FR3018774A1 - DEVICE AND METHOD FOR FILLING CONTAINERS - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates in particular to a container filling device (R) which comprises: - a rotary carousel (C) comprising a plurality of individual platforms (1) for receiving a container (R) and as many hoppers (2) as platforms (1), each platform (1) being disposed vertically above the dispensing orifice (22) of a hopper (2); - An inlet station (E) of empty containers (R) formed of a rotary turnstile (3) for receiving and transferring empty containers (R) on the platforms (1) of the carousel; - An outlet station (5) of containers (R) a priori full, formed of a rotary turnstile (4) for receiving and transferring full containers (R) outside the carousel (C); - said turnstiles (3, 4), located in the immediate vicinity of one another, encroaching on the path of the individual platforms (1) within said carousel (C), characterized in that it comprises, upstream the exit station (S), when considering the direction of movement of the carousel (C), means for marking a platform (1) supporting a container (R) not filled, and elevation means (7, 70; 16) of this platform (1) above the outlet turnstile (4) and repositioning the container (R) in its prior position, within said carousel (C).

Description

The present invention relates to a device for filling containers such as cans. It is perfectly suited for packaging vegetables such as green beans in cans. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of filling such containers. Such a device is known in the state of the art which makes use of a rotary carousel comprising a plurality of individual receiving platforms 10 of a container and, above these platforms, as many hoppers, each platform being arranged in line with the distribution hole of a hopper. By way of example, reference can be made to US Pat. No. 4,789,016, which relates to a container filling device comprising in particular a carousel. This document mentions the fact that once a container has entered the carousel being too full or underfilled, a device will divert it. Two levers, one for the too filled receptacles and the other for the not sufficiently filled receptacles, take care of evacuating the receptacles in question. Another example of the state of the art is constituted by the document GB 2 184 790. In one or the other of these documents, there is the problem of the existence, at the exit of the carousel, of non-standard containers. filled, or partially filled. This fact results in a lack of synchronization between the opening of the hoppers which dispense the filling product and the displacement of the containers to be filled. Still, when these containers, which may be called "defective containers", leave the carousel and it is then necessary to identify and evacuate before the full containers go to a closing station 30. Otherwise, empty containers will be closed. It is understood that this requires either automatic means or manual intervention. Whatever the situation, this significantly increases the cost of filling the containers.

The present invention is precisely to solve this problem. Thus, according to a first aspect of the invention, it relates to a device for filling containers such as cans, which comprises: a rotary carousel comprising, in its lower perinear part, a plurality of individual platforms radially oriented, receiving a container and, in its upper part, as many hoppers as platforms, each 10 platform being arranged in line with the dispensing orifice of a hopper; an empty container inlet station, formed of a rotary turnstile for receiving and transferring empty containers onto the platforms of the carousel; A container outlet station a priori full, formed of a rotating turnstile for receiving and transferring full containers outside the carousel; said rotating tourniquets having at their periphery, and directed radially outwardly, notches for partial reception of the containers, so that the containers are moved by rotation of the turnstile; said turnstiles, located in close proximity to each other, encroaching on the path of the individual platforms in said carousel, 25 According to the invention, this filling device is essentially characterized by the fact that it comprises upstream of the output station, when considering the direction of movement of the carousel, means for locating a platform supporting an unfilled container, and means for raising this platform above the outlet turnstile and 30 repositionnennent the container in its prior position in said carousel, namely downstream of said outlet turnstile and upstream of the entry turnstile. With this feature, the defective, i.e., unfilled container will be re-integrated into the rotating carousel so as to be filled without any outside intervention.

According to other advantageous and nonlimiting features of this device: it comprises a first circular cam path, along which the said platforms move, with the aid of a follower member which bears on this path; each platform is associated with a radially outwardly directed element, beyond the first cam path; one and / or the other of said follower member and radially directed member comprises (s) a rotary roller; said elevating means comprises a retractable ramp, which is configured to occupy an upward position only when said locating means detects an unfilled container, the top of this ramp communicating with a second cam track which extends over the first, vertically of the turnstile of said outlet station, said radially directed element then cooperating with the ramp; it comprises a feed station in empty containers provided with a screw setting, whose distal end is adjacent to said input station; it comprises means for temporarily blocking the entry of a container into said screw when the presence of an unfilled container is detected within said carousel. said turnstiles are positioned such that said containers follow a path from the entrance into the first turnstile to their exit from the second, which is substantially in the shape of the Greek omega letter (Q); and the upper and lower portions of said carousel consist of two independent parts synchronized in rotation. Another aspect of the invention resides in a method of filling containers such as cans, using a filling device which comprises: a rotary carousel comprising, in its lower perirnétrale part, a plurality of platforms individual radially oriented, reception of a container and, in its upper part, as many hoppers as platforms, each platform being arranged in line with the distribution port of a hopper; an empty container inlet station, formed of a rotary turnstile for receiving and transferring empty containers onto the platforms of the carousel; an outlet station for containers a priori full, formed of a rotating turnstile for receiving and transferring full containers outside the carousel; said rotating tourniquets having at their periphery, and directed radially outwards, notches for partial reception of the containers, so that the containers are moved by rotation of the turnstile; said turnstiles, located in close proximity to one another, encroaching on the path of the individual platforms within said carousel. This process is essentially characterized by the fact that, upstream of the exit station when considering the direction of movement of the carousel, a possible plate supporting a non-filled container is identified and that the procedure is carried out. raising said platform above the outlet turnstile and then repositioning the container within said carousel just downstream of said outlet turnstile and upstream of the entrance turnstile. Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of a preferred but non-limiting embodiment. This description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a perspective view of the filling device according to the invention; FIG. 2 is a top view of the device of FIG. 1, the carousel being cut by a horizontal plane passing just below the lower end of the filling hoppers of the containers; - Figure 3 is a detailed perspective view of the device, showing more particularly the area where there are inlet turnstiles 35 and outlet containers; FIG. 4 is a view also in perspective of an area of the device, and more particularly of the station provided with the conveyor for feeding containers to the entry turnstile; FIG. 5 is a view, always in perspective of the exit portion of the carousel, showing more particularly the outlet turnstile and the evacuation conveyor of the filled containers; FIG. 6 is a detail view, in perspective, of the platforms which receive the containers on the carousel and is intended to show more specifically how these platforms move in the vertical direction as a function of the profile of a cam track; ; - Figure 7 is a view substantially similar to the previous figure, but also showing the entry and exit turnstiles of the containers; - Figure 8 is a perspective view of a detail of the carousel 15 showing more specifically the cam paths with which it is equipped; finally, Figure 9 is a sectional view of a peripheral portion of the carousel showing the superposition of said cam paths and the entrance turnstile of the containers. Referring to Figures 1 and 2 appended in particular, it is found that the container filling device according to the invention essentially comprises a rotary carousel C which is based on a base SO, and is surrounded and surrounded by an AP carrier frame. The constituent elements of the carousel, as well as the base SO and the AP carrier frame are preferably made of metal whose nature is compatible with the contact of food products. The carousel generally rises vertically and, in the example given here, moves around a vertical axis X-X 'in the direction of clockwise, symbolized by the arrow f. This device also comprises an empty container inlet station, referenced E, associated with a conveyor for supplying CA containers. The device also comprises an outlet station S of the containers which is a priori full, which communicates with an outlet conveyor CS of filled containers. In a first step, we will describe more particularly the rotating carousel C, then we will return to the entry station E and the exit station S.

As can be seen in particular in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5, the carousel C comprises, in its lower perinear part, a series of individual platforms 1 each intended to receive a receptacle R to be filled.

Each platform 1 comprises a stop stud 10 having a concave profile, against which a container R comes to rest. Each stop is intended to wedge the container in the central position, so as to be placed vertically to a hopper described below. Vertical to each of these platforms is vertically, that is, parallel to the X-X 'axis, a hopper 2. In the case represented here, we are dealing with thirty-six individual platforms. 1, so that there are also thirty-six associated hoppers 2. This number is purely illustrative. Of course, it could be lower or higher. In practice, this number will often be chosen as a compromise between the objectives of filling speed to be achieved, the speed of rotation of the carousel R and the dimensions of the machine. An unrepresented motor rotates the carousel around the axis X-X ', according to a preset rotational speed. As an indication, this speed is of the order of 4 to 5 revolutions / minute. It is preferably a so-called "brushless" motor, which can be translated into French by the expression "brushless motor". By this expression is meant a controlled synchronous machine, with permanent magnet (s), that is to say an electric machine of the category of synchronous machines whose rotor consists of one or more permanent magnets and provided with a rotor position sensor. Advantageously, this motor drives all the mobile elements of the device in perfect synchronism. This engine "works", if necessary, by communicating with a PLC or a computer. However, in a different embodiment, each movable member may be equipped with its own motor. In this latter configuration, these motors are controlled in synchronism with each other. Returning to what has been said above, each hopper 2 consists of an upper part forming a body 20 of substantially frustoconical shape, which continues downwards by a flow tube 21 which opens out through a dispensing orifice 22.

The flow tube 21 (see in particular Figure 6) has a cylindrical shape and its diameter is adapted so that its dispensing orifice 22 can engage with light play inside a container R to fill (see also the right part of Figure 6).

To all these hoppers 2 is associated a pair of feed hoppers 8 which receives the product to be packaged in the containers, this product consisting for example of bulk vegetables, such as green beans. As shown in FIG. 1, this pair of hoppers 8 is located at the periphery of the carousel C and their open bottom end is disposed in line with two adjacent hoppers 2 of the carousel. Consequently, when the product to be dispensed flows into the hoppers 8, two neighboring hoppers 2 are filled. Although not shown in the figures, each of the hoppers 2 may be partially open in line with the upper end of the flow tube 21, so as to allow the introduction of a piston of tamping of known type, not shown, which is intended to facilitate the transfer of the products to be dispensed, to the inside of the containers R. The hoppers 2 are fixed relative to the chassis of the carousel. This means that they are immobile vertically and thus remain in place in a fixed position, the dispensing orifices 22 all extending in the same horizontal plane. Just below these dispensing orifices, the carousel C carries a horizontal holding member 11 fixed to the body of the carousel and which has a recess in the form of a semicircle also intended, as will be seen later, to keep in place a container R centered on the plate 1 which receives it. Each platform 1 is associated with a vertical guide piece 13 which has a generally parallelepipedal shape and which is fixed to the chassis of the carousel by one of its large faces. Each of these guide pieces 13 is traversed longitudinally, that is to say parallel to the axis XX 'of rotation of the carousel, through through ducts 130. The latter thus open at the small opposite and horizontal faces of the parts. 13.

In these through ducts are guided two identical cylinders 12 whose upper end is secured to the underside of the platform 1 and whose lower end is secured to a base 14. A lower face of the base 14 is fixed a fastener 15 5 which, on either side, receives guide elements 16 and 16 'which here have the form of free rollers in rotation about their own axis (which extends radially vis-à- With respect to the X-X 'axis, considering the path of movement of the carousel about the X-X' axis, the roller 16 and is further away from the axis of rotation XX 'than the roller 16' As is particularly visible in FIG. 6 and in FIG. 7, the carousel C comprises, directly above the roller-shaped guide elements 16 ', a cam or rolling path 6. Thus, when the displacement of the carousel C around the axis X-X ', the rollers 16' come to bear and move in rotation p Contact with the cam track 6. Still with reference to FIG. 6, it can be seen that the majority of the raceway 6 occupies the same level. In other words, it has a flat and horizontal bearing surface. This corresponds more particularly to a position of the platforms 1 in which the distribution orifice 22 of the hoppers 2 is engaged in each receptacle R. However, slightly upstream of the outlet station 4 when considering the direction of movement of the arrow f and according to a geometric extent represented by the angle a in FIG. 2, this raceway comprises a part 61, also horizontal, which is positioned lower with respect to the part 60, the two parts being connected to the one to the other by an inclined transit area 62 (only one is visible in the figures). When a platform 1 moves on this lowered portion 61, the upper opening of the containers extends away from the dispensing orifice 22 of the hoppers. What has just been said for this transition zone is also valid for the entry zone of the containers R in the carousel. When a platform moves along the portion 60, the guide tubes 12 occupy the position shown on the right of FIG. 6. On the other hand, when the platforms reach the downward portion 62, the roller 16 'sees its level goes down so that the associated platform 1 also lowers. We will now describe the entry station E for supplying empty containers R rotary carousel C.

To do this, reference can be made initially to FIG. 2. Upstream of this input station, the device according to the invention comprises a conveyor CA supplying empty containers. This endless conveyor is of known type.

As shown more particularly in Figure 4, on the final part of the conveyor and parallel thereto extends along a horizontal axis ZZ ', a screw 5 for setting the containers R. As is well known, this screw 5 comprises a notch 50 of helical shape which makes it possible to interfere with the path of the container R 15 on the conveyor CA and to transfer them in a step (corresponding to the pitch of the helix) which is always the same, towards the rotary entry turnstile 3. It will be noted, again with reference to FIG. 4, that the screw 5 is associated with a locking jack 51 which extends orthogonally to the screw, along a horizontal axis V-V '. This jack 51 extends substantially vertically above the entrance of the screw and its head 510, which is located at the end of its rod, is configured, when in its maximum extension position, to come close to the inlet end of the screw 5, so as to prevent the taking of a container R by this screw. We will understand later the interest of this characteristic. As has already been mentioned above, the entry station E is essentially equipped with a turnstile 3 of axis of rotation YY 'which has at its periphery notches 30 in the form of semicircles, the angular distribution of these notches 30 corresponding to the thread of the screw 5. Advantageously, this turnstile is made of high density polyethylene. Under these conditions, it is understood that when a container R is moved by the screw 5 to the entrance of the turnstile 3, this container partially engages in one of these notches 30 and is moved, counterclockwise , on a part of the periphery of the turnstile 3, for its transfer to one of the platforms 1 of the carousel. This type of device is of known type.

At the outlet station S, the device according to the invention comprises a second turnstile 4 which is of the same style as that just described. It communicates with an output conveyor CS whose function is to move the filled containers to their subsequent closure at a station which is not shown here because it is not part of the invention. According to an essential characteristic of the invention, the carousel is provided with means for locating a platform supporting an unfilled container R. These means have not been shown in the figures. They may for example consist of a cell detecting the presence or absence of products to be packaged in the containers, inside the hoppers 2. They may also consist of a memorization of the position of the containers when they occur. lie beneath empty hoppers. When such information of non-presence of products is detected, automatic means, for example of the computer type, identify platform 1 in question which will undergo a path which is not the traditional path of other platforms supporting a container. For this purpose, the carousel comprises means for raising this particular platform 1 which will allow it to rise above the outlet turnstile 4 and to reposition the empty container R in its pre-lowered position. in the carousel C, namely downstream of the output turnstile 4 and upstream of the entry turnstile 3 (always with reference to the direction of the arrow f). Thus, as can be seen more particularly in FIGS. 6 and 7, the carousel comprises, at the edge of the lower part of the raceway 6 which is referenced 61 in the figures, a ramp 7 for raising the platform 1 which has been previously identified. This ramp 7 has a body articulated about an axle which extends radially, and is capable of passing from a lowered position, shown in FIG. 7, to a raised position which is shown in FIG. is made possible by the start of a cylinder 71 which this ramp is associated. When the ramp occupies the elevated position of FIG. 6, its free end is exactly in the continuity of a barrier 70 whose function will be explained below.

As long as no unfilled container is detected, the ramp 7 is in its retracted position of FIG. 7. This means that it does not interfere at all with the path of the rollers 16 'which equip each platform.

On the other hand, when such a platform is detected, control instructions are sent to the jack 71 so that the ramp 7 is raised to be in the continuity of the barrier 70. Insofar as the ramp is situated according to a tangent disposition with respect to the cam path 6, then the roller 16 which equips the platform 1 comes into contact with the upper face 72 of the ramp 7 which then constitutes a kind of elevator platform 1. This roller 16 therefore continues its displacement along the upper face 12 and then on the barrier 70. In this area, extends a second cam path 6 'which, as shown more particularly in Figures 8 and 9, is exactly 15 in the vertical and above the main path 6. The arrangement of this second path 6 'is such that it extends just above the upper level of the exit station S equipped with the turnstile 4. In other words, this allows that the container R not filled resting on the platform is taken by the output turnstile 4. In other words, this container R is reintroduced in the platform movement cycle, within the carousel C. At the same time, of course, the cylinder 51 which team the screw 5 is controlled so as to prevent the entry of a container. At the end of the second cam path 6 'there is a downward ramp (not shown) on which the roller 16 bears, intended to return the platform to the cam path. It can therefore be seen that, with the device according to the invention, the problem identified with respect to the technique is solved, so that at the outlet of the device, only filled containers move on the conveyor CS. It will be noted, more particularly with reference to FIG. 2, that the containers follow, from the input conveyor CE to the output conveyor CS, a path whose trace is similar to that of the omega letter (0). This provides a certain compactness of the device, without questioning its operation and accessibility (in case of breakdown or maintenance). Of course, depending on the diameter of the containers R and their height, it is necessary to replace some parts of the device (including turnstiles 3 and 4, platform, etc.).

The present device is preferably coupled to a weighing machine, so that, in the event that the weight of foodstuffs intended to be delivered in a can will not be correct (which would lead to a partial filling), then the weighed quantity is rejected and not spilled.

Claims (10)

REVENDICATIONS1. Container filling device (R) such as cans, which comprises: a rotary carousel (C) comprising, in its lower perinear part, a plurality of individual plates (1) oriented radially, for receiving a container ( R) and, in its upper part, as many hoppers (2) as platforms (1), each platform (1) being arranged in line with the dispensing orifice (22) of a hopper (2); an inlet station (E) for empty containers (R), formed by a rotating turnstile (3) for receiving and transferring empty containers (R) onto the platforms (1) of the carousel; an outlet station (5) of containers (R) a priori solid, formed of a rotating turnstile (4) for receiving and transferring full containers (R) outside the carousel (C); said rotating turnstiles (3, 4) having, at their periphery, and radially outwardly directed, notches (30, 40) for partially receiving the containers (R), so that the containers (R) are displaced by rotation of the turnstile (3, 4); said turnstiles (3, 4), located in close proximity to one another, encroaching on the path of the individual platforms (1) within said carousel (C), characterized in that it comprises, upstream of the outlet station (S), when considering the direction of movement of the carousel (C), means for locating a platform (1) supporting an unfilled container (R), and elevation means ( 7, 70, 16) of this platform (1) above the outlet turnstile (4) and repositionnente the container (R) in its prior position, within said carousel (C), namely downstream of said turnstile outlet (4) and upstream of the entrance turnstile (3). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a first circular cam path (6), along which said plates (1) move, with the aid of a follower member (16 '). ) which builds on this path. 3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that each plate (1) is associated with a radially directed element (16) outwardly beyond the first cam path (6). 4. Device according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that one and / or the other of said follower member (16 ') and directed member (16) radial comprises (s) a rotary roller. 5. Device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that said elevating means comprise a retractable ramp (7), which is configured to occupy an upward position only when said locating means detect an unfilled container (R). ), the apex (70) of this ramp (7) communicating with a second cam path (6 ') which extends above the first, vertically of the turnstile (4) of said exit station (S), said radially directed element (16) then cooperating with the ramp (7). 6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a feed station in empty containers provided with a screw setting (5), whose distal end (51) is adjacent to said entry station (E). 7. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises means (51) for temporarily blocking the inlet of a container (R) in said screw (5) when the presence of a container ( R) is not filled in said carousel (C). 8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said turnstiles (3, 4) are positioned such that said containers (R) follow a path from the entrance to the first turnstile (3) , until their exit from the second (4), which has substantially the shape of the Greek letter omega (Q). 9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper and lower portions of said carousel (C) consist of two independent parts synchronized in rotation. 30 10. A method of filling containers (R) such as cans, using a filling device which comprises: a rotary carousel (C) comprising, in its lower perinear part, a plurality of individual platforms ( 1) radially oriented, receiving a container (R) and, in its upper part, as many hoppers (2) as deplatefornnes (1), each platform (1) being disposed in line with the orifice of dispensing (22) a hopper (2); an inlet station (E) for empty containers (R), formed by a rotating turnstile (3) for receiving and transferring empty containers (R) onto the platforms (1) of the carousel (C); an outlet station (S) of containers (R) a priori solid, formed of a rotating turnstile (4) for receiving and transferring full containers outside the carousel (C); said rotating turnstiles (3; 4) having at their periphery, and directed radially outwards, notches (30, 40) for partial reception of the containers (R), so that the containers (R) are displaced by rotation of the turnstile (3, 4); said turnstiles (3, 4), located in close proximity to one another, encroaching on the path of the individual platforms (1) within said carousel (C), characterized in that, upstream of the exit station (S) when considering the direction of movement of the carousel (C), a possible platform (1) supporting an unfilled container (R) is identified and the elevation of this platform (1) above the outlet turnstile (4), then the repositionntient of the container (R), within said carousel (C), just downstream of said outlet turnstile (4) and upstream of the turnstile of entrance (3).