EP1164102B1 - Automatic machine for rearranging samples of sheet material - Google Patents

Abstract

The machine has a magazine (35) for support or suspension holders (5) for the samples and magazines (14,17) for the samples themselves. A handler picks up the holders and places them flat on a movable plate (10) and further handlers position the samples on the plate in a stack. A folder folds the holders around the stacked samples and a stapler (44) staples them together.

Description

The present invention relates to an automatic machine for the grouping of samples of flexible sheet products, this machine performing the superposition of several samples belonging to a range of such products, as well as the binding of these samples between them and with a relatively rigid support and / or suspension part.

More particularly, this invention relates to the manufacture automatic presentation cards for a range of textile products, known under the name "ROBRAC" in professional circles specialized. These cards each group a certain number rectangular fabric samples, all of the same size or decreasing dimensions, which may differ by their colors and / or their reasons. These samples are superimposed and offset, and they are brought together, by one of their edges, to a cardboard piece folded on itself so as to grip the stack of samples, the assembly of the stacked samples and the cardboard part being produced by means of staples. The room in cardboard has a particular cut, making a kind of hook allowing the suspension of the assembly.

Similar presentations also exist for samples of other flexible sheet or web products, such as wallpaper or carpet samples.

In the current state of the art, there is no machine capable of carrying out, automatically, all the operations of manipulation and assembly leading to obtaining such assemblies of samples. So we still have to perform these operations manually, relatively tedious, which involves selecting the samples to group, stack these samples in a relative positioning correct, also bring the support and / or suspension part, to fold this piece, and to assemble everything by stapling. It is therefore a manufacturing which remains labor-intensive, which may include inaccuracies or errors, and whose production rate remains low.

Documents DE-A-1 962 934 and FR-A-788 924 describe a machine for automatic manufacturing of similar presentation cards.

The present invention aims to avoid these drawbacks, by providing a solution for full automation of operations in question, and high-speed production of "ROBRAC" type presentation, or the like.

• un magasin pour pièces de support et/ou de suspension, initialement disposées à plat ;
• un magasin pour échantillons de produits souples en feuille, de grande dimension ;
• au moins un magasin pour autres échantillons de produits souples en feuille, de plus petite dimension ;
• un plateau mobile horizontalement entre le magasin pour échantillons de grande dimension, et le ou les magasins pour échantillons de plus petite dimension, associé à des moyens motorisés d'entraínement en translation ;
• des moyens de prise, une à une, des pièces de support et/ou de suspension dans leur magasin pour leur pose sur le plateau mobile ;
• des moyens de prise et de transfert, un à un, des échantillons de grande dimension, pour leur pose sur le plateau mobile ayant déjà reçu une pièce de support et/ou de préhension ;
• des moyens de prise et de transfert, un à un, des échantillons de plus petite dimension, pour leur pose sur le plateau mobile dans des positions prédéterminées par rapport à un échantillon de grande dimension précédemment posé ;
• des moyens de pliage des pièces de support et/ou de suspension, précédemment posées sur le plateau mobile ;
• des moyens d'agrafage pour l'assemblage d'une pièce de support et/ou de suspension pliée, avec un échantillon de grande dimension et plusieurs échantillons de plus petite dimension ;
• des moyens d'évacuation des assemblages ainsi réalisés ; et
• des moyens de commande automatique synchronisée des moyens précités, selon un cycle prédéterminé.

To this end, the subject of the invention is an automatic machine for grouping sheet product samples, this machine essentially comprising, in combination:

• a magazine for support and / or suspension parts, initially arranged flat;
• a store for samples of flexible sheet products, large;
• at least one store for other samples of flexible sheet products, of smaller size;
• a plate movable horizontally between the magazine for large samples, and the magazine or magazines for smaller samples, associated with motorized means for translational drive;
• means for picking up, one by one, support and / or suspension pieces in their magazine for their installation on the movable plate;
• means for picking up and transferring, one by one, large samples, for their placement on the movable plate having already received a support and / or gripping part;
• means for picking up and transferring, one by one, samples of smaller size, for their placement on the movable platform in predetermined positions relative to a large sample previously placed;
• means for folding the support and / or suspension parts, previously placed on the movable plate;
• stapling means for assembling a folded support and / or suspension part, with a large sample and several smaller samples;
• means for evacuating the assemblies thus produced; and
• means for automatic synchronized control of the aforementioned means, according to a predetermined cycle.

Thus, the machine object of the invention makes it possible to group together samples taken from several stores, positioning these samples relative to each other, and fix the samples to support, in particular in cardboard, folded over these samples, the cycle of machine being fully automatic and capable of being carried out at one high rate; for example, a complete cycle with grouping of six samples can be carried out in the order of 30 seconds.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, provision is made, for smaller samples, a rotating magazine, mounted rotating around a vertical axis and associated with motorized means rotational drive, which carries baskets angularly distributed over its circumference and intended to receive each of the samples of a type given, each basket being able to be brought into a position of taking of the corresponding samples by the means of taking and transfer mentioned above. Thus, the different baskets of the rotary store receive, each one, a particular type of sample by its color and / or its pattern. The machine automatically selects, in a predetermined order, the samples of different types pending in the corresponding baskets, and it deposits them successively, one above the other, for the regroup according to the order of succession previously chosen.

According to a usual characteristic of groupings of samples to be produced, the smaller samples are superimposed by being offset from each other. The machine object of the invention achieves, automatically, such a superposition with offsets, providing that the motorized drive means in translation of the movable plate successively bring this plate into stop positions offset from each other in a way programmed, at each corresponding stop position, by the capture and transfer means, of a given type of sample extracted from the rotary magazine, or other smaller sample store dimension.

According to a variant of the invention, the store for samples of smaller dimension is a single, fixed store, in which the samples can be stacked according to their order of succession in the groupings to be carried out. So by taking successively these samples in the store, we deposit them in the desired order of succession. This variant makes it possible to obtain a machine simpler, more economical and less cumbersome, however imposing special preparation of samples.

The means of taking and transferring the samples, both large and small samples dimensions, may consist of gripping devices to retractable claws, or suction cups or adhesive (sticker), mounted movable horizontally and vertically.

Regarding the handling of support parts and / or hangers, which are typically cardboard plates, there is provision also gripping means, in particular with suction cups, which take these pieces from their store, and lay them flat (not folded) on the mobile platform, suitably positioned. Folding means said support and / or suspension parts are advantageously grouped together with the stapling means, at the same work station, the folding means which may include mechanical folding members, actuated by a jack, completed by movable bars capable of being momentarily introduced at the fold line. As to stapling means, they comprise a single or multiple stapler, carried by a mobile support transversely on guides, the stapler and its support being actuated by motorized means.

Finally, the means of evacuation of finished products, which constitute the assemblies of samples produced, include, in the support and / or suspension parts with hook part, a downward slide intended to receive and guide this part forming a hook, combined with a motorized hooking means ensuring, at an ejection station, the engagement of each finished product on the slide, at its upper starting point.

Figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'une carte de présentation de gamme de produits textiles, réalisable à l'aide de la machine objet de l'invention ;

Figure 2 est une vue d'ensemble, en plan par dessus, de cette machine ;

Figure 3 est une vue de face de la machine de figure 2 ;

Figure 4 est une vue de côté de cette machine ;

Figure 5 représente un détail de la même machine, avec le magasin de pièces en carton et les moyens d'évacuation des produits finis ;

Figure 6 représente un détail des moyens de pliage ;

Figures 7 à 14 illustrent, sous forme de vues en plan, les phases successives du cycle de fonctionnement de la machine ;

Figures 15 à 18 sont des vues de côté illustrant, plus particulièrement, l'opération de pliage des plaques de carton ;

Figure 19 illustre, en vue de côté, une variante des moyens de prise des échantillons, ainsi qu'un dispositif complémentaire pour la séparation des échantillons lors de leur prise ;

Figure 20 est une vue en plan par dessus de ce dispositif de séparation.

The invention will in any case be better understood with the aid of the following description, with reference to the appended schematic drawing representing, by way of example, an embodiment of this automatic machine for grouping product samples in sheet, as well as variants::

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a range of textile products presentation card, achievable using the machine object of the invention;

Figure 2 is an overall view, in plan from above, of this machine;

Figure 3 is a front view of the machine of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a side view of this machine;

Figure 5 shows a detail of the same machine, with the cardboard parts store and the means of discharge of the finished products;

Figure 6 shows a detail of the folding means;

Figures 7 to 14 illustrate, in the form of plan views, the successive phases of the machine operating cycle;

Figures 15 to 18 are side views illustrating, more particularly, the folding operation of the cardboard plates;

FIG. 19 illustrates, in side view, a variant of the means for taking the samples, as well as an additional device for the separation of the samples when they are taken;

Figure 20 is a plan view from above of this separation device.

Figure 1 shows a range presentation map of textile products, as under the name "ROBRAC", designated in as a whole by reference 2. This card includes a first sample of fabric 3 of large size, of rectangular shape, on which are arranged several other smaller fabric samples 4, also rectangular in shape, which are stacked overlapping with regular shifts. A cardboard plate 5, folded at 180 ° encloses the stack of samples 3 and 4, on one of its edges. The plate carton 5 is assembled to this stack of samples 3 and 4 by means of several staples 6, arranged in line. This cardboard plate 5 has, substantially in the middle, a cutout 7 making preferably a hook-shaped part, allowing the suspension of the presentation card 2 thus designed. As an illustrative example, Figure 1 shows a stack of six smaller samples 4, this number of samples which can naturally be higher or lower.

The machine, object of the invention, is designed for manufacturing automatic assembly of samples like the one above described, this machine being represented as a whole in FIGS. 2 to 4.

The machine comprises a frame 8, provided with horizontal guides longitudinal 9 along which is movably mounted a horizontal plate 10. The movable plate 10 is moved in translation, along the guides 9, by a pulley and toothed belt mechanism 11, driven by a motor electric 12. There is also a fixed intermediate plate 13.

The movable tray 10 shuttles between several stores, that equip the machine.

A first stationary magazine 14, located at one end of the machine, receives 3 larger samples. The store 14 looks like a basket 15, filled with samples 3 stacked on top of each other, and motorized by a device 16 with a screw-nut mechanism, to keep the top of the pile at constant height 3. The basket 15 is adjustable to accept various sample dimensions 3.

A second store 17, located at the opposite end of the machine receives 4 smaller samples. It is a rotary magazine, produced by a circular plate 18 rotating around a vertical central axis 19, with motorized rotation from a motor electric 20. The circular plate 18 carries, on its circumference, baskets 21 distributed at regular angular intervals, each basket 21 being intended to be filled with 4 samples of a given type. Each basket 21 is provided with an independent motorized device 22, with screw-nut mechanism, enabling the height to be kept constant top of the stack of samples 4 it receives. Baskets 21 can be equipped with adjustable guides, allowing to accept various dimensions of samples 4.

The frame 8 carries a transfer device, designated in its together by reference 23, which ensures the transfer of samples 3 and 4 between the two stores 14 and 17, the movable tray 10 and the tray fixed intermediate 13.

• La barre de transfert 25 porte un premier bras latéral 26, équipé d'un organe de prise 27 à griffes, par exemple un organe de prise à quatre griffes rétractables 28, prévu pour la préhension des échantillons 4 de plus petite dimension dans les paniers 21 du magasin rotatif 17, et leur pose sur le plateau intermédiaire 13.
• La barre de transfert 25 porte un deuxième bras latéral 29, équipé d'un organe de prise 30 agissant par aspiration, plus particulièrement à ventouses, prévu pour reprendre les échantillons 4 de plus petite dimension posés sur le plateau intermédiaire 13.
• La barre de transfert 25 porte encore un troisième bras latéral 31, situé à l'opposé du premier bras 26 et équipé d'un autre organe de prise 32 à griffes, par exemple un organe de prise à six ou neuf griffes rétractables 33, prévu pour la préhension des échantillons 3 de plus grande dimension dans le magasin fixe 14.

The transfer device 23 comprises a fixed horizontal rail 24, parallel to the guides 9, along which is mounted movable in translation a horizontal transfer bar 25, equipped with three gripping or gripping members:

• The transfer bar 25 carries a first lateral arm 26, equipped with a gripper gripper 27, for example a gripper with four retractable grippers 28, provided for gripping the samples 4 of smaller size in the baskets 21 of the rotary magazine 17, and their fitting on the intermediate plate 13.
• The transfer bar 25 carries a second lateral arm 29, equipped with a gripping member 30 acting by suction, more particularly with suction cups, designed to take up the samples 4 of smaller size placed on the intermediate plate 13.
• The transfer bar 25 also carries a third lateral arm 31, situated opposite the first arm 26 and equipped with another gripping member 32 with claws, for example a gripping member with six or nine retractable claws 33, provided for gripping larger samples 3 in the fixed magazine 14.

The transfer bar 25 is moved back and forth horizontal from an electric motor 34. It can also describe a small vertical stroke.

In its upper part, towards one of its ends, the machine still includes a magazine 35 receiving a stack of plates of carton 5, still unfolded. The magazine 35 is arranged obliquely, as this is shown in particular in FIGS. 4 and 5, with an equal inclination by example at 45 °. A gripping device 36, pivotally mounted around a horizontal axis 37 and provided with suction cups 38, ensures the gripping of the plates of cardboard 5 and their installation on the movable plate 10, the device 36 being controlled by a pneumatic cylinder (not shown).

The frame 8 also carries a folding device 39 for the plates of cardboard 5, this device being shown in more detail in FIGS. 6 and 15 to 18. The folding device 39 comprises two mechanical members for folding 40, symmetrical to each other, mounted to pivot about an axis horizontal and actuated by a pneumatic cylinder 41.

The folding device 39 also comprises two bars mobile 42, horizontally movable one towards the other at by means of other pneumatic cylinders 43, and arranged symmetrically.

At the same station as the folding device 39, there is provided a stapling device 44, comprising a single or multiple stapler carried by a support mounted to move transversely on guides horizontal and moved by a pneumatic cylinder. The stapler is, itself actuated by a pneumatic cylinder.

As shown in Figure 5, the machine includes a device for finished products, suitable for presentation cards 2 with cutout 7 forming a hook. The evacuation device comprises a slide 45, which extends downwardly, and along a path curve, under the magazine 35 receiving the cardboard plates 5, the slide 45 can be constituted by a curved tube. At the higher starting point of the slide 45, there is provided a movable attachment assembly 46, animated by two cylinders 47 and 48 and provided with a hook 49 capable of ensuring the grip of a finished product. The lower part of the slide 45 is substantially horizontal.

The machine finally comprises a control console 50, with digital control, display screen, dimmers by the various electric motors, and a programmable automaton, the assembly allowing a synchronized automatic control of aforementioned devices, according to a predetermined cycle.

In detail, the machine operates according to the cycle described below, illustrated mainly by FIGS. 7 to 14 and incidentally by Figures 15 to 18:

At the start (FIG. 7), the movable plate 10 is in the position of receipt of a cardboard plate 5, under the magazine 35 filled with plates of cardboard. A first smaller sample 4 is positioned manually on the fixed intermediate plate 13, while a second smaller sample 4 is pending at the top of the stack of samples 4 contained in a basket 21 of the rotary magazine 17, placed opposite the fixed plate 13. The different baskets 21 of the rotary magazine 17 are each filled with a given type of sample 4, for example samples of a specific color. The transfer device 23 is is in the intermediate waiting position.

After pressing a start command button located on the control desk 50, the gripping device 36 picks up a plate of cardboard 5 in the magazine 35, and he deposits it on the movable plate 10. The transfer bar 25 moves to the right, until the grip 32 with claws comes above the fixed magazine 13, and takes the larger sample 3 located at the top of the stack - see figure 8.

Then the transfer bar 25 moves to the left, and the gripping member 32 deposits the larger sample 3 on the movable plate 10, so that it overlaps the cardboard plate 5 unfolded, previously placed on this plate 10 - see FIG. 9. Simultaneously, the movement of the transfer bar 25 brings the organ grip 27 with claws above the basket 21 of the rotary magazine 17, the member socket 30 with suction cups then coming above the intermediate plate fixed 13. The movable plate 10 is moved to the left, with the plate carton 5 and the larger sample 3 - see figure 10.

The transfer device 23 then simultaneously performs the removal by the gripping member 27 of the first sample 4 placed on the fixed intermediate plate 13, and the removal, by the gripping member 27, of the second sample 4 at the top of the stack in the basket 21.

The transfer bar 25 moves to the right, to deposit the first smallest sample 4 on the movable plate 10, previously moved, and to simultaneously deposit the second smaller sample 4 on the fixed intermediate plate 13 - see Figure 10. Note that the movable plate 10 has been positioned, in position of reception of the first sample 4 of smaller dimension, of so that this sample 4 is deposited, directly on sample 3 larger, exactly in the position it should occupy on the finished product.

As soon as the second smaller sample 4 has been taken from the corresponding basket 21, the rotary magazine 17 performs an appropriate rotation, to position, opposite the plate fixed intermediate 13, the basket 21 containing a third type of smaller samples 4.

Then, the movable plate 10 moves one step towards the right, to position waiting for the second sample 4 more small dimension. The transfer bar 25 moves to the left, to take the second sample 4 from the fixed intermediate plate 13, and simultaneously take the third sample 4 from the top of the stack new basket 21 brought in place of the previous one - see Figure 11. Then the transfer bar 25 moves to the right, the second sample 4 is deposited on the movable plate 10, and the third sample 4 is deposited on the fixed intermediate plate 13. The positioning of the plate mobile 10 allows the second sample 4 to be placed on the first in overlapping it, with an offset corresponding to the offset between 4 successive samples, in the finished product.

As soon as the third sample 4 is taken, the store 17 performs a new rotation, to position the basket 21 containing the fourth sample 4, and the movable plate 10 is moved by an additional step to the right, after which the third and fourth samples 4 are deposited, respectively, on the movable plate 10 and on the fixed plate 13.

The same cycle repeats, with successive shifts of the plate mobile 10, and back and forth movement of the transfer bar 25, such so the fourth, fifth, etc ... 4 smaller samples dimension are successively deposited on the movable plate 10, in the desired order and with regular shifts - see Figure 12.

When all the samples 4 are thus posed (see FIG. 13), the folding device 39 is automatically actuated, in the manner illustrated in detail in Figures 6 and 15 to 18.

First, the two movable bars 42, previously retracted, are brought together and introduced by actuation of the cylinders 43 at the fold line 51 of the plate of cardboard 5. Then, the jacks 41 are also actuated, to rotate the mechanical folding members 40 which gradually fold down one halves of the cardboard plate 5 against each other, enclosing the assembly samples 3 and 4 previously grouped on the movable platform 10. The bars 42 ensure that one of the halves of the cardboard plate 5, during the folding thereof.

Then, the stapling device 44 comes into action. This device, previously retracted, is first advanced by displacement on his guides. If it is a single stapler device, the plate mobile 10 is advanced step by step, and the stapler is activated at each stop of this plate 10, so as to successively install several staples 6 regularly spaced (see also Figure 1), which bring together all samples 3 and 4 together and with the two halves of the plate carton 5.

After completion of stapling, the movable plate 10 is moved to the right, so as to return to its starting position - see figure 14. The final ejection operation is then carried out and evacuation of the finished product obtained after stapling, and still based on the movable plate 10.

Referring to Figure 5, the attachment assembly 46 is operated so that its hook 49 comes to pull the finished product to move it away from the movable plate 10, and engage it by its own part forming hook 7 at the upper starting point of slide 45. The finished product, at know the presentation card 2, descends by itself along gravity of slide 45, and finally stops in the lower part of said slide 45, which constitutes an accumulation and storage area temporary finished products.

Once the movable plate 10 has been released, a new cycle can start again, this cycle starting with the taking of a new plate of carton 5 in the magazine 35, and its deposit on the movable plate 10, and and so on...

FIG. 19 illustrates a variant of the gripping device samples, making a setting by adhesive. An adhesive strip 52 is here takes place from a first reel 53, and is wound on a second reel 54, these two coils and the means for guiding the strip adhesive 52 being carried by a movable structure 55, displaceable horizontally and vertically especially for taking samples 3 or 4 in one of the stores 14 'or 17. Movable elements 56, actuated by a jack 57, allow to move certain parts of the adhesive strip 52 between an active position and an inactive position.

The lower part of the same figure 19, and figure 20, also represent an additional device, designated as a whole by the reference 58, which is here associated with the second store 17 and is used for separation of two or more tissue samples 3 or 4 which would be possibly sampled simultaneously by the gripping means, that these are claws or adhesive. The separation device 58 is preferably made up of brushes 59 or needles capable of being advanced or retracted by actuators, such as jacks 60. These 59 brushes are arranged on the different sides of the taking samples 3 or 4, the brushes 59 and the cylinders 60 being supported by a fixed structure 61 in the form of a frame, which also carries fixed guides 62. This avoids, in a simple and effective manner, taking simultaneous (obviously undesirable) of two or more samples of fabric, the fibers of which are intertwined.

• par des modifications de détail des magasins et/ou des divers mécanismes de la machine ;
• par le recours à tous moyens équivalents, par exemple en remplaçant les organes de prise à griffes rétractables ou à adhésif par des organes de prise à ventouses ;
• par l'adjonction de tous dispositifs auxiliaires, pour le contrôle du fonctionnement de la machine, par exemple le contrôle du niveau des objets empilés dans les différents magasins, et/ou pour la sécurité, par exemple sous forme de barrières lumineuses à cellules photoélectriques dans les zones dangereuses de la machine ;
• par une modification du nombre des échantillons de tissu regroupés, et une adaptation correspondante du fonctionnement de la machine ;
• par une application de cette machine à des regroupements d'échantillons de produits souples autres, tels que des échantillons de papiers peints ou de moquette.

One would not depart from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims:

• by changes in detail of the magazines and / or of the various mechanisms of the machine;
• by the use of all equivalent means, for example by replacing the gripping devices with retractable claws or adhesive by gripping devices with suction cups;
• by the addition of all auxiliary devices, for controlling the operation of the machine, for example checking the level of objects stacked in the various stores, and / or for safety, for example in the form of light barriers with photoelectric cells in dangerous areas of the machine;
• by a modification of the number of tissue samples gathered, and a corresponding adaptation of the operation of the machine;
• by applying this machine to groupings of samples of other flexible products, such as wallpaper or carpet samples.

Claims (11)

1. An automatic machine for grouping samples of flexible sheet products, more particularly for grouping one larger sample (3) and a plurality of other, smaller samples (4), which are superimposed and staggered and which are joined by one of their edges to a relatively rigid support and/or suspension element (5) which is folded on to itself in order to enclose the stack of samples (3, 4), assembly of the stacked samples (3, 4) and of the support and/or suspension element (5) being effected by means of staples (6), characterised in that it comprises, in combination,

   a magazine (35) for suspension and/or support elements (5) which are initially disposed flat;

   a magazine (14) for large samples (3) of flexible sheet products;

   at least one other magazine (17) for other, smaller samples (4) of flexible sheet products;

   a tray (10) which can move horizontally between the magazine (14) for large samples (3) and the magazine or magazines (17) for smaller samples (4), and which is associated with motorised translational driving means (11, 12);

   means (36) for grasping the support and/or suspension elements (5) one by one in their magazine (35), for their placement on the movable tray (10);

   means (23, 32) for grasping and transferring large samples (3) one by one, for the placement thereof on the movable tray (10), which has already received a support and gripping element (5);

   means (23, 27, 30) for grasping and transferring smaller samples (4) one by one, for the placement thereof on the movable tray (10) in predetermined positions with respect to a previously placed large sample (3);

   folding means (39) for the support and/or suspension elements (5) previously placed on the movable tray (10);

   stapling means (44) for the assembly of a folded support and/or suspension element (5) with one large sample (3) and a plurality of smaller samples (4);

   means (45 to 49) for removing the assemblies produced in this manner; and

   means (50) for the synchronised, automatic control of the aforementioned means according to a predetermined cycle.
2. A machine according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises, for the smaller samples (4), a rotary magazine (17) which is mounted about a vertical axis (19) and which is associated with motorised rotational driving means (22) which bears carriers (21) which are distributed angularly over its circumference and which are provided in order each to receive samples (4) of a given type, each carrier (21) being capable of being brought into a position of taking corresponding samples by the aforementioned grasping and transfer means (23).
3. A machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the magazine for smaller samples (4) is a single, fixed magazine in which the samples (4) are stacked in a manner corresponding to their sequence in the groupings to be produced.
4. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the motorised translational driving means (11, 12) for the movable tray (10) are provided in order successively to bring said tray (10) into stopped positions which are staggered with respect to each other in a programmed manner, each stopped position corresponding to the placement, by the grasping and transfer means (27), of a given type of samples (4) extracted from the rotary magazine (17) or other magazine for smaller samples (4).
5. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the means (3, 4) for grasping and transferring samples (3, 4) are formed by gripping devices (27, 30, 32; 53 to 57) comprising retractable claws (28, 33), suction devices or an adhesive (52), which are mounted so that they can move horizontally and vertically.
6. A machine according to claims 2 and 5, characterised in that it comprises an intermediate fixed tray (13) and in that the grasping and transfer means (23) comprise a horizontal transfer rod (25) which bears:

   a first side arm (26) equipped with a grasping member (27), which is provided for gripping smaller samples (4) in the carriers (21) of the rotary magazine (17) and placing them on the intermediate tray (13);

   a second side arm (29) equipped with a grasping member (30) which is provided for gripping smaller samples (4) placed on the intermediate tray (13);

   a third side arm (31) situated opposite the first arm (26) and equipped with a grasping member (32) which is provided for gripping larger samples (3) in their magazine (14).
7. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that it comprises further means (58) for the separation of two or more samples (3, 4) which may be taken simultaneously from a magazine (14, 17) by the grasping means, said separating means (58) preferably comprising brushes (59) or needles which can be advanced or retracted by actuators such as cylinders (60).
8. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that gripping means (36), particularly comprising suction devices (38), are provided for manipulating the support and/or suspension elements (5), which gripping means remove said elements (5) from their magazine (35) and place them flat on the movable tray (10).
9. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the folding means (39) for the aforementioned support and/or suspension elements (5) are grouped with the stapling means (44) at the same workstation, said folding means (39) comprising mechanical folding members (40) operated by an actuator (41), completed by movable bars (42) which can be temporarily introduced at the level of the fold line (51).
10. A machine according to claim 9, characterised in that the stapling means comprise a single or multiple stapler (44) borne by a support which can move transversely on guides, said stapler (44) and its support being operated by motorised means.
11. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that, in the case of support and/or suspension elements (5) comprising a part forming a hook (7), the means for removing the finished products (2) formed by the assemblies of samples produced comprise a descending slide (45) which is provided for receiving and guiding said part forming a hook (7), combined with a motorised hooking means (46 to 49) which at an ejection station ensures the placement of each finished product (2) on the slide (45) at the upper starting point thereof.

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