The invention relates to a movement device, in particular a movement device that is associable with a conveying apparatus for conveying products or articles and is arranged for moving and adjusting, for example, the position of side guides that act as an abutment along a movement path of the aforesaid products. The conveying apparatus is, for example, an air conveying apparatus for empty plastic containers, a rolling shutter conveying apparatus for empty and full plastic or glass containers, a conveyor belt for bundles and boxes.

In air-conveying apparatuses the empty container made of plastics, typically a bottle, is moved along a movement path owing to an air conveying apparatus . The bottle has an elongated body of tubular shape, of any section, for example circular, oval, square, etc., and an end portion with a decreasing section, called the neck, provided with an annular ridge .

The conveying apparatus comprises a pair of supporting guides arranged along the movement path to engage with the annular ridge of the bottle, which thus hangs on and is supported by said supporting guides and can slide longitudinally along the guides .

The conveying apparatus further comprises air conveying apparatuses that emit jets of pressurised air in such a manner as to advance the bottle along the movement path. The conveying apparatus includes a pair of lateral abutting guides that are parallel to the supporting guides and are arranged at a lower vertical height to ensure correct positioning and transverse alignment of the bottle during advancing. Such guides are at a distance from one another that is little greater than a transverse dimension of the body of the bottle, in such a manner that the bottle, when inserted between the two guides, is preventing from oscillating transversely during advancing.

If it is necessary to move a bottle having a different size, it is necessary to be able to modify the distance between the two guides in such a manner as to maintain the distance between the two guides a little greater than a transverse dimension of the body of said bottle. Similarly, in the case of bottles with a different neck diameter, it is necessary to adjust the distance between the supporting guides. The latter are generally provided with slots for adjustable fixing by screws to the air conveying apparatuses. This adjusting must however be carried out manually by the operators, entailing lengthy downtime for the conveying apparatus. Further, manual adjustment may not be precise and correct.

A device is known for moving a supporting guide comprising a pneumatic actuator arranged transversely to the guide and provided with a piston provided with a stem the free end of which is fixed to the guide. A further movement device, which is structurally and functionally shaped liked the preceding one, is fixed to a further guide in such a manner that the pair of movement devices, which are opposite and aligned on one another, is able to vary the distance between the two guides .

These devices are further used to move the lateral abutting guides and adjusting a reciprocal distance thereof in function of the dimensions of the body of the bottle.

A drawback of such devices is that they enable the guides to be positioned exclusively in two positions, corresponding substantially to the beginning and end-stroke configuration of the piston. In this manner, the guides can be arranged at a distance that can have only two values and consequently such guides are able to receive only bottles having two preset sizes.

A further movement device is known comprising two pneumatic actuators arranged in succession transversely to the abutting guide that ensure that the guide is positioned in three distinct positions.

A drawback of this device is that it is relatively complex and thus has rather high purchase, assembly and maintenance costs . A further drawback of this device is that the number of positions that the guide can assume still remains limited. Further, such positions are extremely stiff and are not susceptible to any adjustment.

A further movement device is known comprising a linear electric actuator fixed to a guide and arranged for moving this guide in a plurality of different positions.

A drawback of this device is the high cost of the linear electric actuator. In addition to that, in the case of guides having a great length for which a plurality of movement devices are necessary, each electric actuator needs an electronic control system and this technical solution is thus very expensive. Further, for reasons of safety, using electric devices requires suitable and costly electrical insulation systems and it is not recommended for certain applications, for example in the food industry.

International patent application WO2009/007836 of the same applicant illustrates a device for moving an object linearly, in particular an abutting guide of an air conveying apparatus, comprising a movement element, an end of which is associable with the object and which is provided with a threaded portion that is suitable for engaging with a nut screw, and a plurality of linear actuators arranged for rotating the nut screw by consecutive angular leads in such a manner as to move the movement element and thus the object along a respective longitudinal axis. The nut screw is provided with two series of radial fins that are arranged alongside one another and are angularly staggered, shaped in such a way as to be pushed by the linear actuators acting along a direction that is transverse to the longitudinal axis. The linear actuators comprise two pairs of pneumatic actuators that are opposite one another with respect to the nut screw; each pair of actuators acts on the two series of fins to rotate the nut screw according to a respective rotation direction.

The aforesaid device enables an object to be moved linearly (for example a supporting guide or a lateral abutting guide) in a great number of different positions, nevertheless, it does not enable an initial or reference position of said object to be defined that is, for example, necessary for running an automatic guide-size change procedure in an air- conveying apparatuses plant.

Further, the dimensions of this movement device are significant because of the opposite arrangement of the linear actuators .

An object of the invention is to improve movement devices, in particular movement devices that are associable with product or article conveying apparatuses and are arranged for moving abutting and/or supporting guides of the aforesaid products. A further object of the invention is to obtain a movement device that enables an object to be moved linearly, for example an abutting guide or support, in a great number of different positions and an initial or reference position of said object to be defined with precision.

Another object is to make a movement device that is simple and cheap to make, having precise and reliable operation and very compact and reduced dimensions.

In a first aspect of the invention a device is provided for moving an object linearly, in particular a guide for products in a conveying apparatus, according to claim 1.

Owing to this aspect of the invention, it is possible to make a movement device provided with a movement element that is movable along a longitudinal axis in a large number of positions, with an end of said element an object to be moved being associable, in particular an abutting guide or supporting guide of an air conveying apparatus for conveying empty containers, or of a rolling shutter conveying apparatus for empty and full plastic or glass containers, or of a belt conveying apparatus for bundles and boxes .

The movement element that is movable along the longitudinal axis according to consecutive steps that have a preset value driven by the linear actuator means, comprising for example pneumatic cylinders, having a constant and defined stroke. The reciprocating movement of the linear actuator means is in fact transformed by fin means of nut screw means in a rotation by constant and consecutive angular leads of the latter. The movement element is engaged with the nut screw means by threaded coupling.

The movement element further comprises and end provided with first stopping means arranged for abutting on second stopping means of the nut screw means and locking in a defined initial reference position the movement element. In particular, the first stopping means and the second stopping means, when abutting, prevent further movement of the movement element along the longitudinal axis in an advancing direction. As the nut screw means is prevented from moving along the longitudinal axis, the initial position of the movement element is defined precisely and can be assumed as a reference position for the subsequent positioning of the movement element.

The linear actuator means comprises a pair of actuators that are alongside and suitable for rotating the nut screw means according to a rotation direction and a pair of further actuators that are alongside and suitable for rotating said nut screw means according to a further rotation direction opposite the rotation direction. The pair of actuators and the pair of further actuators are housed inside respective seats made in the casing and are substantially superimposed, in particular opposite and specular to a plane passing through the longitudinal axis and parallel to a traverse driving direction of said actuators. The actuators are grouped compactly on a single side with respect to the nut screw means, enabling the overall space requirement and dimensions of the casing and of the entire movement device to be reduced.

In a second aspect of the invention a conveying apparatus is provided comprising at least one movement device of the first aspect of the invention and according to claim 10. Owing to this aspect of the invention, it is possible to obtain a conveying apparatus for containers provided with abutting and/or supporting guides that are moveable in a large number of positions starting from a defined and precise initial reference position such as to interact with a great number of sizes of containers. To an end of a movement element of the movement device a guide can in fact be connected that is movable together with the movement element along a direction that is transverse to an advancing direction of the containers along the conveying apparatus. The guide is moved along the transverse direction according to consecutive steps having a preset value.

The invention can be better understood and implemented with reference to the attached drawings that illustrate an embodiment thereof by way of non- limiting example, in which: Figure 1 is a partially fragmentary top view, of the movement device of the invention with a movement element in an initial reference position;

Figure 2 is a front view of the device in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a left side view of the device in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a partial section along the line IV-IV in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a section along the line V-V in Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a section along the line VI-VI in Figure 3 ;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the device in Figure 1;

Figure 8 is a partial rear view of the device in Figure 1;

Figure 9 is another perspective view of the device in Figure

1 in which some parts have been removed to reveal the inside of the device better;

Figure 10 is an enlarge detail in Figure 9 that shows stopping means of the movement element and of nut screw means ;

Figure 11 is an enlarged partial view showing the stopping means of the movement element and of the nut screw means;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the movement element associated with the nut screw means, in the initial reference position;

Figure 13 is a front view of the movement element and of the nut screw means in Figure 12 ;

Figure 14 is a schematic front view of an air conveying apparatus for containers comprising a pair of the movement devices supporting respective lateral abutting guides;

Figure 15 is a perspective view of the conveying apparatus in Figure 14, showing a pair of movement devices supporting respective supporting guides of the container;

Figure 16 is a front view of the conveying apparatus in Figure 15;

Figure 17 is a perspective view of a version of the air conveying apparatus in Figure 14 ;

Figure 18 is a front view of the conveying apparatus in Figure 17;

Figure 19 is a front view of a rolling shutter conveying apparatus for bottles provided with a pair of movement devices supporting respective lateral abutting guides;

Figure 20 is a perspective side view of the conveying apparatus in Figure 19.

With reference to figures 1 to 13, there is illustrated a movement device 1 comprising a casing 10, a movement element 2 that is associable with an object 81, 82 to be moved linearly (Figure 14) , nut screw means 3 suitable for engaging with a threaded portion 22 of the movement element 2 and linear actuator means 4, 5, 6, 7 arranged for rotating the nut screw means 3 by consecutive angular leads a such as to move the movement element 2 along a longitudinal axis B.

The casing 10 comprises a central gap 8 that rotatably houses the nut screw means 3 and seats 9 that receive the linear actuator means 4 , 5 , 6 , 7. The central gap 8 communicates with the exterior by means of a first opening 11 and of a second opening 12 made respectively on a first wall 13 and a second wall 14 opposite the casing 10.

The nut screw means 3 includes a body 32, or split nut, having a substantially cylindrical shape, having an axis coinciding with the longitudinal axis B. The body 32 has an internally threaded cavity 32c that engages with the threaded portion 22 of the movement element 2. The nut screw means 8 is provided with a plurality of first fins 33, that project, in particular radially, from an external wall 32a of the body 32 at constant angular distances. The first fins 33 are arranged adjacently to the first wall 13 of the casing 10 and extend along the longitudinal axis B.

The nut screw means 8 further comprises a plurality of second fins 34 that project, in particular radially, from the external wall 32a of the body 32 at constant angular distances. The second fins 34 are arranged in succession to the first fins 33 along the longitudinal axis B in the direction of the second wall 14 of the casing 10. The second fins 34 are arranged alongside along the longitudinal axis B and angularly staggered with respect to the first fins 33, in such a manner that a first fin 33 is interposed between two second fins 34 and vice versa, the first fins 33 being staggered with respect to the second fins 34 by an angular lead a.

The movement element 2 which has an elongated shape is inserted into the casing 10, being engaged in the nut screw means 3 and exits the aforesaid casing through the first opening 11 and the second opening 12.

The first opening 11 is shaped as a shape that is complementary to a section, which is transverse to the longitudinal axis B, of the movement element 2, such as to prevent the rotation of the latter around the longitudinal axis B. In particular, the first opening 11 is provided with opposite flat surfaces 11a, arranged for cooperating in a shapingly manner with further flat surfaces 22a made on the movement element 2, in particular on the threaded portion 22. The two flat surfaces 11a of the first opening 11 are connected by two curved surfaces lib.

The flat surfaces 11a of the first opening 11 and the further flat surfaces 22a of the movement element 2 thus constitute antirotation means that prevent the movement element from rotating around the longitudinal axis B when the nut screw means 3 is rotated by the linear actuator means. In this manner, the rotation of the nut screw means 3 causes only a linear movement of the movement element 2 along the longitudinal axis B.

The threaded portion 22 further comprises further curved surfaces 22b that are threaded in such a manner that the movement element 2 can engage with the nut screw means 8. In a version of the device that is not illustrated in the figures, the rotation of the movement element 2 is prevented by means that is of substantially equivalent shape and comprises, for example, a tooth of the casing 10 that engages in a longitudinal linear groove in the movement element 2. With particular reference to figures 9 to 13, the movement element 2 comprises an end 23 and a further end 21 both set up for being connected to an object 81, 82 to be moved, as better explained further on in the description.

The end 23 is further provided with first stopping means 24 arranged for abutting on second stopping means 31 provided on the nut screw means 3 and locking in a defined initial reference position P the movement element 2. In particular, the first stopping means 24 and the second stopping means 31, when they abut, prevent further movement of the movement element 2 along the respective longitudinal axis B in an advancing direction CI, i.e. in the advancing direction that enables the movement element 2 to exit the casing 10 through the first opening 11.

The first stopping means comprises at least one projection 24 associated with the second end 23, whilst the second stopping means comprises at least one stopping element 31 associated with the nut screw means 3.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the first stopping means comprises a pair of projections 24 that are angularly spaced by 180°, i.e. are substantially opposite, each of which projects radially from a side wall 23a of the second end 23. The projections 24 further have a longitudinally- elongated shape and are fixed to the side wall 23a, or are made in a single body with the second end 23.

Similarly, the second stopping means comprises a pair of abutting elements 31, each of which projects longitudinally from a frontal annular wall 32b of the body 32 of the nut screw means 3.

In the initial position P of the movement element 2 lateral faces of the abutments 24 abut on further lateral faces of respective stopping elements 31.

As the nut screw means 3 is rotatably mounted in the casing 10 and prevented from moving along the longitudinal axis B, the initial position P of the movement element 2 is defined precisely and can be taken as a reference position for the subsequent positioning of the movement element 2 (and of the object 81, 82) , as better explained further on in the description.

The linear actuator means comprises a pair of actuators 4, 5 that are alongside and are suitable for rotating the nut screw means 8 along a rotation direction Rl and a pair of further actuators 6, 7 that are alongside and are suitable for rotating said nut screw means 8 according to a further rotation direction R2 opposite the rotation direction Rl .

The pair of actuators 4 , 5 and the pair of further actuators 6, 7 are housed inside respective seats 9 made in the casing 10 and are substantially superimposed on one another. In particular, with reference to figures 3, 5, and 6, the pair of actuators 4, 5 and the pair of further actuators 6, 7 are substantially opposite and specular with respect to a plane M passing through the longitudinal axis B and parallel to a first driving direction Al of said actuators, which is transverse to said longitudinal axis B.

The pair of actuators comprises a first actuator 4 and a second actuator 5 arranged alongside with reference to the longitudinal axis B to interact respectively with the plurality of first fins 33 and the plurality of second fins 34 in such a manner as to rotate the nut screw means 3 in the rotation direction Rl .

Similarly, the pair of further actuators comprises a further first actuator 6 and a further second actuator 7 arranged alongside with reference to the longitudinal axis B, to interact respectively with the plurality of first fins 33 and the plurality of second fins 34 in such a manner as to rotate the nut screw means 3 in the further rotation direction R2. The actuators 4, 5 and the further actuators 6, 7 comprise respective pneumatic cylinders, in particular single-effect and/or dual effect cylinders. Each pneumatic cylinder 4, 5, 6, 7 comprises a piston 41, 51, 61, 71 that is slidable in a respective chamber 42, 52, 62, 72 and provided with a respective stem 43, 63, 63, 73 a free end of which is intended for abutting on and rotating the fins 33 or the further fins 34.

The pistons 41, 51, 61, 71 and the stems 43, 63, 63, 73 are movable along the first transverse direction Al .

It should be noted that the actuators 4, 5, 6, 7 are grouped in a compact manner on a single side with respect to the nut screw means 3 , to enable the total space requirement and dimensions of the casing 10 and of the entire movement device 1 to be reduced.

Interface means 20 is provided on a side wall of the casing 10 to supply, for example with compressed air, all the actuators 4, 5, 6, 7. The interface means 20 comprises a plate provided with inlet and outlet holes for the compressed air and with connections, for example threaded holes, that enable control members of the actuators to be fixed, typically electropneumatic valves. With this arrangement of the actuators, also the connection with the compressed air supply and the mounting of the control members is simplified and facilitated.

The operation of the movement device 1 provides driving the pair of actuators 4, 5 to rotate the nut screw means 3 in the rotation direction Rl and move linearly the movement element 2 along the longitudinal axis B, for example in the advancing direction CI, or driving the pair of further actuators 6, 7 to rotate the nut screw means 3 in the further rotation direction R2 and move the movement element 2 in an opposite advancing direction C2.

For each pair of actuators the first actuator 4, 6 and the second actuator 5, 7 are driven alternatively in such a manner as to rotate the nut screw means 8 by the angular lead a.

When the first actuator 4, 6 is driven that with the respective stem 43, 63 rotates the first fins 33, the second actuator 5, 7 is inactive and the respective stem 53, 73 does not interact with the second fins 34, which are free to rotate. Vice versa, when the second actuator 5, 7, is driven, which with the respective stem 53, 73 rotates the second fins 34, the first actuator 4, 6 is inactive and the respective stem 43, 63 does not interact with the first fins 33, which are free to rotate. In this manner, the movement element 2, which engages in the first shaped opening 11, as it cannot rotate, is moved linearly along the longitudinal axis B by a preset movement that depends on the lead of the thread on the movement element 2 and on the angular lead a.

The actuating means 4, 5, 6, 7 thus enables the movement element 2 to be arranged precisely in a large number of positions along the longitudinal axis B.

It should be noted that if the initial position P of the movement element 2 is known precisely (when the first stopping means 24 and the second stopping means 31 abut) it is possible by counting the number of drives of the actuating means (for example by the respective control valves) to calculate the real movement of the movement element 2 and thus the exact linear position of the latter (and of the object 81, 82 moved thereby) .

The movement device 1 can be used in different applications, in particular it can be used to move guides that act as an abutment or a support in an air conveying apparatus, a rolling shutter or belt conveying apparatus for containers or products .

With reference to figures 14 to 16, an air conveying apparatus 80 is illustrated that is arranged for moving empty containers 100 for liquids made of plastics, for example bottles, along a movement path.

Each container 100 has a body 101 and an end portion with a decreasing section, called a neck 102, provided with an annular ridge 103.

The conveying apparatus 80 comprises a frame 85 to which is fixed container supporting guiding means 83, 84 arranged along the entire movement path to engage with the annular ridge 103. In this manner, the container 100 is hung and supported by the supporting guides 83, 84 and can run longitudinally along the supporting guides 83, 84.

The conveying apparatus 80 further comprises air conveyors 86 that emit jets of pressurised air in such a manner as to advance the containers 100 along the movement path.

The conveying apparatus 80 comprises lateral abutting guiding means 81, 82 that is arranged along the movement path parallel to the supporting guides 41 at a lower vertical height. The lateral abutting guiding means 81, 82 ensures correct positioning and transverse alignment of the containers 100 during advancing. The lateral abutting guiding means comprises first lateral abutting guiding means 81 arranged on one side of the frame 85 and second lateral abutting guiding means 82 that is arranged on an opposite side of the frame 85 with respect to the first lateral abutting guiding means 81.

The first lateral abutting guiding means 81 has to be positioned at a transverse distance L from the second abutting guiding means 82 that is little greater than a transverse dimension of the body 101 of the container 100, in such a manner that said body 101 can be inserted between the first lateral abutting guiding means 81 and the second abutting guiding means 82. In this manner, during advancing of the container 100 along the movement path, the abutting guiding means 81, 82 prevents said container 100 oscillating on a plane that is transverse to the movement path. Known abutting guiding means 81, 82 comprise, for example, a supporting plate to which combs or elastic abutments are fixed that are arranged for interacting with a portion of the external surface of the body 101.

The linear position of the abutting guiding means 81, 82 along a second direction A2 that is transverse to the movement path of the containers 100 is adjusted by a pair of movement devices 1, which is thus able to vary the transverse distance L.

Each movement device 1 is fixed to the frame 85 for example by fixing means, which is not shown, that is connected to the first wall 13 or to the second wall 14 of the casing 10.

In the embodiment in figure 14, the guiding means 81, 82 is fixed to the further ends 21 of the movement elements 2 of respective movement devices 1.

The conveying apparatus 80 further comprises supply means and control means, which are not shown, which are arranged respectively for supplying and driving the actuating means of each movement device 1.

With particular reference to figures 15 and 16, the conveying apparatus 80 comprises further movement devices 1 for adjusting the transverse position of the supporting guiding means 83, 84 such as to receive bottles 100 with different neck diameters D. Also the further movement devices 1 are fixed to the frame 85 of the apparatus.

Owing to the movement devices 1 of the invention, the abutting guiding means 81, 82 can be arranged in a large number of intermediate positions in which the transverse distance L assumes a value that is comprised between a minimum value (in the initial reference position P of each movement element 2) and a maximum value (in a final position in which the abutting guiding means abuts, for example, on the frame 85) . In this manner, the abutting guiding means 81, 82 is able to receive containers 100 having a plurality of sizes .

Similarly, movement devices 1 according to the invention enable the supporting guiding means 83, 84 to be adjusted in a large number of transverse positions for receiving containers 100 having different neck diameters D.

It should be noted that in an automatic procedure for adjusting the transverse position of the abutting guiding means (for example to carry out a size change) , the control means in a first step drives the actuating means of the movement devices 1 in such a manner as to arrange the movement elements 2 (and thus the guiding means 81, 82) in the initial reference position P. In a second step, the control means drives the actuating means of the movement devices 1 for a defined number of times (or a defined time) in such a manner as to arrange the movement elements 2 (and thus the guiding means 81, 82) in a preset and precise operating position that is correlated with the transverse dimensions of the container 100 to be moved.

A similar procedure can be run by the control means to drive the actuating means of the movement devices 1 that act on the supporting guiding means 83, 84.

Owing to movement devices 1 of the invention in association with the control means it is thus possible to run completely automatically, without manual intervention by the operators, the adjusting operations for adjusting the lateral abutting and/or supporting guides with reduced stopping times of the conveying apparatus and great precision in the movements of the guides .

Figures 17 and 18 illustrate another embodiment of an air conveying apparatus 90 for moving bottles 100 that differs from the embodiment in Figure 14 by the fact that the lateral abutting guide means 91, 92 can be adjusted not only along the second direction A2, but also along a third direction A3, which is also transverse to the movement path of the containers 100 and orthogonal to the second direction A2, in particular substantially vertical.

A pair of movement devices 1 is connected to and moves linearly along the second direction A2 the lateral abutting guide means 91, 92. The latter is fixed to the ends 23 of the movement elements 2 of the respective movement devices 1. Each movement device 1 of the aforesaid pair is fixed to a supporting bracket 96 that is slidably coupled with a vertical rod 97 of the frame 95 of the conveying apparatus 90. The supporting bracket 96 is moved linearly along the respective rod 97 (and along the third direction A3) by a further movement device 1. The latter is fixed with the respective casing 10 to the supporting bracket 96 and connected by the end 23 of the movement element 2 to a folded end portion 97a of the rod 97.

In this embodiment of the conveying apparatus 90 the abutting guiding means 91, 92 can be positioned in function of the width of the container 100 (along the second direction A2) and of the shape and/or height thereof (along the third direction A3) .

With reference to figures 19 and 20 a conveying apparatus 200 of the rolling shutter type is illustrated that is arranged for moving products 100, for example empty or full bottles along a movement path.

The conveying apparatus 200 comprises a rolling shutter belt 206 that is movable along the movement path and on which the bottles 100 rest and lateral abutting guide means 201, 202 that ensure correct positioning and transverse aligning of the containers 100 during advancing.

The lateral abutting guide means 201, 202 is moved linearly along a second direction A2 that is transverse to the movement path by a pair of movement devices 1. The latter are fixed to respective supports 203, 204, which are in turn fixed to a frame 205 that supports the rolling shutter belt 205.

Also in this application, movement devices 1 of the invention, associated with control means, enable the operations of adjusting the lateral abutting guides to be performed completely automatically without manual intervention, with reduction in the downtime of the conveying apparatus and greater precision in the movements of the guides .