At present, in the field of bottle conveying, there are known, devices constituted, on one hand, by a compression chamber, enabling a stream of air to be projected onto the bottles so as to drive them in the conveying direction, and, on the other hand, by a rail, capable of supporting the said bottles by the collar or flange generally provided in the area of their necks.
The rail most often includes two guides, provided under the compression chamber, the latter being placed above the bottles to enable the stream of air to projected onto their necks.
Such devices have numerous drawbacks. In order to prevent the bottles from oscillating in a plane orthogonal to the conveying direction, they necessitate, in fact, the use of lateral guide members, provided in the area of the bodies of the bottles.
It should further be noted that, if the type or the format of the bottles changes, it is then necessary to make numerous, costly adjustments to the lateral guide members, along the entire length of the conveying path.
In addition, such devices are unable to prevent the bottles from oscillating longitudinally when transported, which only too often leads to bottles colliding, or again, to their -fanning out-, with a risk of obstructing the conveying process.
What is more, to be able to be transported by presently known conveying devices, the bottles have to have quite precise dimensions, particularly in the area of their collars. In addition, they must not be made of a material liable to heat up too quickly as a result of friction, such as PVC.
It should also be noted that such devices do not permit a satisfactory level of hygiene. The air projected onto the bottles in the area of their necks enters the bottles, with the risk of contaminating them, unless prior, filtering is provided, which is complex and expensive if it is to be reliable.
The object of the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks by providing a device for conveying objects the guiding of which is simplified.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for conveying objects, having necks and bodies, the characteristics of which are independent of the dimensions and/or the shape of the bodies of the objects.
Another object of the present invention is to provided a device for conveying objects, provided with necks and bodies, that makes it possible to dispense with the use of lateral guide members in the area of the bodies of the objects.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a device for conveying objects that makes it possible to prevent the objects from oscillating longitudinally when they are transported and/or to prevent the occurrence of -fanning out- phenomena.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for conveying objects that makes it possible to reduce impact between the objects moved.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for conveying objects that makes it possible to improve the conditions of hygiene under which the objects are transported.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a device for conveying objects that can be applied, in particular, to driving bottles the dimensional tolerances in the area of the collars of which are broad, or even bottles having no collars.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for conveying objects permitting the transport of the latter regardless of the material of which they are made.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for loading objects designed for a device for conveying the objects which makes it possible to cause it to operate continuously and at high speed.
Further objects and advantages of the present invention will emerge in the course of the description that follows, which is given only by way of illustration and is not intended to limit same.