Mounting and / or dismounting device for a rotating nose and application to a preform thermal conditioning unit.

Abstract

A device for locking and / or unlocking (200) at least one rotating nose, mounted on a thermal conditioning unit comprising at least: - a frame (23); - a preform conveying device (26) comprising a plurality of supports, said conveying device (26) circulating along the frame (23); - a mandrel mounted to rotate about its longitudinal axis on each support of the conveying device (26), each mandrel comprising at least one fastening means (108) securing the rotating nose to the mandrel, said rotating nose being suitable for receiving the plastic preform; characterized in that the device for locking and / or unlocking (200) further comprises a locking and / or unlocking means (206) for said fastening means (108) securing the rotating nose to the mandrel and positioned opposite the conveying device (26). Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 10

Description

Title of the invention: Device for mounting and / or dismounting a turntable nose and application to a preform thermal conditioning unit. Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a device for transporting and gripping a tubular preform with rotation of the preform around its main axis, more particularly in a thermal conditioning unit, as well as a gripper suitable and intended to be attached to a robotic arm and to cooperate with a conveying device. Another object of the invention relates to a method for mounting and / or dismounting at least one rotating nose of a conveying device. State of the art

[0002] The invention relates to the field of manufacturing hollow bodies from thermoplastic material, manufacturing for which a preform is first produced by injection molding. The preform is then formed into a container in a container manufacturing plant.

[0003] To do this, the container manufacturing installation includes a heat conditioning unit also called an oven, in which the preform is heat conditioned, and a blow molding unit to obtain the final container where the preform is formed by a blow molding operation or by stretch blow molding operations.

[0004] The term “hollow body” means a preform of a container, or a final container, or possibly an intermediate container, that is to say any type of hollow body comprising a body from which extends a tubular neck opening.

[0005] In the remainder of the document, the term preform will be used preferably and in a non-limiting manner.

[0006] The preform generally has a tubular cylindrical body which is closed at one of its axial ends and which is extended at its other end by a neck, also tubular.

[0007] The neck extends axially from a main annular collar which is arranged at the junction of the neck and the body of the preform, to an annular lip also called the drinking lip, which delimits an axial opening of the neck.

[0008] The preform body is subjected to plastic deformation to form the final container during the blow molding operation. To perform this blow molding operation, the preform body must be heated to a temperature above the glass transition temperature of the material. To achieve this, the following procedure is used: The preform is thermally conditioned by circulating it inside an oven, using a conveyor system that follows a heating path. The oven includes heating elements such as infrared lamps or laser diodes, in front of which the preforms move via the conveyor system.

[0009] During its movement in the oven, the preform is advantageously driven in rotation around its main axis in order to homogenize the heating.

[0010] The preforms are generally held on the conveying device by gripping means.

[0011] The preform is transferred, or loaded, at the furnace inlet by means of transferring the preform from a preform feeding device to the conveying device.

[0012] The operation of grasping a preform by the gripping devices is called "clothing".

[0013] Similarly, at the exit of the oven, the operation of unloading the heated preform from the gripping devices is called "undressing".

[0014] Traditionally, transport devices grasp the preforms by the inner face of the neck using gripping means. The gripping means are then moved vertically downward along the principal axis of the preform relative to the transfer means in order to allow the insertion of the gripping means into the neck. For this purpose, the transport devices move above the transfer means.

[0015] Conversely, the preforms are detached from the conveying device by means of the support of an ejection face of the ejector on the rim of the preform and the raising of the gripping means along the main axis of the preform relative to the transfer means in order to allow the separation of the gripping means from the neck.

[0016] The trajectory of a preform carried by the transfer means is generally tangent to the trajectory of the transport devices at a point or, at best, the two trajectories are superimposed over a short distance. This area of ​​superposition at a point or over a short distance is hereafter referred to as the "clothing zone".

[0017] In order for the dressing operation to take place, the gripping means must be synchronized with the transfer means so that the gripping means are actuated exactly at the dressing area.

[0018] Similarly, in order for the undressing operation to take place, the gripping means must be synchronized with the transfer means so that the gripping means are actuated exactly at the undressing area.

[0019] Such gripping means are well known. This is the case, in particular, of European patent EP0935572 which describes a device for the transport and gripping of preforms.

[0020] Said conveying device comprises: -a vertical axis support; -a chuck with an axis mounted as a sliding pivot relative to the vertical axis support, the vertical axis of which is coaxial with the axis of the chuck; -a small toumette mounted on one end of the chuck, and which includes: -a toumette nose fixed to one end of the chuck in a removable manner and capable of gripping a preform.

[0021] Alternatively, the toumette comprises: -a toumette nose fixed to one end of the chuck in a removable manner and capable of gripping a preform and

[0022] -an ejector surrounding at least partially the nose of the toumette, is secured to the vertical axis support by a fastening means and capable of ejecting a preform.

[0023] The same installation must be suitable for manufacturing containers of different models, and in particular of different capacities. A given preform model may be suitable for several container models, but not all. Therefore, the furnace must be able to heat different preform models.

[0024] Preforms are not distinguished only by the shapes (and sizes) of their bodies: they may also have necks of different diameters.

[0025] It is therefore easy to understand that it is then necessary to replace each toumette nose with another, of a diameter adapted to the new model of preform to be heated.

[0026] The spindle nose is usually attached to the chuck by means of a bayonet-type fitting. This fitting commonly takes the form of a bayonet socket. This socket includes a groove extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the chuck, into which a pin attached to the spindle nose engages. To remove the spindle nose, the pin must be disengaged from the socket.

[0027] However, the operation to dismantle a set of toumette noses remains quite lengthy. Indeed, for a format change, it is necessary to remove all the toumette noses of the thermal conditioning unit. Consequently, for a thermal conditioning unit with two hundred toumette noses, it takes an experienced operator four hours to perform this change. Summary of the invention

[0028] The invention proposes, according to a first object, a device for locking and / or unlocking at least one toumette nose, mounted on a thermal conditioning unit comprising at least:

[0029] - a building;

[0030] - a preform conveying device comprising a plurality of supports, said conveying device circulating along the frame according to a predetermined trajectory (T);

[0031] - a chuck mounted to rotate freely about its longitudinal axis on each support for the conveying device, each chuck comprising at least:

[0032] - a first end provided with a fastening means securing the nose of turntable with chuck, said turntable nose being suitable for receiving the preform made of plastic material;

[0033] - another portion of the chuck, opposite said first end, secured to a drive element for rotating said chuck.

[0034] The device for locking and / or unlocking at least one turntable nose according to the invention is characterized in that it further comprises a locking and / or unlocking means for said fastening means securing the turntable nose to the chuck and positioned at the right of the conveying device.

[0035] According to another aspect of the invention, said locking and / or unlocking means is attached to said frame (23) of the packaging unit.

[0036] According to another aspect of the invention, said fastening means comprises a male part integral with said toumette nose and a female part integral with said mandrel, said male part having an annular groove, said female part comprising balls adapted to cooperate with said annular groove to achieve locking between the male part and the female part, said female part also comprising a peripheral cage provided with holes in which said balls are housed, and a lock provided with a ramp, said lock being mounted around said peripheral cage, movable between a locking position in which said balls cooperate with said annular groove and a release position in which said balls do not cooperate with the annular groove but cooperate with said ramp.

[0037] According to another aspect of the invention, said fastening means comprises a female part integral with said turntable nose and a male part integral with said chuck, said male part having an annular groove, said female part comprising balls adapted to cooperate with said annular groove to achieve locking between the male part and the female part, said female part also comprising a peripheral cage provided with holes in which said balls are housed, and a lock provided with a ramp, said lock being mounted around said peripheral cage, movable between a locking position in which said balls cooperate with said annular groove and a release position in which said balls do not cooperate with the annular groove but cooperate with said ramp.

[0038] According to another aspect of the invention, said lock comprises a skirt, a flange whose diameter is less than said skirt, said skirt and said flange are connected by an intermediate shoulder, said intermediate shoulder and a free end of the flange define a bearing surface intended to actuate said lock.

[0039] According to another aspect of the invention, said fastening means comprises a male part integral with said toumette nose and a female part integral with said mandrel, said male part having at least one nipple at one of its ends, said female part comprising at least two jaws capable of cooperating with said nipple, and a lock cooperating with said jaws to actuate them, said lock being mounted around said female part and movable between a locking position in which the jaws grip said nipple, and a release position in which the jaws are away from said nipple.

[0040] According to another aspect of the invention, said lock comprises a flange attached to a sliding pin inside the female part capable of actuating said jaws, said flange includes a bearing surface intended to actuate said lock.

[0041] According to another aspect of the invention, the locking and / or unlocking means comprises a locking and / or unlocking member integral with a second actuator capable of moving said lock of said fastening means from its locking position to its release position.

[0042] According to another aspect of the invention, said locking and / or unlocking member comprises a contact surface suitable for cooperating with a bearing surface of said lock.

[0043] According to another aspect of the invention, the locking and / or unlocking means comprises a positioning means capable of positioning said locking and / or unlocking means at the right of said fixing means of said turntable nose.

[0044] According to another aspect of the invention, said positioning means comprises an actuator capable of moving said locking and / or unlocking means and / or a positioning member.

[0045] According to another aspect of the invention, said positioning member comprises a base fixed on one side to said first actuator and on the other side to a centering pin intended to cooperate with a centering hole positioned on said frame (23), as well as two arms, one end of which is attached to said base and the other end is attached to a pad intended to bear against the conveying device to be dismantled.

[0046] According to another aspect of the invention, the locking and / or unlocking means comprises a locking means including a clamp made up of two arms, mobile relative to each other, each branch being equipped at its free end with a bit capable of grasping the nose of the toumette to hold it.

[0047] According to another aspect of the invention, the gripper is mounted on a robotic arm.

[0048] According to another aspect of the invention, at least one arm of the clamp is driven by an actuator.

[0049] According to a second object, the invention proposes a method for locking and / or unlocking the turntable nose of a thermal conditioning unit comprising a device for locking and / or unlocking at least one turntable nose according to any one of the preceding aspects of the invention comprising at least the following steps:

[0050] -. position said locking and / or unlocking means at the right of said lock of the means of fixing said swivel nose,

[0051] -. operate said lock to unlock the means for fixing the swivel nose; Brief description of the figures

[0052] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the reading of the detailed description which follows, for the understanding of which reference will be made to the attached drawings which we briefly describe below.

[0053] [Fig-1] is a schematic general view of a production installation of containers seen from above;

[0054] [Fig.2] is a detail view of the medallion in [Fig.1] representing a preform;

[0055] [Fig.3] is an overview of a conveying device;

[0056] [Fig.4] is an overview of another conveying device;

[0057] [Fig.5] is a general view of a toumette nose;

[0058] [Fig. 6] is a cross-sectional view in the locked position of a ball clamping means securing a chuck to the nose of a rotating spindle;

[0059] [Fig.7] is a cross-sectional view in the free position of a ball-bearing fastening means securing a chuck to the nose of a swivel;

[0060] [Fig.8] is a cross-sectional view in locked position of a jaw fastening means securing a chuck to the nose of a turntable;

[0061] [Fig.9] is a sectional view in the free position of a jaw fastening means securing a chuck to the nose of a turntable;

[0062] [Fig. 10] is an overview of the device for locking and / or unlocking a toumette nose in the production position;

[0063] [Fig. 11] is an overview of the device for locking and / or unlocking a toumette nose in the holding and unlocking position;

[0064] [Fig. 12] is an overview of the device for locking and / or unlocking a toumette nose in the release position;

[0065] [Fig. 13] is a view of a locking and / or unlocking device Detailed description of the invention

[0066] In the following description, elements having an identical structure or analogous functions will be designated by the same reference.

[0067] The longitudinal, vertical and transverse orientations will be adopted without limitation with reference to the trihedron (L, V, T) represented in the figures.

[0068] By convention, the longitudinal and transverse directions are determined in a fixed manner with respect to the molding devices so that the open or closed position occupied has no effect on said orientations.

[0069] The terms "front" and "rear" will also be used, without limitation, with reference to the longitudinal orientation, as well as "upper" and "lower" with reference to the vertical orientation, and finally "left" or "right" and "inside" or "outside" with reference to the transverse orientation.

[0070] A schematic representation is shown in [Fig.1], of a series production installation 1 of containers 2 made of thermoplastic material from preforms 4.

[0071] In the following description, the preforms 4 and the containers 2 move within the production installation along a circulation path from upstream to downstream. The preforms 4 are moved in a line along a heating path by conveying means which will be detailed later.

[0072] Without limitation, the containers here are bottles. The thermoplastic material is, for example, polyethylene terephthalate, hereafter referred to by its acronym "PET".

[0073] Such a preform 4, with reference to [Fig. 2], has a principal axis "X" shown vertically in the figure. It has a cylindrical body 6 with tubular walls, closed at one of its axial ends by a bottom 8, and open at its other end by a neck 10, also tubular. The neck 10 is delimited downwards by a collar 12 and upwards by an upper end edge called the drinking rim 14.

[0074] The neck 10 generally presents its final shape while the body 6 of the preform is intended to undergo a relatively large deformation to form the final container 2 during a forming step.

[0075] As shown in [Fig.1], the container manufacturing installation 1 comprises at least one heat conditioning unit 16, one forming unit 18 and one manipulator 20.

[0076] The heat conditioning unit 16, also called an oven, allows a succession of preforms to be heated to a reference temperature. The reference temperature is chosen so that the body of each preform exiting the heat conditioning unit 16 is in a malleable state allowing deformation of the body 6 The preform is heated to form container 2 in the forming unit. The reference temperature is between the glass transition temperature and the crystallization temperature of the plastic in the preform. In the case of PET, the reference temperature is, for example, approximately 110°C. The reference temperature value can vary depending on the product with which the container will be filled or the filling technique. Thus, the reference temperature is different for hot filling or for a carbonated product, for example.

[0077] According to the embodiment shown in [Fig.1], the heat conditioning unit 16 is a conveyor oven, in which the preforms 4 are conveyed to be exposed to a plurality of radiant heating sources 22.

[0078] For this purpose, the thermal conditioning unit 16 includes a means of conveying preforms 24 circulating along a frame 23 through the thermal conditioning unit according to a heating path extending between an inlet 25 and an outlet 27 of the thermal conditioning unit defining a trajectory T.

[0079] As shown in Figures 1 and 5, the conveying means 24 comprises a series of gripping devices 26, each capable of supporting a preform, mounted on a chain 28, moving along the heating path, i.e., between the inlet and outlet of the preforms in the heat conditioning unit. The chain runs on wheels 30, at least one of which is motorized.

[0080] In another embodiment not shown, the conveying means comprises, for example, a series of gripping devices, each capable of supporting a preform, mounted on a linear motor-type shuttle circulating on a closed magnetic loop. The movement of each of these shuttles is controlled independently of each other by a control unit (not shown in the figures).

[0081] Each conveying device 26 is, for example, suitable for receiving a preform by fitting the neck onto a turntable 32. Each turntable 32 is, for example, mobile in rotation relative to the chain around an axis A of rotation coinciding with the main axis X of a preform when the latter is supported by the turntable.

[0082] The furnace also includes a heating cavity which includes two side walls 36 facing each other and at least one of these walls being the one which supports several radiation sources 22, arranged one above the other and one next to the other opposite the preforms.

[0083] In other words, the thermal conditioning unit 16 comprises a plurality of radiation sources 22 distributed along the path of the trajectory T and at a height corresponding substantially to the height of the preforms so that the entire height of the body of each preform is exposed to the radiation sources on the path of the preform in the heat conditioning unit. By rotating the preforms around their main axis X, the toumettes 32 allow the entire body 6 of the preforms to be uniformly exposed to the radiation sources 22. In this particular embodiment, the radiation sources 22 are distributed on only one side of this path, and a reflective wall 38 is arranged on the other side of the heating path to reflect the heat towards the preforms.

[0084] In another embodiment not shown, the radiation sources 22 can be distributed on either side of the heating path without going out of the scope of the invention.

[0085] It should also be noted that the radiation sources 22 are arranged, where applicable, so as not to expose the neck 10 to the heat emitted by the radiation sources. Indeed, as previously stated, only the body 6 of the preform 4 is heated to produce the container. Therefore, the neck 10 must not be deformed during forming and must not be heated. To prevent heating of the neck 10, the furnace may include a ventilation device positioned at the necks to remove the heat that could be absorbed by the necks.

[0086] Each radiation source 22 is formed by an incandescent lamp emitting infrared radiation.

[0087] In another embodiment, each radiation source 22 is a laser diode emitting infrared radiation.

[0088] In other words, each radiation source 22 is a laser (for example laser diodes) emitting in the infrared and arranged by juxtaposition and / or superposition to form one or more matrices.

[0089] In another embodiment, each radiation source 22 is a microwave generator.

[0090] It is quite obvious that the radiation sources 22 may consist of any radiation source well known to the Man skilled in the art, or a combination of these radiation sources without going out of the scope of the invention.

[0091] Then, once the preform 4 has been heat-conditioned in the heat conditioning unit 16, it is transferred to the forming unit 18 to be formed there.

[0092] The unit for forming containers 2 from preforms 4 consists of a forming wheel 42 rotating a plurality of forming stations 44 from an inlet to an outlet, at which a succession of containers are formed from the preforms and then extracted, as shown in [Fig. 1]. The axis of rotation of the forming wheel is, for example, substantially parallel to the principal axis X of the preforms when they are transported by the forming wheel.

[0093] Each blowing station 44 includes a mold 46 forming a molding cavity having the shape of the container to be formed and arranged to receive a preform so that the body of the preform extends into the molding cavity.

[0094] The container manufacturing installation 1 also includes a manipulator 20 equipped with a robotic arm 48 fitted at one end with a gripper 50 for dismantling toumettes 32. The entire robotic arm and gripper is mobile at least partially above the furnace, so as to ensure the dismantling of the toumettes 32.

[0095] As shown in Figure 3, the conveying device 26 includes a support 52, also called a link in the figure, which is integrated into a chain which includes a multitude of such links.

[0096] In this embodiment, the link, preferably metallic (e.g. steel), comprises two superimposed arms 54, which protrude laterally from a core 56. The arms are pierced with coaxial holes 58 which together define a main axis.

[0097] The conveying device 26 also includes: - a mandrel 60 (visible in dotted line on [Fig.3]) with an axis of revolution mounted in the holes 58 of the link via a sliding pivot joint relative to the link. Thus, the main axis of the holes and the axis of revolution of the mandrel 60 are coaxial; - a drive member 61 fixed in rotation to one of the free ends of the chuck 60. In this embodiment, the drive member 61 is a pinion which is advantageously formed on a spool-shaped end, press-fitted onto the chuck 60;

[0098] - a cam follower 62, here a roller, fixed to the drive member 61, said cam follower being offset from the longitudinal axis of the chuck 60 to pre-orient each chuck 60 angularly. Alternatively, the cam follower 62 can be a finger; - a turntable 32 mounted on the other end of the chuck 60 and comprising at least: - a turning nose 64 which is attached to the chuck 60 in a removable manner, in this case by means of a fastening means which will be described later. The turning nose 64 is intended to receive the neck of the preform; - an ejector 68 attached to the support 52. This ejector 68 has a substantially cylindrical shape and includes at one of its ends at least one face 70 called the preform ejection face;

[0099] The chuck 60 and the swivel nose 64 extend coaxially to the ejector in such a way that the free end of the swivel nose 64 protrudes from the ejector.

[0100] According to another embodiment illustrated in [Fig.4], the conveying device 26 comprises a trolley 72.

[0101] This carriage 72 comprises a central body 74 from which two lateral guide arms 76 project. Each arm 76 carries, at one end, a lateral guide roller 78. The arms 76 are diametrically opposed and extend obliquely with respect to the direction of travel of the conveying device, so as to ensure the dynamic balancing of the carriage 72 during its movement.

[0102] Furthermore, each trolley 72 preferably includes vertical guide means formed by arms 80 projecting from the body 74 and carrying the rollers 82. These arms are advantageously diametrically opposed and extend obliquely with respect to the direction of travel of the conveying device 26 so as to ensure the dynamic balancing of the trolley 72 during its movement.

[0103] To allow the fixed rotation of the lever 84 and the support 52, each carriage 72 includes a central shaft 88 mounted for rotation relative to the body 74 of the carriage 72. In practice, the central shaft 88, which extends along the main Z axis of the carriage 72, is mounted for rotation in a bore made in the body 74.

[0104] The support 52 at a lower end of the shaft 88 comprises two turning noses 64, each of which is detachably fixed to a mandrel 60, in this case by means of a fastening means which will be described later. The turning nose 64 is intended to receive the neck of the preform;

[0105] The lever 84 is mounted at an upper end of the shaft 88, and the support 52 at a lower end of the shaft 88. The lever 84 and the support 52 can be fixed to the shaft 88 by screwing.

[0106] This lever 84 is mounted articulated relative to the carriage 72 between:

[0107] -.an unfolded position (visible on the left in Figures 4) corresponding to the right position of the support 52, and

[0108] -.an offset position (visible on the right in figures 4) corresponding to the oblique position of the support 52.

[0109] The lever 84 carries at one end a cam follower 92 suitable for cooperating with a cam path 94.

[0110] The unfolded position and the offset position are a function of the position of the cam follower 92 relative to the cam path 94.

[0111] Furthermore, the coupling of each carriage 72 to its neighboring carriages can be achieved by means of articulated connecting rods, not shown. Each connecting rod is drilled, at each of its ends, with a cylindrical hole fitted onto a finger 99 fixed to the central shaft 88, respectively at the lever 84 at the upper end of the shaft 88, and at the support 52 at the lower end of the shaft 88.

[0112] According to an alternative embodiment, not shown in the figures, the support 52 can be a linear motor comprising at least one bore in which the chuck 60, the spindle nose 64 and the pinion are mounted on a sliding pivot, without going out of the scope of the invention.

[0113] With reference to [Fig.5], the swivel nose has a cylindrical head 96 with vertical axis "A" whose outer diameter is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the neck 10 of the preform so that there remains a radial sliding clearance between the head and the neck 10 when the head 96 is fitted into the neck 10.

[0114] The head 96 has rings 98 in the form of ring sectors. Each ring 98 is received to slide radially in a radial housing of the head 96 between:

[0115] - a retracted position towards the axis "A" of the head 96 allowing sliding vertical of the toumette in relation to the neck 10 of the preform 4;

[0116] - a radial expansion position in which they are likely to be clamped against the internal cylindrical face of the neck 10 to retain the preform 4 by friction.

[0117] The rings 98 are elastically constrained towards their expansion position by means of an elastic ring which is radially interposed between the bottom of the housing made in the head 96 and the ring 98.

[0118] The head 96 is delimited vertically downwards by a section of larger diameter delimiting an annular shoulder face 100 which is turned upwards and which forms a positioning face against which the drinking 14 is received vertically when fitting the head 96 into the neck 10.

[0119] A radiator 102 is arranged under the head 96 and includes fins 104 which have an overall cylindrical shape with a main vertical axis A, coaxial with the axis A of the head 96 and whose diameter is equivalent to the diameter of the section with a larger diameter than the head 96.

[0120] A rod 106 is fixed at one of these ends to the radiator assembly 102 and head 96, while the other end of the rod 106 is fixed to the chuck 60 in a removable manner, in this case by means of a fastening means 108 which will be described later.

[0121] Figures 6 and 7 show a fastening means 108 using at least one ball 110 to secure the mandrel to the nose of the toumette. [Fig. 6] illustrates the fastening means 108 in a locked position and [Fig. 7] illustrates the fastening means 108 in a released position.

[0122] The fastening means 108 comprises a male part 112 integral with the swivel nose or the chuck and a female part 114 integral with the chuck or the swivel nose.

[0123] The male part 112 has the shape of a cylinder having an annular groove 116 at one of its free ends capable of being inserted into the female part 114.

[0124] The female part 114 includes balls 110 adapted to cooperate with the annular groove 116 to achieve locking between the male part and the female part.

[0125] The female part 114 includes a peripheral cage 118 and a lock 120.

[0126] The peripheral cage 118 has the shape of a cylinder with axis G bored in its center, and at at one of these ends, the peripheral cage 118 extends radially to define a shoulder 122 defining a surface 123 called “upper”.

[0127] The cage 118 is provided with holes 124 in which the balls 110 are housed. These holes 124 are made orthogonally with respect to the axis G. They are cylindrical and have towards the inside a counterbore 126 which locally restricts the section, thus limiting the radial movement of the balls 110 towards the inside.

[0128] The lock 120 is mounted movably around the peripheral cage 118 between the locking position and the release position.

[0129] The lock 120 comprises a skirt 128 and an annular flange 130 whose diameter is smaller than the skirt. The annular flange 130 and the skirt 128 are connected by an intermediate shoulder 132 defining a surface 134 called the "lower" surface.

[0130] The flange defines inwards a frustoconical ramp 136 with conicity turned upwards with respect to the axis G directed downwards.

[0131] A compression return spring 138 is mounted around the cage 118 by being interposed between the surface 134 and the surface 123 of the cage 118.

[0132] The lock 120 is thus axially movable relative to the axis G, by sliding the flange 130 on the cage 118, between a locking position ([Fig.6]) where the ramp 136 is in line with the balls 110 and exerts on them a radial force directed towards the axis G, and a release position ([Fig.7]) in which the ramp 136 is axially separated from the balls, and the balls no longer cooperate with the annular groove 116.

[0133] In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, the return spring 138 bears between the so-called "lower" surface 134 and the so-called "upper" surface 123. It works in compression and tends to push these two surfaces apart. Thus, the latch 120 is constantly forced towards its locked position. To move to the release position, the latch 120 must be moved and, consequently, the spring 138 must be constrained by pressing against a bearing surface. The bearing surface is defined by the intermediate shoulder 132 or by a free end 142 of the flange.

[0134] Figures 8 and 9 represent a fastening means 108 comprising jaws 144 securing the chuck to the nose of the toumette, one in a locking position and the other in a release position.

[0135] The fastening means 108 comprises a male part 146 integral with the swivel nose and a female part 148 integral with the chuck.

[0136] The male part has at least one nipple 150 at one of its ends

[0137] The female part 148 comprises at least two jaws 144 capable of cooperating with said nipple 150.

[0138] The fastening means 108 includes a peripheral cage 152 and a lock 154 for actuating the jaws.

[0139] The peripheral cage 152 consists of three cylinders aligned with respect to each other along an axis H. These three cylinders are bored at their center with respect to the axis H. The external diameter of the first cylinder 156 is smaller than the external diameter of the second cylinder, and the latter has an external diameter smaller than the external diameter of the third cylinder 160. The junction between the first and second cylinders forms a first shoulder 162, and the junction between the second and third cylinders also forms a second shoulder 164. The third cylinder includes on its inner wall an annular housing 166 capable of receiving a portion of each jaw.

[0140] The lock 154 is mounted movable along the axis H around the peripheral cage 152 between a locking position and a release position.

[0141] The lock 154 consists of a flange 168, a pin 170 and jaws 144.

[0142] The flange 168 and the pin 170 are linked in movement by a mechanical linkage, including a pin.

[0143] The flange surrounds the cage 152 at the level of the second cylinder and slides between the first shoulder 162 and the second shoulder 164.

[0144] This flange 168 comprises a lower surface and an upper surface 174. The upper surface 174 serves as a support surface for moving from the locked position to the release position.

[0145] A compression-working return spring 176 is mounted around the cage 152 by being interposed between the lower surface of the flange and the second shoulder 164 of the cage in order to maintain the fastening means in the locked position.

[0146] The pin 170 is a cylinder coaxial with the axis H and whose diameter is slightly less than the diameter of the first cylinder 156 forming part of the cage 152. This pin 170 has an annular groove 178 at the free end, that is to say, the one which is not inserted into the first cylinder.

[0147] Each jaw 144 has at one end a section adapted to cooperate with the annular groove 178 positioned on the pin 170, creating a pivot joint for the jaw. The jaw is held in the annular groove 178 by an elastic element such as a seal or spring. At the other end of the jaw is a jaw 180 consisting of a first part designed to cooperate with the stud 150 of the male part 146 and a second part 182 designed to cooperate with the cage 152 to rotate the jaw.

[0148] The lock 154 is thus axially movable relative to the axis H, by sliding the flange 168 on the cage, and the pin 170 in the cage also between a locking position ([Fig.8]) where each jaw 144 grips the stud 150 of the male part, and a release position ([Fig.9]) in which each jaw is moved away from the stud.

[0149] Figures 10 to 12 illustrate an overview of a device for locking and / or unlocking 200 of at least one turntable nose equipping a conveying device 26 positioned on the heating path of the thermal conditioning unit 16, i.e. at the wheels 30 or at the side walls 36.

[0150] The locking and / or unlocking device 200 is integral with the frame 23 of the thermal conditioning unit.

[0151] In the embodiment illustrated in figures 10 to 12, the locking and / or unlocking device 200 comprises a positioning means 204 and a locking means 206.

[0152] The positioning means comprises a first actuator 208 and a positioning member 210.

[0153] The first actuator 208 is capable of moving and positioning the positioning member 210, as well as the locking means 206.

[0154] The first actuator 208 is a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder or any other actuators capable of moving the positioning member and / or the locking means in a horizontal direction.

[0155] The positioning means 204 includes a cylinder 208 consisting of a body 209 fixed to the frame 23 and a piston 211 movable in translation along the horizontal direction and attached to the positioning member 210.

[0156] The positioning member 210 includes a base 212 fixed on one side to the piston 211 and on the other side to a centering lug 214 intended to cooperate with a centering hole 216 positioned on the frame 23, as well as two arms 218 one end of which is attached to the base and the other end is attached to a pad 220 intended to bear against the disassembled conveying device 26.

[0157] In this embodiment, the locking means 206 is secured to one of the arms of the positioning means 204.

[0158] In another embodiment not shown, the locking means 206 is secured to the piston of the first actuator 208.

[0159] The locking means 206 comprises a locking member and / or unlocking 222 attached to a second actuator 224 arranged to move the lock 120, 154 of the fastening means 108 from its locking position to its release position.

[0160] The second actuator 224 is also a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder or any other actuators capable of moving the positioning member and / or the locking means in a vertical direction.

[0161] The cylinder 224 consists of a body 226 attached to one of the arms 218 of the positioning means and a piston 228 on which the locking and / or unlocking member 222 is attached.

[0162] The locking and / or unlocking member 222 is positioned at the right of the conveying device 26 and more particularly at the level of the lock 120, 154 of the fastening means 108.

[0163] As shown in [Fig. 13], the locking and / or unlocking member 222 consists of a plate 238 comprising a fixing section 236 to the piston of the second actuator 224 and at least one notch 230 whose upper surface, called "contact surface 232", is colored black in [Fig. 13], is intended to cooperate with the lock 120, 154 of the fixing means 108.

[0164] In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 13], there are two notches 230.

[0165] In the case where the positioning of the conveying device 26 is precisely positioned relative to the frame 23 and the locking means 206, the positioning member is not necessary. Therefore, in this alternative embodiment, the positioning means 204 would only have the function of positioning the locking means 206 in line with the conveying device, that is to say, in an unlocked position.

[0166] Figures 10 to 12 represent the kinematics of the device for locking and / or unlocking at least one turntable nose relative to the conveying device.

[0167] Fig. 10 illustrates an overview of a device for locking and / or unlocking 200 of at least one turntable nose 64 in a production position.

[0168] The production position means that the device for locking and / or unlocking 200 is not implemented and therefore the container production installation is able to produce containers.

[0169] The first actuator 208 is retracted and the second actuator 224 is in the extended position.

[0170] Fig. 11 illustrates an overview of a device for locking and / or unlocking 200 of at least one turntable nose 64 placed in the holding and unlocking position.

[0171] The holding and unlocking position means that the locking and / or unlocking device 200 is positioned to perform the operation of unlocking of the fastening means 108, that is to say that the first actuator 208 is deployed following the horizontal movement represented by the arrow E. Consequently, the pads 220 and the centering lug 214 are positioned, for the former, on the conveying device 26 and for the latter, in the centering hole 216 located on the frame 23 of the thermal conditioning unit 16 and the locking and / or unlocking member 222 is positioned at the bearing surface at the level of the lock 120, 154 of the fastening means 108.

[0172] Fig. 12 illustrates an overview of a device for locking and / or unlocking at least one turntable nose 64 placed in the release position.

[0173] The release position means that the locking and / or unlocking device is positioned to perform the release operation of the fastening means, i.e. that the second actuator 224 is deployed following a vertical movement represented by arrow F. Consequently, the locking and / or unlocking member 222 exerts a force on the bearing surface of the lock 120, 154 to actuate the unlocking of the locking device of the fastening means 108.

[0174] The kinematics of the device for locking and / or unlocking is controlled by a control unit of the container production installation (not shown).

[0175] The device for locking and / or unlocking 200 may also include a locking means 234 attached to the frame 23 of the thermal conditioning unit, or outside the thermal conditioning unit as shown in [Fig.1] by the robotic arm 48.

[0176] The locking means 234 includes a clamp 50 consisting of two arms, movable relative to each other, each arm being provided at its free end with a jaw capable of grasping the nose of the turntable 64 to immobilize it in rotation.

[0177] This gripper 50 is mounted on the robotic arm 48 as shown in [Fig.1].

[0178] Alternatively, the locking means 234 comprises a cylinder consisting of a body fixed to the frame 23 and a piston that can be moved to bear against the nose of the swivel 64 to hold it in place. This embodiment is not shown in the figures.

[0179] Alternatively, the locking means 234 comprises a cylinder consisting of a body fixed to the frame 23 and a piston that can be moved to magnetize the swivel nose 64 so as to hold it in place. This embodiment is also not shown in the figures.

Claims

Demands

1. Device for locking and / or unlocking (200) at least one turntable nose (64), mounted on a thermal conditioning unit (16) comprising at least: - a frame (23); - a preform conveying device (26) comprising a plurality of supports (52), said conveying device (26) circulating along the frame (23) along a predetermined trajectory (T); - a mandrel (60) mounted to rotate about its longitudinal axis on each support (52) of the conveying device (26), each mandrel (60) comprising at least: - a first end provided with a fastening means (108) securing the turntable nose (64) to the mandrel (60), said turntable nose (64) being suitable for receiving the plastic preform (4);- another portion of the chuck (60), opposite said first end, attached to a drive member (61) for rotating said chuck (60), characterized in that the locking and / or unlocking device (200) further comprises a locking (206) and / or unlocking means for said fastening means (108) securing the rotating nose (64) to the chuck (60), positioned opposite the conveying device (26) and capable of being moved in a horizontal direction to move the positioning member and / or the locking means.

2. Device for locking and / or unlocking (200) of at least one turntable nose (64) according to claim 1 characterized in that said locking (206) and / or unlocking means is attached to said frame (23) of the thermal conditioning unit.

3. A device for locking and / or unlocking (200) at least one swivel nose (64) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said fastening means (108) comprises a male part (112) integral with said swivel nose (64) and a female part (114) integral with said chuck (60), said male part (112) having an annular groove (116), said female part (114) comprising balls (110) adapted to cooperate with said annular groove (116) to achieve locking between the male part (112) and the female part (114), said female part (114) also comprising a peripheral cage (118) provided with holes (124) in which said balls (110) are housed, and a lock (120) provided with a ramp (136), said lock (120) being mounted around said peripheral cage (118), movable between a locking position in which said balls (110) cooperate with said annular groove (116) and a release position in which said balls (110) do not cooperate with the annular groove (116) but cooperate with said ramp (136).

4. Device for locking and / or unlocking (200) at least one swivel nose (64) according to claim 1 characterized in that said fastening means (108) comprises a female part (114) integral with said swivel nose (64) and a male part (112) integral with said chuck (60), said male part (112) having an annular groove (116), said female part (114) comprising balls (110) adapted to cooperate with said annular groove (116) to achieve locking between the male part (112) and the female part (114), said female part (114) also comprising a peripheral cage (118) provided with holes (124) in which said balls (110) are housed, and a lock (120) provided with a ramp (136), said lock (120) being mounted around said peripheral cage (118),movable between a locking position in which said balls (110) cooperate with said annular groove (116) and a release position in which said balls (110) do not cooperate with the annular groove (116) but cooperate with said ramp (136).

5. Device for locking and / or unlocking (200) at least one turntable nose (64) according to any one of the preceding claims 3 and 4 characterized in that said lock (120) comprises a skirt (128), a flange (130) whose diameter is less than said skirt (128), said skirt (128) and said flange (130) are connected by an intermediate shoulder (132), said intermediate shoulder (132) and a free end of the flange (130) define a bearing surface intended to actuate said lock (120).

6. Device for locking and / or unlocking (200) at least one turntable nose (64) according to claim 1, characterized in that said fastening means (108) comprises a male part (146) integral with said swivel nose (64) and a female part (148) integral with said chuck (60), said male part (146) having at least one nipple (150) at one of its ends, said female part (148) comprising at least two jaws (144) capable of cooperating with said nipple (150), and a latch (154) cooperating with said jaws (144) to actuate them, said latch (154) being mounted around said female part (148) and movable between a locking position in which the jaws (144) grip said nipple (150), and a release position in which the jaws (144) are away from said nipple.

7. Device for locking and / or unlocking (200) at least one turntable nose (64) according to the preceding claim characterized in that said lock (154) comprises a flange (168) attached to a pin (170) sliding inside the female part (148) capable of actuating said jaws (144), said flange (168) has a bearing surface intended to actuate said lock (154).

8. Device for locking and / or unlocking (200) at least one turntable nose (64) according to any one of claims 3 to 7 characterized in that the locking (206) and / or unlocking means comprises a locking and / or unlocking member integral with a second actuator capable of moving said lock (120, 154) of said fastening means (108) from its locking position to its release position.

9. Device for locking and / or unlocking (200) of at least one turntable nose (64) according to the preceding claim characterized in that said locking and / or unlocking member comprises a contact surface capable of cooperating with a bearing surface of said lock (120, 154).

10. Device for locking and / or unlocking (200) at least one turntable nose (64) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the locking (206) and / or unlocking means comprises a positioning means capable of positioning said locking (206) and / or unlocking means at the right of said fixing means (108) of said turntable nose (64).

11. A device for locking and / or unlocking (200) at least one turntable nose (64) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said means of positioning includes an actuator capable of moving said locking (206) and / or unlocking means and / or a positioning member.

12. Device for locking and / or unlocking (200) of at least one turntable nose (64) according to the preceding claim characterized in that said positioning member comprises a base fixed on one side to said first actuator and on the other side to a centering lug (214) intended to cooperate with a centering hole (216) positioned on said frame (23), as well as two arms, one end of which is attached to said base and the other end is attached to a pad (220) intended to bear against the conveying device (26) to be disassembled.

13. Device for locking and / or unlocking (200) at least one turntable nose (64) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the locking (206) and / or unlocking means comprises a locking means (234) including a clamp (50) consisting of two arms movable relative to each other, each arm being provided at its free end with a jaw capable of grasping the turntable nose (64) to hold it.

14. Device for locking and / or unlocking (200) at least one turntable nose (64) according to the preceding claim characterized in that the clamp (50) is mounted on a robotic arm (48).

15. Device for locking and / or unlocking (200) at least one turntable nose (64) according to any one of claims 13 and 14 characterized in that at least one arm of the clamp (50) is driven by an actuator.

16. A method for locking and / or unlocking the swivel nose (64) of a thermal conditioning unit (16) comprising a device for locking and / or unlocking (200) at least one swivel nose (64) according to any one of claims 3 to 15 comprising at least the following steps: - positioning said locking (206) and / or unlocking means opposite said lock (120, 154) of the fastening means (108) of said swivel nose (64), - actuating said lock (120, 154) to unlock the fastening means of the swivel nose (64) by means of locking and / or unlocking which is moved in a horizontal direction.

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