WO2013124775A1

WO2013124775A1 - Apparatus and method for manipulating patches cut out from a roll of flexible material and adapted to be joined

Info

Publication number: WO2013124775A1
Application number: PCT/IB2013/051298
Authority: WO
Inventors: Giovanni Barbanti; Marco FARETRA
Original assignee: I-Lab Engineering S.R.L.
Priority date: 2012-02-21
Filing date: 2013-02-18
Publication date: 2013-08-29
Also published as: ITBO20120081A1

Abstract

An apparatus (6) for manipulating patches (5) cut out from a roll (2) of flexible material and designed to be joined, comprising: a supporting surface (7) set up to receive a cut out portion (4) of said roll (2); an articulated arm (8), which is movable to a working area above the supporting surface (7); a gripping element (10) which can be operatively activated on one end edge of a patch (5), for grasping it and holding it, and which is kinematically connected to the articulated arm (8) so as to rotate in both directions around an axis of rotation parallel to the supporting surface (7); a control unit configured to control a relative movement between the gripping element (10) and the supporting surface (7) along a predetermined direction, which is perpendicular to the axis of rotation, while the gripping element (10) rotates around said axis, so as to allow the patch (5) to be wound around said axis of rotation without it dragging on the supporting surface, and to be unwound onto a receiving surface (11).

Description

DESCRIPTION

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MANIPULATING PATCHES CUT OUT FROM A ROLL OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL AND ADAPTED TO BE JOINED Technical Field

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for manipulating patches cut out from a roll of flexible material and adapted to be joined; in particular, the patches are patches that are designed to be sewn or bonded.

Background Art

In the textile industry, a roll of fabric is cut out to obtain the patches designed to be sewn, to then form clothing.

After being cut, the patches are hand picked from a cutting station and arranged on a supporting surface, where they are packaged for transportation to the factory where the sewing takes place.

Furthermore, after being picked, corresponding or similar patches, having for example the same shape, are moved and, when required, rotated or turned over, and then arranged on top of each other, so they may be packaged together (for example, the patches corresponding to the legs of trousers or sleeves of a shirt).

However, the fact that the operations for picking the patches, manipulating them and then packaging them are performed by hand involves various problems, including the cost of labour and the risk of accidents.

Furthermore, the fact that picking the cut out patches and the subsequent organizing and packing them is performed by hand involves significant difficulty in properly separating the patches from the waste (that is the residual cuttings).

These problems exist in all sectors where there is a need to manipulate patches cut out from a flexible layer; this layer may be a fabric, as in the case of the textile and clothing industry, but may consist of leather, plastic or other materials, used for example to upholster sofas and armchairs, or car interiors, or in other industries again.

Patent document US5230764 describes an apparatus for manipulating patches cut out from a roll of flexible material and adapted to be joined. However, this apparatus does not allow the patches to be picked, transported and released onto a supporting surface; in fact, the apparatus involves picking the patches by means of arms and hanging them on downward protruding hooks. Therefore, the apparatus proposed by US5230764 does not allow efficient automation of the picking process, designed to significantly reduce manual work.

Disclosure of the Invention

The aim of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for manipulating patches cut out from a roll of flexible material and intended to be sewn, which overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.

In particular, the aim of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for manipulating patches cut out from a roll of flexible material and intended to be sewn, capable of managing the portions of cut out roll in an automated way, without requiring human intervention, in a continuous industrial process.

In particular, this management comprises picking the patches and the organized arrangement of them on a supporting surface to allow them to be packaged.

Furthermore, this management preferably comprises the automated removal of the waste cuttings; furthermore, it preferably comprises packaging the patches.

A further aim of the present invention is to propose an apparatus and method for manipulating patches cut out from a roll of flexible material and intended to be sewn (or more generally, joined), which are particularly efficient and simple to implement from a technical point of view.

These aims are fully achieved by the apparatus and by the method according to the invention, as characterized in the appended claims.

In particular, the present invention relates to an apparatus for manipulating patches cut out from a roll of flexible material and designed (intended) to be joined, in particular by sewing or bonding.

According to the invention, the apparatus comprises:

- a supporting surface set up to receive a cut out portion of said roll, comprising at least one patch to be picked;

- at least one articulated arm with an operating end which is movable to a working area above the supporting surface;

- at least one gripping element which can be operatively activated on one end edge of a patch, for grasping it and holding it, and which is kinematically connected to said operating end of the articulated arm so as to rotate in both directions around an axis of rotation parallel to the supporting surface;

a control unit configured to control a relative movement between the gripping element and the supporting surface along a predetermined direction, which is perpendicular to the axis of rotation, so as to allow the patch to be wound around said axis of rotation without it dragging on the supporting surface, and to be unwound onto a receiving surface.

This allows picking the patches without moving the patches or the waste cuttings adjacent to them, and placing them on the receiving surface with the possibility of turning them over; thus, it is possible to stack patches having the same shape on top of each other neatly and exactly.

It should be noted that the roll may be formed by a single layer or by a plurality of layers (multilayer roll).

Preferably, the gripping element comprises a winder defining the axis of rotation; thereby, the patch is wound around the winder.

Preferably, the apparatus also comprises an actuator which is operatively connected to the gripping element to place it in rotation in both directions around the axis of rotation (that is around the winder).

Preferably, the winder comprises a rod-like body elongated along an axis of extension, connected to the operating end of the articulated arm.

Preferably, the rod-like body (winder) is connected to the actuator to be placed in rotation in both directions around the axis of rotation.

Said axis of rotation is parallel to said axis of extension.

This allows making the gripping element and winder in a particularly simple and effective way.

Preferably, the at least one gripping element is connected to the rod-like body.

Furthermore, the gripping element is preferably connected to the articulated arm so as to rotate around an axis, which is perpendicular to the supporting surface.

This allows turning over the picked patches, around a different axis than the one they were wound around.

Preferably, the supporting surface is separate from an outfeed conveyor belt defining the receiving surface.

This allows organizing the position of the patches placed on the supporting surface after being picked.

In fact, the advancement of the belt transporting the cut out patches is discontinuous; there is a time interval between one advancement and the next, in which the roll is stopped, to allow the cutting of a further portion of roll; during this time interval, the cut out patches placed on the supporting surface are picked and manipulated, and re-arranged neatly on the receiving surface.

Preferably, the gripping element defines a suction mouth elongated along a segment and is able to be selectively activated in just one or more portions of it.

This allows picking patches of different shapes, by winding them around an arbitrary axis, without interfering with the patches or the waste cuttings adjacent to the picked patch. Brief Description of the Drawings

These and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred, non-limiting example embodiment of it, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

- figure 1 schematically illustrates in a perspective view a cutting line for cutting a roll of flexible material and equipped with a manipulating apparatus according to the invention;

- figure 2 is a plan view of the line of figure 1 ;

- figure 3 is a portion of the line of figure 2;

- figure 4 is a plan view of a detail of the apparatus of figure 3, with the gripping element in a first picking operating position;

- figure 5 is a side view of the detail of figure 4;

- figure 6 shows an enlargement of the detail A from figure 5;

- figure 7 is a plan view of the detail of figure 4, with the gripping element in a second picking operating position;

- figure 8 is a side view of the detail of figure 7;

- figure 9 shows an enlargement of the detail B from figure 8;

- figure 10 is a plan view of the detail of figure 7, with the gripping element in a second picking operating position, according to a variant embodiment;

- figure 11 is a side view of the detail of figure 0;

- figure 12 shows an enlargement of the detail C from figure 11 ;

- figure 13 is a plan view of a further detail of the apparatus of figure 3, with the gripping element in a first placing position;

- figure 14 is a side view of the detail of figure 3;

- figure 15 shows an enlargement of the detail D from figure 14;

- figure 16 schematically illustrates the gripping element of the apparatus according to the invention;

- figure 17 schematically illustrates the gripping element of figure 16, in a variant embodiment. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

In the figures, the numeral 1 denotes a cutting line for cutting a roll 2 of flexible material, for example fabric (or leather or plastic or other material designed to be cut and then sewn).

The line 1 comprises a cutting station 3, in which a portion 4 of the roll 2 is cut out to obtain a plurality of patches 5.

The cutting station is of known type, comprises for example a blade or a laser cutting head caused to move in the plane of the roll 2 to cut the shapes of the patches 5 according to a predetermined profile, moved by a suitably programmed control system.

The numeral 6 denotes an apparatus for manipulating the patches 5, according to the invention; in the example illustrated, said apparatus 1 is part of the line 1.

The apparatus 6 comprises a supporting surface 7 set up to receive a cut out portion 4 of roll 2.

Furthermore, the apparatus 6 comprises at least one articulated arm 8 with an operating end 9 which is movable to a working area above the supporting surface 7.

The apparatus 6 also comprises at least one gripping element 10, which can be operatively activated on one end edge of a patch 5, for grasping it and holding it.

Furthermore, the operating end 9 of the articulated arm 8 is movable to a working area above a surface 11 for receiving the picked patches 5.

The gripping element 10 is kinematically connected to said operating end 9 of the articulated arm 8 so as to rotate in both directions around an axis of rotation; said axis of rotation is parallel to the supporting surface 4 and to the receiving surface 11.

Furthermore, the apparatus 6 comprises a control unit (not illustrated, consisting of a processor or a programmed electronic board) configured to control a relative movement between the gripping element 10 and the supporting surface 7 along a direction (predetermined, that is selected by the control unit), which is perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

In particular, the control unit is programmed to advance the gripping element in said direction while it rotates around the axis, so as to allow the patch 5 to be wound around said axis of rotation without dragging it on the supporting surface 7.

Furthermore, the control unit is programmed to advance the gripping element in a (further) direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation, after the articulated arm 8 has moved to the area above the receiving surface 11 , while the gripping element 10 rotates around said axis, so as to allow the patch 5 to be unwound onto the receiving surface 1.

It should be noted that the roll 2 is fed by a conveyor 12, up to the cutting station 3.

The supporting surface 7 is interposed between the cutting station 3 (and the conveyor 12), located upstream, and the receiving surface 1 , located downstream, with respect to a longitudinal feeding direction of the roll 2. The conveyor 12 is moved in steps, with stop intervals during which a new portion 4 of the roll 2 is cut.

In light of this, the supporting surface 7 is defined by a portion of the conveyor 12 on which the roll 2 to be cut is placed.

The receiving surface 11 could also be a portion of the conveyor 12.

However, in the preferred embodiment, the supporting surface 11 is defined by an outfeed conveyor belt 13, intended to move the patches 5 feeding out of the apparatus 6.

Furthermore, the supporting surface 7 is separate from the receiving surface 11 (that is from the outfeed conveyor belt 13).

Preferably, the supporting surface 7 is movable in an independent manner from the outfeed conveyor belt 13.

Preferably, the supporting surface 7 is located at a different height than the outfeed conveyor belt 13; more preferably, the supporting surface 7 is located at a lower height than the outfeed conveyor belt 13. In particular, the supporting surface 7 is partly superposed (or superposable) on the outfeed conveyor belt 13.

Preferably, the supporting surface 7 consists of a conveyor 14 (that is a supporting belt 14) wound on rollers 15, so as to be sliding in the longitudinal direction.

The articulated arm 8 is preferably connected to a crosspiece 16 located above the supporting surface 7, transversally to the longitudinal moving direction of the roll 2.

Preferably, the arm 8 is slidingly connected to the crosspiece 16, to move transversally.

Preferably, the arm 8 is pivotably connected to the crosspiece 16.

The articulated arm 8 is configured to move the gripping element 10 in the area above at least part of the supporting surface 7 and at least part of the receiving surface 11.

For example, the articulated arm 8 has two rod-like elements pivoted to each other.

Alternatively, the articulated arm 8 could consist of a pantograph-type system, or of a robotized arm.

The gripping element 10 preferably comprises an actuator (not illustrated, consisting for example of an electric motor) which is operatively connected to said gripping element 10 to place it in rotation in both directions around the axis of rotation.

Preferably, the gripping element 10 is coupled to a rod-like body 17 elongated along an axis of extension.

In particular, the rod-like body 17 is elongated along an axis of extension parallel to the axis of rotation, preferably said axis of extension defines said axis of rotation.

Preferably, the rod-like body 17 is connected to said operating end of the articulated arm 8 so as to rotate in both directions.

Preferably, the rod-like body 17 is connected to the actuator to be placed in rotation in both directions around the axis of rotation. Preferably, the rod-like body 17 is cylindrical, but it may also differ in shape (for example, it could have a square or hexagonal section, or more generally, polygonal).

The gripping element 10 is configured to grasp and hold an edge of a patch 5.

For example, the gripping element 10 could consist of one or more grippers or suction means.

Preferably, the gripping element 10 defines a grasping mouth 18 (for example, a suction mouth) elongated along a segment (parallel to the axis of rotation, that is parallel to the axis defined by the rod-like body 17).

Furthermore, the gripping element 10 can be selectively activated in just one or more portions of the grasping mouth 18.

In light of this, the gripping element 10 is connected to the control unit; said control unit is programmed to control the selective activation of the mouth 18, to automatically adjust the position and width of the gripping element 10 (with respect to the rod-like body 7).

For example, the suction mouth 18 comprises an elongated opening to define a slot, connected to suction means by a conduit (not illustrated because in itself known).

Preferably, the suction mouth 18 is defined in the rod-like body 17, which is internally hollow.

Furthermore, a gate 19 is provided, slidingly coupled to the suction mouth 18, to narrow the opening defined by the mouth to a useful area having desired position and length; this opening (useful area) in the suction mouth 8 defines the gripping element 10.

An example of this solution is illustrated in Figure 16.

According to another embodiment, the apparatus comprises a plurality of suction holes 20, connected to suction means by a conduit (in a similar way to that described above).

Each hole 20 is provided with closing and opening means connected to the control unit. Therefore, the control unit is set up to activate a sub-group of the suction holes 20, thus determining the position and width of the gripping element 10.

An example of this solution is illustrated in Figure 17.

It should be noted that the gripping element 10 could be defined by two or more separate segments, by means of the activation and deactivation of groups of suction holes 20.

It should be noted that the gripping element 10 could be made according to further variants.

For example, a plurality (array) of mechanical grippers is set up in place of the plurality (array) of suction holes 20.

Preferably, the gripping element 10 is connected to the articulated arm 8 so as to rotate (at least 180 degrees) around an axis, which is perpendicular to the supporting surface.

This allows turning over the picked patches 5, before placing them on the receiving surface 11.

According to a further aspect of the present invention (not illustrated in the figures), the apparatus 6 comprises two (or more) articulated arms 8.

Each of these articulated arms 8 is made as described above, and has an operating end that is movable to the working area above (at least part of the supporting surface 7), and at least part of the receiving surface 11. Furthermore, the supporting surface 7 might also be transversally movable (relative to the longitudinal feed direction of the roll 2), relative to the conveyor belt 12 upstream, and the receiving surface 11.

Advantageously, this allows the two articulated arms 8 to operate independently, to pick the patches 5 positioned on the supporting surface 7 and to place them on the receiving surface 11.

Therefore, each of the two articulated arms 8 has access to the entire area above the supporting area 7 and the receiving surface 11 , without interfering with the other arm 8, thanks to the combined movements of the arm 8 and of the transversal movements of the supporting surface 7. Preferably, the apparatus 6 comprises a container 21 located below the supporting surface 7 and to the side of it; this container 21 is set up to receive the waste cuttings.

In fact, when all the patches 5 have been picked from the supporting surface 7 and placed on the receiving surface 11 , the supporting surface 7 is moved towards the container 21 , so as to cause the waste cuttings to fall into the container 21.

According to another aspect of the invention, the following should be noted in reference to the logistic management step of the patches 5 (already picked and) placed on the receiving surface 11.

Preferably, the apparatus 6 comprises:

- a first film 22 wound on a first system 23 of rollers, which are configured to place a stretch of said first film 22 onto the surface of the outfeed conveyor 13 downstream (that is of the outfeed conveyor 13), which is adapted to receive the patches 5 placed by the gripping element 10.

It should be noted that the receiving surface 11 is directly defined by the upper side of said first film 22 (according to the preferred embodiment illustrated), or, alternatively, is located in position adjacent to it.

Furthermore, the apparatus 6 comprises a second film 24 wound on a second system 25 of rollers, which are configured to place a stretch of said second film 24 onto the first film 22, so that the patches 5 placed onto the outfeed conveyor 13 are interposed between the two films 22 and 24. Furthermore, the apparatus 6 preferably comprises means for joining the first film 22 and the second film 24 along closure lines surrounding the interposed patches 5 (that is the piles of superposed patches interposed between the two films).

These means for joining the two films 22 and 24 (not illustrated, in themselves of known type) comprise for example, a nozzle that blows hot air, or a laser head, mounted on an arm controlled by the control unit. Furthermore, the apparatus 6 preferably comprises labelling means (by means of text, screen prints or any other automatically detectable mark) for applying identification codes on the superposed films 22 and 24.

These labelling means are connected to articulated arms for affixing the labels in any area of the upper side of the superposed films 22 and 24, both at the patches 5 and in the areas in which there are no patches 5, interposed between the films 22 and 24.

Preferably, the control unit is set up to receive a control signal as a function of the driving signal of the cutting means.

This control signal considers the shape of the patches 5 and their position and orientation.

Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus 6 also comprises one or more video cameras (or other vision means) for obtaining the control signal from images detected.

In this case, at least one video camera is configured to detect images of the cut out portion 4 of roll 2 comprising the patches 5.

Furthermore, at least one video camera is configured to detect images of the patches 5 interposed between the two films 22 and 24.

These video cameras (not illustrated because in itself of known type) are connected to the control unit.

The control unit is programmed to process these images detected by the video cameras to drive the articulated arm 8 and the gripping element 10 (and also possibly move the supporting surface 7) as a function of the position of the patches 5 to be picked.

Furthermore, the control unit is programmed to process these images detected by the video cameras to drive the means for joining the two films 22 and 24.

Below is a description of how the apparatus 6 works.

The supporting surface 7 receives the cut out portion 4 of roll 2 from the cutting station 3.

As a function of the commands received from the control unit, the articulated arm 8 moves over the supporting surface 7, while positioning the gripping element 10 above (and substantially in contact with) a predetermined edge of the patch 5 to be picked.

In this position, the rod-like body 17 is oriented in a predetermined direction (selected by the control unit as a function of the control signal), which is perpendicular to a picking direction of the patch (it should be noted that the picking direction may be any direction parallel to the supporting surface 7 and is selected by the control unit according to a predetermined criterion, as a function of the shape of the patch 5 and the orientation of the patch 5 on the supporting surface 7, in order to facilitate the picking of it).

The gripping element 10 is selectively activated, in just the area involved by the edge to be taken of the patch 5 to be picked.

This operating configuration is illustrated in Figures 4-6.

The gripping element 10, together with the rod-like body 17, is moved relative to the supporting surface 7 in the picking direction; the gripping element simultaneously rotates around an axis perpendicular to the picking direction in a predetermined direction, so that the patch winds around the rod-like body 17, without dragging on the supporting surface 7. Preferably, this rotation is imparted to the gripping element 10 (and the rod-like body 17) by an actuator.

This operating configuration is illustrated in Figures 7-12; it should be noted that Figures 7-9 refer to a solution in which the gripping element 10 is moved (longitudinally, in this example) with respect to the supporting surface 7; Figures 10-12 refer to a solution in which the supporting surface 7 is moved (longitudinally) with respect to the gripping element 10.

When the patch 5 is wound around the gripping element 10 (that is around the rod-like body 17), the arm 8 transports it to a predetermined area (according to a control signal received from the control unit) above the receiving surface 11.

Meanwhile, if necessary, the gripping element 10 (and the rod-like body 17) are rotated by a predetermined angle (according to a control signal received from the control unit) around an axis perpendicular to the receiving surface 11 (and to the supporting surface 7), to orientate the gripping element 0 (and the rod-like body 17) in a different way.

At this point, the arm 8 places the gripping element 10 in contact with the receiving surface 11 in a predetermined position.

Then, the gripping element 10, together with the rod-like body 17, is moved relative to the receiving surface 11 in a releasing direction; the gripping element 10 simultaneously rotates around the axis of rotation (the axis of the rod-like body 17), which is perpendicular to the releasing direction, in a predetermined direction opposite to the rotation direction in which the patch 5 was picked, so that the patch 5 unwinds from around the rod-like body 17, without dragging on the receiving surface 11.

The steps described above are repeated for all the patches 5 to be picked. The supporting surface 7 is moved (longitudinally) between one picking step and the next (or possibly also during a picking step).

Figure 13 illustrates the gripping element 10 after releasing the patch 5, rotated by 90 degrees with respect to the picking position.

Thus, the apparatus 6 is capable of placing patches 5 having the same shape (but positioned at a given distance on the supporting surface 7) on top of each other on the receiving surface 1.

When all the patches 5 of the stretch 4 of the roll 2 have been picked and arranged in an orderly manner on the receiving surface 11 , the apparatus 6 advances the patches 5 (or possibly piles of superposed patches 5) to insert them between the two superposed films 22 and 24.

At this point, the patches 5 (or possibly piles of superposed patches 5) are enclosed, surrounded with corresponding closed lines for joining the two films 22 and 24, thus forming wrappers defining closed volumes into which the patches 5 or the piles of patches 5 are inserted.

Lastly, a label or text or any other identification mark designed to identify the patch 5 or the pile of patches 5, is placed on each of these wrappers. Furthermore, a label or text or any other identification mark is also preferably placed on a portion of the layer formed by the two superposed films 22 and 24, positioned outside all the wrappers, to mark the groups of patches 5 corresponding to the portion 4 of roll 2 from which they were cut and then picked.

Furthermore, when all the patches 5 have been picked, the supporting surface 7 is moved so as to expel the waste cuttings from said surface 7, thus causing them to drop into the container 21.

Thus, the present invention also provides a method for manipulating patches 5 cut out from a roll 2 of flexible material and intended to be sewn. According to the invention, the method comprises the following steps:

- placing a portion 4 of said cut out roll 2 onto a supporting surface 7;

- moving at least one gripping element 10 to a working area above the supporting surface 7 and activating the gripping element 10 on an end edge of a patch 5 to be picked, to grasp it and to hold it;

- rotating the gripping element 10 around an axis of rotation in a winding direction and performing a simultaneous relative movement between the gripping element 10 and the supporting surface 7 along a predetermined direction, which is perpendicular to the axis of rotation, to wind the patch 5 around said axis of rotation without it dragging on the supporting surface 7;

- moving the gripping element 10 to a placing area above a receiving surface 11 ;

- rotating the gripping element 10 around the axis of rotation in an unwinding direction opposite to the winding direction, to place the patch 5 onto the receiving surface 1.

These steps are repeated for all the patches 5 to be picked.

Preferably, the method comprises a step of rotating the gripping element 10 and the wound patch 5 around an axis, which is perpendicular to the supporting surface 7.

Preferably, the method comprises a step of moving the supporting surface 7 at least along a predetermined direction (preferably longitudinal).

Preferably, the method comprises the following further steps: - placing a first film 22 onto the surface of an outfeed conveyor 13 adapted to receive the patches 5 placed by the gripping element 10;

- placing a second film 24 onto the first film 22 so that the patches 5 placed onto the outfeed conveyor 13 are interposed between the two films 22 and 24.

Preferably, the method comprises a step of joining the first film 22 to the second film 24 along a closure line surrounding at least one of the interposed patches 5.

Preferably, the method comprises a step of labelling wrappers defined by the portions of films 22 and 24 joined and containing, inside them, one or more patches 5, and possibly a step of labelling one of the two films 22 and 24 in an outer area of the wrappers to identify a plurality of patches 5 (for example, the patches 5 cut from the same portion 4 of roll 2).

Claims

1. An apparatus (6) for manipulating patches (5) cut out from a roll (2) of flexible material and adapted to be joined,

characterized in that it comprises:

- a supporting surface (7) set up to receive a cut out portion (4) of said roll (2);

- at least one articulated arm (8) with an operating end (9) which is movable to a working area above the supporting surface (7);

- at least one gripping element (10) which can be operatively activated on one end edge of a patch (5), for grasping it and holding it, and which is kinematically connected to said operating end (9) of the articulated arm (8) so as to rotate in both directions around an axis of rotation parallel to the supporting surface;

- a control unit configured to control a relative movement between the gripping element (10) and the supporting surface (7) along a predetermined direction, which is perpendicular to the axis of rotation, while the gripping element (10) rotates around said axis, so as to allow the patch (5) to be wound around said axis of rotation without it dragging on the supporting surface (7), and to be unwound on a receiving surface (11).

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 , comprising an actuator which is operatively connected to the gripping element (10) to place it in rotation in both directions around the axis of rotation.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, comprising a rod-like body (17) elongated along an axis of extension, connected to the operating end (9) of the articulated arm (8) and connected to the actuator to be put into rotation in both directions around the axis of rotation, said axis of rotation being parallel to the axis of extension, wherein at least one gripping element (10) is connected to the rod-like body (17).

4. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the gripping element (10) is connected to the articulated arm (8) so as to rotate around an axis, which is perpendicular to the supporting surface.

5. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the supporting surface (7) is separate from an outfeed conveyor belt (13) defining the receiving surface (11).

6. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the supporting surface (7) is movable in at least one direction parallel to the surface.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the supporting surface (7) comprises a conveyor (14) wound on movement rollers (15).

8. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising two articulated arms (8), both having an operating end (9) which can be moved to the work area above the supporting surface (7).

9. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the gripping element (10) defines a suction mouth (18) elongated along a segment, said mouth (18) being able to be selectively activated in just one or more portions of it.

10. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising:

- a first film (22) wound on a first system (23) of rollers, which are configured to place a stretch of said first film (22) onto the surface of an outfeed conveyor (13), which is adapted to receive the patches (5) placed by the gripping element (10);

- a second film (24) wound on a second system (25) of rollers, which are configured to place a stretch of said second film (24) onto the first film (22), so that the patches (5) placed onto the outfeed conveyor (13) are interposed between the two films (22, 24).

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, comprising means for joining the first film (22) and the second film (24) along a closure line surrounding one of the interposed patches (5).

12. A method for manipulating patches (5) cut out from a roll (2) of flexible material and adapted to be joined, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

- placing a portion (4) of said cut out roll (2) onto a supporting surface (7);

- moving at least one gripping element (10) to a work area above the supporting surface (7) and activating the gripping element (10) on an end edge of a patch (5) to be picked up, to grasp it and to hold it;

- rotating the gripping element (10) around an axis of rotation in a winding direction and performing a simultaneous relative movement between the gripping element (10) and the supporting surface (7) along a predetermined direction, which is perpendicular to the axis of rotation, to wind the patch (5) around said axis of rotation without it dragging on the supporting surface (7);

- moving the gripping element (10) to a placing area above a receiving surface (11);

- rotating the gripping element (10) around the axis of rotation in an unwinding direction opposite to the winding direction, to place the patch

(5) onto the receiving surface (11).

13. A method according to claim 12, comprising a step of rotating the gripping element (10) and the wound patch (5) around an axis, which is perpendicular to the supporting surface (7).

14. A method according to either claim 12 or 13, comprising a step of moving the supporting surface (7) at least along a predetermined direction.

15. A method according to any one of the claims from 12 to 14, comprising the following steps:

- placing a first film (22) onto the surface of an outfeed conveyor (13) adapted to receive the patches (5) placed by the gripping element (10);

- placing a second film (24) onto the first film (22) so that the patches (5) placed onto the outfeed conveyor (13) are interposed between the two films (22, 24).

16. A method according to claim 15, comprising a step of joining the first film (22) to the second film (24) along a closure line surrounding one of the interposed patches (5).