Removable panel with simplified locking mechanism

Abstract

The invention relates to a locking mechanism (1) for a removable wall (11) of a stirring crate (21) comprising a rack (4) and a shaft (5) one end of which is arranged to selectively cooperate along an actuation axis (A) with the rack (4) between a locked position and an unlocked position. Figure for the abstract: Figure 5

Description

Title of the invention: Removable partition with simplified locking Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to the field of riddling boxes for glass bottles for sparkling wine, and more particularly to the field of riddling boxes with removable walls. Technical background

[0002] Riddling is a step in the preparation of sparkling wines intended to remove sediment from the wine. This step makes the wine more transparent and prevents the formation of sediment at the bottom of the bottles.

[0003] During the riddling stage, the bottles are slowly rotated around their axis in one direction and then the other. Simultaneously with this rotation, the bottles are gradually brought upright on their points. This process allows all the sediment suspended in the wine to collect in the neck of the bottles. Riddling is followed by a disgorging stage, the purpose of which is to remove the sediment present in the neck.

[0004] The riddling of the bottles can be done manually or automated and controlled by machines. Automating this step significantly reduces the time it takes. Indeed, manual riddling can take about a month and a half, whereas when automated, it takes only about seven days.

[0005] To gather a large number of bottles and rotate them simultaneously, a device called a riddling box is known to be used. In this type of box, a large number of bottles can be arranged so that they all have the same orientation. Thus, by coupling the riddling box to automatic means of movement, it is possible to rotate all the bottles simply by changing the orientation of the riddling box. To perform the riddling, the box is attached to a riddling device, also called a riddler. This riddler rotates the entire box to riddle all the bottles at the same time.

[0006] Riddling crates are usually roughly parallelepiped in shape and have six sides to hold the bottles inside. All the bottles are stacked on top of each other in a staggered pattern, in several layers. Riddling crates of this type can hold approximately 500 bottles.

[0007] More specifically, in a riddling box, one of the walls is removable from designed to allow the riddling box to be filled with bottles. This removable partition generally comprises two gates, each parallel to the same plane, which are adjustable in spacing and lockable / unlockable using at least one bolt as, for example, described in document FR 3 049 286. Each gate includes cams intended to cooperate with a cam track formed in an upright of the riddling box.

[0008] While this solution has the advantage of being simple to implement, it does have drawbacks. Indeed, contrary to expectations, tightening with bolts induces rapid fatigue in this type of application. Thus, the large number of bottles encourages users to overtighten the stud to ensure the gates remain in place, resulting in premature wear of the nut. Furthermore, tightening / loosening a bolt (especially if it is overtightened) is tedious and requires a dedicated tool. Finally, this type of gate is very difficult to install / remove using a robot. Summary of the invention

[0009] The invention aims in particular to provide a locking mechanism for a removable wall which is compatible with existing removable walls of ridding crates, which is robust in order to allow a very long period of use without having to change parts and which is simple to lock / unlock in order to be able to be handled by both a user and a robot without any tools.

[0010] To this end, the invention relates to a locking mechanism for a removable wall for a riddling box comprising a plate with a first side wall including a cam intended to cooperate with a cam track provided on the riddling box, the plate being arranged to be mounted by sliding connection in a light in the removable wall, characterized in that the locking mechanism comprises a rack mounted on a second side wall of the plate, opposite the first side wall, and a shaft one end of which is arranged to selectively cooperate with the rack of the plate between a first position, called locking, in which the shaft is meshed with the rack by blocking the sliding connection of the plate and a second position, called unlocking, in which the shaft is moved away from the rack by allowing the sliding connection of the plate.

[0011] Advantageously, according to the invention, the locking mechanism can thus be interchanged with an existing locking / unlocking system by means of at least one bolt, which requires the change of a part such as, for example, its nut. The locking mechanism is then mounted in a slot in the removable wall, i.e., for example, in a slot in one of the two gates without adaptation by particular. Furthermore, the locking mechanism's cam operates in the same way as that of an existing locking / unlocking system using at least one bolt. It is therefore perfectly feasible to replace each existing locking / unlocking system using at least one bolt with the locking mechanism according to the invention as wear and tear necessitates a part replacement, or to replace them all before filling the stirring crate. In the latter case, the removable partition is held in position by several points that can be individually locked / unlocked without the need for a dedicated tool.

[0012] Furthermore, the locking mechanism advantageously uses, according to the invention, a simple meshing between a shaft and a rack, which makes the locking / unlocking movement very robust by avoiding the need for tightening by screwing, which generates wear. In addition, the shaft's actuating axis is substantially parallel to the axis of the cam on the plate, allowing for a progressive movement of the rack in front of the shaft's end until the removable partition is pushed into the riddling box as close as possible to the bottles. It is then simply a matter of moving the shaft from the unlocked position to the locked position to secure all the bottles in the riddling box by the removable partition. This simple locking movement can be achieved by a user or a robot without any tools.

[0013] Finally, several locking positions are achieved. This is particularly advantageous when unboxing the bottles. Indeed, during unboxing, the bottles are in a vertical position (neck down with the sediment in the neck), and it may be necessary to create some play in the removable partition relative to the bottles to facilitate their removal by a robot or a user. Here again, both the partial unlocking movement and the removal of the bottles can be achieved by either a user or a robot without any tools.

[0014] The invention includes, as an alternative, one or more of the following optional features, taken alone or in combination.

[0015] The rack may have teeth in which the spaces between the teeth each have a shape complementary to that of the end of the shaft in order to offer several stable locking positions. Typically, complementary concave and convex surfaces are possible to make it more difficult for the rack tooth to pass through the end of the shaft, thus making each position between two rack teeth very stable.

[0016] The locking mechanism may include a frame in which the shaft is mounted by a sliding pivot joint along the actuating axis. The frame thus ensures the movement of the shaft relative to the rack. Typically, the actuating axis of the shaft is maintained substantially parallel to the axis of the cam on the plate. ensures a perpendicular orientation relative to the rack teeth.

[0017] The other end of the shaft can be extended perpendicularly by a gripping element to help manipulate the shaft between the locking and unlocking positions. Here again, the locking / unlocking movements are thus simplified for both user and robot operation without the need for a dedicated tool.

[0018] The frame comprises two stops arranged to receive the gripping element and oriented perpendicularly to each other at two different distances along the actuation axis in order to maintain the locking position by blocking the gripping element against the first stop of the frame and the unlocking position by blocking the gripping element against the second stop of the frame. It is understood that the locking / unlocking movements are thus formed by a displacement comprising a translation and a rotation.

[0019] The locking mechanism includes at least one elastic element mounted under tension between the frame and the shaft in order to impose an elastic force on the shaft, causing it to move towards the locked position. This advantageously makes each locking position more stable. Indeed, each time the shaft moves away from the rack, the force of the elastic element must be counteracted to move the shaft, as, for example, when moving from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0020] The invention also relates to a removable partition for a riddling box, characterized in that it comprises at least one locking mechanism as shown above, each mounted in a light in the removable partition.

[0021] As explained above, all or part of the existing locking / unlocking systems using at least one bolt on the removable partition can be replaced by the locking mechanism according to the invention. By way of non-limiting example, the removable partition can thus be locked in position at several points that are individually lockable / unlockable in several locking positions without the need for a dedicated tool. This is particularly advantageous when unboxing bottles. Indeed, during unboxing, the bottles are in a vertical position (seed in the neck facing downwards), and it may be necessary to "give some play" to the removable partition relative to the bottles, i.e., without completely removing the partition, in order to more easily remove the bottles by a robot or a user.

[0022] The invention includes, as an alternative, one or more of the following optional features, taken alone or in combination.

[0023] The removable partition can be substantially parallel to a plane, called the wall plane, and comprising two parts, called the first and second gates, each parallel to the wall plane and movable relative to the other by means of a spacer device to adjust the distance between the gates parallel to the wall plane. The spacer device may be the same as an existing system, i.e., already part of the removable wall on which all or part of the existing locking / unlocking systems using at least one bolt of the removable wall may be replaced by the locking mechanism according to the invention. The spacer device may include connecting arms of the first gate intended to be mounted to slide in holes in the other gate.

[0024] The removable partition may include two locking mechanisms, typically diametrically opposed, on each of the first and second gates.

[0025] Finally, the invention relates to a ridding box characterized in that it comprises a removable wall as presented above and a box body in which at least one cam track associated with the cam of the locking mechanism of the removable wall is provided.

[0026] Advantageously, according to the invention, the riddling box allows the benefits of the removable wall as described above to be taken into account. Thus, during riddling, the bottles remain pressed against the riddling box and, during unboxing, when the bottles are in a vertical position (seed in the neck facing downwards), the riddling box advantageously according to the invention can "give some play" to the removable wall relative to the bottles, that is to say, without completely removing the removable wall, in order to more easily remove the bottles by a robot or a user. Brief description of the figures

[0027] Other features and advantages of the invention will become clear from the description given below, by way of example and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028] [Fig. 1] is a partial perspective view of an example of a riddling box adapted for bottles of sparkling wine comprising an example of a removable wall according to the invention;

[0029] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of an example of a riddling box face comprising two cam tracks intended to cooperate with the example of a removable wall according to the invention;

[0030] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of the example of a removable wall according to the invention;

[0031] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of one of the gates of the example of a removable partition according to the invention;

[0032] [Fig.5] is a perspective view illustrating an example of cooperation of a camera of a gate with a cam track provided on the riddling box containing bottles with an example of a locking mechanism according to the invention in the unlocked position;

[0033] [Fig.6] is a front perspective view of the example of the locking mechanism according to the invention in the unlocked position;

[0034] [Fig.7] is a reverse perspective view of the example locking mechanism according to the invention in the unlocked position;

[0035] [Fig.8] is a perspective view illustrating the example of cooperation of a gate cam with a cam track provided on the stirring box with the example of locking mechanism according to the invention in locked position;

[0036] [Fig.9] is a front perspective view of the example of the locking mechanism according to the invention in the locked position. Detailed description

[0037] In the various figures, identical or similar elements bear the same reference numerals, possibly with an additional subscript. Therefore, the description of their structure and function is not systematically repeated.

[0038] In all that follows, the orientations are the orientations of the figures. In particular, the terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "above," "below," "forward," and "backward" are generally understood with respect to the direction in which the figures are represented. The term "horizontal" is therefore understood as a direction parallel to the principal plane P of the removable wall, and the term "vertical" is understood as a direction perpendicular to the principal plane P of the removable wall.

[0039] An example of a riddling box 21, sometimes called a block, is illustrated in [Fig. 1]. As explained above, such a riddling box 21 is suitable, in the case of the example described in [Fig. 1], for holding, for example, more than five hundred glass bottles 22 (five hundred and four bottles 22 in [Fig. 1]) containing sparkling wine. The riddling box 21 has a body 23 that is generally parallelepiped in shape, that is, it is provided with six walls that are generally rectangular in shape. It should be noted that [Fig. 1] corresponds to the end of the step of filling the box 21 with bottles, after which the sixth bottom wall, generally a wire mesh, will be mounted against the bottom (opposite the neck) of the bottles 22 to form the entire riddling box 21 using fasteners known to those skilled in the art. As seen in the example of [Fig.l], the body 23 also includes feet 23A and 23B intended to respectively support the riddling box 21 during the filling of the bottles 22 (horizontal position of the bottles 22 as illustrated in [Fig.l]) and at the end of the riddling process of the bottles 22. (vertical position of bottles 22 with the neck downwards).

[0040] When the riddling box 21 is filled with bottles 22, the latter are arranged in a staggered pattern in several layers. All the bottles 22 are held together by the various walls of the riddling box 23. The bottles 22 are oriented in the same direction and orientation. The riddling box 21 comprises, more specifically:

[0041] a pointed wall 23D intended to cooperate with the necks of the bottles 22 adjacent to this pointed wall 23D (generally a profiled plate with regular crenellations delimiting parallel straight grooves as best seen in [Fig.2]).

[0042] the bottom wall (not shown in [Fig. 1]) intended to cooperate with the bottoms of the bottles 22 adjacent to this bottom wall;

[0043] and four lateral walls 23C, 11 intended to cooperate with the barrels of the bottles 22 adjacent to these lateral walls, one 11 of the lateral walls 23C, 11 being removable in order to make the riddling step possible.

[0044] As illustrated, for example, in [Fig. 2], each of the three fixed walls 23C comprises straight metal bars 25 and metal wires 26 assembled using methods known to those skilled in the art, in particular by welding. The metal wires 25 of the lateral walls 23C are designed to cooperate with the barrels of the bottles 22 so as to retain them in the riddling crate 21. Two of the metal bars 25 also each have two cam tracks 24 provided to cooperate with the removable wall 11, as will be explained below. As illustrated in [Fig. 2], each cam track 24 includes a ramp-forming portion 24A. It should be noted that the two ramp-forming portions 24A of the same bar 25 are inclined in opposite directions to provide a specific movement of the removable wall 11 when it approaches the bottles 22, as will be explained below.

[0045] The removable wall 11, referred to as the stirring wall, is, when assembled on the body 23, connected to two fixed lateral walls 23C. The removable wall 11 is substantially parallel to a plane P, referred to as the wall plane. In the example of Figures 3 and 4, the removable wall 11 is shown alone. The removable wall 11 comprises a first gate 11A and a second gate 11IB, each parallel to the wall plane P and movable relative to each other by means of a spacing device 15 in order to adjust the spacing distance E between the gates 1IA, 1IB parallel to the wall plane P. In the example of Figures 3 and 4, the spacing device 15 includes connecting arms 16A of the gate 11A (better seen in [Fig.4]) intended to be mounted sliding in holes 17B of the gate 1 IB so as to link the two gates 11 A, 1 IB together.The gate 1 IB bearing the holes 17B is also provided with two bent arms 16B intended to cooperate with a groove 23E in the tip wall 23D.

[0046] Each gate 11 A, 1 IB comprises at least one cam 2 (two cams 2 diame tralally opposed for each gate 1 IA, 1 IB to the [Fig.3]) substantially L-shaped intended to cooperate with a cam track 24 of the body 23 of the moving box 21 and more particularly on the two fixed lateral walls 23C carrying the bars 25 with the cam tracks 24.

[0047] Thus, in order to fill the riddling crate 21 with bottles 22, the removable wall 11 is mounted on the body 23. For this purpose, the angled arms 16B are placed in the groove 23E and the cams 2 of the gates 11A, 11IB are inserted into the cam tracks 24 provided on the two fixed lateral walls 23C as shown in [Fig. 5]. The two gates 1IA, 1IB, held together by the spreading device 15, are then separated, the inclination of the ramps 24A tending to bring the gates 1IA, 1IB as close as possible to the center of the riddling crate 21. It is understood that each L-shaped cam 2, once it has begun its cam track 24, is retained in the bar 25 as shown in particular in [Fig. 8].

[0048] To enable this movement, each cam 2 is mounted on a plate 3 at the level of a first lateral wall 3A, and the plate 3 is arranged to be mounted by a sliding connection in a slot 13 in the removable wall 11. In the example illustrated in Figures 3 to 9, the sliding connection is achieved by two bolts 18A, 18B, each consisting of a stud and a nut. More specifically, as illustrated in the example in Figures 6 and 7, each bolt 18A, 18B is arranged to slide within the slot 13 to keep the plate 3 aligned with the slot 13 so that the latter can translate along the slot reversibly.

[0049] In order to lock the position of the removable wall 11 relative to the stirring box 21, a locking mechanism 1 is used. Advantageously, according to the invention, the locking mechanism 1 comprises the plate 3 equipped with the cam 2 and also with a rack 4 mounted on a second lateral wall 3B of the plate 3, opposite the first lateral wall 3A. Furthermore, the locking mechanism 1 includes a shaft 5, one end 5A of which is arranged to selectively cooperate with the rack 4 of the plate 3 between a first position, referred to as the locking position, visible in Figures 8 and 9, in which the shaft 5 is engaged with the rack 4, blocking the sliding connection of the plate 3, and a second position, referred to as the unlocking position, visible in Figures 5 to 7, in which the shaft 5 is moved away from the rack 4, allowing the sliding connection of the plate 3.

[0050] Advantageously, according to the invention, the locking mechanism 1 can thus be interchanged with an existing locking / unlocking system by means of at least one bolt, which requires the change of a part such as, for example, its nut. The locking mechanism 1 is then mounted in a slot 13 in the removable wall 11, i.e., for example, in a slot 13 in one of the two gates 1IA, 1IB, without any special adaptation. Furthermore, the cam 2 of the locking mechanism 1 cooperates in the same way as an existing locking / unlocking system using at least one bolt. It is therefore perfectly feasible to replace each existing locking / unlocking system using at least one bolt with the locking mechanism 1 according to the invention as wear and tear necessitates a part replacement, or to replace them all before filling the stirring crate 21. In the latter case, the removable partition 11 is locked in position by several points (four points in [Fig. 1]) which can be individually locked / unlocked without the need for a dedicated tool.

[0051] Furthermore, the locking mechanism 1 advantageously uses, according to the invention, a simple meshing between a shaft 5 and a rack 4, which makes the locking / unlocking movement very robust by avoiding the need for tightening by screwing, which generates wear. In addition, the actuating axis A of the shaft 5 is substantially parallel to the axis of the cam 2 of the plate 3, which allows a progressive movement of the rack 4 in front of the end 5A of the shaft 5 until the removable partition 11 is pushed into the riddling box 21, that is to say, in particular, as close as possible to the bottles 22, at which point it is sufficient to move the shaft 5 from the unlocked position visible in Figures 5 to 7 to the locked position visible in Figures 8 and 9 to lock all the bottles 22 in the riddling box 21 by the removable partition 11.This simple reversible locking / unlocking movement, i.e. translation -T or T, can be achieved by manipulation by a user or robot without any tools.

[0052] Finally, several locking positions are achieved. This is particularly advantageous when unboxing the bottles 22 for the disgorging step (the step of removing the sediment present in each bottle 22). Indeed, during unboxing, the bottles 22 are in a vertical position (sediment in the neck facing downwards), and it may be necessary to "give some play" to the removable wall 11 relative to the bottles 22 in order to more easily remove the bottles 22 by a robot or a user. Here again, both the partial unlocking movement and the removal of the bottles 22 can be achieved by either a user or a robot without any tools.

[0053] In the example illustrated in Figures 5 to 9, it is visible that the rack 4 has teeth 4A, the spaces between which each tooth have a shape complementary to that of the end 5A of the shaft 5 in order to provide several stable locking positions. Typically, complementary concave and convex surfaces are used in Figures 5 to 9 to make it more difficult for the teeth of the rack 4 to pass through the end 5A of the shaft 5, thereby making each locking position between two teeth of the rack 4 very stable.

[0054] Furthermore, in the example illustrated in Figures 5 to 9, the locking mechanism 1 comprises a frame 7 in which the shaft 5 is mounted by sliding pivot joint about the actuation axis A. Typically, the frame 7 has two slots receiving the shaft 5 in order to guarantee movement about the actuation axis A of the shaft 5 relative to the rack 4, that is to say a translational displacement T, -T substantially perpendicular to the teeth 4A of the rack 4.

[0055] As seen in the example illustrated in [Fig.5], the other end 5B of the shaft 5 is extended perpendicularly by a gripping element 6 to help manipulate the shaft 5 between the locking positions visible in Figures 8 and 9 and the unlocking positions visible in Figures 5 to 7. Here again, the locking / unlocking movements are thus simplified for both user and robot handling without the need for a dedicated tool.

[0056] In the example illustrated in figures 5 to 9, the frame 7 has two stops 7A, 7B arranged to receive the gripping element 6 and oriented perpendicularly to each other at two different distances along the actuation axis A in order to maintain the locking position by blocking the gripping element 6 against the first stop 7A of the frame 7 and the unlocking position by blocking the gripping element 6 against the second stop 7B of the frame 7. It is understood that the locking / unlocking movements are thus formed by a displacement comprising a translation T, -T and a rotation R, -R.The difference in distance along the actuation axis A between the two stops 7A, 7B is advantageously chosen to, on the one hand, in the locking position visible in figures 8 and 9, provide an engagement of the end 5A of the shaft against the teeth 4A of the rack 4 and, on the other hand, in the unlocking position visible in figures 5 to 7, free the plate 3 from any contact with the end 5A of the shaft 5.

[0057] Finally, in the example illustrated in Figures 5 to 9, the locking mechanism 1 includes at least one elastic element 8 mounted under tension between the frame 7 and the shaft 5 in order to impose on the shaft 5 an elastic force for displacement towards the locking position visible in Figures 8 and 9, i.e., capable of moving the shaft 5 at least along the translation -T. This advantageously makes each locking position more stable. Indeed, at each displacement of the shaft 5 relative to the rack 4, the force of the elastic element 8 must be counteracted to begin moving the shaft 5, as, for example, when moving from the locking position visible in Figures 8 and 9 to the unlocking position visible in Figures 5 to 7.

[0058] As explained above, all or part of the existing locking / unlocking systems using at least one bolt of the removable wall 11 can be replaced by the locking mechanism 1 according to the invention. The riddling box 21 allows the advantages of the removable wall 11 to be taken into account as described above. Thus, during riddling, the bottles 22 remain pressed against the wall. against the riddling crate 21 and, during unboxing, when the bottles 22 are in a vertical position (deposit in the neck facing downwards), the riddling crate 21 advantageously according to the invention can, without a dedicated tool, "give play" to the removable wall 11 in relation to the bottles 22, that is to say without totally removing the removable wall 11, in order to more easily remove the bottles 22 by a robot or a user.

[0059] The invention is not limited to the example shown, and other embodiments and variations will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Without limitation, it is possible for the plate 3 and / or the rack 4 and / or the shaft 5 and / or the frame 7 to have different dimensions and / or mounting and / or geometry without departing from the scope of the invention. By way of further, and not limiting, example, the teeth 4A of the rack 4 could have more or fewer teeth than in the example illustrated in Figures 5 to 9 without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0060] According to an unillustrated variant, the locking mechanism 1 may further include at least one other elastic element (i.e. in addition to or as a substitute for the elastic element 8) mounted under constraint between the removable wall 11 and each plate 3, the elastic release of which exerts a force oriented along the direction of the length of the light 13. Thus, an elastic force is imposed by each other elastic element on each plate 3, inducing mechanical assistance in the pushing of the removable wall 11 into the ridden box 21.

[0061] More specifically, the mechanical aid allows passage from the visible position in [Fig.5] in which each plate 3 is in a proximal position relative to the light 13 allowing the introduction of each cam 2 into its associated cam path 24 (each other elastic element being in maximum relaxation) to the visible position in [Fig.8] in which the plate 3 is in a distal position relative to the light 13 (each other elastic element being in less relaxation but still in relaxation) in order to offer an assisting force for the movement of each cam 2 in its associated cam path 24 and, incidentally, an assisting force for the separation of the gates 1 IA, 1 IB from each other.

[0062] Advantageously, according to the invention, each locking mechanism 1 thus makes it possible to lock (locking position as illustrated in [Fig. 8]) each plate 3 in its proximal position relative to its associated slot 13 in order to insert each cam 2 of the removable wall 11 (four cams 2 in [Fig. 3]) into its associated cam track 24 as illustrated in Figures 1 and 5. Each locking mechanism 1 is then deactivated (locking position as illustrated in [Fig. 8] to the unlocking position as illustrated in [Fig. 5]) in order to release the sliding linkage of each plate 3 in its associated slot 13 and thus allow each other elastic element to exert its elastic release force oriented so as to force each plate 3 to move towards its distal position relative to its slot 13 associated as illustrated in [Fig.8]. It is understood that the combined actions of each other elastic element allow, through their combined relaxation forces, the removable wall 11 of the bottles 22 to be brought partially (an additional force must be applied by a user or a robot), or even totally (no other force to be applied), closer together. Each locking mechanism 1 can then lock (locking position as illustrated in [Fig.8]) each plate 3 in its distal position relative to its associated light 13 to hold the bottles 22 in the riddling box 21. List of references

[0063] A: actuating axis

[0064] E: spacing distance between gates 1 IA, 1 IB

[0065] P: wall plane

[0066] T: translational movement of shaft 5

[0067] R: rotational movement of shaft 5

[0068] 1: locking mechanism

[0069] 2: came

[0070] 3: platinum

[0071] 3A: first side wall of the plate 3

[0072] 3B: second side wall of plate 3

[0073] 4: rack

[0074] 4A: rack teeth 4

[0075] 5: tree

[0076] 5A: first end of the tree 13

[0077] 5B: second end of the tree 13

[0078] 6: gripping element

[0079] 7: built

[0080] 7A: first stop of the frame 7

[0081] 7B: second stop of the frame 7

[0082] 8: elastic element

[0083] 11: removable partition

[0084] 1 IA: first gate of the removable partition 21

[0085] 1 IB: second gate of the removable partition 21

[0086] 13: light

[0087] 15: spacing device

[0088] 16A: connecting arm of gate 1 IA

[0089] 16B: angled connecting arms of gate 1 IB

[0090] 17B: holes in gate 11B

[0091] 21: riddling box

[0092]

[0093]

[0094]

[0095]

[0096]

[0097]

[0098]

[0099]

[0100]

[0101] 22: bottle 23: body 21 23A: feet of body 23 23B: feet of body 23 23C: fixed side walls of body 23 23D: tip wall of body 23 23E: groove of tip wall 23D 24: cam track 25: metal bar 26: metal wire

Claims

Demands

1. A locking mechanism (1) for a removable wall (11) of a riddling box (21) comprising a plate (3) with a first lateral wall (3A) including a cam (2) for cooperating with a cam track (24) formed on the riddling box (21), the plate (3) being arranged to be mounted by sliding connection in a slot (13) in the removable wall (11), characterized in that the locking mechanism (1) comprises a rack (4) mounted on a second lateral wall (3B) of the plate (3), opposite the first lateral wall (3A), and a shaft (5) having one end (5A) arranged to selectively cooperate along an actuation axis (A) with the rack (4) of the plate (3) between a first position, called the locking position, in which the shaft (5) is engaged with the rack (4) by blocking the sliding connection of the plate (3) and a second position, called the unlocking position,in which the shaft (5) is moved away from the rack (4) allowing the sliding connection of the plate.

2. Locking mechanism (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the rack (4) has teeth (4A) whose spaces between the teeth each have a shape complementary to that of the end (5A) of the shaft (5) in order to offer several stable locking positions.

3. Locking mechanism (1) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a frame (7) in which the shaft (5) is mounted by sliding pivot joint about the actuation axis (A).

4. Locking mechanism (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the other end (5B) of the shaft (5) is extended perpendicularly by a gripping element (6) to help manipulate the shaft (5) between the locking and unlocking positions.

5. Locking mechanism (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the frame (7) has two stops (7A, 7B) arranged to receive the gripping element (6) and oriented perpendicularly to each other at two different distances along the axis (A) of actuation in order to maintain the locking position by blocking the gripping element (6) against the first stop (7A) of the frame (7) and the unlocking position by blocking the gripping element (6) against the second stop (7B) of the frame (7).

6. Locking mechanism (1) according to any one of the claims indications 3 to 5, comprising at least one elastic element (8) mounted under constraint between the frame (7) and the shaft (5) in order to impose on the shaft (5) an elastic displacement force towards the locking position.

7. Removable wall (11) for a riddling box (21), characterized in that it comprises at least one locking mechanism (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, each mounted in a light (13) of the removable wall (11).

8. Removable wall (11) according to the preceding claim, being substantially parallel to a plane, called wall plane (P), and comprising two parts, called first (1 IA) and second (1 IB) gates, each parallel to the wall plane (P) and movable relative to each other by means of a spacing device (15) in order to adjust the distance between the gates (1 IA, 1 IB) parallel to the wall plane (P).

9. Removable wall (11) according to the preceding claim, comprising two locking mechanisms (1) on each of the first (1 IA) and second (11B) gates.

10. A stirring box (21) characterized in that it comprises a removable wall (11) according to any one of the preceding claims and a box body (23) in which at least one cam track (24) associated with the cam (2) of the locking mechanism (1) for the removable wall (11) is provided.

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