Abstract:
The invention relates to a mechanical device for the selection and supply of revolution cylinder type products, and more especially packaging components for photographic films. The device comprises a calibrated bent chute that includes a product supply system, with a regulating effect, and a selection system for product orientation. Selection is based on two different flows of the products. Correctly oriented products, whose axis is substantially perpendicular to that of the normal flow, follow the direction of this normal flow. Incorrectly oriented products, whose axis is substantially parallel to that of the normal flow, are deviated from the normal flow, by an opening.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a packaging components selection and supply device, and more particularly to a packaging component selection and supply device for revolution cylinder type products. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The correct functioning and productivity of automatic machines are factors that are beneficial to optimize. Automatic packaging machines for photographic film spools come into this category. The entire management of the flow of assembled components, for example on an automatic machine, must take place in good conditions in a synchronous manner, and with correct positioning of these components at the entry to the machine to prevent machine stoppages. The consequences of machine stoppages are: increased stress for operators who have to intervene rapidly, deterioration of components having caused the stoppage, or even of some mechanical parts of the machine, and overall, loss of productivity. 
     To prevent this kind of problem, devices have been studied to prevent the inadequate positioning of components at the entry to automatic machines. These devices include fail-safe devices, position detectors, etc. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,991,705 describes a device for transporting a flow of products to be packaged, which comprises the discharge of badly or incorrectly positioned products. The device of this patent relates to, for example, food products with a flat shape that might be biscuits. The device described in the patent further relates to a means for routing flat products using a mechanical expulsion system for products badly positioned in the flow, which is based on the adoption of curves of the routing channel for flat products according to an S-shaped geometry, having the effect of giving a movement called “vertebral” to the product flow at a certain level of the routing channel. Such geometry allows badly positioned products to move onto a path that diverges from the normal flow of correctly positioned products. One disadvantage of the device thus presented is the fairly complex principle of the kinematics permitting the clearing of badly positioned products. Further, the guiding channel is calibrated according to a single direction that still, for example, allows a product to stick in a bad position under a block of correctly positioned products. Further, the device is quite bulky in the overall process environment, because of its three dimensional geometry. 
     European Patent EP-A-0 770 451 describes a feeding device for special nuts, the latter having an axial pilot entry and having to be presented with the same orientation, one after another, at the outlet from the feeding device; arranged with a view to feeding an automatic machine. A motor-driven rotary drum distributes, using rising vanes, the nuts into a feed chute, which feeds the automatic assembly machine by gravity. The feed chute comprises three main successive parts: the entry to recover the nuts falling from the rising vanes; a middle section where the correctly positioned nuts are sorted on the one hand from the reversed or badly positioned nuts on the other hand; and a discharge or outlet section. The correctly positioned nuts run towards the discharge or outlet section. The reversed or badly positioned nuts are cleared again to the feed drum, and then recycled. A disadvantage of this system is its complexity. Its mechanical achievement is thus expensive, with complex shapes for the feed device, and especially the feed chute, by comparison with the simplicity of the routed products. Further, adaptation to other products with different shapes or dimensions again accentuates the overall cost, because, in this case, it entails changes to the various parts of the feed chute, which is specific to each type of product; e.g. if the internal dimensions linked to nut thickness and flat dimensions vary. 
     Product or component supply systems in automated flows must be reliable, in order to not cause unwanted installation stoppages, either for lack of products or components, or for incorrect operating conditions. The correct positioning of products or components, just before entry into an automatic machine, and this, for example, according to a pre-set correct orientation, is an essential criterion. This is because the industrial and economic results will depend on the correct orientation of the products or components, in terms of quality, lead times, and installation productivity. 
     Repetitive problems due to random product arrival and positioning, according to an incorrect orientation, can lead to blockages and stoppages of the automatic machine. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a device that enables the selection and the systematic and regular supply of revolution cylinder type products to be obtained. According to one embodiment, the revolution cylinder type products are packaging components intended to protect photographic films. These products having practically the shape of revolution cylinders must present one by one, in the correct orientation, at the entry to an automatic machine. This pre-set correct orientation corresponds to a product axis position that is practically perpendicular to the axis of the normal flow followed by the products, to supply the automatic machine. It is noted that within the context of the present invention, revolution cylinder type products can refer to products which are capable of rolling and have either a smooth or substantially smooth cylindrical shape. 
     The device comprises: 
     a bent chute, calibrated according to two directions perpendicular to one another and both perpendicular to an axis of a normal product flow, adapted to hold and select, one by one, revolution cylinder type products according to a pre-set correct orientation, and to let them pass one by one according to a flow direction; 
     an opening to deviate by a mechanical effect of gravity, according to a path different than the normal flow, the products that are positioned according to one orientation of their axis practically parallel to that of the normal flow; and 
     an internal calibrated channel, which ensures a control function for the rate of supply to an automatic machine. 
     One of the main advantages of the device that is the object of the invention is to select systematically, and one by one, revolution cylinder type products to supply, with correct orientation, to the automatic machine. The indirect advantages provided by the device, to the overall production process in which it integrates, are substantial. In particular, unwanted stoppages of the automatic machine are eliminated and a fast production rate for the machine is maintained in the production time available. The cost of the device, purely mechanical, is relatively love compared with the overall cost generated by the problems encountered in the integration of the device in the product flow. 
     Arranged in the product flow, just before the automatic machine, the device enables the prevention of more or less long unexpected stoppages of the automatic machine during production. These stoppages involve random fast interventions by the operators which causes unnecessary stress. On the other hand, stoppages are extended if internal parts of the machine have been deteriorated; the offending products or components that are the cause of the problems are scrapped. The invention eliminates these problems and reduces production costs, while improving working conditions and the overall productivity of the process. 
     Thus, the present invention relates to a device for supplying an automatic machine with revolution cylinder type products according to a pre-set correct orientation. The device comprises a bent chute comprising an internal channel. The bent chute is calibrated according to two directions perpendicular to one another and perpendicular to an axis of a normal flow of the products. The bent chute is also adapted to hold and select, one by one, the revolution cylinder type products according to the pre-set correct orientation, and let them pass one by one along a direction of normal flow. The device further comprises an opening adapted to deviate, by way of a gravitational effect, a revolution cylinder type product which has an axis that is substantially parallel to the direction of normal flow. The revolution cylinder type product having an axis substantially parallel to the direction of normal flow being deviated to a direction different from the direction of normal flow. The correct orientation of the revolution cylinder type products corresponds to a position of an axis of the products which is substantially perpendicular to the axis of normal flow followed by the products. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the description that follows, making reference to the FIGS. of the drawing annexed. 
     FIG. 1 represents a perspective view of the device, according to the present invention, with nearby fixing and connection parts; 
     FIG. 2 represents the normal flow of a set of revolution cylinder type products, with correct orientation, in the device, 
     FIG. 3 represents the abnormal flow of a set of revolution cylinder type products in the device; 
     FIG. 4 represents a cross-section IV—IV, according to FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 represents the abnormal product flow in which a badly oriented revolution cylinder type product is deviated; and 
     FIG. 6 represents a cross-section VI—VI, shown in FIG.  5 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the invention, the device that may take the form represented diagrammatically in FIGS. 1 to  6  is arranged in relation to the product flow upstream of an automatic machine. The following detailed description refers to the various figures. of the drawings; the component parts of the invention are identified by numbers that are the same for each figure. 
     A device  10  comprises a calibrated bent chute  30 , with two wings  31 ,  32  forming between them an obtuse angle A of between  120  and  150  degrees. Chute  30  represents a central body of the device. In one particular embodiment, the chute  30  can be made of stainless steel and have a rectangular external shape, with an angle A of approximately  135  degrees between wings  31  and  32 . The internal part of chute  30  comprises a calibrated rectangular channel  33 , preferably coaxial with the external shape of the chute  30 . This internal channel  33  is calibrated in such a way as to route revolution cylinder type products  62  according to a required correct orientation  100 . That is, the axis of the products  62  should be substantially perpendicular to an axis of the flow of these products. The orientation  100  reduces the risks of blocking the products  62  in the bent calibrated chute  30 . The products  62 , when sliding inside the chute  30 , if necessary, can rotate on itself around its axis: this enables one to obtain the regular required advance. The axis of the products  62  that are routed in the calibrated channel  33  stays within an orientation tolerance of more or less five degrees compared with its nominal position, perpendicular to the axis of the flow. 
     The channel  33  has an entry tapered by a few degrees, to facilitate the entry of the products  100  in the upper wing  31  of the chute  30 . The channel  33  is calibrated according to its rectangular cross-section, in two directions, according to the length and according to the width of this cross-section, to obtain a sliding adjustment with the revolution cylinder type products  62 ; this adjustment is achieved, for example, as shown in FIG. 6 between a correctly oriented product  62  and the lower wing  32  of the chute  30 . Play is used, between the internal calibrated channel  33  and a correctly oriented product  62 , corresponding to an adjustment called “sliding”, equal to 3 to 4% of the value of the overall dimensions of the diameter and the length of the product  62 . The revolution cylinder type products oriented like the product  62  are routed by gravity from the wing  31  towards the wing  32 . The calibration according to two perpendicular directions enables in part for the products to pass one by one in the calibrated channel  33  by preventing any change of their orientation, and in part to have a regulating effect on the product flow, by attenuating the gravity effect or any jolts generated by the product supply system located upstream of the described device  10 . The routing or normal flow of successive correctly oriented products  62  is represented for example in FIGS. 2 and 6. 
     A part of the chute  30  comprises an opening  60 , having a rectangular shape, which essentially extends from the bottom level of the wing  31  along almost the whole length of the lower part of the wing  32 ; this opening enables accidentally badly oriented products to be eliminated in the part of the calibrated channel  33  belonging to the wing  31  of the chute  30 . A product is badly or incorrectly oriented when its axis is practically parallel to the movement of the normal flow of the products. 
     An example of a badly or incorrectly oriented product  61  is represented in FIGS. 1 and 3. When the badly oriented product  61  arrives at the level of the rectangular opening  60 , it is eliminated by gravity, as shown in FIG. 5, because the length of the opening  60  is more than the maximum length of the revolution cylinder type products supplied, and the width of the opening  60  is slightly less than the minimum product length, but more than the maximum product diameter. The opening  60  overlaps a little into the lower level of the wing  31  to prevent any jamming or slowing due to a badly oriented product along the calibrated channel  33 , when it leaves the normal flow through the opening  60 . 
     FIG. 4 presents various positions of a badly or incorrectly oriented product  61 , in the calibrated rectangular channel  33  of the wing  31  of the chute. If the badly oriented product  61  is in a central position between two guide edges  64  for correctly oriented products  62 , it passes directly through the opening  60 . If the badly oriented product  61  is in one of the extreme positions represented in FIG. 4, that is plumb with the guide edge  64 , it slides in the channel  33  and touches one of the edge guides  64 , but only pressing on one of its sides, it is unbalanced according to one of the directions D 1  or D 2 , and thus slides in the opening  60 . Dimensional ratios judiciously set between the dimensions of the rectangular cross-section of the calibrated channel  33 , i.e. the chamfers  63  (See FIG. 6) of the edge guides  64  and the revolution cylinder type product diameter and length, cause badly oriented products  61  to leave through the opening  60 , in conditions that do not disturb the normal flow of correctly oriented products  62 . For example, the length of the revolution cylinder type products equals at least one and a half times the diameter of the products. Further, the clearing of badly oriented products  61  is facilitated by the force of gravity and the relative slope of the edge guides  64  compared to a horizontal plane, represented by the angle A less 90 degrees. 
     The upper part of the chute  30  comprises a link enabling connection with the supply system located upstream. In one particular embodiment, the upper part of the chute  30  comprises a rectangular base  34  (FIG.  1 ), which receives a coaxial entry plate  20 ; the latter is made interdependent for example with the chute  30  by four bolts (not shown) and passing through the holes  35 . The geometry of the entry plate  20  is characterized by an internal funnel-shaped passage with rectangular cross-section, to receive and guide, usually according to the correct orientation, the cylinder products that arrive by gravity; this guiding is produced using added tapered parts  21 , judiciously positioned to favor the guiding of the entering revolution cylinder type products by holding their axis practically perpendicular in part to the axis of normal flow, and in part to the smaller side of the calibrated rectangular cross-section of the chute. 
     An entry sleeve  40  is connected to the entry plate  20 , coaxial to it. The geometry of the internal cross-section of the sleeve enables the routing of revolution cylinder type products to be guided, by maintaining their axis practically perpendicular to the axis of normal flow, while enabling the routing to be seen from the outside, in order to be able to prevent or locate rapidly any problem in the flow of revolution cylinder type products, a problem that is likely to disturb their normal routing. 
     In one particular embodiment, the sleeve  40  comprises a surrounding of cylindrical metal wires, fixed for example on the plate  20  with screws  22  represented diagrammatically; the internal cross-section of the sleeve  40  will be made to mainly wed the shape of the axial cross-section of the rolling revolution cylinder type products routed by gravity inside; thus, the products run easily in the sleeve, and the play between the products and the surrounding of metal wires does not permit turning or change of orientation of the product in the sleeve. One additional condition for the correct running of the product flow is that the internal cross-section of the sleeve  40  has no projections that might disturb the routing and orientation of the revolution cylinder type products. It being understood that the connection of this sleeve  40  with other parts, upstream from it, and not forming part of the device described, must respect the last condition given here. 
     On the side of the device  10 , an outlet sleeve  50  is connected to the end of the wing  32 , and is coaxial with it to be able to continue to guide the routing of the revolution cylinder type products leaving the device and going to the automatic machine. 
     In one particular embodiment, the sleeve  50  comprises cylindrical metal wires connected by welding to the wing  32  of the device. All the requirements concerning the internal cross-section geometry and the surrounding of the outlet sleeve are identical to those for the entry sleeve. 
     The invention has been described making reference to one particular embodiment, but it is understood that alternatives, especially of the materials, dimensions and shapes used can be made. For example, entry and outlet sleeves can be provided in transparent plastic, fixed or fitted to the entry plate  20 ; a bent chute  30  hinged at the level of the intersection of the wings  31  and  32 . 
     The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention.