Converting machine having material strip storing buffer

Abstract

To provide a machine for machining coils made of fine and / or fragile material, keeping high productivity and minimizing the risk of interruption caused by material breakage.SOLUTION: A machine 1 machines a material coil to a further smaller coil. An accumulation unit 3 comprises first and second movable support structures 20, 20', movable rollers 21 of the respective structure have vertically arranged multiple rollers and practically form π-shaped route stretches P, and slide in the opposite direction separating from each other between a retreated position not in contact with strips N and multiple expanded positions in contact with the strips N. First and second fixed rollers 19, 19' face first and second movable rollers 21, respectively, while the fixed rollers 19, 19' are present outside the π-shaped route stretches P.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a converting machine, i.e. a machine for winding and unwinding strips of material onto coils, adapted in particular for processing delicate materials. [Background technology]

[0002] The field of converting concerns all machines that perform the process of winding or unwinding a strip of material onto or from a coil. Such machines perform the function of transporting the strip quickly and without defects between one coil and another coil, generally of a different size.

[0003] Such converting operations include: (1) producing smaller width and diameter coils from parent coils manufactured at larger sizes for processing economies; (2) converting materials to add specific functions, such as printing, laminating, or film deposition; and (3) rewinding previously manufactured coils to remove defects.

[0004] The end product of the process is an intermediate step in the processing chains of any material such as paper, plastic, aluminum and laminates, generally in the form of a film with a thickness of a few microns to a millimeter. Converting machines are used in many different industrial sectors, such as food packaging and the automotive industry. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, some applications require converting materials that are very delicate and / or brittle, very thin and / or loosely cohesive, and therefore easily flaky. In such cases, managing the converting operations can become problematic and negatively impact the operating speed of the entire process.

[0006] When the strip to be converted consists of such materials, the process usually needs to include special precautions to avoid strip breakage, which would cause a system shutdown. A particularly critical step is the start of the process, when a new coil (usually a large one) is fed into the converting machine to be converted into a smaller coil. This step is difficult to automate, as it can result in unacceptable rips and tears in the strip. All this leads to delays in the production process and the need for more labor, which leads to higher production costs.

[0007] If the converting machine also comprises a section that serves as a storage buffer for the strip in process (to avoid downstream downtimes), another critical step is the operation of the buffer section during the first step of loading the strip in process into the machine, especially when the moving strip comes into contact with non-moving parts. Indeed, in such cases there may be a risk of breakage or tearing of the strip.

[0008] Therefore, a need is felt to provide a machine for converting coils of delicate and / or brittle materials which maintains high productivity and minimizes the possibility of interruptions due to material breakage.

[0009] Such a problem is solved by a machine for processing coils of delicate and / or brittle material as defined in the appended claims, the definitions of which form an integral part of the present description. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In particular, the present invention relates to the following:

[0011] (1) A machine for processing a coil of material into smaller coils, the strip moving along a path, comprising a unit for feeding the strip of material into the machine, a unit for storing the strip to be processed, and a unit for winding the strip on a winding shaft to form respective coils, the units being arranged along the path, the storage unit comprising: a first movable support structure for a first series of movable rollers and a second movable support structure for a second series of movable rollers, each series of movable rollers comprising a plurality of rollers vertically aligned in a plane parallel to a first and a second straight path stretch, the first and second straight path stretches being connected by a third upper path stretch to form a generally substantially π-shaped path stretch underlying and encircling the movable support structures, the first and second movable support structures sliding in opposite directions away from each other between a retracted position in which the movable rollers are not in contact with the strip and a plurality of extended positions in which the movable rollers are in contact with the strip; and a first and second series of movable rollers, positioned opposite but vertically staggered with respect to the first and second series of movable rollers, respectively, and fixed rollers of each series lying in a plane parallel to the first and second path stretches, respectively, and facing one side of the path stretch opposite the first and second series of movable rollers, i.e. outside the π-shaped path stretch, the path stretch being disposed between the fixed rollers and the movable rollers, the first series of fixed rollers and the second series of fixed rollers.

[0012] (2) In the machine described in (1), the path is defined by a plurality of idler gears and at least one motorized gear.

[0013] (3) In a machine according to (1) or (2), the fixed rollers and the movable rollers are idle and spaced vertically by the same distance, and the fixed rollers are vertically offset relative to the movable rollers so that when the latter are placed in the extended position, they fit between the two fixed rollers without interference.

[0014] (4) In a machine according to any one of (1) to (3), the accumulation unit comprises a fixed roller launching system and a movable roller launching system, the launching system being configured to cause the rollers to assume a tangential velocity substantially equal to the sliding velocity of the strip along the path during the step of feeding the strip.

[0015] (5) In the machine described in (4), the actuation system of the fixed rollers comprises a belt system coupled to each pulley and set to rotate counterclockwise by a motor drive, each of the belts of the belt system being unwound along a vertical plane tangent to the small wheels of all the fixed rollers of the first and second series, respectively, and the belt system is connected to an actuator which translates them horizontally away from the small wheels, so that the fixed rollers, once launched at a suitable tangential speed, return to move idly until they come into contact with the strip.

[0016] (6) In a machine according to (4) or (5), the actuation system of the movable rollers comprises a belt system coupled to each pulley and configured to rotate clockwise by a motor drive, each of the belts of the belt system being rewound along a vertical plane tangent to all the movable rollers of the first and second series when they are in a retracted condition.

[0017] (7) In a machine according to any one of (1) to (6), both the fixed roller and the movable roller have a surface made of an elastic material, typically rubber, so as to contact the strip without damaging it.

[0018] (8) In a machine according to any one of (1) to (7), the storage unit comprises first and second panels, the panels being arranged opposite each other so as to surround the first movable support structure and the second movable support structure, each movable support structure being arranged parallel to each other and to each panel, each movable support structure comprising a pair of comb-shaped supports each having a plurality of horizontal arms, the horizontal arms of the first pair of comb-shaped supports facing a first linear stretch of the path and the horizontal arms of the second pair of comb-shaped supports facing a second linear stretch of the path, each movable roller of the first movable support structure being supported in an idle manner by a pin at a distal end of the pair of horizontal arms extending from each of the pair of comb-shaped supports, and each movable roller of the second movable support structure being supported in an idle manner by a pin at a distal end of the pair of horizontal arms extending from each of the pair of comb-shaped supports.

[0019] (9) In the machine according to (8), A distance between the two comb-shaped supports of the first support structure is greater than a distance between the two comb-shaped supports of the second support structure, so that the support structures do not interfere with each other when sliding in opposite directions; The first and second movable support structures are vertically offset by a distance such that all horizontal arms except for one end arm are in the same horizontal plane.

[0020] (10) In the machine according to any one of (1) to (9), the strip input unit of the strip comprises an attachment system for the strip from the input unit to the winding unit, the attachment system comprising a double chain including a first chain and a second chain, and an attachment bar made of ferromagnetic material or having a part made of ferromagnetic material, the attachment bar being driven by the first chain and the second chain, the double chain unfolding in a loop along a path, the attachment bar being movable along the looped path and configured to drive the strip from the input unit to the winding unit and to return to a starting point of the input unit after releasing the strip, the attachment system further comprising a non-motorized magnet bar sliding idley along the path and configured to couple to the attachment bar during operational steps of the method for inputting a new strip.

[0021] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the description of some exemplary embodiments given below, by way of non-limiting indication, with reference to the following figures, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a machine according to the invention [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing the automatic strip input system of the machine of FIG. 1 according to an operational sequence. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing the automatic strip feeding system of the machine of FIG. 1 according to its operating sequence. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing the automatic strip feeding system of the machine of FIG. 1 according to its operating sequence. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing the automatic strip feeding system of the machine of FIG. 1 according to its operating sequence. [Figure 6]FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing the automatic strip feeding system of the machine of FIG. 1 according to its operating sequence. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing the automatic strip feeding system of the machine of FIG. 1 according to its operating sequence. [Figure 8] Side cutaway views showing details of the system in Figure 2-7 at two different operational steps [Figure 9] Side cutaway views showing details of the system in Figure 2-7 at two different operational steps [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing the automatic strip feeding system of the machine of FIG. 1 according to its operating sequence. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing the automatic strip feeding system of the machine of FIG. 1 according to its operating sequence. [Figure 12] A side cross-sectional view showing the details of the storage buffer in Figure 1. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing details of the storage buffer of FIG. [Figure 14] 13 is a side cross-sectional view of the storage buffer in FIG. 12 in an operation sequence; [Figure 15] 13 is a side cross-sectional view of the storage buffer in FIG. 12 in an operation sequence; [Figure 16] 13 is a side cross-sectional view of the storage buffer in FIG. 12 in an operation sequence; [Figure 17] A perspective view of the storage buffer in a non-operating state. [Figure 18] Top view of the storage buffer in operation [Figure 19] A perspective view of the storage buffer in an operating state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] The converting machine according to the invention is designated as a whole by the reference number 1 and comprises an input unit 2 for a strip N of material, a storage unit 3 for the strip N to be processed and a winding unit 4 for the strip N on a winding shaft 5, 5' for forming a respective coil B.

[0024] As mentioned above, the step of inserting strip N into machine 1 is a critical step and requires special precautions to be taken if done automatically.

[0025] The input unit 2 for the strip N comprises an attachment system 6 for the strip N along the various working steps of the machine 1, i.e. from the input unit 2 to the storage unit 3 and the winding unit 4. The attachment system 6, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, comprises a double chain 7 (shown in a single line in the figure) which unfolds in a loop along a path P defined by a number of idler gears 8 and at least one motorized gear 8'. The double chain 7 movably supports the attachment bar 9 so that it is movable along the looped path P, and is configured to drive the strip N input to the machine 1 from the input unit 2 to the winding unit 4 and to return to the starting point of the input unit 2 after releasing the strip N.

[0026] The attachment bar 9 is preferably cylindrical, i.e. has a circular cross section, or at least has a surface with an arcuate cross section facing the sliding direction of the double chain 7. The attachment bar 9 is also made of a ferromagnetic material or has parts made of a ferromagnetic material so as to be attracted by a magnet.

[0027] 2 to 11, the attachment system 6 also comprises a non-electromotive magnet bar 10 which slides freely along a path P on suitable guides. A C-shaped element 10a having a cross section with a concave profile is associated with the magnet bar 10 so as to be coupled to the attachment bar 9 during an operating step of the method for feeding in a new strip N.

[0028] In the stationary state, the magnet bar 10 is accommodated in a locking / unlocking device 11 and is removed therefrom by an attachment bar 9 so as to be pushed along a path P during the step of inserting the strip N, as will be described below.

[0029] In the first step of feeding in a new strip N, the strip N from an upstream large coil (not shown) is fed by a conveyor T to the feeding unit 2 of the machine 1, where it falls vertically and lies in the space between the attachment bar 9 and the magnet bar 10, as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

[0030] Figures 4 and 5 show the next step, where the double chain 7 is set to move along the direction of the arrow so that the accessory bar 9 contacts the end of the strip N until it is pinched between the accessory bar 9 and the C-shaped element 10a of the magnet bar 10. The magnetic force between the magnet bar 10 and the accessory bar 9 makes it possible to hold the strip N firmly near one of its ends and to guide it along the path P in a gentle way, i.e. without using a gripper system that would damage and break the strip N.

[0031] When the attachment bar 9 is in the position of Fig. 5, its movement along the path P causes the locking and unlocking device 11 to unlock the magnet bar 10, as described below, so that the attachment bar 9 / magnet bar 10 assembly continues to move along the path P together with the strip N, as shown in Fig. 6. In practice, the strip N is driven by the attachment bar 9 and the magnet bar 10 through the storage unit 3 (described below) to the winding unit 4, where the end of the strip N is separated from the rest of the strip N and starts to be wound on the winding shaft 5, 5', thus carrying out the converting operation. The bars 9, 10 associated with the piece S of the strip N continue along the path P until they return to the input unit 2, as shown in Fig. 7.

[0032] The attachment bar 9 continues its movement until it reaches a locking / unlocking device 11. The locking / unlocking device 11 of the magnet bar 10 comprises a lever element 12 with a body 12a, from a first end of which a locking finger 12b projects, arranged along an axis X inclined at an angle of less than 90 degrees to a longitudinal axis Y of the body 12a. The body 12a is hinged at its midpoint to a hinge 13, while at its second end opposite to that on which the locking finger 12b is arranged, the body 12a is fixed to a first end of an elastic element 14, the second end of which is fixed to a support element 15 of the locking / unlocking device 11. The lever element 12 can thus be pivoted between an unlocked position (FIG. 8) and a locked position (FIG. 9) of the magnet bar 10, whereby the lever element 12 is returned to the locked position by the elastic restoring force of the elastic element 14.

[0033] The resilient element 14 may be a conventional coil spring, as shown in the figure.

[0034] The support element 15 is adjustable along an axis Q incident on the longitudinal axis Y of the lever element 12 so as to adjust the tension of the elastic element 14. To that end, the support element 15 comprises an adjusting screw 16 coaxial with the axis Q inserted in a threaded sleeve 18 coupled to a bore provided in the support element 15, the adjusting screw 16 terminating inside the support element 15 with its distal end 16a resting on a fixed pin 17. Screwing or unscrewing the adjusting screw 16 displaces the support element 15 along the axis Q, since it cannot advance or retreat due to the constraint of the fixed pin 17, and thus causes a tensioning or detensioning of the elastic element 14.

[0035] 8 and 9, the accessory bar 9 pushes the magnet bar 10 to abut against the locking finger 12b, causing the lever element 12 to rotate in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 8. Then, when the magnet bar 10 passes the locking finger 12b, the lever element 12 is called back to the locking position by the elastic element 14, and the locking finger 12b is positioned between the magnet bar 10 and the accessory bar 9.

[0036] Figure 10 shows the next step in the dosing operation of strip N, in which the attachment bar 9 reverses its motion and performs a reverse motion returning the attachment bar 9 to its initial position. Once the attachment bar is released from the piece S of strip N (Figure 11), the dosing unit 2 is ready to dosing strip N from the subsequent source coil.

[0037] The operations in Figs. 7 to 11 are performed simultaneously with the normal operation of the converting machine 1, that is, the operation of converting the strip N from the coil on the upstream side to a small coil B on the downstream side.

[0038] The storage unit 3 is arranged between the input unit 2 and the winding unit 4 of the strip N on the winding shaft 5, 5'. The storage unit 3 serves as a storage buffer when a fully wound coil B in the winding unit 4 has to be replaced by a winding shaft 5' to be wound. Since such an operation requires a temporary stop of the winding, the storage unit 3 is adapted to not interrupt the supply of the strip N from the conveyor T during such a stop.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 12 and Figs. 17-19, the storage unit 3 comprises first and second panels 3a, 3b arranged opposite each other so as to surround between a first movable support structure 20 for a first series of movable rollers 21 and a second movable support structure 20' for a second series of movable rollers 21'. Each series of movable rollers 21, 21' comprises a number of rollers vertically aligned in a plane parallel to the first and second linear path stretches Pv1, Pv2. The first and second linear path stretches Pv1, Pv2 are connected by a third upper path stretch Ps to form, as a whole, a substantially π-shaped stretch of path P that surrounds downwardly the movable support structures 20, 20' of the movable rollers 21, 21'.

[0040] Each of the movable support structures 20, 20' comprises a pair of comb-shaped supports 22, 22' arranged parallel to each other and to the respective panel 3a, 3b, each having a plurality of horizontal arms 26, 26', the horizontal arms 26 of a first pair of comb-shaped supports 22 facing a first linear stretch Pv1 of the path P, and the horizontal arms 26' of a second pair of comb-shaped supports 22' facing a second linear stretch Pv2 of the path P.

[0041] Each movable roller 21 of the first movable support structure 20 is supported in an idle manner by a pin 27 at the distal end of a pair of horizontal arms 26 extending from each pair of comb supports 22. Similarly, each movable roller 21' of the second movable support structure 20' is supported in an idle manner by a pin 27 at the distal end of a pair of horizontal arms 26' extending from each pair of comb supports 22'.

[0042] The movable support structure 20, 20' slides horizontally on a suitable shoe 28 (only part of one shoe 28 for the movable support structure 20 is shown in Figure 17) by suitable motorization (not shown). The movable support structures 20, 20' are movable in opposite directions between a retracted position in which the movable rollers 21, 21' are not in contact with the strip N and a number of extended positions in which the movable rollers 21, 21' are in contact with the strip N, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 12.

[0043] 18, the spacing between the two comb supports 22 of the first support structure 20 is greater than the spacing between the two comb supports 22' of the second support structure 20' so that the support structures 20, 20' do not interfere with each other when sliding in opposite directions. Furthermore, as can be seen, the first and second movable support structures 20, 20' are vertically offset by a distance such that all horizontal arms 26, 26' except for one end arm 26, 26' are on the same horizontal plane.

[0044] The inner surfaces, i.e. the opposing surfaces, of the panels 3a, 3b also support the double chain 7, in particular the first panel 3a supports the first chain 7a of the double chain 7 and the associated floating gear 8, while the second panel 3b supports the second chain 7b of the double chain 7 and the associated floating gear 8.

[0045] The accumulation unit 3 further comprises a first series of fixed rollers 19 and a second series of fixed rollers 19', arranged opposite to the first and second series of movable rollers 21, 21', respectively, but offset vertically therewith. Each series of fixed rollers 19, 19' comprises a number of vertically aligned rollers, respectively, in a plane parallel to the first and second stretches Pv1, Pv2 of the path P, facing one side of the path stretch Pv1, Pv2 opposite to the first and second series of movable rollers 21, 21', i.e. facing the outside of the π-shaped path stretch P, with the path stretch Pv1, Pv2 being located between the fixed rollers 19, 19' and the movable rollers 21, 21'.

[0046] The fixed rollers 19, 19' and the movable rollers 21, 21' are idle and equally spaced vertically, and are vertically offset relative to the movable rollers 21, 21' so that the latter fits between the two fixed rollers 19, 19' without interference when placed in the extended position.

[0047] Both the fixed rollers 19, 19' and the movable rollers 21, 21' preferably have a surface made of a resilient material, typically rubber, so as to be able to contact the strip N without damaging it.

[0048] The storage unit 3 further comprises a launching system 23 for the fixed rollers 19, 19' and a launching system 24 for the movable rollers 21, 21'. The launching systems 23, 24 have the function of causing the rollers 19, 19', 21, 21' to assume a tangential velocity substantially equal to the sliding velocity of the strip N along the path P during the step of feeding the strip N. This device is very important when the strip N is made of a brittle, weakly adhesive and easily peelable material, because the contact between the moving strip N and the stationary (i.e. non-rotating) rollers 19, 19', 21, 21' may easily cause the strip N to break.

[0049] The actuation system 23 of the fixed rollers 19, 19' comprises, on both sides of the storage unit 3, a belt system 23' coupled to respective pulleys and set to rotate counterclockwise by a motor drive 25. Each of the two belts of the belt system 23' (only one side of the storage unit 3 is shown in FIG. 13) unwinds along a vertical plane tangent to the small wheels 19a, 19'a of all the fixed rollers 19, 19' of the first and second series. The fixed rollers 19, 19', once actuated with an appropriate tangential speed, return to move idly until they come into contact with the strip N, since the belt system 23' is connected to an actuator 23a which translates it horizontally away from the small wheels 19a, 19'a.

[0050] The actuation system 24 of the movable rollers 21, 21' comprises, on both sides of the storage unit 3, a belt system 24' coupled to a respective pulley and set to rotate clockwise by a motor drive 26. Each of the two belts of the belt system 24' (only one side of the storage unit 3 is shown in FIG. 13) rewinds along a vertical plane in contact with all the movable rollers 21, 21' of the first and second series when they are in a retracted condition. When the movable rollers 21, 21' move into the extended position, the belt system 24' is no longer in contact with it, so that the movable rollers 21, 21' return to a free-floating movement until they come into contact with the strip N.

[0051] The actuation systems 23, 24 are, for the reasons explained above, only activated immediately after the step of feeding the strip N into the machine 1, i.e. just before the rollers 19, 19', 21, 21' come into contact with the strip N. Once in contact with the strip N, the movement of the strip N along the path P causes the rollers 19, 19', 21, 21' to continue to rotate, which are mounted in an idle state as explained above.

[0052] Figure 14 shows the operating state of the storage unit 3 during the step of depositing the strip N described above. The strip N is driven by the attachment bar 9 (not shown) along the path P indicated by the arrow, passing between the fixed rollers 19, 19' and the now stationary movable rollers 21, 21'.

[0053] Figure 15 shows the next step, where the loading of the strip N is completed and the fixed rollers 19, 19' and the movable rollers 21, 21' are set to rotate by the respective actuation systems 23, 24. The arrows indicate the direction of rotation: clockwise for the movable rollers 21, 21' and counterclockwise for the fixed rollers 19, 19'.

[0054] Finally, Fig. 16 shows the next step, with the machine 1 in normal operating condition: the movable rollers 21, 21' advance to their extended position and are introduced between two successive fixed rollers 19, 19', engaging the strip N so as to stretch it and form meanders. The movement of the movable rollers 21, 21' from the retracted position to the extended position and vice versa, as indicated by the arrows, allows the total length of the path P to be adjusted as required, by lengthening it (the movable rollers 21, 21' are in a more extended position) or shortening it (the movable rollers 21, 21' are in a less extended position), which serves as a storage buffer for the strip N being processed in case of downstream processing stoppages or decelerations in the winding unit 4.

[0055] The winding unit 4 comprises a rotatable disk 29 supporting the two winding shafts 5, 5' of the coil B. The rotatable disk 29 allows the winding shafts 5, 5' to be rotated by a suitable motor drive.

[0056] The winding unit 4 further comprises a feed roller 30 for the strip N to the winding position.

[0057] The winding shafts 5, 5' are arranged at diametrically opposite positions on the disk 29, and a 180 degree rotation of the disk 29 allows either the first winding shaft 5 or the second winding shaft 5' to be moved alternately into the winding position.

[0058] Therefore, the converting machine 1 according to the invention is able to achieve the objectives set out at the beginning.

[0059] In particular, by means of a special arrangement of the actuation system for the movable rollers 21, 21' of the storage unit 3 and / or an automatic dosing system, strips N made of particularly delicate, weakly adhesive and / or peeling material can also be subjected to the converting operation, without giving up the high productivity associated with the automation of the various operations.

[0060] However, it should be understood that even if the automatic dosing unit as described above is omitted or completely omitted, the storage unit 3 of the present invention alone is capable of managing the converting operation without causing damage or tearing of the strip N made of delicate material.

[0061] It is obvious that only some specific embodiments of the invention have been described, and a person skilled in the art will be able to make all the modifications necessary to adapt the invention to a particular application, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. A machine (1) for processing a material coil into smaller coils, A material strip (N) feeding unit (2) into the machine (1), A storage unit (3) for the strip (N) to be processed, A winding unit (4) for the strip (N) on a winding shaft (5, 5') for forming each coil (B), Equipped with, The aforementioned strip moves along the path (P), The input unit, the storage unit, and the winding unit are arranged along the path (P), The storage unit (3) is A first movable support structure (20) for a first series of movable rollers (21) and a second movable support structure (20') for a second series of movable rollers (21'), wherein each series of movable rollers (21, 21') comprises a plurality of rollers aligned vertically in a plane parallel to first and second linear path stretches (Pv1, Pv2), the first and second linear path stretches (Pv1, Pv2) are connected by a third upper path stretch (Ps) to support the movable support structures (20, 20') below. The enclosing as a whole forms a substantially π-shaped path stretch (P), and the first and second movable support structures (20, 20') slide in opposite directions away from each other between a retracted position in which the movable rollers (21, 21') do not contact the strip (N) and a plurality of extended positions in which the movable rollers (21, 21') contact the strip (N), the first movable support structure (20) for the first series of movable rollers (21) and the second movable support structure (20') for the second series of movable rollers (21'), A first series of fixed rollers (19) and a second series of fixed rollers (19') are positioned opposite to the first and second series of movable rollers (21, 21'), respectively, but offset perpendicularly to each other, and each series of fixed rollers (19, 19') lies on a plane parallel to the first (Pv1) and second (Pv2) path stretches of the path (P), and faces one side of the path stretches (Pv1, Pv2) opposite to the first and second series of movable rollers (21, 21'), i.e., outside the π-shaped path stretch, and the path stretches (Pv1, Pv2) are positioned between the fixed rollers (19, 19') and the movable rollers (21, 21'), and the first series of fixed rollers (19) and the second series of fixed rollers (19') Equipped with, Machine (1).

2. The aforementioned path (P) is defined by a plurality of idler gears (8) and at least one motorized gear (8'), The machine (1) according to claim 1.

3. The fixed rollers (19, 19') and the movable rollers (21, 21') are in an idle state and are separated vertically by the same distance. The fixed rollers (19, 19') are offset perpendicularly to the movable rollers (21, 21') so that when the movable rollers (21, 21') are positioned in the extended position, they do not interfere with each other. The machine (1) according to claim 1.

4. The storage unit (3) comprises a starting system (23) for the fixed rollers (19, 19') and a starting system (24) for the movable rollers (21, 21'), The starting system (23, 24) is configured to cause the fixed rollers (19, 19') and the movable rollers (21, 21') to take a tangential speed substantially equal to the running speed of the strip (N) along the path (P) during the step of loading the strip (N). The machine (1) according to claim 1.

5. The starting system (23) of the fixed rollers (19, 19') comprises a belt system (23') connected to each pulley and rotated counterclockwise by a drive unit (25), Each belt of the belt system (23') is unwound along the vertical surface that contacts the wheels (19a, 19'a) of all the fixed rollers (19, 19') of the first and second series, The belt system (23') is connected to an actuator that moves horizontally away from the wheels (19a, 19'a) so that once the fixed rollers (19, 19') are started at an appropriate tangential speed, they return to a free-moving state until they make contact with the strip. The machine (1) according to claim 4.

6. The starting system (24) of the movable rollers (21, 21') comprises a belt system (24') connected to each pulley and rotated clockwise by a drive unit (26), Each belt of the belt system (24') is unwound along a vertical plane that contacts all of the movable rollers (21, 21') of the first and second series when in the retracted position. The machine (1) according to claim 4.

7. Both the fixed rollers (19, 19') and the movable rollers (21, 21') have surfaces formed of an elastic material, typically rubber, so as to contact the strip (N) without damaging it. The machine (1) according to claim 1.

8. The storage unit (3) comprises first and second panels (3a, 3b), The panels (3a, 3b) are arranged facing each other so as to surround the space between the first movable support structure (20) and the second movable support structure (20'), Each of the aforementioned movable support structures (20, 20') is arranged parallel to each other and parallel to each of the aforementioned panels (3a, 3b), and each comprises a pair of comb-shaped supports (22, 22') having a plurality of horizontal arms (26, 26'), The horizontal arms (26) of the first pair of comb-shaped supports (22) face the first straight path stretch (Pv1) of the path (P), and the horizontal arms (26') of the second pair of comb-shaped supports (22') face the second straight path stretch (Pv2) of the path (P), Each of the movable rollers (21) of the first movable support structure (20) is loosely supported by pins (27) at the distal ends of a pair of horizontal arms (26) extending from each of the pair of comb-shaped supports (22), and each of the movable rollers (21') of the second movable support structure (20') is loosely supported by pins (27) at the distal ends of a pair of horizontal arms (26') extending from each of the pair of comb-shaped supports (22'). The machine (1) according to claim 1.

9. To prevent interference between the movable support structures (20, 20') when they travel in opposite directions, the distance between the two comb-shaped supports (22) of the first movable support structure (20) is greater than the distance between the two comb-shaped supports (22') of the second movable support structure (20'). The first and second movable support structures (20, 20') are positioned such that all of the horizontal arms (26, 26'), except for one end arm, are vertically offset by a distance such that they lie on the same horizontal plane. The machine (1) according to claim 8.

10. The feeding unit (2) of the strip (N) includes an auxiliary system (6) for the strip (N) from the feeding unit (2) to the winding unit (4), The aforementioned accessory system (6) is formed by a double chain (7) comprising a first chain (7a) and a second chain (7b), and an accessory bar (9) made of a ferromagnetic material or comprising a component made of a ferromagnetic material. The attached bar (9) is driven by the first and second chains (7a, 7b), The double chain (7) unfolds in a loop along the path (P), The attached bar (9) is movable along the loop-shaped path (P) and is configured to drive the strip (N) from the feeding unit (2) to the winding unit (4), release the strip (N), and then return to the starting point of the feeding unit. The auxiliary system (6) further comprises a non-motorized magnet bar (10) that travels freely along the path (P), the non-motorized magnet bar being configured to couple with the auxiliary bar (9) during the operation steps of a method for loading a new strip (N). The machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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