Patent Publication Number: US-2012035033-A1

Title: Device for supplying sheets

Description:
The present invention refers to a device for supplying sheets. 
     Said sheets are, in particular, in the form of rough-shaped sheets, especially made of bendable material, preferably cardboard, for making a corresponding container, or part of a container. Said container is, in particular, in the form of a package for housing respective elongated articles such as cigarettes or the like. 
     Devices for supplying sheets are known, especially rough-shaped cardboard sheets for making corresponding packages for cigarettes. 
     Essentially, these devices known for supplying rough-shaped sheets comprise respective means for supporting and conveying rough-shaped sheets along a respective path. 
     In particular, according to a known typology of devices, means for supporting and conveying said rough-shaped sheets have respective guides, engaging also the central part of the sheet, and pushers for engaging and advancing said sheets, that contact said rough-shaped sheets at a central area of the same sheets. In these known devices, the shape and size of the guides and, in particular, of the pushers, therefore, depends essentially on the conformation of the rough-shaped sheet to be provided and varies, therefore, from one type of sheet to another, i.e. one package type to another. 
     Other devices are also known for supplying rough-shaped sheets that present means for supporting and advancing sheets, which are defined by suction and retention planes of the respective rough-shaped sheet, which comprise a plurality of suction holes positioned so as to engage, substantially, the entire surface of the rough-shaped sheet, with said holes that are then, essentially provided in areas where a corresponding portion of the rough-shaped sheet essentially extends. Also the configuration of these devices for supplying the rough-shaped sheets of a known type, in particular the width of the suction surface and the arrangement of the holes thereof, is, therefore dependent on the shape and size that said sheet presents, varying from one type of sheet to another or one type of package to another. 
     Practically, the devices hereto known result to be inflexible in use, requiring, in order to feed rough-shaped sheets having different conformations, to perform complex operations of parts replacement, such as guides and pushers, or the engaging and supporting surface of the rough-shaped sheet, in the case of suction suppliers. 
     Practically, according to devices of the known art, in case of size change, major structural changes must be made, that are annoying operations executed by employees which require prolonged stop-time of the machinery. 
     A device for supplying sheets is provided, particularly rough-shaped sheets, especially made of bendable material, preferably cardboard, for making a corresponding container, or part of a container; said container preferably defining a package for housing respective elongated elements, particularly consisting of cigarettes or the like; the device comprises means for supporting and conveying sheets along a respective path; and is characterized by the fact that said supporting and conveying means comprise first and second means for retaining the respective ends of the sheet. 
     In this way, it is possible to make the configuration of the supporting and conveying means substantially independent, or easily adaptable, with respect to the different types and sizes of sheets to be fed. 
     Corresponding relative advantages are therefore achieved in convenience and execution time of size change for the machines to which this device is associated. 
    
    
     
       The technical characteristics of the finding, according to the aims mentioned, are clearly evident from the content of the claims below, and the mentioned advantages thereof will become more evident in the detailed description that follows, made with reference to the attached drawings, which represent an embodiment purely exemplificative and not limiting, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a longitudinal sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows a schematic top view of the preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  show respective cross sectional schematic views, taken along line of  FIG. 2 , illustrating different positions of said grasping pliers of the rough-shaped sheet of the present preferred embodiment according to the present finding; 
         FIG. 4  shows a horizontal sectional view of the underside of this device, showing in particular the means to provide adjustment of the cross width of the retaining and conveying means; 
         FIG. 5  shows a cross sectional view, taken along line V-V of  FIG. 6 , showing a detail relative to the grasping pliers of a sheet end; 
         FIG. 6  shows a top plan view showing a detail relative to the grasping pliers of a sheet end. 
     
    
    
     In the attached figures, a preferred embodiment is shown of a device  1  for supplying sheets A, which are especially constituted of rough-shaped sheets, especially made of bendable material, preferably cardboard, for making a corresponding container, or part of a container. 
     The container is adapted to make a corresponding package, or package part, to house the respective elongated elements or articles, particularly consisting in cigarettes, or similar, preferably packaged in a respective wrapping or film. 
     Sheet A extends, preferably, with a prevalent development direction, which in the present device extends transversely to the advancement or longitudinal direction, and presenting respective ends A 1 , A 2 , or transverse ends of the sheet, with reference to the longitudinal or advancement direction of the same sheet; marked by the arrow “L” in  FIG. 2 . 
     Sheet A presents respective panels A 0 , bendable along pre-defined lines in sheet A, which mainly, but not exclusively, extend parallel, A′, and transverse, A″, to the advancement direction of said sheets, or a longitudinal direction. 
     The present device  1  comprises means  11  for supporting and conveying sheets along a respective path, between an upstream receiving end  11 A of sheets, preferably, as shown by a respective magazine  21 , and a downstream unloading or transfer end  11 B of said sheets, preferably a corresponding package-forming wheel  31 . 
     Advantageously, supporting and conveying means  11  comprise first and second means  111 ,  112  that are adapted to retain respective ends A 1 , A 2  of sheet A, said retaining means being movable, or advanced, along a corresponding conveying path of said sheets. 
     In particular, the means  111 ,  112  are adapted to firmly retain respective ends A 1 , A 2  of the sheet A, defining the means for supporting the sheets and being supported and advanced by respective conveying means  121 ,  122 . 
     Practically, the respective sheet is retained in suspension, between the first and second retaining means  111 ,  112 , i.e. the respective sheet is maintained uplifted solely by said first and second retaining means  111 ,  112 . 
     The paths of said first and second retaining means  111 ,  112  of the respective ends of the sheets are developed together parallel. 
     In this way, it is possible to retain and transport the respective sheet A, in a simplified way, with a structure of supporting and conveying means that is substantially independent of the size and shape of the rough-shaped sheet. 
     Practically, as it will become more clear by the following of the present description, it will be possible to make quick and easy adjustments of the device, particularly a mere adaptation of the carriageway, allowing the device to bring rough-shaped sheets with significantly different shapes and sizes between them. 
     As a whole, advantages are brought to the flexibility of the use of the present device compared to devices according to the art so far known. 
     Additionally, this method facilitates the execution of any operations upon the same sheets, in particular, as will be further illustrated, the pre-bending of the sheet in order to yield, or weaken, the resistance to bending of the sheet material will be provided, thus helping the following phases of making the container. 
     Preferably, said supporting and conveying means  11  advance said rough-shaped sheets with their own greater extension, or size, which is oriented transversely to the direction of advancement, according to a prevailingly linear or longitudinal path “L”, and that prevailingly develops according to a horizontal plane. 
     It must however be understood that said supporting and conveying means  11  may also be configured to advance said rough-shaped sheets with their own greater extension, or size, longitudinally oriented, i.e. oriented in the advancement direction “L”. 
     Other arrangements of the conveyed rough-shaped sheets are however conceivable. 
     In addition, in the present device the rough-shaped sheet is conveyed according to a predominantly linear or longitudinal path, which prevailingly develops according to a horizontal plane. 
     The present supporting and conveying means advance sheets A, which are in the form of an article, essentially two-dimensional, or flat, retaining them in a respective plane advancement. 
     Said means  11  for supporting and conveying sheets comprise means  121 ,  122  for supporting and conveying respective sheet retaining means  111 ,  112  between the upstream receiving end  11 A of the same sheets A and the downstream unloading end  11 B of the same sheets. 
     As is well apparent from  FIG. 2 , advantageously, said means  111 ,  112  for retaining respective ends A 1 , A 2  of sheet A are transversely spaced from each other, defining a corresponding free space between them. 
     Moreover, advantageously, also the said means  121 ,  122  for conveying the retaining means  111 ,  112  are transversely spaced from each other, defining a corresponding free space between them. 
     Advantageously, said retaining means of the respective sheet are in the form of grasping means  111 ,  112  of a respective end, or part, of sheet A 1 , A 2 , said grasping means firmly holding said sheet engaging upper and lower opposite sides of the respective portion of sheet. 
     In more detail, said grasping or tightening means comprise for each sheet A, respective first and second pliers  111 ,  112  for grasping opposite transversal ends A 1 , A 2  of the advancing sheet. 
     As shown, a plurality of holding or grasping pliers,  111 ,  112 , are provided for each side of the device, said pliers  111 ,  112  being fixed in positions equally spaced longitudinally and transversely corresponding to each other, to respective supporting and conveying means  121 ,  122 . As shown, to the pliers  111 , provided in correspondence to respective first conveying or dragging means  121 , correspond respective opposite pliers  112 , provided on the second conveying or dragging means  122 , traveling parallel to, and transversely spaced from, the first dragging means  121 . 
     As is well apparent, referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , whereas only the pliers  112  in correspondence with the conveying means  122  are shown, each of the pliers  111 ,  112  present respective and opposite jaws  113   a ,  113   b  engaged with opposite faces of the rough-shaped sheet, said jaws tightening and retaining a corresponding portion of the sheet A. 
     The respective gripping jaw includes, therefore, a fixed jaw  113   a , on which lays the respective end, or portion, of sheet A and a moving jaw  113   b  movable to and from said fixed jaw. 
     Said first and second jaw  113   a ,  113   b  are normally pushed towards and against one another. In particular, the moving jaw  113   b  is maintained, normally, pushed towards and against said fixed jaw  113   a.    
     Particularly, the fixed jaws  113   a  define a support plane of the sheets, while the moving jaws  113   b  define the retaining means of sheet A on the support plane defined by the same fixed jaw  113   a.    
     The conveying means  121 ,  122  are together extended parallel, advancing from upstream to downstream, driven, as shown in  FIG. 3A , between respective longitudinal guides  117   a ,  117   b , in the form of respective grooves obtained in opposing side rims  117 ′,  117 ″ of the respective conveyor  121 ,  122 . Said rims  117 ′,  117 ″ are extended parallel in the advancement direction and are transversely spaced between them. 
     According to another point of view, the present retaining means  111 ,  112  comprise a corresponding block  114 , defining supporting means for the respective sheet A, i.e. a respective extreme portion A 1 , A 2  of the respective sheet A. 
     In particular, block  114 , of the respective retaining means  111 ,  112 , is fixed by screws  115 , to the corresponding conveying and dragging means  121 ,  122 . 
     Said block  114  presents one end, or portion,  114   a , of fastening to conveying means  121 ,  122  and one end or portion,  114   b , protruding from it, with respect to the corresponding inner edge of the conveying and dragging means  121 ,  122 . 
     Practically, the protruding portion  114   b  extends toward the central or the midway part of the device, i.e. toward the other of said retaining means  111 ,  112 . 
     Advantageously, the protruding portion  114   b  presents a corresponding free end, which is adapted to define said fixed jaw  113   a  of said grasping means. 
     In the prevailing horizontal conveyor span of the rough-shaped sheet A, the fixed jaw  113   a  is disposed below the moving jaw  113   b.    
     In this horizontal span, the protruding portion  114   b  is adapted to extend below the sheet A. 
     Particularly, said block  114  is defined by, or comprises, a corresponding elongated small plate  118 , particularly of a metallic material, which presents a generally quadrangular conformation in plan, in particular a rectangular shape, said small plate  118  being fixed to a corresponding lower block, or thickness,  116  by corresponding screws  117 . 
     Said block, or thickness,  116  is, in turn, fixed by the mentioned bolts  115 , to the corresponding belt, defining the conveying and dragging means  121 ,  122 . 
     The elongated small plate, individually marked with the reference number  118 , presents, on the projecting end  114   a  a corresponding internal opening, or perpendicular through hole, which is delimited by a generally quadrangular corresponding inner edge  118   a.    
     At said opening  118   a , extends a corresponding portion  118   b , lowly or perpendicularly protruding from the plane of said small plate  118 , said protruding portion  118   b  being obtained by a corresponding cut from the body of the same small plate  114  and subsequent bending with respect to a respective edge  118   d , through which the oblique plate  118   b  remains bound to the main body of the small plate  118 . 
     Practically, the protruding end  114   a  of the small plate comprises a portion, or front strip,  118   c , which extends longitudinally to the advancement direction, which is connected through corresponding arms  118 ′ c ,  118 ″ c , transverse to the advancement direction, to the portion  114   a  fixing to the respecting conveying or dragging means  121 ,  122 . 
     From said end portion  118   c  of the small plate, or jaw,  114   b  extends toward the fastening part  114   a  of the small plate, the oblique portion  118   b  which, as shown, is slanted according to a respective angle in respect to the plane of same small plate  118 . 
     Practically, said opening  118   a  is made by cutting a corresponding portion  118   b , which is cut along three respective sides  118   a  and remains bound to the front part  118   c  of the small plate, through the bending line  118   d.    
     Said cut portion  118   b , after being defined, by cutting, is then bended with respect to the same small plate defining a corresponding anchor portion for a respective spring defining the moving jaw  113   b , as will be better illustrated in the following present description. 
     As illustrated, the moving jaw  113   b  is, advantageously, supported on the fixed jaw  113   a  being anchored to said slanted portion  118   b  protruding perpendicularly. 
     The moving jaw  113   b  is defined by a corresponding flexible blade, which under normal retaining conditions, extend coplanar and parallel, but also contacting the corresponding fixed jaw  113   a.    
     The present device therefore presents a corresponding metal blade  119 , which has a first span, or portion,  119   a , defining the moving jaw  113   b , and a span or portion  119   b , defining the means for anchoring to the fixed jaw, i.e. to the slanted plane  118   b  of the same, but also an intermediate span or portion  119   c  that acts as a link between said portion defining the moving jaw  119   a  and the anchor portion  119   b.    
     The portion  119   b  of the blade  119  is fastened, by way of a corresponding screw and self tightening nut  120 , passing through corresponding holes of said slanted plane  118   b  and of the same anchor portion  119 B. 
     There are also provided elastic pushing means of said moving jaw  113   b  against the respective fixed jaw  113   a.    
     Rightly so, the flexible blade  119  defines elastic means adapted to normally retain said moving jaw  113   b  against said fixed jaw. 
     As illustrated, the blade  119  is conformed, when viewed from the side, in a generally triangular shape, with the anchor portion  119   b , which converges towards the active portion of greater length  119   a , which defines the moving jaw  113   b.    
     To ensure proper elastic deformation, said connecting portion  119   c  is characterized by a first span  119 ′ c  and by a second span  119 ″ c , defining between them a respective angle, that bend said portion  119   c  protruding within the triangular configuration of the blade  119 . 
     There are also provided actuating means of the grasping jaws under a mutual disengagement action, or separation. 
     Said actuating means disengage the moving jaws  113   b  from the fixed jaws  113   a  and are provided at the upstream end, in  13 ′, and the downstream end, in  13 ″, of the device and are in the form of small hinged arms  13 , operating between a raised, or spaced position of the respective engaged element and a lower or engaged position, in which said pliers operate disengaged, i.e. the moving jaw  113   b  from the respective sheet A, said moving jaw moving away from fixed jaw  113   a , as illustrated in  FIG. 3A . 
     The active end of the small hinged arm  13  presents a corresponding engagement wheel  13   a.    
     In particular, the arms or levers,  13 , operating in  13 ′, rotate according to a longitudinal or horizontal axis, while the arms or levers  13 , operating in  13 ″, rotate according to a respective perpendicular, or vertical axis. 
     The retaining means  111 ,  112  comprise respective means operable in a disengaging action of said retaining means from the respective sheet A. Said operable means of disengagement of the respective sheet comprise an arm  119   e , able to be engaged by said actionable lever  13 , said small arm  119   e  being united with the movable jaw  113   b  and protruding perpendicularly from it. 
     Said arm  119   e  presents a portion  119   f  which is united with the corresponding movable blade  113   b , to which is conveniently welded or otherwise united, and from which the engaged portion  119   e  extends defining a corresponding obtuse angle within it. 
     Said small arm  119   e  operable in a disengaging action from the relative sheet A presents a general conformation and is made from a respective small plate having a span  119   f  united at the upper part to the jaw blade  119 , or at the longest span  119   a  of the blade  119 , and a second span  119   g , extending towards the respective conveying means  121 ,  122 , i.e. toward the outer sides of the device. The said advancement means  121 ,  122  of the retaining means  111 ,  112  of the sheets, or conveying means, are in the form of respective flexible elements, defining a respective endless path, particularly defined by corresponding toothed belts carried on respective extreme longitudinal pulleys  121   a ,  121   b ,  122   a ,  122   b.    
     Furthermore, said conveying means present relative support elements  121 C,  122 C, better illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
     Said retaining means  111 ,  112  are transversely movable according to the corresponding size, or length of the sheets A to be grasped and moved. 
     In this way, it is possible to adjust the width, or pathway, of the device to the length of the sheet to perform appropriate and easy size change adjustments. 
     As shown, means  121   c ,  122   c  for supporting the retaining means  111 ,  112 , are provided, which are movable on respective guides  101 ,  102 , which extend transversally being supported by the fixed support means  10  of the device. 
     Said guides  101 ,  102  are in the form of respective cross shafts able to be inserted with the interposition of respective sliding bushings  103  inserted into corresponding holes formed in said frames  121   c ,  122   c.    
     The bushings  103  present respective enlarged heads that define engaging members against end-stops  101 ′,  101 ″,  102 ′,  102 ″, fastened to the ends of guides  101 ,  102 . 
     Also provided are means  121   d ,  122   d  for actuating the transverse movement of said retaining means  111 ,  112 , between the fixed support means  10  and the support means  121 C,  122 C of the retaining means. 
     Said means for actuating the transverse movement of said retaining means  111 ,  112  are in form of corresponding operating screws  121   d ,  122   d  provided between the fixed support means  10  and the respective support member  121 C,  122 C. 
     Also advantageously provided are means for processing the sheet, which are preferably in the form of means of pre-bending of said sheet A. Particularly, said processing or pre-bending means, are provided in an intermediate position of the sheet conveying path and are identified by the reference number  41 . 
     Said pre-bending means  41  of the sheet comprise a member for engaging and bending a corresponding panel of the sheet, particularly a member, or pusher, for engaging and bending a first and second longitudinally opposing panels A 0 , A 0  of sheet A. 
     Said pusher, or member,  41 , of engagement and bending, is perpendicularly movable to the prevalent extension and advancement plane of the rough-shaped sheets, and extends between said retaining means  111 ,  112 . 
     Practically, the said means for processing the sheet A are extended between retaining means  111 ,  112 , which retain the opposite ends A 1 , A 2  of the rough-shaped sheet A. 
     Said pre-bending means of the sheet further comprise means of contrast of said engaging and bending means, said means of contrast being labeled with the reference number  51 , in  FIG. 1 . 
     Practically, said member or pusher,  41 , of engagement and bending is perpendicularly movable between an advanced bending position and a rear position, in which lies below, or outside, of the path, or trajectory, of said sheets, positioning itself in a position of free advancement of said sheets A. 
     Said engaging and bending position is an upper position of the said bending member  41 , while the rear position of free advancement of the sheet is a lower position. 
     Said engaging member  41  comprises, or has the form of, a shaped vane having a flat portion of support for the central part of the rough-shaped sheet, marked with the reference number  41   a , and a corresponding lateral portion, in particular a first and a second opposite lateral portions  41   b ,  41   c , perpendicularly protruding from said flat central portion  41   a , slanted at an angle to same portion. 
     As illustrated, said vane  41  has a flat portion that is the same size of the central panels of the rough-shaped sheet, so that the same slanted protruding portions  41   b ,  41   c  extend correspondingly to the point of interference with the respective longitudinal bending lines A, “A” of the rough shaped sheet. 
     It is obtained by the effect of contrast with the plunger, or with the full body  51 , i.e. of its lower surface  51   a , the bending of the rough shaped sheet, with the respective side panels, which are facing upwards, i.e. protruding perpendicularly, presenting an angle with respect to the corresponding central panel of the rough-shaped sheet, as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     As illustrated, said contrast means  51  of said engaging and bending means are movable between an advanced or lower position of engagement and contrast of said vane  41 , and a retracted or upper position for freely advancing said sheets A. 
     Practically, the full portion  51  defining the contrast means of the bending vane present a lower surface, or width, which corresponds to that of the upper surface of the central part  41   a  of the pushing member. 
     In this way, it is possible to achieve a pre-bending of panels that extend primarily in the direction transverse to the advancement direction, i.e. a bending of the panels of the rough shaped sheet with respect to lines that are transverse to the longitudinal advancement direction of the rough-shaped sheet. 
     Said bending pusher  41  and said contrasting block  51  are moving in unison, one against the other, for bending the corresponding panels of the rough-shaped sheet. 
     According to the finding, the processing means comprise, also, conducting the bending of at least one corresponding panel, or flap, AE according to a longitudinal line of bending A′, i.e. according to a line parallel to the longitudinal advancement direction. 
     Particularly, said pre-bending means of the extreme panel AE of the rough-shaped sheet A are defined by grasping means, or pliers,  112 , that provide said bending at the collecting, or receiving moment, of a corresponding sheet A. 
     Practically, the extreme panel AE of the rough-shaped sheet is re-bended, or rotated, completely upon the laying panel A 0  by way of the grasping of jaws of the pliers  112 , at the moment of withdrawal of the rough-shaped sheet by the retaining means  112 , in the position marked with the reference  13 ′. 
     The moving jaw  113   b  engages from behind the extreme panel AE of the rough-shaped sheet and re-bends it, or rotates it, substantially at 90°, to push it into contact with the opposite upper face of the adjacent panel A 0 . 
     Advantageously provided are also means  61  for withdrawing the sheets from a corresponding magazine  21  and for delivering said sheets A to the supporting and conveying means  11 . 
     Said means of withdrawing and delivering comprise, therefore, a corresponding arm  61  movable between a withdrawing position and a delivering position, in which the respective sheet A extends according to the prevailing resting and advancement plane of the rough-shaped sheets A. 
     To grasp, from the respective magazine  21 , a corresponding sheet, said withdrawing and delivering means  61  comprise means for engaging and retaining the sheets, which are, in particular defined by corresponding suction bellows, bearing the reference number  61   a  in the attached figures. 
     Said engagement and retaining means  61   a  engage a central area of the respective rough-shaped sheet, in particular a lower face of the same sheet A. 
     Said withdrawing and delivering means  61  of the rough-shaped sheets extend, in condition or position of delivery, between corresponding retaining means  111 ,  112 . 
     As shown, the sheet-housing magazine  21  is in the form of a tubular body having one sheet loading end  21 ″ and one sheet emission end  21 , at correspondence of which extend said collecting and delivering means at the withdrawing position of a corresponding sheet. 
     As illustrated, said tubular magazine  21  presents a generally quadrangular shape, particularly rectangular, and is defined by opposing walls respectively marked with reference numbers  21   a ,  21   b ,  21   c ,  21   d.    
     Advantageously, as shown, the width, or distance between the side walls  21   c ,  21   d  of the device is less than the length of the respective sheet A, in order to keep, within the tubular body of the magazine  21 , the same sheet with an extreme panel AE in a perpendicularly re-bent condition to the main part of the rough-shaped sheet. 
     In this way, it is possible to prepare the next pre-bending operation of same extreme panel AE, by way of said grasping or still-retaining means  112 . 
     Practically, being withdrawn by said withdrawing means  61 , already with the flap AE facing perpendicular to the rough-shaped sheet, only when the rough-shaped sheet is delivered to the grasping means, the respective pliers  112  engage against an outer surface of said panel AE and bends it with the opposite face in contact with the adjacent panel A 0  of the rough-shaped sheet. 
     The arm  61   b , which carries the suction cups 61°, moves in a rotation-translation motion between the withdrawing position and the release position, remaining between the retaining means  111 ,  112  and the respective conveying means  121 ,  122 . 
     The retaining suction cups  61   a  are placed between the retaining means  111 ,  112  and the respective conveying means  121 ,  122  in a releasing condition of sheet A. 
     In particular, the arm  61   b  that carries the suction cups  61   a  moves in a rotation-translation motion, providing a rotational motion with respect to a transverse axis and is simultaneously lowered, in order to allow advancement of the engaging end  61   a  of the respective sheet A, between the slanted exit mouth from the magazine and the horizontal or coplanar sheet delivery position to the conveying plane, keeping said sheet substantially at the same height level. 
     Also provided are transfer means  71  of sheets from the supporting and advancement means  11  to forming means  31  of a corresponding container or container part. 
     Said transfer means comprise a respective ejector  71 , which is movable between a retracted position, for freely advancing the supporting and advancement means  11 , i.e. freely advancing sheets A, and an advanced, intermediate position, for engaging the respective sheet A in the unloading position, and an advanced end position for delivering the sheet A to the forming means  31 , i.e. for inserting the sheets A on a respective seat  31   a  of said forming means. 
     Said transfer means  71  define means for unloading the sheet from the supporting and advancing means  11  and extend, and move, according to a longitudinal direction, i.e. parallel to the prevalent advancement path or travelling direction of the rough-shaped sheets. 
     As illustrated, said unloading, or transfer means of the respective sheet, engage a respective sheet that is placed perpendicular to the prevalent resting and advancement plane of said rough-shaped sheets, in order to push it with radial motion with respect to the wheel  31 , against a seat  31   a , frontally placed, of forming means  31 , which are defined by a corresponding wheel rotating around an axis transverse to the prevailing longitudinal direction of advancement of said sheets A. 
     Particularly, the shaping wheel  31  is oriented with the respective axis parallel to the rotation axis of the extreme pulleys  121   a ,  121   b ,  122   a ,  122   b  of conduction of means  121 ,  122  for conveying pliers holding said rough-shaped sheets. 
     As illustrated, said unloading, or transfer means,  71  comprise respective means for engagement and retention of rough-shaped sheets, which are, in particular, defined by the respective suction cups  71   a , which engage a central area of the respective sheet A. 
     As illustrated, advantageously said means  71  for unloading the sheets extend between corresponding lateral retaining means  111 ,  112  of the rough-shaped sheets. 
     Said transfer means  71  move perpendicularly to sheet A, when in releasing or unloading position and remain positioned between the retaining means  111 ,  112  and the respective conveying means  121 ,  122 . 
     The present supporting and advancement means advance, or feed, rough-shaped sheets with alternate advancement motion in which the advancement motion phases are longer than stop phases, and during the latter are provided pre-bending, or processing operations in an intermediate zone of the device along with the loading of a new rough-shaped sheet A upon supporting and advancement means  11  and the unloading of a corresponding rough-shaped sheet A from the support and advancement means  11 . 
     The finding thus conceived is susceptible to evident industrial application; it can be also subject to numerous modifications and variants which pertain to the scope of the invention; all details can also further be substituted by technically equivalent elements.