Abstract:
A device for conveying objects having a protuberance at their neck including a blowing chamber for blowing an air flux for driving the objects and a support rail cooperating with the objects at the protuberance. The chamber includes a body and a plate removably attached thereto. The support rail is fixed to the plate. There are at least two frame members on either side of the rail along the blowing chamber.

Description:
The present invention relates to a device for conveying objects such as, in particular, bottles, flasks or other articles. 
     However, although more especially intended for such applications, it can also be used, in general, for any object having an end provided with an excrescence, or protuberance. 
     At the present time, in the field of conveying, it is known to transport bottles by projecting a stream of air onto one or more parts of their surfaces and thus cause them to be displaced in a given direction. 
     According to a preferred form of embodiment of this process, the bottles are propelled by a jet of air acting in the area of their necks. 
     The corresponding devices generally comprise a blowing chamber and a support rail. The blowing chamber is supplied by fans and enables the air introduced to be compressed, the air then being projected towards the necks of the bottles via slits, provided on the surface of the said blowing chamber. 
     The structure of the slits enables the air stream projected to be orientated and thus ensure that the bottles are transported in the desired direction. 
     The support rail co-operates with a protuberance provided in the area of the necks of the bottles conveyed and contributes to guiding them. It is generally secured to the lower face of the blowing chamber, also referred to as an ‘apron’. 
     In presently known devices, the blowing chamber is made in one piece and numerous parts are mounted on its different faces, such as, armatures for supporting the device, lateral guides to facilitate the guiding of the bottles in the area of their bodies, cheek pieces, protecting the bottles along their path, and/or other items. 
     As to the lateral guides, in most known installations, they are secured to the apron. They are positioned via the translation movements of members that are mobile in relation to one another. 
     In order to be efficient, the lateral guides need to be finely and meticulously adjusted to suit the profile of each bottle transported, since any mis-adjustment can lead to long operating delays. 
     Although such conveying processes represent a solution with numerous advantages for transferring bottles, the presently known devices nonetheless have drawbacks. 
     First of all, as indicated above, their blowing chambers are made in one piece and are not, therefore, easily accessible. 
     Indeed, the blowing chambers owe their rigidity to the fact that their walls are assembled directly to one another, or to the use of a sheet of metal bent into an inverted U shape, closed at its base by the apron, which then defines a base. 
     In addition, the structure of the latter is often braced to enable it to support, as mentioned earlier, accessory devices such as lateral guides, protective cheek pieces or other items. 
     The apron is not, therefore, easy to disassemble and does not enable the operator to carry out maintenance operations inside the blowing chambers, not, in any case, without the risk of disturbing the adjustment of the installation. 
     As a result, the blowing chambers cannot, for instance, be cleaned easily and quickly, whereas, in the fields in which the devices are used, namely, for instance, in the farm-produce industry, hygiene requirements are increasingly severe. 
     A further drawback of such devices is that they lack modularity. Thus, in order to work on one of their components, for example, one of the walls of the blowing chamber, it is often necessary to dismantle the entire installation and/or disturb the adjustment of neighbouring components, for example, the lateral guides. 
     It will also be noted that presently known devices have many points, in particular screws, bolts and nuts, liable, for example, to allow dirt to accumulate. 
     A further drawback of such devices is that their lateral guides take a relatively long time to adjust. In addition, they can prove difficult to use, particularly when cheek pieces are installed along the device. 
     The object of the present invention is to provide a blowing type conveyor device that overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks and facilitates assembly, adjustment, maintenance and/or cleaning. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a blowing conveyor device the blowing chamber of which is easily accessible, in particular in order to facilitate its cleaning, without any risk of disturbing its adjustment. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a blower conveying device of enhanced strength. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a blower conveying device in which there is no risk of the deformation of the body of the blowing chamber and/or of any lateral guides during the passage of a train of objects to be conveyed disturbing the adjustment of the support rail for the objects. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a blower conveying device having a modular structure. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a blower conveying device that makes it possible, for example, to carry out work on its blowing chamber without affecting the adjustments, in particular those of its lateral guides, if any. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a blower conveying device adjustments to which are simplified both at the time of installation and during use, particularly in the event of changing the profiles of the objects transported. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a blower conveying device facilitating the use of a cheek member for protecting the objects transported. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a blower conveying device that does not have any areas liable to lead to the retention of dirt, in particular surface mounted screws, nuts and bolts. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will emerge in the course of the following description, which has been provided only by way of illustration and is not intended to limit same. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a device for conveying objects such as, bottles, flasks or other articles, having an protuberance in the area of their necks, including a blowing chamber, permitting the projection of a stream of air capable of driving the objects, and a support rail, co-operating with the objects in the area of the protuberance, wherein the chamber is constituted by a body and an apron, removable in relation to the body, the support rail being secured to the said apron. 
     The present invention also relates to a device for conveying objects such as, bottles, flasks or other articles, having an protuberance in the area of their necks, including a blowing chamber, permitting the projection of a stream of air capable of driving the objects, and a support rail, capable of co-operating with the objects in the area of their protuberance, wherein the that it is provided with at least two longitudinal support members provided on either side of the device along the blowing chamber and the rail. 
     The present invention also relates to a device for conveying objects such as, bottles, flasks or other articles, having a protuberance in the area of their necks, including a blowing chamber, permitting the projection of a stream of air capable of driving the objects, a support rail, capable of co-operating with the objects in the area of their protuberance, and lateral guides capable of facilitating the transport of the objects, lateral guides are constituted at least by a guide rail, provided along the device facing the bodies of the objects, and by rods to support the rail, the rods and the rail co-operating with one another at least by rotary articulation, so as to ensure the adjustment of the transverse position of the rail in relation to the objects. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will be more clearly understood from a study of the following description, accompanied by the annexed drawings, which form an integral part thereof, and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a transverse, cross-sectional view, of an exemplary form of embodiment of the conveying device according to the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a similar view of a second exemplary form of embodiment of the conveying device according to the invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional top half view showing the articulation principle of the lateral guides, if any, used in the conveying device according to the invention; 
     FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative implementation of the lateral guides, if any, used in the conveying device according to the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a device for conveying objects such as, bottles, flasks or other articles. 
     However, although more especially intended for such applications, it clan also be used, in general, for any object provided with an end having a protuberance. 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the conveying device according to the invention makes it possible to transport objects  1  having an protuberance,  2 , in particular an annular one, in the area of their necks  3  in a direction substantially orthogonal to the plane of the figures. 
     For this purpose, in a known manner, the device includes a blowing chamber  4  permitting the projection of a stream of air capable of driving the objects  1  in a desired conveying direction. It also includes a support rail,  5 , co-operating with the objects  1  in the area of their protuberance  2 , the support rail  5  being orientated in the conveying direction. 
     According to the invention, the objects  1 , guided substantially vertically, are thus transferred beneath the blowing chamber  4 , for example from a forming unit to a filling unit. 
     The blowing chamber  4  has, in particular, in the area of its lower face, a channel  6  provided with slits, on its side walls. The slits, not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, are capable of permitting the projection of the air stream in the direction of the necks  3  of objects  1 , with the latter passing through the channel. 
     The support rail  5  is constituted, in particular, by two upper rails  30 , made of plastic and/or stainless steel which, with the orientated air stream, enable the objects  1  to be guided along their path. 
     According to the invention, the chamber  4  is constituted by a body,  7 , and by an apron,  8 , which is removable in relation to the body  7 . The support rail  5  is secured to the apron  8 , the latter also defining, in particular, the channel  6 . 
     Blowing chamber  4  is thus easily accessible, by disassembling the apron  8 , and its cleaning, as well as evacuation of the products used for this purpose, is simplified. 
     According to the form of embodiment illustrated, the device according to the invention also includes means,  10 , for ensuring the air tightness of the connection between the apron  8  and the body  7 . 
     The blowing chamber  4  is designed, so as to be substantially quadrangular, and the body  7  is constituted, in particular, by two lateral sides,  11 ,  12 , and a cover,  13 . 
     The body  7  is designed as a braced framework. For this purpose, the lateral sides  11 ,  12  are, stiffened, and the body  7  includes transverse support members  9 , integral with the lateral sides  11 ,  12 . 
     The transverse support members  9  are, provided at regular intervals along blowing chamber  4 , in the conveying direction for objects  1 . 
     The stiffened lateral sides  11 ,  12  include, in particular, two longitudinal members,  14 ,  15 , provided laterally along the body  7  and/or a reinforcing armature, constituted by bows, or arches,  27 , provided at regular intervals in the same direction. The longitudinal members  14 ,  15 , provided, externally, and the arches, provided internally, sandwich lateral sides  11 ,  12  of the body  7 . 
     The longitudinal members  14 ,  15  thus play the part of longitudinal reinforcements, and the lateral walls  50 ,  51  can, as a result, simply serve to preserve the tightness of blowing chamber  4 . 
     According to another form of embodiment, not shown, the stiffened sides,  11 ,  12 , have, provided in the mass, stiffening wings, disposed laterally along the device. 
     This being the case, the means  10  for ensuring tightness are constituted, in particular, by the longitudinal members  14 ,  15 , designed to be tightly integral with the body  7 , and/or by joints  16 , provided along the apron  8 , capable of co-operating, with the longitudinal members  14 ,  15 . 
     The latter thus make it possible to ensure a tight connection between the body  7  and the apron  8 , and to prevent any loss of air prejudicial to blowing efficiency. 
     Joints  16  are provided on the longitudinal edges of the apron  8  and, according to the particular form of embodiment illustrated, the longitudinal members  14 ,  15  have at least one groove  17  suitable for receiving the joints  16 . 
     The body  7  is sandwiched between the longitudinal members  14 ,  15  and the transverse member  9 , disposed internally, designed to be integral with one another. 
     Body  7  possibly has a cover,  13 , between its lateral sides  11 ,  12 , and the arches  27  are secured, for example, to the cover  13 . 
     The latter is possibly designed in the shape of a U and thus defines a trough,  26 , between the lateral sides  11 ,  12  of the body  7 . The said trough  26  will make it possible, in particular, to house various electric and/or other cables and it can be closed at its upper portion. 
     The advantage of such an arrangement is that it makes it possible to dispense with an independent trough, located above and/or beside blowing chamber  4  and defining, as a result, a gap, or interstice, in which dirt could accumulate. 
     The arch  27  runs along, in particular, side walls  50 ,  51  of body  7  and has points,  35 , of attachment to the cover  13 . 
     The points of attachment  35  can further, possibly, be used as points for holding the device on the ceiling of the premises on which it is installed, in particular via rods, not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. 
     This being the case, according to a first form of embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 1, the apron  8  is secured to the transverse member  9 , removably, in particular via at least one screw  24  and, advantageously, using two screws  24 , offset in relation to the axis of symmetry  25  of the objects to be conveyed, in order to avoid impact in the region of the upper area of the neck. 
     The screws  24  are provided, in particular, in the area of channel  6  through which the necks  3  of the objects  1  travel, provided in the median portion of apron  8 . 
     The transverse supporting members  9  are constituted, by a lower leg closing the arch  27 . 
     According to another form of embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 2, apron  8  is secured to lateral sides  11 ,  12 , via angle pieces,  53 ,  54 . More precisely, two angle pieces  53 ,  54  are, secured to lateral sides  11 ,  12  using bolted screw rods, and the apron  8  is secured to the angle pieces  53 ,  54  via means of the same kind. 
     The transverse member  9  is, designed straight. The accuracy of its dimensions can thus be improved and the assembly  1  disassembly of apron  8  simplified. 
     To enhance the guiding of objects  1 , the device according to the invention further includes, for example, lateral guides  19 , constituted, in particular, by at least one guide rail  20 , provided along the device, facing the body of the objects  1  and rods  31  for supporting the guide rail  20 . The transverse position of the guide rails  20  can, be adjusted in the direction of arrows  21 , while the vertical position of the rails  20  can, be adjusted in the direction of arrows  22 . 
     According to the particular form of embodiment illustrated, the support rods  31  and the guide rail  20  co-operate with one another by rotary articulation to ensure the adjustment of the transverse position of the guide rail  20  in relation to the objects  1 , in particular according to the horizontal cross-section of the latter. This is more fully described below. 
     In addition, the lateral guides  19  and the apron  8  are independent and thus permit access to the interior of the blowing chamber  4  after the apron  8  has been removed, without any risk of disturbing the alignment of the lateral guides  19 , thus making for time saving during maintenance. 
     For this purpose, the lateral guides  19  as well as, possibly, the other auxiliary components provided, such as, protective cheek members  36 , display panels, devices for halting the objects to be conveyed, or other items, are mounted on the stiffened lateral sides  11 ,  12 . The apron  8  thus supports only, the rail  5 . 
     It should be noted that the present structure makes it possible to enhance the strength of the device and, in particular, to avoid disturbing the adjustment of upper rails  30  constituting rail  5 . 
     When the train of bottles, flasks or other articles passes, at high speed, they may, in fact, apply considerable stress to lateral guides  19 . In the known prior art devices, such stress is transmitted directly to the apron, whereas, according to the invention, the said stress is taken up by support armature  9 , in the area of its lateral ends, and is not, therefore, applied to the apron  8 , thus preventing the adjustment of upper rails  30  from being disturbed. To reinforce this effect, the angle pieces  53 ,  54  are, made of a relatively flexible material. 
     The longitudinal members,  14 ,  15 , are thus, capable of supporting the lateral guides  19 . For this purpose, they are provided, in particular, with housings,  23 , via which the said lateral guides  19  are secured to the longitudinal members  14   15  in the area of the upper ends of support rods  31 . 
     Thus, the longitudinal members  14   15  make it possible both to ensure tightness between body  7  and removable apron  8 , by means of the grooves  17 , and to support, in particular, the lateral guides  19 , independently of the removable apron  8 , thanks to the recesses  23 . 
     In addition the longitudinal members  14 ,  15 , the arches  27 , the angle pieces  53 ,  54  and/or the transverse member  9  are secured to one another, in particular, via a screw and nut system wherein the head of the screw co-operates with at least one housing  34 , provided in the longitudinal members  14 ,  15 . A detailed structural example of the longitudinal members  14 ,  15  is provided below. 
     The invention also relates, in fact, to a conveying device as described above, that is to say including a blowing chamber  4 , permitting the projection of an air stream capable of driving the objects  1 , and a support rail  5 , capable of co-operating with the objects  1  in the area of their protuberance  2 , the device being characterized by the fact that it is provided with at least two longitudinal support members  14 ,  15 , provided on either side of the device, along the blowing chamber  4  and the rail  5 . 
     The longitudinal support members  14 ,  15  thus make the device according to the invention modular by making it possible to receive its different elements independently of one another. 
     In addition, they enhance the longitudinal rigidity of blowing chamber  4  and make it possible, to use thinner sheet metal for its side walls  50 ,  51 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the device includes, an apron  8  to which is secured the rail  5 , and, depending on the forms of embodiment illustrated, the blowing chamber  4  and/or the apron  8  is/are secured directly or indirectly to the longitudinal members  14 ,  15 . 
     More precisely, according to the particular examples illustrated, the apron  8  forms the lower face of blowing chamber  4 , the latter further including at least a body  7 . The body  7  includes at least, in particular, two lateral sides,  11 ,  12 , and a cover,  13 . 
     The longitudinal members  14 ,  15  are further capable, of receiving armatures for supporting the device, from the floor and/or from the ceiling, not shown, lateral guides  19 , designed to facilitate the transport of the objects  1 , and/or cheek pieces  36 , designed to protect the objects  1  during their travel. 
     The longitudinal members are provided outside the blowing chamber  4 , for example in the area of the lower edge of its lateral edges,  11 ,  12 . 
     They have, in particular, at least a first housing,  34 , capable of permitting the introduction of the first means for securing the said longitudinal members,  14 ,  15 , to the said blowing chamber  4 , a second housing,  32 , capable of permitting the introduction of second means for securing the said longitudinal members  14 ,  15  and the said support armatures, a third housing,  23 , capable of permitting the introduction of third means for securing the said longitudinal members  14 ,  15  to the said lateral guides  19  and/or different members for regulating the flow of objects  1 . 
     The first, second and third housings  34 ,  32 ,  23  are, provided longitudinally along the said longitudinal members, that is to say all along the conveying device according to the invention. 
     The first, second and third securing means are constituted, in particular, by a screw and nut system, the heads of the said screws being provided in the said housings  34 ,  32 ,  23 . 
     The longitudinal members  14 ,  15  can also, possibly, have a groove,  33 , suitable for permitting insertion of the said cheek members  36 . 
     According to a first form of embodiment, the longitudinal members,  14 ,  15 , are constituted by a specially shaped aluminium piece, possibly substantially quadrangular, for example hollow. 
     Thus, according to the exemplary form of embodiment illustrated, the first housing,  34 , is provided on their lateral face, opposite blowing chamber  4 , the second housing,  32 , is provided on their other lateral face, and the said third housing,  23 , as well as the said groove  33 , are provided on their lower face. 
     In addition, the longitudinal members  14 ,  15  have an upper face, possibly smooth and curving inwards and downwards, so as to prevent dirt from accumulating in this area. 
     The longitudinal members  14 ,  15  are further, possibly, provided, with a centering orifice,  55 , making it possible to align them horizontally thanks to centering members, not shown. 
     In this connection, the said second housing  32  can be used to enhance this alignment further by means of fish-plates, not shown, provided at each junction. It can also be used, possibly, to receive means for supporting auxiliary devices such as, for example, display panels, devices for halting the objects conveyed and/or others. 
     This being the case, according to the particular form of embodiment shown, the device according to the invention includes, as mentioned earlier, lateral guides  19 . The latter are constituted, in particular, at least by a guide rail,  20 , provided along the device opposite the bodies of the objects  1  and the support rods  31  of the rail  20 . The support rods  31  are provided, at regular intervals and are secured in longitudinal members  14 ,  15  in the area of the said third housing  23 . 
     As mentioned earlier, in order to be able to ensure more easily adjustment of the transverse position, in the direction of arrow  21 , of guide rail  20  in relation to the said objects  1 , and thus determine residual play according to the horizontal cross-section of the latter, the rods  31  and the rail  20  co-operate with one another at least by rotary articulation. 
     This type of articulation makes it possible to simplify the adjustment of lateral guides  19 , particularly when cheek members  36  are present, as detailed hereinafter. 
     The invention also relates, in fact, to a conveying device such as described below, namely one including a blowing chamber  4  permitting the projection of an air stream capable of driving the said objects  1 , a support rail  5 , capable of co-operating with the said objects  1  in the area of their protuberance  2 , and lateral guides,  19 , capable of facilitating the transport of the said objects  1 , the device being characterized by the fact that the lateral guides  19  are constituted at least by a guide rail  20 , provided along the said device facing the bodies of the said objects  1 , and by rods  31  for supporting the said rail  20 . 
     The device according to the invention includes, two said guide rails  20 , disposed on either side of the body of the said objects  1  with slight residual play. The support rods  31  are, in particular, spaced at regular intervals along the said device. 
     With reference to FIG. 3, it will be noted that the said rods  31  and the said rail  20  co-operate with one another at least by rotary articulation, in particular in the direction of arrows  56 ,  57 . The said guides thus make it possible to adjust easily the transverse position of the said rail  20 , in the direction of arrow  21 , in relation to the said objects. 
     Indeed, according to the angular offset chosen, the center to center distance between the said guide rails  20  is adapted to the overall dimensions of transported objects  1 ,  1 ′, as represented in dotted lines, while the support rods,  31 , or at the very least a part of the said support rods  31 , remain in the same position. 
     In addition, thanks to such articulations, adjustment of the angular position of one of support rods  31  makes it possible, through the displacement caused by corresponding guide rail  20 , to drive simultaneously the other support rods  31  co-operating with the said rail  20 . The device can thus be adjusted more quickly. 
     It should be noted that, in FIG. 3, the conveying direction for objects  1  is represented by arrow  58  . 
     With further reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, it will be noted that the vertical position of the said guide rails  20  can also, possibly, be adjusted. The latter are thus mobile, for example, in translation along the said supports  31 , in particular in the direction of arrow  22 . 
     According to the form of embodiment illustrated, the support rods  31  can be articulated about substantially vertical axes,  59 , and the said guide rail  20  can be articulated in relation to axes  60 , also substantially vertical, off-centered in relation to the said axes of rotation  59  of rods  31  and integral with the rods  31 . The axes  59 ,  60  are thus, in particular, substantially parallel. 
     The said guide rails  20  and their support rods  31  can thus be adjusted, for example, at the time of installing the device and/or between each change in the type of object  1  to be transported. When the said objects are conveyed, the said guide rails  20  and their support rods  31  are naturally locked in position. 
     According to the particular form of embodiment illustrated, the said support rods  31  of the said lateral guides  19  are U-shaped. One of the legs,  61 , of the U is located along the said axis of rotation  59 , while the other one,  62 , is located along the said off-centered axis  60  and enables the said guide rail  20  to be positioned vertically, free to rotate about the said leg  62 . 
     One,  61 , of the legs of the U can be longer than the other,  62 , and the lateral guides,  19 , are then in the shape of a hook. 
     The said guide rails  20  are constituted, by rotary members,  63 , co-operating with the said rods  31 , through which slides a guide rod  64 , provided along the path of the said objects  1 . 
     According to a first form of embodiment, the said lateral guides  19  are supported by the said blowing chamber  4 . More precisely, the said blowing chamber  4  is of quadrangular design and the said lateral guides  19  are supported, by the inner face and/or the lateral faces of blowing chamber  4 . 
     According to another form of embodiment, corresponding to those illustrated, the said lateral guides  19  are supported by longitudinal members  14 ,  15 , possibly provided in the device according to the invention on either side of the rail  5  along the blowing chamber  4 . 
     In addition, the said support rods  31  are capable, of ensuring the support of cheek members  36 , designed to protect the said objects along their path. For this purpose, the device according to the invention includes, in particular, armatures  65  for supporting the said cheek members  36  co-operating with the said rods  31  via collars, or flanges,  66 , in which the said rods  31  are free to rotate. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 4, the said rods  31  are further suitable, possibly, for supporting a second lateral guide rod,  67 , via a link,  68 , rotationally articulated, on one hand, about the said rods  31 , and more especially about their legs  61 , and, on the other hand, about the said second rod  67 . 
     A piston type jack,  69 , mounted on a fixed portion of the device, controls the rotation, in the direction of arrow  70 , of the said link  68  about the said leg  61 . 
     The center to center distance of the said second rods  67  can thus be adjusted and makes it possible, during operation, while the center to center distance of the first rods  64  is fixed, to permit modulation of the lateral guiding system to adapt it, from a one-liter bottle to a bottle that is narrower, a half-liter bottle, and vice versa. 
     Other forms of embodiment, within the grasp of a man of the art, could, of course, have been contemplated, without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention.