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EP1312548A1 - Apparatus for cutting a row of foil covers from a cover web and securing them on a row of filled containers - Google Patents

Apparatus for cutting a row of foil covers from a cover web and securing them on a row of filled containers Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1312548A1
EP1312548A1 EP02291854A EP02291854A EP1312548A1 EP 1312548 A1 EP1312548 A1 EP 1312548A1 EP 02291854 A EP02291854 A EP 02291854A EP 02291854 A EP02291854 A EP 02291854A EP 1312548 A1 EP1312548 A1 EP 1312548A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
containers
row
covers
cutting
lids
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP02291854A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1312548B1 (en
Inventor
Michel Luc
Bernard Gandon
Daniel Pacilly
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Erca Formseal SA
Original Assignee
Erca Formseal SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Erca Formseal SA filed Critical Erca Formseal SA
Publication of EP1312548A1 publication Critical patent/EP1312548A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1312548B1 publication Critical patent/EP1312548B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B7/00—Closing containers or receptacles after filling
    • B65B7/01—Machines characterised by incorporation of means for making the closures before applying
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B7/00—Closing containers or receptacles after filling
    • B65B7/16—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons
    • B65B7/28—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons by applying separate preformed closures, e.g. lids, covers
    • B65B7/2807—Feeding closures

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a device for cutting a row of lids in a lidded strip and fix them on a row cross-section of filled receptacles advancing step by step in a filling installation of containers.
  • the filled receptacles pass one after the other in a post of closure in which a lid dispenser brings a lid on the container to be closed and the lid is sealed on the rim of said container by known means.
  • a lid dispenser brings a lid on the container to be closed and the lid is sealed on the rim of said container by known means.
  • These covers are usually delivered in bags and it There is the problem of storing and handling these bags. But the most important problem is the guarantee of sterilization sachets and lids, especially when containers contain food products.
  • the filling thermoformed containers and the closing of the filled receptacles usually applies an operculum tape against the tape thermoplastic material after filling at least one row of containers, these strips are sealed together, for example by thermo-bonding, on the edge of the filled containers, then an operation is performed simultaneous cutting of the two strips over their entire thickness and separates the containers from the cut strips which constitute a grid of waste.
  • the bands advance step by step and, at each cycle, we make at least one row of containers, we fill the rows of containers made in a previous cycle, the same containers being sealed with the cap strip in a subsequent cycle.
  • These facilities are equipped with means to guarantee the sterilization of the thermoplastic strip and the lidded strip, delivered each by a coil.
  • the waste grid is important both in thermoplastic material, in material of the band with operculas.
  • the object of the invention is to propose a cutting device and fastening of lids which saves the material of the strip with operculas.
  • the device according to the invention is particularly suitable for a thermoforming installation of containers from a strip thermoplastic, filling thermoformed containers and closure of the filled receptacles, in particular in the case where the receptacles are undercut and have ledges that are smaller in diameter than diameter of their body.
  • the device according to the invention also applies to the closure of individual containers arranged in transverse rows advancing step by step, especially in a thermoforming installation of containers from pre-cut shapes and filling of thermoformed containers.
  • This device is characterized, according to the invention, by the fact that the spacing of the cutting means is less than the center distance of the containers to close and in that the transfer means cooperate with cam paths.
  • the advancement step of the sealing strip is independent of the progress of the rows of containers, which allows to reduce the waste in the longitudinal direction of the strip to cappings.
  • the advancement path of the lidded strip is oblique with respect to means for cutting a row of covers.
  • the advancement path of the operculum strip made by an angle of about 60 ° with the cutting means.
  • the advancement step of the lidding strip is substantially equal to the center distance of the cutting means.
  • the distance between the cam paths in the area next to the cutting station of the covers is equal to the center distance of the means of cutting, and their spacing in the area next to the removal is equal to the center distance of the containers to be closed.
  • the transfer means of a row of covers comprise at least one row of parallel gripping tubes carried by a barrel pivotally mounted about a support axis arranged opposite the station. cutting the lids and above the operculum deposit station, the free ends of said tubes being able to hold lids by suction, means for pivoting said barrel step by step between a position of gripping the covers in which the tubes of said row are directed towards the cutting means, and a position of removal of the covers in which said tubes are directed downwards and their free ends are in the vicinity of the containers to be closed, and means for putting said tubes in communication with a source of vacuum during the gripping of the covers and during their transfer between the cutting station of the covers and the dispensing station, and to put them in the exhaust after the removal of the covers on the containers to be closed.
  • the transfer means further comprise means for moving the support axis towards the cutting means when the barrel is in the gripping position of a row of lids and downwards when the barrel is in the dispensing position in order to allow the positioning of the covers on the edges of the containers.
  • the barrel comprises a plurality of rows of tubes arranged along generators angularly distributed at the periphery of said cylinder and of such that when a row of tubes is in the position of another row of tubes is in the removal position, said barrel advancing step by step in the same direction at each cycle.
  • the gripping position is diametrically opposed to the position of removal relative to the support axis of the barrel.
  • the tubes of a row are slidably mounted, independently of one another, on a guide axis integral with the barrel and parallel to the support axis and each comprise a tube foot guided by a fixed cam track integral with the support axis of the barrel.
  • the means for fixing at least partially the opercules deposited on the respective edges of the containers to be closed by row comprise a set of arms substantially parallel to the direction of advancement of the rows of containers to be closed and carried by a tree disposed above the advancement path of said rows of containers, the free ends of the intermediate arms of said set of arms being disposed between the containers to be closed and the free ends extreme arms being arranged on the outside of the extreme containers to close, said shaft being capable of pivoting between a high position wherein said arms release the passage of the transfer means at during the transfer of a row of operculum and a low position in which the ends of the arms rest on the lateral edges of the opercules deposited on the edges of the containers to be closed, said arm ends comprise point fixing means of said opercules on the edges of the corresponding receptacles cooperating with counter-tools arranged under the side edges of the to close.
  • Figures 1 and 2 show an installation part 1 of filling a transverse row of containers 2, made by example by thermoforming a strip of thermoplastic material 3, with a product such as a liquid, pasty or gelatinous product, particular with a food product, and to close containers filled with said row with lids 4 taken from a lidding strip 5 to using a device 20 according to the invention.
  • a product such as a liquid, pasty or gelatinous product, particular with a food product
  • the containers 2, shown in detail in FIGS. 7 and 8, are for example undercut and have a flange 6 in the plane horizontal path of the scroll of the thermoplastic strip 3, connected by a neck 7 to a container body 8 which has a diameter D1 greater than the diameter D2 of the periphery 9 of the rim 6 of the container 2.
  • Each filled and closed container has a fixed lid 4 by a closed weld seam 10 on the flange 6.
  • This seal 4 has a diameter at least equal to the diameter D2 of the periphery 9 of the container 2 and it may have a gripping tab 11 intended to facilitate the opening of the container 2.
  • This tongue 11 extends radially towards the outside beyond the perimeter 9 of the container 2 as it can be seen on Figures 7 and 8.
  • the containers 2 may be of revolution around a vertical axis X, but they can also have a horizontal section not circular.
  • the perimeter 9 of the flanges 6 of the containers 2 is pre-cut before thermoforming according to lines discontinuous connected by bridges which will be broken by shear in a separation station of the containers 2 after the sealing of the operculas 4.
  • the device 20 described below can also be adapted to an installation for filling individual containers arranged in rows and columns and advancing step by step in the installation in the direction of the arrow F, the rows being perpendicular to the direction of the arrow F.
  • the installation 1 essentially comprises means for advancing step by step the thermoplastic strip, or a row of individual containers, in the direction of the arrow F, a filling station 14 of a row R 1 of containers, a station 16 depositing and fixing a row of covers on a row R 2 of filled containers, using the device 20 according to the invention, a station 18 for sealing the covers 4 on the containers of the row R 3 , and control members, in synchronism, different tools of the installation.
  • the stations 14, 16 and 18 are arranged from upstream to downstream in the direction of the arrow F.
  • rows R 1 , R 2 , R 3 defined above are not necessarily adjacent, and are separated by other rows of containers filled or closed depending on the space available to install the various tools of filling and sealing, and to install the device 20.
  • the device 20, shown in Figures 1 to 6, is disposed above the path of the rows R 1 , R 2 and R 3 of the containers.
  • It basically includes means 21 to advance step 5, in synchronism with the installation 1, to through a cutting station 22 of a row of covers.
  • the band at operculas 5 is unwound from a coil 23, moves to horizontally in the direction of the arrow G at the cutting station 22, and the waste strip is recovered by a second coil 24.
  • the cutting station 22 is disposed above the dispensing station 16 of the covers on the containers 2 of the row R 2 , and parallel to the latter.
  • the lidding strip 5 It comprises above the lidding strip 5 a set 25 operculum cutting tools, vertically movable, which cooperate with lower counter-tools 26, possibly vertically movable, when cutting a row of covers.
  • the counter-tools 25 present in the form of sleeves, including the outline of the orifice upper is shaped according to the contour of the operculum 4 to be cut with its tongue 11.
  • the contour of the cutting tools is complementary to that of the orifices of the sleeves.
  • the contours of the orifices of the sleeves horizontal planes are flared down to allow the evacuation of the caps 4 cut by the tools 25, as well as that will be explained later in this memo.
  • References 27a and 27b designate two drive rolls of the lidded strip, arranged horizontally and perpendicularly to the scrolling direction G of the cap strip 5 and which define the horizontal path advancement of the lidding strip 5 in the cutting station 22 of the operculas 4.
  • the cap strip 5 moves horizontally at the cutting station 22 in the direction of the arrow G, which is oblique with respect to the direction of movement of the rows.
  • containers R 1 , R 2 , R 3 defined by the arrow F.
  • FIG. 2 also shows that the center distance E 1 between the cutting tools 25 is smaller than the center distance E 2 between the containers 2 of the same row, that is to say at the center distance between the columns of containers passing through the installation 1.
  • This arrangement makes it possible to reduce the waste in the band of waste coming from the lidded strip 5 after cutting the rows of lids.
  • the covers 4 are substantially circular, the pitch P 1 for advancing the cover strip 5 at each cycle is substantially equal to the center distance E 1 of the cutting tools 25.
  • the path of advancement of the band to operculas 5, defined by the arrow G makes an angle of 60 ° with the alignment tools 25 and 26 of the cutting station 22 of caps.
  • the number of operculas 4 cut in a cycle is obviously equal to the number of containers 2 of a row.
  • the device 20 further comprises means 30 for transferring a row of cut lids to the cutting station 22 to the dispensing station 16 of a row of lids 4 on the containers 2 of the row R 2 .
  • These transfer means 30, shown in detail in FIGS. 3 and 4, comprise a plurality of pairs of rows of diametrically opposed tubes 31a, 31b, arranged on generatrices regularly angularly spaced at the periphery of a barrel 32, which can not rotate stepping around a support axis 33, carried by uprights 33a, 33b disposed on either side of the advancement path of the thermoplastic strip 3.
  • the barrel 32 comprises by example three opposite pairs of rows of tubes 31a, 31b and the barrel 32 turns 60 ° each cycle in the direction of the arrow R, and such way that when cutting a row of covers at the station of 22, a row of tubes referenced 31a is disposed at the top of the barrel opposite the lower ports of the sleeves 26, while the row of tubes referenced 31b is disposed at the bottom of the cylinder opposite the operculum deposit station 16.
  • the support axis 33 is parallel to the row R 2 of containers and to the cutting tools 25, and disposed substantially midway between the flanges 6 of the containers 2 of the row R 2 and the sleeves 26, to allow the rotation step by step the barrel 32 in the direction of the arrow R.
  • the tubes 31a and 31b extend radially at the periphery of the barrel 32, and their outer ends are equipped with suction cups 34a, 34b, allowing gripping by suction of the cut opercules in the cutting station.
  • Reference 35 designates hoses which enable the internal cavity of the tubes 31a to communicate with those to the left of Figure 3 with a vacuum source 36, and put the tubes 31b and those on the right of Figure 3 in the exhaust or in communication with a pressure source 37, via of a rotary joint 38 mounted on the support shaft 33 and shown on the 4, and a pneumatic circuit known per se and which does not require other explanations.
  • the support pin 33 is vertically movable from its position average which allows the pivoting of the barrel 32, on the one hand, towards a low position, when removing lids 4 on the flanges 6 of the containers 2 at the disposal station 16, in which the suction cups 34b of tubes 31b descend on the containers 2 and take the position referenced 34b 'in FIGS. 5 and 6 and, on the other hand, to a position high, when cutting the lids at the cutting station 22, in which the suction cups 34a of the tubes 31a penetrate into the orifices upper sleeves 26, come in the position referenced 34a ' in Figure 3 and suck the cut caps. In this last position, the suction cups 34b of the tubes 31b go back to the position referenced 34b "in FIGS. 5 and 6.
  • Reference 39 denotes a plate located at the dispensing station, above the containers 2 and in below the pivoting path of the suction cups 34b, which has orifices 40 adapted to the section of the covers 4 and allowing the centering caps 4 brought by the suction cups 34b.
  • the suction cups 34b are moved towards the position referenced 34b 'below the orifices 40 and apply a very light force to the covers 4, these being centered by the orifices 40 rigorously positioned above the flanges 6 of the containers of the row R 2 .
  • the suction cups 34a of the upper tubes 31a descend.
  • the support pin 33 is raised to its upper position, and the suction cups 34a, in the position referenced 34a ', aspire the lids being cut.
  • the upper tubes 31a are maintained in depression for three cycles, in the example shown in the drawings, until they reach the lower position of the barrel 32.
  • each row of tubes As is shown on FIG. FIGS. 3 and 4 are slidably mounted, independently of one another, on a guide shaft referenced 41a for the tubes 31a and 41b for the tubes 31b, parallel to the support axis 33, and each tube 31 comprises an inner foot provided with a roller 42 guided axially at the periphery of the support shaft 33 by a cam path 43.
  • the installation 1, shown in the drawings, comprises four columns of containers arranged in rows.
  • Each row of tubes also comprises four tubes 31 and the support pin 33 has at its periphery four cam paths 43 whose spacing in the upper zone of the support axis 33 is equal to E 1 and whose center distance in the lower zone of the support axis 33 is equal to E 2 .
  • the sliding of the tubes 31 along their guide axis 41a, or 41b is made in known manner by means of bushes and slides.
  • the device 20 also comprises means 50 for fixing at least partially the lids 4 deposited on the flanges 6 of the containers 2 of the row R 2 at the removal station 16.
  • These means 50 are visible in FIGS. They essentially comprise a set of arms 51 parallel to the direction F of displacement of the rows of containers, and arranged just above the path of the containers. These arms 51 are carried by a shaft 52 pivotable between a high position in which the ends 55 of the arms 51 are above the suction cups 34b and a low position in which the ends 55 of the arms 51 fix the lids deposited on the containers 2 in the depot 16.
  • the arms 51 are in number five, the two extreme arms being arranged outside the columns extremes, and the three intermediate arms being arranged respectively between two adjacent columns of containers.
  • the ends 55 of the arms 51 are located above the station of deposit 16.
  • the width of the arms 51 is small enough to allow the passage between two arms 51 adjacent to a suction cup with a cover during the transfer of the covers.
  • the ends 55 of the arms are in contrast wider than the space separating two neighboring seals deposited by the tubes 31b on the containers 2 at the removal station 16. These ends 55 have on their underside means of point fixing of the covers 4 on the edges 6 of the containers at station 16 by cooperation with counter tools 53, of fixed preferences, arranged between the columns of containers and outside extreme columns.
  • the fixing means comprise, for example, heated nipples 54 which, by pressing on the lateral edges of the operculas 4 deposited on the edges 6 of the containers, ensure the fixation by points operculas 4 on the edges 6 of the containers by melting the material thermoplastic.
  • the ends 55 of the intermediate arms 51 comprise by example four nipples 54, two of which fix the operculum on the container of the right column and two attach the left operculum on the container corresponding, the ends 55 of the extreme arms comprising in this case of two nipples 54.
  • the final sealing of the lids 4 on the containers 2 is performed in a subsequent cycle at the sealing station 18, where the weld seams 10.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Closing Of Containers (AREA)
  • Containers And Plastic Fillers For Packaging (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
  • Package Closures (AREA)
  • Supplying Of Containers To The Packaging Station (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif pour découper une rangée d'opercules dans une bande à opercules et les fixer sur une rangée transversale de récipients remplis avançant pas à pas dans une installation de remplissage de récipients, comportant des moyens pour faire avancer pas à pas une bande à opercules (5) au-dessus du chemin d'avancement des rangées (R2) de récipients (2), des moyens (25, 26) pour découper une rangée d'opercules (4) dans ladite bande à opercules (5), lesdits moyens de découpe étant disposés parallèlement à la rangée de récipients à fermer et au-dessus de cette dernière, des moyens (30) pour transférer une rangée d'opercules entre le poste de découpe (22) desdites opercules et un poste de dépose (16) d'opercules sur les récipients (2) à fermer d'une rangée, des moyens pour fixer au moins partiellement les opercules déposés sur les rebords respectifs desdits récipients, et des moyens de commande desdits moyens d'avancement pas à pas de la bande à opercules, desdits moyens de découpe d'opercules, desdits moyens de transfert et desdits moyens de fixation en synchronisme avec les moyens d'avancement desdites rangées de récipients remplis.The invention relates to a device for cutting a row of covers in a cap strip and attaching them to a transverse row of filled containers advancing step by step in a container filling installation, comprising means for advancing step by step a cover strip (5) above the feed path of the rows (R 2 ) of containers (2), means (25, 26) for cutting a row of covers (4) in said cover strip (5) ), said cutting means being arranged parallel to the row of containers to close and above the latter, means (30) for transferring a row of covers between the cutting station (22) of said covers and a station of depositing (16) covers on containers (2) to be closed in a row, means for at least partially fixing the covers placed on the respective edges of said containers, and control means of said advancing means not to pa s of the cap strip, said cap cutting means, said transfer means and said fixing means in synchronism with the means for advancing said rows of filled containers.

L'entraxe des moyens de découpe est inférieur à l'entraxe des récipients à fermer.

Figure 00000001
The spacing of the cutting means is less than the center distance of the containers to be closed.
Figure 00000001

Description

L'invention concerne un dispositif pour découper une rangée d'opercules dans une bande à opercules et les fixer sur une rangée transversale de récipients remplis avançant pas à pas dans une installation de remplissage de récipients.The invention relates to a device for cutting a row of lids in a lidded strip and fix them on a row cross-section of filled receptacles advancing step by step in a filling installation of containers.

Dans les installations de remplissage de récipients unitaires, les récipients remplis passent les uns à la suite des autres dans un poste de fermeture dans lequel un distributeur d'opercules amène un opercule sur le récipient à fermer et l'opercule est scellé sur le rebord dudit récipient par des moyens connus. Ces opercules sont livrés en général en sachets et il se pose le problème du stockage et de la manutention de ces sachets. Mais le problème le plus important concerne la garantie de la stérilisation des sachets et des opercules, notamment lorsque les récipients renferment des produits alimentaires.In unitary container filling plants, the filled receptacles pass one after the other in a post of closure in which a lid dispenser brings a lid on the container to be closed and the lid is sealed on the rim of said container by known means. These covers are usually delivered in bags and it There is the problem of storing and handling these bags. But the most important problem is the guarantee of sterilization sachets and lids, especially when containers contain food products.

Dans les installations qui réalisent le thermoformage de récipients dans une bande de matériau thermoplastique, le remplissage des récipients thermoformés et la fermeture des récipients remplis, on applique habituellement une bande à opercules contre la bande de matériau thermoplastique après le remplissage d'au moins une rangée de récipients, on scelle ces bandes entre elles, par exemple par thermo-collage, sur le rebord des récipients remplis, puis on réalise une opération de découpe simultanée des deux bandes sur toute leur épaisseur et on sépare les récipients des bandes découpées qui constituent une grille de déchets. Dans ces installations, les bandes avancent pas à pas et, à chaque cycle, on réalise au moins une rangée de récipients, on remplit les rangées de récipients réalisés dans un cycle précédent, les mêmes récipients étant scellés avec la bande à opercules dans un cycle ultérieur. Ces installations sont équipées de moyens pour garantir la stérilisation de la bande thermoplastique et de la bande à opercules, délivrées chacune par une bobine.In installations that perform thermoforming of containers in a strip of thermoplastic material, the filling thermoformed containers and the closing of the filled receptacles, usually applies an operculum tape against the tape thermoplastic material after filling at least one row of containers, these strips are sealed together, for example by thermo-bonding, on the edge of the filled containers, then an operation is performed simultaneous cutting of the two strips over their entire thickness and separates the containers from the cut strips which constitute a grid of waste. In these facilities, the bands advance step by step and, at each cycle, we make at least one row of containers, we fill the rows of containers made in a previous cycle, the same containers being sealed with the cap strip in a subsequent cycle. These facilities are equipped with means to guarantee the sterilization of the thermoplastic strip and the lidded strip, delivered each by a coil.

Si on utilise ce type d'installation pour thermoformer, remplir et fermer des récipients à contre-dépouille, qui comportent un rebord dont le diamètre est inférieur au diamètre du corps, la grille de déchets est importante tant en matériau thermoplastique, qu'en matériau de la bande à opercules.If this type of installation is used to thermoform, fill and close undercuts, which have a flange diameter is less than the diameter of the body, the waste grid is important both in thermoplastic material, in material of the band with operculas.

Pour éviter une gâche importante dans la bande à opercules, on serait tenté d'utiliser des opercules livrés en sachets et délivrés par un distributeur disposé au-dessus de chaque colonne de récipients remplis dans l'installation de thermoformage et de remplissage, comme dans les installations de remplissage de récipients unitaires, avec tous les problèmes de garantie de la stérilisation ainsi que cela a été expliqué plus haut.To avoid a large waste in the lidded strip, it would be tempting to use lids delivered in sachets and delivered by a dispenser arranged above each column of filled containers in the thermoforming and filling plant, as in the unitary container filling plants, with all the sterilization guarantee issues as well as this has been explained more above.

L'état de la technique est illustré par les documents US 3,509,682, US 6, 161, 367 et US 4,250,686. Dans tous ces documents, l'entraxe des moyens de découpe est égal à l'entraxe des récipients à fermer d'une rangée.The state of the art is illustrated by the documents US 3,509,682, US 6,161,367 and US 4,250,686. In all these documents, the distance between the cutting means is equal to the distance between containers to be closed in one row.

Le but de l'invention est de proposer un dispositif de découpe et de fixation d'opercules qui permette d'économiser le matériau de la bande à opercules.The object of the invention is to propose a cutting device and fastening of lids which saves the material of the strip with operculas.

Le dispositif selon l'invention est particulièrement adapté pour une installation de thermoformage de récipients à partir d'une bande thermoplastique, de remplissage des récipients thermoformés et de fermeture des récipients remplis, notamment dans le cas où les récipients sont à contre-dépouille et ont des rebords dont le diamètre est inférieur au diamètre de leur corps.The device according to the invention is particularly suitable for a thermoforming installation of containers from a strip thermoplastic, filling thermoformed containers and closure of the filled receptacles, in particular in the case where the receptacles are undercut and have ledges that are smaller in diameter than diameter of their body.

Le dispositif selon l'invention s'applique également à la fermeture de récipients individuels disposés en rangées transversales avançant pas à pas, notamment dans une installation de thermoformage de récipients à partir de formes prédécoupées et de remplissage des récipients thermoformés.The device according to the invention also applies to the closure of individual containers arranged in transverse rows advancing step by step, especially in a thermoforming installation of containers from pre-cut shapes and filling of thermoformed containers.

L'invention concerne donc un dispositif qui comporte :

  • des moyens pour faire avancer pas à pas une bande à opercules au-dessus du chemin d'avancement des rangées de récipients,
  • des moyens pour découper une rangée d'opercules dans ladite bande à opercules, lesdits moyens de découpe étant disposés parallèlement à la rangée de récipients à fermer et au-dessus de cette dernière,
  • des moyens pour transférer une rangée d'opercules entre le poste de découpe desdites opercules et un poste de dépose d'opercules sur les récipients à fermer d'une rangée,
  • des moyens pour fixer au moins partiellement les opercules déposées sur les rebords respectifs desdits récipients, et
  • des moyens de commande desdits moyens d'avancement pas à pas de la bande à opercules, desdits moyens de découpe d'opercules, desdits moyens de transfert et desdits moyens de fixation en synchronisme avec les moyens d'avancement desdites rangées de récipients remplis.
    • The invention thus relates to a device which comprises:
  • means for advancing step by step an operculum strip above the path of advancement of the rows of containers,
  • means for cutting a row of covers in said cover strip, said cutting means being arranged parallel to the row of containers to be closed and above the latter,
  • means for transferring a row of lids between the cutting station of said lids and a lids dispensing station on the containers to be closed in a row,
  • means for at least partially fixing the lids deposited on the respective edges of said containers, and
  • means for controlling said stepwise advancement means of the cap strip, said cap cutting means, said transfer means and said fastening means in synchronism with the means for advancing said rows of filled containers.

    • Ce dispositif est caractérisé, selon l'invention, par le fait que l'entraxe des moyens de découpe est inférieur à l'entraxe des récipients à fermer et par le fait que les moyens de transfert coopèrent avec des chemins de came.This device is characterized, according to the invention, by the fact that the spacing of the cutting means is less than the center distance of the containers to close and in that the transfer means cooperate with cam paths.

    Le fait de tirer les opercules d'une bande à opercules facilite le maintien de la stérilité des opercules.Pulling the lids out of a lidded strip makes it easier to maintenance of the sterility of the covers.

    En outre, le pas d'avancement de la bande à opercules est indépendant du pas d'avancement des rangées de récipients, ce qui permet de diminuer la gâche dans le sens longitudinal de la bande à opercules.In addition, the advancement step of the sealing strip is independent of the progress of the rows of containers, which allows to reduce the waste in the longitudinal direction of the strip to cappings.

    Pour économiser davantage de matériau dans la bande à opercules, selon une autre caractéristique avantageuse de l'invention, le chemin d'avancement de la bande à opercules est oblique par rapport aux moyens de découpe d'une rangée d'opercules.To save more material in the tape to opercules, according to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the advancement path of the lidded strip is oblique with respect to means for cutting a row of covers.

    Le chemin d'avancement de la bande à opercules fait par exemple un angle de 60° environ avec les moyens de découpe.The advancement path of the operculum strip made by an angle of about 60 ° with the cutting means.

    De préférence, le pas d'avancement de la bande à opercules est sensiblement égal à l'entraxe des moyens de découpe.Preferably, the advancement step of the lidding strip is substantially equal to the center distance of the cutting means.

    L'entraxe des chemins de came dans la zone située en regard du poste de découpe des opercules est égal à l'entraxe des moyens de découpe, et leur entraxe dans la zone située en regard du poste de dépose est égal à l'entraxe des récipients à fermer.The distance between the cam paths in the area next to the cutting station of the covers is equal to the center distance of the means of cutting, and their spacing in the area next to the removal is equal to the center distance of the containers to be closed.

    Selon un mode de réalisation préférentiel de l'invention, les moyens de transfert d'une rangée d'opercules comportent au moins une rangée de tubes de préhension parallèles portés par un barillet monté pivotant autour d'un axe de support disposé en regard du poste de découpe des opercules et au-dessus du poste de dépose d'opercules, les extrémités libres desdits tubes étant aptes à retenir des opercules par succion,
       des moyens pour faire pivoter pas à pas ledit barillet entre une position de préhension des opercules dans laquelle les tubes de ladite rangée sont dirigés vers les moyens de découpe, et une position de dépose des opercules dans laquelle lesdits tubes sont dirigés vers le bas et leurs extrémités libres sont au voisinage des récipients à fermer, et
       des moyens pour mettre lesdits tubes en communication avec une source de vide lors de la préhension des opercules et pendant leur transfert entre le poste de découpe des opercules et le poste de dépose, et pour les mettre à l'échappement après la dépose des opercules sur les récipients à fermer.    According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the transfer means of a row of covers comprise at least one row of parallel gripping tubes carried by a barrel pivotally mounted about a support axis arranged opposite the station. cutting the lids and above the operculum deposit station, the free ends of said tubes being able to hold lids by suction,
    means for pivoting said barrel step by step between a position of gripping the covers in which the tubes of said row are directed towards the cutting means, and a position of removal of the covers in which said tubes are directed downwards and their free ends are in the vicinity of the containers to be closed, and
    means for putting said tubes in communication with a source of vacuum during the gripping of the covers and during their transfer between the cutting station of the covers and the dispensing station, and to put them in the exhaust after the removal of the covers on the containers to be closed.

    De préférence, les moyens de transfert comportent en outre des moyens pour déplacer l'axe de support vers les moyens de découpe lorsque le barillet est dans la position de préhension d'une rangée d'opercules et vers le bas lorsque le barillet est dans la position de dépose afin de permettre le positionnement des opercules sur les rebords des récipients.Preferably, the transfer means further comprise means for moving the support axis towards the cutting means when the barrel is in the gripping position of a row of lids and downwards when the barrel is in the dispensing position in order to allow the positioning of the covers on the edges of the containers.

    Selon une caractéristique avantageuse, le barillet comporte une pluralité de rangées de tubes disposées le long de génératrices régulièrement réparties angulairement à la périphérie dudit barillet et de telle manière que, lorsqu'une rangée de tubes est dans la position de préhension, une autre rangée de tubes est dans la position de dépose, ledit barillet avançant pas à pas dans la même direction à chaque cycle.According to an advantageous characteristic, the barrel comprises a plurality of rows of tubes arranged along generators angularly distributed at the periphery of said cylinder and of such that when a row of tubes is in the position of another row of tubes is in the removal position, said barrel advancing step by step in the same direction at each cycle.

    De préférence, la position de préhension est diamétralement opposée à la position de dépose par rapport à l'axe de support du barillet.Preferably, the gripping position is diametrically opposed to the position of removal relative to the support axis of the barrel.

    Selon une autre caractéristique avantageuse, les tubes d'une rangée sont montés coulissants, indépendamment l'un de l'autre, sur un axe de guidage solidaire du barillet et parallèle à l'axe de support et comportent chacun un pied de tube guidé par un chemin de came fixe solidaire de l'axe de support du barillet.According to another advantageous characteristic, the tubes of a row are slidably mounted, independently of one another, on a guide axis integral with the barrel and parallel to the support axis and each comprise a tube foot guided by a fixed cam track integral with the support axis of the barrel.

    De préférence, les moyens pour fixer au moins partiellement les opercules déposés sur les rebords respectifs des récipients à fermer d'une rangée comportent un ensemble de bras sensiblement parallèles à la direction d'avancement des rangées de récipients à fermer et portés par un arbre disposé au-dessus du chemin d'avancement desdites rangées de récipients, les extrémités libres des bras intermédiaires dudit ensemble de bras étant disposés entre les récipients à fermer et les extrémités libres des bras extrêmes étant disposés à l'extérieur des récipients extrêmes à fermer, ledit arbre étant susceptible de pivoter entre une position haute dans laquelle lesdits bras libèrent le passage des moyens de transfert au cours du transfert d'une rangée d'opercules et une position basse dans laquelle les extrémités des bras appuient sur les bords latéraux des opercules déposés sur les rebords des récipients à fermer, lesdites extrémités de bras comportent des moyens de fixation par points desdits opercules sur les rebords des récipients correspondant en coopérant avec des contre-outils disposés sous les rebords latéraux des récipients à fermer.Preferably, the means for fixing at least partially the opercules deposited on the respective edges of the containers to be closed by row comprise a set of arms substantially parallel to the direction of advancement of the rows of containers to be closed and carried by a tree disposed above the advancement path of said rows of containers, the free ends of the intermediate arms of said set of arms being disposed between the containers to be closed and the free ends extreme arms being arranged on the outside of the extreme containers to close, said shaft being capable of pivoting between a high position wherein said arms release the passage of the transfer means at during the transfer of a row of operculum and a low position in which the ends of the arms rest on the lateral edges of the opercules deposited on the edges of the containers to be closed, said arm ends comprise point fixing means of said opercules on the edges of the corresponding receptacles cooperating with counter-tools arranged under the side edges of the to close.

    Très avantageusement, les contre-outils sont fixes.Most advantageously, the counter-tools are fixed.

    D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention ressortiront à la lecture de la description suivante faite à titre d'exemple et en référence aux dessins annexés dans lesquels :

    • la figure 1 est une vue latérale schématique d'une installation de remplissage de rangées de récipients avançant pas à pas et équipée du dispositif de découpe d'une rangée d'opercules et de fixation desdites opercules sur les rebords des récipients, conforme à l'invention ;
    • la figure 2 est une vue de dessus de l'installation et du dispositif selon l'invention ;
    • la figure 3 est une vue latérale à plus grande échelle des moyens de découpe de la bande à opercules et des moyens de transfert d'une rangée d'opercules sur une rangée de récipients disposés dans le poste de dépose et de fixation des opercules ;
    • la figure 4 est une vue frontale des moyens de transfert des opercules ;
    • la figure 5 est une vue latérale des moyens de fixation par points des opercules ;
    • la figure 6 est une vue frontale selon la ligne VI-VI de la figure 5 ;
    • la figure 7 est une coupe selon un plan de symétrie d'un récipient rempli et fermé, et
    • la figure 8 est une vue de dessus du récipient de la figure 7.
    Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the following description given by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings in which:
    • FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of an installation for filling rows of containers advancing stepwise and equipped with the device for cutting a row of covers and for fixing said covers on the rims of the containers, in accordance with FIG. invention;
    • Figure 2 is a top view of the installation and the device according to the invention;
    • Figure 3 is a side view on a larger scale of the cutting means of the lidded strip and means for transferring a row of lids on a row of containers disposed in the station for removing and fixing the lids;
    • Figure 4 is a front view of the lids transfer means;
    • Figure 5 is a side view of the attachment means of the lids;
    • Figure 6 is a front view along the line VI-VI of Figure 5;
    • FIG. 7 is a section along a plane of symmetry of a filled and closed container, and
    • Figure 8 is a top view of the container of Figure 7.

    Les figures 1 et 2 montrent une partie d'installation 1 de remplissage d'une rangée transversale de récipients 2, réalisés par exemple par thermoformage d'une bande de matériau thermoplastique 3, avec un produit tel qu'un produit liquide, pâteux ou gélatineux, en particulier avec un produit alimentaire, et à fermer les récipients remplis de ladite rangée avec des opercules 4 tirés d'une bande à opercules 5 à l'aide d'un dispositif 20 conforme à l'invention.Figures 1 and 2 show an installation part 1 of filling a transverse row of containers 2, made by example by thermoforming a strip of thermoplastic material 3, with a product such as a liquid, pasty or gelatinous product, particular with a food product, and to close containers filled with said row with lids 4 taken from a lidding strip 5 to using a device 20 according to the invention.

    Les récipients 2, montrés en détail sur les figures 7 et 8, sont par exemple à contre-dépouille et comportent un rebord 6 dans le plan horizontal du chemin de défilement de la bande thermoplastique 3, raccordé par un col 7 à un corps de récipient 8 qui a un diamètre D1 supérieur au diamètre D2 du pourtour 9 du rebord 6 du récipient 2.The containers 2, shown in detail in FIGS. 7 and 8, are for example undercut and have a flange 6 in the plane horizontal path of the scroll of the thermoplastic strip 3, connected by a neck 7 to a container body 8 which has a diameter D1 greater than the diameter D2 of the periphery 9 of the rim 6 of the container 2.

    Chaque récipient rempli et fermé comporte un opercule 4 fixé par un cordon de soudure fermé 10 sur le rebord 6. Cet opercule 4 a un diamètre au moins égal au diamètre D2 du pourtour 9 du récipient 2 et il peut présenter une languette de préhension 11 destinée à faciliter l'ouverture du récipient 2. Cette languette 11 s'étend radialement vers l'extérieur au-delà du pourtour 9 du récipient 2 ainsi que cela se voit sur les figures 7 et 8. Les récipients 2 peuvent être de révolution autour d'un axe vertical X, mais ils peuvent également avoir une section horizontale non circulaire.Each filled and closed container has a fixed lid 4 by a closed weld seam 10 on the flange 6. This seal 4 has a diameter at least equal to the diameter D2 of the periphery 9 of the container 2 and it may have a gripping tab 11 intended to facilitate the opening of the container 2. This tongue 11 extends radially towards the outside beyond the perimeter 9 of the container 2 as it can be seen on Figures 7 and 8. The containers 2 may be of revolution around a vertical axis X, but they can also have a horizontal section not circular.

    Dans le cas où les récipients à contre-dépouille sont réalisés par thermoformage dans l'installation 1, le pourtour 9 des rebords 6 des récipients 2 est prédécoupé avant le thermoformage selon des lignes discontinues reliées par des pontets qui seront rompus par cisaillement dans un poste de séparation des récipients 2 après le scellement des opercules 4.In the case where the undercut containers are made by thermoforming in the installation 1, the perimeter 9 of the flanges 6 of the containers 2 is pre-cut before thermoforming according to lines discontinuous connected by bridges which will be broken by shear in a separation station of the containers 2 after the sealing of the operculas 4.

    Le dispositif 20 décrit ci-après peut également s'adapter sur une installation de remplissage de récipients individuels disposés en rangées et colonnes et avançant pas à pas dans l'installation dans le sens de la flèche F, les rangées étant perpendiculaires au sens de la flèche F.The device 20 described below can also be adapted to an installation for filling individual containers arranged in rows and columns and advancing step by step in the installation in the direction of the arrow F, the rows being perpendicular to the direction of the arrow F.

    L'installation 1 comporte essentiellement des moyens pour faire avancer pas à pas la bande thermoplastique, ou une rangée de récipients individuels, dans le sens de la flèche F, un poste 14 de remplissage d'une rangée R1 de récipients, un poste 16 de dépose et de fixation d'une rangée d'opercules sur une rangée R2 de récipients remplis, à l'aide du dispositif 20 conforme à l'invention, un poste 18 de scellement des opercules 4 sur les récipients de la rangée R3, et des organes de commande, en synchronisme, des différents outils de l'installation. Les postes 14, 16 et 18 sont disposés d'amont en aval dans le sens de la flèche F. The installation 1 essentially comprises means for advancing step by step the thermoplastic strip, or a row of individual containers, in the direction of the arrow F, a filling station 14 of a row R 1 of containers, a station 16 depositing and fixing a row of covers on a row R 2 of filled containers, using the device 20 according to the invention, a station 18 for sealing the covers 4 on the containers of the row R 3 , and control members, in synchronism, different tools of the installation. The stations 14, 16 and 18 are arranged from upstream to downstream in the direction of the arrow F.

    II est à noter que les rangées R1, R2, R3 définies ci-dessus ne sont pas nécessairement adjacentes, et sont séparées par d'autres rangées de récipients remplis ou fermés en fonction de la place disponible pour installer les différents outils de remplissage et de scellement, et pour installer le dispositif 20.It should be noted that the rows R 1 , R 2 , R 3 defined above are not necessarily adjacent, and are separated by other rows of containers filled or closed depending on the space available to install the various tools of filling and sealing, and to install the device 20.

    Le dispositif 20, montré sur les figures 1 à 6, est disposé au-dessus du chemin d'avancement des rangées R1, R2 et R3 des récipients.The device 20, shown in Figures 1 to 6, is disposed above the path of the rows R 1 , R 2 and R 3 of the containers.

    Il comprend essentiellement des moyens 21 pour faire avancer pas à pas la bande à opercules 5, en synchronisme avec l'installation 1, à travers un poste de découpe 22 d'une rangée d'opercules. La bande à opercules 5 est déroulée à partir d'une bobine 23, se déplace à l'horizontale dans le sens de la flèche G au poste de découpe 22, et la bande de déchets est récupérée par une deuxième bobine 24.It basically includes means 21 to advance step 5, in synchronism with the installation 1, to through a cutting station 22 of a row of covers. The band at operculas 5 is unwound from a coil 23, moves to horizontally in the direction of the arrow G at the cutting station 22, and the waste strip is recovered by a second coil 24.

    Ainsi que cela se voit clairement sur les figures 1 et 2, le poste de découpe 22 est disposé au-dessus du poste de dépose 16 des opercules sur les récipients 2 de la rangée R2, et parallèlement à cette dernière.As can be seen clearly in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cutting station 22 is disposed above the dispensing station 16 of the covers on the containers 2 of the row R 2 , and parallel to the latter.

    Il comporte au-dessus de la bande à opercules 5 un ensemble d'outils 25 de découpe d'opercules, verticalement mobiles, qui coopèrent avec des contre-outils inférieurs 26, éventuellement mobiles verticalement, lors de la découpe d'une rangée d'opercules. Les contre-outils 25 se présentent sous la forme de manchons, dont le contour de l'orifice supérieur est conformé selon le contour de l'opercule 4 à découper avec sa languette 11. Le contour des outils de découpe est complémentaire de celui des orifices des manchons. Les contours des orifices des manchons selon des plans horizontaux sont évasés vers le bas afin de permettre l'évacuation des opercules 4 découpés par les outils 25, ainsi que cela sera expliqué plus loin dans le présent mémoire. Les références 27a et 27b désignent deux rouleaux d'entraínement de la bande à opercules, disposés à l'horizontale et perpendiculairement au sens G de défilement de la bande à opercules 5 et qui définissent le chemin horizontal d'avancement de la bande à opercules 5 dans le poste de découpe 22 des opercules 4.It comprises above the lidding strip 5 a set 25 operculum cutting tools, vertically movable, which cooperate with lower counter-tools 26, possibly vertically movable, when cutting a row of covers. The counter-tools 25 present in the form of sleeves, including the outline of the orifice upper is shaped according to the contour of the operculum 4 to be cut with its tongue 11. The contour of the cutting tools is complementary to that of the orifices of the sleeves. The contours of the orifices of the sleeves horizontal planes are flared down to allow the evacuation of the caps 4 cut by the tools 25, as well as that will be explained later in this memo. References 27a and 27b designate two drive rolls of the lidded strip, arranged horizontally and perpendicularly to the scrolling direction G of the cap strip 5 and which define the horizontal path advancement of the lidding strip 5 in the cutting station 22 of the operculas 4.

    Ainsi que cela est montré sur la figure 1 et surtout sur la figure 2, la bande à opercules 5 se déplace à l'horizontale au poste de découpe 22 dans le sens de la flèche G qui est oblique par rapport au sens de déplacement des rangées de récipients R1, R2, R3 défini par la flèche F.As is shown in FIG. 1 and especially in FIG. 2, the cap strip 5 moves horizontally at the cutting station 22 in the direction of the arrow G, which is oblique with respect to the direction of movement of the rows. containers R 1 , R 2 , R 3 defined by the arrow F.

    En revanche, le poste de découpe 22 d'opercules et le poste de dépose 16 d'opercules sont perpendiculaires au chemin de déplacement des rangées de récipients. On voit en outre sur la figure 2 que l'entraxe E1 entre les outils de découpe 25 est inférieur à l'entraxe E2 entre les récipients 2 d'une même rangée, c'est-à-dire à l'entraxe entre les colonnes de récipients traversant l'installation 1. Cette disposition permet de diminuer la gâche dans la bande de déchets issus de la bande à opercules 5 après découpe des rangées d'opercules. En outre, si les opercules 4 sont sensiblement circulaires, le pas P1 d'avancement de la bande d'opercules 5 à chaque cycle est sensiblement égal à l'entraxe E1 des outils de découpe 25.On the other hand, the cutting station 22 for lids and the dispensing station 16 for lids are perpendicular to the path of movement of the rows of containers. FIG. 2 also shows that the center distance E 1 between the cutting tools 25 is smaller than the center distance E 2 between the containers 2 of the same row, that is to say at the center distance between the columns of containers passing through the installation 1. This arrangement makes it possible to reduce the waste in the band of waste coming from the lidded strip 5 after cutting the rows of lids. In addition, if the covers 4 are substantially circular, the pitch P 1 for advancing the cover strip 5 at each cycle is substantially equal to the center distance E 1 of the cutting tools 25.

    Avantageusement, le chemin d'avancement de la bande à opercules 5, défini par la flèche G, fait un angle de 60° avec l'alignement des outils 25 et 26 du poste de découpe 22 d'opercules. Le nombre d'opercules 4 découpés dans un cycle est évidemment égal au nombre de récipients 2 d'une rangée.Advantageously, the path of advancement of the band to operculas 5, defined by the arrow G, makes an angle of 60 ° with the alignment tools 25 and 26 of the cutting station 22 of caps. The number of operculas 4 cut in a cycle is obviously equal to the number of containers 2 of a row.

    Le dispositif 20 comporte en outre des moyens 30 pour transférer une rangée d'opercules découpés au poste de découpe 22 vers le poste de dépose 16 d'une rangée d'opercules 4 sur les récipients 2 de la rangée R2. Ces moyens de transfert 30, montrés en détail sur les figures 3 et 4, comportent une pluralité de paires de rangées de tubes diamétralement opposés 31a, 31b, disposés sur des génératrices régulièrement espacées angulairement à la périphérie d'un barillet 32, pouvant pivoter pas à pas autour d'un axe de support 33, porté par des montants 33a, 33b disposés de part et d'autre du chemin d'avancement de la bande thermoplastique 3.The device 20 further comprises means 30 for transferring a row of cut lids to the cutting station 22 to the dispensing station 16 of a row of lids 4 on the containers 2 of the row R 2 . These transfer means 30, shown in detail in FIGS. 3 and 4, comprise a plurality of pairs of rows of diametrically opposed tubes 31a, 31b, arranged on generatrices regularly angularly spaced at the periphery of a barrel 32, which can not rotate stepping around a support axis 33, carried by uprights 33a, 33b disposed on either side of the advancement path of the thermoplastic strip 3.

    Ainsi que cela se voit sur la figure 3, le barillet 32 comporte par exemple trois paires opposées de rangées de tubes 31a, 31b et le barillet 32 tourne de 60° à chaque cycle dans le sens de la flèche R, et de telle manière que, lors de la découpe d'une rangée d'opercules au poste de découpe 22, une rangée de tubes référencés 31a est disposée en haut du barillet en regard des orifices inférieurs des manchons 26, tandis que la rangée de tubes référencés 31b est disposée en bas du barillet en regard du poste de dépose d'opercules 16. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the barrel 32 comprises by example three opposite pairs of rows of tubes 31a, 31b and the barrel 32 turns 60 ° each cycle in the direction of the arrow R, and such way that when cutting a row of covers at the station of 22, a row of tubes referenced 31a is disposed at the top of the barrel opposite the lower ports of the sleeves 26, while the row of tubes referenced 31b is disposed at the bottom of the cylinder opposite the operculum deposit station 16.

    L'axe de support 33 est parallèle à la rangée R2 de récipients et aux outils de découpe 25, et disposé sensiblement à mi-distance des rebords 6 des récipients 2 de la rangée R2 et des manchons 26, afin de permettre la rotation pas à pas du barillet 32 dans le sens de la flèche R.The support axis 33 is parallel to the row R 2 of containers and to the cutting tools 25, and disposed substantially midway between the flanges 6 of the containers 2 of the row R 2 and the sleeves 26, to allow the rotation step by step the barrel 32 in the direction of the arrow R.

    Les tubes 31a et 31b s'étendent radialement à la périphérie du barillet 32, et leurs extrémités extérieures sont équipées de ventouses 34a, 34b, permettant la préhension par succion des opercules découpés dans le poste de découpe. La référence 35 désigne des flexibles qui permettent de mettre en communication la cavité interne des tubes 31a et ceux situés à gauche de la figure 3 avec une source de vide 36, et de mettre les tubes 31b et ceux situés à droite de la figure 3 à l'échappement ou en communication avec une source de pression 37, par l'intermédiaire d'un joint tournant 38 monté sur l'axe de support 33 et représenté sur la figure 4, et d'un circuit pneumatique en soi connu et qui ne nécessite pas d'autres explications.The tubes 31a and 31b extend radially at the periphery of the barrel 32, and their outer ends are equipped with suction cups 34a, 34b, allowing gripping by suction of the cut opercules in the cutting station. Reference 35 designates hoses which enable the internal cavity of the tubes 31a to communicate with those to the left of Figure 3 with a vacuum source 36, and put the tubes 31b and those on the right of Figure 3 in the exhaust or in communication with a pressure source 37, via of a rotary joint 38 mounted on the support shaft 33 and shown on the 4, and a pneumatic circuit known per se and which does not require other explanations.

    L'axe de support 33 est mobile verticalement depuis sa position moyenne qui permet le pivotement du barillet 32, d'une part, vers une position basse, lors de la dépose d'opercules 4 sur les rebords 6 des récipients 2 au poste de dépose 16, dans laquelle les ventouses 34b des tubes 31b descendent sur les récipients 2 et prennent la position référencée 34b' sur les figures 5 et 6 et, d'autre part, vers une position haute, lors de la découpe des opercules au poste de découpe 22, dans laquelle les ventouses 34a des tubes 31a pénètrent dans les orifices supérieurs des manchons 26, viennent dans la position référencée 34a' sur la figure 3 et aspirent les opercules découpés. Dans cette dernière position, les ventouses 34b des tubes 31b remontent à la position référencée 34b" sur les figures 5 et 6.The support pin 33 is vertically movable from its position average which allows the pivoting of the barrel 32, on the one hand, towards a low position, when removing lids 4 on the flanges 6 of the containers 2 at the disposal station 16, in which the suction cups 34b of tubes 31b descend on the containers 2 and take the position referenced 34b 'in FIGS. 5 and 6 and, on the other hand, to a position high, when cutting the lids at the cutting station 22, in which the suction cups 34a of the tubes 31a penetrate into the orifices upper sleeves 26, come in the position referenced 34a ' in Figure 3 and suck the cut caps. In this last position, the suction cups 34b of the tubes 31b go back to the position referenced 34b "in FIGS. 5 and 6.

    La référence 39, visible sur les figures 3 et 5, désigne une plaque située au poste de dépose, au-dessus des récipients 2 et en dessous du chemin de pivotement des ventouses 34b, qui comporte des orifices 40 adaptés à la section des opercules 4 et permettant le centrage des opercules 4 amenés par les ventouses 34b.Reference 39, visible in FIGS. 3 and 5, denotes a plate located at the dispensing station, above the containers 2 and in below the pivoting path of the suction cups 34b, which has orifices 40 adapted to the section of the covers 4 and allowing the centering caps 4 brought by the suction cups 34b.

    Lorsque après pivotement du barillet 32, les ventouses inférieures 34b sont au-dessus des orifices 40, les tubes 31b sont mis à l'échappement, les opercules 4 précédemment retenus par ces ventouses 34b ont tendance à chuter au-dessus des orifices 40. When after pivoting the barrel 32, the suction cups lower 34b are above the orifices 40, the tubes 31b are set to the exhaust, the lids 4 previously retained by these suckers 34b have a tendency to fall over the orifices 40.

    Concomitamment, les ventouses 34b sont déplacées vers la position référencée 34b' en dessous des orifices 40 et appliquent une force très légère sur les opercules 4, ceux-ci étant centrés par les orifices 40 rigoureusement positionnés au-dessus des rebords 6 des récipients de la rangée R2. Durant cette opération, les ventouses 34a des tubes supérieurs 31a, descendent.At the same time, the suction cups 34b are moved towards the position referenced 34b 'below the orifices 40 and apply a very light force to the covers 4, these being centered by the orifices 40 rigorously positioned above the flanges 6 of the containers of the row R 2 . During this operation, the suction cups 34a of the upper tubes 31a, descend.

    Ensuite, l'axe de support 33 est remonté vers sa position haute, et les ventouses 34a, dans la position référencée 34a', aspirent les opercules en cours de découpe. Les tubes supérieurs 31a sont maintenus en dépression durant trois cycles, dans l'exemple montré sur les dessins, jusqu'à ce qu'ils atteignent la position inférieure du barillet 32.Then, the support pin 33 is raised to its upper position, and the suction cups 34a, in the position referenced 34a ', aspire the lids being cut. The upper tubes 31a are maintained in depression for three cycles, in the example shown in the drawings, until they reach the lower position of the barrel 32.

    Pour permettre la variation de l'entraxe de deux tubes 31 adjacents d'une rangée de tubes, entre la valeur E1 et la valeur E2 montrées sur la figure 2, les tubes de chaque rangée de tubes, ainsi que cela est montré sur les figures 3 et 4, sont montés coulissants, indépendamment l'un de l'autre sur un axe de guidage référencé 41a pour les tubes 31a et 41b pour les tubes 31b, parallèle à l'axe de support 33, et chaque tube 31 comporte un pied intérieur muni d'un galet 42 guidé axialement à la périphérie de l'axe de support 33 par un chemin de came 43.To allow the variation of the distance between two adjacent tubes 31 of a row of tubes, between the value E 1 and the value E 2 shown in FIG. 2, the tubes of each row of tubes, as is shown on FIG. FIGS. 3 and 4 are slidably mounted, independently of one another, on a guide shaft referenced 41a for the tubes 31a and 41b for the tubes 31b, parallel to the support axis 33, and each tube 31 comprises an inner foot provided with a roller 42 guided axially at the periphery of the support shaft 33 by a cam path 43.

    L'installation 1, montrée sur les dessins, comporte quatre colonnes de récipients disposés en rangées.The installation 1, shown in the drawings, comprises four columns of containers arranged in rows.

    Chaque rangée de tubes comporte également quatre tubes 31 et l'axe de support 33 présente à sa périphérie quatre chemins de came 43 dont l'entraxe dans la zone supérieure de l'axe de support 33 est égal à E1 et dont l'entraxe dans la zone inférieure de l'axe de support 33 est égal à E2. Le coulissement des tubes 31 le long de leur axe de guidage 41a, ou 41b est réalisé de manière en soi connue au moyen de douilles et de glissières.Each row of tubes also comprises four tubes 31 and the support pin 33 has at its periphery four cam paths 43 whose spacing in the upper zone of the support axis 33 is equal to E 1 and whose center distance in the lower zone of the support axis 33 is equal to E 2 . The sliding of the tubes 31 along their guide axis 41a, or 41b is made in known manner by means of bushes and slides.

    Le dispositif 20 selon l'invention comporte également des moyens 50 pour fixer au moins partiellement les opercules 4 déposés sur les rebords 6 des récipients 2 de la rangée R2 au poste de dépose 16. Ces moyens 50 sont visibles sur les figures 5 et 6. Ils comportent essentiellement un ensemble de bras 51 parallèles à la direction F de déplacement des rangées de récipients, et disposés juste au-dessus du chemin d'avancement des récipients. Ces bras 51 sont portés par un arbre 52 pouvant pivoter entre une position haute dans laquelle les extrémités 55 des bras 51 sont au-dessus des ventouses 34b et une position basse dans laquelle les extrémités 55 des bras 51 fixent les opercules déposés sur les récipients 2 dans le poste de dépose 16.The device 20 according to the invention also comprises means 50 for fixing at least partially the lids 4 deposited on the flanges 6 of the containers 2 of the row R 2 at the removal station 16. These means 50 are visible in FIGS. They essentially comprise a set of arms 51 parallel to the direction F of displacement of the rows of containers, and arranged just above the path of the containers. These arms 51 are carried by a shaft 52 pivotable between a high position in which the ends 55 of the arms 51 are above the suction cups 34b and a low position in which the ends 55 of the arms 51 fix the lids deposited on the containers 2 in the depot 16.

    Dans l'exemple de l'installation 1 montrée sur les dessins et qui comporte quatre colonnes de récipients, les bras 51 sont au nombre de cinq, les deux bras extrêmes étant disposés à l'extérieur des colonnes extrêmes, et les trois bras intermédiaires étant disposés respectivement entre deux colonnes adjacentes de récipients.In the example of the installation 1 shown on the drawings and which comprises four columns of containers, the arms 51 are in number five, the two extreme arms being arranged outside the columns extremes, and the three intermediate arms being arranged respectively between two adjacent columns of containers.

    Les extrémités 55 des bras 51 sont situées au-dessus du poste de dépose 16.The ends 55 of the arms 51 are located above the station of deposit 16.

    La largeur des bras 51 est suffisamment faible pour permettre le passage entre deux bras 51 adjacents d'une ventouse avec un opercule au cours du transfert des opercules. Les extrémités 55 des bras sont en revanche plus larges que l'espace séparant deux opercules voisins déposés par les tubes 31b sur les récipients 2 au poste de dépose 16. Ces extrémités 55 présentent sur leur face inférieure des moyens de fixation par points des opercules 4 sur les rebords 6 des récipients au poste de dépose 16 par coopération avec des contre-outils 53, de préférence fixes, disposés entre les colonnes de récipients et à l'extérieur des colonnes extrêmes. Dans le cas où les récipients 2 sont en matériau thermoplastique, les moyens de fixation comportent par exemple des tétons chauffés 54 qui, en appuyant sur les bords latéraux des opercules 4 déposés sur les rebords 6 des récipients, assurent la fixation par points des opercules 4 sur les rebords 6 des récipients par fusion de la matière thermoplastique.The width of the arms 51 is small enough to allow the passage between two arms 51 adjacent to a suction cup with a cover during the transfer of the covers. The ends 55 of the arms are in contrast wider than the space separating two neighboring seals deposited by the tubes 31b on the containers 2 at the removal station 16. These ends 55 have on their underside means of point fixing of the covers 4 on the edges 6 of the containers at station 16 by cooperation with counter tools 53, of fixed preferences, arranged between the columns of containers and outside extreme columns. In the case where the containers 2 are made of material thermoplastic, the fixing means comprise, for example, heated nipples 54 which, by pressing on the lateral edges of the operculas 4 deposited on the edges 6 of the containers, ensure the fixation by points operculas 4 on the edges 6 of the containers by melting the material thermoplastic.

    Les extrémités 55 des bras intermédiaire 51 comportent par exemple quatre tétons 54, dont deux fixent l'opercule sur le récipient de la colonne de droite et deux fixent l'opercule de gauche sur le récipient correspondant, les extrémités 55 des bras extrêmes comprenant dans ce cas deux tétons 54.The ends 55 of the intermediate arms 51 comprise by example four nipples 54, two of which fix the operculum on the container of the right column and two attach the left operculum on the container corresponding, the ends 55 of the extreme arms comprising in this case of two nipples 54.

    Le scellement définitif des opercules 4 sur les récipients 2 est réalisé dans un cycle ultérieur au poste de scellement 18, où on réalise les cordons de soudure 10.The final sealing of the lids 4 on the containers 2 is performed in a subsequent cycle at the sealing station 18, where the weld seams 10.

    Claims (16)

    Dispositif pour découper une rangée d'opercules dans une bande à opercules et les fixer sur une rangée transversale de récipients remplis avançant pas à pas dans une installation de remplissage de récipients, comportant : des moyens pour faire avancer pas à pas une bande à opercules (5) au-dessus du chemin d'avancement des rangées (R2) de récipients (2), des moyens (25, 26) pour découper une rangée d'opercules (4) dans ladite bande à opercules (5), lesdits moyens de découpe étant disposés parallèlement à la rangée de récipients à fermer et au-dessus de cette dernière, des moyens (30) pour transférer une rangée d'opercules entre le poste de découpe (22) desdites opercules et un poste de dépose (16) d'opercules sur les récipients (2) à fermer d'une rangée, des moyens pour fixer au moins partiellement les opercules déposés sur les rebords respectifs desdits récipients, et des moyens de commande desdits moyens d'avancement pas à pas de la bande à opercules, desdits moyens de découpe d'opercules, desdits moyens de transfert et desdits moyens de fixation en synchronisme avec les moyens d'avancement desdites rangées de récipients remplis,    caractérisé par le fait que l'entraxe (E1) des moyens de découpe (25, 26) est inférieur à l'entraxe (E2) des récipients à fermer (2), et par le fait que les moyens de transfert (30) coopèrent avec des chemins de came (43).Device for cutting a row of covers in a cap strip and attaching them to a transverse row of filled containers advancing step by step in a container filling plant, comprising: means for advancing step by step an operculum strip (5) above the advancement path of the rows (R 2 ) of containers (2), means (25, 26) for cutting a row of lids (4) in said lidding strip (5), said cutting means being arranged parallel to the row of containers to be closed and above the latter, means (30) for transferring a row of lids between the cutting station (22) of said lids and a lidding station (16) on the containers (2) to be closed in a row, means for at least partially fixing the lids deposited on the respective edges of said containers, and control means for said stepwise advancement means of the cap strip, said cap cutting means, said transfer means and said fastening means in synchronism with the means for advancing said rows of filled containers, characterized in that the spacing (E 1 ) of the cutting means (25, 26) is smaller than the center distance (E 2 ) of the containers to be closed (2), and in that the transfer means (30) is ) cooperate with cam paths (43). Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé par le fait que le chemin d'avancement (G) de la bande à opercule (5) est oblique par rapport aux moyens de découpe (25, 26) d'une rangée d'opercules.Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the feed path (G) of the sealing strip (5) is oblique with respect to the cutting means (25, 26) of a row of covers. Dispositif selon la revendication 2, caractérisé par le fait que le chemin d'avancement de la bande à opercules fait un angle de 60° environ avec les moyens de découpe (25, 26).Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the advancement path of the lidded strip is at an angle of approximately 60 ° with the cutting means (25, 26). Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisé par le fait que le pas d'avancement (P1) de la bande à opercules (5) est sensiblement égal à l'entraxe (E1) des moyens de découpe (25, 26).Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the pitch (P 1 ) of the lidding strip (5) is substantially equal to the center distance (E 1 ) of the cutting means ( 25, 26). Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisé par le fait que l'entraxe (E1) des chemins de came (43) dans la zone située en regard du poste de découpe (22) des opercules est égal à l'entraxe (E1) des moyens de découpe (25, 26), et leur entraxe (E2) dans la zone située en regard du poste de dépose (16) est égal à l'entraxe (E2) des récipients à fermer (2).Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the distance (E 1 ) of the cam paths (43) in the area facing the cutting station (22) of the covers is equal to 1 center distance (E 1 ) of the cutting means (25, 26), and their spacing (E 2 ) in the area facing the removal station (16) is equal to the center distance (E 2 ) of the containers to be closed (2). Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisé par le fait que les moyens de transfert (30) d'une rangée d'opercules comportent : au moins une rangée de tubes de préhension (31a, 31b) parallèles portés par un barillet (32) monté pivotant autour d'un axe de support (33) disposé en regard du poste de découpe (22) des opercules et au-dessus du poste de dépose (16) d'opercules, les extrémités libres (34a, 34b) desdits tubes (31a, 31b) étant aptes à retenir des opercules (4) par succion, des moyens pour faire pivoter pas à pas ledit barillet (32) entre une position de préhension des opercules (4) dans laquelle les tubes (31a) de ladite rangée sont dirigés vers les moyens de découpe (22), et une position de dépose des opercules (4) dans laquelle lesdits tubes (31b) sont dirigés vers le bas et leurs extrémités libres (34b) sont au voisinage des récipients à fermer (2), et des moyens (35, 38) pour mettre lesdits tubes (31) en communication avec une source de vide (36) lors de la préhension des opercules et pendant leur transfert entre le poste de découpe (22) des opercules et le poste de dépose (16), et pour les mettre à l'échappement (37) lors de la dépose des opercules (4) sur les récipients à fermer (2). Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the transfer means (30) of a row of covers comprise: at least one row of parallel gripping tubes (31a, 31b) carried by a barrel (32) pivotally mounted about a support axis (33) arranged facing the cutting station (22) of the covers and above the dispensing station (16) for lids, the free ends (34a, 34b) of said tubes (31a, 31b) being able to hold lids (4) by suction, means for pivoting said barrel (32) stepwise between a position for gripping the covers (4) in which the tubes (31a) of said row are directed towards the cutting means (22), and a position for removing the lids (4) in which said tubes (31b) are directed downwards and their free ends (34b) are in the vicinity of the containers to be closed (2), and means (35, 38) for putting said tubes (31) in communication with a vacuum source (36) during the gripping of the covers and during their transfer between the cutting station (22) of the covers and the dispensing station ( 16), and to put them in the exhaust (37) during the removal of the covers (4) on the containers to be closed (2). Dispositif selon la revendication 6, caractérisé par le fait que les moyens de transfert (30) comportent en outre des moyens pour déplacer l'axe de support (33) vers les moyens de découpe (22) lorsque le barillet (32) est dans la position de préhension d'une rangée d'opercules et vers le bas lorsque le barillet (32) est dans la position de dépose afin de permettre le positionnement des opercules (4) sur les rebords des récipients (2). Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the transfer means (30) further comprise means for moving the support pin (33) towards the cutting means (22) when the barrel (32) is in the gripping position of a row of lids and downwards when the barrel (32) is in the removal position to allow the positioning of the lids (4) on the edges of the containers (2). Dispositif selon l'une des revendications 6 ou 7, caractérisé par le fait que le barillet (32) comporte une pluralité de rangées de tubes (31a, 31b) disposées le long de génératrices régulièrement réparties angulairement à la périphérie dudit barillet (32) et de telle manière que, lorsqu'une rangée de tubes (31a) est dans la position de préhension, une autre rangée de tubes (31b) est dans la position de dépose, ledit barillet (32) pivotant pas à pas dans la même direction à chaque cycle.Device according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the barrel (32) comprises a plurality of rows of tubes (31a, 31b) arranged along generatrices regularly distributed angularly at the periphery of said barrel (32) and such that when a row of tubes (31a) is in the gripping position, another row of tubes (31b) is in the removal position, said barrel (32) pivoting stepwise in the same direction to each cycle. Dispositif selon la revendication 8, caractérisé par le fait que la position de préhension est diamétralement opposée à la position de dépose par rapport à l'axe de support (33) du barillet (32).Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the gripping position is diametrically opposed to the position of removal relative to the support axis (33) of the barrel (32). Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 6 à 9, caractérisé par le fait que les tubes (31) d'une rangée sont montés coulissants, indépendamment l'un de l'autre, sur un axe de guidage (41a, 41b) solidaire du barillet (32) et parallèle à l'axe de support (33) et comportent chacun un pied de tube (42) guidé par un chemin de came (43) fixe solidaire de l'axe de support (33) du barillet (32).Device according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the tubes (31) of a row are slidably mounted, independently of one another, on a guide shaft (41a, 41b) secured to each other. the barrel (32) and parallel to the support axis (33) and each comprise a tube foot (42) guided by a fixed cam path (43) integral with the support shaft (33) of the cylinder (32). ). Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 10, caractérisé par le fait que les moyens pour fixer au moins partiellement les opercules (4) déposés sur les rebords (6) respectifs des récipients à fermer (2) d'une rangée comportent un ensemble de bras (51) sensiblement parallèles à la direction d'avancement des rangées de récipients à fermer et portés par un arbre (52) disposé au-dessus du chemin d'avancement desdites rangées de récipients (2), les extrémités libres (55) des bras intermédiaires dudit ensemble de bras étant disposées entre les récipients à fermer et les extrémités libres des bras extrêmes étant disposées à l'extérieur des récipients extrêmes à fermer, ledit arbre (52) étant susceptible de pivoter entre une position haute dans laquelle lesdits bras (51) libèrent le passage des moyens de transfert (30) au cours du transfert d'une rangée d'opercules et une position basse dans laquelle les extrémités (55) des bras (52) appuient sur les bords latéraux des opercules (4) déposés sur les rebords (6) des récipients à fermer (2), lesdites extrémités de bras (52) comportent des moyens de fixation par points (54) desdits opercules (4) sur les rebords (6) des récipients (2) correspondants en coopérant avec des contre-outils (53) disposés sous les rebords latéraux des récipients à fermer (2). Device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the means for at least partially fixing the lids (4) deposited on the respective flanges (6) of the closure containers (2) of a row comprise a a set of arms (51) substantially parallel to the direction of advancement of the rows of containers to be closed and carried by a shaft (52) disposed above the advancing path of said rows of containers (2), the free ends (55) ) intermediate arms of said set of arms being disposed between the containers to be closed and the free ends of the end arms being disposed outside the extreme containers to be closed, said shaft (52) being pivotable between an upper position in which said arm (51) free the passage of the transfer means (30) during the transfer of a row of covers and a low position in which the ends (55) of the arms (52) support ent on the lateral edges of the covers (4) deposited on the flanges (6) of the containers to be closed (2), said arm ends (52) comprise means for fixing points (54) of said covers (4) on the flanges (6) corresponding containers (2) cooperating with counter-tools (53) disposed under the side edges of the containers to close (2). Dispositif selon la revendication 11, caractérisé par le fait que les contre-outils (53) sont fixes.Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the counter-tools (53) are fixed. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 12, caractérisé par le fait qu'il est associé à une installation (1) de thermoformage et de remplissage de récipients (2) à partir d'une bande (3) de matériau thermoplastique.Device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it is associated with a facility (1) for thermoforming and filling containers (2) from a strip (3) of thermoplastic material. Dispositif selon la revendication 13, caractérisé par le fait que l'installation (1) de thermoformage et remplissage de récipients réalise des récipients (2) à contre-dépouille.Device according to Claim 13, characterized in that the thermoforming and container filling installation (1) produces undercut containers (2). Dispositif selon la revendication 14, caractérisé par le fait que les récipients (2) comportent un corps (8) et un rebord (6) relié au corps (8) par un col, ledit rebord (6) ayant un diamètre (D2) inférieur au diamètre (D1) du corps (8).Device according to claim 14, characterized in that the receptacles (2) comprise a body (8) and a flange (6) connected to the body (8) by a neck, said flange (6) having a diameter (D 2 ) less than the diameter (D 1 ) of the body (8). Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 12, caractérisé par le fait qu'il est associé à une installation de thermoformage de récipients à partir de formes prédécoupées et de remplissage des récipients thermoformés.Device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it is associated with a thermoforming installation of containers from pre-cut shapes and filling thermoformed containers.
    EP02291854A 2001-07-26 2002-07-23 Apparatus for cutting a row of foil covers from a cover web and securing them on a row of filled containers Expired - Lifetime EP1312548B1 (en)

    Applications Claiming Priority (2)

    Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
    FR0109986A FR2827835B1 (en) 2001-07-26 2001-07-26 DEVICE FOR CUTTING A ROW OF LIDS IN A LID TAPE AND ATTACHING THEM TO A ROW OF FILLED CONTAINERS
    FR0109986 2001-07-26

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    EP1312548A1 true EP1312548A1 (en) 2003-05-21
    EP1312548B1 EP1312548B1 (en) 2007-03-28

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    US (1) US6684604B2 (en)
    EP (1) EP1312548B1 (en)
    AT (1) ATE358047T1 (en)
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    FR (1) FR2827835B1 (en)

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    Also Published As

    Publication number Publication date
    FR2827835A1 (en) 2003-01-31
    ATE358047T1 (en) 2007-04-15
    EP1312548B1 (en) 2007-03-28
    DE60219123T2 (en) 2007-12-06
    DE60219123D1 (en) 2007-05-10
    US20030079440A1 (en) 2003-05-01
    US6684604B2 (en) 2004-02-03
    FR2827835B1 (en) 2003-12-19

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