Operational drum filler for winding a filiform element inside an industrial container

Abstract

An operational drum filler (1) for winding a filiform element (F) inside an industrial container (T) comprising a support framework (2) suitable to rest on a support surface (S) and to be arranged downstream of an unwinding unit that unwinds a filiform element (F) from a reel wound around a flanged roller, pulling and dragging means (3) coupled to the support framework (2) and configured to exert traction on the filiform element (F), returning and direction means (4), coupled to the support framework (2) and arranged operatively downstream of the pulling and dragging means (3) from which they receive the filiform element (F), a base platform (5) coupled to a lower part (2a) of the support framework (2) and configured to house in stable support an industrial container (T) suitable to receive the filiform element (F) wrapped inside along a prefixed configuration, depositing means (6) arranged above the base platform (5) and configured to convey and release the filiform element (F) inside the industrial container (T) forming a skein, and first actuation means (7), coupled to the support framework (2) and suitable to automatically move at least the pulling and dragging means (3), the returning and direction means (4) and the depositing means (6). In particular manner, the drum filler (1) comprises adjustment means (8) operatively connected to the base platform (5) and cooperating with second actuation means (9) suitable to operate the adjustment means (8) configured to vary the position of the base platform (5), and of the industrial container (T) possibly supported by it, with respect to the depositing means (6).

Description

[0001] The present invention concerns an operational drum filler (or even skeining machine or, more generally, a filling winding machine or apparatus, preferably fully or completely automatic) used to wind a pre-twisted filiform element into a skein (according to a so-called "rosette" configuration), such as metallic welding wire, low-carbon steel wire, stainless steel wire, single-core wire, aluminum wire, electrical cable or 3D printer filament, inside a drum, basket, or, more generally, a hollow industrial container, for example, cylindrical or frusto-conical in shape.

[0002] In other words, the operational drum filler of the invention is used to fill an industrial, usually metallic, container with a filiform element (or wire) that is wound inside the container using one of the essential components of the drum filler itself.

[0003] Specifically, for the type of industrial machine concerned by the invention, the filiform element is progressively wound in overlapping and stacking coils on several layers within the hollow industrial container, thus obtaining a skein of wire to be intended for subsequent related uses.

[0004] As known, the transport of filiform elements, such as metallic wires used in industrial applications (such as welding wires, low-carbon wires, stainless steel wires, core wires or aluminum wires), electrical cables and the like to a delivery facility occurs by means of industrial containers or drums, within which the filiform elements are ring wound.

[0005] The operating machine used to wind the filiform element inside the industrial container, also known in the technical jargon of the sector as "drum filler," progressively deposits the filiform element inside the hollow container, winding it into a ring, and, in one possible embodiment available in the prior art, the machine presents a structure that can essentially be divided into two parts: a fixed part containing the components for moving the filiform element coming from an unwinder located upstream the drum filler, components which include, in detail, pulling and dragging means of the filiform element - such as a swiveling roller (or rotating inlet drum) and the capstan mounted along a horizontal axis - and straightening and direction means of the filiform element; in the fixed part the depositing device, known in the technical jargon as a "flyer," is also housed which, through a rotational motion, releases in wound way the filiform element inside the industrial drum beneath; a vertically movable part, specifically comprising a base platform that is cantilevered installed onto the support framework and upon which the industrial container to be filled with the wound wire is positioned.

[0006] The industrial container rotates around a vertical axis eccentrically with respect to the vertical rotation axis around which the flyer rotates, thus generating the deposit of the filiform element inside the container in a partially irregular ring configuration, although the deposit itself is controlled: not by chance, in the field jargon, the element is referred to as being wound in the shape of a "rose" or "rosette" (also known as "rosetting" of the filiform element, meaning the irregular rosette-shaped winding of the filiform element inside the industrial container).

[0007] From an operative perspective, in accordance with this first technical solution adopted in the sector, at the beginning of the overall operation of winding the filiform element, the base platform on which the empty industrial container is placed automatically lifts, controlled by a sensor, such as a photocell, positioned laterally with respect to the flyer, until the internal bottom of the industrial container itself is almost in contact with the lower end of the flyer.

[0008] Subsequently, the operational drum filler rotates the flyer, which the pre-twisted filiform element to be wound inside the industrial container comes out from, while the base platform begins to slowly descend as the ring of filiform element wound inside the container itself increases in thickness, again controlled by the aforesaid sensor.

[0009] It should be noted that, in this phase, the relatively regular compaction of the filiform element (or wire) during the ring-like winding inside the industrial container is ensured by a vibrating device installed generally at the bottom of the base platform.

[0010] Once the filiform element has been wound inside the industrial container to its maximum height, the base platform is positioned so that it lowers completely and aligns with an unloading station where the industrial container, filled with skein-wound filiform element, is accessible to the operator for its manual removal and subsequent use, with possible but usual preliminary storage at finished products warehouse and / or (subsequent or prompt) transport on a fit industrial vehicle.

[0011] In other preferred solutions of known type, the base platform (or rotary table) does not have any raising and / or lowering phases, and therefore the unloading of the industrial containers takes place on the same loading and working surface, in which case, the intermediate platform which houses and supports the unloading device (flyer) vertically lifts to free from time to time the exit of the industrial containers towards the unloading station.

[0012] From what has been briefly exposed, it's clear that the wire winding efficiency of the operational drum fillers currently available on the market has reached high levels, but still not optimal and therefore improvable, particularly when using so-called conical, or more specifically frusto-conical, industrial containers.

[0013] As known, since the storage and transport of empty cylindrical industrial containers is quite costly in terms of logistics costs, due to the fact that, when stacked on top of each other, the volume occupied by cylindrical industrial containers does not allow to optimize the available space (in the factory or in the transport vehicle), in the sector involved use of frusto-conical industrial containers, designed to house the pre-twisted filiform element (wire) is increasing, which are easier to be stacked when empty and thus advantageous in logistical terms.

[0014] To achieve the traditional "rosette" effect mentioned above when winding the filiform element within the frusto-conical industrial container, manufacturers place a corrugated plastic sheet of progressively increasing thickness on the inside wall of the container itself, useful to reproduce the cylindrical shape of the industrial container, even though it has a frusto-conical profile.

[0015] However, despite the logistical advantages got by using frusto-conical industrial containers when still empty, there's a drawback due to the need for an additional component - the corrugated sheet - and the need for its manual application inside the containers by an operator (typically employed by the customer of the manufacturer of skeins of filiform element wound in industrial drum fillers).

[0016] All this negatively reflects in an increasingly unwanted increase in production costs (all other factors involved in the calculation, such as labor costs and raw materials cost being equal), as well as a general dissatisfaction on the part of those who must position the progressively-corrugated sheet inside the frusto-conical industrial containers, given that this represents an additional burden that delays the start of the winding operations of the filiform element.

[0017] It should be also noted that the document published as EP2271570 B1, although it shows a device for winding a thread inside a container, is part of the textile field where the aforesaid thread cannot be pre-twisted in any way; therefore, this patent document addresses an industrial sector rather far from that one of the present invention and cannot be properly considered prior art of relevance to the latter. Therefore, starting from the awareness of the aforesaid drawbacks of prior art, the present invention aims to effectively remedy them.

[0018] More specifically, main purpose of the invention is to provide an operational drum filler that allows for the effective and more efficient than the prior art winding of a pre-twisted filiform element, creating a skein of wire having the so-called "rosette" shape, inside any type of industrial container, even of frusto-conical shape.

[0019] In other words, primary purpose of the invention is to provide an operational drum filler which allows for the effective winding of a pre-twisted filiform element inside an industrial container of any profile, including a frusto-conical one, more quickly than equivalent industrial drum fillers of known type, starting from the moment the container arrives at the plant and is subsequently positioned on the base platform, ready to receive the filiform element during winding.

[0020] Within the cognitive sphere of such a first purpose, it is task of the present invention to provide an operational drum filler which, compared to similar industrial drum fillers of the prior art and all other factors involved in the calculation, such as labor cost and raw materials cost, being equal, reduces the costs generally associated with the winding of a pre-twisted filiform element into a skein inside an industrial container, regardless the shape of the latter, even of frusto-conical one.

[0021] It is a last but not least purpose of the invention to design an operational drum filler for winding a pre-twisted filiform element inside an industrial container of any shape which requires less labor than the operational drum fillers of the prior art, especially when setting up the container itself to be subsequently intended for filling on the base platform, thus freeing such labor for other activities in a production facility.

[0022] Said purposes are achieved through an operational drum filler for winding a pre-twisted filiform element (such as a welding wire, a small electrical cable or a 3D printers filament) into a skein inside an industrial container as per the attached claim 1, to which reference is made for the sake of brevity.

[0023] Further technical detail construction features of the operational drum filler for winding a pre-twisted filiform element into a skein inside an industrial container of the present invention are set forth in the respective dependent claims.

[0024] The aforementioned claims, specifically and concretely defined below, are considered an integral part of this specification.

[0025] Advantageously, the operational drum filler of the invention facilitates the effective winding of a pre-twisted filiform element inside an industrial container of any shape, while requiring for this operation less labor and lower costs than comparable known industrial drum fillers, assuming equal other factors involved in the calculation, such as labor cost and raw materials cost.

[0026] This is advantageous due to the fact that the operational drum filler of the invention comprises adjustment means operatively connected to the base platform and cooperating with second actuation means suitable to operate the adjustment means purposely configured to vary, preferably continuously and micrometrically, the position of the base platform, and of the industrial container possibly but generally supported, with respect to the depositing means.

[0027] The operational drum filler of the present invention produces an unexpected technical effect in the sector under consideration (machinery for the automatic and / or semi-automatic handling of metallic and non-metallic wire, provided it is pre-twisted), and this, as is known, should be considered an indication of the presence not only of novelty but also of inventive step in the exclusively claimed subject matter: such a surprising technical effect derives precisely from the subject matter as claimed and is based on the salient, essential, and indispensable technical features of the invention, in combination with the known general features. In the invention, this technical effect is not appropriately based on technical features that, in combination, are already included in the relevant prior art, since the use of adjustment means configured to vary (preferably continuously and micrometrically) the position of the base platform, and of the industrial container it supports when necessary, relative to the depositing means is currently unknown and has never been adopted to date in the relevant sector.

[0028] Even more advantageously, in case the industrial container to be filled with the filiform element wound into skein is of the frusto-conical type, the operational drum filler claimed herein allow to eliminate the corrugated sheet of progressive thickness used in the current state of the art and the consequent operation of placing it inside the container, currently typically required in the sector, to all the advantage of the set-up and positioning quickness of the industrial container on the base platform of the industrial drum filler object of the invention.

[0029] Said purposes and advantages, as well as others that will emerge during the course of the script, will become more evident from the following description, relating to a preferred embodiment of the operational drum filler, generally fully automatic, of the invention used for winding into a skein a pre-twisted filiform element inside an industrial container, given for indicative and illustrative but nonlimiting purposes, with reference to the attached drawings in which: figure 1 is a simplified assonometric view of a first possible embodiment of the operational drum filler of the invention, in a first operating condition; figure 2 is an enlarged assonometric view of a first assembly of the operational drum filler of figure 1, in a second operating condition, subsequent to the first operating condition; figure 3 is an assonometric view of a second assembly of the operational drum filler of figure 1, in a third operating condition, subsequent to the first operating condition and the second operating condition; figure 4 is a simplified assonometric view of a third assembly of the operational drum filler of figure 1; figure 5 is an enlarged assonometric view of a construction detail of figure 4; figure 6 is an enlarged assonometric view from below of a fourth assembly of the operational drum filler shown in figure 1; figure 7 is a view of figure 5 along a cross-sectional plane at the base rotating platform (or table).

[0030] The operational, usually automatic, drum filler for winding a pre-twisted filiform element into a skein inside an industrial container (or drum), which is the subject of the present invention, is shown in a first conceptual solution in figure 1, where it is globally indicated by the reference numeral 1.

[0031] As can be seen, the operational drum filler 1 for winding a pre-twisted filiform element F into a skein inside an industrial container T, generally cylindrical or, advantageously, frusto-conical in shape, comprises: a support framework 2 which rests on a support surface S, typically the flooring of an industrial plant, and is suitable to be arranged, in the plant line, downstream of an unwinding unit (not visible in the attached figures) that unwinds a filiform element F from a reel wound around a flanged roller (also not visible in the attached figures); pulling and dragging means, collectively indicated by 3, coupled to the support framework 2 and configured to exert traction on the filiform element F; returning and direction means, as a whole indicated by 4, coupled to the support framework 2 and operatively arranged downstream of the pulling and dragging means 3 from which they receive the filiform element F; a base platform 5 coupled to a lower part 2a of the support framework 2 and configured to house in stable support an industrial container T suitable to receive the filiform element F wound inside according to a prefixed configuration; depositing means, overall numbered with 6, arranged above the base platform 5 and configured to convey and release the filiform element F inside said industrial container T forming a skein; first actuation means, collectively numbered by 7, coupled to the support framework 2 and configured to automatically move at least the pulling and dragging means 3, the returning and direction means 4 and the depositing means 6.

[0032] According to the invention, the operational drum filler 1 comprises adjustment means, collectively indicated with 8, operatively connected to the base platform 5 and cooperating with second actuation means, as a whole indicated with 9 and visible from figure 4, suitable to operate the adjustment means 8 thus configured to vary the position of the base platform 5, and of the industrial container T possibly but generally supported by it, relative to the depositing means 6.

[0033] Particularly advantageously, the adjustment means 8 are configured to continuously vary, sometimes micrometrically, the position of the base platform 5 relative to the above depositing means 6; It should be noted that the term "micrometric" in this case refers to a small, infinitesimal adjustment, at most on the order of a few units of a millimeter.

[0034] In essence, therefore, the adjustment means 8 advantageously allow both discrete adjustment - typically in presence of a change in size of the industrial container T (which varies each time, for example, in relation to the diameter, in case of cylindrical containers) - and continuous adjustment - typically in presence of a frusto-conical industrial container, so as to favor the effective formation inside the latter of a "rosette" winding of the filiform element F during a given operating cycle - of the position of the base platform 5 with respect to the depositing means 6.

[0035] In this regard, the patent document published with EP2271570 B1, in addition to disclosing a device used for filling containers with a fiber ribbon (or roving) and, as yet said, expressly and solely intended for the textile sector, does not unequivocally indicate that the position of the container holder (and of the container it supports) is varied continuously, sometimes micrometrically, and, mostly, does not specify the presence of adjustment means suitable to perform such an adjustment, as advantageously occurs in the operational drum filler 1 of the invention described herein.

[0036] For all these reasons, a person skilled in the specific field to which the operational drum filler 1 of the invention belongs would not reasonably start from the prior art document EP2271570 B1 to arrive at the main technical concept of the invention introduced above, and in particular at the fact that the adjustment means 8 are configured to continuously adjust the position of the base platform 5 relative to the depositing means 6.

[0037] As can be seen in figures 1-5 and in greater detail in figure 6, the adjustment means 8 are arranged on a plane beneath the base platform 5 from which they protrude laterally at least in part, while however remaining spaced apart from the support surface S.

[0038] This operative measure allows the overall bulk of the structural assembly "base platform 5" to be contained and keeps the adjustment means substantially protected, while still being accessible to the operator if necessary (for maintenance, cleaning, repair and / or replacement operations).

[0039] According to the preferred embodiment described herein of the invention, the adjustment means 8 are operatively connected to the base platform 5 through guide means, as a whole numbered with 10 and in no way disclosed in document EP2271570 B1.

[0040] Figure 7 highlights that, preferably but not necessarily, the guide means 10 in this case comprise: a first pair of longitudinal tracks 12, 13 aligned, separated and spaced apart with each other, and a second pair of longitudinal tracks 14, 15 aligned, separated and spaced apart with each other, each of these longitudinal tracks 12, 13, 14, 15 being defined in the support framework 2 and arranged underneath the base platform 5; a plurality of sliding block shoes 16, 17, 18, 19, each of which is coupled underneath the base platform 5 and combined to one of the respective longitudinal tracks 12, 13, 14, 15, so that said sliding block shoes 16, 17, 18, 19 are aligned in pairs, separated and spaced apart from each other and movable alternately forward and backward along the longitudinal tracks 12, 13, 14, 15 according to two horizontal directions X 1 and X 2 .

[0041] In particular manner, the first pair of longitudinal tracks 12, 13 and the second pair of longitudinal tracks 14, 15 are parallelly spaced apart and opposite to each other along a horizontal direction Y orthogonal to the aforesaid horizontal directions X 1 and X 2 .

[0042] Purely by indicative but not limitative way, each of the sliding block shoes 16, 17, 18, 19 is made of any of the materials selected from the group consisting of metallic material (for example, shaped elements equipped with movement rollers or balls at the bottom in contact with the respective longitudinal track 12, 13, 14, 15), polymeric material with a low friction coefficient and high mechanical strength (for example, POM, acronym for polyoxymethylene) and / or similar.

[0043] It's understood that in other embodiments of the operational drum filler of the invention, not shown in the attached drawing tables, the guide means may comprise a number of longitudinal tracks and sliding block shoes different from that one just indicated, this number varying depending on the construction choices, starting from one.

[0044] Furthermore, further embodiments of the operational drum filler of the present invention, not illustrated in the attached figures, could include guide means connecting the adjustment means to the base platform different from those ones of the preferred solution just described, comprising, for example, one or more sliding plates on which one or more sliding block shoes slide.

[0045] Preferably, the adjustment means 8 comprise a ball screw 20, clearly visible in figures 6 and 7, installed according to a horizontal longitudinal reference direction X, parallel to the horizontal directions X 1 and X 2 defined above.

[0046] As far as the second actuation means 9 are concerned, they preferably but not necessarily, comprise an electric motor 21 keyed to the aforesaid ball screw 20.

[0047] The components mentioned so far - including the adjustment means 8, the second actuation means 9 and the guide means 10 - are part of the same inventive technical concept, being intrinsically linked to each other and describing this technical concept first in a general manner and then in detail through a preferred and advantageous embodiment thereof.

[0048] In a preferred but not binding manner, the operational drum filler 1 of the invention also includes a loading station 22, defined in the support framework 2 where it's accessible to an operator P, distinct from the base platform 5 and configured to receive, in this case, a plurality of industrial containers T (shown in number of three in figure 1, although purely for illustrative purposes) that are still empty and subsequently to be filled with the pre-twisted filiform element F.

[0049] The loading station 22 is operatively connected to third actuation means, generally indicated by 23, coupled to the support framework 2 and configured to automatically move the still empty industrial containers F one after the other towards the base platform 5.

[0050] In this case, therefore, the loading station 22 extends lengthwise within the industrial factory so as to receive a plurality of empty industrial drums T, forming an automatically mobile accumulation station, as figure 1 well highlights.

[0051] In addition, the loading station 22 is structured in such a way as to present a support surface, generally composite, configured to receive the still empty industrial containers T and coplanar with an upper surface 5a of the base platform 5.

[0052] Preferably but not exclusively, the loading station 22 in this case includes a single monolithic modular element 24, coplanar with the base platform 5 and equipped with a plurality of leveling feet 25 projecting orthogonally from the lower surface 24a of the modular element 24 and suitable to rest on the support surface S.

[0053] It's understood, however, that other embodiments of the operational drum filler of the present invention, not shown in the attached figures, may provide that the loading station is of composite type and comprise a number of modular elements (of equal or different profile) greater than one, arranged side-by-side, adjacent, consecutive and coplanar with each other and mutually combinable according to various spatial distributions, based on operative needs and, mostly, the available space in the industrial factory where the operational drum filler of the invention is installed.

[0054] Following the loading and advancement direction of the empty industrial containers T on the loading station 22, specifically on its previously introduced support surface, the last portion of the modular element 24 communicates with the base platform 5 to which it is attached.

[0055] More precisely and specifically, the loading station 22 comprises a connection module 26 positioned coplanarly between the base platform 5 and the last portion of the modular element 24: in this case, the connection module 26 has, for example, the same rectangular profile but different dimensions (smaller only in length, while the width is the same to suitably allow the regular transit of each industrial container T) compared to those ones of the modular element 24, as it can be better seen from the enlargement of figure 2.

[0056] Preferably but not necessarily, the modular element 24 comprises a typical initial conveyor roller series 27, just as the connection module 26 comprises an intermediate conveyor roller series 28 whose rollers are arranged in respective directions orthogonal to the directions identified by the rollers of the conveyor roller series 27.

[0057] It is also understood in this case that in other embodiments of the operational drum filler of the present invention, not illustrated in the following drawings, the at least one modular element may have dimensions, overall bulk and / or profile equal to the dimensions, overall bulk and / or profile of the connection module.

[0058] With regard to the third actuation means 23, they include any of the drive systems selected from the group consisting of pneumatic linear actuator, hydraulic linear actuator, electric motor and mechanical transmission unit, motorized rollers (as in the example described and as clearly visible in figure 3) and the like.

[0059] In the preferred embodiment under description of the invention, the operational drum filler 1 also comprises an unloading station 29, defined in the support framework 2 and configured to receive the industrial container T coming from the base platform 5 and complete with the skein of pre-twisted filiform element F formed by the depositing means 6, in turn typically comprising a mechanical member called "flyer" in the technical jargon of the sector.

[0060] Conveniently but not limitingly, the unloading station 29 also comprises a modular element of the same type as the modular element 24 (although smaller in size, in this specific case), arranged laterally and externally to the bulk of the depositing means 6 and comprising a motorized terminal conveyor roller series 30 accessible to the operator P.

[0061] It should be observed that the industrial containers T, present on the base platform 5 and complete with the pre-twisted filiform element F wound in skein, are advantageously directed to the unloading station 29, progressively one after the other and automatically through thrust means that are partly visible in figures 2 and 3 and in more detail in figure 6 where they are generally indicated by 31.

[0062] These thrust means 31 are supported by the support framework 2, act externally and laterally to the industrial containers T from a position above the base platform 5 and comprise, for example, an automatically operated pneumatic piston.

[0063] With specific reference to the first actuation means 7, they firstly comprise first movement means, as a whole indicated by 32 and visible in figures 4-7, coupled to the support framework 2 and operatively connected to the base platform 5 to cause its vibration and promote the most regular possible stacking into coils of the filiform element F during winding into a skein, formed by the depositing means 6.

[0064] Preferably, the first actuation means 7 also comprise second movement means, collectively numbered by 33, cooperating with the depositing means 6 (specifically, the flyer) to rotate them around a main vertical axis Y and thus contribute to cause the winding into a skein of the filiform element F inside the industrial container T.

[0065] Furthermore, the first actuation means 7 also comprise third movement means, collectively indicated by 34, cooperating with the depositing means 6 to make them slide upwardly along a main vertical axis Y and thus maintain a constant distance between the skein (being formed inside the industrial container T) and the lower part of the mechanical member of the depositing means 6.

[0066] At preferred but not limiting title, the first actuation means 7 also comprise fourth movement means, collectively designated with 35, which cooperate with the base platform (or table) 5 to rotate it (clockwise or counterclockwise, as arrows G 1 and G 2 shown in figure 5) around an auxiliary vertical axis parallelly distinct and spaced apart from the main vertical axis Y, so that the rotation of the base platform 5 is eccentric with respect to the rotation of the depositing means 6, specifically the flyer which, as already mentioned, preferably distinguishes them.

[0067] Doing this, thanks to the resulting coordinated action of the second movement means 33 and the fourth movement means 35, the winding of the filiform element F inside the industrial container T is more accurate and results in a more compact and regular rosette-shaped skein.

[0068] As can be better seen in figure 7, the fourth means of movement 35 comprise a gearmotor 36 operatively connected to the shaft (not visible) of the rotating base platform 5 through transmission means of the type per sè known, indicated as a whole by 37.

[0069] In addition, the first means of actuation 7 also comprise fifth means of movement, not visible in the attached figures, cooperating with the pulling and dragging means 3 (comprising in particular the rotating input drum (or swiveling roller) 38 and the capstan 39) to direct the filiform element F towards the aforesaid depositing means 6, passing through the return and direction means 4 (comprising in this case, by way of example, the series of wire straighteners 40).

[0070] Based on the description just provided, it is therefore clear that the operational drum filler for winding a pre-twisted filiform element into a skein inside an industrial container, object of the present invention, achieves the purposes and reaches the advantages already mentioned above.

[0071] The operational drum filler of the present invention allows to wind a pre-twisted filiform element into an industrial container of any type or shape (various cylindrical or frustro-conical formats) more efficiently than equivalent prior art drum fillers comparable to it in the reference sector, to the benefit of production costs and the level of satisfaction of the customer who purchases it for this purpose.

[0072] Upon implementation, changes could be made to the operational drum filler for winding a pre-twisted filiform element inside an industrial container of the invention, consisting, for example, in a support framework of different construction design from that one illustrated, by way of example, in the attached drawings.

[0073] In addition, further embodiments of the operational drum filler for winding a pre-twisted filiform element inside an industrial container claimed herein may include adjustment means of a type different from that one described above and visible in the attached figures, which does not affect the advantage brought by the technical concept expressed by the invention, particularly by its independent claim.

[0074] It is finally clear that many other changes could be made to the operational drum filler for winding a pre-twisted filiform element inside an industrial drum concerned, falling within the scope of the appended claims, as it is equally apparent that in the practical implementation of the invention, the materials, shapes and sizes of the details shown may be of any kind, according to the needs.

[0075] Where the structural features and techniques mentioned in the following claims are followed by reference signs or numerals, such reference signs were introduced for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims themselves and therefore have no limiting effect on the interpretation of each element that is identified, purely by way of example, by those reference signs.

Claims

1. Operational drum filler (1) for winding a pre-twisted filiform element (F) inside an industrial container (T) comprising: - a support framework (2) suitable to rest on a support surface (S) and to be arranged downstream of an unwinding unit that unwinds a filiform element (F) from a reel wound around a flanged roller; - pulling and dragging means (3) coupled to said support framework (2) and configured to exert traction on said filiform element (F); - returning and direction means (4), coupled to said support framework (2) and arranged operatively downstream of said pulling and dragging means (3) from which they receive said filiform element (F); - a base platform (5) coupled to a lower part (2a) of said support framework (2) and configured to house in stable support an industrial container (T) suitable to receive said filiform element (F) wound inside along a prefixed configuration; - depositing means (6) arranged above said base platform (5) and configured to convey and release said filiform element (F) inside said industrial container (T) forming a skein; - first actuation means (7), coupled to said support framework (2) and suitable to automatically move at least said pulling and dragging means (3), said returning and direction means (4) and said depositing means (6), characterized in that it comprises adjustment means (8) operatively connected to said base platform (5) and cooperating with second actuation means (9) suitable to operate said adjustment means (8) configured to vary the position of said base platform (5), and of said industrial container (T) possibly supported by it, with respect to said depositing means (6).

2. Drum filler (1) according to claim 1), characterized in that said adjustment means (8) are configured to continuously vary said position of said base platform (5) with respect to said depositing means (6).

3. Drum filler (1) according to claim 1) or 2), characterized in that said adjustment means (8) are arranged on a plane below said base platform (5) from which they at least partly protrude laterally.

4. Drum filler (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said adjustment means (8) are operatively connected to said base platform (5) through guide means (10).

5. Drum filler (1) according to claim 4), characterized in that said guide means (10) comprise: - at least one longitudinal track (12, 13, 14, 15) defined in said support framework (2) and arranged underneath said base platform (5); - at least one sliding block shoe (16, 17, 18, 19) coupled underneath said base platform (5) and combined with said longitudinal track (12, 13, 14, 15) along which it can be moved alternately forwards and backwards according to a horizontal direction (X1, X2).

6. Drum filler (1) according to claim 5), characterized in that said sliding block shoe (16, 17, 18, 19) is made of any of the materials selected from the group consisting of metallic material, polymeric material with low friction coefficient and high mechanical resistance and / or similar.

7. Drum filler (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said adjustment means (8) include a ball screw (20) installed according to a horizontal longitudinal reference direction (X).

8. Drum filler (1) according to claim 7), characterized in that said second actuation means (9) include an electric motor (21) keyed to said ball screw (20).

9. Drum filler (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a loading station (22), defined in said support framework (2) where it's accessible to an operator (P), distinct from said base platform (5) and configured to receive one or more of industrial containers (T) still empty and to be filled with said filiform element (F) and operatively connected to third actuation means (23) coupled to said support framework (2) and able to automatically move one after the other said industrial containers (F) still empty towards said base platform (5).

10. Drum filler (1) according to claim 9), characterized in that said loading station (22) comprises one or more modular elements (24) coplanar to said base platform (5) and provided with a plurality of levelling feet (25) protruding from the lower surface (24a) of said modular elements (24) and suitable to rest on said support surface (S).

11. Drum filler (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an unloading station (29), defined in said support framework (2) and configured to receive one by one industrial containers (T) coming from said base platform (5) and complete with said skin of said filiform element (F) formed by said depositing means (6).

12. Drum filler (1) according to claim 12), characterized in that said first actuation means (7) comprise thrust means (31) coupled to said support framework (2) and operatively connected to said base platform (5) to automatically move towards said unloading station (29), one after the other, said industrial containers (T) filled with said wound filiform element (F).

13. Drum filler (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first actuation means (7) comprise second movement means (33) cooperating with said depositing means (6) to rotate them around a main vertical axis (Y).

14. Drum filler (1) according to claim 13), characterized in that said first actuation means (7) comprise fourth movement means (35) cooperating with said base platform (5) to rotate it in a clockwise or anticlockwise direction around an auxiliary vertical axis parallel to and spaced apart from said main vertical axis (Y) in such a way that the rotation of said base platform (5) is eccentric with respect to the rotation of said depositing means (6).

15. Drum filler (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first actuation means (7) comprise fifth movement means cooperating with said pulling and dragging means (3) to direct said filiform element (F) towards said depositing means (6).

Images