Suction device for the batch handling of objects

Abstract

The present invention relates to a suction device (100) for handling at least one object, the suction device (100) comprising a rigid support (101) that is able to be fitted to a vacuum head of the handling equipment and at least one coupling opening (103) that can be coupled to a suction means of the handling equipment; the suction device also comprises an at least partially air-permeable coating (200) having a free surface intended to come into contact with the at least one object to be handled in a receiving area. The coating (200) has at least one set of first operative openings (401) arranged according to a first tiling of a repeating pattern in the form of a parallelogram, each first operative opening being located at the centre of the receiving area, and a set of second operative openings (402) opening onto the free surface and arranged on the outer contour of the receiving area.

Description

Vacuum device for handling objects in batches

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of handling and moving objects in batches, for example in the context of packaging or unloading, in particular palletizing or depalletizing.

[0002] The object of the present invention relates more particularly to a suction device which makes it possible to suction objects more efficiently in batches while minimizing the number of suction openings required and with equivalent or less suction power. Previous art

[0003] Batch transport technologies most often include mechanical arms, conveyors and usually require either one actuator per product, or that the products are already packaged in batches.

[0004] We are familiar with suction systems that use suction cups or foam.

[0005] In the case of suction cups, these penetrate the products, which is only possible where large openings exist, such as wide necks on vases or pots. Using this technology is difficult and results in a very high breakage rate, or even proves impossible for bottles. Furthermore, there is a high risk of contamination because the suction cup, being a foreign object, enters the product.

[0006] In the case of foams, these most often have an extremely soft texture that disintegrates very quickly. Their lifespan is therefore significantly reduced, typically ranging from one week to a maximum of three months. As with suction cups, foam particles can be found in products, which are then contaminated. Furthermore, a loss of suction power results from the use of untextured or intentionally perforated foam, since this material is generally porous, particularly with open cells.

[0007] These systems also come at a very high cost and require increased maintenance.

[0008] The Applicant unfortunately submits that there is currently no simple suction device to implement that offers increased suction efficiency while minimizing the number of suction openings required and presenting only very low risks of contamination for the objects to be handled.

[0009] The present invention aims to improve the situation described above.

[0010] The present invention aims more particularly to remedy the disadvantages mentioned above by proposing a device that is easily modifiable in its configuration, which requires a reduced number of openings and less suction power.

[0011] For this purpose, the object of the present invention relates to a suction device, for the handling by a handling equipment, of at least one object, preferably of a batch of identical objects.

[0012] According to the present invention, said suction device comprises: - a rigid support including: a) a coupling surface suitable for being assembled to a vacuum head of the handling equipment and comprising at least one coupling opening, at least one coupling opening being suitable for being coupled to a suction means of said handling equipment; b) a flat receiving face comprising at least one suction opening; c) at least one channel opening into the coupling surface through a coupling opening and into the flat receiving face through a suction opening;

[0013] - a deformable and at least partially air-permeable coating, having a mounting surface fixed to the support at least at the level of the flat receiving face and having a free surface intended to come into contact with at least one object to be handled at the level of a receiving area having an external receiving contour, said coating having at least: a) a set of first operative openings opening onto the free surface and being arranged according to a first tiling of a repeating pattern in the form of a parallelogram, each first operative opening corresponding to the center of the receiving area and constituting a vertex of said first pattern in the form of a parallelogram; and b) a set of second operative openings opening onto the free surface and being arranged on the external receiving contour.

[0014] Thus, the rigid support includes a coupling surface suitable for assembly to a vacuum head of the handling equipment. Assembly can be achieved by any suitable means, for example, using mechanical clips, also known as "toggle clamps".

[0015] Preferably, the complete support is assembled to a vacuum head of the handling equipment. The assembly of the support and the vacuum head can be carried out by any suitable means, for example by using mechanical clips also known as "toggle clamps".

[0016] Preferably the assembly of the coupling surface and / or the support is carried out by a "toggle" locking system which also allows to maintain a perfect seal between the parts.

[0017] The coupling surface includes at least one coupling opening, and among these coupling openings, at least one coupling opening is suitable for coupling to a suction means for said handling equipment. Said suction means may be an electrically powered vacuum pump or a pneumatically powered venturi vacuum pump.

[0018] The support further includes a flat receiving face comprising at least one suction opening and at least one channel opening into the coupling surface via a coupling opening and into the flat receiving face via a suction opening. The configuration of the support is determined by a person skilled in the art according to the intended application and the objects to be handled. Thus, in some embodiments of the invention, several suction openings may connect to a single coupling opening. In other embodiments, the channels may be separate, and there may be as many suction openings as coupling openings.

[0019] In some variants, there may be several means of aspiration involved, or even as many means of aspiration as there are coupling openings, while in other variants, a single means of aspiration may be shared.

[0020] The suction device further includes a deformable and at least partially air-permeable coating, meaning that it is capable of conforming to the object during handling by pressing against it, and then returning to its original shape. Such a deformable coating is, for example, a foam or an airtight but perforated coating sheet, such as a perforated rubber sheet.

[0021] The coating advantageously presents a laying surface fixed to the support at least at the level of the flat receiving face, the fixing being carried out by any suitable means, for example by gluing or by mechanical restraint.

[0022] The coating thus presents a free surface designed to come into contact with at least one object to be handled, within a receiving area having an external receiving contour. The shape of the receiving area and the receiving contour depends on the product being handled and corresponds to the surface and external contour of the product that will come into contact with the coating during handling. The shape of the receiving area and the receiving contour is not necessarily visible on the free surface of the coating; however, it may be indicated by markings.

[0023] Advantageously, said coating has at least: a) a set of first operative openings opening onto the free surface and arranged according to a first tiling of repeating pattern in the form of a parallelogram, each first operative opening corresponding to the center of the receiving area and constituting a vertex of said first pattern in the form of a parallelogram; and b) a set of second operative openings opening onto the free surface and arranged on the external receiving contour.

[0024] The first and second operative openings can be through-opening, that is to say, through the coating from its free surface to its laying surface, preferably along an axis perpendicular to the free surface.

[0025] Alternatively, the first and second operative openings can be blind holes on the surface of the coating.

[0026] At least one suction opening thus allows air to be drawn in at the level of the coating and then evacuated through at least one channel to and from at least one means of suction.

[0027] The said coating has a set of first operative openings opening onto the free surface and arranged according to a first tiling of repeating pattern in the form of a parallelogram, hereinafter referred to more briefly as "first pattern", each first operative opening corresponding to the center of the receiving area and constituting a vertex of said first pattern in the form of a parallelogram.

[0028] The center of the receiving area is the barycenter of said area, and corresponds in the case of a tiling to at least one regular polygon or a tiling by circles to the center of said polygon or circle.

[0029] Preferably the first repeating pattern tiling in the form of a parallelogram is a first repeating pattern tiling in the form of a particular parallelogram, such as a rectangle, a square, or a rhombus.

[0030] The said coating also has a set of secondary operative openings leading onto the free surface and arranged on the external receiving contour.

[0031] The set of secondary operating openings reinforces the suction effect on the object and / or batch of objects.

[0032] The said coating may also have at least one other set of operative openings, such as a set of third operative openings.

[0033] Advantageously, the rigid support can be a plate. Preferably, said plate is made of a polymer material, most preferably polyvinyl chloride. Alternatively, the support can be made of metal, preferably in the form of a metal plate. In yet other variants, the support can be made of wood, preferably in the form of a wooden plate.

[0034] Advantageously, the coating may have a stratified structure comprising a honeycomb filling and a sheet, the honeycomb filling having an external face constituting the laying surface of the coating and the sheet having an external face constituting the free surface of the coating.

[0035] In such variations, the honeycomb lining is positioned between the substrate and the sheet. The honeycomb lining may have completely permeable cells, for example, like a grating. Alternatively, the honeycomb lining may have overall porosity, allowing air to pass through it; preferably, for example, the honeycomb lining is a cellular foam, most preferably a polyurethane foam.

[0036] Advantageously, in certain variants, the first and second operative openings can be blind holes that pass completely through the sheet but only partially enter the honeycomb lining.

[0037] Quite preferably, the honeycomb polyurethane foam filling has a net density of between 40 kilograms per cubic meter and 60 kilograms per cubic meter, better between 45 kilograms per cubic meter and 55 kilograms per cubic meter, even better between 48 kilograms per cubic meter and 52 kilograms per cubic meter.

[0038] Quite preferably, the honeycomb polyurethane foam filling has a tensile strength of between 65 kPa and 95, better between 70 kPa and 90 kPa, even better 80 kPa.

[0039] Preferably, the honeycomb polyurethane foam padding has a rebound resilience greater than or equal to 50%, better greater than or equal to 60%, even better greater than or equal to 65%.

[0040] In such laminated-coated versions, the sheet can be a rubber sheet. Preferably, the sheet can be a natural rubber sheet, in order to meet high safety requirements regarding contamination risks, particularly those related to food contact regulations.

[0041] In such laminated-coated variants, the sheet can be a so-called woven natural rubber sheet.

[0042] In such laminated-coated variants, other layers may optionally be inserted between the honeycomb lining and the sheet.

[0043] In such laminated versions, the honeycomb foam lining conforms to the shape of the vacuumed products and / or objects, making their surface irregularities negligible, while the rubber protects the products and / or objects from direct contact with the foam. The foil limits contamination of the products and / or objects that could occur due to degradation of the honeycomb lining and improves the lifespan of the vacuum unit.

[0044] Advantageously the thickness g of the honeycomb lining is between 10 mm and 50 mm, preferably between 15 mm and 30 mm, most preferably 20 mm.

[0045] Advantageously the thickness f of the sheet is between 0.25 mm and 2 mm, preferably between 0.5 mm and 1 mm.

[0046] Advantageously, the f / g ratio between the thickness f of the sheet and the thickness g of the honeycomb lining is between 0.005 and 0.125.

[0047] In preferred variants of the invention, the second operating openings are arranged according to a second tiling of dual repetition pattern of said first pattern in the form of a parallelogram, each second operating opening being arranged straddling and centered on the external receiving contour and constituting a vertex of said second pattern in the form of a parallelogram.

[0048] A tiling is dual relative to an initial tiling when, for a given tile of the initial tiling, we mark a point of interest of it, for example the centroid or isobarycenter, which we connect to other similar points of the adjacent tiles.

[0049] Preferably the second tiling of repeating pattern in the form of a parallelogram, hereafter referred to more briefly as the "second pattern", is a second tiling of repeating pattern in the form of a particular parallelogram, such as a rectangle, a square or a rhombus.

[0050] Advantageously, the vertices of the second motif can be the centers of the first motif and vice versa.

[0051] Advantageously, the vertices of the second motif can be the centers of the sides of the first motif and vice versa.

[0052] In highly preferred variants of the invention, the second motif is identical to the first motif and is a lozenge.

[0053] To optimize the placement of manipulated objects, receiving areas can be arranged in staggered rows. Such a tiling can, for example, consist of receiving areas in the form of and / or comprising squares, rectangles, hexagons, octagons, dodecagons, or even circles arranged in a staggered pattern. The receiving areas, and more specifically their outer edges, then share common points and / or edges.

[0054] Preferably, in variants of the invention where the second motif is identical and dual to the first motif and is a rhombus, the first operating openings and / or the second operating openings are aligned, for the same rank of receiving zones.

[0055] In variants of the invention where the second motif is identical and dual to the first motif and is a rhombus, the vertices of the second motif being the centers of the first motif and vice versa, the first operating openings and the second operating openings are aligned, for the same rank of receiving zones oriented along an axis corresponding to or parallel to a diagonal of the first motif or the second motif.

[0056] To maximize the number of objects handled, that is, to minimize empty spaces or areas, the receiving areas can have a compact stacking arrangement. Such a tiling can, for example, consist of receiving areas in the form of and / or comprising hexagons, dodecagons, or even circles. The receiving areas, and more specifically their outer receiving boundaries, then share common points and / or edges.

[0057] Of course, any advantageous combination of polygons or circles is possible, so as to obtain both staggered and compact stacking arrangements. Such a tiling could, for example, consist of receiving areas in the form of a regular hexagonal tiling, a truncated hexagonal semi-regular tiling comprising an equilateral triangle and two dodecagons, or even circles. The receiving areas, and more specifically their outer edges, then share common points and / or edges.

[0058] With such an arrangement, in variants where the external reception contours have common points and / or edges:

[0059] - the second operating openings are at least disposed at these points and / or on these common edges; and / or at least one second operating opening is disposed at these points and / or on these common edges; thus by their overlap of the external reception contour the second operating openings allow the simultaneous aspiration of at least two objects.

[0060] Advantageously, in variants implementing a laminated coating, the first and second operative openings constitute perforations in the sheet.

[0061] Thus, the suction passes through the sheet through the said first and second operating openings, then through the honeycomb lining preferably made of polyurethane foam and finally through the support via at least one channel opening into the coupling surface on the one hand through a coupling opening suitable for being coupled to a suction means of said handling equipment and on the other hand into the flat receiving face through a suction opening.

[0062] In advanced variants of the invention, the receiving area further has an internal object receiving contour delimiting an internal receiving surface, and said coating has at least one set of third operative openings arranged in the receiving area at the level of the internal receiving contour and opening onto the free surface.

[0063] This configuration is particularly useful when the object being manipulated has an extruded rim or bulge at the location of the internal contour, or a raised internal surface at the location and / or within the internal contour. For example, consider soda cans, which, viewed from above, have a circular external contour and an internal contour in the form of a raised, circular rim.

[0064] The group of objects to be handled, whose external contours are at least partially contiguous, and whose external contours of the receiving areas are consequently themselves at least partially contiguous, then presents a groove which, viewed from above, forms a path dependent on the group of objects. At the level of such a groove, the suction resulting from the straddling and off-center positioning of the third operating openings creates a cord or an overall air gap that improves the suction of the group of objects as a whole while minimizing the number of openings required.

[0065] This configuration is also particularly interesting when the object to be manipulated has a hollow area or an empty area delimited by and at the level of said internal contour.

[0066] Preferably, each third operating aperture is positioned straddling the internal receiving contour and offset relative to it, preferably towards the outside of the internal receiving surface. Each third operating aperture is preferentially offset towards the outside of the internal receiving surface, in the plane of the free surface.

[0067] When the object to be manipulated has a hollow area or an empty area delimited by and at the level of said internal contour, preferably, each third operative opening is arranged straddling the internal receiving contour and eccentric relative to it, preferably towards the interior of the internal receiving surface.

[0068] Of course, any mixed case is conceivable, for example in the case of hollow tubes at least part of the third operating openings can be eccentric towards the outside of the internal contour and at least part of the third operating openings can be eccentric towards the inside of the internal contour.

[0069] Advantageously, the internal contour of the object's reception area can be centered on the first operating opening of the reception zone. This is the case, for example, for a soda can, but of course the configuration of the internal contour can vary depending on the object being handled.

[0070] Preferably, the internal reception contour of the object constitutes a reducing homothety of the external reception contour.

[0071] The internal receiving contour can be a circle, a hexagon, or any other shape suitable for the object and the intended application.

[0072] For example, in the case of a circular external contour and in the case where the internal contour of reception of the object constitutes a reducing homothety of the external contour of reception and is centered on the first operative opening, the internal contour is then itself circular but of smaller diameter.

[0073] Thus, by their overlap of the internal reception contour and their eccentricity and when the internal reception contour of the object constitutes a reducing homothety of the external reception contour, the third operative openings make it possible to improve the individual aspiration of the object, at least by suction of it.

[0074] Preferably, the receiving areas and / or external contours are not fully contiguous. In other words, the receiving areas and / or external contours are preferentially partially contiguous. Put another way, the receiving areas and / or external contours may have gaps between them and / or be partially joined. From the perspective of the objects being manipulated, this means that gaps may exist between them; this is the case, for example, for a group of cylindrical or cylindrical containers, particularly containers with a hexagonal or dodecagonal cross-section.

[0075] In such variants of the invention, where the receiving zones and / or external contours are not fully contiguous, where the internal receiving contour of the object is a reduced homothety of the external receiving contour, and where the third operating openings are arranged opposite the empty zones, the third operating openings, by overlapping the internal receiving contour and being offset, improve the individual suction of the object by allowing suction both by drawing in the object itself and by drawing in air from the empty zone, creating a bead or blade of suctioned air in contact with said object. This bead or blade of air further facilitates easy handling of the object, as it is firmly in contact with the coating and drawn towards it.

[0076] Similarly, in the variants of the invention where the internal contour delimits, that is, corresponds to a recessed or empty area at the level of the object to be handled, and where the third operating openings are arranged opposite the empty areas, the third operating openings, by overlapping the internal receiving contour and being offset towards the interior of the internal contour, improve the individual suction of the object by allowing suction both by the object itself and by drawing in air from the empty area, which creates a bead or a blade of suctioned air in contact with said object. The bead or blade of air further facilitates easy handling of the object since it is firmly in contact with the coating and drawn towards it.

[0077] Preferably, in variants of the invention where the second motif is identical and dual to the first motif and is a rhombus, the vertices of the second motif being the centers of the first motif and vice versa, the third operating apertures are aligned, for the same row of receiving zones oriented along an axis corresponding to and / or parallel to a diagonal of the first or second motif. Even more preferably, the third operating apertures are aligned along a tertiary axis that is both parallel to a diagonal of the first or second motif and intercalated between the axes of the same row of at least partially contiguous receiving zones connecting the first operating apertures.In the most preferred manner, the tertiary axis can be: - tangent to the inner contours of the receiving zones of two successive rows of receiving zones at least partially contiguous; and / or - intercalated equidistantly between the axes of the same row of receiving zones at least partially contiguous connecting the first operative openings.

[0078] Thanks to the invention, the number of operating openings is optimized. This results in economic gains, particularly in manufacturing and maintenance costs, and energy savings for vacuuming, handling objects, and creating a vacuum.

[0079] Indeed, optimizing the number of operating openings allows: - to draw in the object at its center via the first operating openings by suction and / or generation of a suction vortex, also called an air blade or cord; - to draw in the object and / or its neighbors through the second operating openings, by suction and / or generation of a suction vortex, also called an air blade or cord, around the object and at least one of its neighbors; - to draw in the object and / or its neighbors by generation of a suction vortex, also called an air blade or cord, around the object and the group of objects, for example at the level of a throat, at least through the third operating openings and possibly the second operating openings.

[0080] This is especially true in the case of lightweight objects, for example made of aluminum, such as cans.

[0081] Existing technologies rely on a large number and a random and / or homogeneous distribution of openings in the hope that their distribution and surface density will be sufficient to capture the object.

[0082] The invention provides intelligent and customizable suction depending on the objects to be handled, implementing at least two, preferably three distinct suction strategies through sets of operating openings with complementary and / or cumulative functions: - a set of first operating openings arranged so as to be centered on the objects to be handled and capable of grasping them by suction and / or vortex generation; and - a set of second operating openings arranged along a first contour, preferably an image of the external contour of the object(s) in the plane of the free surface of the coating, so as to be centered on at least two objects at once by a point or an edge which is common to them and capable of grasping them by suction and / or vortex generation;and possibly a set of third operative openings being arranged along a second contour, preferably an image of at least one internal contour of the object(s) in the plane of the free surface of the coating, and being capable of grasping these and the air surrounding the point or edge by suction and / or vortex generation, in particular at the level of a groove common to at least two objects, preferably common to all the objects, the suction at the level of said groove reinforcing the cohesion of the batch of objects and facilitating its manipulation while requiring a smaller number of operative openings.;

[0083] The first and second contours can have any suitable shape representing the object or set of objects to be manipulated. The distribution, number, size, and density of the operating openings in the first and second contours can be homogeneous or vary as required.

[0084] The tilings of object receiving areas can also be square tilings.

[0085] The first, second, and third operating apertures can have various shapes, such as rectangular slits, oblong slits, squares, or circles. Preferably, each set of operating apertures can have a different aperture shape; for example, the first set of apertures can be circular, while the second and third apertures can be slits.

[0086] Preferably, the first, second, and third operative openings are circular.

[0087] Advantageously, in variants implementing a laminated coating, and where they exist, the third operative openings constitute perforations in the sheet.

[0088] Thus, the suction passes through the sheet through the said first, second and third operating openings, then through the honeycomb lining preferably made of polyurethane foam and finally through the support via at least one channel opening into the coupling surface on the one hand through a coupling opening suitable for being coupled to a suction means of said handling equipment and on the other hand into the flat receiving face through a suction opening.

[0089] Advantageously, each opening among the set of first, second and third operating openings to which it belongs can have a shape and / or dimensions different from the other openings in the same set.

[0090] Advantageously, each set of first, second, and third operating openings can have different opening dimensions. For example, each set of operating openings can have its own unique opening dimension.

[0091] Preferably, the set of first operative openings has a diameter between 1 millimeter and 10 millimeters, preferably between 2 millimeters and 7 millimeters, most preferably between 3 millimeters and 5 millimeters.

[0092] Preferably, the set of second operating openings has a diameter between 1 millimeter and 10 millimeters, preferably between 2 millimeters and 7 millimeters, most preferably between 3 millimeters and 5 millimeters.

[0093] Preferably, the set of third operating openings has a diameter between 1 millimeter and 10 millimeters, preferably between 2 millimeters and 7 millimeters, most preferably between 3 millimeters and 5 millimeters.

[0094] Preferably, the set of first, second and third operating openings has a diameter between 1 millimeter and 10 millimeters, preferably between 2 millimeters and 7 millimeters, most preferably between 3 millimeters and 5 millimeters.

[0095] Alternatively and preferentially, each set of first, second and third operative openings can present a unique and common dimension of openings for all sets.

[0096] Of course, the shapes and sizes of operating openings can be mixed and matched according to the needs of the intended application, in particular depending on the object(s) to be handled, and this description is not exhaustive in this regard.

[0097] The invention is applicable to the handling of many types of containers, particularly aluminum jars or bottles. Furthermore, the proposed suction device is adaptable to all existing vacuum heads, including those designed for glass. Description of the attached figures

[0098] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description below, with reference to the attached Figures 1 to 3, which illustrate various non-limiting embodiments and in which: - Figure 1 represents an example of an embodiment of a vacuum head suitable for receiving a suction device according to the invention; - Figure 2 represents an embodiment of the invention where the suction device is seen from below and is used with objects such as bottles; - Figure 3 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention in which the receiving areas are shown to be circular, the suction device being suitable for receiving cans; - Figure 4 illustrates the openings of the embodiment of Figure 5, without the associated receiving areas; - Figure 5 illustrates another embodiment of the invention in which the receiving areas are hexagonal with a trihexagonal tiling;- illustrates another embodiment of the invention in which the receiving areas are hexagonal with hexagonal tiling;

[0099] - illustrates another embodiment of the invention in which the receiving areas are dodecagonal with truncated hexagonal tiling; - illustrates the device seen from the side and implemented with objects such as cans. Detailed description

[0100] The suction device 100 according to the invention is intended to be fixed to a vacuum head 10, using for example a grasshopper system 20, as illustrated in the.

[0101] The rigid support 101 includes a coupling surface 102.

[0102] The coupling surface 102 includes at least one coupling opening 103 suitable for coupling to a suction means for said handling equipment. Said suction means may be an electrically powered vacuum pump or a pneumatically powered venturi vacuum pump.

[0103] The support 101 further includes a flat receiving face comprising at least one suction opening, and at least one channel opening into the coupling surface through a coupling opening 103 and into the flat receiving face through a suction opening.

[0104] As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the suction device 100 further includes a deformable coating 200 that is at least partially permeable to air, meaning that it is capable of at least partially conforming to the object 300 during handling by pressing against it, and then returning to its original shape. Such a deformable coating 200 is, for example, a foam or an airtight but perforated coating sheet, such as a perforated rubber sheet.

[0105] The coating 200 advantageously presents a laying surface fixed to the support 101 at least at the level of the flat receiving face, the fixing being carried out by any suitable means, for example by gluing or by mechanical retention in particular by insertion into slides or by screwing.

[0106] The coating 200 thus has a free surface 201 intended to come into contact with at least one object 300 to be handled at the level of a receiving area ZR having an external receiving contour CE. The shape of the receiving area ZR and the external receiving contour CE depends on the product to be handled.

[0107] Advantageously, said coating 200 has at least: a) a set of first operating openings 401 opening onto the free surface 201 and arranged according to a first tiling of repeating pattern 41 in the form of a parallelogram, each first operating opening 401 corresponding to the center of the receiving area ZR and constituting a vertex of said first pattern 4 in the form of a parallelogram; and b) a set of second operating openings 402 opening onto the free surface 201 and arranged on the external receiving contour CE.

[0108] The first and second operative openings can be through, that is to say, through the coating 200 from its free surface 201 to its laying surface, preferably along an axis A perpendicular to the free surface 201.

[0109] Preferably the first repeating pattern 41 tiling in the form of a parallelogram is a first repeating pattern 41 tiling in the form of a particular parallelogram, such as a rhombus.

[0110] The said coating may also have at least one other set of operative openings, such as a set of third operative openings 403.

[0111] Advantageously, the rigid support 101 is a plate.

[0112] Advantageously, the coating 200 has a layered structure comprising a honeycomb lining 205 and a sheet 206, the sheet 206 having an external face constituting the free surface 201 of the coating 200.

[0113] The honeycomb lining 205 is arranged between the support 101 and the sheet 206 and is preferably a polyurethane foam.

[0114] Sheet 206 is preferably a sheet of natural rubber.

[0115] Preferably, the second operating openings are arranged according to a second tiling of pattern 42 of dual repetition of said first pattern 41 in the form of a parallelogram, each second operating opening being arranged straddling and centered on the external contour CE of reception and constituting a vertex of said second pattern in the form of a lozenge.

[0116] Thus, the vertices of the second motif 42 can be the centers of the first motif 41 and vice versa.

[0117] In order to optimize the placement of the objects being handled, the ZR receiving areas may have a staggered stacking arrangement in rows.

[0118] Preferably, in variants of the invention where the second motif 42 is identical and dual to the first motif 41 and is a rhombus, the first operating openings 401 and / or the second operating openings 402 are aligned, for the same rank of RZR reception zones.

[0119] In variants of the invention where the second motif 42 is identical and dual to the first motif 41 and is a rhombus, the vertices of the second motif being the centers of the first motif and vice versa, the first operating openings 401 and the second operating openings 402 are aligned, for the same rank of reception zones RZR, along an axis B corresponding to or parallel to a diagonal of the first motif 41 or of the second motif 42.

[0120] In order to maximize the number of objects (300) manipulated, that is, to minimize empty spaces or areas (ZV), the receiving areas (ZR) can have a compact stacking arrangement. Such a tiling can, for example, consist of receiving areas in the form of and / or comprising hexagons as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, dodecagons as illustrated in Figure 3, or circles as illustrated in Figure 4. The receiving areas (ZR), and more specifically their external receiving contours (CE), then share common points and / or edges.

[0121] Such a tiling can, for example, consist of receiving zones (ZR) in the form of a regular hexagonal tiling, a truncated hexagonal semi-regular tiling comprising an equilateral triangle and two dodecagons, or even circles. The receiving zones, and more specifically the external receiving contours (CE), then share common points and / or edges.

[0122] By overlapping the external contour CE of reception, the second operative openings 402 allow the simultaneous aspiration of at least two objects 300.

[0123] As illustrated in the reception area ZR may also have an internal contour CI for receiving the object 300 and said coating 200 then has at least one set of third operating openings 403 arranged in the reception area ZR at the level of the internal contour CI for receiving and opening onto the free surface 201.

[0124] The first 401, second 402 and third 403 operative openings constitute perforations of sheet 206.

[0125] This configuration is particularly useful when the object 300 to be manipulated has an extruded rim or bulge at the location of said internal contour CI, or even a raised internal surface at the location and / or within said internal contour CI. For example, consider the case of soda cans or bottles with a narrow neck opening, possibly fitted with caps, which, viewed from above, have a circular external contour and an internal contour in the form of a raised, also circular, rim.

[0126] Preferably, each third operating opening 403 is arranged straddling the internal CI receiving contour and offset relative to it, as required, outwards and / or inwards from the internal receiving surface.

[0127] The group of objects 300 to be handled, whose external contours are physically at least partially joined, and whose external contours CE of the receiving areas ZR are consequently themselves at least partially joined, then presents a groove G as illustrated in aa and in a, forming in top view a path dependent on said group of objects 300. At the level of such a groove G the suction, in particular along the axis A perpendicular to the free surface 201, resulting from the straddling and eccentric positioning of the third operating openings 403 creates a global air cord or blade LA which improves the suction of the group of objects 300 as a whole while minimizing the necessary number of openings, in particular third openings 403.

[0128] Advantageously, the internal CI contour of the object 300 can be centered on the first operative opening 401 of the receiving zone ZR.

[0129] Preferably, the internal contour CI of reception of object 300 constitutes a reducing homothety of the external contour CE of reception.

[0130] Preferably, the receiving zones ZR and / or the external contours CE are not fully contiguous. In other words, the receiving zones ZR and / or the external contours CE are preferably partially contiguous. Put another way, the receiving zones ZR and / or the external contours CE may have gaps ZV between them and / or be partially adjacent to one another. From the perspective of the objects to be handled, this means that gaps ZV may exist between them; this is the case, for example, for a group of cylindrical or cylindrical-like containers, particularly containers with a hexagonal or dodecagonal cross-section.

[0131] In such variants of the invention where the receiving zones ZR and / or the external contours CE are not fully contiguous, where the internal contour CI of receiving the object 300 constitutes a reducing homothety of the external contour CE of receiving, and where the third operating openings 403 are arranged opposite the empty zones ZV, the third operating openings 403, by their overlap of the internal contour CI of receiving and their eccentricity, improve the individual suction of the object 300 by allowing suction both by suction of the object and by suction of air from the empty zone, which creates a bead or a blade of air LA drawn in contact with said object 300. The bead or the blade of air LA further facilitates easy handling of the object 300 and the batch of objects 300 since the latter and / or they are firmly in contact with the coating 200 and attracted towards him.

[0132] Similarly, in the variants of the invention where the internal contour CI delimits, i.e. corresponds, to a hollow area or a void area at the level of the object 300 to be handled, and where the third operating openings 403 are arranged opposite the void areas ZV, the third operating openings 403, by their overlap of the receiving internal contour CI and their eccentricity towards the interior of the internal contour CI, make it possible to improve the individual suction of the object by allowing suction both by suction of the object and by suction of the air from the void area which creates a bead or a blade of air LA aspirated in contact with said object 300. The bead or the blade of air LA further facilitates easy handling of the object 300 and the batch of objects 300 since the latter and / or they are well engaged with the coating 200 and attracted towards it.

[0133] Most preferably, in variants of the invention where the second motif 42 is identical and dual to the first motif 41 and is a rhombus, the vertices of the second motif 42 being the centers of the first motif 41 and vice versa, the third operating openings 403 are aligned, for the same row of RZR receiving zones oriented along a tertiary axis K corresponding to and / or parallel to a diagonal of the first motif 41 or the second motif 42. Even more preferably the third operating openings 403 are aligned, along a tertiary axis K both parallel to a diagonal of the first motif 41 or the second motif 42 and intercalated between the axes B of the same row of RZR receiving zones at least partially contiguous connecting the first operating openings 401.In the most preferred manner, the tertiary axis K can be: - tangent to the internal contours CI of the receiving zones ZR of two successive rows of receiving zones RZR at least partially contiguous; and / or - intercalated equidistantly between the axes B of the same row of receiving zones RZR at least partially contiguous connecting the first operative openings 401.

[0134] Figures 5 to 7 illustrate embodiments involving the following tilings respectively: - trihexagonal where the receiving areas ZR are partially contiguous; - hexagonal where the receiving areas ZR are contiguous; and - truncated hexagonal where the receiving areas ZR are partially contiguous.

[0135] Quite preferentially, the first 401, second 402 and third 403 operating openings are circular, although in order to facilitate understanding, these are represented on figures 4 to 7 using pictograms of different shapes, respectively circular 401, diamonds 402 and squares 403.

[0136] It should be noted that this detailed description relates to a particular embodiment of the present invention, but in no way does this description limit the scope of the invention; on the contrary, its purpose is to remove any possible inaccuracy or misinterpretation of the following claims.

[0137] It should also be noted that the reference signs placed in parentheses in the following claims are in no way intended to be limiting; these signs are solely intended to improve the intelligibility and understanding of the following claims and the scope of the protection sought.

Claims

Suction device (100), for handling by a handling equipment, of at least one object (300), said device (100) comprising: - a rigid support (101) including: a) a coupling surface (102) suitable for being assembled to a vacuum head of the handling equipment and including at least one coupling opening (103), at least one coupling opening (103) being suitable for being coupled to a suction means of said handling equipment; b) a flat receiving face including at least one suction opening; c) at least one channel opening into the coupling surface (102) through a coupling opening (103) and into the flat receiving face through a suction opening;- a deformable and at least partially air-permeable coating (200), having a mounting surface fixed to the support (101) at least at the level of the flat receiving face and having a free surface (201) intended to come into contact with at least one object (300) to be handled at the level of a receiving zone (ZR) having an external receiving contour (CE), said coating (200) having at least: a) a set of first operative openings (401) opening onto the free surface (201) and being arranged according to a first tiling of a repeating pattern (41) in the form of a parallelogram, each first operative opening (401) corresponding to the center of the receiving zone (ZR) and constituting a vertex of said first pattern (41) in the form of a parallelogram; and b) a set of second operating openings (402) leading onto the free surface (201) and arranged on the external contour (CE) of reception.; Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the coating (200) has a stratified structure comprising a honeycomb filling (205) and a sheet (206), the honeycomb filling (205) having an external face constituting the laying surface of the coating and the sheet (206) having an external face constituting the free surface (201) of the coating. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rigid support (101) is a plate, preferably said plate being made of polymer material, most preferably of polyvinyl chloride. Device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the honeycomb lining (205) is a polyurethane foam. Device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the sheet (206) is a sheet of natural rubber. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ratio f / g between the thickness f of the sheet (206) and the thickness g of the honeycomb lining (205) is between 0.005 and 0.

125. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second operating openings (402) are arranged according to a second tiling of pattern (42) of dual repetition of said first pattern (41) in the form of a parallelogram, each second operating opening (402) being arranged straddling and centered on the external contour (CE) of reception and constituting a vertex of said second pattern (42) in the form of a parallelogram. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the vertices of the second motif (42) are the centers of the first motif (41) and vice versa. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second motif (42) is identical to the first motif (41) and is a rhombus. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving zones (RZ) have a staggered stacking row arrangement. Device according to claims 9 and 10, wherein the receiving zones (ZR) have a compact stacking arrangement. Device according to any one of claims 2 to 11, wherein the first (401) and second (402) operative openings constitute perforations in the sheet (206). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving zone (ZR) has an internal contour (CI) for receiving the object (300) delimiting an internal receiving surface, and said coating (200) having at least one set of third operative openings (403) arranged in the receiving zone (ZR) at the level of the internal contour (CI) for receiving and opening onto the free surface (201). Device according to the preceding claim, wherein each third operative opening (403) is arranged straddling the internal contour (IC) of reception and eccentric relative thereto. Device according to one of claims 13 or 14, wherein the internal contour (IC) of receiving the object (300) is centered on the first operative opening (401) of the receiving zone (ZR). Device according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the internal contour (IC) of receiving the object (300) constitutes a reducing homothety of the external contour (EC) of receiving. Device according to any one of claims 13 to 16 in combination with claim 11, wherein the third operating openings (403) are aligned, along a tertiary axis K both parallel to a diagonal of the first motif (41) or of the second motif (42) and intercalated between the axes B of the same row of receiving zones (RZR) at least partially contiguous connecting the first operating openings (401). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first (401), second (402) and third (403) operative openings are circular. Device according to any one of claims 13 to 18 in combination with claim 2, wherein the third operative openings (403) constitute perforations in the sheet (206). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each set of first (401), second (402) and third (403) operating openings has a diameter between 1 millimeter and 10 millimeters, preferably between 2 millimeters and 7 millimeters, most preferably between 3 millimeters and 5 millimeters.

Images