FR2752758A1 - PROCESS FOR PRODUCING SEMI-FINISHED WIRE PRODUCTS - Google Patents

Abstract

Device (1) for manufacturing semi-finished products (2) from metal wire (3), in which a ring (17) of metal wire is connected at a plurality of points defining respective sections (20) of the ring ( 17) by means of a plurality of gripping heads (31) arranged in a fan shape around the ring (17), and is folded by means of a plurality of pushing heads (27), interposed among the gripping heads (31) and each adapted so as to advance an intermediate part (22) of a respective section (20) towards an inner junction surface (23) of the ring (17) and of the end parts (24) of the corresponding section (20) itself, in positions located near the respective end parts (24), corresponding to the adjacent push heads (27).

Description

Process for the production of semi-finished metal wire products La

  The present invention relates to a device for manufacturing semi-finished metal wire products. In particular, the present invention relates to a device for manufacturing semi-finished metal wire products, intended for the production of small

  fixing cages for bottle caps for sparkling drinks.

  The small fixing cages comprise, as is known, a main body adapted so as to surround, in use, a stopper of a bottle, and an annular ring adapted, in use, so as to allow the connection of the main body mentioned at the neck of the bottle itself. The main body mentioned and the ring are normally formed in a fully automatic production line, consisting of a plurality of work stations used to carry out the different forming operations. The production rate of the line is of course limited by the production rate of the individual stages, among which the forming of a semi-finished product intended for the construction of the

  body of the small cage is the most critical overall.

  The object of the present invention is to provide a device for forming semi-finished products intended for the production of small fixing cages and, in particular, bodies of the small cage, which makes it possible to obtain a high production rate. and, at the same time, simple manufacturing

and economical.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a device for manufacturing semi-finished products from metal wire, characterized in that it comprises folding means adapted so as to bend a metal wire, in order to form a closed ring of shape. substantially circular; a forming station for said semi-finished product, in which said ring is adapted so as to be placed in a position substantially coaxial with respect to a first axis, a plurality of forming groups arranged in the forming station and each provided with a corresponding gripping head, the gripping heads being disposed along respective second axes, substantially radial with respect to said first axis, first actuation means, serving to rotate said gripping heads around said respective second axes, said heads each comprise gripper means, adapted so as to couple positively with said ring, each forming group further comprises a guide extending along said second corresponding axis and a carriage coupled to the guide, so as to slide axially and to support a said corresponding gripping head; second actuating means being coupled to said carriages, in order to move each of said gripping heads, between a functional advanced position, in which said respective clamp means are adapted so as to come into positive contact with said ring, in a said corresponding point, and a retracted position of rest, in which clamping means are adapted so as to be arranged outside said ring, said second actuating means comprise a movable cam and, for each said grip head, a pusher element coupled, on one side, to the cam and, on the other side, to said corresponding carriage, said cam being defined by a groove arranged on a motorized wheel, arranged in a coaxial position relative to said first axis and capable of turn around

  this first axis, with respect to said forming groups.

  The invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an example of non-limiting implementation, in which Figure 1 is a bottom view, parts of which have been removed for clarity, d 'a preferred form of implementation of the device according to the present invention; - Figure 2 is a perspective view of a small fixing cage, intended for bottle caps for sparkling drinks; - Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view, on a larger scale, along the line III-III of Figure 1; and - Figure 4 is a partial top view, parts of which have been removed for clarity, of the device of Figure 1, illustrated in a

different operating state.

  In the appended figures, the number 1 designates a device for manufacturing semi-finished products 2 (FIG. 3), produced from a metal wire 3 and intended for the manufacture of small fixing cages 4, intended for

  bottle stoppers (not shown) for pretillante drinks.

  In particular, the device 1 is part of a manufacturing line (not shown) automatically, of the small cage 4. The small cages 4 (FIG. 2) each include an annular ring 6 adapted so as to be clamped on a neck of a corresponding bottle (not shown), and a main body 7 adapted so as to wind around a closure cap for the bottle (not shown) mentioned. The body 7, of which the semi-finished product 2 constitutes the developed plane, comprises a plurality of uprights 8 which are each coupled, by their end, to the ring 6 and converge between them in order to form, in correspondence with their

  opposite end, an annular connecting element 9.

  Referring to Figures 1 and 3, the device 1 comprises a chassis 9a having a substantially vertical central channel 9b and a cylindrical tubular rack 10, which extends inside the channel 9b coaxially with respect to an axis 11 of the same channel 9b and carries an external radial flange 12, connected to its intermediate part. The flange 12 is provided with four radial slots 13, forming an angle between them and with a circular groove 14, which is arranged on a front surface of the flange 12 itself, turned downwards in a coaxial position with respect to the axis 11 and intersects the same slots 13. The rack 10 has its upper end part connected to a rectilinear actuating member 15, of known type, adapted so as to move the rack 10 even along the axis 11, in order to move the flange 12 between a loading position 16 in which the wire 3 is brought into contact, in a known manner, with the groove 12 and is then cut by means of a cutting group, known and not illustrated, in order to form a closed circular ring 17 (FIG. 1) and a forming station 18 in which the ring 17 formed is extracted from the groove 12 so as to then be worked. According to what is illustrated in FIG. 1, the device 1 comprises four forming assemblies 19 arranged in the station 18, around the rack 10 and angularly, at equal distance between them, forming an angle of 90. In particular, in station 18, the assemblies 19 are each arranged in correspondence with respect to a corresponding slot 13 and are adapted so as to block between them the ring 17 at four points, equally spaced and defining respective sections 20 of the ring 17 itself, in order to maintain the ring 17 in a position coaxial with respect to the axis 11 and coplanar with respect to a forming plane P perpendicular to the axis 11 itself and to the plane of FIG. 12. Referring still to Figure 1, the device 1 further comprises four thrust groups 21, which are also arranged in the station 18 around the rack 10, in angular positions spaced equally between them. The groups 21 are interposed with the forming assemblies 19 and are each adapted so as to advance an intermediate part 22 of a corresponding section 20, towards an external surface 23 of the rack 10, so as to carry the end parts 24 of the same corresponding section 20, each in positions situated substantially near a respective end portion 24 of a

section 20 adjacent.

  In particular, the groups 21 each comprise a fixed guide 25 and a carriage 26, which is slidably coupled to the guide 25 itself and supports a pusher head 27. The heads 27 are each configured so as to couple to a part respective intermediate 22 and are movable, in one piece with the respective carriages 26, along a corresponding axis 28 which coincides with the axis of the corresponding group 21, intersects perpendicularly the axis 11 and is located in the plane P Each of said carriages 26 can move along the respective guide 25, under the effect of the thrust of a ratchet and rack and pinion transmission 29, between a functional advanced position, in which the head 27 itself is adapted so as to tighten the respective intermediate part 22 against the mentioned surface 23 of the rack 10, and a retracted position of rest, in which the head 27 itself allows the flange 22 to access the

forming station 18.

  During the displacement of the heads 27 from the retracted position to the advanced position, the ring 17 is held by the assemblies 19 which, as best illustrated in FIG. 3, each include a gripping head 31 with clamp, associated with the chassis 9a, and adapted to block the ring 17

  at a corresponding mentioned point.

  In particular, the frame 9a has, for each assembly 19, a seat 32, the axis 33 of which intersects the axis 11 perpendicularly, lies in the plane P and coincides with the axis of the corresponding assembly 19. Each of the seats 32 defines a guide intended for a corresponding tubular carriage 34, sliding axially within it and, in turn, in rotational contact and in a axially fixed position, with a hollow shaft 35, coaxial with respect to the axis 33 and defining a support for the

corresponding head 31.

  The carriages 34 can move along corresponding axes 33, under the thrust of a device 36 with cam-pusher, adapted so as to move each of the heads 31 between a retracted end-of-travel position, in which the heads 31 same are in partial contact with the corresponding seats 32, so as to allow the flange 12 to access the station 18, and an advanced end-of-travel position, in which the heads 31

  same are adapted so as to release the finished semi-finished product 2.

  The device 36 comprises a cam 37 common to all the carriages 34 and respective pushing elements 38, coupled, on one side, to the cam 37 and, on the other, to the corresponding carriage 34. The cam 37 is defined by an annular groove which is arranged in a central body of a toothed wheel 39 which can rotate relative to the chassis 9a and has an axis of symmetry, which coincides with the axis of the wheel 39 itself, and a variable radius. In particular, the wheel 39 is coupled to the chassis 9a so as to be able to rotate around the axis 11, in a position located below the seats 32 and has an external serration meshing with an external serration of an actuating wheel 40 motorized which can rotate around a corresponding axis 41, parallel to the axis 11, in order to rotate the wheel 39 even with respect to the chassis 9a, in the opposite direction

  clockwise as shown in Figure 3.

  Referring to Figure 4, the mentioned groove is defined by four parts of groove 42 contiguous with each other, identical and present in an equal number, while forming an angle of. The groove is therefore periodic according to a period of. Each part 42 comprises, in the direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the wheel 39, a first curvilinear section 43 with substantially constant radius, a second straight section 44 with decreasing radius, a third section 45 again curvilinear, having a substantially radius constant and of a value lower than that of the first section 43, a fourth section 46 substantially rectilinear and with slightly decreasing radius, and a fifth section 47 inclined, substantially

straight and with increasing radius.

  Referring again to Figure 3, the gripping heads 31 are coupled to corresponding carriages 34, by means of corresponding shafts 35, each of which can rotate about the axis 33

  corresponding, under the thrust of a transmission 48 with toothed wheels.

  Such a transmission comprises a common drive wheel 50 and a plurality of driven toothed wheels, each coupled to the corresponding shaft 35, by means of a splined coupling 51 and maintained in axially fixed positions relative to the corresponding chassis 9a, by means a radial dowel 52. An end part of the dowel 52 is fixedly attached to the chassis 9a and an opposite end part, in sliding contact with a grooved circumference arranged in a sleeve 53, coaxial and integral with the wheel 49. The wheel 50 is coupled to the chassis 9a in order to rotate around the axis 11 and comprises an outer front serration, meshing with the serration of the wheels 49, and a peripheral serration meshing with an external peripheral serration, of a wheel control 54 of a control device, known and not illustrated, adapted to actuate the wheel 54

even intermittently.

  The gripping heads 31 each comprise a fork 55 connected integrally to an end portion of the corresponding shaft 35, turned towards the rack 10 and two rocker claws 56, which are articulated relative to the arms 55a of the corresponding fork 55 itself, by means of respective pins 57, perpendicular to said corresponding arms 55a and to the corresponding axis 33, in order to tilt around the axes of the pins 57, under the thrust of a corresponding actuation group 58, between an open position and a closed position, in which they are adapted so as to come into contact

of, and to block, the ring 17.

  In particular, the claws 56 corresponding to the same head 31 are each provided with a pin 58a, the latter extending in correspondence with the pin 58a of the other claw 56 to define, in one piece with the other pin 58a itself and the respective claws 56 and when the claws 56 themselves are disposed in their closed position, an eye 59 adapted so as to be brought into contact with play with a respective part of the ring 17. The corresponding claws 56 at the grip head 31 even have respective surfaces 61, turned and converging

  towards each other and towards the corresponding tree 35.

  The actuating group 58 comprises a control rack 66 coaxial with the corresponding shaft 35 and having, at one end, a frustoconical body 62 which can move along the corresponding axis 33 and adapted so as to cooperate with the surfaces 61, and an annular reaction spring 63, in contact with respective seats arranged on an external surface of the claws 56 themselves, in correspondence with the surfaces 61, in order to exert on the claws 56

  action opposite to that exerted by the body 62.

  The body 58 further comprises a guide 64 integral with the chassis 9a and extending in directions parallel to the corresponding axis 33 and a carriage 65 slidably coupled to the guide 64. The control rack 66 comes into contact with axial sliding with the corresponding shaft 35 and has an end opposite to the body 62, protruding beyond the corresponding shaft 35 and coupled to the carriage 65, by means of the interposition of a bearing

stop 67.

  The carriages 65 and, therefore, the corresponding racks 66, can move along the corresponding guides 64 under the effect of the thrust of an actuation and control device 68, which comprises a cam 69 common to all the carriages 65 and, for each of the carriages 65 themselves, a pushing element 70, one end portion of which is integrally connected to the corresponding carriage 65 and one opposite end portion of which is coupled to the cam 69. In particular, the cam 69 is defined by a annular groove arranged on the body of the wheel 39 mentioned, in a concentric and external position relative to the groove defining the cam 37 and has a variable radius. The cam 69 is defined by four groove parts 71, identical and contiguous to each other and present in an equal number, while forming an angle of. The groove is therefore periodic according to a period of 90 and each of the parts 71 is arranged in correspondence with a corresponding part 42. Each part 71 comprises, in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the wheel 39, a first curvilinear section 72 with constant radius, arranged parallel to the section 43, a second straight section 73 with decreasing radius and slightly divergent with respect to the corresponding section 44 , a third substantially straight section 74, arranged in correspondence with the point of convergence of the sections 44 and 45 and with increasing radius, a fourth over-section 75, arranged in correspondence with the section 45, parallel to the section 45 itself and having a smaller radius to the radius of the first section 72, a fifth section 76 substantially rectilinear and parallel to the section 46, a sixth straight section 77 with decreasing radius, and a last inclined section 78, substantially rectilinear and with increasing radius and

  converging slightly towards the corresponding section 47.

  Referring again to FIG. 3, the device 1 finally comprises a group 79 extractor known per se, arranged in the lower part relative to the station 18 and along the axis 11, in order to grasp the semi-finished product. finished 2 completed and advancing semi-finished product 2 even to a

  subsequent forming, not shown.

  The operation of the device 1 will be described below, from a start cycle state, in which the pusher heads 27 are disposed in their retracted rest position, the flange 12 is disposed in the loading station 16 and houses inside the groove 14 a piece of wire, the ends of which are arranged in correspondence with one of the gripping heads 31, the transmission 48 maintains the heads 31 themselves in a fixed angular position, corresponding to a state of perpendicularity between the pins 57 and the axis 11, and the wheel 39 carrying the cams 37 and 69 is disposed in a determined angular position, in which the elements 38 are arranged at the entrance to the corresponding parts 42 of the grooves 37 and block the gripping heads 31 in their retracted position and the elements 70 are arranged at the entrance to the respective parts 71 of the groove 69 and maintain the pairs of corresponding claws 56

in their closed position.

  From this state, the actuating member 15 is activated and moves the flange 12 in the station 18 and simultaneously the wheel 39, which then rotates around the axis 11 of the wheel 40, counterclockwise of a watch, as shown in FIG. 3. During the movement of the flange 12 towards the station 18 and, following the rotation of the wheel 39, the thrust elements 38 and 70 pass through the respective sections 43 and 72, all while maintaining practically constant, both the axial position of the heads 31 relative to the corresponding frames 30, as well as the angular position of the claws 56 around the corresponding pins 52, relative to the corresponding forks 55. When the flange 12 reaches the position 18, the claws 56 are rotated by means of the group 58, around the respective pins 57 and are brought into their open position, under the control of the elements 70 which engage and at the same time pass through the sections 73 and, simultaneously, the gripping heads 31 are gradually moved into an intermediate functional position, close to the mentioned advanced end-of-travel position, under the action exerted on the carriages 26 by the elements 38

which cross sections 44.

  When the heads 31 reach the intermediate functional position mentioned, the claws 56 reach their open position in which they receive between them a part of the ring 17 and in which the respective pins 58a are placed in positions which allow their projection on the plane P is located inside the ring 17. At this time, the gripping heads 31 are held in substantially fixed axial positions by the corresponding elements 38 which, during the rotation of the wheel 39, pass through the respective sections 45 and the claws 56 are carried by the respective elements 70 which, at the same time, pass through the respective sections 74, in their closed position, in which they lock the ring 17 in a coplanar position by

  relative to the plane P and coaxial with respect to the axis 11.

  At the end of the claw closing phase 56, the actuating member is again activated and it brings the flange 12 back into the loading station 16, while both the axial position of the heads 31 and the angular position claws 56 relative to the corresponding forks 55, remain constant because the elements 38 continue to pass through the corresponding sections 45, at constant curvature and the elements 70 engage and pass through the sections 75 also having constant curvature. During this constant state of the position of the heads 31 and of the claws 56, the thrust groups 21 are actuated, each of them moving the respective thrust head 27, from its retracted position to its advanced position and, then, the part respective intermediate 22, in order to bring it into contact with the surface 23 and the respective end portions 24, in positions located near the

  end portions 24 corresponding to the adjacent heads 27.

  As soon as the pusher heads 27 have reached their advanced position, the gripping heads 31 are progressively advanced towards their advanced end-of-travel position, under the action of the corresponding elements 38 which cross the sections 46 and, simultaneously, they are driven each in rotation about the corresponding axis 33, by the transmission 48 which is actuated by the mentioned control device, not illustrated. During the rotation and the displacement of the gripping heads 31, the claws 56 are maintained in their closed position under the action of the corresponding elements 70, which pass through the sections 76 and the end parts 24 of the mentioned sections 20 are twisted together, in order to form the uprights 8 of a corresponding body 7. At the end of the torsion step of the end portions 24, the gripping heads 31 are finally advanced along respective axes 33, towards their advanced end-of-travel position, under the action of the elements 38 which continue to pass through the sections 46, while the claws 56 are returned to their open position, under the action of the elements 70 which pass through

simultaneously the sections 77.

  In this way, the semi-finished product 2 is released by the gripping heads 31 and, at this time, the gripping heads 31 are gradually moved back to their rest position, under the action of the elements 38 which, following the rotation of the wheel 39, pass through the sections 47 and the claws 56 are again brought back to their closed position, under the action of the elements 70 which pass through the sections 78. The semi-finished product 2 is brought into contact with the group extractor 79 which extracts it by uncoupling it from the rack 10 and moves it away from the station 18, as soon as the push heads 27 have been brought back to their retracted position, by actuation of the transmission 29. The arrangement of all the organs of the device 1 now corresponds to the state of the aforementioned starting cycle and the cycle

  can again be repeated according to the same steps described.

  From what has been described above, it can be seen that the simplicity of manufacture, associated with the high operating reliability, makes it possible to significantly increase the production rate of the device, which can be associated with any line. production of small cages 4, while significantly increasing the production rate of the line itself. It is finally obvious that modifications and variations can be made to the device 1 described, without however departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, different devices can be provided for the rotation of the gripping heads 31 around the corresponding axes 33, as well as devices different from those described for the

  command and control of the push heads 27.

DIVISIONAL APPLICATION

Claims (11)

  1.- Device for manufacturing semi-finished products (2) in metal wire (3) characterized in that it comprises folding means (14) adapted so as to bend a metal wire (3), in order to form a closed ring (17) of substantially circular shape; a station (18) for forming said semi-finished product (2), in which said ring (17) is adapted so as to be placed in a position substantially coaxial with respect to a first axis (11); a plurality of forming groups (19) arranged in the forming station and each provided with a corresponding gripping head (31), the gripping heads (31) being arranged along respective second, substantially radial axes (33) relative to said first axis (11), first actuation means (48), serving to rotate said gripping heads (31) around said respective second axes (33), said gripping heads (31) each comprise means clamp (56), adapted to positively couple with said ring (17), each forming group (19) further comprises a guide (32) extending along said corresponding second axis (33) and a carriage (34) coupled to the guide (32), so as to slide axially and to support a said corresponding gripping head (31); second actuating means (36) being coupled to said carriages (34), in order to move each of said gripping heads (31), between a functional advanced position, in which said respective clamp means (56) are adapted so as to coming into positive contact with said ring (17), at a said corresponding point, and a retracted position of rest, in which clamp means (56) are adapted so as to be arranged outside said ring (17 ), said second actuating means (36) comprise a movable cam (37) and, for each said gripping head (31), a pusher element (38) coupled, on one side, to the cam (37) and , on the other side, to said corresponding carriage (34), said cam (37) being defined by a groove arranged on a motorized wheel (39), arranged in a coaxial position with respect to said first axis (11) and capable of rotating around of this first axis   (11), with respect to said forming groups (19).   2.- Device according to claim 1, wherein the gripping heads (31) are adapted so as to positively couple with said ring (17), in order to fix the ring (17) even at a plurality of delimiting points respective sections (20) of the ring (17); pushing means (21) which can be associated with each of said sections (20), in order to advance an intermediate part (22) of each of the sections (20) itself, towards said first axis (11), along a third axis (28) substantially radial with respect to said first axis (11), and in order to carry respective end portions (24) of said sections (20), in positions located near the respective end portions (24) of the sections ( 20) adjacent, the first actuating means (48) rotating said gripping heads (31) in order to twist said parts together   ends located next to each other.   3.- Device according to one of claims 1 and 2, wherein said   first actuation means (48) are adapted so as to rotate said gripping heads (31) only when the gripping heads (31)   same are arranged near their functional advanced position.   4.- Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said   gripping heads (31) each comprise a support shaft (35) coupled to the corresponding carriage (34), so as to be able to rotate around said second axis (33) and in an axially fixed position, and said first actuation means comprising a transmission (48) in turn comprising a first drive gear (50), common to all the socket heads (31) and, for each of the socket heads (31) themselves, a second gear wheel (49) meshed with said first toothed wheel (50) and coupled to a corresponding said hub (35), by means of a first coupling groove (51) corresponding.   5.- Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said   gripper means comprise a pair of claws (56) and said forming groups (19) further comprise each of the third actuation means (61, 62, 63) associated with each of said gripping heads (31), in order to cooperate with the respective claws (56), and control means (68) of said third actuation means (61, 62, 63) in order to move the claws (56) of each gripping head (31), relative to each other to others, between an open position and a   closure, in which they block said ring between them.   6.- Device according to claim 5, wherein said control means (68) comprise another movable cam (69) and, for each grip head (31), another push element (70) coupled to said other   cam and associated with said third actuating means (61, 62, 63).   7.- Device according to one of claims 5 and 6, wherein said   third actuation means (61, 62, 63) comprise a device (61, 62) with an inclined plane, disposed between the respective claws (56), and elastic means (63), adapted so as to exert on the claws ( 56) respective an action opposite to that exerted by said device to   inclined plane (61, 62) corresponding.   8.- Device according to one of claims 6 and 7, wherein said   another cam is defined by another annular groove (69) with variable radius, arranged on a front surface of the wheel (39), said grooves (37, 69) being defined respectively by a certain number of parts (42, 71) present in a number equal to that of said forming assemblies (19), each of said groove portions (42, 71) forming a   angle equal to an angle between said second axes (33).   9.- Device according to claim 8, wherein said groove portions (42) of said second actuating means (36) each comprise, in succession, a first section (43) curvilinear with substantially constant radius, a second section (44 ) rectilinear with decreasing radius, a third curvilinear section (45) having a substantially constant radius and of a value smaller than that of said first section (43), a fourth section (46) substantially rectilinear and with slightly decreasing radius, and a fifth inclined section (47),   substantially straight and with increasing radius.   10.- Device according to claim 9, wherein said groove parts (71) of said control means (68) each comprise, in succession, a first section (72) curvilinear, at substantially constant radius, a second section (73) substantially straight with decreasing radius, a third section (74) substantially straight with decreasing radius, a fourth section (75) curvilinear, having a radius less than that of said first section (72), a fifth section (76) substantially straight, with radius slightly decreasing, a sixth straight section (77) with decreasing radius, and a last section (78)   inclined, substantially rectilinear and with increasing radius.   11. Device according to claim 10, in which said third section (74) of said parts (71) of said control means (68) is arranged substantially in correspondence with a point of convergence of said second (44) and third (45) sections. of said parts (42)   respective of the cam (37) of said second actuating means (36).