A HATCH FOR THE ACCESS TO A ROTATING DRUM, PARTICULARLY FOR MACHINES FOR PROCESSING LEATHER, TEXTILES AND THE LIKE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a hatch and rotating drum assembly, particularly for machines for processing hides or fabrics.

[0002] As is known, many machines for tanneries or for the textile industry are equipped with a rotating drum, with a horizontal rotation axis, within which the products undergo the various processing steps provided for them.

[0003] The drum is generally constituted by a substantially cylindrical hollow body, which forms a compartment the inside of which is accessed through an opening provided on the circumferential wall of the body.

[0004] The opening is normally closed by a door which, during the loading of the drum, is opened completely, while during the processing of the products it is closed hermetically.

[0005] Essentially two systems for the movement of the door are known: a first system provides for the hinging of the door to the drum, about hinge axes which are transverse to the rotation axis of the drum; a second system instead provides for a tangential sliding of the door, along a direction that is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum.

[0006] Despite being advantageous in many respects, door movement systems according to the prior art have some drawbacks which are still unresolved.

[0007] In particular, a first drawback is to be found in the fact that, in both cases, in order to open the door and render the inside of the drum accessible, it is necessary to occupy additional space, besides the space already occupied by the machine.

[0008] When the door is hinged to the drum, the transition from the closed position to the open position and vice versa in fact requires the oscillation of the door in the space that surrounds the machine.

[0009] Even if the machine has a sliding door, things do not improve; in fact, if one wishes to provide, on the drum, an opening that is large enough to make the loading/unloading operations easy, it is necessary to provide an equally large door, however, in this manner, when it opens it protrudes laterally from the drum.

[0010] Furthermore, it should be considered that the doors currently mounted in commercially available machines often turn out to be difficult to maneuver, whether they are of the hinged or laterally sliding type.

[0011] CN108277305A discloses a an electrical cabinet, a leakage protector is fixed on the outer surface of one side of the electrical cabinet, and a controller is fixedly installed on the outer surface of the front end of the electrical cabinet. A supporting seat is fixedly connected to the outer surface of the upper end of the electrical cabinet, a roller bearing is arranged on the outer surface of the upper end of the supporting seat, a moving shaft is arranged on the inner surface of one side of the roller bearing, a double-row deep groove ball bearing is arranged on the inner surface of one side of the moving shaft, and a feeding pipe is arranged on the inner surface of one side of the double-row deep groove ball bearing. The retanning equipment capable of improving the quality of the leather is provided with the leakage protector, the double-row deep groove ball bearing and slide rails and can be disconnected from a power supply in time when an electrical cabinet leaks electricity, a retanning agent can be added directly when the equipmentruns, the quality of the leather is improved, opening and closing of a protective door can also be facilitated, and better use prospects are brought.

[0012] US3240038A discloses a washer-extractors having scaling means for slidable doors that provide access to the interior of the washer-extractor. The washer-extractor has a housing within which a perforated basket is mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis. The basket has trunnions at each end which extend through opposed side walls of the housing and which trunnions are journaled in bearings mounted in frames at each end of the housing.

[0013] US1295830A discloses a door for washing machines of the type used generally in laundries and embodying a rotary drum and a casing inclosing the same. When manipulated by the attendant in the usual way, the door will open only partially, its complete opening being prevented automatically or in a manner which does not require any care on the part of the attendant, the door when thus partially opened permitting proper placing of the pail.

[0014] CN101608247A discloses a thermal insulation division drum having a rotary drum, a rack and a motor. An inner cavity of the rotary drum is internally provided with a V-shaped clapboard; the rotary drum has a sliding drum door and supported on the rack by a bearing; the rack has a gear motor; and the rotary drum is connected with the gear motor by chain wheel transmission or gear transmission. The wall of the rotary drum and the sliding drum door both adopt two layers and thermal insulation materials are filled between the two-layer wall of the rotary drum and the sliding drum door.

[0015] The aim of the invention is to solve the problems described above, providing a hatch for access to a rotating drum, particularly for machines for processing hides, fabrics, and the like, that has a compact structure, in order to reduce the space occupation of the machine to which it is applied.

[0016] Within the scope of this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a hatch that allows to perform the operations for loading/unloading the products in the machine, while remaining within the space occupied by the machine itself, therefore without occupying additional surrounding space.

[0017] Another object of the invention is to provide a hatch having a particularly easy and functional motion.

[0018] Another object of the invention is to provide a hatch which, by virtue of its particular constructive characteristics, is capable of giving the greatest assurances of reliability and safety in use.

[0019] This aim, as well as these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a hatch and drum assembly, particularly for machines for processing hides, fabrics, and the like, as claimed in the appended claims.

[0020] Further characteristics and advantages will become better apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a hatch according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a component of a hatch according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of another component of the hatch according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a side view of the component of the preceding figure;

Figure 4 is a sectional view of Figure 3, taken along the plane IV-IV;

Figure 5 is an enlarged-scale view of a detail of the component of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a machine fitted with the hatch according to the invention.

[0021] With reference to the figures, a hatch according to the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, includes a panel 10 which is slidingly supported in a frame 20 associated with a drum 2, defining at least two positions: a closed position, in which the panel 10 obstructs a loading/unloading opening 3 provided in a circumferential wall 4 of the drum 2, and an open position, in which the panel 10 clears the opening 3.

[0022] In the specific case, the drum 2 includes a substantially cylindrical hollow body which is rotatably mounted on a machine 5 adapted to process hides, fabrics, and the like; however, it is evident that according to other embodiments of the invention which are not shown, the drum 2 might have different shapes and/or be mounted on machines assigned to uses that are different from the one indicated herein without thereby modifying the inventive concept on which the invention is based.

[0023] According to an important aspect of the present invention, the frame 20 is provided with a guiding means which slidingly engages the panel 10 for its circumferential sliding in the transition between the closed position and the open position.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the guiding means includes a pair of tracks 21a and 21b which are coupled to the drum 2 and are arranged parallel to each other on two opposite sides of the opening 3.

[0025] More precisely, the tracks 21a and 21b have a hollow profile, for example with a transverse cross-section that is substantially shaped like a reclined C or H, and are extended along respective circular arcs with a radius of curvature that substantially corresponds to the radius of curvature of the circumferential wall 4.

[0026] At the opening 3, first ends of the tracks 21a and 21b are fixed to a border 22 which is coupled to the drum 2 and is designed to cooperate with the panel 10 in the hermetic closure of the opening 3.

[0027] The panel 10 is formed by a supporting structure on which a sheetlike body 11 is mounted, having a curvature which substantially follows the radius of curvature of the circumferential wall 4.

[0028] In the illustrated example, the supporting structure of the panel 10 is constituted by a pair of posts 12a and 12b which are arranged parallel to each other on two opposite sides of the panel 10 and are joined by means of first crossmembers 13.

[0029] The posts 12a and 12b extend along respective circular arcs with a radius of curvature that substantially corresponds to the radius of curvature of the circumferential wall 4.

[0030] Advantageously, the posts 12a and 12b are provided with a first sliding means, constituted for example by wheels 14 which are freely mounted on the posts, with axes of rotation that are substantially parallel to the circumferential wall 4.

[0031] The wheels 14 can engage in the tracks 21a and 21b in order to facilitate the sliding of the panel 10 with respect to the frame 20.

[0032] According to the invention, the hatch 1 includes a balancing means 30 adapted to facilitate the movement of the panel 10 in the transition between the closed position and the open position.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, the balancing means 30 are constituted by a number of counterweights 31 which are made integral with the panel 10 by means of substantially rigid tension members 32a and 32b which are joined to the posts 12a and 12b and fixed to each other by means of second crossmembers 17.

[0034] In this embodiment, the counterweights 31 consist of one or more metallic bars with such a weight as to balance at least partially the weight of the panel 10.

[0035] More precisely, the tension members 32a and 32b are extended axially, as an extension of the posts 12a and 12b, along respective circular arcs with a radius of curvature that substantially corresponds to the radius of curvature of the circumferential wall 4.

[0036] Preferably, the length of the tension members 32a and 32b is such that the counterweights 31 are arranged in a position that is diametrically opposite with respect to the position of the panel 10.

[0037] Advantageously, also the tension members 32a and 32b and the counterweights 31 also are provided with a second sliding means, conveniently constituted for example by wheels 33 which are mounted idle on the tension members, with rotation axes that are substantially parallel to the circumferential wall 4.

[0038] Also the wheels 33 can engage the tracks 21a and 21b in order to facilitate the sliding of the balancing means 30 and of the panel 10 with respect to the frame 20.

[0039] The hatch 1 also includes a means 15 for locking the panel 10 with respect to the frame 20, respectively, in the two positions.

[0040] The hatch 1 also includes a grip means 16, in the specific case a handle, in order to facilitate the movement of the panel 10 in the transition between the closed position and the open position.

[0041] Finally, it is noted that according to a preferred installation method, the hatch 1 is mounted in an interspace provided in the circumferential wall 4 of the drum 2, to the full advantage of convenience and space occupation.

[0042] The operation of the hatch according to the present invention is as follows. During the rotation of the drum 2, the panel 10 is retained in the closed position by the locking means 15.

[0043] For opening the panel 10, it is necessary to wait for the drum 2 to stop and then proceed with the release of the locking means 15.

[0044] At this point, by means of the grip means 16, it is possible to move the panel 10 from the closed position to the open position.

[0045] In this regard it is important to point out that the movement of the panel 10 occurs according to a circumferential sliding and is facilitated not only by the sliding of the wheels 14 and of the wheels 33 in the tracks 21a and 21b, but also and especially by the presence of the balancing means 30, which balances at least partially the weight of the panel 10.

[0046] The transition of the panel 10 from the open position to the closed position occurs substantially in the same manner but with a reversed motion.

[0047] In practice it has been found that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects, providing a hatch that is capable of opening and closing the loading/unloading opening of a rotating drum with a circumferential sliding motion, thereby considerably reducing the space occupation of the machine on which it is installed.

[0048] In fact, by virtue of its structure and of the motion system, the hatch according to the invention can be easily fitted in an interspace formed in the circumferential wall of the drum, thus remaining within the space occupation of the machine and without occupying additional surrounding space.

[0049] Furthermore, by virtue of the presence of a balancing system with counterweights, the hatch according to the invention is particularly easy to maneuver as well as reliable and safe in use.

Claims

1. A hatch and rotating drum assembly, particularly for machines for processing hides or fabrics comprising at least one movable panel (10) which is slidingly supported in a frame (20) associated with a drum (2), defining at least one closed position, in which said panel (10) obstructs an opening (3) provided in a circumferential wall (4) of said drum (2), and at least one open position, in which said panel (10) clears said opening; said frame (20) comprising a guiding means (21a, 21b) which is slidingly engaged with said panel (10), said guiding means being adapted to guide a circumferential sliding of said panel (10) in the transition between said closed position and said open position; said assembly being characterized in that it comprises a balancing means (30) adapted to facilitate the movement of said panel (10) in the transition between said closed position and said open position.

2. The assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that said guiding means (21a, 21b) comprises at least one pair of tracks (21a, 21b) which are arranged parallel to each other on two opposite sides of said opening (3), said tracks (21a, 21b) extending along respective circular arcs with a radius of curvature that corresponds to the radius of curvature of said circumferential wall (4).

3. The assembly according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a border (22) joined to said tracks (21a, 21b) and associated with said drum (2) at said opening, said border (22) being adapted to cooperate with said panel (10) in the hermetic closure of said opening.

4. The assembly according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said panel (10) comprises at least one sheet-like body (11) associated with a supporting structure (12a, 12b) constituted by at least one pair of lateral posts (12a, 12b) joined by first crossmembers (13), said posts extending along respective circular arcs with a radius of curvature that corresponds to the radius of curvature of said circumferential wall (4).

5. The assembly according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said panel (10) comprises a first sliding means (14) associated with said posts (12a, 12b) and engaged slidingly with said tracks (21a, 21b).

6. The assembly according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said balancing means (30) comprises a plurality of counterweights (31) made integral with said panel (10) by rigid tension members (32a, 32b) joined to said posts (12a, 12b); said tension members (32a, 32b) extending as an axial extension of said posts (12a, 12b) along respective circular arcs with a radius of curvature that corresponds to the radius of curvature of said circumferential wall (4).

7. The assembly according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said counterweights (31) are in a diametrically opposite position with respect to said panel (10).

8. The assembly according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a second sliding means (33) associated with said counterweights (31) and with said tension members (32a, 32b), said second sliding means (33) being engaged slidingly with said tracks (21a, 21b).

9. The assembly according to claim 8 when dependent on claim 5 characterized in that said first sliding means (14) and said second sliding means (33) comprise a plurality of wheels (14, 33), which can rotate about respective axes which are parallel to said circumferential wall (4).

10. The assembly according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a means (15) for locking said panel (10) at least in said closed position.

11. The assembly according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises grip means (16) adapted to facilitate the movement of said panel (10) in the transition between said closed position and said open position.

Ansprüche

1. Ein Aufbau aus einer Luke und einer rotierenden Trommel, insbesondere für Maschinen zur Verarbeitung von Leder oder Stoffen; der mindestens eine bewegliche Platte (10) umfasst, die verschiebbar in einem Rahmen (20) gelagert ist, welcher mit einer Trommel (2) verbunden ist, mindestens eine geschlossene Position bestimmend, in welcher die Platte (10) eine Öffnung (3) in einer Umfangswand (4) der Trommel (2) versperrt, und mindestens eine offene Position, in welcher die Platte (10) die Öffnung freigibt; wobei der Rahmen (20) ein Führungsmittel (21a, 21b) umfasst, das in verschiebbarem Eingriff mit der Platte (10) steht; wobei das Führungsmittel ausgebildet ist, um ein Gleiten der Platte (10) in Umfangsrichtung beim Übergang zwischen der geschlossenen Position und der offenen Position zu führen; wobei der Aufbau dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass er ein Ausgleichsmittel (30) umfasst, ausgebildet, um die Bewegung der Platte (10) beim Übergang zwischen der geschlossenen Position und der offenen Position zu erleichtern.

2. Der Aufbau gemäß Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Führungsmittel (21a, 21b) mindestens ein Paar von Schienen (21a, 21b) umfasst, die parallel zueinander auf zwei gegenüberliegenden Seiten der Öffnung (3) angeordnet sind, wobei die Schienen (21a, 21b) sich entlang jeweiligen Kreisbögen mit einem Krümmungsradius erstrecken, welcher dem Krümmungsradius der Umfangswand (4) entspricht.

3. Der Aufbau gemäß einem oder mehreren der obigen Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass er einen Rand (22) umfasst, der mit den Schienen (21a, 21b) verbunden und an der Öffnung mit der Trommel (2) gekoppelt ist, wobei der Rand (22) ausgebildet ist, um beim hermetischen Verschluss der Öffnung mit der Platte (10) zusammenzuwirken.

4. Der Aufbau gemäß einem oder mehreren der obigen Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Platte (10) mindestens einen schichtartigen Körper (11) umfasst, verbunden mit einer tragenden Struktur (12a, 12b), die aus mindestens einem Paar seitlicher Stützen (12a, 12b), verbunden durch erste Querträger (13), besteht, wobei sich die Stützen entlang jeweiligen Kreisbögen mit einem Krümmungsradius erstrecken, welcher dem Krümmungsradius der Umfangswand (4) entspricht.

5. Der Aufbau gemäß einem oder mehreren der obigen Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Platte (10) ein erstes Schiebemittel (14) umfasst, verbunden mit den Stützen (12a, 12b) und in gleitendem Eingriff mit den Schienen (21a, 21b).

6. Der Aufbau gemäß einem oder mehreren der obigen Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Ausgleichsmittel (30) eine Vielzahl von Gegengewichten (31) umfasst, die durch starre, mit den Stützen (12a, 12b) verbundene Zugglieder (32a, 32b) integral mit der Platte (10) gemacht werden; wobei die Zugglieder (32a, 32b) sich als axiale Verlängerung der Stützen (12a, 12b) entlang jeweiligen Kreisbögen mit einem Krümmungsradius erstrecken, der dem Krümmungsradius der Umfangswand (4) entspricht.

7. Der Aufbau gemäß einem oder mehreren der obigen Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Gegengewichte (31) in einer der Platte (10) diametral gegenüberliegenden Position liegen.

8. Der Aufbau gemäß einem oder mehreren der obigen Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass er ein zweites Schiebemittel (33), verbunden mit den Gegengewichten (31) und mit den Zuggliedern (32a, 32b), umfasst, wobei die zweiten Schiebemittel (33) in gleitendem Eingriff mit den Schienen (21a, 21b) stehen.

9. Der Aufbau gemäß Anspruch 8, wenn abhängig von Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das erste Schiebemittel (14) und das zweite Schiebemittel (33) eine Vielzahl von Rädern (14, 33) umfassen, die sich um jeweilige Achsen drehen können, welche parallel zu der Umfangswand (4) sind.

10. Der Aufbau gemäß einem oder mehreren der obigen Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass er ein Mittel (15) zum Blockieren der Platte (10) mindestens in der geschlossenen Position umfasst.

11. Der Aufbau gemäß einem oder mehreren der obigen Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass er Greifmittel (16) umfasst, die ausgebildet sind, um die Bewegung der Platte (10) beim Übergang zwischen der geschlossenen Position und der offenen Position zu erleichtern.

Revendications

1. Ensemble de trappe et tambour rotatif, en particulier pour machines de traitement du cuir ou des textiles, comprenant au moins un panneau mobile (10) qui est supporté en coulissement dans un châssis (20) associé à un tambour (2) définissant au moins une position fermée, dans lequel ledit panneau (10) obstrue une ouverture (3) prévue dans une paroi circonférentielle (4) dudit tambour (2), et au moins une position ouverte, dans laquelle ledit panneau (10) libère ladite ouverture; ledit châssis (20) comprenant un moyen de guidage (21a, 21b) qui est engagé en coulissement avec ledit panneau (10), ledit moyen de guidage étant adapté pour guider un coulissement circonférentiel dudit panneau (10) dans la transition entre ladite position fermée et ladite position ouverte; ledit ensemble étant caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend un moyen d'équilibrage (30) adapté pour faciliter le mouvement dudit panneau (10) dans la transition entre ladite position fermée et ladite position ouverte.

2. Ensemble selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ledit moyen de guidage (21a, 21b) comprend au moins une paire de pistes (21a, 21b) qui sont agencées parallèles l'une à l'autre sur deux côtés opposés de ladite ouverture (3), lesdites pistes (21a, 21b) s'étendant le long d'arcs circulaires respectifs avec un rayon de courbure qui correspond au rayon de courbure de ladite paroi circonférentielle (4).

3. Ensemble selon l'une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend un bord (22) joint auxdites pistes (21a, 21b) et associé audit tambour (2) sur ladite ouverture, ledit bord (22) étant adapté pour coopérer avec ledit panneau (10) dans la fermeture hermétique de ladite ouverture.

4. Ensemble selon l'une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que ledit panneau (10) comprend au moins un corps similaire à un film (11) associé à une structure de support (12a, 12b) constituée par au moins une paire de piliers latéraux (12a, 12b) joints par des premiers membres transversaux (13), lesdits piliers s'étendant le long d'arcs circulaires respectifs avec un rayon de courbure qui correspond au rayon de courbure de ladite paroi circonférentielle (4).

5. Ensemble selon l'une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que ledit panneau (10) comprend un premier moyen de coulissement (14) associé auxdits piliers (12a, 12b) et engagé en coulissement avec lesdites pistes (21a, 21b).

6. Ensemble selon l'une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que ledit moyen d'équilibrage (30) comprend une pluralité de contrepoids (31) réalisés intégralement avec ledit panneau (10) par des membres de tension rigides (32a, 32b) joints auxdits piliers (12a, 12b); lesdits membres de tension (32a, 32b) s'étendant en tant qu'une extension axiale desdits piliers (12a, 12b) le long d'arcs circulaires respectifs avec un rayon de courbure qui correspond au rayon de courbure de ladite paroi circonférentielle (4).

7. Ensemble selon l'une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que lesdits contrepoids (31) sont dans une position diamétralement opposée par rapport audit panneau (10).

8. Ensemble selon l'une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend un second moyen de coulissement (33) associés auxdits contrepoids (31) et auxdits membres de tension (32a, 32b), ledit second moyen de coulissement (33) étant engagé en coulissement avec lesdites pistes (21a, 21b).

9. Ensemble selon la revendication 8 lorsque dépendante de la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce que ledit premier moyen de coulissement (14) et ledit second moyen de coulissement (33) comprennent une pluralité de roues (14, 33) qui peuvent tourner sur des axes respectifs qui sont parallèles à ladite paroi circonférentielle (4).

10. Ensemble selon l'une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend un moyen (15) pour verrouiller ledit panneau (10) au moins dans ladite position fermée.

11. Ensemble selon l'une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend un moyen de préhension (16) adapté pour faciliter le mouvement dudit panneau (10) dans la transition entre ladite position fermée et ladite position ouverte.

Drawing