ITTO20110117A1 - UNIT FOR SUPPORT AND DEVELOPMENT OF A RIBBON OF MATERIAL IN RIBBON FOR A TAPE MACHINE - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

â € œUNIT FOR SUPPORTING AND UNWINDING A REEL OF TAPE MATERIAL FOR A TAPE PROCESSING MACHINEâ €

The present invention relates to a unit for supporting and unwinding a reel of tape material suitable to be fed to a tape processing machine, such as for example a packaging machine, i.e. a machine capable of folding, sealing and cutting the web material to obtain sealed packages, or a labeling machine, i.e. a machine for obtaining a plurality of labels from the web material and applying said labels to respective articles, typically bottles or containers.

The following description will make explicit reference to the sector of labeling machines, without this being in any way intended as a limitation of the scope of protection defined by the claims.

As is known, labeling machines are used to apply labels to articles of any kind, in particular containers. Typically, self-adhesive labels are used on milk or fruit juice bottles, which consist of a paper / polypropylene / adhesive laminate.

When applying self-adhesive labels on containers, a support tape, on which the labels are fixed in spaced positions, is unwound from a reel and pulled onto a bar or knife in order to obtain the separation of each label from the tape itself, which is then disposed of. Means are also provided for transporting the containers to an application station and means for transferring each label to the relative container.

In a completely different way, the web material could consist of a succession of adjacent labels which must be sequentially separated from each other by a cutting operation in order to be then applied to the respective containers.

In both cases, the reel of tape material is blocked on a special unit essentially comprising a disk-shaped support surface for the reel and centrally provided with a threaded shaft, protruding coaxially upwards from the support plane. same.

The reel loading operation is carried out by lifting the aforementioned reel up to a position where its central hole can be engaged by the threaded shaft and then sliding the reel downwards along the shaft until it reaches a resting position on the support surface; subsequently, a locking nut is screwed onto the threaded shaft from above to lock the reel between the support surface and the nut itself.

The unwinding of the web material from the reel is obtained by activating an electric motor, arranged on the opposite side of the support plane with respect to the threaded shaft, so as to rotate the plane itself and the shaft around their axis.

The known units described above have the drawback of requiring a relatively high force to lift the reel during the reel change operation and to control the descent of the latter along the threaded shaft towards the resting position on the support plan.

Furthermore, during the relatively long lifting movement, the reel, which is gripped on opposite sides by the lifting trolley, could unwind from the inside taking the shape of a telescope, particularly in the case of the self-adhesive label carrying belt.

The purpose of the present invention is therefore to provide a unit for supporting and unwinding a reel of tape material, which allows to obviate, in a simple and economical way, the drawbacks connected with known and specified above.

The aforesaid object is achieved by the present invention, as it relates to a unit for supporting and unwinding a reel of tape material, as defined in claim 1.

For a better understanding of the present invention, some preferred embodiments are described below, purely by way of non-limiting examples and with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

- Figures 1 and 2 show, in section and in two different operating configurations, respectively for operation and for loading / unloading, a unit according to the present invention for supporting and unwinding a reel of tape material;

- figures 3 and 4 show a perspective view of the unit of figures 1 and 2, respectively in the operating and loading / unloading configurations;

- figure 5 illustrates, in a different perspective view and with parts removed for clarity, the unit of figures 1 and 2;

- Figures 6 and 7 show, in top view and in two different operating positions, respectively for locking and releasing, a device for fixing the reel of the unit of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a different embodiment of a unit according to the present invention for supporting and unwinding a reel of tape material;

- Figures 9 and 10 illustrate, in section and in two different operational configurations, respectively for operation and for loading / unloading, another embodiment of a unit according to the present invention for supporting and carrying out a reel of tape material;

- figures 11 and 12 show a perspective view of the unit of figures 1 and 2, respectively in the operating and loading / unloading configurations;

- figure 13 shows, in perspective view and with parts removed for clarity, a device for fixing the reel which is part of the unit of figures 9 and 10;

Figure 14 illustrates, in a different perspective view and on an enlarged scale, a detail of Figure 13;

Figure 15 is a side elevation view of the detail of Figure 14; And

- Figures 16 and 17 illustrate, in section and in two different operating configurations, respectively for operation and for loading / unloading, a further embodiment of a unit according to the present invention for supporting and carrying out a reel of tape material.

Figures 1 to 5 indicate as a whole with 1 a unit for supporting and unwinding a reel 2 of tape material suitable to be fed to a tape processing machine (not shown), such as for example a packaging machine or a labeling machine.

The reel 2 is of a per se known type and has an external cylindrical conformation defined by the strip material, which is wound around a core or reel 3 defining a central through hole 4.

The unit 1 essentially comprises a support plate 5, adapted to receive and support the coil 2, and a releasable fixing device 6, able to cooperate with the coil 2 to lock it on the plate 5 itself.

In particular, the plate 5 has a flat discoidal shape and is centrally provided with a through hole 8, having an axis A orthogonal to the plate 5 itself.

As can be seen in figures 3 and 4, the plate 5 is carried by a fixed frame 9 (only partially illustrated) in a horizontal position and rotatable around the axis A.

The plate 5 is adapted to receive the coil 2 on its own upper surface 10 with its own hole 4 coaxial to the hole 8 of the plate 5 itself.

The fixing device 6 extends coaxially to the axis A and is able to engage both holes 4 and 8 to lock the coil 2 on the plate 5.

The unit 1 also comprises an electric motor 11 arranged below the plate 5 and can be selectively activated to rotate the plate 7 itself and the fixing device 6 around the axis A so as to unwind the web material from the reel 2 .

As can be seen in Figures 3 and 4, the motor 11 protrudes below from a wall 12 of the frame 9, which in turn extends parallel to and in a lower position with respect to the plate 5. The motor 11 is supported by the wall 12 coaxially to the plate 5 and to the fixing device 6.

In greater detail, the motor 11 comprises a stator 13 fixed to the wall 12, and an output member 15 (only partially visible in Figures 1 and 2), supported by the stator 13 in a rotatable way around the axis A and engaging a hole wall loop 12.

Advantageously, the plate 5 can be moved in a direction parallel to the axis A with respect to the fixing device 6 to define a first and a second operating configuration, respectively for operation and for loading / unloading: in the first operating configuration, the fixing device 6 protrudes with respect to the plate 5 from the support side of the coil 2 so as to be able to lock the coil 2 itself on the plate 5; in the second operating configuration, the fastening device 6 is contained between the plate 5 and one side of the latter opposite to the supporting one of the reel 2 to allow loading and unloading of the reel 2 itself by sliding along the plate 5 .

With reference to Figures 1 to 5, the fastening device 6 is carried above by a base element 20 fixed to the plate 5 on the opposite side to the receiving side of the coil 2 and coupled to the output member 15 of the motor 11 .

In particular, the base element 20 substantially has a cup-shaped configuration and delimits an internal cavity 21 facing the plate 5. The base element 20 comprises a discoidal bottom wall 22 parallel to the plate 5, a side wall 23 cylindrical annular projecting superiorly from the perimeter of the bottom wall 22, and an annular flange 24 projecting radially outwards from an upper edge of the side wall 23 and extending parallel to the bottom wall 22 and to the plate 5.

The bottom wall 22 of the base element 20 also has a central through hole 25 of axis A engaged by a corresponding portion of the outlet member 15 and fixed to the latter by means of a plurality of screws 26.

The base element 20 and with it the fixing device 6 are also connected to the plate 5 by means of releasable fastening means 27 defining the aforementioned first and second operative configurations.

In particular, the fastening means 27 comprise a plurality of engagement elements 28 fixed orthogonally cantilevered to a lower surface 29 of the plate 5 in angularly equally spaced positions around the axis A, and can each be coupled to the flange 24 of the base element 20 in two different axial positions in a direction parallel to axis A so as to define the first and second operative configuration of the plate 5 with respect to the fixing device 6.

The fastening means 27 further comprise a plurality of fastening members 30 carried cantilevered by the flange 24 of the base element 20 in angularly equally spaced positions around the axis A and can be coupled, each, with a relative engagement element 28 to define the first operational configuration.

More precisely, each engagement element 28 is defined by a cylindrical upright 31 having an axis parallel to the axis A, projecting orthogonally from the lower surface 29 of the plate 5 and slidingly engaging a relative through hole 32 obtained in the flange 24 of the € ™ base element 20; each upright 31 is also provided, in an intermediate position along its side surface, with a through hole 33 for engaging the relative fixing member 30, extending radially with respect to the axis of the upright 31 itself.

Finally, each upright 31 is provided, at its lower end, with a cylindrical pin 34 protruding laterally from diametrically opposite parts of the upright 31 itself and able to prevent the axial slipping of the latter from the relative hole 32 of the flange 24 of the base element 20.

The fastening members 30 are instead fixed cantilevered to a lower surface of the flange 24 of the base element 20 in proximity to the relative holes 32.

As can be seen in particular in Figure 5, the fastening members 30 comprise one or two fastening elements 35 movable in a radial direction with respect to the axis of the relative upright 31 between an engagement position in the hole 33 of the upright 31 itself and a position of release from the latter.

The constraining means 27 further comprise a plurality of cylindrical helical springs 36 wrapped around the respective uprights 31, interposed between the flange 24 of the base element 20 and the plate 5 and loading the plate 5 itself towards the second configuration operational.

The holes 33 of the uprights 31, when engaged by the relative fastening elements 35 of the fastening members 30, define the aforementioned first operating configuration, in which the plate 5 is at the minimum axial distance from the flange 24 of the base element 20 in direction parallel to axis A and the springs 36 are in a strongly compressed condition.

Otherwise, the interaction between the pins 34 of the uprights 31 and the lower edge of the respective holes 32 of the flange 24 of the base element 20 defines the aforementioned second operating configuration, in which the plate 5 is at the maximum axial distance from the flange 24 itself in a direction parallel to axis A and the springs 36 are in a more extended condition than in the previous case.

With reference to Figures 1 to 7, the fixing device 6 essentially comprises a support plate 40 with a discoidal conformation of axis A, projecting from the bottom wall 22 of the base element 24 in a position parallel to the bottom wall itself 22 and to the plate 5, and locking means 41 carried by the plate 40 and selectively activated to interact with the spool 3 of the coil 2 and lock it on the plate 5.

In particular, the plate 40 is rigidly connected to the bottom wall 22 of the base element 20 by means of a plurality of uprights 42 extending parallel to the axis A inside the cavity 21 and is able to coaxially engage the hole 8 of plate 5 in the first operative configuration.

The locking means 41 project overhang from the plate 40, from the side opposite to that of connection of the plate 40 itself to the bottom wall 22 by means of the uprights 42, and are selectively displaceable with respect to the base element 20 between an active position (figure 7) of maximum radial protrusion with respect to axis A, in which they are able to press on the delimiting surface of the hole 4 of the reel 2 to lock the reel 2 itself on the plate 5, and a rest position (figure 6) , radially retracted with respect to the active position, in which they cannot interfere with the delimiting surface of the hole 4 of the coil 2.

In the case illustrated, the locking means 41 comprise a pair of jaws 43 with a curvilinear profile, which substantially extend at two halves of the plate 40 and are hinged to the plate 40 itself at one (44) of their ends and by means of respective pins 45 arranged on diametrically opposite parts of the axis A and extending parallel to the latter.

In particular, each jaw 43 has an arched convex edge 46, adjacent to the perimeter of the plate 40, a concave edge 47 also arched, radially more internal and facing the axis A, and an end 48 distal located adjacent to the hinging end 44 of the other jaw 43.

In the active position, the convex edges 46 of the jaws 43 protrude externally with respect to the profile of the plate 40 so as to cooperate with the delimiting surface of the hole 4 of the coil 2; in the rest position, the convex edges 46 of the jaws 43 are instead contained within the perimeter of the plate 40 and cannot interact with the delimiting surface of the hole 4 of the coil 2.

The locking means 41 also comprise a manually operated control member 50 to determine, in correspondence with the first operating configuration, the simultaneous rotation in opposite directions of the jaws 43 around the respective pins 45 between the active and rest positions (figures 6 and 7).

In particular, the control member 50 (Figures 1 to 7) comprises an elongated profile push lever 51, hinged to the plate 40 by means of a central pin 52 of axis A and cooperating, at its opposite ends, with the concave internal edges 47 of the jaws 43 so as to determine, through their own rotation around the axis A, the simultaneous rotation of the jaws 43 themselves in opposite directions around the respective pins 45.

In particular, the pin 52 is angularly integral with the thrust lever 51 and is mounted in a rotatable way around the axis A in a through hole of the plate 40.

The control member 50 also comprises an operating lever 54 fixed radially to the pin 52, arranged on the opposite side of the plate 40 with respect to the thrust lever 51 and protruding towards the outside of the base element 20 through a slot 55 obtained on the side wall 23 of the base element 20 itself.

As can be seen in Figures 1 and 3, in the first operative configuration, the fixing device 6 engages with its plate 40 the hole 8 of the plate 5 and protrudes above the latter with its own jaws 43, which can therefore be moved between active and rest positions.

With reference instead to Figures 2 and 4, in the second operative configuration, the jaws 43 of the fixing device 6 engage the hole 8 of the plate 5 and do not protrude from the top of the latter.

In use, bobbin change is performed as follows. First of all, the spool 3 of the finished reel 2 must be removed from unit 1; in order to carry out this operation, the jaws 43 must be moved from the active position (Figure 7), in which they press radially on the delimiting surface of the hole 8 of the spool 3, to the rest position (Figure 6).

With reference to figures 6 and 7, the movement of the jaws 43 into the rest position is obtained by means of a clockwise rotation of the thrust lever 51 so as to determine a sort of â € œclosingâ € of the jaws 43 towards the inside of the profile of the plate 40 and towards the axis A; this closing action is facilitated by the presence of springs (not visible in the attached figures) which load the jaws 43 towards the rest position.

The rotation of the push lever 51 is performed by means of a corresponding manual rotation of the operating lever 54 inside the slot 55 of the side wall 23 of the base element 20.

In this condition, spool 3 of finished spool 2 can be removed from unit 1.

At this point, the plate 5 must be moved so as to make the transition from the first to the second operating configuration (Figures 1 to 4). This operation could also be carried out before the removal of the reel 3 of the finished reel 2 and is carried out by releasing the fastening members 30 from the holes 33 of the fastening elements 28; in this way, the plate 5 is pushed in a direction parallel to the axis A by the action of the springs 36 until the second operating configuration is achieved, defined by the interaction between the pins 34 and the lower edge of the holes 32 in the wall bottom 22 of the base element 20.

In this configuration, a new coil 2 can be loaded on plate 5 and made to slide horizontally along the latter until it reaches the position in which it is arranged coaxially to axis A with its own hole 4 in communication with hole 8 of plate 5 itself.

By moving the plate 5 again so as to bring it closer to the base element 20 and to compress the springs 36, the engagement of the jaws 43 of the fastening device 6 inside the hole 4 of the coil 2 is obtained; once the holes 33 of the engagement elements 28 are arranged facing the respective fastening elements 30, the movement of the latter into engagement in the holes 33 themselves fixes the plate 5 in the new position and realizes the first operative configuration.

At this point, by acting on the operating lever 54, it is possible to obtain the counterclockwise rotation of the push lever 51 around the axis A with consequent â € œopeningâ € movement of the jaws 43 which reach their active position , in which they press on the delimiting surface of the hole 4 of the coil 2 blocking the coil 2 itself on the plate 5 (Figure 7).

Finally, by activating the motor 11, the output member 15 imparts a rotary movement around the axis A to the base element 20 and, through the latter, to the fixing device 6 and to the plate 5, thus to obtain the unwinding of reel 2.

In Figure 8, 1 'indicates as a whole a different embodiment of a unit according to the present invention for supporting and unwinding reels 2 of tape material; unit 1â € ™ will be described below only as far as it differs from unit 1, using, where possible, the same reference numbers for parts equivalent or corresponding to parts already described.

In particular, the unit 1â € ™ differs from the unit 1 essentially for the conformation of the locking means 41, which, in this case, comprise a plurality of jaws 43â € ™ configured as prismatic blocks and carried by the plate 40 in angularly equally spaced positions around the A axis; each jaw 43â € ™ can be displaced radially with respect to axis A between a rest position, in which it is radially spaced from the perimeter of the plate 40, and an active position, in which it protrudes radially from the plate 40 itself so as to interact with the delimiting surface of the hole 4 of the coil 2.

In Figures 9 to 12, 1â € ™ â € ™ indicates as a whole a different embodiment of a unit according to the present invention for supporting and unwinding reels 2 of tape material; unit 1â € ™ â € ™ will be described below only as far as it differs from unit 1, using, where possible, the same reference numbers for parts equivalent or corresponding to parts already described.

In particular, the unit 1â € ™ â € ™ differs from the unit 1 essentially in that the plate 5 is rigidly constrained to the base element 20 by means of fixed uprights 31, and in that the means locking elements 41 are carried in a movable way by the base element 20; in particular, in the case illustrated, the locking means 41 can be displaced with respect to the base element 20 not only to define the active and rest positions but also along the axis A to define the aforementioned first and second operating configurations .

More precisely, in this case, the plate 40 carrying the locking means 41 is, in turn, fixed at the top to a substantially cylindrical intermediate element 60 of axis A, mounted in an axially sliding way in the cavity 21 of the base 20.

The intermediate element 60 is defined by a hollow cylinder having, along its side wall 61 and diametrically opposite parts of the axis A, respective pairs of holes 62; in particular, the holes 62 of each pair are placed at different axial heights and are able to be alternatively engaged by a constraint element 35 of a relative fastening element 30, carried above by the flange 24 of the base element 20, for define the aforementioned first and second operational configurations.

A cylindrical helical spring 63 is also interposed between the intermediate element 60 and the bottom wall 22 of the base element 20; the spring 63 is adapted to load the intermediate element 60, and with it the plate 40 and the locking means 41, towards the first operative configuration, defined by the engagement of the constraining elements 35 of the fastening members 30 in the holes 62 of the intermediate element 60 placed in a position closest to the spring 63 itself.

As can be seen in figures 9 to 15, the unit 1â € ™ â € ™ also differs from the unit 1 in that the locking means 41 are in this case without the operating lever 54; the movement of the thrust lever 51 is therefore carried out for example by means of an Allen key (known per se and not illustrated) to be inserted in a complementary hole 64 obtained in the pin 52.

The locking of the thrust lever 51 in the two angular positions in which it keeps the jaws 43 respectively in the active position and in the rest position is obtained by means of a cam 65 fixed to the pin 52 and interacting with a relative abutment element 66 carried by the plate 40.

In greater detail, the cam 65 (Figures 14 and 15) extends inside the intermediate element 60 on the opposite side of the plate 40 with respect to the locking means 41 and has a truncated disc shape with thickness, in a parallel direction to axis A, greater at the trunk side than the diametrically opposite side.

The abutment element 66 consists of an L-shaped bracket fixed to the plate 40 on the opposite side to that from which the locking means 41 extend and arranged on one side of the axis A; the abutment element 66 defines with the plate 40 an engagement seat 67 for the peripheral portion of the cam 65, so that, in correspondence with the two angular positions of the thrust lever 51 which define the active and rest positions of the jaws 43, the thicker region of the cam 65 is engaged with interference in the seat 67 between the plate 40 and the abutment element 66, while in the other angular positions of the thrust lever 51, the cam 65 can slide freely between the plate 40 and striker 66.

In the case of unit 1â € ™ â € ™, the reel change takes place in a similar way to that seen for unit 1, with the following differences:

- the movement of the jaws 43 between the active and rest positions takes place by means of an Allen key to be inserted in the hole 64 of the pin 52; And

- the passages between the first and the second operative configuration occur by moving along the axis A of the intermediate element 60, and therefore of the plate 40 and of the locking means 41, with respect to the plate 5 and to the base element 20.

In figures 16 and 17, a different embodiment of a unit according to the present invention for supporting and unwinding reels 2 of tape material is indicated as a whole; unit 1â € ™ â € ™ will be described below only as far as it differs from unit 1, using, where possible, the same reference numbers for parts equivalent or corresponding to parts already described.

In particular, the unit 1â € ™ â € ™ differs from the unit 1 essentially in that the base element 20 is defined by a plate 70 rigidly fixed to the plate 5 and to the output member 15 of the motor 11 in a coaxial position to the axis A, and due to the fact that the locking means 41 are directly carried by the plate 70 on the side opposite to that of attachment to the output member 15.

More precisely, the plate 70 is fixed to the plate 5 so as to cover the hole 8 on the opposite side to that intended to receive the coil 2.

Furthermore, in this case, the locking means 41 comprise at least one pair of hooking levers 71, engaging the hole 8 of the plate 5 and carried by the plate 70 in a rotatable way around respective hinging axes B parallel to the plate 5 itself and orthogonal. to axis A.

The engagement levers 71 are rotatable around the axes B between a lowered rest position, defining the aforementioned second operating configuration, and an upright position of interaction with the coil 2, defining the aforementioned first operating configuration.

In particular, in the lowered rest position, the hooking levers 71 lie on the plate 70 and inside the hole 8 of the plate 5 so as not to protrude above the plate 5 itself; in the upright position, on the other hand, the hooking levers 71 project transversely from the plate 5 from the support side of the reel 2 to interact, by means of their own hooking ends 72, with the delimiting surface of the hole 4 of the reel 2 itself.

In the case of the 1â € ™ â € ™ â € ™ unit, the reel change takes place in a similar way to what was previously seen with reference to the 1, 1â € ™, 1â € ™ â € ™ units, with the only difference that the transitions between the first and the second operative configuration take place by means of simple rotations of the engagement levers 71 between the lowered position and the upright position.

From an examination of the characteristics of the units 1, 1 ', 1' and 1 'realized according to the present invention, the advantages it allows to obtain are evident.

In particular, thanks to the possibility of acting on the support plate 5 or on the fixing device 6 to bring the latter into a condition in which it is placed under the support plate 5 itself and therefore does not protrude from the latter , the reel change operation is considerably simplified and requires reduced efforts and power compared to known solutions.

In fact, the lifting movement of the reel 2 during the reel change operation is minimized, since it is only necessary to bring the reel 2 to the level of the support plate 5.

Furthermore, the minimization of the lifting movement evidently also minimizes the risks that, during this movement, the coil may unwind from the internal side, taking the shape of a telescope.

Finally, it should be noted that the described units allow the loading and unloading of the reel 2 in a particularly easy way without requiring the disassembly and consequent reassembly of components.

It is clear that the units 1, 1â € ™, 1â € ™ and 1â € ™ â € ™ â € ™ described and illustrated here may be subject to modifications and variations that do not go beyond the scope of protection defined by the claims.

In particular, the actuation of the locking means 41 could also be carried out automatically.

Furthermore, the electric motor 11 could also be missing.

Claims (1)

CLAIMS 1.- Unit (1, 1â € ™, 1â € ™ â € ™, 1â € ™ â € ™ â € ™) for supporting and unwinding a reel (2) of tape material with a hole (4) central passing, the said unit (1, 1â € ™, 1â € ™ â € ™, 1â € ™ â € ™ â € ™) including: - a support surface (5) provided with a through hole (8) and able to receive and support said coil (2) with its own hole (4) coaxial to the hole (8) of the support surface (5) itself; and - a releasable fastening device (6) adapted to engage said holes (4, 8) and to cooperate with said coil (2) to lock it on said support plane (5); characterized in that one of the said support surface (5) and the said fixing device (6) can be displaced with respect to another between the said support surface (5) and the said fixing device (6) between a first operating configuration, in which the said fixing device (6) protrudes with respect to the said support plane (5) from the support side of the said reel (2) so as to be able to lock the reel (2) itself on the said support plane (5), and a second operating configuration, in which the said fixing device (6) is contained between the said support surface (5) and one side of the support surface (5) itself opposite to the support surface of the said reel (2) to allow the latter to be loaded by sliding along the support surface (5). 2.- Unit according to Claim 1, in which a base element (20, 70) is provided, constrained to the said support plane (5), and in which the said fixing device (6) comprises locking means (41 ) carried by said base element (20, 70) and can be selectively activated to interact with said coil (2) and lock it on said support plane (5). 3.- Unit according to claim 2, in which said base element (20, 70) is rigidly connected to said support plane (5), and said locking means (41) are carried in a mobile way by said base element (20, 70) to define said first and second operative configurations. 4.- Unit according to claim 3, in which said locking means (41) are movable with respect to said base element (20) along an axis (A) orthogonal to said support plane (3) to define said first and second operational configuration. 5.- Unit according to Claim 4, comprising elastic means (63) interposed between said base element (20) and said locking means (41) and loading the locking means (41) towards said first operating configuration . 6.- Unit according to any one of Claims 4 or 5, comprising first engagement means (60, 62) integral with said locking means (41) and second engagement means (30, 35) carried by said base element (20 ) and can be coupled with said first engagement means (60, 62) in two different positions along said axis (A) to define said first and second operative configurations. 7.- Unit according to any one of claims 4 to 6, in which, in said first operating configuration, said locking means (41) are movable between an active position of maximum radial protrusion with respect to said axis (A), in which are able to press on the delimiting surface of the hole (4) of the said coil (2) to lock the coil (2) itself on the said support plane (5), and a rest position, radially retracted with respect to the said active position , in which they cannot interfere with the delimiting surface of the hole (4) of said coil (2). 8.- Unit according to claim 2, wherein said support plane (5) is displaceable with respect to said base element (20) along an axis (A) orthogonal to the support plane (5) itself to define said first and second operational configuration. 9.- Unit according to claim 8, comprising elastic means (36) interposed between said base element (20) and said support plane (5) and loading the support plane (5) itself towards said second operating configuration . 10.- Unit according to Claim 8 or 9, comprising first engagement means (28, 31, 32, 34) carried by said support plane (5) and second engagement means (30, 32, 35) carried by said element base (20) and can be coupled with said first engagement means (28, 31, 32) in two different positions along said axis (A) to define said first and second operating configurations. 11.- Unit according to Claim 3, wherein said locking means (41) comprise at least one pair of hooking levers (71) carried by said base element (70) in a rotatable way around respective hinging axes (B ) parallel to said support plane (5) between a lowered position on said base element (70) and inside the hole (8) of said support plane (5), in which they define said first operating configuration, and an upright position, in which they protrude transversely from the said support plane (5) from the support side of the said reel (2) to interact, with its own coupling ends (72), on the delimiting surface of the hole (4) of the reel ( 2) itself.