Method for moving magnetised elemenst for fixing hides spread onto surfaces made of magnetic material, system implementing such method and dryer using such system

Abstract

A method for moving magnetised elements (1) for fixing animal hides (L) spread onto support surfaces (2) made of magnetic material during the drying treatment. The method comprises a step of depositing a plurality of magnetised elements (1) on each hide (L) to constrain it to the support surface (2) prior to the drying treatment, and a subsequent step of picking up from each hide (L) the previously deposited magnetised elements (1) at the end of the drying treatment in order to be able to pick up the dried hide from the support surface (2). When they are in the rest position, the magnetised elements (1) are received in special housings (3; 103) and the picking up and depositing of the magnetised elements (1) from / onto the respective housings and from / onto the respective hides (L) are performed by the difference in magnetic attraction between the magnetised elements (1) and the magnetic masses (4, 6) which are set in motion by movement units (5, 105a, 105b). The invention also relates to a system (200; 300) for moving magnetised elements (1) using the described method and to a dryer (400; 500) using the aforementioned system (200; 300).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a movement method for depositing and picking up magnetised elements for constraining animal hides spread onto surfaces made of magnetic material.

[0002] The invention also relates to a system implementing the above-mentioned movement method and also to an animal hide dryer using the above-mentioned system.

[0003] Said method and said system can be used to move magnetised elements of any kind to constrain animal hides that are spread onto support surfaces to be dried in drying systems.

[0004] It is well known that in the tanning industry, after undergoing wet processing, the hides are dried to remove the excess water they contain, so that they reach the required moisture content.

[0005] One of the most widely used drying methods involves the use of special dryers that include a tunnel through which the hides transit, spread out on special frames and immersed in an atmosphere of hot air that is kept in circulation by special fans.

[0006] During drying, in order to prevent shrinkage of the hides, which would lead to a significant reduction in their marketable surface area and consequently significant economic loss for the tanner, the hides are kept stretched by firmly tying their edges to the drying frame on which they are spread out.

[0007] In the technical jargon of the sector, the operation by which the edges of the hides are bound to the drying frame is commonly known as "nailing" and involves the use of special pliers, each of which includes jaws for gripping the edge of the hide to be stretched and a protruding peg which is inserted into a hole in the drying frame.

[0008] In this way, using a plurality of pliers in variable numbers depending on the surface area of the hide to be dried, the latter is fixed to the frame well stretched and tensioned.

[0009] During the drying process, the water evaporates and the hide gradually shrinks, creating a state of tension that tends to weaken it and which mainly affects its perimeter edge in the areas where the jaws of the pliers grip.

[0010] The weakening of the hide, which basically consists of localised detachment of the upper part of the hide, known as the grain, from the part underneath, significantly compromises the quality of the hide, and areas where this defect appears must be appropriately removed by trimming the hide.

[0011] It is understood that this trimming operation leads to a reduction in the surface area of hide that can be sold and therefore to waste, which results in an inevitable economic loss for the tanner.

[0012] An alternative technique to nailing the hides with pliers is described in patent document US2479440 and also in patent document WO 2019 / 243925 registered in the name of the holder of the present patent application, which documents teach how to constrain the hides to be dried to the drying frame using magnetised bodies and exploiting the compressive force that the magnetised bodies exert on the hide by the magnetic attraction between each magnetised body and the frame made of ferromagnetic material on which the hide is spread out.

[0013] In particular, patent document US2479440 states that the magnetic bodies have a general discoidal or U-shape with a flat surface supporting the hide to be spread out, while patent document WO 2019 / 243925 states that the magnetic bodies have a spherical shape or are provided with one or more curved surfaces in contact with the hide.

[0014] It has been found that nailing of hides using magnetic bodies effectively reduces the time for nailing and picking up the hide before and after drying, respectively, and the method and system of the invention are intended to further reduce the above-mentioned times.

[0015] In addition, the method and the system of the invention also intend to prevent manipulation of the magnetic bodies by operators.

[0016] The purposes are achieved by the method of the invention according to claim 1 to which reference will be made, and by the system, which is also the subject matter of the invention, implementing said method.

[0017] As will be seen in the following description, the method and the system of the invention effectively enable the time for nailing and picking up the hides to be reduced and thus, advantageously, drying costs to be reduced.

[0018] Furthermore, considering that the magnetic bodies are small in size and that they are used in large quantities during the nailing and removal of hides from the frames, it can be understood that, if the operators no longer need to handle them, the same operators will advantageously not be subjected to the stress of having to handle small elements for a long time and quickly.

[0019] In addition, advantageously, the accidental dispersal of such small objects in the working environment will be prevented, thus ensuring a tidier and safer working environment.

[0020] The aims and advantages listed shall be better highlighted below during the description of preferred but not exclusive embodiments of the method and of the system of the invention, which are provided herein below by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the appended drawings in which: figures 1 to 10 represent, in succession, the operations which implement the movement method of the invention; figure 11 represents an axonometric view of one of the elements forming the system implementing the movement method of the invention; figures 12 and 13 represent an axonometric view of details of the element in figure 11; figures 14 to 24 represent, in succession, the steps involved in carrying out an embodiment of the movement method of the invention; figure 25 represents an axonometric view of one of the first elements forming the system implementing the embodiment variant of the movement method of the invention; figure 26 represents an axonometric view of one of the second elements forming the system implementing the embodiment variant of the movement method of the invention; figure 27 represents a detail of figures 25 and 26; figure 28 represents the system performing the operations of the movement method of the invention, the operations of which are shown in figures 1 to 10; figure 29 represents the system performing the operations of the variant embodiment of the movement method of the invention, the operations of which are shown in figures 14 to 24; figures 30 and 31 represent a dryer using the system of figure 28; figures 32 and 33 represent a variant of the dryer of figures 30 and 31 using the system of figure 28.

[0021] The method of moving the magnetised elements 1 for the fixing of animal hides L spread onto support surfaces 2 made of magnetic material, which is the subject matter of the invention, is illustrated in the sequences of figures 1 to 10.

[0022] According to the invention, the method comprises a step of depositing a plurality of magnetised elements 1 on each hide L spread onto a support surface 2 to constrain it prior to treatment or processing, and a step of picking up the magnetised elements 1 from each of the hides L at the end of the treatment or processing.

[0023] It should be noted that the depositing step preferably, but not exclusively, simultaneously involves a plurality of magnetised elements 1 sufficient to fix each hide L to the support surface 2 and, similarly, the pick-up step simultaneously involves all the magnetised elements 1 positioned during the depositing step.

[0024] The steps of depositing and picking up the magnetised elements are performed by means of a plurality of movement units, and, according to an embodiment for moving each magnetised element 1, the method provides for the use of a single movement unit 5 for moving magnetic masses and carrying out a plurality of operations, wherein the first operation consists of: picking up a magnetised element 1 from a housing 3 by means of a first magnetic mass 4 by magnetic attraction between the first magnetic mass 4 and the magnetised element 1, as can be seen in figure 1.

[0025] A second operation is then carried out, as illustrated in figure 2, which consists of moving said first magnetic mass 4 and the magnetised element 1 adhering to each other, as observed in figure 2, until the magnetised element 1 is placed above the hide L, as can be seen in figure 3.

[0026] This is followed by the operation seen in figure 4, which involves separating the magnetised element 1 from the first magnetic mass 4 to deposit the magnetised element 1 on the underlying hide L, wherein the separation and depositing are obtained by the magnetic attraction between the support surface 2 underneath the hide L and the magnetised element 1 which is greater than the magnetic attraction between the first magnetic mass 4 and the magnetised element 1.

[0027] With the depositing of the magnetised element 1, the hide L is constrained to the support surface 2 and the depositing step ends with the return of the first magnetic mass 4 above the housing 3, as can be seen in figure 5.

[0028] After the treatment or processing of the hide L, the step of picking up the magnetised elements 1 previously deposited is performed, which comprises a plurality of operations in which the first of said operations is represented in figure 6 and involves placing a second magnetic mass 6 above a magnetised element 1 on the hide L, and then bringing the second magnetic mass 6 closer to the magnetised element 1, as shown in figure 7, in order to picking up the magnetised element 1 from the underlying hide L by means of the aforesaid second magnetic mass 6, as observed in figure 8, due to the magnetic attraction between the second magnetic mass 6 and the magnetised element 1, which is greater than the magnetic attraction between the magnetised element 1 and the support surface 2.

[0029] After the sample is taken, the operation is carried out of moving the second magnetic mass 6 and the magnetised element 1 adhering to each other towards the housing 3 in order to place the magnetised element 1 above the housing 3 and in contact with contrast means 7, as observed in figure 9, so as to separate the magnetised element 1 from the second magnetic mass 6 by reciprocal sliding produced by the contrast means 7 acting on the magnetised element 1.

[0030] At the end of the separation the spontaneous operation takes place of depositing the magnetised element 1 in the housing 3, as shown in figure 10.

[0031] When the magnetised element 1 is received in the housing 3, it adheres to the first magnetic mass 4, as observed in figure 10, and a new depositing step on another hide L can be repeated.

[0032] As illustrated in figures 1 to 10, the displacements of the first magnetic mass 4 during the depositing step and the displacements of the second magnetic mass 6 during the pick-up step are carried out by means of one single movement unit 5.

[0033] The construction details of the movement unit 5 can be seen in particular in the axonometric representations of figures 11 to 13, where it can be seen that it comprises a support structure 30 which extends along a longitudinal axis X.

[0034] There are also contrast means 7 that are preferably, but not exclusively, associated with the movement unit 5.

[0035] In particular, the contrast means 7 comprise, as can be observed particularly in figures 12 and 13, a stopping fork 14 which is configured to act against the magnetised element 1 and in it a housing 3 is obtained, which is configured with a profile 3a adapted to receive the magnetised element 1.

[0036] Also associated with the support structure 30 are motorisation means 10 for moving a sliding block 8, positioned above the stopping fork 14, which in turn supports the second magnetic mass 6 and the first magnetic mass 4 which is received in a seat obtained in a non-magnetic block 9 side by side to the second magnetic mass 6.

[0037] The motorisation means 10 comprise a motor unit 18 which rotates a ball screw 19 connected to the sliding block 8 which, during its movement, is guided by a sliding shaft 11, also connected to the support structure 30.

[0038] Finally, there are also movement means, not shown, for moving the movement unit 5 towards and away from the direction Z orthogonal to the direction defined by the longitudinal axis X, for depositing and picking up each magnetised element 1 on / from the hide L spread onto the support surface 2. Operationally, the movement unit 5 moves the magnetised element 1 and performs all the operations of the method of the invention that have been previously described with reference to figures 1 to 10.

[0039] With regard, in particular, to the separation of the magnetised element 1 from the second magnetic mass 6, which has been illustrated and described with reference to figures 9 and 10, it occurs due to the particular constructive characteristics of the sliding block 8 and of the stopping fork 14 in which the housing 3 is located.

[0040] In particular, when the sliding block 8 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow in figure 9, when the magnetised element 1 is received in the stopping fork 14, as can be seen in figures 9 and 12, it stops above the housing 3 while the sliding block 8 continues its movement in the direction indicated by the arrow in figure 9.

[0041] In this way, the contrast created by the stopping fork 14 and the displacement of the sliding block 8 create reciprocal sliding between the second magnetic mass 6 and the magnetised element 1 until the magnetised element 1 is removed from the attraction of the second magnetic mass 6 which occurs when the magnetised element 1 comes into contact with the non-magnetic block 9.

[0042] Then, upon the arrival of the non-magnetic block 9, the magnetic attraction exerted by the second magnetic mass 6 on the magnetised element 1 ceases, which element is received in the housing 3 and then adheres to the first magnetic mass 4 when, as observed in figures 10 and 13, the sliding block 8 stops at the end of its stroke.

[0043] An embodiment of the method of the invention is illustrated in the sequences of figures 14 to 24 and differs from the embodiment described above mainly in that the depositing step and the pick-up step are each carried out by a different movement unit.

[0044] In particular, with reference to figures 14 to 18 it is observed that the displacement of the first magnetic mass 4 during the depositing step of each magnetised element 1 takes place by means of a first movement unit 105a which extends mainly along a first longitudinal axis Xa while, with reference to figures 19 to 24, the displacement of the second magnetic mass 6 during the pick-up step takes place by means of a second movement unit 105b which extends prevalently according to a second longitudinal axis Xb.

[0045] Similarly to the embodiment of the method described above, the depositing step envisages, for the movement of each magnetised element 1, a plurality of operations which involve: picking up a magnetised element 1 from a housing 103 by means of a first magnetic mass 4 by magnetic attraction between the first magnetic mass 4 and the magnetised element 1, as can be seen in figures 14 and 15; moving said first magnetic mass 4 and the magnetised element 1 adhering to each other, as observed in figure 16, until depositing the magnetised element 1 above the hide L, as observed in figure 17, the separation and depositing being obtained by the magnetic attraction between the support surface 2 below the hide L and the magnetised element 1 which is greater than the magnetic attraction between the first magnetic mass 4 and the magnetised element 1.

[0046] After the depositing of the magnetic element 1, the depositing step ends with the displacement of the first magnetic mass 4 above the housing 3, as can be seen in figure 18.

[0047] The step of picking up the magnetised elements 1 previously deposited is carried out by means of a plurality of operations, which include: placing a second magnetic mass 6 above a magnetised element 1 on the hide L, as shown in figure 19; bringing the second magnetic mass 6 closer to the magnetised element 1, as shown in figure 20; picking up the magnetised element 1 from the underlying hide L by means of the aforesaid second magnetic mass 6, as observed in figure 21, due to the magnetic attraction between the second magnetic mass 6 and the magnetised element 1, which is greater than the magnetic attraction between the magnetised element 1 and the support surface 2; moving the second magnetic mass 6 and the magnetised element 1 adhering to each other towards the housing 103 in order to place the magnetised element 1 above the housing 103 and in contact with contrast means 107, as observed in figure 22; separating the magnetised element 1 from the second magnetic mass 6 by mutual sliding produced by the contrast means 107 acting on the magnetised element 1, as observed in figure 23.

[0048] At the end of the separation, the magnetised element 1 is spontaneously deposited, preferably but not necessarily by gravity, in the housing 103 and the second magnetic mass 6 is spaced above the magnetised element 1, as observed in figure 24.

[0049] As regards the first movement unit 105a, it is represented in an axonometric view in figure 25 where it can be observed that it comprises a first support structure 130a with which a first sliding block 108a is associated, supporting the first magnetic mass 4, which is provided with a shaped seat 4a housing the magnetised element 1.

[0050] As regards, instead, the second movement unit 105b, it is represented in an axonometric view in figure 25, where it can be observed that it comprises a second support structure 130b and a second sliding block 108b which in turn supports the second magnetic mass 6 and a non-magnetic plate 16 placed alongside and coplanar to the second magnetic mass 6.

[0051] There are also contrast means 107a which preferably, but not exclusively, pertain to the second movement unit 105b.

[0052] Similarly to the embodiment described above, each of the movement units 105a, 105b extends along a longitudinal axis Xa, Xb, respectively, and also comprises motorisation means 110a, 110b for moving each respective sliding block 108a, 108b and a sliding shaft 111a, 111b guiding the respective sliding block 108a, 108b during movement.

[0053] With respect to the motorisation means 110a, 110b, they comprise a motor unit 118a, 118b rotating a ball screw 119a, 119b connected to a respective sliding block 108a, 108b.

[0054] Finally, similarly to the embodiment described above, the contrast means 107 comprise a stopping fork 114, whereas, differently, the housing 103 is made in a container 18 which is observed in figures 25 and 26 and in the detail figure 27.

[0055] Operationally, the separation of the magnetised element 1 from the second magnetic mass 6 to be received in the housing 103, like to the variant of the method described above, takes place due to the constructional features of the second sliding block 108b.

[0056] In fact, during the movement of the second sliding block 108b in the direction indicated by the arrow of figure 23, when the magnetised element 1 is received in the stopping fork 114, it stops above the housing 103 created in the container 18, while the second sliding block 108b continues its displacement.

[0057] In this way, the contrast created by the stopping fork 114 and the displacement of the second sliding block 108b create mutual sliding between the second magnetic mass 6 and the magnetised element 1 until the magnetised element 1 is subtracted from the attraction of the second magnetic mass 6 which occurs when the magnetised element 1 comes into contact with the non-magnetic plate 16.

[0058] Thus, upon the arrival of the non-magnetic plate 16, the magnetic attraction exerted by the second magnetic mass 6 on the magnetised element 1 ceases, which element is thus received, preferably but not necessarily, by gravity into the housing 103 of the container 18 when, as observed in figure 24, the second sliding block 108b stops at the end of its stroke.

[0059] The invention also relates to a movement system of the magnetised elements 1, shown in figure 28 wherein it is collectively referred to as 200, using the movement method of the invention described with reference to figures 1 to 10. The movement system 200 comprises a single frame 210 which supports, side by side and spaced apart, a plurality of movement units 5 of the magnetised elements 1.

[0060] The frame 210 may be made in any shape but preferably, though not necessarily, it will be a flat polygonal shape.

[0061] In particular, in the case that is described and with reference to figure 28, it is observed that the frame 210 has a rectangular or square shape and its sides 211 define a perimeter that contains the perimeter of the support surface 2 and of the hide L spread onto the support surface 2, when the frame 210 is arranged above said support surface 2, as observed in figure 28.

[0062] In addition, the movement units 5 are projecting towards the inside of the frame 210 so as to be arranged above at least the perimeter edge of the underlying hide L when the frame 210 is arranged above the support surface 2.

[0063] There are also displacement means, not represented but in any case of a known type, to bring the frame 210 closer and further away above the support surface 2 for carrying out the depositing or pick up step on the magnetised elements 1.

[0064] Thus, the aforementioned movement system 200 employs a single frame 210 for both picking up and depositing the magnetised elements 1 from / on the hides L spread onto the support surface 2.

[0065] The invention also relates to an embodiment variant of the movement system just described, which can be seen in figure 29 wherein it is collectively referred to as 300 and which differs from the preceding system in that it comprises a first frame 310a with which a plurality of first movement units 105a of the magnetised elements 1 are associated and a second frame 310b with which a plurality of second movement units 105b of the magnetised elements 1 are associated.

[0066] The two frames 310a and 310b are the same as each other and, for simplicity of description, only one of them is shown in figure 29, with respect to which the numbering of the elements that compose both is referred.

[0067] Also in this embodiment variant, each frame 310a and 310b may be made with any shape but preferably, though not necessarily, it will be of a flat polygonal shape.

[0068] In particular, in the case being described and with reference to figure 29, it is observed that each frame 310a and 310b has a rectangular or square shape and its sides 311a and 311b define a perimeter containing the perimeter of the support surface 2 corresponding to each of them.

[0069] In addition, the movement units 105a, 105b are fixed to the respective frame 310a, 310b, are spaced apart from each other and are projecting towards the inside of the same frame 310a, 310b so as to be arranged above at least the perimeter edge of the underlying hide L when the frame 310a, 310b is arranged above the respective support surface 2.

[0070] Also in this embodiment variant there are displacement means, not represented but in any case of a known type, to bring each frame closer and further away above the respective support surface 2 to perform: the step of depositing the magnetised elements 1 by means of the first movement units 105a associated with the first frame 310a, the step of picking up the magnetised elements 1 by means of the second movement units 105b associated with the second frame 310b.

[0071] In addition, on the perimeter edge 2a of each support surface 2, a plurality of the containers 18 is arranged, each of which is adapted to house a respective magnetised element 1.

[0072] The method and the system of the invention, in both embodiments described, preferably but not exclusively, provides that the magnetised elements 1 are spheres.

[0073] The method and the system of the invention are particularly adapted to constrain animal hides spread onto the support surface during the drying process, but can also be used to constrain animal hides or any other kind of flexible laminar elements during processes other than drying.

[0074] The invention also comprises a dryer indicated overall by 400 and shown in figures 30 and 31 in a side and plan view, respectively, comprising a drying tunnel 401 along which the hides L to be dried are passed spread onto the respective support surfaces 2.

[0075] For the movement of the magnetised elements 1, the movement system 200 described above and already shown in figure 28 is used, which uses the single frame 210.

[0076] In particular, the steps of picking up and depositing the magnetised elements 1 take place in a work station 410 by means of the single frame 210 of the movement system 200, which is raised and lowered according to the vertical displacement direction 220 by a known type of displacement means to allow the operators to access the support surface 2 to pick up the dried hide and deposit a subsequent hide to be dried.

[0077] The invention also includes a variant embodiment of the dryer just described, indicated overall with 500 and represented in figures 32 and 33 respectively in side and plan view, which includes a drying tunnel 501 along which the hides L to be dried are passed, spread onto the respective support surfaces 2 and which differs from the embodiment just described only in that the movement system 300 previously described and already represented in figure 29 is used for moving the magnetised elements 1.

[0078] It should be noted that in this variant embodiment the step of picking up the magnetised elements 1 from a dried hide is carried out by the second frame 310b in a pick-up station 510b, while the step of depositing the magnetised elements 1 on a subsequent hide to be dried is carried out by the first frame 310a in a depositing station 510a.

[0079] The depositing station 510a and pick-up station 510b are superimposed on each other, and the picking up of a dried hide and the deposit of a subsequent hide to be dried from / onto the support surface 2 take place in the work station 510 which is located upstream of the depositing station 510a and the pick-up station 510b and on which the support surface 2 is alternately moved in the horizontal direction indicated by the arrows 330.

[0080] On the basis of what has been described and illustrated, it is understood that the movement method, the movement system and the dryer using the movement system which are all the subject matter of the invention achieve the intended purposes.

[0081] First of all, the use of any one of the methods and any one of the systems described makes it possible to automate the movement operations of the magnetised elements 1 and thus, compared to the prior art, to reduce the time required for handling the hides in order to arrange them and pick them up on / from the support surfaces on which they are dried inside a dryer.

[0082] This also reduces the production costs.

[0083] In addition, the method and the system of the invention are also intended to prevent operators from being subjected to the stress caused by the fast and prolonged handling of such small magnetic bodies.

[0084] Finally, advantageously, the mechanical and automated movement of the magnetic bodies prevents their accidental dispersion in the working environment and guarantees a tidier and safer working environment.

Claims

1. Method for moving magnetised elements (1) for fixing animal hides (L) spread onto support surfaces (2) made of magnetic material, comprising: - a step of depositing a plurality of said magnetised elements (1) on each of said hides (L) spread onto said support surface (2), characterised in that said depositing step comprises, for each of said magnetised elements (1), the following operations: - picking up a magnetised element (1) from a housing (3; 103) by means of a first magnetic mass (4) by magnetic attraction between said first magnetic mass (4) and said magnetised element (1); - moving said first magnetic mass (4) and said magnetised element (1) adherent to each other and placing said magnetised element (1) above said hide (L); - separating said magnetised element (1) from said first magnetic mass (4) to deposit said magnetised element (1) on the underlying hide (L), said separation and said depositing being obtained by magnetic attraction between said support surface (2) underneath said hide (L) and said magnetised element (1) which is greater than the magnetic attraction between said first magnetic mass (4) and said magnetised element (1); the method also including - a step of picking up by means of a movement unit (5; 105b) said plurality of magnetised elements (1) from each of said hides (L) spread on said support surface (2), said pick-up step comprising, for each of said magnetised elements (1), the following operations: - picking up each of said magnetised elements (1) from the underlying hide (L) by means of a second magnetic mass (6) by magnetic attraction between said second magnetic mass (6) and said magnetised element (1) which is greater than the magnetic attraction between said magnetised element (1) and said support surface (2); - moving said second magnetic mass (6) and said magnetised element (1) adhering to each other towards said housing (3) to place said magnetised element (1) above said housing (3) and in contact with said contrast means (7; 107); - separating said magnetised element (1) from said second magnetic mass (6) by reciprocal sliding produced by said contrast means (7; 107) acting on said magnetised element (1); - depositing said magnetised element (1) in said housing (3; 103).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that said displacements of said first magnetic mass (4) during said depositing step and said displacements of said second magnetic mass (6) during said pick-up step are carried out by means of a movement unit (5).

3. Method according to claim 2, characterised in that said movement unit (5) extends along a longitudinal axis (X) the following being associated with said movement unit (5): - said contrast means (7); - a sliding block (8) supporting said second magnetic mass (6) and said first magnetic mass (4), said first magnetic mass (4) being received in a seat obtained in a non-magnetic block (9) side by side to said second magnetic mass (6); - motorisation means (10) for the displacement of said sliding block (8); - a sliding shaft (11) which guides said sliding block (8) during said displacement.

4. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that said contrast means (7) comprise a stopping fork (14) acting against said magnetised element (1) when said magnetised element (1) is arranged above said housing (3), said housing (3) being configured to receive said magnetised element (1) and being obtained in said stopping fork (14).

5. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that said displacement of said first magnetic mass (4) during said depositing step is carried out by means of a first movement unit (105a) which mainly extends according to a first longitudinal axis (X1) and said displacement of said second magnetic mass (6) during said pick-up step is carried out by means of a second movement unit (105b) which mainly extends according to a second longitudinal axis (X2).

6. Method according to claim 5, characterised in that said first movement unit (105a) comprises a first sliding block (108a) supporting said first magnetic mass (4) and said second movement unit (105b) comprises said contrast means (107) and a second sliding block (108b) supporting said second magnetic mass (6) and a non-magnetic plate (116) placed alongside and coplanar to said second magnetic mass (6).

7. Method according to claims 5 or 6, characterised in that each of said movement units (105a, 105b) also comprises: - motorisation means (110a, 110b) for moving each respective sliding block (108a, 108b); - a sliding shaft (111a, 111b) which guides the respective sliding block (108a, 108b) during said movement.

8. Method according to claims 3 or 7, characterised in that said motorisation means (10; 110a, 110b) comprise a motor unit (18; 118a, 118b) which rotates a ball screw (19; 119a, 119b) connected to a respective sliding block (8; 108a, 108b).

9. Method according to any one of claims 1 and 5 to 8, characterised in that said contrast means (107a) comprise a stopping fork (114a) acting against said magnetised element (1) when said magnetised element (1) is arranged above said housing (103), said housing (103) being made in a container (18) placed below said stopping fork (114a).

10. System (200) for moving magnetised elements (1) for fixing hides (L) spread onto support surfaces (2) made of magnetic material according to the method of any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that it comprises: - a single frame (210) having a perimeter configured to contain the perimeter of said support surface (2) and of said hide (L) spread onto said support surface (2) when said single frame (210) is arranged above said support surface (2); - a plurality of said movement units (5) side by side and spaced apart which are fixed to said frame (210) and are projecting towards the inside of said frame (210) so as to be arranged above at least the perimeter edge of the underlying hide (L) when said frame (210) is arranged above said supporting surface (2); - displacement means which are configured to bring said frame (210) above said support surface (2) to perform said depositing step or said pick-up step of said magnetised elements (1) with respect to the hide (L) spread onto said support surface (2).

11. System (300) for moving magnetised elements (1) for fixing hides (L) spread on support surfaces (2) made of magnetic material according to the method described by any one of claims 1 and 5 to 9, characterised in that it comprises: - a first frame (310a) with which a plurality of first movement units (105a) is associated side by side and spaced apart; - a second frame (310b) with which a plurality of second movement units (105b) is associated side by side and spaced apart, said frames (310a, 310b) being separate and distinct from each other and each of said frames (310a, 310b) defining a perimeter adapted to contain the perimeter of a respective support surface (2) and of said hide (L) spread thereon when said frame (310a, 310b) is placed above said respective support surface (2), said movement units (105a, 105b) projecting towards the inside of said frame (310a, 310b) so as to be placed at least above the perimeter edge of the underlying hide (L); - displacement means which are configured to approach said first frame (310a) above a support surface (2) to perform said step of depositing said magnetised elements (1) on said hide (L) and to approach said second frame (310b) above a respective support surface (2) to perform said step of picking up said magnetised elements (1) from said hide (L), on the perimeter edge (2a) of said support surface (2), a plurality of said containers (18) being arranged for said magnetised elements (1).

12. System according to any one of claims 10 or 11, characterised in that said magnetised elements (1) are spheres.

13. Dryer (400) for animal hides (L) spread onto support surfaces (2) made of magnetic material, comprising a drying tunnel (401) along which said animal hides (L) to be dried transit, each one spread onto a respective support surface (2) to which it is constrained by means of a plurality of magnetised elements (1), characterised in that it comprises a movement system (200) according to any one of claims 10 or 12 for picking up and depositing said magnetised elements (1) with respect to each of said animal hides (L).

14. Dryer (500) for animal hides (L) spread onto support surfaces (2) made of magnetic material, comprising a drying tunnel (501) along which said animal hides (L) to be dried transit, each one spread onto a respective support surface (2) to which it is constrained by means of a plurality of magnetised elements (1), characterised in that it comprises a movement system (300) according to any one of claims 11 or 12 for picking up and depositing said magnetised elements (1) with respect to each of said animal hides (L).

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