized eggs.

[0007] A known object transfer device is used to grab certain items, such as defective parts, from a group of objects moving on a conveyor so as to transfer them to an unloading conveyor.

[0008] Such object transfer devices typically include a take-off roller that rotates on itself, having spaced-apart and radially extending gripping tools on its outer surface to individually and selectively grasp objects to be removed from a forward-moving object.

[0009] By way of example only, these individual clamping tools are formed of a rod with a suction cup at one end. The rod is slidably received in an orifice of a take-off roller so that it can move between a rest position and a clamping position. In the rest position, the suction cup is pressed against the outer surface of the roller, and in the clamping position, the suction cup protrudes from the roller to clamp an object moving forward.

[0010] The movement of the clamping tool between these two extreme positions is achieved by a cylinder placed inside the roller, and when the tool driven by the rotating roller is positioned opposite the pneumatic cylinder, the actuating rod of the cylinder abuts against the free end of the clamping tool's rod.

[0011] However, when an object is retrieved using this single clamping tool, the take-out roller continues to rotate. If the cylinder's actuation rod does not quickly return to its initial position, or if the cylinder is defective, it can be seen that the cylinder is violently struck by the rod of the subsequent clamping tool, which, in its stationary position, is opposite the cylinder due to the rotation of the take-out roller.

[0012] This leads to cylinder deterioration, requiring the complete shutdown of the object transfer device for maintenance, which is certainly detrimental to the speed achievable by the processing line.

[0013] This also leads to costs that are incompatible with industrial development.

[0014] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a device for transferring an object (specifically an egg) moving forward along a conveyor belt, the original design of which enables the overcoming of the shortcomings of the prior art.

[0015] The subject of this invention

[0016] The present invention aims to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art by proposing a device for transferring objects. The device has a simple design and operation mode, thereby improving reliability, that is, greatly increasing its service life.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is such a device for transferring objects, which allows for extremely fast processing rates, and, as an example, a processing rate of more than 90,000 eggs per hour.

[0018] Another subject of the invention is such a transfer device that is particularly easy to maintain.

[0019] The present invention also relates to an egg processing apparatus that enables the selective removal of eggs from a container moving forward on a high-speed conveyor, for example, because such eggs are defective (egg viability, egg size, etc.). Summary of the Invention

[0020] Therefore, the present invention relates to a device for transferring objects, the device comprising:

[0021] - An object removal roller, having on its outer periphery components for individually clamping the object.

[0022] - A device for rotating the object removal roller.

[0023] - The individual clamping members are arranged in at least one ring, and the device includes a linear actuator for each ring, which is placed in an internal volume defined by the roller for moving the individual clamping member opposite the linear actuator between a rest position and a clamping position, in which the individual clamping member extends radially and protrudes from the take-off roller to clamp an object, the clamping position being obtained by abutting the individual clamping member against a free-moving end of the linear actuator, the take-off roller being configured to move the individual clamping members in their rest positions one after another in front of each linear actuator as the take-off roller rotates.

[0024] According to the present invention,

[0025] - The free end of the linear actuator is movable between a folded position and an unfolded position. In the unfolded position, the free end contacts a separate clamping member. The linear actuator is rotatably movable between at least an engaged position and a disengaged position, such that when the free end of the linear actuator is in its unfolded position or in an intermediate position between its unfolded and folded positions, the linear actuator freely moves from its engaged position to its disengaged position when it contacts another separate clamping member carried by the rotating take-off roller in its rest position.

[0026] - The disengaged position corresponds to the position where the actuator is spaced apart from the individual clamping member. The assembly includes a return member that returns the actuator from its disengaged position to its engaged position when the free end of the actuator is in a folded position or in an intermediate position where it cannot interact with the individual clamping member in its stationary position.

[0027] Advantageously, the original design of this transfer device ensures that the linear actuator can freely tilt in its disengaged position when the actuator rod contacts the individual clamping member in its rest position. Therefore, there is no risk of damaging the actuator if the actuator rod does not quickly return to its folded position. The linear actuator then has the time necessary to return its actuator rod to its folded position or an intermediate position where interaction with the individual clamping member in its rest position is unlikely.

[0028] This device for transferring objects is used in many technical fields, such as picking parts moving on a conveyor.

[0029] As an example only, the device used to transfer objects can be implemented to remove defective parts from the production line that have previously been identified by an optical recognition system.

[0030] This equipment can also be used in the agricultural sector to sort fragile objects, such as eggs processed at high speeds. In this area, it should be noted that the transfer device of this invention not only offers increased reliability but also allows for extremely high rates, typically exceeding 90,000 eggs per hour.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the device for transferring objects, the return member for returning the linear actuator from its disengaged position to its engaged position is a spring member or a magnetic attraction device such as an electromagnet. Advantageously, the spring member is a torsion spring.

[0032] According to another embodiment of the device for transferring objects, the device includes means for detecting the position of the free end of the linear actuator for each linear actuator. This detection means is connected to the corresponding return member to control the triggering of the return member. Advantageously, a position sensor enables the detection of the position of the actuation rod of the linear actuator. When the actuation rod is in a position that ensures the safety of the linear actuator in its engaged position, thus facing a separate clamping member in its rest position, a control signal can be sent to the corresponding return member to trigger the return member and thus move the linear actuator from its disengaged position to its engaged position.

[0033] According to another embodiment of the device for transferring objects, the linear actuator is fixedly mounted on a rotatable support configured to move the linear actuator between the engaged position and the disengaged position during its rotation.

[0034] According to another embodiment of the device for transferring objects, each of these individual clamping members includes a piston with a suction cup at its free end. Preferably, the piston of each individual clamping member is hollow and leads to an orifice of the suction cup to form a suction head.

[0035] According to another embodiment of the device for transferring objects, the piston of each individual clamping member is received in an orifice of the take-up roller. The device includes a pumping unit for placing a portion of the internal volume of the roller under vacuum, and for pressing the suction cups of the individual clamping members against the outer surface of the roller as these individual clamping members rotate through the roller on a circular path segment corresponding to the portion of the internal volume thus placed under vacuum. By way of example, the device includes a vacuum chamber communicating with each of the orifices of the take-up roller describing the portion of the circular path segment. Preferably, each piston is received in an orifice of a piston such that the piston can slide freely therein.

[0036] According to another embodiment of the device for transferring objects, the component for rotating the object extraction roller is configured such that the rotational speed of the object extraction roller is greater than or equal to 20 revolutions per minute, and even more preferably 30 revolutions per minute.

[0037] According to another embodiment of the device for transferring objects, the linear actuator is an electromechanical actuator, a pneumatic actuator, or even a hydraulic actuator.

[0038] According to another embodiment of the device for transferring objects, the device includes means for interrupting the vacuum on another circular path segment of the individual clamping member, so as to release the object thereby clamped at at least one predetermined placement point. This predetermined placement point advantageously corresponds to the surface of the belt of another conveyor, so as to evacuate the object thereby transferred.

[0039] According to another embodiment of the device for transferring objects, the device includes a control unit for individually controlling each linear actuator to selectively clamp one or more eggs that pass simultaneously with the individual clamping members of the take-off roller. Each linear actuator is thus controllable to remove the object of interest.

[0040] According to another embodiment of the device for transferring objects, the device is configured to actuate each linear actuator only when the actuator is in its engaged position. In other words, when the linear actuator is in its disengaged position, its actuating rod can only return to its folded position and cannot move to its unfolded position.

[0041] According to another embodiment of the device for transferring objects, the device includes a cleaning device disposed inside the roller for spraying pressurized water into the roller when the cleaning device is connected to a pressurized water supply source. For example, the cleaning device may be a washing spray bar with regularly spaced holes. Preferably, during the cleaning of the roller, individual clamping members are pre-withdrawn from their orifices to allow water to pass through these orifices.

[0042] According to another embodiment of the device for transferring objects, the device includes a wastewater recovery tank at its lower part, which can be connected to a wastewater removal system including a suction pump.

[0043] Preferably, the wastewater removal system and the pump are mounted on a mobile chassis, allowing them to be freely moved by the operator. For example, the removal system includes a flexible hose that can be connected to the outlet of a wastewater recovery tank. The chassis can also receive a wash water supply system designed to connect to a cleaning device for supplying pressurized water.

[0044] The recovered water can also be reinjected into a recovery tank so that it circulates in a closed loop for a period of time determined by the operator. Such an implementation advantageously allows for water conservation.

[0045] The present invention also relates to an egg processing apparatus, comprising: a device for transferring an object as described above; a first conveying device for moving an egg forward in conjunction with the transfer device; and a second conveying device for removing an egg held by the egg transfer device from the first conveying device.

[0046] These eggs can, of course, be conveyed into containers moving on a first conveyor and then transferred to other containers located on a second conveyor. The device for transferring the objects then includes a control unit configured to calculate the rotational speed of the extraction rollers so that the collection of one or more eggs is synchronized with the movement of the containers on the first conveyor.

[0047] The device advantageously allows for high automated processing rates, typically greater than 90,000 eggs per hour, or even greater than 100,000 eggs per hour.

[0048] Preferably, the first conveying device includes n egg conveying paths, where n is greater than or equal to 2, the take-out rollers include individual clamping members distributed in n rings, and therefore the transfer device includes n linear actuators. Thus, for each conveying path, the transfer device includes a linear actuator.

[0049] Advantageously, since the eggs are placed in containers, the egg processing apparatus includes an egg inspection device comprising at least one measuring unit and a processing unit, wherein the eggs in each container pass through the at least one measuring unit in continuous rows, and the processing unit is used to process the signals acquired by each measuring unit.

[0050] In one embodiment, the inspection device may include: a plurality of light sources for illuminating each egg in at least one row of cells in a container; detectors, each for receiving light passing through the thus illuminated egg; and a processing unit for processing the light signals thus detected by the detectors. Advantageously, these light sources are laser sources equipped with focusing devices to form a focused beam of light within their respective eggs. By way of example only, it could be a laser diode (LED) that emits infrared light.

[0051] Preferably, by processing the light thus detected, the cell of the container containing, for example, an egg that is to be transferred due to inability to survive or defects, is determined.

[0052] The processing apparatus may also include a communication module for transmitting data or information obtained by processing optical signals from a given container to a control unit of a device for transferring objects, in order to identify eggs to be collected in the container and transfer these eggs to a second conveyor for removal. An inspection device is positioned upstream of the device for conveying objects to the processing line, the position determined relative to the direction of movement of the container on the conveyor. Attached Figure Description

[0053] Other advantages, objects, and specific features of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are for illustrative purposes and not in any way limiting, wherein:

[0054] Figure 1

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【 Figure 1 [Illustration 1] is a cross-sectional view of a device for transferring objects according to a specific embodiment of the present invention;

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Figure 8

[0070] The accompanying drawings and the following description essentially contain elements of a certain nature. Therefore, they are not only used to better understand the invention, but also, where appropriate, to help define the invention.

[0071] First, it should be noted that the accompanying drawings are not drawn to scale.

[0072] Figures 1 to 8 An apparatus for transferring eggs according to a specific embodiment of the invention is shown schematically and in part.

[0073] The eggs are placed in containers that are conveyed along a conveyor path (not shown) by a linear conveyor device that defines the axis of movement of the containers.

[0074] The annular belt linear conveyor includes a control unit (not shown) that controls the conveying speed of the containers.

[0075] The device for transferring objects is implemented here as a mobile container, for example, to selectively remove eggs deemed defective during a previous step of inspecting the eggs.

[0076] These defective eggs are transported by the device and transferred to a conveyor belt on another device for removal. These eggs are placed, for example, in containers on the removal belt.

[0077] The device includes a rotating take-off roller 10, which has individually clamping members 11 spaced regularly apart on its outer surface. These individual clamping members 11 are thus distributed in a ring.

[0078] More specifically, the outer surface of the extraction roller 10 includes orifices in which the free end of an individual clamping member 11 (i.e., the piston of the clamping member) is received, the individual clamping member 11 being translatably movable within its corresponding orifice. The piston of each individual clamping member 11 carries a suction cup 12 for clamping the egg.

[0079] On a section or part of the circular path that these individual clamping members 11 travel during the rotation of the take-up roller 10, the suction cups 12 are subjected to suction relative to the surrounding air, causing them to be pressed against the outer surface of the take-up roller 10. Subsequently, they are in their so-called rest position.

[0080] The pressure reduction is achieved by pumping the internal volume (also called the pressure reduction chamber) of the take-up roller 10, which communicates with the orifice of the take-up roller 10 moving in the circular path segment. For this purpose, the device includes a pumping unit (not shown).

[0081] The device includes a linear actuator 13, which is a pneumatic cylinder placed inside the take-off roller 10 to selectively and individually actuate individual clamping members 11.

[0082] Therefore, when the individual clamping member 11 to be actuated faces the linear actuator 13 during the rotation of the take-off roller 10, the actuating rod of the linear actuator 13 moves from its folded position to its unfolded position to contact the end of the piston of the individual clamping member 11, so that the member is in its rest position.

[0083] It moves between a clamping position and a holding position, in which the member extends radially and protrudes outside the take-off roller to clamp the egg.

[0084] The linear actuator 13 is fixedly mounted on the rotatable support 14 such that when the free end of the linear actuator 13 is in its unfolded position or in an intermediate position between its unfolded and folded positions, the linear actuator can move freely between an engaged position and a disengaged position when it comes into contact with another separate clamping member 11 carried by the rotating take-off roller 10 in its rest position.

[0085] In this disengaged position, the actuator is spaced apart from the individual clamping member 11 and is not at risk of being damaged.

[0086] The device also includes a return member 15, which, when the actuator's actuation rod is in its folded position, returns the actuator from its disengaged position to its engaged position, so that the linear actuator 13 is ready to actuate the individual clamping member 11 again.

[0087] For example only, the return component 15 here is a torsion spring.

[0088] The protection device of the linear actuator 13 advantageously enables the output roller 10 to achieve a speed greater than 30 revolutions per minute.

Claims

1. A device for transferring an object, the device comprising: - Object extraction roller (10), the object extraction roller having separate clamping members on its outer periphery for individually clamping the object. -A device for rotating the object removal roller (10), - The individual clamping members are arranged in at least one ring, and the device includes a linear actuator (13) for each ring, the linear actuator being placed within an internal volume defined by the object extraction roller for moving the individual clamping member (11) opposite the linear actuator (13) between a rest position and a clamping position, in which the individual clamping member (11) extends radially and protrudes from the object extraction roller (10) to clamp an object, the clamping position being obtained by abutting the individual clamping member (11) against a free-moving end of the linear actuator (13), the object extraction roller (10) being configured to move the individual clamping members (11) in their rest positions one after another in front of each linear actuator (13) as the object extraction roller rotates, characterized in that - The free end of the linear actuator (13) is movable between a folded position and an unfolded position. In the unfolded position, the free end is in contact with a separate clamping member (11). The linear actuator (13) is rotatably movable between at least an engaged position and a disengaged position, such that when the free end of the linear actuator (13) is in its unfolded position or in an intermediate position between its unfolded position and its folded position, the linear actuator (13) is freely moved from its engaged position to its disengaged position when it comes into contact with another separate clamping member (11) carried by the object removal roller (10) in its rest position. - The disengaged position corresponds to the position where the linear actuator is spaced apart from the individual clamping member. The device includes a return member (15) that returns the linear actuator from its disengaged position to its engaged position when the free end of the linear actuator is in a folded position or in an intermediate position where it cannot interact with the individual clamping member (11) in its stationary position.

2. The device for transferring objects according to claim 1, characterized in that, The return member (15) used to return the linear actuator (13) from its disengaged position to its engaged position is a spring member or a magnetic attraction device.

3. The device for transferring objects according to claim 2, characterized in that, The spring component is a torsion spring.

4. The apparatus for transferring objects according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The device includes means for detecting the position of the free end of the linear actuator (13), the means being connected to the return member (15) to control the triggering of the return member.

5. The apparatus for transferring objects according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The linear actuator (13) is fixedly mounted on a rotatable support, which is configured to move the linear actuator (13) between the engaged position and the disengaged position during its rotation.

6. The apparatus for transferring an object according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, Each of these individual clamping components includes a piston with a suction cup (12) at its free end.

7. The device for transferring objects according to claim 6, characterized in that, The piston of each individual clamping member (11) is hollow and leads to the orifice of the suction cup (12) to form a suction head.

8. The device for transferring objects according to claim 6, characterized in that, The piston of each individual clamping member (11) is received in the orifice of the object extraction roller (10). The device includes a pumping unit for placing a portion of the internal volume of the object extraction roller under vacuum and pressing the suction cups (12) of the individual clamping members against the outer surface of the object extraction roller as the individual clamping members rotate through the object extraction roller on a circular path segment corresponding to the portion of the internal volume thus placed under vacuum.

9. The apparatus for transferring an object according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The device for rotating the object extraction roller (10) is configured such that the rotational speed of the object extraction roller (10) is greater than or equal to 20 revolutions per minute.

10. The device for transferring objects according to claim 9, characterized in that, The rotational speed of the object removal roller (10) is 30 revolutions per minute.

11. The apparatus for transferring an object according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The linear actuator (13) is an electromechanical actuator, a pneumatic actuator, or a hydraulic actuator.

12. The device for transferring objects according to claim 8, characterized in that, The device includes means for interrupting the vacuum on another circular path segment of the individual clamping member in order to release the object thereby clamped at at least one predetermined placement point.

13. The apparatus for transferring an object according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The device includes a cleaning device placed inside the object removal roller for spraying pressurized water into the object removal roller when the cleaning device is connected to a pressurized water supply source.

14. The apparatus for transferring an object according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The device includes a wastewater recovery tank at its lower part.

15. An egg processing facility, the egg processing facility comprising, according to any one of claims 1 to 14, a device for transferring an object, a first conveying device for moving an egg in accordance with the device, and a second conveying device for removing the clamped egg from the first conveying device via the device.

16. The egg processing facility according to claim 15, characterized in that, The first conveying device includes n egg conveying paths, where n is greater than or equal to 2, the object removal roller (10) includes n rings of individual clamping members, and therefore the device includes n linear actuators (13).

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