Apparatus for feeding hides in hide treatment or processing lines

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of lines or plants for the treatment or processing of flexible laminar elements such as natural leathers, synthetic leathers, fabrics and the like. In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention is suitable for use in the tanning industry, having as its object an apparatus for feeding hides to such lines, in as flat and crease-free an arrangement as possible.

Description

[0001] TITLE

[0002] APPARATUS FOR FEEDING HIDES IN HIDE TREATMENT OR PROCESSING LINES

[0003] DESCRIPTION

[0004] Technical field of the invention

[0005] The present invention relates to the field of lines or plants for the treatment or processing of flexible laminar elements.

[0006] Flexible laminar elements include natural leathers, synthetic leathers, fabrics, nonwoven fabrics, flexible plastic materials and similar or related materials, in which thickness extension is much smaller than the other two dimensions (length and width).

[0007] In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention is suitable for use in the tanning industry, and has as the object of feeding hides in as flat and crease-free an arrangement as possible towards processing or treatment lines.

[0008] Background of the invention

[0009] In tannery processes, and more generally where large hides have to be handled, the problem of correctly loading the pieces on the treatment and processing lines, especially on the conveying surfaces with which these lines are equipped, is quite felt. The loading of the individual pieces in sequence must in fact ensure that they are positioned in an orderly manner and, above all, that the hides are completely straighten out on the surface, without overturned flaps, folds, creases or irregularities in general. Among the machines that require this absolutely flat arrangement of the hides to ensure the quality of the processing, there are in particular the machines for the spray application a finishing liquid (resin or dye).

[0010] There is therefore a need for an apparatus that can effectively straighten the leather, preferably with minimal human intervention.

[0011] Various (partial or total) automation solutions have been tested, the success of which is hindered by the size, weight, irregular profile of the hides, and the very nature of the material.

[0012] The present invention fits into this scenario, providing an apparatus capable of removing folds, creases, upturned flaps, etc. in an increasingly safe and reliable manner, in a context of fully or partially automated feeding of single hides onto a work surface, such as for example (but not necessarily) the inlet conveyor of a spraying line.

[0013] Summary of the invention

[0014] The essential features of the hide feeding apparatus in hide treatment or processing lines according to the present invention are defined by the first of the appended claims. Other additional features are defined in the other claims.

[0015] Brief description of the drawings

[0016] The features and advantages of the hide feeding apparatus in lines for treatment or processing hides according to the present invention will become clearer from the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0017] Figure 1 is a bottom plan view of a feeding apparatus with a series of flattening devices mounted thereon according to embodiments of the invention;

[0018] Figure 2 is an axonometric representation of the apparatus of Figure 1 , from the leather entry side and with entry flattening devices according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0019] Figure 3 is an axonometric view of an enlarger device already shown in Figure 2, isolated from the apparatus and seen from the mounting side (internal and hidden, with the device mounted);

[0020] Figure 4 is again an axonometric view of the apparatus of Figure 1 , from the leather exit side and with exit flattening devices according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0021] Figure 5 is an enlarged portion of the bottom view of the apparatus of figure 1 , to show more clearly an exit flattening device according to the second embodiment;

[0022] Detailed description of the invention

[0023] With reference to the said figures, the apparatus according to the invention comprises a conveying surface ST which, in the example described, is the upper surface of a conveyor belt 11. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the conveyor belt 11 is formed by an assembly of parallel belts 111 wrapped around a bench 1 supported by a base 12 arranged upstream of a machinery to which the hides are to be fed. In some embodiments, the conveyor belt 11 can be integrated with the aforementioned apparatus and perform the function of an infeed belt for the hides. A transportation direction X of the hides and a transverse direction Y are defined by and on the conveyor belt 11 , so that the transport surface ST is in practice the materialization of the geometric plane XY (see in particular figure 4). A third Cartesian direction Z is represented by the perpendicular to the XY plane.

[0024] A handling apparatus, not shown, generally provides for the lifting of individual hides, their movement and their release onto the conveying surface ST. The configuration of such a handling apparatus, if present, does not fall within the scope of the present invention, as it may generally be subjected to various alternative solutions, it being sufficient, for the purposes of the invention under consideration herein, that the apparatus ensures the release of a single hide onto the conveyor belt 11. The apparatus according to the invention may moreover be conceived as an integral part of a handling system and / or downstream treatment line, or as a structurally and functionally independent unit.

[0025] For an effective planar straightening of the hide on the conveying surface ST, for example, mobile means 2 for engaging the hide can be provided, comprising for example one or more pairs of rods 21 movable on a plane parallel to the plane XY. The rods 21 can be, for example, hinged at first ends arranged on respective sides of the conveyor, and therefore of the conveying surface ST, around hinge axes orthogonal to such surface (i.e. parallel to the direction Z), and can also have a longitudinal extension equal, for example, to approximately half, or slightly less than half, of the extension of the aforementioned conveying surface ST in the transverse direction Y. Therefore, the rotation of the rods, preferably controlled by respective actuators, takes place between an open position, in which they are generally arranged along the sides of the conveyor belt 11 , freeing up the space above it in an almost complete manner, and a closed position in which they are positioned above the plane with an arrangement aligned with the transverse direction Y.

[0026] The mobile means 2 can also combine their action with that of air ejection means, not shown, for example and preferably in the form of at least one tubular bar for distributing a pneumatic flow, extending along the transverse direction Y above the conveying surface ST, and on which a plurality of ejection nozzles open.

[0027] Operationally, if the above-mentioned devices are adopted, when the hide falls on the conveying surface ST, it enters the range of action of the rods 21 which, initially in the closed position, (i.e. aligned along the transverse direction Y) engage the hide and then, by moving to the open position, ensure that it, due to the aforementioned opening by rotation, straighten out the hide in all directions, eliminating any folds / creases that may have formed, particularly but not only on the front part of the hide. The pneumatic jets then also intervene to prevent the creation of unwanted folds / creases or overlaps on the material during the actuation of the rods and / or to complete the straightening out of any residual folds / creases.

[0028] In some embodiments, crease control sensors are provided (thickness sensors such as barriers, profilometers or other) to check for the presence of a crease, and to assess the effectiveness of the action of the straightening means (mechanical and pneumatic) before proceeding with subsequent actions, such as repeating the operation of the rods or stopping the line to avoid damage or process problems.

[0029] In a main aspect of the present invention, the apparatus provides for the adoption of flattening devices which, in possible synergic action with the systems described above, but also independently from them, can benefit the particular effectiveness of the apparatus and in particular the safety in avoiding unwanted creases in the leather.

[0030] The figures provide representations of one embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, which consists of the provision of straightening and flattening devices for the hide, aimed in particular at a reliable removal of a certain type of lateral folds / creases that are generated during the handling of the hide. Indeed, it is possible that while a robot arm picks up the hide from a stand / platform or while the hide is placed on the conveyor belt, contrasting fold / creases may be generated between the hide and the conveyor belt, particularly on the side flaps facing downwards.

[0031] To straighten this type of fold / crease, the apparatus according to the invention uses flattening devices which, according to a first and a second embodiment, are respectively placed at the entry edge STi and at the discharge / exit edge STu of the conveying surface ST, may have the features referred to in the groups indicated by reference 3, for the entry flattening devices according to the first embodiment and reference 4 for the exit flattening devices according to the second embodiment.

[0032] The entry flattening devices 3, when provided, are arranged below the conveying surface ST and, for at least for at least one extension segment, along the entry edge STi, while the exit flattening devices 4, when provided, are arranged below said conveying surface ST and, for at least for at least one extension segment, along the exit edge STu.

[0033] The apparatus according to the invention provides for the implementation of at least one entry flattening device 3 and / or at least one exit flattening device 4.

[0034] In one embodiment, the apparatus according to the invention provides for the implementation of at least one exit flattening device 4.

[0035] However, in preferred embodiments the apparatus provides for the implementation of two entry flattening devices 3 and / or two exit flattening devices 4.

[0036] In the example shown in the figures, the apparatus includes both devices (entry flattening devices 3, first embodiment, and exit flattening devices 4, second embodiment). However, the invention also includes a partial implementation, with one or more entry flattening devices 3, suitable for straighten out the folds of the incoming hides, or one or more exit flattening devices 4, suitable for straighten out the folds of the outgoing hides.

[0037] The flattening devices 3, 4 shown in the figures make use of belts 31 , 41 , provided with protruding members spaced along the belts.

[0038] The protruding members may be protruding brushes / bristles 31a, 41a, preferably made of nylon or other fibrous material of similar consistency and stiffness, or protruding members of a rigid nature, such as folded pieces of sheet metal.

[0039] The belts 31 , 41 are wound in a loop and driven by pulleys 32, 42 so as to provide straight sections 3T, 4T running orthogonally to the transportation direction X of the hides on the belt.

[0040] In one embodiment, at least one of the pulleys 32, 42 is motorized to assist in the mechanical drive and evolution of the belts 31 , 41 around the pulleys 32, 42.

[0041] The positioning of the flattening devices 3, 4 is such as to exert a straightening action on the hides at the entry and / or exit, in the immediate proximity of the entry edge STi and / or the exit edge STu, below the conveying surface ST. The straight sections 3T, 4T of the belts 31 , 41 of the flattening devices 3, 4 extend in the immediate proximity of the respective edges of the belt (entry / exit), and may assume slightly different configurations depending on the process requirements. The two preferred configurations will be described below with reference to an exemplary entry flattening device 3 to illustrate the first configuration and an exemplary exit flattening device 4 to illustrate the second configuration.

[0042] However, both the entry flattening devices 3 and the exit flattening devices 4 may assume either of the two configurations. Furthermore, in embodiments that provide both an entry flattening device 3 and an exit flattening device 4, the configuration of the entry flattening device 3 may be the same as or different from the configuration of the exit flattening device 4.

[0043] Focusing on the one or more entry device 3 shown in the figures, the evolution plane of the belt 31 is substantially orthogonal to the conveyor plane or conveying surface ST and the straight section 3T directs the brushes 31a towards the conveying surface of the belt ST (figures 1 to 3). The entry flattening device 3, shown in particular in figures 1 to 3, comprises a small frame 33 supporting the pulleys 32 which extends along the YZ plane. The small frame 33 is cantilevered mounted on the base 12 by means of brackets 33a, and, in one embodiment, is suitable for supporting a drive 34 for one of the pulleys 32, i.e. the driving pulley. In a preferred embodiment, the overhang of the frame 33 with respect to the base 12 is such as to bring the straight section 3T of the belt 31 outside the leading edge STi by a few centimeters (for example 3 cm) measured in the direction X, and likewise the free (upper) ends of the brushes 31a to a distance of a few centimeters (even in the order of just one cm, or less) below the conveying surface ST (measured in the direction Z).

[0044] Regarding, instead, more specifically the exit flattening device or devices 4, shown in particular in figures 4 and 5 (but also visible in figure 1), the evolution plane of the belt 41 is substantially parallel, or in any case close to parallelism (for example with an angle between -10° and 10°) to the transport plane or conveying surface ST. Therefore, the straight section 4T turns the brushes 41a towards the outside of the belt in a direction substantially parallel to the conveying surface ST, rather than towards the conveying surface ST.

[0045] The exit flattening device 4 also comprises a frame 43 to support the pulleys 42 which, however, extends along the XY plane or a plane with a moderate angle to it. In one embodiment, a drive 44 for one of the pulleys 42, i.e. the driving pulley, is mounted on the frame 43. Also in this case, the brushes 41a (and the straight section 4T of the belt) are arranged at a distance of a few centimeters, measured along the direction Z, (for example between 2 and 6 cm) from the conveying surface ST.

[0046] In one embodiment, the frame 43 is cantilevered onto the base 12 so as to bring the straight section 4T of the belt 41 and the brushes 41a outside the leading edge STi by a few cm (e.g. 3 cm) measured in the X direction.

[0047] In an alternative embodiment, the exit flattening device or devices 4 are equipped with an additional functionality, i.e. the movability along the transportation direction X, from a first position, retracted with respect to the exit edge (STu) to a second position, beyond the exit edge (STu).

[0048] The movability of the exit flattening device 4 allows the straight section 4T to assume a more or less forward position depending on the needs of the treatment or processing line.

[0049] In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus according to the invention includes at least one actuator means 45, such as, for example a pneumatic piston, configured to move the exit flattening device 4 from said first position to said second position.

[0050] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one actuator means 45 acts on the frame 44 of the exit flattening device 4 in response to a signal emitted by a sensor capable of detecting the presence of the outgoing hide (figure 5).

[0051] This movability allows the flattening devices 4 to act on the hides avoiding jamming that could be created by the interaction of the brushes 14a with the part of the hide that first arrives at the exit edge STu. The flattening devices 4 can in fact assume an initially retracted position, hidden, no further than the exit edge STu, and protude, when actuated, from the conveyor belt beyond said exit edge STu, in the direction X, for example by about 5 cm, so as to interact with the surface of the hide adjacent to the conveyor belt and promote its straightening by removing any creases.

[0052] Furthermore, the implementation of a sensor that detects the presence of the leather at the exit point allows to automate the process and minimize human intervention.

[0053] In one embodiment, the movement of the devices is permitted by means of a plate 46 integral with the base of the conveyor belt on which linear guides are fixed. The liner guides, by means of two carriages, permit the alternating movement of the frame 43. In both cases, therefore, the brushes 41a act so as to engage the hide in the immediate vicinity of the entry / exit edge of the conveying surface (ST), underneath it. According to a preferred embodiment, the apparatus provides at least two flattening devices 3,4 per side, with an evolution direction of the motion of the belts 31 , 41 , represented in figure 1 by the arrows F1 and F2, causing that, in the straight sections 3T, 4T, the direction of motion is directed towards a respective side of the conveying surface ST, i.e. towards the outside of the conveyor belt; in this way, the direction of the evolution of the motion is opposite between the two flattening devices 3, 4 of each of the pairs of entry 3 or exit 4 flattening devices.

[0054] Advantageously, the alternating arrangement of the brushes / bristles 31a, 41a with empty spaces along the belt 31 , 41 allows the flattening devices 3, 4 to perform a mechanical, straightening action under the hide. In this way, the friction generated by the brushes / bristles 31a, 41a allows them to “engage” any fold / crease present in the hide to and promote the straightening of the material towards the outside.

[0055] The advantages of the apparatus according to the invention are clearly apparent from the above description. The invention provides a system that ensures a load of hides for subsequent processing with an arrangement substantially free of folds or creases, wrinkles or in any other significant flatness defects, with an unprecedented degree of performance in the reference field and virtually zero recourse to labor. All this even when the treated hides are very irregular, heavy or with different degrees of porosity.

[0056] The apparatus described may be part of a plant for the treatment or processing of flexible laminar elements; in general, examples of lines that may include the apparatus may include all those that use conveyor belts of various types or machinery that uses feeding belts.

[0057] The present invention has been described hereto with reference to preferred embodiments thereof. It is intended that other embodiments may exist which relate to the same inventive core, all falling within the scope of protection of the claims indicated below.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An apparatus for feeding flexible laminar elements to a line for treating or processing said flexible laminar elements comprising a conveying surface (ST), preferably parallel to a plane (XY), for transporting said flexible laminar elements according to a transportation direction (X) between an entry edge (STi) and an exit edge (STu), the apparatus being characterized by comprising at least one entry flattening device (3) arranged below said conveying surface (ST) and having at least one extension segment along said entry edge (STi) and / or at least one exit flattening device (4) arranged below said conveying surface (ST) and having at least one extension segment along said exit edge (STu), wherein said at least one entry flattening device (3) and said at least one exit flattening device (4) are adapted to promote the straightening of said flexible laminar elements.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 comprising at least one exit flattening device (4).

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said at least one entry flattening device (3) and said at least one exit flattening device (4) comprise a belt (31 , 41), provided with at least one protruding member (31a, 41a), said belt (31 , 41) being wound in a loop and driven by pulleys (32, 42), so as to provide straight sections (3T, 4T) evolving in a direction orthogonal to said transportation direction (X), said at least one protruding member (31a, 41a) being configured to engage a flexible laminar element in the vicinity of said entry edge (STi) and / or said exit edge (STu) and promote its spreading on said conveying surface (ST).

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said belt (31 , 41) is provided with multiple protruding members (31a, 41a) spaced along said belt (31 , 41).

5. The apparatus according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein at least one of said pulleys (32, 42) is motorized.

6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein said at least one protruding member is a brush (31a, 41a), preferably made of nylon or other fibrous material of similar consistency and stiffness.

7. The apparatus according to any of claims 3 to 5, wherein said at least one protruding member is composed of a material of a rigid nature.

8. The apparatus according to any of claims 3 to 7, wherein said belt (31 , 41) of said at least one entry flattening device (3) and / or of said at least one exit flattening device (4) is configured to evolve according to an evolution plane substantially orthogonal to said conveying surface (ST).

9. The apparatus according to any of claims 3 to 8, wherein said belt (31 , 41) of said at least one entry flattening device (3) and / or of said at least one exit flattening device (4) is configured to evolve according to an evolution plane substantially parallel to, or close to a parallelism relation therewith, the conveying surface (ST).

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said at least one exit flattening device (4) is movable along said transportation direction (X) from a first position, retracted with respect to said exit edge (STu) to a second position, beyond said exit edge (STu).11 . The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said at least one entry flattening device (3) is movable along said transportation direction (X) from a first position, retracted with respect to said entry edge (STi) to a second position, beyond said entry edge (STi).

12. The apparatus according to claim 10 or claim 11 , comprising at least one actuator (45) configured to move said at least one exit flattening device (4) and / or said at least one entry flattening device (3) from respective said first position to respective said second position.

13. The apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein said at least one actuator (45) is configured to move said at least one exit flattening device (4) and / or said at least one entry flattening device (3) from respective said first position to respective said second position in response to a signal, emitted by at least one sensor, capable of detecting the presence of said flexible laminar element in the proximity od said exit edge (STu) and or said entry edge (STi), respectively.

14. The apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 13, comprising at least two entry flattening devices (3) spaced along said entry edge (STi) and / or at least two exit flattening devices (4) spaced along said exit edge (STu), wherein said straight sections (3T, 4T) of said belts (31 , 41) of said at least two entry / exit flattening devices (3, 4) are configured to evolve in opposite directions to each other, directed towards respectivesides of said conveying surface (ST).

15. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said conveying surface (ST) is the upper surface of a conveyor belt (11).

16. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising spreading means for straighten out said flexible laminar elements disposed above said conveying surface (ST), said spreading means being apt to promote a planar arrangement of said flexible laminar elements on said conveying surface (ST).

17. Plant or line for the treatment or processing of flexible laminar elements comprising an apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims.

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