Technical Field

The present invention relates to a station for the singularization of bagged articles, in particular pieces of clothing.

Background Art

With particular reference to the apparel industry, there is nowadays an increasing need to organize and deliver small and very small batches, e.g., following an online order from one or more customers.

In this regard, it is good to keep in mind that articles are produced within dedicated factories and sent to processing plants for packaging and sorting.

Articles are typically sent to processing plants by single-product pallets, and therefore, it is first necessary to sort and organize the articles before boxing and shipping them to end customers.

To fulfill this purpose, the processing plants provide, for example, singleproduct and/or multi-product intermediate storage warehouses, conveyor lines for sorted articles, and stations for setting up the package to be prepared according to the specific order.

In this regard, the use is well known, within processing plants, of singularization stations designed to singularize bagged articles, that is, to separate them individually from each other for the purpose of being able to process them individually through automated handling and management systems.

In the present case, the singularization stations comprise a first area, in which non-singularized products, such as those contained in boxes, trolleys or bins, are sent, and a second area, in which products that have already been singularized are delivered to the package set-up station.

Specifically, the singularization stations of known type are composed of gripping and transferring means that grip the articles and transfer them from the first area to the second area where there is a line of away movement of the articles substantially consisting of one or more conveyor belts on which the article singularization takes place.

In detail, singularization stations are known which are provided with a sequence of conveyor belts connected in series and moving at different speeds from each other, particularly increasing in the way of away movement from the first area.

This allows articles to be singularized to be divided and spaced out due to the change in speed between one conveyor belt and the next.

In this way, it is possible, for example, to move away from each other articles that have overlapped each other on the line of away movement.

However, the above technical solution is not without its drawbacks.

It is, in fact, easy to appreciate that, for reasons related to the space available within the processing plants, it is not possible to increase the overall dimensions of the lines of away movement and, therefore, of the singularization stations, beyond a certain value.

Another known type of singularization stations comprises singularization systems of the type of brushes and/or vertical barriers associated with the line of away movement and arranged so as to define a passage section that can be traversed by only one article at a time.

Nevertheless, the singularization stations provided with brushes and/or vertical barriers are also amenable to improvements aimed, in particular, at increasing their efficiency and reliability over time.

Separation of articles, in fact, often fails and some of them get stuck at the passage section, eventually blocking it.

This leads to a reduction in the flow of articles on the line of away movement and, if action is not taken in a timely manner, to a complete shutdown of the singularization station due to the total blockage of the passage section.

It is clear, therefore, that the unreliability of this type of singularization station translates over time into substantial economic damage to the company.

Description of the Invention

The main aim of the present invention is to devise a station for the singularization of bagged articles, in particular pieces of clothing, which enables the singularization of bagged articles to be carried out efficiently and reliably, while at the same time reducing the overall dimensions compared with the singularization stations of known type.

Another object of the present invention is to devise a station for the singularization of bagged articles, in particular pieces of clothing, which can overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art within the framework of a simple, rational, easy and effective to use as well as cost-effective solution. The aforementioned objects are achieved by this station for the singularization of bagged articles, in particular pieces of clothing, having the characteristics of claim 1.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive embodiment of a station for the singularization of bagged articles, in particular pieces of clothing, illustrated by way of an indicative, yet non-limiting example, in the attached tables of drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an axonometric, overall view of the station according to the invention;

Figure 2 is an axonometric, detailed view of the inclined surfaces of the station according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a rear, detailed view of one of the inclined surfaces of the station according to the invention.

Embodiments of the Invention

With particular reference to these figures, reference numeral 1 globally indicates a station for the singularization of bagged articles, in particular pieces of clothing.

It is specified that, in the remainder of this disclosure, the term “singularization” is intended to mean the separation and moving away of each of the bagged articles P from the others for the purpose of being able to process the latter individually through automated handling and management systems.

It is further specified that the term “bagged articles” refers to articles contained within one or more flexible bags, preferably made of plastic material. By way of an example, the bag is made of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or other plastic materials still known to the industry expert.

The station 1 for the singularization of bagged articles, in particular pieces of clothing, comprises at least one basic frame 2 for resting on the ground and at least one first area 3 for collecting a plurality of bagged articles P to be singularized.

Usefully, the first area 3 is configured to receive incoming one or more transport elements E containing the bagged articles P to be singularized.

For example, the transport elements E may be of the type of boxes, trolleys, bins or other bodies still suitable for the containment, collection and transport of the bagged articles P to be singularized.

The first area 3 comprises at least one receiving structure 4 of the transport elements E arranged resting on the ground.

In detail, the receiving structure 4 is substantially U-shaped.

In this regard, the receiving structure 4 defines within itself at least one housing 5 wherein the transport elements E are arranged once they arrive in the first area 3.

For example, in the event of the transport element E being of the type of a trolley, it is possible to transport the latter to the first area 3, arrange it within the housing 5 of the receiving structure 4 and then pick up the bagged articles P to be singularized contained therein.

In this regard, the station 1 comprises at least a second area 6 for receiving the bagged articles P to be singularized which is adapted to obtain singularized bagged articles P.

Specifically, the second area 6 comprises at least one line of away movement 7 of the singularized bagged articles P along at least one direction of away movement A from the first area 3.

In detail, the line of away movement 7 is associated with the basic frame 2 and is, therefore, arranged resting on the ground.

Preferably, the line of away movement 7 is of the type of a conveyor belt or a motorized roller conveyor.

In this case, the line of away movement 7 is movable along the direction of away movement A.

This means that the singularized bagged articles P are dragged by the movement of the line of away movement 7 along the direction of away movement A.

In other words, the singularized bagged articles P move locked together with the line of away movement 7 along the direction of away movement A and, in this way, they are moved away from the first area 3.

It cannot, however, be ruled out that the line of away movement 7 be, e.g., of the type of a slide.

In other words, the possibility cannot be ruled out that the line of away movement 7 is fixed in motion with respect to the direction of away movement A.

In this sense, therefore, the singularized bagged articles P are moved away from the first area 3 along the direction of away movement A due to their sliding down the slide.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, shown in the figures, the line of away movement 7 is inclined with respect to the ground.

In addition, the direction of away movement A is inclined and at least partly upwardly oriented.

This means, in actual facts, that the singularized bagged articles P move uphill along the line of away movement 7.

Lines of away movement 7 made differently and, in particular, arranged substantially parallel to the ground cannot however be ruled out.

In other words, lines of away movement 7 wherein the direction of away movement A is substantially horizontal cannot be ruled out.

In addition, the station 1 comprises gripping and transferring means 8 configured to grip the bagged articles P to be singularized and to transfer them from the first area 3 to the second area 6.

In the present case, the gripping and transferring means 8 comprise at least one automated manipulator 9. In particular, the manipulator 9 is of the type of an anthropomorphic robotic arm.

Precisely, the manipulator 9 is of the type of an anthropomorphic robotic arm with six degrees of freedom.

Manipulators 9 of different types, such as, e.g., Cartesian-type manipulators movable on three orthogonal axes, SCARA manipulators, Delta manipulators, or other manipulators still known to the expert in the field, cannot however be ruled out.

For the purpose of gripping and transporting the bagged articles P to be singularized, the manipulator 9 is provided with at least one movable gripping end 9a.

Preferably, the gripping end 9a is of the type of a suction device, a suction cup or the like.

In other words, the gripping end 9a enables the bagged articles P to be singularized to be sucked in and, in doing so, to secure the articles themselves to the manipulator 9 for their transfer from the first area 3 to the second area 6.

Usefully, the manipulator 9 is associated with at least one support base 10 onto the ground.

For example, the support base 10 is column- shaped.

Alternatively, the support base 10 is portal-shaped.

This means that, in the latter case, the support base 10 consists of two piers, with a vertical or even inclined axis, and an upper crosspiece with a straight or curved axis, provided, if necessary, with side overhangs.

In the present case, if portal- shaped, the support base 10 is arranged astride to the line of away movement 7.

This means that the line of away movement 7 is placed between the two piers and crosses, therefore, the support base 10.

In all cases, the manipulator 9 is placed on top of the support base 10.

In the event of the support base 10 being portal- shaped, therefore, the manipulator 9 is associated with the upper crosspiece.

Usefully, the gripping and transferring means 8 comprise vision and recognition means configured to obtain and process at least one video signal related to the bagged articles P to be singularized.

In this case, the vision and recognition means comprise at least one video camera.

Preferably, the video camera is mounted on the manipulator 9.

This means that the video camera’s field of view varies as the manipulator moves through the space.

Alternatively, the video camera is mounted in a different area with respect to the one just described.

For example, the video camera is mounted at the first area 3.

For the purpose of processing the video signal obtained from the video camera, the vision and recognition means comprise at least one computerized processing module operatively connected to the manipulator 9.

For example, the processing module is configured with at least one artificial intelligence library programmed to enable the manipulator 9 to recognize at least one type of bagged articles P to be singularized.

With particular reference to the case of bagged articles P of the type of pieces of clothing, the artificial intelligence library is programmed to enable the manipulator 9 to recognize various different types of pieces of clothing such as, e.g., sweaters, jerseys, trousers, and so on.

In accordance with the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the gripping and transferring means 8 comprise two manipulators 9.

In this case, one of the two manipulators 9 is associated with a column-shaped support base 10 and the other of the two manipulators 9 is associated with a portal-shaped support base 10.

Specifically, the manipulator 9 associated with column-shaped support base 10 is placed upstream of the manipulator 9 associated with the portal-shaped support base 10 with respect to the direction of away movement A.

Each manipulator 9 is configured to grip only one bagged article P at a time following recognition of its type.

It is straightforward to guess that this expedient allows for the preliminary singularization of the bagged articles P.

In fact, by gripping only one bagged article P at a time, the manipulator 9 already allows making an initial subdivision of the same.

Although the manipulator 9 is configured to grip only one bagged article P at a time, the flexibility of the bags enclosing the articles does not always guarantee that the manipulator 9 will actually grip one and only one bagged article P at a time, sometimes the simultaneous gripping of two bagged articles P and their transfer to the second area 6 may occur.

In cases like this, in practice, two or more bagged articles P that are not separated from each other and need singularization arrive at the second area 6.

For this purpose, the second area 6 comprises at least one inclined surface 12 intended to receive in support the bagged articles P to be singularized released by the gripping and transferring means 8.

In particular, the inclined surface 12 is associated with the basic frame 2.

In this regard, the basic frame 2 comprises at least one support column 2a, the inclined surface 12 being associated with the support column 2a.

Preferably, the inclined surface 12 is associated with two support columns 2a arranged opposite each other with respect to the line of away movement 7.

In this case, the inclined surface 12 is placed between the two support columns 2a.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the inclined surface 12 is associated with the basic frame 2 in a fixed manner.

This means that the inclination of the inclined surface 12 with respect to the vertical is constant over time.

In this regard, it should be specified that, in the substance of this disclosure, the term “inclined” refers at the same time both to the fact that the inclined surface 12 forms with respect to the vertical an angle of between 0° and 90° and to the fact that the inclined surface 12 can possibly be adjusted by inclination to vary the angle it defines with respect to the vertical.

In other words, the term “inclined” means that the inclined surface 12 can be inclined and/or inclinable with respect to the vertical. In this sense, according to an alternative embodiment to the previous one, the inclined surface 12 is associated with the basic frame 2 in a movable manner between a substantially horizontal configuration and a substantially inclined configuration.

In this regard, movement means can be usefully provided placed between the inclined surface 12 and the basic frame 2 and adapted to move the inclined surface itself between the substantially horizontal configuration and the substantially inclined configuration.

Preferably, the movement means are of the actuator type, such as e.g. pneumatic actuators and/or hydraulic actuators.

In accordance with the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the second area 6 comprises two inclined surfaces 12.

In this case, the station 1 shown in Figure 1 comprises two first areas 3, two manipulators 9 and two inclined surfaces 12.

In particular, the line of away movement 7 is placed between the two first areas 3.

In addition, the two inclined surfaces 12 are arranged parallel to each other.

In this regard, one of the two manipulators 9 is configured to grip the bagged articles P to be singularized from one of the two first areas 3 and to transfer them to one of the two inclined surfaces 12, while the other of the two manipulators 9 is configured to grip the bagged articles P to be singularized from the other of the two first areas 3 and to transfer them to the other of the two inclined surfaces 12.

In this sense, the number of inclined surfaces 12 coincides with the number of manipulators 9 and with the number of first areas 3.

Alternative solutions cannot however be ruled out in which, in particular, the number of inclined surfaces 12 be different from the number of manipulators 9 and/or from the number of first areas 3 and, e.g., be less than the number of manipulators 9 and of the first areas 3.

In this regard, it should be specified that, unless otherwise indicated, only one of the two inclined surfaces 12 will be described in detail in the remainder of this disclosure.

This means that the considerations set forth below with respect to one of the inclined surfaces 12 are to be considered similar, except where expressly stated, for the other inclined surface(s) 12 as well.

According to the invention, the inclined surface 12 comprises suction means 13 that can be activated to retain the bagged articles P to be singularized and that can be deactivated to release the bagged articles P to be singularized to allow them to fall on the line of away movement 7 by sliding.

In actual facts, in the event of the manipulators 9 transferring two bagged articles P onto the inclined surface 12 at the same time and, for example, one on top of the other, one bagged article P ends up resting on the inclined surface 12 and is retained by the suction means 13 while the other bagged article P ends up resting on the first bagged article P and is not retained by the suction means 13, thus falling directly on the line of away movement 7 and being separated from the other.

The suction means 13 comprise at least one suction hole 14 formed on the inclined surface 12 and at least one intake pipe 15 associated with the suction hole 14 and traversable by at least one suctioned air flow.

In the present case, the inclined surface 12 comprises at least one first face 16 provided with the at least one suction hole 14.

In this regard, the first face 16 is substantially flat-shaped.

Once the suction means 13 are activated, therefore, an air flow is drawn in through the suction hole 14 and is subsequently forced into the intake pipe 15. This makes it possible to generate a vacuum at the first face 16 and to draw in, thanks to it, at least one bagged article P to be singularized, fixing it stably on the inclined surface 12.

As visible in Figure 3, the suction means 13 comprise at least one connecting element 17 operatively placed between the at least one suction hole 14 and the relevant intake pipe 15.

In this regard, the inclined surface 12 comprises at least one second face 18 opposite the first face 16, the at least one connecting element 17 being associated with the second face 18.

Specifically, the connecting element 17 is of the type of a pneumatic connector.

This means that the connecting element 17 comprises at least a first opening associated with the intake pipe 15 and at least a second opening, opposite the previous one, associated with the suction hole 14.

As visible in Figures 1 and 2, the suction means 13 comprise a plurality of suction holes 14 which are grouped together to define a plurality of suction arrays 19 on the inclined surface 12.

For example, each of the suction arrays 19 comprises a plurality of suction holes 14.

Specifically, each of the suction arrays 19 comprises a plurality of suction holes 14 arranged on the inclined surface 12 in a mutually aligned manner along at least one direction of sliding S of the bagged articles P.

It is specified, in this regard, that the expression “direction of sliding” is intended to denote the direction along which the bagged articles P to be singularized slide on the inclined surface 12 due to the effect of gravity.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the suction arrays 19 comprise two suction holes 14.

In the present case, in the above embodiment, each of the two suction holes 14 of a suction array 19 is associated with a respective intake pipe 15.

It should be specified, at this point, that each of the two suction holes 14 of the suction means 13 individually ensures the effective retention of at least one bagged article P to be singularized.

In actual facts, this means that even only one of two suction holes 14 in a suction array 19 is sufficient to ensure the retention of a bagged article P to be singularized when the suction means 13 are activated.

Still, in accordance with the preferred embodiment, the suction means 13 comprise three suction arrays 19.

In other words, the suction means 13 comprise, in total, six suction holes 14, six intake pipes 15 and six connecting elements where, specifically, each of the intake pipes 15 and each of the connecting elements 17 is individually associated with each of the six suction holes 14.

Preferably, the suction arrays 19 are arranged on the inclined surface 12 side by side along a substantially horizontal direction.

It is emphasized, in this regard, that the special arrangement of the suction arrays 19 on the inclined surface 12 allows effective retention of the bagged articles P to be singularized.

The station 1 also comprises at least one electronic management and control unit 20 operatively connected to the suction means 13 and programmed with at least one activation time value and with at least one deactivation time value.

In this case, the electronic management and control unit 20 is configured to activate the suction means 13 depending on the activation time value and to deactivate the suction means 13 depending on the deactivation time value.

The electronic management and control unit 20 is, in addition, configured to simultaneously activate the suction arrays 19 depending on the activation time and to sequentially deactivate each of the suction arrays 19 depending on the at least one deactivation time.

It is specified that the term “sequentially” is intended, in this disclosure, to mean that the suction arrays 19 are deactivated by the electronic management and control unit 20 following a specific order of deactivation.

More precisely, one of the three suction arrays 19 is deactivated first, a second of the three suction arrays 19 is deactivated second and the remaining suction array 19 is deactivated third.

In other words, the term “sequentially” refers to the fact that the suction arrays 19 are deactivated by the electronic management and control unit 20 in turn and selectively.

It should be noted that the special expedient of sequentially deactivating the suction arrays 19 allows the bagged articles P to be singularized should more than one of them be retained by the suction means 13 on an individual inclined surface 12.

In fact, in the event that the inclined surface 12 being to receive in support, at the same time, several bagged articles P, these would be retained all together (during the activation time) but released in turn (according to the above- mentioned order of deactivation) carrying out, in fact, the singularization of the same.

Conveniently, the inclined surface 12 comprises pushing means 21 of the bagged articles P to be singularized comprising at least one ejection hole 22 of at least one pressurized air flow intended to push at least one of the bagged articles P to be singularized detaching from the inclined surface 12.

Usefully, the pushing means 21 comprise at least one ejection pipe 23 associated with the ejection hole 22 and traversable by at least one blown air flow.

In the preferred embodiment, the pushing means 21 comprise six ejection holes 22 and six ejection pipes 23.

In this case, the pushing means 21 coincide with the suction means 13.

This means that the ejection holes 22 coincide with the suction holes 14 and the ejection pipes 23 coincide with the intake pipes 15.

In other words, the suction holes 14 are configured to both draw inward and expel outward at least one air flow.

It is emphasized that the special expedient of providing pushing means 21 allows for easier and more efficient dropping of the bagged articles P to be singularized once the suction means 13 are deactivated.

Indeed, the pushing means 21 prevent the bagged articles P to be singularized from remaining arranged in support on the inclined surface 12 even after the suction means 13 have been deactivated.

The inclined surfaces 12 are configured to particularly efficiently separate and singularize the bagged articles P; to further increase the singularization efficiency of the station 1, the second area 6 advantageously comprises at least one barrier element 24 associated with the line of away movement 7 and defining at least one passage section 25 of the bagged articles P.

In more detail, the barrier element 24 is shaped to selectively allow the singularized bagged articles P to pass through the passage section 25 and to prevent the bagged articles P to be singularized from passing. In other words, the passage section 25 is sized so as to be traversed by only one bagged article P at a time.

This makes it possible, usefully, to carry out a final singularization of the bagged articles P on the line of away movement 7.

In this regard, the barrier element 24 is made at least partly of rigid material.

It is easy to appreciate, at this point, that, due to its own stiffness, the barrier element 24 counteracts the passage of one or more of the bagged articles P to be singularized through the passage section 25 by acting as a barrier.

In other words, the barrier element 24 is of the type of a partition wall.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the second area 6 comprises two barrier elements 24 associated with the line of away movement 7.

In the present case, the two barrier elements 24 are arranged in succession with each other along the line of away movement 7.

This means that the bagged articles P first pass through the passage section 25 defined by one of the two barrier elements 24 and then pass through the passage section 25 defined by the other of the two barrier elements 24.

In particular, at least one of the two barrier elements 24 is shaped with width substantially coincident with that of the line of away movement 7 and is at least partly elevated from the latter.

In other words, the passage section 25 defined by such a barrier element 24 is arranged inferiorly to the barrier element itself and, precisely, between the latter and the line of away movement 7.

In other words, in the case of two bagged articles P to be singularized stacked on top of each other along the line of away movement 7, the aforementioned barrier element 24 is shaped in such a way as to prevent one of the two from passing through its own passage section 25 and to allow the passage to the other of the two thus making, in actual facts, the singularization of the two.

Again, the other of the two barrier elements 24 is shaped with substantially less width than that of the line of away movement 7.

In the present case, the passage section 25 defined by such barrier element 24 is arranged laterally to the barrier element itself and, specifically, between the latter and the basic frame 2.

In other words, in the case of two bagged articles P to be singularized side by side along the line of away movement 7, the latter barrier element 24 is shaped so as to prevent one of the two from passing through its own passage section 25 and to allow the passage to the other of the two thus making, in actual facts, the singularization of the same.

It is evident at this point to note that providing at least one barrier element 24 is particularly convenient in cases where two or more bagged articles P would end up on the line of away movement 7 not yet singularized. It has in practice been ascertained that the described invention achieves the intended objects.

In particular, the fact is emphasized that the special expedient of providing at least one inclined surface comprising suction means of the bagged articles to be singularized enables the singularization of bagged articles to be carried out efficiently and reliably, while at the same time reducing the overall dimensions with respect to known singularization stations.