Machine for producing groups of roll products

Abstract

A machine for producing groups ( 1 ) of products comprises: a station ( 3 ) for grouping a plurality of groups ( 1 ); a first surface ( 4 ) for receiving the plurality of groups ( 1 ) of products arriving from the station ( 3 ) to form a batch (L) of products; a first, programmable logic unit ( 5 ) for checking and controlling the grouping station ( 3 ) and the first surface ( 4 ); a palletizing island ( 6 ) for groups ( 1 ) of products fed by the first surface ( 4 ) and comprising a second logic unit ( 7 ) for managing and programming at least two robotic units ( 8, 9 ) for handling the groups ( 1 ) of products, so as to obtain, respectively, individual layers (S) of two or more groups ( 1 ) of products, and relative positioning of the layers on pallets ( 10 ); means ( 11 ) for forming sub-batches (SL) starting with the original batch (L), when required, said means being positioned between the grouping station ( 3 ) and the first surface (4), and connected to the first logic unit ( 5 ); an interface unit ( 12 ), inserted between the first logic unit ( 5 ) and the second logic unit ( 7 ), and designed to allow a direct connection between the two units ( 5, 7 ), for programming at least the sub-batch (SL) forming means ( 11 ) directly by the second logic unit ( 7 ) according to the parameters for making up the layers (S) in the palletizing island ( 6 ).

1 . A machine for producing groups ( 1 ) of products, each group consisting of a plurality of products, grouped together to form a configuration, and wrapped and closed in a sheet of wrapping film; the machine ( 2 ) comprising at least the following along a feed line (A):
 a station ( 3 ) for grouping a plurality of groups ( 1 );   a first surface ( 4 ) for receiving the plurality of groups ( 1 ) of products arriving from the station ( 3 ) to form a batch (L) of loose products;   a first, programmable microprocessor logic unit ( 5 ), for checking and controlling the grouping station ( 3 ) and the first surface ( 4 );   a palletizing island ( 6 ) for the groups ( 1 ) of products fed from the first surface ( 4 ) and comprising a second microprocessor logic unit ( 7 ) for controlling and programming at least two robotic units ( 8 ,  9 ) used to handle the groups ( 1 ) of products, so as to obtain, respectively, individual layers (S) of two or more groups ( 1 ) of products, and the relative positioning of the layers on pallets ( 10 ); the machine ( 2 ) further comprising:   means ( 11 ) for forming sub-batches (SL) starting with the batch (L) of groups ( 1 ) of products, when required, these means being positioned between the grouping station ( 3 ) and the first surface ( 4 ), and connected to the first microprocessor logic unit ( 5 );   an interface unit ( 12 ), inserted between the first microprocessor logic unit ( 5 ) and the second microprocessor logic unit ( 7 ), and designed to allow a direct connection between the second logic unit ( 7 ) and the first logic unit ( 5 ), so as to program at least the means ( 11 ) for forming sub-batches (SL) directly from the second logic unit ( 7 ) according to the parameters for making up the layers (S) in the palletizing island ( 6 ).   
   
   
       2 . The machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the forming means ( 11 ) comprise thrust and separation parts ( 13 ) designed to separate the groups ( 1 ) of products forming the original batch (L) into various sub-batches (SL). 
   
   
       3 . The machine according to  claim 2 , wherein said thrust and separation parts ( 13 ) comprise at least two groups of vertical rods ( 13   a ,  13   b ), projecting from the first surface ( 4 ) and able to move along the first surface according to two horizontal axes (X, Y) perpendicular to one another, so as to separate and/or separately feed various groups ( 1 ) of products forming the sub-batches (SL). 
   
   
       4 . The machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the forming means ( 11 ) comprise at least one pair of rigid walls ( 14   a ,  14   b ), slidably supported by an upper cross-member ( 15 ), and able to move relative to one another, in both directions, according to a trajectory perpendicular to a direction (U) of batch (L) outfeed from the station ( 3 ) and in such a way as to define the make-up of the sub-batches (SL). 
   
   
       5 . The machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the forming means ( 11 ) comprise a third robotic unit ( 16 ) for selecting and positioning the groups ( 1 ) of products in sub-batches (SL), said third robotic unit being positioned at the side of the first surface ( 4 ) and acting on the groups ( 1 ) of products positioned on the first surface ( 4 ). 
   
   
       6 . The machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the interface unit comprises an electronic unit ( 12 ) for data transmission and entry connected to the first and second microprocessor logic units ( 5 ,  7 ) and designed to receive and send data (D) for programming the parameters (P) for making up the sub-batches (SL) on the first surface ( 4 ) according to the layering program of the second logic unit ( 7 ) and controlled by the latter. 
   
   
       7 . The machine according to  claim 6 , wherein the electronic data transmission and entry unit ( 12 ) comprises a single, unique transmission channel (Cl) from the second logic unit ( 7 ) to the first logic unit ( 5 ), allowing, at least for the sub-batch (SL) make-up parameters (P), the presence of a single master logic unit for the first grouping station ( 3 ), the first surface ( 4 ) and the palletizing island ( 6 ), consisting of the second logic unit ( 7 ). 
   
   
       8 . The machine according to  claim 6 , wherein the electronic data transmission and entry unit ( 12 ) comprises a double transmission channel (C 1 , C 2 ), for sending and receiving data, between the first and second logic units ( 5 ,  7 ). 
   
   
       9 . The machine according to  claim 6 , wherein the electronic unit ( 12 ) is included in the first logic unit ( 5 ) and when required the forming means ( 11 ) can be directly controlled through it by the second logic unit ( 7 ). 
   
   
       10 . The machine according to  claim 6 , wherein the electronic unit ( 12 ) has memory banks ( 12   m ) for saving predetermined operating parameters (P 1 , P 2 , Pn), sent by the second logic unit ( 7 ), for the formation of sub-batches (SL) by the forming means ( 11 ), the second unit ( 7 ) being able to activate these when needed. 
   
   
       11 . The machine according to  claim 7 , wherein the electronic unit ( 12 ) is included in the first logic unit ( 5 ) and when required the forming means ( 11 ) can be directly controlled through it by the second logic unit ( 7 ). 
   
   
       12 . The machine according to  claim 8 , wherein the electronic unit ( 12 ) is included in the first logic unit ( 5 ) and when required the forming means ( 11 ) can be directly controlled through it by the second logic unit ( 7 ). 
   
   
       13 . The machine according to  claim 7 , wherein the electronic unit ( 12 ) has memory banks ( 12   m ) for saving predetermined operating parameters (P 1 , P 2 , Pn), sent by the second logic unit ( 7 ), for the formation of sub-batches (SL) by the forming means ( 11 ), the second unit ( 7 ) being able to activate these when needed. 
   
   
       14 . The machine according to  claim 8 , wherein the electronic unit ( 12 ) has memory banks ( 12   m ) for saving predetermined operating parameters (P 1 , P 2 , Pn), sent by the second logic unit ( 7 ), for the formation of sub-batches (SL) by the forming means ( 11 ), the second unit ( 7 ) being able to activate these when needed. 
   
   
       15 . The machine according to  claim 9 , wherein the electronic unit ( 12 ) has memory banks ( 12   m ) for saving predetermined operating parameters (P 1 , P 2 , Pn), sent by the second logic unit ( 7 ), for the formation of sub-batches (SL) by the forming means ( 11 ), the second unit ( 7 ) being able to activate these when needed.