Feeding assembly for machines treating multicolor wire-like elements and product obtained by said machines

Abstract

A feeding assembly ( 10 ) for machines (M) treating multicolor endless wire-like elements ( 21 ) is disclosed, comprising a frame ( 11 ) supporting a bobbin ( 12 ) on which the wire-like element ( 21 ) is wound, a driving unit ( 13 ) for the bobbin ( 12 ) to cause rotation of the wire-like element ( 21 ) around its longitudinal axis (X) and a detection unit ( 14 ) of the rotation of the wire-like element ( 21 ) around its axis (X). The detection unit is arranged downstream of the bobbin ( 12 ) and emits as an output ( 14 a ) a logic signal. A central unit ( 15 ) operatively connected to the detection unit ( 14 ) acquires and processes the logic signal and controls the driving unit ( 13 ). The detection unit ( 14 ) comprises an optical detector ( 30 ) with adjustable sensitivity for reading one of the colors.

1 ) A feeding assembly ( 10 ) for machines (M) treating multicolor endless wire-like elements ( 21 ), of the type comprising a frame ( 11 ) supporting: 
 a bobbin ( 12 ) on which said wire-like element ( 21 ) is wound;    a driving unit ( 13 ) for said bobbin ( 12 ) to carry out rotation of said wire-like element ( 21 ) around the longitudinal axis (X) defined by it;    a detection unit ( 14 ) of the rotation of said wire-like element ( 21 ) around said longitudinal axis (X), said detection unit ( 14 ) being arranged downstream of said bobbin ( 12 ) and adapted to emit as an output ( 14   a ) a logic signal;    a central unit ( 15 ) operatively connected to said detection unit ( 14 ) for acquiring and processing said logic signal and controlling said driving unit ( 13 ) as a function of said logic signal, wherein said detection unit ( 14 ) comprises an optical detector ( 30 ) with adjustable sensitivity for reading one of said colors.    
     
     
         2 ) The feeding assembly ( 10 ) according to  claim 1  wherein said detection unit ( 14 ) comprises calibration means adapted to set the color to be read on the outer surface of said wire-like element ( 21 ).  
     
     
         3 ) The feeding assembly ( 10 ) according to  claim 1  wherein said detection unit ( 14 ) comprises optical magnification means ( 24 ) adapted to increase the precision of said reading.  
     
     
         4 ) The feeding assembly ( 10 ) according to  claim 3  wherein said optical magnification means ( 24 ) consist of a lens.  
     
     
         5 ) The feeding assembly ( 10 ) according to  claim 1  wherein said optical detector ( 30 ) comprises a light source with three components.  
     
     
         6 ) The feeding assembly ( 10 ) according to  claim 5  wherein said three components consist of the colors red, green and blue.  
     
     
         7 ) The feeding assembly ( 10 ) according to  claim 5  wherein said three components consist of the colors magenta, cyan and yellow.  
     
     
         8 ) The feeding assembly ( 10 ) according to  claim 1  wherein said driving unit ( 13 ) comprises mechanisms ( 16 ) associated to said bobbin ( 12 ) and a motorization group ( 17 ) operatively connected to said mechanisms ( 16 ).  
     
     
         9 ) The feeding assembly ( 10 ) according to  claim 8  wherein said mechanisms ( 16 ) comprise an arm ( 18 ) connected at one end ( 18   a ) to the body of said bobbin ( 12 ) and, at the opposite end ( 18   b ), to said motorization group ( 17 ).  
     
     
         10 ) The feeding assembly ( 10 ) according to  claim 9  wherein said arm ( 18 ) has a shape generally in the form an L.  
     
     
         11 ) The feeding assembly ( 10 ) according to  claim 8  wherein said motorization group ( 17 ) comprises a reversing motor ( 20 ).  
     
     
         12 ) The feeding assembly ( 10 ) according to  claim 11  wherein said reversing motor ( 20 ) is a stepping motor.  
     
     
         13 ) The feeding assembly ( 10 ) according to  claim 11  wherein said reversing motor ( 20 ) is connected to said mechanisms ( 16 ) through a reduction unit.  
     
     
         14 ) The feeding assembly ( 10 ) according to  claim 1  wherein it comprises a tension roller ( 25 ) around which said wire-like element ( 21 ) is wound, interposed between said bobbin ( 12 ) and said detection unit ( 14 ), said roller being adapted to keep said wire-like element ( 21 ) under tension during its unwinding operation from said bobbin ( 12 ).  
     
     
         15 ) The feeding assembly ( 10 ) according to  claim 1  wherein said wire-like element consists of a wire ( 21 ) whose outer surface has different colors developed along continuous strips along the direction defined by the axis (X) of said wire ( 21 ).  
     
     
         16 ) The feeding assembly ( 10 ) according to  claim 15  wherein said strips are two, symmetrically arranged on said outer surface.  
     
     
         17 ) A machine (M) for treating multicolor endless wire-like elements ( 21 ) to produce jewelry items comprising: 
 a cutting unit for cutting said wire-like elements ( 21 ),    a winding and linking unit to link together said cut elements to realize a gourmette-type chain,    wherein said machine (M) further comprises a feeding assembly ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 .    
     
     
         18 ) A product ( 27 ) made with a machine (M) adapted to produce jewelry items using a feeding assembly ( 10 ) according to  claim 1 .  
     
     
         19 ) The product ( 27 ) according to  claim 18  wherein each element is joined to itself or to a subsequent element at the point having the same color.