IT202100017435A1 - SYSTEM FOR THE PREPARATION OF LARGE FORMAT PLATES FOR SHIPPING IN INDUSTRIAL LOGISTICS - Google Patents

Description

Description of Patent for Industrial Invention entitled: ?SYSTEM FOR THE PREPARATION FOR SHIPPING IN INDUSTRIAL LOGISTICS OF LARGE FORMAT SHEETS?.

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a system for preparing large format plates for shipment in industrial logistics.

In the area of surface coatings ? the use of slabs made of ceramic material, mineral granules bound with resins, or the like, is known, and which can even reach over three meters in length.

The possibility? to cover large surfaces, reducing the gaps between one slab and another, makes large format slabs very attractive to customers.

However, the large dimensions make this type of slab extremely heavy and bulky and, consequently, difficult to store and handle.

Large format slabs are generally stored resting on horizontal trays, to reduce stress on the slab support surface.

The horizontal arrangement, however, requires large spaces and large warehouses for storage. The slabs can in fact be grouped only in packs formed by a limited number of slabs to prevent excessive weight from damaging the slab placed closest to each other. down.

For the same reasons, this horizontal arrangement is also unsuitable for transport/shipping.

The large format slabs are then overturned to allow them to be transported vertically or slightly inclined.

For this purpose, suitable trestles are known which have a vertical or slightly inclined support, on which an extended surface of the slab rests and a base which receives its thickness.

The large format slabs are generally overturned using automatic articulated arms, moving one slab at a time.

? It is easy to understand how these operations involve long times and are subject to another risk of breakage and/or damage to the slabs themselves.

It is therefore evident that the known systems for preparing large-format plates for shipment in industrial logistics are susceptible to improvements.

The main task of the present invention ? that of devising a system for the preparation of large format slabs for shipment in industrial logistics which allows optimizing the times related to the preparation of slabs for shipment and which reduces the risk of damage to the slabs themselves.

Another aim of the present invention ? that of devising a system for preparing large-format slabs for shipment in industrial logistics that allows the simplification of slab overturning operations.

Another object of the present invention ? that of devising a system for preparing large-format slabs for shipment in industrial logistics that allows for the reduction of the space required for storing the slabs.

Another object of the present invention ? that of devising a system for preparing large-format slabs for shipment in industrial logistics that allows simplifying the operations related to the shipment of the slabs and optimizing space during the phases of transport of the same. Another object of the present invention ? that of devising a system for preparing large-format plates for shipment in industrial logistics which allows the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art to be overcome in the context of a simple, rational, easy and effective solution to use and with a low cost.

The purposes set out above are achieved by the present machine for preparing large-format plates for shipment in industrial logistics having the characteristics of claim 1.

The purposes set out above are further achieved by the present tray for preparing large format slabs for shipment in industrial logistics having the characteristics of claim 10.

The purposes set out above are further achieved by the present base for preparing large format slabs for shipment in industrial logistics having the characteristics of claim 18.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more evident from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a system for preparing large format plates for shipment in industrial logistics, illustrated by way of example, but not in limitation, in the merged tables of drawings in which:

figure 1 ? an axonometric view of the system according to the invention;

figures 2-6 are axonometric views of the system according to the invention, in different operating configurations;

figure 7 ? an axonometric view, partially exploded, of the tray according to the invention;

the figure 8 ? an axonometric view of a plurality? of trays according to the invention, in a storage configuration;

figure 9 ? an axonometric view, partially exploded, of the base according to the invention;

figure 10 ? an axonometric view of a plurality? of bases according to the invention, in a transport configuration.

With particular reference to these figures, yes? globally indicated by 1 a system for preparing large-format plates for shipment in industrial logistics having the characteristics of claim 1.

System 1 according to the invention comprises:

- at least one tray 2 able to support a plurality? of large format L plates substantially horizontally one on top of the other;

- at least one machine 3 suitable for overturning the plates L from a horizontal position to a vertical position; And

- at least one base 4 adapted to receive the slabs L from the machine 3 and to support them substantially vertically to allow their transport/shipping.

In the context of this discussion, with the expression ?large format slabs? are products in which the dimensions of length and width are predominant with respect to the thickness and, in particular, the length can? reach up to more than 3 meters. The slabs are made of ceramic material or mineral granules bound with resins and are intended for covering surfaces such as, for example, floors. However, it is not excluded that the slabs are made of a different material and/or that they are intended for a different use.

The tray 2 according to the invention comprises at least one support body 5 defining at least one storage surface 6 of a plurality of of plates L arranged substantially horizontally one on top of the other.

With the expression ?substantially horizontal? we refer to the fact that the slabs can be arranged horizontally or slightly inclined. The storage area 6, in fact, can? be arranged parallel to a horizontal plane or slightly inclined with respect to the latter.

Usefully, the storage area 6 ? inclined by an angle between 0.1? and 5? with respect to a horizontal plane.

This conformation allows an easy transfer of the plates L towards the machine 3, according to the modalities? which will be described in more detail later in this discussion.

The tray 2 also comprises means 7 for locking the plates L together. The blocking means 7 have the function of retaining the plates L joined together to form a single pack of plates L, so as to facilitate their handling.

The locking means 7 are also able to cooperate with the support body 5 to hold the slabs L on the storage surface 6.

Pi? in detail, the locking means 7 comprise at least one protruding portion 8 and the support body 5 comprises at least one relative coupling seat 9 defined in correspondence with the storage surface 6 suitable for receiving the protruding portion 8 to retain the slabs L (Figure 7). The interaction between the protruding portion 8 and the coupling seat 9 allows to avoid movement of the plates along at least one horizontal direction.

Specifically, the coupling seat 9 ? consisting of a substantially rectilinear groove and the protruding portion 8 ? slidingly associated with the coupling seat itself.

In this way, the transfer of the slabs L to the machine 3 takes place by sliding along the coupling seat 9.

Advantageously, the tray 2 comprises sliding means, not shown in detail in the figures, associated with the coupling seat 9 and adapted to facilitate sliding of the protruding portion 8 with respect to the coupling seat itself.

The sliding means can comprise, for example, one or more? rollers able to interact with the protruding portion 8 in the movement towards the machine 3 and to facilitate its sliding.

Usefully, the blocking means 7 comprise a plurality of protruding portions 8 and the support body 5 comprises respective coupling seats 9.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment shown in the figures, the locking means 7 comprise a plurality of of frame elements 10, each arranged to surround the slabs L along a transversal plane to a plane of arrangement of the slabs L.

Each frame element 10 comprising at least one pair of first sides 11 substantially parallel to each other and at least one pair of second sides 12 substantially parallel to each other and perpendicular to the first sides 11.

In use, the first sides 11 are arranged in contact with an extended surface of the first and last slab of the pack of slabs L, while the second sides 12 match the thicknesses of the slabs themselves

One of the first sides 11 of each frame element 10 corresponds to a protruding portion 8.

Conveniently, the frame element 10 comprises at least two retaining portions which can be assembled together to hold the plates L.

This constructive solution allows the frame element 10 to be installed according to the effective number of plates L to be transported or their thickness. For example, the retaining portions can have an ?L? and each comprising a related first side 11 and a related second side 12.

The frame element 10 also includes sealing means between the retaining portions.

Advantageously, the support body 5 comprises coupling means 13 able to cooperate with coupling means 13 of an adjacent tray 2.

Pi? in detail, the coupling means 13 allow the storage of a plurality of of trays 2, and consequently of plates L, one on top of the other, substantially vertically. The coupling means 13 therefore make it possible to optimize the spaces destined for the storage of the slabs L awaiting shipment, such as warehouses and depots (Figure 8).

The coupling means 13 comprise at least one of:

- at least one elongated element 14 which extends vertically from the storage surface 6 and ? provided with an interlocking portion 15; And

- at least one interlocking seat 16 defined below the support body 5 and suitable for coupling with the interlocking portion 15 of an adjacent tray 2.

However, an opposite arrangement of the coupling means 13 cannot be excluded, ie in which the elongated element 14 extends vertically below the support body 5 and the joint seat 16 ? defined on the storage area 6.

The coupling means 13 comprise a plurality of elongated elements 14 and respective interlocking seats 16. Specifically, the support body 5 is substantially rectangular in shape and the coupling means 13 are associated with the vertices of the support body itself. The tray 2 also comprises transfer means 17 associated with the support body 5 and able to allow it to be moved by suitable means of transport such as, for example, manually or automatically operated forklifts. The transfer means 17 comprise, for example, a plurality of seats suitable for receiving the forks of the forklift.

As explained above, the system 1 also comprises a machine 3 suitable for overturning the slabs L.

The machine 3 according to the invention comprises at least one base frame 18 and at least one housing 19 for the plates L, associated with the base frame 18. The housing 19 comprising at least one housing surface 20.

Lodging 19 ? movable between a receiving position, in which the housing surface 20 is arranged substantially horizontally and ? adapted to receive the plates L arranged in turn horizontally one on top of the other, and a release position, in which the housing surface 20 is? arranged substantially vertically and in which the plates L are in turn arranged vertically side by side and are positioned on a support body 21.

The support corps 21 ? adapted to support the plates L following the vertical positioning of the plates L and allows them to be transferred to this position.

The supporting body 21 defines at least one positioning surface 22 of the plates L arranged vertically side by side.

The blocking means 7 of the plates L are able to cooperate with the support body 21 to hold the plates L on the positioning surface 22. More? in detail, the locking means 7 comprise at least one protrusion 23 and the support body 21 comprises at least one housing seat 24 associated with the positioning surface 22 and adapted to receive the protrusion 23 to retain the plates L (Figure 9).

One of the second sides 12 of the frame element 10 corresponds to the protrusion 23.

The interaction between the protrusion 23 and the housing seat 24 allows to avoid movement of the plates L along at least one horizontal direction.

Conveniently, the housing 19 comprises a support surface 25 transversal to the housing surface 20 and arranged, in the release position, below the latter.

The support corps 21 ? which can be positioned on the support surface 25. The machine 3 also comprises hooking means 26 of the support body 21 to the support surface 25. The hooking means 26 allow the support body 21 to be kept stationary during the movement of the housing 19 between the receiving position and releasing position. The hooking means 26 comprise for example a vice operated by means of a pneumatic cylinder.

Machine 3? also equipped with means 27 for gripping and moving the plates L suitable for picking up the plates L from the support body 5 and transferring them to the housing surface 20, in the receiving position.

The gripping and moving means 27 comprise at least one gripping element 28 of the plates L which can be moved in sliding along at least one translation direction T substantially parallel to the housing surface 20 to transfer the plates L onto the housing surface 20.

Specifically, the gripping and moving means 27 comprise a plurality of of gripping elements 28 able to cooperate with the blocking means 7 to transfer the plates L onto the housing surface 20.

Pi? in detail, the gripping elements 28 anchor themselves to the protrusions 23 and drag the plates L onto the housing surface 20.

The gripping element 28 can? be, for example, of the type of a tongs.

However, it is not excluded that the gripping element 28 could be of a different type.

Advantageously, the gripping and moving means 27 comprise a plurality of of sliding guides 29 associated with the housing 19 which extend substantially parallel to the direction of translation T, each suitable for receiving a respective protruding portion 8.

The sliding guides 29 allow a precise and orderly translation of the plates L, guaranteeing their correct positioning on the housing surface 20.

Specifically, the sliding guides 29 each define a relative housing surface 20.

In other words, the sliding guides 29 receive the entire thickness of the protruding portion 8 so that the plates L rest on the housing surface 20.

The gripping elements 28 are associated with the sliding guides 29 and slide with respect to the latter along the translation direction T.

The sliding guides 29, therefore, also guide the movement of the gripping elements 28.

Conveniently, the gripping elements 28 are associated with the housing 19 which can rotate around a relative axis A between an operating position, in which they protrude with respect to the sliding guides 29 to intercept the protrusions 23, and a rest position, in which they are arranged below the sliding guides 29 to free the sliding guides themselves.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, axis A ? substantially perpendicular to the direction of translation T.

? it is advisable to specify that at the end of the positioning on the housing surface 20, the plates L are spaced with respect to the support surface 25 and to the support body 21 and are arranged on the latter only when the housing 19 is ? in the release position, sliding on the sliding guides 29. What? by doing the machine 3 it guarantees a correct positioning of the slabs L on the support body 21 and reduces the risk of damage to the slabs themselves.

The machine 3 also comprises means for moving the housing 19, not shown in detail in the figures, between the reception position and the release position.

Specifically, the movement means comprise rotation means able to rotate the housing 19 around at least one substantially horizontal axis of rotation R, between the receiving position and the release position.

Are the handling means able to rotate the housing by 90? between the receiving position and the releasing position to flip the L plates from horizontal to vertical.

The machine 3 is also provided with means 30 for holding the plates L suitable for holding the plates themselves in the housing 19 during the movement between the receiving position and the release position.

The holding means 30 comprise at least one pair of gripper elements 31 which can be moved towards/away from each other to intercept/release the plates L.

In particular, the gripper elements 31 intercept the first and last plate L at one of the relative extended surfaces.

Usefully, the gripper elements 31 each comprise at least one retaining plate 32 capable of intercepting a respective plate L and at least one support arm 33 of the retaining plate 32 associated movable to the housing 19.

In particular, the support arm 33 ? movable associated with the support surface 25.

Usefully, the gripper elements 31 also comprise a shock absorber element 37 associated with the retaining plate 32 and capable of attenuating the retaining force exerted by the retaining plate itself on the plates L to avoid damaging the latter.

For example, the shock absorber element 37 ? of the type of a bearing made of an elastically deformable material.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, each gripper element 31 comprises a pair of support arms 33 of the retaining plate 32. Furthermore, the retaining means 30 comprise a plurality of of pairs of gripper elements 31.

The gripper elements 31 allow the plates L to be held along a transverse direction to the retaining plates 32.

The holding means 30 also comprise actuator means 34 of the gripper elements 31. The actuator means 34 comprise, for example, a pneumatic cylinder interposed between the support arms 33.

Advantageously, the holding means 30 comprise translation means 35 of the gripper elements 31 along at least one sliding direction S substantially parallel to the translation direction T. The translation means 35 are able to bring the plates L closer to the support body 21, while rotating from the receive position to the release position.

Specifically, the translation means 35 accompany the plates L along the direction of sliding S to allow correct positioning in the support body 5 and reduce the risk of damage to the plates themselves.

The translation means 35 comprise a guide portion associated with each support arm 33 and extending along the sliding direction S and related translation portions associated with the retaining plate 32 and slidably associated with the guide portions.

In essence, therefore, the translation means 35 allow the movement of the retaining plate 32 with respect to the relative support arms 33. The translation means 35 also comprise at least one actuator device able to move the gripper elements 31 along the direction of sliding St.

Alternatively, the translation means 35 comprise at least one shock-absorbing device capable of counteracting the movement due to gravity. of the gripper elements 31 along the sliding direction S.

In practice, the movement of the retention plate 32 with respect to the respective support arms 33 can take place in an active way, by means of the actuator device, or in a passive way, by gravity, slowed down by means of the damper device.

As anticipated, with the housing 19 in the release position, the plates L are arranged on the support body 21.

According to a further aspect, the present invention also refers to the base 4 adapted to receive the plates L from the machine 3 and to support them substantially vertically to allow their transport/shipping.

The base 4 comprises the support body 21 and the blocking means 7 and makes it possible to optimize the spaces on the means intended for shipments such as containers for example. As schematically shown in figure 10, in fact, the bases 4 can be easily arranged on the vehicle to occupy the available space in the best possible way.

The base 4 also comprises means for anchoring the locking means 7 to the support body 21, not shown in detail in the figures. The anchoring means have the function of keeping the slabs L vertical during transport/shipping. Pi? in detail, the anchoring means hold the frame elements 10 from horizontal movements.

The anchoring means comprise belts or tie rods interposed between each frame element 10 and the support body 21.

Similarly to the tray 2, the base 4 also comprises displacement means 36 associated with the support body 21 and suitable for allowing it to be moved by means of suitable transport means such as, for example, manually or automatically driven forklifts.

The displacement means 36 comprise, for example, a plurality of seats suitable for receiving the forks of the forklift.

However, it is not excluded that the base 4 can be moved by different means, for example by a bridge crane machine.

The operation of the system 1 in carrying out the method according to the invention ? the following.

The procedure first of all provides for a supply of a plurality? of large format L slabs.

The method comprises a step of positioning the plates L on the tray 2, substantially horizontally one on top of the other.

Pi? in detail, one of the retention portions is positioned on the support body 5 so that the protruding portion 8 couples with a respective coupling seat 9.

The plates L are arranged on the storage surface 6 horizontally on top of each other.

At the end, the holding portion is fixed to the other holding portion by the holding means.

Tray 2 can be stored and coupled to an adjacent tray 2 by means of the coupling means 13 or placed at the machine 3 to carry out the overturning.

In the latter case, the tray 2 with the plates L is arranged so as to bring the storage surface 6 closer to the housing surface 20 (Figure 1).

The layout of tray 2 can? take place through the transfer means 17 by means of the transport means.

At this point, the method comprises a step for withdrawing the slabs L from the storage surface 6 to the housing surface 20.

The pick-up step is performed by means of the gripping and moving means 27.

Pi? in detail, the gripping elements 28 translate along the translational direction T and are brought in correspondence with the blocking means 7 where they interact with the protrusions 23. The gripping elements 28, therefore, translate again along the translational direction T, towards the support surface 25 and drag the plates L with them (Figure 2).

The withdrawal step comprises a sliding step of the protruding portion 8 with respect to the respective coupling seat 9 by means of the sliding means.

The method then comprises a phase of reciprocal approach of the holding means 30 to intercept the plates L.

Pi? in detail, the gripper elements 31 approach each other so that the holding plates 32 intercept the plates L.

At the end, the gripping elements 28 rotate towards the rest position to free the sliding guides 29 (Figure 3).

Subsequently, ? a movement step of the housing 19 from the receiving position to the release position is provided, in which the protrusion 23 couples with a respective housing seat 24.

The handling step is performed by means of handling means.

At the same time as the moving step, the method comprises a step of translating the slabs L along the sliding direction S performed by the translating means 35 (Figures 4 and 5).

Specifically, this phase provides that the retaining plates 32 slide with respect to the respective support arms 33 to bring the plates L closer to the support body 21.

At the end of the overturning, the process comprises a phase of mutual removal of the holding means 30 to release the slabs L.

Pi? in detail, the gripper elements 31 are moved away from each other so that the retaining plates 32 release the plates L.

Finally, the method comprises a step for moving the base 4 with the plates L from the support surface 25 (Figure 6).

Usefully, prior to the movement of the base 4, the procedure can? comprising an anchoring step of the locking means 7 to the support body 21 by means of the anchoring means.

Can crankcase movement 4? take place through the moving means 36 by means of the transport means described above.

Yes ? in practice it has been found that the invention described achieves the intended aim and objects and in particular the fact is underlined that the present system allows to optimize the times related to the preparation of the slabs for shipment and that it reduces the risk of damage to the slabs themselves. Specifically, this result is achieved thanks to the presence of the tray for storage, the overturning machine and the base for shipping.

Furthermore, thanks to the machine, the system makes it possible to considerably simplify the operations of overturning the slabs.

Furthermore, the present system makes it possible to reduce the space required for storing the slabs by using the tray.

Finally, the system according to the invention makes it possible to simplify the transport operations of the large-format slabs thanks to the base.

Claims (20)

1) Machine (3) for preparing large format slabs for shipment in industrial logistics, characterized by the fact that it comprises: - at least one base frame (18); - at least one housing (19) of a plurality? of large format plates (L), associated with the base frame (18) and comprising at least one housing surface (20), said housing (19) being movable between a receiving position, in which said housing surface (20) ? arranged substantially horizontally and ? adapted to receive said plates (L) arranged horizontally one on top of the other, and a release position, in which said housing surface (20) is? arranged substantially vertically and in which said plates (L) are arranged vertically side by side and are positioned on a support body (21). - means (27) for gripping and moving said plates (L) suitable for picking up said plates (L) from a support body (5) and transferring them to said housing surface (20), in said receiving position; - means for moving said housing (19) between said reception position and said release position; And - holding means (30) of said plates (L) able to hold said plates (L) in said housing (19) during movement between said receiving position and said release position. 2) Machine (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that said housing (19) comprises a support surface (25) transversal to said housing surface (20) and arranged, in said release position, below the latter. last, said support body (21) being positionable on said support surface (25). 3) Machine (3) according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized in that said gripping and moving means (27) comprise at least one gripping element (28) of said plates (L) which can be moved in sliding along at least one translational direction (T) substantially parallel to said surface housing (20) for transferring said plates (L) onto said housing surface (20). 4) Machine (3) according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized in that said movement means comprise rotation means able to rotate said housing (19) around at least one substantially horizontal axis of rotation (R), between said reception position and said release position. 5) Machine (3) according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized in that said holding means (30) comprise at least one pair of gripper elements (31) which can be moved towards/away from each other to intercept/release said plates (L). 6) Machine (3) according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized in that said retention means (30) comprise translation means (35) of said gripper elements (31) along at least one sliding direction (S) substantially parallel to said translation direction (T), adapted to approach said plates (L) to said support body (21), during the rotation from said reception position to said release position. 7) Machine (3) according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized in that said translation means (35) comprise at least one of: an actuator device able to move said gripper elements (31) along said sliding direction (S); a shock absorber device capable of counteracting the movement due to gravity? of said gripper elements (31) along said sliding direction (S). 8) Tray (2) for preparing large format slabs for shipment in industrial logistics, characterized by the fact that it includes: - at least one support body (5) defining at least one storage surface (6) of a plurality? large format slabs (L) arranged substantially horizontally one on top of the other; - means (7) for locking said plates (L) together, able to cooperate with said support body (5) to hold said plates (L) on said storage surface (6). 9) Tray (2) according to claim 8, characterized in that said blocking means (7) comprise at least one protruding portion (8) and in that said support body (5) comprises at least one coupling seat (9) defined in correspondence with said storage surface (6) and adapted to receive said protruding portion (8) to hold said plates (L). 10) Tray (2) according to claim 9, characterized in that said coupling seat (9) ? constituted by a substantially rectilinear groove, said protruding portion (8) being associable in sliding with said coupling seat (9). 11) Tray (2) according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises sliding means associated with said coupling seat (9) and adapted to facilitate sliding of said protruding portion (8) with respect to said coupling seat (9) . 12) Tray (2) according to one or more? of claims from 8 to 11, characterized in that said blocking means (7) comprise a plurality of frame elements (10), each arranged to surround said plates (L) along a plane transverse to a plane of arrangement of said plates (L) and comprising at least one pair of first sides (11) substantially parallel to each other and at least one pair of second sides (12) substantially parallel to each other and perpendicular to said first sides (11), wherein one of said first sides (11) corresponds to said protruding portion (8). 13) Tray (2) according to one or more? of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that said support body (5) comprises coupling means (13) able to cooperate with coupling means (13) of an adjacent tray (2), said coupling means (13) including at least one of: - at least one elongated element (14) which extends vertically from said storage surface (6) and ? provided with an interlocking portion (15); And - at least one interlocking seat (16) defined below said support body (5) and suitable for coupling with the interlocking portion (15) of an adjacent tray (2). 14) Base (4) for preparing large format slabs for shipment in industrial logistics, characterized by the fact that it comprises: - at least one support body (21) defining at least one positioning surface (22) of a plurality? of large format slabs (L) arranged vertically side by side; - means (7) for locking said plates (L) together, able to cooperate with said support body (21) to hold said plates (L) on said positioning surface (22). 15) Base (4) according to claim 14, characterized in that said locking means (7) comprise at least one protrusion (23) and in that said support body (21) comprises at least one associated housing seat (24) to said positioning surface (22) and adapted to receive said protrusion (23) to retain said plates (L). 16) Base (4) according to claim 15, characterized in that said blocking means (7) comprise a plurality of of frame elements (10), each arranged to surround said plates (L) along a plane transverse to a plane of arrangement of said plates (L) and comprising at least one pair of first sides (11) substantially parallel to each other and at least one pair of second sides (12) substantially parallel to each other and perpendicular to said first sides (11), wherein one of said second sides (12) corresponds to said protrusion (23). 17) System (1) for preparing large format slabs for shipment in industrial logistics, characterized in that it comprises: - at least one tray (2) according to one or more? of claims 8 to 13; - at least one machine (3) according to one or more? of claims 1 to 7; And - at least one base (4) according to one or more? of claims 14 to 16. 18) System (1) according to claim 17, characterized in that said gripping and moving means (27) comprise a plurality of of gripping elements (28), each adapted to cooperate with said locking means (7) to transfer said plates (L) onto said housing surface (20). 19) System (1) according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that said gripping and moving means (27) comprise a plurality of of sliding guides (29) associated with said housing (19) which extend substantially parallel to said direction of translation (T), each suitable for receiving a respective protruding portion (8) of the locking means (7), said sliding (29) each defining a relative housing surface (20). 20) Operating procedure of the system (1) according to one or more? of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - supply of a plurality? large format slabs (L); - positioning said plates (L) on said tray (2) substantially horizontally one on top of the other; - taking said plates (L) from said storage surface (6) to said housing surface (20); - reciprocal approach of said retention means (30) to intercept said plates (L); - movement of said housing (19) from said receiving position to said release position, in which said protrusion (23) couples with a respective housing seat (24); - mutual distancing of said retaining means (30) to release said plates (L); - movement of said base (4) from said support surface (25).