Device and method for stretching leather

Abstract

Device (1) for stretching leather (P), comprising a work surface (2) suitable for supporting said leather (P); optical scanning and analysis means (3) arranged in proximity to said work surface (2) and means (4) for stretching said leather (P).

Description

[0001] DEVICE AND METHOD FOR STRETCHING LEATHER

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] Technical field

[0004] The present invention relates to a device for stretching leather .

[0005] The present invention also relates to a method for stretching leather .

[0006] By leather is meant a material, whether natural or synthetic, used, for example, in the clothing, furniture, and automotive sectors .

[0007] It is intended that the present invention may be used for stretching any material, including textiles, for example .

[0008] The leather production process requires numerous steps and processes .

[0009] For example, this process involves a tanning phase, in which the leather is transformed into leather, as well as shaving and finishing phases .

[0010] Each of these phases requires respective machinery, and for the operations to be performed optimally within these machines, it is essential that the leather is always properly stretched and free of folds .

[0011] Currently, leather stretching is performed manually by an operator .

[0012] Essentially, any fold is identified and the operator pulls the leather to smooth and remove it .State of the art

[0013] Known methods for smoothing out folds provide an effective solution, but they are by no means free of drawbacks .

[0014] A first drawback of the known smoothing methods is that they are often slow to apply.

[0015] Operators, in fact, do not always ensure a quick and efficient performance .

[0016] Another drawback of known smoothing solutions is that they do not always guarantee optimal quality results . Another drawback of known smoothing solutions is that they are not always adequately reliable .

[0017] Sometimes, in fact, the presence of a fold can go unnoticed by an operator .

[0018] An example of known methods is provided by patent documents WO2024261114A1, DE102014115355A1, and WO9729368A1 .

[0019] Object of the Invention

[0020] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device and method for stretching leather that overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art .

[0021] Another object of the present invention is to provide a device and method for stretching leather that optimizes production times .

[0022] Another object of the present invention is to provide a device and method for stretching leather that optimizes production quality.

[0023] Another object of the present invention is to provide a device and method for stretching leather that eliminates or significantly reduces the risk of a fold going unnoticed or escaping inspection .Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for stretching leather and method that is simple and practical to implement .

[0024] According to the invention, these and other objects are achieved by a device for stretching leather and method having the technical characteristics described in the appended claims .

[0025] Brief description of the drawings

[0026] The technical characteristics of the invention, according to the aforementioned objects, are clearly described in the appended claims, and its advantages are evident from the detailed description that follows, with reference to the appended drawing, which illustrates a purely exemplary and non-limiting embodiment thereof, wherein :

[0027] - Figure 1 shows a schematic side view in perspective from above of a device for stretching leather according to the present invention .

[0028] With reference to the appended Figure 1, the reference numeral 1 designates a device for stretching leather P that is the subject matter of the present invention, hereinafter also referred to simply as "device 1" .

[0029] Detailed Description

[0030] As explained in the introductory part of the discussion, "leather" refers to a material, either of natural or synthetic origin, used, for example, in the apparel, furniture, and automotive sectors .

[0031] It is intended that the present invention may be used for stretching any material, including textiles, for example .With reference to the attached Figure 1, the device 1 comprises a work surface 2 designed to support the leather P .

[0032] Advantageously, the work surface 2 is inclined with respect to the surface on which the device 1 is resting .

[0033] This allows for optimal viewing of the leather P .

[0034] According to a further embodiment, the work surface 2 is substantially parallel to the surface on which the device 1 is resting.

[0035] The device 1, object of the present invention, comprises optical scanning and analysis means 3.

[0036] These optical scanning and analysis means 3 are positioned near the work surface 2 and are configured to visualize a fold C on the leather P .

[0037] Essentially, the optical means 3 face the work surface 2 .

[0038] The optical means 3 are also configured to visualize a main development direction D of the fold C and to generate a plurality of stretching vectors V.

[0039] These stretching vectors V are capable of identifying at least one stretching direction of the leather P to eliminate the fold C .

[0040] The device 1, object of the present invention, comprises means 4 for stretching the leather P .

[0041] The stretching means 4 are configured to stretch the leather P along said at least one stretching direction identified by the stretching vectors V.

[0042] Advantageously, the stretching means 4 are automated.According to this embodiment, the information relating to the stretching vectors V is provided as input data for the movement of the automated stretching means 4. According to a further embodiment, the stretching means 4 are manual .

[0043] According to this embodiment, the stretching vectors V are provided as indications to an operator, for example by projection onto the leather P .

[0044] Advantageously, with reference to the embodiment in which the stretching means 4 are automated, the stretching means 4 themselves comprise a pair of robotic arms 41.

[0045] The robotic arms 41 include respective gripping points . These gripping points allow traction to be applied to the leather P at the points indicated by the stretching vectors V, along the stretching directions .

[0046] Advantageously, the gripping points comprise a suction cup .

[0047] According to a further embodiment not illustrated, the stretching means 4 comprise more than one pair of robotic arms 41.

[0048] Additionally, or alternatively, the stretching means 4 comprise a plurality of Mecanum wheels .

[0049] Mecanum wheels are a type of conventional wheel in which the tread is composed of rollers along the entire circumference of the wheel .

[0050] These rollers are generally inclined at approximately 45° with respect to both the plane of the wheel and the axis of rotation .

[0051] The use of Mecanum wheels on leather P can allow for its stretching.The combined action of robotic arms 41 and Mecanum wheels can further optimize the stretching of the leather P .

[0052] The device 1 of the present invention comprises a control system configured to receive input data relating to the stretching vectors V and to control the stretching means 4 during the stretching of the leather P .

[0053] Essentially, the data relating to the stretching vectors V allow for the identification of a plurality of coordinates for spatially moving the stretching means 4 and for regulating the traction force and direction of traction to be applied to respective portions of the leather P .

[0054] Advantageously, the optical scanning and analysis means 3 comprise at least one camera 31 for scanning the leather P on the work surface 2 .

[0055] According to an advantageous embodiment, the optical means 3 comprise two or more cameras .

[0056] Advantageously, the cameras 31 are RGB-D type cameras . An RGB-D camera is a particular type of camera capable of acquiring both the image itself and depth information .

[0057] Essentially, these cameras 31 allow for a stereo view of the leather P .

[0058] This optimizes the visualization of a fold C on the leather P .

[0059] Advantageously, the optical scanning and analysis means 3 also include a projector capable of projecting a grid of points onto the leather P .This projector allows for the use of the structured light technique, which optimizes the 3D reproduction of the image of the leather P and also optimizes the identification of folds .

[0060] A further object of the present invention is a method for stretching leather P, hereinafter also referred to simply as the "method. "

[0061] The method comprises a step of arranging leather P on a work surface 2 .

[0062] The method comprises a step of scanning the leather P using optical scanning and analysis means 3.

[0063] Advantageously, the scanning step comprises a step of scanning the leather P using a plurality of cameras 31. The method comprises a step of detecting, using optical scanning and analysis means 3, a main development direction D of a fold C of the leather P .

[0064] The method comprises a step of generating a plurality of stretching vectors V of the fold C .

[0065] The method comprises a step of providing data relating to the plurality of stretching vectors V as input to stretching means 4 .

[0066] The method comprises a step of stretching the fold C using the stretching means .

[0067] This stretching step is advantageously performed using a pair of robotic arms 41.

[0068] The device and method for stretching leather according to the present invention overcome the drawbacks of the prior art and achieve significant advantages .

[0069] A first advantage of the device and method for stretching leather according to the present invention is that it guarantees optimized production times .Another advantage of the device and method for stretching leather according to the present invention is that it guarantees optimized reliability.

[0070] In fact, the device and method according to the present invention eliminate, or at least significantly reduce, the possibility of a fold not being visible .

[0071] Another advantage of the device and method for stretching leather according to the present invention is that it guarantees optimized quality in the stretching of such folds .

[0072] Another advantage of the device and method for stretching leather according to the present invention is that it guarantees simple and practical implementation .

Claims

CLAIMS1. Device (1) for stretching leather (P) , comprising: - a work surface (2) designed to support said leather (P) ;- optical scanning and analysis means (3) arranged in proximity to said work surface (2) and configured to display a fold (C) on said leather (P) and a direction (D) of main development of said fold (C) , said optical scanning and analysis means (3) being further configured to generate a plurality of stretching vectors (V) designed to identify at least one stretching direction of said leather (P) to eliminate said fold (C) ;- stretching means (4) for said leather (P) , said stretching means (4) being configured to stretch said leather (P) along said at least one stretching direction identified by said stretching vectors (V) ; - a control system configured to receive as input a plurality of data relating to said stretching vectors (V) and to control said stretching means (4) during the stretching of said leather (P) .

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said optical scanning and analysis means (3) comprise at least one camera (31) for scanning said leather (P) on said work surface (2) .

3. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said optical scanning andanalysis means (3) comprise a projector capable of projecting a grid of points onto said leather (P) .

4. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said stretching means (4) comprise a pair of robotic arms (41) , said robotic arms (41) comprising a respective gripping point .

5. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said gripping points comprise a suction cup .

6. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said stretching means comprise a plurality of Mecanum wheels .

7. Method for stretching leather (P) , comprising the steps of :- arranging leather (P) on a work surface (2) ;- scanning said leather (P) by means of optical scanning and analysis means (3) ;- detecting, by means of said optical scanning and analysis means (3) , a direction (D) of main development of a fold (C) of said leather (P) ;- generating a plurality of stretching vectors (V) of said fold (C) ;- providing data relating to said plurality of stretching vectors (V) as input to stretching means (4) ;- stretching said fold (C) by means of said stretching means ( 4 ) .

8. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said stretching step comprises a step of stretching by means of a pair of robotic arms (41) .

Images