Apparatus and method for transporting pieces of sheet material

Abstract

An apparatus (1 ) for transporting pieces (4) of sheet material comprises a first (3) and a second (11 ) transport surface extending along a transport direction (T) to transport a piece (4) of sheet material along a transport plane (P) defined by the transport surfaces (3, 11 ), wherein the first (3) and the second (11 ) transport surfaces are spaced apart from each other along the transport direction (T) by an interspace (28), wherein the apparatus (1 ) further comprises a diverting device (33) configured to selectively divert a piece (4) of sheet material away from the transport plane (P) of the pieces (4) and positioned above the transport plane (P) at the interspace (28), wherein the diverting device (33) comprises: - a diverting element (34) provided, at one of its free ends (34a) proximal to the transport plane (P) of the pieces (4), with an engagement component (35) configured to engage a piece (4) of sheet material, - a driving device (39) of the diverting element (34) configured to drive the engagement component (35) along an intercepting trajectory of an end portion of a piece (4) of sheet material incident with respect to the transport plane (P) and with an orientation concordant with the transport direction (T) between: i) at least one non-operating position, not interfering with the transport plane (P) of the pieces (4), wherein the engagement component (35) of the diverting element (34) is positioned above the transport plane (P), and ii) at least one operating position, interfering with the transport plane (P) of the pieces, wherein the engagement component (35) of the diverting element (34) is inserted into the interspace (28) to selectively divert the piece (4) of sheet material away from the transport plane (P).

Description

[0001] Apparatus and method for transporting pieces of sheet material

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] Field of the invention

[0004] The present invention relates to apparatuses and methods for transporting pieces of sheet material.

[0005] In particular, the present invention relates to apparatuses and methods for transporting electrode precursors for electrochemical cells comprising a metal foil coated on at least one surface thereof with a layer of an active material for electrodes.

[0006] The present invention can in particular be applied in the context of plants and methods for making secondary batteries or capacitors, wherein flat electrode precursors and dielectric separator sheets are stacked together according to a predetermined stacking pattern.

[0007] Background of the invention

[0008] In the industrial sector of the production of electric accumulators, electrochemical cells are produced made of stacks of positive and negative electrode precursors, alternately arranged one above the other, with a separation layer of dielectric material interposed, generally indicated in the technical jargon of the sector by the term “separator”.

[0009] Electrode precursors are substantially made by depositing a layer of active material for electrodes on one surface or on both surfaces of a current collector metal foil. By choosing a suitable combination of active material for electrodes and of material of the current-collecting metal foil, electrode precursors may be obtained intended for making positive electrodes and electrode precursors intended for making negative electrodes.

[0010] The aforesaid electrochemical cells are usually made by stacking a positive electrode precursor on a separator sheet, stacking a further separator sheet on the positive electrode precursor, and stacking a negative electrode precursor on the further separator sheet to obtain a first stacking group.

[0011] This operation is repeated by stacking as many stacking groups one above the other as are necessary to obtain the desired electrical characteristics of the electrolytic cell. By adding an electrolyte to the stacking group, ions can migrate between anode and cathode transforming the electrode precursors into electrodes and the electrochemical cell into a battery.

[0012] In the Applicant's experience, the positive and negative electrode precursors are cut into pieces of sheet material, in particular square- or rectangular-shaped foils of desired dimensions (corresponding to the dimensions that the electrolytic cell must have), from respective coils of positive and negative electrode precursor previously sectioned into strips having a width substantially equal to one of the dimensions of the electrode precursor foils.

[0013] The positive electrode precursor foils thus obtained are temporarily stored (very often by stacking them one on top of each other), and the negative electrode precursor foils are temporarily stored (very often by stacking them one on top of each other).

[0014] When electrolytic cells are to be made, the positive electrode precursor foils, the negative electrode precursor foils and the separator sheets are conveyed to a stacking apparatus which in succession picks up a separator sheet, a positive electrode precursor foil, a further separator sheet and a negative electrode precursor foil by stacking them in a stacking station and making an electrochemical cell.

[0015] Related art

[0016] In the Applicant’s experience, pieces of sheet material are in particular usually transported to the apparatuses for their processing by means of belt conveyors which are often equipped with suitable retaining systems to ensure the adhesion of each piece, for example of an electrode precursor, to the belt conveyor during transport. In this regard, retaining systems are often used comprising suction modules arranged below the belt conveyors and operatively connected to a vacuum system adapted to create a vacuum (suction effect) at suction holes drilled in the belt conveyor.

[0017] WO 2013 / 03831 1 A1 discloses a diverter device for deflecting sanitary articles from a flow of articles being fed along a path comprising: an arch-shaped deflector element that may be set straddling the aforesaid path of feed of the articles; a supporting structure that supports the deflector element with capacity for moving between an inactive position, in which the deflector element does not interfere with said articles being fed, and an active position, in which the deflector element interferes with the articles to deflect them from the flow, and an actuator mechanism for producing the movement of the deflector element in a controlled way between the active position and the inactive position.

[0018] Summary of the invention

[0019] In the Applicant’s experience, there is a growing need, in general in the manufacture of products in which relatively rigid sheet material is used, and especially in the manufacture of electrochemical cells in which electrode precursors are assembled comprising a metal foil of a certain stiffness, for methods and apparatuses enabling the safe, effective and reproducible rejection of those pieces found not to comply with the design specifications and, as such, unsuitable for being assembled.

[0020] For example, in the case of electrode precursors, conformity defects may occur related to defects in the coating layer of the metal foil, dimensional defects, or defects related to deformations or irregularities along the edge of the metal foil resulting from the cutting operations which the metal foil is subjected to.

[0021] The Applicant has verified that in the case of relatively rigid sheet materials, such as for example in the case of electrode precursors, the suction action of the above-described retaining systems alone may not be sufficient to allow an effective retention at the belt conveyor of the piece of sheet material to be discarded long enough to prevent the latter from being transferred to downstream transport or processing apparatuses.

[0022] The Applicant has therefore perceived that in the context of transporting apparatuses of sheet material, appropriate measures should be taken to allow the safe, effective and reproducible rejection of the pieces detected as not conforming to the design specifications even in the event that these pieces are made, as in the case of electrode precursors, of relatively rigid materials, such as coated metal foils.

[0023] The Applicant has therefore found that by equipping a transporting apparatus of a sheet material with a mechanical diverting device provided with a specific and dedicated kinematic drive mechanism, it is possible to safely, effectively and reproducibly discard pieces detected as not conforming to the design specifications even in the case of pieces consisting of relatively rigid materials.

[0024] The present invention therefore relates, in a first aspect thereof, to an apparatus for transporting pieces of sheet material, in particular an apparatus for transporting electrode precursors for making electrochemical cells.

[0025] Preferably, said apparatus comprises a first transport surface extending along a transport direction between a first piece inlet and a first piece outlet.

[0026] Preferably, the first transport surface is configured to transport a piece of sheet material along the transport direction.

[0027] Preferably, said apparatus comprises a second transport surface extending along said transport direction between a second piece inlet and a second piece outlet.

[0028] Preferably, the second transport surface is configured to transport a piece of sheet material along the transport direction.

[0029] Preferably, the first and second transport surfaces define a transport plane of said pieces extending along said transport direction.

[0030] Preferably, said first transport surface precedes, along the transport direction, said second transport surface.

[0031] Preferably, the first piece outlet of the first transport surface and the second piece inlet of the second transport surface are spaced apart from each other along the transport direction by an interspace.

[0032] Preferably, said apparatus further comprises a diverting device configured to selectively divert a piece of sheet material away from the transport plane of said pieces.

[0033] Preferably, the diverting device is positioned above said transport plane at said interspace.

[0034] Preferably, the diverting device comprises a diverting element provided, at a free end thereof proximal to the transport plane of said pieces, with an engagement component configured to engage a piece of sheet material.

[0035] Preferably, the diverting device comprises a driving device of the diverting element configured to drive said engagement component along an intercepting and guiding trajectory of an end portion of a piece of sheet material.

[0036] Preferably, said intercepting trajectory is incident to the transport plane.

[0037] Preferably, said intercepting trajectory has an orientation concordant with the transport direction.

[0038] Preferably, the driving device of the diverting device is configured to drive said engagement component between: i) at least one non-operating position, not interfering with the transport plane of said pieces, and ii) at least one operating position, interfering with the transport plane of said pieces.

[0039] Preferably, said driving device of the diverting element is configured to drive said engagement component along said intercepting and guiding trajectory according to a rotational movement in an orientation concordant with the transport direction and a translation movement obliquely oriented with respect to the transport plane also in a direction concordant with said transport direction.

[0040] Advantageously, this configuration of the driving device of the diverting element allows to effectively guide a piece detected as not conforming to the design specification away from the transport plane so that it can be safely, effectively and reproducibly discarded, even if this piece consists, as in the case of electrode precursors, of a relatively rigid material such as a coated metal foil.

[0041] Preferably, the driving device of the diverting device is configured to drive said engagement component between: i) at least one non-operating position, not interfering with the transport plane of said pieces, and ii) a plurality of operating positions interfering with the transport plane of said pieces, wherein said engagement component of the diverting element is gradually inserted further into said interspace to selectively divert said piece of sheet material away from said transport plane in a guided manner.

[0042] Advantageously, also this configuration of the driving device of the diverting element allows to effectively guide a piece detected as not conforming to the design specification away from the transport plane so that it can be safely, effectively and reproducibly discarded, even if this piece consists, as in the case of electrode precursors, of a relatively rigid material such as a coated metal foil.

[0043] More specifically, in said at least one non-operating position, said engagement component of the diverting element is preferably positioned above the transport plane of said pieces.

[0044] Preferably, in said at least one non-operating position, said engagement component of the diverting element is positioned at a predetermined distance from the transport plane of said pieces.

[0045] Preferably, in said at least one operating position said engagement component of the diverting element is inserted into said interspace to selectively divert said piece of sheet material away from said transport plane.

[0046] The Applicant has found that by providing a mechanical diverting device, including a diverting element configured to cooperate with a piece of sheet material, it is advantageously possible to selectively divert said piece of sheet material away from said transport plane by safely, effectively and reproducibly discarding non-conforming pieces even if they are made of relatively rigid materials, such as, for example, electrode precursors.

[0047] The Applicant has further found that by inserting the engagement component of the diverting element in an interspace between two consecutive transport surfaces adapted to support a piece of sheet material, for example an electrode precursor, and by providing that the engagement component is driven along an intercepting trajectory of a portion of the end of a piece of sheet material incident to the transport plane and with an orientation concordant with the transport direction, it is possible to divert the piece of sheet material while maintaining a zero relative velocity between the engagement component and the piece of sheet material in the transport direction of the latter.

[0048] In this way, it is advantageously possible to reject in a highly guided and effective manner a piece of sheet material that does not conform to design specifications.

[0049] The present invention relates, in a second aspect thereof, to a method for transporting pieces of sheet material, in particular a method for transporting electrode precursors for making electrochemical cells.

[0050] Preferably, the method comprises transporting at least one piece of sheet material by means of a first transport surface of a transporting apparatus between a first piece inlet and a first piece outlet along a transport direction.

[0051] Preferably, the method comprises transporting said at least one piece of sheet material with a second transport surface of said transporting apparatus between a second piece inlet and a second piece outlet along said transport direction.

[0052] Preferably, the first and second transport surfaces define a transport plane of said pieces extending along said transport direction.

[0053] Preferably, said first transport surface precedes, along the transport direction, said second transport surface.

[0054] Preferably, the first piece outlet of the first transport surface and the second piece inlet of the second transport surface are spaced apart from each other along the transport direction by an interspace.

[0055] Preferably, the method comprises selectively engaging an end portion of a piece of sheet material at said interspace.

[0056] Preferably, the method comprises diverting said piece away from the transport plane of said pieces.

[0057] Preferably, selectively engaging the end portion of a piece of sheet material and diverting said piece away from the transport plane comprise driving a diverting element.

[0058] Preferably, the diverting element is provided, at a free end thereof proximal to the transport plane of said pieces, with an engagement component configured to engage a piece of sheet material.

[0059] Preferably, the method comprises driving the diverting element along an intercepting trajectory of said piece of sheet material incident with respect to the transport plane.

[0060] Preferably, the method comprises driving the diverting element along an intercepting trajectory with an orientation concordant with the transport direction.

[0061] Preferably, the method comprises driving the diverting element between: i) at least one non-operating position, not interfering with the transport plane of said pieces, and ii) at least one operating position, interfering with the transport plane of said pieces. Preferably, the method comprises driving said engagement component of the diverting element along said intercepting and guiding trajectory according to a rotational movement in an orientation concordant with the transport direction and a translation movement obliquely oriented with respect to the transport plane also in a direction concordant with said transport direction.

[0062] Advantageously, this feature of the method allows to effectively guide a piece detected as not conforming to the design specifications away from the transport plane so that it can be safely, effectively and reproducibly discarded, even if this piece consists, as in the case of electrode precursors, of a relatively rigid material such as a coated metal foil.

[0063] Preferably, the method comprises driving the diverting element between: i) at least one non-operating position, not interfering with the transport plane of said pieces, and ii) a plurality of operating positions interfering with the transport plane of said pieces, wherein said engagement component of the diverting element is gradually inserted further into said interspace to selectively divert said piece of sheet material away from said transport plane in a guided manner.

[0064] Advantageously, also this feature of the method allows to effectively guide a piece detected as not conforming to the design specifications away from the transport plane so that it can be safely, effectively and reproducibly discarded, even if this piece consists, as in the case of electrode precursors, of a relatively rigid material such as a coated metal foil.

[0065] Preferably, in said at least one non-operating position, said engagement component of the diverting element is positioned above said transport plane of said pieces.

[0066] Preferably, in said at least one non-operating position, said engagement component of the diverting element is positioned at a predetermined distance from the transport plane of said pieces.

[0067] Preferably, in said at least one operating position said engagement component of the diverting element is inserted into said interspace to selectively divert said piece of sheet material away from said transport plane.

[0068] The Applicant has verified that the transport method in accordance with the second aspect of the invention allows to achieve the advantageous technical effects described above in connection with a selective rejection of pieces of sheet material, e.g. of electrode precursors, which do not conform to the design specifications.

[0069] In the present description and the appended claims, the term “interspace” is understood to mean a discontinuity space between the outlet of the first transport surface and the inlet of the second transport surface, such that moving components of the apparatus can pass through the space in a transverse direction with respect to the first and second transport surfaces.

[0070] In the present description and in the appended claims, “width of the interspace” is understood to mean an extension of the interspace parallel to the transport direction.

[0071] In this description and the appended claims, the “transport plane” can be identified as an ideal plane containing the transport direction and tangent to the first transport surface and the second transport surface.

[0072] In embodiments in which the first transport surface and the second transport surface are flat and essentially coplanar, the transport plane is identified as a plane containing the first transport surface and the second transport surface.

[0073] In an operating condition of the apparatus for transporting pieces of sheet material according to the invention, the transport plane is also identified as the plane along which these pieces are transported.

[0074] In the present description and in the appended claims, “upstream”, “downstream” and similar expressions refer to a transport direction of the pieces of sheet material.

[0075] An “upstream” position with respect to an element or reference point is any position preceding, in the transport direction, that element or reference point, and a “downstream” position with respect to an element or reference point is any subsequent position to that element or reference point in the transport direction.

[0076] Assuming for example a rectilinear transport direction from left to right, such as in the case illustrated in the accompanying figures, an “upstream” position with respect to an element or reference point is any position to the left of said element or reference point and a “downstream” position with respect to an element or reference point is any position to the right of said element or reference point.

[0077] When these expressions are used with reference to elements or reference points that follow a trajectory that is at least partly circular or extending along a closed path, referring for example to a clockwise rotation or advancement, a position “downstream” with respect to an element or reference point is any position following that element or reference point and a position “upstream” with respect to an element or reference point is any position preceding that element or reference point.

[0078] In the present description and in the appended claims, the “outer surface” or “outer side” of a conveyor belt is understood to mean the surface or side that contacts, in use, the pieces to be transported; this side is in particular the one on which the transport surface is defined.

[0079] In the present description and in the appended claims, the “inner surface” or “inner side” of a conveyor belt is understood to mean the side of the conveyor opposite the aforementioned outer side, i.e. the side that does not contact the pieces to be conveyed in use.

[0080] In the present description and in the appended claims, when used with reference to a conveyor belt or a section thereof, the term “length” indicates an extension of the conveyor or conveyor section parallel to its transport direction or its conveying path.

[0081] In the present description and in the appended claims, when used with reference to a conveyor belt or a section thereof, the term “width” indicates an extension of the conveyor or the section of the conveyor perpendicular to its transport direction or its conveying path.

[0082] Likewise, in the present description and the appended claims, the terms “axial” and “axially” indicate an extension of a component of the apparatus perpendicular to the transport direction of the pieces.

[0083] In the present description and the appended claims, “above”, “below”, “upper”, “at the top”, “lower”, “at the bottom”, and similar expressions are used with reference to the orientation of the apparatus and of its components in the accompanying figures. The orientation of the apparatus and of its components illustrated in the figures is not necessarily the only possible orientation, in use, for the apparatus and its components. The present invention may have, in one or both aspects thereof, at least one of the preferred features described below. These features may be present individually or in combination with each other, unless expressly stated otherwise, both in the apparatus and in the method of the present invention.

[0084] Preferably, the first transport surface and the second transport surface are contained in the transport plane.

[0085] Preferably, said apparatus comprises a first conveyor comprising at least a first conveyor belt wound in a closed loop.

[0086] Preferably, said at least one first conveyor belt comprises a first active branch extending between said first piece inlet and said first piece outlet of the first transport surface.

[0087] Preferably, the first transport surface is defined on said first active branch of said at least one first conveyor belt.

[0088] Preferably, said at least one first conveyor belt is in engagement with a first roller rotatable about a first rotation axis and with a second roller rotatable about a second rotation axis.

[0089] Preferably, said first roller is placed downstream of the second roller along a first conveying path.

[0090] Preferably, said first and second rotation axis are parallel to the transport plane.

[0091] Preferably, said first and second rotation axis are perpendicular to a direction parallel to the transport direction.

[0092] Preferably, said first and second rotation axis define said first active branch of said at least a first conveyor belt of the first conveyor.

[0093] Preferably, said at least a first conveyor belt of the first conveyor comprises at least a first return branch extending between the first piece outlet of the first transport surface and the first piece inlet of the first transport surface.

[0094] Preferably, said at least one first conveyor belt is in engagement with said first roller and with said second roller at connections between said first active branch and said first return branch.

[0095] Preferably, said at least a first conveyor belt is in engagement with a third roller at said first return branch.

[0096] Preferably, said third roller is placed downstream of the first roller along the first conveying path.

[0097] Preferably, the first roller, second roller and third roller engage an inner surface of said at least a first conveyor belt.

[0098] Preferably, said apparatus comprises a second conveyor comprising at least a second conveyor belt wound in a closed loop.

[0099] Preferably, said at least a second conveyor belt comprises a second active branch extending between said second piece inlet and said second piece outlet of the second transport surface.

[0100] Preferably, the second transport surface is defined on said second active branch of said at least a second conveyor belt.

[0101] Preferably, said at least a second conveyor belt is in engagement with a fourth roller rotatable about a fourth rotation axis and with a fifth roller rotatable about a fifth rotation axis.

[0102] Preferably, said fourth roller is placed downstream of the fifth roller along a second conveying path.

[0103] Preferably, said fourth and fifth rotation axes are parallel to the transport plane.

[0104] Preferably, said fourth and fifth rotation axes are perpendicular to a direction parallel to the transport direction.

[0105] Preferably, said fourth and fifth rotation axes define said second active branch of said at least second conveyor belt of the second conveyor.

[0106] Preferably, said at least a second conveyor belt of the second conveyor comprises at least a second return branch extending between the second piece outlet of the second transport surface and the second piece inlet of the second transport surface.

[0107] Preferably, said at least a second conveyor belt is in engagement with said fourth roller and with said fifth roller at connections between said second active branch and said second return branch. Preferably, said at least a second conveyor belt is in engagement with a sixth roller at said second return branch.

[0108] Preferably, said sixth roller is placed downstream of the fourth roller along the second conveying path.

[0109] Preferably, the fourth roller, the fifth roller and the sixth roller engage an inner surface of said at least a second conveyor belt.

[0110] Preferably, the apparatus comprises a system for retaining the pieces of sheet material, for example and preferably, electrode precursors.

[0111] Preferably, this retaining system is configured to keep the pieces of sheet material attached to the first conveyor and / or the second conveyor.

[0112] Preferably, said retaining system is configured to act on the first conveyor and / or the second conveyor at said first transport surface and / or at said second transport surface.

[0113] Preferably, said retaining system comprises through suction holes distributed over at least one section of said at least one first conveyor belt of the first conveyor.

[0114] Preferably, said retaining system comprises through suction holes distributed over at least one section of said second conveyor belt of the second conveyor.

[0115] Preferably, said retaining system comprises one or more suction modules in fluid communication with said suction holes and configured to generate a vacuum at said suction holes.

[0116] Preferably, said apparatus comprises first actuating members configured to move said at least a first conveyor belt along the first conveying path.

[0117] Preferably, said first actuating members include one or more electric motors.

[0118] Preferably, said first actuating members are acting on at least one of the first roller, the second roller and the third roller.

[0119] More preferably, said first actuating members are acting on the third roller.

[0120] Preferably, the first and second rollers are idle rollers. Preferably, said first actuating members are driven to impose a constant transport speed to the first conveyor.

[0121] Preferably, said apparatus comprises second actuating members configured to move said at least a second conveyor belt along the second conveying path.

[0122] Preferably, said second actuating members include one or more electric motors.

[0123] Preferably, said second actuating members are acting on at least one of the fourth roller, the fifth roller and the sixth roller.

[0124] More preferably, said second actuating members are acting on the sixth roller.

[0125] Preferably, the fourth and fifth rollers are idle rollers.

[0126] Preferably, said second actuating members are controlled synchronously with respect to said first actuating members, at least during each transport operation.

[0127] Preferably, said interspace is defined in the transport direction between said first roller of the first conveyor and said fifth roller of the second conveyor.

[0128] Preferably, the engagement component of said diverting element comprises an elongated body extending perpendicularly to the transport direction of the pieces.

[0129] Preferably, the elongated body of the engagement component has a length, measured perpendicular to the transport direction, substantially equal to the width of said first conveyor.

[0130] Preferably, the engagement component of the diverting element comprises at least one roller supported in an idle manner at said free end of the diverting element proximal to the transport plane of said pieces.

[0131] Preferably, said at least one roller is rotatably supported in an idle manner by said elongated body.

[0132] Preferably, the engagement component of said diverting element comprises a plurality of rollers arranged side-by-side at a predetermined distance from each other.

[0133] Preferably, each of said rollers is rotatably supported in an idle manner at said free end of the diverting element proximal to the transport plane of said pieces. Thanks to these preferred features of the engagement component, it is advantageously possible to facilitate the engagement operations with the pieces by making it easier to divert them, as will be better apparent in the following.

[0134] Preferably, the driving device of the diverting element is configured to drive said engagement component along an intercepting trajectory comprising a section following an outer surface of said first roller of the first conveyor forming an interspace between an outer surface of said at least one roller of the engagement component and the outer surface of said at least one first conveyor belt having a thickness substantially equal to the thickness of said piece.

[0135] In this way, it is advantageously possible to guide and further facilitate the movement of the piece to be discarded away from the transport plane and away from the outer surface of the belts.

[0136] Preferably, said diverting element comprises a shaped arm, more preferably substantially L-shaped.

[0137] Preferably, said shaped arm comprises a first branch associated to said engagement component with said piece of sheet material.

[0138] Preferably, the driving device of the diverting element comprises a support body, preferably fork shaped, of the shaped arm of said diverting element.

[0139] Preferably, the support body of the driving device of the diverting element is rotatably supported by a respective support element of the driving device.

[0140] Preferably, the driving device of the diverting element comprises a driving crank of the shaped arm of the diverting element.

[0141] Preferably, the driving crank of the shaped arm of the diverting element is rotatably associated to an end of a second branch of said shaped arm.

[0142] Preferably, said driving crank is rotatably supported by said support element of the driving device.

[0143] Preferably, the shaped arm of said diverting element is rotatably supported by the respective support body at an intermediate portion arranged between said first branch and said second branch of the shaped arm.

[0144] Preferably, the shaped arm of said diverting element, the support body of the shaped arm and the driving crank of the shaped arm are rotatable about respective rotation axes parallel to the transport plane and perpendicular to a direction parallel to the transport direction.

[0145] Preferably, said driving crank is driven in rotation by a respective actuating member associated to a first end of the driving crank.

[0146] Preferably, the driving crank is rotatably associated to one end of said second branch of the shaped arm of said diverting element at an opposite second end of the driving crank.

[0147] Preferably, the driving device of the diverting element is configured to drive said engagement component up to an end position of the engagement component wherein said first branch of the shaped arm forms with a plane perpendicular to the transport plane an angle of a predetermined value, preferably comprised between 0° and 15°.

[0148] Preferably, the method of the invention comprises driving said engagement component accordingly.

[0149] Advantageously, this preferred configuration of the driving device of the diverting device and this preferred embodiment of the method allow to guide in a very effective manner a piece detected as not conforming to the design specifications away from the transport plane so that it can be safely, effectively and reproducibly discarded, even if this piece consists, as in the case of electrode precursors, of a relatively rigid material such as a coated metal foil.

[0150] Preferably, transporting said at least one piece of sheet material, for example an electrode precursor, with the first transport surface is implemented by moving the first transport surface at said constant transport speed in the transport direction.

[0151] Preferably, diverting said piece of sheet material away from the transport plane comprises driving said diverting element towards said first roller of said first conveyor until said engagement component is brought into an operating position in contact with an upper face of the piece of sheet material.

[0152] Preferably, diverting said piece of sheet material away from the transport plane comprises keeping said at least one roller of the engagement component of said diverting element in contact with the upper face of the piece of sheet material to guide a movement of said piece away from said transport surface. Preferably, diverting said piece of sheet material away from the transport plane comprises controlling said fifth rotatable roller in a rotation direction opposite to the transport direction of said piece.

[0153] Preferably, the pieces of sheet material are electrode precursors for making electrochemical cells comprising a metal foil coated on at least one surface thereof with a layer of an active material for electrodes.

[0154] Brief description of the

[0155] Additional features and advantages of the present invention will become better apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, made with reference to the appended drawings and provided by way of indicative and non-limiting example, in which:

[0156] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an apparatus for transporting pieces of sheet material, in particular electrode precursors for the production of electrochemical cells, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0157] Figure 2 is a lateral view of the apparatus of Figure 1 ;

[0158] Figure 3 is an enlarged scale schematic lateral view of some components of the apparatus of Figure 1 ;

[0159] Figure 4 is a lateral view of a first conveyor of the apparatus of Figure 1 with some elements removed for clarity;

[0160] Figures 5 and 6 are perspective views of some of the components of a diverting device of pieces of sheet material of the apparatus of Figure 1 ; and

[0161] Figures 7 to 9 are schematic lateral views of some parts of an apparatus according to the present invention in different operating configurations of the diverting device.

[0162] Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

[0163] The representations in the accompanying figures do not necessarily have to be understood in scale and do not necessarily respect the proportions between the various parts. In the figures, the same or similar elements of different embodiments will be indicated by the same reference numbers.

[0164] With particular reference to the accompanying Figures 1 -6, an apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention for transporting pieces of sheet material, for example electrode precursors in sheet form, usable in the production of electrochemical cells is now described. The apparatus is indicated in the figures by the numerical reference 1 .

[0165] The apparatus 1 may for example be used in a production line of rechargeable battery cells, in which electrode precursors in sheet form are fed in succession to an electrochemical cell forming station where they are stacked with the interposition of a dielectric separator, e.g. by single sheet stacking, or by a Z- folding process.

[0166] The components of the apparatus 1 are mounted on a support frame 2 comprising, for example, a vertical plate.

[0167] In embodiments, not illustrated, the frame 2 can be associated to additional components of a larger manufacturing line, for example the aforementioned production line of rechargeable battery cells.

[0168] The apparatus 1 comprises a first transport surface 3 adapted to support and transport along a transport direction T pieces 4 of sheet material schematically illustrated in Figures 7-9. As mentioned above, the pieces 4 can be, for example, electrode precursors in sheet form that can be used in the production of electrochemical cells.

[0169] The piece 4 comprises, for example, a foil, a thin metal layer coated on one or both sides with an electrochemically active material.

[0170] The first transport surface 3 of the apparatus 1 comprises a first piece inlet 5, at which the piece 4 is introduced into the apparatus 1 , and a first piece outlet 6, at which the piece 4 leaves the first transport surface 3.

[0171] The piece 4 can be transported to the apparatus 1 by further upstream processing stations by means of suitable movement members not illustrated arranged upstream of the first piece inlet 5 of the first transport surface 3.

[0172] The first transport surface 3 has a planar extension parallel to the transport direction T of the piece 4.

[0173] The first transport surface 3 is defined on a first conveyor 7 comprising at least a first conveyor belt, preferably a pair of conveyor belts 8a, 8b parallel to each other and to the transport direction T. The first conveyor 7 is supported by the frame 2 and is provided with a side wall 7a to protect the internal components, which will be described in more detail below.

[0174] The conveyor belts 8a, 8b are closed in a loop so as to define a first conveying path C1 closed in a loop, schematically indicated in Figure 2 by an arrow along the lateral profile of the conveyor belt 8a.

[0175] Along the first conveying path C1 , a first active branch 9 of the first conveyor belts 8a, 8b of the first conveyor 7, at which the active transport of the piece 4 takes place, and a first return branch 10 of the first conveyor belts 8a, 8b connected to the first active branch 9, are defined (see Fig. 2).

[0176] As shown in Figure 2, the first conveyor belts 8a, 8b of the first conveyor 7 travel along the first conveying path C1 in a clockwise direction. At the first active branch 9, the first conveying C1 followed by the conveyor belts 8a, 8b, and in particular the first transport surface 3, coincides with the transport direction T. In use, the pieces 4 (shown in Figures 7 to 9) are then moved forward in the transport direction T, from left to right in the figures, from the first transport surface 3 between its first piece inlet 5 and its first piece outlet 6.

[0177] The apparatus 1 comprises a second transport surface 1 1 adapted to support and transport the pieces 4 along the transport direction T.

[0178] The second transport surface 11 comprises a second piece inlet 12, at which the pieces 4 leaving the first transport surface 3 access the second transport surface 11 , and a second piece outlet 13, at or near which the pieces 4 leave the second transport surface 1 1 . For example, suitable gripping devices (not illustrated) can be provided that grip the pieces 4 near the second piece outlet 13 and feed it to a subsequent stacking and forming station (not illustrated) of electrochemical cells.

[0179] Similarly to the first transport surface 3, the second transport surface 1 1 also has a planar extension parallel to the transport direction T of the pieces 4. The second transport surface 1 1 follows the first transport surface 3 in the transport direction T.

[0180] In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, the first transport surface 3 and the second transport surface 1 1 are contained in the same transport plane P, depicted schematically in the figures. The transport plane P includes the transport direction T.

[0181] The second transport surface 11 is defined on a second conveyor 14 comprising at least a second conveyor belt, preferably a pair of second conveyor belts 15a, 15b parallel to each other and to the transport direction T.

[0182] The second conveyor 14 is supported by the frame 2 and is provided with a side wall 14a to protect the internal components, which will be described in more detail below.

[0183] The second conveyor belts 15a, 15b are closed in a loop so as to define a second conveying path C2 closed in a loop, schematically indicated in Figure 2 by an arrow along the lateral profile of the conveyor belt 15a.

[0184] Along the second conveying path C2, a second active branch 16 of the second conveyor belts 15a, 15b of the second conveyor 14, at which the active transport of the piece 4 takes place, and a second return branch 17 of the second conveyor belts 15a, 15b of the second conveyor 14 connected to the second active branch 16, are defined (see Fig. 2).

[0185] As shown in Figure 2, the second conveyor belts 15a, 15b of the second conveyor 14 also travel along the second conveying path C2 in a clockwise direction.

[0186] At the second active branch 16, the second conveying path C2 followed by the conveyor belts 15a, 15b, and in particular the second transport surface 1 1 , coincides with the transport direction T.

[0187] In use, the pieces 4 (shown in Figures 7 to 9) are then advanced in the transport direction T, from left to right in the figures, from the second transport surface 1 1 between its second inlet 12 and its second outlet 13 in much the same way as the first transport surface 3.

[0188] Preferably, the first conveyor 7 is provided with a respective first retaining system 18 adapted to ensure the adhesion of the pieces 4 to the conveyor belts 8a, 8b during the transport of the pieces 4 themselves.

[0189] Preferably, the first retaining system 18 includes first through-holes 19 distributed on the first conveyor belts 8a, 8b (visible, for example, in Figure 1 , from which the first pieces 4 have been omitted to make the first transport surface 3 visible). The first retaining system 18 also includes at least a first suction module, not illustrated, arranged below the first conveyor belts 8a, 8b at the first active branch 9.

[0190] Preferably, said at least a first suction module is operatively connected to a suitable suction device (not visible), for example a blower or a vacuum pump, adapted to create a vacuum at the suction holes 19, capable to make the pieces 4 adhere to the first conveyor belts 8a, 8b of the first conveyor 7.

[0191] Preferably, the second conveyor 14 is provided with a respective second retaining system 20 adapted to ensure adhesion of the pieces 4 to the second conveyor belts 15a, 15b during the transport of the pieces 4 themselves.

[0192] Preferably, the second retaining system 20 includes second through-holes 21 distributed on the second conveyor belts 15a, 15b (visible, for example, in Figure 1 from which the pieces 4 have been omitted to make the second transport surface 1 1 visible). The second retaining system 20 also includes at least a second suction module, not illustrated, arranged below the second conveyor belts 15a, 15b at the second active branch 16.

[0193] Preferably, said at least a second suction module is operatively connected to a suitable suction device (not visible), for example a blower or a vacuum pump, capable of creating a vacuum at the suction holes 21 , capable to make the pieces 4 adhere to the second conveyor belts 15a, 15b of the second conveyor 14.

[0194] Preferably, the first conveyor belts 8a, 8b of the first conveyor 7 and the second conveyor belts 15a, 15b of the second conveyor 14 are supported and transported along the respective first and second conveying paths C1 , C2 by a plurality of movement rollers (see Figure 2).

[0195] The movement rollers of the first conveyor belts 8a, 8b of the first conveyor 7 comprise a first roller 22, a second roller 23 and a third roller 24, rotatable about respective rotation axes indicated in Figure 1 by references A1 , A2 and A3.

[0196] The rotation axes A1 , A2 and A3 of the first roller 22, second roller 23 and third roller 24, respectively, are arranged parallel to the transport plane P and perpendicular to a direction parallel to the transport direction T.

[0197] The first roller 22 and the second roller 23 are aligned with each other along a direction parallel to the transport direction T.

[0198] The first roller 22 and the second roller 23 support and engage the first conveyor belts 8a, 8b of the first conveyor 7 at connections between the first active branch 9 and the first return branch 10.

[0199] The first roller 22, the second roller 23 and the third roller 24 engage an inner surface of the first conveyor belts 8a, 8b of the first conveyor 7.

[0200] The first roller 22 engages the first conveyor belts 8a, 8b of the first conveyor 7 at the first piece outlet 6 of the first transport surface 3.

[0201] The second roller 23 engages the first conveyor belts 8a, 8b of the first conveyor 7 at the first piece inlet 5 of the first transport surface 3.

[0202] The first roller 22 is arranged downstream of the second roller 23 along the first conveying path C1 .

[0203] The first active branch 9 and the first return branch 10 of the first conveyor belts 8a, 8b of the first conveyor 7 connect to each other at a plane X and at a plane Y perpendicular to the transport plane T, shown schematically in Figure 2. The plane X contains the rotation axis A2 of the second roller 23. The plane Y contains the rotation axis A1 of the first roller 22.

[0204] The first active branch 9 of the first conveyor belts 8a, 8b of the first conveyor 7, on which the first transport surface 3 is defined, preferably corresponds to the portion of the first conveyor 7 extending along the transport direction T between the plane X and the plane Y.

[0205] The first return branch 10 of the first conveyor belts 8a, 8b of the first conveyor 7 preferably corresponds to the remaining portion of the first conveyor belts 8a, 8b extending along the first conveying path C1 between the plane Y and the plane X.

[0206] The movement rollers of the second conveyor belts 15a, 15b of the second conveyor 14 comprise a fourth roller 25, a fifth roller 26 and a sixth roller 27, rotatable about respective rotation axes indicated in Figure 1 by references A4, A5 and A6.

[0207] The rotation axes A4, A5 and A6 of the fourth roller 25, fifth roller 26 and sixth roller 27, respectively, are arranged parallel to the transport plane P and perpendicular to a direction parallel to the transport direction T.

[0208] The fourth roller 25 and the fifth roller 26 are aligned with each other along a direction parallel to the transport direction T. The fourth roller 25 and the fifth roller 26 support and engage the second conveyor belts 15a, 15b of the second conveyor 14 at connections between the second active branch 16 and the second return branch 17.

[0209] The fourth roller 25, the fifth roller 26 and the sixth roller 27 engage an inner surface of the second conveyor belts 15a, 15b of the second conveyor 14.

[0210] The fourth roller 25 engages the second conveyor belts 15a, 15b of the second conveyor 14 at the second piece outlet 13 of the second transport surface 1 1 .

[0211] The fifth roller 26 engages the second conveyor belts 15a, 15b of the second conveyor 14 at the second piece inlet 12 of the second transport surface 11 .

[0212] The fourth roller 25 is arranged downstream of the fifth roller 26 along the second conveying path C2.

[0213] The second active branch 16 and the second return branch 17 of the second conveyor belts 15a, 15b of the second conveyor 14 connect to each other at a plane W and at a plane Z perpendicular to the transport plane T, shown schematically in Figure 2. The plane W contains the rotation axis A5 of the fifth roller 26. The plane Z contains the rotation axis A4 of the fourth roller 25.

[0214] The second active branch 16 of the second conveyor belts 15a, 15b of the second conveyor 14 on which the second transport surface 1 1 is defined, preferably corresponds to the portion of the second conveyor 14 extending along the transport direction T between the plane W and the plane Z.

[0215] The second return branch 17 of the second conveyor belts 15a, 15b of the second conveyor 14 preferably corresponds to the remaining portion of the second conveyor belts 15a, 15b extending along the second conveying path C2 between the plane Z and the plane W.

[0216] Preferably, an interspace 28 is defined between the first transport surface 3 and the second transport surface 1 1 .

[0217] The first transport surface 3 and the second transport surface 11 are separated from each other and spaced apart in the transport direction T by said interspace 28 (see Figures 2 and 3).

[0218] More specifically, the interspace 28 separates the first roller 22 of the first conveyor 7 from the fifth roller 26 of the second conveyor 14 in the transport direction T.

[0219] As best seen in Figures 2 and 3, the interspace 28 is delimited in the transport direction T by the curved portion of the first conveyor belts 8a, 8b of the first conveyor 7 wound onto the first roller 22 and by the curved portion of the second conveyor belts 15a, 15b of the second conveyor 14 wound onto the fifth roller 26.

[0220] In a preferred embodiment, the first roller 22 of the first conveyor 7 and the fifth roller 26 of the second conveyor 14 are arranged in a fixed position with respect to each other. Consequently, the interspace 28 has a non-variable shape and width, evaluated parallel to the transport direction T.

[0221] A minimum width D of the interspace 28 is defined at a plane K, schematically indicated in Figures 2 and 3, containing the axis A1 of the first roller 22 and the axis A5 of the fifth roller 26.

[0222] This minimum width D corresponds to the distance, measured along the plane K parallel to the transport direction T, between the curved portion of the first conveyor belts 8a, 8b of the first conveyor 7 wound onto the first roller 22 and the curved portion of the second conveyor belts 15a, 15b of the second conveyor 14 wound onto the fifth roller 26 (see Figure 3).

[0223] Below the interspace 28 with respect to the transport plane P, a rejection area 29 of the pieces 4 is defined (see Figures 3 and 7-9).

[0224] A centre plane M of the interspace 28 and of the rejection area 29 is perpendicular to the transport direction T (see Figures 2 and 3).

[0225] Preferably, the interspace 28 is dimensioned and configured to allow, when desired, the rejection of a piece 4 advancing along the transport direction T.

[0226] Preferably, also the rejection area 29 is dimensioned and configured to allow, when desired, the rejection of a piece 4 advancing along the transport direction T.

[0227] Depending on their position along the first or second conveying paths C1 , C2 and / or their idle or drive configuration, the rollers 22-24 of the first conveyor 7 and the rollers 25-27 of the second conveyor 14 may consist of a single cylindrical body or, alternatively, they may consist of separate cylindrical modules of lower axial extension distributed along their respective axes. The outer surfaces of the movement rollers 22-24 and 25-27 may be at least partially machined, rubberised or provided with sealing elements to facilitate their engagement with the first conveyor belts 8a, 8b and, respectively, with the second conveyor belts 15a, 15b.

[0228] For example, the movement rollers 22-24 and 25-27 may comprise an axial toothing, not better shown in the figures, adapted to co-operate with corresponding toothing 30, 31 made on at least part of the internal surfaces of the first conveyor belts 8a, 8b of the first conveyor 7 and of the second conveyor belts 15a, 15b of the second conveyor 14, respectively (see Figures 2 and 3).

[0229] Preferably, the movement rollers 22-24 and 25-27 all have a substantially equal maximum outer radius, disregarding any differences due to surface finish.

[0230] The movement rollers 22-24 and 25-27 are rotatably mounted on the support frame 2, preferably on protruding supports 32 fixed to or made integral with the support frame 2 (see Figures 2 and 3).

[0231] The first conveyor belts 8a, 8b of the first conveyor 7 are moved along the first conveyor path C1 by first actuating members, preferably including one or more electric motors and possible transmission members adapted to impose a rotation on at least one of the first roller 22, the second roller 23 and the third roller 24.

[0232] Preferably, as in the illustrated case, the first actuating members include a first electric motor 52 having a first drive shaft 53 the body of which is fixed to the main frame 2 (see Figure 2).

[0233] In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the first electric motor 52 drives the third roller 24 in rotation, which is thus motorised, while the first roller 22 and the second roller 23 are idle rollers.

[0234] The first actuating members are preferably configured to impose a constant rotation speed on the rollers acting on the conveyor belts 8a, 8b -in the specific case on the third roller 24- so as to move the conveyor belts 8a, 8b with a constant transport speed along the first conveying path C1 .

[0235] In the use of the apparatus 1 , the pieces 4 are therefore moved from the first piece inlet 5 to the first piece outlet 6 of the first transport surface 3 at said constant transport speed.

[0236] The second conveyor belts 15a, 15b of the second conveyor 14 are moved along the second conveying path C2 by second actuating members, preferably including one or more electric motors and possible transmission members adapted to impose a rotation on at least one of the fourth roller 25, the fifth roller 26 and the sixth roller 27.

[0237] Preferably, as in the illustrated case, the second actuating members include a second electric motor 54 with a second drive shaft 55 the body of which is fixed to the main frame 2 (see Figure 2).

[0238] In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the second electric motor 54 drives the sixth roller 27 in rotation, which is thus motorised, while the fourth roller 25 and the fifth roller 26 are idle rollers.

[0239] The second actuating members are preferably configured to impose a constant speed profile on the motorised roller acting on the conveyor belts 15a, 15b of the second conveyor 14 -in this case, on the sixth roller 27.

[0240] The apparatus 1 comprises a diverting device, generally indicated at 33, configured to selectively divert a piece 4 of sheet material away from the transport plane P of said pieces 4.

[0241] Preferably, the diverting device 33 is positioned above the transport plane P at the interspace 28 (see Figure 2).

[0242] Preferably, the diverting device 33 is supported by a respective support plate 41 in turn supported by a frame, not shown in the figures, of the apparatus 1 .

[0243] Preferably, the diverting device 33 comprises a diverting element 34 provided, at a free end 34a thereof proximal to the transport plane P of the pieces 4, with an engagement component 35 configured to engage a piece 4 of sheet material (see Figures 5 and 6).

[0244] Preferably, the engagement component 35 of the diverting element 34 comprises an elongated body 36 extending perpendicularly to the transport direction T of the pieces 4.

[0245] Preferably, the elongated body 36 of the engagement component 35 has a length, measured perpendicularly to the transport direction T, substantially equal to the width, i.e. the axial extension, of the first conveyor 7.

[0246] In the preferred embodiment illustrated, this width is preferably equal to the distance between the axially outer edge of the conveyor belt 8a and the axially outer edge of the conveyor belt 8b arranged at a side thereof.

[0247] Preferably, the engagement component 35 of the diverting element comprises at least one roller, more preferably a plurality of rollers 37 arranged side-by-side at a predetermined distance from each other.

[0248] Preferably, the rollers 37 are rotatably supported in an idle manner by the elongated body 36 at the free end 34a of the diverting element 34 proximal to the transport plane P of the pieces 4.

[0249] More specifically, the rollers 37 are supported in an idle manner by a pin 51 mounted in the elongated body 36 about a respective rotation axis A7 (see Figure 5).

[0250] Preferably, the diverting element 34 comprises a substantially L-shaped arm 38 (see Figures 5 and 6).

[0251] Preferably, the shaped arm 38 comprises a first branch 38a having a free end associated to the engagement component 35 with the piece 4 of sheet material (see Figures 5 and 6).

[0252] Preferably, the diverting device 33 comprises a driving device 39 of the diverting element 34 configured to drive the engagement component 35 along an intercepting trajectory of a longitudinal end portion of a piece 4 of sheet material.

[0253] Preferably, said intercepting trajectory is incident to the transport plane P.

[0254] Preferably, said intercepting trajectory is in an orientation concordant with the transport direction T.

[0255] Preferably, the driving device 39 of the diverting element 34 is configured to drive the engagement component 35 between: i) at least one non-operating position, illustrated in Figure 7, not interfering with the transport plane P of the pieces 4, and ii) at least one operating position, preferably in a plurality of operating positions, two of which are illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, interfering with the transport plane P of the pieces 4.

[0256] Preferably, in said at least one non-operating position, the engagement component 35 of the diverting element 34 is positioned above, i.e. on a first side, with respect to the transport plane P of the pieces 4, as better illustrated in Figure 7.

[0257] Preferably, in said plurality of operating positions, the engagement component 35 of the diverting element 34 is positioned at the bottom, i.e. on a second side, with respect to the transport plane P of the pieces 4, as better illustrated in Figures 8 and 9.

[0258] In other words, in said plurality of operating positions, the engagement component 35 of the diverting element 34 is gradually inserted further into the interspace 28 to selectively divert in a guided manner a piece 4 of sheet material that is desired to be discarded away from the transport plane P.

[0259] Preferably, the driving device 39 of the diverting element 34 is configured to drive the engagement component 35 in the aforementioned plurality of operating positions interfering with the transport plane P of the pieces 4.

[0260] Preferably, the driving device 39 of the diverting element 34 comprises a support body 40 of the shaped arm 38 of the diverting element 34 (see Figures 5 and 6).

[0261] Preferably, the support body 40 is fork-shaped (see Figures 5 and 6).

[0262] Preferably, the support body 40 of the shaped arm 38 is rotatably supported by a respective support element 42 of the driving device 39.

[0263] Preferably, the support element 42 is substantially T-shaped (see Figures 5 and 6).

[0264] Preferably, the support body 40 is pivoted in an idle manner around a pin 48 fixed to the support element 42 and is rotatable about a respective rotation axis A8.

[0265] Preferably, the support element 42 is fixed to the support plate 41 of the diverting device 33.

[0266] Preferably, the driving device 39 of the diverting element 34 comprises a driving crank 43 of the shaped arm 38 of the diverting element 34 rotatably associated to one end of a second branch 38b of the shaped arm 38 (see Figure 6).

[0267] Preferably, the driving crank 43 is supported by the support element 42 fixed to the support plate 41 of the diverting device 33. Preferably, the shaped arm 38 of the diverting element 34 is rotatably supported by the respective support body 40 at an intermediate portion 38c arranged between said ends of the first and second branches 38a, 38b of the shaped arm 38 (see Figure 5).

[0268] Preferably, the shaped arm 38 of the diverting element 34 is pivoted in an idle manner about a pin 49 fixed to the support body 40 at its intermediate portion 38c and is rotatable about a respective rotation axis A9 (see Figures 5 and 6).

[0269] More specifically, the pin 49 is attached to and extends between axially spaced arms 40’ and 40” of the fork-shaped support body 40 (see Figure 5).

[0270] Preferably, the driving crank 43 of the shaped arm 38 is driven in rotation by a respective actuating member 44 associated to a first end 43a of the driving crank 43.

[0271] Preferably, the driving crank 43 of the shaped arm 38 is driven in rotation by the respective actuating element 44 about a respective axis A1 1 (see Figure 6).

[0272] Preferably, the actuating element 44 is supported by the support element 42 at a predetermined distance from the support body 40 of the shaped arm 38 (see Figure 6).

[0273] Preferably, the actuating member 44 is an electric motor having a body 46 attached to the support element 42 and a respective drive shaft 45 to which the first end 43a of the crank 43 is attached (see Figure 6).

[0274] Preferably, the driving crank 43 is rotatably coupled to the end of the second branch 38b of the shaped arm 38 of the diverting element 34 at a second end 43b thereof opposite the first end 43a (see Figure 6).

[0275] Preferably, and as best shown in Figure 6, the second branch 38b of the shaped arm 38 is substantially fork-shaped so as to house the second end 43b of the driving crank 43 between axially spaced arms 38b’ and 38b” of the fork.

[0276] In the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 6, the second end 43b of the driving crank 43 is pivoted to the second branches 38b’ and 38b” of the shaped arm 38 of the diverting element 34.

[0277] More particularly, the second end 43b of the driving crank 43 is pivoted to a pin 50 extending between the second branches 38b’ and 38b” of the second branch 38b of the shaped arm 38 of the diverting element 34 and is rotatable about a respective rotation axis A10.

[0278] In this preferred embodiment, the rotation axes A8, A9, A10 and A1 1 are parallel to the transport plane P and perpendicular to a direction parallel to the transport direction T (see Figure 6).

[0279] In this preferred embodiment, moreover, the crank 43, the shaped arm 38 and the respective support body 40 form a kinematic drive mechanism, generally indicated at 47, of the driving device 39 of the diverting element 34 configured to drive the engagement component 35 along an appropriate intercepting trajectory of an end portion of a piece 4 of sheet material to be discarded.

[0280] More specifically and as explained above, this intercepting trajectory of the piece 4 is incident to the transport plane P and with an orientation concordant with the transport direction T.

[0281] With particular reference to the accompanying Figures 7-9, a method is now described for transporting pieces 4 of sheet material, for example electrode precursors in sheet form usable in the production of electrochemical cells, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0282] In a first step, it is provided to transport at least one piece 4 of sheet material via the first transport surface 3 of the transporting apparatus 1 between the first piece inlet 5 and the first piece outlet 6 along the transport direction T.

[0283] If the piece 4 complies with the design specifications, the transport method involves transporting the piece 4 with the second transport surface 1 1 between the second piece inlet 12 and the second piece outlet 13 along the transport direction T so that it can later be picked up, e.g. for the assembly operations of an electrochemical cell.

[0284] If, on the other hand, the piece 4 does not conform to the design specifications, the transport method involves selectively engaging a portion of the longitudinal end of the piece 4 at the interspace 28 and diverting the piece 4 away from the transport plane P.

[0285] In the preferred embodiment illustrated, these steps comprise rotating the crank 43 by means of the respective actuating element 44 about the respective rotation axis A1 1 in a direction opposite to the transport T (i.e., anticlockwise direction in the lateral view of Figures 7-9) as illustrated by arrow S1 in Figures 7-9.

[0286] The rotation of the crank 43 simultaneously drives in rotation: i) the support body 40 of the shaped arm 38 in a direction opposite to the transport direction T (i.e. clockwise direction in the lateral view of Figures 7-9) as illustrated by arrow S2 in Figures 7-9, and ii) the shaped arm 38 pivoted to the support body 40 in a concordant orientation with the transport direction T (i.e., anticlockwise direction in the lateral view of Figures 7-9) as illustrated by arrow S3 in Figures 7-9.

[0287] In other words, the support body 40 rotates in a direction opposite to the transport direction T about its own rotation axis A8 while the shaped arm 38 pivoted to the support body 40 rotates in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the respective support body 40 and in an orientation concordant with the transport direction T about its own rotation axis A9.

[0288] This simultaneous movement in opposite directions of the shaped arm 38 and of the support body 40 is advantageously made possible: i) by pivoting the shaped arm 38 to the support body 40 about the rotation axis A9, which rotation axis A9 is itself rotatably movable about the fixed rotation axis A8, and ii) by pivoting the support body 40 about this same fixed rotation axis A8.

[0289] At the same time, the pivot axis A9 of the shaped arm 38 to the support body 40 is moved, again by the action of the crank 43, towards the transport plane P (i.e., downwards in the lateral view of Figures 7-9).

[0290] During this movement of the pivot axis A9 by the crank 43, the second branch 38b of the shaped arm 38 is rotated in a direction opposite to the transport direction T (i.e., anticlockwise direction in the lateral view of Figures 7-9), while the first branch 38a of the shaped arm 38 is rotated in a direction concordant with the transport direction T (i.e., also anticlockwise direction in the lateral view of Figures 7-9), as illustrated by arrow S3 in Figures 7-9.

[0291] Conversely, the pivot axis A10 of the second end 43b of the driving crank 43 of the arms 38b’ and 38b” of the second branch 38b of the shaped arm 38 of the diverting element 34, is driven by the crank 43 about the fixed rotation axis A11 of the crank 43 itself and travels along a curved trajectory advantageously suitable for rotating the first branch 38a of the shaped arm 38 towards the transport plane P and in an orientation concordant with the transport direction T.

[0292] Due to the combination of these movements of the components of the kinematic drive mechanism 47 of the driving device 39, the engagement component 35 is driven along the aforesaid intercepting trajectory of a longitudinal end portion of the piece 4 of sheet material to be discarded between: i) at least one non-operating position, not interfering with the transport plane P of the pieces 4, wherein the engagement component 35 of the diverting element 34 is positioned above the plane P (see Figure 7), and ii) a plurality of operating positions, two of which are illustrated by way of example in Figures 8 and 9, which interfere with the transport plane P of the pieces 4.

[0293] In these operating positions, and as further illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, the engagement component 35 of the diverting element 34 is inserted into the interspace 28 to selectively divert the piece 4 away from the transport plane P and towards the rejection area 29.

[0294] In Figure 3 and by way of example only, the trajectory Tr of the periphery of the rollers 37 of the engagement component 35 during a first step of the movement of the diverting element 34 driven by the kinematic drive mechanism 47 of the driving device 39, in particular by the crank 43, is illustrated with a thin line.

[0295] As can be gathered from what was illustrated above and from this figure, in this embodiment the engagement component 35 is driven along an intercepting and guiding trajectory resulting from a movement of the engagement component 35 comprising both a rotation movement (in an orientation concordant with the transport direction T) and a translation movement obliquely oriented with respect to the transport plane P (again in an orientation concordant with the transport direction T).

[0296] Preferably, the engagement component 35 is driven along an intercepting and guiding trajectory up to an end position thereof wherein the first branch 38a of the shaped arm 38 forms with a plane perpendicular to the transport plane P an angle of a predetermined value.

[0297] Preferably, the first branch 38a of the shaped arm 38 forms with a plane perpendicular to the transport plane P an angle comprised between 0° and 15°, for example approximately equal to about 7.5°.

[0298] In this final position of the engagement component 35, the engagement component is inserted almost entirely into the interspace 28 in a condition of almost perpendicularity of the first branch 38a of the shaped arm 38 with respect to the transport plane P, advantageously ensuring that the rejection of the piece 4 can take place in a guided and very effective manner (see Figure 9).

[0299] In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, the elongated body 36 of the engagement component 35 is advantageously provided with a chamfer 36a configured to prevent that the lower end portion of the elongated body 36 may interfere with the outer periphery of the conveyor belts 15a, 15b near the fifth roller 26 of the second conveyor 14.

[0300] Thanks to this combination of movements driven by the kinematic drive mechanism 47 of the driving device 39, moreover, the engagement component 35 is driven along an intercepting trajectory comprising a section that “follows” the outer surface of the first roller 22 of the first conveyor 7 forming an interspace between the outer surface of the rollers 37 of the engagement component 35 and the outer surface of the belts 8a, 8b having a thickness substantially equal to the thickness of the pieces 4 (see Figure 3).

[0301] In this way, it is advantageously possible to effectively guide the piece 4 away from the transport plane P so that it can be directed towards the rejection area 29 located below the interspace 28 (see Figures 3 and 7-9).

[0302] In a preferred embodiment, diverting the piece 4 of sheet material away from the transport surface P comprises driving the diverting element 34 towards the first roller 22 of the first conveyor 7 until the engagement component 35 is brought into an operating position in contact with an upper face 4a, i.e. the face opposite the first transport surface 3, of the piece 4 of sheet material to be discarded.

[0303] More particularly, in this preferred embodiment and as illustrated in Figures 7-9, the rollers 37 of the engagement component 35 are kept, for at least part of the intercepting and guiding trajectory of the engagement component 35, in contact with the upper face 4a of the piece 4 of sheet material.

[0304] In this way, it is advantageously possible to guide and further facilitate the movement of the piece 4 that is to be discarded away from the transport plane P and away from the outer surface of the belts 8a, 8b.

[0305] Thanks to the fact that the rollers 37 are idly mounted on the elongated body 36 of the engagement component 35, furthermore, the rollers can rotate in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the first roller 22 of the first conveyor 7 about the respective rotation axis A7, further facilitating the movement of the piece 4 that is to be rejected away from the transport plane P and away from the outer surface of the belts 8a, 8b.

[0306] In a preferred embodiment, diverting the sheet material 4 away from the transport plane P may comprise driving the fifth roller 26 of the second conveyor 14 in a rotation direction opposite to the transport direction T of the piece 4.

[0307] This can be achieved, for example, by reversing the rotation direction of the sixth motorised roller 27 of the second conveyor 14 when a piece 4 is to be discarded.

[0308] In this way, it is advantageously possible to divert in an even more effective way the piece 4 away from the transport plane P in such a manner that it can be efficiently directed towards the rejection area 29 positioned below the interspace 28 (see Figures 3 and 7-9).

[0309] Once the rejection of a piece 4, e.g. of a piece 4 which does not comply with the design specifications, has been accomplished, the crank 43 is rotated by the respective actuating member 44 about the respective rotation axis A1 1 in a direction concordant with the transport direction T (i.e. clockwise in the lateral view of Figures 7-9) as illustrated by arrow S1 in Figures 7-9.

[0310] This rotation of the crank 43 will in turn cause a movement of the kinematic drive mechanism 47 in a direction opposite to that described above, returning the engagement component 35 to its initial non-operating position at a predetermined distance from the transport plane P (see Figure 7).

[0311] Obviously, a person skilled in the art, in order to satisfy specific and contingent requirements, can make numerous modifications and variations to the invention described above while remaining within the scope of protection defined by the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Apparatus (1 ) for transporting pieces (4) of sheet material, said apparatus (1 ) comprising:- a first transport surface (3) extending along a transport direction (T) between a first piece inlet (5) and a first piece outlet (6), the first transport surface (3) being configured to transport a piece (4) of sheet material along the transport direction (T),- a second transport surface (1 1 ) extending along said transport direction (T) between a second piece inlet (12) and a second piece outlet (13), the second transport surface (1 1 ) being configured to transport a piece (4) of sheet material along the transport direction (T), wherein the first (3) and the second (1 1 ) transport surfaces define a transport plane (P) of said pieces (4) extending along said transport direction (T), wherein said first transport surface (3) precedes, along the transport direction (T), said second transport surface (1 1 ), wherein the first piece outlet (6) of the first transport surface (3) and the second piece inlet (12) of the second transport surface (1 1 ) are spaced apart from each other along the transport direction (T) by an interspace (28), wherein said apparatus (1 ) further comprises:- a diverting device (33) configured to selectively divert a piece (4) of sheet material away from the transport plane (P) of said pieces (4) and positioned above said transport plane (P) at said interspace (28), wherein the diverting device (33) comprises:- a diverting element (34) provided, at a free end (34a) thereof proximal to the transport plane (P) of said pieces (4), with an engagement component (35) configured to engage a piece (4) of sheet material,- a driving device (39) of the diverting element (34) configured to drive said engagement component (35) along an intercepting and guiding trajectory of an end portion of a piece (4) of sheet material incident with respect to the transport plane (P) and with an orientation concordant with the transport direction (T)between: i) at least one non-operating position, not interfering with the transport plane (P) of said pieces (4), wherein said engagement component (35) of the diverting element (34) is positioned above and at a predetermined distance from said plane (P), and ii) at least one operating position, interfering with the transport plane (P) of said pieces (4), wherein said engagement component (35) of the diverting element (34) is inserted into said interspace (28) to selectively divert said pieces (4) of sheet material away from said transport plane (P), and wherein said driving device (39) of the diverting element (34) is further configured to drive said engagement component (35) along said intercepting and guiding trajectory according to a rotational movement in an orientation concordant with the transport direction (T) and a translation movement obliquely oriented with respect to the transport plane (P) also in a direction concordant with said transport direction (T).

2. Apparatus (1 ) for transporting pieces (4) of sheet material, said apparatus (1 ) comprising:- a first transport surface (3) extending along a transport direction (T) between a first piece inlet (5) and a first piece outlet (6), the first transport surface (3) being configured to transport a piece (4) of sheet material along the transport direction (T),- a second transport surface (1 1 ) extending along said transport direction (T) between a second piece inlet (12) and a second piece outlet (13), the second transport surface (1 1 ) being configured to transport a piece (4) of sheet material along the transport direction (T), wherein the first (3) and the second (1 1 ) transport surfaces define a transport plane (P) of said pieces (4) extending along said transport direction (T), wherein said first transport surface (3) precedes, along the transport direction (T), said second transport surface (1 1 ), wherein the first piece outlet (6) of the first transport surface (3) and the second piece inlet (12) of the second transport surface (1 1 ) are spaced apart from each other along the transport direction (T) by an interspace (28),wherein said apparatus (1 ) further comprises:- a diverting device (33) configured to selectively divert a piece (4) of sheet material away from the transport plane (P) of said pieces (4) and positioned above said transport plane (P) at said interspace (28), wherein the diverting device (33) comprises:- a diverting element (34) provided, at a free end (34a) thereof proximal to the transport plane (P) of said pieces (4), with an engagement component (35) configured to engage a piece (4) of sheet material,- a driving device (39) of the diverting element (34) configured to control said engagement component (35) along an intercepting and guiding trajectory of an end portion of a piece (4) of sheet material incident with respect to the transport plane (P) and with an orientation concordant with the transport direction (T) between: i) at least one non-operating position, not interfering with the transport plane (P) of said pieces (4), wherein said engagement component (35) of the diverting element (34) is positioned above and at a predetermined distance from said plane (P), and ii) a plurality of operating positions interfering with the transport plane (P) of said pieces (4), wherein said engagement component (35) of the diverting element (34) is gradually inserted further into said interspace (28) to selectively divert said piece (4) of sheet material away from said transport plane (P) in a guided manner.

3. Apparatus (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein said driving device (39) of said diverting element (34) is configured to drive said engagement component (35) along an intercepting and guiding trajectory of an end portion of a piece (4) of sheet material incident with respect to the transport plane (P) and with an orientation concordant with the transport direction (T) between: i) said at least one non-operating position, and ii) a plurality of operating positions interfering with the transport plane (P) of said pieces (4), wherein said engagement component (35) of the diverting element (34) is gradually inserted further into said interspace (28) to selectively divert said piece (4) of sheet material away from said transport plane (P) in a guided manner.

4. Apparatus (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a first conveyor (7) comprising at least a first conveyor belt (8a, 8b) wound in a closed loop, wherein said at least a first conveyor belt (8a, 8b) comprises a first active branch (9), extending between said first piece inlet (5) and said first piece outlet (6), on which the first transport surface (3) is defined and wherein said at least a first conveyor belt (8a, 8b) is engaged with a first roller (22) rotatable about a first rotation axis (A1 ) and with a second roller (23) rotatable about a second rotation axis (A2), said first (A1 ) and second (A2) rotation axes being parallel to the transport plane (P) and perpendicular to a direction parallel to the transport direction (T) to define said first active branch (9) of said at least one first conveyor belt (8a, 8b).

5. Apparatus (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a second conveyor (14) comprising at least a second conveyor belt (15a, 15b) wound in a closed loop, wherein said at least a second conveyor belt (15a, 15b) comprises a second active branch (16), extending between said second piece inlet (12) and said second piece outlet (13), on which said second transport surface (1 1 ) is defined and wherein said at least a second conveyor belt (15a, 15b) is engaged with a fourth roller (25) rotatable about a fourth rotation axis (A4) and with a fifth roller rotatable about a fifth rotation axis (A5), said fourth (A4) and fifth (A5) rotation axes being parallel to the transport plane (P) and perpendicular to a direction parallel to the transport direction (T) to define said second active branch (16) of said at least a second conveyor belt (15a, 15b).

6. Apparatus (1 ) according to claims 4 and 5, wherein said interspace (28) is defined in the transport direction (T) between said first roller (22) of the first conveyor (7) and said fifth roller (26) of the second conveyor (14).

7. Apparatus (1 ) according to any one of claims 4-6, wherein the engagement component (35) of said diverting element (34) comprises an elongated body (36) perpendicularly extending to the transport direction (T) of the pieces (4) and wherein said elongated body (36) preferably has a length substantially equal to the width of said first conveyor (7).

8. Apparatus (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the engagement component (35) of said diverting element (34) comprises at least one roller (37) rotatably supported in an idle manner at said free end (34a) of the diverting element (34) proximal to the transport plane (P) of said pieces (4).

9. Apparatus (1 ) according to claim 8 when dependent on claim 7, wherein said at least one roller (37) of the engagement component (35) is rotatably supported as idle by said elongated body (36).

10. Apparatus (1 ) according to any one of claims 8 or 9, wherein the engagement component (35) of said diverting element (34) comprises a plurality of rollers (37) arranged side-by-side at a predetermined distance from each other, each of said rollers (37) being rotatably supported in an idle manner at said free end (34a) of the diverting element (34) proximal to the transport plane (P) of said pieces (4).

11. Apparatus (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said diverting element (34) comprises a shaped arm (38), preferably substantially L- shaped, and comprising a first branch (38a) associated to said engagement component (35) with said piece (4) of sheet material, and wherein the driving device (39) of the diverting element (34) comprises i) a support body (40), preferably fork shaped, of the shaped arm (38) of said diverting element (34), said support body (40) being rotatably supported by a respective support element (42) of the driving device (39), ii) a driving crank (43) of the shaped arm (38) rotatably associated to an end of a second branch (38b) of said shaped arm (38), said driving crank (43) being rotatably supported by said support element (42) of the driving device (39), wherein the shaped arm (38) of said diverting element (34) is rotatably supported by the respective support body (40) at an intermediate portion (38c) arranged between said first branch (38a) and said second (38b) branch of the shaped arm (38), and wherein the shaped arm (38) of said diverting element (34), the support body (40) of the shaped arm (38) and the driving crank (43) of the shaped arm (38) are rotatable about respective rotation axes (A9, A8, A1 1 ) parallel to the transport plane (P) and perpendicular to a direction parallel to the transport direction (T).

12. Apparatus (1 ) according to claim 1 1 , wherein said driving crank (43) is driven in rotation by a respective actuating member (44) associated to a first end (43a) of the driving crank (43) and wherein the driving crank (43) is rotatably associated to an end of said second branch (38b) of the shaped arm (38) of said diverting element (34) at an opposite second end (43b) of the driving crank (43).

13. Apparatus (1 ) according to any one of claims 11 or 12, wherein said driving device (39) of the diverting element (34) is configured to drive said engagement component (35) up to an end position of the engagement component (35) wherein said first branch (38a) of the shaped arm (38) forms with a plane perpendicular to the transport plane (P) an angle of a predetermined value, preferably comprised between 0° and 15°.

14. Apparatus (1 ) according to any one of claims 8-13, wherein said driving device (39) of said diverting element (34) is configured to drive said engagement component (35) along an intercepting trajectory comprising a section following an outer surface of said first roller (22) of the first conveyor (7) forming an interspace between an outer surface of said at least one roller (37) of the engagement component (35) and the outer surface of said at least one first conveyor belt (8a, 8b) having a thickness substantially equal to the thickness of said pieces (4).

15. Method for transporting pieces (4) of sheet material, comprising: transporting at least one piece (4) of sheet material by means of a first transport surface (3) of a transporting apparatus (1 ) between a first piece inlet (5) and a first piece outlet (6) along a transport direction (T), transporting said at least one piece (4) of sheet material with a second transport surface (1 1 ) of said transporting apparatus (1 ) between a second piece inlet (12) and a second piece outlet (13) along said transport direction (T), wherein the first (3) and the second (1 1 ) transport surfaces define a transport plane (P) of said pieces (4) extending along said transport direction (T), wherein said first transport surface (3) precedes, along the transport direction (T), said second transport surface (1 1 ), wherein the first piece outlet (6) of the first transport surface (3) and the second piece inlet (12) of the second transport surface (1 1 ) are spaced apart from each other along the transport direction (T) by an interspace (28), wherein the method further comprises: selectively engaging an end portion of a piece (4) of sheet material at said interspace (28), and diverting said piece (4) away from the transport plane (P) of said pieces (4),wherein selectively engaging the end portion of a piece (4) of sheet material and diverting said piece (4) away from the transport plane (P) comprise: driving a diverting element (34) provided, at a free end (34a) thereof proximal to the transport plane (P) of said pieces (4), with an engagement component (35) configured to engage a piece (4) of sheet material, along an intercepting and guiding trajectory of said piece (4) of sheet material incident with respect to the transport plane (P) and with an orientation concordant with the transport direction (T) between: i) at least one non-operating position, not interfering with the transport plane (P) of said pieces (4), wherein said engagement component (35) of the diverting element (34) is positioned above and at a predetermined distance from said transport plane (P), and ii) at least one operating position, interfering with the transport plane (P) of said pieces (4), wherein said engagement component (35) of the diverting element (34) is inserted into said interspace (28) to selectively divert said pieces (4) of sheet material away from said transport plane (P), and driving said engagement component (35) of the diverting element (34) along said intercepting and guiding trajectory according to a rotational movement in an orientation concordant with the transport direction (T) and a translation movement obliquely oriented with respect to the transport plane (P) also in a direction concordant with said transport direction (T).

16. Method for transporting pieces (4) of sheet material, comprising: transporting at least one piece (4) of sheet material by means of a first transport surface (3) of a transporting apparatus (1 ) between a first piece inlet (5) and a first piece outlet (6) along a transport direction (T), transporting said at least one piece (4) of sheet material with a second transport surface (1 1 ) of said transporting apparatus (1 ) between a second piece inlet (12) and a second piece outlet (13) along said transport direction (T), wherein the first (3) and the second (1 1 ) transport surfaces define a transport plane (P) of said pieces (4) extending along said transport direction (T), wherein said first transport surface (3) precedes, along the transport direction (T), said second transport surface (1 1 ),wherein the first piece outlet (6) of the first transport surface (3) and the second piece inlet (12) of the second transport surface (1 1 ) are spaced apart from each other along the transport direction (T) by an interspace (28), wherein the method further comprises: selectively engaging an end portion of a piece (4) of sheet material at said interspace (28), and diverting said piece (4) away from the transport plane (P) of said pieces (4), wherein selectively engaging the end portion of a piece (4) of sheet material and diverting said piece (4) away from the transport plane (P) comprise: driving a diverting element (34) provided, at a free end (34a) thereof proximal to the transport plane (P) of said pieces (4), with an engagement component (35) configured to engage a piece (4) of sheet material, along an intercepting and guiding trajectory of said piece (4) of sheet material incident with respect to the transport plane (P) and with an orientation concordant with the transport direction (T) between: i) at least one non-operating position, not interfering with the transport plane (P) of said pieces (4), wherein said engagement component (35) of the diverting element (34) is positioned above and at a predetermined distance from said transport plane (P), and ii) a plurality of operating positions interfering with the transport plane (P) of said pieces (4), wherein said engagement component (35) of the diverting element (34) is gradually inserted further into said interspace (28) to selectively divert said piece (4) of sheet material away from said transport plane (P) in a guided manner.

17. Method according to claim 15, comprising driving said diverting element (34) between: i) said at least one non-operating position, and ii) a plurality of operating positions interfering with the transport plane (P) of said pieces (4), wherein said engagement component (35) of the diverting element (34) is gradually inserted further into said interspace (28) to selectively divert said piece (4) of sheet material away from said transport plane (P) in a guided manner.

18. Method according to any one of claims 15-17, wherein said transporting apparatus (1 ) comprises a first conveyor (7) comprising at least a first belt (8a, 8b) wound in a closed loop, said at least a first belt (8a, 8b) comprising a first active branch (9) extending between said first piece inlet (5) and said first piece outlet (6) and on which the first transport surface (3) is defined, wherein said at least a first belt (8a, 8b) is engaged with a first roller (22) rotatable about a first rotation axis (A1 ), and wherein diverting said piece (4) of sheet material away from the transport plane (P) comprises driving said diverting element (34) towards said first roller (22) of said first conveyor (7) until said engagement component (35) is brought into an operating position in contact with an upper face (4a) of the piece (4) of sheet material.

19. Method according to any one of claims 15-18, wherein the engagement component (35) of said diverting element (34) comprises at least one roller, preferably a plurality of rollers (37), rotatably supported in an idle manner at said free end (34a) of the diverting element (34) proximal to the transport plane (P) of said pieces (4), and wherein diverting said piece (4) of sheet material away from the transport plane (P) comprises keeping said at least one roller (37) in contact with the upper face (4a) of the piece (4) of sheet material to guide a movement of said piece (4) away from said transport plane (P).

20. Method according to any one of claims 15-19, wherein said transporting apparatus (1 ) comprises a second conveyor (14) comprising at least a second belt (15a, 15b) wound in a closed loop, said at least a second belt (15a, 15b) comprising a second active branch (16), on which the second transport surface (1 1 ) is defined, wherein said at least a second belt (15a, 15b) is engaged with a fifth roller (26) rotatable about a fifth rotation axis (A5), and wherein diverting said piece (4) of sheet material away from the transport plane (P) comprises driving said fifth roller (26) in a rotation direction opposite to the transport direction (T) of said piece (4).21 . Method according to any one of claims 15-20, wherein said diverting element (34) comprises a shaped arm (38), preferably substantially L-shaped, and comprising a first branch (38a) associated to said engagement component (35) with said piece (4) of sheet material, and wherein the method further comprises driving said engagement component (35) to an end position of the engagement component (35) wherein said first branch (38a) of the shaped arm (38) forms with a plane perpendicular to the transport plane (P) an angle of a predetermined value, preferably comprised between 0° and 15°.

22. Method according to any one of claims 18-20, comprising driving said engagement component (35) along an intercepting trajectory comprising a section following an outer surface of said first roller (22) of the first conveyor (7) forming an interspace between an outer surface of said at least one roller (37) of the engagement component (35) and an outer surface of said at least one first conveyor belt (8a, 8b) having a thickness substantially equal to the thickness of said pieces (4).

23. Method according to any one of claims 15-22, wherein said pieces (4) of sheet material are electrode precursors for making electrochemical cells comprising a metal foil coated on at least one surface thereof with a layer of an active material for electrodes.

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