Method and device for managing a unit sorting module

1. A method for managing a module ( 1 ) for sorting units ( 2 ) of the stopper or cap or preform type, wherein:

said units ( 2 ) are placed in loose form in a reservoir ( 3 );

said units ( 2 ) are sorted in an oriented manner into at least one batch inserted into at least one housing ( 4 ) by being lifted from said reservoir ( 3 ) toward an outlet ( 5 ) at a lifting speed;

said batch of sorted units ( 2 ) is expelled from said outlet ( 5 ) of said housing ( 4 ) toward an inlet ( 8 ) of at least one vertical supply column ( 9 ), said expelled units ( 2 ) passing through a circulation zone ( 10 ) situated between said outlet ( 5 ) and said inlet ( 8 ), said circulation zone ( 10 ) for guiding a trajectory of the units ( 2 ) directly from the outlet ( 5 ) of the housing ( 4 ) downward to the inlet ( 8 ) of the vertical supply column ( 9 );

the method comprising:

detecting the number of expelled units ( 2 ) per batch at said outlet ( 5 ) or at said inlet ( 8 );

increasing or decreasing the lifting speed depending on said detected number of units ( 2 ).

2. The management method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising detecting the number of expelled units ( 2 ) per batch at a point along said circulation zone ( 10 ).

3. The management method as claimed in claim 2 , further comprising expelling the units ( 2 ) of a batch pneumatically and detecting said units ( 2 ) individually by counting.

4. The management method as claimed in claim 2 , further comprising:

expelling the units ( 2 ) of a batch mechanically by pushing them in an indexed manner from one end ( 11 ) as far as said outlet ( 5 ) and detecting said units ( 2 ):

individually by counting; and/or

by calculating the number of units ( 2 ) between said outlet ( 5 ) and the indexed position at the time of said pushing.

5. The management method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising expelling the units ( 2 ) of a batch pneumatically and detecting said units ( 2 ) individually by counting.

6. The management method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:

expelling the units ( 2 ) of a batch mechanically by pushing them in an indexed manner from one end ( 11 ) as far as said outlet ( 5 ) and detecting said units ( 2 ):

individually by counting; and/or

by calculating the number of units ( 2 ) between said outlet ( 5 ) and the indexed position at the time of said pushing.

7. A device for providing units, which comprises a module ( 1 ) for sorting units ( 2 ) of the stopper or cap or preform type, said sorting module ( 1 ) being provided with a reservoir ( 3 ) that receives said units ( 2 ) and with a conveyor ( 6 ) that is disposed upwardly and is driven at a lifting speed, said conveyor ( 6 ) comprising at least one housing ( 4 ) for receiving said units ( 2 ) in the form of a batch by insertion, said sorting module ( 1 ) also comprising an outlet ( 5 ) and expulsion device ( 13 ) for expelling toward said outlet ( 5 ) each batch of units ( 2 ) inserted into each housing ( 4 ), said sorting module ( 1 ) comprising a vertical supply column ( 9 ) provided with an inlet ( 8 ) and a circulation zone ( 10 ) for said units ( 2 ) that is situated between said outlet ( 5 ) and said inlet ( 8 ), said circulation zone ( 10 ) for guiding a trajectory of the units ( 2 ) directly from the outlet ( 5 ) of the housing ( 4 ) downward to the inlet ( 8 ) of the vertical supply column ( 9 ),

the device for providing units further comprising:

a detection unit for detecting the number of units ( 2 ) in each batch, said detection unit having at least one sensor ( 12 ) situated at said outlet ( 5 ) or at said inlet ( 8 );

controller for controlling the increase and the decrease in the lifting speed of said conveyor ( 6 ) depending on the number of units ( 2 ) detected.

8. The provision device as claimed in claim 7 , wherein said detection unit further comprise a at least one sensor ( 12 ) situated at a point along said circulation zone ( 10 ).

9. The provision device as claimed in claim 8 , wherein said expulsion device ( 13 ) have a pneumatic ejector, and in that at least one sensor ( 12 ) of said detection unit comprises at least one counting cell.

10. The provision device as claimed in claim 8 , wherein said expulsion device ( 13 ) have a mechanical ejector in the form of a pusher that is movable in translation according to indexed positions along said housing ( 4 ), and in that at least one sensor ( 12 ) of said detection unit comprises:

at least one counting cell; and/or

a cell for detecting the presence of a unit ( 2 ) at said outlet ( 5 ), said detection unit comprising device for calculating the number of units ( 2 ) between said outlet ( 5 ) and said pusher at an indexed pushing position.

11. The provision device as claimed in claim 7 , wherein said expulsion device ( 13 ) have a pneumatic ejector, and in that at least one sensor ( 12 ) of said detection unit comprises at least one counting cell.

12. The provision device as claimed in claim 7 , wherein said expulsion device ( 13 ) have a mechanical ejector in the form of a pusher that is movable in translation according to indexed positions along said housing ( 4 ), and in that at least one sensor ( 12 ) of said detection unit comprises:

at least one counting cell; and/or

a cell for detecting the presence of a unit ( 2 ) at said outlet ( 5 ), said detection unit comprising device for calculating the number of units ( 2 ) between said outlet ( 5 ) and said pusher at an indexed pushing position.