Assembly line for the production of articles, in particular for the clothing industry, and related method

Abstract

An assembly line (1) comprising a conveyor line (5), a plurality of processing stations (S1-S3; N1-N13), and a plurality of multi-layered sorting units (6) conveyed by the conveyor line (5). Each sorting unit is adapted to support components (P1-P3) of an article to be progressively assembled at the processing stations, and comprises a plurality of superimposed trays that can be selectively extracted, wherein each tray is adapted to contain a component of the article to be assembled at a respective processing station of the plurality of processing stations. The assembly line further comprises means for identifying the trays to be extracted at at least one respective processing station.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an assembly line and corresponding method for the industrial manufacturing of articles, particularly clothing. Background Technology

[0002] Currently in the textile industry, in order to provide high-quality garments, especially down-filled coats or jackets, it takes two to three weeks from cutting the sheets to finishing the garment, taking into account storage in various processing areas of the processed products. Summary of the Invention

[0003] These timings may not be compatible with market demand.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide an assembly line and method, particularly an assembly line and method for manufacturing clothing, which can improve upon one or more of the aforementioned aspects of the prior art.

[0005] Within this scope, the objective of the present invention is to reduce and optimize the production time of articles obtained primarily through the assembly of different components, particularly garments composed of different components joined together, for example, by sewing.

[0006] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a structure for conveying and sorting the various components that constitute an article to be supplied, which allows operators to accurately identify these components in an industrial-type production facility, thereby accelerating production.

[0007] Furthermore, the objective of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art in a way that replaces any existing solutions.

[0008] The main objective of this invention is to provide a highly reliable, relatively readily available, and cost-competitive assembly line and method.

[0009] This objective, and these and other objectives, will become more apparent below, are achieved by an assembly line for articles of manufacture (particularly for the manufacture of clothing), comprising a conveyor line and a plurality of processing stations along the conveyor line, wherein the assembly line includes a plurality of multi-layered sorting units conveyed by the conveyor line, each sorting unit being adapted to support components of the article to be assembled progressively at the processing station, each sorting unit including a support frame comprising a plurality of trays stacked on the plurality of layers and selectively removable from the frame, each tray being adapted to hold components of the article to be assembled at a corresponding processing station among the plurality of processing stations; and wherein the assembly line includes means for identifying a tray to be removed at at least one corresponding processing station, so as to allow picking up the component to be assembled or completed at the processing station from a particular tray supporting the component. The assembly line may optionally have one or more of the features of the dependent claims.

[0010] This object and objective of the invention is also achieved by a method for assembling articles (particularly for manufacturing clothing), the method comprising the steps of providing a conveyor line and a plurality of processing stations along said conveyor line, wherein the method includes the following steps:

[0011] - Multiple sorting units are provided on the conveyor line, wherein each sorting unit supports all the components of the product that will be assembled step by step at the processing station.

[0012] - Each sorting unit provides a support frame and multiple pallets stacked on multiple layers and optionally pulled out of the frame. Each pallet contains parts that will be assembled at the corresponding processing station.

[0013] -At each of the processing stations, identify the pallet to be retrieved.

[0014] - Remove the identified pallet, pick up the component located on the identified pallet, and perform a process on the component within a predetermined time, preferably the predetermined time being the same for all processing stations. The method may optionally have one or more features of the dependent claims. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the description of preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of the invention shown by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0016] Figure 1 This is a top view of the assembly line according to the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a view of the sorting unit according to the present invention;

[0018] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A side view of the system at the processing station;

[0019] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A detailed view;

[0020] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A side view of the details described, but located on the other side of the processing station;

[0021] Figure 6 yes Figure 3 Front view of the first processing station;

[0022] Figure 7 yes Figure 3 Front view of the sixth processing station. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the assembly line according to the invention (generally indicated by reference numeral 1) is conceived specifically for manufacturing clothing, and is performed by joining together different parts (e.g., sleeves, center, sides, collar, zippers, buttons, hoods, pockets, trouser legs, etc.). Some of these parts may be padded, for example, with down.

[0024] Assembly line 1 includes at least one piece of equipment 2 for producing parts. Optionally, these parts are assembled together along line 1 while being transported along line 1, until they form finished products.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, one or more devices 2 are adapted to produce components made of fabric (preferably multi-layered fabric) according to a series of automated steps having a constant cycle, the automated steps including: stacking fabric unrolled from corresponding rolls; automatically embroidering to form substantially closed seams on the stacked fabric according to a preset pattern layout; automatically cutting along the seams to obtain the components; and marking the components, for example, with electromagnetically readable codes to identify each component. These components of the garment are designed to be finished along assembly line 1 and joined together to obtain a finished garment, and these components may have the characteristics of seams to define internal pockets suitable for filling with goose down.

[0026] Furthermore, line 1 includes conveyor line 5 and multiple processing stations S1, S2, S3, N1, N2...N12 along conveyor line 5. The number of these processing stations is merely an indication and can be increased or decreased as needed. The more processing stations there are, the more likely the assembly line can be adapted to different products and different types of manufactured goods, thus enabling a reduction in the actual number of processing stations used as needed.

[0027] The conveyor line 5 may be a roller conveyor (preferably motorized), or a conveyor belt optionally having a scraper (flight, slat), or a combination of these conveying devices used along different sections of the line 5, or a combination of other similar conveying devices that are in any case suitable for carrying at least one load according to the invention and conveying the load along a predetermined path.

[0028] The conveyor line 5 defines a substantially closed path and may include at least one free path section 55 and at least one corresponding shuttle 50 (preferably with an automated guide, such as a laser guide) that is capable of transferring loads along the free path section 55 from a pick-up point 55a of the conveyor line 5 to an unloading point 55b of the same conveyor line 5.

[0029] The conveyor line 5 may sequentially include a feeding (or input) section 51, a stacking (or buffering) section 52, a preparation section 53, and an assembly section 54, which preferably leads to the component feeding section 51 to define a closed path. Sections 51, 52, 53, and / or 54 are preferably linear.

[0030] The feed section 51 is arranged in front of the outlet of the production equipment 2 to allow loading of parts to be conveyed along line 1.

[0031] The stacked portion 52 can be connected to the input portion 51 via an orthogonal translation device so that the stacked portion can be arranged parallel to the input portion 51.

[0032] According to the present invention, the load conveyed by the conveyor line 5 is a multi-layered sorting unit 6 (such as... Figure 2 The exemplary multi-layered sorting units shown are preferably independent of each other, so that they can be added to or removed from the conveyor line 5, and / or transported individually, for example, along any free path section 55 using a shuttle 50.

[0033] Each sorting unit 6 is adapted to support the components (P1, P2, P3...) of the product, which must be progressively assembled with each other at processing stations N1, N2...N12. Specifically, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the product to be assembled is clothing, and processing stations N1-N12 are manufacturing stations, at which the components P1, P2, P3... of the clothing conveyed by a single sorting unit 6 are progressively joined together and become more complete by means of manual or machine sewing operations until the last station (N13), from which the fully completed clothing leaves.

[0034] Each sorting unit 6 is actually a pallet support improved according to the present invention, and includes a support frame 60 and a plurality of pallets T1, T2...T14 stacked and spaced apart from each other, which are arranged on corresponding layers L1, L2...L14, wherein L1 is the lowest layer of sorting unit 6 and L14 is the highest layer.

[0035] Each of the multiple pallets T1-T14 is adapted to hold components of an article (e.g., clothing) which are assembled to each other and / or to a part of an article already partially formed in the preceding station of line 1 at a corresponding processing station in a series of processing stations N1-N12.

[0036] In the example shown, there are 14 pallets T1-T14 and 14 layers L1-L4. However, in this invention, any number of pallets and layers can be provided as needed and according to the number of active processing stations in line 1. For example, sorting unit 6 may include 4 to 30 layers, or may have a maximum capacity of layers (e.g., at least 10 layers), but if the number of processing stations served by the pallets is less than the maximum number of layers available in sorting unit 6, then a smaller number of pallets will be accommodated relative to that capacity. This may occur in lines that provide a large number of processing stations, which may be used only for certain articles to be assembled, but by having fewer operating processing stations than the maximum number, the line can also be used for other articles.

[0037] Trays T1, T2...T12, T14 can be selectively removed from frame 60, as shown in the case of tray T12 in the attached figure. For this purpose, the trays are supported by corresponding parallel lateral guides 61 fixed to frame 60.

[0038] The vertical distance between trays T1-T14 can be the same, or it can vary between layers, such as... Figure 2 As shown in the example, the spacing between the trays T12-T14 in the highest layer L12-L14 is larger than the spacing between the trays T1-T11 in the lower layer L1-L11.

[0039] The vertical distance between a tray and the tray immediately above it depends on the space occupied and / or visibility of the components that the tray is intended to accommodate. Alternatively, to increase the distance between trays, the difference between the layers can be achieved by placing tray 62 only on some of the guides 61.

[0040] Assembly line 1 includes control devices for controlling line 1, which are in the form of a centralized or distributed control system including a programmable logic controller (PLC) and / or a numerically controlled (NC) machine.

[0041] The processing station may include stations S1-S3 for preparing the parts carried by each sorting unit 6, and stations N1-N12 for assembling the parts conveyed by each sorting unit 6.

[0042] Preparation stations S1-S3, located in preparation area 3 on one side of preparation section 53 of conveyor line 5, are adapted to perform individual processing on at least some of the parts conveyed by each sorting unit 6, such as performing an integration operation on one or more parts conveyed by unit 6. The parts are picked up manually or automatically from at least one tray of unit 6 (the parts can be conveniently identified by the identification device according to the invention (described below)), and then placed back onto the corresponding source tray of unit 6 after processing at at least one preparation station S1-S3.

[0043] For example, in the embodiment shown as line 1 for producing clothing (preferably filled with down), some components supported by each sorting unit 6 can be supplemented or made more complete at preparation stations S1-S3, for example by adding pockets and / or cuffs (in station S1) and / or applying buttons and / or patches (in station S2) and / or down filling (in station S3).

[0044] Advantageously, assembly line 1 is configured such that the operations performed by each processing station are completed within a cycle time C, which is predetermined and identical for all stations S1-S3 and N1-N13 of line 1, and preferably equal to the production cycle time C for producing a complete set of components by production equipment 2. Each complete set of components is completely transferred to a corresponding sorting unit 6 located on the feed section 51 of conveyor line 5. The sorting unit supports individual complete sets of components along conveyor line 5, which are designed to be assembled stepwise and optionally integrated to obtain a single finished product.

[0045] Preparation stations S1-S3 may optionally be connected to each other via an intermediate conveyor and separated from preparation section 53 to avoid parts that are partially completed at preparation station (e.g., S2) needing to be returned to the corresponding sorting unit 6 located on preparation section 53 and then resupplied to subsequent preparation stations (e.g., S3).

[0046] The preparation section 53 of the conveyor line 5 is actuated by a control device, such that the preparation section conveys the unit 6 in a stepwise manner according to the cycle time C, that is, before conveying the sorting unit 6 to the subsequent processing station or subsequent section (e.g., free section 55) of the conveyor line 5, the sorting unit is kept stationary in front of each preparation station S1-S3 for a time equal to the cycle time C or an integer multiple of C.

[0047] Assembly stations N1-N12 are arranged along the assembly section 54 (preferably linear) of conveyor line 5. One of the assembly stations N1-N12 is equidistant from the other located behind it and allows for sequential processing.

[0048] The assembly section 54 of the conveyor line 5 is also actuated by the control device of the line 1, so that the assembly section conveys the unit 6 in a step-by-step manner according to the cycle time C, that is, before conveying the sorting unit 6 to the subsequent processing station or subsequent section (e.g., input section 51) of the conveyor line 5, by keeping the sorting unit stationary in front of each station N1-N13 for a time equal to the cycle time C.

[0049] The assembly line 1 according to the invention includes means for identifying trays to be removed at at least one corresponding processing station S1, S2, S3, N1, N2...N13, so as to allow the components to be assembled or completed / integrated to be picked up from a specific tray supporting these components at that processing station.

[0050] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, these pallet identification devices include means for changing the height of sorting units 6 (relative to the floor) at at least one series of processing stations S1-S3 or N1-N13 along the conveyor line 5. These height-changing means are adapted to change the height of each sorting unit 6 relative to the floor from one processing station in the series S1-S3 or N1-N13 to another, so that at a given processing station in the series, the pallet that must be retrieved at that given processing station when unit 6 is located in front of it is substantially the same as the pallet that must be retrieved at other processing stations in the series S1-S3 or N1-N13 for the same sorting unit 6.

[0051] In this way, an operator who needs to pick up one or more parts that must be processed at a given processing station will always be able to find a corresponding tray supporting these parts at the same ergonomic height, i.e., a convenient height or absolute height from which to pick up the parts from the tray associated with that processing station: for example, for processing stations S1-S3 where the operator typically stands, it is approximately 90 cm from the floor, while for stations N1-N13 where the operator typically sits, it is approximately 50 cm or 60 cm from the floor. Therefore, for a given series of consecutive stations in line 1, the tray retrieval height associated with each processing station is always substantially the same.

[0052] Specifically, the means for changing the height of the sorting unit 6 includes at least one inclined portion of the conveyor line 5, in which the height of the conveyor line 5 relative to the floor gradually changes (and particularly gradually decreases) from one of the series of processing stations to the next in the series of processing stations.

[0053] For example, the preparation section 53 is tilted from the first preparation station S1 to the last preparation station S3, that is, the placement height of the sorting unit 6 on the preparation section 53 is gradually reduced from station S1 to station S3, so that the height at which each sorting unit 6 enters the preparation section 53 of the conveyor line 5 is greater than the height at which the sorting unit leaves the section 53.

[0054] Therefore, the parts of the product processed at the first preparation station S1 relative to the conveying direction are supported by pallets located on the lower layer of the sorting unit 6, while the parts of the product processed at the last preparation station S3 relative to the conveying direction are supported by pallets arranged on the higher layer of the same sorting unit 6.

[0055] The assembly section 54 of the conveyor line 5 is also inclined relative to the floor, and the assembly section preferably has a constant inclination angle from the first station N1 to the last station N12 in the series of assembly stations, such that the height of the conveyor line 5 and thus each sorting unit 6 being conveyed relative to the floor (H1>H2>......) decreases as the sorting unit moves from one assembly station to another.

[0056] Advantageously, each pallet (T1-T12) of each sorting unit 6 serves at least one corresponding assembly station (N1-N12). For example... Figure 3 As shown, the inclination of the assembly section 54 of the conveyor line 5 can be constant along the entire length of section 54. Therefore, the parts processed at the first assembly station N1 with respect to the conveying direction are supported by the pallet T1 of the layer L1 of the sorting unit 6, while the parts processed at the last assembly station N12 with respect to the conveying direction are supported by the pallet T12 arranged on the layer L12 (therefore, in the example shown, pallets T13 and T14 are not used).

[0057] In a preferred embodiment, assembly stations N1-N12 are cutting stations 40, where the operator is seated and can sew together parts contained in a tray associated with his / her station, the tray being identifiable by the height from which the operator can naturally and conveniently remove it while seated. Due to the constant inclination of the assembly section 54 of the conveyor line 5, the removal height of the tray relative to the floor associated with a given assembly station is conveniently maintained constant for all assembly stations N1-N12, a value that allows the operator to remove the tray without getting up from their seated position (e.g., the tray removal height can be set to a value encompassing 50cm to 60cm from the floor). Figure 6 and Figure 7The comparison shows that, due to the inclination of section 54 of the conveyor line 5, the height of layer L1 of the pallet T1 that must be taken out at station N1 is the same as the height of layer L6 of the pallet T6 that must be taken out when the sorting unit 6 arrives at station N6.

[0058] Preferably, assembly line 1 is configured such that the corresponding sorting unit 6 is simultaneously provided to each assembly station (e.g., via the control device of line 1). Figure 1 and Figure 3 (as shown in the diagram), thereby keeping the sorting unit stationary for a predetermined time, preferably equal to the cycle time C defined above.

[0059] To optimize the assembly of the products, line 1 preferably also includes a conveyor 7 for stacking platforms 70, which can move in a stepping manner on one side of the series of processing stations N1-N13 and move substantially parallel to a portion 54 of the conveyor line 5 on one side of the series of processing stations N1-N13.

[0060] The stacking platforms 70 are equidistant from each other at least along the straight section 71 of the conveyor 7, and the distance between them is substantially equal to the distance between two consecutive processing stations N1-N13 in this series of processing stations, such as... Figure 1 As shown in the diagram. The stacking table 70 may have a flat or tray-shaped surface or similar support, and is kept horizontal by the conveyor 7 at least during the path parallel to the assembly section 54 of the conveyor line 5, so as to allow support for semi-finished products obtained by progressively assembling parts picked up from the sorting unit 6.

[0061] As described, the conveyor 7 can be configured as a closed-loop monorail or as a cable system, with stacking platforms 70 suspended on either of the conveyors, which are pulled by the conveyor 7 by means of a suitable motor drive of a known type.

[0062] In other embodiments not shown, the conveyor 7 may be a conveyor belt adapted to move multiple tables (or similar supports) fixed thereon along a circular path around the series of processing stations N1-N13.

[0063] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the conveyor 7 has a linear forward portion 71 and optionally a linear return portion 72, which may be parallel to portion 71, but is preferably at a higher height relative to the floor due to the presence of portion 54 of the conveyor line 5 in this area.

[0064] Sections 71 and 72 of the conveyor 7 extend horizontally along opposite sides of the series of processing stations N1-N13, as can be seen, with one of these processing stations aligned with the other located behind it.

[0065] Specifically, the straight return section 72 preferably extends above the assembly section 54 of the conveyor line 5 so as to hold the stacking platform 70 above the sorting unit 6 present on the assembly section 54.

[0066] Conversely, the straight forward portion 71 places the stage 70 at a height substantially the same as that of all the processing stations in the series N1-N13, such that each of the processing stations N1-N13 is always laterally adjacent to the stage 70 of the conveyor 7 in each step.

[0067] The height of the shelf surface of table 70 is chosen to facilitate the operator placing the parts he / she is assembling at his / her assembly stations N1-N12 onto table 70. As shown, in the case of a production line such as the one in the attached figure, the operator is in a seated position, and therefore the height of the stacking table 70 relative to the floor along the forward portion 71 includes, for example, between 50 cm and 60 cm.

[0068] The control device of line 1 is adapted to move the conveyor 7 in a stepping manner, wherein the forward step length of the stacking platform 70 is equal to the distance between one assembly station in the series of processing stations N1-N13 and the adjacent assembly station, and wherein the stacking platform remains stationary in each step for a time interval equal to the cycle time C (i.e., equal to the time allocated to all processing stations in the series of processing stations N1-N12) in order to assemble the parts allocated to these processing stations.

[0069] Therefore, the control device of assembly line 1 is adapted to stop each stacking table 70 on one side of the corresponding processing station in the series of processing stations N1-N13 for a predetermined time C, particularly on one side of the corresponding assembly table in the series of assembly tables, and when the predetermined time C expires, the control device causes each stacking table 70 to be moved to the next processing station in the series of processing stations N1-N13.

[0070] Advantageously, at each of the processing stations N1-N13, a corresponding confirmation button 41 can be provided, which is connected to the control device of assembly line 1.

[0071] The control device is configured to keep both the conveyor line 5 and the conveyor 7 of the workbench 70 stationary for a period of time C, and to advance the conveyor line 5 and the conveyor 7 by one step only when the predetermined time has expired and only when all buttons 41 have been pressed by the corresponding operators, so that each sorting unit 6 and each workbench 70 are respectively translated to one side of the subsequent station in the series of processing stations N1-N13.

[0072] If an operator fails to press button 41 at station N1-N13 when cycle time C expires, and / or conveyor line 5 and / or conveyor 7 no longer advances through the control device, then wait for intervention from the production line manager to resume operation.

[0073] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, in addition to or replacing the inclined portion of the conveyor line 5 described above, the means for identifying the pallets to be retrieved may include an electromagnetic reader 64 (e.g., an optical reader such as a barcode or QR reader) and a plurality of light sources 65 mounted on each sorting unit 6, these light sources being arranged on the respective layers L1-L14 such that each pallet T1-T14 can be visually identified by illumination from at least one corresponding light source laterally adjacent to or above the pallet. For example, as Figure 2 As shown, each tray T1-T14 of the sorting unit has two corresponding light-emitting diodes 66a and 66b on both sides. These light-emitting diodes are mounted on the sides of each layer L1-L14 of the sorting unit 6 and are adapted to identify the corresponding sectors of laterally adjacent trays using corresponding illumination, such as the left half 62a and right half 62b of the corresponding tray 62 laterally adjacent to these light-emitting diodes.

[0074] The sorting unit 6 may include a programmable control unit that includes multiple codes (which can be read by a reader 64) stored in relation to the activation state of at least one corresponding light source 66a, 66b among a plurality of light sources 65, such that the electromagnetic reading of a specific code 63a, 63b, 63c... applied to the corresponding component P1, P2, P3... to be assembled corresponds to the illumination of the specific light source, and thus to the visual recognition of the corresponding tray to be retrieved, so as to store the component P1, P2, P3... applying the code on the tray.

[0075] In the illustrated embodiment, the electromagnetic reader 64 is manually used by an operator at the input section 51 of the conveyor line 5 and communicates with the control unit, for example, via a wireless network or through a direct wired connection. Codes 63a, 63b, 63c previously applied to the parts produced by device 2 are then read one by one by the reader 64, and after illumination by the light source 66a or 66b associated with the code, the operator can visually identify trays T1-T14 on one side of the illuminated light source to remove the tray and place parts P1, P2, or P3 on it, optionally placing the parts in the portion of the tray identified by the corresponding light source 66a or 66b associated with the layer of the tray.

[0076] Alternatively, barcode reading can be provided at the processing station, such as at least one preparation station S1-S3, to identify any auxiliary elements marked at said station and store them in the correct layer of the sorting unit 6 conveyed on the preparation section 53. If the finished product to be assembled is clothing, such accessories may be, for example, collars, zippers, cords, piping, and facings.

[0077] According to another aspect of the invention, the above description and Figure 2 The multi-layered sorting unit 6 shown can be used independently of the assembly line 1, for example as a tool for identifying and sorting components that will be conveyed on any industrial production line.

[0078] The operation of the present invention is obvious from the description of assembly line 1 given above.

[0079] The above description provides a method for assembling articles, particularly for manufacturing garments, performed in an assembly line comprising a conveyor line, multiple processing stations along the conveyor line, and multiple sorting units located on the conveyor line, wherein each sorting unit comprises a support frame and multiple trays stacked on various layers and selectively removable from the frame. The method includes the following steps:

[0080] - Fill each sorting unit with the parts of the product to be assembled, such that in each sorting unit, each pallet contains the parts that will be assembled at a corresponding processing station in the processing station, and the sorting unit supports all the parts of the product that will be assembled step by step at the processing station.

[0081] - Identify the pallet to be retrieved at each processing station.

[0082] Then, the identified tray is removed, the parts located on the tray are picked up, and specific work operations or processing are performed on these parts within a predetermined time, which is preferably equal for all processing stations.

[0083] Specifically, device 2 periodically produces or supplies a set of components (e.g., a specific complete layout of clothing to be manufactured). These components are preferably individually (e.g., automatically) marked with corresponding codes that can be read electromagnetically (e.g., optically) using reader 64.

[0084] This periodic supply of components from device 2 occurs once every “C” seconds (e.g., every three minutes).

[0085] The operator, located between the output of device 2 and the input section 51 of conveyor line 5, reads the entire set of components within time C and retrieves the corresponding pallet by illumination from the light source of the corresponding layer L1-L4 of the still empty sorting unit 6, in which the component whose electromagnetic reading would activate the light source is stored. The electromagnetic reading and placement on the associated pallet continues until the sorting unit 6 is full of all components in the set and the periodic time interval C expires.

[0086] Preferably, within cycle time C, the operator must press a confirmation button associated with the line control device to confirm that he / she has completed reading the complete set of parts, that is, that the corresponding sorting unit 6 has been filled with the complete set of parts, and to confirm that he / she can be provided with a subsequent set of parts to be identified and sorted on the tray of the subsequent empty sorting unit 6 located on the input section 51 of the conveyor line.

[0087] The conveyor line 5 moves the newly filled sorting units 6 toward the stacking section 52, wherein the sorting units 6, which are gradually filled at the input section 51, are stacked before being continuously fed to the preparation section 53.

[0088] Subsequently, the sorting units 6 advance one after another in a step-by-step manner on the preparation section 53 of the conveyor line 5, their height decreasing as they approach the exit of the preparation section. During the path, the sorting units 6 pause for a period equal to the cycle time C in front of each preparation station to allow the operation provided at that station to be performed. Optionally, each preparation station S1-S3 may be associated with multiple consecutive positions occupied by the sorting units 6 located on the preparation section 53, such that the completion operation assigned to that preparation station can be completed within a time equal to an integer multiple of the cycle time C.

[0089] At the exit of the preparation section 53, the sorting unit 6 contains all the parts to be assembled for the product to be obtained and arrives at the pick-up point 55a, where the sorting unit is individually loaded onto the corresponding shuttle 50, which automatically carries the sorting unit through the free section 55 to the unloading point 55b and then returns to the pick-up point 55a to receive the next sorting unit 6.

[0090] After being fed to point 55b, the sorting units 6 advance one after another on the assembly section 54 of the conveyor line 5 in a stepping manner, maintaining a distance between each other equal to the distance between processing stations N1-N13 arranged along the assembly section. The step length is substantially equal to the distance between two consecutive processing stations of the series N1-N13, which is equal for all stations N1-N13.

[0091] Here, as the sorting unit 6 moves forward step by step, it stays on one side of each processing station N1-N13 for a period of time C, so that the corresponding operator can perform the following operations: (i) picking up parts to be assembled with each other and / or parts to be assembled into semi-finished products from the designated pallet of unit 6, which are conveyed through stacking table 70 located on one side of the processing station assigned to the operator; (ii) performing the (assembly) operation assigned to the station; (iii) placing the semi-finished products obtained by assembly on stacking table 70 located on one side of the station.

[0092] As the semi-finished products are being transferred by the operator, the stacking platform 70 moves to the subsequent processing stations N1-N13 in this series of processing stations. However, all operators of line 1 must press the confirmation button assigned to them within the cycle time C to allow line 1 to move forward.

[0093] After or at the last station N13 (which, in the case shown, is the finished goods placement station), the completely emptied sorting unit 6 can be automatically lifted and pushed to the input section 51 of the conveyor line 5 to be refilled with a set of parts produced by one of the devices in equipment 2. At the last station N13, table 70 conveys the fully assembled (i.e., finished) products. Before taking the return path 72, table 70 can proceed to the finished goods pick-up area, where quality control and / or packaging can be performed.

[0094] In practice, it has been found that the present invention has achieved the intended purpose and objectives.

[0095] The present invention, conceived in this way, is easy to modify and vary in many ways, all of which fall within the scope of the present invention; all details can also be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

[0096] In practice, the materials used (as long as they are compatible with the specific application) and the possible shapes and sizes can be any materials, shapes and sizes available, depending on the requirements and existing technology.

[0097] This application claims priority to Italian Patent Application No. 102021000006026 (the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference).

[0098] Where a technical feature mentioned in any claim is followed by a reference symbol, the sole purpose of including such reference symbols is to increase the comprehensibility of the claim, and therefore such reference symbols do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example through such reference symbols.

Claims

1. An assembly line (1) for manufacturing garments, the assembly line comprising a conveyor line (5) and a plurality of processing stations (S1-S3; N1-N13) along the conveyor line (5), the assembly line (1) comprising a plurality of multi-layered sorting units (6) conveyed by the conveyor line (5), each sorting unit (6) being adapted to support components (P1-P3) of an article to be assembled stepwise at the processing station (S1-S3; N1-N13), the article being garments, each sorting unit (6) comprising a support frame (60) comprising a plurality of trays (T1-T14) stacked on a plurality of layers (L1-L14) and selectively removable from the support frame, each tray (T1-T14) being adapted to contain components (P1-P3) of the article to be assembled at a corresponding processing station (N1-N12) in the processing station. in, The assembly line (1) includes identification devices (54, 65) for identifying the trays (T1-T14) to be removed from at least one corresponding processing station (S1-S3; N1-N13) so as to allow the picking of the components to be assembled or completed at the processing station (S1-S3; N1-N13) from the specific trays (T1-T14) supporting these components; The identification device for identifying the pallets (T1-T14) includes, along the conveyor line (5), a height changing device (53; 54) for changing the height of the sorting unit (6) at a series of processing stations (S1-S3; N1-N13), the height changing device being adapted to change the height of each sorting unit (6) from one processing station to another in the series of processing stations (S1-S3; N1-N13) so that the corresponding pallets (T1-T14) that must be removed at each processing station (S1-S3; N1-N12) are arranged at the same height relative to the ground along the conveyor line (5) for each processing station.

2. The assembly line according to claim 1, wherein, The height changing device for changing the height of the sorting unit (6) includes at least one inclined portion (53, 54) of the conveyor line (5).

3. The assembly line according to claim 2, wherein, The at least one inclined portion (53, 54) has an inclination that is constant from the first processing station to the last processing station in the series of processing stations (S1-S3; N1-N13).

4. The assembly line according to claim 1, wherein, The identification device for identifying the pallets (T1-T14) to be retrieved includes an electromagnetic reader (64) and a plurality of light sources (66a; 66b) located on each sorting unit (6), the light sources being arranged such that each pallet (T1-T14) can be visually identified by illumination from at least one corresponding light source, the light sources (66a; 66b) being associated with the electromagnetic reader (64) such that the light sources can be selectively activated based on a reading performed by the electromagnetic reader (64) on codes (63a, 63b, 63c).

5. The assembly line according to claim 1, wherein, The conveyor line (5) is adapted to advance the sorting unit (6) in a stepping manner so that the sorting unit remains stationary for a predetermined time (C) at each of the processing stations (S1-S3; N1-N13). The assembly line also includes a conveyor (7) for stacking platforms (70) that are capable of moving in a stepping manner on one side of a series of continuous processing stations (N1-N13) and parallel to the portion (54) of the conveyor line (5) moving on one side of the series of continuous processing stations (N1-N13). The conveyor (7) is adapted to stop each stacking platform (70) on one side of the corresponding station in the series of continuous processing stations (N1-N13) for the predetermined time and, when the predetermined time expires, to move the stacking platform to the subsequent processing station of the series of continuous processing stations.

6. The assembly line according to claim 5, wherein, At each of the processing stations (S1-S3; N1-N13), a corresponding confirmation button (41) is provided, which is connected to a control device for controlling the assembly line (1), the control device being adapted to keep the conveyor line (5) and the conveyor (7) stationary at least in the portion laterally adjacent to the processing station, and to cause the conveyor line (5) and the conveyor (7) to advance one step when the predetermined time expires and when all of the confirmation buttons (41) have been pressed, so that each sorting unit (6) and each table are respectively translated to one side of the subsequent processing station.

7. A method for manufacturing clothing, said method being performed in an assembly line according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method includes the following steps: - Multiple sorting units (6) are provided on the conveyor line (5), wherein each sorting unit (6) supports all the components of the product that will be assembled step by step at the processing stations (S1-S3; N1-N13). - Each sorting unit (6) provides a support frame (60) and multiple pallets (T1-T14) stacked on multiple layers (L1-L14) and selectively removable from the support frame. Each pallet (T1-T14) contains components to be assembled at the corresponding processing station (N1-N12). - The sorting unit (6) is conveyed on the conveyor line (5). - At each of the processing stations, the identification device identifies the pallet (T1-T14) to be retrieved. -Take out the identified tray (T1-T14), pick up the component located on the identified tray, and perform a processing on the component within a predetermined time (C), the predetermined time being equal for all processing stations (S1-S3; N1-N13); The identification step includes changing the height of the sorting unit (6) from one processing station to another in at least a series of continuous processing stations (S1-S3; N1-N13) by means of a height changing device (53; 54) for changing the height of the sorting unit (6) so as to bring the corresponding pallets (T1-T14) to be taken out at the corresponding processing station in the at least a series of continuous processing stations to the same height above the ground for all processing stations.

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising the following step: - The conveyor (7) of the stacking platform (70) advances in a step-by-step manner parallel to the conveyor line (5) on one side of at least a series of continuous processing stations (N1-N12). - Stop each stack (70) of the conveyor (7) at one side of the corresponding processing station in the at least one series of continuous processing stations for the predetermined time (C). - Place the parts that are to be assembled or completed in the laterally adjacent processing station onto the stacking platform (70); When the predetermined time (C) expires, the stacking platform (70) is moved to the next processing station in the at least one series of continuous processing stations.

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