Bottle arrangement machine (upside-down) and case-packing set including such a machine

Abstract

Bottle arrangement machine (100) for bottles (B) in a head-to-tail arrangement, comprising a conveyor (10) and a tipping station (20), said conveyor being configured to successively bring batches (L) of adjacent and vertically placed bottles to the tipping station, the tipping station (20) comprising a plurality of grippers (21) each of which is configured to grasp only one bottle at a time from each batch arriving at the tipping station (20), each gripper (21a) being configured to tip the grasped bottle in a tipping direction (S1) opposite to that (S2) of any gripper (21b) adjacent to it, so that the heads of the bottles in each batch point alternately in opposite directions, the tipping station (20) then releasing the bottles by sliding them to a receiving station (30), said bottles being in a head-to-tail arrangement. Figure for the summary: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Bottle arrangement machine for inverted bottles and case packing assembly comprising such a machine. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of systems and methods for grouping articles, in particular systems for arranging and packing articles into patterns or sets. It relates more particularly to a machine for arranging bottles in an up-and-down arrangement and a packing assembly comprising such a machine.

[0002] The present invention finds a direct, but not limiting, application in the automatic or semi-automatic case packing of wine bottles. State of the art

[0003] Historically, the earliest methods of storing and transporting wine used amphorae, widely adopted by the Greeks and Romans. Later, the Gauls innovated by using wooden barrels, which were easier to transport overland. The invention of coal-fired kilns in the 17th century enabled the production of thicker and more resistant glass bottles, thus transforming the way wine was packaged and transported.

[0004] Today, wine bottles are generally packed in batches and into cardboard or wooden crates. Bottle packing can be done manually, in which case the operator arranges the bottles directly according to the desired configuration, or automatically by means of machines, in which case the arrangement is done before or during the packing process using even more complex mechanisms. This latter case often involves very sophisticated and expensive machines.

[0005] Modern solutions include machines, called automatic case packers or cartoners, which offer high efficiency and precision.

[0006] Some case-packing machines are capable of handling high volumes of bottles. These machines use robotic gripping systems to insert bottles into cartons at high speeds. However, they have certain limitations. For example, these systems can be expensive to set up and maintain. In addition, their flexibility is often limited; they may require complex adjustments and extended downtime to change bottle or carton sizes.

[0007] In addition, existing bottle packing systems encounter many difficulties when it comes to arranging bottles in a head-to-tail configuration. Most current solutions focus on simple bottle alignment, which allows for relatively easy packaging and transport but does not maximize space utilization. Attempts to incorporate an up-and-down arrangement require complex and precise handling mechanisms to alternately tilt the bottles. This increases not only mechanical complexity but also equipment production and maintenance costs.

[0008] Document FR2172468 describes, for example, a bottle grouping machine by loading bottles head-to-tail onto trays, then stacking several trays thus loaded, said machine comprising a tray filling station, two bottle gripping stations, bottle gripping devices carried by mobile transfer devices between each of the gripping stations and the filling station, two bottle supply conveyors each leading to one of the gripping stations and arranged in directions different from the direction of movement of the transfer devices.

[0009] This typical solution clearly demonstrates the mechanical complexity involved in head-to-tail arrangements.

[0010] Integrating an up-and-down configuration requires, at a minimum, devices capable of gripping and turning certain bottles in the opposite direction. This mechanical complexity results in increased installation and maintenance costs, as well as challenges in terms of equipment reliability and durability.

[0011] For example, we know of solutions called "case-reversing" such as the one described in document DE102011015741.

[0012] Furthermore, current solutions often fail to ensure gentle handling of glass bottles, resulting in a high risk of breakage. The up-and-down arrangement, while advantageous in terms of stability and space utilization, is difficult to implement without a sophisticated and precise handling system. Grippers must be able to firmly grasp the bottles while allowing controlled tilting, which adds a further layer of complexity and cost to case packing systems. Summary of the invention

[0013] The present invention aims to overcome all or part of the disadvantages of the prior art described above, by proposing an innovative solution for packing bottles in a head-to-tail arrangement, thus ensuring efficient and secure handling of bottles, while optimizing storage and transport space.

[0014] One of the objectives of the invention is to provide a system that allows the bottles to be arranged alternately head-to-tail, thus reducing the risk of breakage and damage during transport. This feature also improves the stability of the bottles in their packaging.

[0015] To this end, the present invention relates to a machine for arranging bottles in a head-to-tail arrangement, comprising a bottle feed conveyor and a tipping station, said conveyor being configured to successively bring batches of adjacent bottles placed vertically to the tipping station.This machine is remarkable in that the tipping station comprises a plurality of grippers, each configured to grasp only one bottle at a time from each batch arriving at the tipping station. Each gripper is configured to tip the grasped bottle in a tilting direction opposite to that of any gripper grasping an adjacent bottle, so that the heads of the bottles in each batch point alternately in opposite directions. The tipping station then releases the bottles by sliding them towards a receiving station, with said bottles ending up in a head-to-tail arrangement.

[0016] This allows the bottles to be easily arranged upside down before being packed in cases. The upside-down arrangement ensures greater stability and better weight distribution within the cartons, thus facilitating transport and handling. Furthermore, the horizontal position of the bottles is ideal for storage and aging. In this position, the cork remains in constant contact with the wine, preventing it from drying out and thus preventing oxidation.

[0017] According to one aspect of the invention, the grippers are arranged in two staggered rows on either side of the conveyor, the grippers of the first row being configured to tilt the bottles in a first direction and the grippers of the second row being configured to tilt the bottles in an opposite direction, the tiltings being synchronized by cylinders.

[0018] Synchronizing the tipping makes it possible to speed up the process of arranging the bottles and therefore of packing the bottles.

[0019] According to one embodiment, each gripper has a U-shaped profile and includes a suction cup at the bottom of the profile to grip the bottles, and rollers mounted on the lateral arms of the profile to facilitate the rolling of the bottles after their release.

[0020] This design allows for efficient gripping and controlled rolling of the bottles.

[0021] According to one aspect of the invention, tilting the grippers brings the bottles into the same inclined plane relative to the horizontal, allowing the bottles to slide by gravity when they are released.

[0022] According to one aspect of the invention, the receiving station comprises rotating rollers arranged to support the bottles and enabling the bottles to rotate to align their labels on their visible faces using automatic detection methods.

[0023] More specifically, the automatic detection means include optical sensors or cameras to detect the position of the labels on the bottles, connected to motors to control the rotation of the rotating rollers in order to align the labels.

[0024] According to one aspect of the invention, the receiving station includes stops positioned at the bottom of said station to stop the bottles.

[0025] The invention also relates to a case packing assembly comprising a bottle arrangement machine as shown, and a case packing station for placing the bottles in batches into suitable crates.

[0026] This allows for complete integration of the cash handling process.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the case packing station is semi-automatic or fully automated and includes a gripping frame equipped with a row of suction cups to grasp and move the bottles from the receiving station of the arrangement machine to a case, the gripping frame being controlled by a human operator or by a robotic system.

[0028] The fundamental concepts of the invention having been set forth above in their most elementary form, other details and features will become clearer upon reading the following description and with reference to the accompanying drawings, which give, by way of non-limiting example, an embodiment of a machine for arranging bottles upside down, in accordance with the principles of the invention. Presentation of the drawings

[0029] The figures are given for illustrative purposes only to facilitate a better understanding of the invention without limiting its scope. The various elements may be represented schematically and are not necessarily to scale. Throughout the figures, identical or equivalent elements are identified by the same numerical reference.

[0030] It is thus illustrated in:

[0031] [Fig-1]: a partial perspective view of a machine according to an embodiment of the invention, with bottles arriving on the conveyor towards the tipping station;

[0032] [Fig.2]: the machine with a full batch of bottles in the tipping station;

[0033] [Fig.3]: the machine during the alternating tilting of the bottles in opposite directions seizures;

[0034] [Fig.4]: a gripper of the tipping station according to an embodiment;

[0035] [Fig. 5]: The machine after the bottles have been completely tilted, these being then in the same inclined plane;

[0036] [Fig.6]: The machine during the sliding of the bottles on the rollers towards the station reception;

[0037] [Fig.7]: The machine with the bottles in the receiving station before alignment of their labels;

[0038] [Fig.8]: the machine with the bottles after automatic alignment of the labels;

[0039] [Fig.9]: a case packing assembly comprising the machine and a case packing station semi-automatic;

[0040] [Fig. 10]: the cash handling frame of the cash handling station depositing the bottles in a packing crate. Detailed description of implementation methods

[0041] It should be noted that certain technical elements well known to those skilled in the art are recalled here to avoid any insufficiency or ambiguity in the understanding of the present invention.

[0042] In the embodiment described below, reference is made to a bottle-arranging machine, primarily intended for packing wine bottles in batches of six into cardboard boxes. This non-limiting example is given for a better understanding of the invention and does not preclude the use of the machine with other items exhibiting an asymmetry that justifies their arrangement in an up-and-down position.

[0043] In this description, the term "head-to-tail," commonly used, refers to a specific geometric arrangement of asymmetrical elongated articles, such as bottles, where each article is oriented oppositely to its immediate neighbor. More precisely, in a head-to-tail configuration, the head (or top) of each article points in one direction while the foot (or base) of the adjacent article points in the opposite direction. This arrangement systematically alternates the orientations of the aligned articles, thereby optimizing space and ensuring greater stability during transport or storage. For articles like bottles, this means that the neck of one bottle is positioned next to the base of the next, and so on, along the alignment.

[0044] Figure 1 shows a machine 100 for arranging bottles B in an up-and-down arrangement so that they can then be packed into cases in this arrangement. The machine 100 is mounted on a support frame and comprises: • a conveyor 10 for bringing in bottles B, • a tipping station 20 to which the conveyor 10 transports the bottles batch by batch, the tipping station 20 comprising a plurality of grippers 21, each of which is configured to grasp a single bottle both and tilt it in a predefined direction, these grippers 21 being collectively configured to pivot alternately in two opposite directions so as to prepare the head-to-tail arrangement of the bottles, and • a receiving station 30 to receive the bottles once released from the tipping station 20, the bottles then being arranged head to tail.

[0045] Conveyor 10 is a conventional belt conveyor for transporting bottles B in a vertical position (neck upwards), aligned in a single file. This conveyor 10 thus connects a loading station, not shown, to the tipping station 20.

[0046] The bottle loading station may not belong to the machine 100, in which case the latter is installed in the immediate vicinity of such a station. This makes it easier to integrate the machine 100 into different warehouses or industrial environments.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the operation of the conveyor 10 is ensured by an electric motor coupled to a transmission system that drives a conveyor belt. Position sensors, such as photoelectric sensors or optical barriers, are arranged along the conveyor to monitor the progress of the bottles B. When a complete batch L of bottles, for example six bottles, arrives at the tipping station 20, the sensors detect the presence of this batch and send a signal to the control system of the conveyor 10 to temporarily stop its movement.

[0048] For example, such sensors can advantageously be placed at the entrance of the tipping station 20 and configured to detect individual bottles. A programmable logic controller (PLC) receives the signals from the sensors and counts the number of bottles passing in front of each sensor. Once the predetermined number of bottles, corresponding to a complete batch, is reached, the PLC sends a stop command to the conveyor motor.

[0049] This stopping operation is controlled so as to avoid any shock or sudden movement of the bottles, thus ensuring their stability and correct alignment in the tipping station 20.

[0050] In addition to the sensors, a bottle guide, for example consisting of two parallel rods 11 forming a template, can be used to verify that the bottles are correctly positioned on the conveyor 10 and that no bottle is misaligned before reaching the tipping station 20. This bottle guide keeps the bottles in a vertical position and ensures their precise alignment by directing them along the conveyor. The parallel rods of the guide constrain the lateral movement of the bottles, thus ensuring that they remain in a well-ordered line.

[0051] Once the entire batch L has stopped at the tipping station 20, the grippers 21 come into action to grasp and tip the bottles B. After the bottles have been tipped and released, the conveyor automatically restarts to bring the next batch of bottles to the tipping station, thus ensuring a continuous process.

[0052] The grippers 21 are arranged in two rows on one side and the other of the conveyor 10, thus sandwiching each batch L of bottles B which arrives at the tipping station 20, in particular thanks to centering devices placed in front of each gripper 21 to push the bottles against said gripper.

[0053] Figure 2 represents a batch of six bottles B arriving in full at the tipping station 20. The bottles B are aligned in a single row. The grippers 21, designated by 21a on the left row and 21b on the right row, are positioned opposite each other and in a staggered, quincunx fashion.

[0054] Grippers 21a located on the left side grasp some bottles, while grippers 21b on the right side grasp the other bottles. This staggered arrangement allows the grippers to alternately tilt the bottles to the left and right. The grippers 21 are attached for this purpose to articulated arms actuated by cylinders 22.

[0055] Figure 3 illustrates the alternating tilting operation of the bottles. The bottles, numbered sequentially B1 to B6 according to their order of arrival at the tilting station 20, are grasped by the respective grippers 21. The grippers 21a, located on the left, tilt the even-numbered bottles (B2, B4, B6) counterclockwise, while the grippers 21b, located on the right, tilt the odd-numbered bottles (B1, B3, B5) clockwise. The tilting axis is represented by line A, around which the grippers 21 pivot to tilt the bottles.

[0056] The tilting of the bottles is done in a synchronized manner, each row of grippers pivoting thanks to the action of its associated cylinder 22.

[0057] This mechanism ensures that the heads of the bottles point alternately in opposite directions, thus preparing the desired head-to-tail configuration.

[0058] Figure 4 represents a gripper 21 according to an example embodiment. Each gripper 21 has a U-shaped profile, offering optimal rigidity and stability when gripping bottles, and includes a suction cup 211 at its base and several rollers 212 arranged laterally on its two arms.

[0059] The suction cup 211 is designed to firmly grip bottles without damaging them. In particular, it is designed not to damage bottle labels, even when the adhesive on these labels has not completely dried. The suction cup 211 uses a vacuum system to create a secure grip, allowing the bottle to be held in position during tilting. The suction cup 211 is manufactured made of a flexible yet resistant material, ensuring good grip and long-term durability.

[0060] On each arm of the U-shaped profile, rollers 212 are mounted. These rollers are essential during the bottle release phase. After tilting, the bottles are in an inclined position, and the suction cups release them. The bottles then slide and roll on the rollers 212, which facilitates their movement to the receiving station 30. The rollers 212 reduce friction and allow the bottles to roll smoothly, thus ensuring a smooth transition and minimizing the risk of damage during transfer.

[0061] Thus, the grippers 21, with their suction cups 211 for gripping the bottles and their rollers 212 for allowing controlled rolling during release, are designed to ensure delicate and efficient handling of the bottles.

[0062] Figure 5 shows the configuration where the grippers 21 have reached their maximum tilt. The bottles B1 to B6 are thus arranged in a plane inclined relative to the horizontal, forming an angle α. This maximum tilt of the grippers brings the bottles into an inclined position which allows them to slide by gravity when released.

[0063] After tilting the bottles, the grippers 21 override the suction cups 211 to release them. The bottles on the left (B2, B4, B6), which are offset from those on the right (B1, B3, B5), arrive at intermediate supports 23. These intermediate supports are positioned between the right-hand grippers and are aligned with the left-hand bottles. The supports 23 include rollers but do not have suction cups, allowing only the movement of the bottles on the rollers. The thick arrows indicate the direction of movement of the bottles as they begin to slide on the rollers along their tracks.

[0064] Figure 6 shows the movement of the bottles at a later time. After being released by the suction cups, the bottles (B2, B4, B6) slide down the intermediate supports 23 by gravity. The thick arrows continue to indicate the direction of movement. The rollers on the intermediate supports 23 facilitate the movement of the bottles by rolling, allowing a smooth transition to the receiving station 30. The bottles on the right (B1, B3, B5) follow a similar path, using the rollers 212 of their grippers 21 to slide down to the receiving station 30.

[0065] These configurations and movements ensure that the bottles pass from the tipping station 20 to the receiving station 30 safely and in a controlled manner, minimizing the risk of damage.

[0066] After tipping, the bottles are released from the tipping station 20, as soon as the rolling tracks are aligned, and slide towards the receiving station 30, where they are arranged in the head-to-tail arrangement.

[0067] Figures 7 and 8 illustrate the automatic alignment process of the E labels of the bottles after their arrival at the receiving station 30.

[0068] Indeed, the bottles arrive at the receiving station 30 in an up-and-down arrangement. They rest on rotating rollers 31, each bottle being supported between two adjacent rollers. This roller system facilitates the rotation of the bottles.

[0069] To align the bottle labels on their visible faces, a detection and control system is used. Optical sensors or cameras (not shown) can be placed above or below the rollers to detect the position of the labels on the bottles. These sensors send signals to a programmable logic controller (PLC) which controls the motors of the rotating rollers 31.

[0070] When the bottles arrive on the rollers 31, the sensors identify the position of the labels. The PLC activates the rollers to rotate the bottles until the labels E are aligned on the visible face. This process is illustrated by the circular arrows in [Fig. 7], showing the rotational movement of the bottles to align the labels.

[0071] To achieve this result, stepper motors or servomotors can be used to precisely control the rotation of the rollers 31. These motors are connected to the PLC, which adjusts the rotation in real time based on signals from the optical sensors. The system can also include braking devices to quickly stop the rollers once the labels are aligned.

[0072] Stops 32, positioned at the bottom of the receiving station 30, prevent the bottles from sliding. These stops can have different shapes and consistencies depending on whether they receive the bottom or the neck of the bottle. They are designed to gently stop the bottles, ensuring that they do not suffer any damage during the sliding process. The stops 32 can be made of soft or cushioning materials to absorb the impact of the incoming bottles.

[0073] The sliding of the bottles up to the stops 32 can also be done by accompanying or holding the suction cups, or any other suitable gripping device.

[0074] Figure 8 shows the bottles arranged upside down, label facing up, ready to be packed in a case. The bottle labels are aligned so as to be clearly visible, thus ensuring a neat and professional presentation once the bottles are packed. This configuration maximizes the visual impact and the product recognition when the crates are opened, thus facilitating the management and marketing of packaged products.

[0075] Figures 9 and 10 represent a case packing station 40 for carrying out the final case packing of the bottles arranged head-to-tail using the machine 100.

[0076] Figure 9 shows a human operator U using a gripping frame 40 to move a batch of bottles B from the receiving station 30 to a crate C. The gripping frame 40 is equipped with a row of suction cups 41, corresponding to the number of bottles per batch. The suction cups 41 firmly grip the bottles, which are aligned head-to-tail, allowing the operator U to lift and move the entire batch of bottles safely.

[0077] Once the bottles are gripped by the gripping frame 40, the operator U moves them while maintaining them in the same configuration obtained in the receiving station 30. This process ensures that the bottles remain correctly aligned with the visible labels, ready to be inserted into the crate C.

[0078] Fig. 10 shows the final stage of depositing the bottles into the crate C. The gripping frame 40 positions the bottles above the open crate, and the suction cups 41 gently release them, allowing the bottles to be neatly arranged in the crate C. This final arrangement of the bottles in the crate ensures a neat presentation and optimal stability for transport.

[0079] This semi-automatic case packing station can also be an integral part of the machine 100 and be fully automated. In a fully automated version, the gripping frame 40, equipped with suction cups 41, would be controlled by a robotic system, thus eliminating the need for a human operator U. The automated system would ensure the movement and placement of the bottles in the crate C with increased precision and efficiency, increasing productivity and reducing the risk of human error.

[0080] Thus, figures 9 and 10 demonstrate how the machine 100 can be integrated into a semi-automatic or fully automated case packing station, allowing the bottles to be moved and stored in cases according to the desired configuration.

[0081] The machine described above allows for the automatic arrangement of bottles in an up-and-down configuration. It comprises a conveyor that transports batches of bottles vertically to the tipping station. This station is equipped with individual grippers arranged in a staggered pattern, each fitted with a suction cup and rollers. The grippers grasp the bottles and tip them alternately to the right and left around the tipping axis, thanks to the hydraulic cylinders. After tipping, the bottles are released and roll on the rollers towards the receiving station, thus arranging themselves alternately up-and-down. This configuration optimizes space utilization and improves the stability of the bottles during transport and storage. The system is automated and incorporates sensors to stop the conveyor when a full batch of bottles is in position, ensuring precise and efficient handling of glass bottles.

[0082] It is clear from the present description that certain elements of the arrangement machine can be modified or replaced by alternatives without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the grippers can be equipped with clamps instead of suction cups to grasp the bottles. The clamps can be designed to firmly grip the neck or the body of the bottles, providing a mechanical alternative to suction cups. The gripping can also be achieved at any part of the bottle, either by suction cup or by a device such as a system of stops or pushers positioned at the bottom of the bottle. This system would lift the bottle, pressing it against the bottle and guiding it as it tilts.

[0083] In addition, the bottle guidance system on the conveyor can be achieved using adjustable rails or side barriers rather than parallel rods, thus allowing adaptation to different bottle sizes and shapes.

[0084] The tilting mechanism of the grippers can also use linear actuators or DC motors instead of pneumatic cylinders, offering more precise control options or those adapted to different operating conditions. The rollers 212 and 23 used for rolling the bottles after they have been tilted can be replaced by inclined conveyor belts or smooth surfaces coated with low-friction materials to facilitate sliding.

Claims

Demands

1. A machine (100) for arranging bottles (B) in an upside-down arrangement, comprising a bottle infeed conveyor (10) and a tipping station (20), said conveyor being configured to successively bring batches (L) of adjacent and vertically positioned bottles to the tipping station, said machine being characterized in that the tipping station (20) comprises a plurality of grippers (21), each of which is configured to grasp only one bottle at a time from each batch arriving at the tipping station (20), each gripper (21a) being configured to tip the grasped bottle in a tipping direction (S1) opposite to that (S2) of any gripper (21b) grasping an adjacent bottle, so that the heads of the bottles in each batch point alternately in opposite directions, the tipping station (20) then releasing the bottles by sliding them to a receiving station (30),the said bottles being arranged upside down.

2. Machine according to claim 1, wherein the grippers (21) are arranged in two staggered rows on either side of the conveyor (10), the grippers (21a) of the first row being configured to tilt the bottles in the first direction (S1) and the grippers (21b) of the second row being configured to tilt the bottles in the opposite direction (S2), the tiltings being synchronized by cylinders (22).

3. Machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each gripper (21) has a U-shaped profile and includes a suction cup (211) at the bottom of the profile for gripping bottles, and rollers (212) mounted on the lateral arms of the profile to facilitate the rolling of bottles after their release.

4. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tilting of the grippers (21) brings the bottles into the same inclined plane relative to the horizontal, allowing the bottles to slide by gravity when released.

5. A machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving station (30) comprises rotating rollers (31) arranged to support the bottles and enabling rotate the bottles to align their labels (E) on their visible faces using automatic detection means.

6. Machine according to claim 5, wherein the automatic detection means include optical sensors or cameras for detecting the position of the labels on the bottles, connected to motors for controlling the rotation of the rotating rollers (31) in order to align the labels.

7. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving station (30) includes stops (32) positioned at the bottom of said station to stop the bottles.

8. A case packing assembly comprising a bottle arrangement machine (100) according to one of the preceding claims, and a case packing station for placing the bottles in batches into suitable cases (C).

9. Assembly according to claim 8, wherein the case packing station is semi-automatic or fully automated and includes a gripping frame (40) equipped with a row of suction cups (41) for grasping and moving bottles from the receiving station (30) to a crate (C), the gripping frame (40) being operated by a human operator (U) or by a robotic system.

Images