Batch packaging architecture with controlled feed

Abstract

Disclosed is a packaging device for packaging products, during which the products are conveyed along a conveying direction in order to be packaged. The batches include at least two products, arranged transversely to the conveying direction. The device includes a feeder for receiving products travelling in single file through an upstream pick-up area and conveying same to a set-down area for later packaging. The feeder includes: in the pick-up area, a transfer unit transferring products arriving in single file to the unit; and a position-controlled movable collector receiving and then moving at least one product in a controlled manner from the transfer unit to the set-down area. The device also includes a conveyor in the set-down area, on which the at least one collector deposits the at least one product that it collected from the pick-up area. Also disclosed is a machine using the device and to a corresponding method.

1 . Packaging device ( 1 ), to package in batches ( 2 ) products ( 3 ), of the bottle, jar, canister, or the like type, within which, for their packaging, the products ( 3 ) move along a conveying direction ( 4 ), said batches ( 2 ) having, transversely to said conveying direction ( 4 ), at least two products ( 3 ), said device ( 1 ) comprising a feed means ( 5 ), to receive products ( 3 ) traveling in a single line in the area of an upstream pick-up zone ( 6 ) and to bring them to the area of a deposit zone ( 7 ) for their subsequent packaging,
 wherein   the feed means ( 5 ) comprises both, in the pick-up zone ( 6 ), a means ( 8 ) for individual transfer of the products ( 3 ) arriving in a single line, as well as at least one collector ( 9 ) that is movable and position-controlled, for receiving then moving in a position-controlled way at least one product ( 3 ) from the transfer means ( 8 ) to the deposit zone ( 7 ), the device ( 1 ) further comprising a conveyor ( 10 ) in the deposit zone ( 7 ) on which the at least one collector ( 9 ) deposits the at least one product ( 3 ) that it previously picked up in the pick-up zone ( 6 ).   
     
     
         2 . Packaging device ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein
 it has a downstream accumulation zone ( 11 ), within which the products ( 3 ) can be accumulated in several adjacent columns that extend along the conveying direction ( 4 ) after having been deposited by the feed means ( 5 ).   
     
     
         3 . Device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 it comprises both a main conveyor ( 12 ), which moves the products ( 3 ) for their packaging within said device downstream from the feed means ( 5 ), as well as a deposit conveyor ( 13 ) forming the conveyor ( 10 ) on which the at least one collector ( 9 ) deposits the at least one product ( 3 ) that it picked up, the advancing of the deposit conveyor ( 13 ) being synchronized with the successive depositing of products ( 3 ) on it that is ensured by the at least one collector ( 9 ).   
     
     
         4 . Device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 it comprises a module designed to separate longitudinally from one another in the conveying direction ( 4 ) the products ( 3 ) organized in adjacent columns extending in said direction, so as to form successive batches ( 2 ), of the cycler module ( 14 ) or selection module ( 22 ) type, the feed means ( 5 ) depositing the products ( 3 ) at the input of said module.   
     
     
         5 . Device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 it comprises a covering means ( 15 ), where the products ( 3 ) that are organized in successive batches ( 2 ) are wrapped with film ( 16 ) for a subsequent restraint intended for the formation of self-supported bundles held by said film ( 16 ), the feed means ( 5 ) depositing the products ( 3 ) at the input of said covering means ( 15 ).   
     
     
         6 . Machine ( 17 ) for processing products ( 3 ), of the bottle, jar, canister, or other container type, comprising a preparation group of individual products ( 3 ), delivering finished and individually-referenced products ( 3 ) one after the other in a single line, further comprising, mounted downstream from said preparation group and receiving the products ( 3 ) that the preparation group dispenses, a packaging device ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         7 . Processing machine ( 17 ) according to  claim 6 , wherein
 the preparation group and the packaging device ( 1 ) are arranged so that, seen from above, the feed means ( 5 ), between the preparation group and the following elements of the packaging device ( 1 ), extend approximately perpendicular to the conveying direction ( 4 ) of the conveyor ( 10 ) in the deposit zone ( 7 ).   
     
     
         8 . Processing machine ( 17 ) according to  claim 6 , wherein
 it comprises an ejection means to remove, before the pick-up by the feed means ( 5 ), the non-compliant products ( 3 ) at the output of the preparation group.   
     
     
         9 . Processing machine ( 17 ) according to  claim 6 , wherein
 the transfer means ( 8 ) of the packaging device ( 1 ) forms the output of the preparation group and thus ensures itself the transfer of products ( 3 ) between the preparation group and the packaging device ( 1 ).   
     
     
         10 . Processing machine ( 17 ) according to  claim 6 , wherein
 it has both a wheel ( 19 ), for referenced transfer, positioned at the output of the preparation group and delivering the products ( 3 ) individually, as well as a screw ( 20 ) between said wheel ( 19 ) and the transfer means ( 8 ) of the feed means ( 5 ), said screw ( 20 ) and the transfer means ( 8 ) being synchronized.   
     
     
         11 . Method for feeding a device ( 1 ) for packaging products ( 3 ) according to  claim 1 , within which they move in a conveying direction ( 4 ) during their batch ( 2 ) packaging, wherein
 the products ( 3 ) are transferred in an individually-referenced way from an upstream pick-up zone ( 6 ) where the products ( 3 ) arrive in an individually-referenced way one following the other to a deposit zone ( 7 ) in the area of a conveyor ( 10 ) where they then travel in several columns for their packaging.   
     
     
         12 . Feeding method according to  claim 11 , where
 several products ( 3 ) are simultaneously deposited on the conveyor ( 10 ) by each collector ( 9 ) in the deposit zone ( 7 ), in particular all of the products ( 3 ) forming a complete row transverse to the conveying direction ( 4 ) and thus participating in the making of at least one batch ( 2 ).   
     
     
         13 . Feeding method according to  claim 11 , where
 the movement of advance of the conveyor ( 10 ) on which the products ( 3 ) are deposited and the frequency of depositing the products ( 3 ) on it are coordinated.   
     
     
         14 . Device according to  claim 2 , wherein
 it comprises both a main conveyor ( 12 ), which moves the products ( 3 ) for their packaging within said device downstream from the feed means ( 5 ), as well as a deposit conveyor ( 13 ) forming the conveyor ( 10 ) on which the at least one collector ( 9 ) deposits the at least one product ( 3 ) that it picked up, the advancing of the deposit conveyor ( 13 ) being synchronized with the successive depositing of products ( 3 ) on it that is ensured by the at least one collector ( 9 ).   
     
     
         15 . Device according to  claim 2 , wherein
 it comprises a module designed to separate longitudinally from one another in the conveying direction ( 4 ) the products ( 3 ) organized in adjacent columns extending in said direction, so as to form successive batches ( 2 ), of the cycler module ( 14 ) or selection module ( 22 ) type, the feed means ( 5 ) depositing the products ( 3 ) at the input of said module.   
     
     
         16 . Device according to  claim 3 , wherein
 it comprises a module designed to separate longitudinally from one another in the conveying direction ( 4 ) the products ( 3 ) organized in adjacent columns extending in said direction, so as to form successive batches ( 2 ), of the cycler module ( 14 ) or selection module ( 22 ) type, the feed means ( 5 ) depositing the products ( 3 ) at the input of said module.   
     
     
         17 . Device according to  claim 14 , wherein
 it comprises a module designed to separate longitudinally from one another in the conveying direction ( 4 ) the products ( 3 ) organized in adjacent columns extending in said direction, so as to form successive batches ( 2 ), of the cycler module ( 14 ) or selection module ( 22 ) type, the feed means ( 5 ) depositing the products ( 3 ) at the input of said module.   
     
     
         18 . Device according to  claim 2 , wherein it comprises a covering means ( 15 ), where the products ( 3 ) that are organized in successive batches ( 2 ) are wrapped with film ( 16 ) for a subsequent restraint intended for the formation of self-supported bundles held by said film ( 16 ), the feed means ( 5 ) depositing the products ( 3 ) at the input of said covering means ( 15 ). 
     
     
         19 . Device according to  claim 3 , wherein it comprises a covering means ( 15 ), where the products ( 3 ) that are organized in successive batches ( 2 ) are wrapped with film ( 16 ) for a subsequent restraint intended for the formation of self-supported bundles held by said film ( 16 ), the feed means ( 5 ) depositing the products ( 3 ) at the input of said covering means ( 15 ). 
     
     
         20 . Device according to  claim 14 , wherein it comprises a covering means ( 15 ), where the products ( 3 ) that are organized in successive batches ( 2 ) are wrapped with film ( 16 ) for a subsequent restraint intended for the formation of self-supported bundles held by said film ( 16 ), the feed means ( 5 ) depositing the products ( 3 ) at the input of said covering means ( 15 ).