Method for conveying preforms on conveyor

Abstract

The invention relates to a transfer method for transferring containers, and in particular preforms (12) made of thermoplastic material, comprising a neck (16) having a main axis (A), said neck being open by an opening (24) delimited by a free edge of said neck, referred to as "bottle mouth (26)", said containers being transferred to a conveyor (36) during an assembly operation, the invention relates to a conveyor (10) in which the container is held by a gripping member (38) axially engaging with the neck (16), characterized in that during an assembly operation the neck (16) is axially fastened between a reaction surface (68) facing the mouth (26) and a holding surface (70) axially facing the reaction surface (68), the holding surface (70) resting on the mouth (26).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for conveying containers, and in particular preforms made of thermoplastic materials, the containers including a neck having a main axis, the neck opening through an opening defined by a free edge of the neck called a “bottle mouth”, the containers being conveyed to a conveyor during an assembly operation, in which the containers are held by clamping members axially engaged with the neck. Background Art

[0002] This invention relates to an improvement on a method for conveying containers or preforms, particularly bottles, with necks on a conveyor, in which each container is held by a separate clamping member that mates with its neck. The clamping member travels along a closed-loop path to transport the container from a loading point to an unloading point. The clamping member is typically made in the form of a mandrel, which is axially pressed into the neck of the container during an operation known as an assembly operation.

[0003] These clamping components are spaced apart from each other at a predetermined pitch along the sections of their path passing through the loading and unloading points of the preform. Containers are brought to the loading point one after another at predetermined intervals.

[0004] Such a transfer process is particularly suitable for container manufacturing and / or filling equipment. Therefore, in container manufacturing equipment, the preform is conveyed by such a conveyor through the heating station before being transformed into the final container by forming operations, particularly by biaxial stretching.

[0005] In this type of installation, the preform is typically conveyed to the loading point via a transfer wheel, and many implementations of this method are known.

[0006] Each preform is loaded onto an associated clamping member during the assembly operation, during which the clamping member is forced into the neck of the preform, which is supported by a transfer wheel.

[0007] Furthermore, in the station used in container manufacturing equipment for heating the thermoplastic material that constitutes the preform, the transfer of the preform can be ensured by a tray or clamp with notches, which holds the preform and brings it under a moving chuck.

[0008] In these known installations, the path of the clamping member in the planar projection is tangent to the trajectory of the preform carried by the transfer wheel at a single point of tangency.

[0009] The rotational drive of the conveyor wheel and the vertical translational drive of the clamping member are synchronized, so that the clamping member and the preform carried by the conveyor wheel are simultaneously positioned at a point of tangency, directly above each other. At this single point of tangency, the assembly operation is performed. The descent of the clamping member, previously reassembled into the retracted position, and its engagement in the neck of the preform below, are controlled, for example, by a cam system.

[0010] However, the assembly operation must be performed very quickly because the preform only crosses the trajectory of the clamping member at a single point. Such an assembly operation is unsuitable for the high operating speed of the loading device. In fact, the higher the speed of the clamping member, the faster the assembly operation must be performed. However, at high speeds, the clamping member may not properly engage with the neck of the preform. Then, there is a risk that the preform will fall off the clamping member.

[0011] To address this issue, a proposed solution is to equip the conveyor with dual grippers that move together with their respective gripping members along a portion of the path that includes loading and unloading points. Therefore, instead of performing assembly operations only at the tangent points, each dual gripper clamps the preform at the tangent point. The dual grippers clamp the neck of the preform on either side of the retaining ring, vertically blocking the neck in both directions through direct contact with the retaining ring to ensure proper clamping of the preform, even if it is not perfectly aligned with the gripping members. An operation covering the gripping members is then performed along the common path of the dual grippers and the associated mandrel. Thus, the assembly operation is distributed over the entire portion of the travel, rather than at a single point. Therefore, the assembly operation can be performed over a sufficiently long period to ensure reliable engagement of the preform, even with increased production volumes.

[0012] As the preform moves out of the heating process, the neck of the preform is again gripped by the dual grippers so that it can be released from the mandrel during the so-called peeling operation, and the preform is released to the conveyor.

[0013] However, the dual clamps occupy only two spaces, which allow the preform to be properly gripped by its neck using pliers: the area directly below the flange and the groove directly above the flange. This groove is typically used to subsequently receive the tamper-evident ring from the container cap. For this reason, we will refer to this groove as the "tamper-evident groove".

[0014] However, in some installations, it has been proposed to use an articulated arm equipped with a gripper to grip the preform leaving the heating station, in order to transfer the preform from the unloading point of the heating station to the next station in a single step, such as a biaxial stretch forming station. However, with a dual-gripper device, it is not possible to grip the neck below the neck or through a visible opening groove.

[0015] To remedy this problem, it is necessary to provide an output wheel with a notch adapted to release the preform from the double clamps, and a second wheel movably equipped with clamps that rotates in the correct direction before the preform is gripped by the arm. This solution is expensive, bulky, and prolongs the travel time of the preform in the equipment.

[0016] Therefore, a method is needed that allows for reliable insertion of preforms on the conveyor at the heating station, while also providing the possibility of rapidly transferring the preforms to stations after the heating station. Summary of the Invention

[0017] The present invention proposes a method for conveying containers, and in particular preforms made of thermoplastic materials, the containers including a neck having a main axis, the neck opening through an opening defined by a free edge of the neck called a “bottle mouth”, the containers being conveyed to a conveyor during an assembly operation, in which the containers are held by clamping members axially engaged with the neck.

[0018] The conveying method implemented according to the teachings of the present invention is characterized in that, during the assembly operation, the neck is axially fastened between a reaction surface facing the bottle mouth and a retaining surface axially facing the reaction surface, the retaining surface abutting against the bottle mouth.

[0019] In another aspect of the transmission method implemented according to the teachings of the present invention, the reaction surface contacts the flange of the neck.

[0020] In another aspect of the conveying method implemented according to the teachings of the present invention, each clamping member of the conveyor includes a discharge member, the discharge member being mounted to slide axially on the clamping member between an assembly extreme position and a peeling extreme position, the assembly extreme position allowing the clamping member to axially engage with the neck, the discharge member sliding toward the peeling extreme position such that the contact surface of the discharge member presses against the neck of the bottle opening to completely disengage the neck from the clamping member, the retaining surface being formed by the contact surface of the discharge member.

[0021] The present invention also proposes an apparatus for implementing the transmission method according to the teachings of the present invention, the apparatus comprising:

[0022] - At least one transport fork of the transport container, the at least one transport fork moving synchronously with a clamping member associated with the conveyor, the upper surface of the transport fork forming the reaction surface;

[0023] - A dispensing device for dispensing preforms, the dispensing device comprising a single receiving device for receiving each container so as to sequentially guide each container to a tangent point tangent to the trajectory of the transport fork, at which point the container is transferred to the transport fork;

[0024] - The transport fork is mounted to slide axially between a conveying position and an engaging position. In the conveying position, the transport fork is positioned at the same horizontal height as the single receiving device to grip the neck when the container is carried by the dispensing device. In the engaging position, the neck of the container carried by the transport fork is intended to engage with the clamping member.

[0025] The device manufactured according to the teachings of the present invention is characterized in that the device includes a control mechanism for controlling the sliding of the holding surface, the control mechanism being mounted to slide on a carriage, and the associated transport fork being fixed on the carriage, such that when the control mechanism is fixed relative to the carriage, the sliding of the transport fork jointly drives the holding surface to slide.

[0026] In another aspect of the device manufactured according to the teachings of the present invention, the sliding stroke of the control mechanism relative to the carriage is less than the sliding stroke of the discharge member between its two extreme positions. The control mechanism is controlled between a tightened position that tightens the neck and a released position that releases the neck. In the tightened position, the control mechanism is close to the transport fork to actuate the holding face against the reaction surface. In the released position, the control mechanism is away from the transport fork to no longer actuate the holding face against the bottle neck for tightening.

[0027] According to another aspect of the device of the invention, the transport fork is controlled to slide by a cam path fixed relative to the ground, the cam path cooperating with a cam follower carried by the carriage.

[0028] In another aspect of the device manufactured according to the teachings of the present invention, the transport fork elastically returns to its engagement position.

[0029] In another aspect of the device produced according to the teachings of the present invention, the control mechanism for controlling the sliding of the holding surface includes a cam follower, the cam follower of the control mechanism being mounted to slide axially in the carriage, and the cam follower of the control mechanism engaging with a cam path fixed relative to the ground.

[0030] In another aspect of the device manufactured according to the teachings of the present invention, the control mechanism that controls the sliding of the retaining surface is elastically reset to its fastened position.

[0031] In another aspect of the device produced according to the teachings of the present invention, the control mechanism includes a control fork mounted to slide in the carriage, and the control fork engages with the surface of the discharge member to actuate the discharge member downward.

[0032] In another aspect of the device produced according to the teachings of the present invention, the device includes a plurality of transport forks mounted to rotate together with a drive wheel, the clamping member rotating about the drive wheel during its movement, and each carriage mounted to slide axially on the drive wheel. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent as we read the following detailed description, which we will refer to in order to understand the accompanying drawings which are briefly described below.

[0034] [ Figure 1 [Illustrated] is a schematic top view of a container manufacturing facility implemented according to the teachings of the present invention.

[0035] [ Figure 2 [This is a 3D diagram showing the supply of] Figure 1 Preformed components of the facility.

[0036] [ Figure 3 [This is an axial sectional view, showing] Figure 1 The clamping component of the conveyor of the heating station of the facility is equipped with a preform discharge component at the assembly extreme position.

[0037] [ Figure 4 ] is similar to [ Figure 3 The view shows the preform ejector component in the peeling extreme position.

[0038] [ Figure 5 [This is a 3D diagram, showing] Figure 1 The heating station's conveyor drive wheels, wherein the preform is held simultaneously by a transport fork and associated transport components.

[0039] [ Figure 6 [This is a 3D view showing the equipment equipped with] Figure 5 The device with drive wheels enables the assembly or stripping of preforms relative to the transport components of the conveyor of the heating station. The carriage of the device is shown in a transparent manner to allow clear visibility of the different components of the device.

[0040] [ Figure 7 ] is a detail view, showing [ Figure 6 The upper end of the device includes a transport fork and a control fork.

[0041] [ Figure 8]yes[ Figure 6 [The image shows an unfolded outline view of the device traveling along a portion of a circular path guided by drive wheels.]

[0042] [ Figure 9 [This is a 3D diagram, showing] Figure 1 [A part of the facility’s input wheel, transmission wheel, and drive wheel.]

[0043] [ Figure 10 ]yes[ Figure 9 A larger scale view of the details, showing in [ Figure 8 The notch of the conveyor wheel that the preform passes through at point P3 on the path of the preform shown corresponds to the transport fork.

[0044] [ Figure 11 [This is a 3D diagram, showing the image in [] Figure 8 The preform is carried by a transport fork at point P3 on the path shown.

[0045] [ Figure 12 ] is with [ Figure 8 Similar detailed views are shown in [ Figure 11 The preform and transport fork are shown in the image.

[0046] [ Figure 13 [This is a 3D diagram showing a structure supported by a transport fork, as shown in the image.] Figure 8 The preform is carried by a transport fork between points P3 and P1 on its path, as shown in the diagram.

[0047] [ Figure 14 ] is with [ Figure 8 Similar detailed views are shown in [ Figure 13 The preform and transport fork are shown in the image.

[0048] [ Figure 15 [This is a 3D diagram, showing the image in [] Figure 8 The preform is carried by a transport fork at point P1 on the path shown.

[0049] [ Figure 16 ] is with [ Figure 8 Similar detailed views are shown in [ Figure 15 The preform and transport fork are shown in the image.

[0050] [ Figure 17 [This is a 3D diagram, showing the image in [] Figure 8 The preform is carried by a transport fork at point P5 on the path shown.

[0051] [ Figure 18 ] is with [ Figure 8 Similar detailed views are shown in [ Figure 17The preform and transport fork are shown in the image.

[0052] [ Figure 19 [This is a 3D view showing the preform supported by the transport fork just as it reaches [...] Figure 8 Before point P6 in the route shown.

[0053] [ Figure 20 ] is with [ Figure 8 Similar detailed views are shown in [ Figure 19 The preform and transport fork are shown in the image.

[0054] [ Figure 21 [This is a 3D diagram, showing the image in [] Figure 8 The preform is carried by a transport fork at point P6 on the path shown.

[0055] [ Figure 22 ] is with [ Figure 8 Similar detailed views are shown in [ Figure 21 The preform and transport fork are shown in the image.

[0056] [ Figure 23 [This is a 3D diagram, showing the image in [] Figure 8 The preform is carried by a transport fork at point P2 on the path shown.

[0057] [ Figure 24 ] is with [ Figure 8 Similar detailed views are shown in [ Figure 22 The preform and transport fork are shown in the image.

[0058] [ Figure 25 ]yes[ Figure 9 ] Detail 25 Top view. Detailed Implementation

[0059] In the following description, we will use the term "vertical orientation" in a non-limiting manner, indicated by the upward-pointing arrow "V" in the accompanying drawings. The vertical direction is used here as the geometric reference. It is oriented parallel to the engagement direction of the clamping member 38 and the preform 12. The plane extending orthogonally to the vertical direction "V" will be referred to as the "horizontal" plane.

[0060] In the following text, elements with the same structure or similar function will be represented by the same reference numerals.

[0061] exist[ Figure 1 The image shows a portion of a facility 10 for manufacturing a final container, particularly a bottle, from an initial container made of thermoplastic material by biaxial stretching.

[0062] The initial container here is a preform 12, which is made of a thermoplastic material, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and is intended to be transformed into a final container, such as a bottle, after a first heating operation to soften the thermoplastic plastic constituting the preform, followed by a second blow or stretch blow operation to shape the preform 12 into the final container.

[0063] exist[ Figure 2 The image shows a preform 12. The preform 12 has a main axis “A” that extends in the vertical direction “V”.

[0064] The preform 12 includes a body 14 extending vertically along the main axis "A". The body 14 opens vertically upward through a neck 16 and closes at the opposite end by a bottom 18. The body 14 here has a generally cylindrical shape.

[0065] The neck 16 includes a support surface 20 through which the preform 12 can be supported. Advantageously, the neck 16 of the preform 12 includes at least one flange 22 extending in a horizontal plane relative to the main axis "A". The flange 22 is located in the engagement region between the neck 16 and the body 14. The flange extends radially outward, particularly relative to the body 14. The support surface 20 of the preform 12 is formed by the annular lower surface of the flange 22. The flange 22 also has an annular upper surface 23 opposite to the support surface 20.

[0066] The neck 16 has an upper edge that circumferentially defines an opening 24 for access into the interior of the body 14 of the preform 12. This edge is hereinafter referred to as "neck 26".

[0067] In one embodiment, the neck 16 has threads 28 on its cylindrical outer surface, the threads being designed to allow subsequent closure of the container, for example, by a screw cap. As a variation, the threads can be replaced by a resiliently fitting device with a plug.

[0068] The neck 16 also includes an annular groove 30, which is disposed directly above the flange 22. In a non-limiting manner, the groove 30 is used, for example, to accommodate an anti-tampering groove temporarily attached to the lid until the container is opened. This groove will hereinafter be referred to as "tamper-evident groove 30".

[0069] The description of the neck 16 just made also applies to the container obtained from this preform 12. The neck 16 of the preform 12 already has its final shape. In fact, the neck 16 already has its final shape; only the body 14 of the preform 12 is intended to undergo molding operations to make the preform 12 conform to the final container.

[0070] See again [ Figure 1The manufacturing facility 10 here includes a heating station 32 and a forming station 34, particularly for stretch blow molding.

[0071] Heating station 32 is equipped with conveyor 36, which allows preforms 12 to be transported in rows along a conveying path from loading point “P1” to unloading point “P2”. The path of the preforms 12 passes through at least one heating zone (not shown), in which the body 14 of each preform 12 is heated to a temperature suitable for molding the preform 12 into the final container in molding station 34.

[0072] The conveyor 36 includes a clamping member 38, which is designed to fit into the neck 16 of the preform 12 along the direction of the main axis “A”.

[0073] The clamping member 38 moves along a closed loop 39 extending in a horizontal plane. A portion of the closed loop 39 forms the transport path of the preform 12. For this purpose, each clamping member 38 is carried by a transport element (not shown).

[0074] Each transport element is, for example, a link in a chain. All the transport elements are then hinged together to form a closed, flexible element, such as a closed transport chain extending in a horizontal plane.

[0075] In this configuration, the clamping member 38 is driven by at least one drive wheel around which the chain meshes. Each clamping member 38 carried by the chain is spaced apart from the next clamping member 38 by a defined distance “S”.

[0076] As a variation of the invention (not shown), the transport chain enables the preform to be compacted by folding it like an accordion as it passes through the heating zone, as described in detail in document EP-B1-2.623.439.

[0077] In a variant of the invention (not shown), instead of chain links forming a chain, each transport element is formed by an independent shuttle. The transport device then includes at least one linear motor to control the movement of each shuttle independently along the closed loop 39. Such a transport device for a heating station is described, for example, in document FR-A1-3.035.651.

[0078] In this latter case, the linear motor includes a stator comprising a series of windings distributed along a closed loop. Each winding is individually controlled to locally generate a magnetic field independent of the other windings, which acts on the shuttle elements to induce their movement. For this purpose, the shuttle elements carry magnetic elements capable of interacting with the magnetic field emitted by the stator windings. The windings are controlled, for example, by a suitably programmed electronic control unit (not shown).

[0079] A linear motor therefore includes a single stator formed by a magnetic circuit, and multiple shuttle elements forming a “rotor” that are independently controlled along the stator.

[0080] Regardless of the implementation method chosen for the conveying element, each clamping member 38 is formed of a mandrel, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown schematically. During assembly operations, the clamping member 38 can be vertically fitted into the neck 16 of the preform 12 through the opening 24 of the neck, with a tight fit to ensure that the preform 12 is secured by friction with the cylindrical inner wall 17 of the neck 16.

[0081] according to Figure 3 and Figure 4 The non-limiting embodiment shown herein includes clamping member 38 comprising at least three segments 40, two of which are located in […]. Figure 3 As seen in the mid-section, they are arranged around the main axis "A". Each segment 40 is radially pushed outward into an expanded position by a ring 42 made of elastic material, which is received in the central groove 44 of the interlocking member 38. Thus, each segment 40 can be radially pushed against the cylindrical inner wall 17 of the neck 16 by the ring 42 to grip the preform 12 by friction. At this point, the portion of the clamping member 38 for tight reception within the neck 16 has an outer diameter in the expanded state that is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the neck 16 for the preform 12 to be loaded.

[0082] Therefore, during the assembly of the preform 12 via the clamping member 38, the clamping member 38 is forced vertically into the neck 16 of the preform 12 by the relative vertical sliding of the clamping member 38 relative to the preform 12, which causes the section 40 to retract against the elastic restoring force applied by the ring 42, as [ Figure 3 As shown in the image.

[0083] Each clamping member 38 is more specifically carried by a rod 46, also known as a rotator, which has a vertical axis extending vertically downward from the transport element. The rod 46 is coaxial with the main axis "A" of the preform 12 carried by the clamping member 38.

[0084] Rod 46 is, for example, mounted to rotate about its axis relative to the transport element so that it can rotate itself about its main axis “A” during transport of the preform by conveyor 36.

[0085] Each clamping member 38 also includes a discharge member 48 having a lower contact surface 50 for abutting against the bottle neck 26 of the preform 12 carried by the clamping member 38.

[0086] In the embodiment shown in the figure, the discharge member 48 is in the form of a sleeve defined vertically downward by a contact surface 50 having a continuous annular shape. The discharge member 48 is arranged around the rod 46.

[0087] As a variation, the discharge member is formed by multiple fingers, such as three fingers, the lower ends of which form part of the contact surface 50. The contact surface 50 is therefore discontinuous.

[0088] The discharge member 48 is vertically slidably mounted on the clamping member 38 between the following positions:

[0089] - Assemble in the extreme position where the clamping member 38 protrudes vertically downward relative to the contact surface 50 to allow the clamping member 38 to vertically engage with the neck 16, as shown in […]. Figure 3 As shown in the image; and

[0090] -The extreme disengagement position, in which the contact surface 50 is located below the clamping member 38, such that the contact surface 50 of the discharge member 48 presses against the bottle neck 26 of the neck 16, so that the neck is completely disengaged from the clamping member 38, as shown in […]. Figure 4 As shown in the image.

[0091] The discharge member 48 includes a number of guide posts 52, such as three guide posts 52, which extend vertically upward. Each guide post 52 is fixed relative to the discharge member 48.

[0092] Each guide post 52 is slidably received vertically in an associated through hole 54 in a radial plate 56 that extends radially from the rod 46, such that each guide post 52 protrudes vertically above the upper surface of the plate 56. The plate 56 is integrally connected to the rod 46, for example, formed as a single unit with the rod 46.

[0093] An elastic reset device 58, in this case a helical spring, is inserted between the shoulder 61 at the upper end of each guide post 52 and the upper surface of the plate 56. Therefore, the elastic reset device 58 makes it possible to elastically reset the discharge member 48 to its assembly extreme position.

[0094] exist[ Figure 1 The diagram shows a turning portion 39A of the closed loop 39, along which the clamping member 38 moves. This turning portion includes a loading point "P1" and an unloading point "P2". Along this turning portion of the closed loop 39, the clamping members 38 maintain a distance "S" between each other via drive wheels 60.

[0095] When transport elements form a chain, the drive wheel 60 can also have the function of guiding and / or driving the transport chain.

[0096] The drive wheel 60 is mounted to rotate about the central vertical axis "D", and its reference [ Figure 1Rotate counterclockwise.

[0097] The turning portion 39A of the closed loop 39 follows the outer peripheral edge of the drive wheel 60. Here, the turning portion 39A forms a semi-circle.

[0098] The closed loop 39 also includes a downstream straight section 39B, which is arranged tangentially to the drive wheel 60 downstream of the turning section 39A in the counterclockwise direction of rotation. The closed loop 39 also includes an upstream straight section 39C, which is arranged tangentially to the drive wheel 60 upstream of the turning section 39A in the counterclockwise direction of rotation.

[0099] The conveyor 36 is capable of continuously transporting each preform 12 carried by the clamping member 38 from the loading point "P1" to the unloading point "P2". At the loading point, the preform 12 is removed by the clamping member 38, and at the unloading point, the preform 12 is released from the clamping member 38. The clamping member 38 moves unloaded from the unloading point "P2" to the loading point "P1".

[0100] Manufacturing facility 10 includes a dispensing device for dispensing preforms, which conveys preforms 12 one after another onto conveyor 36.

[0101] The distribution device here includes a horizontal input conveyor wheel 62, which is mounted to rotate about its central vertical axis “E”.

[0102] The input conveyor wheel 62 includes a single receiving device at its periphery for individually receiving each preform 12, formed here by a notch 64 for receiving the neck 16 of the preform 12. The notches 64 are circumferentially spaced apart by a distance “S”. These notches 64 are able to accommodate the neck 16 of the preform 12 and are supported by the protruding flange 22 of the preform, which is supported by its supporting surface 20 on the periphery of the notch 64.

[0103] The notch 64 of the input conveyor wheel 62 is positioned at a height lower than that of the clamping member 38 of the conveyor 36.

[0104] like[ Figure 1 As shown in the planar projection, the input transmission wheel 62 is arranged here to be tangent to the turning portion 39A of the closed loop 39 at the first tangency point "P3". The first tangency point "P3" is located upstream of the loading point "P1".

[0105] The input transmission wheel 62 is driven to rotate clockwise around its axis "E", see [ ] Figure 1 The rotational speed of the input transmission wheel 62 is synchronized with the rotational speed of the drive wheel 60, so that the clamping member 38 and the notch 64 of the input transmission wheel 62 are simultaneously present at the first tangent point "P3" and are collinear with each other.

[0106] The drive wheel 60 also includes means designed to hold the preform 12 during assembly operations by means of the clamping member 38.

[0107] For this purpose, the drive wheel 60 includes a receiving device, such as... Figures 5 to 7 The transport fork 66 is shown. Each transport fork 66 defines a groove whose shape is complementary to the shape of the neck 16 of each preform 12.

[0108] Each transport fork 66 here clamps the associated preform 12 directly below the flange 22.

[0109] The transport fork 66 is carried by the drive wheel 60. Therefore, the transport fork 66 is driven by the drive wheel 60 along a circular path.

[0110] According to a variant of the invention (not shown), the receiving device is a clamp having a clamp hinged between a closed position and an open position, the clamp resiliently returning to its closed position.

[0111] According to a variation of the invention (not shown), the transport fork is supported by a plate having an axis coaxial with the axis "D" of the drive wheel 60.

[0112] The transport forks 66 are distributed on all circumferences of the drive wheel 60, at approximately the same height as the notch 64 of the input transfer wheel 62. The transport forks 66 are spaced apart from each other circumferentially by a predetermined distance “S”, such that one transport fork 66 is arranged vertically below each clamping member 38.

[0113] Therefore, in planar projection, the circular trajectory of the transport fork 66 is superimposed on the trajectory of the clamping member along the entire turning portion 39A. In other words, in planar projection, the trajectory of the clamping member 38 coincides with the trajectory of the transport fork 66 along the entire turning portion 39A.

[0114] like[ Figure 5 As shown, each transport fork 66 is used to clamp the preform 12 just below the flange 22 in order to remove the preform 12 from the input transfer wheel 62 and support the preform during the assembly operation.

[0115] The transport fork 66 clamps the preform 12 below the flange 22 such that the supporting surface 20 of the flange 22 rests on the upper surface of the transport fork 66, referred to as the reaction surface 68. Therefore, the reaction surface 68 contacts the flange 22. The reaction surface 68 faces the neck 26 of the neck 16, specifically upwards. When the preform 12 is clamped by the transport fork 66, its opening groove 30 is free. The transport fork 66 supports the preform 12 but does not restrict its upward vertical movement.

[0116] As will be explained later, during the assembly operation, the preform 12 is transported by the transport fork 66 until it is engaged with the clamping member 38.

[0117] This invention provides a method for transferring a preform 12 onto a conveyor 36, wherein, during assembly operations, the neck 16 of the preform 12 is vertically secured between the reaction surface 68 of the transport fork 66 and a retaining surface 70 vertically facing the reaction surface 68, the retaining surface 70 abutting against the neck 26. Therefore, the vertical upward movement of the preform 12 is intended to be limited only by contact between the neck 26 and the retaining surface 70 vertically facing the reaction surface 68. This allows the preform 12 to be properly held during assembly operations while freeing the tamper-evident recess 30 of the neck 16.

[0118] In a non-restrictive manner, the retaining surface 70 is formed here by the contact surface 50 of the discharge member 48. During the assembly operation, the discharge member 48 is thus controlled to slide so as to press the neck 16 against the transport fork 66.

[0119] According to another aspect of the invention, the assembly operation of assembling the preform 12 by means of the clamping member 38 requires the preform 12 to slide vertically relative to the clamping member 38 in the interlocking position. In fact, in the embodiment shown in the figures, the clamping member 38 is not mounted to slide vertically relative to the drive wheel 60.

[0120] According to the teachings of the invention, the transport fork 66 is advantageously mounted to slide vertically relative to the drive wheel 60 between a low transfer position and a high engagement position. In the low transfer position, the transport fork 66 is arranged at the same height as the notch 64 of the input transfer wheel 62, such as... Figure 11 , 13 As shown in Figure 23, in the high engagement position, the neck 16 of the preform 12 carried by the transport fork 66 is at the same height as the clamping member 38, such that the clamping member 38 is vertically engaged in the neck 16, as shown in Figure 23. Figure 15 and 23 shown.

[0121] Therefore, according to [ Figure 5 In the embodiment shown, the transport fork 66 is mounted to slide vertically on the drive wheel 60, while the clamping member 38 remains fixed in the vertical direction relative to the drive wheel 60. Therefore, it is the transport fork 66 that vertically lifts the preform 12 to engage the preform with the clamping member 38 during assembly operations.

[0122] like[ Figure 5 As shown, the movement of the transport fork 66 and / or the discharge member 48 is controlled by a cam.

[0123] In a variant not shown, the movement of the transport fork and / or cam is controlled by a pneumatic actuator or an electric motor.

[0124] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, each transport fork 66 is fixed to an associated carriage 72. The carriage 72 is vertically slidably mounted on the drive wheel 60 via a groove 73 fixedly mounted on the drive wheel 60. Here, the cam follower 74 is formed of a roller, which is rotatably mounted at the free lower end of the carriage 72 of each transport fork 66.

[0125] The cam follower 74 is designed to mate with a cam path 76, which is formed by the lower surface of a mounting track 78 fixed relative to the ground. The mounting track 78 is fixed relative to the frame, and the drive wheel 60 is rotatably mounted on the frame. The track 78 is in […]. Figure 8 The diagram shows this in more detail. The direction of movement of the clamping member 38 is indicated by the arrow "F1".

[0126] See again [ Figure 5 Each transport fork 66 is elastically returned to its high engagement position by a return spring 80, which is inserted between the surface that moves together with the carriage 72—located at the upper end of the spring 80—and the fixed surface of the drive wheel 60—located at the upper end of the groove 73.

[0127] In the event of a failure where the spring 80 does not respond sufficiently, the guard rail 82 is configured to be opposite the mounting rail 78 and to engage with the cam follower 74 to push the transport fork 66 via the carriage 72 to its engaged position.

[0128] like Figures 5 to 7 As shown, the device also includes a control mechanism for controlling the sliding of the holding surface 70 relative to the transport fork 66 mounted on the carriage 72.

[0129] The control mechanism includes a second control fork 84 received around the discharge member 48, opposite the drive surface 87, which faces upward along the bend portion 39A. The control fork 84 is used to actuate the drive surface 87 downward, as will be explained below.

[0130] In the embodiment shown in the figure, the control fork 84 is received in a groove 85 outside the discharge member 48, and the drive surface 87 forms the lower surface of the groove 85. Therefore, the control fork 84 engages with the discharge member 48 between the engagement point "P6" located at the upstream end of the turning portion 39A and the release point "P5" located at the downstream end of the turning portion 39A, as... Figure 1 As shown. Therefore, when the discharge member 48 circulates along the turning portion 39A, the control fork 84 temporarily slides vertically together with the discharge member 48.

[0131] The recess 85 is vertically defined by two horizontal planes. The recess 85 has a height slightly greater than the thickness of the control fork 84, such that the control fork 84 is received in the recess 85 with a vertical clearance. This clearance allows the control fork 84 to be easily inserted and withdrawn relative to the recess 85.

[0132] The control fork 84 is arranged vertically above the transport fork 66 and at a certain distance from it. More specifically, the control fork 84 is arranged above the carriage 72.

[0133] The control fork 84 is slidably mounted in the carriage 72 Figure 13 and 23 The lower fastening position shown is the same as Figure 11 , 15 The control fork 84 is controlled between its lower fastened position and its upper release position relative to the transport fork 66, where in the lower fastened position the control fork actuates the drive surface 87 to press the discharge member 48 against the bottle neck 26, and in the upper release position the control fork is vertically spaced from the transport fork 66 to stop actuating the discharge member 48 against the bottle neck 26.

[0134] In the lower clamping position, the control fork 84 controls the discharge member 48 in the clamping position of the neck 16 of the preform 12 carried by the transport fork 66. In this clamping position, the retaining surface 70 of the discharge member 48 abuts against the bottle neck 26 so as to fasten the support surface 20 of the flange 22 against the reaction surface 68 of the transport fork 66.

[0135] In the upper release position, the control fork 84 and the transport fork 66 are vertically spaced apart, so that the holding surface 70 is no longer securely pressed against the bottle neck 26. Therefore, the neck 16 of the preform 12 is no longer secured between the discharge member 48 and the transport fork 66.

[0136] The travel of the control fork 84 relative to the carriage 72 between these two positions is significantly less than the sliding travel of the discharge member 48 between its peeling extreme position and its assembly extreme position. Therefore, the combined sliding of the carriage 72 relative to the drive wheel 60 on one hand, and the combined sliding of the control fork 84 relative to the carriage 72 on the other hand, allows the control fork 84 to control the sliding of the discharge member 48 between its peeling extreme position and its assembly extreme position.

[0137] The control fork 84 is slidably mounted in the carriage 72. When the control fork 84 is fixed in one of its positions relative to the carriage 72 and the control fork 84 is engaged with the discharge member 48, the sliding of the transport fork 66 causes the retaining surface 70 to slide, such that the retaining surface 70 remains fixed relative to the transport fork 66 during its sliding.

[0138] like[ Figure 6As shown, the control fork 84 is guided to slide between two positions in the carriage 72 by a vertically downward extending rod 86. The rod 86 is received in a guide hole 88 of the carriage 72 having a vertical axis.

[0139] The control fork 84 is slidable by a first cam system used when the transport fork 66 is in its conveying position. For example, the cam follower 90 is formed by a roller mounted at the lower end of the rod 86, which protrudes through the lower end of the guide hole 88 below the carriage 72.

[0140] The cam follower 90 is designed to engage with the cam path 92 of the control track 94, which is fixed relative to the ground, to push the control fork 84 and thus the holding face 70 toward its assembled position, as […]. Figure 8 As shown in the image.

[0141] The control fork 84 is here elastically reset toward its release position by a resilient reset member 96—for example, a spring—which is inserted between the fixed surface relative to the carriage 72 and the fixed surface relative to the control fork 84. The fixed surface relative to the carriage 72 is here arranged above the fixed surface relative to the control fork 84, and the resilient reset member 96 functions during compression.

[0142] exist[ Figure 6 In the embodiment shown, the carriage 72 includes a vertical post 98 projecting above the carriage 72, and the body of the control fork 84 is vertically slidably mounted on the vertical post. A resilient reset member 96 is arranged around the vertical post 98 and is located between the head of the vertical post 98, which forms a fixed surface relative to the carriage 72, and the upper surface of the body of the control fork 84, which forms a fixed surface relative to the control fork 84.

[0143] The force applied by the resilient reset member 96 is greater than the force applied by the resilient reset device 58 of the discharge member 48. More specifically, the stiffness of the reset member 96 is greater than the stiffness of the resilient reset device 58 of the discharge member 48. Therefore, when the control fork 84 engages with the discharge member 48, the resilient return device 58 does not apply sufficient force to return the discharge member 48 to its assembly extreme position.

[0144] The control fork 84 can also be controlled toward its release position via a second cam system, which operates when the transport fork 66 is in its engaged position. Figure 7 In the embodiment shown, the second cam system includes a lever 100 that is oriented generally radially relative to the axis of the drive wheel 60. The lever 100 is pivotally mounted about a central axis “G” that is tangential to the direction of rotation of the drive wheel 60.

[0145] The lever 100 has two free ends, each equipped with rollers 102 and 104. The first roller 102 is positioned at the distal end of the lever 100 relative to the control fork 84. When the transport fork 66 is in its engaged position, the first roller contacts the surface 106 of the drive wheel 60, such as... Figure 5 As shown. During this contact, the distal end of lever 100 is pushed downward, causing lever 100 to tilt and the second roller 104, located at the end of lever 100 near the control fork 84, to rise. The second roller 104 then contacts the lower surface fixed relative to the control fork 84. This causes the control fork 84 to rise upward.

[0146] See again [ Figure 1 Preforms 12 are distributed in rows at the entrance of manufacturing facility 10 via sliders 108, in which they slide by being pushed downstream. Each preform 12 is then loaded onto a horizontal entry wheel 110 having a notch 112 around its periphery. Each notch 112 carries a preform 12. Thus, the preforms 12 are spaced apart at a distance “S” defined in the entry wheel 110.

[0147] like[ Figure 9 As shown, each notch 112 of the input wheel 110 is defined in a top view by an arc-shaped edge extending at an angle less than or equal to 180°. The imaginary straight line connecting the two ends of the arc is called a chord. The imaginary straight line orthogonally bisects the chord in the horizontal plane is called the chord height “H”. In order to efficiently load each preform 12 from the inlet slide 108, the chord height “H” of each notch 112 is here oriented at an angle “h” relative to a direction “R” that extends purely radially relative to the axis of rotation of the input wheel 110. Therefore, the downstream edge of the notch 112 protrudes radially relative to the upstream edge of the notch along the direction of rotation of the input wheel 110.

[0148] like[ Figure 10 As shown, the transport fork 66 has the same configuration as the notch 112 of the input wheel 110. When the transport fork 66 picks up the loaded preforms 12, they are arranged at the same height as the notch 112 to be able to clamp each preform 12 below the flange 22. Therefore, if the transport fork 66 clamps the preform 12 directly on the input wheel 110, the downstream edge of the transport fork 66 will touch the downstream edge of the notch 112.

[0149] To address this issue, manufacturing facility 10 includes an input conveyor wheel 62 arranged between input wheel 110 and conveyor 36. The notch 64 of input conveyor wheel 62 has an arc shape extending at an angle less than 180°, and its chord height points purely radially relative to the axis of rotation of input conveyor wheel 62, such as... Figure 10 The straight line “R” is shown. This avoids interference between the transport fork 66 and the input transfer wheel 62.

[0150] Due to this configuration of the notch 64 of the input conveyor wheel 62, the path of the preform 12 in the input conveyor wheel 62 is defined by the guard rail 114 fixed relative to the ground, so as to hold the preform 12 in the notch 64, as [ Figure 1 As shown in the image.

[0151] We now refer to Figures 11 to 24 Explain the operation of the facility during the assembly of preform 12.

[0152] like[ Figure 11 As shown, each transport fork 66 reaches the first tangent point "P3" between the input transfer wheel 62 and the closed loop 39, while a notch 64 of the input transfer wheel 62 carries a preform 12. The transport fork 66 is positioned at approximately the same height as the notch 64, enabling it to clamp the preform 12 below the flange 22. Therefore, the preform 12 is transferred from the input transfer wheel 62 to the drive wheel 60.

[0153] like[ Figure 8 As shown, in order to position the transport fork 66 at a good height, the cam path 76 has a first descending ramp 76A, which is designed to control the descent of the transport fork 66 to its low transport position. This descending ramp 76A is arranged upstream of the tangency point “P3”. Therefore, as Figure 12 As shown, at the tangent point "P3", the transport fork 66 has been controlled in the transport position by the cam path 76, overcoming the elastic return force of the spring 80.

[0154] At the tangency point "P3", the control fork 84 is engaged with the discharge member 48. The sliding of the carriage 72 towards its lower delivery position jointly drives the control fork 84 to slide, causing the discharge member 48 to slide towards its peeling extreme position. However, at the tangency point "P3", the discharge member 48 is not fully in its peeling extreme position. [As shown in the image] Figure 11 As shown, the control fork 84 is actually controlled in the release position, such that, under the action of the elastic reset device 58 of the discharge member 48, the discharge member 48 is slightly raised above the height of the bottle neck 26, allowing the transport fork 66 to carry the preform 12 without contacting the discharge member 48. To enable the control fork 84 to be controlled in its release position, the cam path 92 of the control track 94 includes an ascending ramp 92A located downstream of the tangency point "P3" (as shown in the image). Figure 8 As shown), cam path 92 holds control fork 84 in its released position during the passage of tangency point "P3", as Figure 12 shown.

[0155] When the preform 12 is gripped by the transport fork 66, it is thus in a transport position in which the main axis "A" of the preform 12 is coaxial with the axis of the gripping member 38, which is therefore arranged opposite and spaced apart from the neck 16 of the preform 12. The control fork 84 is in its released position, and the discharge member 48 does not interfere with the preform 12 during transport.

[0156] like[ Figure 1 As shown, the first tangency point "P3" is located on the turning portion 39A of the closed loop 39, upstream of the loading point "P1". The loading point "P1" is located on the turning portion 39A of the closed loop 39, downstream of the first tangency point "P3", for example at the release point "P5" located at the downstream end of the turning portion 39A. Therefore, the assembly operation can continue advantageously as long as the transport fork 66 travels through the corner sector "P3-P1" of angle "α".

[0157] The trajectory of the preform 12 carried by the transport fork 66 and the trajectory of the gripping member 38 are superimposed along the corner sector "P3-P1", which forms the first intersection line between the trajectory of the gripping member 38 and the trajectory of the transport fork 66 in the planar projection.

[0158] Therefore, between the first tangent point “P3” and the loading point “P1”, the preform 12 is carried by the transport fork 66.

[0159] like Figure 15 and Figure 16 As shown, the cam path 76 also includes a second downstream ramp 76B, which is designed to control the ascent of the transport fork 66 toward its engaged position. At least a portion of the guard wheel rail 82 is further positioned to face the second downstream ramp 76B to ensure that the transport fork 66 is controlled toward its engaged position even if the return spring 80 is unable to effectively return the transport fork 66 to its engaged position.

[0160] The second downstream ramp 76B extends over at least a portion of the turning portion 39A corresponding to the angle sector with angle “α”, such that the assembly operation can be carried out for a sufficiently long duration to ensure that the clamping member 38 is reliably engaged in the neck 16 of the preform 12.

[0161] However, before the transport fork 66 begins to slide toward its engagement position, the discharge member 48 is controlled as follows: Figure 13 and 14 The peeling extreme position is shown in the diagram. For this purpose, the control fork 84 is controlled towards its fastened position. This ensures that the preform 12 remains well coaxial with the clamping member 38 during assembly operations.

[0162] In the example shown in the figure, the control fork 84 is controlled towards its engagement position by the descending downstream ramp 92B of the cam path 92 of the control track 94. This descending downstream ramp 92B is arranged upstream of the ascending ramp 76B of the track 78. Therefore, the resilient reset member 96 allows the control fork 84 to be resiliently reset towards its engagement position, overcoming the lower resilient reset force applied by the resilient reset device 58.

[0163] exist Figures 13 to 16 Throughout the assembly process illustrated in the diagram, the control fork 84 is held in its secured position by the elastic reset member 96.

[0164] At the end of the assembly operation, such as [ Figure 15 As shown, the preform 12 moves integrally with the clamping member 38, and the discharge member 48 is in its assembly extreme position.

[0165] Furthermore, at the exit of the turning section 39A, the control fork 84 is designed to release from the recess 85 of the discharge member 48. Similarly, the preform 12 is designed to separate from the transport fork 66 to allow the preform to continue moving along the closed loop 39 with the clamping member 38 while the transport fork 66 continues its circular trajectory. If the neck 16 of the preform 12 remains fastened between the transport fork 66 and the control fork 84, this will cause friction between the preform 12 and the drive surface 87 during their separation. Therefore, not only is the retention of the preform 12 no longer useful, but it is also undesirable.

[0166] Therefore, at the end of the assembly operation and before the clamping member 38 reaches the release point "P5", the control fork 84 separates from the drive surface 87.

[0167] In the example shown in the attached figures, this is achieved by means of a control fork 84: when the carriage 72 reaches its engaged position, the control fork is automatically controlled in its released position to allow the ejection of the member 48 to no longer be actuated by the control fork 84. Due to the vertical play, the control fork 84 slides vertically upward in the groove 85, while the ejector member 48 remains in its assembled extreme position. Thus, the control fork 84 is removed from the drive surface 87 of the ejector member 48.

[0168] With the carriage 72 in the high position, as the transport fork 66 completes its movement toward its engagement position, the control fork 84 is controlled to move toward its release position through contact between the wheel 102 at the distal end of the lever 100 and the surface 106 facing the drive wheel 60.

[0169] like Figure 17 and Figure 18As shown, the transport fork 66 also moves away from the flange 22 before the clamping member 38 reaches the release point "P5". The preform 12 is practically entirely supported by the clamping member 38. Therefore, the transport fork 66 is controlled in an intermediate position, slightly below its engaged position. The travel of the transport fork 66 between its engaged position and the intermediate position is less than the vertical clearance between the drive surface 87 of the discharge member 48 and the control fork 84. Therefore, even in the intermediate position of the transport fork 66, the control fork 84 does not contact the drive surface 87.

[0170] exist[ Figure 18 In the embodiment shown, this is achieved by means of a slightly descending ramp 76C of the cam path 76, which is arranged downstream of the rising ramp 76B. Therefore, when the clamping member 38 reaches the release point “P5”, the preform 12 is no longer in contact with the transport fork 66, thus avoiding unwanted friction.

[0171] like Figure 19 and Figure 20 As illustrated, during their circular trajectory from the release point “P5” of the turning section 39A to the engagement point “P6” of the turning section 39A, the transport fork 66 is held in its engaged position by the return spring 80 and contacts the face 106 of the drive wheel 60 by the lever 100, while the control fork 84 is held in its released position against the elastic return force of the return member 96.

[0172] Just before reaching the engagement point "P6" located at the upstream end of the turning section 39A, the transport fork 66 is again controlled towards its intermediate position via a slightly descending ramp 76D arranged at the downstream end of the cam path 76, as [ Figure 22 As shown in the image.

[0173] Therefore, when the transport fork 66 reaches the engagement point "P6", it re-engages the preform 12 carried by the clamping member 38, especially after heating the body 14 of the preform 12, as [ Figure 21 As shown in the diagram. Then, the control fork 84 engages with the discharge member 48 associated with the clamping member 38. At this engagement point “P6”, the transport fork 66 remains slightly below the flange 22 without contacting it. Similarly, the control fork 84 is in its released position, engaging in the groove 85 of the discharge member 48 without contacting its drive surface 87.

[0174] like[ Figure 1 As shown, facility 10 also includes an output conveyor wheel 116.

[0175] The output conveyor wheel 116 is positioned at approximately the same height as the input conveyor wheel 62. It includes articulated arms, each equipped at its end with a gripper 118 that grips the preform (12) via a neck (16). The output conveyor wheel 116 is mounted to rotate clockwise about axis “F”. The gripper 118 moves along a closed loop trajectory that is tangent to the circular trajectory of the transport fork 66 at a second tangency point “P4”.

[0176] The rotational speed of the output conveyor wheel 116 is synchronized with the rotational speed of the drive wheel 60, so that the gripper 118 of the output conveyor wheel 116 and the transport fork 66 pass through the second tangent point "P4" located downstream of the unloading point "P2" at the same time.

[0177] In the planar projection, the trajectory of the transport fork 66 and the trajectory of the clamping member 38 overlap between the joint point "P6" and the second tangent point "P4".

[0178] The second tangent point “P4” is more specifically positioned upstream of the first tangent point “P3” relative to the rotation direction of the drive wheel 60.

[0179] Therefore, between the moment when the preform 12 is clamped by the transport fork 66 at the unloading point "P2" and the moment when the preform is transferred to the output conveyor wheel 116 at the second tangent point "P4", the preform 12 is engaged with the transport fork 66 facing the associated clamping member 38.

[0180] During the peeling operation from the engagement point "P6" to the second unloading point "P2", the preform 12 disengages from the clamping member 38 via a progressive vertical downward sliding motion from the carriage 72, which begins after the engagement point "P6" and ends substantially at the unloading point "P2". Figure 23 and 24 As illustrated in the diagram, this downward sliding motion is controlled by a descending ramp 76A of the track 78 located between the engagement point "P6" and the unloading point "P2". During this motion, the carriage 72 drives the control fork 84 downward. Due to this sliding, the lever 100 no longer contacts the surface 106 of the drive wheel 60, which has the effect of elastically returning the control fork 84 to its engaged position via the elastic return member 96, such as a spring.

[0181] The control fork 84 engages with the discharge member 48, and the control fork 84 slides together with the carriage 72 to drive the discharge member 48 to slide towards its peeling extreme position. This has the effect of peeling the preform 12 from the clamping member 38. Therefore, the flange 22 of the preform 12 is pushed by the discharge member 48 into contact with the transport fork 66.

[0182] During this peeling operation, the preform 12 is thus carried by the transport fork 66. More specifically, the neck 16 is secured between the surface 70 of the discharge member 48 that contacts the neck 26 and the reaction surface 68 of the transport fork 66 that contacts the support surface 20 of the flange 22.

[0183] The transport fork 66 frees the tamper-evident groove 30 of the preform 12, and the gripper 118 of the output conveyor wheel 116 grips the preform 12 through the tamper-evident groove 30 at the second tangent point "P4".

[0184] This allows the gripper 118 to grip the preform in a stable manner without the risk of the preform 12 falling or randomly rotating around its main axis "A". In fact, it is preferable that the preform 12 rotates as little as possible between its departure from the heating station 32 and its entry into the forming station 34, especially when the body 14 of the preform 12 has been heated according to a heating profile determined by applying differentiated heating around its main axis "A".

[0185] Preferably, when the preform 12 passes the second tangency point "P4", the preform 12 no longer contacts the discharge member 48 to prevent friction on the neck 16 of the preform 12. For this purpose, after the transport fork 66 reaches its transport position, the rising ramp 92A of the control track 94 is arranged between the unloading point "P2" and the second tangency point "P4".

[0186] Therefore, the same transport fork 66 is used to carry the preform 12 successively during the assembly operation and then during the stripping operation.

[0187] Therefore, the present invention enables the preform 12 to be securely held during assembly and peeling operations, while also enabling the preform heated at the outlet of the heating station to be safely and stably gripped by means of a clamp. This is achieved by reducing costs, as the discharge member 48 simultaneously performs the functions of stabilizing and peeling the preform.

Claims

1. A method for conveying containers, and in particular preforms (12) made of thermoplastic material, comprising a neck (16) with a main axis (A), said neck opening through an opening (24) defined by a free edge of said neck, called "mouth (26)", said container being conveyed during an assembly operation to a conveyor (36) in which it is held by a gripping member (38) axially engaged with said neck (16), It is characterized in that During the assembly operation, the neck (16) is axially secured between a reaction surface (68) facing the mouth (26) and a retaining surface (70) axially facing the reaction surface (68), the retaining surface (70) resting on the mouth (26).

2. The transmission method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The reaction surface (68) contacts the flange (22) of the neck (16).

3. The method of conveying according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that Each clamping member (38) of the conveyor (36) includes an ejection member (48), which is installed to slide axially on the clamping member (38) between an extreme assembly position and an extreme stripping position, wherein the extreme assembly position allows the clamping member (38) to axially engage with the neck (16), and the ejection member (48) slides toward the extreme stripping position so that the contact surface (50) of the ejection member (48) presses on the bottle mouth (26) of the neck (16) to completely disengage the neck from the clamping member (38), and the retaining surface (70) is formed by the contact surface (50) of the ejection member (48).

4. A device for implementing the transmission method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: at least one transport fork (66) for transporting the container, said at least one transport fork being movable synchronously with an associated gripping member (38) of said conveyor (36), said upper surface (68) of said transport fork (66) forming said reaction surface (68); a distribution device (62) for distributing the preforms (12), said distribution device comprising a single receiving device (64) for receiving each container so as to guide each container successively to a point of tangency (P3) with the trajectory of said transport fork (66), at which point said container is transferred to said transport fork (66); - the transport fork (66) is mounted to slide axially between a transfer position, in which the transport fork (66) is positioned at the same level as the single receiving device (64) for gripping the neck (16) when the container is carried by the dispensing device, and an engagement position, in which the neck (16) of the container carried by the transport fork (66) is intended to engage with the gripping member (38); Characterized in that the device comprises a control mechanism for controlling the sliding of the holding surface (70), the control mechanism being mounted to slide on a carriage (72), and the associated transport fork (66) being fixed on the carriage, so that when the control mechanism is fixed relative to the carriage (72), the sliding of the transport fork (66) jointly drives the sliding of the holding surface (70).

5. The device according to claim 4 in combination with claim 3, characterized in that The sliding stroke of the control mechanism relative to the slide (72) is smaller than the sliding stroke of the discharge member (48) between its two extreme positions. The control mechanism is controlled between a fastening position for fastening the neck (16) and a releasing position for releasing the neck (16). In the fastening position, the control mechanism approaches the transport fork (66) to actuate the holding surface (70) toward the reaction surface (68). In the releasing position, the control mechanism moves away from the transport fork (66) to no longer actuate the holding surface (70) to fasten against the bottle mouth (26).

6. The device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that The transport fork (66) is controlled to slide by a cam path (76) fixed relative to the ground, and the cam path cooperates with a cam follower (74) carried by the carriage (72).

7. The device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that The transport fork (66) elastically returns to its upper engagement position.

8. The device according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that The control mechanism for controlling the sliding of the retaining surface (70) comprises a cam follower (90), the cam follower of the control mechanism being mounted to slide axially in the carriage (72), and the cam follower of the control mechanism cooperating with a cam path (92) fixed relative to the ground.

9. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that The control mechanism for controlling the sliding of the retaining surface (70) is elastically reset to its fastening position.

10. The device according to any one of claims 4 to 9 in combination with claim 3, characterized in that The control mechanism comprises a control fork (84) mounted to slide in the carriage (72) and cooperating with a face (87) of the discharge member (48) to urge the discharge member (48) downward.

11. The device according to any one of claims 4 to 10, characterized in that The device comprises a plurality of transport forks (66) mounted to rotate in connection with a drive wheel (60), around which the clamping member (38) is indexed during its movement, and each carriage (72) is mounted to slide axially on the drive wheel (60).

Images