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 (85) at least one rotating nose, intended to be mounted on a thermal conditioning unit comprising at least: - a frame (23); - a preform conveying device consisting of a plurality of supports, said conveying device circulating along the frame (23); - mandrels being mounted for rotation on each support of the conveying device, each mandrel comprising at least one bayonet socket for receiving a pin integral with the rotating nose, characterized in that the locking and / or unlocking device (85) comprises: - an angular pre-orientation means (88) for each mandrel; - a rotational locking means for each rotating nose (64); and - a locking and / or unlocking means (90) for said bayonet securing the rotating nose to the mandrel. Figure for the abbreviation: Figure [Fig. 6]

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 about 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 according to the invention. Another object of the invention relates to a method for mounting and / or dismounting at least one rotating nose of a conveying device according to the invention. 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 a furnace where 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 preferably be used, but not exclusively.

[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 turntable nose, intended to be mounted on a thermal conditioning unit comprising at least:

[0029] - a building;

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

[0031] - each of said chucks being mounted to rotate freely around its axis longitudinal, on each support of the conveying device,

[0032] each chuck comprising at least:

[0033] - a first end forming a bayonet socket intended to receive a pin attached to the swivel nose suitable for receiving a preform in plastic material or the first end comprising said pin intended to receive said bayonet socket attached to the swivel nose, said bayonet socket and said pin forming a bayonet;

[0034] - another portion of the chuck, opposite said first end, is secured to a drive mechanism for rotating said chuck,

[0035] The locking and / or unlocking device according to the invention is characterized in that it further comprises:

[0036] -a means for angular pre-orientation of each chuck;

[0037] -a means for locking each swivel nose against rotation, and

[0038] -a locking and / or unlocking means for said bayonet securing the swivel nose to the chuck so as to lock and / or unlock the swivel nose from the chuck after the angular pre-orientation of the chuck and the locking of the swivel nose.

[0039] According to another aspect of the invention, the angular pre-orientation means for each chuck comprises at least one guiding means intended to cooperate with a cam follower attached to the drive member, said cam follower being offset from the longitudinal axis of the chuck to angularly pre-orient each chuck.

[0040] According to another aspect of the invention, the cam follower is a roller or a finger.

[0041] According to another aspect of the invention, said guiding means comprises at least one pair of rails, the rails forming upstream of the trajectory T an opening, in which the cam follower attached to the drive member is intended to engage, and converging towards each other forming a V until an exit, downstream of the trajectory T, leading to said locking and / or unlocking means.

[0042] According to another aspect of the invention, the locking means comprises a clamp consisting of two arms, movable relative to each other, each arm being equipped at its free end with a jaw capable of gripping the nose of the turntable to immobilize it in rotation.

[0043] According to another aspect of the invention, the gripper is mounted on a robotic arm.

[0044] According to another aspect of the invention, at least one arm of the clamp is driven by an actuator.

[0045] According to another aspect of the invention, the locking and / or unlocking means consists of at least one movable cam track intended to receive said cam follower of the drive member of each chuck to drive it in rotation around its longitudinal axis in order to lock and / or unlock said bayonet securing the swivel nose to the chuck.

[0046] According to another aspect of the invention, the locking and / or unlocking means consists of at least one movable cam track intended to receive said cam follower of the drive member of each chuck to drive it in rotation around its longitudinal axis in order to lock and / or unlock said bayonet securing the swivel nose to the chuck.

[0047] According to another aspect of the invention, the locking and / or unlocking means comprises a first linear actuator capable of moving said movable cam track in a direction substantially transverse to the predetermined trajectory T.

[0048] The invention proposes, according to a second object, a thermal conditioning unit for preforms.

[0049] The preform thermal conditioning unit according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises a device for locking and / or unlocking at least one turntable nose according to any one of the preceding aspects of the invention attached to the frame of said preform thermal conditioning unit.

[0050] According to another aspect of the invention, the thermal conditioning unit includes at least one second actuator capable of moving said guiding means and / or said locking and / or unlocking means from a so-called active position in which said guiding means and / or said locking and / or unlocking means extend along the trajectory T to a so-called inactive position in which said guiding means and / or said locking and / or unlocking means do not extend along the trajectory T and vice versa.

[0051] The invention proposes, according to a third object, a method for locking and / or unlocking the nose of the turntable of a thermal conditioning unit.

[0052] The method for locking and / or unlocking the swivel nose of a thermal conditioning unit according to any one of the preceding aspects of the invention comprising at least the following steps:

[0053] - pre-orientation of the chuck;

[0054] - turntable nose locking;

[0055] - rotating the chuck to engage and disengage the bayonet securing a lathe nose with a chuck. Brief description of the figures

[0056] 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.

[0057] [Fig-1] is a schematic general view of a production installation of containers seen from above;

[0058] [Fig.2] is a detail view of the medallion in [Fig.1] representing a preform;

[0059] [Fig.3] is an overview of a support and a turntable;

[0060] [Fig.4] is a view representing a bayonet-type fastening method securing a chuck and a turntable;

[0061] [Fig.5] is a view of a rear wheel of a thermal conditioning unit, of a pre-orientation means, a means of locking the swivel nose and a locking and / or unlocking means;

[0062] [Fig.6] is an overview of the pre-orientation means and the means of locking and / or unlocking in the locked position, that is to say that in this position, the chuck is secured to the turntable by the bayonet;

[0063] [Fig.7] is an overview of the pre-orientation means and the means of locking and / or unlocking in the unlocked position, that is to say that in this position, the chuck is detached from the turntable;

[0064] [Fig.8], [Fig.9], [Fig.10] are schematic top views describing the kinematics of the locking and unlocking steps of the bayonet. Detailed description of the invention

[0065] In the following description, elements having an identical structure or analogous functions will be designated by the same reference.

[0066] The longitudinal, vertical and transverse orientations will be adopted without limitation with reference to the trihedron (L, V, T) represented in the figures.

[0067] By convention, the longitudinal and transverse directions are fixed in relation to the molding devices so that the open or closed position occupied has no effect on said orientations.

[0068] 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.

[0069] A schematic representation is shown in [Fig.1], of a series production installation 1 of containers 2 made of thermoplastic material from preforms 4.

[0070] 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.

[0071] Without limitation, the containers here are bottles. The thermoplastic material is, for example, polyethylene terephthalate, hereafter referred to by its acronym "PET".

[0072] 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.

[0073] 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.

[0074] 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.

[0075] The heat conditioning unit 16, also called an oven, heats a series of preforms 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 the heated preform body 6 to be deformed in order to form the container 2 in the forming unit. The reference temperature is between the glass transition temperature and the crystallization temperature of the plastic material of the preform. In the case of PET, for example, the reference temperature is close to 110°C. The value of the reference temperature may vary depending on the product with which the container will be filled or the container filling technique. Thus, the reference temperature is different for hot filling or for a carbonated product, for example.

[0076] 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.

[0077] 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.

[0078] 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 in the heat conditioning unit. The chain runs on wheels 30, at least one of which is motorized.

[0079] 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).

[0080] 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.

[0081] 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.

[0082] In other words, the heat conditioning unit 16 comprises a plurality of radiation sources 22 distributed along the path of the trajectory T and at a height substantially corresponding to the height of the preforms, such that the entire height of the body of each preform is exposed to the radiation sources along the path of the preform in the heat conditioning unit. By rotating the preforms around their principal axis X, the rotors 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 back towards the preforms.

[0083] 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.

[0084] It should also be noted that the radiation sources are arranged, where applicable, so as not to subject the neck 10 to the heat emitted by the radiation sources. Indeed, as stated previously, only the body 6 of the preform 4 is formed to produce the container. Therefore, the neck 10 must not be deformed during forming and must not be heated. To avoid heating the neck 10, The oven may include a ventilation device positioned at the necks to remove heat that may be absorbed by the necks.

[0085] Each radiation source 22 is formed by an incandescent lamp emitting infrared radiation.

[0086] In another embodiment, each radiation source is a laser diode emitting infrared radiation.

[0087] In other words, each radiation source is a laser (for example laser diodes) emitting in the infrared and arranged by juxtaposition and / or superposition to form one or more matrices.

[0088] In another embodiment, each radiation source is a microwave generator.

[0089] It is quite obvious that the radiation sources may consist of any radiation source well known to the person skilled in the art, or a combination of these radiation sources without going out of the scope of the invention.

[0090] Then, once the preform 4 has been heat-conditioned in the heat conditioning unit, it is transferred to the forming unit to be formed.

[0091] The unit for forming containers 18 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.

[0092] 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.

[0093] 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 assembly is at least partially mobile in line with the furnace, so as to ensure the dismantling of the toumettes 32.

[0094] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the conveying device 26 includes a support 52, also called a link in the figure, which is in fact integrated into a chain which includes a multitude of such links.

[0095] 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.

[0096] 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;

[0097] - a cam follower 62, here a roller 62, fixed to the drive member 61, the cam follower being offset from the longitudinal axis of the chuck 60 to pre-orient each chuck 60 angularly. Alternatively, the cam follower can be a finger; - a turntable 32 mounted on the other end of the chuck 60 and comprising at least: - a rotating nose 64 which is attached to the chuck 60 in a removable manner, in this case by means of a bayonet-type mount 66 (not shown in this figure). The rotating 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;

[0098] 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.

[0099] According to an alternative embodiment, not shown in the figures, the support may be a linear motor also comprising at least one hole and in which the chuck 60, the turntable nose 64, the pinion are mounted by sliding pivot, without going out of the scope of the invention.

[0100] As shown in [Fig.4], the turntable 32 consists of the ejector 68 and the turntable nose 64 which is attached in a removable manner, one to the support and the other to one end of the chuck 60, by a bayonet-type mounting.

[0101] The ejector 68 comprises a roughly cylindrical base 72 with axis F, which includes a central hole, a plate 74 pierced with a central bore and which defines an ejection face 70, a series of feet 76 (here four in number) which connect the base to the plate, and which define openings 77 between them.

[0102] The base also includes at least one fastening means which allows the ejector to be secured to the support (not shown).

[0103] In the bayonet-type assembly illustrated in [Fig.4], the end of the chuck 60 includes a bayonet socket 78 in which there is at least one groove 80, the bayonet socket 78 is inserted into a connector 82 integral with the swivel nose 64.

[0104] More specifically, the groove 80 of the bayonet socket 78 comprises an axial section C, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel 60 and opening on one side onto the end of the bayonet socket 78, and extending on the other side onto a blind transverse section D.

[0105] Correspondingly, the nose of the toumette 64 includes the connector 82 onto which the chuck 60 is fixed via the connector. This connector 82 carries at least one pin 84 which engages in the groove 80 at the axial section C, and then in the transverse section D of the bayonet socket 78.

[0106] This pin 84 is elastically stressed by a spring (not shown in the figures) which allows compensation of the axial play between the nose of the toumette 64 and the mandrel 60. The nose of the toumette 64 is immobilized both in translation and in rotation relative to the mandrel 60 when the pin is positioned in the groove at the level of the section D.

[0107] In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the bayonet type mounting can be reversed, i.e., the bayonet socket is attached to one end of the nose of the spigot 64 while the collector would be attached to one end of the mandrel 60.

[0108] To remove the toumette nose 64 from the mandrel 60, it is necessary to immobilize the toumette nose 64 in rotation and to impart to the mandrel 60 a rotational movement, then a translational movement to disengage the mandrel 60 from the toumette nose 64, or vice versa.

[0109] Fig. 5 represents one of the wheels 30 of the heat conditioning unit on which run the gripping devices mounted on one of the chain links, drive means 86 cooperating with the drive member 61, here a pinion, of each chuck 60 and a device for locking and / or unlocking 85 of at least one toumette nose 64.

[0110] The drive means 86, here a roller chain, are fixedly mounted on the periphery of the wheel. This chain cooperates with the drive element 61 of the conveying device 26, here a pinion. The movement of the conveying device 26, and in particular of the pinion relative to the fixed roller chain, allows the chuck 60 to be rotated around its longitudinal axis.

[0111] Not shown in this figure, the cam follower 62 attached to the drive member 61 moves in a horizontal plane H.

[0112] Alternatively, it is known that the drive means 86 and the drive member 61 of the gripping device are magnetic elements. This embodiment is described in the applicant's patent EP2711316.

[0113] The device 85 for locking and / or unlocking at least one nose of the chuck 64 includes a means for angular pre-orientation 88 of each chuck 60, a locking and / or unlocking means 90 of the turntable nose 64 and a locking means 92 in rotation of each turntable nose 64.

[0114] The pre-orientation means 88 and the locking and / or unlocking means 90 are integral with a base 94 which is mounted movably under the conveying device 26 in the thermal conditioning unit.

[0115] The thermal conditioning unit also includes means for coupling or uncoupling the device for locking and / or unlocking the turntable nose 64 to the conveying device 26. The means for coupling or uncoupling is at least a second actuator capable of moving the pre-orientation means 88 and / or the locking and / or unlocking means 90 from a so-called active position in which the guiding means and / or the locking and / or unlocking means 90 and more particularly the cam follower 62 is in the horizontal plane H to a so-called inactive position in which the guiding means and / or the locking and / or unlocking means 90 and more particularly the cam follower 62 is out of the horizontal plane H and vice versa.

[0116] The locking means 92 can be attached to the base 94 of the device for locking and / or unlocking the nose of the toumette 64, or to the frame 23 of the thermal conditioning unit, or outside the thermal conditioning unit as shown in [Fig.1] by a robotic arm 48.

[0117] The locking means 92 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 toumette 64 to immobilize it in rotation.

[0118] This gripper is mounted on the robotic arm as shown in [Fig.1].

[0119] Alternatively, the locking means 92 comprises a cylinder consisting of a body fixed to the base 94 or the frame 23 and a piston capable of being moved to bear against the nose of the toumette 64 to immobilize it against rotation. This embodiment is not shown in the figures.

[0120] As shown in [Fig.5], the device for locking and / or unlocking at least one turntable nose 64 is secured to one of the wheels 30 of the thermal conditioning unit.

[0121] Positioning the device for locking and / or unlocking at least one of the rotating noses 64 at the wheel allows for greater accuracy in the positioning of the conveying device compared to the device 85 for locking and / or unlocking at least one of the rotating noses 64. Indeed, the winding of the conveying device 26 relative to one of the wheels 30 directs a tension towards the wheel's axis. This tension stabilizes and presses the conveying device against the wheel.

[0122] As shown in [Fig. 1], the device 85 for locking and / or unlocking at least one turntable nose 64 is secured to the side walls 36 of the thermal conditioning unit.

[0123] Figures 6 and 7 represent the device 85 for locking and / or unlocking at least one turntable nose 64 which includes the angular pre-orientation means 88 of each chuck 60 as well as the locking and / or unlocking means 90.

[0124] The angular pre-orientation means 88 of each chuck 60 comprises at least one pair of rails 93 fixed to the base 94.

[0125] This pair of rails 93 cooperates with the roller 62 which is integral with the pinion of the conveying device, as shown in [Fig.3].

[0126] This pair of rails 93 forms upstream of the trajectory T an opening 96, into which the roller 62 engages.

[0127] The rails 93 of this pair of rails converge towards each other forming a V up to an exit 98, downstream of the trajectory T.

[0128] This pair of rails 93 also includes adjustment means for increasing or decreasing the convergence of the angle defined by the pair of rails 93.

[0129] At output 98 of the V, the pre-orientation means 88 leads to the locking and / or unlocking means 90 of the swivel nose 64.

[0130] At the exit of the pre-orientation means 88, each roller 62 of each conveying device 26 is indexed with the same orientation, that is to say that the rollers 62 are placed one behind the other in a line parallel to the trajectory T, and each roller 62 is positioned behind with respect to the direction of the trajectory T.

[0131] The implementation of the locking and / or unlocking step of the fastening means combines the locking means 92 of the swivel nose 64 and the locking and / or unlocking means 90 of the bayonet.

[0132] Fig. 6 represents the locking and / or unlocking means 90 in a so-called locked position and Fig. 7 represents the locking and / or unlocking means 90 in a so-called unlocked position.

[0133] The locking and / or unlocking means 90 consists of the base 94, at least one movable cam track 102 intended to receive the roller 62 fixed on the pinion of each chuck 60 to drive it in rotation around its longitudinal axis in order to carry out the step of locking and / or unlocking the fixing means, i.e. the bayonet, securing the rotating nose 64 to the chuck 60 while the locking means 92 keeps the rotating nose 64 immobile.

[0134] This movable cam track 102 moves relative to the base 94.

[0135] This movable cam track 102 includes a U-shaped groove 104, parallel to the trajectory T whose width is at least equal to the diameter of the roller 62.

[0136] In the embodiment shown in figures 6 and 7, this groove 104 is machined for example in a block of steel.

[0137] Alternatively, the mobile cam path 102 can also be achieved by a pair of mobile guides.

[0138] In the locking position of the locking and / or unlocking means 90, shown in [Fig.6], the movable cam track 102 receives the roller 62 at the exit of the pre-orientation means 88 and the bayonet secures the nose of the spindle 64 with the mandrel 60. This is why it is referred to as the locking position.

[0139] In the unlocking position of the locking and / or unlocking means 90, shown in [Fig.7], the movable cam path 102 has translated transversely relative to the trajectory T so as to move the roller 62 to unlock the bayonet.

[0140] In this unlocked position, the movable cam track 102 is no longer aligned with the output of the pair of rails 93 of the pre-orientation means 88 and is no longer opening upstream and downstream of the trajectory T.

[0141] As a result, the turning nose 64 is no longer attached to the chuck 60. Thus, the turning nose 64 can be disassembled for possible change in the context of a format change for another future production or in the context of maintenance.

[0142] During the transition from the locked position to the unlocked position, the turntable nose 64 is held by the locking means 92.

[0143] A first actuator 106, one part of which is fixed to the base 94, and the other part of which is fixed to the mobile cam track 102, allows the mobile cam track 102 to be moved in a direction substantially transverse to the predetermined trajectory T.

[0144] In an alternative not shown, the first actuator moves the movable cam path by a rotational movement in a direction substantially perpendicular to the predetermined trajectory T.

[0145] The first actuator 106 may be a pneumatic cylinder or a linear motor or any other actuator well known to the person skilled in the art.

[0146] The actuator examples cited in the paragraph above are not exhaustive. The purpose of this actuator is to perform a movement to lock or unlock the nose of the swivel 64.

[0147] Figures 8, 9 and 10 schematically represent the kinematics of the conveying device 26 with respect to the device for locking and / or unlocking, in particular of the roller 62 attached to the pinion with respect to the pre-orientation means 88 and the locking and / or unlocking means 90.

[0148] As shown in [Fig.8], the movement of the conveying device 26 is symbolized by an arrow J. The movement of the conveying device 26 causes the roller 62 attached to the pinion to move into a pre-orientation zone 108 defined by the pair of rails 93.

[0149] During the movement of the conveyor device 26, the roller 62 comes into contact with one of the rails 93 forming the V. The rail 93 guides the roller 62 and positions it to trail when it exits the means from the pre-orientation zone.

[0150] This pre-orientation step allows the roller 62 to be indexed relative to the nose of the swivel 64 in preparation for the unlocking step.

[0151] Fig. 9 represents the locked position of the locking and / or unlocking means 90.

[0152] In this position, the roller 62 enters the locking and / or unlocking means 90. In other words, the roller 62 comes to cooperate with the movable cam track 102.

[0153] The movable cam path 102 is displaced transversely with respect to the trajectory T.

[0154] The movement of the movable cam track 102 relative to the base 94 allows the transition from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0155] The [Fig. 10] represents the unlocked position of the locking and / or unlocking means 90.

[0156] In this embodiment, the position of the roller 62 results from the transverse displacement K of the mobile cam track l02 with respect to the trajectory T, which causes the roller 62 to move by a rotational movement in the clockwise direction.

[0157] This movement of the roller 62 allows the locking means, i.e. the bayonet, to be unlocked.

[0158] In an alternative not shown, the position of the roller 62 results from the rotation of the cam track on itself.

[0159] When moving from the locked position to the unlocked position, the turntable nose 64 is held by the locking means 92.

Claims

Demands

1. Device for locking and / or unlocking (85) at least one turntable nose (64), intended to be mounted on a thermal conditioning unit (16) comprising at least: - a frame (23); - a preform conveying device (26) consisting of a plurality of supports (52), said conveying device 26 circulating along the frame 23 along a predetermined trajectory (T);- chucks (60) being mounted movably in rotation, about its longitudinal axis, on each support of the conveying device, each chuck (60) comprising at least: - a first end constituting a bayonet socket (78) intended to receive a pin (84) integral with the swivel nose (64) adapted to receive a preform (4) in plastic material or the first end comprising said pin intended to receive said bayonet socket (78) integral with the swivel nose (64), said bayonet socket and said pin forming a bayonet (66); - another portion of the chuck (60), opposite said first end, is attached to a drive member (61) for rotating said chuck (60), characterized in that the device for locking and / or unlocking (85) further comprises: - a means for angular pre-orientation (88) of each chuck (60);-a means for locking (92) against rotation of each swivel nose (64), and -a locking and / or unlocking means (90) of said bayonet securing the swivel nose (64) to the chuck (60) so as to lock and / or unlock the swivel nose (64) from the chuck (60) after the angular pre-orientation of the chuck (60) and the locking of the swivel nose (64).;

2. Device for locking and / or unlocking (85) at least one spindle nose (64) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the angular pre-orientation means (88) of each chuck (60) comprises at least one guiding means intended to cooperate with a cam follower (62) integral with the drive member (61), said cam follower (62) being off-center relative to the longitudinal axis of the chuck (60) to pre-orient each chuck (60) angularly.

3. Device for locking and / or unlocking at least one turntable nose (64) according to the preceding claim characterized in that the cam follower (62) is a roller or a finger.

4. Device for locking and / or unlocking at least one turntable nose (64) according to the preceding claim characterized in that said guiding means comprises at least one pair of rails (93), said rails (93) forming upstream of the trajectory T an opening, in which the cam follower (62) integral with the drive member (61) is intended to engage, and converging towards each other in a V-shape up to an outlet, downstream of the trajectory T, leading to said locking and / or unlocking means (90).

5. Device for locking and / or unlocking at least one turntable nose according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the locking means (92) comprises a clamp 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 immobilize it in rotation.

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

7. Device for locking and / or unlocking at least one turntable nose according to any one of claims 4 or 5 characterized in that at least one arm of the clamp is driven by an actuator.

8. Device for locking and / or unlocking at least one turntable nose according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the locking means (92) comprises a cylinder consisting of a body fixed to the frame (23) and a piston capable of being moved to bear against the turntable nose (64) to immobilize it in rotation.

9. Device for locking and / or unlocking at least one turntable nose according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the locking and / or unlocking means (90) consists of at least one cam track mobile (102) intended to receive said cam follower (62) of the drive member (61) of each chuck (60) to drive it in rotation around its longitudinal axis in order to lock and / or unlock said bayonet (66) securing the swivel nose (64) to the chuck.

10. Device for locking and / or unlocking at least one turntable nose according to the preceding claim characterized in that the locking and / or unlocking means (90) comprises a first linear actuator (106) capable of moving said movable cam track (102) in a direction substantially transverse to the predetermined trajectory T.

11. Device for locking and / or unlocking at least one turntable nose according to claim 8 characterized in that the locking and / or unlocking means (90) comprises a first actuator (106) capable of moving said cam track (102) movable in rotation along a sensitive direction perpendicular to the predetermined trajectory T.

12. Preform thermal conditioning unit (16) characterized in that it comprises a device for locking and / or unlocking at least one turntable nose according to any one of claims 1 to 10 attached to the frame (23) of said preform thermal conditioning unit (16).

13. Thermal conditioning unit (16) according to claim 12 characterized in that it comprises at least one second actuator capable of moving said guiding means and / or said locking and / or unlocking means (90) from a so-called active position in which said guiding means and / or said locking and / or unlocking means (90) extend along the trajectory T to a so-called inactive position in which said guiding means and / or said locking and / or unlocking means (90) do not extend along the trajectory T and vice versa.

14. Method for locking and / or unlocking the swivel nose of a thermal conditioning unit (16) according to any one of claims 12 or 13 comprising at least the following steps of: - pre-orientation of the chuck (60); - locking of the swivel nose (64); - rotation of the chuck (60) to engage and disengage the bayonet securing a toumette nose with a chuck (60).

Images