BULK SOLID MATERIAL DOSING GROUP, DOSING SYSTEM AND METHOD

Description

TITLE: BULK SOLID MATERIAL DOSING GROUP, DOSING SYSTEM AND METHOD 5 DESCRIPTION Scope of application

[0001] The present invention falls within the sector of the dosing of bulk solid material, in particular in the context of the machines used for dosing 10 bulk solid material such as materials in granular form or particulate, such as building material type sand, gravel, crushed stone, or other material from the industry food such as seeds, grains, nuts, flours or powders or tablets in the pharmaceutical or food industry 15 supplements or precious materials, such as precious metal grit or diamonds and stones precious. An example of bulk solid material concerns gold grit, for which there are systems of dosage used in the manufacturing process of the 20 gold bars, where the precise measurement of the granules of precious metal is essential to achieve the weight and the desired purity of the final product.

[0002] The present invention relates to a group of bulk solid material dosing and a system of 25 dosing of bulk solid material including the dosing group. Furthermore, the present invention is relating to a method of dosing solid material loose.

[0003] State of the art 5

[0004] A typical example of a dosing system vibrating device used in the construction sector is the doser vibrating for handling loose materials such as gravel, sand and aggregates. These systems are essential for the precise dosage of materials used in the 10 production of concrete, mortars and other compounds construction, where the control of quantity and material composition is crucial to ensure the final quality of the product.

[0005] The vibrating dosing system for the construction industry 15 generally consists of a vibrating feeder mounted under a silo or storage hopper material. The vibrating feeder is equipped with a motor electric or pneumatic vibrating machine that generates vibrations high frequency, transmitting the vibrating energy to the 20 support structure and the surface on which the material is transported. Bulk material is then moved along an inclined vibrating table or a vibrating channel up to the discharge point.

[0006] A vibrating dosing system for 25 the food industry is typically designed for precisely handle delicate bulk materials such as seeds, nuts, cereals and other granular products or powder. These systems are essential for ensure accurate and uniform dosing of ingredients 5 during the packaging, mixing and food production, where quality and consistency of the final product are of fundamental importance.

[0007] The typical system consists of a power supply vibrating mounted under a storage container or 10 a hopper, from which the food material is taken. The vibrating feeder is equipped with a motor low frequency electrical or a system electromagnetic that generates delicate vibrations and controlled. These vibrations are transmitted to the 15 surface of the channel or vibrating table, moving the food material towards the dosing point.

[0008] For both sectors, the key to the system is the ability to precisely adjust the amplitude and frequency of vibrations, allowing to adapt the 20 movement of the material to its specifications physical characteristics. For example, for products particularly fragile such as walnuts or almonds, it is It is essential to maintain low intensity vibrations for avoid breakage or damage. For materials 25 more granular or powdery, like flour or sugar or fine sands, the system must be optimized for prevent segregation and ensure a flow constant.

[0009] In the gold and refinery sectors, it is standard practice 5 consolidated use of precious metal grit, with variable granulometries from 10 mg to 600 mg, such as semi-finished product in the production chain. This process It is particularly relevant in the production of ingots of gold, where the first step consists in the creation 10 of grit by melting and casting in water. Subsequently, the grit is dosed with precision to feed a melting furnace that generates the ingot.

[00010] The accuracy of this dosing process 15 is of crucial importance. To ensure that the final ingot contains the exact amount of metal precious, the dosage must be as precise as possible possible, ideally with a maximum deviation of only 10-20 mg in the final weight of the ingot. This level of 20 precision is essential to maintain quality and consistency of the ingots produced, especially in sectors high added value such as jewelry and gold investment.

[00011] Currently, there are available on the market 25 different dosing systems designed to meet the need for precision in the production of ingots of gold. The machines used in these known systems represent the standard in the sector and are composed of several key components: 5

[00012] - one or more hoppers for storing the grit, possibly sifted into granulometries different to ensure a homogeneous distribution of the particles;

[00013] - one or more leaf spring vibrators, designed 10 for the advancement of the grit towards a module of precision weighing;

[00014] - precision weighing modules (scales) which measure the exact quantity of grit dosed;

[00015] - a wire feed and cutting system 15 of precious metal, calibrated to a specific diameter to allow fine adjustment of the final weight.

[00016] The typical operation of these systems provides an initial approach to the target weight through the dosing of the grit, followed by cutting of a 20 piece of precious metal wire of length appropriate to reach the desired weight.

[00017] Although these existing dosing systems have demonstrated their effectiveness in many applications, however, present significant 25 disadvantages.

[00018] The main problems associated with these systems include the tendency of the material to segregate or to compact during vibrating transport, the need to avoid damage or 5 crushing of fragile materials, as well as management of dust and minimizing the noise produced.

[00019] Furthermore, these systems often require additional devices for exact calibration of the target weight to be achieved, whether they are devices 10 that add material separately from the bulk material, whether they are devices or they are responsible for discarding a package with a dose wrong.

[00020] For example, in the precious metals sector, 15 one of the most relevant problems concerns the management of the precious metal wire used for regulation final weight. This thread, which must be produced manually with particular attention to the diameter, introduces several problems into the production process. 20

[00021] First, the production of the thread itself It is laborious and expensive. The process requires an intervention manual to ensure that the thread is produced according to the correct specifications, which may vary depending on the specific requirements of the batch being processed. This does not 25 only increases overall production costs, but It also introduces variability and potential errors in the process.

[00022] Secondly, it is difficult to maintain the traceability of the metal used in the wire 5 compared to the grit used in the same batch. Considering that the wire and grit often come from from different batches of metal, ensure that the ingot final product meets stringent purity standards and composition can be problematic. This lack of 10 Traceability can lead to product inconsistencies final, particularly critical in sectors where the The quality of gold bars is crucial.

[00023] Furthermore, the dependence on the thread for the final weight adjustment adds complexity to the 15 dosing process, increasing the time required for reach the precise weight. This additional step can slow down the entire production cycle, reducing the efficiency of the manufacturing process and increasing the probability of errors. 20

[00024] Summary of the invention

[00025] One of the objects of the present invention is to overcome these limitations by improving the process of dosing of bulk solid material to reach the precision needed to eliminate the need for a 25 weight adjustment intervention using a additional device, different from the vibrator in itself, whether it is a supply device further material, whether it is a device waste. 5

[00026] A further object of the present invention is to obtain precision in the dosing of the bulk solid material, within a weight tolerance predetermined, within a time interval predetermined for each dose. Improving 10 the accuracy and efficiency of the dosing system bulk solid material, the invention intends simplify the production process, reduce costs and improve the overall quality and consistency of products obtained after the dosage. 15

[00027] This improvement in the dosing system is set to have a significant impact in the sectors of the known art, providing a more reliable and economically advantageous for the production of products of improved quality. 20

[00028] The above mentioned purposes are achieved through a dosing group, a dosing system and a method of dosage in accordance with the claims independent claims attached. The dependent claims specify additional optional features 25 advantageous.

[00029] Description of the drawings

[00030] The features and advantages of the group of dosing, dosing system and method of dosage according to the present invention will result 5 however evident from the description below of some favorite examples of realization, given to indicative and non-limiting title, with reference to the attached figures, in which: - Figure 1 shows an axonometric view of a 10 gold bullion production plant comprising a gold ingot casting stirrup transport system and a bulk solid material dosing system, in detail of gold granules, according to a shape of carrying out the present invention; 15 - Figure 2 shows an axonometric view of a bulk solid material dosing system in accordance with to an embodiment of the present invention; - figure 3 shows an axonometric view enlarged view of the solid material dosing system 20 bulk of figure 2 in accordance with a form of embodiment of the present invention, wherein are some components have been artificially removed shown in figure 2 for greater clarity of comprehension; 25 - Figure 4 shows an axonometric view enlarged view of the solid material dosing system bulk in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, in which the following have been removed: artificially additional components already shown in 5 figure 2 and figure 3 for greater clarity of comprehension; - figure 5 shows an axonometric view enlarged view of the solid material dosing system bulk of figure 4 according to a form of 10 embodiment of the present invention, wherein are additional components have already been artificially removed shown in figure 4 for greater clarity of comprehension; - Figure 6 shows a side elevation view 15 of the bulk solid material dosing system figure 5; - figure 7 shows an axonometric view of a dosing group according to a form of embodiment of the present invention, in which it has been 20 artificially removed the weighing device for greater clarity of understanding; - Figure 9 shows a front elevation view of the dosing group according to a form of embodiment of the present invention, in which it has been 25 artificially removed the weighing device for greater clarity of understanding; - Figure 10 shows a front elevation view detail of the dosing group in figure 9; - Figure 11 shows a robotic manipulator with a 5 end-effectors according to one embodiment of the present invention; - figure 12 shows an end-effector according to an embodiment of the present invention, in a loading configuration of a container 10 collection of loose solid material; - figure 12a shows the end-effector of figure 12 in a closed configuration, in which the container of collection of loose solid material is closed to avoid the release of loose solid material during the 15 movement by the robotic manipulator; - figure 12b shows the end-effector of figure 12 in an open configuration, in which the container of collection of loose solid material is reversed with respect to the configuration of figure 12 and is free to download 20 the bulk solid material in a funnel device of the end-effector according to a form of embodiment of the present invention. Detailed description 25

[00031] Although the present invention is described below with reference to preferred forms of realization represented in the drawing tables, The present invention is not limited to the forms of realizations described and represented below 5 in the tables. On the contrary, the embodiments described and represented clarify some aspects of the present invention.

[00032] With reference to the above attached figures, with the reference number 1 it is overall 10 indicated a dosing group 1 of solid material bulk for a 100 solid material dosing system bulk suitable for dosing a quantity of solid material bulk, for example gold grit intended for a bracket 200 for a gold shot melting furnace for the 15 production of gold bars.

[00033] The dosing group 1 comprises a first container 10, such as a hopper, suitable for contain a first loose solid material, for example a first gold grain, having a first size and 20 a second container 10' suitable for holding a second loose solid material, such as a second grit of gold, having a second size, different from the first size, preferably a smaller size. For example example, the first container 10 contains a first 25 bulk solid material with large size, for example with grains having an average diameter greater than one millimeter and the second container contains a second material loose solid, with fine size, for example with grains having an average diameter of less than one millimetre. 5

[00034] For each of these first container 10 and second container 10', the dosing group includes a respective vibratory device 2, 2' operationally connected to the respective first container 10 and to the respective second container 10' to put it in 10 vibration.

[00035] In the following description, it will be reference to embodiments of the device vibrator 2, 2' with reference to the first container only 10, but it is clear that since each of the said first 15 container 10 and second container 10' is associated with a respective vibrator device 2, 2', what applies to the first container 10 and the related connections to the respective vibrator device 2, also applies to the second container 10' in a similar manner with its own 20 vibratory device, thus duplicating the features and functionality. Therefore, the detailed description which will be given below with reference to the vibrator device 2 with the respective first container 10, applies similarly for a 25 second vibrator device 2' with your own second container 10'. This is also evident from the figures attached.

[00036] The vibrator device 2, 2' may be a mechanical vibrator with eccentrics, or pendulum, or 5 piston, or a pneumatic vibrator, for example a ball, or turbine or piston, or a vibrator electromagnetic.

[00037] In particular, an advantageous form of implementation requires that the vibrator device is 10 a mechanical eccentric vibrator.

[00038] In particular, in accordance with a form of embodiment, the vibrator device 2, 2' comprises a pair of eccentrics 110, 111, rotatably fixed to a support base 112, each suitable for rotation 15 in an eccentric manner around its own tree rotation X1, X2 to vibrate the first one container 10.

[00039] Preferably, the vibrator device 2, 2' comprises a base body 113 in which are 20 rotatably inserted in a spaced manner along a longitudinal axis X3 the eccentrics 110, 111, of the pair of eccentrics. The base body 113 is joined to the first container 10 to transmit its vibration. Preferably, the base body 113 is joined in a 25 direct to the first container 10 or to the second container 10'.

[00040] Preferably, the eccentric pair 110, 111 and the base body are supported cantilevered with respect to at the support base 112. 5

[00041] Preferably, the vibrator device 2, 2', comprises an electric actuator 114 operationally connected to the pair of eccentrics 110, 111 to place them in rotation. Preferably the electric actuator 114 is connected to the eccentric pair by a system 10 belt drive / s 115.

[00042] Preferably, the rotation shafts of the pair of eccentrics 110, 111 are operated by a single drive belt 117.

[00043] In accordance with one embodiment, the 15 dosing group 1 comprises at least a first mass of 6 balance mounted on each vibrator device 2, 2' and having a mass such as to dampen the vibrations unwanted and reduce the transmission of vibrations from the first container 10 to the second container 20 10' or vice versa.

[00044] According to one embodiment the dosing group 1 comprises at least a first mass of balance 6 and a second balance mass 6', wherein the first balancing mass 6 is operationally 25 coupled to a 110 of the eccentric pair and the second balancing mass is operationally coupled with the other 111 of the eccentric pair.

[00045] Preferably, the first mass of balance 6 and the second balance mass 6' 5 are a single body with a through hole suitable for being grafted onto the respective rotation shaft X1, X2 of the pair of eccentrics 110, 111. Furthermore, preferably each first balancing mass 6 and second mass 6' balance has a misaligned center of mass 10 with respect to the central axis of the through hole.

[00046] Preferably, the first mass of balance 6 is mounted on the rotation shaft X2 of a 110 eccentric of the eccentric pair and the second balance weight 6' is mounted on the shaft 15 rotation X1 of the other 111 eccentric.

[00047] The dosing group 1 also comprises a weighing device 3, e.g. a load cell or a scale, suitable for detecting the weight of the quantity of first bulk material and of second bulk material 20 present in a collection container 4 and discharged from the first container 10 and from the second container 10'. To example, collection container 4 is a glass arranged in contact with and above the device weighing. 25

[00048] The dosing group 1 comprises a unit control electronics 5 configured to control the vibrating device 2, 2' based on the weight detected by the weighing device 3 and to send a signal of command to the vibrator device 2, 2' to place in 5 vibration the first container 10 or the second container 10' so as to advance the first loose material or the second bulk material in one direction of discharge D towards the collection container 4.

[00049] Therefore, the weighing device is 10 configured to send a weight signal collection container 4 even during unloading loose material in collection container 4.

[00050] The electronic control unit 5 is configured to send a command signal to the 15 vibrator device 2, 2' to make the first one move back bulk material or the second bulk material in a retreat direction B, opposite to the direction of D. exhaust. This allows for even more precise control more precise unloading of bulk material, as the 20 imparted backward movement allows for unload the loose material into the collection container 4 in a more controlled manner, grain by grain, without risk unloading too much of loose material, with the consequent risk of 25 exceeding the target weight to be achieved.

[00051] In accordance with one embodiment, the dosing group 1 of the present invention is preferably without an additional device weight correction. For additional device 5 weight correction means a device suitable for correct the weight of the bulk material contained in the collection container 4 by adding additional material, other than the bulk material contained in the first container 10 and / or in the second container 10'. 10 Further, for additional correction device of weight it is also possible to understand a device of waste material from collection container 4 or discard the entire collection container.

[00052] For example, in the case of a dosing group 15 of gold grit for making ingots gold, the additional weight correction device is a gold wire cutting system for achieving of the weight target in the collection container 4, known in the industry. 20

[00053] The fact that the dosing group 1 of the The present invention is preferably free of a additional weight correction device is allowed precisely thanks to the control of the device vibrator both in forward and backward motion 25 bulk material.

[00054] Preferably, the dosing group 1 includes a first evacuation channel 11 joined to the first container 10 and a second evacuation channel 11' joined to the second container 10'. For example, the first 5 evacuation channel 11 and the second channel of evacuation 11' are open channels that are extend preferentially along one direction longitudinal L1, L2. Preferably, the section transverse, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 10 L1, L2, of the first evacuation channel and of the second evacuation channel is a V- or U-shaped section.

[00055] For example, the backward movement imparted on the first container 10 or on the second container 10' and, consequently or in a manner 15 independent, on the first evacuation channel 11 and / or on the second evacuation channel 11', allows the arrangement of the grains of the first bulk material or of the second bulk material in a single row, without it form grains stacked on top of each other inside the 20 first or second evacuation channel 11, 11'. This It therefore allows you to unload one grain at a time inside the collection container 4 when the vibrator device 2, 2' is activated again in the direction of discharge D or, incidentally for 25 some grains, even during operation in the retreat direction B.

[00056] In accordance with one embodiment, the dosing group 1 also includes a first partialization device 12 associated with the first 5 evacuation channel 11 and a second device 12' partialization associated with the second channel of evacuation 11'. Each of these first devices partialization 12 and second device of 12' partialization is suitable for interaction 10 respectively with the first evacuation channel 11 and with the second evacuation channel 11' to regulate the flow of bulk material flowing into each first evacuation channel 11 and second evacuation channel 11' respectively from the first container 10 towards the 15 collection container 4 and from the second container 10' towards the collection container 4.

[00057] In accordance with one embodiment, the first partialization device 12 and the second 12' partialization device each includes 20 a respective shutter operating device 122, 122' and a respective shutter 121, 121'. The portcullis 121, 121' is operationally connected with the respective shutter operating device 122, 122' to be moved relative to the respective 25 first evacuation channel 11 or second evacuation channel evacuation 11' and consequently increase or decrease the passage of loose material downstream of the gate 121, 121' in the direction towards the container of collection 4. Preferably, the device 5 shutter drive 122, 122' is controllable by a shutter control command sent by the unit control electronics 5 to determine the position of the shutter 121, 121'. For example, the device of shutter drive 122, 122' is an actuator 10 hydraulic or pneumatic or electric operationally connected to the shutter 121, 121' to move it compared to the evacuation channel 11, 11', for example in a direction perpendicular to the direction of discharge (D) of the bulk material. 15

[00058] In accordance with one embodiment, the dosing group 1 comprises a dosing device flow detection 7, such as a video camera, suitable to detect a flow signal (e.g. an image or a video or its processing) relating to the flow of 20 loose material in the first evacuation channel 11 and / or second evacuation channel 11'.

[00059] Preferably, the electronic unit of control 5 is configured to control the device of shutter operation 122, 122' by means of a command 25 gate valve control based on flow signal coming from flow detection device 7.

[00060] Preferably, the electronic unit of control 5 is configured to control the device vibrator 2, 2' to advance the first loose material 5 or the second bulk material with increasing speeds and, in case of detection of a flow of bulk material below a certain pre-established threshold, Control unit 5 is configured to send a shutter control command to open wider 10 the shutter 121, 121', for example to disengage any loose material with a size excessively large.

[00061] In accordance with one embodiment, the dosing group 1 comprises a dosing device 15 filling detection suitable for detecting the filling status filling the first container 10 and / or the second 10' vessel, e.g. a time-of-flight sensor. The electronic unit 5 is then configured to receive a signal relating to the filling status of the first 20 container 10 and / or the second container 10' from of the filling detection device and send a alarm state or trigger a further gate discharge device for filling of loose material from an additional container. 25

[00062] As shown in the attached figures, it is clear which is also the subject of the present invention a dosing system 100 comprising a group of dosage 1 according to any of the forms of realization described in this description and a 5 suitable collection container transport system 20 to transport the collection containers 4 to and from the weighing device 3.

[00063] As can be seen from the attached figures, in according to a variant of implementation, the system of 10 dosage 100 can include including more than one dosing group 1 according to any of the embodiments described herein description and more of a container transport system collection 20 suitable for transporting containers of 15 collection 4 from and to the weighing device 3. Ad for example, in the attached figures a dosing system 100 having two dosing groups 2, 2' and two transport systems 20, 20' in turn served for example by a single robotic manipulator 30. 20 This allows for increased efficiency and speed productive.

[00064] In the following, therefore, for simplicity's sake, will describe a dosing system 100 with a group of dosing 1 and a transport system 20, but it is clear that 25 the sector technician understands that the characteristics techniques of this dosing group 1 and system of transport can be duplicated two or more times in function of needs.

[00065] In accordance with one embodiment, the 5 collection container transport system 20 comprises a base 25 and a supported rotary table 21 from the base in a rotatable manner and comprising seats container 210, 211, 212. Each container seat 210, 211, 212 is suitable to receive a container of 10 collection 4.

[00066] Preferably, the rotary table 21 is suitable to be rotated to carry each container seat 210, 211, 212 selectively in the vicinity of the weighing device 3. 15

[00067] Preferably, each container seat 210, 211, 212 is a through opening in the table rotating.

[00068] Preferably, the rotary table 21 is supported by base 25 in a relatively 20 movable with respect to the weighing device 3 long a vertical direction Y parallel to the axis of rotation of the K-table of the rotary table 21 or along a direction parallel to the gravitational force.

[00069] In this way, the rotary table 21 is suitable 25 to assume a high configuration E, for example shown in figure 4 and figure 6, in which the table rotating is in a high position along the direction vertical Y and in which the container seats 210, 211, 212 support the weight of the collection containers 4 and in the 5 which rotary table can perform a rotation around the axis of rotation of the table K to bring the collection container 4 near the device weighing 3, without therefore hindering the device weighing 3 during rotation. 10

[00070] Furthermore, the rotary table 21 is suitable for assume a lowered configuration L, for example shown in figure 4 on the right, in which the table rotating is in a lowered position along the direction vertical Y, that is, in a lower position than 15 at the elevated position along the vertical direction Y, and in which the container seat 211 is located in proximity of the weighing device 3 does not support the weight of the collection container 4, so that the device weighing 3 can measure the weight of the bulk material 20 that is downloaded.

[00071] Preferably, the collection container 4 comprises an outer lip 410, which projects from a side wall 411 of the collection container 4 and that it is suitable for going into contact with the container seat 25 210, 211, 212 when the rotary table is in its high configuration E, so as to raise the collection container 4 compared to the device weighing 3 and thus allow the rotation of the table rotating 21. 5

[00072] In accordance with one embodiment, the dosing system 100 includes a manipulator robotic 30 configured to pick up and deposit the collection container 4 from / to the rotary table 20 and to unload the bulk material elsewhere, for example, 10 in the case of dosing gold grain, in a bracket 200 in graphite destined for a melting furnace.

[00073] Preferably, the robotic manipulator 30 comprises an end-effector 31 on which is mounted a pliers 32. On one 321 of the jaws 321, 322 of the pliers 15 32 a funnel device 40 is supported and on another 322 of the jaws 321, 322 is supportable container of collection 4.

[00074] According to an aspect of the present invention, the funnel device 40 is itself the subject of the 20 present invention. Furthermore, according to one aspect, also the end-effector 31 itself is the subject of this invention.

[00075] In accordance with one embodiment, the funnel device 40 comprises an internal cavity 25 funnel 41 and an outlet channel 42. In the internal cavity a closing body 43 is installed in the funnel 41 comprising a central region 431 shaped for seal a 4' access mouth of the container collection 4 when the access mouth 4' is in stop 5 with the central region 431. In this closing body 43 one or more suitable through openings 432 are obtained to allow the passage of loose material towards the internal funnel cavity 41.

[00076] Preferably, the clamp 32 is movable 10 in a closed configuration C, in which the jaws 321, 322 are closed and the 4' access mouth is in beaten with the central region 431 so as to prevent the escape of loose material from the container 4, as shown in figure 12a. 15 Furthermore, the clamp 32 can be moved in a open configuration O, in which the jaws 321, 322 are open, the collection container 4 and the funnel device 40 are inverted 180° and the mouth access 4' is not in contact with the central region 20 431. In this way the release of loose material from the 4' access mouth into the cavity inside the funnel 41 and then into the outlet channel 42, as shown in figure 12b.

[00077] In accordance with one embodiment, the 25 central region 431 of the closing body includes a 431' conical central surface suitable for going in hit with the 4' access mouth of the container collection 4 when the clamp 32 is in the closed configuration C. 5

[00078] Preferably, one or more through openings 432 are obtained around the central region 431 in a more peripheral region of the funnel device 40, so that the central conical surface 431' conveys the bulk material towards one or more through openings 432. 10

[00079] Preferably, the through opening 432, is a single annular opening arranged all around the central surface 431' conical, in particular at the base of the central surface 431' conical.

[00080] It is clear that it is also the subject of this 15 invention also a method of dosing bulk material in a collection container 4 up to a target predetermined weight.

[00081] The dosing method includes the following phases, preferably performed in the following order 20 indicated:

[00082] a) provide a dosing system 100 according to any of the embodiments described in this description, where in the first container 10 holds the first loose material and in 25 second container 10' the second material is received loose, having a size different from the size of the first loose material, preferably one size inferior;

[00083] b) activate the vibrator device 2 5 associated with the first container 10 to advance the first bulk material in the discharge direction D up to to unload a first dose of the first bulk material into the collection container 4 that deviates from the lens of weight for a predetermined first quantity, for example 10 which is 12 grams less than the target of preset weight;

[00084] c) activate the vibrator device 2 associated with the first container 10 to move the first loose material in the retreat direction B 15 for a first setback time interval pre-established;

[00085] d) activate the vibrator device 2' associated with the second container 10' to advance the second bulk material in the direction of discharge D 20 until a final dose of second material is downloaded loose in the collection container 4 so as to reach a total dose of first bulk material and second loose material in collection container 4 up to the pre-established weight goal. 25

[00086] Preferably, at the end of phase c), the method involves a phase, in which at least in one portion terminal of the first evacuation channel 11 or of the second evacuation channel 11', near the grit collection container 4, the arrangement of the 5 grains of the first grain of loose material or of the second grain of loose material is present in a single row, without any grains stacked on top of each other on the other, but for example that there is a grain next to it to the next one lying inside the throat of the 10 V- or U-section of the first evacuation channel 11 or of the second evacuation channel 11'. As already described above, this then allows you to unload one grain at a time into the collection container 4 when the device 15 vibrator 2, 2' is activated again in the discharge direction D, ensuring greater precision and dosing accuracy.

[00087] In accordance with one embodiment, the method provides that, before phase d) and after phase 20 c), the following steps are carried out, preferably in the order indicated:

[00088] c1) activate the vibrator device 2' associated with the second container 10' to advance the second bulk material in the direction of discharge D 25 until a first dose of second material is downloaded loose in the collection container 4 so as to reach a partial dose of first bulk material and second loose material in collection container 4 that deviates from the pre-established weight goal for 5 a second predetermined quantity, less than the first predetermined quantity, for example in such a way that the partial dose is 1.5 grams less than to the weight goal;

[00089] c2) activate the vibrator device 2' 10 associated with the second container 10 to move the second bulk material in the retreat direction B for a second setback time interval pre-established.

[00090] In accordance with one embodiment, the 15 method provides that, before phase d) and after phase c), the following steps are performed, preferably in the order indicated:

[00091] c0) before phase c1), activate the vibratory device 2 associated with the first container 10 20 to advance the first loose material in the direction of discharge D until a second dose of first is discharged loose material in the collection container 4 so enough to reach a partial dose of first material bulk that deviates from the weight target 25 predetermined for a third predetermined quantity, less than the first predetermined quantity and preferably greater than the second quantity predetermined, for example so that the dose partial is less than 5 grams compared to 5 to your weight goal.

[00092] According to one embodiment and example title to better understand the method of dosing, the method involves the following phases in order indicated: 10

[00093] a) provide a dosing system 100 according to any of the embodiments described in this description, where in the first container 10 receives the first loose grain material large and in the second container 10' the second is placed 15 bulk material, having a smaller size, i.e. with finer grain;

[00094] b) activate the vibrator device 2 associated with the first container 10 to advance the first coarse-grained loose material in the direction of 20 D discharge until a first dose of first loose material in the collection container 4 which is deviate from the weight goal for an initial quantity, for example equal to 12 grams, that is, so that the quantity of coarse-grained loose first material is less than 25 12 grams compared to the pre-established weight goal;

[00095] c) activate the vibrator device 2 associated with the first container 10 to move the first coarse-grained loose material in the direction of retreat B for a first time interval of 5 preset retreat, for example for one second;

[00096] c0) activate the vibrator device 2 associated with the first container 10 to advance the first coarse-grained loose material in the direction of D discharge until a second dose of first is discharged 10 loose gold material in collection container 4 in so as to achieve a partial dose of first loose material in the collection container 4 which is deviate from the pre-established weight goal for a third predetermined quantity, for example equal to 5 15 grams, less than the first predetermined quantity and preferably greater than a second quantity predetermined, for example so that the dose partial is less than 5 grams compared to to the weight goal; 20

[00097] c1) activate the vibrator device 2' associated with the second container 10' to advance the second fine-grained loose material in the direction of D discharge until a first dose of second is discharged fine-grained loose material in the collection container 25 4 in order to reach a partial dose of first bulk material and second bulk material in collection container 4 that deviates from the lens of a predetermined weight for a second quantity predetermined, for example equal to 1.5 grams, lower 5 to the first predetermined quantity and preferably even lower than the second predetermined quantity, example so that the partial dose of first bulk material and second bulk material is lower just 1.5 grams over the target weight; 10

[00098] c2) activate the vibrator device 2' associated with the second container 10 to move the second fine-grained loose material in the direction of retreat B for a second time interval of predetermined retreat, for example for one second; 15

[00099] d) activate the vibrator device 2' associated with the second container 10' to advance the second bulk material in the direction of discharge D until a final dose of second material is released loose fine grain in the collection container 4 so 20 to reach a total dose of first material bulk and second bulk material in the container of collection 4 equal to the pre-established weight target, with a margin of error that the sector technician can understand to be due at least to the limits of precision 25 and accuracy of the weighing device 3. [000100] Innovatively, the present invention allows you to brilliantly overcome the drawbacks cited with reference to the prior art. [000101] In particular, thanks to the invention, it is 5 made available a dosing group, a system and a dosing method that surprisingly does not require the use of an additional correction device of weight to reach the weight goal pre-established, such as a cutting system of 10 gold wire in the gold shot dosing industry. [000102] In an innovative way this allows to obtain homogeneous and highly traceable production batches in effective and efficient manner, for example ingots homogeneous and highly traceable gold. 15 [000103] Furthermore, thanks to the use of vibrating devices moved both in the direction which facilitates the unloading of loose material in the direction that favors the retreat of the material loose, so that it is arranged in a row formed by 20 single grains arranged next to each other, is it is possible to control the quantity of grains discharged into the collection container, thus avoiding possible machine downtime or waste containers for incorrect weight, thus increasing 25 the overall efficiency of the system. [000104] Furthermore, the dosing group according to The present invention allows to obtain a relatively high precision in very short times restricted. For example, in the case of grit dosing 5 gold you get an accuracy even lower than 10 milligrams with target dose dosing times in the collection container even less than twenty seconds. This is due to the precision and speed of unloading of loose material thanks to the devices 10 vibrators and the consequent possibility of avoiding the use of additional correction devices weight (which is generally a slower operation and which it is added to the classic unloading operation of the bulk material). 15 [000105] Furthermore, the presence is advantageous of balancing masses on the eccentrics allows to have two vibrators placed on the same base without that the vibrations of a vibrating device affect the other container, thus avoiding 20 accidental discharges of unwanted bulk material. [000106] Further advantageously, the end- robot effector equipped with the funnel device allows for quick removal of the collection container 4 and the unloading of bulk material elsewhere (e.g. 25 in a respective bracket intended for a furnace for the smelting of precious metals), without further steps intermediate release and withdrawal of the container collection. Furthermore, this funnel device allows the direct passage of the collection container from the 5 rotary table to the discharge elsewhere with a single movement of the manipulator robot and therefore without intermediate pause steps for release and catch of the collection container, thus also avoiding the risk to accidentally discharge grains of material 10 bulk during any end-effector movement, thanks to the leak-proof closure of the funnel device. [000107] It is clear that a technician in the sector, in order to meet contingent needs, could bring modifications to the invention all contained within the scope of 15 protection as defined by the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Bulk material dosing unit (1), for example a material in granular or particulate form, for a bulk material dosing system (100) suitable for dosing a quantity of bulk material into a collection container (4), wherein said dosing unit (1) comprises a first container (10) suitable for containing a first bulk material having a first size and a second container (10') suitable for containing a second bulk material having a second size, different from the first size, preferably a smaller size; wherein, for each of said first container (10) and second container (10'), the dosing unit comprises a respective vibratory device (2, 2') operatively connected to the respective first container (10) and to the respective second container (10') to set it in vibration;said dosing unit (1) further comprising: - a weighing device (3), suitable for detecting the weight of the quantity of first loose material and second loose material present in a collection container (4) and discharged from the first container (10) and the second container (10'); - an electronic control unit (5) configured to control the vibrating device (2, 2') based on the weight detected by the weighing device (3) and to send a control signal to the vibrating device (2, 2') to cause the first container (10) or the second container (10') to vibrate so as to advance the first loose material or the second loose material in a discharge direction (D) towards the collection container (4);said dosing group (1) being characterised in that the electronic control unit (5) is configured to send a control signal to the vibratory device (2, 2') to cause the first loose material or the second loose material to retreat in a retreat direction (B), opposite to the discharge direction (D).; 2. Dosing group (1) according to claim 1, without an additional weight correction device suitable for correcting the weight of the loose material contained in the collection container (4) by adding additional material, other than the loose material contained in the first container (10) and / or in the second container (10').

3. Dosing unit (1) according to claim 1, without an additional weight correction device suitable for correcting the weight of the loose material contained in the collection container (4) by means of a device for rejecting material from the collection container (4) or rejecting the entire collection container (4).

4. Dosing unit (1) according to claim 1 or 2 or 3, comprising at least a first balancing mass (6) mounted on each vibrating device (2, 2') having a mass such as to dampen unwanted vibrations and reduce the transmission of vibrations from the first vessel (10) to the second vessel (10') or vice versa.

5. Dosing unit (1) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a first evacuation channel (11) connected to the first vessel (10) and a second evacuation channel (11') connected to the second vessel (10'), said dosing unit (1) further comprising a first partialisation device (12) associated with the first evacuation channel (11) and a second partialisation device (12') associated with the second evacuation channel (11'), each of said first partialisation device (12) and second partialisation device (12') being adapted to interact respectively with the first evacuation channel (11) and with the second evacuation channel (11') to regulate the flow of bulk material flowing in each first evacuation channel (11) and second evacuation channel (11') respectively from the first vessel (10) towards the collection container (4) and from the second vessel (10') towards the collection container (4).。 6. Dosing unit (1) according to claim 5, wherein the first partialization device (12) and the second partialization device (12') each comprise a respective gate actuating device (122, 122') and a respective gate (121, 121') operatively connected to the respective gate actuating device (122, 122') to be moved relative to the respective first evacuation channel (11) or second evacuation channel (11') and consequently increase or decrease the passage of bulk material downstream of the gate (121, 121') in the direction towards the collection container (4).

7. A dosing unit (1) according to claim 6, comprising a flow detection device (7), e.g. a video camera, adapted to detect a flow signal relating to the flow of bulk material in the first evacuation channel (11) and / or second evacuation channel (11'), wherein the gate operating device (122, 122') is controllable by a gate control command to determine the position of the gate (121, 121'), and wherein the electronic control unit (5) is configured to control the gate operating device by a gate control command based on the flow signal from the flow detection device (7).

8. Dosing unit (1) according to claim 7, wherein the electronic control unit (5) is configured to control the vibratory device (2, 2') to advance the first loose material or the second loose material at increasing speeds and, in case of detection of a flow of loose material lower than a certain pre-established threshold, the control unit (5) is configured to send a gate control command to open the gate (121, 121') more, for example to dislodge any loose material with an excessively large size.

9. Dosing unit (1) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a filling detection device suitable for detecting the filling state of the first container (10) and / or the second container (10').

10. Dosing system (100) comprising a dosing unit (1) according to any of the preceding claims and a collection container transport system (20) suitable for transporting the collection containers (4) to and from the weighing device (3).

11. A dosing system (100) according to claim 10, wherein the collection container transport system (20) comprises a base (25) and a rotary table (21) rotatably supported by the base and comprising container seats (210, 211, 212), each container seat (210, 211, 212) being adapted to receive a collection container (4), and wherein the rotary table is adapted to be rotated to selectively bring each container seat into proximity to the weighing device (3).

12. Dosing system (100) according to claim 11, wherein the rotary table (21) is supported by the base (25) in a relatively translatable manner with respect to the weighing device (3) along a vertical direction (Y) parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotary table (21) or along a direction parallel to the force of gravity.

13. A dosing system (100) according to any of claims 10 to 12 comprising a robotic manipulator (30) configured to pick up and deposit the collection container (4) from / to the rotary table (20) and to discharge the bulk material elsewhere 14. Dosing system (100) according to claim 13, wherein the robotic manipulator (30) comprises an end-effector (31) on which a gripper (32) is mounted and wherein a funnel device (40) is supported on one (321) of the jaws (321, 322) of the gripper (32) and the collection container (4) can be supported on another (322) of the jaws (321, 322), wherein the funnel device (40) comprises an internal funnel cavity (41) and an outlet channel (42), and wherein in the internal funnel cavity (41) a closing body (43) is installed comprising a central region (431) shaped to seal an access mouth (4') of the collection container (4) when the access mouth (4') is in contact with the central region (431), in said closing body (43) one or more through openings (432) being obtained suitable for allowing the passage of loose material towards the internal funnel-shaped cavity (41), and in which the gripper (32) can be moved in a closed configuration (C),in which the jaws (321, 322) are closed and the access mouth (4') is in contact with the central region (431) so as to prevent the escape of loose material from the container (4), and an open configuration (O), in which the jaws (321, 322) are open, the collection container (4) and the funnel device (40) are inverted by 180° and the access mouth (4') is not in contact with the central region (431) so that the escape of loose material from the access mouth (4') into the internal funnel cavity (41) and then into the exit channel (42) is favoured.

15. Dosing system (100) according to claim 14, wherein the central region (431) of the closure body comprises a conical central surface (431') suitable to abut the access mouth (4') of the collection container (4) when the gripper (32) is in the closed configuration (C), and wherein the one or more through openings (432) are obtained around the central region (431) in a more peripheral region of the funnel device (40), so that the conical central surface (431') conveys the loose material towards said one or more through openings (432).

16. Method for dosing loose material into a collection container up to a pre-established weight target, comprising the following steps: a) providing a dosing system (100) according to any of claims 10 to 15, wherein the first loose material is received in the first container (10) and the second loose material is received in the second container (10'), having a size different from the size of the first loose material; b) activating the vibratory device (2) associated with the first container (10) to advance the first loose material in the unloading direction (D) until a first dose of the first loose material is unloaded into the collection container (4) which deviates from the weight target by a first pre-determined quantity, for example which is 12 grams less than the pre-established weight target;c) activate the vibratory device (2) associated with the first container (10) to move the first loose material backwards in the backward direction (B) for a pre-established first backward time interval; d) activate the vibratory device (2') associated with the second container (10') to move the second loose material forwards in the unloading direction (D) until a first dose of second loose material is unloaded into the collection container (4) in such a way as to reach a total dose of first loose material and second loose material in the collection container (4) up to the pre-established weight target.; 17. A method according to claim 16, wherein, prior to step d), the method comprises the following steps: c1) activating the vibratory device (2') associated with the second vessel (10') to advance the second loose material in the discharge direction (D) until a first dose of second loose material is discharged into the collection container (4) in such a way as to achieve a partial dose of first loose material and second loose material in the collection container (4) that deviates from the predetermined weight target by a second predetermined quantity, less than the first predetermined quantity, for example such that the partial dose is 1.5 grams less than the weight target; c2) activating the vibratory device (2') associated with the second vessel (10) to move the second loose material backwards in the retraction direction (B) for a second predetermined retraction time interval.

18. Method according to claim 16, wherein, prior to step d), the method includes the following step: c0) prior to step c1), activate the vibratory device (2) associated with the first vessel (10) to advance the first loose material in the discharge direction (D) until a second dose of the first loose material is discharged into the collection container (4) in such a way as to reach a partial dose of the first loose material in the collection container (4) which deviates from the predetermined weight target by a third predetermined quantity, lower than the first predetermined quantity and preferably higher than the second predetermined quantity, for example in such a way that the partial dose is 5 grams lower than the weight target.