Patent Publication Number: US-10761488-B2

Title: Packaging box for timepieces device for testing and/or timing a timepiece

Description:
This application claims priority from European Patent Application No. 14174165.5 filed on Jun. 2, 2017; the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention concerns a packaging box for timepieces comprising externally, on one hand, a base arranged to hold inside at least one removable tray, and on the other hand, at least one lid arranged to cooperate in a complementary manner with the base to close the box, each tray comprising at least one inner compartment for receiving a timepiece, the compartment being delimited by a bottom and a peripheral partition, and the box comprising, in each compartment, at least one resilient pad arranged to be centred in the compartment and to be pressed onto a timepiece by the lid when the box is closed. 
     The invention also concerns a device for testing and/or timing timepieces, comprising at least one manipulator arranged to manipulate at least one such box, comprised in such device. 
     The invention also concerns a method for testing and/or timing a timepiece. 
     The invention concerns the field of testing or timing timepieces, especially watches, or “watch heads”, or mechanical timepiece movements. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Testing and timing timepieces, especially watches, or “watch heads”, or mechanical timepiece movements, requires the object to be handled multiple times, in particular for chronometric tests, where the mechanism is tested in the different positions required for chronometer certification, but also in the closest possible conditions to wear. Chronometric testing and timing are frequently supplemented with other tests: water resistance, sensitivity to magnetic fields, to shocks, to temperature or otherwise. 
     It is therefore a matter of ensuring that these tests and checks are run in a reliable manner, while safeguarding the mechanism subjected to testing, and while allowing, if possible, for automated observations, possibly supplemented by adjustments or markings, while ensuring product traceability and the link between the object and any tests and adjustments carried out. 
     The quest for reliability is compatible with a quest for productivity, and therefore horological production must be adapted to manipulations with the most modern tools, with the highest possible degree of automation. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention proposes to provide the means allowing for perfect intermediate packaging of such timepieces, especially during the final testing and/or timing operations, and arranged to allow interventions in contact with or in close proximity to the mechanisms. 
     To this end, the invention concerns a timepiece packaging box. 
     The invention also concerns a device for testing and/or timing timepieces, comprising at least one manipulator arranged to manipulate at least one such box. 
     The invention also concerns a method for testing and/or timing a timepiece. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other features and advantages of the invention will appear from reading the following detailed description, with reference to the annexed drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  represents a schematic, perspective view of a timepiece packaging box which comprises, in its lower portion, a base that contains a tray visible through end orifices in the base, this tray being immobilised, in a closed position of the box, by a lid in the upper portion, and snap fitted onto the base. The lid comprises a plurality of main orifices intended to allow access to timepieces disposed in compartments in the tray. The outer sides of the base and of the lid comprise indexing elements such as ribs or centering elements, and different identification elements, comprising bar codes here. 
         FIG. 2  represents a schematic, perspective, top view of an assembly created only with the base and lid. 
         FIG. 3  represents, in a similar manner to  FIG. 2 , the same assembly in perspective from below. 
         FIG. 4  represents a schematic view of the same assembly in cross-section along section A-A of  FIG. 2 , passing through two main orifices in the lid. 
         FIG. 5  represents a schematic view of the same assembly in cross-section along section BB of  FIG. 2 , passing through the box closing means. 
         FIG. 6  represents a schematic, top, perspective view of the lid. 
         FIG. 7  shows a schematic view of the lid in perspective from below. 
         FIG. 8  represents a schematic view of the same lid in cross-section along section CC of  FIG. 6 , passing through means for closing the box. 
         FIG. 9  represents a schematic view of the same assembly in cross-section along section DD of  FIG. 6 , passing through two main orifices in the lid. 
         FIG. 10  represents a schematic, perspective, top view of a set of resilient pads comprised in the box of  FIG. 1 , arranged to be pressed by the lid onto the timepieces disposed in the tray compartments, and which each comprise a secondary orifice intended to be aligned with a main orifice of the lid. 
         FIG. 11  represents a schematic, perspective, top view of the lid equipped with this set of resilient pads, attached to holding means comprised in the lid, such that, when the lid is placed on a plane resting on feet, which also form upper closing means, the resilient pads remain at a distance from this plane. 
         FIG. 12  represents a schematic, perspective, top view of the tray comprised in the box of  FIG. 1 , with isolated compartments each bearing a different marking, this tray comprising a peripheral tongue for support on the base, and further comprising, laterally, foolproof positioning elements, and side support blocks. 
         FIG. 13  represents a schematic, perspective, top view of the base of the box, also provided with foolproof positioning elements, and bordered by two ribs of different height; the bottom of this base comprises oblong slots that form passages for a tool for separating, if necessary, the base and a tray. 
         FIG. 14  shows the same base, in a schematic, partial, perspective view from below. 
         FIG. 15  represents a schematic view of the same base in cross-section along section EE of  FIG. 14 , passing through two indexing elements. 
         FIG. 16  represents a schematic, top view of the tray of  FIG. 12  inserted into the base, and comprising, in each of its compartments, a timepiece, which is a watch head here, locked in position by complementary holding means. 
         FIG. 17  shows a schematic view of the box of  FIG. 1 , in cross-section through means for closing the box. 
         FIG. 18  represents, in a similar manner to  FIG. 17 , the same box, filled with watch heads, and the direct access of a sensor or a tool to the watch head, through the main orifice in the lid, and the secondary orifice in the resilient pad, which are aligned above the watch head. 
         FIG. 19  represents, in truncated perspective, the box of  FIG. 18 , in the same configuration, with the watch heads not visible as they are each covered by a resilient pad, this box being ready for the insertion of a sensor or tool. 
         FIG. 20  represents a schematic, perspective view of a device for manipulating such boxes and heads comprising sensors or adjustment tools. 
         FIG. 21  is a block diagram of the main steps of a timepiece checking and/or adjustment method implemented with such boxes and with this device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The invention concerns a packaging box  1  for timepieces  1000 . “Timepieces” means here watches or watch heads, or timepiece movements, particularly mechanical movements, or timepiece components, or any similar assembly. 
     This box  1  includes externally, on the one hand, a base  20  arranged to hold inside at least one removable tray  30 , and on the other hand, at least one lid  10 , which is arranged to cooperate in a complementary manner with base  20  to close box  1 . 
     Each tray  30  comprises at least one inner compartment  2  for receiving a timepiece  1000 . This compartment  2  is delimited by a bottom  3 , which forms part of tray  30 , and a peripheral partition  5 , which forms part of tray  30 , and which may be removable in a particular, non-illustrated variant. 
     Box  1  comprises, in each compartment  2 , at least one resilient pad  6  arranged to be centred inside compartment  2 , and to be pressed onto a timepiece  1000  placed in compartment  2 , by lid  10  when box  1  is closed. 
     This resilient pad  6  is chosen to rest directly on the timepiece  1000  concerned and is arranged to deform to perfectly match its shape and lock it in position. In a variant, this resilient pad is provided, on a contact surface, with a surface film. 
     Advantageously, this resilient pad  6  is made of a material selected to provide good phonic isolation, so as to allow the rate of a particular timepiece  1000  to be tested by microphone, without disturbing the nearby timepieces  1000 . In particular, resilient pad  6  has the texture of a flexible foam. 
     The same resilient pad  6  can lock in place various timepieces  1000 , of any size, and of any width. 
     This resilient pad  6  is essential to the invention and must therefore be replaced as soon as it shows signs of deterioration, such as not returning to its initial thickness when empty, insufficient thickness dimension, tears, or otherwise. To this end, the implementation of box  1  according to the invention is accompanied by frequent checks, throughout the cycle, of the resilient pads  6  comprised therein. 
     Advantageously, lid  10  comprises holding means  60 , which are arranged to hold each resilient pad  6  on the lid, in an upper housing  15 , comprised in lid  10 , these holding means  60  may be manufactured with lid  10 , made, for example, by plastic injection moulding, and have a hook or similar shape ensuring that resilient pad  6  is retained in all positions. Thus, checking resilient pads  6  during the cycle is facilitated, since this check can be effected simply by a height check, particularly but not limited to an optical check, on lid  10  provided with all its resilient pads  6 . 
     More particularly, lid  10  comprises, directly above each compartment  2 , an upper housing  15 , which is arranged to clamp and hold a resilient pad  6 , and which can form holding means  60 , or be supplemented by holding means  60 . 
     According to the invention, box  1  comprises, in each compartment  2 , at least one main through orifice  7 , which is arranged to allow a sensor or tool access to a timepiece  1000  occupying compartment  2 . 
     This main through orifice  7  may be arranged in lid  10 , as seen in the preferred embodiment illustrated by the Figures, but also in base  20 . 
     And each resilient pad  6  comprises at least one secondary orifice  8 , which is arranged to cooperate in alignment with a main orifice  7 , and to allow such a sensor or tool access to the timepiece  1000  occupying compartment  2 . 
     The invention is illustrated in the Figures with upper resilient pads  6  on the lid  10  side, and it is understood that a variant of the invention may function with lower resilient pads, on the bottom  3  side of tray  30 , or even both with upper resilient pads  6  and lower resilient pads, on both sides of each timepiece  1000 . In such case, in particular, tray  30  may comprise, directly beneath each compartment  2 , a lower housing arranged to clamp and hold a resilient pad  6 . 
     In particular, base  20  comprises a bearing surface  21  which is arranged to engage, by pressing and/or clamping, with a complementary surface  31  comprised in each removable tray  30 . In the particular embodiment illustrated by the Figures, bearing surface  21  is formed of all the lateral surfaces of a median rib  22  comprised in base  20 , while complementary surface  31  is formed of the lateral inner surfaces of a hollow rib  33  comprised in tray  30 . More particularly, the geometry of bearing surface  21  and that of complementary surface  31 , and the materials of base  20  and of tray  30  are selected so that the cooperation between bearing surface  21  and complementary surface  31  occurs with slight pinching. In a particular illustrated variant, base  20  comprises at least one passage  27 , which is arranged to allow the passage of at least one tool for removing a tray  30  from box  20 , in the event of sticking therebetween. 
     More particularly, in order to close and clamp resilient pads  6 , box  1  comprises closing means  40 , which are arranged in base  20  and lid  10 , for pressing lid  10  onto bottom  3  in a compressed state of each resilient pad  6 . In the particular embodiment illustrated by the Figures, closing means  40  comprise at least one lower closing element  42  integral with base  20 , arranged to cooperate in a complementary manner with at least one upper closing element  41 , particularly a clip  401 , integral with lid  10 . In this particular example, a lower closing element  42  engages in a clip fit with an upper closing element  41 , which is advantageous in allowing easy opening/closing by an automated manipulator. 
     To allow for automated manipulation, box  1  comprises, externally, a plurality of indexing elements  11  to define its position and orientation in space. These indexing elements  11  may, as seen in the Figures, be arranged both in base  20  and in lid  10 , to allow for automated manipulation of base  20  alone, lid  10  alone, or of the entire assembled box  1 . Advantageously, in a plastic injection moulded embodiment of base  20  and/or of lid  10 , these indexing elements  11  correspond to the injection orifices for the material. These indexing elements  11  may also be elements that are machined, or added, such as labels, targets, pins, by bonding, press fit, screws, welding or otherwise. 
     More particularly, box  1  comprises, externally, a plurality of gripping means  12 , for holding and moving the box by automated production means. These gripping means  12  may be formed by ribs, calibrated cavities, or suchlike. 
     Box  1  advantageously comprises, externally, at least one identification element  13  for the identification thereof, and/or positioning thereof in space, and/or for the identification of products contained therein. More particularly, each identification element  13  comprises a marking such as a bar code or similar. The encoding of an identification element  13  is not necessarily optical, identification element  13  may, for example, be formed of an RFID chip or similar. More particularly, box  1  comprises several identification elements  13 ,  13 A,  13 B,  13 C,  13 D, . . . , which differ, at least partially, in a different coding area, to identify the different sides of box  1 . In a complementary manner, more particularly, base  20  comprises at least one foolproof positioning element  28  and a second foolproof positioning element  29 , each arranged to cooperate in a complementary manner with a first complementary foolproof positioning element  38 , respectively a second complementary foolproof positioning element  39 , comprised in each tray  30 , to ensure a unique relative orientation of a tray  30  with respect to base  20 . The coding outside box  1  thus perfectly identifies the position of the tray  30  contained therein. In this regard, the invention is illustrated with a single tray  30 , but it is understood that it can be made in different variants, particularly trays  30  of smaller length or width to that of base  20 , juxtaposed with one another. 
     To facilitate the assembly of the components of box  1 , base  20  advantageously comprises small, slightly sloped, protruding, raised portions  260 , arranged to push back the material of lid  10  slightly, and move it away, thereby facilitating its insertion. These raised portions have very small dimensions, for example a width on the order of a millimetre, a slope on the order of a millimetre, a slope length on the order of a few millimetres, for a box  1  capable of containing 10 timepiece components or watches. These small raised portions are distributed at the periphery, for example on the foolproof positioning elements and at the ends of the box. Some of these raised portions are advantageously formed by indexing cones. 
     Naturally, identification elements  13  may also comprise purely geometrical alignment and/or position marks. Indexing elements  11  may also be arranged in a different manner on the different sides of box  1 . Some of these machined portions  11  may also be closed to ensure this differentiation. 
     Preferably, at least one identification element  13 , and/or a group of indexing elements  11 , defines at least one reference orientation with respect to gripping means  12 . 
     More particularly, box  1  comprises at least one through orifice  14 , especially a fluid port, to allow the passage, between the outside and inside of box  1 , of a gaseous fluid and/or liquid flow, for a cleaning, temperature setting, water resistance test or other function. This through orifice  14  may be arranged in base  20  and/or in lid  10 . Such a through orifice  14  may also be used for reading an identifier borne by a tray  30  contained inside box  1 , or for the passage of a mechanical gripper, tool, sensor or suchlike. The Figures show such through orifices  14  on the smallest sides of base  20 . 
     Box  1  is advantageously designed to be stacked; both the entire box  1 , and its various components with other components of the same type, which saves a significant amount of space. 
     In a particular embodiment, as illustrated by the Figures, base  20  comprises a low peripheral rib  25 , which is arranged to form a low support surface for a lower rim  35  of a peripheral tongue  36  of each tray  30 . An upper rim  32  of the same tray  30  is arranged to remain set back, or just flush with, a high peripheral rib  26  comprised in base  20 . 
     More particularly, at least high peripheral rib  26 , or low peripheral rib  25  is arranged to cooperate with a peripheral surface  23  comprised, opposite to high peripheral rib  26  or low peripheral rib  25 , in another identical base  20  for the stacking thereof one atop the other. 
     Likewise, more particularly, each tray  30  can be stacked on another identical tray  30 , resting on side support blocks  37 , and box  1  comprises at least one cover arranged to cover and close the uppermost tray  30  of the stack. In a variant, these side support blocks  37  can also be used for a stop support on a boss of base  20 . 
     Advantageously, trays  30  have a marking  34  for each compartment  2 , for example a numeral as seen in the Figures. Advantageously, the different compartments  2  of a given tray  30  are thus individually identified, for example by a number injected integrally with tray  30 . This allows for easy identification by a manipulator or an operator, if one of the timepieces has to be removed, for example to be fed into a timing adjustment loop, or otherwise. 
     In a variant, at least one additional support  61 , such as foam or suchlike, can occupy a housing  2  to hold up a timepiece  1000  and define its position. 
     Similarly, more particularly, each lid  10  comprises feet  17 , which are arranged to stack said lid on a lid  10  of the same type with no contact with the resilient pads  6  of the other lid  10 . Indeed, it is important for the surfaces of resilient pads  6 , which are intended to come into direct contact with timepieces  1000 , are protected from any pollution such as dust, fluid or other. Each foot  17  then has a lower surface  411 , which is arranged to come to bear on an opposite, complementary upper surface  412 , during such stacking; advantageously, the joining surfaces between these complementary upper surfaces  412  and the large upper face of lid  10  have a radius arranged to slide the feet  17  of the uppermost lid of the stack and move them apart slightly for precise positioning in a stop position. In the particular embodiment illustrated, these feet also form upper closing elements  41 . 
     Similarly, base  20  may comprise radii  270  arranged to facilitate the insertion of lid feet  17  before they are clipped in. 
     Advantageously, each foot  17 , on its largest surface, has the shape of an isosceles trapezium, narrower at its distal end than at its attachment to lid  10 , so as to fulfil a longitudinal centering function with respect to a wide notch with parallel or oblique faces, comprised in base  20 , when lid  10  is clipped onto base  20 , in the position of  FIG. 1 . Thus, indexing elements  11 , and/or gripping means  12 , which are on either side of the assembled lid  10  and base  20 , are perfectly aligned, and a handling manipulator can operate with minimum clearance. 
     In a particular embodiment, the components of box  1  are all made of plastic material, in particular by injection moulding to ensure reproducible geometric quality, especially polypropylene or suchlike. At least bases  20  and lids  10  are designed to be periodically washed, for example by an automatic ultrasonic washing system; trays  30  can also benefit from this type of washing. Resilient components  6  are neither washed nor recycled, these are wear parts that are periodically measured and rejected once their thickness can no longer guarantee that a timepiece  1000  will be properly held inside a compartment  2 , or once signs of wear, tear or contamination are observed. 
     The invention also concerns a device  100  for testing and/or timing timepieces. This device  100  comprises at least one manipulator  101 , which is arranged to manipulate, particularly by means of at least one gripper  105 , at least one such box  1 , comprised in device  100 . Such a manipulator  101  or gripper  105  is arranged to cooperate with the gripping means  12  of each box  1 , and/or with all or part of indexing elements  11 . 
     Device  100  advantageously includes detection means  109 , arranged to collect information from identification elements  13 , and to move each manipulator  101  accordingly. 
     More particularly, manipulator  101  comprises at least one sensor  102  and/or a tool  103 , which is arranged to be inserted through at least one main orifice  7  and a second orifice  8  aligned with said main orifice  7  in the same compartment  2 , and which is arranged to make a measurement and/or an adjustment to a timepiece  1000  housed inside compartment  2 . 
     More particularly, a sensor  102  is a microphone, or a camera, or a contact vibration sensor. 
     More particularly, a tool  103  is a mechanical, or magnetic or another tool. 
     More particularly, manipulator  101  includes as many sensors  102  and/or tools  103  as box  1  has compartments  2 . In particular, manipulator  101  is a multi-axis robot, able to simulate every wear position in space, and not only the usual positions for chronometric testing, but also in any other realistic position in space. Depending on the arrangement, the same manipulator  101 , or advantageously another adjacent manipulator  104 , comprises an end arm which has a head provided with these various sensors  102  or tools  103 , to allow simultaneous action on all the timepieces  1000  comprised in a particular box  1 . Such a manipulator  101  or  104  may thus, depending on the test to be performed, implement a head equipped with sensors  102 , or a head equipped with tools  103 , or a mixed head equipped with both sensors  102  and tools  103 , or otherwise. 
     More particularly, manipulator  101  is arranged to manipulate each box  1  at least in the different testing and/or chronometric timing positions, under different physical conditions: at different temperatures, at different humidity levels, under different pressures or depressions, or subjected to vibrations, or to gaseous or liquid flows, or otherwise. Of course, these operations can be performed not simply in particular positions, but also during programmed movements between different positions in space. 
     Manipulator  101  includes control means  110  which are arranged to control its movements in space, in addition to the duration of testing and/or timing operations in the different positions occupied by each box  1 , and/or when different movements are imparted to box  1 . Or course, manipulator  101  may also be arranged to manipulate several boxes  1  at once. 
     More particularly, device  100  comprises maneuvering means, which are arranged to open and close lids  10  with respect to bases  20 , to perform magnetic field tests, and/or pressure/depression test operations, and/or water resistance test operations, and/or etching operations, and/or washing or other operations. These maneuvering means may be manipulators  101  or  104 , or other automated manipulation means. 
     Device  100  advantageously comprises means for reading identification elements  13  of boxes  1 , and means for detection of the position in space of indexing elements  11 . Thus, manipulator  101  has all information relating to boxes  1 , to their position, their contents, and control means  110  are preferably arranged to be interfaced with production management means to ensure the traceability of boxes  1  and their contents. 
     The invention also concerns a method for testing and/or timing a timepiece  1000 , wherein:
         ( 200 ) a box  1  is taken, in an open position;   ( 210 ) timepiece  1000  is placed inside a compartment  2  of a tray  30  of box  1 , on and/or under a resilient pad  6  centred inside compartment  2  with its secondary orifice  8  in alignment with a main orifice  7 ;   ( 220 ) lid  10  of box  1  is closed thereby compressing each resilient pad  6 , and timepiece  1000  is pressed directly or indirectly onto bottom  3 ;   ( 230 ) box  1  is manipulated in various positions in space;   ( 240 ) in each of these positions, a sensor  102  and/or a tool  103  is inserted through main orifice  7 ;   ( 250 ) at least one testing and/or timing operation of timepiece  1000  is performed by means of this sensor  102  and/or tool  103 .       

     More particularly, this device  100  is implemented for manipulating box  1 . 
     More particularly, this device  100  is implemented for manipulating box  1  in different testing and/or chronometric timing positions, and, in each position, timepiece  1000  is tested and/or timed. 
     More particularly still, the testing and/or timing of a plurality of timepieces  1000  is performed simultaneously, with each timepiece enclosed in a compartment  2  of the same box  1 .