Improved overcasting plant

Abstract

The present invention concerns an overcasting plant (1 ) for overcasting textile semi-finished products and the like having a front edge (B1 ), a rear edge (B2), parallel to said front edge (B1 ), a first lateral edge (B3) and a second lateral edge ( B4), opposite said first lateral edge (B3), wherein said first (B3) and second (B4) lateral edges extend respectively from said front edge (B1 ) to said rear edge (B2), wherein an advancement direction is defined (A) of a semi-finished product (M), such that said front (B1 ) and rear (B2) edges extend substantially perpendicular to said advancement direction (A). Said plant (1 ) comprises a first overcasting unit (10), comprising a first overcasting head (11 ) movable perpendicularly to said advancement direction (A), to overcast said front edge (B1 ) of said semi-finished product (M), and a second overcasting head (12) movable perpendicularly to said advancement direction (A), to overcast said rear edge (B2) of said semi-finished product (M), a second overcasting unit (20) comprising a third overcasting head (21 ), movable along a first direction parallel to said advancement direction (A) to overcast said first side edge (B3), and configured to rotate and overcast the front corner between said first side edge (B3) and said front edge (B1 ), and configured to rotate and overcast the rear corner between said first side edge (B3) and said rear edge (B2), a fourth overcasting head (22) movable along a second direction parallel to said advancement direction (A) to overcast said second lateral edge (B4), and configured to rotate and overcast the front corner comprised between said second lateral edge (B4) and said front edge (B1 ) and configured to rotate and overcast the rear corner between said second side edge (B4) and said rear edge (B2). The present invention also concerns a method for overcasting semi-finished textile products and the like.

Description

[0001] Improved overcasting plant

[0002] *****

[0003] The present invention concerns an improved overlooking plant.

[0004] Field of invention

[0005] In more detail, the invention concerns an overcasting plant, designed and created in particular to allow greater productivity in the overcasting of mattresses, carpets and similar products.

[0006] In the following the description will be aimed at the overcasting of mattresses, but it is clear that it should not be considered limited to this specific use.

[0007] Prior art

[0008] As is currently well known, in plants for overstaying mattresses, the layers that make up the mattresses are set in motion according to a predefined direction, and machined through a first overstaying station, equipped with at least two fixed overstaying heads, to overcast two opposite edges of the mattress, before being cut to size by a cutter or other cutting device, along a cutting line, generally orthogonal to the aforementioned opposing edges.

[0009] Subsequently, the layers of the mattress, already cut to size and with two opposite edges already overcast, are moved, in a direction perpendicular to the previous one, to reach a second overcasting area, in which two other overcasting heads are arranged, always fixed, to overshadow the remaining two edges of the mattress previously cut by the cutting device.

[0010] In this way, it is obtained the mattress with all four edges overcast.

[0011] Known systems have the drawback of being very bulky.

[0012] It seems clear that this procedure is expensive in economic terms and consumption of space in industrial plants.

[0013] Purpose of the invention

[0014] In light of the above, it is, therefore, the purpose of the present invention to provide a plant and a method for overcasting textile and similar products, in particular mattresses, which allow the problems of known solutions described above to be overcome.

[0015] A further purpose of the invention is to provide a plant and a method for overcasting textile and similar products, particularly mattresses, which allow production times to be reduced.

[0016] Object of the invention It is, therefore, specific object of the present invention an overcasting plant for overcasting textile semi-finished products and the like having a front edge, a rear edge, parallel to said front edge, a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge, opposite said first lateral edge, wherein said first and second lateral edges extend respectively from said front edge to said rear edge, wherein an advancement direction is defined of a semi-finished product, such that said front and rear edges extend substantially perpendicular to said advancement direction, wherein said plant comprises: a first overcasting unit, comprising a first overcasting head movable perpendicularly to said advancement direction, to overcast said front edge of said semi-finished product, and a second overcasting head movable perpendicularly to said advancement direction, to overcast said rear edge of said semi-finished product; a second overcasting unit comprising a third overcasting head movable along a first direction parallel to said advancement direction to overcast said first side edge, and configured to rotate and overcast the front corner between said first side edge and said front edge, and configured to rotate and overcast the rear corner between said first side edge and said rear edge, a fourth overcasting head movable along a second direction parallel to said advancement direction to overcast said second lateral edge, and configured to rotate and overcast the front corner comprised between said second lateral edge and said front edge and configured to rotate and overcast the rear corner between said second side edge and said rear edge.

[0017] Always according to the invention, said plant may comprise a cutting tool capable of cutting said semi-finished product in a cutting direction substantially perpendicular to said advancement direction.

[0018] Still according to the invention, said plant may comprise at least one track, which extends substantially perpendicular to said advancement direction, wherein said first overcasting unit is arranged along said at least one track to translate along said at least one track.

[0019] Advantageously according to the invention, said at least one track may comprise two tracks, along which said first and said second heads are respectively capable of translating to overcast respectively said front edge and said rear edge.

[0020] Further according to the invention, said plant may comprise translation means, for translating said semi-finished product along said advancement direction.

[0021] Always according to the invention, said plant may comprise first movement means for moving said first overcasting unit along said at least one track, wherein said first movement means are configured to move each of said first and second overcasting heads independently.

[0022] Still according to the invention, said plant may comprise second movement means for moving said second overcasting unit, wherein said second means are configured to translate each head of said third and fourth overcasting head respectively along said first direction and second direction and for rotating, independently of each other, each of said third and fourth overcasting heads about their respective front and rear corners.

[0023] Advantageously according to the invention, said second means may be capable of: substantially rotating by 90° to pass from a first configuration, wherein said third head is arranged along said front edge, close to the front corner between said first side edge and said front edge to overcast said front corner, and said fourth head is arranged along said front edge, close to the front corner between said second lateral edge and said front edge to overcast said front corner; and a second operating configuration wherein said third head is arranged along said first lateral edge to overcast said first lateral edge from a first end close to the respective front corner to a second end close to the respective rear corner, and said fourth head is arranged along said second lateral edge to overcast said second lateral edge from a first end close to the respective front corner to a second end close to the respective rear corner; and rotating a further 90° to pass from said second operating configuration to a third operating configuration, wherein said third head is arranged along said rear edge, close to the rear corner between said first side edge and said rear edge to overcast said rear corner, and said fourth head is arranged along said rear edge, close to the rear corner between said second side edge and said rear edge to overcast said rear corner.

[0024] Further according to the invention, said plant may comprise an abutment element for receiving said semi-finished product, wherein said second overcasting unit is arranged close to said abutment element when is in said first operating configuration, and wherein said second overcasting unit is arranged close to said at least one track when it is in said third configuration.

[0025] It is further object of the present invention a method of overcasting textile and similar products, including the steps of:

[0026] A. providing at least one semi-finished product having a front edge, a rear edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge;

[0027] B. providing a first overcasting unit and a second overcasting unit, wherein the second overcasting unit comprises a third overcasting head and a fourth overcasting head;

[0028] C. overcasting a first portion of said front edge by means of said first overcasting unit;

[0029] D. moving said at least one semi-finished product along an advancement direction substantially perpendicular to said front and rear edges;

[0030] E. overcasting a first portion of said rear edge by means of said first overcasting unit;

[0031] F. overcasting at least a further portion of said front edge by means of said second overcasting unit;

[0032] G. overcasting said two lateral edges substantially parallel to said advancement direction, each from the respective front corner to the respective rear corner, by means of said second overcasting unit;

[0033] H. overcasting at least a further portion of said rear edge (B2) by means of said second overcasting unit.

[0034] Always according to the invention, step F may comprise the sub-steps of:

[0035] F1 . overcasting at least a further first portion of said front edge, at the front corner between said first lateral edge and said front edge, by means of said third overcasting head;

[0036] F2. overcasting at least a further second portion of said front edge, at the front corner between said second lateral edge and said front edge, by means of said overcasting head;

[0037] F3. rotating said third head substantially 90° counterclockwise and said fourth head substantially 90° clockwise; and in that step H includes the sub-steps of:

[0038] H1. rotating said third head substantially 90° counterclockwise and said fourth head substantially 90° clockwise;

[0039] H2. overcasting at least a further first portion of said rear edge, at the rear corner between said first side edge and said rear edge, by means of said third overcasting head;

[0040] H3. overcasting at least a further second portion of said rear edge, in correspondence with the rear corner between said second side edge and said rear edge, by means of said fourth overcasting head. Still according to the invention, steps F, G, and H may be performed temporally after the execution of steps C and D.

[0041] Advantageously according to the invention, step E may be performed temporally before execution of step F.

[0042] Brief description of the figures

[0043] The present invention will be now described, for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, with particular reference to the figures of the enclosed drawings, wherein: figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a plant for overcasting semi-finished textile products according to the present invention having a first overcasting unit in a first operating configuration; figure 2 is a schematic plan view of the plant for overcasting semi-finished textile products according to the present invention, in which the first machining unit is in a second operating configuration in which a first and a second overcasting head respectively overcast a front edge of a second semi-finished product and a rear edge of a first semi-finished product; figure 3 is a schematic plan view of the plant for overcasting semi-finished textile products according to the present invention in a third operating configuration of the first overcasting unit, in which the first and second overcasting heads return to their respective initial positions to overcast respectively a further front edge and a further rear edge of semi-finished products; figure 4 is a schematic plan view of the plant for overcasting semi-finished textile products according to the present invention having a first and a second overcasting unit, in which the second overcasting unit is in a first operating configuration in which a third head and a fourth overcasting head performs the overcasting of a respective front corner of a semi-finished product; figure 5 is a schematic plan view of the plant of figure 4, in which the third and fourth overcasting heads are rotated by 90°, each with respect to its own axis of symmetry, in an anti-clockwise and clockwise direction respectively; figure 6 is a schematic plan view of the plant of figure 4 or 5, in which the third and fourth overcasting heads perform the overcasting, respectively, of a first and a second lateral edge of a semi-finished product; figure 7 is a schematic plan view of the overlooking plant according to the present invention, in which the third and fourth overlooking heads are rotated by 90° around a respective rear corner of the semi-finished product in such a way that each of said overlooking heads overcasting works a portion of a rear edge of a semifinished product; figure 8 is a schematic plan view of the overcasting plant according to the present invention, in which the third and fourth overcasting heads are rotated by 180°, so as to return to their respective initial positions to overcast a further front corner respectively of a further semi-finished textile product; And figure 9 is an embodiment of an overlooking machine according to the present invention that comprises a tool for cutting semi-finished products and a track for sliding the first overcasting unit.

[0044] Detailed description

[0045] In the various figures the similar parts will be indicated with the same reference numbers.

[0046] Referring to figure 1 , a schematic view of the overcasting plant 1 according to the present invention is observed.

[0047] The overcasting plant 1 is a plant for overcasting semi-finished textile and similar products having a front edge B1 , a rear edge B2 parallel to said front edge B1 , a first lateral edge B3 and a second lateral edge B4, opposite to said first lateral edge B3, wherein said first B3 and second B4 lateral edges extend respectively from said front edge B1 to said rear edge B2.

[0048] The plant is configured to receive textile semi-finished products of the aforementioned type and to advance said semi-finished products along an advancement direction A inside the plant 1 , in such a way that the front B1 and rear B2 edges of a semi-finished product M to overcast and from which to obtain a mattress extend substantially perpendicular to said advancement direction A.

[0049] The overcasting plant 1 essentially comprises a first overcasting unit 10 and a second overcasting unit 20.

[0050] The first overcasting unit comprises a first overcasting head 11 movable perpendicularly with respect to the advancement direction A of the semi-finished product M, to overcast the front edge B1 of said semi-finished product M, and a second overcasting head 12, movable perpendicularly with respect to said advancement direction A, to overcast said rear edge B2 of said semi-finished product M.

[0051] Referring to figure 1 , said first 11 and second 12 overcasting heads are mutually spaced, to overcast two opposite edges of two semi-finished products arranged in the overcasting plant 1 described. In particular, the second head 12 can overcast the edge B2 of a semi-finished product M and the first head 11 can overcast an edge BT of a further semi-finished product introduced into the plant following the semi-finished product M.

[0052] According to some alternative embodiments, said first 11 and second 12 overcasting heads are mutually spaced, to overcast two opposite edges of a semifinished product M substantially perpendicular to said advancement direction A.

[0053] According to some embodiments, said second overcasting head 12 is arranged downstream of said first overcasting head 11 , as shown in figures 1 and 2, at a distance such as to allow the movement of said first 11 and second 12 heads perpendicularly to said advancement direction A. In this way, it is possible to overcast the rear edge B2 of a semi-finished product M at the same time as overcasting a further front edge B1 ’ of a second semi-finished product M’.

[0054] Advantageously, when the first 11 and the second 12 heads are mutually spaced and the first head 11 overcasts a front edge B1 or B1 ’ simultaneously with the second head 12, which overcasts a rear edge B2, a saving is obtained in terms of execution time and the space necessary for overcasting the semi-finished product M is reduced. In fact, since the first 11 and the second 12 heads are spaced apart from each other, it is possible to overcast the rear edge B2 without waiting for the overcasting of the front edge B1 to be finished, or equivalently overcast a further front edge BT of a second semi-finished product M’, while overcasting the rear edge B2 of the first semi-finished product M.

[0055] The second overcasting unit 20 comprises a third overcasting head 21 and a fourth overcasting head 22.

[0056] With reference to figure 4, the second overcasting unit 20 is arranged downstream of the first unit 10.

[0057] The third overcasting head 21 is movable along a first direction parallel to said advancement direction A to overcast said first lateral edge B3, and is configured to rotate and overcast the front corner comprised between said first lateral edge B3 and said front edge B1. The third head 21 is also configured to rotate and overcast the rear corner between said first lateral edge B3 and said rear edge B2.

[0058] The fourth overcasting head 22 is movable along a second direction parallel to said advancement direction A to overcast said second lateral edge B4, and is configured to rotate and overcast the front corner included between said second lateral edge B4 and said front edge B1. Furthermore, the fourth head 22 is configured to rotate and overcast the rear corner between said second lateral edge B4 and said rear edge B2.

[0059] In particular, the second overcasting unit 20 is configured to pass from a first operation configuration to a second operating configuration and vice versa, and from a second operating configuration to a third operating configuration and vice versa.

[0060] Furthermore, with reference to figure 8, the second unit 20 is able to pass from the third operating configuration to the first operating configuration by means of a 180° rotation of the third 21 and the fourth 22 overcasting head respectively, and by the translation of each of said third 21 and fourth 22 head along a respective axis parallel to the advancement direction A.

[0061] In some embodiments, the plant 1 provides a first guide for the sliding of said third overcasting head 21 arranged in correspondence with the first lateral edge B3 of a semi-finished product to be overcast and a second guide for the sliding of said fourth overcasting head 22 overcast arranged in correspondence with the second lateral edge B4 of a semi-finished product to be overcast.

[0062] Referring to figures 4-8, the second overriding unit 20 assumes a first, a second and a third operating configuration in which the third head 21 is configured for:

[0063] - overcast, when said third head 21 is in the first operating configuration of the second overcasting unit 20, at least a first portion of the front edge B1 ;

[0064] - overcast, when said third head 21 is in the second operating configuration of the second overcasting unit 20, the first lateral edge B3; and

[0065] - overcast, when said third head 21 is in the third operating configuration of the second overcasting unit 20, at least a first portion of the rear edge B2.

[0066] Similarly, when the second overcasting unit 20 assumes a first, a second and a third operating configuration, the fourth head 22 is capable of carrying out the following operations:

[0067] - overcast, when said fourth head 22 is in the first operating configuration, at least a second portion of the front edge B1 ;

[0068] - overcast, when said fourth head 22 is in the second operating configuration, the second lateral edge B4; and

[0069] - overcast, when said fourth head 22 is in the third operating configuration, at least a second portion of the rear edge B2.

[0070] According to some embodiments, the plant 1 can comprise a cutting tool 13, capable of cutting said semi-finished product M in a cutting direction substantially perpendicular to said advancement direction A.

[0071] As can be seen from figure 9, the cutting tool 13 is capable of cutting a semifinished product M in a cutting direction, substantially perpendicular to said advancement direction A, so as to define the length of said first B3 and second B4 lateral edge and from define the rear edge B2, opposite and parallel to the front edge B1 , even for semi-finished products larger than the desired dimensions for the finished product, for example the mattress to which the overcast is to be applied.

[0072] Examples of semi-finished products larger than the desired finished product size include semi-finished products with side edges much larger than the side edges of a mattress.

[0073] Without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention, some embodiments of the plant 1 are capable of receiving both a semi-finished product M having four edges to be overcast and textile products with long lateral dimensions, to which the cutting tools can apply a cutting to define the dimensions of a desired semi-finished product to be overcast, for example having the size of a mattress.

[0074] In the embodiments which provide for the cutting tool 13 to cut a textile article, following the cut performed using said cutting tool 13, a first semi-finished product M will be defined having a rear edge B2 and a further semi-finished product M’ having a further edge front B1 ’, which faces the rear edge B2 of the first semifinished product M. In this context, a textile article can be understood as a semifinished textile product, handcrafted or industrial, with lateral dimensions greater or much greater than a lateral edge of a mattress.

[0075] After carrying out said cut using the cutting tool 13, the first overcasting head 11 will be able to overcast said further front edge B1 ’ of said further semi-finished product M’ and said second overcasting head 12 will be able to overcast said rear edge B2 of the semi-finished product M.

[0076] Similarly, once the overcasting operations on the first semi-finished product M have been completed and the further semi-finished product M’ advances along the advancement direction A, said second head 12 will be able to overcast a further rear edge B2’ of said further semi-finished product M’.

[0077] Again with reference to figure 9, the plant of the present invention can comprise at least one track 101 , which extends substantially perpendicular to said advancement direction A, in which said first overcasting unit 10 is arranged along said at least one track 101 to translate along said at least a track 101 .

[0078] In particular, as can be seen from figure 9, the track 101 can comprise two parallel and adjacent tracks 101 A and 101 B, along which the first 11 and the second 12 heads can translate, each along its own track to respectively overcast the front edge B1 and the rear edge B2. For example, the first head 11 translates along the first track 101 A and the second head 12 translates along the second track 101 B.

[0079] The embodiment shown in figure 9 shows a plant 1 provided with a cutting tool 13 and a track 101 for the translation of the first overcasting unit. However, some embodiments may provide for the presence of the cutting tool 13 and not the track 101 , and other embodiments provide for the presence of the track without the plant comprising a cutting tool for cutting the semi-finished products.

[0080] Furthermore, the plant 1 can comprise translation means to advance the semi-finished products along the advancement direction.

[0081] Said translation means can provide the possibility of being moved in one direction and in the opposite direction, or to guarantee the possibility of moving the semi-finished products backwards.

[0082] Said translation means can comprise one or more rollers on which the semifinished product M can translate.

[0083] According to some embodiments, the plant 1 comprises first movement means for moving the first overcasting unit 10 along said at least one track 101 , in which the first movement means are configured to independently move each of said first 11 and second 12 overcasting head.

[0084] Said first movement means can comprise motor means, for example a first motor and a second motor to move the first 11 and the second 12 overcasting heads respectively.

[0085] According to some embodiments, the plant 1 comprises second movement means for moving said second overcasting unit 20, wherein said second means are configured to translate each head of said third 21 and fourth 22 overcasting head respectively along said first direction and second direction.

[0086] According to some embodiments, said second means, furthermore, are configured to rotate, independently of each other, each of said third 21 and fourth 22 overcasting heads around the respective front and rear corners of the first B3 and of the second B4 lateral edge.

[0087] When said second means rotate each of said third 21 and fourth 22 heads, for example by approximately 90°, they allow each of said heads to follow the front or rear corner of each lateral edge in order to proceed with overcasting.

[0088] According to some embodiments, said second means include a first second means for rotating the third head 21 , and a second means for rotating the fourth head 22. Said first second means is capable of rotating the third head 21 counterclockwise by 90°, to switch from the first operating configuration of the second unit 20 (overcasting of the front corner between front edge B1 and first lateral edge B3 and overcasting of the front corner between front edge B1 and second lateral edge B4). Similarly, said second means is capable of rotating the fourth head 22 clockwise by 90°, to pass from the first operating configuration of the second unit 20. As will be described below, said second means are capable of rotating each of said third 21 and fourth head 22 to pass from the second operating configuration to the third, and to pass from the latter to the first operating configuration of the second overlooking unit 20.

[0089] According to some embodiments, said second means are capable of rotating said second overcasting unit 20 substantially by 90°, to pass from a first configuration to a second operating configuration and by substantially a further 90° from the latter to a third operating configuration of said second overcasting unit 20.

[0090] Furthermore, said second means are capable of rotating said second overcasting unit 20 substantially by 180° to pass from said third operating configuration to said first operating configuration of the second unit 20.

[0091] In particular, said first configuration, as can be seen from figure 4, provides that the third head 21 is arranged along the front edge B1 , close to a first front corner between the first lateral edge B3 and the front edge B1 to overcast said first front corner, and that the fourth head 22 is arranged along the front edge B1 , close to a second front corner between the second lateral edge B4 and the front edge B1 to overcast said second front corner.

[0092] With reference to figure 6, said second operating configuration provides that the third head 21 is arranged along the first lateral edge B3 to overcast the first lateral edge B3 from a first end close to the respective first front corner to a second end close to a respective first rear corner comprised between the first lateral edge B3 and the rear edge B2, and that the fourth head 22 is arranged along the second lateral edge B4 to overcast the second lateral edge B4 from a first end close to the respective second front corner to a second end close to a respective second rear corner between the second lateral edge B4 and the rear edge B2.

[0093] With reference to figure 7, said third operating configuration provides that the third head 21 is arranged along the rear edge B2, near the first rear corner to overcast a portion of the rear edge B2 in correspondence with said first rear corner, and that said fourth head 22 is arranged along said rear edge B2, close to the second rear corner to overcast a portion of rear edge B2 in correspondence with said second rear corner.

[0094] According to some embodiments, the plant 1 includes an abutment element to receive the semi-finished product M. The presence of an abutment element, arranged downstream of the plant 1 can be in proximity to the second overcasting unit 20, in which said stop element can extend in a position of the plant 1 , which corresponds to a line extending from the third 21 to the fourth 22 overcasting head when the second overcasting unit 20 is in the first operating configuration.

[0095] In particular, in the embodiments having an abutment element downstream of the plant 1 itself, the second overcasting unit 20 will be arranged at a minimum distance from the abutment element when it is in said first configuration and will be arranged at the maximum distance from the abutment element when the second unit 20 is in proximity to said at least one track 101 , i.e. , when it is in said third operating configuration of the second unit 20 itself.

[0096] The operation of the overcasting plant 1 described above is as follows.

[0097] When at least one semi-finished product M having a leading edge B1 , a trailing edge B2, a first side edge B3 and a second side edge B4 is supplied to the plant 1 , the overcasting process starts.

[0098] Since the plant 1 comprises said first overcasting unit 10 and said second overcasting unit 20, which in turn comprises said third 21 and fourth 22 overcasting heads, it is possible to overcast said semi-finished product M, by means of said first 10 and second 20 overcasting units.

[0099] In particular, a first portion of the front edge B1 will be overcast by means of the first overcasting unit 10.

[0100] In particular, the first portion of the front edge B1 is overcast by means of the first overcasting head 11. This said first portion of the front edge B1 can comprise the entire front edge B1 with the exception of its two comers. When said first portion of the front edge B1 has been overcast, the semifinished product M is moved, for example pushed, along the advancement direction A, which, as mentioned, is substantially perpendicular to the front B1 and rear B2 edges.

[0101] Following the movement of the semi-finished product M, by means of the first overcasting unit 10, and in particular by means of the second overcasting head 12, the first portion of the rear edge B2 is overcast. This said first portion of the rear edge B2 can comprise, for example, the entire rear edge B2 with the exception of its two corners.

[0102] At this point, i.e. after having moved the semi-finished product M from a first position, in which the front edge B1 is located close to the first overcasting head 11 , to a second position, in which the front edge B1 is located close to the second overcasting unit 20, for example, between said third 21 and fourth 22 overcasting head, at least a further portion of said front edge B1 will be overcast by means of said second overcasting unit 20.

[0103] Said at least one further portion of said front edge B1 can comprise a portion of front edge B1 , which has not been overcast by the first overcasting head 10. In some examples of operation of said plant 1 , said at least one further portion of said front edge B1 comprises two front comers of the semi-finished product M.

[0104] In particular, said first front corner comprised between said front edge B1 and said first lateral edge B3 is worked by the third overcasting head 21 and the second front corner included between said front edge B1 and said second lateral edge B4 is worked by the fourth overcasting head 22.

[0105] In some operating examples, the overcasting of the front corners is carried out by means of a second overcasting of a portion of the front edge B1 . This way, the seam near the front comers can be strengthened.

[0106] Furthermore, the third overcasting head 21 can rotate substantially 90° counterclockwise to follow the profile of the first front corner to go from being arranged aligned with the front edge B1 to being arranged aligned with the first lateral edge B3.

[0107] Similarly, the fourth overcasting head 22 can rotate substantially 90° clockwise to follow the profile of the second front corner to go from being arranged aligned with the front edge B1 to being arranged aligned with the second lateral edge B4. Furthermore, said third overcasting head 21 overcast the first lateral edge B3, which is substantially parallel to the advancement direction A, for example, from the first front corner to the first rear corner between the first lateral edge B3 and the rear edge B2.

[0108] Similarly, the fourth overcasting head 22 also overcast the second lateral edge B4, which is substantially parallel to the advancement direction A, for example, from the second front corner to the second rear corner comprised between the second lateral edge B4 and the edge rear B2.

[0109] Once the overcasting has been carried out on the lateral edges, the third overcasting head 21 , which in this phase is located near the first rear corner, finalizes the overcasting process, overcasting at least a further portion of said rear edge B2 near said first corner rear.

[0110] Similarly, when the overcasting of the lateral edges has been completed, the fourth overcasting head 22, which in this phase is located near the second rear corner, finalizes the overcasting process, overcasting at least a further portion of the rear edge B2 near said second rear corner.

[0111] In some operating examples, the overcasting of the edges at the rear comers is carried out by means of a second overcasting of a portion of the rear edge B2 and / or of the respective lateral edge adjacent to said rear corner. This way, the seam near the rear corners can be strengthened.

[0112] In particular, when the overcasting of the two lateral edges has been completed, the third head 21 can be rotated substantially by 90° anti-clockwise and the fourth head 22 substantially by 90° clockwise to make said heads take on said second overcasting unit the third operating configuration, in which the third 21 and the fourth 22 heads are arranged aligned with the rear edge B2, respectively in correspondence with the first and second rear comers, to complete the aforementioned overcasting of the further portions of the rear edge B2.

[0113] Following the completion of the overcasting of a semi-finished product M, the third 21 and the fourth 22 overcasting heads are rotated by 180° and return to their initial position, which corresponds to the position in which the second overcasting unit 20 is in the first configuration operational, downstream of the first overcasting unit 10.

[0114] Without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention, the operating method of some embodiments of the present plant 1 is capable of overcasting already cut semi-finished products with predefined dimensions of the four edges, for example, corresponding to the edges of a mattress, and overcasting textile products to be machined having a front edge B1 of the size of a front edge of a desired semi-finished product M and to perform a cut perpendicular to the aforementioned cutting direction A from a first lateral edge B3 to a second lateral edge B4, in such a way such as to define a rear edge B2.

[0115] When the operation of the plant is carried out on a textile article to be machined of the type indicated above, it is possible to make the plant work without interruptions and to overcast the rear edge B2 of a first semi-finished product M at the same time as the overcast of the front edge B1 ’ of a second semi-finished product M’, following the first semi-finished product M, as shown in figures 1 and 3.

[0116] Although the first 11 and the second 12 overcasting heads are capable of moving along a direction perpendicular to the advancement direction A from a first end of an edge, front or rear respectively, some embodiments of the plant 1 , unlike as shown in figure 3, do not require that said first 10 and second 12 heads return to the starting point as they can overcast, for example, an edge of a first overcast product M in a direction that goes from the first lateral edge B3 to the second lateral edge B4, and subsequently overcast an edge of a second overcast product M’ in a further direction that goes from the second lateral edge B4 to the first lateral edge B3.

[0117] Advantages

[0118] An advantage of the present invention is to provide a system for overcasting semi-finished textile products which takes up less space than the prior art.

[0119] A further advantage of the present invention is to provide two mobile overcasting units to reduce the handling of the semi-finished textile products, and particularly mattresses, to be overcast.

[0120] Another advantage of the described invention is to provide a system and a method capable of reducing the time necessary for the production and finishing of textile products.

[0121] The present invention has been described for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, but it is to be understood that modifications and / or changes can be introduced by those skilled in the art without departing from the relevant scope as defined in the enclosed claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . Overcasting plant (1 ) for overcasting textile semi-finished products and the like having a front edge (B1 ), a rear edge (B2), parallel to said front edge (B1 ), a first lateral edge (B3) and a second lateral edge ( B4), opposite said first lateral edge (B3), wherein said first (B3) and second (B4) lateral edges extend respectively from said front edge (B1 ) to said rear edge (B2), wherein an advancement direction is defined (A) of a semi-finished product (M), such that said front (B1 ) and rear (B2) edges extend substantially perpendicular to said advancement direction (A), wherein said plant (1 ) comprises: a first overcasting unit (10), comprising a first overcasting head (11 ) movable perpendicularly to said advancement direction (A), to overcast said front edge (B1 ) of said semifinished product (M), and a second overcasting head (12) movable perpendicularly to said advancement direction (A), to overcast said rear edge (B2) of said semifinished product (M); a second overcasting unit (20) comprising a third overcasting head (21 ) movable along a first direction parallel to said advancement direction (A) to overcast said first side edge (B3), and configured to rotate and overcast the front corner between said first side edge (B3) and said front edge (B1 ), and configured to rotate and overcast the rear corner between said first side edge (B3) and said rear edge (B2), a fourth overcasting head (22) movable along a second direction parallel to said advancement direction (A) to overcast said second lateral edge (B4), and configured to rotate and overcast the front corner comprised between said second lateral edge (B4) and said front edge (B1 ) and configured to rotate and overcast the rear corner between said second side edge (B4) and said rear edge (B2).

2. Plant (1 ) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a cutting tool (13) capable of cutting said semi-finished product (M) in a cutting direction substantially perpendicular to said advancement direction (A).

3. Plant (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one track (101 ), which extends substantially perpendicular to said advancement direction (A), wherein said first overcasting unit (10) is arranged along said at least one track (101 ) to translate along said at least one track (101 ).

4. Plant (1 ) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said at least one track (101 ) comprises two tracks (101 A, 101 B), along which said first (11 ) and said second (12) heads are respectively capable of translating to overcast respectively said front edge (B1 ) and said rear edge (B2).

5. Plant (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises translation means, for translating said semi-finished product (M) along said advancement direction (A).

6. Plant (1 ) according to any one of claims 3-5, characterized in that it comprises first movement means for moving said first overcasting unit (10) along said at least one track (101 ), wherein said first movement means are configured to move each of said first (11 ) and second (12) overcasting heads independently.

7. Plant (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises second movement means for moving said second overcasting unit (20), wherein said second means are configured to translate each head of said third (21 ) and fourth (22) overcasting head respectively along said first direction and second direction and for rotating, independently of each other, each of said third (21 ) and fourth (22) overcasting heads about their respective front and rear comers.

8. Plant (1 ) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said second means are capable of: substantially rotating by 90° to pass from a first configuration, wherein said third head (21 ) is arranged along said front edge (B1 ), close to the front corner between said first side edge (B3) and said front edge (B1 ) to overcast said front corner, andsaid fourth head (22) is arranged along said front edge (B1 ), close to the front corner between said second lateral edge (B4) and said front edge (B1 ) to overcast said front corner; and a second operating configuration wherein said third head (21 ) is arranged along said first lateral edge (B3) to overcast said first lateral edge (B3) from a first end close to the respective front corner to a second end close to the respective rear corner, and said fourth head (22) is arranged along said second lateral edge (B4) to overcast said second lateral edge (B4) from a first end close to the respective front corner to a second end close to the respective rear corner; and rotating a further 90° to pass from said second operating configuration to a third operating configuration, wherein said third head (21 ) is arranged along said rear edge (B2), close to the rear corner between said first side edge (B3) and said rear edge (B2) to overcast said rear corner, and said fourth head (22) is arranged along said rear edge (B2), close to the rear corner between said second side edge (B4) and said rear edge (B2) to overcast said rear corner.

9. Plant (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an abutment element for receiving said semi-finished product (M), wherein said second overcasting unit (20) is arranged close to said abutment element when is in said first operating configuration, and wherein said second overcasting unit (20) is arranged close to said at least one track (101 ) when it is in said third configuration.

10. Method of overcasting textile and similar products, including the steps of:A. providing at least one semi-finished product (M) having a front edge (B1 ), a rear edge (B2), a first side edge (B3), and a second side edge (B4);B. providing a first overcasting unit (10) and a second overcasting unit (20), wherein the second overcasting unit comprises a third overcasting head (21 ) and a fourth overcasting head (22);C. overcasting a first portion of said front edge (B1 ) by means of said firstovercasting unit (10);D. moving said at least one semi-finished product (M) along an advancement direction (A) substantially perpendicular to said front and rear edges;E. overcasting a first portion of said rear edge (B2) by means of said first overcasting unit (10);F. overcasting at least a further portion of said front edge (B1 ) by means of said second overcasting unit (20);G. overcasting said two lateral edges substantially parallel to said advancement direction (A), each from the respective front corner to the respective rear corner, by means of said second overcasting unit (20);H. overcasting at least a further portion of said rear edge (B2) by means of said second overcasting unit (20).

11. Overcasting method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that step F comprises the sub-steps of:F1. overcasting at least a further first portion of said front edge (B1 ), at the front corner between said first lateral edge (B3) and said front edge (B1 ), by means of said third overcasting head (21 );F2. overcasting at least a further second portion of said front edge (B1 ), at the front corner between said second lateral edge (B4) and said front edge (B1 ), by means of said overcasting head (22);F3. rotating said third head (21 ) substantially 90° counterclockwise and said fourth head (22) substantially 90° clockwise; and in that step H includes the substeps of:H1. rotating said third head (21 ) substantially 90° counterclockwise and said fourth head (22) substantially 90° clockwise;H2. overcasting at least a further first portion of said rear edge (B2), at the rear corner between said first side edge (B3) and said rear edge (B2), by means of said third overcasting head (21 );H3. overcasting at least a further second portion of said rear edge (B2), in correspondence with the rear corner between said second side edge (B4) and said rear edge (B2), by means of said fourth overcasting head (22).

12. Overcasting method according to any one of claims 10 or 11 ,characterized in that steps F, G, and H are performed temporally after the execution of steps C and D.

13. Overcasting method according to any one of claims 10-12, characterized in that step E is performed temporally before execution of step F.

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