AUTOMATED MACHINE FOR UNWINDING AND REWINDING FABRIC REELS AND PROCESS FOR UNWINDING AND REWINDING A FABRIC REEL EXECUTED BY MEANS OF SAID AUTOMATED MACHINE

Abstract

 Automated machine for unwinding and rewinding fabric reels, which comprises a support frame (2), a storage group (3) and an unwinding group (11). The storage group (3) comprises two or more abutment racks (4), which are guidedly connected to the support frame (2) along a movement path (X) and are each provided with a support beam, at least two support arms (6) transverse to the support beam (5), and at least two concave abutment portions (9) and intended to receive a fabric reel in abutment, and first movement means (10) arranged for moving the abutment racks (4) along the movement path (X). The unwinding group (11) is provided with at least one conveyor belt (12), which is guidedly connected to the support frame (2), at least partially delimits a reception seat (13) for a fabric reel, is configured for being inserted between the support arms (6) of a selected abutment rack (4) and is actuatable in a first rotation sense and in a second rotation sense respectively in order to unwind and rewind the fabric reel, and second movement means (14), which are arranged for moving the conveyor belt (12) between an operating position, in which it intercepts the movement path (X) of the abutment racks (4), and a nonoperating position, in which it is spaced from the movement path (X) of said abutment racks (4).

Description

Field of application

[0001] The present invention regards an automated machine for unwinding and rewinding fabric reels and a process for unwinding and rewinding a fabric reel executed by means of the aforesaid automated machine, according to the preamble of the relative independent claims.

[0002] The automated machine and the present process are inserted in the field of the textile industry, e.g. in the field of production of clothing garments, in the field of production of furnishing article, in the field of production of finishing articles for automobiles, in particular fabric seats, and the like.

[0003] In particular, the present automated machine and process are advantageously intended to be employed in order to unwind a selected fabric reel and supply the fabric unwound therefrom, for example, to a cutting machine placed downstream, and such cutting machine preferably cuts the different fabric portions constituting a clothing article, and in order to rewind the aforesaid fabric reel after the cutting machine has removed the necessary fabric.

State of the art

[0004] Known at the state of the art are machines for unwinding fabric reels, which comprise a support frame, which carries, rotatably mounted thereon, at least two rollers upper ducts and a lower driving roller placed therebetween, and multiple closed-loop belts wound around the aforesaid driving roller and alternatively around one or the other of the driven wheels, in a manner such to define a reception seat for the fabric reel to be unwound. More in detail, the driving roller is actuatable to rotate in a first rotation sense in order to drive the closed-loop belts to unwind the fabric reel and in a second rotation sense opposite the first in order to drive the belts themselves to rewind the reel.

[0005] Advantageously, such machine for unwinding the fabric reels is employed in order to unwind a fabric reel and provide the fabric part unwound from such reel to a cutting machine placed downstream, which is for example set for cutting the fabric portions that constitute a clothing garment, such as a shirt, and in order to rewind the reel once the cutting machine has removed the necessary fabric.

[0006] The machines for unwinding fabric reels described briefly up to now has in practice shown that it does not lack drawbacks.

[0007] The main drawback of these machines of known type lies in the fact that the fabric reel to be unwound must be manually loaded on and unloaded from the reception seat. Therefore, the intervention of one or more operators is required, depending on the weight of the reel, who become fatigued and possibly also risk being injured during the movement of the reel itself.

[0008] In addition, for example in the event in which the cutting machine placed downstream of the machine for unwinding the reels is employed for cutting parts of clothing garments having different colors or made of different fabrics, the fabric reel placed in the reception seat must be substituted numerous times in time intervals that are quite close to each other.

[0009] In such case, it is known to place a storage with rotary carousel upstream of the machine for unwinding the reels. Such storage with rotary is generally provided with multiple movable supports, which are mounted on the rotary carousel and each support a fabric reel with color and/or material different from those of the other movable supports, and with movement means arranged for rotating the rotary carousel up to carrying the movable support with the selected fabric reel within reach of the operator employed for loading and unloading the machine for unwinding the reels.

[0010] In this manner, since the storage rotary carousel is placed just upstream of the machine for unwinding the reels, the operator does not have to travel long distances to take the new fabric reels to substitute the old and, since the storage with rotary carousel is capable of supplying the movable support with the selected fabric reel directly within reach of the same operator, he/she does not have to continually repeat movements that are potentially damaging for the health, such as for example continuously lifting the fabric reels to substitute the old ones from the ground.

[0011] Nevertheless, it is always requested that the operator be present during operation of the machine for unwinding the reels, so as to readily substitute the fabric reel as soon as the cutting machine has removed the fabric part necessary for the subsequent processing, and hence such operator cannot be employed for performing other functions.

[0012] In order to at least partly solve the problems of the prior art described briefly up to now, from United States patent US 4,493,460 it is known to use a rotary storage together with a separate unwinder machine provided with a conveyor belt. More in detail, the rotary storage is provided with a closed-loop catenary carrying a plurality of fabric reels mounted thereon, movable in rotation in order to selectively bring one of the aforesaid reels to an unloading section. In addition, the conveyor belt of the unwinder machine is movable in translation with respect to the support frame of the aforesaid unwinder machine in order to contact with the fabric reel selectively placed at the unloading section from the catenary of the rotary storage and is actuatable in rotation in order to unwind such reel. Also such solution resulted not lacking drawbacks in practice, since it is subjected to problems tied to possible jamming and machine-stops that require frequent manual interventions by the operators.

[0013] In addition, in the technical field of the textile industry, different machines are known comprising automated storages for unwinder reels and/or groups, for example of the type described in the patent documents US 2004/118964, GB 353037, CN 105540309, US 3,776,541, GB 1017177 or WO 2004/069705, which have proven to be inefficient or unreliable in operation.

[0014] Therefore, there is the strong need in the reference field to be able to execute, in a completely automated manner, the transfer operations of the different fabric reels between the storage a rotary carousel and the machine for unwinding the reels.

Presentation of the invention

[0015] In this situation, the problem underlying the present invention is therefore that of overcoming the abovementioned drawbacks manifested by the solutions of known type by proving an automated machine for unwinding and rewinding fabric reels and a process for unwinding and rewinding a fabric reel, which are capable of executing, in a completely automated manner, the loading and unloading of the selected fabric reels and their unwinding and rewinding.

[0016] A further object of the present invention is to provide an automated machine for unwinding and rewinding fabric reels and a process for unwinding and rewinding a fabric reel, which are capable of operating in a completely efficient and versatile manner.

[0017] A further object of the present invention is to provide an automated machine for unwinding and rewinding fabric reels and a process for unwinding and rewinding a fabric reel, which are entirely reliable in operation.

[0018] A further object of the present invention is to provide an automated machine for unwinding and rewinding fabric reels and a process for unwinding and rewinding a fabric reel, which are simple and inexpensive to attain.

Brief description of the drawings

[0019] The technical characteristics of the present invention, according to the aforesaid objects, can be seen in the contents of the below-reported claims and the advantages thereof will be more evident in the following detailed description, made with reference to the enclosed figures, which represent a merely exemplifying and non-limiting embodiment of the invention in which:

• figure 1 shows a perspective view of an automated machine for unwinding and rewinding fabric reels, object of the present invention, in accordance with a preferred embodiment;
• figure 2 shows a lateral section view of the automated machine of figure 1;
• figure 3 shows a top plan view of an unwinding group of the automated machine of figure 1, with several parts removed in order to better illustrate other parts;
• figure 4 shows a front perspective view of the unwinding group of figure 3, with several parts removed in order to better illustrate other parts;
• figure 5 shows a rear perspective view of the unwinding group of figure 3, with several parts removed in order to better illustrate other parts;
• figure 6 shows a lateral section view of the unwinding group of figure 3, with several parts removed in order to better illustrate other parts, and such lateral section is made at a support roller of a conveyor belt;
• figure 7 shows a perspective view of an abutment rack of a storage group the automated machine of figure 1;
• figure 8 shows a perspective view of the unwinding group of figure 3, with several parts removed in order to better illustrate other parts and with conveyor belts in an operating position, and of the abutment rack of figure 7 in an approach position;
• figure 9 shows a lateral section view of the unwinding group of figure 3, with several parts removed in order to better illustrate other parts and with conveyor belts in operating position, and of the abutment rack of figure 7 in approach position, and such lateral section is made at a support arm of the aforesaid abutment rack;
• figure 10 shows a perspective view of the unwinding group of figure 3, with several parts removed in order to better illustrate other parts and with conveyor belts in operating position, and of the abutment rack of figure 7 in a release position;
• figure 11 shows a lateral section view of the unwinding group of figure 3, with several parts removed in order to better illustrate other parts and with conveyor belts in operating position, and of the abutment rack of figure 7 in release position, and such lateral section is made at the support roller of a conveyor belt;
• figure 12 shows a perspective view of a detail of the unwinding group of figure 3, with several parts removed in order to better illustrate other parts;
• figure 13 shows a perspective view of a detail of the unwinding group of figure 3, with several parts removed in order to better illustrate other parts.

Detailed description of several preferred embodiments

[0020] With reference to the enclosed drawings, reference number 1 overall indicates an automated machine for unwinding and rewinding fabric reels in accordance with the present invention.

[0021] More in detail, the present automated machine 1 is intended to be employed in the field of the textile industry, in particular in the field of production of clothing garments, such as for example shirts, pants or the like.

[0022] In particular, the present automated machine 1 is intended to be installed upstream of a cutting machine, so as to supply the fabric unwound from a reel to such cutting machine, which is arranged for cutting from the unwound fabric the parts constituting a specific clothing article.

[0023] The present automated machine 1 comprises a support frame 2, a storage group 3 and an unwinding group 11.

[0024] Advantageously, the support frame 2 internally defines an operating volume, within which the aforesaid storage group 3 and the unwinding group 11 are at least partially placed.

[0025] The group 3 for storing the fabric reels comprises two or more abutment racks 4, which are guidedly connected to the support frame 2 along a movement path X.

[0026] More in detail, the abutment racks 4 can be guidedly connected to the support frame 2 "directly" or "indirectly", i.e. through other components of the same automated machine 1, which are guidedly connected to the support frame 2 and carry, mounted thereon, the abutment racks 4 or they are mounted on the support frame 2 and carry, guidedly connected thereto, the abutment racks 4.

[0027] Each abutment rack 4 is provided with a support beam 5, which is extended along a main extension direction Y, advantageously substantially horizontal, of at least two support arms 6, which are transverse to the support beam 5 and each extended between a lower end 7 mechanically connected to the support beam 5 itself and an opposite upper end 8, and with at least two concave abutment portions 9 which are each placed at the upper end 8 of a corresponding support arm 6 and are intended to receive a fabric reel in abutment.

[0028] Advantageously, each abutment portion 9 comprises two abutment wings 50, which are placed side-by-side and are extended starting from the upper end 8 of the corresponding support arm 6 each along a direction that is tilted with respect to the horizontal and transverse to the main extension direction Y.

[0029] In addition, the storage group 3 comprises first movement means 10 mechanically connected to at least to the support frame 2 and arranged for moving the abutment racks 4 along the movement path X.

[0030] The unwinding group 11 of the fabric reels is, in addition, placed adjacent to the storage group 3 and is provided with at least one conveyor belt 12.

[0031] Such conveyor belt 12 is guidedly connected to the support frame 2, at least partially delimits a reception seat 13 for a fabric reel, is configured for being at least partially inserted between the at least two support arms 6 of a selected abutment rack 4 and is actuatable in a first rotation sense in order to unwind a fabric reel and in an opposite second rotation sense in order to rewind the fabric reel.

[0032] More in detail, the at least one conveyor belt 12 can be guidedly connected to the support frame 2 "directly" or "indirectly", i.e. through other components of the same automated machine 1, which are guidedly connected to the support frame 2 and carry, mounted thereon, the same conveyor belt 12 or they are mounted on the support frame 2 and carry, guidedly connected thereto, the at least one conveyor belt 12.

[0033] The unwinding group 11 comprises also second movement means 14, which are mechanically connected to the support frame 2 and to the at least one conveyor belt 12 and are arranged for moving the aforesaid conveyor belt 12 between an operating position, in which it intercepts the movement path X of the abutment racks 4, and a non-operating position, in which it is spaced from the movement path X of the abutment racks 4.

[0034] More in detail, the arrangement of multiple abutment racks 4, which have at least two support arms 6 and two corresponding concave abutment portions 9 and are movable along a movement path X, and with at least one conveyor belt 12, which is movable between a non-operating position and an operating position in which it intercepts the movement path X in order to be at least partially inserted between the support arms 6 of a selected abutment rack 4, ensures that the fabric reels can be loaded onto and unloaded from the reception seat 13 and substituted, in a completely automated manner, without requiring the intervention of human operators.

[0035] In operation, in fact, the first movement means 10 have a selected abutment rack 4, which on the concave abutment portions 9 thereof supports a fabric reel having a desired color and/or material, just adjacent to the at least one conveyor belt 12 and the second movement means 14 carry the conveyor belt 12 into operating position, in a manner such that the latter intercepts the movement path X and is at least partially inserted between the support arms 6 of the same abutment rack 4.

[0036] In addition, in operation, following the positioning of the conveyor belt 12 in operating position, the first movement means 10 move the same abutment rack 4 in a manner such that the support arms 6 and the abutment portions 9 pass on the sides of the conveyor belt 12 itself and hence abut the fabric reel against the same conveyor belt 12, consequently placing the fabric reel in the reception seat 13.

[0037] In operation, at this point, the conveyor belt 12 can be actuated in the first rotation sense in order to unwind the fabric reel, for example so as to supply the fabric unwound from the reel to a cutting machine placed downstream, and, when it is the time to substitute the fabric reel with a fabric reel having different color and/or different material, the same conveyor belt 12 is actuated in the second rotation sense opposite the first in order to rewind the fabric reel that is situated in its reception seat 13.

[0038] In addition, in operation, the first movement means 10 move the abutment rack 4 that remained without fabric reel at least along the movement path X in order to once again place the support arms 6 on the sides of the conveyor belt 12, which is in operating position, and then pick up, through the concave abutment portions 9, the fabric reel by lifting from the conveyor belt 12 and making it exit outward from the reception seat 13.

[0039] Finally, in operation, the second movement means 14 move the conveyor belt 12 without fabric reel into non-operating position so as to free the movement path X and thus allow the first movement means 10 to move the abutment rack 4 with the fabric reel just used away from the same conveyor belt 12 and to move the abutment racks 4 up to bringing a new selected abutment rack 4, which for example supports a fabric reel that differs by color and/or material, adjacent to the conveyor belt 12 itself, in particular so as to repeat the loading and unloading operations and for unwinding and rewinding with the new fabric reel. Advantageously, the present automated machine 1 comprises a logic control unit operatively connected to the first movement means 10 of the storage group 3 in order to control them at least to move the abutment racks 4 and selectively place one of the abutment racks 4 adjacent to the at least one conveyor belt 12 of the unwinding group 11, to the second movement means 14 of the unwinding group 11 in order to control them to move the at least one conveyor belt 12 between the operating position and the non-operating position and to the at least one conveyor belt 12 itself in order to actuate it in the first rotation sense and in the second rotation sense.

[0040] More in detail, such logic control unit is preferably configured for controlling the first movement means 10 to bring at least one selected abutment rack 4 at an approach position along the movement path X, and such approach position is situated adjacent to the unwinding group 11, in particular adjacent to the at least one conveyor belt 12 in non-operating position, and to control the second movement means 14 to move the at least one conveyor belt 12 from the non-operating position to the operating position, in a manner such that the conveyor belt 12 itself comes to intercept the movement path X and is at least partially inserted between the support arms 6 of the selected abutment rack 4 in approach position.

[0041] The logic control unit is also preferably configured for controlling the first movement means 10 to move at least the selected abutment rack 4 along the movement path from the approach position to a release position, moving the support beam 5 of the selected abutment rack 4 away from the at least one conveyor belt 12 and passing the concave abutment portions 9 on the sides of the aforesaid conveyor belt 12.

[0042] In this manner, when the abutment rack 4 is moved from the approach position to the release position, the support arms 6 and the concave abutment portions 9 of the same abutment rack 4 translate adjacent to the conveyor belt 12 and the transported fabric reel remains deposited in the reception seat 13 at least partially delimited by the conveyor belt 12.

[0043] In addition, the logic control unit is preferably configured for actuating the at least one conveyor belt 12 in the first rotation sense, so as to unwind the fabric reel and supply the fabric unwound therefrom, for example to a cutting machine placed downstream of the present automated machine 1, and for actuating the aforesaid at least one conveyor belt 12 in the second rotation sense, so as to rewind the fabric reel when it is necessary to substitute it with a new different fabric reel.

[0044] Preferably, therefore, the logic control unit is configured for controlling the first movement means 10 to move at least the selected abutment rack 4 along the movement path X from the release position to the approach position, in a manner such that the support beam 5 of the selected abutment rack 5 approaches the at least one conveyor belt 12 and the concave abutment portions 9 once again pass on the sides of the conveyor belt 12 in order to pick up the fabric reel and make it exit outward from the reception seat 13.

[0045] In addition, the logic control unit is preferably configured for controlling the second movement means 14 to move the at least one conveyor belt 12 from the operating position to the non-operating position in order to free the movement path X.

[0046] Advantageously, the present automated machine 1 comprises at least one control panel 73 operatively connected to the logic control unit and provided with a user interface, by means of which an operator can select one of the abutment racks 14, which in particular support a fabric reel having a desired color or made of a desired material, so as to in particular control the first movement means 10 and the second movement means 14 to move at least the selected abutment rack 4 and the at least one conveyor belt 12 in order to execute the operations of unwinding of the fabric reel transported by the selected abutment rack 4 and rewinding of the same.

[0047] In order to supply with precision the fabric unwound from a fabric reel to a subsequent machine placed downstream of the present automated machine 1, the automated machine 1 itself advantageously comprises at least one conveyance slide 49, which is placed downstream of the at least one conveyor belt 12, at least with the aforesaid conveyor belt 12 placed in operating position. In particular, the aforesaid conveyance slide 49 is placed below the at least one conveyor belt 12, so as to receive via gravity the fabric unwound from the fabric reel.

[0048] Advantageously, such conveyance slide 49 is mechanically connected to the at least one conveyor belt 12 itself, in a manner such that it is moved together with the conveyor belt 12 itself when this is moved between the non-operating position and the operating position.

[0049] Preferably, such conveyance slide 49 is made of sheet metal, for example steel or aluminum sheet metal. Advantageously, the movement path comprises at least one passage section extended from top to bottom. In addition, in the operating position, the at least one conveyor belt 12 is placed to intercept the passage section of the movement path X.

[0050] Therefore, in operating position, the at least one conveyor belt 12 is advantageously susceptible of being inserted between the at least two support arms 6 of a selected abutment rack 6 and be positioned above the support beam 5 of the same selected abutment rack 5.

[0051] In this manner, it is possible to simply via gravity the fabric reel in the reception seat 13 by translating downward the selected abutment rack 4, consequently moving its support beam 5, which is in particular placed below the at least one conveyor belt 12 in operating position, by the same at least one conveyor belt 12 and passing the concave abutment portions 9 on the sides of the latter. Therefore, in particular, the approach position of the abutment racks 4 is placed along the passage section extended from top to bottom and, in addition, the release position along the abutment racks 4 is in turn placed along the passage section but corresponds with a lower height than that of the approach position.

[0052] In accordance with the preferred embodiment illustrated in the enclosed figures, the unwinding group 11 comprises multiple conveyor belts 12, which are placed side-by-side along a flanking direction Z, preferably substantially horizontal, each laterally delimit with an adjacent conveyor belt 12 a passage slit 15 having a first width L1 along such flanking direction Z, together at least partially delimit, the reception seat 13 for a fabric reel and they are actuatable together in the first rotation sense in order to unwind the fabric reel and in the second rotation sense in order to rewind the fabric reel.

[0053] Advantageously, the abutment racks 4 also each comprising multiple support arms 6, which are transverse to the support beam 5, are parallel to each other, are side-by-side along the main extension direction Y of the support beam 5, each extended between a lower end 7 thereof and an upper end 8 thereof and each have, along the main extension direction Y, a second width L2 smaller than the first width L1 of the passage slits 15, and multiple concave abutment portions 9, which are each placed at the upper end 8 of a corresponding support arm 6, are intended to receive a corresponding fabric reel in abutment and each have, along the main extension direction Y, a third width L3 smaller than the first width L1 of the passage slits 15.

[0054] The unwinding group 11 advantageously comprises, in addition, a support structure 16, which is slidably connected to the support frame 2, carries the conveyor belts 12 mounted thereon and is mechanically connected to the second movement means 14 in order to move together the conveyor belts 12 between the operating position and the non-operating position. Preferably, in the operating position, the conveyor belts 12 themselves intercept the movement path X (in particular the passage section extended from top to bottom of the movement path X), at least part of the conveyor belts 12 are configured for being at least partially inserted between two adjacent support arms 6 of a selected abutment rack 4 and the passage slits 15 delimited between them are configured for receiving at their interior the support arms 6 of the selected abutment rack 4. In addition, in the non-operating position, the conveyor belts 12 are advantageously spaced from the movement path X (in particular from the passage section extended from top to bottom of the movement path X).

[0055] Preferably, the number of the support arms 6 of each abutment rack 4 equals that of the passage slits 15 and, therefore, in particular, the number of the conveyor belts 12 is equal to the number of the support arms 6 of each abutment rack 4 increased by one. In the embodiment illustrated in the enclosed figures, the abutment racks 4 are in particular provided with three support arms 6 and, in addition, there are four conveyor belts 12 and they delimit three passage slits 15.

[0056] In addition, preferably, each support arm 6 is spaced from the adjacent support arm 6 of the same abutment rack 4 by a first distance D1 and the conveyor belt 12 (which is in particular susceptible of being inserted between the aforesaid two adjacent support arms 6 when in operating position) has a fourth width L4 thereof smaller than the first distance D 1.

[0057] More in detail, the arrangement of multiple support arms 6 with the respective concave abutment portions 9 and of multiple conveyor belts 12 side-by-side for delimiting multiple passage slits 15 between them allows the penetration between the conveyor belts 12 themselves of the unwinding group 11 and of the abutment racks 4 in order to execute the loading and the unloading of the fabric reels into the reception seat 13 and simultaneously ensures that the fabric reels are not bent under the weight thereof, being warped, but rather are correct for the entire length thereof from the abutment portions 9.

[0058] More in detail, indeed, when the conveyor belts are brought into operating position 12 and intercept the movement path X (or in particular its passage section), the support arms 6 of the abutment rack 4 selectively placed adjacent to the conveyor belts 12 themselves (i.e. placed in approach position) are inserted in the passage slits 15 and, when the first movement means 10 move the selected abutment rack 4 in order to deposit the reel in the reception seat 13, the same passage slits 15 are traversed by the concave abutment portions 9, in particular from top to bottom.

[0059] Preferably, the conveyance slide 49 is mounted on the support structure 16 of the unwinding group 11, in a manner such that it is moved together with the conveyor belts 12 when they are moved between the operating position and the non-operating position.

[0060] Advantageously, the conveyor belts 12 of the unwinding group 11 comprise at least one common driving roller 17, one support roller 18 for each conveyor belt 12 and one rotary belt 19 for each conveyor belt 12. More in detail, the driving roller 17 (which is preferably common to all the conveyor belts 12) is rotatable around a first revolution axis S parallel to the flanking direction Z.

[0061] In addition, the support roller 18 of each conveyor belt 12 is preferably rotatable around a corresponding second revolution axis T parallel to the first revolution axis S of the common driving roller 17 and is interposed between the storage group 3 and the same common driving roller 17.

[0062] Preferably, the support rollers 18 of the conveyor belts 12 are placed side-by-side each other and, therefore, their second revolution axes T are placed aligned with each other.

[0063] The rotary belt 19 of each conveyor belt 12 is also advantageously wound around the common driving roller 17 and a corresponding support roller 18.

[0064] In addition, the first and the second revolution axis S, T are preferably substantially horizontal.

[0065] Advantageously, the unwinding group 11 comprises actuation means mounted on the support structure 16, mechanically connected to the common driving roller 17 and arranged for actuating together the conveyor belts 12 in the first rotation sense or in the second rotation sense, rotating the common driving roller 17 around the first revolution axis S thereof, and such common driving roller 17 drives the rotary belts 19.

[0066] Each passage slit 15 is, therefore, preferably delimited by the support roller 18 and by the rotary belt 19 of two adjacent conveyor belts 12 and by the driving roller 17 common to the conveyor belts 12 and is provided with an access opening 21 directed towards the storage group 3 and opposite the aforesaid common driving roller 17. More in detail, such passage slits 15 are susceptible of receiving at their interior corresponding support arms 6 of a selected abutment rack 4 through the aforesaid access openings 21 directed towards the storage group 3.

[0067] In particular, when the conveyor belts 12 are brought into operating position by the second movement means 14 through the support structure 16, the support arms 6 of the selected abutment rack 4 placed adjacent to the conveyor belts 12 (i.e. in particular placed in approach position) are each inserted in a corresponding passage slit 15 through the access opening 21.

[0068] Advantageously, the driving roller 17 common to the conveyor belts 12 is placed at a first height and the support rollers 18 of each conveyor belt 12 are placed at a same second height equal to or lower than the first height.

[0069] In addition, each conveyor belt 12 preferably comprises an idle roller 22, which is idly rotatable around a third revolution axis U thereof parallel to the first revolution axis S of the common driving roller 17 and is placed above with respect to the corresponding support roller 18.

[0070] Therefore, preferably, the rotary belts 19 of the conveyor belts 12 delimit, at least on the lower part, the reception seat 13 and the idle rollers 22 of the conveyor belts 12 delimiting the reception seat 13 at least laterally.

[0071] In particular, in the event in which the support rollers 18 of the conveyor belts 12 are placed at a second height equal to the first height of the driving roller 17 common to the conveyor belts 12, the rotary belts 19 are provided with an abutment surface 51 (which is intended to receive a fabric reel thereon) that is substantially horizontal and, therefore, the rotary belts 19 themselves delimit only on the lower part the reception seat 13 and the idle rollers 22 delimit only laterally the same reception seat 13. Instead, as illustrated in the enclosed figures, in the event in which the support rollers 18 of the conveyor belts 12 are placed at a second height lower than the first height of the driving roller 17 common to the conveyor belts 12, the rotary belts 19 are provided with an abutment surface 51 (which is intended to receive a fabric reel thereon) that is tilted with respect to the horizontal and, therefore, the rotary belts 19 themselves delimit both on the lower part and laterally, together with the idle rollers 22, the reception seat 13.

[0072] More in detail, the arrangement of the idle rollers 22 on each conveyor belt 12 prevents the fabric reel from accidentally rolling and falling outside the reception seat 13 and simultaneously ensures that the rotation of the aforesaid fabric reel is not prevented or obstructed during the unwinding or the rewinding. Indeed, in operation, when the conveyor belts 12 are actuated in the first rotation sense or in the second rotation sense in order to unwind or rewind the fabric reel placed in the reception seat 13, the fabric reel itself rotates on itself, driving the idle rollers 22 themselves in rotation; against such rollers the fabric reel is laterally abutted. Such idle rollers 22 are free to rotate around the second revolution axis T.

[0073] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the support structure 16 of the unwinding group 11 comprises at least two support walls 23 facing each other and carrying, rotatably mounted thereon, the driving roller 17 common to the conveyor belts 12 around the first revolution axis S thereof. More in detail, the aforesaid common driving roller 17 is extended along its first revolution axis S between two first lateral ends, which are supported by the aforesaid two support walls 23.

[0074] In addition, such support structure 16 advantageously comprises at least one support beam 24 placed to mechanically connect the support walls 23 and two support arms 25 for each conveyor belt 12, and such support arms 25 are extended transverse to the flanking direction Z, in particular perpendicular with respect thereto, each between a first end 26 mechanically connected to the support beam 24 and an opposite second end 27.

[0075] More in detail, each second end 27 carries rotatably mounted therein, together with the second end 27 of the other of the two support arms 25 provided for a same conveyor belt 12, the corresponding support roller 18. In particular, each support roller 18 is extended along its second revolution axis T between two second lateral ends, which are supported by the second ends 27 of the corresponding support arms 25. More in detail, the second ends 27 of the support arms 25 can rotatably carry, mounted thereon, the corresponding support roller 18 "directly" or "indirectly", i.e. through other components of the same support structure 16 in turn mounted on the or connected to the aforesaid second ends 27.

[0076] More in detail, the two support arms 25 provided for each conveyor belt 12, which are extended starting from the first end 26 thereof connected to a common support beam 24 and carry rotatably mounted the corresponding support roller 18 at the second ends 27, ensure that the access openings 21 of the passage slits 15 are not obstructed by components which would block the penetration between the support belts 12 themselves of the unwinding group 11 and the abutment racks 4 of the storage group 3.

[0077] Preferably, the support beam 24 of the support structure 16 is extended below the driving roller 17 common to the conveyor belts 12 and is, in particular, parallel to the first revolution axis S of the same common driving roller 17. In addition, such support beam 24 is preferably orthogonal to the support walls 23 of the same support structure 16.

[0078] In addition, in accordance with the preferred embodiment, the two support arms 25 provided for each conveyor belt 12 are extended advantageously parallel to each other and, in particular, substantially horizontal starting from the support beam 24, in a manner such that, since the aforesaid support beam 24 is preferably placed below the common driving roller 17, each support roller 18 is placed at a same second height smaller than the first height of the common driving roller 17.

[0079] Preferably, the conveyance slide 49 is mounted, e.g. by means of screws, on the support beam 24 of the support structure 16, in particular on the opposite side with respect to that of the support arms 25.

[0080] Advantageously, the unwinding group 11 comprises a fabric tensioning device 74, which is provided with at least one bar 75 movable between a tensioning position, in which it intercepts the vertical direction which joins the at least one conveyor belt 12 and the conveyance slide 49 and is placed at a second distance from the at least one conveyor belt 12, and a disengagement position, in which it does not intercept the vertical direction that joins the at least one conveyor belt 12 and the conveyance slide 49 and is placed at a third distance from the at least one conveyor belt 12 greater than the second distance of the tensioning position.

[0081] In particular, the bar 75 of the fabric tensioning device 74 is movable from the disengagement position to the tensioning position following the actuation of the at least one conveyor belt 12 in the first rotation sense in order to unwind a fabric reel and following the deposit of the fabric unwound from the aforesaid fabric reel on the conveyance slide 49. In this manner, when the bar 75 is moved from the disengagement position to the tensioning position, the bar 75 itself, coming to interrupt the vertical direction that joins the at least one conveyor belt 12 and the conveyance slide 49, comes to intercept the fabric unwound from the fabric reel, tensioning it.

[0082] In addition, the bar 75 of the tensioning device 74 is advantageously movable from the tensioning position to the disengagement position before the actuation of the at least one conveyor belt 12 in the second movement sense in order to rewind the fabric reel.

[0083] Preferably, the aforesaid fabric tensioning device 74 is mounted on the support structure 16 of the unwinding group 11, in a manner such that it is moved together with the conveyor belts 12 when they are moved between the non-operating position and the operating position.

[0084] More in detail, the fabric tensioning device 74 comprises two movement arms 76, each rotatably mounted on the support walls 23 of the support structure 16 around a same fourth revolution axis. Such movement arms 76, preferably, carry mounted thereon the aforesaid bar 75 spaced from the aforesaid fourth revolution axis and are actuatable in rotation around this in order to move the bar 75 between the disengagement position and the tensioning position.

[0085] Advantageously, the support structure 16 comprises tensioning means 28 for the rotary belt 19 of each conveyor belt 12.

[0086] Such tensioning means 28 comprise, advantageously, for the rotary belt 19 of each conveyor belt 12, two abutment elements 29, two sliding blocks 30 and two tensioning springs 31.

[0087] In particular, each abutment element 29 is slidably associated with a corresponding support arm 25 and is selectively lockable in position along the corresponding support arm 25.

[0088] In addition, each sliding block 30, advantageously, is slidably associated with a corresponding support arm 25 at its second end 27 and carries rotatably mounted, together with the other sliding block 30, the corresponding support roller 18.

[0089] Preferably, the second lateral ends of each support roller 18 are supported by two corresponding sliding blocks 30, which are slidably associated with two corresponding support arms 25 at the second ends 27 thereof.

[0090] Therefore, preferably, each support roller 18 is rotatably mounted "indirectly" on the second ends 27 of the two corresponding support arms 25 since it is rotatably mounted on sliding blocks 30 slidably mounted on the aforesaid support arms 25 at the second ends 27.

[0091] Each tensioning spring 31 is also advantageously interposed precompressed between a corresponding abutment element 29 and a corresponding sliding block 30.

[0092] More in detail, the tensioning springs 31 exert an elastic thrust against the sliding blocks 30, on which the support rollers 18 are rotatably mounted, in a manner such to push, as much as possible, the sliding blocks 30 away from the abutment elements 29 and, then, push as much as possible the support rollers 18 away from the common driving roller 17 in order to maintain the rotary belts 19 taut.

[0093] In addition, since it is possible to selectively vary the point in which the abutment elements 29 are fixed along the support arms 25, it is possible to selectively vary the size of the elastic thrust exerted by the tensioning springs 31, lengthening or shortening the same tensioning springs 31; the tensioning of the rotary belts 19 depends on the size of the elastic thrust.

[0094] Advantageously, each sliding block 30 comprises a slidable body 53, in particular having parallelepiped shape and provided with at least one through hole, within which the corresponding support arm 25 is inserted at its second end 27.

[0095] In particular, even if no stop element is fixed at the second ends 27 of the support arms 25 - such stop element having dimensions greater than those of the through hole - the sliding blocks 30 are not removed and do not risk falling from the corresponding support arms 25 since they are retained by the rotary belt 19 wound around the common driving roller 17 and the support roller 18 which is rotatably mounted on the sliding blocks 30 themselves.

[0096] Preferably, the two sliding blocks 30 of the tensioning means 28 of each conveyor belt 12 carry, also rotatably idly mounted, the idle roller 22 of the respective conveyor belt 12. In particular, each idle roller 22 is extended along its third revolution axis U between two third lateral ends, which are supported by two corresponding sliding blocks 30.

[0097] In particular, the slidable body 53 of each sliding block 30 is provided, in addition to the through hole, also with a lower mounting opening 55 and with an upper mounting opening 56, which are extended along directions parallel and orthogonal to that of the through hole and carry, rotatably mounted thereon, respectively a second lateral end of the corresponding support roller 18 and a third lateral end of the corresponding idle roller 22.

[0098] In accordance with the preferred embodiment, each support arm 25 comprises a threaded portion (not illustrated) and each abutment element 29 comprises a threaded nut 33 screwed on the threaded portion of the corresponding support arm 25.

[0099] In addition, each tensioning spring 31 is preferably of helical type and is placed coaxial with the corresponding support arm 25 and in abutment against the threaded nut 33 of the respective abutment element 29, on one side, and against the respective sliding block 30, on the other side.

[0100] In this manner, it is possible to vary the tensioning of the rotary belts 19 by simply screwing and unscrewing the threaded nuts 33 in order to translate them along the threaded portions of the corresponding support arms 25, consequently varying the length of the tensioning springs 31 and the elastic thrust exerted by these.

[0101] In accordance with a different embodiment not illustrated in the enclosed figures, the support arms 25 comprise multiple first fixing openings attained spaced therealong, each abutment element 29 comprises an abutment body provided with a through opening, within which the corresponding support arm 25 is slidably inserted, and with at least one second fixing opening transverse to the aforesaid through opening and communicating therewith, and the tensioning means 28 comprise, for each support arm 25 and abutment element 29, a fixing pin insertable in the second fixing opening of the abutment body of each abutment element 29 and selectively in one of the first fixing openings of the corresponding support arm 25.

[0102] In this manner, in order to vary the tensioning of the rotary belts 19 it is sufficient to disconnect each fixing pin of the tensioning means 28 from the first fixing opening of the corresponding support arm 25 and from the second fixing opening of the abutment body of the respective abutment element 29, make each abutment body slide along the corresponding support arm 25 up to carrying its second fixing opening at a first fixing opening different from the preceding and newly insert each fixing pin in the second fixing opening of the respective abutment body and in the new selected first fixing opening of the corresponding support arm 25.

[0103] Advantageously, the support structure 16 of the unwinding group 11 comprises two sliding guides 34, each mounted on a corresponding support wall 23 and extended along a movement direction V that is substantially rectilinear, preferably substantially horizontal X.

[0104] More in detail, such movement direction V is transverse to the flanking direction Z and also to the movement path X in at least one point thereof (in particular transverse to the passage section extended from top to bottom of the movement path X).

[0105] Advantageously, the aforesaid movement direction V is orthogonal to the flanking direction Z.

[0106] In addition, the movement direction V is preferably orthogonal also to the movement path X in at least one point thereof (in particular orthogonal to the passage section of the movement path X).

[0107] In addition, the support frame 2 advantageously comprises at least two fixed slider elements, each of which slidably inserted in a corresponding sliding guide 34 and adapted to support the support structure 16.

[0108] In particular, each sliding guide 34 is mounted on a face of the corresponding support wall 23 directed in a direction opposite that on which sliding guide 34 of the other support wall 23 is mounted. In addition, the support frame 2 preferably comprises at least two support walls 57, each of which facing a corresponding support wall 23, and carry interposed therebetween the support structure 16 and each carry fixed thereto a corresponding fixed slider element.

[0109] Advantageously, the second movement means 14 comprise at least one first rack 36 mounted on a first support wall 23' of the two support walls 23 of the support structure 16, at least one first pinion 37 coupled to the first rack 36 and at least one electric motor 38 mounted on the support frame 2, mechanically connected to the aforesaid first pinion 37 and arranged for rotating it.

[0110] In this manner, when the electric motor 38 carries the first pinion 37 in rotation, the first rack 36 is translated, driving the support structure 16 along the movement direction V.

[0111] In order to ensure that the support structure 16 translates along the movement direction V without risking being able to modify the orientation of the flanking direction Z along which the conveyor belts 12 are side-by-side, the second movement means 14 advantageously comprise a motion synchronization device 39 for the motion of the support structure 16.

[0112] Such synchronization device 39 is preferably provided with at least one second rack mounted on a second support wall 23" of the two support walls 23 of the support structure 16, at least one second pinion coupled to the second rack and at least one synchronization shaft 40 rotatably mounted on the support frame 2, mechanically connected to the first pinion 37 and to the second pinion and arranged for transmitting the rotation motion from the aforesaid first pinion 37 to the second pinion.

[0113] In this manner, a single electric motor 38 is sufficient for translating the support structure 16, maintaining unchanged the orientation of the flanking direction Z, since, if the sliding guide 34 mounted on the first support wall 23' translates by a specific distance on the corresponding fixed slider element under the action of the first pinion 37 and of the first rack 36, also the sliding guide 34 mounted on the second support wall 23" will translate by the same specific distance on the corresponding fixed slider element under the action of the second pinion brought into rotation by the synchronization shaft 40 and of the second rack.

[0114] In accordance with the preferred embodiment illustrated in the enclosed figures, the synchronization shaft 40 of the synchronization device 39 is extended below the support walls 23 and carries the first pinion 37 and the second pinion fitted.

[0115] In particular, the synchronization shaft 40 is extended transverse to the support walls 57 between two opposite fourth lateral ends, which are supported by the same support walls 57.

[0116] The support frame 2, advantageously, also carries rotatably mounted thereon two first rotatable bearings 41, which are placed adjacent to the first support wall 23' of the two support walls 23, are side-by-side each other and are positioned above the first pinion 37, and, in addition, the first rack 36 is made of flexible material, defines at least one first winding curve 42 around the first pinion 37 and is maintained under tension by the aforesaid two first rotatable bearings 41.

[0117] Advantageously, the support frame 2 also carries, rotatably mounted thereon, two second rotatable bearings, which are placed adjacent to the second support wall 23" of the two support walls 23, are side-by-side each other and are positioned above the second pinion, and, in addition, the second rack is made of flexible material, defines at least one second winding curve around the second pinion and is maintained under tension by the aforesaid two second rotatable bearings.

[0118] More in detail, the first two rotatable bearings 41 are rotatably mounted on the support wall 57 facing the first support wall 23' and, in addition, the second two rotatable bearings 41 are rotatably mounted on the support wall 57 facing the second support wall 23".

[0119] In addition, the electric motor 38 is advantageously in turn mounted on the support wall 57 facing the first support wall 23' and is preferably mechanically connected to the first pinion 37 by means of a transmission 58 provided with belt 59 and pulley 60, and possibly also by means of a reducer.

[0120] More in detail, the aforesaid configuration with first rack 36 and second rack made of flexible material and the placement of the synchronization shaft 40 below the support structure 16 allows, simultaneously, reducing as much as possible the bulk of the second movement means 14 and of the synchronization device 39 and at any rate obtaining an optimal movement of the support structure 16.

[0121] In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the movement path X of the abutment racks 4 is closed.

[0122] Preferably, in addition, the closed movement path X is provided with a passage section extended from top to bottom with substantially rectilinear and vertical progression, in a manner such that the deposit of the fabric reels in the reception seat 13 of the unwinding group 11 and the pickup of the fabric reel from the aforesaid reception seat are executed by simply translating upward or downward the abutment racks 4.

[0123] In addition, each abutment rack 4 of the storage group 3 is advantageously guidedly associated with the support frame 2 in an oscillating manner around a corresponding tilt axis W, which is parallel to the main extension direction Y of the support beam 5 thereof and placed above with respect to the support beam 5 thereof, in particular above with respect to the concave abutment portions 9.

[0124] More in detail, the fact that the abutment racks 4 are guidedly associated with the support frame 2 in an oscillating manner around the tilt axis W and that the aforesaid tilt axis W is placed above the support beam 5 allows the same abutment racks 4 to maintain the orientation having the support beam 5 placed below the concave abutment portions 9 for the entire closed movement path X. In particular, in fact, the placement of the tilt axis W above the support beam 5 and, in particular, above the concave abutment portions 9 ensures that the center of gravity of the abutment rack 4 (whether this is empty or provided with the fabric reel) will always be placed between the support beam 5 and the tilt axis W itself, consequently eliminating the risk that the abutment racks 4 can be overturned during the movement along the closed movement path X.

[0125] Advantageously, the support frame 2 comprises at least one guide seat 43 extended adjacent to at least part of the movement path X (in particular adjacent to the passage section extended from top to bottom and susceptible of being intercepted by the at least one conveyor belt 12 or by the conveyor belts 12 in operating position) and, in addition, each abutment rack 4 is provided with at least one engagement pin 44, which is spaced from the corresponding support beam 5 and from the corresponding tilt axis W and is susceptible of being inserted in the guide seat 43 in order to maintain the tilt of the corresponding abutment rack 4 controlled around the tilt axis W thereof, at least along part of the movement path X (i.e. in particular at least along the passage section).

[0126] In order to facilitate the insertion of the engagement pin 44 of the abutment racks in the guide seat 43, the support frame 2 comprises an enlarged introduction portion 71 communicating with the guide seat 43.

[0127] In accordance with a further embodiment not illustrated in the enclosed figures, the movement path X is not closed, rather it is open and is extended between a first termination and a second termination. For example, such open movement path X is provided with a horizontal section, which terminates with the aforesaid first termination, and with a vertical section, which is extended starting from the horizontal section and terminates with the aforesaid second termination. More in detail, the passage section is extended along part of the vertical section of the movement path X and is spaced from the second termination thereof.

[0128] In such case, for the purpose of placing a selected abutment rack 4 at the passage section in order to deposit the fabric reel thereof in the reception seat 13 of the unwinding group 11, the first movement means 10 carry all the other abutment racks 4 substantially to the first termination of the horizontal section and/or substantially to the second termination of the vertical section up to having the selected abutment rack 4 spaced from the others and free to be translated along the near totality of the movement path X.

[0129] Different from such configuration with horizontal section and vertical section, the open movement path X can also have overturned "U" shape for example.

[0130] In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the first movement means 10 comprise at least one first wheel 45, at least one second wheel 46, at least one transport chain 47 and at least one actuation motor. More in detail, the first wheel 45 is rotatably connected to the support frame 2 around a first rotation axis P substantially parallel to the main extension direction Y of the support beams 5 of the abutment racks 4. In addition, advantageously, the second wheel 46 is rotatably connected to the support frame 2 around a second rotation axis Q parallel to the first rotation axis P.

[0131] In addition, the transport chain 47 is advantageously wound around the first wheel 45 and the second wheel 46, defines the closed movement path X and carries the abutment racks 4 mounted thereon, each in an oscillating manner around the tilt axis W thereof.

[0132] Advantageously, the actuation motor is also mechanically connected to the support frame 2 and at least to the first wheel 45 in order to rotate the first wheel 45 and drive the abutment racks 4 along the closed movement path X by means of the transport chain 47.

[0133] Therefore, in operation, when the first movement means 10 are actuated for bringing a selected abutment rack 4 to the passage section, the actuation motor rotates the first wheel 45, which drives all the abutment racks 4, by means of the transport chain 47, along the movement path X, and makes them transit in the passage section, and the same actuation motor is deactivated when the selected abutment rack 4 reaches the passage section.

[0134] Advantageously, the first wheel 45 and the second wheel 46 are provided with a same diameter and are placed one above and the other below, in a manner such that the transport chain 47 defines a passage section of the movement path X that is substantially rectilinear and vertical.

[0135] Preferably, the support frame 2 comprises a guide seat 43 placed alongside the transport chain 47 and having in turn rectilinear and vertical extension, in a manner such that the abutment racks 4 provided with engagement pin 44 are maintained with stable and controlled orientation along the passage section of the movement path X.

[0136] In order to securely support the abutment racks 4, the first movement means 10 comprise two first wheels 45, which are facing each other and rotatable around the same first rotation axis P, two second wheels 46, which in turn face each other and are rotatable around the same second rotation axis Q, and two transport chains 47, of which one is wound around a first and a second wheel 45, 46 and the other around the other first and second wheel 45, 46. In particular, such transport chains 47 both carry the abutment racks 4 rotatably mounted in an oscillating manner around their tilt axes W.

[0137] Preferably, the first movement means 10 can comprise two motors, each mechanically connected to a corresponding first wheel 45 and arranged for rotating together the aforesaid two first wheels 45, or, comprise a single actuation motor mechanically connected to one of the two first wheels 45 and a return shaft 61 placed to mechanically connect the aforesaid two first wheels 45 and arranged for transferring the rotation motion from one to the other.

[0138] Advantageously, each abutment rack 4 is provided with two coupling brackets 65, which are extended transverse to the support beam 5 between a base end 66 mechanically connected to the same support beam 5 and an opposite coupling end 67, which is rotatably connected in an oscillating manner around the tilt axis W to a corresponding transport chain 47.

[0139] In particular, such coupling brackets 65 are extended between the base end 66 and the coupling end 67 with a length greater than that of the support arms 6 between the lower end 7 and the upper end 8, in a manner such that the tilt axis W both placed above and as spaced as possible from the support beam 5 in order to increase the stability of the same abutment racks 4.

[0140] More in detail, each abutment rack 4 is provided with a coupling pin 68 extended along the tilt axis W starting from the coupling end 67 of each coupling bracket 65 and inserted in a reception opening made on the corresponding transport chain 47.

[0141] In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the support frame 2 is provided with at least two lateral walls 62, which are facing each other, each carry a first wheel 45 and a second wheel 46 mounted thereon and, preferably, laterally delimit the operative volume in which in particular the storage group 3 and the unwinding group 11 are at least partially placed.

[0142] Advantageously, the lateral walls 62 carry fixed thereto at least two delimitation brackets 72, which delimit between them the guide seat 43 for the engagement pins 44 of the abutment racks and, preferably, also the introduction portion 71.

[0143] In particular, the aforesaid support frame 2 also comprises a main beam 63, which is placed to mechanically connect the aforesaid lateral walls 62, in particular so as to increase the rigidity of the support frame 2 itself.

[0144] Preferably, the aforesaid main beam 63 are coupled to the support walls 57, which support the support structure 16 of the unwinding group 11 through the fixed slider elements.

[0145] More in detail, the lateral walls 62 of the support frame 2 between them at least partially delimit a load window 64, which is placed adjacent to the storage group 3 and is placed on the other side with respect to the unwinding group 11.

[0146] In this manner, by moving the abutment racks 4 along the closed movement path X and making them all pass adjacent to the load window 64, an operator can load the fabric reels on each abutment rack 64. In addition, after the abutment racks 4 have been loaded, the operator himself/herself can be moved away in order to perform other tasks while the present automated machine 1 executes the loading and unloading operations 11 and the operations for unwinding and rewinding of the reels without requiring human intervention.

[0147] In accordance with a different embodiment not illustrated in the enclosed figures, the first movement means 10 comprise a rotary base, which is placed substantially vertically, has circular form, is rotatably mounted on the support frame 2 around a corresponding third rotation axis substantially horizontal, rotatably mounted, at its perimeter, the abutment racks 4 in an oscillating manner around the tilt axis W thereof, and is actuatable in rotation by a corresponding movement motor. In particular, such rotary base defines a closed movement path X of circular form, which is provided with a passage section adjacent to the unwinding group 11 which is extended from top to bottom with arc of circumference form.

[0148] Also forming the object of the present invention is a process for unwinding and rewinding a fabric reel executed by means of the automated machine for unwinding and rewinding fabric reels described briefly up to now and regarding which the same reference numbers will be maintained hereinbelow for the sake of description simplicity.

[0149] The process comprises a positioning step, in which the first movement means 10 carry a selected abutment rack 4 at an approach position along the movement path X, and such abutment position is advantageously adjacent to the unwinding group 11, in particular adjacent to the at least one conveyor belt 12 in non-operating position.

[0150] The process also comprises an insertion step, in which the second movement means 14 move the at least one conveyor belt 12 from the non-operating position to the operating position in order to insert the at least one conveyor belt 12 between the support arms 6 of the selected abutment rack 4 in approach position.

[0151] In addition, the process provides for a deposit step, in which the first movement means 10 move at least the selected abutment rack 4 along at least the movement path X from the approach position to a release position, moving the support beam 5 of the selected abutment rack 4 away from the at least one conveyor belt 12 and passing its two concave abutment portions 9 on the sides thereof at least one conveyor belt 12, in order to deposit the corresponding fabric reel in the reception seat 13.

[0152] The process also comprises an unwinding step, in which the at least one conveyor belt 12 is actuated in the first rotation sense in order to at least partially unwind the fabric reel, in particular so as to provide the fabric unwound from the aforesaid fabric reel to a machine placed downstream of the present automated machine 1, and a rewinding step, in which the at least one conveyor belt 12 is actuated in the second rotation sense in order to rewind the fabric reel.

[0153] In addition, the process comprises a pick-up step, in which the first movement means 10 move at least the selected abutment rack 4 along the movement path X from the release position to the approach position, moving the support beam 5 of the selected abutment rack 4 close to the at least one conveyor belt 12 and passing its at least two concave abutment portions 9 on the sides thereof at least one conveyor belt 12, in order to pick up the fabric reel from the reception seat 13.

[0154] In addition, a moving away step is provided for, in which the second movement means 14 move the at least one conveyor belt 12 from the operating position to the non-operating position in order to free the movement path X, in a manner such that the process itself can be repeated once again from the start with a new selected abutment rack 4.

[0155] More in detail, in addition, the present process is executable by means of an automated machine 1 in accordance with the embodiment illustrated in the enclosed figures, in particular which is provided with an unwinding group 11 comprising multiple conveyor belts 12 side-by-side along the flanking direction Z and mounted on a same support structure 16 and with a storage group 3 having abutment racks 4 provided with multiple support arms 6 and multiple abutment portions 9.

[0156] Advantageously, in the insertion step, the second movement means 14 move the support structure 16 in order to move the conveyor belts 12 together from the non-operating position to the operating position. In particular, in the non-operating position, the aforesaid conveyor belts 12 are spaced from the movement path X. In addition, advantageously, in the operating position, the aforesaid conveyor belts 12 intercept the movement path X, at least part of these are at least partially inserted between two adjacent support arms 6 of the selected abutment rack 4 placed in approach position and the passage slits 15 receive such support arms 6 at their interior.

[0157] In addition, advantageously, in the unwinding step, all the conveyor belts 12 are together actuated in the first rotation sense in order to at least partially unwind the fabric reel, and, in addition, in the rewinding step, all the conveyor belts 12 are together actuated in the second rotation sense in order to rewind the fabric reel.

[0158] In addition, advantageously, in the pick-up step, the first movement means 10 move at least the selected abutment rack 4 along the movement path X from the release position to the approach position, moving the support beam 5 of the selected abutment rack 4 close to the conveyor belts 12 and passing the concave abutment portions 9 in the passage slits 15, in order to pick up the fabric reel from the reception seat 13. In addition, in the moving away step, the second movement means 14 move the support structure 16 in order to move the conveyor belts 12 from the operating position to the non-operating position in order to free the movement path X.

[0159] The invention thus conceived therefore attains the pre-established objects.

Claims

1. Automated machine for unwinding and rewinding fabric reels, which comprises:

- a support frame (2);

- a group (3) for storing said fabric reels, which comprises:

- two or more abutment racks (4), which are guidedly connected to said support frame (2) along a movement path (X) and are each provided with:

- a support beam (5) extended along a main extension direction (Y),

- at least two support arms (6) transverse to said support beam (5) and each extended between a lower end (7) mechanically connected to said support beam (5) and an opposite upper end (8);

- at least two concave abutment portions (9), each placed at the upper end (8) of a corresponding said support arm (6) and intended to receive a fabric reel in abutment;

- first movement means (10) mechanically connected at least to said support frame (2) and arranged for moving said abutment racks (4) along said movement path (X);

- a group (11) for unwinding said fabric reels, which is placed adjacent to said storage group (3) and is provided with:

- at least one conveyor belt (12), which is guidedly connected to said support frame (2), at least partially delimits a reception seat (13) for a said fabric reel, is configured for being at least partially inserted between the at least two support arms (6) of a selected said abutment rack (4) and is actuatable in a first rotation sense in order to unwind a said fabric reel and in an opposite second rotation sense in order to rewind a said fabric reel;

- second movement means (14) mechanically connected to said support frame (2) and to said at least one conveyor belt (12) and arranged for moving said conveyor belt (12) between an operating position, in which said conveyor belt (12) intercepts the movement path (X) of said abutment racks (4), and a non-operating position, in which said conveyor belt (12) is spaced from the movement path (X) of said abutment racks (4).

2. Automated machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said movement path (X) comprises at least one passage section extended from top to bottom;
in said operating position, said at least one conveyor belt (12) being placed to intercept said passage section.

3. Automated machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said unwinding group (11) comprises multiple conveyor belts (12), which are placed side-by-side along a flanking direction (Z), each laterally delimit, with an adjacent said conveyor belt (12), a passage slit (15) having a first width (L1) along said flanking direction (Z), and together at least partially delimit said reception seat (13) for a said fabric reel and they are actuatable together in said first rotation sense in order to unwind a said fabric reel and in said second rotation sense in order to rewind a said fabric reel;

said abutment racks (4) each comprising:

- multiple support arms (6), which are transverse to said support beam (5), parallel to each other, side-by-side along the main extension direction (Y) of said support beam (5), each are extended between a said lower end (7) thereof and a said upper end (8) thereof and each have, along the main extension direction (Y) of said support beam (5), a second width (L2) smaller than the first width (L1) of said passage slits (15);

- multiple concave abutment portions (9), each placed at the upper end (8) of a corresponding said support arm (6), intended to receive in abutment a said fabric reel and each having, along the main extension direction (Y) of said support beam (5), a third width (L3) smaller than the first width (L1) of said passage slits (15);

said unwinding group (11) also comprising a support structure (16), which is slidably connected to said support frame (2), carries said conveyor belts (12) mounted thereon and is mechanically connected to said second movement means (14) in order to move said conveyor belts (12) together between said operating position, in which said conveyor belts (12) intercept said movement path (X) of said abutment racks (4), at least part of said conveyor belts (12) are configured for being at least partially inserted between two adjacent support arms (6) of a selected said abutment rack (4) and the passage slits (15) delimited between them are configured for receiving at their interior the support arms (6) of the selected said abutment rack (4), and said non-operating position, in which said conveyor belts (12) are spaced from the movement path (X) of said abutment racks (4).

4. Automated machine according to claim 3, characterized in that the conveyor belts (12) of said unwinding group (11) comprise:

- at least one common driving roller (17), which is rotatable around a first revolution axis (S) parallel to said flanking direction (Z);

- a support roller (18) for each said conveyor belt (12), and said support roller (18) is rotatable around a corresponding second revolution axis (T) parallel to the first revolution axis (S) of said common driving roller (17) and is interposed between said storage group (3) and said common driving roller (17);

- a rotary belt (19) for each said conveyor belt (12), and said rotary belt (19) is wound around said common driving roller (17) and a corresponding said support roller (18);

said unwinding group (11) comprising actuation means mounted on said support structure (16), mechanically connected to said common driving roller (17) and arranged for actuating together said conveyor belts (12) in said first rotation sense or in said second rotation sense, rotating said common driving roller (17) around said first revolution axis (S) thereof, and said common driving roller (17) drives said rotary belts (19);

each passage slit (15) being delimited by the support roller (18) and by the rotary belt (19) of two adjacent said conveyor belts (12) and by said driving roller (17) common to said conveyor belts (12) and being provided with an access opening (21) directed towards said storage group (3) and opposite said common driving roller (17).

5. Automated machine according to claim 4, characterized in that the support structure (16) of said unwinding group (11) comprises:

- at least two support walls (23) facing each other and carrying, rotatably mounted around said first revolution axis (S) said driving roller (17) common to said conveyor belts (12);

- at least one support beam (24) placed to mechanically connect said support walls (23);

- two support arms (25) for each conveyor belt (12) extended transverse to said flanking direction (Z) each between a first end (26) mechanically connected to said support beam (24) and an opposite second end (27), which carries rotatably mounted thereon, together with the second end (27) of the other said support arm (25), the corresponding said support roller (18).

6. Automated machine according to claim 5, characterized in that said support structure (16) comprises tensioning means (28) for the rotary belt (19) of each said conveyor belt (12), and said tensioning means (28) comprise:

- two abutment elements (29), each of which is slidably associated with a corresponding said support arm (25) and is selectively lockable in position along the corresponding said support arm (25);

- two sliding blocks (30), each of which slidably associated with a corresponding said support arm (25) at its said second end (27) and carries rotatably mounted thereon, together with the other said sliding block (30), the corresponding said support roller (18);

- two tensioning springs (31), each of which is interposed precompressed between a corresponding said abutment element (29) and a corresponding said sliding block (30).

7. Automated machine according to any one of the claims from 3 to 6, characterized in that the support structure (16) of said unwinding group (11) comprises two sliding guides (34) each mounted on a corresponding said support wall (23) and extended along a substantially rectilinear movement direction (V);

said support frame (2) comprising at least two fixed slider elements, each of which is slidably inserted in a corresponding said slide guide (34) and adapted to support said support structure (16);

said second movement means (14) comprising:

- at least one first rack (36) mounted on a first support wall (23') of the at least two support walls (23) of said support structure (16);

- at least one first pinion (37) coupled to said first rack (36);

- at least one electric motor (38) mounted on said support frame (2), mechanically connected to said first pinion (37) and arranged for rotating said first pinion (37).

8. Automated machine according to any one of the preceding claim, characterized in that said movement path (X) is closed;
each abutment rack (4) of said storage group (3) being guidedly associated with said support frame (2) in an oscillating manner around a corresponding tilt axis (W) parallel to the main extension direction (Y) of said support beam (5) thereof and placed above with respect to said support beam (5) thereof.

9. Automated machine according to claim 8, characterized in that said first movement means (10) comprise:

- at least one first wheel (45), which is rotatably connected to said support frame (2) around a first rotation axis (P) substantially parallel to the main extension direction (Y) of the support beam (5) of said abutment racks (4);

- at least one second wheel (46), which is rotatably connected to said support frame (2) around a second rotation axis (Q) parallel to said first rotation axis (P);

- at least one transport chain (47), which is wound around said first wheel (45) and around said second wheel (46), defines said closed movement path (X) and carries said abutment racks (4) mounted thereon, each in an oscillating manner around said tilt axis (W) thereof;

- at least one actuation motor mechanically connected to said support frame (2) and at least to said first wheel (45) in order to rotate said first wheel (45) and drive said abutment racks (4) along said closed movement path (X) by means of said transport chain (47).

10. Process for unwinding and rewinding a fabric reel executed by means of an automated machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claim, said process comprising:

- a positioning step, in which said first movement means (10) carry a selected said abutment rack (4) at an approach position along said movement path (X);

- an insertion step, in which said second movement means (14) move said at least one conveyor belt (12) from said non-operating position to said operating position in order to insert said at least one conveyor belt (12) between the support arms (6) of the selected said abutment rack (4) in said approach position;

- a deposit step, in which said first movement means (10) move at least the selected said abutment rack (4) along said movement path (X) from said approach position to a release position, moving the support beam (5) of the selected said abutment rack (4) away from said at least one conveyor belt (12) and passing said at least two concave abutment portions (9) thereof on the sides of said at least one conveyor belt (12), in order to deposit the corresponding said fabric reel in said reception seat (13);

- an unwinding step, in which said at least one conveyor belt (12) is actuated in said first rotation sense in order to at least partially unwind said fabric reel;

- a rewinding step, in which said at least one conveyor belt is actuated in said second rotation sense in order to rewind said fabric reel;

- a pick-up step, in which the first movement means (10) move at least the selected said abutment rack (4) along said movement path (X) from said release position to said approach position, moving the support beam of the selected said abutment rack (4) close to said at least one conveyor belt (12) and passing said at least two concave abutment portions (9) thereof on the sides of said at least one conveyor belt (12), in order to pick up said fabric reel from said reception seat (13);

- a moving away step, in which the second movement means (14) move said at least one conveyor belt (12) from said operating position to said non-operating position in order to free said movement path (X).

11. Process according to claim 10 executed by means of an automated machine (1) according to any one of the claims from 3 to 7, characterized in that:

- in said insertion step, said second movement means (14) move said support structure (16) in order to move together said conveyor belts (12) from said non-operating position, in which said conveyor belts (12) are spaced from said movement path (X), to said operating position, in which said conveyor belts (12) intercept said movement path (X), at least part of them are at least partially inserted between two adjacent said support arms (6) of the selected said abutment rack (4) placed in approach position and said passage slits (15) receive said support arms (6) at their interior;

- in said unwinding step, all said conveyor belts (12) are together actuated in said first rotation sense in order to at least partially unwind one said fabric reel;

- in said rewinding step, all said conveyor belts (12) are together actuated in said second rotation sense in order to rewind said fabric reel;

- in said pick-up step, said first movement means (10) move at least the selected said abutment rack (4) along said movement path (X) from said release position to said approach position, moving the support beam (5) of the selected said abutment rack (4) close to said conveyor belts (12) and passing said concave abutment portions (9) thereof in said passage slits (15), in order to pick up said fabric reel from said reception seat (13);

- in said moving away step, said second movement means (14) move said support structure (16) in order to move together said conveyor belts (12) from said operating position to said non-operating position in order to free said movement path (X).

Drawing