A movement device for moving stacks of paper articles towards an inlet line of a packaging machine

Abstract

A movement device (100) is described, for moving stacks (P) of paper articles towards an inlet line (L) of a packaging machine, while keeping the stacks (P) compact. The stacks (P) are moved internally of a conveying tunnel (T), having a lower sliding plane, and an upper abutment plane (2), by means of movement groups that are movable linearly in such a way as to be independent of one another and comprising prongs which slide internally of first longitudinal grooves (10), present in the lower sliding plane, until positioning a stack (P) at a time in a paused position (S). A pusher element (5) then pushes the stacks (P), positioned in the paused position (S), towards the inlet line (L) of a packaging machine.

Description

[0001] A MOVEMENT DEVICE FOR MOVING STACKS OF PAPER ARTICLES TOWARDS AN INLET LINE OF A PACKAGING MACHINE DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to the technical sector concerning the packaging of articles arranged in a stack, such as for example stacks of paper napkins, paper towels, paper handkerchieves and so on.

[0003] In the following description reference will be made, by way of example, to the case of stacks of paper napkins, while it is understood that the invention is utilisable also for the movement and transport of stacks of other types of paper articles, such as stacks of paper towels, paper handkerchieves, and the like, as these all have substantially the same issues as described in the following in relation to the stacks of paper napkins.

[0004] DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

[0005] The paper napkins are usually made starting from a continuous strip of paper material which is unwound from a relative reel and cut into strips which are successively transversally sectioned to realise the single napkins.

[0006] The single napkins are folded on one another, to form one or more layers (plies), and then superposed on one another to form respective stacks of napkins.

[0007] Once formed, the stacks of napkins, with the napkins arranged horizontally, must then be transported to the inlet of a packaging machine which packages them, for example by wrapping them with a film made of a plastic material.

[0008] The stacks of napkins are usually arranged horizontally and flanked to one another, then to be transferred in a first transport direction.

[0009] The packaging machine comprises a supply line in inlet which is usuallyconfigured to receive a stack of napkins at a time.

[0010] The stacks of napkins coming from the forming machine are reciprocally arranged flanked and horizontal and are moved along a first transport direction to a first sorting position.

[0011] Then the stacks of napkins, leaving from the first sorting position are moved along a second transport direction, which is transversal to the first transport direction, so that a stack of napkins at a time is positioned in a second sorting position usually located at the inlet line of the packaging machine.

[0012] The stack of napkins which time by time is positioned in the second sorting position is then pushed into the supply line for inlet to the packaging machine. At present, conveyor belts are utilised for the transport and transfer of the stacks of napkins at the supply line of inlet to the packaging machine.

[0013] The use of conveyor belts, possibly associated with the presence of upper contrasting elements for the stacks of napkins, have some drawbacks.

[0014] The stacks of napkins, in fact, are moved by a pushing action which acts at the base of the stack of napkins, as the conveyor belt exerts a pushing action on the bottom napkin of the stack of napkins, which causes an action of acceleration that is greater than the base of the stack of napkins with respect to the upper portion of the stack of napkins.

[0015] As a consequence of this, the stacks of napkins become disordered, i.e. they lose the shape required for the packaging (for example a prismatic shape with a square or rectangular bottom).

[0016] The use of upper contrasting elements has not led to an obviation of these issues, which become more serious as the velocity of activation of the conveyor belts increases.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The aim of the invention is therefore to provide a movement device for moving stacks of paper articles, in particular stacks of paper napkins, towards the inlet line of a packaging machine, able to obviate the drawbacks set out in the foregoing. In particular, an aim of the present invention is to provide a movement device able to move the stacks of paper napkins independently of one another, at movement velocities that can be high, while maintaining the stacks of paper napkins perfectly ordered and in the conformation required thereof for packaging, and therefore without any disordering thereof.

[0018] The invention also relates to a transport system of stacks of paper articles, in particular stacks of paper napkins, comprising the movement device of the invention, able to transport the stacks of paper napkins arranged horizontally and flanked to one another coming from a forming machine to the inlet line of a packaging machine, singularising the stacks of paper napkins and arranging one stack of paper napkins at a time at the inlet line of the packaging machine, while maintaining the stacks of paper napkins perfectly ordered and in the conformation required thereof for packaging, and therefore without any disordering thereof.

[0019] The above-mentioned aims are attained with a movement device and a corresponding transport system according to the contents of the claims.

[0020] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The characteristics of the movement device of the movement device of the invention, as well as the transport system, will be set out in the following description with reference to the appended tables of drawings, in which:

[0022] - figure 1 illustrates, in a schematic plan view from above, the transport system comprising the movement device of the invention, in which the transport system isdesigned for transporting stacks of paper articles, in particular stacks of paper napkins, arranged horizontally and coming from a forming machine and moving the stacks of paper napkins towards a sorting position in which the stacks of paper napkins are arranged flanked to one another, and from the sorting position the stacks of paper napkins are then transferred to the movement device of the invention for the successive movement and positioning of a stack of paper napkins at a time to a paused position facing the inlet line of a packaging machine;

[0023] - figure 2 illustrates, in a partial schematic and perspective view, the transport system comprising the movement device of the invention;

[0024] - figures from 3 to 7 illustrate, in respective schematic and perspective views, a possible operating sequence of movement of stacks of paper articles, in particular stacks of paper napkins, arranged horizontally and coming from a forming machine and which are to be moved by the movement device of the invention towards the inlet line of a packaging machine;

[0025] - figure 8 illustrates, in a partial schematic and perspective view, the positioning of a stack of paper articles, in particular stacks of paper napkins, by the movement device of the invention, at a paused position situated facing the inlet line of a packaging machine,

[0026] - figure 9 illustrates, in a partial section view, the transfer of the stacks of paper articles, in particular stacks of paper napkins, which are time by time positioned by the movement device of the invention at a paused position situated facing the inlet line of a packaging machine;

[0027] - figure 10 illustrates, in a schematic perspective section view, the movement device of the invention, designed to move stacks of paper articles, in particular stacks of paper napkins, arranged horizontally and coming from a formingmachine and for forming one stack of paper napkins at a time at a paused position situated facing the inlet line of a packaging machine;

[0028] - figure 11 is a lateral view of the movement device of figure 10;

[0029] - figure 12 is a section view along a transversal plane of the movement device of figure 10;

[0030] - figure 13 is a frontal view of a first head of the movement device of figure 10; figures 14 and 15 illustrate particularly significant components of the movement device of the invention according to section views respectively in vertical and partial perspective views;

[0031] - figures 16A and 16B illustrate, in schematic perspective view, some special elements of the movement device of the invention, in two possible distinct operating positions;

[0032] - figure 17 illustrates, in a schematic lateral view, the transport system in a part thereof relative to the transport of stacks of paper articles, in particular stacks of paper napkins, arranged horizontally and coming from a forming machine and for the movement of the stacks of paper napkins towards a sorting position in which the stacks of paper napkins are arranged flanked to one another, and from which sorting position the stacks of paper napkins are then transferred to the movement device for the successive movement and positioning of a stack of paper napkins at a time to a paused position facing the inlet line of a packaging machine;

[0033] - figures from 18 to 21 illustrate, with respective schematic lateral views and in larger scale, some significant components of the transport system responsible for the movement of the stacks of paper articles, in particular stacks of paper napkins, coming from a forming machine at a sorting position in which the stacks of paper napkins are arranged flanked to one another, and from which sorting position thestacks of paper napkins are then transferred to the movement device for the successive movement and positioning of one stack of paper napkins at a time to a paused position facing the inlet line of a packaging machine;

[0034] - figure 22 illustrates, in a schematic plan view from above, a possible configuration of a plant comprising two transport systems, comprising two movement devices of the invention, flanked to one another for the movement of stacks of paper articles, in particular stacks of paper napkins, towards the inlet lines of two packaging machines.

[0035] DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0036] With reference to the appended tables of drawings, reference numeral (100) denotes the movement device of the present invention, for moving stacks (P) of paper articles, in particular stacks (P) of paper napkins, towards an inlet line (L) of a packaging machine.

[0037] In the following reference will be made to stacks of paper napkins (P), while it is understood, as specified above, that the invention can also be utilised for the movement of stacks of other types of paper articles, such as for example stacks of paper towels, stacks of paper handkerchieves, and so on.

[0038] The stacks (P) of paper napkins are in arrival from a forming machine, with the paper napkins forming the stacks that are arranged one above the others, for example also folded on themselves in one or more plies, and arranged horizontally.

[0039] The stacks of paper napkins coming from the forming machine are transported in such a way that the stacks of paper napkins are substantially in a horizontal configuration, i.e. with the paper napkins of the stacks horizontally arranged.

[0040] The stacks of paper napkins, in this configuration thereof, must be moved to theinlet of a packaging machine for packaging thereof internally of a packaging film. The movement device (100) provided by the invention is realised and configured to carry out the movement of the stacks of paper napkins towards the inlet line of a packaging machine so that the stacks of paper napkins maintain the conformation thereof, i.e. with the paper napkins of the stack maintaining the reciprocal position and orientation thereof, without, therefore, causing any possible disordering of the stack, which might compromise the packaging.

[0041] The movement device (100) comprises:

[0042] a lower sliding plane (1) and an upper abutment plane (2), wherein the lower sliding plane (1) and the upper abutment plane (2) are arranged facing one another defining there-between a conveying tunnel (T) for the stacks (P) of paper napkins (P).

[0043] The lower sliding plane (1) comprises a first series of longitudinal grooves (10) (see for example figure 3 or figure 7).

[0044] In detail, the conveying tunnel (T) is suitable for receiving a series of stacks (P) of paper napkins which are inserted one following another, and spaced from one another, between the lower sliding plane (1) and the upper abutment plane (2), with the lower sliding plane (1) and the upper abutment plane (2) being spaced from one another in such a way that the stacks (P) of paper napkins (P) are supported on the lower sliding plane (1) and are superiorly in contact with the upper abutment plane (2) (see for example figure 5).

[0045] The movement device (100) further comprises:

[0046] at least a series of movement groups (3), wherein each movement group (3) comprises: a fork element (30) comprising prongs (31) which are arranged and conformed to be able to cross, and slide along, the first series of longitudinalgrooves (10) present in the lower sliding plane (1),

[0047] and a movement unit (4) for moving the series of movement groups (3).

[0048] The movement unit (4) is configured to translate the movement groups (3) between a lowered position (A1) (see figure 3, figure 5, figure 7, figure 16B), wherein the prongs (31) of the movement groups (3) are situated inferiorly of the lower sliding plane (1), in order to allow the inserting and positioning of a series of stacks (P) of paper napkins spaced with respect to one another internally of the conveying tunnel (T), between the lower sliding plane (1) and the upper abutment plane (2), so that the stacks (P) of paper napkins are resting on the lower sliding plane (1) and superiorly in contact with the upper abutment plane (2), and a raised position (A2) (see for example figure 2, figure 6, figure 7, figure 16A) wherein the prongs (31) of the movement groups (3) cross the first longitudinal grooves (10) of the lower sliding plane (1) and are positioned between the lower sliding plane (1) and the upper abutment plane (2) in such a way that the prongs (31) of each movement group (3) are positioned upstream of a respective stack (P) of paper napkins of the series of stacks (P) of paper napkins arranged between the lower sliding plane (1 ) and the upper abutment plane (2).

[0049] The inserting and positioning of a series of stacks (P) of paper napkins spaced with respect to one another internally of the conveying tunnel (T), between the lower sliding plane (1) and the upper abutment plane (2), can be carried out in various ways, for example by inserting a stack of paper napkins at a time, and one following another while maintaining them spaced once inserted internally of the conveying tunnel (T), or by contemporaneous inserting of a series of stacks of paper napkins already spaced with respect to one another during the inserting thereof internally of the conveying tunnel (T).The modalities of insertion of the stacks of napkins (T) in any case do not have an influence in relation to the characteristics and functioning modalities of the movement device (100) of the invention.

[0050] Further, the movement unit (4) is also configured, once the movement groups (3) have been positioned in the raised position (A2), to move the movement groups (3) linearly independently of one another so that the prongs (31) of the movement groups (3), by sliding internally of the first longitudinal grooves (10) of the lower sliding plane (1), abut respective stacks (P) of paper napkins and push the stacks (P) of paper napkins along the conveying tunnel (T), with the stacks (P) of paper napkins, which, by sliding resting on the lower sliding plane (1) and remaining in contact with the upper abutment plane (2), maintain the conformation and arrangement of paper napkins unaltered (see for example figures 6 and 7), until positioning a stack (P) of paper napkins at a time in a paused position (S) along the conveying tunnel (T) which faces an inlet line (L) of a packaging machine (see for example figure 8).

[0051] Lastly, the movement device (100) comprises a pusher element (5), which is arranged at the paused position (S), wherein the pusher element (S), each time a stack (P) of paper napkins is positioned by a movement group (3) in the paused position (S), is movable transversally to the conveying tunnel (T) in order to abut the stack (P) of paper napkins positioned in the paused position (S) and to push the stack (P) of paper napkins towards the inlet line (L) of the packaging machine (see for example figure 9).

[0052] Therefore, with the movement device (100) of the invention it is possible to keep the stacks of paper napkins compact during the movement thereof towards the paused position, for a successive transfer to the inlet line of the packagingmachine.

[0053] This is made possible due to the fact that the stacks of paper napkins are moved internally of the conveying tunnel sliding, inferiorly, on the lower sliding plane and remaining in contact, superiorly, with the upper abutment plane.

[0054] The movement groups then push, and move, the stacks of paper napkins along the conveying tunnel by means of the push exerted by the respective prongs which slide internally of the first longitudinal grooves, present in the lower sliding plane.

[0055] In this way, the prongs can act on the rear face of the stacks of paper napkins, providing a uniform push over the whole height of the rear face.

[0056] The fork elements of the movement groups are illustrated in the figures as having three distinct prongs, but can also have a different number of prongs.

[0057] In any case, the fork elements must be provided with at least a prong.

[0058] The first longitudinal grooves present in the lower sliding plane must be in a number that is at least equal to the number of prongs present in the fork elements of the various movement groups.

[0059] In the raised position, according to a preferred aspect, the prongs can be in contact with, or not, by means of an upper terminal part with the upper abutment plane.

[0060] In the raised position the prongs must be substantially positioned, with respect to the upper abutment plane, in such a way as to provide a push over the whole rear face of the stacks of napkins.

[0061] In a case in which the prongs, in the raised position, are in contact with the upper abutment plane, then the upper terminal part can comprise elements made of an anti-friction and anti-static material, such as for example polyzene.Further, with the movement device of the invention, owing to the fact that the various movement groups are movable linearly along the conveying tunnel, once positioned in the raised position thereof, and in an independent way from one another, it is possible to manage the cadence of the supply of the various stacks of paper napkins at the paused position.

[0062] In other words, with the movement device of the invention it is possible to adjust and vary the frequency with which each stack of paper napkins, which has been inserted and positioned in the conveying tunnel, can be moved along the same conveying tunnel and be positioned in the paused position for successive transfer to the inlet line of the packaging machine.

[0063] Therefore, with the movement device of the invention it is possible to unlink from the cadence, or frequency, with which the stacks of paper napkins are transferred and moved from the outlet of the forming machine until insertion and positioning thereof internally of the conveying tunnel.

[0064] Further and other preferred characteristics of the movement device of the invention are described in the following.

[0065] The movement unit (4) is also configured, each time a movement group (3) of the series of movement groups (3) has positioned a respective stack (P) of paper napkins in the paused position (S), to allow the movement of the pusher element (5) for transfer of the stack (P) of paper napkins towards the inlet line (L) of the packaging machine, in order to move the movement group (3) linearly beyond the paused position (S), and, when all the movement groups (3) have been moved linearly beyond the paused position (S), the movement unit (4) is configured to translate the movement groups (3) from the raised position (A2) to the lowered position (A1) and to retract the movement groups (3) with respect to the conveyingtunnel (T) into a retracted waiting position of insertion of another series of stacks (P) of paper napkins internally of the conveying tunnel (T) between the lower sliding plane (1 ) and the upper abutment plane (2).

[0066] In a particularly advantageous aspect of the invention, the upper abutment plane (2) comprises a second series of longitudinal grooves (20) and the movement unit (4) is configured to translate the movement groups (3) into the raised position (A2) so that the prongs (31 ) of the movement groups (3) at least partially cross, with the respective upper terminal parts thereof, also the second longitudinal grooves (20) of the upper abutment plane (2) (see for example figures 10, 11, 12-15).

[0067] In the preferred, though not necessarily exclusive embodiment illustrated in the figures, the movement group (4) is realised in such a way as to comprise:

[0068] a support and linear guide element (40) for supporting and linear guiding of the movement groups (3),

[0069] a linear actuator element (42) for the linear drive of the movement groups (3). In detail, the support and linear guide element (40) is arranged inferiorly of the lower sliding plane (1) and is configured to be movable between a first nonoperating position (01), in which it is moved away from the lower sliding plane (1) so that the prongs (31) of the movement groups (3) are arranged in the lowered position (A1) inferiorly of the lower sliding plane (1), and a second operating position (02), in which it is neared to the lower sliding plane (1), so that the prongs (31) of the movement groups (3) are positioned in the raised position (A2).

[0070] In turn, the linear actuator element (42) is configured, when the support and linear guide element (40) is positioned in the second operating position (02), with the prongs (31) of the movement groups (3) in the raised position (A2) thereof, to activate the movement groups (3) independently of one another, to slide along thesupport and linear guide element (40) so that the prongs (31) of the movement groups (3), sliding internally of the first longitudinal grooves (10) present in the lower sliding plane (1), push respective stacks (P) of paper napkins in order to position a stack (P) of paper napkins at a time in the paused position (S).

[0071] Further, the linear actuator element (42) is also configured, when the movement groups (3) have been moved linearly beyond the paused position (S), and after the support and linear guide element (40) has been returned into the first nonoperating position (01), with the prongs (31) of the movement groups (3) in the lowered position (A1) thereof, to activate the movement groups (3) independently of one another, to slide along the support and linear guide element (40), and to return the movement groups (3) into the retracted waiting position of insertion of another series of stacks (P) of paper napkins internally of the conveying tunnel (T) between the lower sliding plane (1) and the upper abutment plane (2).

[0072] In the preferred, though not necessarily exclusive embodiment illustrated in the figures, the movement group (3) is realised in such a way as to comprise:

[0073] a first sliding coupling element (32), which is fixed to the fork element (30) and slidably coupled with a first linear sliding rail (33) present in the support and linear guide element (40) so that the fork element (30) can be activatable to slide along the first linear sliding rail (33);

[0074] a vertical guide element (34) for the fork element (30), with the fork element (30) being coupled to the vertical guide element (34) by means of a pair of rollers (35) (or other equivalent elements) in such a way that the fork element (30) can be made to slide vertically with respect to the vertical guide element (34), in order to enable the movement of the fork element (30) from the lowered position (A1) to the raised position (A2) and vice versa, when the support and linear guide element(40) is moved from the first non-operating position (01) to the second operating position (02), and vice versa,

[0075] at least a slidable second coupling element (36), fixed to the vertical guide element (34) and slidably coupled with a respective second linear sliding rail (37) in such a way that the vertical guide element (34) can be activatable linearly along the second linear sliding rail (37) and, consequently, the fork element (30) can be linearly activatable along the first linear sliding rail (33);

[0076] at least a permanent magnet (38) mounted on the vertical guide element (34); and wherein the linear actuator element (42) also comprises a stator (43) which is configured to generate a variable magnetic field along the second linear sliding rail (37) which interacts with the at least a permanent magnet (38) mounted on the vertical guide element (34) to move the vertical guide element (34) linearly along the second linear sliding rail (37) and, consequently, to move the fork element (30) linearly along the first linear sliding rail (33).

[0077] The support and linear guide element (40) can be constituted, for example, by a longitudinal member that is vertically slidable along respective vertical guides (47), with the longitudinal member being coupled and fixed to at least a respective belt (48) loop-closed about relative pulleys (49), of which one at least is driven (see for example figure 13).

[0078] In a further preferred aspect, the upper abutment plane (2) is configured to be adjustable in height with respect to the lower sliding plane (1) so as to vary and adjust the height of the conveying tunnel (T) to the height of the stacks (P) of paper napkins.

[0079] The lower sliding plane (1) and the upper abutment plane (2) preferably comprise, at the paused position (S) in which the stacks (P) of paper napkins are positionedtime by time by the movement groups (3), respective transversal slots (15) for allowing the passage of the pusher element (5), when the pusher element (5) is activated to push the stack (P) of paper napkins positioned in the paused position (S) towards the inlet line (L) of the packaging machine.

[0080] On the basis of a further preferred aspect, at the paused position (S) in which the stacks (P) of paper napkins are positioned time by time by the movement groups (3), the movement device (100) comprises a series of spindle-shaped elements (51) which are arranged between the lower sliding plane (1) and the upper abutment plane (2), so as to form an end run stop for positioning a stack (P) of paper napkins in the paused position (S), which are spaced from one another in such a way as to enable passage between them of the prongs (31) of the movement groups (3), when the prongs (31) of the movement groups (3) are moved beyond the paused position (S) following the transfer of the stack (P) of paper napkins towards the inlet line (L) of the packaging machine by the pusher element (5).

[0081] The movement device (100) can further comprise, laterally to the paused position (S), a connection plane (52) with the inlet line (L) of the packaging machine, and wherein the pusher element (5) is activatable to push the stacks (P) of paper napkins which time by time are positioned in the paused position (S) so as to slide on the connection plane (52) for transfer thereof to the inlet line (L) of the packaging machine, wherein the connection plane (52) comprises a slot (53) for enabling the passage of the pusher element (5).

[0082] In a further particularly advantageous aspect, the movement device (100) can be made in such a way as also to comprise a second series of movement groups (300) and a second movement group (400), which are realised and configuredalike the movement groups (3) and the movement group (4) previously described. In particular, once the movement groups (3) have been positioned by the movement groups (4) in the raised position (A2) thereof, the second series of movement groups (300) are positioned by the respective second movement group (400) in a lowered position (see figures 12 and 15).

[0083] Therefore, once the movement groups (3) have been linearly moved by the movement group (4) along the conveying tunnel (T) to position, time by time, a stack of paper napkins in the paused position (S), and then brought beyond the paused position (S) and subsequently returned into the lowered position (A1) thereof, then the second series of movement groups (300) can be moved into a raised position for moving a second series of stacks of paper napkins, in the meantime inserted into the conveying tunnel, and for moving the stacks of paper napkins to position them, one at a time, in the paused position.

[0084] In this way, productivity can be increased, also increasing the number of stacks of paper napkins which can be transferred in the time unit, to the inlet line of the packaging machine.

[0085] The present invention also relates to a transport system (200) of stacks of paper articles, in particular of stacks (P) of paper napkins, for the transport of stacks (P) of paper napkins in arrival from an outlet (U) of a forming machine to the inlet line (L) of a packaging machine comprising a movement device (100) as previously described (see for example figure 1 and figures 2-7).

[0086] The transport system (200) is realised and configured in such a way as to transport stacks of paper napkins coming from an outlet of a forming machine, in which the stacks of paper napkins are formed, up until the inlet line of a packaging machine, in which the stacks of paper napkins are to be packaged, and able tocarry out the transport and transfer of the stacks of paper napkins while maintaining the stacks of paper napkins compact and in the original conformation and configuration thereof, avoiding any disordering thereof.

[0087] The transport system (200) of stacks (P) of paper napkins in this regard comprises:

[0088] a transfer device (6) which is arranged so as to receive stacks (P) of paper napkins in arrival from an outlet (U) of a forming machine and which is configured to transfer the stacks (P) of paper napkins along a transfer direction (Z), with the stacks (P) of paper napkins being arranged flanked to one another, and spaced away from one another, transversally to the transfer direction (Z), until positioning the stacks (P) of paper napkins paused at a sorting station (SM) comprising a support plane (61) for the stacks (P) of paper napkins, which is arranged transversally to the transfer direction (Z), and configured to restingly receive from the transfer device (6) a series of stacks (P) of paper napkins spaced away from one another, and a movable upper plane (62), movable to near the support plane (61) so as to compact the stacks (P) of paper napkins positioned on the support plane (61);

[0089] a translation device (7), which is arranged facing the sorting station (SM) and which is translatable along a first translation direction (T1), perpendicular to the support plane (61), and along a second translation direction (T2), parallel to the support plane (61);

[0090] and the movement device (100) of the invention described in the foregoing.

[0091] In detail, the movement device (100) is arranged in such a way that the lower sliding plane (1) of the conveying tunnel (T) is arranged consecutive, and aligned according to a same common direction, with respect to the support plane (61) ofthe sorting station (SM).

[0092] Further, the translation device (7) is realised in such a way as to comprise a series of pusher walls (70), spaced and parallel to one another, which are arranged transversally with respect to the support plane (61 ) of the sorting station (SM). The translation device (7) is configured, once a stack (P) of paper napkins has been transferred and positioned by the transfer device (6) on the support plane (61) of the sorting station (SM), so as to be translatable first along the first translation direction (T1), perpendicular to the support plane (61), in such a way as to insert the pusher walls (70) between the stacks (P) of paper napkins arranged on the support plane (61), so that each pusher wall (70) is upstream of a respective stack (P) of paper napkins, and then, with the movement groups (3) of the movement device (100) positioned in the lowered position (A1) thereof, to be translatable along the second translation direction (T2) parallel to the support plane (61 ) of the sorting station (SM), in such a way that the pusher walls (70) abut respective stacks (P) of paper napkins and translate the stacks (P) of paper napkins from the support plane (61) of the sorting station (SM) internally of the conveying tunnel (T) of the movement device (100), arranging the stacks (P) of paper napkins between the lower sliding plane (1) and the upper abutment plane (2).

[0093] During the translation of the stacks of paper napkins, these are maintained compact as they slide, on the lower part thereof, on the support plane of the sorting station and thereafter on the lower sliding plane of the conveying tunnel (T), and are in contact, on the upper part thereof, first with the movable upper plane of the sorting station and thereafter with the upper abutment plane of the conveying tunnel, while being at the same time pushed by the pusher walls of thetranslation device which act against a rear face thereof.

[0094] Therefore, the translation device (7) is further translatable along the first translation direction (T1) in order to extract the pusher walls (70) laterally from the conveying tunnel (T) and in order to enable the movement means (3) of the movement device (100) to be positioned in the second raised position (A2) thereof, for the following movement of the stacks (P) of paper napkins along the conveying tunnel (T).

[0095] The transfer device (6) is made in such a way as to comprise a first series of belts (63), which are loop-closed and comprise a series of upper transfer branches (630) arranged and configured to receive a series of stacks (P) of paper napkins in arrival from the outlet (U) of a forming machine, and a second series of belts (64), loop-closed and arranged facing and superiorly of the first series of belts (63) and comprising a series of lower branches (640) configured to superiorly abut the series of stacks (P) of paper napkins in arrival from the outlet (U) of a forming machine.

[0096] In particular, the first series of belts (63) and the second series of belts (64) are activatable to transfer the series of stacks (P) of paper napkins coming from the outlet (U) of a forming machine along the transfer direction (Z) towards the sorting station (SM), with the first series of belts (63) extending beyond the second series of belts (64) with the respective upper transfer branches (630) inserting internally of slits (650) present on a conveying plane (65).

[0097] In a preferred aspect, the conveying plane (65) and of the upper transfer branches (630) of the first series of belts (63) are reciprocally arranged and orientated in such a way that a terminal part of the conveying plane (65) is arranged at an upper level of a terminal part of the upper branches (630) of the first series of belts (63)(see for example figures 18-21 ).

[0098] In this way, the series of stacks (P) of paper napkins, during the transfer thereof along the transfer direction (Z) towards the sorting station (SM), remains resting only on the terminal part of the conveying plane (65).

[0099] The transfer device (6) comprises a series of pusher rods (66) activatable to abut the series of stacks (P) of paper napkins, once the series of stacks (P) of paper napkins has been transferred from the upper branches (630) of the first series of belts (63) to be supported on the terminal part of the conveying plane (65) which is arranged at an upper level of the terminal part of the upper branches (630) of the first series of belts (63), and to push the series of stacks (P) of paper napkins along the terminal part of the conveying plane (65) according to the transfer direction (Z) until positioning the series of stacks (P) of paper napkins paused on the support plane (61) of the sorting station (SM).

[0100] Further, the transfer device (6) comprises a series of upper abutment elements (67), which are arranged superiorly of the conveying plane (65), and consecutively to the lower branches (640) of the second series of belts (64), which are configured to superiorly abut the series of stacks (P) of paper napkins, and maintain compacted the stacks (P) of paper napkins, when the series of pusher rods (66) pushes the series of stacks (P) of paper napkins along the terminal part of the conveying plane (65) until positioning the series of stacks (P) of paper napkins on the support plane (61 ) of the sorting station (SM).

[0101] In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, the translation device (7) can comprise a movable frame (71) on which the pusher walls (70), and a fixed frame (72) are mounted.

[0102] The movable frame (71) is mounted translatably on the fixed frame (72) accordingto the first translation direction (T1), while the fixed frame (72) is slidably mounted on at least a respective straight guide rail (73), which is arranged parallel with respect to the support plane (61 ) of the sorting station (SM), in such a way that the fixed frame (72) is translatable along the second translation direction (T2) parallel to the support plane (61 ).

[0103] Therefore, with the transfer system (200) as described in the foregoing, it is possible to carry out the transfer and movement of the stacks of paper napkins coming from the outlet of a forming machine up to the inlet line of a packaging machine while maintaining the stacks of napkins compact in the original conformation and configuration thereof, without any disordering thereof.

[0104] This is owing to the fact that the stacks of paper napkins are transported and moved while being also kept compacted, with the lower part thereof and the upper part thereof in contact with respective sliding and abutting elements (upper branches of the first series of belts, conveying plane, lower branches of the second series of belts, upper abutment elements present in the transfer device, support plane and movable upper plane of the sorting station, lower sliding plane and upper abutment plane of the conveying tunnel of the movement device).

[0105] Figure 22 illustrates a possible lay-out of a machine (M) for carrying out the transfer of stacks of paper napkins coming from two outlets (U, U2) of two distinct forming machines of stacks of paper napkins to two inlet lines (L, L2) of two packaging machines, in which the two inlet lines (L, L2) are arranged parallel to one another.

[0106] The machine (M) can be made using two transport systems (200, 2000), arranged facing one another, with a symmetrical arrangement, and with each transport system (200, 2000) therefore comprising a respective transfer device (6, 600), arespective sorting station (SM, SM2), a respective translation device (7, 700), and a respective movement device (100, 1000), each of which is realised as described in the foregoing.

Claims

CLAIMS1) A movement device (100) for moving stacks (P) of paper articles, in particular stacks (P) of paper napkins, towards an inlet line (L) of a packaging machine, comprising:a lower sliding plane (1) and an upper abutment plane (2), wherein the lower sliding plane (1) and the upper abutment plane (2) are arranged facing one another defining there-between a conveying tunnel (T) for the stacks (P) of paper napkins (P), wherein the lower sliding plane (1) comprises a first series of longitudinal grooves (10), wherein the conveying tunnel (T) is suitable for receiving a series of stacks (P) of paper napkins which are inserted one following another, and spaced from one another, between the lower sliding plane (1) and the upper abutment plane (2), with the lower sliding plane (1) and the upper abutment plane (2) being spaced from one another in such a way that the stacks (P) of paper napkins (P) are supported on the lower sliding plane (1) and are superiorly in contact with the upper abutment plane (2);at least a series of movement groups (3), wherein each movement group (3) comprises: a fork element (30) comprising prongs (31) which are arranged and conformed to be able to cross, and slide along, the first series of longitudinal grooves (10) present in the lower sliding plane (1);a movement unit (4) for moving the series of movement groups (3) and which is configured to translate the movement groups (3) between a lowered position (A1), wherein the prongs (31) of the movement groups (3) are situated inferiorly of the lower sliding plane (1), in order to allow the inserting and positioning of a series of stacks (P) of paper napkins distanced with respect to one another internally of the conveying tunnel (T), between the lower sliding plane (1) and the upper abutmentplane (2), so that the stacks (P) of paper napkins are supported on the lower sliding plane (1) and are superiorly in contact with the upper abutment plane (2), and a raised position (A2) wherein the prongs (31) of the movement groups (3) cross the first longitudinal grooves (10) of the lower sliding plane (1) and are positioned between the lower sliding plane (1) and the upper abutment plane (2) in such a way that the prongs (31) of each movement group (3) are positioned upstream of a respective stack (P) of paper napkins of the series of stacks (P) of paper napkins arranged between the lower sliding plane (1) and the upper abutment plane (2);wherein the movement unit (4) is also configured, once the movement groups (3) have been positioned in the raised position (A2), to move the movement groups (3) linearly independently of one another so that the prongs (31) of the movement groups (3), by sliding internally of the first longitudinal grooves (10) of the lower sliding plane (1), abut respective stacks (P) of paper napkins and push the stacks (P) of paper napkins along the conveying tunnel (T), with the stacks (P) of paper napkins, which, by sliding resting on the lower sliding plane (1) and remaining in contact with the upper abutment plane (2), maintain the conformation and arrangement of paper napkins unaltered, until positioning a stack (P) of paper napkins at a time in a paused position (S) along the conveying tunnel (T) which faces an inlet line (L) of a packaging machine;a pusher element (5) arranged at the paused position (S), wherein the pusher element (S), each time a stack (P) of paper napkins is positioned by a movement group (3) in the paused position (S), is movable transversally to the conveying tunnel (T) in order to abut the stack (P) of paper napkins positioned in the paused position (S) and to push the stack (P) of paper napkins towards the inlet line (L) ofthe packaging machine.2) The movement device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the movement unit (4), each time a movement group (3) of the series of movement groups (3) has positioned a respective stack (P) of paper napkins in the paused position (S), in order to allow the movement of the pusher element (5) for transfer of the stack (P) of paper napkins towards the inlet line (L) of the packaging machine, is configured to move the movement group (3) linearly beyond the paused position (S), and, when all the movement groups (3) have been moved linearly beyond the paused position (S), the movement unit (4) is configured to translate the movement groups (3) from the raised position (A2) to the lowered position (A1) and to retract the movement groups (3) with respect to the conveying tunnel (T) into a retracted waiting position of insertion of another series of stacks (P) of paper napkins internally of the conveying tunnel (T) between the lower sliding plane (1) and the upper abutment plane (2).3) The movement device (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the upper abutment plane (2) comprises a second series of longitudinal grooves (20) and wherein the movement unit (4) is configured to translate the movement groups (3) into the raised position (A2) so that the prongs (31) of the movement groups (3) at least partially cross, with the respective terminal upper parts thereof, also the second longitudinal grooves (20) of the upper abutment plane (2).4) The movement device (100) as claimed in any one of claims from 2 to 3, wherein the movement unit (4) comprises:a support and linear guide element (40) for supporting and linear guiding of the movement groups (3), wherein the support and linear guide element (40) is arranged inferiorly of the lower sliding plane (1) and is configured to be movablebetween a first non-operating position (01), in which it is moved away from the lower sliding plane (1) so that the prongs (31) of the movement groups (3) are arranged in the lowered position (A1) inferiorly of the lower sliding plane (1), and a second operating position (02), in which it is neared to the lower sliding plane (1), so that the prongs (31) of the movement groups (3) are positioned in the raised position (A2);a linear actuator element (42) which is configured, when the support and linear guide element (40) is positioned in the second operating position (02), with the prongs (31) of the movement groups (3) in the raised position (A2) thereof, so as to activate the movement groups (3) independently of one another, to slide along the support and linear guide element (40) so that the prongs (31) of the movement groups (3) push respective stacks (P) of paper napkins in order to position a stack (P) of paper napkins at a time in the paused position (S), and wherein the linear actuator element (42) is also configured, when the movement groups (3) have been moved linearly beyond the paused position (S), and after the support and linear guide element (40) has been returned into the first non-operating position (01), with the prongs (31) of the movement groups (3) in the lowered position (A1) thereof, to activate the movement groups (3) independently of one another, to slide along the support and linear guide element (40), and to return the movement groups (3) into the retracted waiting position of insertion of another series of stacks (P) of paper napkins internally of the conveying tunnel (T) between the lower sliding plane (1 ) and the upper abutment plane (2).5) The movement device (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein each movement group (3) comprises:a first sliding coupling element (32), fixed to the fork element (30) and slidablycoupled with a first linear sliding rail (33) present in the support and linear guide element (40) so that the fork element (30) can be activatable to slide along the first linear sliding rail (33);a vertical guide element (34) for the fork element (30), with the fork element (30) being coupled to the vertical guide element (34) by means of a pair of rollers (35) in such a way that the fork element (30) can be made to slide vertically with respect to the vertical guide element (34), in order to enable the movement of the fork element (30) from the lowered position (A1) to the raised position (A2) and vice versa, when the support and linear guide element (40) is moved from the first non-operating position (01) to the second operating position (02), and vice versa, at least a slidable second coupling element (36), fixed to the vertical guide element (34) and slidably coupled with a respective second linear sliding rail (37) in such a way that the vertical guide element (34) can be activatable linearly along the second linear sliding rail (37) and, consequently, the fork element (30) can be linearly activatable along the first linear sliding rail (33);at least a permanent magnet (38) mounted on the vertical guide element (34); and wherein the linear actuator element (42) also comprises a stator (43) which is configured to generate a variable magnetic field along the second linear sliding rail (37) which interacts with the at least a permanent magnet (38) mounted on the vertical guide element (34) to move the vertical guide element (34) linearly along the second linear sliding rail (37) and, consequently, to move the fork element (30) linearly along the first linear sliding rail (33).6) The movement device (100) as claimed in any one of claims from 1 to 5, wherein the upper abutment plane (2) is configured to be adjustable in height with respect to the lower sliding plane (1) so as to vary the height of the conveyingtunnel (T) to the height of the stacks (P) of paper napkins.7) The movement device (100) as claimed in any one of claims from 1 to 6, wherein the lower sliding plane (1) and the upper abutment plane (2) comprise, at the paused position (S) in which the stacks (P) of paper napkins are positioned time by time by the movement groups (3), respective transversal slots (15) for allowing the passage of the pusher element (5), when the pusher element (5) is activated to push the stack (P) of paper napkins positioned in the paused position (S) towards the inlet line (L) of the packaging machine.8) The movement device (100) as claimed in any one of claims from 1 to 7, comprising, at the paused position (S) in which the stacks (P) of paper napkins are positioned time by time by the movement groups (3), a series of spindle-shaped elements (51) which are arranged between the lower sliding plane (1) and the upper abutment plane (2), so as to form an end run stop for positioning a stack (P) of paper napkins in the paused position (S), which are spaced from one another in such a way as to enable passage between them of the prongs (31) of the movement groups (3), when the prongs (31) of the movement groups (3) are moved beyond the paused position (S) following the transfer of the stack (P) of paper napkins towards the inlet line (L) of the packaging machine by the pusher element (5).9) The movement device (100) as claimed in claim 8, comprising, laterally to the paused position (S), a connection plane (52) with the inlet line (L) of the packaging machine, and wherein the pusher element (5) is activatable to push the stacks (P) of paper napkins which time by time are positioned in the paused position (S) so as to slide on the connection plane (52) for transfer thereof to the inlet line (L) of the packaging machine, wherein the connection plane (52) comprises a slot (53)for enabling the passage of the pusher element (5).10) A transport system (200) of stacks (P) of paper articles, in particular of stacks (P) of paper napkins, for the transport of stacks (P) of paper napkins in arrival from an outlet (U) of a forming machine to the inlet line (L) of a packaging machine comprising a movement device (100) as claimed in any one of claims from 1 to 9.11) The transport system (200) as claimed in claim 10, comprising:a transfer device (6) arranged so as to receive stacks (P) of paper napkins in arrival from an outlet (U) of a forming machine and configured to transfer the stacks (P) of paper napkins along a transfer direction (Z), with the stacks (P) of paper napkins being arranged flanked to one another, and spaced away from one another, transversally to the transfer direction (Z), until positioning the stacks (P) of paper napkins paused at a sorting station (SM) comprising a support plane (61) for the stacks (P) of paper napkins, arranged transversally to the transfer direction (Z), and configured to restingly receive from the transfer device (6) a series of stacks (P) of paper napkins spaced away from one another, and a movable upper plane (62), movable to near the support plane (61) so as to compact the stacks (P) of paper napkins positioned on the support plane (61);a translation device (7) arranged facing the sorting station (SM) and which is translatable along a first translation direction (T1) perpendicular to the support plane (61) and along a second translation direction (T2) parallel to the support plane (61),wherein the movement device (100) is arranged in such a way that the lower sliding plane (1) of the conveying tunnel (T) is consecutive, and aligned according to a same common direction, with respect to the support plane (61) of the sorting station (SM),with the translation device (7) comprising a series of pusher walls (70), spaced from one another and parallel, arranged transversally with respect to the support plane (61) of the sorting station (SM), wherein the translation device (7) is configured, once a stack (P) of paper napkins has been transferred and positioned by the transfer device (6) on the support plane (61 ) of the sorting station (SM), to be translatable first along the first translation direction (T1) perpendicular to the support plane (61) in such a way as to insert the pusher walls (70) between the stacks (P) of paper napkins arranged on the support plane (61), so that each pusher wall (70) is upstream of a respective stack (P) of paper napkins, and then, with the movement groups (3) of the movement device (100) positioned in the lowered position (A1) thereof, to be translatable along the second translation direction (T2) parallel to the support plane (61) in such a way that the pusher walls (70) abut respective stacks (P) of paper napkins and translate the stacks (P) of paper napkins from the support plane (61) of the sorting station (SM) internally of the conveying tunnel (T) of the movement device (100), arranging the stacks (P) of paper napkins between the lower sliding plane (1) and the upper abutment plane (2), and therefore being further translatable along the first translation direction (T1) in order to extract the pusher walls (70) laterally from the conveying tunnel (T) and in order to enable the movement means (3) of the movement device (100) to be positioned in the second raised position (A2) thereof, for the following movement of the stacks (P) of paper napkins along the conveying tunnel (T).12) The transport system (200) as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the transfer device (6) comprises a first series of belts (63), loop-closed and comprising a series of upper transfer branches (630) arranged and configured to receive a series of stacks (P) of paper napkins in arrival from the outlet (U) of a forming machine, anda second series of belts (64), loop-closed and arranged facing and superiorly of the first series of belts (63) and comprising a series of lower branches (640) configured to superiorly abut the series of stacks (P) of paper napkins in arrival from the outlet (U) of a forming machine, wherein the first series of belts (63) and the second series of belts (64) are activatable to transfer the series of stacks (P) of paper napkins in arrival from the outlet (U) of a forming machine along the transfer direction (Z) towards the sorting station (SM), wherein the first series of belts (63) extends beyond the second series of belts (64) with the respective upper transfer branches (630) inserting internally of slits (650) present on a conveying plane (65), wherein the conveying plane (65) and of the upper transfer branches (630) of the first series of belts (63) are reciprocally arranged and orientated in such a way that a terminal part of the conveying plane (65) is arranged at an upper level of a terminal part of the upper branches (630) of the first series of belts (63) in such a way that the series of stacks (P) of paper napkins remains supported only on the terminal part of the conveying plane (65), wherein the transfer device (6) comprises a series of pusher rods (66) activatable to abut the series of stacks (P) of paper napkins, once the series of stacks (P) of paper napkins has been transferred from the upper branches (630) of the first series of belts (63) to be supported on the terminal part of the conveying plane (65) which is arranged at an upper level of the terminal part of the upper branches (630) of the first series of belts (63), and to push the series of stacks (P) of paper napkins along the terminal part of the conveying plane (65) according to the transfer direction (Z) until positioning the series of stacks (P) of paper napkins paused on the support plane (61 ) of the sorting station (SM).13) The transport system (200) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the transfer device(6) comprises a series of upper abutment elements (67), arranged superiorly of the conveying plane (65), and consecutively to the lower branches (640) of the second series of belts (64), which are configured to superiorly abut the series of stacks (P) of paper napkins, and maintain compacted the stacks (P) of paper napkins, when the series of pusher rods (66) pushes the series of stacks (P) of paper napkins along the terminal part of the conveying plane (65) until positioning the series of stacks (P) of paper napkins on the support plane (61) of the sorting station (SM).

Images