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 compression-moulding device provided with a mould arrangement arranged for compression-moulding doses of plastics to obtain container preforms and a movement device provided with a transferring arrangement arranged for supplying said mould arrangement with said doses and with a removing arrangement arranged for removing said preforms from said mould arrangement. 
     
     
         2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said transferring arrangement comprises 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, said receiving element being supported by said delivering element and being movable with respect to said delivering element. 
     
     
         3 . Apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said receiving element comprises a gap having a “C”, or “U”-shaped section. 
     
     
         4 . Apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein said gap is open in an advance direction of said transferring arrangement. 
     
     
         5 . Apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein said gap is substantially shaped as an upturned cone having a greater section at an inlet zone of said doses into said receiving element and a lesser section at an outlet zone of said doses from said receiving element. 
     
     
         6 . Apparatus according to  claim 5 , 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. 
     
     
         7 . Apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein, in said first operating position, said receiving element and said delivering element are substantially coaxial. 
     
     
         8 . Apparatus according to  claim 6 , and further comprising a movement element for moving said receiving element between said first operating position and said second operating position. 
     
     
         9 . Apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein said movement element comprises a wheel element engaging a cam element. 
     
     
         10 . Apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein said movement element comprises a spring arranged for maintaining said receiving element in said first operating position. 
     
     
         11 . Apparatus according to  claim 6 , 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. 
     
     
         12 . Apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein said driving and locking device comprise a plate provided with a groove inside which a slide is slidably connected to said receiving element by a rod. 
     
     
         13 . 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. 
     
     
         14 . Apparatus according to  claim 13 , 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 and 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. 
     
     
         15 . Apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein said in appendage there is provided a dispensing arrangement for dispensing a fluid into said delivering element. 
     
     
         16 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said removing arrangement comprises a plurality of removing elements and said transferring arrangement comprises a plurality of transferring elements, a transferring element of said plurality of transferring elements corresponding to each removing element of said plurality of removing elements. 
     
     
         17 . Apparatus according to  claim 16 , and further comprising a rotating body rotatable around a rotation axis and supporting said removing arrangement. 
     
     
         18 . Apparatus according to  claim 17 , and further comprising a movement arrangement for moving said removing arrangement with respect to said rotating body. 
     
     
         19 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said removing arrangement comprises a gripping element for handling said preforms. 
     
     
         20 . Apparatus according to  claim 19 , and further comprising a controlling arrangement for controlling the opening and/or the closing of said gripping element.