Tool, device and unit for transferring products

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tool (10), a device (9) and a unit (7) for transferring products (1). In particular, the tool (10) comprises a frame (11) provided with parallel arms (12) and with parallel members (13) that extend vertically, suspended at an attachment point (15) in rotation with each of the arms (12); the members (13) being movable under the action of motorized means (14) and by way of mechanical hinges allowing, on the one hand, the members (13) to be separated and brought closer together and, on the other hand, the members (13) to be kept parallel, forming a deformable parallelogram. In addition, each hinge comprises a first link (16) fixedly mounted at the attachment point (15) and a second link (17) mounted, at one end, at a point (18) of rotation with the other end of the first link (16), the other end of the second link (17) being pivotably mounted at the attachment point (15), the attachment point (15) being mounted so as to be able to slide along a slide (120) of the arm (12).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Tool, device and installation for transferring products Technical field of the invention

[0003] The present invention falls within the field of conveying products within an industrial line for the continuous processing of said products. The invention particularly relates to the transfer of products to or from an accumulation surface. Such products may be containers, such as, but not limited to, bottles, cans, flasks or even cardboard cartons. These containers may be moved individually or grouped within boxes, crates, cartons or bundles.

[0004] In a known manner, such products are moved along said industrial line, from upstream to downstream, between successive processing stations, by means of suitable conveyors, essentially of the endless belt type. In addition, said products are processed and conveyed in one or more parallel lines, namely in a single-line or multi-line manner. Furthermore, during this conveying, the products of each line may be arranged in a specific manner, in particular spaced and / or oriented.

[0005] Generally, in order to ensure the continuous production of such an industrial line, despite the shutdown of a processing station or for reasons of different processing rates between two stations, one or more accumulation surfaces for said products are provided, each accumulation surface ensuring the temporary storage of a variable quantity of products between a station located upstream and a station located downstream from said accumulation surface.

[0006] According to a particular configuration, such an accumulation surface makes it possible to receive and move said products grouped in rows, from an inlet to an outlet. Upstream, an inlet conveyor extends along an inlet edge and feeds said accumulation surface according to an inlet flow at an inlet edge, possibly via a first transit zone. Groups of products are transferred transversely from said inlet conveyor to the accumulation surface, successively forming said rows. Along the accumulation surface, the rows are moved from the inlet edge to an outlet edge, located opposite said inlet edge. Downstream, an outlet conveyor receives one or more of the rows of products from said accumulation surface, possibly via a second transit zone extending along its outlet edge.

[0007] In order to move the products to and from the accumulation surface, as well as possibly along the latter, a sequential transfer by pushing of said products is carried out, possibly crossing interfaces between the different surfaces of said zones, in particular via the sliding soles constituting stationary intermediate surfaces.

[0008] State of the art

[0009] Further, the products are moved by pushing via a transfer device, moving within the installation between the input conveyor and the output conveyor, along said accumulation surface. Thus the transfer device moves above the conveyors and the accumulation surface. Such a transfer device is provided with at least one pusher-type member, in the form of a plate extending vertically downwards.

[0010] In addition, the mobility of the transfer device ensures positioning by lowering the pusher against a group of products which is conveyed at the inlet to come into contact with the walls of said products and push by movement of the device (and / or the pusher(s)) said group towards the accumulation surface (and respectively at the outlet by pushing a row from the accumulation surface towards the outlet conveyor), possibly via transit zones at the inlet and outlet. Once the transfer has been carried out, the device (and / or the members) is then raised, to be replaced vertically at the level of the next group (or the next row of products) to be moved.

[0011] A recurring constraint lies in this transfer by pushing the products, which slide on the surfaces. The friction induced leads to a risk of imbalance and falling of the products. In addition, the junctions between the conveyors, even when flush with the sliding floors, also lead to a risk of snagging the bottom of the products as they pass. In addition, accelerations and decelerations cause shocks, likely to unbalance the products, or even cause them to fall. The contact between the pusher and the products can once again cause a shock inducing an imbalance of said products at the time of their transfer.

[0012] An existing solution consists of positioning a second member in parallel, in order to frame the group or row of products to be transferred. In particular, the spacing between the members is determined according to the width or diameter of the products to be transferred. Such spacing can be provided adjustable according to the size of the products, but necessarily requires functional clearance to ensure, on the one hand, the circulation of the products between the members when they are positioned on either side along a conveyor and, on the other hand, for the vertical movement of said members, downwards and upwards. Firstly, the functional clearance allows the transfer device to come over a row of products from above, without touching them so as not to risk causing them to fall.Secondly, once the products have been transferred, said functional clearance allows the device to be raised to return to its original position in order to transfer other products. Such clearance allows the members to be inserted and retracted at the level of one or more rows of products, even if the products belonging to the same row are not perfectly aligned.

[0013] The functional clearance between the products and the organs is generally provided at least five millimeters, going up to thirty millimeters. Most often, the functional clearance is between ten and twenty millimeters.

[0014] Thus, with two members framing a group or a row of products, the risks of imbalance and falling during their transfer are minimized. It should be noted that by adding parallel members between them, it is then possible to transfer several groups or rows of products, always in a supervised manner. Thus, the member located upstream in relation to the direction of movement of the products provides a thrust, while the member located downstream holds the products to ensure their stability during the transfer, in particular preventing them from falling.

[0015] In this context, the adjustment of the spacing between two components is carried out at the start of production, depending on the dimensions and shape of the products to be transferred, with the required functional clearance. This spacing is maintained throughout production. This adjustment is generally carried out by bringing the components closer or further apart from each other. This operation is generally carried out each time the format of the products to be transferred is changed.

[0016] Furthermore, during production, the distance between two members can vary, moving closer to each other to grip and thus hold the products at the time of their transfer, and conversely moving away from each other to release the support and retract the said members.

[0017] Currently, to maintain parallelism between the members and with respect to the inlet and outlet edges of the accumulation surface, the members are connected to each other, through mechanical joints of the four-bar link type, similar to a pantograph, creating a deformable parallelogram. In particular, in the case of two members, a first member is fixed, while the other member is connected by means of two parallel connecting rods through a pivot point. Thus, the rotation of the two connecting rods ensures the approach or separation of said other member, while maintaining parallelism with the fixed member.

[0018] The same operation applies and adapts to more organs.

[0019] A problem with this mechanism lies in the range of movement of the moving parts, particularly at the lateral edges of the accumulation surface. Indeed, the pivoting of the parts with respect to each other causes a lateral shift of their ends, particularly the end located on one side, which moves beyond the accumulation surface, forming an offset. However, this offset is restricted due to the structure serving as support for said device and extending along each of the lateral edges of said accumulation surface. This structure limits the length of said offset.

[0020] In addition, the opposite end moves towards the inside of the accumulation surface, with an offset greater than the format of the products to be transferred, which reduces the number of products that can be transferred with each push.

[0021] Since the pivoting is proportional to the required spacing, this lateral restriction poses a problem in adapting the required spacing to different product formats, in particular between small and large product formats, such as between small 33 cl (centiliter) bottles and 1.5 L or 2 L (liter) bottles.

[0022] Statement of the invention

[0023] The invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the state of the art by proposing a product transfer tool, the articulations between the members of which limit the lateral offset distance of the ends of said members, while ensuring a spacing amplitude between the members capable of adapting to numerous product formats.

[0024] In particular, the articulation according to the invention makes it possible to maintain as much as possible the coverage of the organs above the surface of the accumulation surface, to allow a large number of products to be transferred in a single movement. In addition, the invention makes it possible to maintain a reduced size for a large number of organs, for example five, seven, nine or even eleven organs.

[0025] To do this, the transfer tool includes

[0026] - a chassis provided with at least two parallel arms,

[0027] - at least two members extending vertically and mounted parallel to each other, each of said members being supported in suspension under each of said arms;

[0028] - a point of attachment of each freely rotating member with each of said arms;

[0029] - said members being movable relative to each other under the action of motorization means and through at least two mechanical articulations ensuring, on the one hand, the separation and the bringing together of said members between them and, on the other hand, the maintenance of the parallelism of said members between them during their bringing together or their separation, forming a deformable parallelogram.

[0030] Advantageously, said tool is characterized in that each articulation comprises at least - a first connecting rod fixedly mounted at one end with a member at said point of attachment of said member;

[0031] - a second connecting rod mounted at one end at a point of rotation with the other end of said first connecting rod; the other end of said second connecting rod being pivotally mounted at said point of attachment of another member, and in that,

[0032] - for at least one member, said fixing point is mounted to slide along a slide provided along said corresponding arm.

[0033] According to a possible variant, the fixing point is mounted to slide along a slide provided along the corresponding arm for each fixed member. According to additional, non-limiting characteristics, such a transfer tool may comprise at least one additional member and one additional articulation. One of said mobile members and said additional member may be mounted symmetrically with respect to one of said members provided centrally.

[0034] At least one of said two members can be fixed relative to said chassis, with a fixed attachment point relative to said corresponding arm; each other member being movable towards and away from said fixed member.

[0035] Said articulation may comprise at least one shaft connecting each of said arms; said shaft being connected to said motorization means fixed in an offset manner on said chassis.

[0036] The motorization means may comprise a single synchronous actuator of said shaft.

[0037] Said first connecting rod may be straight, while said second connecting rod is shaped in an S, providing a space for insertion of said fixing points and said rotation points.

[0038] Said first connecting rod may be parallel to said members.

[0039] The invention also relates to a product transfer device equipped with such a tool. In particular, said transfer device comprises

[0040] - a support structure;

[0041] - means of three-dimensional movement along said structure, and a transfer tool according to the invention.

[0042] The invention also relates to an installation comprising

[0043] - at least one input conveyor and at least one output conveyor, said conveyors conveying a flow of products in a longitudinal direction of movement from upstream to downstream;

[0044] - an accumulation surface, located between the input conveyor and the output conveyor, rows of products being moved along said accumulation surface in a direction transverse to said longitudinal direction of movement;

[0045] - means for transferring the products by transverse thrust from the input conveyor (3) to the accumulation surface (2) and / or from the accumulation surface (2) to the output conveyor (5); characterized in that

[0046] - said transfer means comprise at least one transfer device according to the invention.

[0047] Presentation of the drawings

[0048] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the detailed description which follows of the non-limiting embodiments of the invention, with reference to the appended figures, in which:

[0049] [Fig. 1] schematically represents a simplified elevation view of a product transfer installation, showing, on the one hand, an input conveyor delivering a single-line flow of products transferred in groups to an accumulation surface and, on the other hand, a row of products transferred from said accumulation surface to an output conveyor;

[0050] [Fig. 2] schematically represents a simplified perspective view, showing in particular a product transfer device provided with three members and ensuring the transfer of products from an input conveyor through an accumulation surface to an output conveyor in a multi-wire flow with two product lines;

[0051] [Fig. 3] schematically represents a perspective view of an embodiment of a transfer device, in particular provided with 6 members;

[0052] [Fig. 4] schematically represents a top view of an embodiment of a transfer device, provided with three members, above an accumulation surface, highlighting in particular the lateral offsets of said members beyond the width of the accumulation surface;

[0053] [Fig. 5] schematically represents a top view of an embodiment of a transfer device, provided with five members, highlighting in particular the gain between the circular displacement of the state of the art and the elliptical displacement of said device;

[0054] [Fig. 6] schematically represents a simplified view of the principle of a transfer device, provided with three members, in a first position, showing the articulation in the form of two connecting rods of the members between them;

[0055] [Fig. 7] schematically represents a view similar to figure 6, in a second position, bringing the organs closer together;

[0056] [Fig. 8] schematically represents a view similar to figure 6, in a third position, with the organs separated;

[0057] [Fig. 9] schematically represents a perspective view of a detail of another embodiment of the connecting rods connecting the members together, with each connecting rod provided with two connecting rods;

[0058] [Fig. 10] schematically represents a view of a detail of yet another embodiment of a detail of the transfer device, showing in particular S-shaped connecting rods; and

[0059] [Fig. 11] schematically represents a perspective view of a detail of another embodiment of a detail of the transfer device, showing in particular the slide along an arm.

[0060] Detailed description

[0061] The present invention falls within the field of conveying products 1 within an industrial line for continuous processing of said products 1.

[0062] Such products 1 may be containers, such as, but not limited to, bottles, cans, flasks or even cardboard bricks. These containers may be moved individually or grouped together in boxes, crates, cartons or bundles.

[0063] As mentioned previously, in order to ensure the continuous production of such an industrial line, one or more surfaces 2 for accumulating said products 1 are provided, each accumulation surface ensuring the temporary storage of a variable quantity of products 1 between a station located upstream and a station located downstream relative to said accumulation surface 2.

[0064] Further, such an accumulation surface 2 makes it possible to receive and move said products 1 grouped in rows, from an inlet 20 to an outlet 21. Such an accumulation surface 2 may be in the form of one or more conveyors, or in the form of a fixed surface.

[0065] In embodiments, the installation 1 comprises transit zones 4 and 6. Upstream, an input conveyor 3 supplies said accumulation surface 2 with products 1 according to an input flow at an input edge via a first 4 transit zone.

[0066] It should be noted that the flow of products 1 at the input can be single-line (i.e. a single line of products 1 following one after the other), or multi-line, i.e. with several lines of products 1 parallel to each other.

[0067] Therefore, depending on the single-wire or multi-wire flow of products 1, the first transit zone 4 is adapted, in the form of a simple sliding floor between the input conveyor 3 and said input edge of said accumulation surface 2; or of one or more conveyors joined together or separated by a buffer zone.

[0068] During their transit, groups of products 1 are transferred transversely from said input conveyor 3 to the accumulation surface 2, successively forming said rows. Along the accumulation surface 2, the rows are moved from the input edge to an output edge, located opposite said input edge. Downstream, an output conveyor 5 receives one or more of the rows of products 1 from said accumulation surface 2 via a second 6 transit zone extending along said output edge.

[0069] Figure 1 shows an example of an accumulation surface 2 supplied upstream with products 1 by an input conveyor 3 according to a single-line flow. Rows of eight products 1 are moved on the surface of said accumulation surface 2 to downstream towards an output conveyor 5, also single-line.

[0070] In order to move the products 1 to and from the accumulation surface 2, as well as possibly along the latter, a sequential transfer by pushing of said products 2 is carried out, in successive groups, possibly crossing interfaces between the different surfaces of said transit zones 4, 6.

[0071] Furthermore, the first transit zone 4 and the second transit zone 6, arranged respectively upstream between said input conveyor 3 and the accumulation, and downstream between said accumulation surface 2 and said output conveyor 5, make it possible to ensure circulation of the products 1 according to a continuous flow, despite a sequential transfer of said products 1 in rows respectively towards and from the accumulation surface 2.

[0072] The invention particularly aims at the transfer of products 1 to or from an accumulation surface 2.

[0073] To this end, the invention relates to an installation 7 for transferring products 1, comprising the input conveyor 3 and the output conveyor 5, said conveyors 3, 5 conveying a flow of products 1 in a longitudinal direction of movement from upstream to downstream.

[0074] In addition, the installation 7 comprises an accumulation surface 2, located between the input conveyor 3 and the output conveyor 5. Rows of products 1 are moved along said accumulation surface 2 in a direction transverse to said longitudinal direction of movement, namely preferably orthogonally to the direction of movement.

[0075] The installation 7 also comprises the first transit zone 4 located between the input conveyor 3 and the accumulation surface 2, as well as the second transit zone 6 located between the accumulation surface 2 and the output conveyor 5. In order to ensure the passage of the products 1, in groups at the input 20 and in rows at the output 21, the installation 7 comprises means 8 for transferring the products 1 by transverse thrust at the levels of said first transit zone 4 and said second transit zone 6.

[0076] Thus, the transfer means 8 are configured to, on the one hand, move from and / or to the conveying surfaces, namely the input and output conveyors 3, 5, from and / or to the input and output edges of the accumulation surface 2, as well as through the transit zones 4, 6, or possibly even along said accumulation surface 2. On the other hand, during the movements of the transfer means 8 along a forward path in a direction from upstream to downstream, said transfer means 8 provide transverse thrust of one or more groups as well as rows of products 1.

[0077] Furthermore, along a return path, the transfer means 8 are provided to be mobile to return without interfering with the products 1, namely in an upward stroke then in a movement from downstream to upstream, then finally in a downward stroke.

[0078] Figure 2 shows an example of the movements of the transfer means 8 from a single-line input conveyor 3, along the entire length of the accumulation surface 2 to a multi-line output conveyor 5 with two lines of products 1. In this configuration, the transfer means 8 comprise a plurality of transfer devices 9, operating along the entire length of the installation 7.

[0079] In other words, the transfer of a group of products between, on the one hand, at least one input conveyor in the transit zone up to the accumulation surface 2 and, on the other hand, from said accumulation surface 2 and at least one output conveyor is carried out by a transfer device 9, which crosses the accumulation surface 2. According to another configuration, not shown, the transfer means 8 may comprise a dedicated transfer device 9 upstream and another dedicated downstream. Thus, in embodiments, the installation 7 comprises transfer means 8 provided with an input means and an output means.

[0080] According to yet another possible configuration, the transfer, on the one hand, between at least one input conveyor 3 to the accumulation surface 2 and, on the other hand, from said accumulation surface 2 and at least one output conveyor 5, is carried out by the same transfer device 9, thus acting both as input means and as output means.

[0081] In embodiments, the input means performs the transfer from the input conveyor 3 at the first transit zone 4 to the accumulation surface 2. This feeding movement is a pushing movement of at least one group of products 1 aligned longitudinally from the input conveyor 3 at the first transit zone 4 to the accumulation surface 2.

[0082] The output means carries out the transfer by a pushing movement of one or more rows of products 1 from the accumulation surface 2 to the output conveyor 5 at the level of the second transit zone 6.

[0083] The input means and the output means are preferably designed to extend along an entire outer side of the groups and rows of products 1 to be transferred.

[0084] Thus, said transfer means 8 comprise at least one transfer device 9.

[0085] The invention also relates to such a transfer device 9, comprising a support structure 90. This structure 90 extends along said accumulation surface 2, allowing the transfer means 8 to evolve as mentioned above.

[0086] In addition, said transfer device 9 comprises three-dimensional displacement means along said structure 90, of a transfer tool 10. In particular, the displacement means ensure the motorization of the ascending and descending strokes, as well as the forward and return paths, of said transfer tool 10.

[0087] Further, the invention relates specifically to such a tool 10 for transferring products 1, also called “tool 10”.

[0088] Said transfer tool 10 firstly comprises a chassis 11 provided with at least two arms 12.

[0089] It will be noted that depending on the length of the transfer tool 10, the number of arms 12 can be increased accordingly, in particular in order to ensure the mechanical rigidity of the entire said tool 10.

[0090] In addition, the arms 12 are parallel to each other, in particular their parallelism is maintained during movements of the transfer device 9, as well as during mobility within said tool 10.

[0091] In this respect, the transfer tool 10 also comprises at least two thrust members 13, hereinafter “member 13”. Each member 13 extends vertically or substantially vertically.

[0092] According to a preferred embodiment, each member 13 has at least one thrust surface extending vertically or substantially vertically, such as a plate 130 or a panel.

[0093] In embodiments, at least one member 13 comprises several plates 130, preferably two plates 130. Such plates 130 can then be abutted or partially overlapped at their adjacent ends. In addition, these plates 130 can be movable in a longitudinal or substantially longitudinal direction.

[0094] According to other embodiments, each member 13 may be in the form of one or more parallel bars, then forming said pushing surface coming into contact with all or part of the products 1 to be moved.

[0095] According to one embodiment, there are two members 13, making it possible to transfer a single group and a single row of products 1 at a time.

[0096] According to one embodiment, a pair of members 13 makes it possible to transfer several groups and several rows of products at a time, namely that no member is positioned between said groups and said rows, but only one member 13 on either side.

[0097] According to another embodiment, a pair of members 13 makes it possible to transfer several groups or several rows of products, by positioning one member 13 upstream and the other member 13 between the groups or several rows of products, without a member downstream.

[0098] According to another embodiment, the tool 10 comprises at least one additional member 13 parallel to the other members 13, making it possible to transfer one or more groups and rows of products 1 at a time. In particular, for three members 13, the tool 10 can transfer up to two groups and two rows; four members 13 make it possible to transfer up to three groups and three rows; etc.

[0099] In addition, said members 13 are mounted parallel to each other, each of said members 13 being supported in suspension under each of said arms 12. In other words, the members 13 are attached and held under the arms 12, each of the members 13 being connected along its length with each of said arms 12. Such a configuration is notably visible in FIG. 4 showing a tool 10 provided with three members 13 mounted under six arms 12.

[0100] Further, said members 13 are movable relative to each other under the action of motorization means 14 and through at least one mechanical articulation ensuring, on the one hand, the separation and the bringing together of said members 13 between them and, on the other hand, the maintenance of the parallelism of said members 13 between them during their coming together or their separation. In other words, the motorization means 14 ensure the movement of the members 13, by means of the articulation, while maintaining the parallelism of the plates 130 between them, to modify the spacing between said plates 130.

[0101] Such a modification of the center distance between the members 13 makes it possible in particular to vary a functional clearance necessary for the insertion and extraction of said members 13 during the upward and downward strokes, without rubbing against the products 1, but also to be able to adapt the spacing according to the format of the products 1 to be transferred, or even to come and grip them to hold them at the time of their transfer. It will be noted that in the case of an additional member 13, the tool 10 comprises an additional articulation, similar to said articulation between the other members 13. According to a preferred embodiment, at least one of said two members 13 is fixed relative to said chassis 11, while each other member 13 is movable towards and away from said fixed member 13. In other words, one of the members 13 is fixed relative to the arms 12, while the other member(s) 13 are movable relative to said fixed member 13.

[0102] According to one embodiment, the members 13 are all mounted on one side of said fixed member 13.

[0103] According to a preferred embodiment, one of said movable members 13 and said additional member 13 are mounted in symmetry with respect to one of said members 13 provided centrally, in particular in symmetry on either side of said fixed member 1. In other words, the fixed member 13 forms a plane of symmetry (see the center of the member 13 forms a point of symmetry) and the other members 13 are positioned on either side of this plane of symmetry (see this point).

[0104] According to one embodiment, the space between two adjacent members 13, i.e. side by side, is the same for all the members 13 of the tool.

[0105] According to one embodiment, the number of organs 13 is even.

[0106] It will be noted that preferably, the number of mobile members 13 and of the fixed central member 13 is odd (three, five, seven, etc.), in order to transfer an even number of groups and rows of products 1.

[0107] Further, in order to carry out these specific movements, the transfer tool 10 comprises a fixing point 15 of each member 13 in free rotation with each arm 12. According to one embodiment, such a fixing point 15 may comprise at least one axis 150 secured at a lower end to each member 13, while an upper part of said axis 150 is mounted in free rotation relative to the corresponding arm 12. An example of said axis 150 of the fixing point 15 in free rotation is notably visible in FIGS. 9 to 11.

[0108] Furthermore, in the case of a movable member 13, said fixing point 15 is mounted to slide, that is to say movable in sliding, along a slide 120 arranged along said corresponding arm 12.

[0109] According to other possible embodiments, for a member 13 fixed relative to said chassis 11, then the fixing point 15 is fixed relative to said arm 12, namely that it does not slide along said slide 120. Advantageously, each articulation comprises at least a first connecting rod 16 and a second connecting rod 17. These connecting rods 16, 17 are mounted articulated between them and relative to the arms 12 and to the members 13.

[0110] In particular, the first connecting rod 16 is mounted fixed at one end with said members 13 at said fixing point 15, in particular with the axis 150. In other words, one end of the first connecting rod 16 is fixed, without freedom of movement with the corresponding member 13.

[0111] According to one embodiment, said first connecting rod 16 is parallel to said members 13, or substantially parallel to said members 13.

[0112] Furthermore, as mentioned previously in the case of a movable member 13, the first connecting rod 16 is fixed and integral with respect to the corresponding member 13, the two sliding jointly along the slide 120 of said corresponding arm 12. This limitation of the freedom of movement of the first connecting rod 16 ensures in particular an offset, making it possible to confer an elliptical or substantially elliptical trajectory on the fixing points 15 (with respect to an existing circular trajectory), as highlighted in FIG. 5.

[0113] In addition, the second connecting rod 17 is mounted at one end at a point of rotation 18 with the other end of said first connecting rod 16. In other words, the connecting rods 16, 17 are mounted in rotation relative to each other.

[0114] Finally, the other end of said second connecting rod 17 is pivotally mounted at said attachment point 15, in particular around said axis 150. In fact, said second connecting rod 17 is free to rotate relative to the end of said first connecting rod 16.

[0115] In other words, in embodiments where the transfer tool 10 comprises two members 13, a first link 16 is fixedly mounted at one end with a first member 13 at the level of the attachment point 15 of said first member 13, and a second link 17 is fixedly mounted at one end with a second member 13 at the level of the attachment point 15 of said second member 13, the two links 16, 17 being connected at a point of rotation 18 by their other ends.

[0116] The two connecting rods 16, 17 are therefore mounted at different fixing points 15, each connecting rod 16, 17 having one end mounted at a respective fixing point 15 of a member 13.

[0117] Thus, mechanically, the articulation coupled with the arms 12 and the members 13 form a deformable parallelogram, like a pantograph, with the difference of sliding along said arms 12.

[0118] According to one embodiment, the tool 10 comprises as many pairs of connecting rods 16, 17 as there are arms 12, in particular per pair of members 13. According to a preferred embodiment, all the members 13 are movable towards and away from the arms 12, and in fact relative to each other.

[0119] From then on, a deformable parallelogram mechanism is obtained adapted accordingly, as visible in the embodiment of figures 6 to 8. In addition, each of the members 13 adjacent to said fixed member 13 are connected by a pair of connecting rods 16, 17, for each arm 12.

[0120] Furthermore, the connection between the connecting rods 16, 17 is provided to be free to rotate, while only the second connecting rod 17 rotates relative to the fixing point 15, in particular around the axis 150.

[0121] According to a preferred embodiment, the connecting rods 16, 17 are arranged in shear, one below the other, as can be seen in particular in Figures 9 to 11.

[0122] According to a preferred embodiment, the connecting rods 16, 17 are positioned and movable in rotation and pivoting, so as to form in a horizontal or substantially horizontal plane, an acute angle, namely less than or equal to 90°.

[0123] According to another embodiment, the connecting rods 16, 17 are positioned and movable in rotation and pivoting, so as to form in a horizontal or substantially horizontal plane, an obtuse angle, namely greater than or equal to 90°.

[0124] In addition, as mentioned previously, in order to allow the moving parts 13 to be brought together and moved apart, the tool 10 also provides for mobility of the fixing points 15 along each arm 12. To do this, the fixing points 15 of the moving parts 13 are mounted to slide along a slide 120 arranged along each of said arms 12. Such a slide 120 and the sliding mounting of the fixing points 15 are shown in particular in FIG. 11. Therefore, by applying a joint movement to the arms 12, supporting the connecting rods 16, 17, the resultant of the movements induced by this mechanism ensures a separation and a moving together of the parts 13, while maintaining their parallelism. In addition, the trajectory of the movable members 13 is modified, becoming more like an elliptical (rather than circular) stroke, reducing the lateral offset of the ends of the members 13 when they are brought together and separated.This reduced trajectory induces a differential 19, highlighted in particular in Figure 5, with on the left an old circular trajectory and on the right the new improved trajectory. In embodiments, the transfer tool 10 comprises at least one additional member 13. Therefore, the articulation of this or these additional members 13 is similar, namely that said articulation comprises said first link 16 and said second link 17 mounted at points of rotation 18 relative to each other.

[0125] According to one embodiment, said articulation comprises at least one shaft 140 pivotally connecting each of said arms 12. In addition, said shaft 140 is connected to said motorization means 14 fixed in an offset manner on said chassis 11. This shaft 140 ensures the joint movement between the arms 12, namely synchronously. An embodiment with a single shaft 140 connecting all the arms 12 is notably visible in Figures 4 and 5, as well as shown diagrammatically in Figures 6 to 8. In embodiments, the motorization means 14 comprise a single synchronous actuator of said at least one shaft 12. Thus, with a single actuator, it is possible to control the synchronized movements of all the members 13, through a single or several shafts 140.

[0126] According to one embodiment, not shown, the connecting rods 16, 17 are straight, namely they have a rectilinear or essentially rectilinear geometry. According to one embodiment, notably visible in FIG. 10, said first connecting rod 16 has a geometry different from the second connecting rod 17. In particular, said first connecting rod 16 is straight, while said second connecting rod 17 is shaped in an S, providing a space for insertion of said fixing points 15 and said rotation points 18, preferably providing a space for insertion of said rotation points 18 in the close position of the members 13.Thus, the mechanism according to the invention with at least two connecting rods 16, 17 induces a differential 19 which represents a gain on the offset of the members 13, in particular of the ends of its plates 130, during their approach and their separation, making it possible to reduce the lateral bulk outside the surface of the accumulation surface 2, within the interval 200 with the uprights or any other structure. This gain then ensures that each member 13 completely covers the accumulation surface 2 and sweeps all the products 1 present on the same row to transfer them by pushing. In addition, this gain makes it possible to increase the amplitude of the approach and the separation of the members 13, without the ends coming into contact with or in contact with the edges of the uprights or other structure present on the periphery, in particular on the longitudinal edges (right and left) of the accumulation surface 2.This amplitude then makes it possible to adapt the installation 7 for the transfer of products 1 with different formats, in particular with very distinct dimensions.

[0127] This gain is all the more useful for multiplying the number of organs 13, while maintaining a total offset contained in the space between the accumulation surface 2 and the uprights or other structure present on the periphery. The installation 7 then has an advantageous compactness.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Tool (10) for transferring products (1), comprising - a chassis (11) provided with at least two parallel arms (12), - at least two members (13) extending vertically and mounted parallel to each other, each of said members (13) being supported in suspension under each of said arms (12); - a fixing point (15) of each member (13) in free rotation with each of said arms (12); - said members (13) being movable relative to each other under the action of motorization means (14) and through at least two mechanical articulations ensuring, on the one hand, the separation and the bringing together of said members (13) between them and, on the other hand, the maintenance of the parallelism of said members (13) between them during their bringing together or their separation, forming a deformable parallelogram; characterized in that each articulation comprises at least - a first connecting rod (16) fixedly mounted at one end with a member (13) at the level of said attachment point (15) of said member (13); - a second connecting rod (17) mounted at one end at a point of rotation (18) with the other end of said first connecting rod (16); the other end of said second connecting rod (17) being pivotally mounted at said attachment point (15) of another member (13), and in that, - for at least one member (13), said fixing point (15) is mounted to slide along a slide (120) provided along said corresponding arm (12).

2. Tool (10) for transferring products (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixing point (15) is mounted to slide along a slide (120) provided along said arm (12) corresponding to each member (13).

3. Transfer tool (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises - at least one additional organ (13) and one additional joint.

4. Transfer tool (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that - one of said movable members (13) and said additional member (13) are mounted in symmetry with respect to one of said organs (13) provided centrally.

5. Transfer tool (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - at least one of said two members (13) is fixed relative to said chassis (11), with a fixing point (15) fixed relative to said corresponding arm (12); - each other member (13) being movable towards and away from said fixed member (13).

6. Transfer tool (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said articulation comprises - at least one shaft (140) connecting each of said arms (12); - said shaft (140) being connected to said motorization means (14) fixed in an offset manner on said chassis (11).

7. Transfer tool (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that - the motorization means (14) comprise a single synchronous actuator of said shaft (140).

8. Transfer tool (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - said first connecting rod (16) is straight; - said second connecting rod (17) is shaped in an S, providing a space for insertion of said fixing points (15) and said rotation points (18). 9 Transfer tool (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - said first connecting rod (16) is parallel to said members (13).

10. Device (9) for transferring products (1), comprising - a support structure (90); - means for three-dimensional movement along said structure (90), and a transfer tool (10) according to any one of the preceding claims.

11. Installation (7) for transferring products (1), comprising - at least one input conveyor (3) and at least one output conveyor (5), said conveyors (3, 5) conveying a flow of products (1) in a longitudinal direction of movement from upstream to downstream; - an accumulation surface (2), located between the input conveyor (3) and the output conveyor (5), rows of products (1) being moved along said accumulation surface (2) in a direction transverse to said longitudinal direction of movement; - means (8) for transferring the products (1) by transverse thrust from the input conveyor (3) to the accumulation surface (2) and / or from the accumulation surface (2) to the output conveyor (5); characterized in that - said transfer means (8) comprise at least one transfer device (9) according to claim 10.

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