Product handling apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus (1) for handling products (100) along a path (P), comprising: - a first handling unit (2) having first conveyors (20) configured to move in succession around a first axis (A1-A1) to transport respective products (100) along the path (P) towards a transfer section (T) and sequentially travel along the transfer section (T), - a second handling unit (3) comprising second conveyors (30) configured to move in succession around a second axis (A2-A2) to sequentially travel along the transfer section (T), collect respective products (100) from the first conveyors (20) within the transfer section (T) and transport them along the path (P) away from the transfer section (T), - transmission members (4) configured for kinematically constraining the movement of the first conveyors (20) around the first axis (A1-A1) to the movement of the second conveyors (30) around the second axis (A2-A2) so that each first conveyor (20) is associated to a respective second conveyor (30) within the transfer section (T), - drive members (5) configured for driving the transmission members (4) and moving the first and the second conveyors (20, 30), wherein the transmission members (4) comprise a speed variator (6) configured for cyclically varying the angular speed at which the first conveyors (20) move around the first axis (A1-A1).

Description

PRODUCT HANDLING APPARATUSDESCRIPTIONTechnical FieldThe present invention relates to an apparatus for handling products that can be used, for example, to transport mechanical or plastic components or any other three- dimensional body.Background ArtIn the industrial sector, the need to transport products quickly and reliably along a curvilinear path is well known.To meet this need, automated apparatuses employing two or more cooperating handling units to transport a series of products along a predetermined path have since long been developed.Each unit is provided with conveyors configured to receive a product, transport it along a path section, and finally hand it over to the conveyors of the next unit at a transfer section. In doing so, the products, passing in succession through the handling units, travel along the predetermined path.Examples of these apparatuses are described in the documents IT1145100B, US1846009A, and CA1228568A.A further example of an automated apparatus for transporting products can be found in the facility described in the document US2014231673A1. Such an apparatus for transporting products comprises a first and a second group of conveyors handled by a first and a second transmission shaft kinematically constrained by gears to which they are fitted. Referring to Figure 5 of US2014231673A1, a motor (referred to by the reference numeral 49) controls the rotation of an array of gears including those to which the aforementioned first and second shafts are fitted. It is worth noting that in paragraph

[0064] it is indicated that the motor moves the rotary tables - and, therefore, the arrayof gears and the conveyors to which they are fixed - at a predetermined (singular) speed, i.e., at a constant speed.It is worth noting that, in the transfer sections, the conveyors of different handling units remain associated for a time lapse that depends on the movement speed of the conveyors themselves.In order for the transfer operation to be successful, it is necessary that the time interval in which the conveyors remain associated is congruent with that required for the complete transfer of the product from the conveyor of one handling unit to that of the next one.The excessive difference in the movement speed between the conveyors of different handling units or the excessive movement speed of the conveyors increases, therefore, the probability of failed transfers, thereby reducing the apparatus reliability. Thus, known apparatuses require limiting the maximum speed of the conveyors to obtain good reliabilities.Disadvantageously, the restriction on the maximum speed of the conveyors reduces the transport capacity (number of transported products per unit of time) of the apparatus. Thus, the known apparatuses do not allow high transport capacities to be achieved without impairing operational reliability.In the background art, automated apparatuses for transporting products having a buffer interposed between an upstream handling unit and a downstream handling unit are also known. The buffer allows the handling units to be de-coupled and, therefore, to avoid the need to synchronize the handling of the respective conveyors so that they are associated in a transfer section for pieces. Indeed, this type of automated apparatuses lack a transfer section travelled by the conveyors of different handling units pass and in which such conveyors of different handling units are mutually associated to allow the operation of transferring pieces from one handling unit to the next one.An example of this type of automated apparatuses provided with a buffer isdescribed in the document EP 3359475 Bl. In detail, following the numbering used in EP 3359475 Bl, the apparatus described in the latter document comprises a first handling unit 3 provided with first conveyors 8 arranged on a first rotor 6, a second handling unit 4 provided with second conveyors 13 arranged on a second rotor 11, and a variable-capacity buffer unit 5 interposed between the first and the second handling unit 3, 4. The buffer unit 5 is configured to receive the products from the conveyors of the first handling unit and then hand them over to those of the second handling unit, and comprises a pair of rotary tables 16A, 16Z adapted to modify their mutual position (see trajectories 18 A, 18Z) in order to vary the storage capacity of the buffer unit. As indicated in paragraph

[0059] of EP3359475B1, the handling of the rotary tables 16A, 16Z of the buffer unit 5 along the respective trajectories 18 A, 18Z is controlled by an array of gears 40, 41, 42, when the rotation speeds of the first and second rotors 6, 11 are different. In this regard, referring to paragraph

[0050] , it is worth noting that in EP3359475B1 the first rotor 6 carrying the first conveyors 8 and the second rotor 11 carrying the second conveyors 13 are free to rotate independently from each other, that is, they are kinematically disconnected. Thus, the array of gears 40, 41, 42 is employed only to modify the storage capacity of the buffer by modifying the mutual position of the rotary tables 16 A, 16Z, and not to mutually constrain the rotation of the first and second rotors 6, 11, on which the first and the second conveyors 8, 13 are arranged.Disadvantageously, the automated apparatus of EP 3359475 Bl - like all apparatuses for transporting products provided with a buffer - is structurally very complex and expensive.Object of The InventionIn this context, the technical task underlying the present invention is to propose an apparatus for handling products which overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks of the known art.Specifically, it is an object of the present invention to make available an apparatus for handling products capable of transporting a high number of products per unit of time while maintaining a good reliability. That is, an apparatus for handling products capable of achieving high transport capacities without impairing the reliability.It is a further object of the present invention to make available an apparatus for handling products having a simple construction.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe stated technical task and the specified objects are substantially achieved by an apparatus for handling products comprising the technical features set forth in one or more of the appended claims.Specifically, unlike the apparatus of EP3359475B1 in which the rotors carrying the conveyors of the handling units rotate independently from each other (see Par.

[0050] of EP3359475B1), the present invention proposes to kinematically constrain the handling of the conveyors of a first and a second handling unit by means of transmission members so that they are mutually associated in a transfer section.The present invention also proposes to use transmission members comprising a speed variator configured for cyclically varying the speed at which the conveyors of one of the handling units move.Advantageously, the speed variator allows to reduce the speed difference between the conveyors within the transfer sections and then increase it outside the latter.The reduced difference in the speed of the conveyors within the transfer section increases the time useful for performing the transfer operations, while the high speed of the conveyors outside the transfer section increases the transport capacity of the apparatus.It is therefore clear that the apparatus constituting the object of the present invention is capable of achieving high transport capacities, while maintaining a highreliability.It is worth noting that the apparatus constituting the object of the present invention transfers the products from the conveyors of the first handling unit directly to the conveyors of the second handling unit within the transfer section. Thus, the apparatus according to the present invention - unlike the one described in EP 3359475 Bl - has a simple construction since it does not comprise a buffer between the first and the second transport unit.LIST OF THE FIGURESFurther features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the indicative, and therefore non-limiting, description of a preferred, though not exclusive, embodiment of an apparatus for handling products, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 shows a side view of the apparatus for handling products according to the present invention with some components in section,- Figure 2 shows a perspective view of some components of the apparatus for handling products of Figure 1,- Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the components of Figure 2 with some parts removed in order to better show the others,- Figure 4 shows a sectional view of some components of Figure 2,- Figure 5 shows a top view of the apparatus of Figure 1 with some parts removed in order to better show the others.DETAILED DESCRIPTIONReferring to the attached Figures, the object of the present invention is an apparatus 1 for handling products 100 along a predetermined path P.It should be specified that the term “products” is intended to refer, for example,to metal or plastic mechanical components, in particular to be assembled, which need to be transported along a predetermined path P.The transport operation of the products 100 along the path P is preferably carried out continuously, i.e. without ever stopping the handling thereof.The path P, along which the apparatus 1 handles the products 100 in succession, can have any shape. For example, in the embodiment of Figure 5, the path P has a curvilinear geometry, however, in alternative embodiments, it could be a mixed path featuring straight, spiroid, circular, and howsoever arcuate sections.Referring to Figure 5, the path P has a transfer section T in which, as it will become more apparent hereinbelow, the products 100 are transferred from a handling unit to another.According to an aspect, the transfer section T has a first edge and a second edge opposed to the first one.The apparatus 1 constituting the object of the present invention comprises at least a first and a second handling unit 2, 3 arranged in succession along the path P and configured to transport the products 100 along the respective sections.In detail, referring to Figure 5, the first handling unit 2 is configured to move (handle) the products 100 along a first section Pl of the path P arranged upstream of the transfer section T, whereas the second handling unit 3 is configured to move (handle) the products 100 along a second section P2 of the path P arranged downstream of the transfer section T. Therefore, the transfer section T is interposed between the first and the second section Pl, P2 and joins them.The first handling unit 2 comprises first conveyors 20 configured to move in succession around a first axis Al -Al to transport respective products 100 along the path P towards the transfer section T, i.e., along the first section Pl.Referring to Figure 5, it is worth noting that the first conveyors 20, moving in succession around the first axis Al -Al, travel sequentially along the transfer section T.Preferably, the first conveyors 20 are configured to travel along the transfer section T on the first edge.It should be specified that, according to what has been shown in Figure 5, the first conveyors 20, while moving in succession around the first axis Al-Al, travel along a closed path C.Preferably, the closed path C defines a concave geometric figure (i.e., a flat figure for which there exist at least two inner points such that the segment connecting them is not entirely contained in the figure).Still more preferably, the closed path C comprises a concave section Cl - a section determining the concavity of the geometric figure defined by the closed path C (i.e., the section of the closed path through which the segments having as their ends inner points at least partly not contained in the figure pass) - associated with the transfer section T so that, when the first conveyors travel along the concave section Cl, the transported products 100 pass through the transfer section T.The second handling unit 3 comprises second conveyors 30 configured to move in succession around a second axis A2-A2 to collect respective products 100 from the first conveyors 20 within the transfer section T and transport them along said path P away from the transfer section T, i.e., along the second section P2.Referring to Figure 5, it is worth noting that the second conveyors 30, moving in succession around the second axis A2-A2, travel sequentially along the transfer section T.Preferably, the second conveyors 30 are configured to travel along the transfer section T on the second edge.Referring to Figure 5, it is worth noting that the second conveyors 30 are configured to collect the products 100 directly from the respective first conveyors 20 when they are associated to the latter within the transfer section T. Thus, the apparatus 1 constituting the object of the present invention has a simple construction since it doesnot comprise a buffer interposed between the first and the second handling unit 2, 3, which would prevent the products to be delivered directly from the first conveyors 20 of the first handling unit 2 to the respective second conveyors 30 of the second handling unit 3. The first and the second handling unit 2, 3 are, therefore, successive units arranged in series.Preferably, the first and the second conveyors 20, 30 move integrally around the respective axes Al -Al, A2-A2.The angular speed at which the first conveyors 20 move around the first axis Al- A1 can be different from the angular speed at which the second conveyors 30 move around the second axis A2-A2. However, according to what is reported hereinbelow, it should be specified that within the transfer section T the angular speed of the first and second conveyors 20, 30 is the same.The first conveyors 20 and the second conveyors 30 will be structurally examined in depth in a following part of the description, for now suffice it to know that they are configured to interact with the products 100 - such as, for example, to support or grasp them - so as to be able to move them along the path P and transfer them along the transfer section T.It is worth noting that, in order for the transfer of the products 100 from a first conveyor 20 to a respective second conveyor 30 to be possible, these have to be associated within the transfer section T. In particular, at the time of transfer, the first and the second conveyors 20, 30 travel along the transfer section T at the same angular speed around the respective axes Al -Al, A2-A1 facing each other.Referring to Figure 5, it is worth noting that, when associated within the transfer section T, the first conveyor 20 and the respective second conveyor 30 travel simultaneously along the transfer section T.Specifically, when associated within the transfer section T, the first conveyor 20 and the respective second conveyor 30 preferably simultaneously complete the sametrajectory at each other.Still referring to Figure 5, it should be specified that, when associated within the transfer section T, the first conveyor 20 and the respective second conveyor 30 preferably travel along the transfer section T mutually facing each other. That is to say that, when associated within the transfer section T, the first conveyor 20 and the respective second conveyor 30, are preferably arranged on opposite edges / parts of the transfer section T.According to an aspect, the first conveyors 20, moving around the first axis Al- Al, travel in succession along the transfer section T on the first edge, and the second conveyors 30, moving around the second axis A2-A2, travel in succession the transfer section T on the second edge.Referring to Figure 1, to ensure the association of the first conveyors 20 with the respective second conveyors 30 within the transfer section T, the apparatus 1 comprises transmission members 4 configured for kinematically constraining the handling of the first conveyors around the first axis Al-Al to that of the second conveyors 30 around the second axis A2-A2.The apparatus 1 also comprises drive members 5 configured for driving the transmission members 4 and moving the first conveyors 20 around the first axis Al-Al and the second conveyors 30 around the second axis A2-A2. For example, the drive members 5 comprise an electric motor 50.Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the transmission members 4 comprise a speed variator 6 configured for cyclically varying the angular speed at which the first conveyors 20 move around the first axis Al-Al.It should be specified that, in the context of the present invention, the term “cyclically” means that the speed variator 6 is configured for handling the first conveyors 20 around the first axis Al-Al at a periodically varied angular speed. Specifically, the speed variator 6 is configured for making the angular speed of the firstconveyors 20 around the first axis Al -Al vary between a maximum speed value and a minimum speed value according to a predetermined periodic kinematic rule devoid of acceleration and speed discontinuities.According to an embodiment, the minimum speed value is greater than zero rad / s (i.e., it is not null). This allows a continuous (i.e., non-intermittent) transport of products 100 to be carried out.According to an aspect, the speed variator 6 causes the angular speed value of the conveyors 20 and 30 around the respective axes Al-Al, A2-A2 to be the same whenever a first and a respective second conveyor 20, 30 are in the transfer section. It is thereby possible to increase the time lapse useful for the transfer operation and, at the same time, obtain an apparatus with excellent transport capacity in terms of transported products per unit of time. In other words, the speed variator 6 is configured for making the first and the second conveyors 20, 30 to travel along the transfer section T at the same speed.Referring to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 5, the first handling unit 2 comprises a first shaft 21 rotatable around the first axis Al-Al and kinematically connected to the first conveyors 20 to control the handling thereof around the first axis Al-Al.Furthermore, still referring to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 5, the second handling unit 3 comprises a second shaft 31 rotatable around the second axis A2-A2 and kinematically connected to the second conveyors 30 to control the handling thereof around the second axis A2-A2.Preferably, the first and the second shaft extend along the first and the second axis Al-Al, A2-A2, respectively.The first axis Al-Al is preferably directed in parallel to the second axis A2-A2.According to an aspect, the speed variator 6 is connected to the first and to the second shaft 21, 31, such as by means of gears 40, 41, 42, 43.In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the speed variator 6 is kinematically interposed between the first shaft 21 and the second shaft 31 so as to create a kinematic constraint between the rotation of the first shaft 21 around the first axis Al -Al and that of the second shaft 31 around the second axis A2-A2.Specifically, the speed variator 6 preferably comprises an input shaft 60 kinematically connected to the second shaft 31, an output shaft 61 kinematically connected to the first shaft 21 - for example, by gears 42, 43 -, and speed variator members 62 configured for varying the angular speed of the output shaft 61 as a function of that of the input shaft 60.The speed variator 6 can be, for example, a mechanical cam transmission member such as an oscillator.According to an embodiment, the drive members 5 are configured for rotating the second shaft 31 around the second axis A2-A2 at a constant angular speed, and the speed variator 6, when driven by the drive members 5, is configured for cyclically varying the angular speed of the first shaft 21 around the first axis Al-Al.Referring to the embodiment of Figure 1, the transmission members 4 comprise a first gear 40 kinematically connected to the first shaft 21 by means of the speed variator 6, and a second gear 41 fitted to the second shaft 31 and meshed with the first gear 40.Preferably, in use, the drive members 5 rotate the second shaft 31 which, by means of the first gear 40 meshed with the second gear 41, drives the speed variator 6 which, in turn, rotates the first shaft 21 around the first rotation axis Al-Al at a cyclically varied angular speed.According to an aspect, the first gear 40 is configured for being rotated around the first rotation axis Al-Al.In the embodiment of Figure 5, the first handling unit 2 comprises a guide 22, configured for guiding the first conveyors 20, extending around the first axis Al-Alalong the aforementioned closed path C.Preferably, the guide 22 is made in a fixed base body 26 of the first handling unit 2.When operated by the drive members 5, the first conveyors 20 slide within the guide 22 moving in succession around the first axis Al -Al along the closed path C and transporting the respective products 100 along the first section Pl of the path P.Preferably, each first conveyor 20 comprises a slide 23 kinematically connected to the drive members 5 to be rotated around the first axis Al -Al.To realize the kinematic connection of the drive members 5 to the slides 23, the first handling unit 2 comprises, for example, a table 25 rotating around the first axis Al -Al, on which the slides 23 are fixed.Preferably, the slides 23 are arranged on the table 25 around the first axis Al -Al along a first circumferential direction Cl -Cl so that, when the table 25 is rotated, the first conveyors 20 are handled in succession around the first axis Al-Al.According to an aspect shown in Figures 2 and 4, the table 25 is mounted on the first shaft 21 so as to be rotationally integral therewith around the first axis Al-Al. Thus, in use, the handling of the first conveyors 20 around the first axis Al-Al is driven by the first shaft 21 through the table 25.Referring to the embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 4, the table 25 and the base body 26 are spaced apart and opposite to each other along the direction defined by the first axis Al-Al. In particular, the first conveyors 20 are interposed between the table 25 and the base body 26.Each first conveyor 20 also comprises a slider 24 slidably mounted on the slide 23 along a radial direction R-R with respect to the first axis Al-Al and engaged within the guide 22 by means of a pin 24a, for example.When the slide 23 is handled around the first axis Al-Al, the slider 24 slides on the slide 23 in the radial direction R-R being controlled by the guide 22. Thus, thegeometrical shape of the guide 22 determines the position of the slider 24 on the slide 23 as a function of the angular position of the slide 23 around the first axis Al -Al.Referring to the embodiment of Figure 4, the slider 24 has a support portion 24b configured for supporting a respective product 100.It should be specified that the person skilled in the art is able to independently determine the geometry of the support portion 24b according to the product to be transported. By way of example, the support portion 24 can comprise a notch adapted to receive the product 100 or known gripping members.In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 5, the second handling unit 3 comprises a main body 32 which is configured for being rotated around the second axis A2-A2 by the drive members 5 and on which the second conveyors 30 are mounted.Preferably, the second conveyors 30 are arranged on the main body 32 around the second axis A2-A2 along a second circumferential direction C2-C2 so that, when the main body 32 is rotated, the second conveyors 30 are handled in succession around the second axis A2-A2.The second conveyors 30 preferably comprise gripping members 33 configured to collect the products 100 from the respective first conveyors 20 in the transfer section T, and transport them along the second section P2 of the path P.The shape and type of the gripping members 33 depend on the product 100 to be transported. For example, in the embodiment of Figure 1, the gripping members 33 of each second conveyor 30 comprise a first and a second element 33a, 33b which are opposite to each other and configured to approach and move away to collect the product 100. Specifically, referring to the arrows M in Figure 1, the first and the second element 33 a, 33b of the gripping members 33 are configured to approach from opposite sides to the product 100 within the transfer section T so as to collect it from the first conveyor20.The gripping members 33 can further comprise mechanical systems (grippers,jaws), but also systems using vacuum (suction cups).It is clear that, in order to meet current, specific needs, several modifications and variations can be made to the above configurations by the person skilled in the art. However, such modifications and variations are all included within the scope of protection as defined by the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An apparatus (1) for handling products (100) along a path (P) having a transfer section (T), the apparatus (1) comprising:- a first handling unit (2) having first conveyors (20) configured to move in succession around a first axis (Al-Al) to transport respective products (100) along said path (P) towards the transfer section (T) and to sequentially travel along the transfer section (T),- a second handling unit (3) comprising second conveyors (30) configured to move in succession around a second axis (A2-A2) to sequentially travel along the transfer section (T), to collect respective products (100) from the first conveyors (20) within the transfer section (T) and to transport them along said path (P) away from the transfer section (T),- transmission members (4) configured for kinematically constraining the movement of the first conveyors (20) around the first axis (Al-Al) to the movement of the second conveyors (30) around the second axis (A2-A2) so that each first conveyor (20) is associated to a respective second conveyor (30) within the transfer section (T),- drive members (5) configured for driving the transmission members (4) and moving the first conveyors (20) around the first axis (Al-Al) and the second conveyors (30) around the second axis (A2-A2), characterized in that the transmission members (4) comprise a speed variator (6) configured for cyclically varying the angular speed at which the first conveyors (20) move around the first axis (Al-Al).

2. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein the second conveyors (30) are configured to collect the products (100) directly from the respective first conveyors (20) within the transfer section (T).

3. The apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each first conveyor (20) and the respective second conveyor (30), when associated, travel along the transfer section (T) mutually facing each other.

4. The apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each first conveyor (20) and the respective second conveyor (30), when associated within the transfer section (T), simultaneously travel the same trajectory at each other.

5. The apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the speed variator (6) is configured for cyclically bringing the angular speed at which the first conveyors (20) move around the first axis (Al-Al) to the angular speed at which the second conveyors (30) move around the second axis (A2-A2) when the first and the second conveyors (20, 30) are associated within the transfer section (T).

6. The apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the speed variator (6) is configured for cyclically varying the angular speed at which the first conveyors (20) move around the first axis (Al-Al) with respect to the angular speed at which the second conveyors (30) move around the second axis (A2-A2).

7. The apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the speed variator (6) is configured for making the angular speed of the first conveyors (20) around the first axis (Al-Al) vary between a maximum speed value and a minimum speed value according to a predetermined periodic kinematic rule devoid of acceleration and speed discontinuities, the minimum speed value being greater than 0 rad / s.

8. The apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein:- the first handling unit (2) comprises a first shaft (21) rotatable around the first axis(Al-Al) and kinematically connected to the first conveyors (20) to control the movement of the first conveyors (20) around the first axis (Al-Al),- the second handling unit (3) comprises a second shaft (31) rotatable around the second axis (A2-A2) and kinematically connected to the second conveyors (30) to control the movement of the second conveyors (30) around the second axis (A2-A2),- the speed variator (6) is kinematically connected to the first shaft (21) and to the second shaft (31).

9. The apparatus (1) according to claim 8, wherein the speed variator (6) is interposed between the first shaft (21) and the second shaft (31) so as to kinematically constrain the rotation of the first shaft (21) around the first axis (Al-Al) to the rotation of the second shaft (31) around the second axis (A2-A2).

10. The apparatus (1) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the speed variator (6) comprises:- an input shaft (60) kinematically connected to the second shaft (31)- an output shaft (61) kinematically connected to the first shaft (21)- speed variator members (62) configured for varying the angular speed of the output shaft (61) as a function of that of the input shaft (60) according to a prescribed periodic kinematic rule.

11. The apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein:- the drive members (5) are configured for rotating the second shaft (31) around the second axis (A2-A2) at a constant angular speed,- the speed variator (6) is driven by the drive members (5) and is configured for cyclically varying the angular speed of the first shaft (21) around the first axis (Al-Al).

12. The apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the transmission members (4) comprise:- a first gear (40) kinematically connected to the first shaft (21) by means of the speed variator (6),- a second gear (41) fitted to the second shaft (31) so as to be rotatably integral with the second shaft (31) around the second axis (A2-A2), the second gear (41) being meshed with the first gear (40).

13. The apparatus (1) according to claim 12, wherein the first gear (40) is configured for being rotated around the first rotation axis (Al-Al).

14. The apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein:- the first handling unit (2) comprises a guide (22) extending around the first axis (Al- Al) along a closed path (C) and configured for guiding the first conveyors (20) around the first axis (Al-Al),- the second handling unit (3) comprises a main body (32) configured for being rotated around the second axis (A2-A2) by the drive members (5), the second conveyors (30) being mounted on the main body (32) around the second axis (A2-A2).

15. The apparatus (1) according to claim 9, wherein the first conveyors (20) comprise:- a slide (23) kinematically connected to the drive members (5) to be rotated around the first axis (Al-Al),- a slider (24) slidably mounted on the slide (23) along a radial direction (R-R) with respect to the first axis (Al-Al) and engaged within said guide (22), the slider (24) having a support portion (24b) configured for supporting a respective product (100).

16. The apparatus (1) according to claim 10, wherein the first handling unit (2)comprises a table (25) rotating around the first axis (Al-Al) and the slides (23) of the first conveyors (20) are fixed to said table (25).

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