LOADER FOR AUTOMATIC REWINDING MACHINES OF FILLER MATERIAL WIRE

Abstract

 A loader (1) for automatic rewinding machines of filler material wire, said loader (1) comprises an outer protection frame (2) suitable for resting on a reference surface (S), and a storage unit (3) contained in the outer protection frame (2) and configured to accommodate a plurality of flanged reels (F) configured to be moved to an automatic rewinding machine which is operatively and physically arranged downstream of the loader (1) and which automatically winds a filler material wire about a central drum (T) of each of the flanged reels (F). In particular, the loader (1) comprises a preloading and withdrawal station (4) physically distinct, separate, and independent from the storage unit (3), configured to receive from the storage unit (3), in a progressive manner and at successive intervals, the flanged reels (F) divided according to a predefined quantity and to convey them by translation to said automatic rewinding machine.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a loader (also identified as a store or storage station, in the common jargon of the concerned industry) intended expressly for automatic rewinding machines of filler material wire, e.g., such as welding wire or filament for 3D printers, wherein said rewinding is performed on juxtaposed rows on multiple layers of the wire itself.

[0002] It is known that the filler material used in fields such as industrial welding is commonly in the form of a wire or filament consisting of a material, such as copper-coated iron, aluminum, copper, and stainless steel, and which is made available for welding in the condition in which it is wound about a basket, reel, or flanged drum made of metal or plastic material, thus forming a traditional coil. Indeed, the manufacturers of wire made of filler material (typically, such as welding wire) initially supply the wire itself is wound into heavy skeins (even in the order of several quintals), which is why a rewinding operation of the filler material wire into the aforesaid coil is inevitably needed, which coil being lighter in weight and smaller in size than the initial skein, is suitable for assembly on the machine tools which perform the respective machining (e.g., welding).

[0003] The rewinding operation, as a whole, firstly requires unwinding the filler material wire from the skein and subsequently rewinding said wire to form a plurality of coils, each of the desired diameter and weight; in particular, the weight of the coils obtained starting from a skein varies from 0.5 kg to 30 kg (corresponding to their varying diameters from 100 mm to 350 mm, respectively), according to the needs and demands of the market.

[0004] These operations are normally performed using a plurality of operating machines, mutually arranged in a line and separated from each other, each of which is intended to perform a very specific and determined function.

[0005] Rewinding lines are known in the prior art which are capable of automatically rewinding the coil and which comprise three main and distinct machines: an initial unwinding unit, on which the starting skein to be unwound is positioned, a final winding and unloading unit of the complete coil of rewound wire (also known as a rewinder), and an intermediate unit, named "take-up", which has the dual function of tensioning the wire between the unwinding and rewinding steps and synchronizing the rotational speed of the motors of the upstream unwinding unit and the downstream winding unit, as well as during the respective acceleration and deceleration ramps.

[0006] In addition, the rewinding lines of the prior art comprise a loader (or store or storage station, as noted above), which accommodates the flanged reels (or baskets or drums) on which the filler material wire comes from the skein, from which it was unwound, is to be rewound immediately afterward; the loader is substantially arranged operationally (and in general also physically) upstream of the winding unit to which it supplies the flanged reels, onto which the filler material wire is wound, in an appropriate and cadenced manner.

[0007] The empty flanged reels (i.e., still free of rewound filler material wire) are loaded onto the loader each time by the operator who arranges them, in the quantity required for the rewinding step, according to a series of vertical stacks in which flanged reels of the same type and diameter (at least in the same stack) are stacked on top of one another.

[0008] For smaller reels - conventionally, having a diameter of between 100 and 200 mm and weighing between 0.5 kg and 5 kg, also considering the material of which they are made - the operator only needs to load the flanged reels into the loader, while for larger reels - conventionally, having a diameter of between 260 and 350 mm and weighing between 15 kg and 30 kg - the operator must perform a rather articulated and substantial series of adjustments on much of the winding equipment of the machine (flanges, mechanical stops, tool assembly, mechanical stops and so on).

[0009] Examples of loaders of known type relevant in some manner to the present invention are shown in the patent documents published under DE3610138 A1, JPS5310077 A and CN111792455 A.

[0010] Regardless, the vertical arrangement of the flanged reels in the storage unit defined inside the outer frame of the loader inevitably obliges the design of complex mechanical systems for withdrawing the reels and directing them to the winding machine, whose position of the loading zone (practically absent because the flanged reels are passed directly from the storage unit of the loader to the winding machine), tooling and machining spindle is inevitably biased by and directly depends in height on the reel withdrawal zone as configured in the loader. Substantially, the current loader concept, which requires vertically stacking flanged reels, imposes a specific and determined design of the tools and, in general, of the winding machine components, with all the disadvantages that this implies, exacerbated if the spaces are limited in the manufacturing plant without leaving much margin for maneuvering in the logistical layout and the design.

[0011] Furthermore, the current rewinding lines require that, during the loading step of the flanged reels into the loader for subsequently rewinding the filler material wire in reels of the desired size onto them (reels which, as mentioned, are significantly smaller than the skein), the rewinder inevitably remains in a stopped condition (i.e., it stops working), resulting in a significant reduction in efficiency.

[0012] A last but not least drawback related to the loaders for rewinding lines of filler material wire derives from the fact that its capacity, understood as the number of flanged reels that can be housed neatly and properly, is still small.

[0013] Therefore, being aware of the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art, the present invention effectively suggests how to remedy them.

[0014] Specifically, it is the main purpose of the invention to make a loader for automatic rewinding machines of filler material wire (e.g., welding wire) which has a greater loading capacity of the flanged reels to be sent to the next rewinding step in a winding machine than the loaders currently available on the market.

[0015] It is a second purpose of the present invention to make available a loader for automatic rewinding machines of filler material wire which allows the operator to reload flanged reels into the storage unit continuously, seamlessly, and without interrupting the operation of the rewinding machine arranged downstream of it.

[0016] In the cognitive scope of said second purpose, it is task of the present invention to disclose a loader for automatic rewinding machines of filler material which allows increasing the performance of these rewinding machines (or rewinders) compared to that achievable with current rewinding lines.

[0017] It is a further purpose of the invention to provide a loader for automatic rewinding machines of filler material which allows releasing or making independent the design of some components of the rewinding machine arranged downstream, contrary to the prior art.

[0018] Within the scope of this latter purpose, it is task of the present invention to create a loader for automatic rewinding machines of filler material wire which allows simplifying the constructive concept of these rewinding machines compared to the prior art.

[0019] It is a last but not least purpose of the present invention to provide a loader for automatic rewinding machines of filler material wire which correctly and efficiently accommodates any type of format of the flanged reels on which the filler wire is still to be wound, regardless of the material which these reels are made of.

[0020] Within the scope of this purpose, it is task of the invention to devise a loader for automatic rewinding machines of filler material wire which is thus more versatile and more flexible in use than equivalent loaders of known types being substantially universal.

[0021] Similarly, it is a further task of the invention to provide a loader for automatic rewinding machines of filler material wire which, compared with the prior art, makes the maneuvers that the operator must perform to store other flanged reels in the storage unit present inside the outer protection frame easier and faster. Said purposes are achieved by a loader for automatic rewinding machines of filler material wire (such as welding wire, 3D printer filament) according to appended claim 1, to which reference is made for the sake of brevity of presentation.

[0022] Further detailed technical construction features of the loader for automatic rewinding machines of filling material wire of the present invention are contained in the corresponding dependent claims.

[0023] The aforesaid claims, hereinafter specifically and concretely defined, are intended as an integral part of the present description.

[0024] Advantageously, the loader of the invention has a rather remarkable loading or storage capacity of empty flanged reels (according to the meaning of the latter word given above), greater than that of similar loaders of the known type; the number of flanged reels which can be stowed in the storage unit present inside the outer protection frame of the loader of the invention reaches even more than 100, which is about twice the current capacity of known loaders.

[0025] Again advantageously, the loader of the invention thus has greater operational autonomy than the loaders of the prior art, also simplifying the work of the operators in charge of controlling it in this respect.

[0026] Equally advantageously, the loader of the present invention allows making the design of the rewinding machine of filler material wire arranged downstream independent of the design of the loader itself.

[0027] This is because, in the loader of the invention, the storage unit and the preloading and withdrawal station of the flanged reels to be sent to the rewinding machine are two clearly defined, distinct, and mutually separate components, in which, in particular, the preloading and withdrawal station faces the tools of the rewinding machine properly intended for directly handling the flanged reels.

[0028] Equally advantageously, again as a function of said favorable construction aspect, the loader object of the invention can be continuously reloaded relative to the operation of the rewinding machine arranged downstream, which, therefore, does not need to be stopped while the operator arranges additional flanged reels in the storage unit of the loader exclusively claimed herein.

[0029] This advantageously results in a significant increase in the efficiency of the rewinding machine and, in general, of the entire rewinding line compared to the prior art.

[0030] Said purposes and advantages will be more apparent from the description that follows, related to a preferred embodiment of the loader for automatic rewinding machines of filler material wire of the current invention, given by way of indicative and non-limiting example, with the help of the appended drawings, in which:

• figures 1 and 2 are two different axonometric exemplary and explicative views of the loader of the invention;
• figures 2a and 3a are enlargements of a construction detail of figure 1 and figure 2, respectively;
• figure 3 is a front view of the loader in figures 1 and 2;
• figure 4 is a side view of the loader in figures 1 and 2;
• figure 5 is a rear view of the loader in figures 1 and 2;
• figure 6 is the view of figure 3 taken along section plane VI-VI;
• figure 6a is an enlargement of a construction detail in figure 6.

[0031] The loader object of the invention, expressly used on automatic rewinding lines, from skein to reel, of a filler material wire (e.g., welding wire) and arranged upstream of a rewinding machine (also named a winding machine) of such a filler material wire, is shown in figures 1 and 2, in which it is indicated by reference numeral 1 as a whole.

[0032] As can be seen, such a loader 1 comprises:

• an outer protection frame 2 configured to rest on a reference surface S, such as the floor of a production plant;
• a storage unit, indicated by reference numeral 3 as a whole, contained inside the outer protection frame 2 and configured to accommodate a plurality of flanged reels F configured to be moved to an automatic rewinding machine (or winder, not shown in the accompanying figures), which is operatively and physically arranged downstream of the loader 1 and which performs the automatic winding of a filler material wire about a central drum T of each of these flanged reels F.

[0033] According to the invention, the loader 1 includes a preloading and withdrawal station 4 physically distinct, separate, and independent from the storage unit 3, configured to receive from said storage unit 3, in a progressive manner and at successive intervals, the flanged reels F divided according to a predefined quantity and to convey them by translation to the automatic rewinding machine arranged downstream.

[0034] As can be seen in particular in figures 3 and 5 (as well as the aforementioned figures 1 and 2), the preloading and withdrawal station 4 is at least partially contained inside the outer protection frame 2; indeed, the preloading and withdrawal station 4 extends in width, transversely to the extension in height of the outer protection frame 2, mostly within the latter.

[0035] More in detail, the preloading and withdrawal station 4 is arranged at a first side wall 2a (generally arranged frontally in application conditions) of the outer protection frame 2, which, as shown in the accompanying figures, preferably has a parallelepiped box-like structure.

[0036] Appropriately, the preloading and withdrawal station 4 communicates with the outside world by means of a through opening 5, better shown in figure 4, obtained in a second side wall 2b of the outer protection frame 2 and configured to face the automatic rewinding machine arranged downstream; the second side wall 2b of the outer frame 2 is typically arranged laterally, in application conditions, and is adjacent to the first side wall 2a of the outer frame 2 itself.

[0037] Precisely, by virtue of the presence of the through opening 5, the preloading and withdrawal station 4 partially protrudes from the second side wall 2b of the outer protection frame 2 to communicate with the downstream automatic rewinding machine at a height advantageously below the centerline of the outer frame 2. Preferably but not necessarily, the preloading and withdrawal station 4 comprises a conveyor belt 6 configured to accommodate from above the flanged reels F unloaded each time by the storage unit 3 and operationally connected to first drive means, indicated by reference numeral 7 as a whole and shown in figures 1, 2, 4 and 6, suitable to be actuated to transport the flanged reels F, progressively and sequentially accommodated on an outer surface 6a of the conveyor belt 6, by translation, to the automatic rewinding machine.

[0038] In a preferred but not binding manner, the first drive means 7 (such as, typically, an electric motor connected to a central processing and control unit, not shown, which controls its operation) are arranged outside the outer protection frame 2, to which they are stably coupled, and are concealed by a protection casing 8, better shown in figures 3 and 5, fixed externally to a third side wall 2c of the outer protection frame 2 itself.

[0039] As shown in the following figures, the third side wall 2c is symmetrically opposite to the second side wall 2b of the outer frame 2, from which it is separated by the first side wall 2a.

[0040] Advantageously and efficiently, in a purely preferred and non-limiting manner, the preloading and withdrawal station 4 accommodates consecutive homogeneous groups of flanged reels F, which drop by gravity from the storage unit 3, and which, as shown in particular in an exemplary and diagrammatic manner in figure 3 (given the presence of only one flanged reel F), are mutually side by side other along a common horizontal linear direction X₁.

[0041] Again preferably, but not exclusively, the preloading and withdrawal (or collection) station 4 also comprises thrust means, indicated by reference numeral 9 as a whole, configured to push the pack of flanged reels F already accommodated in the preloading and withdrawal station 4 towards the automatic rewinding machine, unloading the flanged reels F one at a time onto the automatic rewinding machine where they will accommodate the filler material wire wound onto the respective central drum T.

[0042] Preferebly, the thrust means 9 comprise, in this case, purely by way of example, a vertical vane 10 fixed to the outer surface 6a of the conveyor belt 6 moved by the first drive means 7, as better shown in figures 1, 2, and 6.

[0043] According to the preferred embodiment of the invention described here, the storage unit 3 is operatively connected to second drive means, indicated by reference numeral 11 as a whole, configured to put such a storage unit 3 in rotation following an articulated closed path 12 in which a concave flex 13 is identified at and above the preloading and withdrawing station 4; this is clearly also shown in figure 6.

[0044] In this case, the storage unit 3 defines a plurality of longitudinal seats 14, each configured to accommodate a plurality of flanged reels F to be sent at the same time to the preloading and withdrawal station 4 and, furthermore, advantageously comprises adjustment means, indicated by reference numeral 15 as a whole, configured to vary the width of each longitudinal seat 14 so that the longitudinal seat 14 itself stably and effectively accommodates flanged reels F having mutually different size, notably different diameter.

[0045] The adjustment means 15 which best allow achieving one of the intended objects of the invention described herein - i.e., the ability to properly, usefully, and effectively receive any type of format of the flanged reels on the central drum of which the filler material wire must be wound - are shown better in the enlargement of figure 2a and figure 6; the constructive concept of the adjustment means 15 will be detailed later in the description.

[0046] It is understood that in other embodiments of the loader of the invention, not shown below, the storage unit may define several longitudinal seats different from those shown in the accompanying figures, it being possible to vary this number as desired and according to application needs or design choices starting from one. The storage unit 3 also preferably comprises a rotating carousel consisting of:

• a pair of mutually opposite main transmission members 16, 17, such as two chains of a predefined length, connected to each other by a transverse shaft 36 and operationally connected to second drive means, indicated by reference numeral 37 as a whole and configured to put the main transmission members 16, 17 in synchronous rotation following the aforesaid closed articulated path 12, which, as mentioned, defines the concave flex 13 at the preloading and withdrawal station 4;
• a plurality of longitudinal balancing bars 18 coupled to the main transmission members 16, 17 between which they are interposed, arranged in twos and mutually parallel, distanced, and approached to define, between each pair of longitudinal bars 18a, 18b, the longitudinal seat 14 configured to accommodate a plurality of the flanged reels F to be sent to the preloading and withdrawal station 4 at the same time.

[0047] In particular, the rotating carousel rotates about a horizontal linear axis X₂ parallel to the common horizontal linear direction X₁ defined by the flanged reels F on each longitudinal seat 14 as well as, inevitably, on the upper surface 6a of the conveyor belt 6.

[0048] More specifically and preferably, the main transmission members 16, 17 are operationally connected to the second drive means 11 by means of the interposition of respective, mutually opposite auxiliary transmission members 19, 20, such as two gear wheels meshing in their respective chains, cooperating mechanically with both the main transmission members 16, 17 and with the second drive means 11.

[0049] Each main transmission member 16, 17 remains constructively distanced from the second side wall 2b and the third side wall 2c of the outer protection frame 2, respectively, and is supported by a respective perimetrical articulated plate 21, 22 fixed internally to the outer protection frame 2 and determining the path of the respective main transmission member 16, 17.

[0050] The second drive means 11 are appropriately contained within the outer protection frame 2, to an inner third side wall 2c of which they are stably fixed.

[0051] It is understood that other embodiments of the loader of the invention, not illustrated below, may require the rotating carousel to consist of main transmission members different from those described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, e.g., appropriately designed and sized pulleys and belts.

[0052] It is further understood that in further embodiments of the loader of the present invention, also not shown in the accompanying figures, the aforesaid rotating carousel may consist of a different number of main transmission members, corresponding auxiliary transmission members, and perimetrical articulated plates, it being possible to vary the number of each of these three components as desired and according to constructive and/or design choices starting from one.

[0053] The longitudinal balancing bars 18 are mutually parallel and each arranged along a horizontal longitudinal axis X, evidently parallel to both the horizontal linear direction X₁ and the horizontal linear axis X₂.

[0054] As can be inferred with greater precision from the enlargement of figure 2a and the usual figure 6, each pair of mutually approached longitudinal balancing bars 18a, 18b is coupled to each of the main transmission members 16, 17 by means of a common fork 23 consisting of two oblique arms 24, 25 mutually side by side, diverging downwards, connected to each other by means of elastically yielding means, indicated by reference numeral 26 as a whole, interposed between the oblique arms 24, 25.

[0055] In particular, each fork 23 is rotationally connected to the respective main mechanical transmission members 16, 17, and this is by means of a central pivot 38, which is arranged at a constrained end 24a, 25a of the oblique arms 24, 25 and allows the longitudinal balancing bars 18 to either swing or tilt slightly; this is very useful in the step of resting of the various flanged reels F by the operator on the pair of longitudinal bars 18 and their effective housing in the longitudinal seat 14 defined therebetween.

[0056] It is also worth noting that, for each pair of longitudinal bars 18, the opposite ends of the longitudinal bar 18a are coupled to the free end 24b of the oblique arm 24 of the respective fork 23, while the opposite ends of longitudinal bar 18b are coupled to the free end 25b of the other oblique arm 25 of the respective fork 23.

[0057] In effect, in an advantageous but non-limiting manner, the elastically yielding means 26 are the aforesaid adjustment means 15 because they allow varying the horizontal mutual distance between each pair of longitudinal balancing bars 18a, 18b (in a mechanically automatic manner) as a function of the load (or weight) of the flanged reels F arranged in the longitudinal seat 14, resting on these longitudinal bars 18a, 18b.

[0058] This advantageously allows the storage unit 3 of the loader 1 of the invention to receive flanged reels F of various types, mutually different in diameter, regardless of the material which the flanged reels F are made of, whether metallic or plastic. This constructive aspect is also a significant innovation of the loader 1 of the invention compared to the prior art in which, if it is necessary to change the format of the flanged reels to be sent to the automatic rewinding machine when necessary, requires, on the one hand, considerable, laborious and demanding manual operations to replace the storage unit - in the case of smaller reels as defined above, i.e., between 100 and 200 mm in diameter and weighing between 0.5 kg and 5 kg - or, on the other hand, demanding and prolonged manual operations to set and adjust the tooling of the automatic rewinding machine, in the case of larger reels, as defined above, i.e., between 260 and 350 mm in diameter and weighing between 15 kg and 30 kg.

[0059] In the specific case (to be understood as purely preferred and non-limiting), the elastically yielding means 26 comprise a helical spring 27, which extends along a transverse direction Z perpendicular to the horizontal longitudinal axis X identified by the longitudinal balancing bars 18 and incident to an inclined linear direction (K₁, K₂) defined by each of the oblique arms 24, 25 of the fork 23.

[0060] More in detail, as better shown in the enlargements of figures 2a and 6a, the helical spring 27 has a first end 27a fixed externally to a first of the oblique arms 24, 25 and a second end 27b fixed externally to a second of the oblique arms 24, 25; these fixings are at mutually opposite and facing side surfaces 24c, 25c of each pair of oblique arms 24, 25.

[0061] It's understood that further embodiments of the invention loader of the invention, not accompanied by reference drawings, may require the elastically yielding means to comprise more than one helical spring, according to design choices and/or operative requirements.

[0062] The loader 1 of the invention further preferably comprises hooking means, indicated by reference numeral 28 as a whole, arranged at the preloading and withdrawal station 4 and operatively connected to actuation means, indicated by reference numeral 29 as a whole, configured to arrange these hooking means 28 alternately between:

• a resting position, in which the hooking means 28 are separated and distanced from the storage unit 3;
• an operating position, in which the hooking means 28 are brought close to and mechanically cooperate with the storage unit 3 to release the cited predefined quantity of flanged reels F on the preloading and withdrawal station 4.

[0063] In this case, in a preferred but not binding way, the hooking means 28 are coupled to the preloading and withdrawal station 4 so that the actuation means 29 move both the hooking means 28 and, at the same time, the preloading and withdrawal station 4 between the aforesaid resting position and aforesaid releasing position. In even greater detail, the actuation means 29 conveniently move the hooking means 28 according to a vertical direction Y, transforming the "preloading and withdrawal station 4/hooking means 28" structural assembly into a sort of vertical short-stroke elevator, understood as a stroke, which extends for a height more than half the height of the outer frame 2.

[0064] As better shown in figures 1, 2, and 6, the actuation means 29 are coupled internally to the first side wall 2a of the outer protection frame 2 by means of guiding means, indicated by reference numeral 30 generically and as a whole, configured to allow the vertical sliding of the hooking means 28; preferably but not necessarily, the guiding means 30 comprise at least one sliding shoe 39 made of plastic material, such as POM, and cooperating laterally with a pair of mutually opposed linear rails 40, 41 obtained in a molded support plate 42 fixed to the first side wall 2a of the outer frame 2.

[0065] Furthermore, the molded support plate 42 is flanked by the preloading and withdrawal station 4, being interposed between it and the first side wall 2a of the outer frame 2, and identifies a longitudinal recess 43 in which the actuation means 29 are accommodated and slide.

[0066] In a purely preferred but non-limiting manner, the actuation means 29 comprise a pneumatic cylinder 31 electrically connected to the aforesaid central processing and control unit, which manages its operation and activation.

[0067] From an operational point of view, when the actuation means 29 arrange the hooking means 28 in the lowered resting position, the elastically yielding means 26 are in the releasing position, the one determined by the loading of the flanged reels F which are progressively arranged in the longitudinal seat 14 and resting on the pair of mutually approached and coplanar longitudinal bars 18a, 18b.

[0068] In return, when the actuation means 29 arrange the hooking means 28 in the raised operating position, the central processing unit stops the operation of the first drive means 7, the storage unit 3 ceases to rotate about the horizontal linear axis X₂ and the elastically yielding means 26 are in the pulling (or loading) position to spread the mutually approached longitudinal bars 18a, 18b arranged on the same horizontal plane.

[0069] The hooking means 28 preferably comprise a plurality of shaped rods 32, 33, protruding upwards from the preloading and withdrawal station 4.

[0070] Each of the shaped rods 32, 33 is provided with a first end 32a, 33a fixed to the preloading and withdrawal station 4 and with a second free end 32b, 33b in which a terminal recess 34 with an open profile is obtained, which, in the operating position of the hooking means 28, accommodates a stretch of one of the longitudinal balancing bars 18 directly above and approached closer to it, to mutually spread or distance the two longitudinal bars 18a, 18b which support the flanged reels F and make them drop onto the preloading and withdrawal station 4 underneath.

[0071] The enlargement of figure 1a also shows that, at the second free end 32b, 33b, each of the aforesaid shaped rods 32, 33 is provided with an inner beveled tooth 35, which mutually spreads the longitudinal balancing rods 18a, 18b which support the flanged reels F when the shaped rods 32, 33 are forced by the actuation means 29 against the longitudinal balancing rods 18a, 18b until they are housed in the terminal recess 34.

[0072] In practice, each of the shaped rods 32, 33 substantially presents the shape of a wrench in frontal view.

[0073] As shown in figures 1 and 1a, in this specific case, the hooking means 28 comprise six shaped rods 32, 33, three for each side edge 4a, 4b of the preloading and withdrawal station 4 (namely, of the conveyor belt 6 in the preferred solution of the invention adopted by the applicant) along which they are distributed in a substantially uniform manner to achieve a balanced grip of the longitudinal balancing bars 18a, 18b supporting the flanged reels F, by the hooking means 28. In a particular manner, the shaped rods 32, 33 are arranged near mutually opposite ends (when they are considered along the linear direction X₁) of the preloading and withdrawal station 4 (of the conveyor belt 6, in this case).

[0074] Again, it is understood that in other embodiments of the loader of the present invention, not shown in the accompanying figures, the hooking means may include a different number of shaped rods different from that just described and shown in these figures, according to design choices and/or application requirements. Advantageously, the outer protection frame 2 of the loader 1 of the invention further comprises moveable inspection means, indicated by reference numeral 37 as a whole, available to the operator to access the storage unit 3 not only to perform loading operations of the flanged reels F but also for normal maintenance, repairs, and/or replacement of components and/or mechanical parts present within the outer frame 2.

[0075] The movable inspection means 37 are arranged in a fourth side wall 2d of the outer frame 2, symmetrically arranged relative to its first side wall 2a and comprised between its second side wall 2b and its third side wall 2c; the movable inspection means 37 define a first position, shown in figure 5, assumed when the loader 1 of the invention is, for example, normally operational, in which they hermetically close the outer frame 2, and a second position, assumed when the loader 1 of the invention is suitably non-operational, in which they open the outer frame 2 and allow access for the aforesaid tasks.

[0076] Preferably but not necessarily, the movable inspection means 37 are rotatably coupled to the outer frame 2 by at least one hinge 44 and preferably comprise a pair of microperforated doors 45, 46 mutually side by side (as well as coplanar in the aforesaid first position of the mobile inspection means 37), each of which is provided with an operating handle 47 conveniently accessible to any operator, being at a height well below 2 meters.

[0077] It is worth noting that, in the aforesaid second position of the movable inspection means 37, the conveyor belt 6 of the preloading and withdrawal station 4 advantageously continues (or at least can continue) to convey by translation the flanged reels F on it already released from the storage unit 3 (under the action of the hooking means 28 and the actuation means 29), and this in conditions of absolute safety for the operators, to the benefit of increasing the efficiency of the automatic rewinding machine arranged downstream.

[0078] This is because the preloading and withdrawal station 4 in the loader 1 of the invention is physically distinct and separate from the storage unit 3 and conveys the flanged reels F accommodated on it by translation.

[0079] Therefore, based on the description given above, it can be understood that the loader for automatic rewinding machines of filler material wire, which is the subject of the invention, achieves the objects and reaches the advantages yet mentioned. Upon execution, modifications could be made to the loader for automatic rewinding machines of filler material wire of the invention, consisting, for example, of a storage unit of a different design concept than the preferred one described above, with specific reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0080] Furthermore, there may be further embodiments of the loader, the exclusivity of which is claimed herein, not shown hereafter, in which the preloading and withdrawal station also has a different constructional concept from that illustrated above, which does not invalidate the advantages achieved by the present invention, which, principally, derive, it is reasserted, from having made the storage unit and the preloading and withdrawal station mutually independent and distinct. Finally, it is apparent that many other variants could be made to the loader for automatic rewinding machines of filler material wire, without departing from the principles of novelty inherent in the inventive idea, just as it is apparent that in the practical implementation of the invention, the materials, shapes, and sizes of the details shown may be any according to the requirements and may be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

[0081] Where the constructive features and techniques cited in any successive claims are followed by reference signs or numerals, such reference signs were introduced for the sole purpose of increasing intelligibility of the claims themselves and consequently, such reference signs have no limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example only by such reference signs.

Claims

1. Loader (1) for automatic rewinding machines of filler material wire, said loader (1) comprising:

- an outer protection frame (2) configured to rest on a reference surface (S);

- a storage unit (3) contained in said outer protection frame (2) and configured to accommodate a plurality of flanged reels (F) configured to be moved to an automatic rewinding machine which is operatively and physically arranged downstream of said loader (1) and which automatically winds a filler material wire about a central drum (T) of each of said flanged reels (F);

- a preloading and withdrawal station (4) physically distinct, separate and independent from said storage unit (3), configured to receive from said storage unit (3), in a progressive manner and at successive intervals, said flanged reels (F) divided according to a predefined quantity and to convey them by translation to said automatic rewinding machine,

characterized in that said storage unit (3) comprises a rotating carousel consisting of:

- at least one main transmission member (16, 17) operatively connected to second drive means (11) configured to rotate said main transmission member (16, 17) along an articulated closed path (12) which defines a concave flex (13) at said preloading and withdrawal station (4);

- a plurality of longitudinal balancing bars (18) coupled to said main transmission member (16, 17) and arranged at least in twos, mutually parallel, distanced, and approached to define, between each pair of said longitudinal bars (18a, 18b), a longitudinal seat (14) configured to accommodate a plurality of said flanged reels (F) to be sent to said preloading and withdrawal station (4) at the same time.

2. Loader (1) according to claim 1), characterized in that said preloading and withdrawal station (4) comprises a conveyor belt (6) configured to accommodate said flanged reels (F) from above and operatively connected to first drive means (7) suitable to be operated to transport by translation said flanged reels (F) progressively and sequentially accommodated on an outer surface (6a) of said conveyor belt (6) to said automatic rewinding machine.

3. Loader (1) according to claim 2), characterized in that said first drive means (7) are arranged outside said outer protection frame (2), to which they are stably coupled, and are concealed by a protection casing (8) fixed outside a third side wall (2c) of said outer protection frame (2).

4. Loader (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said preloading and withdrawal station (4) accommodates homogeneous consecutive groups of said flanged reels (F), one next to the other along a common linear direction (X₁), coming by gravity from said storage unit (3).

5. Loader (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said preloading and withdrawal station (4) comprises thrust means (9) configured to push a pack of said flanged reels (F) previously received in said preloading and withdrawal station (4) towards said automatic rewinding machine, unloading said flanged reels (F) one at a time onto said automatic rewinding machine.

6. Loader (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said storage unit (3) is operatively connected to second motorization means (11) configured to put it into rotation following an articulated closed path (12) in which a concave flex (13) is identified at and above said preloading and withdrawal station (4).

7. Loader (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said storage unit (3) defines at least one longitudinal seat (14) configured to accommodate a plurality of said flanged reels (F) to be sent simultaneously to said preloading and withdrawal station (4) and comprises adjustment means (15) configured to vary the width of said longitudinal seat (14) so that said longitudinal seat (14) stably and effectively houses said flanged reels (F) mutually different by size.

8. Loader (1) according to claim 1), characterized in that said main transmission member (16, 17) is operatively connected to said second drive means (11) by means of the interposition of an auxiliary transmission member (19, 20) mechanically cooperating with both said main transmission member (16, 17) and said second drive means (11).

9. Loader (1) according to claim 1), characterized in that said main transmission member (16, 17) remains constructively spaced apart from a third side wall (2c) of said outer protection frame (2) and supported by a perimetrical articulated plate (21, 22) fixed inside said outer protection frame (2) and determining said path of said main transmission member (16, 17).

10. Loader (1) according to claim 12), characterized in that said second drive means (11) are contained in said outer protection frame (2), at a third side wall (2c) of which they are fixed.

11. Loader (1) according to claim 1), characterized in that said longitudinal balancing bars (18) are mutually parallel and each arranged along a horizontal longitudinal axis (X).

12. Loader (1) according to claim 7), characterized in that said pair of said longitudinal balancing bars (18a, 18b) is coupled to said main transmission member (16, 17) through a common fork (23) consisting of two oblique arms (24, 25) mutually side by side, diverging downwards, connected to each other through elastically yielding means (26) interposed between said oblique arms (24, 25).

13. Loader (1) according to claim 12), characterized in that said elastically yielding means (26) constitute said adjustment means (15), varying the reciprocal horizontal distance between each pair of said longitudinal balancing bars (18a, 18b) as a function of the load of said flanged reels (F) placed in said longitudinal seat (14).

14. Loader (1) according to claim 12), characterized in that said elastically yielding means (26) comprise at least one helical spring (27), which extends along a transverse direction (Z) orthogonal to said horizontal longitudinal axis (X) along which said longitudinal balancing bars (18) extend and incident to an inclined linear direction (K₁, K₂) defined by each of said oblique arms (24, 25) of said fork (23).

15. Loader (1) according to claim 14), characterized in that said helical spring (27) has a first end (27a) fixed externally to a first of said oblique arms (24, 25) and a second end (27b) fixed externally to a second of said oblique arms (24, 25), at mutually facing side surfaces (24c, 25c) of said oblique arms (24, 25).

16. Loader (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises hooking means (28) arranged at said preloading and withdrawal station (4) and operatively connected to actuation means (29) configured to arrange said hooking means (28) alternately between:

- a resting position, in which said hooking means (28) are separated and distanced from said storage unit (3);

- an operating position, in which said hooking means (28) are brought close to and mechanically cooperate with said storage unit (3) to release said predefined quantity of said flanged reels (F) on said preloading and withdrawal station (4).

17. Loader (1) according to claim 16), characterized in that said hooking means (28) are coupled to said preloading and withdrawal station (4) so that said actuation means (29) move both said hooking means (28) and, at the same time, said preloading and withdrawal station (4) between said resting position and said releasing position.

18. Loader (1) according to claim 15), characterized in that when said hooking means (28) are arranged in said resting position, said elastically yielding means (26) are in releasing position determined by the load of said flanged reels (F) placed in said longitudinal seat (14), while when said hooking means (28) are arranged in said operating position, said elastically yielding means (26) are in traction position.

19. Loader (1) according to claim 16), characterized in that said hooking means (28) comprise at least two shaped rods (32, 33), projecting upwards from said preloading and withdrawal station (4), each provided with a first end (32a, 33a) fixed to said preloading and withdrawal station (4) and with a second free end (32b, 33b) in which a terminal recess (34) with an open profile is obtained, which, in said operating position of said hooking means (28), accommodates a stretch of one of said longitudinal balancing bars (18) directly above and approached closer to it, to mutually spread or distance said longitudinal bars (18a, 18b) which support said flanged reels (F) and make said flanged reels (F) drop onto said preloading and withdrawal station (4).

20. Loader (1) according to claim 19), characterized in that, at said second free end (32b, 33b), each of said shaped rods (32, 33) is provided with an inner beveled tooth (35) which, when said shaped rods (32, 33) are forced by said actuation means (29) against said longitudinal balancing rods (18a, 18b) until they are housed in said terminal recess (34), mutually spreads said longitudinal balancing rods (18a, 18b).

Drawing