Apparatuses and method

Abstract

An apparatus comprises a conveying device provided with seat elements arranged for receiving objects, the seat elements being movable along a curved path, and a further conveying device provided with a transferring arrangement arranged for delivering the objects to, and/or removing the objects from, the conveying device, wherein the transferring arrangement comprises coupling elements arranged for engaging the seat elements in such a way that the seat elements and the transferring arrangement are maintained mutually coupled along a portion of the curved path.

1 . Apparatus, comprising a transferring arrangement arranged for delivering doses of plastics to a compression-moulding device, said transferring arrangement comprising a receiving element arranged for removing said doses coming from an extruding device and a delivering element arranged for receiving said doses from said receiving element and delivering said doses to said compression-moulding device, wherein said receiving element is supported by said delivering element and is movable with respect to said delivering element. 
     
     
         2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said receiving element is movable between a first operating position, in which said receiving element and said delivering element are mutually aligned, and a second operating position, in which said receiving element is in a more advanced position with respect to said delivering element in a movement direction of said transferring arrangement. 
     
     
         3 . Apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein, in said first operating position, said receiving element and said delivering element are substantially coaxial. 
     
     
         4 . Apparatus according to  claim 2 , and further comprising a movement element arranged for moving said receiving element between said first operating position and said second operating position. 
     
     
         5 . Apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein said movement element comprises a wheel element engaging a cam element. 
     
     
         6 . Apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein said movement element comprises a spring arranged for maintaining said receiving element in said first operating position. 
     
     
         7 . Apparatus according to  claim 2 , and further comprising a driving and locking device arranged for moving said receiving element in said second operating position and for maintaining said receiving element in said second operating position. 
     
     
         8 . Apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein said driving and locking device comprises a plate provided with a groove inside which a slide is slidably connected to said receiving element by means of a rod. 
     
     
         9 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said receiving element comprises a wall bounding a gap arranged for receiving said doses and an appendage extending from a zone of said wall nearer said delivering element. 
     
     
         10 . Apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein said receiving element is movable between a first operating position, in which said receiving element and said delivering element are mutually aligned, and a second operating position, in which said receiving element is in a more advanced position with respect to said delivering element in a movement direction of said transferring arrangement, wherein, when said receiving element is in said second operating position, said appendage closes an opening of said delivering element through which said doses enter said delivering element. 
     
     
         11 . Apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein in said appendage there is provided a dispensing arrangement for dispensing a fluid into said delivering element. 
     
     
         12 . Apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein dispensing arrangement comprises a conduit of said appendage leading to an opening arranged at a face of said appendage facing said delivering element. 
     
     
         13 . Apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein said dispensing arrangement is provided for dispensing a first flow of said fluid having a preset pressure for generating a cushion of fluid that surrounds at least partially said dose and for further dispensing a second flow of fluid having further preset pressure to eject said dose from said transferring arrangement. 
     
     
         14 . Method, comprising receiving a dose of plastics in a receiving element of a transferring arrangement arranged for removing said dose coming from an extruding device; delivering said dose from said receiving element to a delivering element of said transferring arrangement; further delivering said dose from said delivering element to a compression-moulding device, wherein said method further comprises moving said receiving element with respect to said delivering element. 
     
     
         15 . Method according to  claim 14 , wherein said moving comprises moving said receiving element between a closing position in which said receiving element closes an opening of said delivering element and an opening position in which said receiving element is far from said opening, wherein said method further comprises dispensing a fluid from said receiving element into said transferring arrangement towards said dose when said receiving element closes said opening. 
     
     
         16 . Method according to  claim 15 , wherein said dispensing said fluid comprises dispensing into said transferring arrangement a first flow of fluid having a preset pressure for generating a cushion of fluid that surrounds at least partially said dose and further dispensing into said transferring arrangement a second flow of fluid having further preset pressure to eject said dose from said transferring arrangement, said further preset pressure being greater than said preset pressure. 
     
     
         17 . Method according to  claim 16 , wherein said transferring arrangement comprises an exit opening through which said dose exits said transferring arrangement and first closing element and second closing element movable between an open configuration in which said first closing element and said second closing element enable said dose to pass through said exit opening and a closed configuration in which said first closing element and said second closing element prevent said dose passing through said exit opening, said dispensing said fluid being provided whilst said first closing element and said second closing element start to move from said closed configuration to said open configuration. 
     
     
         18 . Method according to  claim 17 , wherein said further dispensing is provided when said first closing element and said second closing element are in said open configuration.