Device for conveying a packaging body
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2023772512
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-09-20
- Filing Date
- 2023-09-19
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-30
AI Technical Summary
Existing packaging body conveying devices are not adaptable to various shapes and contents, particularly failing to maintain conical, straight, or inverted conical glass packaging bodies with greasy or slippery contents due to the shape and nature of the packaging bodies.
A conveying device with two parallel endless guide members carried by pulleys, featuring adjustable tilt and pinch mechanisms, allowing for angular adjustments to accommodate different packaging body shapes and contents, ensuring effective maintenance and rotation prevention during capping.
Enables the effective conveyance and capping of diverse packaging bodies by adjusting the guide members' inclination and tension according to the shape and content, ensuring reliable screwing of capsules onto packaging bodies, even in steam environments.
Smart Images
Figure 1.1
Abstract
Description
Device for conveying a packaging body
[0001] The invention relates to a device for conveying packaging bodies. The device is more particularly used for capping packaging bodies by screwing on a cap, and in particular in the presence of steam. The invention also relates to a device for capping a packaging body. The packaging bodies are generally made of glass, and the cap is, for example, made of metal, of the "twist-off" type. These twist-off caps are provided with lugs intended to cooperate with a discontinuous screw thread of the access opening edge of the packaging body, for opening and closing in less than one turn of the opening edge of the packaging body, and are known in particular from document FR3011229.
[0002] A device for conveying packaging bodies for screw-on capping of a cap is known. All elements involved in capping are introduced into a steam containment enclosure, called a "steam chamber". More precisely, in the steam chamber, the packaging bodies are driven against an endless belt, and a cap is assigned to each packaging body. The conveying device comprises two endless guide members that guide the packaging body during its conveyance. The endless guide members also serve to clamp the packaging body. An endless guide member is, for example, formed by an endless belt made of a continuous material, for example, comprising an elastomer, or formed by a chain with rollers. This clamping makes it possible, in particular, to prevent the packaging body from rotating when the cap is screwed onto it. However, this device is not suitable for all packaging bodies.In fact, due to the shape of the packaging body (conical, straight, inverted conical, etc.), and the nature of its contents (for example, fatty products responsible for a more or less greasy and slippery environment of the packaging body), the guide members sometimes do not perform their role of holding the packaging body properly.
[0003] The invention aims in particular to provide a conveying device adaptable to any type of packaging body.
[0004] To this end, the invention relates to a device for conveying a packaging body comprising two substantially parallel endless guide members intended to extend laterally on either side of the packaging body, in contact with this body, each endless guide member being carried by two pulleys separating the guide member into two substantially parallel strands, respectively forward and return, these two pulleys being carried by a common support carried by a base. In addition, at least one pulley support, called an adjustable position support, is connected to its base by means for adjusting the angular position of the adjustable position support relative to its base around a pivot axis substantially parallel to the two strands of the guide member carried by the adjustable position support, these adjustment means being called cant adjustment means.
[0005] Thus, in a very simple, rapid and reproducible manner, the slope of the support can be modified, and therefore the inclination of the guide member can be adjusted transversely. Thanks to the invention, the guide member can therefore be inclined according to the shape of the packaging body and / or the nature of its contents, which makes it possible, with the same conveying device, to effectively hold various packaging bodies.
[0006] Depending on other optional features of the conveyor device, taken alone or in combination:
[0007] - The tilt adjustment means comprise: two complementary sliding surfaces, having sections in the form of an arc of circles centered on the pivot axis, these two complementary sliding surfaces being connected respectively to the adjustable position support and to the base, the tilt adjustment being carried out by sliding the complementary surfaces together, and means for clamping the complementary sliding surfaces together, making it possible to immobilize these complementary sliding surfaces in a desired relative angular position.
[0008] - The means for clamping the complementary sliding surfaces comprise a clamping screw, passing through the complementary sliding surfaces.
[0009] - The clamping screw is fitted with a head resting on a passing seat linked to the pulley support and a threaded end cooperating with a nut-forming member mounted to pivot around the pivot axis in the base.
[0010] - The additional sliding surface linked to the base is a surface of the base, more specifically a surface of the second leg of the base. Thus, the adjustment of the slope requires a relatively simple structure, because the base interacts directly with the additional sliding surface linked to the adjustable-position support.
[0011] - The screw extends into an oblong hole limiting the pivoting movement of the pulley support around the pivot axis, this oblong hole being provided in the base.
[0012] - The adjustable position support is connected to its base by angular adjustment means around an axis, called a pinch axis, substantially parallel to the axes of the pulleys carried by the adjustable support, these adjustment means being called pinch adjustment means. The position of the support is thus easily and quickly adjusted so that the end of this support furthest from the pinch axis more or less clamps the forward strand of the guide member against the packaging bodies depending on the desired use. Such an adjustment can be easily carried out by the user according to his needs. It will be noted that this angular adjustment system can be used in a conveyor device in which the pulley support does not have tilt adjustment means.
[0013] - The base comprises first and second feet, the pinch adjustment means comprising articulation means around the pinch axis carried by the first foot and eccentric means connecting the second foot to the adjustable position support.
[0014] - The eccentric means comprise:. an eccentric-forming element connected to the adjustable-position support by articulation means around an axis, called the eccentric axis, distinct from the pinching axis, substantially parallel to the axes of the pulleys carried by the adjustable support, and. a connecting member of the adjustable-position support with the eccentric-forming element extending through two crossed slots provided respectively in the eccentric-forming element and in the adjustable-position support, the slot provided in the eccentric-forming element having a curved shape eccentric relative to the eccentric axis.
[0015] - The clamping screw forms the connecting member of the adjustable position support with the eccentric element. This limits the number of elements in the device.
[0016] - At least one of the pulleys, called folding pulley, is connected to its support by a folding arm between an operational position of the guide member carried by the folding pulley and a folded position for disassembly of the guide member carried by the folding pulley. The disassembly and assembly of the guide member is thus carried out easily and quickly. It should be noted that this quick disassembly module can be used in a conveyor device in which the pulley support does not have position adjustment means, in particular tilt and / or pinching.
[0017] - The folding arm is connected to the support carrying the folding pulley by articulation means around a folding axis substantially parallel to the axis of the folding pulley, a tightening screw of the support carrying the folding pulley with the folding arm extending through an orifice provided in the support and a light, provided in the arm, of curved shape centered relative to the folding axis.
[0018] - The conveying device comprises an electric motor for driving a pulley, called a driving pulley, the electric motor being carried by the support carrying the driving pulley and powered by an electric cable extending between the motor and an electrical power source by passing through a cable passage provided in the support so as to extend inside the closed contour delimited by the guide member carried by the driving pulley. Thus, during disassembly or assembly of the guide member, the electric power cable does not interfere with the handling of the guide member. In particular, it is not necessary to disconnect the electric power cable from the motor to remove the guide member. It will be noted that these means facilitating the disassembly or assembly of the guide member can be used in a conveying device in which the pulley support does not have position adjustment means, in particular tilt and / or pinching.
[0019] The invention also relates to a device for capping an access opening edge of a packaging body. The device for capping comprises a device for conveying the packaging body as described above.
[0020] According to another optional feature of the capping device, it is intended for capping the access opening edge of a packaging body with a screw cap, in particular of the twist-off type. Brief description of the figures
[0021] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings in which:
[0022] is a perspective view of a conveying device according to the invention;
[0023] is a sectional view along line II-II of a pulley support and its base belonging to the conveying device, in which the pulley support is in a position of substantially zero tilt;
[0024] is a view similar to that of the, in which the pulley support is in a maximum cant position;
[0025] is a sectional view along line IV-IV of the;
[0026] is a top view of the conveyor device of the;
[0027] is a view similar to that of the, in which the toe is set differently;
[0028] is a detailed perspective view showing the top of the pulley support and eccentric means of the pinch adjustment means of a guide member;
[0029] is a detail perspective view showing the underside of the pulley support and a corresponding portion of the eccentric means of the;
[0030] is a view similar to that of the, in which a folding pulley and in the folded position for disassembling the guide member;
[0031] is a detailed perspective view of one end of the pulley support showing an electric motor driving a driving pulley, as well as an electrical power cable for the motor.
[0032] There is shown a capping device according to the invention designated by the general reference 10. This device 10 is intended for capping an access opening edge 12 of a packaging body 13. This opening edge 12 is intended to receive a cap, not shown, of a conventional type, for example a screw-on cap, in particular of the twist-off type. The packaging body 13 is made of a conventional material, for example glass. The cap is made of a conventional material, for example metal. It comprises, on its internal surface, a conventional seal.
[0033] The capping device 10 comprises a conveying device 16, according to the invention, intended to convey the packaging body 13 to a docking zone of the capsule with the opening edge 12.
[0034] The conveying device 16 comprises two endless guide belts 18, 20, substantially parallel, as shown in particular in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6. These two guide belts 18, 20 are intended to extend laterally on either side of the packaging body 13, in contact with this body 13, so as to guide this body 13 laterally. The guide belts 18, 20 form two endless guide members. Each guide belt 18, 20, or at least one of them, could for example be replaced by a chain with skates.
[0035] The conveying device 16 also comprises a drive belt 22 on which the packaging body 13 is placed. It will be noted that one or two packaging bodies 13 are shown in the figures. However, the capping device 10 is intended to capsulate a series of packaging bodies 13 circulating in the conveying device 16.
[0036] Still referring to the, we see that the capping device 10 comprises a downstream guide member 24 and an upstream guide member 26 intended to guide the capsule by gravity to the docking zone of this capsule with the opening edge 12.
[0037] The capping device 10 also comprises steam injection means supplied by a conduit 28.
[0038] It will be noted that the capping device 10 comprises a steam confinement enclosure E in which the steam injection means are arranged, so as to retain at least a large part of the steam in a restricted area of the capping device 10. This enclosure E is delimited in particular by a hinged cover 30, visible in the. Thus, the downstream guide member 24 and a downstream end of the upstream guide member 26 are housed in the enclosure E.
[0039] Referring in particular to Figures 5 and 6, it can be seen that each endless guide belt 18, 20 is carried by two pulleys 32, 34 separating the belt 18, 20 into two substantially parallel strands, respectively forward BA and return BR. The two pulleys 32, 34 are carried by a common support 36 carried by a base 38.
[0040] In the example described, the guide belts 18, 20 are identical and are arranged identically on their pulleys 32, 34 and their corresponding base 38. Thus, in what follows, only one of the belts will be described, namely the belt 18, all of the means associated with this belt 18 being identical to those associated with the other belt 20. According to a variant not shown, some of the means associated with the guide belt 20 could be distinct from those associated with the guide belt 18.
[0041] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, it can be seen that the position of the support 36 carrying the pulleys 32, 34 carrying the guide belt 18 is adjustable. In fact, this support 36 is connected to its base 38 by means 40 for adjusting the angular position of the support 36 relative to its base 38.
[0042] Referring in particular to figures 1 and 2, it can be seen that the base 38 comprises two substantially parallel feet 42, 44, the first foot 42 being visible on the and the second foot 44 being visible on the.
[0043] The adjustment means 40 are formed by similar means arranged between the support 36 and each of the feet 42, 44. Therefore, in the following, the adjustment means 40 will be described with reference to the second foot 44.
[0044] Thus, with particular reference to Figures 2 to 4, it can be seen that the adjustment means 40 allow the adjustment of the angular position of the support 36 relative to the foot 44 around a pivot axis 46, substantially parallel to the two strands BA, BR of the belt 18.
[0045] In the following, the adjustment means 40 are called cant adjustment means 40. The cant adjustment makes it possible to adapt the transverse inclination of the belt 18 to the shape of the packaging body 13 and / or to a more or less greasy environment (due to the nature of the contents of the body 13) influencing the belt 18 / body 13 contact, so as to effectively maintain the body 13.
[0046] In the example described, the cant adjustment means 40 comprise two complementary sliding surfaces 48, 50, having sections in the form of an arc of circles centered on the pivot axis 46. The two complementary sliding surfaces 48, 50 are connected respectively to the adjustable position support 36 and to the base, more particularly to the second foot 44. More precisely, the complementary sliding surface 50 is a surface of the second foot 44 of the base 38. The cant is adjusted by sliding the complementary surfaces 48, 50 together.
[0047] The tilt adjustment means 40 also comprise means 52 for clamping the complementary sliding surfaces 48, 50 together, making it possible to immobilize these sliding surfaces 48, 50 in a desired relative angular position.
[0048] In the example described, the clamping means 52 comprise a clamping screw 54, passing through the complementary sliding surfaces 48, 50. The clamping screw 54 is provided with a head 54T bearing on a passing seat 56 linked to the support 36 and with a threaded end 54F cooperating with a nut-forming member 58 pivotally mounted around the pivot axis 46 in the base 38, more particularly in the second foot 44. The nut-forming member 58 is pivotally mounted in a housing 59 (see) of the second foot 44.
[0049] It will be noted that the clamping screw 54 extends into an oblong orifice 60, provided in the second foot 44 of the base (see figures 2 and 3), intended to limit the pivoting movement of the support 36 around the pivot axis 46. This oblong orifice 60 has a section which evolves towards the pivot axis 46 so that the oblong dimension of the section decreases as it approaches the pivot axis 46.
[0050] Thus, as can be seen in Figures 2 and 3, the tilt of the support 36 can be adjusted between two positions limiting the movement, namely a substantially horizontal position of the support 36, of substantially zero tilt, as shown in the, and a position of maximum tilt, as shown in the.
[0051] Referring in particular to Figures 5 to 7, it can be seen that the adjustable position support 36 comprises a support pad 62 on the outward strand BA of the belt 18 carried by this support 36. In the example described, the support pad 62 is formed by a conventional assembly comprising articulated links fixed relative to the support 36 and a damping pad, for example made of elastomer.
[0052] The support 36 is also connected to its base 38 by means 64 for angular adjustment around an axis 66 called a pinching axis. In the following, the adjustment means 64 are called pinching adjustment means.
[0053] The pinching axis 66 is substantially parallel to the axes of the pulleys 32, 34 carried by the support 36. In the example illustrated, the pinching axis 66 is materialized by the screw 54 of the first foot 42 of the base, the head 54T of which can be seen in particular in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6. In fact, this screw 54 forms means of articulation around the pinching axis 66 carried by the first foot 42.
[0054] Referring more particularly to Figures 7 and 8, it can be seen that the pinch adjustment means 64 comprise eccentric means 68 connecting the second leg 44 to the adjustable position support 36.
[0055] The eccentric means 68 comprise an element 70, for example in the general shape of a sector, forming an eccentric, connected to the support 36 by conventional means 72 of articulation around an axis, called the eccentric axis 74, distinct from the pinching axis 66. The eccentric axis 74 is substantially parallel to the axes of the pulleys 32, 34 carried by the support 36. The eccentric-forming element 70 pivots around the eccentric axis 74.
[0056] The eccentric-forming element 70 is also connected to the support 36 by a connecting member formed, in the example described, by the clamping screw 54 associated with the second foot 44. Thus, with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, it can be seen that this screw 54 extends through two crossed slots 76, 78 formed respectively in the eccentric-forming element 70 and in the support 36. The slot 76 formed in the eccentric-forming element 70 has a curved shape eccentric relative to the eccentric axis 74.
[0057] By comparing figures 5 and 6, it can be seen that the eccentric-forming element 70 can pivot between two extreme positions shown respectively in these figures 5 and 6 in order to adjust the contact of the support pad 62 on the outward strand BA of the belt 18. Graduations G, provided on the support 36, can make it possible to identify these extreme positions as well as intermediate adjustment positions.
[0058] It is therefore understood that the pinch adjustment means 64, by pivoting the support 36 around the pinch axis 66 under the effect of the movement of the eccentric-forming element 70, make it possible to adjust the position of the support 36 so that the end of this support 36 furthest from the pinch axis 66 tightens the forward strand BA of the belt 18 more or less against the packaging bodies 13. Thus, the pinching of the packaging body 13 between the belts 18, 20 is adjusted according to the application.
[0059] To facilitate the disassembly and assembly of the belt 18, at least one of the pulleys 32, called folding, is connected to its support 36 by a folding arm 80 between an operational position of the belt 18 carried by this folding pulley 32, as shown for example in FIGS. 5 and 6, and a folded position for disassembly of the belt 18, as shown in the.
[0060] In the example illustrated, the folding arm 80 is connected to the support 36 carrying the folding pulley 32 by conventional means 82 of articulation around a folding axis 84. This folding axis 84 is substantially parallel to the axis of the folding pulley 32.
[0061] A screw 86 for tightening the folding arm 80 on the support 36 extends through a slot 88, provided in the arm 80, of curved shape, centered relative to the folding axis 84.
[0062] To dismantle the belt 18, the screw 86 is loosened so as to allow the arm 80 to pivot around the folding axis 84, this pivoting movement being guided by the curved light 88, until the arm 80 and the pulley 32 carried by this arm 80 are placed in the position shown on the diagram, facilitating the dismantling of the belt 18.
[0063] To reassemble the belt 18 on the pulleys 32, 34, this belt 18 is pre-positioned relative to the pulleys 32, 34 as shown in the, then the arm 80 is positioned as shown in figures 5 or 6. Finally, the screw 86 is tightened to immobilize the arm 80 in the position in which the belt 18 is operational.
[0064] Referring to Figures 5, 6 and 10, it can be seen that the belt 18 is driven by an electric motor 90, carried by the support 36. Indeed, the electric motor 90 is coupled with the pulley 34, called the driving pulley, so as to drive it in rotation. The electric motor 90 is connected to an electrical power supply cable 92. It will be noted that the cable 92 extends between the motor 90 and a conventional electrical power source, not shown, passing through a cable passage 94 provided in the support 36 so as to extend inside the closed contour delimited by the belt 18 carried by the driving pulley 34.
[0065] Thus, when dismantling or mounting the belt 18, the electrical power supply cable 92 does not interfere with the handling of the belt 18.
[0066] The invention is not limited to the embodiments presented and other embodiments will become clear to those skilled in the art. In particular, the conveying device according to the invention can be used independently of a capping device. It will also be noted that, even if it is part of a capping device, the conveying device can be used in a steam-free context, the capping device then being devoid of steam injection means and steam containment enclosure. The capsule guiding means may also be different from those described. It is also possible to use the conveying device according to the invention for capping with capsules other than screw-on capsules, and other than twist-off capsules. List of references
[0067] 10: device for capping12: opening edge13: packaging body16: conveyor device18, 20: endless guide belt22: drive belt24: downstream guide member26: upstream guide member28: conduit30: coverE: enclosure32: folding pulley34: driving pulleyBA: forward strandBR: return strand36: common support38: base40: tilt adjustment means42: first foot44: second foot46: pivot axis48: sliding surface linked to the support with adjustable position50: sliding surface linked to the base52: clamping means54: clamping screw54T: screw head54F: threaded end of the screw56: through seat58: nut-forming member59: housing60: oblong hole62: support pad on the forward strand64: pinch adjustment means66: pivot axis pinching68: eccentric means of pinch adjustment means70: eccentric forming element72: articulation means74: eccentric axis
[0068] 76: cross light in the eccentric forming element78: cross light in the supportG: graduations80: folding arm82: articulation means84: folding axis86: clamping screw of the folding arm88: light in the folding arm90: electric motor92: electric power cable94: cable passage
Claims
Conveying device (16) for a packaging body (13) comprising two endless guide members (18, 20) substantially parallel intended to extend laterally on either side of the packaging body (13), in contact with this body (13), each endless guide member (18, 20) being carried by two pulleys (32, 34) separating the guide member (18, 20) into two substantially parallel strands (BA, BR), respectively forward (BA) and return (BR), these two pulleys (32, 34) being carried by a common support (36) carried by a base, and at least one support (36) of pulleys (32, 34), called adjustable position support (36), is connected to its base (38) by means (40) for adjusting the angular position of the adjustable position support (36) relative to its base (38) around of a pivot axis (46) substantially parallel to the two strands (BA, BR) of the guide member (18, 20) carried by the adjustable position support (36),these adjustment means (40) being called cant adjustment means, the cant adjustment means (40) comprising: - two complementary sliding surfaces (48, 50), having sections in the form of an arc of circles centered on the pivot axis (46), these two complementary sliding surfaces (48, 50) being linked respectively to the adjustable position support (36) and to the base (38), the cant adjustment being carried out by sliding the complementary surfaces (48, 50) between them, and - clamping means (52) of the complementary sliding surfaces (48, 50) between them making it possible to immobilize these complementary sliding surfaces (48, 50) in a desired relative angular position, the clamping means (52) of the complementary sliding surfaces (48, 50) comprising a clamping screw (54), passing through the complementary sliding surfaces (48,50) and the adjustable position support (36) is connected to its base (38) by means (64) for angular adjustment around an axis (66), called a pinch axis, substantially parallel to the axes of the pulleys (32, 34) carried by the adjustable support (36), these adjustment means (64) being called pinch adjustment means, the base (38) comprising first (42) and second (44) feet, the pinch adjustment means (64) comprising articulation means (72) around the pinch axis (66) carried by the first foot (42) and eccentric means (68) connecting the second foot (44) to the adjustable position support (36), the eccentric means (68) comprising: - an eccentric-forming element (70) connected to the adjustable position support (36) by articulation means (72) around an axis (74), called eccentric, distinct from the pinch axis (66), substantially parallel to the axes of the pulleys (32, 34) carried by the adjustable support (36),and- a connecting member (54) of the adjustable position support (36) with the eccentric forming element (70) extending through two crossed slots (76, 78) provided respectively in the eccentric forming element (70) and in the adjustable position support (36), the slot (76) provided in the eccentric forming element (70) having a curved shape eccentric with respect to the eccentric axis (74), the clamping screw (54) forming the connecting member of the adjustable position support (36) with the eccentric forming element (70)., Conveying device (16) according to the preceding claim, the clamping screw (54) being provided with a head (54T) resting on a passing seat (56) linked to the support (36) of pulleys (32, 34) and a threaded end (54F) cooperating with a nut-forming member (58) pivotally mounted around the pivot axis (46) in the base (38). Conveying device (16) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, the complementary sliding surface (50) linked to the base (38) being a surface of the base, more particularly a surface of the second foot (44) of the base (38). Conveying device (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the screw (54) extending into an oblong orifice (60) for limiting the movement of the pivoting of the support (36) of the pulley (32, 34) around the pivot axis (46), this oblong orifice (60) being provided in the base (38). Conveying device (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which at least one of the pulleys (32), called folding, is connected to its support (36) by a folding arm (80) between an operational position of the guide member (18, 20) carried by the folding pulley (32) and a folded position for dismantling the guide member (18, 20) carried by the folding pulley (32). Conveying device (16) according to the preceding claim, in which the folding arm (80) is connected to the support (36) carrying the folding pulley (32) by articulation means (82) around a folding axis (84) substantially parallel to the axis of the folding pulley (32), a tightening screw (86) of the support (36) carrying the folding pulley (32) with the folding arm (80) extending through an orifice provided in the support (36) and a light (88), provided in the arm (80), of curved shape centered relative to the folding axis (84). Conveying device (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising an electric motor (90) for driving a pulley (34), called the driving pulley, the electric motor (90) being carried by the support (36) carrying the driving pulley (34) and powered by an electric cable (92) extending between the motor (90) and an electrical power source, passing through a cable passage (94) provided in the support (36) so as to extend inside the closed contour delimited by the guide member (18, 20) carried by the driving pulley (34). Device (10) for capping an edge (12) of an access opening of a packaging body (13), characterized in that it comprises a conveying device (16) of the packaging body (13) according to any one of claims 1 to 7. Device (10) for capping according to the preceding claim, intended for capping the access opening edge (12) of a packaging body (13) with a screw cap, in particular of the twist-off type.