Carousel and method for transferring items

Abstract

Carousel (1) and method for transferring items (9), preferably food items of various kinds, comprising a central body (2) rotating about an axis (Y) and defining a movement path for the items (9) between a first station (S1) and a second station (S2). The carousel (1) comprises at least a first movement member (3) comprising at least one gripping member (5) configured in use to pick up and / or release one or more items (9) in the first station (S1) and in the second station (S2) respectively, at least a second movement member (4) interposed between the central body (2) and a respective first movement member (3). The first movement member (3) is movable in translation with respect to an extension direction of the first station (S1) and the second movement member (4) is movable in translation and / or rotation with respect to the first station (S1) so as to define a plurality of operating positions of at least one gripping member (5).

Description

[0001] CAROUSEL AND METHOD FOR TRANSFERRING ITEMS

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a carousel for transferring items, in particular items that are fed inside a respective production / packaging line. The present invention further relates to a method of transferring items by means of the aforesaid carousel.

[0004] In particular, the present invention finds application in the food industry and more specifically in those processing and packaging steps in which items are transferred from one conveyor to another until they reach the packaging step individually, in stacks or spines.

[0005] In this field, the need to move items and accompany them from the end of the production step to the packaging step is well known. During the transport steps, following the production of the items, several conveyor belts are used, each with varying and in particular typically increasing travel speeds. Therefore, by passing the items on successive conveyors with typically increasing speed, the items are separated and instead of being arranged in rows very close together, as can happen at the exit of the baking process, the items are spaced further and further apart as the speed of the subsequent conveyor increases, until rows consisting of a single item are reached just before packaging.

[0006] The machinery usually used in these operations to move items from one area to another consists of several conveyor segments and therefore occupies a significant portion of the surface area of the production lines, representing a spatial intrusion that can limit flexibility in the use of available space.

[0007] In other words, today in locations where packaging operations take place, there are inevitably conveyors for moving items to bring them near the packaging machines, before which the items must also be sorted and oriented in a row so that they are evenly spaced to meet the broader packaging requirements. It is also advisable to try to limit the footprint occupied by the machinery as much as possible, simplify the mechanics applied to the packaging process, and reduce the costs of operating and maintaining such machinery throughout the chain.

[0008] The technical task of the present invention is therefore that of providing a carousel and a method of transferring items which are capable of overcoming the drawbacks emerging from the prior art.

[0009] The aim of the present invention is therefore to provide a carousel and a method of transferring items that are capable of moving items so as to transport them close to a packaging machine, obviating the space problems caused by the footprint of the current systems composed of conveyors.

[0010] The aim of the present invention is therefore to provide a carousel and a method of transferring items adapted to pick up items arranged on a conveyor in a sorted and unsorted manner, and deposit them in a different position, adjusting the orientation and pitch between the items as required. A further aim of the present invention is to provide a carousel and a method of transferring items that results in a carousel that is structurally unobtrusive while maintaining a high degree of versatility in adjusting the carousel itself.

[0011] A further aim of the present invention to provide a versatile item transfer carousel, as it can be adapted to various production and / or packaging lines of items having different shapes and belonging to different fields.

[0012] The technical task and aim specified are substantially achieved by a carousel and a method of transferring items comprising the technical features set forth in one or more of the appended .

[0013] The dependent claims correspond to possible embodiments of the invention.

[0014] In particular, the specified technical task and aims are achieved by a carousel and a method of transferring items, preferably but not limited to, food items e.g. confectionery, comprising: a central body rotating about an axis and defining a movement path for items between a first station and a second station, at least a first movement member arranged peripherally with respect to the central body, extending along a main dimension of the first movement member itself and comprising at least one gripping member configured in use to pick up and / or release one or more items in the first station and in the second station, respectively, at least a second movement member interposed between the central body and a respective first movement member, within which the first movement member is movable.

[0015] The carousel which is the subject matter of the present description can comprise a first area and / or a second area for storing one or more items. The first storage area is positioned downstream of the first station and the second storage area is positioned on the central body of the carousel.

[0016] The carousel can also manage the reverse-feeding process necessary to introduce stored products into its work cycle, either by picking up entire rows of stored items or portions of a row.

[0017] The first movement member is movable in translation in a direction transverse to the first conveyor and the second movement member is movable in translation and / or rotation. Such degrees of freedom in translation and / or rotation define a plurality of operating positions of the gripping member. The first gripping member is movable with respect to the first movement member in translation and / or rotation.

[0018] Preferably, the first movement member is made in the form of an arm movable away from, towards and rotated with respect to the central portion of the central body.

[0019] According to an aspect of the present invention, the first movement member comprises a plurality of gripping members distributed along the main dimension thereof, the gripping members are also movable, along two mutually orthogonal directions, mutually with respect to the other as well as rotatable with respect to an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the carousel.

[0020] Preferably the second movement member comprises a first portion and a second movable portion. The first portion defines a sliding guide for the second portion.

[0021] Preferably, the second movement member is made in the form of a linear guide that is movable in translation on the central body and rotatable about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the carousel; the result is that the first movement member can be moved in rotation and translation with respect to the second movement member.

[0022] The central body of the carousel also has at least one actuator in which the second movement member is engaged, which is translatable with respect to the actuator and rotatable about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the carousel.

[0023] Preferably, the carousel which is the subject matter of the present invention comprises a plurality of first and second movement members.

[0024] In other words, the carousel for transferring items serves the function of a packaging machine, therefore the first and second stations can be made in the form of a conveyor that moves, along a main movement direction, one or more items at either a predefined or variable speed.

[0025] According to an aspect of the present invention, the carousel can also comprise a control unit consisting of one or more sensors operating on the first station and / or upstream and / or downstream of the latter. Such sensors identify the orientation and / or distribution of the items on the conveyor and enable the appropriate operation of the carousel's movement members so as to sort one or more items, bringing them back to the predefined orientation and / or distribution.

[0026] Preferably, the carousel comprises a first area and a second area for storing one or more items. The first storage area is positioned downstream of the first station and the second storage area is positioned on the central body of the carousel.

[0027] Advantageously, the carousel which is the subject matter of the present invention makes it possible to generate the transfer to the next packaging machine apparatus of neat, oriented items in a single row and evenly spaced to meet the broadest packaging requirements while minimising the footprint and expense due to the installation of machinery, thus simplifying the mechanics applied to the packaging process.

[0028] Advantageously, the carousel described in the invention allows to have at least two storage areas for items available, thus ensuring greater flexibility and efficiency in an item packaging process since it allows any interruptions or slowdowns in the transfer of items to be handled without stopping the packaging process. The specified technical task and aims are also achieved by a method of transferring items achieved by the use of the carousel which is the subject matter of the present invention.

[0029] Said method comprises the steps of:

[0030] - arranging or moving one or more items in the loading station; according to an aspect of the present invention, the items are comprised in a plurality of items arranged in rows having uniform or even different distances and / or different orientations from each other;

[0031] - moving at least a first movement member, a respective second movement member and at least one respective gripping member onto the loading station;

[0032] - defining an operating position of at least one gripping member according to the distance and / or inclination of the respective item in the loading station;

[0033] - picking up at least one item arranged on the conveyor near the loading station;

[0034] - moving at least one item along a movement path defined, by means of a central body, from the loading station to the unloading station;

[0035] - defining a further operating position of the at least one gripping member according to a desired packaging of one or more items;

[0036] - releasing one or more items in the unloading station.

[0037] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the indicative and therefore non-limiting description of an embodiment of a carousel and a method for picking up and releasing items.

[0038] Such a description will be set forth below with reference to the attached drawings, provided for indicative and, therefore, non-limiting purposes, in which:

[0039] - Figure 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of the carousel for transferring items which is the subject matter of the present invention;

[0040] - Figure 2 is a view from above of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 ;

[0041] - Figure 3 is a front view of a second embodiment of the carousel for transferring items which is the subject matter of the present invention;

[0042] - Figure 4 is a view from above of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3;

[0043] - Figure 5 is a front view of a third embodiment of the carousel for transferring items which is the subject matter of the present invention;

[0044] - Figure 6 is a view from above of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 5.

[0045] With reference to the attached figures, the carousel for transferring items 9 has overall been indicated with 1 , which for the sake of simplicity will be referred to below as carousel 1 .

[0046] The carousel 1 comprises a first station "S1" and a second station "S2" on which one or more 9 items are placed.

[0047] The carousel 1 comprises a central body 2 rotating about an axis Y and defining a movement path for the items 9 between a first station "S1" and a second station "S2".

[0048] In accordance with an aspect of the present description, the first station "S1" is a loading station of the items 9 and the second station "S2" is an unloading station of the items 9. The carousel 1 comprises a loading station "S1 " and an unloading station "S2" for one or more items 9, a central body 2 rotating about an axis "Y", according to a possible non-limiting representation indicated in Figures 1 to 6, such an axis of rotation "Y" is vertical with respect to the ground, and defining a movement path for the items 9 between the loading station "S1 " and the unloading station "S2". Preferably, as depicted for example in Figure 2, the loading station "S1" is made in the form of a conveyor 11 configured to move the items 9, according to a possible embodiment of the invention, along a main extension direction "Z" of the conveyor 11 itself which, in use, is transverse to the main extension direction "Z1" of the conveyor 10.

[0049] The carousel 1 further comprises at least a first movement member 3 arranged peripherally with respect to the central body 2, extending along a main dimension of the first movement member 3 itself and comprising at least one gripping member 5 configured in use to pick up and / or release one or more items 9 in the first and / or second station "S1 , S2", respectively. Preferably, the first movement member 3 is made in the form of an elongated body that extends longitudinally away from a central portion 7 of the central body 2.

[0050] The carousel 1 further comprises at least a second movement member 4, interposed between the central body 2 and a respective first movement member 3.

[0051] In accordance with an aspect of the present description, the first movement member 3 moves in translation with respect to an extension direction of the first station "S1 " and the second movement member 4 is movable in translation and / or rotation with respect to such a first station "S1" so as to define a plurality of operating positions of the gripping member 5.

[0052] In accordance with a further aspect of the present description and shown in the attached figures, the first movement member 3 and the second movement member 4 are movable in translation and / or rotation according to such degrees of freedom so as to define a plurality of operating positions of the gripping member 5.

[0053] The gripping member 5, for individually picking up items 9 to be transferred, has three degrees of freedom and is movable with respect to the first movement member 3 in translation, along two mutually orthogonal directions, and / or rotation according to the respective degrees of freedom. Preferably, the first movement member 3 is made in the form of an arm movable away from and towards the central portion 7 of the central body 2.

[0054] With reference to the embodiment of the carousel 1 in the attached figures, the first movement member 3 comprises a plurality of gripping members 5 distributed along the main dimension.

[0055] In accordance with the embodiment shown in the attached figures, the gripping members 5 present on the first movement member 3 are movable both synchronously and independently of each other.

[0056] If the first gripping member 5 moves closer to the central portion 7 of the central body 2 the remaining gripping members present on the first movement member 3 move accordingly. Both the synchronous and non- synchronous movement of the gripping members 5 of each first movement member 3 can occur in translation and / or rotation about a respective vertical axis parallel to the axis of rotation "Y" of the carousel 1 .

[0057] The gripping members 5 have respective centre-to-centre distances positioned therebetween. For example, a first centre-to-centre distance has a distance "d1 " from a second centre-to-centre distance, which in turn has a distance "d2" from the next centre-to-centre distance. As depicted in the attached figures, the distance "d1" is equal in extension with respect to the distance "d2".

[0058] Advantageously, the possibility of distancing the individual gripping members 5 away from the adjacent gripping members 5 allows to obtain greater flexibility, according to the distribution of the items 9 present in the loading station "S1 ", and the pitch required for the packaging of the items 9 on the conveyor 10.

[0059] Therefore, each gripping member 5 is able to move along a first movement direction "M1" coinciding with an extension axis of the first movement member 3. Therefore, the first movement direction "M1" coincides with a translation along a horizontal direction with reference to the attached figures.

[0060] Furthermore, each gripping member 5 is also able to move along a second movement direction "M2" perpendicular to the first movement direction "M1". Therefore, the second movement direction "M2" coincides with a translation along a vertical direction with reference to the attached figures. Furthermore, each gripping member 5 is able to rotate according to a rotation "R1" about a respective vertical axis parallel to the axis of rotation "Y" of the carousel 1 .

[0061] The movement of each gripping member 5 along the first movement direction "M1", the second movement direction "M2" and during rotation "R1" about its own centre-to-centre distance occurs synchronously between one gripping member 5 and the next gripping member 5 of the same first movement member 3.

[0062] Preferably, each gripping member 5 can be made in the form of a gripper and / or a suction element. Preferably, in the attached figures the gripping members 5 are made in the form of suction cups.

[0063] Preferably, each first movement member 3 is equipped with a number of gripping members 5 equal to the number of items 9 which must be picked up from the loading station "S1 ". The attached figures show, for example, first movement members 3 equipped with five gripping members 5, but they could be equipped with fewer or more gripping members 5.

[0064] Again with reference to the embodiment of the carousel 1 in the attached figures, the second movement member 4 is made in the form of a linear guide movable in translation on the central body 2 and rotatable about an axis of rotation parallel to the vertical axis "Y".

[0065] The second movement member 4 comprises a first portion 4a and a second movable portion 4b with respect to the first 4a. The first portion 4a defines a sliding guide for the second portion 4b.

[0066] Preferably, the second movement member 4 is engaged in an actuator 8 arranged in the radial portion of the central body 2, the movement member 4 being translatable and rotatable about an axis of rotation parallel to the vertical axis "Y".

[0067] Therefore, with reference to Figure 4, the first movement member 3 is able to translate along a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation "X". Such movement occurs relative to the second movement member 4, which in turn can translate with respect to the central body 2.

[0068] According to a possible embodiment, the carousel 1 comprises a plurality of first movement members 3 and a plurality of second movement members 4 distributed radially in a peripheral portion of the central body 2. Preferably, the central body 2 is rotatable at a speed selected according to the predefined speed of the conveyor present in the loading "S1" and unloading "S2" station where one or more items 9 are moved along a main movement direction.

[0069] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the number of gripping members 5 is greater than the number of items 9 in the gripping station S1 .

[0070] Furthermore, the carousel 1 comprises a control unit and one or more sensors operating on the loading station "S1 " and unloading station "S2" and / or upstream and / or downstream of said stations, in use configured to identify an orientation and / or distribution of the items 9. The control unit is configured to move the first movement member 3 with attached gripping members 5 and the second movement member 4 according to a predefined orientation and / or distribution to sort one or more items 9 and return them to the predefined orientation and / or distribution.

[0071] Advantageously, the combination of the rotational and translational movements of the individual movement members allows the movement of the components of the carousel 1 according to different degrees of freedom for each movement member, i.e. approach or distancing and / or rotation with respect to an axis in use parallel to the vertical axis of rotation "Y" of the carousel 1. The combination of rotary movements and linear movements for each movement member allows to obtain maximum flexibility and performance, resulting in a more compact, versatile and high-performance carousel 1 for transferring items 9. For example, according to a possible configuration of use, some of the first movement members 3 can be parallel to each other during both the loading and unloading steps to give a certain orientation to the items 9.

[0072] According to a possible configuration, the operation of which is described for explanatory purposes only and not as a limitation of a possible application in other sectors, i.e. for the transfer of different items 9, such a carousel 1 finds application in the food sector and in particular in the confectionery industry; for example, it is possible to make a carousel 1 with twelve spokes (defined by the combination of the first and second movement members 3 and 4), also called arms, thus manipulating up to ninety-six rows (i.e. rows of items 9 arriving from the loading station "S1" per minute with eight complete rotations of carousel 1 , since the carousel takes about 8 seconds to carry out one complete rotation from the loading point to the opposite unloading point "S2". However, it is possible to configure the carousel 1 with fewer or more than twelve spokes and with variable speeds.

[0073] Thanks to the combination of the movements which the movement members 3, 4 and the gripping members 5 perform with respect to the central body 2 of the carousel 1 , it is possible to vary the point of pick-up and / or release of the items 9 to be packaged, to maintain the point of pickup and / or release of the items 9 to be packaged even if the rotation speed of the central body 2 varies to anticipate and / or delay the pick-up and / or release point by picking up and / or releasing before or after a certain row, thus varying the pick-up point, to orientate the items 9 during the rotary transfer cycle and finally to vary the pick-up pitch between the rows and the release pitch of the items 9.

[0074] In other words, the above features make it possible to have a carousel 1 with the ability to pick up items 9, arranged in rows, sorted or not, from a conveyor 11 , collect them, orientate them and transfer them to a second conveyor 10 used, for example, for packaging operations.

[0075] The carousel 1 can comprise a first area "A1 " and possibly also a second area "A2" for the storage of one or more items 9. The first storage area "A1" is positioned downstream of the first station "S1" and the second storage area "S2" is positioned on the central body 2 of the carousel 1 . The second area "A2" is "integrated" in the work area of the carousel 1 .

[0076] The first area "A1" is dedicated to the storage of items 9 in transit in the first station "S1 " thus on conveyor 11 that are not picked up by the carousel 1 .

[0077] In other words, the first area "A1 " is "downstream" of the carousel 1 and is connected to the transport that conveys the items 9 to the carousel 1. Therefore, the items 9 not picked up by the gripping members 5 of the first movement member 3 of the carousel 1 will end up in the first area "A1" within a device capable of storing the items 9 arranged by rows.

[0078] The second area "A2" is dedicated to the storage of the items 9 picked up from the carousel 1 , which however cannot be transferred to the second station "S2" then to the second conveyor 10.

[0079] In other words, the 9 items that the carousel 1 collects and cannot be transferred to the stations S2 are deposited in a second area "A2" integrated with the carousel 1 where the items 9 will be stored sorted by rows.

[0080] In the first area "A1" and in the second area "A2", the items 9 can be stored in a sorted manner, so that they can later be picked up again already sorted and ready for packaging.

[0081] The stored rows can be picked up and the related reverse-feeding process to the carousel 1 is possible both during the regular work of the carousel 1 and at the end of its regular work, viz., both when the items 9 come from the first conveyor 10 thus from the first station "S1" and when the items 9 do not come from the first conveyor 11. According to a further aspect of this description, the carousel 1 can provide a reverse-feeding function, which assumes that the conveyor travels with reverse motion and therefore that the carousel 1 is operated with an opposite direction of rotation to the regular one.

[0082] Advantageously, the carousel 1 is able to deposit the items 9 picked up into two different areas "A1 , A2".

[0083] In accordance with a possible embodiment of the present invention, the first area "A1 " is located on the first conveyor 11 downstream of the carousel 1 and the second area "A2" is positioned on the central body 2 of the carousel 1 .

[0084] The second storage area "A2" of the items 9 is made in the form of a second conveyor 10 connected to a storage station equipped with multiple planes moved vertically.

[0085] Each row unloaded onto the conveyor is transferred to one of the platforms mounted inside the storage station. The platforms are moved by a circuit of chains ascending so to accommodate any further rows to be stored. The movement of the chains and thus of the platforms is of the start-stop type.

[0086] The size and internal volume of the storage station determine the storage capacity of the carousel 1 itself.

[0087] Once the second conveyor 10 of the carousel 1 is ready to receive the items 9 that had been stored in, for example, the second area "A2", the reverse-feeding process starts by reversing the motion of the chains to obtain the descent of the platforms that have collected the rows of items 9. The stored items 9 can be transferred onto the second conveyor 10 downstream of the carousel 1 , repeatedly picking up a portion of the single row stored in the second storage area "A2".

[0088] According to a further aspect of the present invention, once the gripping members 5 of the first gripping member 3 are available to receive the items 9 that have been collected in the first storage area "A1 ", the reversefeeding process starts.

[0089] Therefore, the first conveyor 11 , downstream of which the first storage area "A1" is arranged, moves along the direction "Z" in the opposite direction to the storage step of the items 9 so as to transfer the rows from the first storage area "A1 " to the gripping members 5 of the carousel 1 .

[0090] A controlled pusher is used to transfer the row deposited on the platform of the connected storage stations "A1 " and "A2".

[0091] The reverse-feeding process presupposes the ability of the packaging machine connected to the carousel 1 to operate even at a higher speed than that envisaged when the carousel 1 is "regularly" operating, viz., when the carousel 1 transfers all the items 9 coming from the first conveyor 11 .

[0092] The number of items 9 to be reverse-fed can vary according to the overall capacity of the packaging plant consisting of the carousel 1 and the packaging machines connected thereto "S1 " and "S2".

[0093] The first gripping member 3 of the carousel 1 can be equipped with a number of picking members 5 such that it can pick up both the items 9 forming the row coming from the first conveyor 10 and also the items 9 forming the portion of the row to be picked up from the first storage area "A1" and / or the second storage area "A2".

[0094] According to an aspect of the present description, the packaging machine (connected to "S1" and / or "S2") increases its operating speed when the carousel 1 transfers the "larger" row thereto, viz., the row consisting of both the items 9 coming from the first conveyor 10 and those present in the first storage area "A1 " and / or the second storage area "A2".

[0095] According to a further aspect of the present description, the portion of the row that is picked up from the storage area coincides with the possible speed increase of the packaging machine paired with the carousel 1 .

[0096] According to a further aspect of the present description, the first movement member 3 using its "position correction" function, presents the gripping member 5 at the item 9 to be picked up, viz., at the correct portion of the row. The pick-up point of the portion of the row to be reverse-fed varies with each picking up.

[0097] The position of the gripping member 5 picking up from the first "A1" and / or second "A2" storage area therefore varies with each pick-up from the stored row. The number of pick-ups from the same stored row therefore depends on the number of portions that can be picked up in each reversefeeding cycle.

[0098] The gripping members 5 dedicated to the items that can be picked up from the stored rows are not used when the first storage area "A1" and the second storage area "A2" are empty or when the reverse-feeding function is not active. The increase in speed must be almost instantaneous, it must occur within the time frame coinciding with the depositing of the row on the packaging machine catenary. The magnitude of the possible speed increase determines the portion of the stored row that can be picked up, and consequently also the number of additional gripping members 5 to be provided on the first movement member 3.

[0099] The time required to empty the first storage area "A1" or the second storage area "A2" depends on such an increase in speed.

[0100] In cases where there are multiple packaging machines connected to the same carousel 1 or there are multiple carousels 1 in the same packaging plant, it will be possible to define a portion of the transport surface which is common to several gripping members 5 or several carousels 1 .

[0101] Such a transport portion will be shareable work area according to the packaging speed to be achieved with the packaging machines connected to the carousel 1 .

[0102] The number of items 9 present in the shared work area determines the number of gripping members 5 to be added to each first movement member 3 of the carousel 1 so as to be able to pick up a row consisting of a greater number of items 9, if necessary.

[0103] Thereby, the distribution of the items 9 to be distributed to the multiple connected packaging machines, or to the multiple carousels 1 present in the same packaging plant, can be varied to the extent of the actual speed reachable by the packaging machines, in particular by the packaging machine's actual ability to instantaneously increase its operating speed.

[0104] For this purpose, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the first gripping member 3 is equipped with a number of gripping members 5 greater than the number of items 9 occurring in the gripping station "S1".

[0105] Advantageously, the carousel 1 , having at its disposal a greater number of gripping members 5 with respect to the number of items 9 forming the row to be picked up in the first station "S1", can manage the variation of machine states of the elements forming the entire packaging plant in an optimised manner.

[0106] In fact, in the event of a failure or interruption in the regular operation of one of the elements forming the system, the reduction in capacity resulting from the individual failure is compensated thanks to the fact that the other elements can increase their capacity in terms of pick-up, transfer and packaging speed. The management of the storage areas "A1 , A2" can also be optimised with this function.

[0107] In the hypothetical configuration in which two packaging machines are paired with the same carousel 1 , it will be possible, for example, to vary the distribution percentage of the items 9, thus allowing a reduced number of items 9 to be deposited in the storage areas "A1 , A2", increasing the time required to saturate its storage capacity and reducing the reversefeeding time required to empty the storage areas "A1 , A2".

[0108] Advantageously, if it is possible to double the packaging speed, the rows from S1 are picked up from the carousel 1 and are only deposited on the conveyor S2, thus on only one packaging machine.

[0109] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the carousel 1 comprises a single storage area "A2" for storing both the items 9 that cannot be picked up from the carousel 1 and those that cannot be deposited at the stations "S2".

[0110] For example, the addition of a 90° bend to connect the conveyor 11 paired with the station S1 to the conveyor 10 would allow to use only the storage station "A2" to carry out both functions described by the first and second storage areas "A1 , A2".

[0111] Furthermore, according to a further aspect of the present description, the carousel 1 provides the reverse-feeding functionality both at the end of the shift and during the regular production of the items 9 to be packaged.

[0112] Furthermore, the carousel 1 can be equipped with one or two storage areas "A1 , A2" provided with the reverse-feeding function "at the end of production" for whole rows and / or reverse-feeding "during regular production" for portions of a row.

[0113] The present invention further relates to a method of transferring items 9.

[0114] The method is achieved by means of the use of a carousel 1 as described above.

[0115] The method comprises a first step of arrangement, viz., movement, of one or more items 9 in the first station "S1 ".

[0116] In accordance with an embodiment, the first station "S1 " defines a loading station "S1" of items 9. The items 9 are comprised in a plurality of items 9 arranged in rows having equal or different distances and also different inclinations from each other.

[0117] It is understood that the items 9 that can be picked up are presented in both sorted and unsorted positions.

[0118] For example, Figures 2 and 4 illustrate the steps in which one or more items 9 are moved in the loading station "S1". According to a further aspect of the present description, the items 9 can be arranged both in a sorted and unsorted manner, also having different mutual distances and / or inclinations from each other.

[0119] The method further provides moving at least a first movement member 3, a respective second movement member 4 and at least one respective gripping member s on the loading station "S1". Advantageously, an operating position of at least one gripping member 5 is defined according to the distance and / or inclination of the respective item 9 in the loading station "S1", in particular, a first and a second movement member 3 and 4 are involved which are equipped with a plurality of gripping members 5 so that the items 9 arranged on the conveyor 11 near the loading station "S1", although having a different inclination, are sorted thanks to the pick-up, also individual, in the loading station "S1 " carried out by the member 3 which adapts its inclination in real time with respect to the conveyor A1 .

[0120] According to a different embodiment, the carousel 1 has several first movement members 3 (and therefore respective second movement members 4 and related gripping members 5) thus allowing greater versatility and performance in movement the items 9 from a loading station "S1" to an unloading station "S2" as depicted for example in Figure 2.

[0121] Therefore, it is possible to move, according to needs, a different number of first movement members 3 and second movement members 4 so that different operating positions can be defined for the relative gripping members 5, which will thus be able to handle different items 9 scattered on the loading station "S1".

[0122] Therefore, after the movement of the movement members 3 and 4 (and thus the respective gripping members 5), an operating position of the gripping member 5 is defined according to the distance and / or orientation of the item to be picked up with the aforesaid gripping member 5. Therefore, the method also provides a pick-up step of the item 9 near the loading station "S1".

[0123] Following the pick-up, the method provides moving the item 9 along a movement path defined by the central body 2 from the loading station "S1" to the unloading station "S2". In other words, by means of the rotation of the central body 2 and the possible further movement of the movement members 3 and 4, the items 9 are brought from the loading station "S1 " to the unloading station "S2", obtaining the necessary positions (e.g. the chain steps of the packaging machines) for the subsequent movement and eventual packaging process.

[0124] Therefore, the method provides defining a further operating position of the at least one gripping member 5 according to a desired packaging for the one or more items 9.

[0125] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the method achieved by means of the carousel 1 makes it possible to vary the number of items 9 that are picked up in the first station "S1" according to the machine states downstream of the carousel 1 and the percentage of items 9 forming the row to be transferred coming from the possible storage stations A1 , A2.

[0126] The method achieved by means of the carousel 1 allows each first gripping member 5 to pick up, in addition to the items 9 present in the first station "S1 " or the second station "S2", a portion of the row of the items 9 present on the conveyor 10 or 11 .

[0127] Finally, the method provides releasing one or more items 9 on the unloading station "S2" according to desired distances and inclinations.

[0128] According to what is shown in Figures 2 and 6, the items 9 are sorted, aligned and oriented according to a desired packaging of the one or more items 9 upon reaching the unloading station "S2" and before being released on the unloading station "S2".

[0129] By using the carousel 1 which is the subject matter of the present invention, the use of surfaces is greatly reduced, as multiple consecutive conveyors are usually used to complete the actions carried out by the carousel 1. In addition, such a carousel 1 can be applied at different points in the transfer chain of the items 9. Therefore, for particularly complex processes, several carousels 1 can be mounted in the same plant in order to reduce the number of operations normally required.

[0130] Thereby, the footprint is also advantageously reduced with respect to the machinery used in the known plants.

[0131] Furthermore, the carousel and method which are the subject matter of the present invention advantageously allow to reduce installation and transport costs, obtaining a more compact, versatile and high-performance transfer of items 9.

[0132] Even more advantageously, should the packaging machine be unable to receive the items 9 due to a fault, these can be temporarily stored in the storage areas "A1 , A2" and once the fault is resolved, the process resumes without any waste of time or resources. This ensures more efficient and reliable operating continuity.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Carousel (1 ) for transferring items (9), preferably food items, comprising:- a central body (2) rotating about an axis (Y) and defining a movement path for said items (9) between a loading station (S1) and an unloading station (S2);- at least a first movement member (3), arranged peripherally to the central body (2), extending along a respective main dimension and comprising at least one gripping member (5) configured in use to at least pick up and / or release one or more items (9) at said loading station (S1) and said unloading station (S2), respectively;- at least a second movement member (4), interposed between said central body (2) and a respective first movement member (3) for moving said first movement member (3); said first movement member (3) is movable in translation with respect to an extension direction of the first station (S1) and said second movement member (4) is movable in translation and / or rotation with respect to said extension direction of the first station (S1) so as to define a plurality of operating positions of said at least one gripping member (5), said gripping member (5) having three degrees of freedom and itself being movable with respect to said first movement member (3) in translation and / or rotation according to said degrees of freedom.

2. Carousel (1 ) according to the preceding claim, wherein said first movement member (3) comprises an arm (3) movable away from and towards a central portion (7) of the central body (2).

3. Carousel (1 ) according to the preceding claim, wherein the second movement member (4) comprises a first portion (4a) and a second movable portion (4b), said first portion (4a) defining a sliding guide for said second portion (4b).

4. Carousel (1 ) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said second movement member (4) is made in the form of a linear guide movable in translation on said central body (2) and rotatable about an axis of rotation (X) parallel to said vertical axis (Y), said first movement member (3) being movable in rotation and translation with respect to said linear guide.

5. Carousel (1 ) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said first movement member (3) comprises a plurality of gripping members (5) distributed along said main dimension, each gripping member (5) being mutually movable with respect to one other, defining a centre-to-centre distance (d1) between adjacent gripping members (5), and wherein each gripping member (5) being rotatable at least about its own axis.

6. Carousel (1 ) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said central body (2) has in a respective peripheral portion at least one actuator (8) configured to perform a rotation about an axis of rotation (X) parallel to said vertical axis (Y).

7. Carousel (1 ) according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of first movement members (3) and a respective plurality of second movement members (4) distributed peripherally in said central body (2).

8. Carousel (1 ) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the first station (S1) and / or the second station (S2) comprise conveyor belts and / or conveyors (10 and 11 ) configured to move said items (9) along multiple directions.

9. Carousel (1 ) according to one or more of the preceding claims, whereinthe first station (S1) is an item loading station (9) and the second station (S2) is an item unloading station (9).

10. Carousel (1 ) according to claim 8, wherein said conveyor is configured to move said items (9) at a predefined speed, said central body (2) being rotatable at a speed selected according to said predefined speed of the conveyor.11 . Carousel (1 ) according to one or more of the preceding claims, further comprising a control unit and one or more sensors operating at least in the vicinity of the loading station (S1) and configured to identify an orientation and / or distribution of said items (9), said control unit being configured to move said first movement member (3) and said second movement member (4) according to an orientation and / or distribution different from a predefined orientation and / or distribution so as to sort one or more items (9) and bring it back to said predefined orientation and / or distribution.

12. Carousel (1 ) according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising a first area (A1 ) and / or a second area (A2) for storing one or more items (9).

13. Carousel (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the first storage area (A1 ) is positioned downstream of the first station (S1) and the second storage area (S2) is positioned on the central body (2) of the carousel (1 ).

14. Method of transferring items (9) carried out by means of at least one carousel (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, said method comprising the steps of:- arranging or moving one or more items (9) in said first station (S1), said one or more items (9) being comprised in a plurality of items (9) arranged in rows with different distances and / or inclinations;- moving at least a first movement member (3), a respective second movement member (4) and at least one respective gripping member (5) on said first station (S1 );- define an operating position of said at least one gripping member (5) according to said distance and / or inclination of the respective item (9) in said first station (S1 );- picking up said at least one item (9) arranged near the first station (S1 );- moving said at least one item (9) along a movement path defined by said central body (2) from the first station (S1) to the second station (S2); - defining a further operating position of the at least one gripping member (5) according to a desired packaging of said one or more items (9);- releasing said one or more items (9) onto said second station (S2).

15. Method according to the preceding claim, wherein each first gripping member (5) picks up a portion of the line of items (9) present on the conveyor (10 or 11 ) in the first station (S1 ).

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