Winding device for a tape

Abstract

Winding device for a tape comprising: a drive rotor ( 2 ); a driven rotor ( 3 ), the axis of rotation of the drive rotor ( 2 ) and the axis of rotation of the driven rotor ( 3 ) being perpendicular to a straight line which extends along a direction ( 31 ) of connection; means ( 4 ) for transmitting motion from the drive rotor ( 2 ) to the driven rotor ( 3 ), comprising a flexible annular body ( 40 ); a slider ( 5 ) comprising an idling element ( 51 ) for said annular body ( 40 ); tensioning means ( 6 ) which press the idling element ( 51 ) against the annular body ( 40 ); means ( 7 ) for inverting the motion of the drive rotor ( 2 ), activated directly or indirectly by the passage of the slider ( 5 ) through a predetermined position during a stroke from a first towards a second position.

1 . A winding device for a tape comprising:
 a drive rotor ( 2 );   a driven rotor ( 3 ), the axis of rotation of drive rotor ( 2 ) and driven rotor ( 3 ) being perpendicular to a straight line which develops along a connecting direction ( 31 );   means ( 4 ) for transmitting motion from the drive rotor ( 2 ) to the driven rotor ( 3 ), comprising a flexible annular body ( 40 ), substantially inextensible, which runs along a route comprising: a first run ( 41 ) between the drive rotor ( 2 ) and the driven rotor ( 3 ), a second, bowed run ( 42 ) consecutive to the first run ( 41 ) in which the annular body ( 40 ) is wound around the drive rotor ( 2 ), a third run ( 43 ) consecutive to the second run ( 42 ) interposed between the driven rotor ( 3 ) and the drive rotor ( 2 ), a fourth, bowed run ( 44 ) consecutive to the first and third runs ( 41 ,  43 ) in which the annular body is wound around the driven rotor ( 3 );   a spool ( 30 ) for winding said tape, said spool ( 30 ) being dragged in rotation by said driven rotor ( 3 );   a slider ( 5 ) comprising an idling element ( 51 ) for said annular body ( 40 );   tensioning means ( 6 ) which press the idling element ( 51 ) against the annular body ( 40 ) along said first run ( 41 );   guiding means ( 52 ) for the slider ( 5 ) at least between a first and a second position following a trajectory at least in part transverse to the connecting direction ( 31 ); the displacement of said slider ( 5 ) from the first towards the second position being determined by a variation in the degree of tensioning of the annular body ( 40 ) along the first run ( 41 ), induced by an increment in a resistive torque acting on the driven rotor ( 3 ), this being accompanied by a variation in the line of extension of the annular body ( 40 ) along the first run ( 41 );   means ( 7 ) for inverting the motion of the drive rotor ( 2 ), activated directly or indirectly by the passage of the slider ( 5 ) through a predetermined position during the stroke from the first towards the second position.   
     
     
         2 . A device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the inversion means ( 7 ) are activated by the passage of the slider ( 5 ) through said predetermined position also during the stroke from the second to the first position. 
     
     
         3 . A device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the guide means ( 52 ) for the slider ( 5 ) between the first and the second position extend perpendicularly to the connecting direction ( 31 ), imposing on the slider ( 5 ) a trajectory perpendicular to the connecting direction ( 31 ). 
     
     
         4 . A device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the tensioning means ( 6 ) act on the slider ( 5 ) opposing the passage of the slider ( 5 ) from the first to the second position. 
     
     
         5 . A device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the tensioning means ( 6 ) oppose the displacement of the slider ( 5 ) from the first position in which the idling element ( 51 ) causes said first run ( 41 ) of the route of the annular body ( 40 ) to assume a configuration bowed towards the second position in which said idling element ( 51 ) allows said first run ( 41 ) a less bowed configuration. 
     
     
         6 . A device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said annular body ( 40 ) is a belt. 
     
     
         7 . A device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said spool ( 30 ) is integral with the driven rotor ( 3 ). 
     
     
         8 . A device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the inversion means ( 7 ) comprise:
 a transducer ( 71 ) which converts a signal linked to the position of the slider ( 5 ) into an electrical signal;   a motor ( 72 ) which drags the drive rotor ( 2 ) in rotation;   a control unit ( 73 ) which depending on said electrical signal controls the direction of rotation of said motor ( 72 ).   
     
     
         9 . A device according to  claim 8 , characterised in that:
 the transducer ( 71 ) comprises an inductive sensor ( 710 ) positioned along the stroke of the slider ( 5 ), said sensor ( 710 ) not being integral with the movement of the slider ( 5 );   said slider ( 5 ) comprises an inclined profile ( 711 ) in electrically conductive material facing said sensor ( 710 ), a displacement of the slider ( 5 ) causing a movement of said inclined profile ( 711 ) away from or towards said sensor ( 710 ), this bringing about a variation in the output electrical signal from said transducer ( 71 ).   
     
     
         10 . Depalletizing machine for bodies held onto the pallet by means of at least one retaining tape, said machine ( 1 ) being characterized by comprising a winding device ( 10 ) for the tape removed from the pallet, according to  claim 1 .