[0001] The invention relates to a movement group arranged to move an operating group of a wrapping apparatus for wrapping a film around a load arranged on a support and, in particular, it relates to a movement group intended to approach the operating group towards, or move the operating group away from, the load so as to carry out processes on the load. [0002] In order to carry out such processes, the operating group is actuated, in particular, close to the end of the wrapping operation, that is when there has been applied a predetermined number of wrapping turns of a film to the load, towards the load owing to the movement group. Such operating group may be a cutting/sealing/grasping unit comprising a cutting unit configured to cut the film, a sealing unit configured to seal the film to a wrapping turn of the film around the load, in particular to a portion of the outermost wrapping turn (that is farthest from a vertical rotation axis of the load) and a gripper unit configured to grasp a strip of the film which acts as a lead wrapping strip intended to wrap a subsequent load.

[0003] From the prior art are wrapping apparatuses are known, in particular of the rotating load type supported by a rotary table, arranged for wrapping a film around a load arranged on a pallet comprising a support and unwinding group configured to support and unwind a reel of the film, in particular an extensible film, by rotating the load around a rotation axis thereof. To the rotation of the load around a rotation axis there is associated a movement of the support and unwinding group along a vertical direction, that is substantially parallel to the rotation axis, so as to apply a predetermined number of wrapping turns of the film to the load.

[0004] As the wrapping operation nears the end, that is when there has been applied a predetermined number of wrapping turns to the load arranged on a pallet, an operating group of the wrapping apparatus is approached to the load to carry out the processes on the load so as to seal the film to a portion of the wrapping turn farthest from the vertical rotation axis of the load, cut such film to obtain a film strip and retain such strip.

[0005] To this end, such operating group may comprise a cutting unit configured to cut the film, a sealing unit configured to seal the film to a wrapping turn of film around the load, in particular to a portion of the outermost wrapping turn (that is farthest from a vertical rotation axis of the load) and a gripper unit configured to grasp a strip of the film which acts as a lead wrapping strip intended to wrap a subsequent load.

[0006] The wrapping apparatuses of the known type comprise a movement group of the operating group comprising a connection portion rigidly connected to the operating group and arranged to move the operating group approaching the load to carry out the aforementioned processes and to move the operating group moving away from the load at the end of the processes.

[0007] The aforementioned movement group of the operating group may be of the articulated arm type.

[0008] A drawback of such movement group with articulated arm lies in the fact that the movement group moves the operating group so that the latter travels along an arc-shaped trajectory which cannot be predetermined. This entails that at least one portion of the operating group, in particular a portion of the sealing unit, may abut against an area that is not to be sealed, for example a part of the pallet or of the rotary table on which the pallet is placed. As a result, the sealing of the film on the outermost wrapping turn does not affect the entire height of the film but only a portion thereof and an end tail of the film remains not sealed to the outermost turn for wrapping the film to the load. The load on the pallet - which subsequently to the processes of the operating group passes to a verification station in which it is subjected to a shape check - is therefore discarded and it is not introduced into an automated warehouse where it was intended to be moved for storage. The wrapping film will be removed from the discarded load and new wrapping film turns will be applied again, this leading to considerable consumption of material and therefore high production costs.

[0009] Alternatively to the movement group with articulated arm, the aforementioned movement group of the operating group may comprise one or more linear actuators arranged along a direction substantially perpendicular to the load. The one or each linear actuator of the movement group comprises a cylinder inside which there slides a stem connected to a plunger.

[0010] A drawback of such movement group comprising one or more linear actuators lies in the fact that it has significantly large overall dimensions due to the space occupied by the hollow body of the one or more linear actuators in a closed or inoperative configuration of the movement group and the space occupied by the hollow body of the one or more linear actuators and, additionally, by the stroke of the stem which, in an open or operative configuration of the movement group in use, protrudes outside the hollow body.

[0011] An object of the present invention is to improve the movement groups of an operating group of a wrapping apparatus of the known type.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a movement group which moves an operating group of a wrapping apparatus so that the operating group can correctly carry out the processes provided for on the load.

[0013] A further object of the present invention is to provide a movement group with small and limited overall dimensions with respect to the movement groups of the prior art.

[0014] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a movement group of an operating group of a precise, effective simple and cost-effective wrapping apparatus.

[0015] The objects of the invention are attained with a movement group of an operating group of a wrapping apparatus according to claim 1.

[0016] The invention allows to obtain a movement group of an operating group of a wrapping apparatus which moves the operating group along a substantially linear trajectory and at the same height as the load wrapped by a predetermined number of wrapping film turns on which the operating group is to carry out the processes, which processes may comprise a step for sealing the film to a portion of the wrapping turn that is farthest from the vertical rotation axis of the load, a step for cutting the film to obtain a film strip and a step for grasping or retaining the strip intended to wrap a subsequent load.

[0017] The linear trajectory allows to be sure of the height at which the operating group is positioned. As a result, the operating group is prevented from carrying out processes on parts other than the load. Therefore, the load is not discarded during the shape check step given that the operating group is positioned at an erroneous height, that is at a height in which the operating group carries out the processes even on parts other than the load such as at least one portion of the support.

[0018] Furthermore, such movement group has the advantage of having minimal overall dimensions due to the structural arrangement of its components, in particular significantly small overall dimensions with respect to the movement groups of the prior art.

[0019] Still, the movement group according to the invention appears rather simple and easy to fit into wrapping apparatuses of the prior art.

[0020] The invention will be better understood and implemented with reference to the attached drawings, which illustrate an exemplifying and non-limiting embodiment thereof, wherein:

Figure l is a perspective view of a portion of a wrapping apparatus configured to wrap a film around a load arranged on a support comprising a movement group according to the invention, in an open configuration of maximum overall dimensions and in a position that is raised and approached to the load so that an operating group carries out processes on the load;

Figure 2 is a partial enlarged view of Figure 1 wherein the movement group associated with the operating group is shown from a different perspective with respect to Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a lateral view of the movement group of the operating group which shows, with a solid line, the movement group and the operating group in a closed configuration of minimum overall dimensions and in a position far from the load and, with a double dashed line, the movement group and the operating group in the open configuration and in the position approached to the load of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a top view of the of the movement group and of the operating group of Figure 3 in the open configuration and in the position approached to the load;

Figure 5 is a top view of the of the movement group and of the operating group of Figure 3 in the closed configuration and in the position far from the load;

Figure 6 is a front view of the movement group of the operating group of Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a top view of the portion of the wrapping apparatus of Figure 1 in which the movement group is in a upturned position.

[0021] With reference to Figure 1, there is shown a movement group 1 according to the invention arranged to move an operating group 100 towards, or away from, a load arranged on a support 2, such as, for example, a pallet, or a support with roller or chain movement.

[0022] The movement group 1, to which there can be associated the operating group 100, is intended to be fitted on a wrapping apparatus 1000 which is adapted to wrap a film around the load arranged on the support 2 with a predetermined number of wrapping turns.

[0023] The wrapping apparatus 1000 may comprise a support and unwinding group, not shown in the Figures, configured to support and unwind a reel of the film, through a relative rotation around the load arranged on the support 2 between the support and unwinding group and the load. The relative rotation occurs around a substantially vertical wrapping axis W.

[0024] In the present text, the expression “substantially vertical” is used to indicate an axis substantially parallel to the gravitational acceleration vector.

[0025] So as apply a predetermined number of wrapping turns of film to the load arranged on the support 2, with the aforementioned relative rotation there is associated a movement of the support and unwinding group along a vertical direction, that is substantially parallel to the wrapping axis.

[0026] The wrapping apparatus 1000 may be, in particular, of the rotary load type supported by a rotary table. In this case, the wrapping apparatus 1000 comprises a rotary table which supports the load arranged on the support 2. In use, the load is rotated around a rotation axis which coincides with the vertical wrapping axis W.

[0027] The operating group 100 can be connected, in particular rigidly, to the movement group 1 so that the latter, as the end of the load wrapping operation, or cycle, by the film nears, that is when there has been applied a predetermined number of wrapping turns to the load, can move the operating group 100 in proximity of the load so as to carry out the processes on the latter.

[0028] In order to carry out such processes, in particular with reference to Figure 2, such operating group 100 may comprise a cutting unit 110 configured to cut the film, a sealing unit 120 configured to seal the film to a wrapping turn of the film around the load, in particular to a portion of the outermost wrapping turn (that is farthest from the vertical rotation axis of the load) and a gripper unit 130 configured to grasp a strip of the film which acts as a lead wrapping strip intended to wrap a subsequent load.

[0029] The processes which can be carried out by the operating group 100 on the load may therefore comprise a step for sealing the film to a portion of the wrapping turn that is farthest from the vertical rotation axis of the load, a step for cutting the film to obtain a film strip and a step for grasping or retaining the strip intended to wrap a subsequent load.

[0030] The film is made of an elastic and/or plastic material, for example it may be an extensible film having an elasticity such to be suitable to be applied and adapted around the load and, at the same time, such to hold the latter stably together. The film is, in particular, a heat-sealable film.

[0031] The movement group 1 comprises lever means 3, 4, 6, 7 arranged to support the operating group 100 towards, or away from, the load arranged on the support 2.

[0032] The movement group 1 further comprises drive means 12 connected to the lever means 3, 4, 6, 7 to displace the movement group 1 between a closed configuration C of minimum overall dimensions and a open configuration A of maximum overall dimensions. [0033] The drive means 12 is configured to move the lever means 3, 4, 6, 7, with respect to the load.

[0034] In the closed configuration C the movement group 1 is in a position far from the load. In this position, even the operating group 100 is in a position far from the load in which it does not interact with the load wrapped with wrapping turns of film. In other words, the position far from the load corresponds to a maximum retraction position of the movement group 1 with respect to the load.

[0035] On the other hand, in the open configuration A, the movement group 1 is in an approached position, or closest, to the load with respect to the position far from the load in which it is found when it is arranged in the closed configuration C. In the position closest to the load, even the operating group 100 is in a position closest to the load in which the operating group 100 may interact with the load wrapped with wrapping turns of film so as to carry out the above-mentioned processes. In other words, the position approached to the load corresponds to a maximum projection position of the movement group 1 with respect to the load.

[0036] The drive means 12 comprises a drive actuator selected from a group comprising: a pneumatic cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, an electromechanical actuator.

[0037] The movement group 1 further comprises a trajectory-correcting unit 20 connected to and configured to kinematically control the lever means 3, 4, 6, 7 so that the operating group 100, during displacement between the far position and the closest position,- follows a linear trajectory at a constant height with respect to the load.

[0038] The linear trajectory is substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis of the load. Owing to such configuration, the operating group is advanced perfectly horizontally towards the load, at a constant height, facilitating the identification of the final interaction position with the load (otherwise, in case of arched trajectories at variable height, it would be more difficult and less immediate to determine the final contact point of the operating group with the load).

The linear trajectory, obtained owing to the solution of the present invention, instead allows to surely determine the height at which the operating group is positioned. As a result, the operating group is prevented from carrying out processes on parts other than the load. Therefore, the load is not discarded during the shape check step given that the operating group is positioned at an erroneous height, that is at a height in which the operating group carries out the processes even on parts other than the load such as at least one portion of the support.

[0039] The trajectory-correcting unit 20 comprises counteracting rod means 10 connected to the lever means 3, 4, 6, 7.

[0040] The lever means 3, 4, 6, 7 comprises first operating rod means 3 and second operating rod means 4 rotatably connected to a first movable articulation element 5 with which the movement group 1 is provided so as to rotate, respectively, around a first rotation axis R1 and around a second rotation axis R2.

[0041] The first movable articulation element 5 can be connected, in particular rigidly, to the operating group 100 using connection means of the known type comprising, for example, screws and bolts.

[0042] In use, the operating group 100 can be moved by the movement group 1 by displacing the first movable articulation element 5 towards, or away from, the load travelling along a substantially linear trajectory. In other words, even the first movable articulation element 5 travels along a linear trajectory at the same height as the load when the movement group 1 is displaced between the open configuration A and the closed configuration C.

[0043] The first operating rod means 3, the second operating rod means 4 and the first articulation element 5 support the operating group 100 towards, or moving away from the load.

[0044] The first movable articulation element 5 and, as a result, the operating group 100 can be moved, owing to the lever means 3, 4, 6, 7, to the trajectory-correcting unit 20 and to the drive means 12, along a displacement direction DI substantially perpendicular to the load.

[0045] The drive means 12, as observable in Figure 3, are configured to exert a pull and/or push action on the lever means 3, 4, 6, 7 along the actuation directions arranged transversely with respect to the displacement direction X, whose respective inclination with respect to the displacement direction X is variable during the displacement of the first movable articulation element 5 along the displacement direction X.

[0046] The lever means 3, 4, 6, 7 further comprises third operating rod means 6 and fourth operating rod means 7 rotatably connected to a first fixed articulation element 8 with which the movement group 1 is provided so as to rotate, respectively, around a third rotation axis R3 and around a fourth rotation axis R4.

[0047] The first fixed articulation element 8 remains stationary, that is it is not displaced when the movement group 1 is displaced between the open configuration A and the closed configuration C.

[0048] The counteracting rod means 10, the first operating rod means 4 and the drive means 12 are configured to displace the first movable articulation element 5 along a substantially linear trajectory so as a same distance D is substantially maintained between a horizontal plane Q passing through the second rotation axis R2 and a horizontal plane P passing through the fourth rotation axis R4, such horizontal plane P being indicated with a dashed line in Figure 3.

[0049] The first operating rod means 3, the second operating rod means 4, the third operating rod means 6 and the fourth operating rod means 7 are further mutually rotatably connected to a second movable articulation element 9 with which the movement group 1 is provided so that it can rotate, respectively, around a fifth rotation axis R5, around a sixth rotation axis R6, around a seventh rotation axis R7 and around an eighth rotation axis R8.

[0050] Owing to the lever means 3, 4, 6, 7, to the trajectory-correcting unit 20 and to the drive means 12, the second movable articulation element 9 is displaced between the open configuration A and the closed configuration C, in particular, travelling along a trajectory with a variable height with respect to the load, that is variable with respect to the horizontal plane P.

[0051] In particular, the counteracting rod means 10 is rotatably connected to the second operating rod means 4 so that said counteracting rod means 10 and the second operating rod means 4 can rotate around a ninth rotation axis R9. Furthermore, the counteracting rod means 10 are rotatably connected to a second fixed articulation element 11 with which the movement group 1 is provided so that it can further rotate around a tenth rotation axis R10. [0052] The second fixed articulation element 11 remains stationary, that is it is not displaced when the movement group 1 is displaced between the open configuration A and the closed configuration C.

[0053] The drive means 12 is connected to one of said first operating rod means 3, said second operating rod means 4, said third operating rod means 6 or said fourth operating rod means 7 to displace the movement group 1 between said closed configuration C of minimum overall dimensions, in which the second rotation axis R2 and the tenth rotation axis R10 are at a minimum distance dmin and the open configuration A of maximum overall dimensions, in which the second rotation axis R2 and the tenth rotation axis R10 are mutually at a maximum distance dmax.

[0054] The first movable articulation element 5, the second movable articulation element 9, the first fixed articulation element 8 and the second fixed articulation element 11 may each comprise a respective connection block 13, 14, 15 e 16 each being substantially parallelepiped-shaped. For example, each connection block 13, 14, 15 and 16 may be cubicshaped. [0055] The first movable articulation element 5, the second movable articulation element 9, the first fixed articulation element 8 and the second fixed articulation element 11 may each further comprise at least one respective connection plate 21a, 22a, 23a, 24a fitted to a respective connection block 13, 14, 15, 16, each connection block 13, 14, 15, 16 and each connection plate 21a, 22a, 23a, 24a being arranged to define an articulated connection with the first operating rod means 3 and/or with the second operating rod means 4 and/or with the third operating rod means 6 and/or with the fourth operating rod means 7 and/or with the counteracting rod means 10 and/or with the drive means 12.

[0056] In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the first operating rod means 3 comprises a rod 3 a provided with a first end 17 hinged to a first face of the connection block 13 of the first movable articulation element 5 and with a second end 18, opposite to the first end 17, hinged to a first face 19a of the connection block 15 of the second movable articulation element 9. In particular, the rod 3a can be respectively hinged to the connection block 13 and to the connection block 15 so that the first rotation axis R1 and the second rotation axis R2 pass through respective points arranged in proximity of a vertex of the respective connection blocks 13, 15.

[0057] In particular, the first end 17 of the rod 3a is rotatably fitted between the connection block 13 and the connection plate 21a while the second end 18 of the rod 3a is rotatably fitted between the connection block 15 and the connection plate 23a.

[0058] The second operating rod means 4 may comprise a shaped rod 4a defined by a first rod portion 25 and by a second rod portion 26 which extend mutually so as to form an inner angle a comprised between 110° and 150°, in particular of 120°. The first rod portion 25 and the second rod portion 26 are connected in a connection area 27 which is therefore defined between the first rod portion 25 and the second rod portion 26 and it acts as a mutual end for both the first rod portion 25 and the second rod portion 26. The connection area 27 is, in particular, hinged to an outer face 28 of the connection plate 23a of the second movable articulation element 9.

[0059] The first rod portion 25 is further provided with a further end 29 opposite to the connection area 27, in particular, hinged to an outer face 30 of the connection plate 21a of the first movable articulation element 5.

[0060] The second rod portion 26 is further provided with a further end 31 opposite to the connection area 27, in particular, hinged to the counteracting rod means 10 to rotate around the ninth rotation axis R9. [0061] The first rod portion 25 may comprise a loop portion 32 which is substantially U- shaped and arranged to at least partially surround the drive means 12 so as to reduce the overall dimensions of the movement group 1 in the closed configuration C.

[0062] The third operating rod means 6 may comprise a bar 6a provided with a first end 33 hinged to the first face 19a of the connection block 15 of the second movable articulation element 9 and with a second end 34, opposite to the first end 33, hinged to a first face 35 of the connection block 14 of the first fixed articulation element 8.

[0063] In particular, the first end 33 of the bar 6a is rotatably fitted between the connection block 15 and the connection plate 23 a while the second end 34 ofthe bar 6a is rotatably fitted between the connection block 14 and the connection plate 22a.

[0064] The fourth operating rod means 7 may comprise an oblong element 7a provided with a first end 36 hinged to the outer face 28 of the connection plate 23 a of the second movable articulation element 9 and with a second end 37, opposite to the first end 36, hinged to an outer face 38a of the connection plate 22a of the first fixed articulation element 8.

[0065] The oblong element 7a may be substantially rod or bar-shaped.

[0066] The oblong element 7a may comprise a protruding portion 39 which projects towards the second operating rod means 4 on which there are fitted the drive means 12 to move the movement group 1 between the open configuration A and the closed configuration C.

[0067] The counteracting rod means 10 may comprise a counteracting rod 10a provided with a first end 40 hinged to the further end 31 of the second rod portion 26 of the shaped rod 4a and with a second end 41, opposite to the first end 40, hinged to an outer face 42a of the connection plate 24a of the second fixed articulation element 11.

[0068] The drive means 12 may comprise a pneumatic actuator 12a provided with a hollow body 43 in particular rotatably connected to the outer face of the connection plate 24a of the second fixed articulation element 11 and with a stem 44 slidable within the hollow body 43. [0069] In the embodiment shown in the Figures, a head 45 of the stem 44 is connected to the oblong element 7a, in particular to the protruding portion 39, to move the oblong element 7a and, as a result, the entire movement group 1 between the open configuration A and the closed configuration C owing to the articulated connection between the lever means 3, 4, 6, 7, the trajectory-correcting unit 20 and the articulation elements 5, 8, 9, 11. In other words, in use, the pneumatic actuator 12a, pulls and/or pushes the oblong element 7a along actuation directions arranged transversely with respect to the displacement direction X, whose respective inclination with respect to the displacement direction X varies during the pull and/or push action, that is during the displacement of the first movable articulation element 5 along the displacement direction X.

[0070] The movement group 1 may be mirror-like with respect to a substantially vertical symmetry plane S, shown in Figure 4. In particular, the movement group 1 may comprise components arranged in a mirror-like fashion with respect to the vertical symmetry plane S. This allows to symmetrically support the operating group 100 and it allows the movement group 1 to support a significantly heavy operating group 100.

[0071] In this case, the first movable articulation element 5, the second movable articulation element 9, the first fixed articulation element 8 and the second fixed articulation element 11 may each comprise a respective further connection plate 21b, 22b, 23b, 24b, each further connection plate 21b, 22b, 23b, 24b being fitted to a respective connection block 13, 14, 15, 16 so as to be arranged substantially symmetrically to the connection plate 21a, 22a, 23a, 24a of the respective articulation element 5, 8, 9, 11 with respect to the vertical symmetry plane S of the movement group 1.

[0072] Still, in the case of movement group 1 arranged in a mirror-like fashion, the first operating rod means 3 may further comprise a further rod 3b provided with a first end 46 hinged to a second face 47 of the connection block 13 of the first movable articulation element 5. The second face 47 is opposite to the first face of the connection block 13 of the first movable articulation element 5. The further rod 3b is further provided with a second end 48, opposite to the first end 46, hinged to a second face 19b of the connection block 15 of the second movable articulation element 9.

[0073] The rod 3a and the further rod 3b are arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to the vertical symmetry plane S.

[0074] Still, in the case of movement group 1 arranged in a mirror-like fashion, the second operating rod means 4 may further comprise a further shaped rod 4b (Figure 1), which may be shaped like the shaped rod 4a. The shaped rod 4a and the further shaped rod 4b are arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to the vertical symmetry plane S.

[0075] The further shaped rod 4b is defined by a first portion 49 and by a second portion 50 which extend mutually so as to form an inner angle P comprised between 110° and 150°, in particular of 120°. The first portion 49 and the second portion 50 are connected in a connection area 51 which is therefore defined between the first portion 49 and the second portion 50 and it acts as a mutual end for both the first portion 49 and the second portion 50. The connection area 51 is, in particular, hinged to an outer face 52 of the further connection plate 23b of the second movable articulation element 9.

[0076] The first portion 49 of the further shaped rod 4b is further provided with a further end 53 opposite to the connection area 51 hinged, in particular, to an outer face 54 of the further connection plate 21b of the first movable articulation element 5.

[0077] The second portion 50 of the further shaped rod 4b is further provided with a further end 55 opposite to the connection area 51 hinged, in particular, to the counteracting rod means 10 to rotate around the ninth rotation axis R9.

[0078] The first portion 49 may comprise a shaped portion 56 which is substantially U- shaped and arranged to at least partially surround the drive means 12 so as to reduce the overall dimensions of the movement group 1 in the closed configuration C.

[0079] Still, in the case of movement group 1 arranged in a mirror-like fashion, the third operating rod means 6 may further comprise a further bar 6b, which may be shaped like the bar 6a. The bar 6a and the further bar 6b are arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to the vertical symmetry plane S.

[0080] The further bar 6b is provided with a first end 57 hinged to the second face 19b of the connection block 15 of the second movable articulation element 9 and with a second end 58, opposite to the first end 57, hinged to a second face of the connection block 14 of the first fixed articulation element 8.

[0081] Still, in the case of movement group 1 arranged in a mirror-like fashion, the fourth operating rod means 7 may further comprise a further oblong element 7b, which may be shaped like the oblong element 7a. The oblong element 7a and the further oblong element 7b are arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to the vertical symmetry plane S.

[0082] The further oblong element 7b is provided with a first end 59 hinged to the outer face 52 of the connection plate 23b of the second movable articulation element 9 and with a second end 60, opposite to the first end 59, hinged to an outer face 38b of the further connection plate 22b of the first fixed articulation element 8.

[0083] The further oblong element 7b may comprise a protruding part 61 which projects towards the second operating rod means 4 on which there are fitted the drive means 12 to move the movement group 1 between the open configuration A and the closed configuration C.

[0084] Still, in the case of movement group 1 arranged in a mirror-like fashion, the counteracting rod means 10 may further comprise a further counteracting rod 10b, the counteracting rod 10a and the further counteracting rod 10b being arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to the vertical symmetry plane S.

[0085] The further counteracting rod 1 Ob is provided with a first end 62 hinged to the further end 55 of the second portion 50 of the further shaped rod 6b and with a second end 63, opposite to the first end 62, hinged to an outer face 42b of the further connection plate 24b of the second fixed articulation element 11.

[0086] The counteracting rod means 10 may further comprise one or more connection elements 70 arranged to mutually connect the counteracting rod 10a and the further counteracting rod 10b. Such one or more connection elements 70 confer a greater structural stability to the counteracting rod means 10 when the counteracting rod 10b is also provided for.

[0087] Still, in the case of the movement group 1 arranged in a mirror-like fashion, the drive means 12 may further comprise a further pneumatic actuator 12b, the pneumatic actuator 12a and the further pneumatic actuator 12b being arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to the vertical symmetry plane S.

[0088] The further pneumatic actuator 12b is provided with a hollow structure 64 rotatably connected, in particular, to the outer face 42b of the further connection plate 24b of the second fixed articulation element 11 and with a stem element 65 which is slidable inside said hollow structure 64.

[0089] In the embodiment shown in the Figures, a head portion 66 of the stem element 65 is connected to the oblong element 7b, in particular to the protruding part 61, to move the further oblong element 7b and, as a result, the entire movement group 1 between the open configuration A and the closed configuration C thanks to the articulated connection between the lever means 3, 4, 6, 7, the trajectory-correcting unit 20 and the articulation elements 5, 8, 9, 11.

[0090] In use, the pneumatic actuator 12a and the further pneumatic actuator 12b, when provided for, are driven synchronously.

[0091] With reference in particular to Figure 6, the first fixed articulation element 8 and the second fixed articulation element 11 are mutually connected to a shaped support metal sheet 67, which is in turn connected to a rotation lever 68 which can be rotated, through drive means - not shown - around a rotation axis R to rotate the movement group 1 between a raised position M (Figures 1-6) in which the movement group 1 protrudes above a plane tangent to resting surfaces of the support 2 and a upturned position N (Figure 7) in which the movement group 1 is arranged below the plane tangent to the resting surfaces of the support 2. In other words, when the movement group 1 (and the operating group 100) are in the upturned position N, they are below the support 2 and, therefore, the displacement from the raised position M to the upturned position N causes a concealable movement of the movement group 1 below the support 2.

[0092] The resting surfaces may comprise a lower area of one or the lower areas of several slats 69 with which the support 2 is provided, such slats 69 being configured to rest the support 2 on a surface, for example a floor.

[0093] In a version not shown, the movement group 1 may comprise further lever means, for example shaped substantially like the lever means 3, 4, 6, 7 disclosed above, further drive means, for example shaped substantially like the drive means 12 disclosed above, and a further trajectory-correcting unit, for example shaped substantially like the trajectorycorrecting unit disclosed above, arranged to support and move the operating group 100 with which they are associated, towards, or away from, the load. Such further lever means, further drive means, and such further trajectory-correcting unit may be associated with the articulation elements 5, 8, 9, 11 or with further articulation elements connected with the articulation elements 5, 8, 9, 11.

[0094] Providing for further lever means, further drive means, and such further trajectorycorrecting unit which substantially replicate the articulated connection structure of the lever means, of the drive means, and of the further trajectory-correcting unit, allows to adapt the kinematic support to the operating group 1 depending on the weight of the load.

[0095] Providing for - in the movement group 1 - trajectory-correcting unit 20 configured to kinematically control the lever means 3, 4, 6, 7 so that the operating group 100, when moving along the displacement direction X between the far position and the closest position, follows a linear trajectory at a constant height with respect to the load and the drive means 12 which act in a direction substantially transversal to the displacement direction X allows to obtain a very compact movement group 1 in the closed configuration C and which allows the operating group 100 to carry out the processes required on the load arranged on the support 2 in a predetermined position. Such predetermined position can, for example, be derived from the height with respect to the load at which the operating group 100 is arranged, that is the first movable articulation element 5 to which the operating group 100 is connected, given that such height remains constant along the displacement in the displacement direction X. [0096] From what has been set out above, it is clear that the movement group 1 according to the invention successfully achieves all the previously mentioned set objects.

[0097] What has been disclosed and shown in the attached drawings has been provided merely by way of illustrative example of the innovative features of the movement group 1. [0098] Variations on and/or additions to what has been disclosed and illustrated in the attached drawings are possible.