WO2019048784A1 - Transfer of a batch of products between a plate and the top of at least one pallet - Google Patents

Abstract

The subject of the invention is method for palletizing a batch (1) of products (1) from a plate (3) to the top of at least one pallet (4), said batch (1) being formed by the set of products (2) initially present on the plate (3) and extending in a first direction (x) and in a second direction (y), which are perpendicular to one another. This method is characterized in that said batch (1) comprises at least two groups (5) of products (2) of substantially equivalent size, and in that the plate (3) is emptied of its contents by executing, several times, a step of transferring a group (5) of products (2) to the top of a pallet (4). Further subjects of the invention are a corresponding depalletizing method and a device for implementing these methods.

Description

 TRANSFERRING A BATCH OF PRODUCTS BETWEEN A TRAY AND THE TOP OF AT LEAST ONE PALLET

The present invention relates to the field of the preparation of products, in particular semi-finished products, with a view to their storage, shipping or packaging and the object is, on the one hand, a method of palletizing a batch of produced from a tray to the top of at least one pallet, a corresponding depalletizing process, and a device for implementing these methods.

 In this field, the treated products are generally containers, such as bottles, bottles, cans, etc. In principle, such products undergo a first so-called production phase during which they are finalized to the unit through a succession of several steps within corresponding modules, such as filling, plugging and labeling.

 Conventionally, such products ready for use then undergo a second conditioning stage. During this step, the products are then grouped into batches, each batch being constituted by grouping, staggered or not, several products according to a matrix arrangement, generally parallelepiped square or rectangle. Once the batches are formed, they can then be introduced into crates using a packager, or be wrapped with a plastic film shrunk around the products by means of a shrinkwrapper so as to obtain burdens.

 After this step of packaging the products, crates or burdens thus obtained generally undergo a palletizing step in which they are grouped and possibly reoriented to form layers to be arranged on each other on pallets for handling and their transport.

However, there is a growing demand, to form burdens or crates including products that are not all identical to each other. In fact, the products of the same burden or within the same box may differ in their container, their content and / or their label, for example. This may be for example promotional packs comprising several products of a different nature such as a drink A and a B. It may also be packs with different labels, for example, custom labels.

 To meet this demand, the products are generally packaged directly after the production phase and then unpacked to be then reconditioned with different products. In this respect, the document US 2014/0119875 discloses a robot making it possible to seize at one time all the products present in a box, these products forming at least two rows, and to rearrange their arrangement, for example along a single line of products. The batches of identical products are thus defeated and the products are reconditioned via the formation of new batches formed of a mixture of products.

 However, this unpacking / repacking process has the disadvantages of being time-consuming and particularly expensive. It is therefore desirable to dispense with such a method. Indeed, it is better to store the products, while they are in a state called "semi-finished", that is to say, to the unit, filled, blocked, labeled or not, to condition them only once, directly forming the desired lots.

 There is also a growing demand for production lines and packaging with a high degree of modularity without compromising productivity. Such a line must in particular be able to continue to produce products intended later to be provided with another label or to be conditioned differently than what is going on within the line.

 As such, a solution described in the application FR1659566 proposes the use of a movable carriage in displacement, autonomously, which can support and move products arranged side by side and coming from any module of a line, for example a corker or a labeller or a packager to bring them, especially to a storage area.

 However, especially for reasons of cadence, the trolleys used have a relatively large reception area, typically a few meters in length and width. This results in a relatively large size when storing products.

There remains therefore a need to improve the existing by having a system allowing the storage / retrieval of semi-finished products not not detrimental to the production of the line, while occupying less space.

 The invention thus aims to provide a solution for storing more products per square meter on the ground and not affecting the production.

 To do this, the invention proposes to perform the storage of products using pallets, including standardized, on which we can stack several layers of products. In this solution, the products stored (and reciprocally destocked) are transferred, not from an element belonging to the production line but from an independent plateau having a reception area of a larger area. to that of a palette.

 The invention thus relates to a method of palletizing a batch of products from a tray to the top of at least one pallet, said batch being formed of all the products initially present on the tray and extending along a first direction (x) and along a second direction (y), perpendicular,

 This palletizing process is characterized in that said batch comprises at least two groups of products of substantially equivalent size, and in that the tray is emptied of its contents by executing several times a transfer step of a group of products on the above a pallet.

 The invention also relates to a reciprocal depalletizing process, namely, a method of depalletizing groups of products from above at least one pallet on which the groups are stacked, on a tray, each group of products. extending along a first direction (x) and along a second direction (y), perpendicular.

 This depalletizing process is characterized in that said tray can accommodate at least two groups of products, and in that it comprises at least one step of transferring a group of products from the top of a pallet to the tray this step being reproduced until the tray is covered with products.

The invention also relates to a device implementing these palletizing and depalletizing methods, namely, a product transfer device between a tray adapted to accommodate several groups of products side by side and the top of at least one pallet able to accommodate several groups of stacked products, a group of products extending along a first direction (x) and along a second direction (y), perpendicular.

 This device is characterized in that it comprises at least one product transfer means, group by group, between a plate and the top of at least one pallet, said transfer means being able to empty and / or completely cover the tray of products.

 The invention will be better understood thanks to the description below, which is based on possible embodiments, explained in an illustrative and non-limiting manner, with reference to the appended figures, in which:

 - Figure 1 shows schematically a possible example of configuration of a batch of products on a tray, seen from above. This batch is suitable for being palletized using the palletizing method according to the invention,

 FIG. 2 schematically illustrates and seen from above a possible configuration of a group during its transfer according to one embodiment of the invention,

 FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a batch of products present on a tray, this batch being intended to be transferred on two pallets arranged on either side of the tray according to one embodiment of the invention,

 FIG. 4 shows the same perspective view as in FIG. 3, but at the end of the palletizing process according to one embodiment of the invention,

 - Figure 5 schematically illustrates and seen from above the chronological progress of a palletization method according to an embodiment of the invention through the successive schemes 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f, 5g, 5h and 5i,

 FIG. 6 schematically illustrates, from above, the chronological progress of a depalletization method according to one embodiment of the invention through the successive schemes 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e and 6f, and

 - Figure 7 shows schematically and seen from above the chronological course of a step of supplying a depalletization process according to an embodiment of the invention through the successive schemes 7a and 7b.

The invention therefore firstly as a method of palletizing a batch 1 of products 2 from a tray 3 to the top at least one pallet 4, said batch 1 being formed of all the products 2 initially present on the plate 3 and extending along a first direction (x) and along a second direction (y ), perpendicular.

 The subject of the invention is also a reciprocal depalletizing process for such a batch 1 of product 2 from at least one pallet 4 to a tray 3.

 The products 2 treated by the processes according to the invention are generally so-called "semi-finished" products. For the purposes of the invention, "semi-finished products" means containers, such as bottles, bottles, cans, etc., arranged unitarily. In other words, these products 2 are generally not integral with each other, that is to say that they are not packaged in batches of several products for example in the form of boxes or burdens. It is therefore possible to enter each product 2 individually. Semi-finished products may be empty or filled containers, usually filled. Thus, the semi-finished products are generally filled products, sealed with or without a label.

 During the palletizing process according to the invention, the products 2 are transferred from a plate 3, up to the top of at least one pallet 4. The reverse operation is performed during the depalletizing process.

 A tray 3 corresponds to any element having a flat, horizontal top surface so as to support a plurality of products 3 side by side. Viewed from above, the plate 3 may in particular be rectangular in shape and extend in the two perpendicular directions (x) and (y).

 In the context of the present invention, it should be noted that within a site, the zone in which the palletization is carried out, and reciprocally the depalletization, is not connected to the production line via fixed conveyor (s). In the following text, this location may be called palletization / depalletization area. Thus, products 2 can be manufactured and packaged within a line, while other products 2 can be stored or destocked using the palletizing and depalletizing methods of the invention.

The plate 3 from which the products 2 are palletized is therefore not related to the production line during the palletizing process according to the invention and is not fed with products 2 during this process. Thus, at the beginning of the process it comprises a number of products 2, also called lot 1 of products 2 and this number of products 2 decreases gradually throughout the process.

 Conversely, it is the same during the depalletizing process, that is to say that the plate 3 does not feed the product line 2, when it receives products 2 previously stored on pallets 4. The plate 3, empty at the beginning of this process, is then gradually covered with products 3.

 In practice, the tray 3 can be mobile within the site on which it is located, in general. It can for example be moved using a shuttle, including autonomous, supporting the tray 3. It can also be provided with feet and wheels and can be also movable using a shuttle, or be movable in an autonomous way. Thus, such a plate 3 can for example move between a palletizing / depalletizing zone and machines for processing a line.

 It is therefore possible:

 depositing a batch 1 of products 2 coming out of a processing machine from a line, typically a corking machine or a labeling machine, on such a plate 3, then moving this plate 3 towards the palletizing / depalletizing zone, to store , ie palletizing these products 2 on a pallet (s) 4, and

 to bring a tray 3 supporting a batch 1 of depalletized products 2 from the palletizing / depalletizing zone to a processing machine of a production line, typically a labeller, a packager or a shrink wrapper, so as to reintroduce these 2 products on a line to directly obtain the desired packaging for marketing. It should be noted that in this case, the products 2 present on the tray 3 may very well have been manufactured on another site, and therefore another line than the one on which they will be finalized or packaged, the pallet (s) ( s) 4 supporting these products 2 before their depalletization can easily be moved from one site to another.

 In general, the products 2 are arranged side by side on the plate 3, that is to say that each product 2 is in direct contact with the plate 3. In other words, each product 2 rests directly on the plate 3, so that there are no products 2 placed on other products 2 on the plate 3.

Within the meaning of the invention, a batch 1 of products 2 corresponds to all of the products 2 present on the plate 3 at the beginning of the palletizing method according to the invention. Conversely, such a batch 1 also corresponds to all of the products 2 present on the plate 3 at the end of the depalletizing process according to the invention. Seen from above, such a lot

1 is of substantially rectangular shape, even rectangular, and extends along a first direction (x) and along a second direction (y), these two directions (x) and (y) being perpendicular to the one of the other.

 Preferably, the rectangle formed by such a lot 1 seen from above, has a surface compatible with optimal occupation on a plate 3, that is to say a surface slightly less than or substantially equivalent to the upper surface of the plate 3 on which Lot 1 rests. In practice, such a lot 1 can occupy at least 80% of the surface of the plate 3, in particular at least 90% of the surface of the plate 3.

 Within the meaning of the invention, a "pallet 4" corresponds to any element having a flat, horizontal upper surface capable of accommodating a plurality of groups of products 2, said groups being stacked on each other. the others, preferably with an interlayer between each group 5 of products 2. Such a pallet 4 may be perforated or not and be seen from above, of substantially rectangular or square shape. Viewed from above, a pallet 4 can then extend along the two perpendicular directions (x) and (y).

 Within the meaning of the invention a group 5 of products 2 corresponds to a set of products 2 arranged side by side, the adjacent products 2 being independent of each other. A group 5 thus corresponds to a set of products 2 arranged in matrix form with or without a quincunx. The products 2 of the same group 5 occupy a surface generally of rectangular shape with several products 2 along each dimension of the rectangle, these dimensions extending along a first direction (x) and along a second direction (y).

 The palletizing method according to the invention is characterized in that said batch 1 comprises at least two groups 5 of products 2 of substantially equivalent size, and in that the tray 3 is emptied of its contents by executing several times a transfer step of a group of 5 products

2 on the top of a pallet 4.

Thus, a lot 1 consists of several groups of products. In other words, a group 5 is a part of a batch 1. The groups 5 present on the same plate 3 are arranged side by side and rest on the upper surface of the plate 3. On the other hand, on a pallet 4, the groups 5 are placed on each other. Classically, the groups 5 stacked on a pallet 4 are called layers of products 2. The palletizing method according to the invention thus makes it possible to save space on the ground compared to a simple storage on a plate 3 in the sense that after palletization, several groups 5 of products 2 initially placed side by side are found stacked on top of each other.

 During the palletizing process according to the invention, each group 5 of the batch 1 to be palletized is transferred onto the top of a pallet 4. In other words, during its transfer, a group 5 can be transferred directly to a pallet. pallet 4 if it does not yet support products 2. In this case, each of the products 2 constituting this group 5 is directly in contact with the upper surface of the pallet 4 on which it was transferred. On the other hand, if the pallet 4 on which a group 5 is going to be transferred already supports one or more groups of products 2, the new group 5 will be deposited on the highest group 5 of the stack, or even on an already placed spacer. on the top 5 group of the stack.

 The transfer of groups of products 2 is performed from any tool capable of transferring a group of products 2. Generally, a tool transfers a group of products 2 at a time. However, it is also possible for a tool to transfer a group 5 in several times, that is to say by first transferring part of the products 2 of the same group 5, then another part, until transfer the entire group 5.

 An example of a tool that may be suitable for example is for example a robotic tool provided with a means for gripping the products 2 formed for example of a plurality of suction cups, such as tulips which each grip a product 1, or a plurality of pair of flanks facing each other and between which at least one product 2 can be taken.

Another example of a tool that may be suitable is a tool equipped with at least one pusher so that groups 5 of products 2 can be pushed in one or more steps on top of a pallet 4. Such a pusher may simply be a partition vertical extending for example along a direction perpendicular to a transfer direction in which the groups 5 are transferred. It can also be U-shaped for example. Preferably, the implementation of such a tool operating by pushing involves the use of a device to put flower and butt the upper surface of the plate 3 and the surface on which is transferred a group of products 2 by pushing.

 It will be understood that in order for groups 5 to be stacked on each other, it is desirable that they be of substantially the same size, that is, viewed from above, they substantially form a surface rectangle of the same size. order. Thus, in each batch 1, the groups 5 are substantially of equivalent size. A lot 1 is thus subdivided into several groups 5 each comprising approximately the same number of products 2.

 Such a rectangle has in principle a surface compatible with optimal storage on a pallet 4, that is to say a surface slightly less than or substantially equivalent to the upper surface of a pallet 4 on which the stacked groups 5 rest. In practice, the area occupied by a group of products 2 may correspond to at least 80%, or even at least 90% of the upper surface of the pallet 4 on which said group 5 rests.

 In view of the above, it will also be understood that the upper surface of the plate 3 is in principle larger than the upper surface of a pallet 4. More specifically, the upper surface of the plate 3 can be substantially x times larger than the upper surface of a pallet 4, the value of x generally corresponding to the number of groups 5 constituting the batch 1 to palletize.

 The palletizing method according to the invention thus amounts to transferring the groups initially present side by side on the plate 3, generally group 5 by group 5, on the top of at least one pallet 4 until it there are no more products 2 on the plate 3. On a pallet 4, groups 5 are then stacked successively, one after the other. A spacer may optionally be deposited between each group 5 of products 2. The set of groups 5 forming a batch 1 may be transferred on a single pallet 4, the pallet 4 then comprising at the end of the process, as many groups 5 superimposed the number of groups constituting the batch 1 transferred. Alternatively, a lot 1 can be distributed over several different pallets 4, often on two separate pallets 4.

Once a batch 1 of 2 products palletized, that is to say once the tray 3 supporting this batch 1 devoid of products 2, the tray 3 can be moved outside the palletizing / depalletizing area. A new plate 3, in particular identical to the previous plate 3, containing another lot 1 of products 2, in particular of similar size to the previous batch 1, can then be brought into this zone in order to palletize this batch 1 and so on.

 It should be noted that the pallet (s) 4 on which the previous batch (s) have been transferred (1) can be renewed (or not renewed) the palletization of a new batch 1. Thus, the same pallet 4 can support groups 5 of products 2 coming from the same batch 1 or groups 5 coming from different lots 1.

 According to a possible additional feature of the palletizing process, the pallet 4 may be a standardized pallet.

 A standardized pallet generally corresponds to a pallet size of 800 x 1200 mm in Europe and 1000 x 1200 mm in the USA. This can be perforated or not.

 The storage of products 2, especially semi-finished on standardized pallets 4 has the advantage of being able to store a large quantity of products 2 on a low floor surface without the user having to obtain a specific storage material . Indeed, any production or product packaging site already uses standardized pallets 4 for transport and handling purposes.

 According to another possible additional feature of the palletizing process, on the plate 3:

 the batch 1 of products 2 is formed of several rows 6 of products 2 disjoint and arranged side by side, each row 6 extending along the first direction (x), and

 each group 5 of products 2 is formed of several rows 7 of products 2 which are disjoint and arranged side by side, each queue 7 extending along the first direction (x).

 Thus, on a plate 3, a batch 1 of products 2 may consist of several columns (or rows 6) of single-line products 2 along the direction (x), the columns being arranged side by side along the direction ( y). Such rows 6 are disjoint, that is to say that two rows 6 side by side are not in contact with each other. In other words, there is a space between each row 6 of products 2 forming a lot 1.

Since a lot 1 is subdivided into several groups 5, each having a plurality of products 2 along the direction (x) and along the direction (y), it is the same for the arrangement within each group 5 On the plateau 3. Indeed, when a batch 1 is formed of several disjointed rows 6, each group is formed of several portions of rows 6. 7. In other words, each line 7 corresponds to a part of a row 6. In this case, each group 5 consists of several rows 7 of products 2 disjointed and arranged side by side, each file 7 s'. extending along the first direction (x). Preferably, each group belonging to the same batch 1, has the same number of queues 7.

 By way of example, and as described in more detail later, FIG. 1 represents a possible configuration of a batch 1 of products 2 formed of three groups of products 2. This batch 1 is on a plate 3 and is formed several disjointed rows 6 extending along the direction (x).

 Thus, when a batch 1 of products 2 is deposited on the plate 3, at the output of a processing machine within a line, it can be deposited so as to form rows 6 disjoint and single-sided side by side, each row 6 extending along the first direction (x). The products 2 can for example be brought on this plate 3 with the aid of an AQflex® type device.

 In embodiments in which the products 2 of a batch 1 are thus aligned along the direction (x) on a plate 3, it may be particularly advantageous to have a system capable of transferring the groups constituting this batch 1 on the top of a pallet 4 (and preferably reciprocally able to depalletize these products 2 later) to maintain the alignment of the products 2.

 Indeed, processing machines, to which the products 2 could be brought after destocking, like a shrinkwrapper or a packager for example, require that the products 2 enter aligned.

Therefore, a storage system capable of maintaining the alignment of the products 2 is particularly advantageous.

 For the purposes of the invention, the expression "capable of keeping an alignment" designates an ability following a transfer-type operation to maintain an arrangement in which a set of products 2 is in the form of single-line disjoint columns of products. 2, it being understood that each column extends along the first direction (x) and that along the second direction (y), these columns succeed one another.

Thus, according to another possible additional feature of the palletizing process, the transfer of the groups 5 is carried out so that each group 5 present on said at least one pallet 4 is formed of several rows 7 of products 2 disjoint and arranged side by side, each file 7 extending along the first direction (x).

 Preferably, such a transfer is carried out when the groups 5 in question are already arranged in this way on the plate 3, that is to say, when they are formed of several rows 7 of products 2 disjoint and arranged side by side. coast, each line 7 extending along the first direction (x).

 In this case, the transfer is achieved by maintaining the alignment of the products 2. Robotic tools such as described above are for example capable of maintaining the alignment of the products 2. However, tools equipped with pushers are preferred.

 Indeed, this type of tool does not require individual input of products 2 from above. Therefore, the use of a push-operated tool does not require precise knowledge of the position of each product 2 before the transfer of a group 5. Likewise, such a tool requires fewer adjustments during a change. format. Indeed, a robotic tool as described above must adapt both to the size of the base of the products 3 to adjust the spacing between the tulips, but also to the shape and size of the top of the products 3 for place tulips adapted to products 2 to be transported.

 A tool allowing the transfer of a group 5 while retaining the alignment of the products 2 and which is particularly preferred is a tool provided with a plurality of parallel guides 8, each of these guides 8 being vertical and extending along from the first direction (x). Preferably, such a tool comprises at least one additional guide 8 with respect to the number of files 7 of the group 5 to be transferred. In this way, it is possible to transfer the entirety of a group 5 at a time, while maintaining the alignment of the products 2. Indeed, when the guides 8 are positioned at appropriate distances from each other, each file 7 of group 5 can be between two guides 8 of the tool. The transfer is then carried out in a direction preferably orthogonal to the direction (x) in which the queues extend. Thus, the transfer is in particular carried out along the second direction (y). In some embodiments, the distance between the guides 8 can be adjusted to facilitate format changes.

Thus, according to another possible additional feature of the palletizing method, the transfer step is carried out by pushing a group 5 along the second direction (y) with a tool provided with guides 8 which extend along the first direction (x), each file 7 of products

2 of said group 5 located between two guides 8 during the transfer step.

 FIG. 2 described later illustrates a possible configuration of a group 5 during its transfer using such a tool provided with guides 8.

 It should be noted that the plate 3 may comprise, along the first direction (x), the succession of one or more groups 5 of products 2. Preferably, as illustrated in particular in FIGS. 1 and 3 to 7, the plateau

3 comprises along the direction (x), several groups of products 2. Thus, the plate 3 may preferably comprise from two to five groups of products 2 along the direction (x), more preferably it can include three groups of products 2 along the direction (x).

 It should also be noted that the plate 3 may comprise, along the second direction (y), the succession of one or more groups 5 of products 2. Preferably, as illustrated in particular in FIGS. 1 and 3 to 7, the plate 3 comprises along the direction (y), one or two groups of products 2.

 In particularly preferred embodiments, and as shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the batch 1 of product present on the tray 3 is formed of six groups of products 2. According to this configuration, the tray 3 has three groups 5 along from the direction (x) and two groups 5 along the direction (y).

 It has been found that such a configuration, especially when the groups 5 are stacked on standardized pallets 4, is particularly suitable in terms of compatibility between, on the one hand, the cycle time required for storage / retrieval between the production line and pallets 4, and secondly, the average rate of a production line and packaging.

 According to another possible additional feature of the palletizing process, the plate 3 comprises, along the second direction (y), the succession of two groups of products 2 and in that

 said transfer step takes place simultaneously for said two groups 5, said two groups being transferred on top of two separate pallets 4.

In this case, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the two pallets 4 are generally arranged on either side of the plate 3, along the direction (y). So, looking along the direction (x), a first pallet 4 can be on the left of tray 3, while a second pallet 4 can be on the right.

 In this case, the two groups 5 to be transferred simultaneously are side by side along the direction (y). Looking along the direction (x), a group 5 to be transferred is on the left on the plate 3 and the other group 5 to be transferred is on the right on the plate 3.

 In this case, two separate tools are preferably used, so that each of the tools transfers one of the two groups 5 to simultaneously transfer on separate pallets 4. Preferably, looking along the direction (x), a first tool is dedicated to transfer the group 5 which is left on the plate 3, on the pallet 4 to the left of the plate 3, while a second tool is dedicated to transfer the group 5 which is on the right on the plate 3, on the pallet 4 to the right of the plate 3.

 Thus, generally, when on the plate 3, two groups 5 are side by side along the direction (y), they can be transferred simultaneously and on two separate pallets 4. This advantageously makes it possible to significantly improve the palletizing rate.

 It should be noted that when the plate 3 initially comprises, along the direction (x), several groups 5, the groups 5 of the whole of the batch 1 can then be transferred two by two, two groups 5 aligned along the direction (y) can be systematically transferred simultaneously as described above.

 According to another possible additional feature of the palletizing process, it also comprises at least one feed step prior to the step of transferring a group 5, during which said group 5 is brought to a gripping zone 9 , from which the transfer step is carried out, said gripping zone 9 extending in the extension, along the second direction (y), of the pallet 4 on which said group 5 is transferred during the transfer step, the feeding step being carried out by means of a displacement of said group 5 along the first direction (x) in a supply direction (XA).

 Such a supply step is particularly illustrated in Figure 5 which will be described later.

Such a feeding step is particularly advantageous when the transfer of groups 5 is carried out by thrust in the direction (y). Indeed, this step is intended to move a group 5 prior to its transfer on a pallet 4 on a gripping zone 9 which is next to pallet 4 along the direction (y). Thus, once in the gripping zone 9, it remains only to push in the direction (y) to achieve the transfer of the group 5.

 The displacement of the group 5 in the feeding direction (XA) can be performed by moving the plate 3 in this direction. Alternatively, the tray 3 may be equipped with a conveyor for supporting a batch 1 of products and able to move the batch 1 in a supply direction (XA). In this case, the group 5 can be moved in the feeding direction (XA) by actuating the conveyor of the plate 3.

 In general, during this feeding step, all the products 2 present on the plate 3 are then moved in the feed direction (XA).

 It should be noted that when the plate comprises, along the direction (y) two groups 5, the feeding step may have the effect of simultaneously positioning two groups 5 in gripping zone 9. These two groups 5 can then be transferred simultaneously on two different pallets 4 as described above.

 According to another possible additional feature of the palletizing process, the plate 3 comprises, along the first direction (x), the succession of several groups of products 2 and said feeding step comprises the following two successive phases:

 - (a) a displacement phase during which the upper surface of the plate 3 circulates in the feed direction (XA) until the group 5 located furthest downstream on the plate 3 in the feed direction (XA) is at least partially in the grip zone 9; and

 (b) a spacer phase of creating a gap between said most downstream group 5 and the follower group directly following it in the feed direction (XA), the gap being created by circulating the upper surface of the plate 3 in the feed direction (XA) while the products 2 belonging to the follower group are blocked, so that the group 5 located furthest downstream is in the gripping zone 9.

The cutting of the two-phase feeding step as specified above is particularly useful when the groups 5 are transferred to a pallet 4 by means of a thrust. Indeed, the products 2 constituting a group 5 are not necessarily aligned along the direction (y) as for example in the group 5 shown in Figure 2. It follows that the tool performing the transfer of such a push group along the direction (y) can then partially interact with certain products belonging to To other groups 5. In other words, a pusher of the tool can act on at least one product 2 while this product 2 extends beyond the pusher along the direction (x). A probable consequence may then be a fall of several products 2, which is undesirable.

 When the tray 3 includes, along the first direction

(x), the succession of several groups of products 2, the groups 5 are generally transferred in their order of arrival to the setting zone 9. In other words, the group 5 situated furthest downstream in the direction of feed ( XA) is transferred first, and so on.

 During the transfer of the first group 5, therefore of the group furthest downstream in the feed direction (XA), the transfer tool may then act partially on certain products 2 of the group 5 called follower, ie which directly follows this first group 5, in the feed direction (XA), namely the products 2 of the follower group 5 furthest downstream in the feeding direction (XA).

 Cutting the feeding step into a displacement phase (a) followed by a spacer phase (b) advantageously makes it possible to considerably limit or even eliminate the falls of products 2 during the transfer phases.

 Such cutting of the feeding step is shown in particular in Figure 5 described later.

 Phase (a) corresponds simply to the beginning of the feeding step, that is to say to advance a group of product towards a gripping zone 9 by means of a movement in the feed direction (XA) as previously described.

 On the other hand, during phase (b), a gap 10 is created between the group 5 furthest downstream and the follower group, along the direction (x), while the group 5 furthest downstream continues to be moved in the supply direction (XA) to be fully in gripping zone 9. Typically, the gap 10 created is of the order of a few centimeters. Thus, during the transfer of the group 5 furthest downstream, the tool does not interfere with the products 2 of the follower group, thus preventing falls of products 2.

 This gap 10 is created by preventing products 2 belonging to the follower group from advancing in the (XA) direction while products 2 from the most downstream group 5 continue to advance in this direction.

Blocking elements 13 can then be deployed between the most downstream group 5 and the follower group while the tray 3 continues to move in the direction (XA). Alternatively, if the tray 3 is provided of a conveyor for moving the products 2 in the direction (XA) as mentioned above, blocking elements 13 can be deployed between the group 5 downstream and the follower group 5 while the conveyor is still in operation.

 Such blocking elements 13 may be represented by any type of system capable of obstructing the passage of products 2 located upstream of these elements in the direction (XA), when they are deployed.

 It should be noted that once the transfer of the most downstream group 5 has taken place, the follower group then becomes the group 5 furthest downstream.

 However, when on the plate 3 the batch 1 of products 2 present on the plate 3 before the palletizing process is formed of disjoint rows 6 as described above (and that therefore the groups 5 present on the plate 3 are formed of rows 7 disjointed) and that the method incorporates a phase (b) of spacing, the alignment of the products 2 can be altered.

 More particularly, the alignment of the products 2 belonging to the follower group and the (x) group (s) potentially even more upstream than the follower group in the (XA) direction can be altered.

 Thus, according to another possible additional feature of the palletizing process, during the spacing phase (b), each line 7 of products 2 of the follower group is located at least partially between two walls 11.

 This advantageously results in a conservation of the alignment of the products 2 during the spacing phase (b).

 Figure 7 described later illustrates such an embodiment.

 In the image of the tool allowing the transfer of a group 5 while maintaining the alignment of the products 2 by means of parallel guides 8, a structure, in particular a fixed structure, comprising a plurality of parallel walls 11 may be present in the palletizing / depalletizing area.

 More specifically, in such a structure, each of the walls are vertical and extend along the first direction (x).

 Preferably, such a structure comprises at least one additional wall 11 with respect to the number of rows 6 of the batch 1 to be transferred. In this way, it is possible to maintain the alignment of the products 2 for the whole of the batch 1.

In order to fulfill their role, these walls 11 can be placed upstream of the gripping zone 9 in the feed direction (XA) so as not to interfere with the tool which carries out the transfer of groups 5. Preferably these walls 11 are typically a few centimeters away from the engagement zone 9, the blocking elements being at the downstream end of these walls in the supply direction (XA). Thus, during the spacing phase (b), the products 2 furthest downstream of the follower group in the feed direction (XA) are located between two walls 11.

 Along the direction (x) the walls 11 may extend over a length which may vary between the length of a few products 2 of a line 7 as shown in FIG. 7 and the length of one or even several rows 7. The distance between the walls 11 may be adjustable to facilitate the change of format.

 Another advantage of the use of such walls 11 lies in the fact that at the end of the spacing step, the products 2 of the follower group, in addition to being aligned in the direction (x) they can also be aligned along the direction (y). This results in groups more easily stackable because of greater similarity.

 For this reason, it may be advantageous for the group 5 furthest downstream of the batch 1 before the start of its transfer in the feed direction (XA) (OR both groups when the batch has two groups along the length axis (y)), is blocked a short time before entering the gripping zone 9. To do this, it can be done similarly to a spacer phase (b) described above, in which, each Line 7 of Group 5 furthest downstream in the feed direction (XA) is preferably at least partially between two walls 11.

 According to another possible additional characteristic of the palletizing process, the plate 3 comprises, along the first direction (x), the succession of several groups 5 of products 2 and, along the second direction (y), the succession of 2. According to this additional characteristic, the palletizing process comprises the following sequence of steps:

- Feeding step in which the two groups 5 furthest downstream along the first direction (x) in a feed direction (XA) are fed simultaneously to a gripping zone 9 using a displacement in the feed direction (XA), said gripping zone 9 being located between two separate pallets 4 intended to receive each of said two groups 5 furthest downstream, and transfer step in which said two groups 5 furthest downstream in the feed direction (XA) are simultaneously transferred on top of the two different pallets 4,

 said feeding and transfer steps being repeated until the tray 3 is emptied of its contents.

 According to these characteristics, the steps can be performed as described above.

 In particular, the feeding step can be decomposed into two successive phases (a) of displacement (b) as defined above, as long as the plate 3 still comprises, along the first direction (x), the succession of several groups 5 of products 2.

 Indeed, when only one group of products remains along the direction (x), there is no longer a follower group and this decomposition into two phases of the feed step, n has more to be.

 FIG. 6 illustrates a possible embodiment of such a feature from a batch 1 comprising two groups of products 2 along the direction (y) and three groups of products 2 along the direction (x ). The palletizing method as described above is reversible and the invention therefore also relates to a method of depalletizing groups of products 2 from above the at least one pallet 4 on which the groups 5 are stacked, up to on a plate 3, each group 5 of products 2 extending along a first direction (x) and along a second direction (y), perpendicular.

 This depalletizing process is characterized in that said plate 3 can accommodate at least two groups 5 of products 2, and in that it comprises at least one step of transferring a group 5 of products 2 from the top of a pallet 4 to the tray 3, this step being reproduced until the tray 3 is covered with products 2.

Thus, the de-palletizing process according to the invention consists in transferring a batch 1 of products 2 from the top of at least one pallet 4 onto a tray 3. In the manner of the depalletizing process, such a transfer takes place after group 5 when using a single transfer tool. Of course, an arrangement of the palletizing / depalletizing zone as described above with a pallet 4 on either side of the plate 3 makes it possible to simultaneously transfer two groups 5 of products 2 on the plate from the two pallets 4. Preferably, two tools are then implemented.

 The tray 3 is considered to be covered with products 2 when it can no longer accommodate a new group 5 of products 2, that is, when it supports an entire batch 1 of products 2.

 It should be noted that the equivalent of the gripping zone 9 is called dispense zone 12 in the depalletization process. This zone 12 is placed at the same location as the zone 9, but is titled differently because during the depalletizing process, the groups 5 are not transferred from a gripping zone 9 but can be transferred to a dispensing zone. 12.

 Like the palletizing process, the depalletizing process can comprise, prior to the step of transferring a group 5, a feeding step. During this step, the plate 3 or at least the upper surface of the plate 3 circulates along the second direction (y), in the supply direction (XA) OR in the opposite direction, until a portion of the tray devoid of products 2 is located in zone 12.

 If at the beginning of the depalletizing process, the plate 3 is upstream of the deposition zone 12 in the feed direction (XA), the displacements, at each delivery step of the depalletizing process will be carried out in the direction supply (XA).

 If, on the other hand, at the beginning of the depalletizing process, the plate 3 is downstream of the deposition zone 12 in the feed direction (XA), the displacements during each dewatering process feed step will be carried out in the opposite direction to the feeding direction (XA).

 FIG. 6 illustrates in particular a depalletization method according to one embodiment of the invention.

 In general, during the depalletizing process, the feeding step is not decomposed into two phases, as may be the case during the palletizing process. Indeed, the groups 5 being stacked on pallets 4 at the start of the process, during their transfer, the tool used can not in principle interfere with products 2 belonging to other groups 5.

 As indicated above, the alignment of the products 2 along the direction (x) can be preserved during the palletizing process.

In that case : the batch 1 present on the plate 3 at the beginning of the palletizing process is formed of a succession of disjoint and parallel rows 6 which extend along the first direction (x), and

 the groups 5 coming from this batch, before and after their pallet transfer 4, are formed of a succession of disjoint and parallel rows 7 which extend along the first direction (x).

 Thus, according to a possible additional feature of the depalletizing process, each group 5 present on a pallet 4 is formed of several rows 7 of products 2 disjoint and arranged side by side, each file 7 extending along the first direction (x ).

 As with the palletizing process, it may be particularly advantageous to maintain the alignment of the products 2 during depalletization. Indeed, the products 2 can thus be reintroduced into aligned production / packaging.

 Thus, according to another possible additional feature of the depalletizing process, the transfer of the groups 5 is carried out so that each group 5 present on the plate 3 is formed of several rows 7 of products 2 disjointed and arranged side by side, each file 7 extending along the first direction (x).

 Specifically, in order for the products 2 to be easily reintroduced into aligned production / packaging, it is desirable that on the tray 3, when more than one group 5 can be accommodated along the first direction (x), the rows 7 of the groups 5 transferred on the plate 3 and succeeding along this direction (x) coincide so that the batch 1 once on the plate 3, is formed of rows 6 disjoined.

 Thus, according to another possible additional characteristic of the depalletization process, the transfer of the groups 5 is carried out so that when two groups 5 follow each other on the plate 3 along the first direction (x), each file 7 of one of said two groups 5 is in the extension of a line 7 of the other of said two groups 5.

To do this, especially when the tool used is the previously described tool provided with several guides 8, the transfer of each group 5 coming from the same pallet 4 can be carried out so that the guides 8 of the tool 8 arrive systematically at the same position along the direction (y) at the end of each transfer step. The invention also relates to a device for implementing the palletization and depalletizing methods as described above, namely a product transfer device 2 between a plate 3 able to accommodate several groups of products 2 rib side and top of at least one pallet 4 adapted to accommodate several groups 5 of products 2 stacked, a group 5 of products 2 extending along a first direction (x) and along a second direction (y), perpendicular.

 This device is characterized in that it comprises at least one means of transfer of the products 2, group 5 by group 5, between a plate 3 and the top of at least one pallet 4, said transfer means being able to empty and / or completely cover the plate 3 of products 2.

 In other words, the device according to the invention is able to implement both the palletising process and the depalletizing method as described above.

 In other words, it is capable of transferring a batch 1 of products 2 between a tray and the top of at least one pallet 4.

 Preferably, when the plate 3 can comprise only a group 5 along the direction (y), the device comprises a single transfer means.

 Preferably, when the plate 3 can comprise two groups 5 along the direction (y), the device comprises two transfer means. These two transfer means can operate simultaneously, as described above.

 The device according to the invention may comprise at least one sensor in particular to know the position of the plate 3, the position of a group of products 2 to transfer or any other element useful for the proper operation of palletizing and displaettisation processes. The information obtained by this (s) sensor (s) can then be communicated to a control means which can control accordingly the displacement for example of the plate 3, a conveyor mounted on the plate 3, the (means) of transfer etc.

 According to a possible additional feature of the device, said transfer means is able to maintain an alignment of the products 2 along the first direction (x).

In this case, the transfer means is preferably a tool provided with several guides 8 as described above. The device may also be provided with a structure, in particular a fixed structure, comprising a plurality of parallel walls 11 as previously described. Figure 1 attached, shows a possible configuration of a lot

1 of products 2 arranged on a tray 3. It may as well be a batch 1 intended to be palletized for example for a storage, or a batch 1 which has just been depalletized, in to reintroduce the products 2 belonging to this lot 1 on a production line in order to finalize the products 2 or to package them.

 As shown in FIG. 1, seen from above, a batch 1 has a substantially rectangular shape and comprises a plurality of products 2 along a first direction (x) and a plurality of products 2 along a second direction (y). two directions being perpendicular to each other. Each product of batch 1 rests on the plate 3. In other words, within a lot 1, the products 2 are arranged side by side, they are not superimposed.

 In FIG. 1, the products 2 of the batch 1 are aligned along the direction (x). Each single line of products 2 which extends along this direction (x) is called a row 6. More precisely, these rows 6 are disjoint, that is to say that the products 2 belonging to two adjacent rows 6 are not in contact. Lot 1 of Figure 1 comprises four hundred and sixty-two products 2. It comprises eleven products 2 along the direction (y) and forty-two products 2 along the direction (x). It consists of eleven rows 6 of products 2.

 The batch 1 of FIG. 1 is subdivided into three groups of products 2, each having the same number of products 2. These three groups 5 follow one another along the first direction (x). In other words, the plate 3 supports three groups 5 of products 2, these three groups being arranged side by side, along the direction (x).

Viewed from above, these three groups 5 have a substantially rectangular shape and include several products 2 along each of the directions (x) and (y). Due to the arrangement of the batch 1, the products 2 of each of the groups 5 are aligned along the direction (x). Within a group 5, each single line of products 2 which extends along this direction (x) is called a file 7. Always because of the arrangement of the batch 1, the files 7 are disjoint, and each row 6 is formed of the succession of three rows 7. Each group 5 of Figure 1 comprises one hundred and fifty-four products 2. It comprises eleven products 2 along the direction (y) and fourteen products 2 along the direction (x). It consists of eleven files 7 of products 2.

 In some embodiments, as shown in FIG.

2, the transfer step, whether the palletizing or depalletizing process, is carried out using a tool provided with a plurality of guides

8. Such guides 8 may be parallel to each other and extend along the direction (x).

 Such a tool is particularly suitable when the group 5 to be transferred is formed of a plurality of disjointed queues 7, each of the queues 7 extending along the direction (x). Thus, as shown in Figure 2, the tool can be positioned so that each file 7 is, along its length, between two guides 8. The transfer to a pallet 4 or to a plate 3 can then be performed by lateral thrust, along the direction (y). The tool can then be removed, in particular by moving vertically upwards. As a result, the group 5, once transferred is always constituted by a succession of rows 7 disjoint products successive succeeding along the direction (y), each queue extending along the direction (x). In other words, the implementation of such a tool for the transfer of a group 5 makes it possible to maintain the alignment of the products 2 within this group 5.

 The group 5 shown in FIG. 2 comprises 11 files 7 of products, each comprising 14 products. The tool used has 12 guides 8.

 In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, both the palletizing and the depalletization can be performed between a plate 3 and two pallets 4.

 FIGS. 3 and 4 respectively represent a plate 3 and two pallets 4 before and after the transfer of a batch 1 of products 2 onto the two pallets 4.

 In FIG. 3, the batch 1 of products 2 to be transferred is therefore on the plate 3. It is schematized by a large parallelepiped subdivided into six substantially identical smaller parallelepides and each resting on the plate 3. These six parallelepipeds each represent a group 5 of products 2 to transfer on the top of a pallet 4.

Lot 1 of FIG. 3 then comprises six groups of products, each resting on plate 3. They are therefore all supported by the same area. This lot 1 comprises two groups 5 along the direction (x) and three groups 5 along the direction (y). It is therefore formed of two columns of three groups 5, one being on the left side of the plate 3 and one on the right side of the plate 3. Each of these columns extends along the first direction (x).

 The two pallets 4 are arranged on either side of the plate 3, along the second direction (y) and the groups 5 of the batch 1 are transferred either on the pallet 4 to the left of the plate 3 or on the pallet 4 3. The groups 5 forming the right column of the plate 3 can be transferred to the pallet 4 on the right and the groups 5 forming the left column of the plate 3 can be transferred to the pallet 4 on the left. Two groups of products 2 side by side on the plate 3 along the direction (y) can be transferred simultaneously or not respectively on the pallet 4 on the right and on the pallet 4 on the left.

 During their transfer, the groups 5 are arranged on top of a pallet 4, that is to say that they are stacked on a pallet 4. Thus, the first group 5 to be transferred is deposited directly on a pallet 4, and the following groups 5 are transferred to the highest group 5 on the pallet 4 concerned. Thus, in FIG. 4, each pallet 4 supports three groups 5 stacked one on top of the other, and the plate 3 is devoid of products 2.

 Of course, the depalletization can be performed symmetrically, that is to say that the three groups 5 disposed on each of the pallets 4 of Figure 4 can be transferred to the plate 3 so as to obtain for example a configuration such as that shown in Figure 3.

 Figure 5 shows a possible embodiment of the palletizing process.

In this figure, the batch 1 to be transferred is of a configuration identical to that of FIG. 3. Thus, it is of rectangular shape seen from above and is formed of six groups 5, themselves of rectangular shape and substantially identical, even identical. Lot 1 extends along both directions (x) and (y) perpendicular to each other. Within lot 1, two groups 5 extend along the second direction (y) and three groups 5 extend along the first direction (x). The batch 1 is thus constituted of two columns of three groups each, each column extending along the direction (x), the two columns being side by side, along the direction (y). For simplification purposes, groups 5 are referenced according to their position along directions (x) and (y). The six groups 5 thus have the following references: (x1, y1), (x1, y2), (x2, y1), (x2, y2), (x3, y1) and (x3, y2). The referenced groups (yl) are on the left column and the referenced groups (y2) are on the right column. The groups referenced (x1) are the two groups positioned furthest downstream in the direction (x), in a feed direction (XA). They are directly followed by the referenced groups (x2) then the two referenced groups (x3).

 FIG. 5a represents the batch 1 before its transfer on two distinct pallets 4 arranged on either side of a gripping zone 9. The gripping zone 9 corresponds to the place from which the groups 5 are transferred on the one or the other of the two pallets 4. The two pallets 4 and the catch area

9 are aligned in the direction (y), so that the groups 5 can be transferred on these pallets 4 in a thrust movement along the direction (y). More specifically, groups 5 of the left column can be transferred to the pallet 4 to the left of the gripping zone 9.

Conversely, the groups 5 of the right column can be transferred to the pallet 4 to the right of the gripping zone 9.

 In FIG. 5a, the batch 1 is not on the gripping zone 9. It is disposed below this zone 9, that is to say upstream along the direction (x) in the direction of brought (XA).

 The batch 1 can then be moved towards the gripping zone 9 by means of a movement, for example of the whole of the plate 3 supporting the batch

1, along the direction (x) in the feed direction (XA) to arrive at the configuration shown in Figure 5b. Thus, the groups (xl, yl), (xl, y2) are partially in the setting zone 9. On the other hand, this is not the case for the other groups 5, which are located further upstream.

 As shown in FIG. 5c, a gap 10 can then be formed between the two groups 5 furthest downstream in the feed direction (XA), namely the (x1, y1) and (x1, y2) groups, and the two follower groups, which follow them directly, namely the groups (x2, yl) and (x2, y2). Such a gap

10 can be created while bringing the groups (xl, yl) and (xl, y2) to the gripping zone 9, as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 5c. To do this, the plate 3 can for example continue to advance in the feeding direction (XA) until the groups (x1, y1) and (x1, y2) are fully in the gripping zone 9 while the follower groups are blocked by means of blocking elements 13 arranged along the direction (y) so as to stop their advance towards the gripping zone 9. The groups (x1, yl) and (x1, y2) thus simultaneously undergo a step of feeding into gripping zone 9 which is decomposed into two successive phases (a) of displacement and (b) of spacing as previously described.

 As indicated above, the creation of such a gap is particularly advantageous insofar as it allows the transfer tool (s) not to interact with products belonging to the follower groups (x2, yl) and (x2, y2) when transferring the groups (x1, y1) and (x1, y2). This eliminates the risk of falling product 2, especially when the products 2 are not aligned along the direction (y).

 The two groups (x1, y1) and (x1, y2) can then be transferred simultaneously each on a separate pallet 4. The transfer can be effected by lateral thrust along the second direction (y) using two separate tools. In this case, the groups (x1, y1) and (x1, y2) are pushed in opposite directions, the group (x1, y1) being pushed to the left while the group (x1, y2) is pushed to the right . The resulting configuration is shown in Figure 5d.

 The groups (x2, y1) and (x2, y2), formerly follower groups then become the two groups 5 furthest downstream in the feed direction (XA). Their transfer on the top of the two pallets 4 can then be performed in a manner identical to the transfer of the groups (xl, yl) and (xl, y2). More precisely, the groups (x2, y1) and (x2, y2) can be simultaneously transferred respectively to the groups (x1, y1) and (x1, y2) themselves each arranged on a pallet 4.

 Thus, the groups (x2, y1) and (x2, y2) can be brought into the gripping zone 9 via a displacement phase (a) which can lead to the representation of FIG. 5e, followed by a phase (b). ) spacing that can lead to the representation of Figure 5f. The groups (x2, y1) and (x2, y2) can then be transferred respectively to the groups (x1, y1) and (x1, y2) which are each already on a pallet 4, to lead to the configuration of FIG. .

The groups (x3, yl) and (x3, y2) can then be brought directly to the setting zone 9, without spacing phase since these two groups 5 are the last present on the plate 3. Once in the setting zone 9 As shown in FIG. 5h, the groups (x3, y1) and (x3, y2) can be transferred respectively to the (x2, y1) and (x2, y2) groups via lateral thrust as previously described. The palletisation of lot 1 is then performed, which is shown schematically in Figure 5i. Each pallet 4 is surmounted by three groups of products 2, these groups being stacked on top of one another. Pallet 4 on the left supports groups (xl, yl), (x2, yl) and (x3, yl) whereas palette 4 on the right supports groups (xl, y2), (x2, y2) and (x3, y2).

 The plate 3 can then be evacuated, and a new plate 3 supporting a new batch 1 of products 2 to be transferred can be positioned as in FIG. 5a. The groups 5 of this new batch 1 can then be transferred to the groups already present on the pallets 4, in particular as described above and shown in FIGS. 5a to 5i. Optionally, depending on the number of groups 5 desired on a pallet 4, the pallets 4 can be replaced by new pallets 4, not yet comprising groups 5.

 Figure 6 shows a possible embodiment of the depalletization process.

 Figure 6a corresponds to the configuration of Figure 5i. More specifically, two pallets 4 are shown on either side of a dispensing zone 12. Geographically, the dispensing zone 12 is located at the same place as the gripping zone 9 during the palletizing process. This zone 12 corresponds to the place where the groups 5 are transferred from the pallets 4. The pallets 4 and the deposition zone 12 are aligned along the direction (y).

 In FIG. 6a, the left pallet 4 is surmounted by the following three groups: (x1, y1), (x2, y1) and (x3, y1), the group (x1, y1) being deposited directly on pallet 4, the group (x2, yl) being on the group (xl, yl) and the group (x3, yl) being itself on the group (x2, yl). Similarly, the pallet 4 on the right is surmounted by the following three groups: (x1, y2), (x2, y2) and (x3, y2), the group (x1, y2) being deposited directly on the pallet 4, the group (x2, y2) being on the group (x1, y2) and the group (x3, y2) being itself on the group (x2, y2).

 For the sake of clarity, the plate 3 is not shown in this figure but it is placed between the pallets 4 and is positioned so as to accommodate the six groups (xl, yl), (xl, y2), (x2 , yl), (x2, y2), (x3, y1) and (x3, y2) in a configuration similar to that of Figure 5a.

Thus, in the configuration shown in Figure 6a, a portion of the plate 3 is located in the drop zone, in particular a portion located downstream of the plate in the direction opposite to the feed direction (XA). The upper groups of the two palettes 4, namely the groups (x3, y 1) and (x3, y2) are then respectively transferred, in particular simultaneously, on the left and right side of the plate 3 in the drop zone 12 to arrive at the configuration shown in Figure 5b. Just as during palletizing, a tool can be implemented for the transfer of each of these two groups 5. It can for example be a tool provided with a plurality of guides 8 extending along the direction (x) as previously described. The groups (x3, y1) and (x3, y2) can thus be transferred by means of two lateral thrusts in opposite directions along the direction (y).

 The groups (x3, yl) and (x3, y2) can then be moved along the direction (x) in the direction opposite to (XA), for example by moving the plate 3 in this direction (XA) OR using a displacement of the upper surface of the plate 3 in this direction (XA). These groups (x3, y1) and (x3, y2) are displaced sufficiently that the plate 3 can accommodate two new groups 5. In other words, as shown in FIG. 6c, the groups (x3, y1) and ( x3, y2) can be moved until the portion of the tray 3 in the dispensing zone 12 is devoid of products 2.

 The upper layers of the pallets 4, namely now the layers (x2, yl) and (x2, y2) can then be transferred to the plate 3 similarly to the groups (x3, yl) and (x3, y2) transferred previously. The configuration then obtained is shown in FIG. 6d. The steps of displacement and transfer reported above are then reproduced to lead to the configuration shown in Figure 6e and Figure 6f.

 In FIG. 6f, the set of groups (x1, y1), (x1, y2), (x2, y1), (x2, y2), (x3, y1) and (x3, y2) has been depalletized on a plateau 3, these groups forming a lot 1.

 The tray 3 covered with products 2 and pallets 4 empty, can then be evacuated. A new plate 3 devoid of products 2 can then be positioned to receive groups of products 2 stacked on new pallets 4 arranged on either side of a deposition zone 12.

 In certain embodiments, as shown in FIG. 7 and as indicated above, the palletizing process may comprise a feed step, which can incorporate a phase (a) of displacement and a phase (b) of spacing.

As such, FIG. 7 schematizes a possible embodiment of such a feed step when the batch 1 of products 2 to be transferred from a plate 3 is formed of several rows 6 disjoint products 2, each row 6 extending along the direction (x).

 More specifically, Figure 7 relates to a plate 3 comprising a batch 1 of products 2 formed of two groups 5 of products 2 succeeding along the direction (x).

 In FIG. 7a, the plate 3 advances along the direction (x) in the feed direction (XA). A plurality of vertical walls 11 extend along the direction (x) upstream of the gripping zone 9. The products 2 then advance with the plate 3 towards the gripping zone 9, a portion of each row 6 being located between two walls 11. In FIG. 7, these walls 1 1 have a length less than the dimension of a group 5 along the axis (x), but they may also be longer. These are fixed walls 11 which may possibly be mounted on a frame fixed to the ground.

 For each queue 7 of the group 5 furthest downstream, when the last product 2 arrives beyond the two walls 11 which are on either side of the file 7, a blocking element 13 is deployed at the downstream end. two walls 1 1 in the feed direction (XA), between these two walls 11, so as to prevent the products 2 belonging to the follower group to advance in the supply direction (XA). During this time, the plate 3 continues to advance in the feeding direction (XA), thus bringing the group 5 downstream in the gripping zone 9 while creating a spacing between the group 5 furthest downstream and the group 5 follower. Figure 7b shows the configuration thus obtained. In this configuration, the group 5 furthest downstream is ready to be transferred to the top of a pallet 4, in particular by means of a tool provided with a plurality of guides 8 effecting a thrust transfer along the direction (y) as shown in FIG.

 The blocking elements 13 may be represented by any type of entity that makes it possible to block the products 2.

Thanks to the invention, it is thus possible to store and reintroduce in production products 2, in particular semi-finished products without altering the operation of a product production and packaging line 2. This solution is particularly advantageous in terms of floor occupation, since the storage is done by stacking layers of products on pallets. In addition, when standardized pallets are used, this solution limits the purchase of new elements for its implementation. Finally, in certain modes of advantageous embodiments, this solution makes it possible to maintain an alignment of the products 2 during storage and retrieval.

 Although the description above is based on particular embodiments, it is in no way limiting to the scope of the invention, and modifications may be made, in particular by substitution of technical equivalents or by a different combination of all or some of the features developed above.

Claims

1. A method of palletizing a batch (1) of products (2) from a tray (3) to the top of at least one pallet (4), said batch (1) consisting of all the products (2) initially present on the tray (3) and extending along a first direction (x) and along a second direction (y), perpendicular,  characterized in that  said batch (1) comprises at least two groups (5) of products (2) of substantially equivalent size, and in that  the tray (3) is emptied of its contents by executing several times a step of transferring a group (5) of products (2) on the top of a pallet (4).  2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the pallet (4) is a pallet (4) standardized.  3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that  on the board (3):  - the batch (1) of products (2) is formed of several rows (6) of products (2) disjoint and arranged side by side, each row (6) extending along the first direction (x), and  each group (5) of products (2) is formed of several rows (7) products (2) disjointed and arranged side by side, each line (7) extending along the first direction (x).  4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that the transfer of the groups (5) is carried out so that each group (5) present on said at least one pallet (4) is formed of several rows (7) of products ( 2) disjointed and arranged side by side, each line (7) extending along the first direction (x).  5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the transfer step is performed by pushing a group (5) in the second direction (y) with a tool provided with guides (8) which extend along the first direction (x), each line (7) of products (2) of said group (5) being between two guides (8) during the transfer step. 6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plate (3) comprises, along the second direction (y), the succession of two groups (5) of products (2) and in that  said transfer step takes place simultaneously for said two groups (5), said two groups (5) being transferred on top of two separate pallets (4).  7. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that  it furthermore comprises at least one feed step prior to the step of transferring a group (5), during which said group (5) is brought to a setting zone (9), from which the transfer step is carried out, said gripping zone (9) extending in the extension, along the second direction (y), of the pallet (4) on which said group (5) is transferred during the transfer step, the feeding step being carried out by means of a displacement of said group (5) along the first direction (x) in a supply direction (XA).  8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that the plate (3) comprises, along the first direction (x), the succession of several groups (5) of products (2) and in that said step of brought together comprises the following two successive phases:  - (a) a displacement phase in which the upper surface of the plate (3) circulates in the feed direction (XA) until the group (5) located furthest down on the plate (3) in the feed direction (XA) is at least partially in the gripping zone (9); and  - (b) a spacer phase consisting in creating a gap (10) between said group (5) furthest downstream and the follower group (5) which succeeds it directly in the feed direction (XA), deviation (10) being created by circulating the upper surface of the plate (3) in the supply direction (XA) while the products (2) belonging to the group (5) follower are locked, so that the group (5) ) located furthest downstream is in the setting zone (9).  9. Process according to claims 3 and 8 characterized in that  during the spacing phase (b), each line (7) of products (2) of the group (5) follower is at least partially between two walls (11). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plate (3) comprises, along the first direction (x), the succession of several groups (5) of products (2) and, along the second direction (y), the succession of two groups (5) of products (2),  and in that it comprises the following sequence of steps: - feeding step in which the two groups (5) further downstream along the first direction (x) in a feed direction (XA ) are fed simultaneously to a gripping zone (9) by means of a displacement in the feed direction (XA), said gripping zone (9) being situated between two separate pallets (4) intended to receive each one of said two groups (5) further downstream, and  transfer step in which said two groups (5) furthest downstream in the feeding direction (XA) are transferred simultaneously on the top of the two separate pallets (4),  said feeding and transfer steps being repeated until the tray (3) is emptied of its contents.  11. A method of depalletizing groups (5) of products (2) from above of at least one pallet (4) on which the groups (5) are stacked, on a tray (3), each group (5) of products (2) extending along a first direction (x) and along a second direction (y), perpendicular,  characterized in that  said plate (3) can accommodate at least two groups (5) of products (2), and in that  it comprises at least one step of transferring a group (5) of products (2) from the top of a pallet (4) to the tray (3), this step being reproduced until the tray (4) 3) covered by products (2).  12. The method of claim 11, characterized in that each group (5) present on a pallet (4) is formed of several rows (7) of products (2) disjoint and arranged side by side, each file (7) s extending along the first direction (x).  13. Method according to claim 1 1 or 12, characterized in that the transfer of the groups (5) is carried out so that each group (5) present on the plate (3) is formed of several rows (7) of products (2) disjoint and arranged side by side, each file (7) s extending along the first direction (x). 14. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the transfer of the groups (5) is carried out so that when two groups (5) succeed each other on the plate (3) along the first direction (x), each line (7) one of said two groups (5) is in the extension of a line (7) of the other of said two groups (5).  15. Device for transferring products (2) between a plate (3) able to accommodate several groups (5) of products (2) side by side and the top of at least one pallet (4) able to accommodate several groups ( 5) of products (2) stacked, a group (5) of products (2) extending along a first direction (x) and along a second direction (y), perpendicular,  characterized in that  it comprises at least one product transfer means (2), group (5) per group (5), between a plate (3) and the top of at least one pallet (4), said transfer means being suitable for empty and / or completely cover the plate (3) of products (2).  Device according to claim 15, characterized in that  said transfer means is adapted to maintain an alignment of the products (2) along the first direction (x).