DESCRIPTION

Field of application

The present invention relates to an apparatus for cutting sheet material, for instance for cutting fabrics for clothing and hide goods, footwear items, automotive and furnishing articles, or non-woven fabrics, leather, synthetic materials and the like, and the following description is made with reference to this application field with the only purpose of simplifying the exposition thereof.

Prior art

As it is well known in this technical field, there are apparatuses capable of performing the automated cutting of sheet material according to a predefined cutting pattern, the material to be cut being for instance leather/ hide, a fabric, a non-woven fabric, a synthetic material and the like.

In particular, these apparatuses are equipped with a conveyor belt capable of moving the sheet to be cut inside a cutting chamber, which is provided with movable cutting heads for processing the material. Generally, the material to be cut is held on the conveyor belt by suction means arranged below said conveyor belt, so as to ensure the desired holding of the sheet.

These apparatuses are known to have a high noise level, in particular due to the very high vibration frequencies of the cutting heads and to the noise caused by the suction means used for holding the material; it is therefore desirable to reduce the noise of these apparatuses.

Furthermore, especially in case of cutting of overlapped sheets of material, the suction means are not enough to ensure the holding of the material to be cut and the upper layers tend to move during the cutting step, thus often resulting in a not optimal process. Furthermore, still in case of overlapped sheets of material, at the end of the cutting step there is the need to collect the cut portions, which requires raising the sheets at the outlet of the cutting chamber, with the risk of moving portions of material that still needs to be cut inside said cutting chamber.

Therefore, there is also the need for an effective holding system for overlapped sheets of material.

The technical problem of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for cutting sheet material having structural and functional features so as to allow overcoming the above-mentioned limitations and drawbacks which still affect the known solutions, thus optimizing the sheet processing and the following collection of the cut portions.

Another object of the present invention is to reduce the noise level of the above apparatuses.

Summary of the invention

The solution idea at the basis of the present invention is to equip an apparatus for cutting sheet material with a closure element which is movable between an open position and a closed position at least at the outlet of a chamber or room in which the material processing (cut) occurs, wherein in the open position it is possible to access the cutting chamber, which looks like an open tunnel, and wherein in the closed position it is not possible to access said cutting chamber and said closure element presses onto the material, suitably holding it. Besides allowing suitably holding the material, all this also allows reducing the noise of the apparatus. It is also possible, if the operator wishes so, to select at will the distance between the material and the screen in the closed position, leaving a small free space therebetween, so that the screen does not abut onto the material.

Based on of this solution idea, the above technical problem is solved by an apparatus for cutting at least one sheet of material, comprising a cutting chamber equipped with a loading inlet and with an unloading outlet, the cutting chamber being configured to house at least one portion of the sheet material to be cut, cutting means adapted to cut the sheet in the cutting chamber, a control unit configured to control the apparatus, and a conveyor belt adapted to feed the sheet into the cutting chamber along a forward direction, characterized in that it comprises a closure element at least at the unloading outlet of the cutting chamber, this closure element being movable between an open position, in which at least one portion thereof is at a first distance from the surface of the sheet or from the surface of the conveyor belt, allowing access to the cutting chamber, and a closed position, in which said portion is at a second distance from the surface of the sheet or from the surface of the conveyor belt, the second distance being less than the first distance, these distances being measured along a direction which is substantially orthogonal to the surface of the sheet or to the surface of the conveyor belt.

More particularly, the invention comprises the following additional and optional features, taken individually or in combination if needed.

In general, the closure element is configured to abut onto the surface of the sheet of material to be cut when it is in the closed position/ configuration. In fact, according to an aspect of the present invention, the closure element is configured to abut onto the surface of the sheet of material to be cut in the closed position.

Alternatively, in the closed position the second distance of the closure element with respect to the surface of the sheet or to the surface of the conveyor belt may be selected through selection means.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the control unit may be configured to keep the closure element in the closed position during the actuation of the cutting means.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the control unit may be configured to keep the closure element in the open position when the cutting means are not actuated. According to another aspect of the present invention, the apparatus may further comprise movement means adapted to move the closure element between the open position and the closed position, those movement means being connected to the control unit for the automatic control of the movement of the closure element.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the apparatus may further comprise a first detector element arranged at the closure element and adapted to detect the operator’s presence, the first detector element being operatively connected to the control unit, which is configured to automatically perform the opening of the closure element in case this first detector element detects the operator’s presence, as well as the closure thereof in case the operator’s presence is not detected.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the apparatus may further comprise image detectors adapted to take images of at least one portion of the sheet, these image detectors being arranged upstream of the cutting chamber and / or in the cutting chamber.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the movement of the conveyor belt is invertible, and the closure element is the element at the input of the cutting chamber. In other words, the closure element is now at the loading side of the apparatus. With respect to the known solutions, in which there is a big box structure at the outlet, the closure element of the present invention reduces the overall dimensions and leads to a very versatile apparatus.

Furthermore, the cutting means may comprise cutting heads mounted on movable carriages, the orientation of the cutting heads being invertible to make the apparatus of the present invention symmetrical.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the apparatus may further comprise a closure element at the loading inlet of the cutting chamber.

Finally, the closure element at the loading inlet may be configured to cooperate with feeding means for feeding the sheet, in particular by holding the sheet during the feeding thereof on the conveyor belt.

The features and advantages of the apparatus according to the invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

In those drawings:

- figure 1 shows a perspective view of an apparatus according to the present invention, wherein closure elements are in open position;

- figure 2 shows a section of a detail of a cutting chamber of the apparatus of figure 1;

- figure 3 shows a perspective view of the apparatus of figure 1, wherein the closure element at the outlet is in the open position; and - figure 4 shows a perspective view of the apparatus of figure 1, wherein the closure element at the outlet is in the closed position.

Detailed description

With reference to those figures, and in particular to figure 1, an apparatus according to the present invention is globally and schematically indicated with the reference number 1.

It is worth noting that the figures represent schematic views and are not drawn to scale, but instead they are drawn so as to emphasize the important features of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, the different elements are depicted in a schematic manner, their shape varying depending on the application desired. It is also noted that in the figures the same reference numbers refer to elements that are identical in shape or function. Finally, particular features described in relation to an embodiment illustrated in a figure are also applicable to the other embodiments illustrated in the other figures. In its most general form, the apparatus 1 is adapted to process, and in particular is adapted to automatically cut, folding or flexible sheets of material, for instance fabrics for clothing and hide goods, footwear items, automotive and furnishing articles, or non-woven fabrics, leather, synthetic materials and the like.

In the context of the present invention, the term“sheet” indicates any element of any shape and material, having a substantially two- dimensional size and a certain thickness (generally reduced), which is to be cut through the apparatus 1. As it will be noticed hereinafter in greater detail, often the cutting of a plurality of sheets stacked on top of each other is performed.

The apparatus 1 is a numerical control machine equipped with data and program memories. In particular, the apparatus 1 comprises a control unit C including said memories and suitably programmed and arranged for the management and automatic control thereof. The control unit C may be for instance a computerized unit that is integrated in the apparatus or external to the apparatus 1 and operatively connected thereto. Furthermore, the control unit may be a unique central unit or may comprise a plurality of local units.

In general, the apparatus 1 of the present invention comprises a frame F, made for example of a metallic material, which supports and encloses its main components.

More particularly, the apparatus 1 comprises a cutting chamber or working room 3 inside which the sheet processing takes place. The cutting chamber 3 has an inlet 4 through which the sheet is fed and an outlet 5 from which the cut portions of said sheet are collected, said outlet thus representing the unloading side of the apparatus 1. When the sheet is loaded into the apparatus 1, at least one portion thereof is housed in the cutting chamber 3, said sheet lying on a plane a.

Furthermore, the apparatus 1 comprises a conveyor belt 6 which crosses the cutting chamber 3 from the inlet 4 to the outlet 5 and is adapted to feed the sheet into the cutting chamber 3. The conveyor belt 6 is covered by a sacrificial and breathable support layer (not shown in the figures) which is subjected to multiple cutting steps during various processing and which is periodically replaced. Below the support layer, conventional suction means are provided (also not illustrated in the figures), which allow holding the sheet in place on the conveyor belt 6 during the forward movement. The inlet 4 gives access to the cutting chamber 3 which is crossed by the conveyor belt 6.

In the context of the present invention, the sliding or forward direction of the conveyor belt 6 is indicated as direction Y, whereas the direction transversal thereto is indicated as direction X. In other words, the direction Y identifies the direction along which the sheet is moved by the conveyor belt 6, and the arrow A in figure 1 identifies the feed direction of said sheet.

Now with reference to figure 2, in an embodiment of the present invention, the cutting area 3 is equipped, on top thereof, with a plurality of image detectors 7 intended to take images of the sheet to be cut. Specifically, the image detectors 7 are cameras or video cameras configured to capture high resolution images of the surface of the sheet.

The apparatus 1 further comprises a crosspiece inside the cutting chamber 3, said crosspiece being above the conveyor belt 6 and extending between the two conveyor belt sides which are opposite with respect to the sliding direction Y. In an embodiment, the image detectors are arranged on two lines, a line in front of the crosspiece and the other line behind the crosspiece, with reference to the direction Y. The crosspiece supports one or more movable carriages which allow moving cutting heads adapted to cut the sheet. In particular, the apparatus 1 comprises cutting means for cutting the sheet, the cutting means not being limited to a particular kind. By way of example, the cutting may occur through a blade, laser, water jet or any other suitable way, preferably through a blade.

In particular, the cutting means comprise cutting heads 8’ which are movable inside the cutting chamber 3 and specifically arranged to cut the sheet. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus 1 comprises two cutting heads 8’, even if the present invention is not limited thereto and the number of the cutting heads may vary according to the needs and/or circumstances. Generally, the cutting heads are mounted on carriages 8” supported by suitable support structures, these carriages 8” being movable along preset sliding axes and being thus able to move the cutting heads 8’ inside the cutting chamber 3. More particularly, a carriage 8” is mounted on at least two guides which allow the sliding thereof along the particular sliding axis.

It is known that the cutting heads 8’ work at frequencies such that the noise of the apparatus 1 during the cutting step is very high, as well as it is known to introduce into the apparatus 1 a plurality of sheets to be cut which are stacked on top of each other. The present invention is therefore inspired by the fact that it would be desirable to easily reduce the noise of the apparatus 1, meanwhile obtaining an improved holding of all the overlapped sheets.

Advantageously according to the present invention, the outlet 5 and the inlet 4 of the cutting chamber 3 comprise a closure element, which may be for instance a glass or plexiglass plate or screen connected to the frame F of the apparatus 1, or equipped with its own frame which is in turn connected to the frame F.

The following discussion will refer to the features and advantages of a closure element arranged at the outlet 5, although said closure element may also be arranged at the inlet 4. In particular, the closure element at the outlet 5 is indicated with reference number 10a, whereas the closure element at the inlet 4 is indicated with reference number 10b.

The closure element 10a is movable between a first position or open position (as shown in figures 1 and 3), in which the access to the cutting chamber 3 from the outlet 5 is allowed, and a second position or closed position (end-stroke position, as shown in figure 4), in which the access to the cutting chamber 3 is not allowed. In this way, it is possible to equip the apparatus 1 with a movable closure element which approaches or moves away from the plane a in which the sheet lies. Clearly, whem the sheet is not present, the plane a corresponds to the plane of the conveyor belt 6.

In particular, in the open position, the closure element 10a is at a first distance with respect to a surface of the sheet to be cut, the first distance being such as to allow the access of the operator’s hands into the cutting chamber 3, whereas in the closed position the closure element 10a is at a second distance with respect to the surface of the sheet to be cut, the second distance being less than the first distance. In the context of the present invention, the first and the second distances are measured along a direction which is substantially orthogonal to the sliding direction Y of the conveyor belt 6. In other words, said distance is measured in a direction which is substantially orthogonal to the plane a in which the sheet of material to be cut housed in the apparatus 1 lies. In general, as above mentioned, the plane a is the plane which coincides with the surface of the conveyor belt 6.

Still more particularly, in the closed position at least one portion of the closure element 10a is closer to the surface of the sheet, and thus to the plane a, compared to when it is in the open position. Preferably, in the closed position, all the points of the closure element 10a are closer to the surface of the sheet, and thus to the plane a, compared to when it is in the open position.

The first distance is generally a fixed distance and may correspond for instance to the complete opening of the cutting chamber 3.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in the closed position the closure element 10a abuts onto the surface of the sheet to be cut, or, if the sheet to be cut is not present, it directly abuts onto the conveyor belt. In general, in this embodiment, the abutting portion of the closure element 10a is at a distance from the plane a which is substantially equal to zero.

Along the lower edge of the closure element 10a a rubber edge, which may be compressed for example by about 4 m, is arranged. The closure element 10a, when the material is not present, abuts with a slight compression onto the conveyor belt. The closure element 10a, in the presence of the sheet of material which can be for example 2 cm thick, actually touches the conveyor belt 6 on the sides of the material and is compressed by 2 cm above the material.

In other words, in this preferred embodiment, in the open position an end portion of the closure element 10a (in particular the lower side according to the local reference of the figures) is at the first distance from the surface of the sheet, thus leaving space to access the cutting chamber 3, whereas in the closed position such end portion abuts onto the surface of the sheet, exerting a certain pressure thereonto (or it abuts onto the surface of the conveyor belt 6 when the sheet is not present).

In an alternative embodiment, it is possible to set the lower end-stroke point of the closure element 10a in order never to touch the material, always leaving for instance a 3 cm-open space between closure element and plane a (in this case the screen is a security barrier, reduces the noise, does not touch and does not potentially damages the material, and does not need to be raised during the movement of the conveyor belt).

In particular, in this alternative embodiment, in the closed position, the second distance of the closure element 10a with respect to the surface of the sheet (or with respect to the surface of the conveyor belt) is manually selectable through selection means and thus may be greater than zero. The selection means may comprise for instance a button arranged in any position in the apparatus 1, said button allowing adjusting at will the distance between the closure element 10a and the sheet. In this case, the closure element 10a acts as an anti-noise screen.

In any case, the embodiment of figure 4, wherein the closure element 10a is abutting, is preferred because, besides reducing the noise, it also exerts a pressure onto the material, thus reducing the possibility for said material (especially when it is a multilayer) to move during the cutting step or when the cut portions are taken.

In general, preferably, the closure element 10a is square or rectangular shaped and abuts onto the surface of the sheet through its lower side.

In an embodiment, the closure element 10a is configured to be automatically kept in the open position when the cutting means are not actuated, and thus when the processing of the sheet does not occur. In this way, the closure element 10a remains raised if the apparatus 1 is off or stopped, as well as it automatically raises once the cutting of the sheet is finished and thus once the cutting means are stopped. However, it is also possible to provide an embodiment in which the closure element 10a remains in the closed position when the cutting means are not actuated, the opening and closure being in this case managed by the operator, or a mixed embodiment is possible.

The closure element 10a is further configured to be automatically kept in the closed position during the actuation of the cutting means, and thus during the processing of the sheet. In this way, the closure element 10a automatically lowers as soon as the cutting means are operated, thus ensuring the operator safety and noise reduction.

The above-mentioned automatic opening and closing operations of the closure element 10a according to the operating condition of the cutting means are managed by the control unit C, which is operatively connected both with the cutting means and with movement means of said closure element 10a, as it will be described hereinafter in greater detail.

Furthermore, the apparatus 1 comprises at least one first detector element 9 arranged at the closure element 10a with the purpose of detecting the operator’s presence, in particular the presence of the operator’s hands.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first detector element 9 comprises an array of photocells capable of detecting the presence of the operator’s hand, in particular a pair of arrays of photocells arranged on opposite sides of the conveyor belt 6 (i.e. opposite with respect to the direction Y), for instance supported by the frame F of the apparatus 1. The photocells are operatively connected to the control unit C, which is programmed to automatically control the opening and closure of the closure element 10a according to the signal coming from said photocells. In particular, once the presence of the operator’s hand has been detected, the photocells send a signal to the control unit C, which is suitably configured to automatically perform the opening of the closure element 10a in case the operator’s presence is detected by the photocells, as well as the closure thereof in case the operator’s presence is not detected.

In this way, the closure element 10a is capable of automatically raising (even during the cutting step) when the operator approaches his hands thereto, and to automatically close when the operator moves his hands away therefrom. In other words, the main purpose of the photocells is the safety of the operator, preventing the screen from closing if the operator is below it. The secondary purpose is to open the screen without using other commands.

To this end, the apparatus 1 comprises suitable movement means (not illustrated in the figures) adapted to automatically move the closure element 10a. The movement means are connected to the control unit C for automatically controlling the movement of the closure element 10a as above illustrated, for instance according to the operating condition of the cutting means or according to the signal of the photocells.

Specifically, the movement means of the closure element 10a preferably comprise an electric motor.

The movement of the closure element 10a occurs in a direction which is substantially orthogonal to the sliding direction Y of the conveyor belt 6, in particular orthogonal to the plane in which the sheet to be cut lies, even if other configurations are possible and fall within the scope of the present invention.

As previously noticed, the control unit C may be a single central unit or may comprise a central unit and various local units, for instance it may comprise a unit specifically arranged to control the movement means of the closure element 10a.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus 1 further comprises at least one second detector element (not illustrated in the figures) which is adapted to detect the presence of the operator’s hands inside the cutting chamber 3 in order to control the actuation of the cutting means. In particular, the second detector element is arranged inside the cutting chamber 3, between the closure element 10a and the cutting means, and is operatively connected with the control unit, so that when the closure element 10a is in the open position and the operator inserts his hands into the cutting chamber 3, it detects the presence of the operator’s hands and communicates it to the central unit, which is able to stop the operation of the cutting means. The second detector element, which also comprises an array of photocells, is thus provided to ensure the maximum safety of the operators using the apparatus 1, preventing them from cutting themselves during the processing of the sheet.

Clearly, the skilled man understands that the second detector element could also not be provided; in this case, it is the first detector element 9 (i.e. the photocells outside the cutting chamber 3) that ensures the operator’s safety, i.e. besides causing the closure element 10a to raise, it also may cause the interruption of the operation of the cutting means.

In a preferred embodiment, only the first detector element 9 is present, which, in combination with the closure element 10a, ensures the safety needed to the operator. The central unit is thus configured so that the cutting means can be actuated only when the closure element 10a is in the closed position (in fact, there is a suitable microcontroller that reads the closed position of the closure element 10a).

The fact that the closure element 10a abuts onto the sheet is advantageous since, in addition to reducing the noise, said closure element 10a also exerts a pressure onto the material, thus reducing the possibility for said material (especially when it is a multilayer) to move during the cutting step or while collecting the cut portions. In particular, the presence of the screen exerting pressure on the unloading side avoids an undesired movement of the material in the cutting area when the cut portions are taken, as it will be described more in detail hereinafter.

Now, still referring to figure 1, as above indicated, the apparatus 1 also comprises a closure element 10b at the loading inlet 4. All the listed features for the closure element 10a at the outlet 5 also apply to the closure element 10b at the inlet 4.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus 1 comprises feeding means 12 which allow positioning the sheet on the conveyor belt 6 in a simple and effective manner.

In particular, the feeding means 12 for feeding the sheet are provided with a movable element or plane 14, which is supported by a suitable support structure fastened to the apparatus 1 and is configured to suitably feed the sheet onto the conveyor belt 6. Still more particularly, the movable plane 14 is sliding in the same sliding direction as the conveyor belt 6 (i.e. along direction Y) and in particular it is movable between a first position or retracted position, in which it is spaced apart from the apparatus 1 (for instance a certain space between the conveyor belt 6 and the movable plane 14 may be present), and a second position or feeding position, in which it is partially overlapped to the conveyor belt 6, i.e. it is partially above the conveyor belt 6. When it is in the feeding position, a portion of the movable plane 14 is thus capable of overlapping the conveyor belt 6, for instance by a section of about 40 cm, so as to properly feed the sheet onto said conveyor belt 6.

When the movable plane 14 is in the retracted position, the closure element 10b is in the open position, or anyway raised by a certain distance, so as to allow the movement of the movable plane 14 and the correct feeding of the material transported thereby.

The support structure of the movable plane 14 is rotatably coupled to the apparatus 1 (for instance it is hinged thereto), so as to form folding feeding means 12. Specifically, when the movable plane 14 is in the retracted position, its support structure is capable of rotating between a first position, in which the movable plane 14 is substantially parallel to the conveyor belt 6 (a position in which the movable plane may slide towards the conveyor belt 6), and a second position, in which the movable plane is substantially orthogonal to the conveyor belt 6 and does not represent an obstacle for the operator (i.e. it is in a lowered position). In other words, in addition to a translation movement, the movable plane 14 also performs a rotation movement and is capable of being folded away.

Once the movable plane 14 overlaps the conveyor belt 6 in the feeding position, the closure element 10b is moved in the closed position and abuts, so as to press the material onto the conveyor belt 6 and to hold it. In this way, the closure element 10b cooperates with the conveying 6 and feeding 12 means, holding the sheet while the movable plane 14 draws back.

Finally, advantageously according to the present invention, the apparatus 1 provided with both the closure elements 10a and 10b is symmetrical and the operator is able to easily work also at the unloading side (which is useful for example for synthetic materials).

Furthermore, in an embodiment, the material may be also fed from the side opposite the inlet 4, i.e. from the outlet 5. At least in some applications, the movement of the conveyor belt 6 may in fact be reversed, and thus the inlet 4 and the outlet 5 may be reversed. In some situations, it could indeed be convenient to load the material at the side opposite the inlet 4 (i.e., at the unloading side). In other words, in this embodiment, the movement of the conveyor belt 6 is invertible and the closure element 10a becomes the input element of the cutting chamber 3, since now it is located at the loading side of the apparatus. With respect to the known solutions, the closure element 10a leads to a very versatile apparatus.

Furthermore, the orientation of the cutting heads 8’ may be easily inverted as well, in this way varying the working area and adapting the apparatus to different cutting needs. The presence of the closure element 10a at the outlet 5 is thus very advantageous, allowing to obtain an apparatus in which the operator is able to easily work at the unloading side as well. This orientation variation is advantageous for cutting some materials, also considering that, at the closure element 10a, the distance from the working area is less, due to the particular arrangement of the cutting heads 8’ and of the carriages 8”. In particular, it is possible to turn the cutting heads to decentralize the cut at loading side or unloading side according to the situations: in case of leather the loading side is preferred since the operator who makes the placement touches the incoming leather; in the case of synthetic materials, the unloading side is preferred since the only operator is on this side, thus obtaining an extremely versatile machine. In the latter case, the presence of the closure element 10a is very advantageous since it allows the operator to be very close to the working area.

The presence of the closure element 10a at the outlet 5, along with an advantageous arrangement of the carriages and of the cutting heads, reduces the overall dimensions at said outlet 5, allowing the operator to get closer to the working area, said closure element 10a replacing big boxes of the known apparatuses. Furthermore, if the closure element 10a were not there, the operator in charge of the cut-piece collection should work at a minimum safety distance of at least 20-25 cm (a position where the photocells should be placed). With the closure element, the operator can work at very few centimeters from the cutting heads and thus can easily access the cutting area.

In conclusion, the present invention provides for equipping an apparatus for cutting sheet material with a closure element which is movable between an open position and a closed position at least at the outlet of a chamber or room in which the material processing (cut) occurs, wherein in the open position it is possible to access the cutting chamber, which looks like an open tunnel, and wherein in the closed position it is not possible to access said cutting chamber and the closure element presses onto the material, suitably holding it. Besides allowing suitably holding the material, all this also allows reducing the noise of the apparatus. It is also possible, if the operator wishes so, to select at will the distance between the material and the screen in the closed position, leaving a small free space therebetween, so that the screen does not abut onto the material.

More particularly, advantageously according to the present invention, the disclosed apparatus allows operating on the material arranged outside the cutting area without moving the material into the cutting area. In fact, when the closure element presses onto the material, a separation between the cutting chamber and the area outside is formed, which allows safely and effectively handling the material outside the cutting area.

Especially in case of particularly long sheets, there is material upstream of the cutting chamber, in the cutting chamber and downstream of the cutting chamber. When the closure elements are in the closed position, they create a separation between the sheet portion in the cutting step, the sheet portion already cut downstream of the cutting chamber and the sheet portion which will be cut after the next movement of the conveyor belt. In this way, the closure element at the outlet allows collecting the cut material portions without moving the material into the cutting chamber. In fact, although moving the material close to the cut portion to be taken (for instance by raising the sheets of material), the closure element at the outlet, which presses onto the material, prevents a movement of the material downstream of the cutting chamber from affecting the material inside the cutting chamber.

In general, the advantage is thus given by the fact that it is possible to intervene on the material placed outside the cutting area without moving the material into the cutting area.

This advantage is also found upstream of the cutting chamber: when it is in the closed position holding the material, the closure element at the outlet allows fixing the material that will enter the cutting chamber at the next movement of the belt, for instance it allows flattening it as much as possible in order not to encounter problems during the cutting, preventing the material inside the cutting chamber from being accidentally moved.

Furthermore, the presence of the closure element, which is configured to remain in the closed position during the cutting step, ensures a significant reduction in the noise of the apparatus, said closure element substantially suitably acting as an acoustic barrier.

In general, the closure element also allows holding the material during the cutting step, which is particularly useful in case of multilayered materials in which the upper layers tend to move. In fact, it is known that the traditional suction means do not affect the upper layers, so that it is the pressure of the closure element that performs the desired holding of the material during the processing.

The movement of the closure element is suitably automated, so that the operator does not need to use commands to open and close the screen when he needs to intervene inside the working area.

A further advantage is that the closure element may be made of materials that are not totally transparent, for example smoky plexiglass; in this way, the acquisition of images inside the cutting chamber is prevented from being influenced by the external light that may create shaded areas or in general may vary the light intensity in some areas. In other words, the closure element may be configured for blocking the external light and creating a sort of dark room in the cutting chamber.

The arrangement of the closure element at the outlet of the cutting chamber also leads to the possibility of obtaining a symmetrical apparatus, and thus extremely versatile and able to process many kinds of materials.

When a closure element is placed at the inlet of the cutting chamber as well, said closure element allows holding the material even during the feeding thereof onto the conveyor belt, for instance by keeping the material under pressure on the belt while feeding means draw back.

Finally, the present apparatus allows the operator to also select the distance between the closure element and the material in the closed position, so that, for instance in case of delicate materials, it is possible to choose not to have a direct contact between screen and material.

Obviously, a person skilled in the art, in order to meet particular needs and specifications, can carry out several changes and modifications to the apparatus described above, all included in the protection scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.