MACHINE FOR HANDLING FLEXIBLE FLAT ARTICLES, SUCH AS HIDES, FABRICS, SHEETS OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL AND THE LIKE.

DESCRIPTION

The invention relates to a machine for handling flexible flat articles, such as hides, fabrics, sheets of flexible material and the like.

A machine according to the invention is intended to be set up within an industrial production cycle of the tanning sector, or of the textile sector, or of the papermaking sector, or in any technical production sector where the need is felt to handle flexible flat articles, such as hides, fabrics and cardboards, for example, in rapid sequence.

Nowadays, machines known as ‘automatic stackers’ are used for handling and displacing flexible flat articles, for example hides in the tanning sector.

Such automatic stackers, for handling large-sized hides, i.e. having overall dimensions of 3.5 metres by 3.5 metres, in turn have dimensions between 4 and 5 metres in width and between 7 and 10 metres in length, where the length is measured in the direction of advancement of the handled hides and the width in a horizontal direction, transverse to the direction of advancement of the hides.

Such automatic stackers generally comprise at least one loading conveyor, fixed, of the belt type, and one unloading conveyor, movable, also of the belt type, configured to unload a loaded hide onto a stack of similar hides.

Such known automatic stackers, although widespread and appreciated, are built in a relatively complex manner, comprising two or more belt conveyors with their respective components and movement means if the belt conveyor is of the movable type.

Moreover, in addition to being very bulky when in operation, the stackers of the known type are also very bulky during transport, with consequent increases in terms of costs.

In addition, the known automatic stackers are configured to unload the handled hides on a pallet placed on the ground at an unloading area or even on a stand, but only if the unloading belt conveyor is mounted on a support structure with means for the vertical translation of the entire belt-type unloading conveyor, which must be supported cantilevered above the stand, in order to unload the hides above the latter. Patent document WO 97/48630 describes a system for displacing flexible flat articles, such as hides, which allows hides to be displaced from one belt conveyor to another one by means of a horizontally telescopic arm which is in turn vertically movable; this system comprises belt conveyors arranged aligned and spaced apart so as to allow the telescopic arm to pass between them in order to pick up or lay down a hide; this system, although different from those described above, is equally complex, bulky and expensive.

The task of the present invention is to develop a machine for handling flexible flat articles, such as hides, fabrics, sheets of flexible material and the like, which is capable of overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks and limitations of the prior art.

In particular, it is an object of the invention to develop a machine for handling flexible flat articles that is more compact than automatic stackers of known type, both in the operating setup and in the transport setup.

Another object of the invention is to develop a machine for handling flexible flat articles that is less structurally complex and easier to maintain.

A further object of the invention is to develop a very agile and versatile machine, capable of unloading the various flexible flat articles on a pallet or on a stand, without the need to translate a belt conveyor vertically.

The above-mentioned task and purposes are achieved by a machine for handling flexible flat articles, such as hides, fabrics, sheets of flexible material and the like, according to claim 1.

Further characteristics of the machine according to claim 1 are described in the dependent claims.

The aforesaid task and objects, together with the advantages that will be mentioned hereinafter, are indicated by the description of an embodiment of the invention, which is given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the attached drawings, where:

- Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a machine for handling flexible flat articles, such as hides, fabrics, sheets of flexible material and the like according to the invention;

- Figure 2 represents a perspective view of a central part of the machine for handling flexible flat articles according to the invention;

- Figure 3 represents a perspective view of a first, infeed, part of the machine according to the invention;

- Figure 4 represents a schematic plan view of a flexible flat article to be handled by the machine according to the invention;

- Figure 5 represents another perspective view of the infeed part of the machine according to the invention;

- Figure 6 represents a perspective view of a portion of the central part of the machine according to the invention;

- Figure 6A represents a sectional side view of the machine according to the invention in a lowered setup;

- Figure 6B represents the side view of Figure 6A of the machine according to the invention in a raised setup;

- Figure 7 represents a perspective view of a detail of the central part of the machine according to the invention;

- Figure 8 represents a perspective view of another portion of the central part of the machine according to the invention;

- Figure 8A represents a different perspective view of the same portion of Figure 8;

- Figure 9 represents a perspective view of a portion of the central part of the machine according to the invention;

- Figure 9A represents a detail of Figure 9;

- Figure 10 represents another perspective view of the portion of the central part of the machine of Figure 9;

- Figure 11 is a schematic representation of a first operating step of the machine for handling flexible flat articles according to the invention;

- Figures 12 to 15 each represent an operating step of a first operation example of the machine according to the invention;

- Figures 16 to 19 each represent an operating step of a second operation example of the machine according to the invention;

- Figure 20 represents an embodiment variant of the machine according to the invention;

- Figure 21 represents a perspective view of an embodiment variant of a detail of the machine according to the invention;

- Figure 22 represents a schematic side view of a machine according to the invention in which a first operating mode of the same machine is exemplified;

- Figure 23 represents a schematic side view of a machine according to the invention in which a second operating mode of the same machine is exemplified;

- Figure 24 represents a schematic side view of a machine according to the invention in which a third operating mode of the same machine is exemplified; - Figure 25 represents a schematic side view of a machine according to the invention in which a fourth operating mode of the same machine is exemplified;

- Figures 26A to 26D each represent a different arrangement and a different orientation of a machine according to the invention; - Figure 27 represents a plan view of an embodiment variant of the machine according to the invention;

- Figure 28 represents the same machine of Figure 27 configured to work in an opposite direction with respect to the machine of Figure 27;

- Figure 29 represents a safety system of the machine according to the invention;

- Figure 30 represents an embodiment variant of the safety system of the machine according to the invention.

With reference to the above-mentioned Figures, a machine for handling flexible flat articles, such as hides, fabrics, sheets of flexible material and the like according to the invention is referred to as a whole as number 10.

Said machine 10 comprises a manipulator group 11, comprising in turn:

- a supporting column 12, developing in a first vertical direction X1;

- a movable horizontal guide 13, developing in a second direction X2, transverse to the first direction X1; vertical translation means 14 for the controlled translation of the movable horizontal guide 13 on the supporting column 12;

- two rod-carrying slides 15 and 16 respectively, each of which placed so as to translate with corresponding first motor means 17 on said movable horizontal guide 13; two rotating transport rods 18 and 19 respectively, developing according to a third direction X3, transverse to the first X1 and second X2 directions, each of which mounted on a corresponding rod-carrying slide 15 and 16.

At least one of the transport rods 18 and 19 is rotating about its main axis by means of motor means 20; preferably, both rotating transport rods 18 and 19 are rotating about their main axis by means of second motor means 20. Alternatively, one of the rotating transport rods 18 and 19 can be idle; in this case, the movement of a flexible flat article A loaded on the rotating transport rods 18 and 19 is entrusted to only one of the two rotating transport rods, which is motorised.

In such a first embodiment of the invention, the rotating transport rods 18 and 19 are constrained so as to extend cantilevered from the respective rod carrying slides 15 and 16.

The main axis of these rotating transport rods 18 and 19 is parallel to or coincident with the third direction X3.

The machine 10 also comprises an infeed conveyor 21 positioned upstream of the manipulator group 11.

Such an infeed conveyor 21 is configured to move a flexible flat article A in a direction transverse to the third direction X3, i.e. the direction of development of the rotating transport rods 18 and 19; the infeed conveyor 21, for example, is configured to move a flexible flat article A in a direction X4 parallel to the second direction X2.

Such an infeed conveyor 21 comprises a detection system 22 for detecting the perimeter contour of a flexible flat article A while the latter is being moved by the infeed conveyor 21 itself.

Such an infeed conveyor 21 with the detection system 22 is exemplified in Figures 3, 5 and 11.

In the present embodiment example, obviously not limiting the invention, such a detection system 22 comprises a series of optical readers 23 supported by a crossbar 24 above the movable plane 21a of the infeed conveyor 21.

The infeed conveyor 21 is of the belt type, to be understood as known in itself. These optical readers 23 are connected to an electronic control unit.

Such optical readers 23 are configured to scan the flexible flat article A as it passes over the infeed conveyor 21.

The detection system 22 is configured to define the contour and the area of the flexible flat article A, e.g. a hide, so as to create an image file, e.g. in bitmap format, and so as to instruct the machine 10 on the exact contour of the flexible flat article A before it is handled by the manipulator group 11.

The space between the optical readers 23 of the detection system 22 can vary from 5 millimetres to 70 millimetres, depending on the needs and the specific technical requirements of use of the machine 10. Thanks to such a detection system 22 the electronic control unit, by means of which the machine 10 is managed and controlled, is configured to acquire the data of the position of the centre of gravity of the flexible flat article A when it is above the infeed conveyor 21 and obviously before the flexible flat article A is picked up by the manipulator group 11.

In particular, the detection system 22 is configured to determine the position of a weighted centreline L, which passes through the centre of gravity of the flexible flat body A and which divides two areas A01 and A02 of the surface of the flexible flat article A, having the same surface.

The weighted line L is to be understood as defined substantially orthogonally to the direction X4 of translation of the flexible flat article A itself.

The thickness of the flexible flat article A is assumed to be constant.

This information enables the correct and balanced lifting of the flexible flat article A by the manipulator group 11 and the precise and stable deposition of the flexible flat article A itself.

Figure 5 exemplifies how flexible flat articles A arrive at the infeed conveyor 21 from an arrival conveyor B that is part of a processing line placed upstream of the machine 10.

The flexible flat articles A, e.g. hides, arrive sequentially one after the other from an upstream processing line.

Such flexible flat articles A, e.g. hides, may be of different shapes and dimensions, may arrive the one close to the other at different distances and at different speeds, established by the type of processing that the same flexible flat articles A have undergone upstream.

As mentioned above, the infeed conveyor 21 is the portion of the machine 10 where the flexible flat article A, i.e. a hide or a fabric or a cardboard, from the arrival conveyor B is loaded into the machine and measured, both lengthwise and widthwise, by means of the detection system 22.

In the present non-limiting embodiment example of the invention, the supporting column 12, developing in a first vertical direction X1, is preferably telescopic, so as to be able to determine a reduced encumbrance during the transport step and also during the work steps, or so as to be able to adjust its operating height adapting to the heights of an infeed conveyor 21 or of a deposit support 50.

A deposit support 50 is to be understood to be either a stand 51, like in the figures, or a platform, on the ground or on a trolley, not represented and to be understood in any case as of a known type.

As can be clearly seen in Figures 6 and 7, the telescopic supporting column 12 thus comprises:

- a fixed body 30, resting on the ground;

- a movable body 31 , configured to slide on the fixed body 30;

- vertical sliding means 32, configured to allow the motorised sliding of the movable body 31 with respect to the fixed body 30.

The fixed body 30 comprises a first tubular frame 70 in turn comprising a plurality of uprights, e.g. four corner uprights 71, joined together by crosspieces and reinforcement bracings 72.

The movable body 31 comprises a second tubular frame 73 which is shaped to surround the tubular frame 70 of the fixed body 30.

The vertical sliding means 32, shown in Figures 6 and 10, comprise:

- vertical rails 74, at least one at the front and one at the rear, fixed to the outside of the fixed body 30;

- at least one pair of slides 75, one for each vertical rail 74, fixed inside the movable body 31;

- lifting and lowering means of the movable body 31 with respect to the fixed body 30.

For example, and not in a limiting manner, the vertical sliding means 32 comprise four vertical rails 74, two on a first side of the fixed body 30 and two on a second side, opposite the first one, of the same fixed body 30.

Still preferably, the vertical sliding means 32 comprise four front slides 75 on the first side, two for each rail 74, and two rear slides 75a.

The lifting and lowering means of the movable body 31 with respect to the fixed body 30 comprise, for example, a system of belts or chains 76 and pulleys 77 which is configured to cause the lifting of the movable body 31.

The vertical translation means 14, for the controlled translation of the movable horizontal guide 13 on the supporting column 12, comprise a guide-carrying slide 40, clearly visible in Figure 6, hooked by means of a series of shoes 41 to two vertical guides 42 fixed to the movable body 31.

The vertical translation means 14 also comprise actuator means for vertically moving the guide-carrying slide 40.

In the present embodiment example of the invention, obviously not limiting the same, the vertical translation means 14 for the controlled translation of the movable horizontal guide 13 on the supporting column 12 comprise the lifting and lowering means of the movable body 31 of the supporting column 12.

In particular, in the present embodiment example, such vertical translation means 14 comprise:

- a first traction system 82, comprising one or more longitudinally developed flexible traction elements 76a, for the connection between the fixed body 30 and the movable body 31, and corresponding return elements 77a constrained to the movable body 31; said first traction system 82 is configured to cause the vertical translation of the movable body 31 with respect to the fixed body 30;

- a second traction system 83, comprising one or more longitudinally developed flexible traction elements 76b, for the connection between the fixed body 30 to the guide-carrying slide 40, and corresponding return elements 77b constrained to the movable body 31 and configured to determine a resting area for the respective longitudinally developed flexible element 76b; said second traction system 83 is configured to cause the vertical translation of the guide-carrying slide 40 on the movable body 31;

- actuator means for displacing the movable body 31 with respect to the fixed body 30.

The actuator means comprise a vertical actuator 43, with stem 43a, driven by an electric gear motor 84 placed at the base of the fixed body 30.

The first traction system 82 comprises, for example:

- two longitudinally developed flexible elements 76a, clearly visible in Figure 10, connected to the fixed body 30 by means of a pin 85;

- a corresponding first return element 77a for each longitudinally developed flexible element 76a, consisting of a fixed pulley, pivoted above the fixed body 30;

- a corresponding second return element 77a1, consisting of a movable pulley, pivoted at the end of the stem 43a of the vertical actuator 43;

- a fixed constraint point 77a2, defined superiorly to the fixed body 30.

Each of the longitudinally developed flexible elements 76a:

- is fixed at a first end to the pin 85;

- passes above the first return element 77a;

- passes below the second return element 77a1 ; - is fixed at the opposite second end to the fixed constraint point 77a2.

By means of the vertical actuator 43 it is possible to displace the second return element 77a1 upwards or downwards, thereby lowering or lifting the movable body 31.

For example, the vertical actuator 43 is of an electrical type, with electrically operated gear motor 84.

Since the longitudinally developed flexible elements 76a have a fixed length, the translation of the second return elements 77a1 causes an opposite translation of the movable body 31 on the fixed body 30.

The second traction system 83 comprises:

- two longitudinally developed flexible traction elements 76b, for the connection between the fixed body 30 and the guide-carrying slide 40, which are connected to the guide-carrying slide 40 by means of a pin 86;

- corresponding return elements 77b constrained to the upper part of the movable body 31 and configured to determine a resting area for the respective longitudinally developed flexible element 76b;

- a fixed constraint point 77b2, defined superiorly to the fixed body 30.

Each of the longitudinally developed flexible elements 77a:

- is fixed at a first end to the pin 86;

- passes above the return element 77b;

- is fixed at the opposite second end to the fixed constraint point 77b2.

The lowering or lifting of the movable body 31 results in the simultaneous lowering or lifting of the return elements 77b; since the longitudinally developed flexible elements 77a have a fixed length, the translation of the return elements 77b results in an equally-oriented translation of the guide carrying slide 40 on the movable body 31.

The first traction system 82 also comprises a counterweight system 87 configured to cooperate in lifting the movable body 31 with respect to the fixed body 30.

This counterweight system 87 comprises:

- a mass 87a, placed to translate on corresponding vertical guides 87b inside the fixed body 30;

- one or more longitudinally developed flexible elements 87c, each constrained at a first end 87d to the mass 87a, and at the second end 87e to the lower part of the movable body 31. The movable horizontal guide 13 is then fixed to said guide-carrying slide 40. The movable horizontal guide 13 comprises a beam 13a with one or more guide rails 13b for the rod-carrying slides 15 and 16, configured for the independent, horizontal translation of the rod-carrying slides 15 and 16 on the beam 13a.

The first motor means 17, for the motorised translation of the rod-carrying slides 15 and 16 on said movable horizontal guide 13, comprise two independent electric gear motors 15a and 16a respectively, fixed to the beam 13a and configured to drive a respective drive belt 15b and 16b, each of the rod-carrying slides 15 and 16 being fixed to a drive belt 15b and 16b.

The two rotating transport rods 18 and 19 are mounted on the corresponding rod-carrying slide 15 and 16 by means of a respective longitudinal member 36 and 37 rigidly fixed to the corresponding rod-carrying slide 15 and 16.

The rotating transport rod 18 and 19 is rotatably constrained to the respective longitudinal member 36 and 37 by means of two end brackets 38 and 39, clearly visible in Figure 9A.

The longitudinal members 36 and 37 are defined, for example, by a reticular crosspiece.

In an embodiment variant of the invention, shown in Figure 21, the longitudinal members 1036 comprise three tie-rods 1036a made of a metallic material; for example, at least one of the tie rods is made of a metallic material, such as for example steel or aluminium, and/or of a composite material such as carbon fibre, therefore with characteristics of marked lightness. Preferably, but not exclusively, the three tie-rods are made of the same material.

The tie rods 1036a are positioned to define a pyramid structure whose base is connected to a rod-carrying slide 1015 and whose vertex supports an end bracket 1039.

At least one of the rotating transport rods 18 and 19 is rotating around its main axis by means of motor means 20.

Preferably, both transport rods 18 and 19 are rotating around their own main axis by means of motor means 20, clearly visible in Figures 8A, 9 and 9A.

Such motor means 20 may each consist, for example and not exclusively, of an electric motor kinematically connected to a rotation shaft of a rotating transport rod 18 and 19 by means of a belt, chain or gear transmission.

The motor means 20 are mounted on the respective rod-carrying slides 15 and 16.

In an alternative embodiment, not illustrated for simplicity’s sake, the motor means consist for each rotating transport rod 18 and 19 of an electric motor inserted inside the tubular body of the rotating transport rods 18 and 19 themselves.

The rotating transport rods 18 and 19 each consist of a tubular body with predominantly longitudinal development.

The transport rods 18 and 19 are fixed offset in height, i.e. they are staggered in the vertical direction. These transport rods 18 and 19 are staggered in height between 5 cm and 15 cm, e.g. by approximately 10 cm. This not only allows the independent horizontal motorisation of the transport rods, but also facilitates the ascent of the flexible flat article A during the step of loading from the infeed conveyor 21 onto the transport rods 18 and 19 themselves. Advantageously, the machine 10 according to the invention also comprises a monitoring system 60, visible in Figure 10, for monitoring the discharge of the flexible flat articles A, A1, A2 from the manipulator group 11 to the deposit support 50.

In the embodiment of the invention described herein by way of non-limiting example of the invention itself, such a monitoring system 60 comprises a movable photoelectric device for reading the contour of the flexible flat articles A already deposited on the deposit support 50.

Such a movable photoelectric device comprises, for example, a laser detector 61 placed to slide on a horizontal guide bar 62 carried by the beam 13a. The monitoring system 60 is configured to detect the position of the deposit support 50 and the encumbrance determined thereon by the already deposited flexible flat articles A, A1, A2.

When, during operation of the machine 10, a predetermined quantity of flexible flat articles A is reached, by continuously measuring the contour of the deposit support 50 with the articles A deposited on it, the monitoring system 60 sends a signal to the electronic control unit to allow the change of the deposit support 50, fully loaded, with another deposit support that is unloaded.

The monitoring system 60 also has the function of identifying the position and the status of the deposit support 50 so that the electronic control unit moves the rotating transport rods 18 and 19 with precise trajectories between the infeed conveyor 21 and the deposit support 50 itself.

Figure 20 represents an embodiment variant of the machine for handling flexible flat articles according to the invention, referred to therein collectively as number 110.

This machine 110 comprises two opposite manipulator groups 11 and 11a, respectively.

The machine 110 obviously also comprises, for each manipulator group 11 and

11a:

- a supporting column 12, developing in a first vertical direction X1;

- a movable horizontal guide 13, developing in a second direction X2, transverse to the first direction X1;

- vertical translation means 14 for the controlled translation of the movable horizontal guide 13 on the supporting column 12;

- two rod-carrying slides 15 and 16 respectively, each of which placed so as to translate with corresponding first motor means 17 on said movable horizontal guide 13;

- two rotating transport rods 18 and 19 respectively, developing according to a third direction X3, transverse to the first X1 and second X2 directions, each of which mounted on a corresponding rod-carrying slide 15 and 16.

The two manipulator groups 11 and 11a, positioned symmetrically, work in synchronism, alternating so that one of them is always in the loading position. The electronic control unit is programmed to manage the anti-collision of the two manipulator groups 11 and 11a.

Such a machine 110 with two manipulator groups 11 and 11a makes it possible to achieve working rates that a machine 10 with only one manipulator group 11 could not achieve.

Figures 11 to 15 and the diagram in Figure 22 represent a first operating cycle of the machine 10 according to the invention.

This first operating cycle comprises the following operating steps:

- a starting step, indicated with C1.A in Figure 22;

- a step of descent of the two transport rods 18 and 19, close together, up to a pick-up point of an article A, at the unloading edge of the infeed conveyor 21, as visible in Figure 11; this step is indicated with C1.B in Figure 22;

- a step of ascent of the upstream transport rod 19, to lift the article A, until it overcomes the plane of the infeed conveyor 21; - a step of retraction of the upstream transport rod 19, with rotation synchronised to the advancement of the article A, until it reaches, above the plane of the infeed conveyor 21 and below the article A, a distance from the downstream transport rod 18 such as to allow the balanced lifting of the article A itself; this step is indicated with C1.C in Figure 22;

- a step of lifting and advancing the transport rods 18 and 19 up to a height such as to allow the article A to climb over the deposit support 50; this step is indicated with C1.D in Figure 22;

- a step of advancing the transport rods 18 and 19 up to above the deposit support 50; this step is represented in Figure 12 and is indicated in Figure 22 with the number C1.E;

- a step of descent of the transport rods 18 and 19 with rotation of the same transport rods 18 and 19 such as not to create frictions on the article A, therefore with the upstream transport rod 19 rotating clockwise and the downstream transport rod 18 rotating anti-clockwise; this step is represented in Figures 13, 14 and 15 and is indicated in Figure 22 with the number C1.F;

- a final step of ascent of the transport rods 18 and 19 up to the starting position of the initial step.

This first operating cycle of the machine 10 is suitable, for example, for ‘high grain’ hides, i.e. with the noble part of the hide, in the jargon ‘grain’, facing upwards.

The article A, i.e. the hide, arrives on the infeed conveyor 21 with the grain facing upwards and is deposited on the deposit support 50 with the grain facing upwards.

Figures 16 to 19 and the diagram in Figure 23 represent a second operating cycle of the machine 10 according to the invention.

This second operating cycle comprises the following operating steps:

- a starting step, indicated with C2.A in Figure 23;

- a step of descent of the two transport rods 18 and 19, close together, up to a pick-up point of an article A, at the unloading edge of the infeed conveyor 21, as visible in Figure 11; this step is indicated with C2.B in Figure 23;

- a step of ascent of the upstream transport rod 19, to lift the article A, until it overcomes the plane of the infeed conveyor 21;

- a step of retraction of the upstream transport rod 19, with rotation synchronised to the advancement of the article A, until it reaches, above the plane of the infeed conveyor 21 and below the article A, a distance from the downstream transport rod 18 such as to allow the balanced lifting of the article A itself; this step is indicated with C2.C in Figure 23;

- a step of lifting and advancing the transport rods 18 and 19 up to a height such as to allow the article A to climb over the deposit support 50, and the simultaneous progressive advancement of the upstream transport rod 19 towards the downstream transport rod 18 and the simultaneous anti clockwise rotation of the upstream transport rod 19 so that the article A is always in a stable position on the two transport rods 18 and 19 during their approach; this step is indicated with C2.D in Figure 23;

- a step in which the transport rods 18 and 19 are displaced until part of article A is resting on the deposit support 50; this step is represented in Figure 16 and is indicated in Figure 23 with the number C2.E;

- a step of advancing the transport rods 18 and 19, close together, so as to climb over the deposit support 50 with synchronised clockwise rotation of the same transport rods 18 and 19 such as not to create frictions on the article A; this step is represented in Figures 17 and 18;

- a step of descent of the transport rods 18 and 19, close together, so as to descend along the deposit support 50 with synchronised anti-clockwise rotation of the same transport rods 18 and 19 such as to accompany the article A in resting on the deposit support 50; this step is visible in Figures 18 and 19 and is indicated in Figure 23 with the number C2.F;

- a final step of ascent of the transport rods 18 and 19 up to the starting position of the initial step.

With this second operating cycle of the machine 10, the article A, i.e. the hide, arrives on the infeed conveyor 21 with the grain facing upwards and is deposited on the deposit support 50 with the grain facing downwards.

In Figures 24 and 25 an embodiment variant of the machine according to the invention is schematically shown, indicated therein with the number 210.

In this embodiment variant, the movable horizontal guide 213 is supported by two columns 212 and 212A.

These columns 212 and 212A are to be understood as analogous to the column 12 described above.

The concept of picking up an article A, i.e. a hide, from the infeed conveyor 21 is the same as the first and second operating cycles described above.

The difference lies in the step of depositing the article A, which can be carried out on several deposit supports 50, 50A, 50B, which are exemplified in the number of three, but are intended to be two or more.

The advantages of this type of deposition are:

- to be able to divide the articles A according to subdivision choices made upstream by the operator and verified by automatic measuring/viewing systems of the articles A; the subdivision choices may concern the quality of the hide and/or the dimension of the hide itself;

- in case the articles A are treated hides, by performing a sequential deposit on successive deposit supports, the deposited hides have sufficient time to have a “polymerization” reaction lasting 10 to 20 seconds; the machine is then programmed and controlled in such a way that the transport time for depositing a hide on a specific deposit support 50, 50A or 50B is longer than the time of the polymerisation reaction, e.g. a transport time of 20 to 25 seconds.

The peculiarity of this embodiment variant of the machine 210 is therefore to comprise:

- a second column 212A synchronized in “electric centesimal axis” (the precision of the synchronized movement allows a high-level stability and mechanical rigidity) with respect to the first column 212;

- a movable horizontal guide 213 mounted on both columns 212 and 212A; the length of the movable horizontal guide 213 depends on the number of deposit supports 50, 50A, 50B that one decides to manage. A movable horizontal guide 213 with a length of 7 metres can for example be used for three deposit stations.

Figure 24 schematically shows an operating cycle of the type with upward- facing grain, configured to affect three deposit supports 50, 50A and 50B. Figure 25 schematically shows an operating cycle of the type with downward facing grain, configured to affect three deposit supports 50, 50A and 50B. Figures 26A to 26D schematically exemplify the versatility of the machine 10 according to the invention.

All the mechanics, the system on board the machine, the position of the electrical panel and the software have been designed so that the machine 10, 110, 210 can be installed with the desired configuration. In fact, as can be seen from the layouts of Figures 26A to 26D, four distinct layouts capable of operating in the same way as the others and as described above are obtained by moving the column 12 from right to left, and by moving the infeed conveyor 21 from right to left.

The software contains a parameter by selecting which the machine will operate according to one of the solutions schematically shown in Figures 26A to 26D.

In Figures 27 and 28 a further embodiment variant of the machine according to the invention is schematically shown in the plan, indicated therein with the number 310.

This machine 310 comprises: a manipulator group 311 , comprising in turn:

- a first supporting column 312, developing in a first vertical direction X1;

- a second opposite supporting column 312A, equal to the first supporting column 312;

- a first movable horizontal guide 313, developing in a second direction X2, transverse to the first direction X1;

- a second movable horizontal guide 313A, equal to the first movable horizontal guide 313;

- first vertical translation means 14 for the controlled translation of the first movable horizontal guide 313 on the first supporting column 312;

- second vertical translation means 14 for the controlled translation of the second movable horizontal guide 313A on the second supporting column

312A;

- two first rod-carrying slides 15 and 16 respectively, each of which placed so as to translate with corresponding first motor means 17 on said first movable horizontal guide 313;

- two second rod-carrying slides 15 and 16 respectively, each of which placed so as to translate with corresponding second motor means 17 on said second movable horizontal guide 313A;

- two rotating transport rods 18 and 19 respectively, developing according to a third direction X3, transverse to the first X1 and second X2 directions, each of which mounted between two opposite corresponding rod-carrying slides 15 and 16, each of which rod-carrying slides belongs to one of the two opposite movable horizontal guides 313 and 313A.

This embodiment variant of the machine according to the invention 310 thus comprises two rotating transport rods which are supported at both ends by means of two opposite movable horizontal guides 313 and 313A which are moved in a coordinated manner to keep the two rotating transport rods 18 and 19 horizontal and parallel.

This variant of the machine 310 makes it possible to carry out hide deposition at very high speeds. The deposition cycles remain the same as those mentioned above. The structural variations of the machine are:

- elimination of the longitudinal members 36 and 37 supporting the rotating transport rods 18 and 19;

- addition of a second column 312A synchronised in electrical axis to the first column 312;

- the two columns do not have a telescopic ascent movement but a simple one, with a maximum height of 1.7 m instead of 3.5 m for the deposition of an article A on a deposit support 50.

This embodiment variant of the machine 310 is configured to deposit the flexible flat articles on platforms at a high rate (8-10 hides/minute).

The structure of this machine 310, with the rotating transport rods 18 and 19 no longer cantilevered and without support longitudinal members, allows achieving the displacement speeds of the same transport rods 18 and 19 up to 2-3 metres/second.

The machine according to the invention also comprises two safety braking systems.

A first safety braking system comprises a parking brake for each motor 15a, 16a, 20, 84 of the machine according to the invention.

Therefore each motor, for the ascent-descent of the column, for the movement of the rotating transport rods 18 and 19 on the beam 13a, and for the rotation of the same rotating transport rods 18 and 19, is equipped with a corresponding parking brake.

Each parking brake is configured to ensure that the machine is not moved or that it does not move when it is switched off or when it is at a standstill.

This first safety braking system is to be considered as operational only for the parking of the movable parts of the machine when the machine is stopped.

A second safety braking system is represented in Figure 29 in a first embodiment variant thereof, and in Figure 30 in a second embodiment variant thereof. This second braking system 78 and 178 is configured to block the descent of the movable body 31 with respect to the fixed body 30.

In the first embodiment variant of Figure 29, the second braking system 78 comprises at least one pneumatic braking shoe 79 mounted on the movable body 31 and placed to slide on one of the vertical rails 74; preferably, the second braking system 78 comprises a pneumatic braking shoe 79 for each of the two vertical rails 74.

These pneumatic braking shoes 79 are normally inoperative, i.e. open in a configuration that does not result in any braking action.

In the event of a mishap, the devices that keep the pneumatic braking shoes 79 open are deactivated, so that the pneumatic braking shoes 79 can operate their braking action by tightening on the respective vertical rail 74.

These pneumatic braking shoes 79 are configured in such a way as to stop the free descent of the movable body 31 in a braking space less than or equal to 20 cm (thus it allows a downward travel of the machine not exceeding this level); then, the parking brakes of the first braking system described above are automatically triggered.

In the second embodiment variant of Figure 30, the second braking system 178 comprises at least one pneumatic braking shoe 179, integral with the fixed body 30, configured to surround a corresponding vertical bar 180 in turn integral with the movable body 31.

The second braking system 178 comprises, for example, two pneumatic braking shoes 179, supported by a plate 181 in turn fixed to the sleeve of the vertical actuator 43 of the lifting and lowering means of the movable body 31 with respect to the fixed body 30.

For example, the vertical bars 180 have a circular cross-section.

Such vertical bars 180 are fixed, for example, to the stem 43a of the vertical actuator 43.

When the machine 10 is switched on and normally operating, and the motors are therefore operational and maintain the set positions, the pneumatic braking shoes are unblocked, i.e. open, or configured so as to allow the regular movement of the parts of the machine.

In case of absence of electricity, or in case of tripping of the drives or of triggerings on the emergency circuit (emergency buttons and/or opening of the machine protection barriers), the motors no longer deliver power and therefore the movable body 31 and the movable horizontal guide 13, if up, begin to fall. The second braking system 78 and 178 is configured in such a way as to achieve a braking space less than or equal to 20 cm (thus it allows a downward travel of the machine not exceeding this level); after that, the parking brakes are automatically triggered.

During the emergency braking time, assumed to be 2 seconds, the parking brakes are kept “unbraked” by a special CPU-controlled UPS.

Advantageously, the machine according to the invention also comprises a laser system for controlling the position of the movable horizontal guide 13, i.e. the position of the beam 13a.

This laser control system consists of an electronic device with laser technology that continuously sends an analogue signal to the PLC of the machine about the measurement of the height of the beam with respect to the ground.

The system continues to monitor the vertical position of the beam in order to trigger the safety brake and shut down the machine if there is a discrepancy between the position calculated and controlled by the PLC and the actual position of the beam detected by the laser.

The discrepancy may derive from:

- breakage of the pulley of the main motor of the control of the actuator of the column;

- breakage of the belts;

- slippage of the belts due to a loosening thereof.

Practically, it has been established that the invention achieves the intended task and objects.

In particular, with the invention, a machine has been developed for handling flexible flat articles, such as hides, fabrics, sheets of flexible material and the like, capable of picking up a sequence of hides or fabrics or cardboards from an arrival conveyor and of depositing them one by one on a deposit support, operating completely automatically and with a working speed compatible with the speed of arrival of the hides or fabrics or cardboards from the processing lines upstream of the machine.

In addition, with the invention, a machine for handling flexible flat articles has been developed which is capable of performing depositing operations on a deposit support in three different modes “standing” deposit, “inverted” deposit or “alternating” deposit, wherein “standing” means a deposit in which the side of the hide/fabric/cardboard that have arrived from the infeed conveyor is held up and deposited as it stands in the deposit area, “inverted” means a deposit in which the side of the hide/fabric/cardboard that have arrived from the infeed conveyor is turned upside down and deposited upside down in the deposit area, and finally, “alternating” or “standing/inverted” means a deposit in which the hides/fabrics/cardboards are deposited one time standing and the next time inverted.

In addition, a lean, agile and light machine has been developed with the invention, as the weight of the hide/fabric/cardboard does not exceed 10 kg. It was therefore studied a minimalist solution, creating a structure that is light and agile yet solid.

Furthermore, with the invention, an “intelligent” machine has been developed which, by means of the described motorisation and special programs, and through an electronic control unit, is capable of self-learning movements and synchronisms. These features allow for the autonomous and automatic adaptation in the calibration of different shapes, weights and qualities of hide/fabric/cardboard to be handled.

Furthermore, with the invention, a machine has been developed that is easy to transport, can be opened and closed easily and quickly; in particular, the closed, ready-to-deliver machine can be inserted in an easily transportable compact package, for example with overall dimensions: 4 metres x 2 metres x 2 metres.

Again, an easy-to-install machine has been developed with the invention. The machine according to the invention, in fact, can be opened and installed in a simple and fast way, avoiding time-consuming and costly commissioning.

In addition, a machine with an easily variable dimension has been developed with the invention. In fact, it is possible to change the dimension of the machine widthwise simply by varying the length of the rotating transport rods 18 and 19. Last but not least, with the invention a machine has been developed with which the cost of disposing of the machine itself at the end of the work cycle is reduced. In fact, it is 90% built from recyclable materials such as iron, steel, aluminium, and in a low percentage, about the ten percent, from non- recyclable materials such as conveyor belts on the entry belt and a few other components. The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept; moreover, all the details may be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

In practice, the components and materials used, as well as the dimensions and shapes, as long as they are compatible with the specific use, can be any according to requirements and the state of the art.

If the characteristics and techniques mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, these reference signs are to be intended for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and, consequently, such reference signs have no limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example from these reference signs.