EP3059325B1

EP3059325B1 - Device and method for the deposition of leather articles, such as belts or the like

Info

Publication number: EP3059325B1
Application number: EP16156083.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Emilio Galli
Original assignee: Galli SpA
Current assignee: Galli SpA
Priority date: 2015-02-19
Filing date: 2016-02-17
Publication date: 2018-04-25
Anticipated expiration: 2036-02-17
Also published as: ES2681235T3; EP3059325A1

Description

The present invention relates to a machine and method for the treatment of leather articles. The present invention relates to the field of the production of leather articles, and in particular to the drying of such articles or other type of small-medium size manufactured articles previously subjected to a colouring and gluing operation.
In the prior art, the articles, once cut into pieces of suitable shape, are subjected to a colouring or gluing process inside appropriate stations, and subsequently are introduced inside ovens in which they remain, usually in motion, for a predetermined period of time.
In both cases mentioned above, the operating gluing or colouring stations are configured for moving the articles along an operating direction during the execution of the relevant operations.
For example, in the production of belts, the strips defining the strap are advanced along its own extension direction through pairs of colouring rollers or wheels, which release the desired colouration on the sides of the strap.
The treatment devices of the known type comprise a drying oven, operatively downstream of the gluing or colouring stations, which generates a constant flow of heated air (see for example WO99/57327 ). In a first known embodiment, the coloured/glued strips are advanced along their main direction within a plurality of ovens arranged in cascade, so as the advancement speed, and therefore the productivity of the plant, can be matched to the time necessary for obtaining a qualitative product. Alternatively, solutions are known that provide for the execution of vertical drying, in which the coloured/glued stripes are "hung" on appropriate carousels or carriages that advance the articles through the oven.
Disadvantageously, both known solutions have considerable drawbacks. The first solution, namely that comprising the presence of a horizontal cascade of ovens, is inconvenient for the manufacturer and from the point of view of the overall dimensions and consumption.
In fact, the need to provide a longitudinal succession of ovens involves a considerable encumbrance, and consequently implies the need to occupy considerable space for the positioning of a machine, which is not bulky per se.
Moreover, the use of multiple drying apparata (ovens) involves a considerable increase in energy consumption and thus in the production costs.
The solution which provides a "vertical" drying, while devoid of disadvantages from the point of view superficial encumbrance, suffers from considerable criticality relatively to the handling of the articles, which, while being soaked in paint/glue, have to be carefully and accurately handed in order to avoid dripping or smearing of the paint/glue, which could affect the quality of the product.
In this light, the handling of the coloured/glued strips is realized generally by hand or by means of manipulators, which leads to an increase of the times or of the production costs.
Moreover, the presence of a manipulator introduces a considerable rigidity in the system, which must forcibly be set for each different type of product (for example in the transition from belts to patches, or the like).
The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a device and a method for the deposition of leather articles, such as belts or the like, which are able to overcome the drawbacks of the above prior art.
In particular, object of the present invention is to provide a device and a method for the deposition of leather articles, such as belts or the like, which are highly flexible and require reduced dimensions.
Furthermore, object of the present invention is to provide a device and a method for the deposition of leather articles, such as belts or the like, having an economical construction and which reduce the energy consumption.
Said objects are achieved by a machine having the features of one or more of the appended claims from 1 to 8, as well as by a method having the features of one or more of the appended claims 9 and 10. In particular, the above objects are achieved by a machine including a device for the deposition of leather articles, such as belts or the like, on a mobile plane along a direction of movement, comprising a advancement member for said leather articles along a predetermined operating direction, transverse to said direction of movement, configured to move the articles in a direction of movement from a first, pickup position, to a second, release position, in which the advancement member has a product transport element arranged above said plane. The device also comprises releasing means associated to the advancement member and configured to deposit the products on said plane, which are operatively active at least when the advancement member places said products in the second position.
More particularly, the releasing means comprise a translatory assembly connected to said advancement member, and configured to move the transport member from an active position, in which it defines a supporting surface for the articles, to a release position, in which the transport member is moved so as to remove the supporting surface.
More in detail, in the active position the transport element is arranged above said plane, while in the release position the transport element is mainly moved with respect to said plane, allowing the fall of the articles. Advantageously, in this way, the articles can be placed in the oven with an orientation transverse to the direction of advancement inside the oven itself.
Therefore, it is possible to obtain a huge reduction of overall dimensions, while being able to deposit on the conveyor belt of the oven elements having varying size and/or shape without variation in the deposition device.
In fact, the solution of the invention does not require complex gripping means, which must be dimensioned and configured according to the treated article type, but they are configured so as to "remove" the transport element from the active position so that to allow a fall of the article on the moving plate of the oven.
Advantageously, therefore, it is possible to avoid manipulations of the articles that are released on the belt, which, while be moved transversely to the operating direction of the articles in the advancement member, usually has a reduced movement speed and allows to minimize the longitudinal extension of the oven.
These and other features will become apparent from the following illustrative, and therefore not limiting, and therefore not exclusive description of a preferred embodiment of a device and a method for the deposition of leather articles, such as belts or the like, according to the present invention, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a device for the deposition of leather articles according to the present invention;
Figures 2 and 3 respectively show a plan view and a schematic front view of a machine for the treatment of leather articles comprising the device of Figure 1;
Figures 4a-4d show successive steps of the method of deposition of leather articles according to the present invention.

With reference to the attached figures, the number 1 indicates a device for the deposition of leather articles "S" according to the present invention. As said, such leather articles "S" are preferably belts (i.e. the strips intended to define its belt) or discrete elements such as patches or leather inserts.
The device 1 is therefore the main application within a machine 100 for the treatment of leather articles.
Such machine 100 is preferably of the type comprising a supporting surface 101 for the articles "S" movable along its own direction of movement "B".
Preferably, the plane 101 extends between a first end portion 101a and a second end portion 101b, and is configured to translate each article "S" from the first end portion 101a to the second end portion 101b.
In preferred embodiments, the plane 101 is defined by a running belt 102, preferably shaped as a mesh or net in order to ease the transpiration of the articles.
Note that the plane 101 is associated with an oven 103, whose task is to wipe up or dry the articles, and in particular the liquid products, such as paint or glue, which are applied in the earlier stages of processing.
The oven 103 comprises therefore a drying chamber 103a through which the movable plane 101 slides.
Therefore, the drying chamber 103a includes an inlet mouth facing the first end portion 101a of the plane 101 and an outlet mouth facing the second end portion 101b of the plane 101.
The machine 100 further comprises a loading device 104 for a plurality of leather articles "S" configured to move the articles on the plane 101.
The deposition device 1 according to the present invention is interposed between the loading device 104 and the plane 101 to allow a correct arrangement of the articles on the plane 101.
The loading device 104 is therefore provided with at least a movement unit 104a facing to the device 1 (at one of its pickup portion).
Moreover, the loading device 104 is associated (or possibly integrated) with at least one painting or gluing operating unit 105.
In a first embodiment, the operating unit comprises a colouring unit 106 comprising paint releasing means in predetermined areas of the articles "S", for example on the side edges, by means of rollers or transfer tapes; more precisely, the colouring unit 106 is provided with a movable sliding plane along an operating direction on the sides of which there are two colouring members arranged to release a colouring substance on the edges of the leather articles.
Alternatively, in a second embodiment, the operating unit comprises a gluing unit provided with gluing means configured to release a predetermined quantity of adhesive or glue on the articles, in order to allow coupling of multiple portions of the article.
Both described embodiments, although considered to be preferred and not exclusive in nature, therefore have a loading device 104 configured to expel, by means of said movement unit 104a, leather articles in a damp or wet condition, which in fact require a wiping, drying or reactivation step inside the oven 103.
As said, the deposition device 1 according to the present invention is interposed between the loading device 104 and the plane 101, i.e. the oven 103, in order to allow the transfer of each article "S".
This device 1 comprises an advancement member 2 for the leather articles "S" along a predetermined operating direction "A" between a first, pickup position, facing (or that can face) the loading device 104, and a second, release position, at the plane 101.
In particular, the advancement member 2 is configured to translate the articles "S" in a direction of movement that goes from the first to the second position.
Note that, advantageously, the operating direction "A" is transverse, preferably orthogonal, to the direction of movement "B" of the plane.
To allow the movement, the advancement member 2 has a transport element 3 for the articles "S" placed above the plane 101.
Preferably, the transport element 3 defines a supporting surface for the articles "S" and is movable along the operating direction "A" to move them. More precisely, the transport element 3 extends between its own first end 3a, which in the active position is distal from the pickup position, and a right second end 3b, which in the active position is proximal from the pickup position.
Therefore, the second end 3b is placed at the pickup position.
In the preferred embodiment, the advancement member 2 comprises at least a conveyor belt 4 and a plurality of pulleys 5, wherein at least part of the conveyor belt 4 defines the transport element 3.
Therefore, the conveyor belt 4 comprises at least one operating portion 4a defining the transport element 3.
More precisely, the conveyor belt 4 extends between a first 10a and a second end 10b, in which the first end 10a corresponds to the first end 3a of the transport element 3.
Therefore, the operating portion 4a extends along the operating direction "A" between the first end 10a and the second end 3b of the transport element 3 (defining an intermediate point of the conveyor belt 4).
These first 10a and second end 10b are associated respectively to a first 5a and a second pulley 5b around which the conveyor belt 4 rotates. Therefore, the belt conveyor 4 extends (under traction) between at least two pulleys 5a, 5b of end 5.
Preferably, also, additional return pulleys 5c are provided around which the conveyor belt 4 envelopes and slides.
In the preferred embodiment, the conveyor belt 4 has substantially a "C"-shaped extension between an upper portion, defining the operating portion 4a, and a lower portion, defining a return portion, as will be better clarified below.
With reference to the attached figures, it is noted that the plane 101 (or the belt) is interposed between the upper stretch and the lower stretch of the conveyor belt 4.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the device 1 comprises releasing means 6 associated to the advancement member 2 and configured to allow the deposition of the articles "S" on the plane 101, in particular configured to allowing a fall release of the articles "S".
Such releasing means are operatively active when the advancement member 2 places said articles "S" in the second position.
More precisely, the device comprises (or is associated with) a control unit 7 associated with the advancement member 2 and the releasing means 6 in order to drive their movements.
Such a control unit 7 is configured to maintain the advancement member 2 (in particular the conveyor belt 4) in an advancement condition while the releasing means are switched to the release position.
In this respect, there is provided at least one position sensor 8 operatively active at the release position and configured to detect the presence of a leather article "S" in the release position.
Such a position sensor 8 is associated to the control unit 7 to transmit to it a signal representative of the detected presence (of the article). Preferably, the position sensor 8 is defined by a photocell or other contactless sensor.
Alternatively, in any case, the position sensor may comprise a feeler or other contact device.
The control unit 7 is therefore configured to activate the releasing means 6 upon receipt of said signal.
Therefore, when the article "S" reaches the release position, shifted from the advancement member 2, the releasing means 6 are activated to deposit it on the plane 101.
Preferably, the releasing means 6 comprise a translatory assembly 9 connected to said advancement member 2, and configured to move the transport member 3 from an active position, in which it defines a supporting surface for the articles "S", to a release position, in which the transport member 3 is moved so as to remove the supporting
surface.
Therefore, the translatory assembly 9 is configured to remove the supporting surface below the article (or articles) "S" allowing the fall or deposit thereof on the plane 101. More in detail, in the active position the transport element 3 is placed above said plane 101, while in the release position the transport element is mainly moved with respect to said plane 101, allowing the fall of the articles.
More precisely, the translatory assembly 9 is configured to move the transport element 3 (that is, the conveyor belt 4) at least in part along the operating direction "A", in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the articles "S", allowing the release by fall.
Advantageously, to facilitate the fall of the article "S" on the plan, the control unit 7 is programmed to maintain the conveyor belt 4 operative, that is, to move it along the operating direction "A", while the same is moved towards the pickup position (i.e., when the releasing means 6 are activated).
In this way, there is no risk that the article "S" to be released returns on the transport element 3 without being released.
In detail, the translatory assembly 9 is connected to the first end 3a of the transport element 3 and is configured to translate it towards and away from the release position (i.e., away from and towards the pickup position) along the operating direction "A".
Therefore, the translatory assembly 9 is connected at least to the first pulley 5a to move it towards and away from the pickup position.
In this respect, the translatory assembly 9 comprises at least a first carriage 11a connected to the first pulley 5a for slidably move it towards and away from the pickup position
More precisely, there are provided actuation means 12 comprising at least one actuator 12a and motion transmission means 12b operatively interposed between the actuator 12a and the first carriage 11a.
In the preferred embodiment, the translatory assembly 9 is also connected to the second end 10b of the conveyor belt 4, and is configured to translate it towards and away from the pickup position, along the operating direction "A", as a function of the movement of the first end 10a.
More precisely, the translatory assembly 9 is configured to move the second end 10b equally and oppositely to the first end 10a.
Preferably, the translatory assembly 9 is connected to the second pulley 5b to move it towards and away from the pickup position.
In this respect, the translatory assembly 9 includes a second carriage 11b connected to the second pulley 5b to slidably move it towards and away from the pickup position (equally and oppositely to the first carriage 11a). More precisely, the transmission means 12b of the actuation means 12 are also operatively interposed between the actuator 12a and the second carriage 11b.
More precisely, the transmission means 12b are interposed between said first 11a and second carriage 11b and configured to move the first 11a and the second carriage 11b in the opposite way.
More precisely, the transmission means 12b are bidirectional.
In the preferred embodiment, the bidirectional transmission means 12b comprise at least one belt or chain 13 rotatable around two pulleys 14 and defining, between the two pulleys 14, a top side 13a constrained to the first carriage 11a and a lower side 13b constrained to the second carriage 11b.
Preferably, moreover, the translatory assembly 9 comprises at least a supporting body 15 movable along the operating direction "A" and interposed between the pickup position and the first end 10a of the conveyor belt 4 in order to define a support for the conveyor belt 4 when it is located in the transport position.
In other words, the supporting element 15 is placed between the first 3a and the second end 3b of the transport element 3, i.e. along the operating portion 4a of the conveyor belt 4.
In the preferred embodiment, the support element 15 comprises a pulley 15a or pin interposed between the first 3a and the second end 3b of the transport element, or in an intermediate position of the operating portion 4a to prevent inflections.
Preferably, also the support element 15 comprises a carriage 15b, which is rigidly connected to the pulley 15a or pin.
The carriage 15b is slidable towards and away from the pickup position similarly to the first carriage 11a; preferably, said carriage 15b is moved towards the pickup position by means of a drag or a biasing force by the first carriage 11a during its run towards the pickup position; that is, during the release step of the releasing means 6.
On the contrary, the carriage 15b is moved away from the pickup position through a preferably elastic, return member.
Preferably, in a not illustrated embodiment, the releasing means 6 comprise, at the second position, a retaining member.
Such a retaining member is configured to anchor at one end of the article "S" proximal to the first end 3a of the transport element 3.
In particular, the retaining member is defined by a suction cup or suction means.
Preferably, this retaining member is associated to the control unit 7, which is configured to enable the member itself when the article reaches the second position (i.e. when the sensor 8 transmits the signal to the control unit).
Therefore, the movable retaining member is movable between a rest position to a retaining position.
Therefore, the restraining member (i.e., the suction cup) is movable along a substantially vertical direction with a first descent stroke, towards the transport element following the reception of the signal from the control unit.
In addition, preferably, this retaining member is further movable towards and away from the plane 101 between the retaining position, distal from the plane 101, and a deposition position, proximal to the plane 101.
Therefore, the restraining member (i.e., the suction cup) is movable along a substantially vertical direction with a second descent stroke, towards the plane between the intermediate position and the deposition position.
Note that, in the deposition position, the restraining element is deactivated by the control unit to facilitate the release of the article "S".
Still, in a further embodiment, centring means (not shown) are provided, which are associated with the advancement means 2, and in particular with the transport element 3, and configured to maintain the articles "S" aligning along a predetermined axial position (preferably along a centerline of the transport element 3).
Advantageously, in this way a more accurate and ordered advancement and deposition of the articles "S" are obtained.
Subject of the present invention is also a method for the deposition of the leather articles "S", such as belts or the like, on a movable plane 101 along a direction of movement "B", implemented preferably, but not exclusively, by means of a depositing device according to the present invention.
This method provides a step of preparing a succession of leather articles "S"; preferably, the preparing step is carried out after (or includes) at least a step of painting or gluing of the articles "S", which are then soaked at least partially in paint, glue or other additive in liquid state, which require drying.
The method thus provides a step of advancing the (soaked) articles "S" along a predetermined operating direction "A" transverse to the direction of movement "B", in analogy to what described relative to the device 1.
This advancement step preferably lasts until reaching a predetermined release position located above the plane 101.
Preferably, the preparing step includes a positioning of the leather articles "S" on a supporting surface; in this regard, the advancing step is carried out by moving the supporting plane along the operating direction "A". Therefore, the supporting surface is preferably defined by the transport element 3 previously described.
Once in the release position, the articles "S" are released to fall on the plane 101, at which they vary their direction of advancement from the operating direction "A" to the direction of movement "B", transverse, preferably orthogonal to each other.
In the preferred embodiment, the release step is carried out by removing the supporting surface and allowing the fall of the leather articles "S".
The invention achieves the intended objects and achieves important advantages.
In fact, the presence of a advancement member and a release member, preferably devoid of gripping means and placed above the movable plane, allows depositing the articles in a simple and secure way, reducing the overall dimensions.
In particular, the fall deposition of the articles, by means of the simple removal of the support plane of the same, allows the operator to never enter in contact with delicate or treated parts of the article, either manually or mechanically, ensuring a higher quality of products.
Moreover, the ability to easily switch from an advancement member to a subsequent orthogonal advancement member, allows varying the two advancement speeds with considerable saving in terms of space and energy (heating) costs.

Claims

Machine for the treatment of leather articles, comprising:
- a loading device (104) for a plurality of leather articles (S), such as belts or the like;

- a movable support plane (101) extending along its own direction of movement (B) between a first end portion (101a) and a second end portion (101b);

- an oven (103) operatively placed downstream of said loading device (104) and provided with a drying chamber (103a) through which said movable support plane (101) runs;

- a device (1) for the deposition of said leather articles (S), on said support plane (101) movable along the direction of movement (B), placed at said first end portion (101a) of the movable support plane (101);
characterized in that the deposition device (1) comprises:
- an advancement member (2) for moving said leather articles (S) along a predetermined operating direction (A), transverse to said direction of movement (B), configured to translate the articles (S) from a first, pickup position, to a second, release position; said advancement member (2) having a transport member (3) for the articles (S), said transport member (3) being placed above said movable support plane (101) and extending at least in part transversely to said direction of movement (B);

- releasing means (6) associated to the advancement member (2) and configured to deposit the articles (S) on said movable support plane (101); said releasing means (6) being operatively active when the advancement member (2) places said articles (S) in the second, release position,
wherein said releasing means (6) comprise a translatory assembly (9) connected to said advancement member (2), and configured to move the transport member (3) from an active position, in which it defines a supporting surface for the articles (S), to a release position, in which the transport member (3) is moved so as to remove the supporting surface, thereby allowing the deposition of the articles on the movable support plane (101).
Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said translatory assembly (9) is configured to move said transport member (3) at least in part along said operating direction (A), in a way opposite to the movement of the articles (S), so allowing the deposition of the articles (S) on the movable support plane (101).
Machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said advancement member (2) comprises at least a conveyor belt (4) and a plurality of pulleys (5), wherein at least part of said conveyor belt (4) defines the transport member (3).
Machine according to claim 3, characterized in that the conveyor belt (4) extends between a first end (10a) and a second end (10b) provided with a first (5a) and a second pulley (5b), respectively, around which the conveyor belt (4) rotates, wherein said first end (10a) corresponds to the first end (3a) of the transport member (3); said translating assembly (9) being connected to at least said first pulley (5a) to move it towards and away from the pickup position.
Machine according to claim 4, characterized in that said translatory assembly (9) comprises actuating means (12) interposed between said first (5a) and second pulley (5b), and configured to move the second pulley (5b) depending on the movement of the first pulley (5a); said actuation means (12) comprising an actuator (12a), and bidirectional transmission means (12b) interposed between said actuator (12a) and said first (5a) and second pulley (5b).
Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises:
- at least one position sensor (8) operatively active at said release position and configured to detect the presence of a leather article (S) in said release position;

- a control unit (7) associated to the translating assembly (9) for driving its movements and said position sensor (8) to receive from it a signal indicative of said detected presence; said control unit (7) being configured to activate the translating assembly (9) upon receipt of said signal.
Machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said loading device (104) is associated to a unit (106) for colouring or gluing the leather articles.
Machine according to claim 7, characterized in that said colouring or gluing unit (106) comprises a movable sliding plane along an operating direction to the sides of which there are two colouring apparatus predisposed to release a colouring substance on the edges of the leather articles.
Method for the deposition of leather articles (S), such as belts or the like, on a movable support plane (101) moving along a direction of movement (B), comprising the steps of:
- positioning the leather articles (S) on a support surface;

- advancing said leather articles (S) along a predetermined operating direction (A), transverse to said direction of movement (B), until they reach a predetermined release position located above said movable support plane (101);
said advancing step being effected by moving said movable support plane (101) along the operating direction (A);
- deposing the leather articles (S) on said movable support plane (101) when the articles (S) reach said release position by removing the support plane to allow the deposition of the leather articles (S) on said movable support plane (101);

- drying the leather articles (S) in an oven (103) provided with a drying chamber (103a) through which the movable support plane (101) runs.
Method according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises a step of colouring or gluing the leather articles (S) prior to said advancing step.