Method and device for accumulating and dispensing flexible pipe-like and wire-like elements

Abstract

Method and device for accumulating and dispensing flexible pipe-like and wire-like elements, of the type acting as compensating chamber inlet and outlet between extruder and winding machines, comprising supplying - by the method - and forming - by the device - through at least one block and tackle (9) with at least one parallel pair of fixed pulleys (10) interfaced to at least one parallel pair of movable pulleys (11), wherein the pulleys of the at least one pair of fixed pulleys (10) have respective coaxial fixed rotation axes and the pulleys of the at least one pair of movable pulleys (11) are respectively mutually articulated and have respective independent rotation axes and independently translatable in a coplanar manner for the mutual redirection between the at least one pair of fixed pulleys (10) and the at least one pair movable pulleys (11) of flexible pipe-like elements (2) and in particular corrugated pipes (2).

Description

[0001] TITLE

[0002] METHOD AND DEVICE FOR ACCUMULATING AND DISPENSING FLEXIBLE PIPE-LIKE AND WIRE-LIKE ELEMENTS

[0003] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0004] Field of the art

[0005] Most of the flexible pipe-like and wire-like elements and similar products made of plastic material are typically made by extrusion or coextrusion and, when they have a length greater than that of a segment which can be handled in a straight line, are wound into turns for storage, marketing and use.

[0006] Therefore, in the industrial production of such products, there arises the need to provide the continuous flow of product which exits from the production extruder, or from the production devices regardless of the type, with the operative intermittence required by the relative winding devices, so as to stop the flow when there arises the need to replace the reels when full, coil cutting and fixing operations and so on and so forth.

[0007] This entails temporary product accumulation between the production device and the winder device, to be handled.The simplest handling system is accumulation on the ground, whose practicality does not meet the needs relating to volumes, times, methods and health and accident prevention needs required of the modern industrial production.

[0008] In this context, the prior art provides for accumulators, consisting of blocks and tackles, comprising a fixed portion formed by a coaxial series of pulleys and movable portion formed by a corresponding coaxial series of pulleys coaxially controlled to approach and move away from the fixed pulleys as a block.

[0009] The axes of the two series of pulleys are parallel, on the pulleys there is wound the pipe, redirected in succession from one to the other, the incoming pipe comes from the extruder and the outgoing pipe is supplied to the winder.

[0010] Moving away the two parallel axes of the series of pulleys increases the size of the turns length-wise and therefore the linear measurement of the overall accumulated pipe section, while the opposite occurs upon approaching the parallel axes of the two series of pulleys, with return of the pipe to the system downstream.

[0011] This change, carried out by appropriate linear actuators and appropriately set with connection to the electronic logic, absorbs and adjusts the differences between the production rate of the extruder upstream and the winding rate and stops of the winder downstream.

[0012] The drawback of this technology lies in the fact that the change of the interspace between the two parallel axes of the series of the pulleys integrates the physics of the block and tackle, in the reverse direction with respect to the usual use of demultiplacation of the forces of such simple machine.Particularly due to the specific physics of the simple machine formed by the block and tackle, in the accumulator devices according to the prior art, when the axes are diverged the forces are multiplied and therefore the drive forces on the retrieved and re-delivered pipe segments are multiplied.

[0013] This may lead to deformations on the pipes, in particular when the pipes are of the corrugated type.

[0014] According to the prior art, this drawback is overcome by under- sizing the structure and / or functions of the accumulator as well as subjecting the forces involved to a strict parametrisation subject to computer logic.

[0015] However, these solutions are complex and sensitive and do not adapt to the change of formats of the pipes to be handled.

[0016] Examples of the known art include:

[0017] Korean patent no. KR20200129253A dated 18 November 2020 in the name of Lifeindustry Co Ltd;

[0018] US patent application no. US2018 / 305171 Al published on 25 October 2018 in the name of Christopher L. Johnson;

[0019] Korean patent no. KR20230098407A dated 4 July 2023 in the name of Seok Byeong.

[0020] Objects of the invention

[0021] In this context, the main object of the present invention is to provide a method and an automatic device adapted to act as an accumulation and release reservoir arranged interposed between the devices for extruding pipes and flexible pipe-like and wire-like elements mainly made of plastic material and the devices for winding the pipes, such to compensate the different operating rate between the two machines.Another object of the present invention is to achieve the preceding object through a method and device that limits the manual operation, including format change, as much as possible.

[0022] Yet another object of the present invention is to achieve the preceding objects through a method and device which can be used even only for a part or a fraction of the functionalities and size thereof.

[0023] Another object of the present invention is to achieve the preceding objects through a method and a device which can be applied to the existing extruding and winding equipment without the need for particular adaptations.

[0024] Still another object of the present invention is to achieve the preceding objects through a solution concept that is simple and efficient, safe in use and a relatively economic cost considering the results practically attainable therewith.

[0025] Summary of the solution concept

[0026] These and other objects are all achieved with the method and device for the linear accumulation and dispensing of flexible pipe-like and wire-like elements and in particular pipes and corrugated pipes, of the type of designed method and device adapted to be interposed between the extruder machines and devices for producing and in any case devices for producing flexible pipe-like and wire-like elements and machines and devices for winding the flexible elements, for the linear receipt and accumulation of the flexible pipelike and wire-like elements from the extruder machines and devices for producing and in any case devices for producing flexible pipe-like and wirelike elements through means for winding and directing receivers and transfer them by supplying them to the machines and devices for winding the flexibleelements through conveying and delivery directing means, with the function of compensating, such as a reservoir with variable content of the of the flexible elements stored and released, production times and rate and winding times and rate, comprising supplying (with reference to the method) and forming through (with reference to the device):

[0027] at least one block and tackle with at least one first pair of pulleys interfaced with at least one second pair of pulleys, wherein the pulleys of at least one of the at least two pairs are respectively mutually articulated and have respective independent rotation axes and which are however independently translatable, for the mutual redirection between the at least first pair of pulleys and the at least second pair of pulleys of flexible pipelike and wire-like elements.

[0028] Advantageously said at least one block and tackle provided by the method and forming the device comprises at least one parallel pair of fixed pulleys interfaced with at least one parallel pair of movable pulleys, wherein the pulleys of the at least one pair of fixed pulleys have respective coaxial fixed rotation axes and the pulleys and of the at least one pair of movable pulleys provided by the method and forming the device are respectively mutually articulated parallel and have respective independent rotation axes and which can be independently translated in a coplanar manner by misalignment coaxialities, for the mutual redirection between the at least one pair of fixed pulleys and the at least one pair of movable pulleys of flexible pipe-like and wire-like elements, pipes in general and corrugated pipes in particular.

[0029] Advantageously, said fixed pulleys of said at least one pair of fixedpulleys provided by the method and forming the device respectively consist of stationary means for redirecting a flexible pipe-like element slidable thereon.

[0030] Advantageously, said movable pulleys of said at least one pair of movable pulleys provided by the method and forming the device respectively consist of individually independently displaceable means for redirecting a flexible pipe-like element slidable thereon.

[0031] Advantageously, said means for redirecting constituting said fixed pulleys provided by the method and forming the device consist of arched roller units comprising an arc of aligned consecutive rollers adapted to transfer a flexible pipe-like element from one to the other consecutively.

[0032] Advantageously, said means for redirecting constituting said movable pulleys provided by the method and forming the device consist of arched roller units comprising an arc of aligned consecutive rollers adapted to transfer a flexible pipe-like element from one to the other consecutively.

[0033] Advantageously, said means for redirecting constituting said fixed pulleys consisting of fixed arched roller units comprising an arc of aligned consecutive rollers adapted to transfer a flexible pipe-like element from one to the other consecutively provided by the method and forming the device are protected and guided by a fixed semi-cylindrical guards.

[0034] Advantageously, said means for redirecting constituting said movable pulleys consisting of movable arched roller units comprising an arc of aligned consecutive rollers adapted to transfer a flexible pipe-like element from one to the other consecutively provided by the method and forming the device are protected and guided by a movable semi-cylindrical guards andincorporated in a carriage.

[0035] Advantageously, said means for redirecting constituting said fixed pulleys consisting of arched roller units comprising an arc of aligned consecutive rollers adapted to transfer a flexible pipe-like element from one to the other consecutively provided by the method and forming the device are fixed in a reticulum of beams conforming a horizontal framework defining a rectangular parallelepiped as a whole.

[0036] Advantageously, said means for redirecting constituting said movable pulleys consisting of arched roller units comprising an arc of aligned consecutive rollers adapted to transfer a flexible pipe-like element from one to the other consecutively provided by the method and forming the device are slidably movable suspended on carriage in a reticulum of beams conforming a horizontal framework defining a rectangular parallelepiped as a whole.

[0037] Advantageously, said arched roller units comprising an arc of aligned consecutive rollers adapted to transfer a flexible pipe-like element from one to the other consecutively provided by the method and forming the device are slidably movable in the framework, hung using the carriage which incorporates them on tracks and controlled by linear actuators consisting of electrical drive means combined with chains constrained to the carriage.

[0038] Advantageously, said means for redirecting constituting said fixed pulleys consisting of arched roller units comprising an arc of aligned consecutive rollers adapted to transfer a flexible pipe-like element from one to the other consecutively and said means for redirecting said movable pulleys consisting of arched roller units comprising an arc of aligned consecutive rollers adapted to transfer a flexible pipe-like element from oneto the other consecutively provided by the method and forming the device are semicircular.

[0039] Advantageously, said flexible pipe-like element redirected by said movable arched roller units comprising an arc of aligned consecutive rollers provided by the method and forming the device is supported at the upper part by movable brackets hung on said framework.

[0040] Advantageously, said flexible pipe-like element redirected by said movable semicircular arched roller units comprising an arc of aligned consecutive rollers provided by the method and forming the device is supported at the upper part by movable semicircular arched roller units brackets festoon like hung on said framework and kinematically connected to said means for redirecting said movable pulleys consisting of arched roller units comprising an arc of aligned consecutive rollers adapted to transfer a flexible pipe-like element from one to the other consecutively.

[0041] Advantageously, said flexible pipe-like element redirected by said movable arched roller units comprising an arc of aligned consecutive rollers provided by the method and forming the device is supported at the lower part by fixed brackets associated with said framework.

[0042] Advantageously, said means for conveying and redirecting receivers of said flexible pipe-like element by the production extruder machines and devices provided by the method and forming the device are flanked by drive means for facilitating the retrieval and sliding of said flexible pipe-like element.

[0043] Advantageously, said flexible pipe-like element redirected by said movable semicircular arched roller units comprising an arc of alignedconsecutive rollers provided by the method and forming the device is flanked in the sliding thereof by drive means.

[0044] Advantageously, said drive means provided by the method and forming the device consist of at least one pair of motor-driven cylindrical cages which engage the flexible pipe-like element interposed between them.

[0045] Advantageously, said means for channelling and directing receivers of said flexible pipe-like element by the production extruder machines and devices provided by the method and forming the device are adapted to channel said pipe towards different pulleys of the block and tackle and they are therefore movable from one pulley to the other.

[0046] Advantageously, the method and device for accumulating and dispensing flexible pipe-like and wire-like elements provided by the method and forming the device are monitored and managed by an electronic logic.

[0047] Advantageously, the electronic logic which monitors the method and device for accumulating and dispensing flexible pipe-like and wire-like elements provided by the method and forming the device is programmed to carry out the accumulation with displacement of the carriage with the arched roller unit closest to the delivery means for conveying and directing flexible pipe-like and wire-like elements to the winding machines and devices.

[0048] Advantageously, the electronic logic which monitors the method and device for accumulating and dispensing flexible pipe-like and wire-like elements provided by the method and forming the device is programmed to carry out the accumulation with displacement of the carriage with the arched roller unit closest to the delivery means for conveying and directing flexible pipe-like and wire-like elements to the winding machines and devices andthen in succession with displacement of the adjacent carriages with the arched roller unit.

[0049] Advantageously, the electronic logic which monitors the method and device for accumulating and dispensing flexible pipe-like and wire-like elements provided by the method and forming the device is programmed to carry out the dispensing and return with displacement of the carriage with the arched roller unit farthest from the delivery channelling means for conveying and directing flexible pipe-like and wire-like elements to the winding machines and devices.

[0050] Advantageously, the electronic logic which monitors the method and device for accumulating and dispensing flexible pipe-like and wire-like elements provided by the method and forming the device is programmed to carry out the dispensing and return with displacement of the carriage with the arched roller unit farthest from the delivery means for conveying and directing flexible pipe-like and wire-like elements to the winding machines and devices and then in succession with displacement of the adjacent carriages with the arched roller.

[0051] Advantageously, the method for accumulating and dispensing pipes and in general flexible pipe-like and wire-like elements, of the type designed to compensate the operating rate between the extruder machines and generally continuous producers of at least one pipe and the winding machines and generally machines for the continuous packaging of at least one pipe, for receiving the pipes from the machines for producing flexible pipe-like and wire-like elements through receiver means, linearly accumulating the pipes and transferring the pipes returning supplying them to the machines forpackaging the pipes through delivery means, with the function of compensating, such as a reservoir with a variable content of the pipes received, stored and released, the times and rate for producing and the times and rate for packaging the pipes, comprises the steps of:

[0052] driving in input at least one pipe continuously coming from a producer device and releasing in output the at least one pipe continuously retrieved from a packaging device, through:

[0053] winding at least one pipe around at least one first pair of redirecting means combined with at least one second pair of redirecting means to form a block and tackle of at least one first pair pulleys combined with at least one second pair of pulleys linearly interposed between the extruder device and the winder device for the mutual redirecting of the pipe between the at least one first pair of pulleys and the at least second pair of pulleys;

[0054] separate spacing apart in succession of the individual pulleys of at least one pair of the at least two pairs through the divergent mutual coplanar sliding of the respective independent rotation axes and independently translatable to drive the at least one pipe in input;

[0055] separate approaching in succession of the individual pulleys of at least one pair of the at least two pairs is carried out through the approaching mutual coplanar sliding of the respective independent rotation axes and independently translatable to release the at least one pipe in output.

[0056] Advantageously, said winding of at least one pipe around at least one first pair of redirecting means combined with at least one second pair of redirecting means to form a block and tackle comprises at least one first pair pulleys combined with at least one second pair of pulleys to form a block andtackle interposed between the extruder device and the winder device for the mutual redirecting of the pipe between the at least one first pair of fixed pulleys and the at least pair movable pulleys.

[0057] Advantageously, said separate spacing apart in succession of the individual pulleys of the at least one pair of movable pulleys from the at least one pair of fixed pulleys through the divergent mutual coplanar sliding of the respective independent rotation axes and independently translatable of the at least one pair of movable pulleys to drive the at least one pipe in input are carried out on movable arched roller units comprising an arc of aligned consecutive rollers adapted to transfer the pipe from one to the other and fixed arched roller units comprising an arc of aligned consecutive rollers adapted to transfer the pipe from one to the other consecutively.

[0058] Advantageously, said separate approaching in succession of the individual pulleys of the at least one pair of movable pulleys to the at least one pair of fixed pulleys through the approaching mutual coplanar sliding of the respective independent rotation axes and independently translatable of the at least one pair of movable pulleys to release the at least one pipe in output are carried out on movable arched roller units comprising an arc of aligned consecutive rollers adapted to transfer the pipe from one to the other and fixed arched roller units comprising an arc of aligned consecutive rollers adapted to transfer the pipe from one to the other consecutively.

[0059] Advantageously, the steps for winding and redirecting at least one pipe around at least one first pair of redirecting means combined with at least one second pair of redirecting means to form a block and tackle are flanked by means for guiding the pipe consisting of guards associated with the rollerunits and by directing conduits.

[0060] Advantageously, the steps for winding and redirecting at least one pipe around at least one first pair of redirecting means combined with at least one second pair of redirecting means to form a block and tackle are flanked by drive means preferably consisting of opposite motor-driven cages which engage the pipe between them.

[0061] Advantageously, said pipe accumulation is carried out by displacing the movable pulley closest to the means for delivering the pipe to the winding machines and devices.

[0062] Advantageously, said pipe accumulation is carried out by displacing the movable pulley closest to the delivery means for conveying and directing the pipe to the winding machines and devices and then in succession with displacement of the adjacent movable pulleys.

[0063] Advantageously, said dispensing and returning of the pipe is carried out by displacing the movable pulley farthest from the delivery means for conveying and directing the pipe to the winding machines and devices.

[0064] Advantageously, said dispensing and returning of the is carried out by displacing the displacement of the movable pulley farthest from the delivery means for conveying and directing the pipe to the winding machines and devices and then in succession with displacement of the adjacent movable pulleys.

[0065] Advantageously, said driving in input of at least one pipe continuously coming from a producer device retrieves said pipe from selectively different redirecting means.

[0066] Description of the attached drawingsFurther characteristics and advantages of the method and device for accumulating and dispensing flexible pipe-like and wire-like elements according to the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment thereof, shown solely by way of non-limiting example with reference to the ten attached drawings, wherein:

[0067] Figures 1 and 2 show respective top perspective views of an embodiment of a device according to the present invention implementing the method according to the present invention on two opposite sides in a first functional position of the components thereof.

[0068] Figures 3 and 4 show respective top perspective views of an embodiment of a device according to the present invention implementing the method according to the present invention on the same side in a second functional position of the components thereof.

[0069] Figures 5 and 6 show respective details of figures 1 and 4;

[0070] Figure 7 shows an element forming the device according to the present invention implementing the method according to the present invention;

[0071] Figures 8 and 9 show respective top perspective views of portions of the device according to the present invention implementing the method according to the present invention.

[0072] Figure 10 shows a bottom perspective view of a portion of the device according to the present invention implementing the method according to the present invention.

[0073] Static description of the embodiment

[0074] With reference to the figures and in particular to figure 1, indicated inits entirety with 1 is the linear accumulator device according to the present invention for accumulating and dispensing a flexible pipe-like element 2, for example a pipe 2, specifically of the corrugated type, according to the present invention and for implementing the method according to the present invention, of the type designed and adapted to receive and accumulate the pipe 2 from the extruder machines and devices for producing the pipe 2 according to the prior art, not shown, through the input and directing receiver conveyor 3 and transfer it supplying it to the winding machines and devices according to the prior art, not shown, of the pipe 2, through conveying and delivery directing means 4, with the function of compensating, such as a reservoir with variable content of the pipe 2 stored and released, the production times and rate upstream and the winding times and rate downstream.

[0075] Indicated with 5 in its entirety is a framework, defining a horizontal rectangular parallelepiped, formed by a reticulum of longitudinal beams 6, that is which extend according to a conventionally longitudinal horizontal orthogonal axis y, of transversal beams 7, or which extend according to a conventionally transversal horizontal orthogonal axis x and of vertical beams 8, or which extend according to a vertical conventionally orthogonal axis z.

[0076] In the framework 5 indicated in its entirety with 9 is a block and tackle, consisting of a parallel array 10 of, by way of example, five fixed redirecting means or fixed pulleys 10, interfaced to a parallel array 11 of, by way of example, six movable redirecting mean or movable pulleys 11, so that said arrays of pulleys 11 and 12 face each other and mutually redirect in succession the pipe 2, curved on itself at each redirection by the fixedredirecting means or fixed pulleys 10 to the movable redirecting means or movable pulleys 11 and vice versa, so that the input receiver means 3 and the output conveyor means 4 are on the same smaller side of the parallelepipedshaped framework 5.

[0077] The redirecting means or pulleys 10 which form the array 10 of fixed redirecting means or fixed pulleys 10 have respective coaxial fixed rotation axes; in a geometric approach which best suits the preferred structure described below, in the fixed redirecting means or fixed pulleys 10 the central axes orthogonal to the plane of osculating circles subtended to the curve described by the pipe 2 curved on itself are fixed and coaxial.

[0078] The redirecting means or pulleys 11 which form the array 11 of movable redirecting means or movable pulleys 11 are respectively mutually articulated in a parallel fashion and have respective independent rotation axes and which can be independently translated in a coplanar manner from coaxialities to misalignment; in a geometric approach which best suits the preferred structure described below, in the movable redirecting means or movable pulleys 11 the central axes orthogonal to the plane of the osculating circles respectively subtended to the curve described by the pipe 2 curved on itself are independent can be independently translated in a coplanar manner from coaxialities to misalignment.

[0079] The fixed redirecting means or fixed pulleys 10 respectively consist of fixed arched roller units 12, protected by fixed semi-cylindrical guards 14, comprising an arc of aligned consecutive rollers 16 adapted to transfer the pipe 2 from one to the other consecutively.

[0080] The movable redirecting means or movable pulleys 11 respectivelyconsist of movable arched roller units 13, protected by semi-cylindrical guards 15 movable therewith, comprising an arc of aligned consecutively position rollers 17 adapted to transfer the pipe 2 from one to the other consecutively.

[0081] The movable arched roller units 13 are slidably movable in tracks 5 A defined in the framework 5, suspended with the respective guards 15 through a respective carriage 18 with tracks 19 and controlled by linear actuators, consisting of electrical drive means 20 actuating chains 21 constrained to the carriage 18 in a per se known manner.

[0082] On the tracks 19 there are also slidably suspended a plurality of movable brackets 22, constrained in succession equally spaced apart from a drive chain 23 respectively connected to each carriage 18, for resting the pipe 2 when unwound and spread in a framework 5, as better described below.

[0083] To the same end, associated with the lower transversal beams 8 of the framework 5 are fixed brackets 24 for resting the pipe 2, which in the section near the fixed redirecting means or fixed pulleys 10 is channelled in directing and conveying conduits 25, in which there slides the pipe 2 given that there is a greater need for controlling and guiding as better described below.

[0084] The input conveyors 3 consist of a mouth which can be translated on axis x 26 which houses drive means 27 for facilitating the sliding of the pipe 2, consisting of at least one pair of opposite cylindrical cages 27 with parallel axes, with drive means 28 which drives them in rotation and which engage, through the parallel bars defining the jacket of the cylinder which respectively describe the pipe 2 interposed between them.

[0085] The input conveyors 3 have a movable mouth 26 consisting of acarriage 26, carrying the pair of cages 27, slidable on an axis x before the array 10 of fixed pulleys 10 and which can be alternatively positioned before each of them through a linear actuator 33.

[0086] The directing and conveying conduits 25 which extend on axis y in a portion of the framework 5, near the fixed redirecting means or fixed pulleys 10, preferably have respective interruptions 29 so as to house drive means 30 to facilitate the sliding of the pipe 2, respectively consisting of at least one pair of cylindrical cages 30 with drive means 31, which drives them in rotation and which engage, for this purpose also structured as observed above, the pipe 2 interposed between them.

[0087] The method and device for accumulating and dispensing flexible pipelike and wire-like elements are subject to electronic logic which monitors the operation, and all functions thereof as outlined in the dynamic description below.

[0088] Dynamic description of the embodiment

[0089] Thus, having completed the static description of a preferred embodiment of the method and device for accumulating and dispensing flexible pipe-like and wire-like elements according to the present invention, below is the dynamic description, or the relative operation, which supplements the method more specifically:

[0090] the device 1 for the line accumulation of the pipe 2, in the shown embodiment, is structured to be arranged as a transversal arm between the production device downstream and the winding device, so as to reduce the linear dimension of the production-reservoir-packaging plant in its entirety; however, obviously, it can be structured in any other manner suitable for thepurpose without prejudice to the claimed invention characterisation;

[0091] the operatively physiological start, for example to change the format of the pipe 2, may be carried out automatically and do not require manual interventions which may be complex, slow and even detrimental in terms of prevention of accidents required by similar structured according to the prior art:

[0092] the pipe 2, for example of the corrugated type, comes from the extruder production device, not shown, and redirected around the rollers 32 defining the path that is most suitable to facilitate the folding thereof depending on the sizing and consistency, until it is introduced into the input conveyors 3;

[0093] thereon between the pair of cylindrical cages 27, which retrieve it, there is the driving and delivery to the block and tackle 9, that is particularly effective in the corrugated pipes 2, in whose circumferential projections the parallel bars of the cylindrical cages 27 there is a respective abutment with gear dynamics.

[0094] In this step of triggering in the block and tackle 9, the movable pulleys 11 are kept stationary and all arranged against on the fixed pulleys 10, with lower interposition of the directing and conveying conduits 25.

[0095] In this manner, the pipe 2 comes from above on the first movable pulley 11, first ordered according to the larger distance on axis x from the output conveyor 4, wherein all the order adjectives outlined below shall refer to the same order, curves and winds around it on the relative arched roller unit 13, retained against deviations for the tangent by the respective guard 15, which guides it until it is curved on itself and fit at the lower part into the directing and conveying conduits 25;thereon, between the pairs of cylindrical cages 30 of the introduced conduit 25, which retrieve it, the driving and delivery from the bottom to the first fixed pulley 10, in the order defined above, where it is wound and curved in the same manner, and so on until all movable 11 and fixed 10 pulleys have been fully circumnavigated and exit from the output conveyor 4 to be supplied and driven by the winding device, not shown, downstream.

[0096] Thus operated, the pipe 2, the method and device for the linear accumulation and dispensing flexible pipe-like and wire-like elements according to the present invention may be activated for the automatic operation provided with sensors under the direction of the electronic computer logic which have the extruder upstream and the winder downstream, to perform the functions thereof:

[0097] when downstream the winding device ceases the retrieval of the pipe 2, for example after changing the filled up reel, upstream the extruder or production device continues to produce the pipe 2, the linear accumulator device 1 accepts and manages the pipe surplus 2, which continues to come from upstream and no longer retrieved downstream, through the displacement of the movable pulleys 11 in the framework 5, which are led to diverge and move away from the fixed pulleys 10, so that the resulting greater linear length of the sections of the pipe 2 which is determined between the movable pulleys 11 and fixed pulleys 10 absorbs the production of the pipe 2 not accepted downstream by the winding device;

[0098] when the latter resumes its functions and accepts and retrieves the pipe 2 to wind it in the reels, through the reverse operation the movable pulleys 11 are approached to the fixed pulleys 10 and return the surplus of theaccumulated pipe 2, and subsequently in a collection and release succession which shall be intended as an uneven continuous succession.

[0099] During the diverging translation of the movable pulleys 11 from the fixed pulleys 10, the upper movable brackets 22 are driven thereto consecutively by the movable pulleys 11 through drive chains 23, so that the pipe 2, in the longer strokes extends above the upper movable brackets 22 to the extent where the latter extend in succession, describing a catenary, without interfering with the kinematic mechanisms of the device smaller than upper strokes of the pipe 2.

[0100] At the lower part, the pipe 2 in the same manner instead extends on the fixed brackets 24 instead.

[0101] The aforementioned movement for accumulating and releasing the pipe 2 is inventively characterised according to the present invention by the fact that it is carried out by translating an individual movable pulley 11 at a time, given that it is independent from the others, so that when and if a first individual movable pulley 11 has completed its translation along the framework 5 on axis y and linearly accumulated, in its interspace with the respectively fixed pulley 10, the entire section of the supply and delivery pipe 2 which can collect, then a second individual movable pulley 11, starts its accumulation translation in the framework 5 on axis y, which may be interrupted and invert in any section of the stroke, if and when the stop of the winder downstream ceases, or continue up to the completion of its track 5A and its linear reception capacity, when a third individual movable pulley 11 in turn starts its translation for accumulating the pipe 2 and so on to no end, given that the overall capacity and therefore the dimensioning of the device 1for the linear accumulation and dispensing of the pipe 2 according to the present invention specifically designed to substantially address any operational misalignment between the extruder and the winder that may physiologically realistically occur in industrial plants.

[0102] Whenever there ceases the need to accumulate the pipe 2, the translation movement of the movable pulleys 11 is inverted, with respective return near the fixed pulleys 10, resulting shortening of the linear volutes of the pipe 2 and therefore its release to the packaging plant downstream, which retrieves it through the output conveyor 4.

[0103] Even in the step for releasing the movable pulleys 11 are moved one at a time, in the reverse order with respects to the one described above, so that when an individual movable pulley 11 has been fully approached to the fixed pulley 10, returning the entire linear extension of the pipe 2 which it had accumulated, even the individual movable pulley 11 close thereto returns, and so on until it returns the entire pipe 2 and / or up to a new accumulation step which can follow at any time, in an accumulation and return operation which is managed automatically by the electronic logic considering the sensors on the device 1 and on the plants upstream and downstream.

[0104] The movement of an individual movable pulley 11 at a time decreases the multiplying effect that the change of the interspace between the two parallel axes of the series of the pulleys entails in the physics of the block and tackle, in the reverse direction with respect to the usual use of demultiplacation of the forces of such simple machine.

[0105] As a matter of fact, as reported among the limits of the accumulation and release devices according to the prior art, due to the specific physics ofthe simple machine consisting of the block and tackle, in the accumulator devices according to the prior art, wherein the arrays of pulleys are all coaxially fixed, when the axes of the arrays of pulleys are displaced and as a result the tractions on the pipe segments retrieved and redirected are multiplied.

[0106] With the movement of the axis of an individual movable pulley 11 , the effect is reduced proportionally and the pipe 2 is not stressed by the same to an extent of deforming it.

[0107] In the context of the inventive solution for reducing the drive force according to the present invention, characterised by making independent and individually movable the individual movable pulleys 11 of the block and tackle 9, further preferable, still with the aim of minimising the drive force on the segment of the pipe 2 comprised between the production - extruder -and accumulator unit, is the implementation of the accumulation with then scaled displacement of the movable pulleys 11 and in particular of the movable pulley 11 closest on the axis x to the output conveyor 4 of the pipe 2 and delivery to the winding machines and devices.

[0108] On the contrary, the implementation of the dispensing and release of the pipe 2 with scaled displacement of the movable pulleys 11 starts from the movable pulley 11 involved in the previous accumulation farthest on the axis x from the output conveyor 4 of the pipe 2 and delivery to the winding machines and devices.

[0109] The electronic logic which monitors the method and device during the accumulation of the pipes 2 is therefore programmed to carry out the accumulation with displacement of the carriage 18 closest to the outputconveying means 4 of the pipe 2 and delivery to the winding machines and devices of the flexible elements and then in succession with the displacement of the adjacent carriages 18.

[0110] The electronic logic which monitors the method and device during the dispensing and release of pipe 2 is programmed in a mirror-like fashion to carry out the dispensing and release with displacement of the carriage 18 farthest from the output conveying means 4 of the pipe 2 and delivery to the winding machines and devices of the flexible elements and then in succession with the displacement of the adjacent carriages 18.

[0111] The input conveyors 3 have a movable mouth 26 consisting of a carriage 26, carrying a pair of cages 27, slidable on axis x before the array 10 of fixed pulleys 10 and which can be alternatively positioned before each of them so as to alternatively introduce thereinto into one or the other the incoming pipe 2 alternatively redirected by redirecting rollers 32, so as to split the capacity of the linear accumulator device when the characteristics of the pipe and the contingent needs and production options require it.

[0112] Alternative embodiments

[0113] It is obvious that in further alternative embodiments still falling within the innovation concept subject of the embodiment illustrated above and claimed below, the method and device for accumulating and dispensing flexible pipe-like and wire-like elements according to the present invention, may be implemented through equivalent technical and mechanical solutions, that is provided with further supplementary solutions, same case applying -in the claimed scope - all elements they are made of may vary in a manner suitable for the purpose and adapted to the specific conformation andstructure.

[0114] Advantages of the invention

[0115] As observable from the preceding detailed description of a preferred embodiment, the method and device for accumulating and dispensing flexible pipe-like and wire-like elements according to the present invention, offer advantages corresponding to the attainment of these and other preset objects:

[0116] as a matter of fact, it allows to obtain a practical method and simple device for the relative implementation to achieve the dynamic storage of flexible pipe-like and wire-like elements interposed between the production devices and the winding and packaging devices so as to avoid stress and deformations on the flexible pipe-like and wire-like elements that are stored and released.KEY TO REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0117] 1) device for the linear accumulation and dispensing of a flexible pipe-like element as a whole

[0118] 2) flexible pipe-like element - pipe

[0119] 3) input or receipt conveyor

[0120] 4) output or delivery conveyor

[0121] 5) framework as a whole

[0122] 5 A) tracks of the framework

[0123] 6) longitudinal beams on axis y

[0124] 7) transversal beams on axis x

[0125] 8) vertical beams on axis z

[0126] 9) block and tackle as a whole

[0127] 10) array of fixed pulleys and individual fixed pulleys that form it

[0128] 11) array of movable pulleys and individual movable pulleys that form it 12) fixed arched roller units

[0129] 13) movable arched roller units

[0130] 14) guards of the fixed arched roller units

[0131] 15) guards of the movable arched roller units

[0132] 16) rollers of the fixed arched roller units

[0133] 17) rollers of the movable arched roller units

[0134] 18) carriages of the suspension of the movable arched roller units

[0135] 19) sliding tracks of the carriages of the movable arched roller units 20) electrical drive means for the carriages of the movable arched roller units

[0136] 21) chains of the carriages of the movable arched roller units22) movable brackets

[0137] 23) movable brackets drive chains

[0138] 24) fixed brackets

[0139] 25) conduits for directing and conveying the pipe in the framework

[0140] 26) movable mouth of the input conveyors

[0141] 27) pair of cages of the input conveyor

[0142] 28) motors of the pair of cages of the input conveyor

[0143] 29) interruptions on the conduits in the framework

[0144] 30) pairs of cages on the channelling conduits in the framework

[0145] 31) motors of the pairs of cages on the channelling conduits in the framework

[0146] 32) rollers for redirecting from the production device to the supplier and linear dispenser

[0147] 33) linear actuator for the alternative positioning of the carriage of the input conveyor

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMSreceived by the International Bureau on 03 March 2026 (03.03.2026)1) Method for accumulating and dispensing pipes and in general flexible pipe-like and wire-like elements, of the type designed to compensate the operating rate between the extruder machines and generally continuous producers of at least one pipe and the winding machines and generally machines for the continuous packaging of at least one pipe, for receiving the pipes from the machines for producing flexible pipelike and wire-like elements through receiver means, accumulating the pipes and transferring the pipes supplying them to the machines for packaging the pipes through delivery means, with the function of compensating, such as a reservoir with a variable content of the pipes received, stored and released, the times and rate for producing and the times and rate for packaging the pipes, characterised in that it comprises the steps of:driving in input at least one pipe (2) continuously coming from a producer device and releasing in output the at least one pipe (2) continuously retrieved from a packaging device, through:winding at least one pipe (2) around at least two fixed redirecting means or pulleys (10) paired with at least two movable redirecting means or pulleys displaced independently of each other (11) by displacing actuators or drivers (20) to form a block and tackle (9) system of pipe and pulleys interposed between the producer device and the packaging device for the mutual guide of the pipe (2) between the at least two fixed redirecting means or pulleys (10) and the at least two displaced independently of each other redirecting means or pulleys(ii);individually and separately spacing apart in succession the single movable redirecting means or pulleys (11) movable independently of each other from the at least two fixed redirecting means or pulleys (10) to drive the at least one pipe (2) in input;individually and separately approaching in succession the single movable redirecting means or pulleys (11) movable independently of each other to the at least two fixed redirecting means or pulleys (10) to release the at least one pipe (2) in output.2) Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that:said individually and separately spacing apart in succession the single independent movable redirecting means or pulleys (11) movable independently of each other is carried out through the independent divergent mutual coplanar sliding of said at least two movable redirecting means or pulleys (11) movable independently of each other relative to said at least two fixed redirecting means or pulleys (10) to drive the at least one pipe (2) in input;said individually and separately approaching in succession the single independent movable redirecting means or pulleys (11) movable independently of each other is carried out through the independent convergent mutual coplanar sliding of said at least two movable redirecting means or pulleys (11) movable independently of each other relative to said at least two fixed redirecting means or pulleys (10) to release the at least one pipe (2) in output.3) Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the steps for winding at least one pipe (2) around at least two fixed redirecting means or pulleys (10) paired with at least two movable redirecting means or pulleys displaced independently of each other (11) by displacing actuators or drivers (20) to form a block and tackle system (9) are carried out on fixed arched roller units (12) comprising an arc of aligned consecutive rollers (17) adapted to transfer the pipe (2) from one to the other and from movable arched roller units (13) comprising an arc of aligned consecutive rollers (17) adapted to release the pipe (2) from one to the other consecutively.4) Method and device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that:said pipe accumulation (2) is carried out by displacing the movable redirecting means or pulley (11) closest to the means (4) for delivering the pipe (2) to the winding machines and devices and then in succession with displacement of the adjacent movable redirecting means or pulleys (11) if any;said pipe dispensing (2) is carried out by displacing the movable redirecting means or pulley (11) farthest from the means (4) for delivering the pipe (2) to the winding machines and devices and then in succession with displacement of the adjacent movable redirecting means or pulleys (11) if any.5) Device for accumulating and dispensing pipes and generally flexible pipe-like and wire-like elements, of the type adapted to be interposed between the extruder machines and generally machines for thecontinuous production of at least one pipe and the machines for the continuous winding of at least one pipe, to receive the pipes from the machines for extruding flexible pipe-like and wire-like elements through receiver means, accumulating the pipes and transferring the pipes supplying them to the machines for winding the pipes through delivery means, with the function of compensating, such as a reservoir with a variable content of the received pipes, stored and released, times and rate for producing and times and rate for winding the pipes to implement the method of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that it comprises:at least one block and tackle system (9) interposed between the extruder device and the winder device consisting of:at least two fixed redirecting means or pulleys (10) coupled with at least two movable redirecting means or pulleys (11) displaced independently of each other (11) by displacing actuators or drivers (20), wherein:the movable redirecting means or pulleys (11) displaced independently of each other by displacing actuators or drivers (20) have respective independent rotation axes and independently translatable for the mutual redirection of pipes (2) between the at least two fixed redirecting means or pulleys (10) and the at two movable redirecting means or pulleys (11).6) Device according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said at least one block and tackle system (9) comprises:at least two fixed parallel redirecting means or pulleys (10)combined with at least two movable parallel redirecting means or pulleys (11), wherein:the redirecting means or pulleys (10) of the at least two fixed parallel redirecting means or pulleys (10) have respective coaxial fixed rotation axes,the redirecting means or pulleys (11) of the at least two movable redirecting means or pulleys (11) are respectively mutually articulated parallel and have respective independent rotation axes and which can be independently translated in a coplanar maimer from coaxialities to misalignment by displacing actuators or drivers (20),for the mutual redirection of pipes (2) between the at least two fixed redirecting means or pulleys (10) and the at least two movable redirecting means or pulleys (11).7) Device according to any one of the preceding claims 5 and 6, characterised in that:said fixed redirecting means or pulleys (10) consist of fixed arched roller units (12) comprising one arc of aligned consecutive rollers (16) adapted to transfer the pipe (2) from one to the other consecutively,said movable redirecting means or pulleys (11) consist of movable arched roller units (13) by displacing actuators or drivers (20) comprising one arc of aligned consecutive rollers (17) adapted to transfer the pipe (2) from one to the other consecutively.8) Device according to the preceding claim 7 characterised in that:said arched roller fixed units (12) comprising one arc of alignedconsecutive rollers (16) adapted to transfer the pipe (2) from one to the other consecutively forming the fixed redirecting meas or pulleys (10) are protected and guided by guards (14) and fixed in a reticulum of beams (6,7,8) conforming a horizontal framework (5).said arched roller movable units (13) comprising one arc of aligned consecutive rollers (17) adapted to transfer the pipe (2) from one to the other consecutively forming the movable redirecting meas or pulleys (11) by displacing actuators or drivers (20) are protected and guided by guards (15) incorporated in a carriage (18) and slidably movable by suspension of said carriage (18) in a reticulum of beams (6.7,8) by means of a festoon system of movable brackets (22) hung on said framework (5).9) Device according to any one of the preceding claims 7 and following claims, characterised in that said pipe (2) redirected from said fixed arched roller units (12) to said movable arched roller units (13) and vice versa is assisted in the sliding thereof by drive means (30) consisting of at least one pair of motor-driven cylindrical cages (27,30) which engage the pipe (2) interposed between them.10) Method and device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the electronic logic which implements the method and controls the device is programmed to carry out the accumulation with displacement of the carriage (18) supporting the movable roller unit (13) forming the movable pulley (11) closest to the means (4) for delivering the pipe (2) to the winding machines and devices and then in succession with displacement of the carriages (18)supporting the movable roller units (13) forming the adjacent movable pulleys (11).STATEMENT UNDER ARTICLE 19(1) PCTThe following statement drafted on 2 March 2026 is for the amendments under Article 19 PCT made to claims of the International application No. PCT / EP2025 / 082398 filed on 10 November 2025 in the name of FB Balzanelli S.p.A.the full significance of DI as anticipator of the invention is identified by the Examiner in the fact that "the pulleys 134a and 134b are not connected and therefore independently vertically movable”', this exception seems an ex post facto analysis, as the problem is neither mentioned or even suggested by DI: even where the possibility of attaching weights to the pulleys 134a and 134b is conceived, there is no mention whatsoever that the weights could be different and that the translation of the pulleys could be differential by gravity.Nevertheless the first and fifth claims, and relevant dependent claims, have been amended and limited, respectively in terms of method and device, by specifying that the at least two movable redirecting means or pulleys are not only movable but functionally displaced independently of each other by displacing actuators or drivers.Support for the above amendments and limitations to claims as for the at least two movable redirecting means or pulleys are not only movable but functionally displaced independently of each other by displacing actuators or drivers may be found in the passage from line 25 of page 16 to line 9 of page 17 of the description of the abovereferenced international application as originally filed. It is noted that above amendments fresh claims by addition are in underlined type and amendments by deletion are in strikethrough type. The formal errors pointed out have been corrected.Therefore, it is submitted that the proposed amendments do not add new subjectmatter to the original disclosure.Enclosures:- marked up copy of the amended set of claims;- clean copy of the amended set of claims.Very truly yours, BENEDETTI Gianluca

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