FR3131285A1 - INSTALLATION FOR DISPENSING BEVERAGES IN CONTAINERS IN PARTICULAR OF THE CAN TYPE - Google Patents

Abstract

This installation for dispensing beverages into containers, in particular of the can type (3), comprises: - a unit for receiving the empty container, a filling unit (7) of said beverage container, - a dispensing and positioning unit (8 ) of a lid on said containers after filling, - a crimping unit (9) of the lid on the container once filled; - means (5) capable of moving said container from the receiving unit at the level of the units respectively filling, dispensing and lid positioning and crimping. The lids are stored on top of each other in a retractable storage magazine (10), said magazine being provided with positioning and centering means capable of cooperating with guide and positioning members associated with the installation. Figure for abstract: Fig 2

Description

INSTALLATION FOR DISTRIBUTING DRINKS IN CONTAINERS PARTICULARLY OF THE CAN TYPE Field of the invention

The invention belongs to the field of beverage distribution installations, and typically carbonated drinks, such as beer, in containers, particularly of the can type. It aims more specifically at an element of such an installation allowing the storage and distribution of lids capable of closing said containers after filling, and of being crimped at the level of the free upper end of said containers.

Prior state of the art

Packaging liquids in cans equipped with a lid opening system is now widely used. This type of container can be stored in automatic dispensing units, where appropriate maintained at a given temperature, the user being able to select the drink of their choice and obtain it, where applicable, after payment of the price from a automaton.

In doing so, the drink in question is packaged in cans prior to storage in such vending machines. The length of time the drink stays in the cans can thus vary depending on the duration of renewal of said cans, and may alter the taste qualities of said drink. Furthermore, when the distributor offers different types of drinks, stock management necessarily becomes more complex.

In order to overcome these drawbacks, an installation has been proposed allowing the filling of a can-type container, its closure and its obtaining in real time, that is to say once the obtaining process has been initiated by the user. In fact, such an installation generates, typically after triggering a cycle by the user, and with payment integrated or not with a machine, the filling of a container, then its closing, so that the taste qualities of the drink are preserved, since the latter only stays a very short time in the container before its purchase. In addition, the drink in question is stored in a larger capacity tank, which can be refrigerated, able to better preserve its taste qualities and, on the other hand, favoring the management of the installation itself.

Such an installation is for example described in document WO 2001/153321.

In fact, once the cycle has been initiated, the user takes an empty can from a storage tank adjacent to the filling unit, positions said can on an appropriate receptacle of the filling unit. The can then undergoes a cycle in which it is conveyed to a filling unit itself, then to a closing unit at which the lid associated with it is first positioned, then crimped to the free upper end of the can once filled, and finally, is conveyed to the receiving area of the full can, the user can then grab it.

In doing so, the user has a can filled at time t with the drink in question, so that the latter has not remained within said can prior to its consumption.

However, the management of the different units of such an installation for the operator can be more or less complex, particularly with regard to the storage of the lids intended to close said cans, and their grip with a view to their subsequent sealing once the filled can. This is the object of the present invention.

In fact, the object of the present invention is to provide a store for an automatic lid dispenser, which can be both disassembled and reassembled without tools, in order to facilitate its loading, and therefore as a corollary, the general management of the lid. installation by the operator.

The invention therefore relates to an installation for dispensing drinks in containers, particularly of the can type, comprising:
- a unit for receiving the empty container,
- a unit for filling said beverage container,
- a unit for dispensing and positioning a lid on said containers after filling,
- a unit for crimping the lid onto the container once filled;
- means capable of moving said container from the receiving unit at the level of the filling, distribution and lid positioning and crimping units respectively.

According to the invention, the covers are stored on top of each other in a retractable storage magazine, and therefore removable, said store being provided with positioning and centering means capable of cooperating with guiding and positioning members associated with the 'facility.

In doing so, through the implementation of such a retractable storage store, the management operations of such an installation by the operator are considerably simplified.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the means for positioning and centering the store consist of through holes provided within a base oriented perpendicular to the main dimension of the store, in this case typically vertical , said orifices cooperating with vertical rods mounted on the lid distribution unit.

According to this characteristic, at least three vertical rods emanating from said distribution unit are provided, so as to tangent said store outside of it.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the positioning and centering means consist of protrusions extending where the lateral faces, defining the storage volume of said store, said protrusions being intended to cooperate with the unit distribution unit of the lids.

Advantageously, the storage magazine is provided with a removable member capable of sliding along the entire height of said store, and intended to facilitate the filling of the store and its handling both during filling and positioning of the store within the installation.

This member advantageously consists of a tongue of width less than the vertical slot with which the magazine is provided along its entire height.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, the means for positioning and centering the store consist, on the one hand, of a member acting as a hooking point on an element integral with the installation, said member being positioned approximately halfway up the store, and on the other hand, centering pins on the distribution and lid positioning unit.

Advantageously, the member acting as a hooking point is configured in such a way as to allow said store to be tilted in order to respectively allow its installation and retraction into and out of the installation.

The dispensing unit of the invention is advantageously movable between a loading position of the store and an operational position.

This distribution unit is provided with a platform pierced with a through orifice, the dimensions of which allow the passage of a cover for its distribution, said through orifice being closable at least partially using a drawer movable in translation parallel to said platform and corollarily perpendicular to the main dimension of the storage magazine, the movement of said drawer being carried out by means of an electromagnet, or any other equivalent device.

According to the invention, the drawer comprises two plates secured to one another, said plates each being provided with a through orifice of oblong shape, said through orifices being positioned antagonistically relative to each other. and one above the other, each of said through orifices comprising a circular part, the diameter of which is compatible with the passage of a closing cover to be distributed.

Brief description of the figures

The manner in which the invention can be carried out and the advantages which result from it will become clearer from the example of implementation which follows, given for informational and non-limiting purposes, in support of the appended figures.

is a simplified schematic representation in perspective of the installation viewed from three quarters of a first embodiment of the invention.

is a schematic representation illustrating in more detail the essential elements of the installation of the .

is a schematic perspective view of the lid storage store, shown empty, and of its cooperation with the distribution unit of said lids, of the .

is a schematic representation of the lid storage store according to a variant of the , before its positioning on the distribution unit of the invention.

is a schematic representation of the lid storage magazine of the after installation on the distribution unit of the invention.

is a schematic representation of a second variant of the storage store of the invention, still linked to the first embodiment of the invention.

is a schematic representation of a third variant of the storage store of the invention, still linked to the first embodiment of the invention.

is a simplified schematic representation in perspective of the installation viewed from three quarters of a second embodiment of the invention.

is a schematic representation illustrating in more detail the essential elements of the installation of the .

is a schematic representation illustrating the lid storage store implemented within the installation of Figures 8 and 9, respectively in perspective and top view.

schematically illustrates the lid storage magazine of the and its cooperation with reversible fixing elements within the installation and with the distribution unit.

is a schematic perspective representation of the lid distribution and positioning unit in a first so-called waiting position.

is a schematic top view of the distribution unit of the , after retracting the platform it includes.

is a schematic perspective representation of the lid distribution and positioning unit in a second so-called lid release position.

is a schematic top view of the distribution unit of the , after retracting the platform it includes.

schematically illustrates the cooperation of the constituent elements of the drawer of the distribution and positioning unit of Figures 12 to 15.

Detailed description of the invention

There schematically illustrates the main face of the beverage distribution installation, according to a first embodiment of the invention. It is shown in this case with the front face open, corresponding to a maintenance or after-sales service phase. However, in normal operation, the door (1) is closed, only a hatch (2) for access and positioning of a container, and in particular a can (3) remaining open. The reference (4) appearing on the face of the installation constitutes the interactive zone, for example a touch screen, allowing the user to select the drink of their choice. If applicable, a payment method (not shown) is associated with the installation.

There illustrates in more detail the essential elements of this installation. Within this, the reference (5) illustrates a horizontal rotating plate, intended to allow the circulation of the container, in this case the can (3), at the different stations or units of the installation, and this in step by step mode. Typically, the tray (5) is provided on its upper face with receiving zones (6) of complementary shape to the base of said cans (3). These reception zones are advantageously coupled either to a member for detecting the presence of a can (3), or to a scale, intended to detect the presence of an empty can, authorizing the start of a filling cycle of said can.

After detection of the presence of an empty can, and where applicable after payment of the price, the cycle starts, causing the rotation of the plate (5) such that the empty can is positioned directly above a processing unit. filling (7). After filling the can with the drink chosen by the user, the plate (5) begins a new rotation capable of positioning the full can directly above a dispensing unit (8) and positioning a lid on the level of the upper end of said can.

The plate (5) then begins a new rotation, so as to position the full can provided with a lid at the level of a crimping unit (9) of said lid on the can, in order to make the latter waterproof.

Finally, after further rotation of the plate (5), the full can equipped with a crimped lid returns to its initial position, that is to say directly above the access hatch (2), allowing the user to recover said filled and closed can.

The reference (10) designates the lid storage store, conforming to a first variant of the first embodiment of the invention.

It was represented more precisely within the . This storage magazine (10) for the lids, in this case shown empty, is intended to be removably received within the distribution and positioning unit (8) of said lids at the end of the filled cans. (see above). More precisely, this storage store (10) is, for example, made up of vertical sheets (11) defining an internal volume or generally cylindrical well of dimensions adapted to the external diameter of said covers, so that they can, by simple gravity, descend freely within the store as the lids in question are used and distributed. These sheets lead up to the level of a base (12) and are secured to it. The base therefore extends perpendicular to the main dimension of the store (10) in this case along a horizontal plane when the store is in the operational position.

Furthermore, it can be observed on the the absence of these sheets in the upstream zone (13) of the store, and therefore along the entire height thereof, as well as a through light (14) provided at the lower level of the face opposite the upstream face (13) . This through light (14) is intended to allow the action of the unitary distribution and positioning unit (8) of the lids at the level of the upper end of the cans after filling. More precisely, this through light (14) allows the passage of a finger (15), actuated by a motor (16), and capable of managing the distribution in a unitary manner of the lids at the level of the upper end of a can filled to then allow the crimping operation.

Advantageously, the storage magazine (10) is provided with a member (17) intended to slide along the entire height of said store. This organ (17) is removable; it enters inside the volume defined by the store via the upstream face (13), and is therefore dimensioned accordingly. It is able to hold the lids stored in the store during handling operations of the latter. This member (17) is provided with a tongue (18) of width less than the opening (13) provided along the upstream face of said magazine, to thus allow its insertion within it, and its raising or its descent during the loading operation of said magazine with lids. This member (17) is intended to be removed when the magazine (10) is positioned within the distribution and positioning unit (8). Advantageously, and in order to keep the tongue (18) horizontal, the member (17) is provided with two external legs (28), extending parallel and in the same direction as the tongue (18), but outside and in contact with the sheets defining the store (10).

As mentioned in the preamble, this magazine (10) is removable, precisely in order to facilitate the operations of filling said magazine with sealing covers.

For this purpose, the base (12) of said magazine is provided with bores (19), provided at the periphery of the sheets (11) defining the well for receiving the covers of the magazine, and intended to cooperate with vertical rods (20) emanating from the upper face of a platform (21) of the distribution and positioning unit (8). We can therefore see that the retraction of the magazine then empty, or partially filled, is carried out by gripping said magazine and lifting it upwards, to release the base (12) from the rods (20). As a corollary, once the magazine is filled, we proceed by simply lowering said magazine, taking care to make the rods (20) cooperate with the bores (19). We can see the great simplicity of implementation, and more particularly of setting up and retracting the store (10) in and out of the installation.

Once the store (10) is retracted from said installation, it is very easy to fill. The operator simply slides a stack of covers between the sheets (11) defining the internal volume of said magazine. This stack of lids is ideally stored beforehand in packaging with a shape and dimensions adapted to those of the lids. The operator introduces this pile through the upper end of the well defined by the sheets (11), the latter being advantageously flared at their upper end in order to facilitate the introduction of this pile.

In order to retain the stack of covers when it is introduced into the well, the user positions his finger under it via the upstream zone (13), or uses the member (17).

Once the stack of lids is in place in the store, said member is removed, then the operator removes the prior storage packaging of the lids from above by simply pulling at the upper end of the well.

The store, then filled, can be repositioned within the installation, as mentioned above.

In doing so, we realize the simplicity of the management of the installation, more particularly with regard to the management of stocks of lids.

We represented within the a variant of the storage store (10). This variant differs only in the reversible positioning mode of said store within the distribution and positioning unit (8). For this purpose, the store (10), and more precisely the sheets (11) which define the well for receiving the covers, are provided with positioning and centering means, consisting of protrusions (22) typically extending four of said sheets (11). ), said protrusions or projections (22) being regularly distributed in order to give the required stability to the store once positioned in place on the distribution and positioning unit (8). These protrusions or projections (22) are positioned in such a way as to come into contact with the internal wall of a through orifice (23) provided within the platform (21) of the distribution and positioning unit (8). ), the operation of which will be described later.

In the , the protrusions (22) are provided to optimize the stability of the store. They are associated with the means described in connection with the first variant, that is to say the rods (20) which extend along the external wall of the sheets (11) in the vicinity of the lower end of the magazine.

There schematically illustrates a third variant of the storage store (10) of the first embodiment of the invention. In this variant, the well is defined simply by four vertical rods (24), assembled to each other, respectively at the upper level by a plate (25) oriented perpendicular to the main dimension of the rods (24), and at the level lower by two plates (26, 27) identical to the plate (25), separated from each other by a distance compatible with the height of the rods (20) emanating from the platform (21), whose function has already been described in connection with Figures 3 to 5. In fact, these plates (26, 27) are also provided with bores (27), located directly above each other in pairs, intended to receive the rods (20), and are therefore positioned accordingly.

The method of retracting and repositioning the store (10) outside and within the installation of the invention of these two variants is identical to that described in connection with the first variant described with Figures 2 to 5.

The second embodiment of the invention will now be described, in relation to Figures 8 to 11.

Functionally, this second embodiment is identical to the first mode described previously. The installation in question has an access hatch on its front side, again allowing the positioning of an empty can (3). Said face is also provided with an interactive touch screen type member (4), allowing the user in particular to choose their drink, and to start the filling cycle of said can.

On the other hand, the storage store (10') differs both in its structure and in its interaction with said installation. It is shown in more detail on the . Here again, it is made up of sheets defining a storage well, in this case of octagonal cross section, the dimensions of which are adapted in such a way as to allow the free descent of the shutter covers (36) which it is intended to store. It is also provided with an upstream face (37) open over its entire height.

It is provided with a descender member (33), capable of sliding along a rod (38) parallel to the main dimension (height) of said magazine (10'). This descender member comprises a tongue (35) extending along a horizontal plane, including inside the storage well, and penetrating said well through the open upstream face (37). It is intended to accompany the lowering of the covers (36) when loading the store (10') with covers, during installation management operations.

The magazine (10') has centering pins (34) at its base on the distribution and positioning unit (8') of the installation, the latter being provided with suitable housing to receive these centering pins.

The magazine (10') also includes fixing means (30, 31) on the installation. These means consist of two sheets (30), parallel to each other, joined together, for example by welding on two of the sheets defining the storage well, approximately halfway up the store. Said sheets extend towards the rear face of the store. Open slots (31) are provided near the end of said sheets (30). These open openings (31) are intended to cooperate with a fixed horizontal axis (44) mounted on an angle bracket (43) secured to the frame of the installation, and defining a space capable of allowing the passage of the magazine (10') during operations of retracting and replacing said store outside and within the installation.

For this purpose, when the operator wishes to reload the magazine with lids, he first lifts said magazine towards the top, in order to release the centering pins (34), then tilts the magazine by rotation, the latter resulting from the cooperation of the open lights (31) on the fixed horizontal axis (44). The operator can then take the magazine out of the installation by pulling it obliquely downwards, to clear it from the passage defined by the angles (43) connected together by a tab (45). He can then place the magazine on a horizontal surface and proceed to reload it with lids, by introducing from the top, a refill of lids, advantageously stored in packaging capable of being removed from the top of said magazine once the refill is in place. .

Repositioning the store once filled within the installation involves carrying out the steps previously described in reverse order.

The unit distribution of the covers is carried out by the distribution and positioning unit (8, 8'), the structure and operation of which are described in relation to Figures 12 to 16.

As already mentioned, this unit comprises a flat platform (21), pierced with a through orifice (23), the dimensions of which are compatible with the external diameter of the lids (36) to be distributed, and in particular their passage through this orifice .

Under this platform (21), a drawer (40), made up of two plates (41, 42) secured to one another, is capable of sliding parallel to said platform, under the action of an electromagnet (16) actuating a finger (15), secured to said drawer.

The upper plate (41), also pierced with a through orifice (46) of oblong shape, has the function, in the waiting position, of blocking the passage of the lowermost cover stored in the well of the magazine, due to the reduction in the diameter of the orifice (23) which it generates due to the particular shape of said orifice (46).

The lower plate (42) is also pierced with a through hole (47), again of oblong shape, but the respective positioning of the circular part is opposite or antagonistic to that of the through hole (46). of the upper plate (41), as can be clearly seen on the , which schematically illustrates said through orifices (46, 47) and their cooperation with each other. This through orifice (47) has the function, once a cover is released by the upper plate (41), following the movement of the drawer, to distribute said cover onto a filled can.

Thus, in the so-called waiting position, shown in Figures 12 and 13, the lowest cover stored in the magazine well rests within the upper part of the through orifice (23) on the upper plate (41) of the drawer (40), the narrow part of the through orifice (46) of said upper plate being directly above the through orifice (23) (right part of the ).

When the electromagnet (16) is actuated, the drawer (40) is pulled to the left of the , inducing the movement of the two plates (41, 42) and consequently the positioning of the circular part of the through orifice (46) directly above the through orifice (23), then allowing the release of said cover in the thickness of the through hole (23). On the other hand, due to the joining of the plates (41, 42) to one another, said traction also causes the movement of the lower plate (42) and corollarily that of the through orifice (47) of which it is provided. In doing so, the narrow part of said through orifice (47) is then located directly above the orifice (23), blocking the further descent of the cover, the latter therefore being temporarily stored in the thickness of the drawer ( 40).

When the electromagnet is deactivated, the drawer (40) returns to its so-called waiting position (Figures 12 and 13), causing movement to the right (on the ) of the two plates (41, 42), and corollarily the positioning of the circular part of the through hole (47) of the lower plate (42) directly above the through hole (23), making it possible to release the cover temporarily stored in the thickness of the distribution unit. In addition, the orifice (46) of the upper plate (41) returns to its initial position, and makes it possible to receive the consecutive cover.

In doing so, we can see the principle of the unitary distribution of said covers, due to this mode of operation of the drawer and the respective cooperation of the orifices with which the plates (41, 42) which constitute it are provided.

During this distribution, the vertical rods (20) ensure the correct guidance of the covers.

Typically, the installation of the invention works in the following way:

Once the selection of the drink has been made, and where applicable, the price paid, the user takes an empty can and positions it on the rotating plate (5) at a receptacle for receiving said can. As soon as the presence of the can is detected, the plate undergoes an initial rotation up to the filling unit (7). When this filling operation is completed, for example detected by measuring the weight of said can by means of a scale integrated into the can receiving receptacle or any appropriate system, the rotating plate (5) undergoes a new rotation until 'to end up directly above the distribution and positioning unit (8, 8') of the covers. At this stage, the electric motor (16) is actuated, causing the finger (15) to push at the lower end of the magazine (10, 10'), and consequently, the positioning of the lowest cover stored in the magazine at the top end of the bobbin. After a new rotation, the assembly consisting of the filled can and the positioned lid is conveyed to the crimping unit (9), ensuring the effective and watertight closure of the can by means of the lid.

Once this operation has been carried out, the plate (5) undergoes a new rotation until it returns to its original position, allowing the user to recover the filled and sealed can.

Ideally, the installation also includes means of checking the correct positioning of the lid at the upper end of the can, and the tight crimping of the lid on the can. These means are not shown in the figures.

The invention thus makes it possible to carry out management operations, in this case the loading of sealing covers, in a simple, efficient and rapid manner, without requiring any dedicated tool or utensil, authorizing the implementation of refills. of lids packaged in packaging of appropriate dimensions and corresponding to the volume defined by the store (10, 10').

Claims (11)

Installation for dispensing drinks in containers, particularly of the can type (3), comprising:
- a unit for receiving the empty container,
- a filling unit (7) of said beverage container,
- a distribution and positioning unit (8, 8') of a lid on said containers after filling,
- a unit for crimping the lid onto the container once filled;
- means (5) capable of moving said container from the receiving unit at the level of the filling, distribution and lid positioning and crimping units respectively,
characterized in that the covers are stored on top of each other in a retractable storage magazine (10, 10'), said store being provided with positioning and centering means (19, 34) capable of cooperating with guide members and positioning (20) associated with the installation. Beverage dispensing installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for positioning and centering the store consist of through orifices or bores (19) formed within a base (12, 25, 26) integral with said store and oriented perpendicular to the main dimension of the store, in this case typically vertical, said orifices cooperating with vertical rods (20) mounted on the distribution and positioning unit (8) of the covers. Beverage dispensing installation according to claim 2, characterized in that at least three vertical rods (20) emanating from said distribution and positioning unit (8) are provided, such as to tangent said store outside of this one. Beverage distribution installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for positioning and centering the store consist of protrusions or projections (22) extending where the lateral faces define the storage volume of said store, said protrusions or projections (22) cooperating with the internal wall of a through orifice (23) provided within a platform (21) of the distribution and positioning unit (8). Beverage dispensing installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for positioning and centering the store consist of two plates (26, 27), oriented perpendicular to the main dimension of the store, each of said plates (26 , 27) are provided with bores (19), located directly above each other in pairs, and intended to cooperate with vertical rods (20) mounted on the distribution and positioning unit (8) of the covers, said plates (26, 27) being separated from each other by a distance compatible with the height of the rods (20). Beverage distribution installation according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the storage magazine (10) for the lids is provided with a removable member (17, 18) capable of sliding along the entire height of said magazine, and intended to facilitate the filling of the magazine and its handling both during filling and positioning of the store within the facility. Beverage dispensing installation according to claim 6, characterized in that the removable member consists of a tongue (18) of width less than the vertical slot with which the magazine is provided along its entire height. Beverage distribution installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the positioning and centering means of the store (10') consist on the one hand of a member (30, 31) acting as a hooking point on an element (43, 44) integral with the installation, said member being positioned approximately halfway up the magazine, and on the other hand, centering pins (34) on the distribution and positioning unit (8 ') lids. Beverage distribution installation according to claim 8, characterized in that the member (30, 31) acting as a hooking point is configured in such a way as to allow the tilting of said magazine in order to allow its installation and retraction respectively into and out of the installation. Beverage dispensing installation according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the dispensing and positioning unit (8, 8') of a lid is provided with a platform (21), this the latter being provided with a through orifice (23), the dimensions of which allow the passage of a cover with a view to its distribution, said orifice (23) being partially closable by a drawer (40) movable in translation in a direction perpendicular to the main dimension of the storage warehouse (10, 10'). Beverage dispensing installation according to claim 10, characterized in that the drawer (40) consists of two plates (41, 42) secured to one another, each of said plates being provided with a through orifice (46 , 47) of oblong shape and positioned antagonistically relative to each other and one above the other, each of said through orifices (46, 47) comprising a circular part, the diameter of which is compatible with the passage of a shutter cover to distribute.