EP3223976A1

EP3223976A1 - Twisting assembly for a wire for making cages for sparkling wine bottles, and machine for the making of the same

Info

Publication number: EP3223976A1
Application number: EP15820266.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Marco DUTTO
Original assignee: Mec Project Di Brossa Roberto
Current assignee: Mec Project Di Brossa Roberto
Priority date: 2014-11-25
Filing date: 2015-11-19
Publication date: 2017-10-04
Anticipated expiration: 2035-11-19
Also published as: WO2016083953A1; ES2727432T3; EP3223976B1; AR102766A1; EA201791010A1; EA032241B1; BR112017010979A2

Abstract

Twisting assembly (2) for twisting at least one wire (M) for a machine (1) for making cages (G) for sparkling wine bottles. The twisting assembly (2) comprises: a clamping mechanism (3) for clamping and releasing the wire (M), in turn comprising: at least one retaining element (32) comprising a fixed portion (321) and a movable portion (322), which is movable at least along a first axis (X); at least one first shaft (34) associated with said fixed portion (321)); at least one second shaft (38), coaxial to said at least one first shaft (34), associated with said movable portion (322); at least one translation mechanism (5) for allowing the movement of said movable portion (322) of the retaining element (32); and a second actuator (36), operationally connected to said second shaft (38) through said translation mechanism (5), and allowing said second shaft (38) to translate along said first axis (X). The assembly comprises a rotation mechanism (4), capable of rotating said clamping mechanism (3) about said first axis (X), and comprising at least one first actuator (42) for exerting a rotational or twisting force on said at least one first shaft (34). Said at least one first actuator (42) is connected to said at least one shaft (34) in a direct manner, the axis of rotation of said first actuator substantially coinciding with said first axis (X) about which the clamping mechanism (3) can rotate.

Description

TITLE: TWISTING ASSEMBLY FOR A WIRE FOR MAKING CAGES FOR SPARKLING WINE BOTTLES, AND MACHINE FOR THE MAKING OF THE SAME. The present invention relates to a twisting assembly for a wire, e.g. a metal wire, for a machine for making cages for corks to be associated with sparkling wine bottles. In particular, the present invention relates to a twisting assembly that can twist a metal wire for making cages, e.g. for making the star points or the legs of the cage. Said cage, comprising legs and a belt, will be made by a cage making machine with which said twisting assembly is associated.

The twisting assembly allows the wire present between the two ends of a retaining element to be twisted via a rotation mechanism, which can rotate about an axis, and a clamping mechanism, which is rotated by the said rotation mechanism, but can also make at least one linear movement, for guiding the wire and allowing it to be extracted at the end of the process.

Said twisting assembly, when used for making star points or legs, represents one of the initial stations for processing the metal wire for making cages.

The cage making machine according to the present invention comprises a number of twisting assemblies, or twisting stations, at least equal to the number of legs of the cage .

Machines are known which comprise twisting stations or assemblies that include a first actuator allowing the rotation of an element for retaining the metal wires of the cage, which actuator acts upon a first shaft by means of a bevel gear pair. Patent EP2025428 describes a solution comprising two coaxial shafts, wherein the external shaft is coupled, through a bevel gear pair, to said first actuator, and a second shaft, internal to said first shaft, is operated by a second actuator via a translation mechanism. Said actuators are located far from each other, thus taking up much room and requiring high maintenance costs .

None of the proposed solutions give the twisting assembly full freedom of rotation relative to the metal wire retaining means.

Furthermore, the solutions proposed in the prior art do not allow achieving direct transmission of the rotary motion of the twisting assembly, since all of them comprise transmission and/or idle elements for transferring the motion generated, for example, by a single shaft, to which a plurality of cams are connected, one of which allows the rotation of the assembly and, when appropriate, drives the retaining means for clamping or releasing the metal wire.

The solutions currently known in the art do not allow direct control of the rotation of the clamping mechanism, thus increasing the risk of errors and the wear of the components .

The use of transmission elements and/or bevel gear pairs prevents productivity from increasing, since this is dependent on mechanical constraints and on limitations due to component wear.

In particular, the solution known in the art cannot make the motion of the metal wire retaining means independent of the rotation of the valve assembly. The present invention aims at solving the above- mentioned technical problems by providing a twisting assembly or twisting station for twisting wires, e.g. metal wires, wherein the rotary motion is transmitted directly by an actuating device, which is directly fitted on the axis of rotation; furthermore, the present invention allows making the motion of the metal wire retaining devices independent of the rotation devices of the assembly. The present solution allows solving all of the above-mentioned technical problems.

One aspect of the present invention relates to an assembly or station for twisting a wire, e.g. a metal wire, for a machine for making cages for corks of sparkling wine bottles, having the features set out in the appended claim 1.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to a machine for making cages for corks of sparkling wine bottles having the features set out in the appended claim 10.

Secondary features of the present invention are set out in the respective appended dependent claims.

The features and advantages of the twisting assembly or station and of the associated machine will become apparent from the following description of one possible embodiment thereof, provided by way of non-limiting example, and from the annexed drawings, wherein:

• Figures 1A and IB show two different perspective views of one possible embodiment of the twisting assembly or station;

· Figures 2A and 2B show sectional views along plane X-X of the assembly of Figures 1A and IB in two different operating configurations; in particular, Figure 2A shows the twisting assembly in a wire retaining configuration, Figure 2B shows it in a wire releasing configuration;

· Figure 3 shows a sectional view along plane X-X of a detail of the rotation mechanism;

• Figures 4A and 4B show the clamping mechanism as a whole in a closed configuration; in particular, Figure 4A is a front sectional view along plane X-X, and Figure 4B in a perspective sectional view along plane X-X;

• Figures 5A and 5B show a detail of the twisting assembly, in particular in a perspective view the retaining element in a possible in two possible operating configurations; in Figure 5A the retaining element is shown in a closed or retaining configuration, Figure 5B the retaining element is shown in an open or releasing configuration;

• Figures 6A and 6B respectively show (Figure 6A) a machine for making cages for corks to be associated with sparkling wine bottles, in particular the initial portion of a machine wherein the star for cage production is formed, and Figure 6B a cage that can be manufactured by the machine of Figure 6A.

With reference to the above drawings, twisting assembly 2 for twisting at least one wire "M", e.g. a metal wire, is adapted to be applied to a machine 1 for making cages "G" for sparkling wine bottles, as shown by way of example in Figure 6A.

Twisting assembly 2 according to the present invention comprises a clamping mechanism 3 for clamping or releasing at least one wire "M", e.g. a metal wire, which will be used for making at least a part of cage "G"; and a rotation mechanism 4 for causing said clamping mechanism 3 to rotate about a first axis "X" .

Said clamping mechanism 3 for clamping and releasing at least one wire "M" in turn comprises: at least one retaining element 32 to allow clamping or releasing at least one wire "M" . Said retaining element 32 in turn comprises a fixed portion 321 and a movable portion 322, which is movable at least along said first axis "X" . Clamping element 3 also comprises at least one first shaft 34, associated with said fixed portion 321 of said retaining element 32, and at least one second shaft 38, coaxial to said at least one first shaft 34. Said second shaft 38 is associated with said movable portion 322 of said retaining element 32.

Clamping mechanism 3 further comprises: at least one translation mechanism 5 for allowing the movement of said movable portion 322 of retaining element 32, and a second actuator 36, operationally connected to said second shaft 38 through said translation mechanism 5. Said second actuator 36 allows said second shaft 38 to translate along said first axis "X" .

In particular, said translation mechanism 5 allows said second shaft 38 to make at least one translational movement, for the purpose of allowing the movement of said movable portion 322.

Said rotation mechanism 4, adapted to rotate said clamping mechanism 3 about said first axis "X", comprises: at least one first actuator 42 for exerting a rotational or twisting force on said at least one first shaft 34. Said at least one first actuator 42 is connected to said at least one first shaft 34 in a direct manner. In particular, the axis of rotation of said first actuator 42 substantially coincides with said first axis "X" about which clamping mechanism 3 can rotate. In particular, there are no gears between said first actuator 42 and said first shaft 34.

For the purposes of the present invention, the expression "at least one first actuator 42 connected to said at least one first shaft 34 in a direct manner" means that a joint may at most be included between the two parts of the twisting assembly. In particular, it is to be understood that no gears, gear trains or bevel gear pairs are present for transmitting the rotary motion from the first actuator 42 to the first shaft 34. This solution allows the rotary motion to be transferred directly to said first shaft 34 for rotating the entire clamping mechanism 3, thus avoiding the use of any toothed elements for motion transmission, such as gears. The present solution provides direct control over the turning speed of clamping mechanism 3, leading to less device wear, which is on the contrary typical of couplings effected by means of gears, thereby increasing the productivity of twisting assembly 2 and reducing the maintenance costs of the same assembly 2.

The use of two distinct actuators allows accurate control through automatic compensation of any variations in the parameters of wire "M" in use, thus reducing the number of maintenance interventions required.

In one possible embodiment described herein by way of non-limiting example, said first actuator 42 is an electric motor and said second actuator 36 is also an electric motor, as shown by way of example in the embodiment illustrated in the annexed drawings, e.g. Figures 1A and IB. For better control and higher productivity of the twisting assembly, said motors are brushless motors.

In alternative embodiments, other equivalent actuating devices may be used which can generate the desired movements, such as, for example, pneumatic actuators or other types of actuators known to a man skilled in the art.

In one possible embodiment, as shown by way of example in the annexed drawings, said translation mechanism 5 is arranged, along said axis of rotation "X", between said retaining element 32 and said first actuator 42. In the preferred embodiment, as shown by way of example in Figures 1A-4B, said translation mechanism 5 is arranged between a first support structure 22 and said first actuator 42. In particular, said translation mechanism 5 is arranged between a first support structure 22, proximal to retaining element 32, and a second support structure 24, proximal to said first actuator 42. Said support structures (22, 24) are adapted to support clamping mechanism 3 and said rotation mechanism 4, for the purpose of allowing the movement of movable portion 322 of retaining element 32 while at the same time allowing clamping mechanism 3 to rotate about said first axis "X" . For these reasons, as is visible in the sectional drawings, said first support structure 22 comprises rolling bearings, e.g. ball bearings .

In one possible alternative embodiment, wherein the first actuator 42 is still directly connected to said first shaft 34, said translation mechanism is arranged, substantially along said first axis "X", beyond said first actuator 42. In one possible embodiment it is envisaged the use of a first actuator in the form of a hollow motor, which may be of the hollow shaft type, or may have a hollow stator surrounded by a rotor. In one possible alternative embodiment, the motor is positioned within a shaft, being in particular surrounded by said second shaft for moving the movable element.

In one possible embodiment of the twisting assembly according to the present invention, it is envisaged that said first actuator 42 and said second actuator 36 having parallel axes of rotation, which are also parallel to axis "X" about which clamping mechanism 3 can rotate. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1A-4B, the two actuating devices (42, 36) have parallel axes of rotation; more in detail, the two axes of rotation lie in the same plane. For example, as shown in Figures 2A-2B, the two axes of rotation of the two actuating devices lie in the same plane "XZ" defined by said first axis "X" and by a second axis "Z" perpendicular to said first axis "X" ; in particular, said second axis "Z" may be a vertical axis. In one possible alternative embodiment, an electric machine may be used comprising one or more stators incorporating one or more independent rotors capable of rotating about parallel axes of rotation, or even coaxial ones.

Preferably, the two actuators lie in the same plane.

In one possible alternative embodiment, said two actuators have incident, e.g. perpendicular, axes of rotation. In a further embodiment, said two axes may lie in the same plane "XZ" .

Describing the construction more in detail, said translation mechanism 5 comprises: at least one first portion 52 for abutting against a movable element 362 associated with said second actuator 36; at least one first guide 54, formed on said first shaft 34, and at least one first engagement element 56. Said first engagement element 56 is operationally connected to both said second shaft 38 and said at least one first portion 52 of translation mechanism 5.

Said at least one first engagement element 56 is adapted to slide in said at least one first guide 54 when said first portion 52 is moved by said movable element 362.

Preferably, clamping mechanism 3 is rotated about said first axis "X" via a coupling between said first shaft 34 and said second shaft 38, e.g. via a planar-face coupling, thus allowing said rotation mechanism 4 to rotate said clamping mechanism 3.

In one possible embodiment, in order to allow the rotation of the second shaft 38 when said first shaft 34 is rotated by said rotation mechanism 4, there is a coupling between said first shaft 34 and said second shaft 38, e.g. by means of planar faces. Said coupling between the first shaft 34 and the second shaft 38 must be such as to make the two shafts independent for linear motion, e.g. along said axis "X", and constrained for another motion, e.g. rotary motion, preferably rotary about said axis "X" .

In one possible alternative embodiment, the same engagement element 56 of the translation mechanism is adapted to abut against said first guide 54 when said first shaft 34 is rotating, thereby transferring the rotary motion also to said second shaft 38.

In one possible embodiment, said second shaft 38 is internal and coaxial to said first shaft 34. Figures 2A-4B show a preferred embodiment, wherein the first shaft 34, acted upon by the first actuator 42, is hollow, and within said first shaft 34 said second shaft 38 is coaxially arranged, which can both rotate together with said first shaft 34 and slide within the first shaft 34 along said first axis "X" via said translation mechanism 5.

In one possible alternative embodiment, said second shaft 38 is external and coaxial to said first shaft 34. This embodiment allows implementing at least one previously mentioned embodiment (not shown), envisaging that said translation mechanism 5 be arranged beyond said first actuator 42, in particular that embodiment in which said second shaft 38 surrounds said first actuator 42, which is arranged, for example, within said second shaft 38, which is hollow.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, said at least one first portion 52 consists of two flanges external and coaxial to said first shaft 34, said movable element 362 associated with said second actuator 36 being movable between said flanges and abutting on said flanges in order to cause said movable portion to move along said axis "X" in the desired direction. Said first portion 52 is so designed that, when clamping mechanism 3 is rotated, and hence translation mechanism 5 is turning as well, the same first portion 52 will not abut against said movable element 362. In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, e.g. as shown in Figures 1A-4B, said first portion 52 consists of two flanges assembled together in such a way as to create a hollow structure, in which said movable element 362 can be positioned without abutting on the flanges as translation mechanism 5 rotates about said axis "X" . In a sectional view, said flanges form a U-shaped housing in which said movable element 362 can position itself.

In the illustrated embodiment, said first guides 54 are through holes formed in said hollow first shaft 34, allowing the transit of said engagement element 56.

Said at least one engagement element 56 is at least one dowel pin, one end thereof being fitted to said second shaft 38, and the opposite end thereof being fixed to said flanges. In one possible, non-limiting embodiment, said engagement element 56, in an intermediate portion thereof, can counteract said first guides 54 to allow rotating said second shaft 38 when said first shaft 34 is turned.

In the preferred embodiment, as shown by way of example in Figures 1A-4B, said first guides 54 are slots, the dimensions of which allow the transit of engagement elements 56, in particular two dowel pins, wherein the length of said first guides 54 provides a travel of said second shaft 38 that allows a full stroke of the movable portion 322 from a closed configuration to an open configuration of retaining element 32. Furthermore, said engagement element 56, and in particular said dowel pins, are spaced apart in such a way that said flanges of the first portion 52 can accommodate said movable element 362, while at the same time allowing the desired stroke of the second shaft 38.

In one possible alternative embodiment, said translation mechanism 5 is applicable to a solution wherein the first shaft 34 is internal and coaxial to said second shaft 38. In a first variant, said two shafts (34, 38) have a circular cross-section, wherein said at least one first guide 54 consists of at least two grooves formed on said first shaft 34, in which said engagement element 56, consisting of two pins, can slide. At one end, said two pins abut into said grooves, while at the opposite end they are secured to said second shaft 38 and to said first portion 52 of translation mechanism 5. Said first portion 52 may be shaped in a way substantially similar to the one described herein with reference to the preceding embodiment, or it may have other equivalent shapes suitable for abutting against said movable element 362 for moving translation mechanism 5 along said axis "X" .

In a further embodiment, said second shaft 38 is hollow, and said first shaft 34 is coaxially arranged into it. In this embodiment, the two shafts (34, 38), in at least a portion thereof, have a polygonal or anyway non- circular cross-section. By means of said polygonal portions, said translation mechanism 5 can be implemented while ensuring the rotation of clamping mechanism 3. In this embodiment, a planar-face coupling is created, wherein the same first shaft 34, in particular the corners thereof, generate at least one first guide 54 in which said engagement element 56 can slide, which consists of the angular portions of the hollow second shaft 38. The same engagement element 56 is connected to a first portion 52, in particular connected on the outer surface of the same second shaft 38. Said first portion 52 can be made as shown in a previously described embodiment.

Twisting assembly 2 according to the present invention comprises a motion conversion mechanism 6 for converting a rotary motion, generated by said second actuator 36, into an at least partially linear motion, preferably a linear motion . In one possible embodiment, said motion conversion mechanism 6 is fitted to the shaft of said second actuator 36 comprising: a ball screw 364, which is connected to said second actuator 36; a scroll 366, moved by said ball screw 364; a movable element 362, fixed to said scroll 366.

In one possible alternative embodiment, said motion conversion mechanism 6 is implemented by means of a rack.

Equivalent embodiments suitable for converting rotary motion into linear motion may also be implemented as motion conversion mechanisms 6 in the twisting assembly 2 according to the present invention.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, said motion conversion mechanism 6 is located at a lower level than the two shafts (34, 38) of clamping mechanism 3. In an equivalent embodiment, the arrangement may be reversed compared to that shown in the annexed drawings.

In the alternative embodiment, in order to improve the safety of twisting assembly 2, and in particular of motion conversion mechanism 6, a second guide 62 is included, whereon all the above-mentioned elements of motion conversion mechanism 6 are made to slide.

In the preferred embodiment, said retaining element 32 is so designed that said movable portion 322 can only slide along said axis "X" . Said movable element 322 is formed in the second shaft 38, in particular as one piece. Said fixed element 321 is connected to the first shaft 34. In alternative embodiments, said portions (321, 322) may be fixed to or made as one piece with the respective shaft (34, 38) .

Figures 5A and 5B show retaining elements 32 according to a preferred embodiment, highlighting the positions of movable portion 322 relative to fixed portion 321 in the two different configurations. In particular, Figure 5A shows retaining element 32 in a closed or retaining configuration, in which it can clamp a wire "M" so that it can be twisted or twined by means of a rotary movement during a twisting step carried out by twisting assembly 2. Figure 5B shows retaining element 32 in an open or releasing configuration, in which it allows wire "M" to place itself at the fixed portion 321 in order to be then twisted or twined, and in which the twisted or twined wire "M" can be released at the end of the twisting step.

The structural and mechanical characteristics of retaining element 32, in particular of fixed portion 321 and movable portion 322, can be clearly and unambiguously inferred from Figures 5A and 5B by a man skilled in the art, and for this reason they will not be illustrated in detail in the present description.

The detailed operation of and the operating steps carried out by twisting assembly 2 will not be described herein because they will be known to those skilled in the art .

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), retaining element 32 of the clamping mechanism is so designed that said movable portion 322, in addition to being able to move along said first axis "X" , comprises also a pivot point allowing movable portion 322 to rotate about a third axis "Y", perpendicular to both said first axis "X" and said vertical axis "Z". In this embodiment, movable portion 322 is hinged to said second shaft 38, so that, in addition to being able to slide along said axis "X" relative to said fixed portion 321, it can also turn away from the same fixed portion 321, thus generating a gap along said vertical axis "Z". The present embodiment includes a guide that allows said movable portion 322 to slide and at the same time, once it has completed a certain stroke length, to rotate about said third axis "X" simultaneously with the movement of the second shaft 38 along said axis "X" .

In general, twisting assembly 2 according to the present invention is particularly suitable for application to a machine 1 for making cages for corks to be associated with sparkling wine bottles. Said machine comprises at least one forming station, like the one shown by way of example in Figure 6A. In said forming station 12 the star is made which will be used for creating cage "G".

A machine 1 for making cages "G" may further comprise at least one belt assembling station; and at least one cap positioning station.

A machine for making cages "G", as a whole, may comprise more than one station including at least one twisting assembly 2 according to the present invention.

In particular, forming station 12 normally comprises four twisting assemblies 2, in particular one for each leg or point of the star that will be used for making cage "G", as can be inferred from Figure 6A.

Twisting assembly 2 according to the present invention allows transmitting the rotation to clamping mechanism 3 via a rotation mechanism 4, which comprises a first actuator 42, e.g. a brushless motor or other systems such as reduction gears or pneumatic rotary systems, which is secured on the same axis "X" about which said clamping mechanism 3 can rotate. The present invention also allows the motion of retaining element 32 to be made independent, in particular the forward and backward motion of movable portion 322, by exploiting translation mechanism 5 according to the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention allows exploiting the motion, e.g. the rotary motion, of an actuator by associating it with a motion conversion mechanism 6 in order to obtain a linear motion, which is completely independent of rotation mechanism 4.

The present solution allows rotating clamping mechanism 3 while at the same time moving, at least partially, retaining element 32.

The present invention ensures full independence in the forming of the legs of cages "G", while reducing the processing, construction and assembly times of the machine itself, thanks to the direct transmission of the rotary motion to clamping mechanism 3. Moreover, this direct transmission eliminates any mechanical play that caused, in prior-art solutions, uneven quality of the finished product. Twisting assembly 2 applied to a cage making machine 1 makes it possible, unlike prior technologies, to achieve accurate control over each twisting assembly or twister 2, e.g. by providing univocal management of the making of each leg of cage "G", as opposed to the control over pairs of clamping mechanisms 3 provided by prior-art technologies .

In the preferred embodiment, said rotation mechanism 4 is designed in a manner such that the first actuator 42 is connected to said hollow first shaft 34 through a joint. Said first shaft 34 is supported by said first support structure 22, which comprises ball bearings locked by means of ring nuts. Said fixed portion 321 is secured, e.g. by means of screws, to one end of said first shaft 34.

Said second shaft 38 can rotate about said axis "X" via a planar-face coupling between said first shaft 34 and said second shaft 38 and/or via interaction between translation mechanism 5 and said first shaft 34. In the illustrated embodiment, this is effected by means of a planar-face coupling between said first shaft 34 and said second shaft 38. For example, said coupling between the two shafts may be provided in proximity to retaining element 32, in particular near the first support structure 22.

The linear motion of retaining element 32, and in particular of the second shaft 38, to which the movable portion 322 is connected, is effected by means of the second actuator 36, which generates a rotary motion. By means of the motion conversion mechanism 6, which is connected to said second actuator 36 through a joint, the rotary motion generated by the second actuator 36 is transformed into a linear motion. To achieve this, the preferred embodiment comprises a ball screw 364 which, being supported by two supports, moves a scroll 366 fixed to one or more movable elements 362. Said motion conversion mechanism 6 is guided, in its lower part, by a second guide 62, e.g. consisting of a ball-type pad.

Said at least one movable element 362 abuts against said first portion 52, consisting of two flanges, through two radial bearings interposed along axis X. The flanges of said first portion 52 are supported by the first shaft 34 by means of bushings and, in turn, secured to said two dowel pins constituting said engagement element 56. As aforementioned, said engagement elements 56 are arranged in a plane perpendicular to axis "X" . Said engagement elements 56 pass through first guides 54 consisting of slots in the first shaft 34, which is hollow. Preferably, said dowel pins of engagement element 56 are inserted into two holes, e.g. through holes, in said second shaft 38. Said engagement element 56 is adapted to transmit the linear motion to said second shaft 38. With this solution, clamping element 3 can make linear and rotary movements in an independent manner. In order to promote the linear motion of the second shaft 38 with respect to said first shaft 34, the present solution comprises bushings internal to the hollow first shaft 34, e.g. located in proximity to the joint that connects said first actuator 42 to said first shaft 34, thereby facilitating the linear motion of the second shaft 38.

The solution according to the present invention allows providing a compact twisting assembly 2 that takes up less room and allows positioning the actuating devices in the same plane and close to each other.

The solution according to the present invention also turns out to be mechanically simple, because it does not make use of gear trains for transmitting the rotary motion.

Direct motion transmission via direct engagement with the first shaft 34 reduces the risks of failure or wear which are typical of prior-art solutions, which make use of gear trains, such as, for example, bevel gear pairs.

The simplicity of this solution, along with the elimination of gear trains, makes the twisting assembly easier to maintain, since it will require less frequent interventions at longer time intervals. Direct and accurate control over the rotation of the clamping mechanism offers better performance both in terms of speed, since the gear trains that prevented any increase in the speed of the twisting assembly or twister have been eliminated, and in terms of reduction of errors due to the construction tolerances of the gears that were used for transmitting the motion in prior-art solutions. These aspects make it possible, therefore, to increase the productivity of both the twisting assembly and the cage making machine, which comprises one or more twisting assemblies according to the present invention.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

Machine 1

Forming station 12

Twisting assembly 2

First support structure 22

Second support structure 24

Clamping mechanism 3

Retaining element 32

Fixed portion 321

Movable portion 322

First shaft 34

Second actuator 36

Movable element 362

Ball screw 364

Scroll 366

Second shaft 38

Rotation mechanism 4

First actuator 42

Translation mechanism 5

First portion 52

First guide 54

Engagement element 56

Motion conversion mechanism 6

Second guide 62

Cage G

Wire M

First axis X

Second axis Z

Third axis Y

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. Twisting assembly (2) for twisting at least one wire (M) for a machine (1) for making cages (G) for sparkling wine bottles;

said twisting assembly (2) comprising:

• a clamping mechanism (3) for clamping and releasing at least one wire (M) , e.g. a metal wire, in turn comprising: o at least one retaining element (32) comprising a fixed portion (321) and a movable portion (322), which is movable at least along a first axis (X) ;

o at least one first shaft (34) associated with said fixed portion (321) of said retaining element (32); o at least one second shaft (38), coaxial to said at least one first shaft (34), associated with said movable portion (322) of said retaining element (32);

o at least one translation mechanism (5) for allowing the movement of said movable portion (322) of the retaining element (32);

o a second actuator (36), operationally connected to said second shaft (38) through said translation mechanism (5); and allowing said second shaft (38) to translate along said first axis (X) ;

• a rotation mechanism (4), capable of rotating said clamping mechanism (3) about said first axis (X), and comprising at least one first actuator (42) for exerting a rotational or twisting force on at least said at least one first shaft (34) ;

characterized in that said at least one first actuator (42) is connected to said at least one shaft (34) in a direct manner, the axis of rotation of said first actuator substantially coinciding with said first axis (X) about which the clamping mechanism (3) can rotate.

2. Twisting assembly according to claim 1, wherein said translation mechanism (5) is positioned, along said axis of rotation (X), between said retaining element (32) and said first actuator (42) .

3. Twisting assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first actuator (42) and said second actuator (36) have parallel axes of rotation, which are also parallel to the axis of rotation of the clamping mechanism ( 3 ) .

4. Twisting assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said translation mechanism (5) comprises:

- at least one first portion (52) for abutting against a movable element (362) associated with said second actuator ( 36 ) ;

- at least one first guide (54), formed on said first shaft (34);

- at least one first engagement element (56) operationally connected to:

o said second shaft (38)

o said at least one first portion (52);

said at least one first engagement element (56) adapted to slide in said at least one first guide (54) when said first portion (52) is moved by said movable element (362) .

5. Twisting assembly according to claim 1 or 4, wherein said second shaft is external and coaxial to said first shaft .

6. Twisting assembly according to claim 1 or 4, wherein said second shaft is internal and coaxial to said first shaft .

7. Twisting assembly according to claim 6, wherein:

said at least one first portion (52) consists of two flanges external and coaxial to said first shaft (34), said movable element (362) associated with said second actuator (36) being movable between said flanges and abutting on said flanges in order to cause said movable portion to move along said axis (X) ;

said first guides (54) are through slots formed in said first shaft (34);

said at least one engagement element (56) is at least one dowel pin, one end thereof being fitted to said second shaft (38), and the opposite end thereof being fixed to said flanges .

8. Twisting assembly according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a motion conversion mechanism (6) fitted to the shaft of said second actuator (36), comprising:

- a ball screw (364) connected to said second actuator ( 36 ) ;

- a scroll (366), moved by said ball screw (364); - a movable element (362), fixed to said scroll

(366) .

9. Twisting assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said clamping mechanism (3) is rotated about said first axis (X) via a planar-face coupling between said first shaft (34) and said second shaft (38) .

10. Machine (1) for making cages (G) for corks to be associated with sparkling wine bottles; said machine, comprising at least one forming station (12), is characterized in that at least one station of the machine (1) comprises at least one twisting assembly (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.