METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FEEDING ELONGATED ELEMENTS

Technical Field

[01] The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for feeding elongated elements, in particular metal elements such as profiles and metal rods in bars for reinforced concrete, for example intended for a cutting, bending, welding or other processing cycle.

Prior Art

[02] Apparatuses are known for processing elongated metal elements, in particular metal profiles and similar products in bars, which require to feed these elements, for example to gather them in a desired number or to directly carry out cutting and/or bending operations on a part of the aforementioned elements.

[03] Examples of such apparatuses are shown in the patents EP 1356875 and EP 1356876 of the same Applicant.

[04] These elements are generally stored and transported in bundles which, due to production requirements, can be of considerable length, from 12 to even 24 meters.

[05] Since the metal elements, in particular those intended for reinforcing reinforced concrete, are considerably extended, so even though they are made of steel, they prove to be particularly flexible. This circumstance is the more accentuated when the ratio between the longitudinal extension of the elements and the respective transverse dimension is high. Because of this flexibility, these elements are easily intertwined when they are grouped into bundles, thus assuming a disordered configuration. Therefore it is difficult, for later use in small groups or individually, to untangle them.

[06] In this regard it should also be noted that the elements used for reinforcing reinforced concrete, in addition to being heavy and therefore difficult to handle as such, are often provided with ribs on the external surfaces, to improve the adherence properties with the covering material, generally concrete. The presence of ribs, however, further hinders the mutual sliding between the elements to be untangled, therefore the untangling operations necessary before any processing.

[07] Known solutions for untangling elongated elements, in particular metallic ones, are bulky, therefore expensive, and sometimes not very reliable in untangling very small transverse elements.

[08] Such solutions provide, for example, apparatuses equipped with transport chains suitable for transversely supporting the elements to be manipulated. These chains are actuated according to an alternative motion, in particular a transversal oscillatory motion which moves the elements to be untangled. This oscillatory motion has the function of untying the most tangled elements, and then gradually place the group of treated elements on the same plane, so as to untangle them.

[09] However, this solution, which is also complex, cumbersome and costly, does not fully satisfy the requirements of the specific field, resulting sometimes ineffective and barely accurate.

Disclosure

[10] The aim of the present invention is to solve the above problems, devising a method and an apparatus for feeding elongated elements, in particular metal profiles in bars for reinforced concrete.

[1 1] Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for feeding elements of elongated shape, of simple constructive and functional conception, provided with a safe and reliable use, as well as a relatively inexpensive cost.

[12] The aforementioned objects are achieved, according to the present invention, by the method for feeding elongated elements according to claim 1 and by the apparatus for feeding the same elements according to claim 14.

[13] The method according to the invention provides for arranging a plurality of elongated elements along a longitudinal direction, standing on a support plane, for actuating a gripping unit according to a collecting motion at the support plane, so as to lift at least a part of the same elements at a respective gripping portion, from the support plane.

[14] The method provides, in particular, for placing near, in the aforementioned collecting motion, a respective operating portion of the gripping unit with a gripping portion of the elements to be collected, by acting on the gripping portion itself by means of magnetic attraction.

[15] The method further provides for actuating in an inserting motion a transfer group comprising at least one support member arranged along the same longitudinal direction, so as to insert it below a respective portion spaced from the aforementioned gripping portion of the collected elements, and lift the spaced portion to support it in a support configuration. In particular, the aforesaid lifting allows the collected elements to be untangled, freeing them from the remaining elements on the support plane.

[16] This untangling effect is further effective if the transfer unit comprises a plurality of support members, when actuating the same supporting members in succession, on opposite sides with respect to the gripping member.

[17] Moreover, the aforementioned lifting allows the elongated elements to be fed between stations at different heights, thus compensating for any difference in height between adjacent stations of the processing plant.

[18] The gripping unit is then operated in a disengagement motion, to disengage the collected elements, leaving the same collected elements standing on the transfer group. In this configuration the aforesaid support member defines a substantially horizontal transfer plane.

[19] The method further provides for positioning the gripping unit in an inactive position spaced from the transfer unit, so as to free the transfer plane for the subsequent transfer operations of the picked elements.

[20] The aforesaid inactive position is advantageously arranged in a retractable way below the lower part of the transfer plane.

[21] In particular, thanks to the provision, for the gripping unit, of an inactive position spaced from the transfer unit, which therefore frees a respective transfer area, the method according to the invention allows the elongated elements to be fed between adjacent operating stations of a processing plant.

[22] Finally, the transfer unit is actuated in a transfer motion, so as to cause the collected elements to roll or to slide or to be displaced without rolling or sliding in a transverse transfer direction, opposite to the support plane, towards a transfer station adjacent to the support plane itself.

[23] By displacing without rolling or sliding is intended that no relative motion takes place between the support member and the elements during the aforementioned transfer motion, so that the elements themselves are kept in an ordered configuration.

[24] This transfer motion without rolling or sliding may preferably take place by translation.

[25] The gripping unit is advantageously interposed, preferably in a fixed manner, between the support plane and the transfer station, so that during the transfer motion the collected elements go over the gripping unit positioned in the inactive position.

[26] Preferably, the step of actuating the gripping unit in the gripping motion provides that the gripping member acts on the gripping portion from a position arranged above it.

[27] Preferably the method provides for actuating the at least one support member between the support configuration, drawn towards the aforementioned support plane and a transfer configuration, retracted towards the transfer station, so as to cause the movement without rolling or sliding of the collected elements towards the transfer station.

[28] Preferably, alternatively, the aforesaid transfer motion takes place by tilting the aforementioned at least one support member of the transfer unit, so as to convey the elements standing on the transfer plane by rolling or sliding along the aforementioned transverse transfer direction.

[29] According to a different aspect of the invention, the gripping unit may be actuated in the aforementioned inactive spaced position, along the aforementioned longitudinal direction, so as to free the operating space for transferring the collected bars.

[30] The gripping unit of the corresponding apparatus is magnetic, for example a permanent magnet or an electromagnet, or other equivalent member.

[31] Preferably the working portion of the gripping unit acts on the gripping portion from a position arranged above it. Substantially the aforementioned gripping portion is preferably a portion of the respective collected elements, facing upwards.

[32] The method may advantageously provide for carrying out the aforementioned disengagement motion, orienting the same gripping unit so as to arrange the respective operating portion according to a plane transverse to the transfer plane and to actuate a relative sliding between the operative portion and the gripping portion of the collected elements, placed matching an abutment structure associated with the gripping unit itself. In particular, in the initial disengagement step, the aforesaid orientation motion of the operating portion draws with it the gripping portion of the elements engaged by the gripping unit.

[33] Advantageously, this relative sliding may further serve to shift the gripping unit into the aforementioned inactive position. Therefore with the same disengagement motion, for example of translation of the gripping unit, the function of freeing the transfer area for the complete operability of the transfer unit may also be performed.

[34] According to a particular aspect, the method may provide that, in order to carry out the aforementioned collecting motion and/or the aforementioned disengagement motion, the gripping member is operated according to an orientation movement to orient the respective operating portion between a configuration substantially parallel to the support plane so as to interact with the elements to be collected or to be disengaged, and a configuration spaced from the aforementioned elements.

[35] The method may provide, for example, for initially arranging the elements to be fed against a matching barrier arranged along a longitudinal edge of the support plane. The transfer plan is therefore greater than the aforementioned matching barrier if provided, to allow the passage of the elements collected from the transfer station by rolling or sliding, or by moving without rolling or sliding.

[36] Preferably, the aforesaid insertion motion of the transfer unit takes place by rotating at least one support member around a transverse axis, in particular orthogonal, to the support plane. Alternatively, the insertion motion may take place by translation, for example by actuating the at least one support member between a retracted configuration transversely to the support plane and an extracted configuration transversely towards the same plane.

[37] Preferably the insertion motion further comprises a translational motion, according to a substantially vertical direction, or a rotational motion, around a substantially horizontal axis, to lift the spaced portion of the elements, when the support member is inserted below it.

[38] Advantageously, the gripping unit may collect the elements at a central gripping portion.

[39] In this case, in particular, it is advantageous to provide for the aforementioned inserting motion to actuate in succession a plurality of pairs of support members, forming part of the transfer unit, the support members of each pair being opposed by each part of the gripping unit arranged centrally.

[40] According to a particular aspect of the invention, before the aforementioned disengagement motion of the gripping unit, it is possible to count and separate a certain number of elements, separating it from an excess number by means of a counting and separating unit associated with the gripping unit.

[41] The method and, correspondingly, the apparatus that actuates it according to the invention, therefore allow the feeding of elongated elements to be made in a very easy manner, by means of very compact operating groups, preferably associated in a fixed manner with adjacent work stations.

[42] In particular, unlike the known solutions, the method and the apparatus according to the invention can avoid the use of expensive and bulky, and therefore slow, movable bridge structures, to carry the same elements.

[43] The method and the apparatus according to the invention therefore enable the operations of feeding the elements required by the downstream operating stations to be carried out very quickly.

Description of drawings

[44] The details of the invention will become more evident from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus for feeding elongated elements, as well as of the method implemented by the same apparatus, illustrated only by way of non -limitative example in the accompanying drawings, where:

Figures 1 to 16 respectively show a perspective view of the apparatus for feeding elongated elements according to the invention, in successive steps;

Figures 2a, 3a, 4a, 5a, 6a, 7a, 8a, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 1 1 a, 1 1 b, 12a, 12b, 13a, 14a, 15a respectively show enlarged perspective views of portions of the same apparatus relating to the figures of the same number;

Figures 17 to 22 respectively show a perspective view of a further embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, in successive operating steps;

Figures 17a, 17b, 18a, 18b, 19a, 19b, 20a, 20b, 21 a, 21 b, 22a, 22b respectively show a perspective view and a side view of a detail of the same further embodiment of the apparatus, relative to what is illustrated in figures of the same number;

Figures 23 to 32 respectively show a perspective view of a third embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, in successive steps;

Figures 24a, 25a, 26a, 27a, 27b, 28a, 28b, 29a, 29b, 30a, 31 a respectively show a perspective view and a side view of the respective details of the same third embodiment of the apparatus, relative to what is illustrated in the figures of the same number. Best mode

[45] With particular reference to Figures 1 to 16, the reference numeral 1 generally indicates an apparatus for feeding elongated elements 2, in particular metal profiles and rods.

[46] The apparatus 1 comprises a support plane 3 on which the elements 2 may be arranged, preferably resting in a random manner, therefore also in a disorderly manner, along a longitudinal direction. In fact, the elements 2, which come for example from a grouping in bundles, may be fed in various ways on the support plane 3, for example by lifting from other stations or by longitudinal or transverse transferring, and can therefore assume on the support plane 3 a disordered configuration, for example partially intertwined. The degree of interweaving of the elements 2 can be directly proportional to the flexibility of the elements 2 themselves, therefore for example to the respective length or, more precisely, to the ratio between the length and the diameter or the transverse dimension of the same elements 2.

[47] Moreover the difficulty of untangling can be influenced, for example, by the presence, on the external surface of the elements 2, of ribs or other conformations, which make difficult the mutual sliding, therefore the separation from the rest of the bundle of the elements 2 to be fed.

[48] The elements 2 can therefore be arranged on the support plane 3 in a disordered condition, in particular intertwined or tangled, therefore difficult to handle for carrying out the subsequent operations.

[49] The support plane 3 is preferably tilted with respect to a horizontal plane, and delimited, at a longitudinal edge 31 , by a matching barrier 32 preferably oriented, but without limitation, substantially vertically.

[50] The support plane 3 and the matching barrier 32, if provided, are carried by a frame 33.

[51] The apparatus 1 also comprises a gripping unit 4 and a transfer unit 5, cooperating with the aforementioned gripping unit 4, to separate at least a part of the elements 2 arranged on the support plane 3 and feed it to a machine, in general to a transfer station, opposite to the support plane 3 with respect to the transfer unit 5.

[52] The gripping unit 4 is preferably arranged in a central position with respect to the longitudinal development of the support plane 3. However, different arrangements of the gripping unit 4, for example at one end or on a different side of the support plane 3, are possible.

[53] The gripping unit 4 and the transfer unit 5 are preferably arranged along the aforementioned longitudinal direction, at the aforementioned longitudinal edge 31 of the support plane 3.

[54] The gripping unit 4 preferably comprises a gripping member 41 which may be actuated according to a collecting motion to collect at least a part of the elements 2 arranged resting on the support plane 3 at a respective gripping portion 2a, for example central with respect to the longitudinal development of the elements 2 themselves. Alternatively, the gripping portion 2a can also be a distal or end portion.

[55] In particular, the aforementioned collecting motion of the gripping unit 4 may provide for a lifting motion, to lift the aforementioned gripping portion 2a of the elements 2 collected from the support plane 3. In particular, the lifting made by the gripping unit 4 is such that it raises the gripping portion 2a of the elements 2 beyond the aforementioned matching barrier 32, if provided, to subsequently allow the elements 2 to be transferred, as described below.

[56] The gripping unit 4, in particular the gripping member 41 , is a magnetic one, for example made by means of a preferably permanent magnet, or an electromagnet. Alternatively, the gripping member 41 may be made by an equivalent gripping member.

[57] The gripping member 41 is preferably carried by the framework 33 and may be actuated according to the aforesaid collecting motion preferably at the longitudinal edge 31 of the support plane 3. In fact, since the support plane 3 is preferably tilted towards this edge 31 , the elements 2 tend to be arranged at the same edge 31 , so as to maximise the collecting efficiency operated by the gripping member 41.

[58] More precisely, the aforementioned collecting motion provides for placing close a respective operative portion 42 of the gripping member 41 , preferably, but not exclusively provided with a flat surface, to the aforementioned gripping portion 2a of the elements 2 to be collected. This collecting motion may therefore take place, for example and without limitation, by means of a translational motion. Alternatively, this gripping motion may take place by means of a suitable combination of a translational motion with a rotary motion.

[59] Preferably the operative portion 42 of the gripping member 41 acts on the gripping portion 2a from a position arranged above it. Substantially the aforementioned gripping portion 2a is preferably a portion of the respective elements, facing upwards.

[60] In order to enable a collecting action, in particular through magnetic attraction, the operative portion 42 of the gripping member 41 may also preferably be operable according to an orientation movement, through which it is oriented according to a preferably parallel or in any case oriented in a suitable way plane to the support plane 3, to interact with the elements 2 to be collected effectively.

[61] For this purpose, the gripping member 41 is preferably mounted on a slide 43 slidable on guide means 44 and operable according to the aforesaid collecting motion by actuation means 45 associated therewith. In particular, the same gripping member 41 may be articulated to the slide 43 to enable the orientation movement mentioned above.

[62] According to the aforesaid collecting motion, the gripping member 41 is alternately movable between an inactive position, preferably but not limitedly lowered with respect to the support plane 3, and an active position, raised with respect to the same plane, beyond the matching barrier 32, if provided (see Figures 1 , 2 and 2a).

[63] Moreover, according to the aforementioned orientation motion, the gripping member 41 may preferably be oriented alternatively between a configuration spaced from the elements 2 to be collected, with the operating portion 42 preferably oriented in a substantially tilted manner, in particular orthogonal with respect to the support plane 3 on which the elements 2 to be collected are arranged, and an oriented configuration, with the operative portion 42 substantially parallel to the aforesaid plane 3.

[64] More precisely, according to the aforementioned collecting motion, the gripping member 41 may be guided along the guide means 44, initially for example to emerge from the support plane 3, then to be brought closer to the operative portion 42 for example in the configuration oriented to the level of the support plane 3, to interact with the elements 2 to be collected (see Figures 3, 3a, 4 and 4a), and finally to be raised with respect to the support plane 3, beyond the matching barrier 32 if provided, preferably maintaining the same oriented configuration (see Figures 5, 5a) and thus bearing the elements 2 collected at the respective gripping portion 2a.

[65] The gripping unit 4 is also movable with a disengagement motion, to disengage the collected elements 2, leaving them loaded, as better described below, onto the transfer unit 5.

[66] The gripping unit 4 preferably comprises a matching structure 46, for example made from a pair of matching elements, preferably arranged laterally to the aforesaid guide means 44, in order to allow the disengagement of the elements 2 from the gripping member 41 . The matching structure 46 may be made by means of fixed or mobile elements with respect to the guide means 44.

[67] More precisely, preferably in the case of collecting through permanent magnetic attraction, the aforementioned disengagement motion can take place by combining the aforementioned collecting motion, in a respective return stroke, with the orientation motion mentioned above. In practice, the disengagement motion may provide for arranging the gripping member 41 raised following the aforementioned lifting motion in the aforementioned spaced configuration, preferably with the operating portion 42 substantially disposed tilted, in particular orthogonally to the support plane 3, carrying correspondingly the collected elements 2. The disengagement may then take place by actuating the same gripping member 41 in a return stroke, from the raised position, thus bringing the collected elements 2 to match the matching structure 46. More precisely, following the aforementioned return stroke, the elements 2 are blocked by the abutment structure 46, thus causing a relative tangential sliding between the operative portion 42 of the gripping member 41 and the elements 2 themselves. This relative sliding easily allows the gradual separation of the collected elements 2, since the force required for separation, in particular in the case of magnetic action of the gripping member 41 , is minimal in a tangential direction (see in particular Figures 13, 13a, 14 and 14a).

[68] To complete the disengagement stroke, the gripping member 41 may be placed again into inactive position, retractably to the support plane 3 (see Figures 14, 14a, 15, 15a).

[69] According to a further embodiment of the invention, entirely similar for the rest, the gripping unit 4 may be associated to a counting and separating unit 10, configured to separate a desired number of elements 2 from the collected elements 2 (see Figures 17 to 22).

[70] In practice, the aforementioned counting and separating unit 10 may comprise direct or indirect detection means 1 1 , for example of the mechanical or optical type, suitable for detecting the number of elements 2 collected altogether from the gripping unit 4, and a separating member 12, for example made from a movable arm and provided with a separating portion 13, capable of dividing the collected elements 2, gripping the operating portion 42, and of dragging the excess number 2' of the elements 2 according to a separating movement, by relative sliding on the operative portion 42, towards the support plane 3. In this way it is possible to keep gripping on the gripping member 41 only a determined number 2" of elements 2, in order to be so available, following the next supply steps, described below, to the plant transfer station.

[71] Alternatively, it is possible to provide that following the separation motion the determined number 2" of the elements 2 is separated from the excess number 2', being transferred towards the transfer station and that, simultaneously, the excess number 2' remains gripping at the gripping member 41 , in order to be used in a subsequent feeding step.

[72] For example, the separation between the determined number 2" and the excess number 2' of elements 2 may be made when the gripping member 41 is in the spaced configuration, in particular with the operating portion 42 tilted, in particular orthogonal, to the support plane 3, or in the oriented configuration, in particular with the operating portion 42 parallel to the support plane 3, as illustrated for example in Figures 17 to 22.

[73] More precisely, the described separating movement may take place for any orientation of the operative portion 42, in a direction preferably parallel to the same operative portion 42 or, more precisely, to the surface of the same operative portion 42 which initially keeps the elements 2 gripping.

[74] In the event that the gripping of the elements 2 occurs by magnetic attraction, the separation between the determined number 2" and the excess number 2' of the elements 2 preferably takes place by sliding on the same operative portion 42 of the elements 2 involved.

[75] Alternatively, it is possible to provide that the same gripping member 41 may separate a determined number 2" of the elements 2 with the aid of a counting means, of the optical or mechanical type for example. This separation may take place by actuating in a controlled manner the gripping member 41 in a controlled manner, preferably in the spaced configuration with the operative portion 42 substantially arranged orthogonally to the support plane 3 according to the aforementioned separating movement. In practice, to separate a determined number 2" of the elements 2, the gripping member 41 makes a controlled stroke in the direction of a suitable matching element or of the same matching structure 46, so that the gripped elements 2 are caused to slide on the operating portion 42. This sliding causes progressive discharge of an excess number 2' of the elements 2 opposite to the matching element from the operative portion 42 and, therefore, separation from the grip of the gripping member 41 .

[76] The remaining elements 2, equal to the determined number 2", may instead remain gripped on the operative portion 42 of the gripping member 41 , to be fed according to what is described below through the intervention of the transfer group 5.

[77] The transfer unit 5 is configured to cooperate advantageously with the gripping unit 4 preferably in the disengagement step described above, as well as for transferring the collected elements 2.

[78] More precisely, the transfer unit 5 comprises at least one support member 51 , preferably a plurality of support members 51 .

[79] The support members 51 are preferably aligned laterally to the support plane 3 and, in particular in the case in which the elements 2 are collected at a central grip portion 2a, opposite on each side with respect to the gripping group 4.

[80] The support members 51 may be made, for example, by respective brackets, carried cantilevered by the frame 33 of the apparatus 1 .

[81] The support members 51 may be of any number, for example as in the embodiment shown only as example, three pairs of support members 51 may be provided opposite two by two with respect to the central gripping group 4.

[82] Each support member 51 is movable according to an inserting motion, to be inserted at the bottom of the collected elements 2, even if bent, from the gripping unit 4 at respective spaced portions 2b with respect to the gripping portion 2a. Following this insertion motion, each support member 51 engages below the aforementioned spaced portions 2b, bringing them, preferably by raising them, to the same height, defining a transfer plane 6 (see in particular Figures 14 and 14a).

[83] Advantageously, the support members 51 , as they are inserted under the elements 2, are raised so that they reach the height of the gripping portion 2a of the collected elements 2, assumed by the portion itself following the collecting motion described above, so as to facilitate the insertion of the subsequent support members 51 and operate at the same time the untangling of the elements 2.

[84] The support members 51 may be for example movable according to a rotary-translational movement, to make the aforesaid inserting motion, from an inactive, for example lowered configuration, in which the support members 51 are aligned laterally to the support plane 3, to a support configuration, in which for example the support members 51 are oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal extension of the support plane 3 itself, and raised to support the aforementioned spaced portions 2b of the elements 2 collected from the gripping member 41.

[85] For example, the support members 51 may be articulated to the framework 33, rotatable according to a transverse axis, in particular vertical, orthogonal to the support plane 3.

[86] Alternatively, it is possible to provide for the aforementioned inserting motion to occur by rotation of the support members 51 according to an axis parallel to the aforesaid longitudinal direction. In this case, in the aforementioned inactive configuration the support members 51 may be arranged tilted below the already collected elements 2, to be supported.

[87] Alternatively, it is further possible to provide for the aforementioned inserting motion to take place by translation of the support members 51 , in a direction parallel to the aforementioned transfer plane 6, between the inactive configuration, retracted in the half space opposed to the support plane 3 with respect to the matching barrier 32, and the support configuration, extracted in the half-space of the same support plane 3.

[88] Preferably the support members 51 are moved in succession, on each side of the gripping member 41 , according to the aforesaid inserting motion. For example, Figures 7 and 7a show a pair of support members 51 in a rotated condition, lowered below the collected elements 2, while figures 8 and 8a show the same pair of support members 51 , raised to support respective spaced portions 2b, while the remaining two pairs of support members 51 , on each side of the gripping member 41 , are in an inactive configuration, waiting to be actuated in succession according to the same inserting motion.

[89] In this regard, it should be noted that by virtue of the flexibility of the elements 2 and of the respective weight, these are subjected to an inflection, arranging themselves according to a inflected configuration, differently from what is represented in Figures 1 to 22 for simplicity, with the ends facing the bottom and the gripping portion 2a raised by the gripping member 41.

[90] Therefore the inserting motion described above, exerted by the support members 51 , takes place effectively, considering the inflexion of the elements. More precisely, this motion takes place advantageously in succession, from the gripping portion 2a, which is more raised, towards the ends of the collected elements 2, progressively raising the respective spaced portions 2b to the height where, in the respective step, the gripping portion 2a is located. In this way the collected elements 2 are progressively raised on the transfer plane 6 simultaneously untangled from the rest of elements deposited on the support plane 3.

[91] The transfer unit 5 is also movable according to a transfer movement, to transfer the elements 2 collected in a transverse transfer direction, opposite to the support plane 3.

[92] More precisely, the support members 51 may be actuated, for example oscillatable, by known actuation means, between the aforementioned substantially horizontal support configuration and a transfer configuration, substantially tilted with respect to the horizontal, so as to cause movement, in particular rolling, of the elements 2 taken in the aforesaid transverse direction.

[93] The method for feeding elongated elements according to the invention, as well as the operation of the apparatus that actuates it, can be easily understood from the preceding description.

[94] In a first step, a plurality of elements 2 is released on the support plane 3, for example by loosening a previously stored and transported bundle, with the elements 2 arranged substantially side by side longitudinally, even in a disorderly manner.

[95] The gripping unit 4, arranged in the inactive position and with the gripping member 41 in the spaced configuration, is actuated according to the collecting motion. More precisely, the gripping member 41 preferably emerges from the support plane 3 and is oriented so as to bring the operative portion 42 closer to the elements 2 to be collected (see Figures 1 to 3).

[96] Following the interaction with the operating portion 42, at least a part of elements 2 arranged on the support plane 3 is intercepted by the gripping member 41 (see Figures 4, 4a).

[97] According to the same collecting motion, the gripping member 41 is then raised, thus lifting only the collected elements 2, then intercepted by the interaction of the operating portion 42 (see Figures 5, 5a).

[98] In a suitable phase relationship, before or after the inserting motion of the transfer unit 5, the gripping member 41 may be actuated according to the orientation movement, so as to orient the elements 2 collected simultaneously. In particular, the operative portion 42 is preferably, but not limitedly, rotated so as to arrange the respective operative surface transversely, in particular orthogonally, with respect to the support plane 3. This overturning advantageously has a component in the aforementioned transverse transfer direction, already approaching, to some extent, the gripping portion 2a of the collected elements 2 gripped on the gripping member 41 , at the transfer station (see Figures 6, 6a).

[99] The transfer unit 5 is activated according to the inserting motion. In practice, the support members 51 are actuated according to the aforementioned motion preferably in succession, two by two if the gripping portion 2a is central, initially intercepting the respective spaced portions 2b and then raising them preferably at the same level as the gripping member 41 (see Figures 7 to 12).

[100] The gripping unit 4 is then actuated according to the disengagement motion, preparing the matching structure 46 (see in particular Figures 13, 13a) and moving, according to a return stroke with respect to the collecting motion, the gripping member 41 . The disengagement motion thus releases the collected elements 2 resting on the transfer plane 6 defined by the support members 51 in the aforementioned support configuration (see Figures 14, 14a, 15, 15a).

[101 ] Possibly the disengagement motion may be preceded by a counting and separating step of a determined number 2" of the elements 2, activating the gripping member 41 in the aforementioned disengagement motion according to a controlled stroke, for example to release the number in excess 2' of the elements 2 on the support plane 3, or by suitably actuating the separating and counting unit 10 associated with the gripping unit 4. In any case, the separation of a determined number 2' of elements 2 takes place after a step of counting the elements 2 gripped by the gripping member 41 , by the counting means 1 1 .

[102] Finally the transfer group 5 is operated according to the transfer movement, preferably by appropriately inclining the support members 51 , so as to cause the displacement, in particular the rolling, of the elements 2 collected along the aforesaid transverse direction, opposite to the support plane 3 from which the same elements 2 come.

[103] According to a third embodiment illustrated in Figures 23 to 32, for the rest entirely similar to the first or second illustrated embodiment, it is possible to provide a further transfer motion of the elements 2 collected from the gripping unit 4. For the rest, the operating groups different from the transfer group 5’ are instead functionally and structurally similar to the other embodiments described.

[104] The transfer unit 5', in particular, comprises at least one support member 51 , preferably, as in the illustrated case, a plurality of support members 51 '.

[105] The support members 51 ' are also in this case preferably aligned laterally to the support plane 3 and, in particular if the elements 2 are collected at the central gripping portion 2a, opposite on each side of the gripping group 4.

[106] The support members 51 ' are preferably made by means of brackets that are counterbalanced by the apparatus.

[107] They are equipped with the aforementioned inserting motion, to be inserted below the elements 2 collected from the gripping group 4, at the spaced portions 2b from the gripping portion 2a. Figure 25a illustrates in particular the inflection undergone by the collected elements 2, following the operated lifting of the gripping unit 4.

[108] The inserting motion of the support members 51 ' takes place preferably by translation of