Capping conveyor and conveying and decontamination machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a lidding conveyor comprising a frame, a first pulley (6) and a second pulley supported by the frame, a device for rotating the first pulley, an endless conveyor belt mounted between the first pulley (6) and the second pulley, a sliding profile (44, 46, 48, 50) supported by the frame, the sliding profile having a suction groove (56) opening opposite a main face (53) of the conveyor belt, a pump adapted for drawing air through said suction groove, said conveyor belt having a through orifice positioned opposite the suction groove (56), during the movement of the conveyor belt; a lid being held by suction in contact with a face of the conveyor belt opposite the main face, when the orifice is opposite the suction groove. Figure to be published with the abstract: Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: Conveyor for transporting lids and transporting and decontaminating machine Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveyor for transporting lids and a transport and decontamination machine comprising such a conveyor. Prior art

[0002] It is known that conveyors transport lids in which the lids are positioned and held on plates equipped with pins. These systems have the disadvantage of being dedicated to a single lid format and must be changed each time the lid format changes. Presentation of the invention

[0003] A first objective of the present invention is to provide a conveyor capable of transporting lids of different formats without changing tooling in the conveying part.

[0004] A second object of the present invention is to provide a conveyor which does not require the use of pin plates to hold the lids, which are dedicated to the format of the lid.

[0005] A third object of the present invention is to provide a machine which makes it possible to decontaminate lids while transporting them.

[0006] A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a more hygienic conveyor.

[0007] A fifth goal is to offer a more ergonomic conveyor. Summary of the invention

[0008] The present invention relates to a conveyor for transporting lids comprising: - a chassis, - at least one first pulley and one second pulley supported by the frame, - a rotating drive device capable of rotating at least the first pulley, - at least one endless conveyor belt mounted between the first and second pulleys, the conveyor belt extending in a longitudinal direction, the conveyor belt being driven in motion by the first pulley, - at least one sliding profile carried by the frame, the sliding profile having at least one suction groove extending in the direction longitudinal, the suction groove opening directly onto a main face (53) of the conveyor belt, - at least one pump adapted to draw air through said suction groove, said conveyor belt having at least one through orifice positioned at least at times, opposite the suction groove, during the movement of the conveyor belt; at least one operculum being held by suction in contact with a face of the conveyor belt opposite the main face, when the orifice is opposite the suction groove.

[0009] The features described in the following paragraphs may optionally be implemented. They may be implemented independently of each other or in combination with each other: - The lidding conveyor comprises: - a frame, - at least one first pulley and one second pulley supported by the frame, - a rotating drive device for rotating at least the first pulley, - at least one endless conveyor belt mounted between the first and second pulleys, the conveyor belt extending in a longitudinal direction, the conveyor belt being driven in motion by the first pulley, - at least one sliding profile supported by the frame, the sliding profile having at least one suction groove extending in the longitudinal direction, the suction groove opening at a principal face of the conveyor belt.- at least one pump adapted to draw air through said suction groove, said conveyor belt having at least one through orifice positioned at least at times, directly opposite the suction groove, during the movement of the conveyor belt; at least one cover being held by suction in contact with a face of the conveyor belt opposite the main face, when the orifice is opposite the suction groove. - At least one sliding profile includes at least one extension groove aligned and in line with the suction groove, with air being drawn in through at least one extension groove. Advantageously, the suction can be implemented or stopped independently in the suction groove or in the extension groove so as to facilitate the transport of lids along the suction groove and the deposition of lids along the extension groove. In one embodiment, the same pump is used to draw air through both the suction groove and the extension groove. In another embodiment, two different pumps are used to draw air through both the suction groove and the extension groove. - At least one conveyor belt has at least one set of several orifices grouped and aligned along the longitudinal direction, and the center distance between the most distant orifices of a set of orifices is greater than the wall thickness between the suction groove and the extension groove. The sliding profile includes at least one additional suction groove parallel to the suction groove, and the conveyor belt includes at least one additional orifice, the at least one additional orifice of the conveyor belt being arranged at least at times, at the right of said additional suction groove, when moving the conveyor belt. Advantageously, the use of two suction grooves improves the attachment of the lids against the conveyor belt. The conveyor comprises several sliding profiles and several conveyor belts extending in the longitudinal direction, the sliding profiles being parallel to each other and arranged next to each other in a transverse direction, the conveyor belts being parallel to each other and arranged next to each other in a transverse direction. The conveyor belt is made of stainless steel. At least one sliding profile is arranged between an upper horizontal part of at least one conveyor belt and a lower horizontal part of at least one conveyor belt. The conveyor further includes a lid storage store, consisting of a first lid storage store and a second lid storage store, the first lid storage store and the second lid storage store being adapted to be removably mounted on the chassis, the first lid storage store having a plate comprising distribution openings having a first diameter, the second lid storage store having a plate comprising distribution openings having a second diameter different from the first diameter. The conveyor has N sliding profiles and N conveyor belts, the number N being a natural number greater than 1, and the plate of the first capping storage store has N dispensing openings, the plate of the second capping storage store has N / 2 dispensing openings. The conveyor includes a lid destacking device capable of transferring lids from the lid storage store to at least one conveyor belt, the destacking device comprising: - at least two gripping members mounted to rotate about a vertical axis arranged between the two gripping members, - a rotational drive device designed to rotate the gripping parts around the vertical axis; - the gripping organs being mounted mobile in vertical translation, - a translation drive device suitable for driving the gripping organs in translation between a high position for taking / depositing lids and a low position for transferring lids. The lid storage magazine is fixed to the frame in line with the sliding profiles in the longitudinal direction, and the destacking device is positioned below the lid storage magazine and below one end of the sliding profiles, the vertical axis being arranged between one end of the sliding profiles and the lid storage magazine. Advantageously, the cappings storage store is located about 1 meter from the ground so that it is easier to load. The at least one sliding profile includes at least one vertical through passage, the conveyor belt including at least one hole adjacent to the orifice, and a device for depositing at least one lid, said depositing device including at least one gripping member and a device for driving in vertical translation said at least one gripping member, said gripping member being suitable for passing through at least one passage of the sliding profile and the hole in the conveyor belt, when the hole is arranged opposite the at least one passage to detach the lid from the conveyor belt. The hole is positioned between the orifice and the additional orifice, at least one passage is positioned between the suction groove and the additional suction groove. Advantageously, this arrangement facilitates the separation of the lid from the conveyor belt during unloading.

[0010] The invention also relates to a transport and decontamination machine which includes a conveyor formed according to the characteristics mentioned above and a decontamination device arranged below a part of at least one conveyor belt, said decontamination device being suitable for decontaminating a main face of at least one lid attached to the conveyor belt. Brief description of the figures

[0011] [Fig-1] is a side perspective view of a conveyor according to the present disclosure ;

[0012] [Fig.2] is a partial side perspective view of a portion of the conveyor along the present disclosure;

[0013] [Fig.3] is another partial side perspective view of a portion of the conveyor according to this disclosure;

[0014] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of part of the conveyor belt of the conveyor illustrated in [Fig.1];

[0015] [Fig.5] is a perspective view from below of a sliding profile of the conveyor illustrated in [Fig.1];

[0016] [Fig. A] is a perspective view of a first storage store for lids of the conveyor illustrated in [Fig. 1];

[0017] [Fig. B] is a perspective view of a second storage store for lids of the conveyor illustrated in [Fig. 1]; [Fig.7] is a perspective view of a destacking device that transfers the lids from the store to the conveyor according to this disclosure;

[0018] [Fig.8] is a side perspective view of a device for depositing the lids of the conveyor to the container as described in this disclosure;

[0019] [Fig.9] is a side perspective view of a portion of the conveyor illustrated on the [Fig.1] in a moving position of a conveyor belt;

[0020] [Fig. 10] is a side perspective view of a portion of the conveyor illustrated on the [Fig.l] in a position for depositing lids;

[0021] [Fig. 11] is a schematic view of a transport and decontamination machine of lids according to this disclosure; and [Fig. 12] is a schematic view of a sliding profile according to the present disclosure. Detailed description of the invention

[0022] In this patent application, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "top", and "bottom" are to be interpreted in relation to the positions shown in the figures. In this patent application, the term "lid" is used to designate any type of rigid or flexible cover.

[0023] With reference to [Fig. 1], the conveyor 2 according to the present disclosure is suitable for transporting lids. The conveyor 2 comprises a frame 4, a first drive pulley 6 and a second free pulley 8 supported by the frame, a drive device 10 for rotating the first pulley and four endless conveyor belts 12, 14, 16, 18 mounted around the first pulley and the second pulley. The frame 4 comprises legs 20, two side members 22 supported by the legs, and cross members 24. The side members 22 extend along a longitudinal direction X. The cross members 24 are fixed at each end to the side members. The cross members extend along a transverse direction Y perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X. The cross members are arranged between an upper horizontal portion 26 of the conveyor belts and a lower horizontal portion 28 of the conveyor belts, as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

[0024] The first pulley 6 is mounted to rotate about an axis fixed to one end of the longitudinal members 22 and perpendicular to them. The first pulley 6 is located on the side of the conveyor referred to as the "loading side" in the following description. The second pulley 8 is mounted to rotate freely about an axis fixed to the other end of the longitudinal members 22 and perpendicular to them. The second pulley 8 is located on the side of the conveyor referred to as the "unloading side" in the following description. In the embodiment shown, the first pulley 6 and the second pulley 8 have drive pins 30 adapted to fit into the slots 42 of the belt visible in [Fig. 4].

[0025] The drive device 10 is, for example, a geared motor unit. It is fixed to the chassis 4. The four conveyor belts 12, 14, 16, 18 extend along the longitudinal direction X between the pulleys, parallel to each other. With reference to [Fig. 4], each conveyor belt 12, 14, 16, 18 has through holes 32, through orifices 34, and additional through orifices 36. The holes 32 are aligned along the longitudinal direction X and centered with respect to the longitudinal edges of the conveyor belts. Two adjacent holes 32 are separated by a constant center distance E along the longitudinal direction X, which corresponds to the pitch for depositing the lids. The center distance E is, for example, 165 mm. The conveyor belt has a length that is a multiple of this center distance E.

[0026] The orifices 34 are aligned along the longitudinal direction X. They are adjacent to the holes. In particular, in the embodiment shown, the orifices 34 form a set 38 of several orifices aligned along the longitudinal direction X and grouped next to a hole 32. Each set of orifices 38 is arranged next to a hole. Two adjacent sets of orifices 38 are separated by a constant distance. The center distance El between the most distant orifices of the same set is greater than the wall thickness EP between a suction groove 56 and an extension groove 62, as described later. The additional orifices 36 are similar to the orifices 34. They will not be described in detail again. The sets of additional orifices 40 extend from the side of each hole opposite the side provided with the sets of orifices 38. Thus, each hole 32 is located between, and centered with respect to, a set of orifices 38 and a set of additional orifices 40. The distance D along the transverse direction Y between a set of orifices 38 and a set of additional orifices 40 is less than the diameter of the transported opercula. In particular, the orifices 34 and the additional orifices 36 are inscribed within the diameter of the smallest lid to be transported in a center distance El along the longitudinal direction X and in a distance D along the transverse direction Y.

[0027] Preferably, the conveyor belts are made of stainless steel. In the embodiment shown, the lateral edges of each conveyor belt 12, 13, 14, 16 have slots 42 designed to engage sequentially with the drive pins 30 of the pulleys during their rotation. These slots 42 are arranged at a constant center distance that is a multiple of the center distance E. Referring to Figures 2, 3, and 5, conveyor 2 comprises four sliding profiles 44, 46, 48, and 50 supported by frame 4. Conveyor 2 also includes a pump 52 and a distributor block 54 connected to the pump 52. The distributor block includes a solenoid valve system for shutting off the supply. Pump 52 is a vacuum pump, for example, a venturi type. The pump and distributor block are shown schematically in [Fig. 1]. Alternatively, the conveyor may include several pumps 52 and 54.

[0028] The sliding profiles 44, 46, 48, 50 are fixed below the crossbeams 24 and are supported by them. They extend along the longitudinal direction X. One of the conveyor belts surrounds each sliding profile. Each sliding profile is arranged between an upper horizontal portion 26 of a conveyor belt and a lower horizontal portion 28 of a conveyor belt, as shown in [Fig. 2]. To facilitate understanding, a log 22 has not been shown in this [Fig.2]. Thus, the lower face of the sliding profiles 44, 46, 48, 50 is opposite the main faces 53 of the conveyor belts 12, 14, 16, 18. The lower inner face of the conveyor belts 12, 14, 16 and 18 is in contact with the lower face of the sliding profiles 44, 46, 48, 50.

[0029] With reference to [Fig. 5], the sliding profile 44 has a suction groove 56 extending along the longitudinal direction X. The sliding profile 44 further has an additional suction groove 60, at least one extension groove 62 and at least one additional extension groove 64. These grooves 60, 62, 64 extend along the longitudinal direction X. The additional suction groove 60 is arranged parallel to the suction groove 56 at a distance from it along the transverse direction Y equal to the distance between the set of orifices 38 and the set of additional orifices 40 along the transverse direction Y. The extension groove 62 extends in line with the suction groove 56. It is aligned with the suction groove 56. The additional extension groove 64 is positioned in line with the additional suction groove 60. It is parallel to the extension groove 62. For example, in the embodiment shown in [Fig. 12], the sliding profile 44 has a suction groove 56, a first extension groove 62, a second extension groove 62', a third extension groove 62” and a fourth extension groove 62’” aligned with each other. This profile also includes an additional suction groove 60, a first additional extension groove 64, a second additional extension groove 64', a third additional extension groove 64" and a fourth additional extension groove 64" aligned with each other. The suction groove 56 and the additional suction groove 60 form a first suction zone. This first suction zone is located above the destacking device illustrated in [Fig. 7]. The first extension groove 62, the first additional extension groove 64, the second additional extension groove 62', the second additional extension groove 64', the third extension groove 62" and the third additional extension groove 64" form a second suction zone. This second suction zone is a conveying zone for the lids. The fourth extension groove 62” and the fourth additional extension groove 64” form a third suction zone located at the level of the lid dispensing device illustrated in [Fig.8]. The grooves 56, 60, 62, 62', 62”, 62'”, 64, 64', 64”, 64”' of the sliding profiles 44 to 50 open directly onto the main face 53 of the conveyor belts. The grooves 56, 62, 62', 62”, 62”' are positioned such that the sets of holes 38 of the conveyor belts are successively aligned with the grooves 56, 62, 62', 62”, 62’”, during the movement of the conveyor belts. The suction grooves 60, 64, 64', 64”, 64” are positioned so that the additional sets of holes 40 in the conveyor belts are successively aligned with the suction grooves 60, 64, 64, 64', 64”, 64” as the conveyor belts move. The presence of two parallel sets of grooves 56, 60 increases the suction force applied to a lid 3 during its transport by a conveyor belt.

[0030] The thickness EP of the wall between the suction groove 56 and the extension groove 62 is less than the center distance El between the most distant orifices of an assembly of the 38 orifices of the conveyor belt. Similarly, the wall thickness EP between the additional suction groove 60 and the additional extension groove 64 is less than the center-to-center distance between the outermost orifices of a set of additional orifices 40 of the conveyor belt. This wall thickness Ep exists between all grooves aligned along the longitudinal direction.

[0031] The sliding profiles 48 to 50 are identical to the sliding profile 44.

[0032] The bottom wall of each groove 56, 60, 62, 64 has an opening 58 connected to the distributor block 54. The openings 58 of the suction grooves 56 are connected to the distributor block 54 by flexible tubes so that air is drawn in through the suction grooves. The extension grooves 62 of the sliding profiles are connected to the distributor block 54. Suction through the suction grooves 56 can be controlled independently of suction through the extension grooves 62, using solenoid valves. Thus, it is possible to stop pumping in the extension grooves 62 while maintaining pumping in the suction grooves 56, for example, when unloading seals located opposite the extension grooves. Thus, it is possible to turn the suction on or off depending on the conveyor cycle, for example during a destacking cycle, a destacking cycle, or a destacking cycle.

[0033] Preferably, each suction groove assembly and additional suction groove is supplied by the same suction source in order to limit the consumption of the suction pumps during start-up. Thus, with the profile illustrated in [Fig. 12], grooves 56 and 60 are connected to the same solenoid valve in the distributor block, grooves 62 and 64 are connected to another solenoid valve in the distributor block. Grooves 62' and 64' are connected to a third solenoid valve. Grooves 62'' and 64'' are connected to a fourth solenoid valve. Finally, grooves 62'' and 64'' are connected to a fifth solenoid valve. When the conveyor 2 has a large dimension along the longitudinal direction X, each sliding profile can have several extension grooves 62 extending from one another and possibly several additional extension grooves 64 also extending from one another. With reference to Figures 9 and 10, each sliding profile 44, 46, 48, 50 further comprises two vertical through passages 66, 68 located on the discharge side of the conveyor. The passages 66, 68 are positioned between the extension groove 62 and the additional extension groove 64. In particular, the passages 66 are centered along the transverse Y direction. The diameter of the passages 66, 68 is substantially equal to the diameter of the holes 32 in the conveyor belts. The passages 66, 68 are positioned on the sliding profiles such that the holes 32 in the belts Conveyor belts 12, 14, 16, and 18 are successively positioned at passages 66 and 68 during the movement of the conveyor belts. In particular, the center distance between the two passages 66 and 68 is equal to the center distance E between two consecutive holes 32 of the conveyor belts.

[0034] With reference to Figures 1 and 8, the conveyor further comprises a lid-depositing device 70 adapted to unload the lids in contact with the conveyor belts and deposit them onto supports such as containers. The depositing device 70 is fixed to the frame 4 on the unloading side of the conveyor.

[0035] With reference to [Fig.8], the depositing device 70 comprises a support 72, a gripping assembly 74 movable in vertical translation relative to the support, a vertical translation drive device 76 suitable for driving the gripping assembly in displacement relative to the support. The support 72 includes a cross plate 80 and two support arms 82 each fixed to one end of the cross plate and to the stringers 22. The support arms 82 are suitable for carrying the cross plate 80 over the conveyor.

[0036] The gripping assembly 74 is carried by the support 72. It comprises a central slat 84, two transverse channels 86 fixed to the central slat by bars 88, and eight gripping members 90 fixed to the channels 86. The channels 86 are separated from each other by a distance equal to the distance between two passages 66, 68 of the same sliding profile. The central slat 84 is fixed to the transverse plate 80 of the support by two column / sleeve guide devices. The vertical translation drive device 76 is fixed to the transverse plate 80. It is adapted to move the gripping assembly 74 relative to the support 72 between a rest position and a position for unloading the conveyor belt lids.

[0037] The pipes 86 have connections 94 connected either to a new solenoid valve of the distributor block 54 or to a new pump.

[0038] Each gripping member 90 comprises a portion of channel 96 having one end in communication with a conduit 86 and an opposite end provided with a suction cup 98. The suction cups 98 together with the suction force of the air coming from the distributor block 54 via a conduit make it possible to keep the lids 3 against the gripping members 90 after their removal from the conveyor belts. The gripping elements 90 are separated from each other along the longitudinal direction X by a distance equal to the center-to-center spacing E, which corresponds to the distance between the passages 66, 68 of two adjacent sliding profiles 44 to 50. The gripping elements 90 are separated from each other along the transverse direction Y at the same center-to-center spacing as the spacing between the profiles 44 to 50. The dimensions of the gripping elements 90 are smaller than the dimensions of the passages 66, 68 of the sliding profiles.

[0039] In the rest position illustrated in [Fig. 9], the gripping assembly 74 is arranged between an upper horizontal portion 26 of the conveyor belts and a lower horizontal portion 28 of the conveyor belts. The ends of the gripping members 90 are arranged in the passages 66, 68 of the sliding profiles.

[0040] In the unloading position, illustrated in [Fig. 10], the holes 32 of the conveyor belts 12, 14, 16, 18 are opposite the passages 66, 68 and the drive device 76 moves the gripping assembly 74 downwards to remove the lids 3 from the conveyor belts 12, 14, 16, 18 and place them on another support such as containers. The vertical displacement stroke of the gripping devices 90 is less than the distance between the upper horizontal part of the conveyor belt and the lower horizontal part of the conveyor belt.

[0041] With reference to [Fig. 1], the conveyor 2 further comprises at least one lid storage magazine 100 and a destacking device 102 capable of transferring the lids from the lid storage magazine to the conveyor. The lid storage magazine 100 is fixed to the frame 4 on the loading side in line with the sliding profiles 44 to 50 in the longitudinal direction X. Referring to Figures 6A and 6B, the lid storage magazine 100 comprises a plate 104 with a row of feeders 106. In the embodiment shown, the plate 104 has four feeders. Each feeder 106 is arranged in line with a conveyor belt. Each feeder 106 has a dispensing opening 108 formed in the plate and a guide 110 fixed around each dispensing opening to hold the stack of lids 3 together. Screw heads (not shown) are fixed to the vertical edges of each dispensing opening 108 to retain the lids 3 stacked on the opening by their edges. In the embodiment shown by way of example, the guides 110 each consist of four vertical rods distributed and fixed around the dispensing openings.

[0042] Advantageously, the conveyor 2 comprises at least two lid storage magazines 100, 112 removably attached to the frame 4. The lid storage magazines 100, 112 are each adapted for storing lids of different sizes. They are interchangeable depending on the size of the lids to be transported. Thus, the conveyor 2 can include a first lid storage magazine 100 having distribution openings with a first diameter DI and a second lid storage magazine 112 having distribution openings with a second diameter D2 different from the first diameter DI. For example, the first magazine is suitable for storing lids 3 with a maximum diameter of 95 millimeters and the second magazine is suitable for storing lids with a diameter between 96 millimeters and 150 When the diameter of the lids 3 is much greater than the width of a conveyor belt, the second lid storage store 112 can have only two loaders 106 and therefore only two distribution openings 108. The distribution openings 108 are then arranged in the extension of either the first and third bands, or the second and fourth bands.

[0043] In this case, generally speaking, if the conveyor has a number n of conveyor belts, the first storage store 100 has a number n of distribution openings and the second storage store 112 has a number n / 2 of distribution openings.

[0044] The destacking device 102 is positioned below the storage magazine and below an end portion of the sliding profiles 44 to 50 on the loading side. With reference to [Fig. 7], the destacking device 102 comprises a gripping assembly 116, a rotational drive device 118, and a vertical translational drive device 120.

[0045] The gripping assembly 116 comprises a frame 122, two transverse conduits 124, 126 fixed to the frame parallel to each other, and gripping elements 128 fixed to one conduit and in fluidic communication with it. The number of gripping elements mounted on each conduit is preferably equal to the number of feeders in the lid storage magazine fixed to the frame. In the embodiment shown, four gripping elements 128 are fixed to the first conduit 124 and in communication with it. The four gripping elements are aligned along a first row. Four gripping elements are fixed to the second conduit 126 and in communication with it. The four gripping elements are aligned along a second row. Each gripping member 128 comprises a vertical hollow channel 130 having an open upper end and a lower end connected to a pump by a flexible tube. The first pipe 124 is connected to the fourth pump and the second pipe 126 is connected to the second pump so that suction can be implemented independently for the gripping devices of the first row and for the gripping devices of the second row.

[0046] Advantageously, the grasping members 128 may include suction cups 132 suitable for being fixed to the upper end of the channels 130. Advantageously, suction cups of different sizes may be mounted on the upper end of the channels, the size of the suction cups being chosen according to the size of the opercula.

[0047] The gripping assembly 116 is rotatably mounted about a vertical axis ZZ centered on the first and second pipes. The vertical axis ZZ is located between and equidistant from the first and second pipes. The vertical axis ZZ is also arranged between the end of the sliding profiles and the cap storage magazine.

[0048] The rotation drive device 18 is suitable for rotating the gripping assembly around the vertical axis ZZ by half a turn so that the gripping members of the first row and the second row are alternately, on the one hand, below the openings of the lid storage magazine and on the other hand, below the sets of orifices 38, 40 of the conveyor belts.

[0049] The gripping assembly is also mounted to move vertically in translation.

[0050] The translational drive device 120 is capable of vertically moving the gripping assembly 74 between a high position for picking up / placing lids and a low position for rotating the lids. The rotational and translational drive devices are, for example, electric actuators, pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders.

[0051] Alternatively, the conveyor comprises n conveyor belts and n sliding profiles, where n is not four. For example, n may be one, two, or three, or greater than four. The number of pumps or suction zones may also vary. For example, two different pumps may be connected, one to the suction groove and the other to the additional suction groove.

[0052] Alternatively, the conveyor also includes a device for rotating the second pulley.

[0053] Alternatively, the first and second pulleys can be replaced by an assembly of several pulleys which can be driven in rotation independently of each other in order to reduce the number of lids to be transported if necessary. Alternatively, each set of holes and each additional set of holes is replaced by an oblong-shaped hole extending along the longitudinal direction. The oblong-shaped holes are arranged on either side of each hole. They are aligned along the longitudinal direction.

[0054] Alternatively, the sliding profiles 44 to 50 have a single passage 66 and the removal device 70 has only one conduit 86.

[0055] According to a less advantageous variant, the grooves of the sliding profiles are replaced by longitudinally extending conduits, the conduit having several aligned openings leading to an external face of the sliding profiles.

[0056] With reference to [Fig. 11], the invention also relates to a transport and decontamination machine 34 comprising a conveyor 2 as described above, and a decontamination device 136 arranged below or around the lower horizontal portion 28 of the conveyor belts. The decontamination device is adapted to decontaminate one main face of the lids, this main face being opposite the main face 53 which is aligned with a sliding profile. The decontamination device is, for example, an ultraviolet decontamination device, a pulsed light decontamination device, or a peroxide decontamination device.

[0057] During operation, the feeders 106 of the lid storage magazine contain lids 3 stacked one on top of the other. The gripping elements 128 of the destacking device 102 are moved translationally to a high position for picking up / depositing lids. The gripping elements 128 of the first row are positioned under the dispensing openings 108. The pump connected to the destacking device draws the lids stored in the feeders. The gripping elements 128 of the first and second rows are moved vertically to a lower position. They pivot half a turn, then are moved vertically to a high position. The gripping elements of the first row are then positioned opposite the conveyor belts 12, 14, 16, 18. The pump connected to the line connected to the gripping elements of the first row is stopped.Suction is generated through the suction groove 56 and the additional suction groove 60. The lids 3 are transferred by suction from the destacking device 102 to the conveyor belts 12, 14, 16, 18 by means of suction from the grooves and passing through the orifice sets 38, 40. When the lids 3 are attached by suction to the conveyor belts, the conveyor belts and the lids 3 move in the longitudinal direction X towards the unloading side. The conveyor belt sections with lids are positioned opposite the extension grooves 62 and the additional extension grooves 64. They are then transported from one groove to the next until they reach the unloading zone corresponding to the grooves 62" and 64". When the lids reach the passage 66 or 68, the suction through the extension grooves 62"' and the additional extension grooves"' 64 is stopped.The suction through the gripping members 90 of the dispensing device 70 is activated. The suction cups 98 load the lids. The suction is maintained through the grooves 62, 64, 62', 64', 62”, 64”, 62”', 64”” which correspond to a transfer and decontamination zone for the lids. The gripping members 90 are moved vertically downwards, as illustrated in [Fig. 10]. The gripping members 90 deposit the lids onto a support such as, for example, containers.

Claims

1. Demands Conveyor (2) for transporting lids (3) comprising: - a frame (4), - at least one first pulley (6) and a second pulley (8) supported by the frame, - a rotational drive device (10) suitable for rotating at least the first pulley, - at least one endless conveyor belt (12,14,16,18) mounted between the first pulley (6) and the second pulley (8), the conveyor belt extending along a longitudinal direction (X), the conveyor belt (12,14,16,18) being driven in movement by the first pulley, - at least one sliding profile (44, 46, 48, 50) supported by the frame, the sliding profile having at least one suction groove (56) extending in the longitudinal direction, the suction groove opening at the right-hand side of a main face (53) of the conveyor belt, - at least one pump (52) adapted to draw air through said suction groove, said conveyor belt (12,14,16,18) having at least one through orifice (34) positioned at least at times, opposite the suction groove (56), during the movement of the conveyor belt; at least one cover (3) being held by suction in contact with a face of the conveyor belt opposite the main face, when the orifice (34) is opposite the suction groove (56); in which at least one sliding profile (44, 46, 48, 50) has at least one extension groove (62) aligned and in the continuation of the suction groove, air being drawn through at least one extension groove, the at least one conveyor belt (12,14,16,18) having at least one set (38) of several grouped and aligned orifices along the longitudinal direction (X), the center distance (El) between the most distant orifices of a set of orifices being greater than the wall thickness between the suction groove (56) and the extension groove (62), the conveyor belt (12,14,16,18) being made of stainless steel.

2. Conveyor (2) according to claim 1, wherein the sliding profile (44, 46, 48, 50) has at least one additional suction groove (60) parallel to the suction groove (56), and wherein the conveyor belt (12,14,16,18) has at least one additional orifice (36), the at least one additional orifice of the conveyor belt being arranged at least at times, at the right of said additional suction groove, when the conveyor belt is moving.

3. Conveyor (2) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, comprising several sliding profiles (44, 46, 48, 50) and several conveyor belts (12, 14, 16, 18) extending along the longitudinal direction (X), the sliding profiles (44, 46, 48, 50) being parallel to each other and arranged next to each other along a transverse direction (Y), the conveyor belts being parallel to each other and arranged next to each other along a transverse direction (Y).

4. Conveyor (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one sliding profile (44, 46, 48, 50) is arranged between an upper horizontal part (26) of at least one conveyor belt and a lower horizontal part (28) of at least one conveyor belt.

5. Conveyor (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a lidding storage magazine (100, 112) of a first lidding storage magazine (100) and a second lidding storage magazine (112), the first lidding storage magazine and the second lidding storage magazine being adapted to be removably mounted on the frame (4), the first lidding storage magazine (100) comprising a plate (104) comprising distribution openings (108) having a first diameter (D1), the second lidding storage magazine (112) comprising a plate (104) comprising distribution openings (108) having a second diameter (D2) different from the first diameter.

6. Conveyor (2) according to claim 5, comprising N sliding profiles (44, 46, 48, 50) and N conveyor belts (12, 14, 16, 18), the number N being a natural number greater than 1, and wherein the plate (104) of the first lid storage magazine (100) has N dispensing openings (108), the plate (104) of the second storage store (112) of lids has N / 2 distribution openings (113,114).

7. Conveyor (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a destacking device (102) for lids adapted to transfer the lids (3) from the lid storage magazine (100, 112) to at least one conveyor belt (12, 14, 16, 18), the destacking device (102) comprising: - at least two gripping members (128) mounted rotatably about a vertical axis (Z°) arranged between the two gripping members (128), - a rotational drive device (118) adapted to rotate the gripping members about the vertical axis (Z); - the gripping members (128) being mounted to move vertically in translation, - a translation drive device (120) suitable for driving the gripping members (128) in translation between a high position for picking / depositing lids and a low position for transferring lids.

8. Conveyor (2) according to claim 7, wherein the lid storage magazine (100, 112) is fixed to the frame (4) in the extension of the sliding profiles (44,46,48,50) in the longitudinal direction (X), and wherein the destacking device (102) is positioned below the lid storage magazine (100, 112) and below one end of the sliding profiles (44,46,48,50), the vertical axis (Z) being arranged between one end of the sliding profiles (44,46,48,50) and the lid storage magazine (100, 112).

9. Conveyor (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein at least one sliding profile (44, 46, 48, 50) has at least one vertical passage (66, 68) through the conveyor belt (12, 14, 16, 18) comprising at least one hole (32) adjacent to the orifice (34), and a depositing device (70) for at least one lid, said depositing device comprising at least one gripping member (90) and a device (76) for vertically translating said at least one gripping member, said gripping member (90) being adapted to pass through at least one passage (66, 68) of the sliding profile and the hole (32) of the conveyor belt, when the hole (32) is arranged opposite the at least a passage to detach the lid (3) from the conveyor belt (12,14,16,18).

10. Conveyor (2) according to the combination of claims 2 and 8, wherein the hole (32) is positioned between the orifice (34) and the additional orifice (36), at least one passage (66) is positioned between the suction groove (56) and the additional suction groove (60).

11. A transport and decontamination machine (134) comprising a conveyor (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, and a decontamination device (136) arranged below a portion of at least one conveyor belt (12,14,16,18), said decontamination device (136) being suitable for decontaminating a principal face of at least one lid attached to the conveyor belt.

Images