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(11) | EP 0 427 994 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Machine for automatically loading empty bobbins or support tubes, particularly for continuous filament fibres of nylon, polyester and like type, in automatic winding machines |
| (57) A machine (1) for automatically loading empty bobbins or support tubes (K), particularly
for continuous filament fibres of nylon, polyester and like type, onto mandrels (4)
of automatic winding machines (5) in spinning plants, comprising a member acting as
a reservoir (3) for a plurality of tubes (K) to be mounted on the mandrels (4) of
the winding machine (5), said reservoir (3) having an internal structure (13) which
separates the tubes (K) from each other and is rotatable about a shaft (15) of said
reservoir, this latter being provided with at least one lower part (18) for supporting
the loaded tubes (K) and provided with a discharge port (19), the opening and closure
of which are controlled and through which said tubes (K) leave by gravity, these latter
being received by a transfer unit (6) which is mobile at least along a first axis
and can rotate about a second axis perpendicular to the first, said transfer unit
(6) comprising transfer means (106, 114) which can be positioned in correspondence
with the mandrels (4) of the winding machine (5), to then mount the tubes (K) onto
these latter. |
[0001] This invention relates to a machine for loading empty bobbins or support tubes, particularly for continuous filament fibres of nylon, polyester and like type, onto the mandrels of automatic winding machines.
[0002] In the textile machine field, apparatus are already known for removing bobbins wound in known manner with a continuous filament fibre from the usual mandrels of winding machines. These winding machines are arranged in known manner adjacent to usual synthetic fibre production machines and usually comprise a series of mandrels supported by a revolver device.
[0003] When a bobbin has been filled with a suitable mass of filament, the revolver device operates automatically in known manner to move another empty tube or bobbin held on a different mandrel into the filament winding zone.
[0004] In spinning plants of the state of the art there is the problem of loading those mandrels lying outside the filament winding zone, ie loading the previously unloaded mandrels with new tubes or bobbins on which the filament is to be wound.
[0005] In most known plants this mandrel loading is done manually. This obviously involves drawbacks in terms of loading time and the cost of the operation.
[0006] An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a machine for automatically loading empty tubes or bobbins onto the mandrels of the winding machine, ie to provide a machine which independently performs said operation without any human intervention.
[0007] A further object is to provide a machine of the aforesaid type which provides reliable and exact positioning of the empty bobbins on the mandrels. A particular object of the invention (in the case of winding machines with mandrels having spacers between bobbins) is to provide a machine which enables said bobbins to be positioned on the mandrels of such a winding machine so as to create between them a space in order to to free the usual hooking means for said fibres to be wound which are present on said mandrels and enable these means to guide said fibres (at the commencement of winding) onto said bobbins.
[0008] A further object is to provide a machine of the aforesaid type which is of reliable operation and can advantageously be connected to a known machine (doffer) for doffing the bobbins already wound with synthetic fibre from the winding machine and positioning them on a boat-shaped container or other support. A further object is to provide a machine of low construction cost.
[0009] A further and advantageous object is to provide a machine of the aforesaid type which enables mandrels pertaining to different groups to be loaded without the need to reach any fixed point from which to withdraw the bobbins or tubes. This enables the time for performing said operation to be reduced.
[0010] These and further objects which will be apparent to the expert of the art are attained by a machine of the aforesaid type, characterised in that at least one empty bobbin or tube is mounted on axially mobile transfer means positioned on a transfer unit which is mobile along a first axis and can rotate about a second axis perpendicular to the first so as to move the transfer means into alignment with the mandrel to be loaded, to enable said means to then mount the bobbin or tube onto the aligned mandrel by moving axially.
[0011] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is associated with and positioned above the transfer unit a member acting as a reservoir for a plurality of tubes to be mounted on the winding machine mandrels, said reservoir having an internal structure which separates the tubes from each other and is rotatable about a shaft of said reservoir, this latter being provided with at least one lower part for supporting the loaded tubes and provided with a discharge port, the opening and closure of which are controlled and through which the tubes directed towards the transfer unit leave by gravity.
[0013] The present invention will be more apparent from the accompanying drawing, which is provided by way of non-limiting example and in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a preferred embodiment of the machine according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a section on the line II-II of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a section on the line III-III of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a section on the line IV-IV of Figure 2;
Figure 5 is a partial side view of the machine shown in Figure 1;
Figure 6 is a detailed side view of part of the machine of Figure 1 with certain parts omitted for greater clarity;
Figure 7 is a section on the line VII-VII of Figure 6;
Figure 8 is a partial longitudinal section through the machine part of Figure 6; and
Figure 9 is a section on the line IX-IX of Figure 6.
[0014] With reference to said figures and in particular to Figure 1, the machine of the invention is indicated overall by 1 and comprises a column 2 to which there are fixed a reservoir 3 for the tubes k to be mounted on mandrels 4 of a usual winding machine 5, and a transfer unit 6.
[0015] The column 2 comprises an upper flat part 7 to which known drive means 8 are fixed to enable the machine 1 to be driven along an overhead guide 9A and a guide track 9 provided in the plane in which the machine moves. For this purpose this latter comprises a projection 10 which travels along the track 9.
[0016] More specifically (see Figures 2, 3 and 4), the reservoir 3 comprises a plurality of chambers (only two are shown in Figure 2) for containing the tubes K to be mounted on the mandrels 4 of the winding machine 5. Advantageously, two or more overlying tubes can be disposed in each chamber 11.
[0017] These chambers are provided in a cylindrical casing 12 defining the reservoir 3 and are formed within an internal partition structure 13 (or simply partitions) fixed by spacer arms 14 to a shaft 15 of the casing 12. The partitions 13 are inclined within said casing 12 such that the chambers 11 are of conical shape with their major cross-section facing the top of said casing.
[0018] On said top there is a closure element 16 which is secured to the cylindrical casing in known manner, said top element 16 comprising an aperture 17 to allow the tubes to be introduced into the reservoir 3 in any known manner.
[0019] Likewise, the casing 12 is provided with a bottom closure element 18 also fixed to it in any known manner. Said bottom element 18 comprises an aperture or discharge port 19 to allow the tubes K to escape towards the transfer unit 6.
[0020] The shaft 15 carries at its bottom a gear 20 with which there engages a gear wheel 21 fixed on the output shaft 22 of a geared motor 23 associated with the reservoir 3 in any known manner.
[0021] The reservoir 3 is supported in known manner by an element 24 associated with a pivot 25 which is fixed to the column 2 by screwing. This enables the reservoir 3 to be easily removed from said column 2 when desired. A lever 26, on which a fork 28 is hinged by a pin 27, is associated with and fixed in any known manner to the pivot 25, which is of fixed construction. On said fork there acts the rod 29 of a pneumatic piston 30, the jacket 31 of which is therefore free to move relative to the lever and in particular to rotate about the pin 27.
[0022] On the jacket 31 there slides an element 32 to which a fork 33 acting as a support for the piston 30 is pivoted at 32A. The fork 33 is secured in any known manner to the bottom element 18 of the reservoir 3.
[0023] With such a construction, when the pneumatic piston is operated in the manner described hereinafter, the reservoir 3 rotates about the pivot 25.
[0024] A device for closing and opening the discharge port 19 is also associated with the bottom closure element 18.
[0025] This device (shown by dashed lines in Figure 3) comprises a lever 35 pivoted at one end 36 to a projection 37 (visible in Figure 2) of the bottom element 18 of the reservoir 3. The curved opposite end 38 of said lever intercepts the discharge port 19. The lever is driven about the projection 37 by a pneumatic cylinder 40 comprising a rod 41 pivoted at its free end to a substantially central region 42 of the lever 25, and a jacket 43 hinged at its free end 44 to the reservoir 3.
[0026] Finally, the reservoir 3 is also provided with sensor means 47 and 48 fixed rigidly to the casing 12 in any known manner and arranged to sense the presence of the tubes K before their transfer to the unit 6 and their absence after this transfer.
[0027] A further sensor (not shown), which for example is an optical sensor as are the sensors 47 and 48, senses the presence of the tubes K in the region distant from their transfer. This sensor is advantageously disposed in a fixed position on the column 2 and determines the presence of tubes (or their absence) in the reservoir 3.
[0028] These sensors can obviously also be used for determining the tubes in the reservoir 3 after this has been loaded.
[0029] Other sensors, not shown but disposed in suitable regions of the machine, sense the rotation of the reservoir 3 about the pivot 25, and proximity sensors sense the opening and closure of the discharge port 19.
[0030] When the tubes K leave through the port 19 they pass to the transfer unit 6. This comprises (see Figures 5 to 9 and Figure 1) a member or arm 50 which is mobile along a guide 51 rigid with a support 53 secured to the column 3 and is rotatable about a pin 54 rigid with a plate 55 mobile along said guide 51.
[0031] Said movement along the guide 51 is obtained (see Figure 5) by a direct current motor 56 mechanically fixed to the column 2, for example by pins 57 and support plates 58. The motor 56 rotates a shaft 59 on which a pulley 60 is fixed. This latter drives a belt 62 (or similar member) jointly with a reversing pulley 61.
[0032] Said shaft 59, or drive shaft, is supported via bearings 63 and a flange 66 by a plate 64 positioned over said motor 56 (as can be seen in Figure 1). This plate acts as a cover and comprises a bent part 65 supporting, via bearings 67, one end of the shaft 68 which holds the reversing pulley 61, the other end of said shaft being supported (via bearings 69) by the plate 64.
[0033] Usual mechanical fixing means 70 (bolts and nuts) support said bearings 67 and 69 and shaft 68.
[0034] The plate 55 is associated with the belt 62 in known manner. This plate supports the wheels 71 mobile along said guide 51, and is fixed to a structure 72 of the arm 50.
[0036] A further direct current motor 77 is also connected to the column 2 by a pivot 75 and support plate 76, to drive a shaft 78 on which there are fixed another pulley 79 and a series of different cams 80. The cams 80 cooperate with microswitches 81 supported by a plate 82 fixed to said plate 64.
[0038] A belt (or similar element) 84 secured to the structure 72 of the arm 50 is connected to the pulley 79. This pulley acts as a winch, and when operated rotates said arm about the pin 54.
[0039] This latter (see in particular Figure 9) is disposed in a suitable seat 87 provided in the arm structure 72. Bearings 88 and 89 are disposed between said parts, mobile relative to each other.
[0040] In order to retain said arm 50 exactly in its vertical or horizontal position, an advantageously electromagnetic brake device is positioned at the pin 54.
[0041] It should be noted that a pusher means (not shown) associated for example with the column 2 or plate 64 is provided to displace the arm from its state of vertical stability.
[0042] Said device comprises an electrically magnetizable part 90 rigid with the structure 72 of the arm 50, and an insert 91 rigid with the plate 55 with which said structure is associated via the pin 54.
[0043] The insert 91, subjected to the magnetic field generated by the magnetizable part 90, is associated by bolts, screws or similar members 92 with a member 93 to which said rollers 71 are secured. Tension springs 96 are provided about the bolts or screws 92 to pull the insert 91 towards the member 93 when this is pulled towards the structure 72 by the magnetizable part 90. There is a small clearance between the structure 72 and plate 55 to allow the relative movements between the parts to take place, these movements being opposed by said springs 96.
[0044] The movements of the arm 50 (ie sliding along the column 2 and rotation about the pin 54) are controlled respectively by sensors 100, 101 (visible in Figure 1) and by the rotation of the cams 80 in association with the microswitches 81.
[0045] It should be noted that the sensors 100 and 101 can be moved along a guide 102 to define any required movement of the arm 50 along the column 2, this movement varying according to the arrangement of the mandrels 4 within the winding machine 5.
[0046] The structure 72 defines a cavity 105 containing a telescopic element 106. This element is arranged to receive the tubes K and to move into a position close to said mandrels 4 before said tubes are transferred onto them. Its position close to the mandrels 4 is shown by dashed lines in Figure 1.
[0047] The telescopic element 106 comprises (see Figure 8) a first outer fixed cylindrical part 108 and a second part 109 which is mobile within the first, the movement of said part 108 being achieved pneumatically. A cup-shaped element 103 is disposed about the telescopic element 106 to support said part 108 and act as an internal limit stop for the return of the mobile part 109.
[0048] The rod 110 of a pneumatic piston 111 acts via an articulated joint 112 on said mobile part 109, so preventing any sticking of this latter during its movement, arising for example from any inaccuracy in its fit into the fixed part 108.
[0049] The tubes K are mounted on the mandrels 4 by a loading device 114 provided with a plurality of deformable hollow elements or fingers 115 which grip the tubes and drag them onto said mandrels. This enables the tubes to be easily positioned on said mandrels 4 independently of any alignment errors between the mandrels and the telescopic element 106. The tubes can thus automatically align with the mandrels, to thus compensate for the small difference between the inner diameter of the tube K and the outer diameter of the mandrel.
[0050] The fingers are made to grip the tubes by feeding compressed air into them, the gripping force being controlled by a known pressure switch (not shown).
[0051] The fingers 115 are supported by a structure or carriage 117 comprising a frame 118, in one side of which there is a duct 116 for feeding air into the fingers 115.
[0052] The carriage 117 is associated with a tubular guide or bar 120 secured by a bracket 121 to a belt 119 (or similar element) driven by pulleys 122 and 123. One of these pulleys, the drive pulley 122, is driven by a direct current motor 124 fixed in any manner to the arm 50.
[0053] The bar 120 supports at least one straight guide 125 mobile on a series of roller supports 126 rigid with a portion 127 of the structure 72.
[0054] To control the movement of the carriage 117, sensors 130 are provided (only one is visible in Figure 7) and can be fixed in different required positions within a guide 131 rigid with said portion 127. Said sensors cooperate with corresponding reference parts 132 which can also be moved in guides 133 and be fixed in suitable positions within them, said guides 133 being associated with said bar 120.
[0055] A further sensor 135 (see Figures 1 and 6) is disposed at that end 136 of the arm 50 from which the tubes K are mounted onto the mandrels 4 of the winding machine 5. The sensor 135 senses when transfer of said tubes into the winding machine has taken place and stops the machine 1 should this transfer not take place.
[0056] It should also be noted that said sensors, the power feed to the various electric motors with which the machine 1 is provided, and the movement of the pneumatically operated members, are all advantageously controlled by a microprocessor circuit which also governs the movement of the machine 1 along the track 9 and its exact positioning in front of the winding machine. The microprocessor also makes it possible to determine the correct positioning on different winding machines of different tubes suitably marked in accordance with the type of product to be wound on the tubes.
[0057] It will now be assumed that empty bobbins or tubes K are to be loaded on a mandrel 4 of the winding machine 5. It will also be assumed that the reservoir 3 is empty.
[0058] On this basis, said reservoir must firstly be provided with tubes K (for example with two or more tubes). To achieve this, the machine 1 is moved into a tube provision region and compressed air is fed to the pneumatic piston 30. As its rod 29 is associated with the fork 28, which is hinged at 27 to the fixed lever 26, feeding air into the piston causes its jacket 31 to move away from the fork 28.
[0059] During this movement the piston rotates about the hinge pin 27 and the element 32 slides on said jacket 31. As a result of this the reservoir inclines (as shown by dashed lines in Figure 4).
[0060] At this point the tubes are inserted through the aperture 17 and into the reservoir 3 while rotating its interior (ie the partitions 13) so as to insert the tubes K into all its chambers 11.
[0061] Having done this, pressure is removed from the piston 30 and the reservoir is returned to a vertical position axial with the column 2.
[0062] The machine 1 is then moved towards the winding machine 5 in which the empty tubes are to be inserted. The movement takes place with the arm 50 axial to the reservoir 3, ie vertical.
[0063] During this movement, compressed air is fed into the telescopic element 106 so that its mobile part 109 approaches the reservoir 3. At this point pressure is removed from the pneumatic cylinder 40 of said reservoir with consequent retraction of its rod 41 into the jacket 43.
[0064] As a result of this the end 38 of the lever 35 withdraws from the discharge port of the reservoir 3, so opening it. The tubes K can therefore fall by gravity onto the telescopic element 106.
[0065] Having done this, compressed air is fed into the cylinder 40 to again move the lever 35 into the position which closes the port 19, and the partitions 13 are rotated within the reservoir casing 12. This is achieved by operating the geared motor 23 which rotates the gear wheel 21. As this latter cooperates with the gear 20 associated with the shaft 15 of the casing 12 to which the partitions 13 are secured, the rotation of said shaft causes said partitions to rotate.
[0066] During this operation, pressure is removed from the telescopic element 106 and its mobile part 109 retracts into the fixed part 108.
[0067] Having achieved this and after the machine 1 has arrived in front of the winding machine 5, the arm 50 is rotated and positioned at a height such as to align the telescopic element 106 with the mandrel 4 to be loaded.
[0068] The rotation, which is commenced by the action of the pusher means (such as a spring), continues by gravity, with simultaneous operation by the motor 77 of the pulley 79 which releases the belt 84 until the arm 50 is positioned perpendicular to the column 2. The exact positioning of the arm 50 at 90° to the column is controlled by the cams 80 and the microswitches 81 which operate the electromagnetic brake.
[0069] If said arm is also to be moved in terms of its height, the motor 56 is operated. This latter rotates the pulleys 60 and 61 and consequently also the belt 62. Advantageously, and if the upper mandrels of winding machines provided with mandrels on two or more levels are to be loaded, the rotation of the arm 50 and its height displacement take place simultaneously.
[0070] Following this, the plate 55 rigid with said belt 61 moves along the guide 51 dragging with it the arm 50 with which said plate is rigid. This movement, controlled by the sensors 100 and 101, terminates when the telescopic element 106 and the mandrel 4 of the winding machine are aligned.
[0071] It should be noted that during the rotation (lowering) of the arm 50 about the pin 54, the electromagnetic braking device is operated by the cams 80 (and microswitches 81) just before the ara 50 reaches the position perpendicular to the column 2. In this respect, friction is generated between the insert 91 and the part 90 when the arm 50 is close to its end positions, ie vertical and horizontal.
[0072] When the arm 50 has reached the loading position, compressed air is fed into the telescopic element 106 to move its part 109.
[0073] At the same time, air is fed through the duct 116 in the frame 118 of the carriage 117 to tighten the fingers 115 against the tubes K.
[0074] The motor 124 is then operated to move the belt 119 by means of the pulleys 122 and 123, with consequent movement of the bar 120 (and carriage 117) on the supports 126. In this manner the tubes K are mounted on the mandrel 4.
[0075] At this point air is removed from the most outer fingers 115, so opening them and releasing the tube K which is more inwardly positioned in the winding machine. The belt 119 is then moved in the opposite direction to that previously followed, to pull the carriage 117 towards the arm 50.
[0076] Having done this, the direction of movement of the belt 119 is again reversed to re-insert the carriage 117 into the winding machine, and mount the other tube on the mandrel 4.
[0077] This having been done, air is also removed from the last fingers 115 still gripping the tube, and the carriage 117 is returned in the aforesaid manner towards the arm 50 and then into it.
[0078] This is done in order to space the tubes K apart on said mandrel if this is of the type provided with a bobbin spacer. If however the mandrel is not provided with a spacer the carriage undergoes only one movement into the winding machine, with consequently only one release of the tubes onto the mandrel, this release occurring by simultaneously opening all the fingers 115.
[0079] Air is also removed from the telescopic element 106 to return the mobile part 109 into the fixed part 108.
[0080] Known retention and expansion means associated with the mandrel retain the tubes K when these have been loaded.
[0081] At this point the loading of the mandrel 4 is complete and the arm 50 is returned to the vertical, ie with its axis parallel to the axis of the column 2, in the manner described.
[0082] It should be noted that the movements of the arm 50 (along the column 2 and its rotation about the pin 54) can be achieved by a single motor (for example the motor 77) acting on the pulleys 60 and 79 by gears which are independent but can both be connected by a friction clutch to a single shaft driven by said motor.
[0083] The pneumatic circuit which feeds the compressed air-fed members is provided with a pressure switch and a control pressure gauge. Advantageously, the machine according to the invention is associated with a known machine able to unload from the winding machine mandrels 4 those bobbins which have been wound with the continuous filament fibre. This enables the unloading of wound bobbins and the loading of empty bobbins onto other mandrels to be carried out together.
[0084] A description has been given of a particular embodiment of the machine according to the invention.
[0085] The machine can however comprise only the transfer unit 6 without the reservoir 3. In this case the tubes K can be loaded into the unit 6 in another manner, including manually.
[0086] Said machine can therefore be constructed in various embodiments (for example in which the arm 50 is lowered by pneumatic pistons, a rack and pinion, chains or the like, or in which the discharge port 19 of the reservoir 3 is opened by mechanical members), without leaving the scope of the present invention.
1. A machine for automatically loading empty bobbins or support tubes, particularly
for continuous filament fibres of nylon, polyester, glass, staple and like type, onto
the mandrels of automatic winding machines in spinning plants, characterised in that
at least one empty bobbin or tube (K) is mounted on axially mobile transfer means
(106, 114) positioned on a transfer unit (6) which is mobile along a first axis and
can rotate about a second axis perpendicular to the first so as to move the transfer
means (106, 114) into alignment with the mandrel (4) to be loaded, to enable said
means to then mount the bobbin or tube (K) onto the aligned mandrel (4) by moving
axially, said movements of the transfer unit (6) along the first axis and about the
second advantageously occurring simultaneously.
2. A machine as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that there is associated with
and positioned above the transfer unit (6) a member acting as a reservoir (3) for
a plurality of tubes (K) to be mounted on the mandrels (4) of the winding machine
(5), said reservoir (3) having an internal structure (13) which separates the tubes
(K) from each other and is rotatable about a shaft (15) of said reservoir (3), this
latter being provided with at least one lower part (18) for supporting the loaded
tubes (K) and provided with a discharge port (19), the opening and closure of which
are controlled and through which the tubes (K) directed towards the transfer unit
(6) leave by gravity.
3. A machine as claimed in the preceding claims, characterised in that the reservoir
(3) and the transfer unit are associated with a support structure or column (2) mobile
along tracks (9).
4. A machine as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that the reservoir (3) is associated
with a support element (25) which is secured to the mobile column (2) and can be moved
angularly about it.
5. A machine as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that the reservoir (3) comprises
a casing (12) in which the mobile internal structure (13) is disposed, said structure
being provided with partitions defining chambers (11) which receive said tubes and
are rigid with the shaft (15) of said reservoir (3), said shaft (15) carrying a gear
(20) which cooperates with a gear wheel (21) driven by drive means (23), advantageously
a geared motor, rigid with said casing (12), said cooperation resulting in rotation
of the mobile internal structure (13).
6. A machine as claimed in claims 3 and 4, characterised by comprising means (30)
for rotating said reservoir about the support element (25), and associated with a
lever (26) secured to the element (25) which supports the reservoir (3) on the mobile
column (2).
7. A machine as claimed in claim 8, characterised in that the means for rotating the
reservoir (3) about the support element (25) are a pneumatic piston (30), the rod
(29) of which is associated with a fork (28) hinged (at 27) to the fixed lever (26),
the jacket (31) of said piston (30) carrying a slidable element (32) to which there
is hinged (at 32A) a fork (33) fixed to the lower part (18) of the reservoir (3).
8. A machine as claimed in claim 2, characterised by comprising, in a position corresponding
with the discharge port (19) provided in the lower part (18) of the reservoir (3),
mobile means (35) for intercepting said port, said intercepting means (35) being operated
by drive means (40) associated with the reservoir (3).
9. A machine as claimed in claim 8, characterised in that the intercepting means are
a lever (35) hinged at one end (36) to the lower part (18) of the reservoir (3), the
other end (38) of said lever (35) being curved and arranged to intercept the discharge
port (19) in said lower part (18), said lever being moved by a pneumatic cylinder
(40) which is also associated with said lower part (18), said pneumatic cylinder (40)
comprising a rod (41) secured at its free end to a substantially central region (42)
of said lever (35) and a jacket (42) hinged at its free end (44) to the reservoir
(3).
10. A machine as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that the casing (12) of the
reservoir (3) comprises an upper closure part (16) provided with a port (17) for introducing
the tubes (K) into said casing (12).
11. A machine as claimed in claims 1 and 3, characterised in that the transfer unit
(6) comprises a member or arm (50) having a structure (72) within which the transfer
means (106, 117) are movably disposed, said arm being mobile along at least one guide
(51) associated with a support element (53) on the support column (2) and being hinged
(at 54) to a member (55) slidable along said guide (51), said member (55) being subjected
to the action of drive means (62) arranged to move the arm (50) along the support
column (2) and rigid therewith.
12. A machine as claimed in claim 11, characterised in that the drive means are a
belt (62) or the like driven by pulleys (60, 61), one of said pulleys (60) being rotated
by a direct current motor (56) fixed to the support structure (2).
13. A machine as claimed in claim 11, characterised in that the drive means are a
pinion or worm associated with a direct current motor and a rack.
14. A machine as claimed in claim 11, characterised in that the arm (50) undergoes
rotation about a pin (54) which secures said arm (50) to the member (55) slidable
along the guide (51) associated with the support column (2), said rotation being obtained
by means (77, 79) associated with said column (2) and being advantageously slowed
down by a braking device (90, 91) associated with the transfer unit (6), said braking
device (90, 91) locking the arm (50) in its vertical and horizontal end positions,
known pusher means being provided to displace the arm from its stability state when
in the non-rotated vertical position at the commencement of rotation.
15. A machine as claimed in claim 14, characterised in that the braking device comprises
an electrically magnetizable part (90) rigid with the structure (72) of the arm (50),
and an insert (19) rigid with the member (55) slidable along the guide (51) secured
to the support column (2), said magnetizable part (90) and said insert (91) being
disposed in positions corresponding with the pin (54) about which the arm (50) rotates,
elastic return means (96) being provided to pull said insert (91) towards said slidable
member (55) when said insert is attracted towards the arm (50) by the magnetizable
part (90).
16. A machine as claimed in claim 14, characterised in that the rotation of the arm
(50) about the pin (54) which secures it to the member (55) slidable along the guide
(51) is obtained by the letting-out and pulling-in of a belt (84) or similar member
by means of a wheel (61), acting as a winch, which is rotated by a direct current
motor (77).
17. A machine as claimed in claim 16, characterised in that cams (80) are fixed on
a drive shaft (78) which rotates the winch (61), and cooperate with microswitches
(81) secured to a fixed part (82) of the support column (2), said cooperation enabling
the extent of rotation of the arm relative to the support structure (2) to be controlled,
said control being advantageously effected by a microprocessor circuit.
18. A machine as claimed in claim 17, characterised in that the microprocessor circuit
controls by means of suitable sensors the rotation of the internal structure (13)
of the reservoir (3) about its shaft (15) and the rotation about the support element
(25), determines the presence or absence of tubes (K) in the reservoir (3) by means
of sensors (48, 49) disposed in a suitable position on the casing (12), controls the
movement of the transfer unit (6) along the support column (2) by means of sensors
(100, 101) advantageously mobile along guide tracks (102) and positioned along the
support column (2), and checks that the mounting of the tubes (K) on a mandrel of
the winding machine (5) has taken place by means of a further sensor (135).
19. A machine as claimed in claims 1 and 11, characterised in that transfer means
are associated with the structure (72) of the arm (50), said means comprising a telescopic
element (106) disposed in a cavity (105) in said structure (72) and a device (114)
for loading the tubes (K) onto the mandrels (4) of, the winding machine, said telescopic
element (106) and said loading device (114) being mobile relative to each other and
to the structure (72) of said arm (50).
20. A machine as claimed in claim 19, characterised in that the telescopic element
(106) comprises a first fixed part (108) and a second mobile part (109), said second
part being subjected to the action of the rod (111) of a pneumatic piston (110), the
connection between said rod (111) and said second part (109) being made advantageously
by means of an articulated joint (112).
21. A machine as claimed in claim 19, characterised in that the loading device (114)
for the tubes (K) comprises a carriage (117) having a frame (118) disposed about the
telescopic element (106) and supporting gripping elements (115), said elements (115)
being arranged to cooperate with the tubes (K) supported by said telescopic element
(106) and to mount them onto the mandrels (4) of the winding machine (5).
22. A machine as claimed in claim 21, characterised in that the gripping elements
(115) are deformable and hollow, and fold about the tubes (K) on being fed with compressed
air, said air reaching said elements (115) via a duct (116) provided in the frame
(118) of the carriage (117).
23. A machine as claimed in claim 21, characterised in that the carriage (117) is
associated with a guide or bar (120) mobile relative to the structure (72) of the
arm (50), said guide being subjected to the action of drive means (124) associated
with said structure.
24. A machine as claimed in claim 21, characterised in that the guide or bar (120)
is secured to a belt (119) or similar member driven by pulleys (122, 123), one of
said pulleys (122) being rotated by a direct current motor (124), said bar (120) carrying
a straight guide (125) mobile in a guided manner along roller supports (126) rigid
with a portion (127) of the structure (72) of the mobile arm (50).
25. A machine as claimed in claims 17 and 24, characterised in that a guide (131)
on which sensor means (130) slide is associated with the structure (72), said sensors
(130) being fixable in suitable positions along said structure (72) and cooperating
with reference elements (132) associated with the bar (120), the signal generated
by said sensor means (130) being used by the microprocessor circuit to evaluate the
movement of the bar (120) relative to the structure (72) of the arm (50) and to control
the mounting of the tubes (K) onto the mandrels of the winding machine (5).
26. A machine as claimed in claim 19, characterised in that the loading device (114)
is able to move relative to the structure (72) of the arm (50), to space apart and
precisely position the tubes (K) on the mandrel (4) of the winding machine (5).