Automatic distributor device for objects

Abstract

Automatic distributor device for objects, in particular but not only for folded articles of clothing, such as for example garments, uniforms, overalls or other, comprising at least a box-like body provided at an ergonomic height with at least a pick-up window for the distribution of the objects and a loading window to supply the objects. The distributor device comprises a plurality of containing elements of the single-object type, which selectively have an open position for receiving and picking up the object, and a closed position for movement. The containing elements are configured to normally contain one object or a homogeneous plurality of objects. The distributor device comprises closed ring movement means which move the plurality of the containing elements inside the box-like body so as to position one of them on each occasion selectively facing toward the pick-up window or toward the loading window.

1 . Automatic distributor device for objects including folded articles of clothing comprising at least a box-like body provided at an ergonomic height with pick-up and loading means for the distribution and supply of the objects, wherein the device further comprises:
 a plurality of containing elements of the single-object type to normally contain one of said objects, or a homogeneous plurality of said objects, which are configured substantially as a folder and comprise a pair of flat supports, hinged in correspondence with a common edge so as to be selectively mobile between an open position to receive and remove the article, and a closed movement position in which a housing seating is defined, substantially flat and closed, in which the corresponding object contained remains in a stable manner during the movement inside the box-like structure, each of said containing elements being provided with clamping means able to cooperate reciprocally in order to stably maintain the containing element in the closed position during its movement in the box-like body,   closed-ring movement means which move the plurality of the containing elements inside the box-like body so as to position one of them on each occasion selectively facing toward said pick-up and loading means, said movement means comprising one or more belts or chains, to which the containing elements are attached, said attachment occurring on the opposite side with respect to the opening/closing side of the containing element, said belts or chains have a development comprising at least a rear return portion and a connected front portion which has, in proximity with said pick-up and loading means, at least a partly curvilinear segment, the convexity of which faces toward said pick-up and loading means so as to define a curved operating zone which determines the angular distancing between the containing elements;   opening and closing means operatively disposed in said operating zone and drivable in coordination with said movement means, said opening and closing means being able to cooperate with the clamping means of at least one containing element positioned in said operating zone, in order to determine the switching between said open and said closed position.   
     
     
         2 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein said development of said one or more belts or chains is conformed as a triangle. 
     
     
         3 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein said pick-up and loading means comprise a loading window. 
     
     
         4 . The device as in  claim 3 , wherein said loading window also acts as a pick-up window. 
     
     
         5 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein said pick-up and loading means comprise a pick-up window distinct from said loading window. 
     
     
         6 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein said curved operating zone is configured so that when the containing element is around the top of the convexity of the partly curvilinear segment, the containing element lies on a substantially horizontal plane and, when open, is suitable to receive the object to be loaded, and when the containing element goes beyond the top of the convexity, the containing element is oriented downward, and when open promotes the fall of the object contained so the object can be picked up by the user. 
     
     
         7 . The device as in  claim 5 , wherein the opening and closing means are movable between at least a first position in which they are operatively disposed in proximity with said pick-up window and a second position in which they are operatively disposed in proximity with said loading window. 
     
     
         8 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein the opening and closing means comprises grippers able to cooperate with the edges of said hinged supports, passing from a wide open configuration in which the containing element is open, to a close-up configuration in which the containing element is closed. 
     
     
         9 . The device as in  claim 8 , wherein said grippers comprise first peg or push rod means able to cooperate with relative holes made in said supports and possible second peg or push rod means able to cooperate with said clamping means. 
     
     
         10 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein said clamping means comprise magnetic elements or attachment tongues. 
     
     
         11 . The device as in  claim 1 , comprising counter means associated with said chains and configured to supply a first counting signal of the folders able to determine the functioning of the chains for positioning a desired containing element in substantial correspondence with said operating zone. 
     
     
         12 . The device as in  claim 1 , comprising position sensor means associated with said opening and closing means and configured to supply a second signal able to determine the functioning of the chains for the precise positioning of a desired containing element in correspondence with said opening and closing means. 
     
     
         13 . The device as in  claim 1 , comprising mechanical positioning means configured to cooperate with a desired containing element so as to determine the stable alignment thereof with said opening and closing means. 
     
     
         14 . The device as in  claim 1 , comprising electronic identification means, operatively connected to user interface means, for the selection of the objects to be removed, able to identify univocally each specific user who picks up one or more objects and/or to identify univocally each object inserted into each of the containing elements. 
     
     
         15 . The device as in  claim 1 , comprising electronic communication means to connect to each other two or more distributor devices and to allow the coordinated functioning thereof, so as to distribute two or more objects substantially simultaneously, through the corresponding pick-up means.