The present invention refers to a system for handling items and to a process for handling items combined with separators.

In general, the present invention refers to: transport or storage devices, for example conveyors for loading or depositing, conveyors with pneumatic tubes, auxiliary devices for conveyors, supplying or unloading devices, devices embedded into or operatively associated with conveyor belts; vibrating, mechanical, centrifugal, gravity supplying and/or transport systems, etc.

In particular, the present invention refers to: devices or applications with hoppers and chutes equipped with means for controlling the flow of materials, for example to prevent their overloading; means for supplying a plurality of parts, in mutual relationship, through a plurality of supply sources, with or without a manual intervention; handling devices for materials associated with conveyors to be able to perform certain functions. For example: affecting the relative position or the behavior of items during their transport; chancing the spacing between individual items during their transit through a series of conveyors; supplying and loading systems which can be composed of different components, such as hoppers, lifting devices, orienting devices, rotary tables, etc.

The prior art is given by patent US8322514B2 dealing with a system for transferring items comprising a first conveyor adapted to transfer the items from an inlet and a second conveyor, arranged at a relative non-linear angle to the first conveyor, adapted to transfer the items to an outlet. Such system comprises a mechanism for transferring items from the first to the second conveyor structured and arranged to facilitate the re-organization of items conveyed by the first conveyor, so that when they are transferred to the second conveyor, they are arranged in adjacent lanes with a certain measure. Such items transferring mechanism comprises one or more elements, each one of which is moving between the first and the second position independently with respect to the other elements. Every element assembled on an independently controllable rotating arm moves at an angular speed variable between the first and the second position.

Another example of the prior art is given by patent US4991708A dealing with a line for the positive transport of packaged items, for example food products, from a withdrawal station. Such transport line allows choosing which groups of a predetermined number of items are taken to a substantially stationary condition, for a certain interval of time, to allow the operation of a removal unit, for example a handling device, a robot, etc. The transport line is actuated intermittently, under a condition in which substantially the motion becomes stationary, during the removal period, and a further movement condition in which the line advanced by a number of positions, equal to the number of items of each group. The items, supplied in a substantially but not necessarily continuous flow, are accumulated by means of a spacing conveyor, upstream of the batching conveyor which supplies the transport line. The conveyors also allow the movement intermittently and in synchronism, with the movement of the conveyor belt. The items are accumulated upstream of the batching conveyor using a further conveyor moving continuously, on which the items are transported with the chance of sliding.

The invention of patent US8322514B2 and the one of patent US4991708A substantially deal with the use of moving separators belonging to a motored device dedicated to transfer items in a controlled way, through optical sensors, to be able to change their speed.

The use of a distributed motorization till the dedicated control of mobile separators is involved implies the making of systems lacking flexibility, complicated and costly. Therefore a problem to be solved is being able to separate the items to be handled in an easy way by adopting the same supply source, for the items to be moved and for the separators .

With respect thereto, the prior art is given by patentUS4630344A dealing with an apparatus for assembling several parts consisting in a fusion with an elongated tubular opening, a check ring and a first bearing assembled and blocked in such fusion by such check ring, a spacer, a second bearing and a further check ring for blocking the parts in the fusion. The manipulator is placed in order to catch the internal diameter of the spaced to be then able to place it in the fusion.

The invention of patent US4630344A substantially deals with means for supplying separating elements coming from different supply sources, without a manual intervention. Solutions with converging supply lines can be included. Moreover, assembling means and disassembling means can be included, by interposing separating elements through the use of positioning sensors.

A further teaching is given by patent US6553653B2 dealing with a system comprising a vertical assembling table designed to automatically assemble a window body made of insulated glass composed of two identical glass slabs and of a gasket used as spacer. The glass slabs are coupled with the spacer after washing in a washing machine. The glass slabs are transported by two working lines to a transfer conveyor to be joined to the spacer .

Document WO-Al-98/16449 discloses a circular system for handling items according to the preamble of claim 1. Object of the present invention is solving the above prior art problems by providing a system for handling items coupled with a system for moving separators, wherein the interaction between such two handling systems allows moving both the items and the separators through a single handling system.

A further object of the present invention is providing a system for handling items which allows neutralizing the function of the separators when the interaction between items and separators is not necessary.

A further object of the present invention is providing a system for handling items capable of recirculating the separators, once neutralized, to be able to use them afterwards and continuously.

A further object of the present invention is providing a system for handling items capable of using control means in order to allow an operating versatility and flexibility, according to the type of items and separators which have to be handled.

A further object of the present invention is providing a system for handling items capable of exploiting a type or a combination of different types of systems selected among vibrating, pneumatic, magnetic, electromechanical, or gravity types .

A further object of the present invention is providing a system for handling items capable of accumulating the items avoiding their mutual contact .

A further object of the present invention is providing a process for handling items combined with separators, for example implemented through a system according to the present invention.

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention, as will appear from the following description, are obtained with a system and a process for handling items as claimed in the respective independent claims. Preferred embodiments and non-trivial variations of the present invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

It is intended that all enclosed claims are an integral part of the present description.

It will be immediately obvious that numerous variations and modifications (for example related to shape, sizes, arrangements and parts with equivalent functionality) can be made to what is described, without departing from the scope of the invention, as appears from the enclosed claims.

The present invention will be better described by some preferred embodiments thereof, provided as a non-limiting example, with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which:

Figures 1 and 2 respectively show a plan view and a side view of the meaningful schematic components of a first preferred embodiment of a system for handling items according to the present invention;

Figures 3 and 4 respectively show a plan view and a side view of the meaningful schematic components of a second preferred embodiment of a system for handling items according to the present invention;

Figures 5 and 6 respectively show a plan view and a side view of the meaningful schematic components of a third preferred embodiment of a system for handling items according to the present invention;

Figures 7 and 8 respectively show a plan view and a side view of the meaningful schematic components of a fourth preferred embodiment of a system for handling items according to the present invention; and

Figures 9 and 4 respectively show a plan view and a side view of the meaningful schematic components of a fifth preferred embodiment of a system for handling items according to the present invention.

With reference to the Figures, it is possible to note that a system for handling items 1 according to the present invention comprises primary transport means 10 to move the items 1 along at least one primary path P, separating means 30 of the items 1, control means 40 to allow moving automatically and in an orderly way the items 1. The separating means 30 comprise auxiliary transport means 100 to move separators 2 along at least one auxiliary path A. The auxiliary path A complies with a geometric relationship with the primary path P to allow such separators 2 to interact with the items 1.

Advantageously, the primary transport means 10 allow moving such separators 2 along the primary path P.

In particular, the primary transport means 10 comprise at least one conveyor transporter 11 to insert and accumulate the items 1 along the primary path P, while the auxiliary transport means 100 comprise at least one auxiliary transporter 31 to flow such separators 2 from the auxiliary path A to at least one spot along the primary path P to allow the conveyor transporter 11 to push and accumulate such separators 2.

Moreover, the separating means 30 comprise at least one automatic deviating device 32 adapted to outflow such separators 2 from at least one spot along the primary path P to allow the items 1 not to interact with such separators 2.

Therefore, the automatic deviating device 32 allows moving such separators 2 along at least one restore path Rl, R2, R3, R4, to allow the auxiliary transport means 100 to move such separators 2 along the auxiliary path A.

According to a first embodiment, as shown for example in Figures 1 and 2, the restore path Rl corresponds to the auxiliary path A to allow the auxiliary transporter 31 to recirculate such separators 2, along the restore path Rl and along the auxiliary path A.

With reference to the Figures, it is possible to note that the conveyor transporter 11 is connected to at least one primary supply system 12, With reference to Figures 3 to 10, it is possible to note that the auxiliary transporter 31 is connected to at least one auxiliary supply system 22 of such separators 2.

In particular, the conveyor transporter 11 and the auxiliary transporter 31 are connected to the mixed supply system 12-22 of the items 1 and of such separators 2.

According to a second embodiment, as shown for example in Figures 3 and 4, the system according to the present invention comprises at least one conveyor 322 which allows making the restore path R2 towards the mixed supply system 12-22, to allow the recirculation of such separators 2 along the auxiliary path A.

According to a third embodiment, as shown for example in Figures 5 and 6, the system according to the present invention comprises at least one conveyor 323 which allows making the restore path R3, towards the auxiliary supply system 22, to allow the recirculation of such separators 2 along the auxiliary path A.

According to a fourth embodiment, as shown for example in Figures 7 and 8, the system according to the present invention comprises at least one conveyor 324 which allows making the restore path R4 towards a collecting system 43 of such separators 2, to allow operating the auxiliary supply system 22.

Preferably, the collecting system 43 is composed of at least one container adapted to receive and accumulate a certain amount of such separators 2, to allow their transport towards the auxiliary supply system 22. In particular, the auxiliary supply system 22 comprises at least one container of such separators 2.

According to a fifth embodiment, as shown for example in Figures 9 and 10, the collecting system 43 is composed of at least one container adapted to receive and accumulate a certain amount of such separators 2 to be evacuated to allow their replacement, through the separators 2 present in a storage container 52.

With reference to the Figures, it is possible to note that the control means 40 comprise at least one controller adapted to allow such separators 2 to interact with the items 1, depending on a presence or transit signal of the items 1 detected by means of at least one first sensor 41 next to the primary path P and depending on an accumulation signal of the items 1 and of such separators 2 detected by means of at least one second sensor 42 next to the primary path P.

In particular, the control means 40 allow that such separators 2 are inserted along the primary path P in order to accumulate the items 1 alternated with respective separators 2, with a mutual thrust.

The primary 10 and auxiliary 100 transport means 10, as well as the primary 12 and auxiliary 22 supply systems, belong to a type or a combination of different types selected among the vibrating, pneumatic, magnetic, electromechanical, or gravity types.

The conveyor 322, 323, 324, along the restore path R2, R3, R4 belongs to a type or a combination of different types of transport selected among the vibrating, pneumatic, magnetic, electromechanical, or gravity types.

The present invention further deals with a process for handling items 1 combined with separators 2, for example through a system for handling items 1 as previously described, such process comprising the steps of: activating the auxiliary transport means 100 to allow pushing and accumulating such separators 2 along the auxiliary path A;

• activating the primary transport means 10 allow pushing and accumulating such items 1 and such separators 2, along the primary path P;

• activating the control means 40 to allow arranging automatically and in a sequence each one of such items 1 with respect to at least one of such separators 2, along the primary path P;

• activating the automatic deviating device 32 to outflow such separators 2 from at least one spot along the primary path P.

In particular, the process according to the present invention can further comprise the steps of:

• allowing the movement of such separators 2 along at least one restore path Rl, R2, R3, R4 to allow supplying the auxiliary transport means 100;

• allowing the movement of such items 1 from the at least one primary supply system 12, 12- 22 to allow supplying the at least one conveyor transporter (11).

The system and/or the process for handling items according to the present invention allow obtaining the stated objects.

The system and/or the process for handling items according to the present invention allow supplying and accumulating the items by accumulating items alternated with respective separators, pushed one over the other.

In particular, the system allows operating with a controlled interposition of the items and of the separators.

Moreover, the system and/or the process for handling items according to the present invention allow accumulate with push particular or delicate items, interposing a suitable separator or spacer, capable of avoiding the contact among the items.

The separator also avoids damaging the items when pushed.

The system according to the present invention allows accumulating items which can be accumulated with difficulty through conventional accumulators due to shape, magnetism, etc.

The system and/or the process for handling items according to the present invention allow accumulating delicate items by protecting the ir surface from the risk of damages, keeping it intact and not affected by impacts. The system according to the present invention can be used on many ways, normally mutually parallel, allowing to create a thrusting entity for the row of items and the advancement of rows of items in parallel.

The system and/or the process for handling items according to the present invention allow positioning at least one separator between two items. In a second step, such separator is removed from the transport line, allowing the individual item to move without the separator.

In the system and/or the process for handling items according to the present invention, it is possible to arrange and make several types of recirculation and recovery of the separators, thereby making a sort of continuous cycle.

Among the several objects reached, the one of avoiding overlapping and engagements among items must be pointed out, preventing damages of the items caused by contacts and impacts.

Through the system and/or the process for handling items according to the present invention, an adequate thrust level is guaranteed to be able to move the items and, at the same time, not to damage the items during their contacts. Moreover, through the system and/or the process for handling items according to the present invention, magnetic phenomena among the items in contact are avoided.

The system and/or the process for handling items according to the present invention find a preferred application in the interlocking systems to an automatic assembling or packaging machine, allowing the coupled handling of: items and separators with various and suitable sizes, shapes and materials, depending on the application and the type of part to be supplied or accumulated.