ITUB201544953U1 - UNIT FOR THE CONTROL OR MANAGEMENT OF PRODUCTS OR ROLLS - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

Attached to a patent application for UTILITY MODEL having the title

"UNIT FOR THE CONTROL OR MANAGEMENT OF PRODUCTS OR ROLLS"

The present invention refers to a unit for the control or management of products or rolls.

There are known plants in the tissue sector for the production of articles and corresponding packaging, such as paper rolls and wipes, which are packaged in corresponding packages, packs, sacks, pallets or the like.

Said already known plants generally comprise at least one operating line including at least one upstream section for manufacturing said articles, in particular in the form of a machine for cutting rolls from a respective elongated log and at least a respective packaging section, in particular of primary packaging , preferably in the form of a section for packing said articles or rolls.

In already known systems, one or more successive packaging sections may also be present, in particular in the form of at least one boxing or bagging section of said packs and / or a palletizing section of packs or boxes / bags.

In said plants already known, there are also means for conveying the products between the corresponding sections of the plant, in particular between the said means for making said articles and the respective packaging section and between the different packaging sections of the part downstream of the plant.

In plants of the type referred to above in the tissue sector, or also in plants for the production of other products, although high product productions are obtained, which lead to the production of products that have a completely satisfactory quality, however, a certain quantity of defective products, which are only occasionally removed by the staff, who provide them, in a completely manual way and which are unfortunately placed on the market and reach the end users.

Therefore, nowadays, these already known plants continue to produce defective products which are in any case unwelcome to consumers. Furthermore, in this kind of already known plants, it is difficult to understand, at least with a certain reliability and timeliness, what is the actual cause of the production of said defective products.

Ultimately, in these already known plants, defective products are produced in a not entirely negligible quantity, which are however hardly perceptible to the personnel in charge, and which in any case generate unwanted production losses for the companies that use these plants.

In addition, there is still a general need in the sector to have equipment available that have a low cost and / or that do not excessively influence normal production activities.

In addition, the industry also feels the need to have equipment available that are easy to install and / or use for the staff.

Furthermore, the sector also feels the need to have equipment available that operate quickly or relatively quickly and / or that are particularly effective and efficient.

Furthermore, a problem particularly felt in the sector concerns the detection of defects on packs or packages of products whose packaging envelope is made of transparent material and therefore substantially not viewable with methods and means of detection already known.

The present invention proposes a new and alternative solution to the solutions known up to now and, in particular, it is proposed to obviate one or more of the drawbacks or problems referred to above, and / or to satisfy one or more needs felt in the art. , and in particular deducible from the above.

A unit is therefore provided for the control or management of products, in particular in the form of packs, preferably for containing respective articles, especially in the form of articles of the tissue sector, preferably in paper or other material. , such as fabric or non-woven fabric, said articles being preferably in the form of rolls, packages, in particular packs or packages, or of respective containers, particularly for toilet paper, kitchen paper, napkins, handkerchiefs, napkins, towels, sheets, and more , or in the form of rolls of material usable in the kitchen, such as aluminum foil, plastic foil, baking foil or similar; the unit being preferably usable in a plant for manufacturing said products, preferably the plant comprising at least one operating line including at least one upstream section for manufacturing said articles, in particular in the form of a cutting machine for said rolls a respective elongated log, at least one packaging section, in particular primary packaging, preferably in the form of a packaging section for said articles or rolls, and preferably at least one or more subsequent packaging sections, in particular in the form of at least one section for bagging said packs and / or a palletizing section for packs or bags; the plant comprising means, or section, for conveying the products between the corresponding sections of the plant, in particular between said means for making said articles and the respective packaging section and / or in particular between the packaging sections a Valley; the plant by presenting processing means for controlling the operation of the plant sections; characterized in that it comprises means for detecting and / or lighting a respective face of the product or pack, which are able to generate images of the respective face of the product which are different from each other, in particular which have different states of reflection of the lighting that is incident on the respective face of the product.

In this way, you can also see defects in transparent products, such as wrapping or wrapping in the tissue sector.

This and other innovative aspects, or specific advantageous embodiments, are, however, set out in the claims reported below, the technical characteristics of which can be found in the following detailed description, illustrating a preferred and advantageous embodiment which is however to be considered as purely illustrative and not limitative of the invention; said description being made with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic plan view of a preferred embodiment of a plant in the tissue sector, which is adapted to use a preferred embodiment of a unit for detecting defective products according to the present invention;

Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of units for the control and management of products and preferably for the detection of defective products according to the present invention, located along the respective line for conveying products;

Figure 3 illustrates a view of a screen for displaying the processed products;

Figure 4 illustrates a view of a screen for displaying the processed products, alternative to that of Figure 3;

- Figures 5A to 5H illustrate different configurations of defective products, as they are detected and displayed by this unit;

Figure 6 illustrates a schematic perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of units for detecting products;

Figure 7 illustrates a side view of the second preferred embodiment of the unit of the present invention;

- Figure 8 illustrates a schematic top plan view of the second preferred embodiment of the unit according to the present invention;

Figure 9 illustrates a perspective view of a type of pack that can be treated in the present plant;

- Figure 10 illustrates a schematic view in perspective of a further preferred embodiment of product control and management units, in particular packs, according to the present invention;

- Figure 11 illustrates a schematic view in perspective of the further preferred embodiment of control and management units for products, in particular packs, according to the present invention, taken from the opposite side with respect to that of Figure 10;

- Figure 12 illustrates a schematic side view of the further preferred embodiment of the unit according to the present invention;

- Figure 13 illustrates a schematic top plan view of the further preferred embodiment of the unit according to the present invention;

Figures 14A to 14G illustrate different configurations of products, in particular defective products, as they are detected and displayed by the present further preferred embodiment of units.

Figure 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment 10 of a plant for the treatment, in particular for the production, of respective products, in which respective articles are produced which are packaged in corresponding packages.

Preferably, said articles are in the form of articles of the tissue sector, such as rolls, handkerchiefs, wipes and napkins or the like, in corresponding paper material.

In particular, said rolls are in the form of toilet paper and / or kitchen paper rolls.

In turn, the packaging is preferably in the form of packages, parcels, boxes, sacks, pallets or other.

In particular, the plant 10 comprises at least one operating line which includes at least an upstream section 1, for manufacturing said articles, in particular in the form of respective rolls, which upstream section is, in particular, in the form of a cutting machine of said rolls from a respective elongated log. Said cutting-off machine comprising, as illustrated, means 1 'for making said log and means 1 ”for cutting the rolls from said log.

Furthermore, the plant 10 comprises at least a packaging section 2, in particular primary packaging, preferably in the form of a packaging section for said items or rolls, in particular in a respective preferably plastic wrapping film.

In particular, as illustrated, in accordance with the embodiment illustrated here, a first and a second primary packaging sections 2, 2 are provided, fed by respective sections or conveying lines 5. Furthermore, the present plant comprises downstream of the respective section primary packaging 2, at least one or more subsequent packaging sections 3 and / or 4.

In particular, as illustrated, there are provided means or sections for bagging said packs, in particular defined by a first and a second bagging section 3 downstream of respective packaging machines 2, and a final palletizing section 4, which is able to receive, through corresponding conveying lines, the products from the respective bagging machine, or directly from the respective packing machine 2.

As illustrated, the present plant comprises respective means, or section, for conveying 5, which transport the products between the corresponding sections of the plant, in particular between said means 1 for making said articles and the respective packaging section 2 and / or in general between the different downstream packaging sections.

In particular, as illustrated, the conveying means 5 comprise means 512 for conveying the products between the section making the articles 1 and the respective packing section 2, which comprise a respective stage, or apparatus, 5 'for deviating the flows of articles coming out of the article manufacturing machine 1 towards corresponding lines directed towards the respective packing machines 2, 2.

Furthermore, as illustrated, said conveying means 5 comprise respective conveying means 523 between the corresponding packing section 2 and the respective bagging section 3, as well as conveying means 534 between the respective bagging section and the palletizing section. 4.

Furthermore, as illustrated, it would also be conceivable to use means 524 for conveying between the respective packing section 2 and said palletizing section 4.

As illustrated, the conveying means comprise a plurality of parallel conveying lines or belts for corresponding plurality of articles and / or packages. In particular, as illustrated, four lines of conveyor belts parallel to each other are used in the portions 512 of the conveying means.

Advantageously, the present plant comprises at least one unit 12, illustrated in the following figure 2, for detecting defective products, in particular for detecting defective articles and / or packaging, preferably for detecting defective rolls and / or defective packages. . By way of example, the present unit is suitable for handling rolls of different formats, for example rolls whose diameter is preferably between 90 mm and 200 mm and whose length is preferably between 90 mm and 280 mm.

Furthermore, the present unit is able to process rolls which are made of white paper, or colored paper, or with paper printed with respective logos, images, designs or decorations.

In particular, advantageously, said unit 12 for detecting the defective products is provided to be located in correspondence with the conveying means of the plant, in particular at the conveying section 512 which is provided between the section 1 for manufacturing the articles, in particular for truncating or cutting the rolls, and the respective section 2 for packing said articles, in particular defined by the corresponding packing apparatus.

Preferably, however, it is envisaged that the present unit is positioned at the exit of the cutting-off cutter, or section for the realization of said articles, 1.

In particular, it can also be provided that the unit 12 for detecting defective products is located in correspondence with the respective conveying section 523, 524, downstream of the respective packaging section 2, and / or that it is located in correspondence with the respective section. conveyor 534 downstream of the respective bagging 3.

Advantageously, said unit 12 for detecting defective products comprises means 14, 16, 18 for detecting at least one corresponding image, in particular of a plurality of images, of the respective product.

In particular, advantageously, said unit 12 for detecting defective products therefore comprises means for detecting the corresponding image which are in the form of corresponding camera means 14, 16, 18, which are adapted to detect one or more images of the respective product, possibly also in the form of corresponding image sequences.

In particular, the respective camera means are in the form of one or more so-called "smart" cameras, or cameras that comprise respective microprocessor means, which allow to manage image shooting and which primarily process the detected images, in function of corresponding specific operational needs, which will become clearer from the rest of this description.

Advantageously, therefore, it is possible to modify the method of detection of the product by said camera means 14, 16, 18 according to specific needs for the detection of respective images of the product.

Advantageously, therefore, detection means 14 are provided, which are adapted to pick up the product from above to obtain or detect at least an image of the face or upper surface 11a of the respective product or roll.

In this way, it is possible to detect corresponding characteristics of the product.

In particular, the detection of the upper image of the product allows to determine the length, width and / or external appearance of the corresponding external surface of the respective product, or also the condition or state that the respective extreme edge of the roll has, such as however, it will be clearer from the rest of this description.

Advantageously, detection means 16 are also provided, which are adapted to pick up the product from the front side to detect at least one corresponding image of the front face 11b of the respective product or roll.

In this way, it is possible to detect corresponding characteristics of the product, in particular those which can be deduced from the front face of this.

Advantageously, detection means 18 are also provided, which are adapted to pick up the product from the rear side to detect at least one image of the rear face 11c of the respective product or roll. In this way, it is possible to detect corresponding characteristics of the same product, in particular those which can be deduced from the rear face of the same.

In particular, as illustrated in said figure 2, advantageously the present unit 12 comprises respective camera means which include a corresponding camera 14, which is positioned above the means 5 for conveying the product to be detected 11. In particular, said camera 14 presents the respective objective 14 ', which is direct, i.e. the optical axis of which is directed, perpendicularly, or substantially perpendicular to the surface 15' for supporting and transporting the products and the corresponding conveying means 5.

In this way, it is particularly easy to take up the upper face of the product, in particular without interfering with the conveyance of the same product, or without causing substantial disturbance to the normal operation of the system.

Advantageously, as illustrated, said camera means comprise a corresponding camera, and in particular a first and a second video cameras 16, 18, which are respectively positioned above the means for conveying the product to be detected and in particular whose respective lens, i.e. the respective axis of the latter, or whose respective optical axis, is inclined by a respective angle with respect to the product support surface 15 'of said conveying means 5.

In this way, it is easy to film the respective front and / or rear face of the product, in particular without interfering with the conveyance of the product, or without causing substantial disturbance to the normal operation of the system.

In greater detail, advantageously, said camera means comprise a corresponding camera 16, whose respective lens 16 'is inclined at a respective angle with respect to the product support surface 15' of said means 5 for conveying the same product to be detected and the which target 16 'is directed in the opposite direction to the direction of advancement of the product.

In this way, it is easy to film the respective front face of the product, without causing substantial disturbance to the normal operation of the system.

Furthermore, as illustrated, said camera means comprise a corresponding camera 18, whose respective lens 18 'is inclined by a respective angle with respect to the product support surface 15' of said means 5 for conveying the same product to be detected, and the which objective 18 'is directed in a direction concordant with the direction of advancement of the product.

In this way, it is easy to film the rear face of the product, without causing substantial disturbance to the normal operation of the system. In particular, as can be seen from the figures, said camera means comprise a corresponding camera 14, 16, 18, the respective shooting lens 14 ', 16', 18 'of which is arranged in correspondence with the transverse center line of the supporting surface 15'. of the product of said conveying means 5, in particular of the transverse center line of the product to be detected 11.

In particular, advantageously, said camera means 14, 16, 18 are positioned above the said conveying means 5 to such an extent, or at a distance from the product support surface 15 'of the said conveying means 5, such as to be higher than the maximum height of the corresponding product to be detected in advance on said conveying means 5, or such as to be higher than the maximum height that can be reached by a plurality of types or formats of products, which can be handled in the present plant.

In this way, the position of the corresponding camera means is advantageously avoided when the size of the product to be detected is changed.

In particular, with an advantage, said camera means 14, 16, 18 have a respective depth of field, that is a depth or length in which the respective detected image is "in focus", i.e. sharp, which is suitable for detecting a plurality of products, advancing on said conveying means 5, which have different formats, or dimensions, in particular heights or diameters, which are different from each other. For example, the respective depth of field of said camera means 14, 16, 18 is suitable for detecting, or keeping in focus, without carrying out corresponding adjustment maneuvers, of the corresponding rolls having a diameter between 90 mm and 200 mm.

In this way, it is not necessary to adjust the focus of the respective camera means when the format of the product to be detected changes. Advantageously, said unit 12 for detecting defective products operates while the products 11 advance on the respective conveying means 5, ie it operates while said products are in advance movement or perform the respective advance movement.

In practice, said detection means - or camera means - 14, 16, 18 operate while the products 11 advance on the respective conveying means 5, or rather detect the image of the products while the same products are in motion.

In practice, in this way, the elimination of the product or roll, in particular defective, is carried out, acting particularly quickly and without substantially slowing down the normal operation of the system or the conveyance of the products.

In particular, the present defective product detection unit 12 operates with products advancing at a speed of between 235 and 400 rolls per minute.

In this way, it is possible to detect the presence of any defective products without causing substantial disturbance to the normal operation of the system and without causing production losses for the system in which this unit is inserted.

In particular, said perpendicular camera 14 is preferably in the form of a color camera, while the inclined cameras 16, 18 are preferably in the form of black and white cameras.

However, it must be understood that said cameras, and corresponding illuminators which will be better illustrated in the following of the present description, can be made such as to be sensitive to electromagnetic radiation in one or more of the infrared, visible or ultraviolet fields. Moreover, advantageously, said unit 12 for detecting defective products comprises respective means 20, 20, 22, 24 for illuminating the product in correspondence with the respective detection area.

This makes it possible to optimally and specifically display the respective product to be detected.

In particular, advantageously, said lighting means comprise a corresponding illuminator, in particular a first and a second illuminators, or lamps, 20, 20 in correspondence with the respective television camera 14 whose lens 14 'is directed perpendicularly or substantially perpendicular to the surface 15' for supporting the product of said conveying means 5.

In this way, the respective upper face of the product to be detected is optimally displayed.

In particular, advantageously, said lighting means comprise a first and a second illuminators, or lamps, 20, 20, which are arranged according to the longitudinal direction of advancement of the products upstream and downstream of the respective television camera 14 whose lens 14 'is directed perpendicularly, or substantially perpendicular, to the product support surface 15 'of said conveying means 5. Advantageously, said illumination means comprise a corresponding illuminator, or lamp, 22, 24 in correspondence with the respective camera 16, 18 whose lens 16 ', 18' is inclined directed with respect to the product support surface 15 'of said conveying means 5.

In this way, the respective transversal face, front or rear, of the product to be detected is displayed in an optimal way.

In particular, advantageously, as illustrated, said illumination means comprise a corresponding illuminator, or lamp, 22, 24, which faces the respective camera 16, 18 whose lens 16 ', 18' is directed inclined with respect to the surface 15 ' for supporting the product of said conveying means 5.

Advantageously, as illustrated, said illumination means comprise a corresponding illuminator, or lamp, 22, 24 which is arranged, according to the longitudinal direction of advancement of the products, downstream and / or upstream of the corresponding television camera 16, 18 whose lens 16 ' , 18 'is inclined directed with respect to the product support surface 15' of said conveying means 5.

As illustrated, advantageously, said lighting means comprise at least a corresponding illuminator, or lamp, in particular a first and a second illuminator 22, 24, which respective illuminator is arranged, according to the longitudinal direction of advancement of the products, between the respective cameras. 16 and 18, the respective objective 16 ', 18' of which is inclined directed with respect to the product support surface 15 'of said conveying means 5.

Advantageously, said illumination means comprise a corresponding illuminator, or lamp, 22, 24 which is substantially at the same height level as the respective television camera 16, 18 whose lens 16 ', 18' is inclined with respect to the surface 15 'for supporting the product of said conveying means 5.

Advantageously, said lighting means therefore comprise a corresponding elongated illuminator, or elongated lamp, 20, 20, 22, 24, which extends transversely to the longitudinal direction of advancement of the products, in particular positioning itself centered with respect to the center line of said conveying means 5 , or rather of the surface 15 'for supporting the products of said conveying means 5.

With particular advantage, it is provided that said lighting means 20, 20, 22, 24 are controlled in such a way as to display, or illuminate, the product in a variable manner, in particular according to the specific image to be detected of this, preferably in function of the detail of this product which must be specifically detected and verified. In this way, the product is displayed in an optimal way, in particular by safely and reliably tracing the specific characteristic that may be defective.

In particular, it is also conceivable that for different details to be detected of the corresponding product, images or sequences of images are taken using illuminations of different illuminators.

Advantageously, said defective product detection unit 12 comprises means 28, 30, 32 for reflecting the product illumination radiation, in particular emitted by said illuminating means 20, 20, 22, 24.

In this way, an optimal display of the product to be detected is obtained, that is of the specific area to be detected of said product.

In particular, advantageously, said means for reflecting the illumination radiation of the product comprise a respective reflection screen 28, in correspondence with the camera 14 whose lens 14 'is directed perpendicularly, or substantially perpendicular, to the surface 15' on which the product rests. said conveying means 5, which reflection screen 28 is, in particular, downstream of this television camera 14 according to the longitudinal direction of advancement of the product.

As illustrated, said means for reflecting the product illumination radiation further comprise a reflection screen, in particular a first and second reflection screens 30, 32, respectively in correspondence with the relative camera 16, 18 whose lens 16 ', 18 'is directed inclined with respect to the surface 15' for supporting the product of said conveying means 5.

As illustrated, in particular, the respective screen 30, or 32, is arranged, respectively, upstream or downstream of the respective television camera 16, or 18, according to the longitudinal direction of advancement of the product.

In particular, as illustrated, the respective reflection screen 30, or 32, is provided on the longitudinal side of the respective television camera 16, or 18, which is opposite to that in which the corresponding illumination means 22, 24 are located, in particular placing itself immediately behind the respective camera means 16, 18.

Advantageously, said defective product detection unit 12 comprises means 34, 36, 38 for activating the detection of the product by corresponding camera means 14, 16, 18.

In this way, the detection of the product by said camera means can be activated in an appropriate and timely manner.

Advantageously, the defective product detection unit 12 comprises means 34, 36, 38 for activating the detection of the respective product by the means 14, 16, 18 for detecting at least one corresponding image of the respective product, in particular by corresponding camera means 14, 16, 18.

In this way, advantageously, the detection of the product is activated only when it is strictly necessary and appropriate.

In particular, said means for activating product detection comprise sensor means for the presence of the product in correspondence with the respective detection zone, in particular in the form of photocell means 34, 36, 38.

In particular, advantageously, said product detection activation means 34, 36, 38 emit a corresponding detection activation signal when the product reaches a certain detection zone or when the product leaves a certain detection zone, or when it covers or discovers a respective photocell positioned in correspondence with the respective detection zone.

In particular, said detection activation means 34, 36, 38 correspond to the conveying means 5.

In particular, means 34 are provided for activating the detection by the camera 14, the lens 14 'of which is directed perpendicularly, or substantially perpendicular to the surface 15' for supporting the product of the conveying means 5, and which are located in correspondence with of the same camera 14 and emit a corresponding activation signal when a product arrives at the same activation means 34, in particular when it is substantially centered longitudinally with respect to the same camera means 14.

Furthermore, means 36 are provided for activating the detection by the respective video camera 16, the objective 16 'of which is directed inclined with respect to the product support surface 15' of the said conveying means 5, which activation means 36 are located upstream of the same camera 16 in correspondence with the detection zone of the corresponding transverse face of the product, and emit a corresponding activation signal of said camera 16 when the product arrives at the same activation means 36. Means 38 are also provided activation of the detection by the respective video camera 18 whose objective 18 'is inclined directed with respect to the surface 15' for supporting the product of the conveying means 5, which activation means 38 are located downstream of the same video camera 18, in correspondence of the detection zone of the corresponding transverse face of the product and heme they produce a corresponding activation signal of said video camera 18 when the product discovers, or moves away from, the same activation means 38. Advantageously, in correspondence with said defective product detection unit 12, in particular in correspondence with means 14, 16 , 18 for detecting at least one corresponding image of the respective product, the products are, according to the longitudinal direction of advancement of the same products, spaced from each other preferably in such a way as to allow the detection of a corresponding transversal image, preferably complete, of the respective front and / or rear face of the relative product.

Advantageously, although not particularly illustrated in the attached figures, the present plant can comprise, upstream of said product detection unit 12, corresponding means for spacing the products being conveyed.

In this way it is possible to carry out an optimal detection of the product, in particular with regard to the transversal surfaces respectively front and rear of the same product.

In particular, the longitudinal distance between the products to be detected depends on the size or format of the respective product or roll.

For example, for rolls having a diameter of 110 mm, the distance between two consecutive rolls can be between 75 mm and 85 mm.

Advantageously, the present unit 12 for detecting defective products comprises electronic processing means 40, in particular in the form of an industrial PC equipped with corresponding program means or software means.

In particular, advantageously, said electronic processing means 40 receive data corresponding to at least one image of the respective product from said detection means of at least one corresponding image of the product, and in any case, in particular, from said camera means 14, 16, 18.

Then, said electronic processing means 40 processes said image and determines whether the product has one or more corresponding defects.

Advantageously, said electronic processing means 40 processes said image by determining at least a corresponding representative parameter of a particular characteristic to be evaluated of the same product.

Therefore, said electronic processing means 40 determine, if the product is defective, or acceptable, by evaluating whether the value of said parameter representative of a particular characteristic of the same product falls outside or within a tolerance interval with respect to a pre-established reference value.

Said pre-established reference value is determined by processing at least one image of at least one corresponding product whose respective characteristic is optimal, or in any case, compliant with the requests.

Advantageously, the corresponding tolerance value with respect to the relative predetermined reference value can be selected, or set at will, in particular by the assigned operator, who can for example operate through a corresponding input keyboard of said electronic processing means 40.

Due to various characteristics of the product, it can also be imagined that said electronic processing means 40 determine the level of defectiveness, or acceptability, of the product, determining in which level of a predetermined reference scale the value of said representative parameter of a particular feature of the same product. The respective level of the predetermined reference scale being marked, or defined, by a corresponding predetermined threshold value.

In particular, a reference scale can be considered that has three different levels and, respectively, defining an intact product, or substantially intact, a defective but acceptable product and a defective product in an unacceptable way. A fourth reference level could also be considered relating to a catastrophically defective product.

The present electronic processing means 40 are also suitable for determining whether the product is to be considered non-compliant, or defective, or compliant, or acceptable, by combining the parameters, or scores, obtained from the detection of various product defects. .

In practice, the parameters, or scores, in particular suitably weighted, are combined which are obtained from the detection of the various defects of the product in order to obtain an overall value or score.

According to a preferred embodiment, said overall defect value or score is suitably compared with a predetermined reference value in such a way as to determine whether said product is non-compliant and for example must be rejected, or is compliant, and for example must not be discarded.

In particular, the "weighing", or the respective weighing value, of the respective parameter or score of the respective defect could be higher, or higher, for defects considered particularly serious, such as for example the dirt on the transverse surface resulting from the cut of the corresponding roll, or smaller or less high, for defects considered more venial, such as for example a knurling not centered on the external surface of the same roll.

As can be seen from figures 2 and 3, advantageously, the electronic processing means 40, if they determine that the respective product is non-compliant or defective, activate a corresponding reporting procedure for the operator.

In particular, said signaling procedure involves the emission of a signal, preferably luminous, through a corresponding alarm lamp 42, especially at the detection unit 12, and / or a corresponding sound signal.

Furthermore, advantageously, said electronic processing means 40 activate the sending of a corresponding message, in particular of alarm or fault detection, to the telephone, in particular to the mobile phone 44, or to another terminal of the same operator. In particular, it could be envisaged to send such a message to the operator only when a predefined and appropriate defect threshold or quota is reached, possibly selectively settable.

Furthermore, said electronic processing means 40 activate a corresponding signaling procedure for the operator through corresponding display means, in particular through the display means 46 of the same unit 12 for detecting defective products.

In particular, as can be seen in particular from said figure 3, advantageously, said electronic processing means 40 control the visualization at the relative display means, in particular at the display means 46 of the same unit 12 for detecting the defective products. , of a respective graphic interface, or screen, 48, which comprises at least one field 54, 56, 58 displaying the respective image of the product detected by said image detection means, especially of said camera means 14, 16 , 18.

In practice, advantageously, as illustrated in the aforementioned figure 3, said electronic processing means 40 visualize in correspondence with relative display means, in particular in correspondence with display means 46 of the same unit 12 for detecting defective products, a respective graphic interface , or screen, 48 which comprises a field 54 displaying a respective image of the respective product or roll detected by said camera 14 whose lens 14 'is directed perpendicularly or substantially perpendicular.

Moreover, advantageously, as illustrated in the aforementioned figure 3, said electronic processing means 40 visualize in correspondence with relative display means, in particular in correspondence with display means 46 of the same unit 12 for detecting defective products, a respective graphic interface, or screen, 48 which comprises a field 56 displaying a respective image of the relative product or roll detected by said camera 16 whose lens 16 'is inclined and which records the front face of the product, as well as a field 58 displaying a respective image of the relative product or roll detected by said video camera 18, the objective 18 'of which is inclined directed and which films the rear face of the same product.

With a further advantage, said electronic processing means 40 visualize in correspondence with relative display means, in particular in correspondence with display means 46 of the same unit 12 for detecting defective products, a respective graphic interface, or screen, 48, which comprises an information field 51, which indicates whether the product is defective or compliant.

With a further advantage, said electronic processing means 40 visualize in correspondence with the relative display means, in particular in correspondence with display means 46 of the same unit 12 for detecting defective products, a respective graphic interface, or screen, 48, which comprises one or more information fields 53, which indicate whether a specific feature of the product is defective or compliant.

As illustrated, advantageously the respective information field 51, 53 can be of the traffic light type, or with color variation, from green to red, when the product, or the specific characteristic, is compliant, or non-compliant or defective.

Furthermore, as illustrated, advantageously said electronic processing means 40 display in correspondence with the respective information field 51, 53 a writing 55, or possibly a drawing 55 '(as shown in the following figure 4), which indicates or highlights which specific aspect or defect, or characteristic of the product, refers to the respective information field 51, 53.

In greater detail, advantageously, said electronic processing means 40 determine the length and / or width of the respective product or roll, in particular determining it through an image transmitted by said camera 14, whose lens 14 'is directed perpendicularly, or substantially perpendicular , and, therefore, determine whether this length and / or width is non-compliant, or defective, or incorrect, or whether it is compliant, or exact.

In particular, said processing means 40 determine whether the length and / or width of the respective product or roll falls within a certain tolerance range with respect to a predetermined value, in particular a respective predetermined value for the specific product or roll format detected. . An example of a roll having a non-conforming length as detected by the present defect detection unit 12 and displayed at respective display means 46 is in particular illustrated in Figure 5C.

Advantageously, said electronic processing means 40 determine the state of the external surface of the product or roll, in particular by determining the value of a corresponding representative parameter, especially by determining it through an image transmitted by said video camera 14 whose lens 14 'is directed perpendicularly or substantially perpendicular and, therefore, determine whether this outer surface is non-compliant, or defective, or compliant. An example of a roll having a non-conforming outer surface as detected by the present defect detection unit 12 and displayed at respective display means 46 is in particular illustrated in Figure 5F.

Advantageously, said electronic processing means 40 determine the positioning of the product or roll, in particular by determining the value of a corresponding representative parameter, especially by determining it through an image transmitted by said video camera 14 whose lens 14 'is directed perpendicularly or substantially perpendicular , and, therefore, determine if this positioning is faulty or incorrect or if it is compliant or correct. In particular, a roll in an incorrect position could be a roll whose axis is rotated by 90 ° and which has its respective transverse face resting on the supporting surface 15 'of the conveyor 5. An example of a roll having a non-compliant or incorrect positioning as noted by the present defect detection unit 12 and displayed at respective display means 46 is in particular illustrated in Figure 5E.

Advantageously, said electronic processing means 40 determine whether the core of the product or roll is deformed, in particular by determining the value of a corresponding representative parameter, especially by determining it through an image transmitted by the respective video camera 16,18 whose lens 16 ', 18' is inclined and, therefore, determine whether said core is non-compliant, or defective, or compliant. In particular, it is determined in which level of a corresponding predetermined graduated scale the respective representative parameter falls, in particular said predetermined graduated scale being specific to the respective format of product or roll detected. An example of a roll having a deformed and non-conforming core, as detected by the present defect detection unit 12 and as it is displayed at the respective display means 46 is, in particular, shown in Figure 5B.

Advantageously, said electronic processing means 40 determine whether the respective transverse face of the product or roll is dirty, in particular by determining the value of a corresponding representative parameter, especially by determining it through an image transmitted by the respective video camera 16, 18 whose lens 16 ', 18' is inclined, and, therefore, determine whether this face is defective, or dirty, or compliant, or clean or slightly dirty. In particular, it is determined in which level of a corresponding graduated scale the respective representative parameter falls. An example of a roll having a dirty and non-conforming transverse face, as detected by the present defect detection unit 12 and as it is displayed in correspondence with respective display means 46 is, in particular, illustrated in Figure 5G.

Advantageously, said electronic processing means 40 determine whether the logo, or the printing of an inscription, design or decoration, on the external surface of the product or roll is correctly positioned or centered, in particular by determining the value of a corresponding representative parameter, in particular way by determining it through an image transmitted by the respective video camera 16, 18 whose lens 16 ', 18' is inclined, and, therefore, they determine if this centering is non-compliant, or defective, or if it is compliant. In particular, it is determined whether the representative parameter of the centering of the logo falls within a certain tolerance range. An example of a roll having the logo on the external surface of the product or roll which is not correctly positioned or centered, as detected by the present defect detection unit 12 and as it is displayed in correspondence with respective display means 46 is, in particular, illustrated in figure 5D.

Moreover, advantageously, said electronic processing means 40 determine whether the printing and knurling on the external surface of the product are centered.

Advantageously, moreover, said electronic processing means 40 determine whether the product or roll has an irregular winding or rewinding.

Advantageously, moreover, said electronic processing means 40 determine if the core of the product or roll is absent.

Moreover, advantageously, said electronic processing means 40 determine whether the end edge of the product or roll is detached or excessively long. An example of a roll having a non-conforming end flap, as detected by the present defect detection unit 12 and as it is displayed at respective display means 46 is in particular illustrated in Figure 5H.

Otherwise, a perfectly conforming roll as detected by the present defect detection unit 12 and as it is displayed at respective display means 46 is in particular illustrated in Figure 5A.

Advantageously, moreover, said electronic processing means 40 determine whether the product or roll has an extreme transverse face resulting from the cut which is oblique.

Advantageously, said electronic processing means 40 provide means for tracing the defects, in particular with advantageous statistical purposes.

In particular, advantageously, the present tracking means are able to detect the number of rolls examined and provide a statistical data of global production defects, as well as the incidence of each individual defect.

In particular, advantageously, the present tracking means are suitable for indicating the type of rolls, the specific production session and the production lot. This data is appropriately stored in correspondence with or correlated to the identified defects.

In particular, the present tracing means advantageously memorize the images of the defective products associating them with the respective production data.

In particular, advantageously, the images of non-defective products can also be detected and sampled, for example for an advantageous statistical comparison with defective products.

For this purpose, said defect tracking means could also be in the form of corresponding file collection folders that contain each of the respective image files of products having a respective defect, accompanied by images of non-defective products, and / or a respective table or similar which indicates, for each defective product detected, the date, time and type of defect detected.

Advantageously, said predetermined reference values or the threshold values of the respective graduated scale are different according to the type and / or format of the product to be checked.

Advantageously, said predetermined reference values or the threshold values of the respective graduated scale are stored in a respective memory, in particular of the electronic processing means 40 of the said unit 12 for detecting defective products, and preferably, they can be recalled manually by the operator, or that can be set in an automated way, when the corresponding type and / or format of product is processed.

Furthermore, advantageously, said electronic processing means 40 are connected, in 47, to the control and / or management means of the plant. Advantageously, the present plant includes means for eliminating the defects detected and which could be in the form of means that directly correct, or simply indicate, the upstream cause that led to the production of a corresponding defective product.

In particular, means for eliminating defects are in the form of means which, once the defect has been determined, are able to send a corresponding signal to the control means of the device of the process machine, or operating section, located upstream in such a way to allow to carry out an appropriate correction of the process in which the product defect is generated.

Furthermore, said means for eliminating defects could be in the form of means for expelling non-conforming products.

In particular, it is possible to provide, not particularly illustrated in the attached figures, a unit for lateral expulsion of non-conforming rolls, for example with electro-pneumatic drive, and of the corresponding conveyor belt means for the collection and lateral extraction of the discarded products, equipped with relative systems control.

In the following figures 6 to 8, a second preferred embodiment 120 of units for detecting defective products is illustrated, which is particularly suitable for detecting corresponding packs of articles, in particular packs of rolls 112.

Figure 9 illustrates a preferred embodiment or type 50 of pack for rolls 11 which can be handled in the present plant, in particular in the normal conveying condition.

As illustrated, the pack 50 comprises a plurality of rolls 11 suitably positioned and retained by a respective outer casing 51, preferably made of plastic material, which has sealing welds in correspondence with the side faces 52, 53 and lower 54. Only the weld that is made on the face 53 it is evident in said figure 9. Furthermore, on the upper face 55 of the pack a trademark or logo and / or other graphic elements are normally provided. Further graphic elements, for example a bar code can also be arranged on the lower face 54 of the same product or pack.

In this second preferred embodiment 120 means of detection from above 14 are provided which are entirely similar to those of the previous first preferred embodiment and which, in order not to excessively burden the present description, are therefore not recomended in detail.

In this second preferred embodiment 120 of units for detecting defective products, advantageously, detection means 150 are provided, which are adapted to pick up the product from below to detect at least one image of the lower face 112i of the respective product.

In this way, it is possible to conveniently detect corresponding characteristics of the product present on the corresponding lower face of this.

With a further advantage, in this second preferred embodiment 120 of units for the detection of defective products, detection means 170, 190 are provided, which are adapted to pick up the product from a respective lateral side to detect at least an image of the corresponding lateral face. 112s, 112d of the respective product.

In particular, as illustrated, said detection means 170, 190 are adapted to pick up the product on both lateral sides to detect at least one image of the corresponding side face 112s, 112d of the respective product.

In this way, it is possible to conveniently detect corresponding characteristics of the product present on the corresponding side face of this.

In this second preferred embodiment 120 of units for detecting defective products, a camera 14 positioned above is used, whose respective objective 14 'is directed perpendicularly, or totally perpendicular to the plane of support and support of the products 15' of the corresponding conveying means 5, which is completely analogous to that of the first preferred embodiment.

Advantageously, in this second preferred embodiment 120, the camera means comprise a corresponding camera positioned laterally to the means for conveying the product to be detected 15, in particular a first and a second camera 170, 190 which are positioned at opposite sides of said means for conveying the product 15, in particular whose respective objective 170 ', 190' is directed parallel, or substantially parallel, with respect to the surface 15 'where the product rests by said conveying means 5. In practice, as illustrated, advantageously, in this second preferred embodiment, the camera means comprise a corresponding camera positioned laterally to the means for conveying the product to be detected, in particular a first and a second video cameras 170, 190 which are positioned at opposite sides of said means for conveying the product. product 15, whose respective objective 170 ', 1 90 'is positioned at the center line, or substantially the center line, perpendicular to the respective product to be detected.

Advantageously, in this second preferred embodiment, the camera means comprise a corresponding camera 150 which is positioned below the means for conveying the product to be detected, in particular whose lens 150 'is directed perpendicularly or substantially perpendicular to the supporting surface 15'. of the product of said conveying means 5 provided downstream, or parallel to the belts 150 ", 150" which define said opening 15a for viewing the lower part of the product.

In this way, it is easy to take up the lower face of the product, in particular, without interfering with the conveyance of the same product, or without causing a substantial disturbance to the normal operation of the system.

In particular, advantageously, said camera means comprise a corresponding camera 150, which is positioned below the means for conveying the product to be detected, in particular the lens 150 of which is arranged in correspondence with the transverse center line of said conveying means 5, in particular of the transversal center line of the product to be detected 11.

However, it must be understood that corresponding detection means, in particular of the camera type, similar to the present means marked with the reference number 150, and which detect the product from below, could also be used in the first preferred embodiment illustrated above.

In particular, advantageously, as illustrated, said conveying means 5 comprise opening means 15a for detecting the product by the corresponding camera 190 positioned below.

In particular, advantageously, the conveying means 5 comprise in correspondence with said opening means 15a corresponding conveying means, or revolving belts, 150 ", 150" which engage and drag the product forward as it passes in correspondence with said means of opening 15a. As illustrated, said product dragging means 150 ", 150" simultaneously engage the respective product 112 at corresponding opposite sides.

In particular, as illustrated, said upper and lower detection means are located in correspondence with a separate area of the conveying means with respect to that in which said means for detecting the lateral sides of the product are located, which means for detecting the sides side 170, 190, as illustrated, are preferably located in an upstream area with respect to the area in which both said cameras 14, 150 are located, the lens of which faces perpendicularly.

In accordance with the second preferred embodiment of defective product detection units, the corresponding electronic processing means determine, or are able to advantageously determine, if the product or package has a print on the wrapper that is not centered or well positioned.

Moreover, in this second preferred embodiment, advantageously, the respective electronic processing means determine, or are able to determine, whether the product or pack, or the relative wrapping, has an irregular welding.

In this second preferred embodiment, advantageously, the respective electronic processing means determine, or are able to determine, if the product or package has a respective article inside it, or its wrapper, which is badly positioned or rotated.

Moreover, in this second preferred embodiment, advantageously, the respective electronic processing means determine, or are able to determine, whether the product or pack has paper trapped in the sealing of the same pack, or of the corresponding wrapping.

Furthermore, in this second preferred embodiment, advantageously, the respective electronic processing means determine, or are able to determine, if the product or pack has a discontinuity in the film or packaging wrapper (for example a hole, also generated by an excessive melting in the welding areas, i.e. a tear).

The unit of the present second preferred embodiment, in turn, comprises respective lighting means, suitably controlled and enslaved to respective detection means or camera, which are not particularly illustrated in the attached figures and which in any case may be entirely similar to those shown in relation to the first preferred embodiment illustrated above.

Advantageously, the present plant includes means for eliminating the detected defects, in particular in the form of means that remove the defective product, such as those marked with the reference 121 in figure 3, which eliminate the defective packages from the conveyor line, in particular by means of corresponding means for engaging and pushing the product 112 out of the conveying line 5.

In the following figures from 10 to 14G, a preferred embodiment 300 of units or apparatus for the control or management of products, in particular of packs, preferably of packs of rolls, in particular defined by packs 50, is illustrated which as referred to above comprises a plurality of respective articles, in particular rolls 11 suitably positioned and retained by a respective outer casing 51, preferably made of plastic material, which has sealing welds in correspondence with the side faces 52, 53 and lower 54, as illustrated in said figure 9. As for the previous first preferred embodiment 12, preferably the present further embodiment 300 of product control and management units, or packs, is inserted in a plant which comprises at least one operating line including at least one upstream section for manufacturing said articles, in particular in the form of a machine for cutting off said rolls from a respective one elongated log, at least one packaging section, in particular primary packaging, preferably in the form of a packaging section for said articles or rolls, and preferably at least one or more subsequent packaging sections, in particular in the form of at least one bagging section of said packs and / or a palletizing section of the packs or bags.

The plant also comprises means, or section, for conveying the products between the corresponding sections of the plant, in particular between said means for making said articles and the respective packaging section and / or in particular between the sections downstream packaging and further comprises corresponding processing means for controlling the operation of the sections of the plant. Furthermore, the present product and roll control and management unit 300 is also equipped with respective processing means for controlling the relative operation, as envisaged for the first preferred embodiment of unit 12.

It is understood that the components of this further preferred embodiment of units 300 which are similar to those of the first embodiment, in order not to excessively burden the present description, are not redescribed in detail and maintain the same numerical references.

This further preferred embodiment 300 of control unit differs from the previous first preferred embodiment in that it comprises means 321, which are adapted to eliminate the respective product or package, in particular defective, 50.

As illustrated, advantageously, the present further preferred embodiment 300 of control or management unit comprises respective means or support frame 301, which carries said means 321 for the elimination of respective products or rolls, in particular defective, 50.

As illustrated, the present control or management unit 300 comprises means 305 for conveying the products or packs, in particular in the form of corresponding conveyor belt means, and preferably a plurality of conveyor belt means.

Advantageously, said means 321 for eliminating the products or packs are in the form of means that remove the respective product or pack 50 from the present unit 300, in particular from the corresponding conveyance means 315 in the downstream area of the present unit 300.

In particular, said elimination means 321 are in the form of pallet means 322 which are able to move in the direction transverse to the longitudinal development direction of respective conveying means 315 and which laterally engage a respective pack 50 by moving it transversely out of the respective means. conveyor 315, in particular on corresponding unloading means, for example defined by a respective unloading chute 321s.

As illustrated, in particular a first and a second vanes 322, 322 are provided, carried, in particular spaced apart from each other, on common handling means, especially in the form of endless continuous means 323, rotatable in a plane transversal to the direction of conveyance of products or parcels 50.

Said means for removing the product or pack are operated when a respective defective pack is identified by the corresponding computer control means of the unit 300 or by those of the plant in which the present unit is inserted, in particular by being operated, when it is identified a respective defective pack, to simultaneously move said first and second vanes 322, 322.

As illustrated, the said pallets 322, 322 are spaced apart in such a way that a first pallet 322 is placed in correspondence with the conveying means 315, in particular next to them, and therefore promptly intervenes on the pack once it is controlled. the removal of a defective pack 50 from the conveying means 315, while the other pallet 322 is positioned above the respective handling means and is able to be positioned in turn next to said conveying means 315, after the first pallet 322 removed the respective defective pack 50 from the line.

In particular, the present further unit 300, like the previous first and second units, comprises means for detecting defective products or rolls, which are entirely similar and corresponding to those of said first and second units.

In particular, however, the unit 300 for detecting defective products or rolls comprises means for detecting at least one corresponding image, in particular of a plurality of images, of the respective product or package.

In particular, the unit 300 for detecting defective roll products comprises camera means, for detecting one or more images of the respective product, or pack, which are suitable for detecting the upper, lower and lateral parts of the respective product. or pack, as disclosed in said second preferred embodiment illustrated above.

With a further advantage, it would also be imaginable to apply detection means to the present unit 300 which are also adapted to film the front and rear part of the respective product or pack, just as it is provided in the first preferred embodiment illustrated above.

Moreover, advantageously, said unit 300 for detecting defective products comprises respective means for illuminating the product in correspondence with the respective detection zone.

In this way, it is possible to display the respective product to be detected optimally and specifically.

As illustrated, the present further preferred embodiment of unit 300 for detecting defective products, which, therefore, like the above illustrated second preferred embodiment of unit 120, particularly suitable for detecting corresponding packs of articles, in particular packs of rolls.

Advantageously, the present unit 300 comprises, as will be better understood from the following of the present description, means for detecting and / or illuminating a respective face of the product or pack, which are adapted to generate images of the respective face of the product which are different from each other, in particular that they have different states of reflection of the lighting that is incident on the respective face of the product.

In particular, to detect the respective face of the product or package, one or more cameras and one or more corresponding illuminators are used. Advantageously, as will be better understood from the rest of the present description, to detect the respective face of the product or package, a plurality of cameras are used, in particular having respective objectives directed or inclined according to a respective and different direction with respect to the corresponding face of the product or package to be detected.

Advantageously, as will be better understood from the rest of the present description, to detect the face of the product or pack, a plurality of directional or inclined and / or positioned illuminators are used in a different way from each other with respect to the corresponding face of the product or pack. to be detected and / or directional or inclined and / or positioned differently from each other with respect to the respective detection camera.

Like the second preferred embodiment 120, in this further preferred embodiment 300 there are provided means for detecting from above 14 entirely similar to those of the previous first preferred embodiment and which, in order not to excessively weigh down the present description, are therefore not included in particular detail.

In particular, as illustrated in said figures, advantageously the present unit 300 therefore comprises respective camera means which include a corresponding camera 14, which is positioned above the means 315 for conveying the product to be detected, and in particular, which has the respective objective 14 ', which is direct, or whose optical axis is directed, perpendicularly, or substantially perpendicular to the support and transport surface of the products and the corresponding conveying means 315 and / or to the opposite face to be detected of the product or pack .

In this way, it is particularly easy to take up the upper face of the product, in particular without interfering with the conveyance of the same product, or without causing substantial disturbance to the normal operation of the system.

In particular, advantageously, illumination means are provided comprising a corresponding illuminator, in particular a first and a second illuminators, or lamps, 320, 320 in correspondence with the respective upper camera 14, and whose objective 14 'is directed perpendicularly or substantially perpendicular to the support surface of the product of said conveying means 315, and which illuminators 320, 320 are arranged below said camera 14, laterally positioned with respect to this and extending longitudinally, or according to the direction of advancement of the product on the respective conveying means.

In this way, the respective upper face of the product to be detected is optimally displayed.

In particular, advantageously, said illumination means comprise a first and a second illuminators, or lamps, 320, 320, which are arranged, according to the direction transverse to that of conveyance, at the downstream sides of the respective upper camera 14 whose lens 14 'is directed perpendicularly, or substantially perpendicular, and which is centered or substantially centered on the product support surface of said conveying means 315.

In this second preferred embodiment, a further 300 of units for detecting defective products, like the second illustrated above preferred embodiment, advantageously, detection means 350, 351 are provided which are adapted to pick up the product from below to detect at least an image of the underside of the respective product or package.

In this way, it is possible to conveniently detect corresponding characteristics of the product or pack present on the corresponding lower face of the latter.

In particular, advantageously, as illustrated, said conveying means 315 comprise opening means 15a for detecting the product by the corresponding video camera 350, 351 positioned below.

In particular, advantageously, the conveying means 315 comprise in correspondence with said opening means 15a corresponding conveying means, or revolving belts, 150 ", 150" which engage and drag the product forward while it passes in correspondence with said means of opening 15a. As illustrated, said product dragging means 150 ", 150" simultaneously engage the respective product 50 at corresponding opposite sides.

In particular, as illustrated, said detection means which are adapted to shoot the product from below comprise a first and a second video cameras 350, 351

In particular, said means for detecting the product from below comprise a first camera 350, in particular in the form of a color camera, and, in particular, the lens 350 'of which is directed perpendicularly or substantially perpendicular to the lower surface of the product or pack. .

In particular, said means for detecting the product from below comprise a second camera 351, in particular in the form of a black and white camera, and, in particular, the lens 351 'of which is directed inclined at an angle with respect to the perpendicular direction or substantially perpendicular with respect to the lower surface of the product or pack, or inclined according to an angle with respect to the direction in which the lens 350 'of the first camera is directed.

Preferably, said first and said second cameras 350, 351 for detecting the product from below do not detect the image of the product simultaneously and operate with respective lighting means 350i and 351i.

In particular, advantageously, lighting means are provided for the means for detecting the product from below, which comprise a corresponding first and second illuminators, or lamps, 350i, 351i, in correspondence with the area of the respective television camera 350, 351, such as illuminators 350i, 351i extend transversely to the direction of advancement of the product on the respective conveying means.

In particular, a first 350i illuminator illuminates the product for a filming of this by the first 350 camera whose 350 'lens is directed perpendicularly.

This first illuminator 350i is located just above the corresponding camera 350, upstream of this and is directed according to an angle with respect to the perpendicular or substantially perpendicular direction with respect to the lower surface of the product or pack, or inclined according to an angle with respect to the direction in which the 350 'lens of the first camera is directed.

In turn, a second 351i illuminator illuminates the product for a shot of it by the second 351 camera whose 351 ’lens is tilted direct.

This second illuminator 351i is located practically grazing the product to be detected, in particular near or in correspondence with the lower surface of the same product 50.

In this way, the respective lower face of the product to be detected is optimally displayed.

In particular, advantageously, the first illuminator 350i is arranged, according to the direction of advancement of the products, upstream of the respective first camera 350, and also upstream of the second camera with an inclined optical axis 351, while the second illuminator 351i is arranged, according to the direction of advancement of the products, downstream of the respective second camera 351, and also downstream of the first camera 350. In this way, it is easy to film the lower face of the product, in particular, without interfering with the conveyance of the same product, or without cause a substantial disturbance to the normal operation of the system.

Furthermore, in this further preferred embodiment 300 of units for the detection of defective products, detection means 370, 390 are provided, which are adapted to pick up the product from a respective lateral side to detect at least an image of the corresponding lateral face 50s, 50d of the respective product or package.

In particular, as illustrated, said detection means 370, 390 are adapted to pick up the product on both side sides to detect at least one image of the corresponding side face 50s, 50d of the respective product or pack.

Advantageously, in this further preferred embodiment 300, the camera means comprise a first and a second camera 370, 390 which are positioned at opposite sides of said product conveying means 315, and in particular whose respective lens 370 ', 390 'is directed parallel, or substantially parallel, with respect to the resting surface of the product by said conveying means 315 and perpendicular with respect to the corresponding lateral surface of the product or pack.

In practice, as illustrated, advantageously, in this second preferred embodiment, the camera means comprise a corresponding camera positioned laterally, at a higher level, to the means for conveying the product to be detected 315, in particular a first and a second video camera 370, 390 which are positioned at opposite sides of said product conveying means 315.

In particular, advantageously, lighting means are provided for the means for detecting the lateral part of the product, which comprise respective first and second batteries of illuminators 380 ', 380 "which are provided, in height, above and below the respective camera means 370 and 390.

In particular, said first and second illuminator batteries 380 comprise illuminators 380c in correspondence with the same transversal direction in which said cameras 370 and 390 are located and which are directed substantially perpendicular to the corresponding lateral surface of the product or pack, as well as illuminators 380m, 380v in correspondence with one, or as illustrated on both sides, of these lateral camera means 370, 390 and in any case directed according to a respective and / or opposite angle with respect to the corresponding lateral surface of the product or pack.

In this way, it is possible to conveniently detect corresponding characteristics of the product or pack present on the corresponding side face of this.

Advantageously, the present defective product detection unit 300 comprises electronic processing means, in particular in the form of an industrial PC equipped with corresponding program means or software means.

In particular, advantageously, said electronic processing means receive data corresponding to at least one image of the respective product or pack from said detection means of at least one corresponding image of the product, and in any case, in particular, from said camera means.

Then, said electronic processing means process said image and determine if the product has one or more corresponding defects.

Advantageously, said electronic processing means process said image by determining at least a corresponding representative parameter of a particular characteristic to be evaluated of the same product.

Therefore, said electronic processing means determine, if the product is defective, or acceptable, by evaluating whether the value of said parameter representative of a particular characteristic of the same product falls outside or within a tolerance range with respect to a value of predetermined reference, in particular by operating in a manner substantially similar to that provided in relation to the first preferred embodiment.

Said pre-established reference value is determined by processing at least one image of at least one corresponding product whose respective characteristic is optimal, or in any case, compliant with the requests.

Furthermore, said electronic processing means activate a corresponding signaling procedure for the operator through corresponding display means, in particular through the display means 346 of the same unit 300 for detecting defective products.

In particular, as can be seen in particular from said figure 14A, advantageously, said electronic processing means control the visualization at the relative display means, in particular at the display means 346 of the same unit 300 for detecting the defective products, of a respective graphic interface, or screen, 348, which comprises at least one field 354, in particular a plurality of fields, respectively displaying a corresponding image of the product, or pack, detected by said image detection means, especially of said camera means. With a further advantage, said electronic processing means visualize in correspondence with the relative display means, in particular in correspondence with display means 346 of the same unit 300 for detecting defective products, a respective graphic interface, or screen, 348, which comprises a or more information fields 353, which indicate whether a specific feature of the product is defective or compliant.

In particular, Figure 14A illustrates a screen relative to a compliant package. This compliant package is cordially not subjected to any action, apart from detection, by this 300 unit.

In particular, this further preferred embodiment 300 of unit for detecting defective products, thanks to the above-illustrated detection means, has means which are able to determine one or more of the following defective occurrences:

- lack of a roll inside the package;

- incorrect orientation of a roll inside the pack (as shown in Figure 14C);

- the execution of a defective side seal or flaps of the side seal detached (as shown in Figure 14B);

- defects in the print centering of the film (as illustrated in figure 14D);

- execution of the defective side sealing, i.e. the presence of openings in the film or casing due to the melting of the film or due to problems with the folding (as illustrated in figure 14G);

- defects in the execution of the lower transverse welding (as shown in Figure 14E);

- paper flaps inserted in the lower sealing area between the two layers of film that are sealed (as illustrated in figure 14F).

Furthermore, further preferred embodiments of the invention can be imagined which include one or more of the above illustrated characteristics. It must also be understood that all the details can be replaced by technically equivalent elements.

Claims (26)

CLAIMS 1. Unit (300) for the control or management of products, in particular in the form of packages, preferably containing the respective articles, especially in the form of articles of the tissue sector, preferably in paper material or other material, such as fabric or non-woven fabric, said articles being preferably in the form of rolls, packages, in particular packs or packages, or of respective containers, particularly for toilet paper, kitchen paper, napkins, handkerchiefs, napkins, towels, sheets, and the like, or in the form of rolls of kitchen usable material, such as aluminum foil, plastic foil, baking foil or the like; the unit being preferably usable in a plant for manufacturing said products, preferably the plant (10) comprising at least one operating line including at least one upstream section (1) for manufacturing said articles, in particular in the form of a cutting-off machine for said rolls from a respective elongated log, at least one packaging section (2), in particular primary packaging, preferably in the form of a packaging section for said articles or rolls, and preferably at least one or more subsequent packaging sections , in particular in the form of at least one section (3) for bagging said packs and / or a section (4) for palletizing the packs or bags; the plant comprising means, or section, (5) for conveying the products between the corresponding sections of the plant, in particular between said means (1) for making said articles and the respective packaging section (2) and / or in particular between the downstream packaging sections; the plant by presenting processing means for controlling the operation of the plant sections; characterized in that it comprises means for detecting and / or lighting a respective face of the product or pack, which are able to generate images of the respective face of the product which are different from each other, in particular which have different states of reflection of the lighting that is incident on the respective face of the product. 2. Unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, to detect the respective face of the product or package, one or more cameras and one or more corresponding illuminators are used. 3. Unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, to detect the respective face of the product or package, a plurality of cameras are used, in particular having respective objectives directed or inclined according to a respective and different direction with respect to the corresponding face of the product or package to be detected. 4. Unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in order to detect the face of the product or pack, a plurality of directional or inclined and / or positioned illuminators are used in a different way with respect to the corresponding face of the product, or pack, to be detected and / or directed or inclined and / or positioned in a different way from each other with respect to the respective detection camera. 5. Unit according to any one of the preceding claims or according to the pre-characterizing part of claim 1, characterized in that it comprises respective means or support frame (301) which carries said means (321) for the elimination of respective products or rolls, in particular defective (50). 6. Unit according to claim 5, characterized in that said means (321) for eliminating the products or packs are in the form of means which remove the respective product or pack from the present unit, in particular from the corresponding conveying means (315) in an area downstream of this unit. 7. Unit according to any one of the preceding claims 5 and 6, characterized in that said means (321) for eliminating the products or packs are in the form of means are in the form of pallet means (322), in particular which are adapted to moving according to the direction transverse to the direction of longitudinal development of respective conveying means. 8. Unit according to claim 7, characterized in that a first and a second vanes (322, 322) are provided, carried, in particular spaced apart from each other, on common handling means. 9. Unit according to any one of the previous claims from 5 to 8, characterized by the fact that said means (321) for eliminating the products or packs are operated when a respective defective pack is identified by the corresponding control means of the unit. 10. Unit according to any one of the preceding claims from 5 to 9, characterized in that said blades (322, 322) are spaced apart in such a way that a first blade (322) is placed in correspondence with the conveying means (315 ), in particular next to these, and intervenes on the product or pack once the removal of a defective product (50) is commanded from the conveying means (315), and the other pallet (322) is able to be positioned in turn next to said conveying means (315), after the first pallet (322) has removed the respective defective pack. 11. Unit according to any one of the preceding claims or according to the pre-characterizing part of claim 1, characterized in that it comprises respective camera means which include a corresponding camera (14), which is positioned above the means (315) for conveying the product to be detected, and in particular, which has the respective objective (14 '), which is direct, or whose optical axis is directed, perpendicularly, or substantially perpendicular to the support and transport surface of the products and the corresponding conveying means ( 315) and / or to the corresponding and opposite face to be detected of the product or package. 12. Unit according to claim 11, characterized in that lighting means are provided which comprise a corresponding illuminator, in particular a first and a second illuminator, or lamps (320, 320) in correspondence with the respective upper camera (14), which illuminators (320, 320) are arranged below said video camera (14) and are positioned laterally with respect to this and extending longitudinally, that is, according to the direction of advance of the product on the respective conveying means. 13. Unit according to any one of the preceding claims or according to the pre-characterizing part of claim 1, characterized by the fact of comprising detection means (350, 351) which are adapted to scan the product from below to detect at least an image of the lower face of the respective product or package. 14. Unit according to claim 13, characterized in that said detection means which are adapted to record the product from below comprise a first and a second video cameras (350, 351). Unit according to any one of the preceding claims 13 and 14, characterized in that said detection means which are adapted to shoot the product from below comprise a first camera (350), in particular whose lens (350 ') is directed perpendicularly or substantially perpendicular to the lower surface of the product or package. 16. Unit according to any one of the preceding claims 13 to 15, characterized in that said detection means which are adapted to shoot the product from below comprise a second camera (350), in particular whose lens (351 ') is directed inclined according to an angle with respect to the perpendicular or substantially perpendicular direction with respect to the lower surface of the product or pack, or inclined according to an angle with respect to the direction in which the lens (350 ') of the first camera is directed. Unit according to any one of the preceding claims 13 to 16, characterized in that lighting means are provided for the means for detecting the product from below. 18. Unit according to claim 17, characterized in that said lighting means for the means for detecting the product from below comprise a corresponding first and second illuminators, or lamps, (350i, 351i), in correspondence with the area in which it is provided the respective lower camera (350, 351), in particular said illuminators (350i, 351i) extend transversely to the direction of advance of the product on the respective conveying means (315). 19. Unit according to any one of the preceding claims 17 and 18, characterized in that a first illuminator (350i) illuminates the product for a recording of this by the first camera (350), whose lens (350 ') is directed perpendicularly , and, in particular, it is located slightly above the corresponding first camera (350), preferably upstream of this, and, preferably, is directed at an angle with respect to the direction in which the lens (350 ') of the camera is directed. called first camera (350) 20. Unit according to any one of the preceding claims from 17 to 19, characterized in that a second illuminator (351i) illuminates the product for a recording of this by the second camera (351), whose lens (351 ') is directed inclined, and in particular it is located, practically grazing the product to be detected, or near or in correspondence with the lower surface of the same product. 21. Unit according to any one of the preceding claims or according to the pre-characterizing part of claim 1, characterized in that detection means (370, 390) are provided which are adapted to pick up the product from a respective lateral side to detect at least one image of the corresponding side face (50s, 50d) of the respective product or package; in particular, said detection means (370, 390) being able to pick up the product on both side sides to detect at least one image of both side faces of the respective product or pack. 22. Unit according to claim 21, characterized in that said detection means comprise a first and a second video camera (370, 390) which are positioned at opposite sides of said product conveying means (315), and in particular whose respective objective (370 ', 390') is directed parallel, or substantially parallel, with respect to the support surface of the product by said conveying means (315) and preferably perpendicular with respect to the corresponding surface or lateral face of the product or pack. 23. Unit according to any one of the preceding claims 21 and 22, characterized in that illumination means are provided for the detection means of the lateral part of the product, which comprise respective first and second batteries of illuminators (380 ', 380 ”) Which are provided, in height, above and below the respective camera means (370, 390). 24. Unit according to any one of the preceding claims 21 to 23, characterized in that illumination means are provided for the means for detecting the lateral part of the product, which comprise illuminators (380c) in correspondence with the same transverse direction in which the said cameras of the respective cameras (370, 390) are located and which are substantially perpendicular to the corresponding lateral surface of the product or pack, and / or the illuminators (380m and / or 380v) at one or both sides , of said lateral camera means (370, 390), and in particular directed according to a respective and / or opposite angle with respect to the corresponding lateral surface of the product or pack. 25. Unit according to any one of the preceding claims or according to the pre-characterizing part of claim 1, characterized in that it comprises means which are capable of causing one or more of the following defective occurrences: - lack of a roll inside the package; - incorrect orientation of a roll inside the package; - the execution of a defective side seal or flaps of the side seal detached; - defects in the print centering of the film; - execution of the defective side sealing, or the presence of openings in the film or casing due to the melting of the film or due to problems with the folding; - defects in the execution of the lower transverse welding; - paper flaps inserted in the sealing area between the two layers of film that are sealed. 26. Unit characterized in that it is as provided in any of the corresponding preceding claims and / or as described and illustrated with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings.