MATERIALS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF CERAMIC ARTICLES

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority from Italian patent application no. 102018000008655 filed on September 17, 2018, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference .

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention concerns a method and a system of transferring loose materials for the production of ceramic articles .

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Normally, in the ceramic industry, the articles and in particular the tiles, are produced starting from loose materials, in particular powdery and/or granular (clay, sand and feldspar), which are mixed in order to form a mix. The quality of the mix and the constancy of its characteristics are usually ensured by a computerized weighing and metering system, able to guarantee long-term maintenance of the exact percentages of the loose materials according to a predefined recipe based on the type of article to be produced.

In some cases, upstream of the weighing and metering system, there is a plurality of external hoppers, each of which is designed to be filled with a respective loose material necessary to form the recipe. The external hoppers are filled by a mechanical loader operator who controls a transport means, in particular a wheeled (or tracked) loader, by means of which said operator takes loads from the storing areas, in particular from bays, covers a transport path and deposits the respective loads inside the respective external hoppers. In order to avoid dispersion and inhalation of the loose materials (especially if powdery) during refilling, the external hoppers are provided with rubberized strips which act as seals and prevent the loose material (which in any case contains at least a powdery part) from dispersing during the unloading into one of the external hoppers or in subsequent phases. However, due to the presence of said rubberized strips, which seal the external hoppers, the operator is not able to visually evaluate when it is necessary to refill each of the external hoppers .

Furthermore, typically, in the ceramic industry, the mechanical loader operator generally has two functions: refilling the bays, by transferring into them loose materials from lorries (or other supply means), and refilling the external hoppers, by transferring loose materials into them from the respective bays.

For the above reasons, the mechanical loader operator is not always able to maintain effective control of all the hoppers and, therefore, promptly refill the hoppers most urgently requiring refilling. In this context, production of the mix is often delayed.

In addition, errors by the mechanical loader operator should not be underestimated; said operator may erroneously place a given loose material in the wrong hopper, comprising the result of the recipe.

To reduce the incidence of this problem, in some cases a single external hopper is provided into which the mechanical loader operator loads the loose materials in sequence. The external hopper is connected to a system of conveyors that transport the loose materials to internal hoppers, each of which is filled with a respective loose material and is mounted above a loading cell which weighs the respective loose material. Each internal hopper is connected to a respective metering system designed to supply the exact percentage of the respective loose material necessary to complete a certain recipe to a mixer.

In these cases, the error of the mechanical loader operator is limited (but not eliminated, as it is always possible for the material to be taken from the wrong bays) . However, in these cases, the system is extremely costly.

Furthermore, the transport path covered by the mechanical loader operator during transport of the loose materials from the bays to the external hopper is not usually optimized (namely it is not always the best transport path possible) .

The document JP HO 6102930 describes a method and a system for preventing the emptying of a hopper during the transfer of a material to be processed. A resource takes the material to be transported from one of the storing areas and deposits it in the appropriate hopper. The document JP HO 6102930 describes a control system for selection of the predefined path to be covered. The predefined paths are determined by a specific guide track designed to transmit energy to the resource. In this case, the path cannot be optimized each time since the resource is not free to move inside the work area, but is obliged to cover said predefined paths.

The document JP S5842532 describes a metering system which supplies material from hoppers containing different materials to a hopper designed to process given quantities of said different materials coming from the hoppers. The transport is carried out by means of conveyor belts.

The document CN 101234884 describes a production technique for the production of ceramic tiles according to which the powders that will form the mix are transported from storage silos. The object of the present invention is to provide a method and a system for the transport of loose materials for the production of ceramic articles, which are at least partially without the drawbacks described above and, at the same time, are simple and inexpensive to produce.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present invention, a method and a system of transferring loose materials for the production of ceramic articles are provided as claimed in the following independent claims and, preferably, in any one of the claims depending directly or indirectly on the independent claims.

The claims describe preferred embodiments of the present invention forming an integral part of the present description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings, which illustrate some non-limiting embodiment examples thereof, in which:

• figure 1 is a schematic and plan view of a system for he transferring of loose materials in accordance with the present invention;

• figure 2 is a schematic and lateral view of the system of figure 1 in a first operating configuration and in which details concerning an external hopper and a storing area are present ;

• figure 3 is a schematic and lateral view of a part of the system of figure 1, in a second operating configuration;

• figure 4 is a schematic and plan view of the system of figure 1, in which transport paths are illustrated.

DETAILED DISCLOSURE

In figure 1, the number 1 designates overall a system for transferring loose materials for the production of ceramic articles .

The system 1 comprises a plurality of (namely, at least two) external hoppers 2, 3, 4 and 5, each of which is configured for containing a respective loose material 15, in particular containing at least a portion of powder (more in particular, the materials 15 are powdery and/or granular), and comprises a respective level sensor 6 configured for detecting the degree (level) of filling of the respective external hopper 2, 3, 4 or 5.

The system 1 further comprises at least one resource 7 responsible for feeding (filling) the external hoppers 2, 3, 4 and 5.

In some non-limiting cases, the resource 7 is an operator, in particular a mechanical loader operator, driving a heavy transport vehicle (for example a wheeled or tracked loader) .

In other non-limiting cases, the resource is an automated guided vehicle (AGV) .

In particular, the system 1 further comprises a plurality of storing areas 9, 10, 11 and 12, each of which is configured for containing a respective loose material 15 and from which the resource 7 takes a load 8 (of the respective loose material 15) and transports said load 8 along a transport path P towards at least one of the external hoppers 2, 3, 4 and 5.

In some non-limiting cases, the loose material of each storing area 9, 10, 11 and 12 is different from the loose material 15 of the other storing areas 9, 10, 11 and 12.

In other non-limiting cases, in particular if a loose material 15 is used in large quantities with respect to the other loose materials 15, two or more storing areas 9, 10, 11 and 12 are configured for containing the same loose material 15.

According to some non-limiting embodiments (like those illustrated in the attached figures), the storing areas 9, 10,

11 and 12 are bays.

The system 1 comprises (at least) a control unit 13 configured for determining (a first storing area 9, 10, 11 or 12, from which to take a loose material 15, and) a first external hopper 2, 3, 4 or 5 to which to transfer the relative loose material 15 according to the data detected by the level sensors 6.

In particular, the unit 13 is configured for evaluating the degree of filling detected by each level sensor 6 (in particular, comparing the data detected by the sensor 6 with at least a respective predefined value) to define a state of each external hopper 2, 3, 4 and 5 and determine, based on said states (the first storing area 9, 10, 11 or 12 from which to take a loose material 15 and), the first external hopper 2, 3, 4 or 5 to which to transfer the loose material 15.

Advantageously but not necessarily, the state of each external hopper 2, 3, 4 and 5 indicates whether said external hopper 2,

3, 4 and 5 has to be filled and/or how long before it has to be filled. In particular, said state is divided into three sub-states 16, 17 and 18 (figures 2 and 3), indicating respectively that the external hopper 2, 3, 4 or 5 is full, that the external hopper 2, 3, 4 or 5 is partially full, and that the external hopper 2, 3, 4 or 5 is almost empty or completely empty. More in particular, the three sub-states 16, 17 and 18 divide a volume available inside an external hopper 2, 3, 4 or 5 (figures 2 and 3) .

In particular, the control unit 13 is configured for determining which of the external hoppers 2, 3, 4 or 5 requires refilling first according to the data detected by the level sensors 6 (more precisely, according to the state of each external hopper 2, 3, 4 and 5) .

More in particular, the control unit 13 is configured for determining what order of execution to follow, in other words the order of the hoppers 2, 3, 4 and 5 to which the loose material 15 must be fed (and the order of the storing areas 9, 10, 11 and 12 from which to take the loose material 15) .

The system 1 comprises at least an interface 19 (figure 2), which is configured for communicating to the resource 7 responsible for feeding (refilling) the external hoppers 2, 3, 4 and 5, the external hopper 2, 3, 4 or 5 to which the loose material 15 loaded must be transferred (and the storing area 9, 10, 11 or 12, from which to take the loose material 15) . In particular, the interface 19 is configured for communicating data coming from the control unit 13.

The system 1 is configured to transport the loose materials 15, in particular with at least a powder portion, for the production of ceramic articles, in particular tiles.

Typically but not necessarily, each loose material 15 comprises (consists of) a component selected from the group consisting of: clay, sand, feldspar and a combination thereof.

According to some non-limiting embodiments, the (each) level sensor 6 (of each external hopper 2, 3, 4 and 5) comprises (in particular, is) a radar level sensor 6. This particular type of sensors is particularly reliable and precise even in dusty environments, unlike laser or ultrasound sensors, which also detect the dust raised inside the hopper.

Advantageously but not necessarily, each radar level sensor 6 is arranged facing the inside of the respective external hopper 2, 3, 4 or 5, in particular on the inner upper surface of the respective external hopper 2, 3, 4 or 5 (as illustrated in figures 2 and 3) .

According to some non-limiting embodiments, the system 1 comprises a detection system 20 configured for detecting, and in particular also to record in a dedicated memory, the transport path P covered by the resource 7 and/or the position of the resource 7.

In some non-limiting cases, the detection system 20 is connected to a control system 21, which is configured for analysing the transport path P covered by the resource 7 and detected by the detection system 20 and/or the position of the resource 7 detected by the detection system 20.

According to some non-limiting embodiments not illustrated, the control system 21 and the control unit 13 coincide with each other or, advantageously, the control system 21 is part of the unit 13.

Alternatively, the control system 21 and the control unit 13 are connected to each other.

Advantageously but not necessarily, the control system 21 is configured for processing and communicate to the resource 7 (in particular by means of an interface 19 which is movable and integral with said resource 7) an optimized OP path (figure 4) according to the data detected by the detection system 20.

According to some non-limiting embodiments illustrated in figure 4, the control system 21 is configured for optimizing a path PP so as to obtain the path OP as a function of the (current) position of the resource 7. In particular, the control system 21 is (also) configured for optimizing (or modify) the order of execution, namely the order indicating the time sequence in which to carry out transfers of at least a part of the loose materials 15 (from the respective bays 9, 10, 11 and 12) to the respective external hoppers 2, 3, 4 and

5.

In addition (or alternatively) , the control system 21 is configured for obtaining the path OP (optimizing the path PP) based on the fastest path which the resource 7 can cover to reach the external hopper 2, 3, 4 or 5 inside which it must deposit the load 8 taken from one of the bays 9, 10, 11 or 12, in particular taking into account the presence of obstacles on the transport path PP .

According to some non-limiting embodiments, the control unit 13 calculates the path OP so as to optimize the energy/fuel consumption of the resource 7.

In some non-limiting cases, the interface 19 comprises several (separate) elements. In particular, each of the hoppers 2, 3,

4 and 5 comprises a respective luminous tower 22 configured for indicating the filling state of the corresponding external hopper 2, 3, 4 or 5 based on the data defined by the control unit 13 (in particular, the state of the hopper) . In these cases, the towers 22 are part of the interface 19. More precisely, the interface 19 consists of the towers 22.

Advantageously but not necessarily, each luminous tower 22 has a different colour for each of the three sub-states 16, 17 and 18 of the external hopper 2, 3, 4 or 5. In particular, a green colour is associated with the sub-state 16 and indicates that the external hopper 2, 3, 4 or 5 is full (and therefore does not need to be filled) , a yellow colour is associated with the sub-state 17 and indicates that the external hopper 2, 3, 4 or

5 is partially full (and that therefore it will need filling shortly) , and a red colour is associated with the sub-state 18 which indicates that the external hopper 2, 3, 4 or 5 is almost empty or completely empty (and therefore needs filling) . In other words, the luminous tower 22 indicates the state (autonomous or critical) of each external hopper 2, 3, 4 or 5, or the urgency with which each external hopper 2, 3, 4 or 5 needs filling.

According to some non-limiting embodiments, each hopper 2, 3, 4 and 5 is provided with a respective luminous device (in particular blinking) configured for indicating to the resource 7 the hopper 2, 3, 4 or 5 to which the load 8 must be fed. In other words, the luminous device facilitates the resource 7 in identifying the hopper 2, 3, 4 or 5 to which the load 8 must be taken.

More precisely, the luminous device lights up when the resource 7 must feed the load 8 to the respective hopper 2, 3, 4 or 5.

Advantageously but not necessarily (figure 2), the interface 19 is movable together with the resource 7 (namely, it is integral with the resource 7) . In particular, the movable interface 19 indicates to the resource 7 the state of each hopper 2, 3, 4 and 5. In this way, the resource 7 is able to monitor the state of the hoppers 2, 3, 4 and 5 independently of the position of said resource 7 (for example, if it is near the bays 9, 10 and 11 or if it is unloading, in an area far from the bays, a lorry load of loose material 15 to refill one or more bays that are running out) .

Alternatively or in addition, the interface 19 is configured for indicating from which storing area 9, 10, 11 or 12 to take the loose material 15, and to which hopper 2, 3, 4 or 5 to transfer the loose material 15. In particular, the interface 19 is configured for indicating the order of execution to be followed (in other words, the order of the storing areas 9, 10, 11 and 12 from which to take the loose material 15 and the order of the hoppers 2, 3, 4 and 5 to which the loose material 15 must be fed) . In other words, the interface 19 is configured for indicating to the resource 7 the time sequence of the missions which the resource must carry out (by the term "mission" we mean the operation of taking a load 8 - in particular, from one of the storing areas 9, 10, 11 or 12 - and depositing it inside a respective hopper 2, 3, 4 or 5) .

According to some non-limiting embodiments, the interface 19 is configured for indicating the optimized transport path OP.

In some non-limiting cases, the movable interface 19 comprises (is) a screen, in particular mounted on board the transport means driven by an operator.

In other non-limiting cases, the movable interface 19 comprises (is) a teach-pendant which the resource 7 carries with it and monitors frequently.

In further non-limiting cases, the movable interface 19 comprises (is) a smartphone, which notifies the resource 7 by vibration or sound that one of the hoppers 2, 3, 4 and 5 needs urgently refilling.

According to some non-limiting embodiments not illustrated, the interface 19 (is not movable and) comprises (is) (at least) a maxi-screen which enables the resource 7 to display one or more of the pieces of information indicated above relative to the interface 19.

According to other non-limiting embodiments, the interface 19 (is not movable and) comprises (is) at least a luminous tower 22 for each hopper; in particular, each luminous tower 22 enables the resource 7 to display one or more of the pieces of information indicated above relative to the interface 19. Alternatively or in addition, the interface 19 comprises a luminous device (not illustrated and described above in further detail) for each hopper 2, 3, 4 or 5; the luminous device is configured for indicating to the resource 7 the hopper 2, 3, 4 or 5 to which the load 8 must be fed.

Alternatively or in addition, the interface 19 comprises a plurality of luminous devices (described below in further detail) , each of which is associated with a respective storing area 9, 10, 10, 11 or 12 and is configured for indicating to the resource 7 the storing area 9, 10, 10, 11 or 12 from which to take the load 8.

Advantageously but not necessarily, the control system 21 and/or the control unit 13 is configured for (directly) controlling the resource 7, by means of the movable interface 19.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for transferring loose materials for the production of ceramic articles (e.g. wall and floor tiles, roof tiles, sanitary fittings etc.) .

In particular, transfer of the loose materials, in particular at least partially powdery materials (more in particular, powdery and/or granular), configured for forming a mix for the production of ceramic articles, is carried out (with reference to the figures attached merely by way of example) from a plurality of storing areas 9, 10, 11 and 12, each of which contains (at least) a respective loose material 15, to a plurality of external hoppers 2, 3, 4 and 5, each of which contains (at least) a respective loose material 15 and comprises (at least) a respective level sensor 6.

In particular, the method is implemented by the system 1 as defined above.

In some non-limiting cases, the storing areas 9, 10, 11 and 12 are bays (figures 1 and 4) . In other cases, the storing areas 9, 10, 11 and 12 can be silos, tanks, containers or any other type of large container.

The method comprises a control step, during which at least two level sensors 6 detect the degree of filling of the respective (at least two) external hoppers 2, 3, 4 and 5.

In particular, during the control step, the level sensors 6 detect the degree of filling (of at least two) of the respective external hoppers 2, 3, 4 and 5.

The method further comprises an evaluation step, during which a control unit 13 determines a first external hopper 2, 3, 4 or 5 (of those whose sensor 6 has detected the level of the loose material 15) to which a first loose material 15 must be fed according to the data detected during the control step. Advantageously but not necessarily, during the control step, the control unit 13 determines a first storing area 9, 10, 11 or 12, from which to take the first loose material 15 (according to the data detected during the control step) .

In particular, the control unit 13 defines a state (of filling) of at least two of the external hoppers 2, 3, 4 and 5 (of each external hopper 2, 3, 4 and 5) . More in particular, the control unit 13 compares the data detected during the control step with at least one predetermined value (for each hopper 2, 3, 4 and 5) so as to define the state (of filling) of one (in particular at least two; more precisely, each) of the external hoppers 2, 3, 4 and 5.

In some non-limiting cases, the predetermined value is a threshold value; once said value has been exceeded, the control unit 13 determines the state of the respective external hopper 2, 3, 4 or 5.

In other non-limiting cases, the predetermined value is represented by two threshold values (one upper and one lower) , which identify a range of values within which the state of each of the external hoppers 2, 3, 4 and 5 can be uniquely deduced .

Advantageously but not necessarily, the state of one (in particular at least two; more precisely, each) of the hoppers 2, 3, 4 and 5 is identified by means of two threshold values, which identify a range corresponding to a state of the hopper 2, 3, 4 and 5.

Advantageously but not necessarily, the state of one (in particular at least two; more precisely, each) of the external hoppers 2, 3, 4 and 5 indicates if it is necessary to fill said hopper 2, 3, 4 or 5 and, in particular, determines the time within which to carry out said filling, namely by when said external hopper 2, 3, 4 or 5 will have to be filled to avoid interrupting production of the ceramic articles due to the lack of an element necessary for formation of the mix from which said articles are obtained.

In particular, the state of one (in particular at least two; more precisely, each) of the hoppers 2, 3, 4 and 5 defined by the control unit 13 is divided into three sub-states 16, 17 and 18, indicating respectively that the external hopper 2, 3,

4 or 5 is full, that the external hopper 2, 3, 4 or 5 is partially full, and that the external hopper 2, 3, 4 or 5 is almost empty or completely empty. More in particular, the three sub-states 16, 17 and 18 equally divide a volume available inside an external hopper 2, 3, 4 or 5.

Advantageously but not necessarily (figure 4) the control unit 13 defines which of the external hoppers 2, 3, 4 or 5 needs refilling first according to the state of each external hopper 2, 3, 4 or 5 (according to the data detected by the respective level sensor 6) . In particular, the control unit 13 determines a hopper 2, 3, 4 or 5 into which to feed a first loose material 15 (and a storing area 9, 10, 11 or 12 - a bay - from which to take said first loose material 15) .

The method further comprises a communication step during which the control unit 13 communicates, by means of an interface, to a resource 7 responsible for feeding (filling) the hoppers 2, 3, 4 and 5, in particular an operator driving a transport means, the first hopper 2, 3, 4 or 5 to which said first loose material 15 must be transferred. In particular, during the communication step, the control unit 13 communicates the storing area 9, 10, 11 or 12 (a bay), from which to take the loose material 15.

In particular, the communication is made through known technologies and in particular wireless (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc . ) .

Advantageously but not necessarily, a management system 23 communicates with the control unit 13 and therefore has access to the information concerning the states of each hopper 2, 3, 4 or 5. Alternatively or in addition, the system 23 communicates with the control system 21 and therefore has access to the position (and possibly to the movements) of the resource 7.

According to some non-limiting variations not illustrated, the management system 23 and the control unit 13 coincide or, in particular, the management system 23 is part of the control unit 13. Alternatively, the management system 23 and the control system 21 are connected. In some non-limiting cases, the resource 7 is an operator driving a heavy transport means (for example a wheeled or tracked loader) .

In other non-limiting cases, the resource is an automated guided vehicle (AGV) . In particular, said automated guided vehicle is controlled by the management system 23.

The method also comprises a loading step, which is subsequent to the communication step and during which the resource 7 responsible for feeding (filling) the hopper 2, 3, 4 or 5 transports a load 8 of loose material 15 into the first hopper

2, 3, 4 or 5 (determined by the control unit 13 and communicated during the communication step) . In particular, in this way the degree of filling detected by the level sensor 6 of the first hopper 2, 3, 4 or 5, which has been refilled, is varied. In particular, the resource 7 transports a load 8 of loose material 15 from the first storing area 2, 3, 4 or 5 (determined by the control unit 13 and communicated during the communication step) .

In particular (figure 1), the resource 7 (takes the load 8 of loose material 15 from the first storing area) covers a transport path P and pours the load 8 into the first hopper 2,

3, 4 or 5 determined by the control unit 13.

The method further comprises a feeding step, during which the first loose material 15 is taken from the respective external hopper 2, 3, 4 or 5 and fed to a treatment device 24 (part of the system 1), which processes the first loose material 15 for the production of ceramic articles. Typically, but not necessarily, during the feeding step, the (at least two) loose materials 15 are taken from the respective (at least two) external hoppers 2, 3, 4 and 5 (more precisely, from each hopper 2, 3, 4 and 5) and fed to the treatment device 24. In particular, the treatment device 24 comprises a conveyor belt which carries the loose material 15 from the hopper to a device for reducing the dimensions of the particles of the material 15 and/or to a mixer, which amalgamates a mixture according to a predetermined recipe and, more in particular, conveys it towards a ceramic press provided with moulds which forms the raw tiles, which are subsequently conveyed through a kiln and fired.

Advantageously but not necessarily, the level sensor 6 comprises (is) a radar level sensor. Exploiting this technology, it is in fact possible to accurately detect the level of the respective loose material 15 inside one (in particular at least two; more precisely, each) of the external hoppers 2, 3, 4 and 5 without the measurement of the radar level sensor 6 being compromised or distorted due to the dust raised inside the hopper 2, 3, 4 or 5 during refilling or in any case during the normal operation thereof.

Advantageously but not necessarily, the control unit 13 determines, in particular according to the data detected during the control step (more in particular, according to the states of the hoppers 2, 3, 4 and 5), an order of execution, which indicates the time sequence for transfer of the loose materials 15 (from the storing areas 9, 10, 11 and 12) to the respective external hoppers 2, 3, 4 and 5. In other words, a mission schedule is defined which the resource 7 must observe (in order not to interrupt production of the ceramic articles) . In particular, the missions within this schedule (order of execution) are arranged from the most urgent to the least urgent, so that during the communication step the most urgent mission to be carried out is indicated to the resource 7.

Advantageously but not necessarily, the method comprises a checking step, during which a checking device 25, in particular through electronic measuring devices 26 (figure 2), ascertains that the resource 7 has actually taken from a certain storing area 9, 10, 11 or 12 (communicated during the communication step) a load 8 of loose material 15 during the loading step. In particular, the quantity of the load 8 and the time and/or the duration of said taking operation are also ascertained. More in particular, the checking device 25 (in particular in communication with the management system 23, which in turn is connected to the control unit 13) also ascertains that the load 8 of the loose material 15 is deposited in the appropriate hopper 2, 3, 4 or 5 (communicated during the communication step) . In other words, in order to avoid errors due to operator distraction or to detect data in order to optimize transport of the loose material 15, the checking device 25 verifies correct behaviour of the resource 7 and checks that it has taken the designated load 8 from the correct storing area and that it has transported it into the correct hopper 2, 3, 4 or 5 during the loading step.

Advantageously but not necessarily, each checking device 25 is connected to the management system 23, which has access to the data detected by each checking device 25.

According to some non-limiting embodiments, the (each) checking device 25 coincides with the (or is part of the) management system 23. In addition or alternatively, the (each) checking device 25 coincides with the (or is part of the) control unit 13.

In some non-limiting cases, the system 23 blocks the access to the storing areas 9, 10, 11 and 12 other than the one from which the loose material 15 is to be taken and to the external hoppers 2, 3, 4 and 5 other than the one in which the load 8 is to be transported during the loading step. In this way it is possible to ensure that the resource 7 does not waste time (as occurs when the management system 23 notifies the resource that it has taken the load 8 from the wrong storing area and it therefore needs to be put down and replaced with the load 8 taken from the correct storing area) . In particular, access to the storing areas 9, 10, 11 and 12 and/or to the external hoppers 2, 3, 4 and 5 by the resource is constrained by means of electromechanical locking devices (not illustrated) .

Advantageously but not necessarily, the method comprises a detection step, during which the position of the resource 7 is detected. Alternatively or in addition, during the detection step the transport path P (illustrated by a broken line in figure 1) followed by the resource 7 during the loading step is detected by a detection system 20.

In some non-limiting cases, the detection step is carried out by means of telemetry.

In other non-limiting cases, the detection step is carried out by means of a device selected from the group consisting of GPS, triangulation devices, laser, etc.

In further non-limiting cases not illustrated, the detection step is carried out by means of a scanning device (in particular, part of the detection system 20) which performs a mapping (continuous or sampled) of the work area. In other words, the scanning device controls (scans) the work area dividing it into a plurality of cells and verifying in a continuous or sampled manner which cells are occupied by the resource 7 (namely it verifies the position of the resource 7 inside the work area) or by other objects (obstacles or accumulations of loose material) . Advantageously but not necessarily, the data thus obtained can be used to (further) improve the path OP .

According to an advantageous but non-limiting embodiment not illustrated, the detection system 20, which carries out the mapping of the work area, is movable and in particular is integral with the resource 7. In some cases, the scanning device is arranged on board the transport means (mechanical loader - configured for transporting the load 8 from a storing area 9, 10, 11 or 12 to an external hopper 2, 3, 4 or 5) .

Advantageously but not necessarily, the scanning device is a laser device, in particular a laser for multi-dimensional scanning, more in particular a laser for three-dimensional scanning (3D) .

Advantageously but not necessarily, the scanning device is arranged in the upper part of the resource 7, or in any case so as not to have fixed obstacles during the scanning (mapping) of the work area. In other words, the scanning device is arranged so as not to have blind spots, namely spots covered by a fixed obstacle.

In some non-limiting cases, the scanning device (integral with the resource) performs the detection step while the resource carries out (at least) one trial stroke during which the detection system scans the work area (namely defines a map of the work area) . In particular, the trial stroke is performed at a lower speed than the operating stroke and along a path via which it is possible to scan the entire work area (e.g. a central corridor if the work area is rectangular and has the storing areas along one of the longer sides and the external hoppers along the other longer side) .

According to some non-limiting embodiments not illustrated, the movable interface 19 communicates with a navigation device (not illustrated) . In particular, in some non-limiting cases the navigation device is provided with screen or audio, in other non-limiting cases it is integrated in the interface 19 itself . Advantageously but not necessarily, the navigation device communicates with the scanning device. In particular, the navigation device digitalizes and generates a map of the work area based on the data detected by the scanning device (namely by the multi-dimensional laser) .

Advantageously but not necessarily, based on the data detected by the scanning device, the navigation device estimates the volumes of loose material 15 present inside the storing areas 9, 10, 10, 11 or 12.

Advantageously but not necessarily, the navigation device, based on the data detected by the scanning device, determines the position of the resource 7 inside the work area (in particular, processing the distances detected by the scanning device and determining the position of the resource based on said distances, once the map of the work area has been defined) . In particular, the interface 19 communicates to the resource 7 the position of the mechanical loader, more in particular moment by moment.

More precisely, the distances detected are distances detected with respect to fixed obstacles (walls and accumulations of loose material) , which have somehow been mapped (and are therefore present in the map of the work area) .

Advantageously but not necessarily and as illustrated in figure 4, the method comprises an optimization step, during which an optimized path OP (illustrated in a continuous line) is processed according to the data detected during the detection step and communicated to the resource 7, in particular by means of a movable interface 15 integral with the resource 7 itself. More in particular, during the optimization step, a control system 21 (even more in particular, the control unit 13) processes the optimized path OP. In other words, the path OP is processed, namely calculated each time, based on the data detected during the detection step. More precisely, the control system 21 processes the optimized path OP defining a plurality of points of passage within the work area.

Advantageously but not necessarily, the optimized path OP is processed according to the (current) position of the resource

7.

In particular, during the optimization step, the order of execution (which indicates the time sequence in which to carry out the transfers of loose materials to the respective external hoppers 2, 3, 4 or 5) is optimized (namely, modified) (in particular, by the control system 21; more in particular, by the control unit 13) according to the data detected during the detection step. In other words, the schedule containing the list, in decreasing order of urgency, of the missions which the resource 7 must carry out (according to the position of the resource 7) is modified (by the control system 21) . In particular, the control system 21 modifies the order of the missions contained in the schedule.

By way of example, see figure 4. The resource 7 is initially in a position A, and the order of execution indicating the time sequence in which to carry out the transfers of the loose materials (from the respective storing areas) to the respective external hoppers indicates that the most urgent refilling must be carried out from the storing area 11 to the hopper 5, and the following one from the storing area 9 to the hopper 2.

In some non-limiting cases illustrated in figure 4, the resource 7 firstly carries out the most urgent mission and then the others, covering a non-optimized transport path PP .

In other non-limiting cases (where the level of loose material 15 in the hopper 5 is not too critical and therefore filling of it can wait), the control system 21 communicates to the resource 7 an optimized transport path OP (and not the path PP), in particular a path OP that allows filling of the external hoppers 2, 3, 4 and 5 by covering the minimum distance. In this way, a plurality of hoppers can be filled in less time by covering the path OP rather than the path PP which provides for filling of the hoppers based only on their filling state. Therefore, in these cases, the number of emergency situations in which a hopper 2, 3, 4 or 5 is in a critical situation is significantly reduced. For example, since the position A is near the storing area 9, in order to save total time and distance covered (and therefore fuel if the resource is an operator driving a means of transport), the control system 21 modifies the order of execution and consequently orders the resource 7 to follow the optimized transport path OP, which prioritizes refilling of the hopper 2 from the storing area 9 over filling of the hopper 5 from the storing area 11. In particular, the control system 21 modifies the order of execution if there is enough time to postpone refilling of the hopper in the most critical situation (namely with less material inside it or in any case requiring more urgent refilling) without the process of formation of the mix from the single loose materials being interrupted, i.e. without causing total emptying of one of the hoppers 2, 3, 4 or 5.

In some non-limiting cases not illustrated, the control system 21 processes the optimized transport path OP also based on possible obstacles (for example other resources, lorries, accumulations of material, etc.) that may be present within the work area of the resource 7 and on the transport path PP from the storing areas 9, 10, 10, 11 and 12 to the hoppers 2, 3, 4 and 5.

According to some non-limiting embodiments not illustrated each storing area 9, 10, 10, 11 and 12 is provided with a respective luminous device (in particular blinking) configured for indicating to the resource 7 the storing area 9, 10, 10, 11 or 12 from which the load 8 must be taken. In other words, the luminous device facilitates the resource 7 in identifying the storing area 9, 10, 11 or 12 from which to take the load 8 for transfer to the hopper 2, 3, 4 or 5 (namely using the pick-to-light method) . In particular, in other words, the luminous device lights up when the resource 7 must take the load 8 from the respective storing area 9, 10, 11 or 12. The interface 19 comprises said luminous devices.

According to other non-limiting embodiments not illustrated, the interface 19 communicates to the resource 7 the position of the resource itself within the work area based on the data detected by the scanning device and processed by the navigation device.

Advantageously but not necessarily, the interface 19 communicates to the resource 7 when it is near (opposite) the storing area 9, 10, 11 or 12 from which the load 8 of loose material must be taken.

Advantageously but not necessarily, the interface 19 communicates to the resource 7 when it is near (opposite) the external hopper 2, 3, 4 and 5 into which the load 8 of loose material must be deposited.

Advantageously but not necessarily, and as illustrated in the non-limiting embodiments of the attached figures, the resource 7 is free to move within the work area comprised between the external hoppers 2, 3, 4 and 5 and the storing areas 9, 10, 11 and 12. In this way, the resource 7 can move by covering the optimized paths OP communicated by the interface 19 and processed by the control unit 13. In some non-limiting cases, the interface 19 communicates to the resource 7 whether the resource 7 is actually near (opposite) the correct storing area 9, 10, 11 or 12 by means of a light and/or sound and/or video signal.

In some non-limiting cases, the interface 19 communicates to the resource 7 whether the resource 7 is actually near

(opposite) the correct external hopper 2, 3, 4 and 5 by means of a light and/or sound and/or video signal.

In other non-limiting cases, the interface 19 communicates with transmitter devices (e.g. transponder, RFID, etc.) arranged near each external hopper 2, 3, 4 and 5 or each storing area 9, 10, 11 or 12, which are configured for indicating the proximity of the resource 7 to an external hopper 2, 3, 4 and 5 or to a storing area 9, 10, 11 or 12.

Based on said information, the interface 19 communicates to the resource 7 whether the resource 7 is actually near

(opposite) the correct external hopper 2, 3, 4 and 5 and/or the correct storing area 9, 10, 11 or 12 by means of a light and/or sound and/or video signal.

Advantageously but not necessarily, the system 1 described above is configured for carrying out the method according to the further aspect of the present invention.

Although the invention described above refers in particular to a precise embodiment example, it should not be considered limited to said embodiment example, since its scope comprises all those variations, modifications or simplifications that would be evident to a person skilled in the art such as, for example: the addition of further resources, the use of different detection or storing systems, the use of different interfaces, use on a line different from a line for the ceramic industry, etc. The present invention offers multiple advantages. Firstly, it allows the work area of a resource (mechanical loader operator) responsible for several tasks (hopper refilling and loading/unloading of loose materials from lorries) to be extended without compromising control of the state of the external hoppers, which can be monitored by the resource also from a distance.

Furthermore, by means of the control unit and/or the detection system and/or the control system and/or the checking device and/or the management system it is possible to minutely trace the activities carried out by the resource and therefore control them (avoiding possible errors) and optimize them. Furthermore, the fact that the degree of filling of each hopper can be detected by means of a radar device, which usually has compact dimensions and is easy to install, allows the present invention to be installed on existing plants without necessarily having to use mechanically complex and costly solutions such as the installation of a loading cell below each hopper.