Title of Invention

A SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MOVING AND DIVERTING TRAINS OF ARTICLES IN A CONVEYING PLANT FOR SUCH ARTICLES

Abstract A system for moving and diverting trains (5) of bobbins (7) in a spinning plant with more spinning mills (1) includes a pair of rails (40, 41), along which a carriage (32) moves. The carriage (32) can be stopped at a point corresponding to one spinning mill (1) and carries, mounted thereon, a motor (39), which drives the trains (5), coming from a main feeding line (3) to terminal sections (10), situated beside the spinning mills (1). Activator means (29), situated also on the carriage (32), operate the switches (20, 21, 22) aimed at deviating the path of the trains from the main line (3) to union sections (15) joined to the terminal sections (10). The carriage (32) is moved by a motor (42) and its position along the rails (40, 41) is determined by an encoder (43).
Full Text -1-
A SYSTEM AND A METHOD FOR MOVING AND DIVERTING TRAINS OF ARTICLES IN A CONVEYING PLANT FOR SUCH ARTICLES
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a system and a method for moving and diverting trains of articles in an articles conveying plant, e.g. installed in a spinning plant in the textile industry.
In particular, the present invention concerns a system for operating switches at the deviations of the main overhead line for conveying the bobbin trains to the single overhead sections, situated beside each spinning mill, or to the sections which form a magazine, as well as for pulling the bobbin trains along the sections situated beside the spinning mills or the sections of a magazine.
In the following, reference will be made expressly to a spinning plant, although the invention can be applied to all the facilities, where it is necessary to convey and divert hooking means trains, which carry, e.g. hung thereto, articles, conveying them from one area to other determined working or dwelling stations.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As it is known, spinning mills or other similar machines of the spinning plants are fed with
bobbin rows or trains, with a roving wound around the bobbins to feed the spinning mills.
The bobbin trains are moved along a monorail, which extends in the plant following
suitable paths.
In some cases, the bobbin trains are temporarily placed inside magazines formed by
sections of the monorail, arranged in rows placed one above another.
When the bobbins of a row, or of a train, are exhausted, or, according to different
substitution techniques, are getting exhausted, the whole row is removed from the section
beside the spinning mill and carried toward the bobbins filling station, while a new row of
previously filled bobbins, possibly taken from the magazine, is introduced into the empty
section.
The number of the rows of bobbins, which are to be brought to each side of the spinning
mill, depends substantially on the type of yam to be obtained and on the method used for
feeding the spinning mill, so as to reduce as much as possible, or to eliminate, the
downtimes, during which the exhausted, or getting exhausted bobbins are substituted with
the full supply bobbins.
For example, the Patent Application No. BO2001A 000750, filed by the Applicant,
proposes a feeding system, in which the number of bobbin rows to be supplied is twice the

-2-
number of rows necessary to obtain the desired yarn. This is due to the fact that each work bobbin row has its spare bobbin row.
Therefore, the number of bobbin rows on each side of the spinning mill can reach and be even higher than eight units.
The bobbin trains travel hung, by hooking means of known type, to the links of a chain, which slides inside the monorail. The monorail is formed by a box-like body with a crosslike section.
The box-like body is open above and below, so as to allow the driving means, placed at predetermined distances, to get in touch with a flat surface of the chain dragging the bobbin train.
This type of moving, the used chain and the motor means for this operation, are described in the Italian Patent No. 1.213.982.
Besides the pulling devices arranged along the path, which extends along the whole plant, there must be also another pulling device situated for each terminal section present beside the spinning mill, to move the bobbin train, when it is introduced into and removed from the section.
Taking into consideration the fact that one spinning plant includes some tens of spinning milts and that each spinning mill can feature, situated at each side thereof, even eight or more monorail sections which form the final, bobbin dwelling section, it is easy to calculate that some hundreds of pulling devices are necessary only for the terminal dwelling sections.
The same thing relates also to the dwelling sections which form the magazine, where the bobbin trains are temporarily placed before being sent toward the spinning mills or similar machines. Further waste of means is caused by the switch devices necessary for diverting the bobbin trains
from the main conveying line toward the desired terminal section of the spinning mills or of the magazine.
In order to understand the problem better, reference is made to Figure 1a, which shows schematically a plant in its main parts.
The figure shows as an example only a part of the plant related to a spinning mill, and it is to be borne in mind that in case of a magazine, the plant configuration is substantially identical.
The numeral reference 3 indicates the main conveying line, along which the bobbin trains are conveyed from the spinning mills 1 to the bobbin roving frames, where the empty bobbins are substituted with the full bobbins, and then vice-versa from the magazine to the spinning mills, in order to substitute the bobbin trains getting exhausted.

-3-
Along the main path of the monorail 3, there are nodes 11, where the sections of the
monorail curved toward the heads 2 of the spinning mills, branch off.
Switching devices 20 are situated in the conjunction areas 11.
Each switching device, having the configuration as shown in Figures 2a, 2b, 2c, includes a
deviating plate 23, called "penna", kept elastically in such a position as not to interfere with
the path of the train along the main section 3.
When the path of the arriving train is to be changed toward a selected terminal section 10
or toward a dwelling section of a magazine, an activating device 25, formed usually by an
electromagnetic or pneumatic activator. The activating device moves a lever, called also
cam due to its cam profile aimed at avoiding possible jamming, and determines the rotation
of the deviating plate, which interferes with the path of the bobbin train, thus directing it
toward the branch arm 16.
As shown in Figure 1a, each side of the spinning mill is supposed to have three work
bobbin rows and three spare bobbin rows. Thus, the total number of the terminal sections
10 will be twelve units.
Therefore, at the present state, twelve pulling devices 31 are needed.
The figure shows in the most complete way only the first of the terminal sections 10,
however it is understood that the other terminal sections have the same configuration. The
main path 3 extends gradually toward the terminal sections 10.
First, three branch arms 16 extend from the main path 3 and then each branch arm 16 is
divided, thus obtaining six segments 16, 17 which are further divided obtaining twelve
conjunction sections 16, 17, 18, which join with the twelve terminal sections 10.
Otherwise, the twelve conjunction segments 16, which join the main line 3 with the twelve
terminal sections 10 can be used, as shown in Figure 1b.
In any case, only the spinning mill shown in Figures 1a and 1b needs a good twelve
devices activating the deviating plate 23 of twelve switches, which multiplied by the
number of spinning mills determine the use of some hundreds of activators, each equipped
with a relative feeding and control circuit.
The same conditions are valid for the magazine.
The high number of the devices pulling bobbin trains and devices operating the switches
determines a cost increase which, if already high in small or medium plants, assumes
remarkable levels for the valuation of the manufacturing costs in a big plant with hundreds
of spinning mills.

-4-
The object of the present invention is to propose a system for moving and diverting bobbin
trains, which can function with an extremely reduced number of devices pulling bobbin
trains.
Another object of the present invention is to reduce also the number of devices operating
the switches, using the same inventive concept which allows to obtain the previously
described object.
A further object of the present invention is to rationalize the operation of the bobbin trains
diverting system, so as to simplify its control, and consequently the relative feeding and
control circuits, as well as all the problems connected with the control and diverting of the
bobbin trains.
A still further object of the present invention is to carry out what above by a simple, reliable
and extremely cheap solution, so as to reduce the manufacturing and maintenance costs
in a determining way.
The above mentioned objects are obtained in accordance with the characteristic features
contained in the main claim, by system for moving and diverting trains of articles in a plant
for conveying said articles to devices for processing or storing the articles, said plant
including:
one or more devices for processing or storing the articles, having each one an inlet head
for the articles, by which the trains of articles are introduced, said trains of articles being
formed by a plurality of articles conveyed by sliding support means;
at least one main conveying line, which extends near the inlet heads of all the devices, and
which is aimed at feeding said devices with trains of articles, or at removing said trains
from said devices;
a series of terminal conveying or dwelling sections, arranged in regions corresponding to
said devices;
a series of union sections to connect each terminal conveying or dwelling section with the
main conveying line at to respective conjunction areas;
switch means situated in each of the union sections to deviate the trains of articles from
the main conveying line to the union section and to the terminal sections;
main driving means for moving the trains of articles along said main conveying line,
situated at predetermined distances along the main conveying line;
terminal driving means for moving the trains of articles along said terminal conveying or
dwelling sections;
power means for operating the switch means to convey the trains of articles from the main
conveying line to the terminal section selected each time, by means of a corresponding
union section; the system is characterized in that:
sliding and guiding means extend close to said devices, at their inlet heads;

-5-
at least one carriage slides along said sliding and guiding means, moving with respect to
the devices, the carriage being stopped at a selected terminal section;
terminal driving means for driving the trains of articles along the terminal sections are
mounted only on said carriage.
According to the invention, also a method is disclosed for moving and diverting trains of
articles in a plant for conveying said articles to devices for processing or storing the
articles, said plant including:
one or more devices for processing or storing the articles, having each one an inlet head
for the articles, by which the trains of articles are introduced, the trains of articles being
formed by a plurality of articles conveyed by sliding support means;
at least one main conveying line, which extends near the inlet heads of all the devices, and
which is aimed at feeding said devices with trains of articles, or at removing said trains
from said devices;
a series of terminal conveying or dwelling sections, arranged in regions corresponding to
said devices;
a series of union sections to connect each terminal conveying or dwelling section with the
main conveying line at respective conjunction areas;
switch means situated in each of the union sections to deviate the trains of articles from
the main conveying line to the union sections and to the terminal sections;
main driving means for moving the trains of articles along said main conveying line,
situated at predetermined distances along the main conveying line;
terminal driving means for moving the trains of articles along said terminal conveying or
dwelling sections;
power means of the exchanging means to convey the trains of articles from the main
conveying line to a selected terminal section, by means of a corresponding union section;
the said method is characterized in that:
sliding and guiding means extend close to said devices, at their inlet heads;
at least one carriage is made slide along said sliding and guiding means, displaced to
points corresponding to the inlet heads of said devices, and stopped at a selected terminal
section, so as to arrange the terminal driving means of the articles trains, mounted only on
said carriage along the selected terminal sections.
/ACCOMPANYING BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE/DRAWINGS
In the following, the present invention will be described in a more detailed way with
deference to particular, non-limiting embodiments and with reference to the enclosed
jrawings, in which:

-6-
Figure 1a is a schematic view of the main parts of a spinning plant, in particular
referred to only one spinning mill;
Figure 1b is a schematic view of the main parts of the same spinning plant in a
simplified form;
Figures 2a, 2b, 2c are schematic views of the switch means connected to the
conveying line;
Figure 3 is a lateral section view of a particular of Figure 2c;
Figure 4 is a view of the system of Figure 1 according to the present invention;
Figures 5a and 5b are views of a detail of the invention in two characteristic
positions;
Figure 6 shows another detail of the invention.
BEST MODES OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
With reference to the above described figures, now the system for moving bobbin trains 5
in a plant for spinning or other similar activity, is described.
It is to be noted that, although in the following description explicit reference will be made
especially to a spinning plant, the invention can be applied to ail those plants equipped
with systems for conveying and diverting hooking means trains, which move articles from
one area to other working or dwelling sections.
Turning to the example shown in the Figures and according to a traditional configuration,
the plant includes a plurality of spinning mills 1, or similar devices, arranged parallel one to
another.
For the simplicity's sake, in the following, reference will be always made only to the
spinning mills, but it is understood that all the considerations and the explained technical
details are likewise applied to the machines and devices which are similar to the spinning
mills or, which anyway carry out the activity similar to the spinning.
Obviously, the arrangement of the spinning mills is not a constraint for the application of
the present invention, after having made all the necessary modifications.
For instance, the spinning mills can be parallel and inclined.
Only one head of each spinning mill 1 is taken into consideration and defined as bobbins
inlet 2. The bobbins inlet 2 is constituted by this head, where the bobbin trains 5 are
introduced and subsequently removed, beside and parallel to the spinning mill 1, in order
to feed the roving to the machine working sections.
The operation way, with which the roving is supplied to the spinning mills and according to
which the bobbin trains 5 are substituted, is not taken into consideration here and
therefore, it is not described, since it does not influence the invention applicability.

-7-
The above way can be anyone chosen from all those known and commonly adopted in the plants of
this type, as it is known to those skilled in the art.
However, for the sake of clarity, it is specified that the bobbin trains 5 are formed each by a plurality
of bobbins 7, hung to a link 6 (Fig. 5a) of a chain, which is equipped with bearings allowing the
chain to slide along a main transport line 3.
The conveying line includes e.g. a monorail, aimed at allowing the chain to slide thereinside,
according to what has been shown in the Patent 1.213.982, already mentioned in the introductory
statement.
The monorail includes two press-formed pieces, which are kept in reciprocal position by support
plates (not shown).
The two press-formed pieces delimit a cross section, whose lower part is open, so as to allow the
passage of bobbin carrying stems, hung to the links 6 of the chain supporting the bobbins 7.
The upper part of the cross section is open at least along some parts, so as to allow the means 30
pulling the bobbin trains to accede to the latter.
The means 30 pulling the bobbin trains, likewise described in the Patent 1.213.982, will be explained
later on.
The main conveying line 3 extends near the inlet heads 2 of all the spinning mills.
The main driving means 30 are placed along the same main conveying line, according to appropriate
distances, which are usually shorter than the bobbin trains length.
A plurality of union sections 15 branch out from the main conveying line 3 in the respective
conjunction areas 11, to connect the main conveying line 3 with a series of terminal conveying
sections 10 arranged on each side of each of the spinning mills 1.
Also in this case, reference will be made in the following only to the terminal sections situated beside
the spinning mills, however it is understood that all the considerations and the described technical

-7A-details are likewise applied to the dwelling sections of a magazine.
The union sections 15 are formed by curved parts of the already mentioned monorail, while the terminal sections 10 are formed by straight sections of the same monorail.
Suitably, each union section 15 can include one or more branch arms 16, 17, 18, which are connected with as many terminal sections 10.
Switch means 20, 21, 22 are situated along each union section 15 in order to redirect the bobbin trains 5 from the main conveying line 3 toward the union sections 15 and toward the terminal sections 10.
The switch means 20, 21, 22 include each one, a deviating plate 23, hinged and oscillating on a vertical axis. In detail, the deviating plate can oscillate between a rest position G and a work position F. When in the rest position G, the deviating plate is normally kept

-8-
elastically, e.g. by a spring 19, so as not to interfere with the path of the bobbin trains 5 along the monorail.
When in the work position F, the deviating plate 23 is moved by operating means 25, 26, 27, described later on, in order to deviate the bobbin train 5 toward a confluent monorail, which forms e.g. a terminal section 10 or a subsequent union section 15. The switch means 20, 21, 22 are operated by power means 25, 26, 27 to determine the convey of the bobbin trains 5 from the main conveying line 3 to the terminal section 10, selected each time by a corresponding union section 15.
The power means 25, 26, 27 are formed e.g. by a segment 28 pivoted on a vertical axis, and acting with its free end on the deviating plate 23 and with the other end being fastened to an activator 29, formed e.g. by a pneumatic cylinder or by an electromagnetic activator. Suitably, the segment 28 is formed by two small bars 28a, 28b, joined by a vertical pin 28c. The free small bar 28b acs on the deviating plate 23 by means of a protrusion 28d. In order to facilitate its operation, the deviating plate 23 is fastened to an activating lever 24, called also cam due to its cam profile, by which the deviating plate can be oriented. The bobbin trans 5 must be moved along the terminal sections 10 by terminal driving elements 31, constructively identical to the main driving means 30. The terminal driving elements operate in the area of the terminal conveying sections 10, which is the nearest to the main conveying line 3, according to known techniques.
According to the present invention, sliding and guiding means 40, 41 extend near the spinning mills 1, in a region corresponding to their inlet heads 2.
In particular, the sliding and guiding means 40, 41 include two rails, which extend e.g. crosswise to the spinning mills 1, above the inlet head 2.
Obviously, when the spinning mills are arranged inclined and parallel one to another, or according to another possible configuration, the extension of the guiding rails will not be crosswise to the spinning mills, but it will take a corresponding position each time. A carriage slides along the rails 40, 41 and consequently, it can move crosswise to the spinning mills 1 and it can be stopped at the point corresponding to a selected terminal section 10.
According to a first embodiment of the invention, the terminal driving means 31, which drive the bobbin trains 5 along the terminal sections 10, are placed only on the carriage 32. According to a second embodiment of the invention, also the operating means 25, 26, 27 of the switch means 20, 21, 22 are placed only on the carriage 32.
In particular, the carriage 32 includes a frame 33 sliding along the rails 40, 41, on which the terminal driving elements 31 are mounted for driving the bobbin trains coming from the -union section 15 along the terminal sections 10.

-9-
The terminal driving elements 31 are mounted on an oscillating support 34 and are
operated by an activator element 35, e.g. a pneumatic cylinder, so as to move between a
raised rest position S, and a lowered operating position A.
When in the rest position S, the terminal driving elements 31 are far from and raised with
respect to the conveying terminal section 10. When in the operating position A, the
terminal driving elements 31 are brought close to the selected terminal conveying section
10 and engage with a bobbin train 5 being introduced into, or removed from the same
terminal section. In this condition, the terminal driving means drive the bobbin trains.
The oscillating support 34 includes a bar 36, hinged on one end 36a to the carriage 32 and
carrying the terminal driving elements 31 in correspondence to the other free end 36b.
The terminal driving elements 31 include an endless belt 37 wound around two pulleys
38a, 38b, whose rotation axis is transversal with respect to the terminal conveying sections
10.
One of the pulleys is connected to a motor 39, which drives it to rotate, thus making the
belt push on the upper part of the bobbin carrying link 6 and consequently move the bobbin
train 5 each time in the desired direction.
The correct positioning of the carriage 32 is ensured by means for determining its position
with respect to the spinning mills 1 and to the terminal sections 10 selected each time.
More precisely, the carriage 32 is moved by a motor 42 mounted on the carriage and
suitably equipped with a motor speed-reducer.
An output pinion of the motor engages with a rack, not shown, which extends along the
rail 41.
Operation of the motor drives the carriage to move along the rails 40, 41.
According to another possible solution, a chain is arranged beside or above the rail 41 and
moves along a path defined between the three pulleys, which are equipped with suitable
seats and mounted on the carriage.
One of the pulleys is connected to the motor 42, which, once activated, drives the pulleys
to rotate on the chain, thus moving the carriage.
A belt can be provided instead of the chain.
It is also possible to fasten the chain or the belt to the carriage and to place a motor, which
drives the endless chain or the belt to rotate, in a fixed position.
In this case, there will be no motor 42 on the carriage 32.
The carriage driving system has not been illustrated in a detailed way, because it is of
known type and easily within the reach of those skilled in the art.
The correct positioning of the carriage 32 with respect to the rails 40, 41 and consequently,
with respect to the spinning mills 1 and to the terminal sections 10, is obtained by using an

-10-
encoder 43 situated on the carriage and connected, in a known way, to the carriage driving
system.
The encoder 43 measures the displacement of the carriage, thus defining the correct
position thereof.
Locking means 50 fasten removably the carriage to the terminal section 10, selected each
time, in order to allow an efficient dragging action on the bobbin trains 5 and in order to
give a good stability to the carriage.
In particular, the locking means include two arms 51, 52, hinged to the frame of the
carriage 32 and equipped with pins 53 fastened crosswise in regions corresponding to their
free ends.
The arms 51, 52 are operated to oscillate by activator means 55, e.g. a pneumatic cylinder,
so that the pins 53 engage with corresponding slots 8 made in the plates 9 fastened to the
terminal sections 10. The activation of the locking means allows to fix the carriage to the
selected terminal section 10.
The carriage 32 includes also an appendix 128 extending therefrom. The switch power
means 25, 26, 27, operating the switch means, are mounted on the appendix 128 in
relation to the configuration of the plant.
According to a simplified configuration, the appendix 128 extending from the carriage 32,
carries only some of the means operating the switch means, e.g. only the switch operating
means 26 and 27 situated in a region corresponding to the union sections nearest to the
spinning mills heads.
In this case, the remaining switch means 20, situated along the main conveying line 3 are
operated by respective fixed means.
Is easy to understand, from the description, the system operation and in particular, the
method, proposed by the invention, for feeding bobbin trains in a spinning plant.
Actually, according to the method, the carriage 32 is displaced, by a movement crosswise
with respect to the spinning mills 1. and stopped at a point corresponding to the selected
terminal section 10 due to the reading of the data emitted by the encoder.
At this point, the operating means 25, 26, 27 of the switch means 20, 21, 22 and the
terminal driving means 31 for moving the bobbin trains 5 along the terminal sections 10,
are situated in their correct positions, in order to remove a train of empty bobbins from the
selected terminal section 10 and to introduce a train of full bobbins 5.
First, the operating means 25, 26, 27 of the switch means 20, 21, 22 are activated,
according to a suitable combination, to determine the conveying of the empty bobbin train
5 from the selected terminal section 10 to the conveying line 3.
Then, the bar 36 is lowered by bringing the belt 37 of the driving means 31 to a position
suitable to engage and drive the bobbin train.

-11-
The operating of the locking means, i.e. the downward oscillation of the arms 51 and 52,
with engagement of the pins 53 with the slots 8 of the plates 9, determines the fastening of
the carriage with respect to the terminal sections 10.
Then, the motor 39 is operated to move the empty bobbin train 5 dwelling at the outlet of
the terminal section 10, to exit therefrom.
After the empty bobbin train has been conveyed onto the main conveying line 3 and
subsequently carried to the area, in which the empty bobbins are substituted with the full
ones, the motor 39 of the driving means 31 is started in the opposite direction, so as to
introduce the full bobbin train, arriving to the conveying line 3, e.g. coming from a
magazine, into the just freed terminal section 10.
Consequently, the carriage is immediately unlocked, thus releasing the action of the
locking means 50, and then moved toward a new terminal section 10, which must be
supplied with a full bobbin train.
The carriage movement, like the general operation of the whole system, is controlled by a
suitable command and control unit, which is connected, in a known consolidated way, to
different command and control points, and to which the operators can accede to define
working times and operation modes by traditional interface means, such as keyboards,
displays, push-button panels, etc.
The control unit and the access means, as well as its connections to the system, have not
been described and illustrated, since known to those skilled in the art.
As it has been said previously, the operation and constructive configuration of the system
proposed by the invention is valid also for a magazine, where the bobbin trains are
temporarily placed.
In this case, the carriage, or a part of it, can move also vertically, in order to work also with
more planes of dwelling sections, arranged one over another.
It is also obvious how all the mentioned before objects are obtained.
Actually, the whole system has only one terminal driving element 31, independently from
the number of spinning mills, and this terminal driving element is moved by the carriage 32
to the points, where its intervention is needed.
Aiso the power means for operating the switches are drastically reduced to a minimum
number and are placed in the intervention area each time.
The times, in which the bobbin rows get exhausted are long enough to allow a cyclical
operation of the system for positioning the carriage and the working means necessary to
perform the exchange of the bobbin trains.
Therefore, the proposed system for moving and diverting bobbin trains operates with an
extremely reduced number of elements for driving the bobbin trains and means for

-12-
operating the switches along the conveying lines, thus causing a considerable reduction of
construction and maintenance costs.
Moreover, the operation of the system for moving and diverting bobbin trains is rationalized
and simplified, and so is its control, and consequently, the relative feeding and control
circuits, as well as all the problems related to the control and diverting of the bobbin trains.
It is to be pointed out that it is much easier to shape the control system of the operation of
the diverting the bobbin trains, because each thing is subjected to a computerized central
control unit, managed by a suitable program.
All what above allows to obtain also a simple and reliable solution, easily adaptable to
different operation needs.
Although preferred embodiments have been illustrated and described, it is understood by
the experts in the field that possible changes can be applied without changing the
protective scope of the invention.

-13-WE CLAIM:
1. A system for moving and diverting trains of articles in a plant for conveying said articles to devices for processing or storing the articles, said plant comprising :
- one or more devices (1) for processing or storing the articles, having each one an inlet head for the articles (2), through which the trains (5) of articles are introduced, said trains of articles being formed by a plurality of articles (7) conveyed by sliding support means (6);
- at least one main conveying line (3), which extends near the inlet heads (2) of all the devices (1), and which is aimed at feeding said devices with trains (5) of articles (7), or at removing said trains from said devices;
- a series of terminal conveying or dwelling sections (10), arranged in regions corresponding to said devices (1);
- a series of union sections (15) to connect each terminal conveying or dwelling section (10) with the main conveying line (3) in a region corresponding to respective conjunction areas (11);
- switch means (20, 21, 22) situated in each of the union sections (15) to deviate the trains (5) of articles from the main conveying line (3) to the union section (15) and to the terminal sections
(10);
- main driving means (30) for moving the trains of articles along said main conveying line (3), situated at predetermined distances along the main conveying line;
- terminal driving means (31) for moving the trains (5) of articles along said terminal conveying or dwelling sections (10);
- power means (25, 26, 27) for operating the switch means (20, 21, 22) to convey the trains of articles from the main conveying line (3) to the terminal section (10) selected each time, by means of a corresponding union section (15);

-14-said system being characterized in that:
- sliding and guiding means (40, 41) extend close to said devices (1), in a region
corresponding to their inlet heads (2);
- at least one carriage (32) slides along said sliding and guiding means (40, 41), moving with respect to said devices (1), said carriage being then stopped at a selected terminal section (10);
- terminal driving means (31) for driving the trains of articles along the terminal sections (10) are mounted only on said carriage (32).

2. A system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said power means (25, 26, 27) for operating the switch means (20, 21, 22) are mounted only on said carriage (32).
3. A system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sliding and guiding means (40, 41) has one or more rails, which extend crosswise with respect to said devices (1), above the inlet head (2) thereof.

4. A system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said carriage (32) has a frame (33), which slides along said sliding and guiding means (40, 41), and which carries, mounted thereon said power means (25, 26, 27) for operating the switch means (20, 21, 22) and the terminal driving means (31) for driving the bobbin trains coming from the union sections (15) along the terminal sections (10).
5. A system, as claimed in claim 2, wherein said carriage (32) has a frame (33), which slides along said sliding and guiding means (40, 41), and which carries, mounted thereon said power means (25, 26, 27) for operating the switch means (20, 21, 22) and the terminal driving means (31) for driving the bobbin trains coming from the union sections (15) along the terminal sections (10).

-15-
6. A system, as claimed in claim 4, wherein said terminal driving means (31) are mounted on an oscillating support (34), operated by activator means (35) to move between a rest position (S), in which said terminal driving means (31) are far from the terminal conveying section (10), and an operating position (A), in which said terminal driving means (31) are brought to the selected terminal section (10) to engage and drive a train (5) of articles, which is introduced into said terminal section (10).
7. A system, as claimed in claim 6, wherein said oscillating support (34) has a bar (36), whose one end (36a) is hinged to said carriage (32) and whose other, free end (36b) carries said terminal driving means (31).
8. A system, as claimed in claim 4, wherein said terminal driving means (31) has an endless belt (37), wound around two pulleys (38a, 38b), whose rotation axis is transversal with respect to the terminal conveying sections (10), with at least one of the pulleys being connected to a motor (39).
9. A system, as claimed in claim 4, having an appendix (128), which extends from said carriage (32) and which features, connected thereto, power means (25) for operating the switch means (20), situated along the main conveying line (3) in regions corresponding to said union sections (15).
10. A system, as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of the union sections (15) has one or more segments (16, 17, 18), which are connected with as many terminal sections (10), and power means (20, 21, 22) for operating said switch means are situated in more points of said carriage (32).

-16-
11. A system, as claimed in claim 10, having an appendix (128), which extends from said carriage (32) and which features, connected thereto, some or all power means (25, 26, 27) for operating the switch means.
12. A system, as claimed in claim 1, which has locking means (50) for locking said carriage to the terminal section (10), selected each time.
13. A system, as claimed in claim 12, wherein said locking means has two arms (51, 52) hinged to said carriage (32) and equipped with pins (53) fastened crosswise to the free ends, said arms (51, 52) being operated, by power means (55), to oscillate, so that the pins (53) engage with corresponding slots (8) made in the plates (9) fastened to the terminal sections (10), thus fastening the carriage to the selected terminal section (10).
14. A system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
said main conveying line has a monorail which allows said sliding support means (16) to slide;
said union sections (15) are formed by curved parts of the monorail;
said terminal sections (10) are formed by straight parts of the monorail;
said switch means (20, 21, 22) are formed, each by a deviating plate (23) hinged and oscillating on a vertical axis between a rest position (G), in which it is normally kept elastically, so as not to interfere with the path of the trains (5) along the monorail, and an operating position (F), in which said deviating plate (23) is moved by said power means (25, 26, 27) to deviate the train (5) of articles to a confluent piece of the monorail, which forms a said terminal section (10) or a

-17-subsequent piece of a union section (15);
said power means (25, 26, 27) are formed by a segment (28), articulated rocking on a vertical axis, and acting with its free end on said deviating plate (23) and with the other end being fastened to an activator (29).
15. A system, as claimed in claim 14, wherein said segment (28) is formed by two small bars (28a, 28b), joined by a vertical pin (28c), with the small bar (28a) fastened to said activator (29), and with the other, free, small bar (28b) acting on said deviating plate (23) by a protrusion (28d).
16. A system, as claimed in claim 14, wherein an activating lever (24) is made integral with said deviating plate (23) with possibility to change the orientation of the latter.
17. A system, as claimed in claim 16, wherein an activating lever (24) has a cam profile.
18. A system, as claimed in claim 1, having means for determining the positioning (42, 43) of said carriage (32) with respect to said devices (1) and to the terminal sections (10), selected each time.
19. A system, as claimed in claim 18, wherein said means for determining the positioning of said carriage has a motor (42), mounted on said carriage and acting on said sliding and guiding means (40, 41) to move the carriage.

-18-
20. A system, as claimed in claim 18, wherein said means for determining the positioning of said
carriage has an encoder (43), operated in accordance with the motion of carriage along said sliding
and guiding means.
21. A system, as claimed in claim 18, wherein said means for determining the positioning of said carriage has a motor mounted in a fixed position on the carriage and acting on said carriage by driving means.
22. A system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said articles are bobbins (7) of roving for spinning and said devices (1) are spinning mills or other similar machines.
23. A system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said articles are bobbins (7) of roving for spinning and said devices (1) are magazines for bobbin trains or other similar storing devices.
24. A method for moving and diverting of trains of articles in a plant for conveying said articles to devices for processing or storing the articles, said plant having :

- one or more devices (1) for processing or storing the articles, having each one an inlet head for the articles (2), through which the trains (5) of articles are introduced, said trains of articles being formed by a plurality of articles (7) conveyed by sliding support means (6);
- at least one main conveying line (3), which extends near the inlet heads (2) of all the devices (1), and which is aimed at feeding said devices with trains (5) of articles (7), or at removing said trains from said devices;
- a series of terminal conveying or dwelling sections (10), arranged in regions corresponding

-19-to said devices (1);
- a series of union sections (15) to connect each terminal conveying or dwelling section (10) with the main conveying line (3) at respective conjunction areas (11);
- switch means (20, 21, 22) situated in each of the union sections (15) to deviate the trains (5) of articles from the main conveying line (3) to the union sections (15) and to the terminal sections (10);
- main driving means (30) for moving the trains of articles along said main conveying line (3), situated at predetermined distances along the main conveying line;
- terminal driving means (31) for moving the trains (5) of articles along said terminal conveying or dwelling sections (10);
- power means (25, 26, 27) of the exchanging means (20, 21, 22) to convey the trains of articles from the main conveying line (3) to a selected terminal section (10), by means of a corresponding union section (15);
said method being characterized in that ;
- sliding and guiding means (40, 41) extend close to said devices (1), in a region
corresponding to their inlet heads (2);
- at least one carriage (32) is made to slide along said sliding and guiding means (40, 41),
displaced to points corresponding to the inlet heads (2) of said devices (1), and stopped at a selected
terminal section (10), so as to arrange the terminal driving means (31) of the article trains, mounted
only on said carriage (32), along the selected terminal sections (10).
25. A method as claimed in claim 24, wherein said power means (25, 26, 27) for operating the switch means (20, 21, 22) are mounted on said carriage (32) and positioned by moving the carriage.

-20-
26. A method as claimed in claim 24, wherein said power means (25, 26, 27) for operating the switch means (20, 21, 22) and of said terminal driving means (31) for driving the trains (5) of articles along the terminal sections (10) are displaced crosswise with respect to said devices (1), and are operated when the carriage (32) is stopped at a selected terminal section (10).
A system for moving and diverting trains (5) of bobbins (7) in a spinning plant with more spinning mills (1) includes a pair of rails (40, 41), along which a carriage (32) moves. The carriage (32) can be stopped at a point corresponding to one spinning mill (1) and carries, mounted thereon, a motor (39), which drives the trains (5), coming from a main feeding line (3) to terminal sections (10), situated beside the spinning mills (1). Activator means (29), situated also on the carriage (32), operate the switches (20, 21, 22) aimed at deviating the path of the trains from the main line (3) to union sections (15) joined to the terminal sections (10). The carriage (32) is moved by a motor (42) and its position along the rails (40, 41) is determined by an encoder (43).


Documents:


Patent Number 202596
Indian Patent Application Number 01192/KOLNP/2004
PG Journal Number 11/2007
Publication Date 16-Mar-2007
Grant Date 16-Mar-2007
Date of Filing 17-Aug-2004
Name of Patentee U.T.I.T. S.P.A.
Applicant Address VIA PEROSI 183, MODENA,
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 OGNIBENE FRANCO VIA MONCHIO 122 , MODENA ,
PCT International Classification Number DO1H 9/18
PCT International Application Number PCT/IB03/00274
PCT International Filing date 2002-01-31
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 BO2002A 000054 2002-01-31 Italy