EP0000451B1 - Article-retention clamp, a system for hanging, removing and overlapping application of such a clamp, and a handling device to put this clamp and system into use - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an object holding clamp. It also relates to a system for hooking, unhooking and tiling such a clamp as well as all handling installations using these devices and these systems.

There are clips on the market which are devices to which objects are hung either directly or previously arranged in a package. They provide the link between these objects and a support, most often a pin. Devices of this type are found, for example, in displays of consumer products; most often being used statically their design poses little problem.

It is known to transport in a handling chain as described in German patent No. 1,251,236, pockets comprising a recess preferably in the form of an elongated hole (for better guidance) into which enters a drive rod linked to the transport chain. This is most often an endless chain which comprises a plurality of these rods.

The present invention proposes to solve a certain number of problems being at the level of the transport of objects by means of clamps cooperating with a system of hooking, of unhooking "on the fly" and of curling linked to the handling chain. . If we want to introduce the use of grippers in a handling chain, these must meet a certain number of requirements. They must be able to be stored easily, taken from the often fixed storage media to be placed on mobile transfer means and then unhooked again and so on. As will be explained later, they may, during the transfer, undergo at least one tiling operation _.

These are difficult problems which the present invention proposes to solve. It relates more particularly to an object holding clamp constituting an element ensuring the connection between this object and a support and comprising an opening through which the support is introduced, characterized in that this opening ends in a slot opening onto the periphery of the clamp, and has a profile delimiting on the one hand, a surface of increasing size from the slot to the base (AB) of the opening, thus authorizing the introduction "on the fly" of the support, leading to on the other hand to a configuration of the walls of this opening favorable to the sliding of this support after its introduction and until a state of equilibrium is established; this clamp being made of a material having an elasticity capable of creating a spring effect tending to bring in the same plane the two parts (P, and P 2) of the clamp, located on either side of the slot whatever are the constraints to which they are subject and also having a coefficient of friction accentuating the sliding of the support after its introduction.

• - les figures 1 et 2 représentent respectivement, vue de face et de côté une pince conforme à l'invention;
• - les figures 3 et 4 représentent une telle pince munie de bossages;
• - la figure 5 et la figure 6 qui est une coupe selon FF, de la figure 5 montrent une disposition d'une pince selon l'invention, enfilée sur une broche de stockage:
• - les figures 7 et 8 montrent un exemple de réalisation d'un système d'accrochage de pinces selon l'invention, munies de bossages;
• - la figure 9 représente une variante de réalisation d'un répartiteur unitaire adapté aux pinces sans bossages;
• -les figures 10, 11 et 12 illustrent le fonctionnement du dispositif de la figure 9;
• -les figures 13, 14 et 15 montrent une variante de réalisation d'un dispositif d'accrochage proprement dit adapté aux pinces munies de bossages;
• - la figure 16 montre une variante de réalisation d'un dispositif d'accrochage proprement dit adapté aux pinces sans bossages;
• -les figures 17, 18 et 19 illustrent un dispositif de décrochage d'une pince selon l'invention;
• - les figures 20, 21 et 22 montrent un système de tuilage pour pinces conformes à l'invention.

The invention will be better understood with the aid of the explanations which follow and of the appended figures among which:

• - Figures 1 and 2 show respectively, front and side view of a clamp according to the invention;
• - Figures 3 and 4 show such a clamp provided with bosses;
• FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 which is a section along FF, of FIG. 5 show an arrangement of a clamp according to the invention, threaded on a storage spindle:
• - Figures 7 and 8 show an embodiment of a clamp attachment system according to the invention, provided with bosses;
• - Figure 9 shows an alternative embodiment of a unitary distributor adapted to clamps without bosses;
• FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 illustrate the operation of the device in FIG. 9;
• FIGS. 13, 14 and 15 show an alternative embodiment of an attachment device proper suitable for clamps provided with bosses;
• - Figure 16 shows an alternative embodiment of an attachment device proper adapted to clamps without bosses;
• FIGS. 17, 18 and 19 illustrate a device for detaching a clamp according to the invention;
• - Figures 20, 21 and 22 show a tiling system for clamps according to the invention.

To facilitate understanding, the same elements are given the same references in all the figures.

As already mentioned above, a clamp according to the invention serves as a connection between one or more objects and a storage or transfer means called "support". It can be any object (envelopes, packaging, boxes, cards, etc.). These objects are attached to the clamp by any known means while an opening made in the clamp makes it possible to introduce the support there.

In accordance with the present invention, such a clamp is essentially characterized by the combination which is made of the choice of the material in which it is made, cooperating with the particular configuration which is given to it to enable it to be detached, hooked and possibly the curling of several clamps, these operations can be carried out under the most difficult conditions, namely in the cases where they must be carried out automatically matically and on the fly.

Such a clamp 1 according to the invention is shown front view in Figure 1 and side view in Figure 2. It is a clamp 1 whose thickness is (e) (visible in Figure 2) and the section of which, seen from the front as shown in FIG. 1, is substantially square, but in fact it could also be arbitrary.

According to the invention, an opening 4 is made in the entire thickness of the clamp according to a profile 5 releasing a slot 6 preferably open on the middle of the upper side of the clamp opening onto the periphery thereof. The profile of this opening is very important: indeed it must contribute to the performance of at least two essential functions. On the one hand, it must delimit an opening large enough to allow a storage or transfer means called "support" to penetrate there easily even if the clamp and this support are animated by a significant relative movement one by relation to the other (operation carried out on the fly). On the other hand, it must lead to a configuration of walls facilitating the sliding of the clamp on its support until a state of equilibrium is established. An evolving profile delimiting an increasing surface from the slit to the base AB of the opening fulfills this condition; this is why, moreover, the triangular profile shown in FIG. 1, for this opening 4, is more particularly suitable for the accomplishment of these two functions. ' Indeed the base AB of the triangle can be chosen according to the application considered and thus ensure the conditions necessary for the accomplishment of the first function (penetration of the support on the fly). The dimensions of the support are taken into account in each case.

The sides of the triangle constituting the walls of the opening have a slot also adaptable to the application considered and capable of promoting the sliding which has been discussed above. The apex of the coin- triangle. cide with the slot 6, the cross section of which has a surface smaller than that of the support. It delimits two parts P and P ₂ located on either side of a plane passing, for example, through the XY axis of the slot. Given its presence, the two parts can be offset with respect to this plane in an opposite direction to one another, thus freeing up a free space which facilitates the release of the clamp. However, for this to be carried out correctly and this is where the nature of the material comes in, it must first of all have a sufficiently high coefficient of elasticity so that, given the thickness (e) of the clamp, the deformation is not permanent, the clamp by spring effect then automatically returning to its initial shape at the end of the release operation, whatever the constraints to which the parts P and P ₂ have been submitted. But it is also necessary that this material also has a low coefficient of friction so as not to oppose the sliding of the clamp but on the contrary to further accentuate it. There are plastics on the market that meet these conditions, which are easy to use by injection, cutting or molding. The slot plays another important role which will be explained later.

Figure 3, front view, and Figure 4 side view, show an alternative embodiment of a clamp according to the invention as described by means of Figures 1 and 2. In this case, the latter, in addition to the means defined above (material, profile of the opening and slot), includes bosses such as 10 capable of serving as spacers in its cases where a succession of clamps is used and where a determined distance must be respected between each clamp .

Figure 5 and Figure 6 is a section along FF, of Figure 5 show an arrangement of a clamp 1 threaded into a support which is for example a spindle, 15 serving as storage or holding means during the transfer operations . These figures illustrate another important function of the slot 6. In fact, in many applications the pins 15 intended to support a large number of clamps 1 must be correctly supported by a rigid frame 16. For this a support member 17 for the pin 16 of thickness compatible with the slot 6 of the clamp ensures the connection between the frame and the spindle, without interfering with the racking of the clamp. It can have a bow-shaped part 18 which then ensures, in cooperation with the slot 6, correct centering of the clamp 1.

As has been said previously, the applications of the pliers according to the invention are numerous. They can, in particular serve to transfer objects provided with their pliers, with a first fixed support such as a storage pin on any other means intended to support them, for example on a second mobile support which is a pin drive of an animated transfer system of a certain speed, without stopping the transfer. Figures 7 and 8 show an embodiment of a clamp attachment system according to the invention and more particularly of boss pliers as described by means of Figures 3 and 4. Such a system comprises a unitary distributor cooperating with the attachment device proper.

The distributor receives the clamps, one behind the other on an inclined spindle 15, and the first clamp comes into abutment on the second guillotine 20, the first guillotine 21 being raised.

The first guillotine 21 is lowered between the first and the second clamp which follows it and retains the second clamp while the first clamp is released by raising the second guillotine 20.

These two guillotines are linked by a lever system, itself controlled by an electromagnet 22.

The alternating movement of the two guillotines ensures the unitary distribution of the clamps, at the desired time.

The hooking device "on the fly" proper which receives from the spindle 15, the clamps one by one, is constituted by two ratchet wheels 25 and 26 (toothed wheel) in an exemplary embodiment given here as in no way limiting, on which the clamps abut and then be driven by said wheels. It is a member for pushing the clamps toward a set of stops as is explained more clearly below. These are of different diameters, have the same number of teeth and are wedged on the same axis inclined relative to the path of the pins intended to receive the pliers and also relative to the axis of the spindle. They are driven by a "stepping" motor or any other ratchet and indexing system. The profile of the teeth is particular in that it is suitable for the unitary reception of the pliers and therefore of the objects, and in accordance with the invention, in their thrust bearing on abutments (H and G) which form with the axis angle of the spindle less than 90 °. This results in an inclined position of the clamps which is essential for the "hooking on the fly" function of the clamps on the movable supports such as the pin 30 which can thus penetrate into the triangular orifice of the clamp.

Maintaining the clamps in a substantially vertical position for the duration of the attachment is obtained by means of a stop (J) which limits the rotation of the clamp in a vertical plane, which has the effect of avoiding strong rocking of the forceps just after it has been transferred to the nipple concerned.

The attachment is done as follows: the stud 30 having penetrated into the triangular orifice of the clamp makes it slightly turn around the spindle until the stop (J) stops this rotation. The pin continuing its travel causes an offset of the edges of the slot of the clamp which escapes both the end of the spindle (15) and the stop (H), shorter than the stop (G).

The pliers resume, by their elasticity, their original shape (edges of the slot, one opposite the other) and are suspended on the drive pin 30.

The trajectory of the transfer or handling system is perpendicular to the axis of spindle 15.

The controls of the distributor and the hooking device, already synchronized, must also be synchronized with the passage of a free stud, so that each clamp is already resting on its stops (H and G) before this stud free, does not enter the triangular opening of the clip to hang.

A logic control member, for example, can be provided to prevent the approach of a clamp on its stops (H and G) as long as a free pin is not announced by a proximity detector. The attachment in these conditions is therefore automatic. These means for positioning the pin are not shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

If pliers without bosses are used as described by means of FIGS. 1 and 2, the same result will be obtained with the same hanging device on the fly operating with the aid of a constituted pushing member, as in the previous example, of two ratchet wheels, provided that it cooperates with a unitary distributor adapted to clamps without bosses. An exemplary embodiment of such a distributor is shown in Figure 9 while Figures 10, 11 and 12 illustrate the different operating phases of this distributor. It includes a very inclined storage spindle 15, terminated by a second spindle 150 of smaller diameter and length between one and two thicknesses of clamp and of the same inclination, finally to a third spindle 151 less inclined, placed immediately below the 2 others, so as to allow the successive passage of each clamp on the three stages of pins. The unitary distribution function is ensured by the alternating and rapid displacement of the movable flap 152 actuated for example by an electromagnet 153. The routing of the clamps on the three pins is illustrated by means of FIGS. 10, 11 and 12. The device proper attachment is identical to that which has been described by means of FIGS. 7 and 8.

As shown in FIG. 10, a succession of pliers (a), (b), (c), (d) are stored on the storage spindle 15. The flap 152 is in the low position. The clamp (a), waiting on the small pin 150 is initially retained by the flap 152. The clamps (b), (c) and (d) are retained by the clamp (a). During the next step illustrated in Figure 11, the flap is actuated and moved to the upper position. The clamp (a) is released, while the clamp (b) descends on the small spindle 150. The flap 152 is then quickly returned to the low position. As shown in Figure 12, the clamp (a) is then supported by the hooking device of the type which has been described by means of Figures 7 and 8 and which is symbolized in Figure 12 by an element d one of the ratchet wheels 25.

In the variants of attachment systems described above, the attachment devices called for the use of a thrust member consisting of two toothed wheels as a means ensuring the thrust of the clamps one by one against the set of stops H and G, cooperating with the stopper J to ensure the correct attachment thereof.

Other thrust members can be chosen to accomplish this function. A second example of a fastening system of this type is now described by means of the following figures. Figures 13, 14 and 15 relate to such a system more particularly adapted to the attachment of the clamps provided of bosses. Here again we find the set of stops H, G and J against which the clamps (a), (b), (c) and (d) ... are pushed one by one, but this time by means of a distributor one of the elements of which also acts as a thrust member. It is equipped with a first guillotine 21 and a second guillotine 200 which, in addition to its guillotine function, can also ensure the thrust of each of the clamps against the stops H, G and J thanks to the particular structure which is given to it and which is represented in FIG. 15, (folded section of this guillotine 200). It presents itself as a double wedge which favors the unitary distribution and the advance of the clamps by gravity, also ensuring a secure position of the clamps resting precisely on their stops H and G, an essential condition for the reliability of the hooking function.

FIG. 16 shows an example of an attachment system without a toothed wheel but more particularly adapted to the attachment of the clamps without bosses. In this case, the distributor is of the type which has already been described by means of FIG. 9. It also includes a cascade of pins 15, 150 and 151 as well as a flap 152 actuated by an electromagnet 153. On the other hand , the thrust member of the clamp which is being hooked, against the stops H, G and J is constituted by a rotary fork 80. The latter 'is driven by a small rotary electromagnet 81 whose movements are synchronized with those of the dispatcher.

After having described some examples of an attachment system for pliers with or without bosses, an embodiment of an automatic release system is now described by means of FIGS. 17, 18 and 19 is the section along ( aa ') of Figure 18. This system aims to automatically transfer the clamps supporting the objects of the pins 30 moving in the direction given by the arrow 300 to a fixed receiving pin 15, inclined downward. This result is obtained by means of a cam 70 having the configuration of a fork. The profile of the latter is such that it slides the clamps on the stud concerned, in the axis thereof, when the receiving pin 15 is located opposite the triangular opening of the clamp. If the cam is held in a fixed position, each clamp slides on a straight slope of the cam and at the moment when the receiving pin 15 is opposite the triangular opening of the clamp, a curvilinear part of the cam 70 abruptly ends the movement. stall.

Operational safety can be increased by causing the backward rotation symbolized by the double arrow 71 of the cam when the spindle is in front of the triangular opening of the clamp being in the process of unhooking.

A clamp according to the invention is easy to hang on the fly, to unhook automatically even if there is a significant relative movement between the part which supports it and that which must receive it, as has just been explained and illustrated above. . These clamps can also undergo a particularly useful curling operation and even necessary in certain applications calling for a conveying with change of direction. This is the case encountered for example in sorting machines with different levels. The direction of travel of the objects is reversed at each level and the means for hooking the clamps must always move in a vertical plane. It is therefore essential to pass the clamps and the objects they carry one over the other during a rotation of the drive means by 180 °. This operation is defined as being a tiling operation and it is carried out by means of a tiling system according to the invention without any appreciable removal of the objects.

To obtain this result, as shown in FIGS. 20, 21 and 22, a cam 90 concentric with the path of the studs 30 and having a suitable profile makes the clamps pivot (a), (b), (c) carrying their objects (a, ), (b1), (c1) during part of the rotation so as to impart a slight rotation to them on the stud 30, thus ensuring the curling, that is to say the covering on each other of the objects suspended from the pliers.

Figure 22 in which clearly appears the beginning of overlapping, accentuating the clamps (a), (b), and (c) illustrates this operation. When it is finished, and the objects are practically on top of each other, the cam 90 bends its profile to allow the clamps to return to their equilibrium position. However, it should be noted that this operation is all the easier to carry out when the objects are flatter.

The passage from a higher level to a lower level is done in the same way with a cam with symmetrical profile.

A clamp according to the invention, as has already been said above, is intended to carry all kinds of objects such as envelopes, pockets, cards which are made integral with the clamp either by springs, gluing, stapling, pinching or for that matter any other means suitable for the various forms of packaging. Given the characteristics of these grippers, thanks to suitable release, hooking and tuiJage systems, it becomes possible to use them in numerous handling and sorting chains. In this case the clamps carrying their objects, stored on a fixed spindle, are removed one by one by a transfer device consisting of a chain provided with supports (pins) capable of receiving the clamps. This chain is driven in movement for example by motorized wheels. A system attachment as described in the present invention ensures the passage of each of the clamps of the storage spindle to a stud free from the chain. Upon arrival at the destination, the clamp can be ejected from the pin carrying it by means of a release system according to the invention. If there is a change in level between the point of departure and that of arrival, the clamps and the objects are subjected to the action of a tiling system according to the invention which ensures overlapping on each other objects during this level change.

Handling installations of this type can be found in a large number of applications such as, for example, sorting the pockets for shipping photographic works, sorting documents, various objects, or for grouping objects. ..

Claims (13)

1. Article-retention clamp (1) constituting an element for establishing a connection between an article and a support, comprising an opening (4) through which the support is introduced, characterized in that the opening (4) terminates in a slot (6) opening at the edge of the clamp (1) and has a form which on the one hand defines a surface of size increasing from the slot (6) to the base (AB) of the opening (4) and thus permitting the introduction of the support "in motion" and on the other hand provides a configuration of the edges of the opening (4) which is favorable to the sliding of the support after the introduction thereof until establishment of an equilibrium condition, and that the clamp (1) is formed from a material which has an elasticity which produces a spring effect for returning the two parts (P,, P 2) of the clamp (1) disposed on either side of the slot (6) into a plane whatever the stresses to which they are subjected are, and which has a coefficient of friction which promotes the sliding of the support after the introduction thereof.

2. Clamp (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the opening has the form of a triangle with the base AB whose apex coincides with the slot (6) and whose sides form the edges of the opening (4).

3. Clamp (1) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that it comprises inter alia at least one boss (10) which can serve as spacer in the case in which a succession of clamps is used and a predetermined distance is to be maintained between the clamps.

4. Hanging system for an article-retention clamp (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 for transferring the clamp from a first fixed support (15) on which it is disposed to a second mobile support (30), characterized by

- a separating means for offering only one clamp for cooperation with

- a hanging means proper comprising an advancing member which applies the clamp only in the vicinity of the edges of the slot against a set of two stops (H and G) which are arranged in a vertical plane which forms with the axis of the first support an angle which is less than 90°, the stop (H) being shorter than the stop (G) and the advancing member cooperating on the one hand with means which bring the second support (30) into a position such that it penetrates into the opening (4) of the clamp when the latter is already in engagement with the stops (H and G) and on the other hand with a stop (J) which is intended to hold the clamp in a vertical position during its transfer from the first support to the second support.

5. Hanging system according to claim 4, characterized in that the separating means includes a first and a second blade (21 and 20) which are so disposed that the first clamp when the first blade is raised comes into engagement with the second blade (20) and the first blade descends between the first clamp and the second clamp is following the first so that the second clamp is retained whilst the second blade is raised to release the first clamp.

6. Hanging system according to claim 4, characterized in that the separating means includes the following: a first highly inclined pin (15) which terminates in a second mandrel (150) of smaller diameter, the length of which is between one and two times the thickness of the clamp and which has the same inclination as the first mandrel, a third mandrel (151) disposed immediately beneath the two other mandrels and being inclined less than the two first mentioned mandrels, a flap (152) which is rapidly moveable in reverse directions and which assumes at a first instant a low position in which it holds the first clamp which is at transfer point from the first support to the second, and then assumes at a second instant a high position in which it releases the first clamp whilst a following second clamp drops onto the second mandrel, and finally at a third instant assumes again fairly rapidly a low position in which it holds the second clamp whilst the first clamp is taken over by the hanging means.

7. Hanging system according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the advancing member is formed by two toothed wheels (25) and (26) which are of different diameter and have the same number of teeth and which are mounted on the same axis which is inclined with respect to the path traversed by the second moving support and also with respect to the axis of the first support, the profile of the teeth promoting the transfer.

8. Hanging system according to claim 5, characterized in that the advancing member is formed by the second blade (200) of the separating means, which has the form of a double wedge.

9. Hanging system according to claim 6, characterized in that the advancing member is formed by a rotatable fork (80) whose movements are synchronized with the movements of the separating means.

10. Removing system for an article-retention clamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3 for transferring the clamp from a moving second support (30) on which it is disposed to a first receiving mandrel (15), characterized by a cam (70) which has the form of a fork and is so actuated that when it is held in a fixed position each clamp slides on a rectilinear inclined face of the cam and when the receiving mandrel (15) is disposed in front of the triangular opening of the clamp a curved portion of the cam (70) abruptly terminates the removing movement.

11. System for overlapping article-retention clamps according to any one of claims 1 to 3 for obtaining overlapping of at least one clamp with another clamp held by a moving support, characterized by a cam (90) which extends concentrically to the path of the moving support (30) and has a profile adapted to pivot the clamp about a vertical axis so that a slight rotation is imparted thereto on the moving support.

12. Handling system, characterized in that it utilizes at least one clamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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