Abstract: The invention relates to a method for managing a module for sorting units, which involves arranging said units loose in a reservoir; sorting said units according to a specific orientation into a batch inserted into a housing, by lifting from said reservoir towards an exit at an elevation speed; expelling said batch of sorted units from said outlet towards an entrance of a supply column, said expelled units passing through a circulation area situated between said exit and said entrance. The method comprising, at said circulation area, detecting the number of units expelled in each batch; accelerating or decelerating the elevation speed depending on said number of units detected. The invention also concerns a corresponding management device.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an ejector finger for ejecting closure elements, comprising a body provided with a base and, on the opposite side, a distal end comprising a front zone for coming into contact with the closure elements to be ejected, and the at least one distal end comprises an insert provided with at least one surface dimensioned so as to at least partially cover the front zone. The invention also concerns a device for supplying sorted closure elements, with ejector means comprising at least one such finger. The invention further concerns a method for manufacturing the ejector finger by molding.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for providing stopper elements that are sorted in order to feed a downstream workstation. The devices comprising a lifting means; a means or referencing said stopper elements one by one, located downstream from the lifting means; a conveyor for bringing the referenced elements to said workstation, positioned at the outlet of said referencing means; a vision means for verifying the conformance of said elements in an inspection zone extending at the level of the referencing means and/or of the conveyor; and a means for expelling those elements that do not conform located downstream of said vision means. The inspection zone comprises at least two successive sections each including a distinct color. The invention also relates to a corresponding method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for providing stopper elements that are sorted in order to feed a downstream workstation. The devices comprising a lifting means; a means or referencing said stopper elements one by one, located downstream from the lifting means; a conveyor for bringing the referenced elements to said workstation, positioned at the outlet of said referencing means; a vision means for verifying the conformance of said elements in an inspection zone extending at the level of the referencing means and/or of the conveyor; and a means for expelling those elements that do not conform located downstream of said vision means. The inspection zone comprises at least two successive sections each including a distinct color. The invention also relates to a corresponding method.

Abstract: Device for delivery of sorted elements for feeding a downstream work station that includes a downward drop that brings the elements, a one-at-a-time processor that receives the elements from the drop, an upward conveyor branch that extends from the processor and that receives the elements therefrom, and an ejector that is located in the area of the upward conveyor branch. The device includes at least one viewing unit that is positioned to monitor the elements in the area of the processor, such as a camera.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for managing a module for sorting units, which involves arranging said units loose in a reservoir; sorting said units according to a specific orientation into a batch inserted into a housing, by lifting from said reservoir towards an exit at an elevation speed; expelling said batch of sorted units from said outlet towards an entrance of a supply column, said expelled units passing through a circulation area situated between said exit and said entrance. The method comprising, at said circulation area, detecting the number of units expelled in each batch; accelerating or decelerating the elevation speed depending on said number of units detected. The invention also concerns a corresponding management device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for feeding capsules, including a receiving tray for loose capsules, a raising belt provided with mountings, for circulating capsules upwards, during which the capsules that are incorrectly oriented are returned to the receiving tray, an outlet chute for guiding the capsules to the station being fed, as well as an ejection unit for guiding the capsules into the chute from one side of the raised belt. The chute includes an end portion wherein the capsules circulate under their own inertia and which has a guiding curve with nothing directly opposite, defining the path thereof. Also disclosed is a corresponding method.

Abstract: Device for delivery of sorted elements for feeding a downstream work station that includes a downward drop that brings the elements, a one-at-a-time processor that receives the elements from the drop, an upward conveyor branch that extends from the processor and that receives the elements therefrom, and an ejector that is located in the area of the upward conveyor branch. The device includes at least one viewing unit that is positioned to monitor the elements in the area of the processor, such as a camera.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sorting device for elements of the cap or stopper type, used to close a bottle or vial, or of the plastic preform type. The device includes a continuous conveyor arranged to travel in a conveying direction and equipped with successive transverse stop members between which the elements can rest in transverse alignment. The sorting device includes an ejector for ejecting the elements from the conveyor by moving the elements essentially along the length of the transverse stop members, the ejector include at least one push member which can move at least transversely to the conveying direction so as to push the elements towards the exit zone. Also disclosed is a corresponding method.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for delivering sorted elements of the cap, stopper or other type, in order to feed a downstream work station, the device including a unit for lifting elements, in which a first sorting operation is performed, and, mounted downstream, a unit for treating the elements in which the elements are treated individually. Also disclosed is a delivery device including a conveyor mounted downstream from the treatment unit in order to direct the elements towards the work station, the conveyor moving the elements singly. Further disclosed is a corresponding method.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for feeding capsules, including a receiving tray for loose capsules, a raising belt provided with mountings, for circulating capsules upwards, during which the capsules that are incorrectly oriented are returned to the receiving tray, an outlet chute for guiding the capsules to the station being fed, as well as an ejection unit for guiding the capsules into the chute from one side of the raised belt. The chute includes an end portion wherein the capsules circulate under their own inertia and which has a guiding curve with nothing directly opposite, defining the path thereof. Also disclosed is a corresponding method.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for delivering sorted elements of the cap, stopper or other type, in order to feed a downstream work station, the device including a unit for lifting elements, in which a first sorting operation is performed, and, mounted downstream, a unit for treating the elements in which the elements are treated individually. Also disclosed is a delivery device including a conveyor mounted downstream from the treatment unit in order to direct the elements towards the work station, the conveyor moving the elements singly. Further disclosed is a corresponding method.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sorting device for elements of the cap or stopper type, used to close a bottle or vial, or of the plastic preform type. The device includes a continuous conveyor arranged to travel in a conveying direction and equipped with successive transverse stop members between which the elements can rest in transverse alignment. The sorting device includes an ejector for ejecting the elements from the conveyor by moving the elements essentially along the length of the transverse stop members, the ejector include at least one push member which can move at least transversely to the conveying direction so as to push the elements towards the exit zone. Also disclosed is a corresponding method.

Abstract: A guide track associated with a capping machine, including a capping head that is adjustable to fit the different formats of bottles. The track has, upstream from and adjacent to the capping head, a telescopic portion having a section rigidly connected to the capping head and movable with the latter, and a stationary section rigidly connected to a general frame. The telescopic portion of the guide track for caps includes side walls, the surface of which is smooth, regardless of the position of the stationary section and the movable section in relation to one another. The stationary section and the movable section are transversely shifted, and guided with regard to one another, by a runner system.

Abstract: The guide structure for stoppers takes the form of a tunnel with a C-shaped section for trapping and guiding the cylindrical part of the stoppers (1c, 1t), which tunnel has opposing edges spaced out at a distance such as to allow the passage of the bulge (3) of the nipple-type stoppers (1t). This structure consists of filamentary rails (5) and of plates (6) with a hole through their central part shaped according to the profile of the stoppers that are to be transferred.

Abstract: A guide track associated with a capping machine, including a capping head that is adjustable to fit the different formats of bottles. The track has, upstream from and adjacent to the capping head, a telescopic portion having a section rigidly connected to the capping head and movable with the latter, and a stationary section rigidly connected to a general frame. The telescopic portion of the guide track for caps includes side walls, the surface of which is smooth, regardless of the position of the stationary section and the movable section in relation to one another. The stationary section and the movable section are transversely shifted, and guided with regard to one another, by a runner system.

Abstract: A conveyor which can be used to route oriented objects, such as caps, covers, lids, etc. from a finishing machine of the type including a belt, a vibrating bowl or other. The conveyor includes a module having a vertical conveyor in the form of a column with an adjustable height and an intermediate conveyor in the form of a casing which is disposed between the finishing machine and the column. In addition, the module includes channel-type devices for guiding the objects and devices for propelling the objects, in the form of jets of air pulsed through eyes. The channel and the eyes form a continuous assembly between the finishing machine and the upper end of the column. The conveyor also includes devices enabling the automatic ejection of objects from grooves provided in the belt of the machine.

Abstract: The guide structure for stoppers takes the form of a tunnel with a C-shaped section for trapping and guiding the cylindrical part of the stoppers (1c, 1t), which tunnel has opposing edges spaced out at a distance such as to allow the passage of the bulge (3) of the nipple-type stoppers (1t). This structure consists of filamentary rails (5) and of plates (6) with a hole through their central part shaped according to the profile of the stoppers that are to be transferred.

Abstract: An improvement to finishing machines that are used to orient objects. The finishing machine includes a hopper for receiving loose objects, such as lids, and an endless belt for extracting the lids from the hopper. The belt moves vertically upwards with the lids and sorts the lids automatically, such that only correctly-oriented lids are retained.

Abstract: The invention relates to a conveyor which can be used to route oriented objects, such as caps, covers, lids, etc. from a finishing machine of the type comprising a belt, a vibrating bowl or other. The inventive conveyor consists of a module (12) comprising (i) a vertical conveyor in the form of a column (14) with an adjustable height and (ii) an intermediate conveyor in the form of a casing (13) which is disposed between the finishing machine and the column (14). In addition, the module (12) comprises channel-type means (15) for guiding the objects and means for propelling said objects, in the form of jets of air pulsed through eyes (32). The channel (15) and the eyes (32) form a continuous assembly between the finishing machine and the upper end of the column (14). The conveyor also comprises means enabling the automatic ejection of objects from grooves (7) provided in the belt (3) of the machine.