Patent Description:
The present invention further relates to a method for applying rhinestones by using the aforesaid machine.

To decorate clothing and/or footwear and/or eyewear and/or packaging elements, or other, rhinestones are usually used, for example beads, glitter, studs and similar decorations with a lower base, preferably flat, on which an adhesive substance capable of fixing the rhinestone to the element to be decorated must be applied, and a decorated surface visible once the rhinestone has been applied.

The decoration process with application of rhinestones is usually carried out manually. An operator picks up a rhinestone of the desired shape, size and colour, applies an amount of adhesive substance thereto and then places such a rhinestone on the element to be decorated. The element to be decorated is generally placed on a fixed support which allows the operator to have an overview of the decoration in order to better evaluate where to place the rhinestone just picked up.

The manual picking up, gluing and positioning process is repeated until the decoration to be obtained is complete.

The aforesaid manual application process is generally used when it is necessary to create particularly complex decorations as to the design, the shape and/or the size of the rhinestones.

As can be seen in document <CIT>, for simpler decorations, for example decorations for hems and edges on a fabric, machines with mechanical arms are known which can pick up the rhinestone from a feed conveyor and position such a rhinestone on the element to be decorated. In such a situation, the operator manually moves the fabric below the mechanical arm in order to create the hem or edge. Such machines are functional only for rhinestones of the adhesive type, i.e., for rhinestones which do not require the application of adhesive substances to be attached to the element to be decorated. In particular, adhesive-type rhinestones comprise a layer of glue which is activated by heat, which is normally dispensed through a heating element which is brought into contact with the area of the element to be decorated on which the rhinestone is to be applied. Disadvantageously, the above-mentioned rhinestone application techniques are complex, not very functional and not adapted to cope with the production rates required by the market.

The manual creation of complex decorations is a particularly costly process in terms of time and money.

Furthermore, the manual process is not able to maintain a sufficiently high production rate to meet market demands.

The use of the known machines is also limited, as they are able to apply only self-adhesive rhinestones to make very simple decorations such as edges and hems.

Furthermore, the aforesaid machines still require manual intervention to properly orient the element to be decorated, making the process imprecise and expensive.

Document <CIT>, in accordance with the introductory part thereof (see for example column <NUM>), relates to a semi-automatic machine for gluing ornaments on jewellery items. The machine in accordance with <CIT> requires the intervention of an operator to keep the jewellery item in position and fix the ornament.

The technical task of the present invention is to provide a machine and a method for applying rhinestones which are able to overcome the prior-art drawbacks which have emerged.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a machine for applying rhinestones which does not require any manual intervention. Another object of the present invention is to propose a machine for applying rhinestones which is also able to make complex decorations.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a machine for applying rhinestones which is also capable of using rhinestones which require an application of adhesive material in order to be attached to the element to be decorated.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a machine which is fast and precise.

A further object of the present invention is to propose a machine and a method for applying rhinestones which are able to cope with the production rates required by the market.

The technical task set and the objects specified are substantially reached by a machine and a method for applying rhinestones comprising the technical features as set out in one or more of the accompanying claims. The dependent claims correspond to possible embodiments of the invention.

In particular, the specified objects are achieved by a machine for applying rhinestones to an element to be decorated according to the present invention.

The term rhinestones refers to beads, studs, sequins and other decorative elements which have a decorated, and possibly shaped surface (for example faceted or rounded), and a flat lower surface configured to receive an adhesive substance.

The machine subject-matter of the present invention comprises a pickup station configured to supply a succession of rhinestones and a release station, arranged downstream of the pickup station, configured to allow a deposit of the rhinestones on the element to be decorated. Such a machine further comprises a gluing station interposed between the pickup station and the release station, configured to apply a predetermined amount of adhesive substance on the picked up rhinestone. In accordance with the present invention, the machine further comprises a transfer conveyor provided with a succession of heads, in which each head is configured to cyclically pick up a rhinestone from the pickup station and release the rhinestone at the release station. Each head is movable along a closed feed path passing through the gluing station.

Preferably, the transfer conveyor is endowed with an intermittent motion whereby while a first head of the transfer conveyor picks up a rhinestone from the pickup station, a second head supports a rhinestone in the gluing station and a third head releases a rhinestone on the element to be decorated in the release station.

Advantageously, by virtue of such a movement of the transfer conveyor, the machine is fast and highly productive.

Advantageously, the transfer conveyor allows the rhinestones to be moved through each station in a fully automatic manner without requiring the manual intervention of an operator.

In a preferred embodiment, the machine further comprises a monitoring station interposed between the pickup station and the gluing station and also facing the feed path. The monitoring station comprises a feeler or abutment element configured to correct a positioning of the rhinestone placed on the head. The feeler is movable according to an alternating linear motion between an extracted position, in which the feeler is brought closer to the head so that the rhinestone is interposed between the feeler and the head itself, and a retracted position, in which the feeler is distal with respect to the head.

Advantageously, by means of the aforesaid movement of the feeler, it is certain that the rhinestone is correctly positioned on the head before the application of the adhesive substance, in order to avoid the possibility that part of such a substance can be applied on the decorated surface of the rhinestone and not on the lower surface due to an improper positioning of the rhinestone itself.

Preferably, the feeler is further configured to detect the presence of the rhinestone on the head and to generate a signal representative of a presence or absence condition of the rhinestone.

Advantageously, such a function of the feeler prevents adhesive substance from being applied to a head on which there is actually no rhinestone.

In a preferred embodiment, the gluing station comprises a gluing device which is movable between a working position, in which the gluing device is brought closer to the head to apply a predetermined amount of adhesive substance to the rhinestone, and a rest position, in which the gluing device is distanced from the head.

In use, therefore, if the feeler in the monitoring station detects the absence of the rhinestone on the head, the movement of the gluing device is inhibited. Conversely, if the feeler detects the presence of the rhinestone on the head, the gluing device is moved to apply the adhesive substance on the rhinestone.

Advantageously, such a movement of the gluing device allows a precise amount of adhesive substance to be applied to the rhinestone without there being a risk of smudging.

Advantageously, such a movement of the gluing device allows an amount of adhesive substance to be applied even to very small rhinestones, preferably up to rhinestones having a size of approximately <NUM>.

Once the adhesive substance has been applied to the rhinestone, the transfer conveyor moves such a rhinestone in the release station so that it can proceed with the application of the rhinestone on the element to be decorated.

In a preferred embodiment, the release station comprises a support for the element to be decorated which is configured to keep the element oriented according to a horizontal plane. Such a support is movable by translation and/or rotation according to Cartesian directions, preferably horizontal, to determine the positioning of the rhinestone on the element to be decorated so as to create the desired decoration. If the element to be decorated is a fabric, the support is further configured to keep the fabric properly stretched. In other words, the support is moved so as to place the right point of application of the rhinestone below the head so as to obtain the desired decoration.

Advantageously, the machine subject-matter of the present invention is fully automatic and does not require manual interventions.

Advantageously, the machine is able to create complex decorations in a short time in order to cope with the production rates required by the market. The specified objects are further achieved by a method for applying a rhinestone on a decorative element comprising the steps of arranging a machine in accordance with the above and picking up a rhinestone from the pickup station by means of a head of the transfer conveyor. The method subject-matter of the present invention further comprises the step of applying a predetermined amount of glue to a rhinestone in the gluing station, in particular at an outer portion of the rhinestone opposite an inner portion of the rhinestone subjected to retention by the respective gripping portion, while the rhinestone is supported by the head. In particular, therefore, the term "inner portion" means the rhinestone portion retained within the gripping portion 4a' of the head 4a, while the term "outer portion" means the rhinestone portion which remains exposed outside the gripping portion 4a'. The method further comprises the step of releasing a rhinestone from the head onto the element to be decorated in the release station. The picking up, applying and releasing steps are implemented in sequence, in particular by means of an intermittent movement of the transfer conveyor.

The method comprises a plurality of steps of picking up a succession of rhinestones by means of respective consecutive heads of the transfer conveyor. In particular, in such a method, a step of picking up a first rhinestone from the pickup station is simultaneous with at least one step of applying the predetermined amount of glue to a second rhinestone in the gluing station and/or a step of releasing a third rhinestone from the head onto the element to be decorated in the release station.

Preferably, the method subject-matter of the present invention further comprises the steps of correcting a position of a rhinestone on the head, and simultaneously, deriving a representative signal thereof. Even more preferably, the steps of correcting and deriving the representative signal are implemented simultaneously with the picking up, applying and releasing steps.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the indicative and thus non-limiting description of an embodiment of a machine and a method for applying rhinestones.

Such a description will be set out below with reference to the appended drawings, which are provided solely for illustrative and therefore non-limiting purposes, in which:.

With reference to the appended drawings, "M" refers to a machine for applying rhinestones "S" to an element to be decorated (not shown).

The term "rhinestone" means beads, studs, sequins and decorative elements having at least one base surface, preferably flat, configured to come into contact with the element to be decorated and a decorated surface (for example faceted or rounded) visible once the rhinestone has been applied to the element to be decorated.

With reference to <FIG>, the machine "M" comprises a pickup station <NUM> configured to supply a succession of rhinestones "S" and a release station <NUM> arranged downstream of the pickup station <NUM> and configured to allow a deposit of the rhinestone "S" on the element to be decorated.

The machine "M" further comprises a gluing station <NUM> interposed between the pickup station <NUM> and the release station <NUM>, configured to apply a predetermined amount of adhesive substance, for example glue, on the picked up rhinestone S".

The machine "M" subject-matter of the present invention further comprises a transfer conveyor <NUM> provided with a succession of heads 4a each of which is configured to cyclically pick up a rhinestone "S" from the pickup station <NUM> and release the rhinestone "S" in the release station <NUM>. Each head 4a is then movable along a closed feed path "A" passing through the gluing station <NUM>. In other words, the transfer conveyor <NUM> has a plurality of heads 4a each of which is movable, so as to pick up a rhinestone "S" from the pickup station <NUM>, move such a rhinestone "S" in the gluing station <NUM> to allow the application of the adhesive substance and subsequently release the rhinestone "S" on the element to be decorated in the release station <NUM>.

In the embodiment shown in the appended drawings, the transfer conveyor <NUM> comprises a turret 4b rotating about a rotation axis "X", preferably horizontal, i.e., substantially parallel to the ground, so that the closed feed path "A" is a circular path along which the stations <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the machine "M" are distributed. In such an embodiment, the heads 4a are angularly distributed around the turret 4b so that, in their movement along the closed feed path "A", they cross each station <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, facing the closed feed path "A" itself.

The transfer conveyor <NUM> is intermittently movable so that the picking up of a first rhinestone "S" in the pickup station <NUM> by a head 4a is simultaneous with the application of the adhesive substance on a second rhinestone "S", retained by a further head 4a in the gluing station <NUM>, and is also simultaneous with the release of a third rhinestone "S" by a further head 4a in the release station <NUM>.

In other words, the transfer conveyor <NUM> is movable so that, while a head 4a picks up a rhinestone "S" from the pickup station <NUM>, a further head 4a retains a rhinestone "S" in the gluing station <NUM> to allow the application of the adhesive substance and a further head 4a applies a rhinestone "S" on the element to be decorated in the release station <NUM>.

Advantageously, the simultaneous picking up, gluing and releasing of the rhinestones makes the machine "M" highly productive.

As shown in <FIG>, the machine "M" comprises, for each head 4a of the transfer conveyor <NUM>, a gripping portion 4a' arranged at one end of the head 4a itself. Such a gripping portion 4a' is configured to engage with a respective rhinestone "S" and retain it. Preferably, the gripping portion 4a' has an end surface counter-shaped to the decorated surface of the rhinestone "S" to be moved, so as to make the transfer of the rhinestones "S" between the stations <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> more secure, avoiding the risk of falls. Preferably, the gripping portions 4a' are movable by translation according to a linear motion alternated between a position distal to the head 4a, in which the gripping portion 4a' is at least partially extracted from the head 4a (<FIG>), and a position proximal to the head 4a, in which the gripping portion 4a' is at least partially retracted in the head 4a itself (<FIG>). Such a translation motion is particularly advantageous during the picking up and release of the rhinestones as will be described in detail below. Preferably, each head 4a, in order to retain a respective rhinestone "S" on the gripping portion 4a', is provided with a suction duct 4c connected or connectable to a vacuum pump (not shown) so as to exert a suction on the rhinestone "S".

In other words, in order for the rhinestone "S" to remain in contact with the gripping portion 4a' of the respective head 4a, the suction duct 4c is connected to a vacuum pump, so as to exert a retention of the rhinestone "S" by suction. Such suction is activated when the rhinestone "S" is picked up from the pickup station <NUM> and is maintained until the release station <NUM>, where such suction is interrupted to allow the release of the rhinestone "S" on the element to be decorated.

To activate and deactivate the suction, each head 4a comprises an active shutter (not shown) within the suction duct 4c between a closed position, in which it obstructs a connection opening between the suction duct 4c and the vacuum pump in order to interrupt the suction action, and an open position, in which the shutter is distanced from the opening in order to allow the suction action.

In use, therefore, in the pickup station <NUM>, the shutter occupies the open position in order to allow the head 4a to suction the rhinestone "S". The shutter maintains the open position during the movement of the head 4a along the closed feed path "A" so as to retain the rhinestone "S", for example during the application of the adhesive substance in the gluing station <NUM>. In the release station <NUM>, the shutter passes from the open position to the closed position in order to interrupt the suction and release the rhinestone "S" on the element to be decorated.

Advantageously, the suction action created by the cooperation of the shutter with the vacuum pump is mechanically simple, but at the same time reliable, making the machine "M" inexpensive and lightweight.

In use, therefore, to apply a rhinestone "S" on the element to be decorated by means of the machine "M" subject-matter of the present invention, the rhinestone "S" is picked up from the pickup station <NUM> by means of a head 4a of the transfer conveyor <NUM>.

During the picking up, the gripping portion 4a' of the head 4a passes from the proximal position to the distal position so that the gripping portion 4a' comes into contact with the decorated surface of a rhinestone "S". In such a situation, the shutter passes from the closed position to the open position so as to apply the suction action on the rhinestone "S" to retain such a rhinestone "S" on the gripping portion 4a' (<FIG>). Once the retaining action of the rhinestone "S" has been applied, the gripping portion 4a' returns again to the proximal position and the transfer conveyor <NUM> moves the head 4a, together with the rhinestone "S" just picked up, from the pickup station <NUM> to the gluing station <NUM> (<FIG>). In the gluing station <NUM>, while the rhinestone "S" is supported by the head 4a, the adhesive substance is applied at an outer portion (coinciding with the base surface) of the rhinestone "S" opposite an inner portion (coinciding with the decorated surface) of the rhinestone "S" itself subjected to retention by the respective gripping portion 4a'. In particular, therefore, the term "inner portion" means the rhinestone portion "S" retained within the gripping portion 4a' of the head 4a, while the term "outer portion" means the rhinestone "S" portion which remains exposed outside the gripping portion 4a'. At the end of the application of the adhesive substance, the transfer conveyor <NUM> moves the head 4a again provided with the rhinestone "S" along the closed feed path "A" so as to place it in the release station <NUM>. In said station <NUM>, the gripping portion 4a' of the head 4a of the transfer conveyor <NUM> passes from the proximal to the distal position to bring the rhinestone "S" closer to the element to be decorated so that the outer portion, on which the adhesive substance has been applied, comes into contact with the element to be decorated (<FIG>). At the same time, the shutter passes from the open position to the closed position so as to interrupt the suction of the rhinestone "S" which is thus released, passing from the gripping portion 4a' to the underlying element to be decorated.

In the preferred embodiment, in the release station <NUM>, the gripping portion 4a' is moved from the proximal to the distal position within a guide body 2a whose base 2a' performs the same translation motion of the gripping portion 4a' so as to accompany the rhinestone "S" towards the element to be decorated, engaging a pawl "N".

As illustrated in the embodiment of <FIG>, each head 4a of the transfer conveyor <NUM> comprises a pawl "N" configured to be engaged within the guide body 2a upon release of the rhinestone "S" in the release station <NUM>. Preferably, the guide body 2a is made in the form of an actuator in which the base 2a' is movable in translation closer to and away from the element to be decorated.

In such a situation, in the release station <NUM>, the pawl "N" of the head 4a is engaged within the guide body 2a so that, by moving the base 2a' in translation, also the gripping portion 4a' of the head 4a is moved in translation to accompany the rhinestone "S" towards the element to be decorated.

In accordance with other possible embodiments, further guide bodies 2a are arranged at other stations, for example at the pickup station <NUM> and the gluing station <NUM>, in which the base 2a' engages the pawl "N" and performs the same translation motion of the gripping portion 4a' to accompany the rhinestone "S" moving closer to and away from the respective station. Referring to the appended drawings, the stations <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the machine "M" subject-matter of the present invention are now described in detail.

As shown in <FIG>, the pickup station <NUM> comprises a feed conveyor 1a, preferably obtained in the form of a feed drum. The feed conveyor 1a has a front surface 1b provided with a succession of seats 1c each configured to contain at least one rhinestone "S".

Preferably, the seats 1c have a substantially circular shape in plan and have a depth such as to permanently accommodate the base surface of the rhinestones "S", but not the decorated surface thereof.

The feed conveyor 1a is movable, preferably in rotation, to cyclically bring at least one seat 1c at a pickup point "P" where the rhinestone "S" is picked up by a head 4a of the transfer conveyor <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the feed conveyor 1a brings a seat 1c containing a rhinestone "S" in the pickup point "P". In such a situation, the gripping portion 4a' of a head 4a of the transfer conveyor <NUM> is moved from the proximal to the distal position so that the end surface of the gripping portion 4a' comes into contact with the decorated surface of a first rhinestone "S". In such a situation, the shutter passes from the closed position to the open position so as to connect the suction duct 4c with the vacuum pump and exert a retaining action of the rhinestone "S" on the gripping portion 4a'.

Once the rhinestone "S" has been sucked from the gripping portion 4a', the gripping portion 4a' itself returns to the proximal position while the shutter maintains the open position so as to continue to act by suction on the rhinestone retaining it in contact with the gripping portion 4a'.

In such a situation, the transfer conveyor <NUM> is moved so that the head 4a, provided with the rhinestone "S" just picked up, passes into the gluing station <NUM>, while an additional head 4a occupies the pickup station <NUM>. In doing so, while in the gluing station <NUM> the adhesive substance is applied to the outer portion of the first rhinestone "S", a second rhinestone "S" is picked up from the feed conveyor 1a by means of a further head 4a.

In the preferred embodiment, the gluing station <NUM> comprises a gluing device 3a which is movable between a working position, in which the gluing device 3a is brought closer to the head 4a to apply a predetermined amount of adhesive substance to the rhinestone "S", and a rest position, in which the gluing device 3a is distanced from the head 4a.

Preferably, the gluing device 3a is provided with a spout 3a' configured to come into contact with the outer portion of the rhinestone "S" and release a precise and weighted amount of adhesive substance with respect to the size of the rhinestone "S".

Advantageously, by virtue of such a gluing device 3a it is possible to apply, without smudging, the adhesive substance also to very small rhinestones "S", preferably to rhinestones with dimensions up to <NUM>.

In a preferred embodiment, the gluing device 3a passes from the working position to the rest position and vice versa by means of a mode of translation.

Alternatively, the gluing device 3a passes from the working position to the rest position and vice versa by means of a rotation motion around an opposite end with respect to that from which the adhesive substance exits. In a further possible embodiment not shown, the gluing device 3a is stationary while it is the gripping portion 4a' to translate, passing from the proximal to the distal position so that the rhinestone "S" receives the adhesive substance.

In a further possible embodiment shown in <FIG>, the gluing station <NUM> comprises a conveyor belt 3b, preferably a polyester belt, and a gluing device 3a configured to cyclically deposit a predetermined amount of adhesive substance on the conveyor belt 3b. The conveyor belt 3b is movable by sliding in order to position such a predetermined amount of adhesive substance at the rhinestone "S", while the latter is retained by a respective gripping portion 4a'.

In other words, in such a situation, the gluing device 3a cyclically deposits an amount of adhesive substance on the conveyor belt 3b which, by sliding towards the head 4a placed in the gluing station <NUM>, positions the adhesive substance at the rhinestone "S". Advantageously, the use of a conveyor belt 3b, which can be of the disposable type or with a closed loop, gives the machine "M" a high gluing precision, as it allows a very small layer of glue, even less than one millimetre, to be spread on the rhinestone "S". In fact, the deposition of a strip of glue on the belt 3b and the subsequent dipping of the rhinestone "S" gives the machine "M" the ability to spread a layer of glue on the rhinestone.

In accordance with such a further embodiment which includes the use of a conveyor belt 3b, the gluing station <NUM> is positioned in place of an "empty" station <NUM> near the release station <NUM>.

In use, the transfer conveyor <NUM> retains the rhinestone "S" in the gluing station <NUM> so that the outer portion faces the gluing device 3a. In such a situation, the gluing device 3a passes from the rest position to the working position and applies the adhesive substance.

Once the adhesive substance has been applied to the rhinestone "S", the transfer conveyor <NUM> is moved again so that: (i) the head 4a retaining the first rhinestone, on which the adhesive substance has been placed, passes in the release station <NUM>; (ii) the head 4a retaining the second rhinestone passes from the pickup station <NUM> to the gluing station <NUM>; (iii) a further head 4a occupies the pickup station <NUM>. In doing so, while a third rhinestone is picked up in the pickup station <NUM> and the adhesive substance is applied to the second rhinestone in the gluing station <NUM>, the first rhinestone is applied to the element to be decorated in the release station <NUM>.

In other words, the picking up, applying and releasing steps are implemented in sequence, in particular by means of an intermittent movement of the transfer conveyor <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, the release station <NUM> comprises a support (not shown) for the element to be decorated configured to keep the element itself oriented according to a horizontal plane. Preferably, the support is movable by translation and/or rotation according to Cartesian directions, preferably horizontal, to determine the positioning of the rhinestone on the element to be decorated so as to create a desired decoration.

Advantageously, the presence of the movable support eliminates the need for the intervention of an operator who manually moves the element to be decorated in order to create the desired decoration, making the machine "M" automatic also in the deposit of the rhinestone "S" on the element to be decorated.

Advantageously, the possibility of automatically moving the element to be decorated makes the process of applying rhinestones faster and more efficient than a manual process.

Preferably, in the release station <NUM>, the head 4a occupies a position perpendicular to the support which is moved below it so as to provide the correct point of the element to be decorated exactly below the head 4a, where the rhinestone "S" must be applied.

In a preferred embodiment, the machine "M" is provided with a processing and control unit (not shown) configured to receive in input a diagram of the decoration to be made and to transmit in output corresponding signals related to the movement of the support so that, upon the release of the rhinestone "S" on the element to be decorated, the element to be decorated is correctly positioned below the head 4a.

In use, therefore, in the release station <NUM>, the support moves the element to be decorated so as to place the portion on which the rhinestone must be applied below the head 4a. In such a situation, the gripping portion 4a' of the head 4a of the transfer conveyor <NUM> passes from the proximal position to the distal position so as to bring the rhinestone "S" closer to the element to be decorated, at the same time, the shutter passes from the open position to the closed position to interrupt the suction action of the rhinestone "S". Once the suction on the rhinestone "S" has been interrupted, the latter is released from the gripping portion 4a' of the head 4a and is applied on the underlying element.

Advantageously, the cooperation between the head 4a and the support allows to obtain particularly complex decorations in a highly precise manner. According to a further aspect of the present invention, the machine "M" further comprises a monitoring station <NUM> interposed between the pickup station <NUM> and the gluing station <NUM> and facing the closed feed path "A".

As shown in <FIG>, the monitoring station <NUM> comprises a feeler 5a or abutment element configured to correct/detect a positioning of the rhinestone "S" placed on the head 4a.

If, for example, during the picking up of the rhinestone by the pickup portion 4a' of the head 4a, the rhinestone "S" is crooked with respect to the end surface of the gripping portion 4a' (i.e., the decorated surface of the rhinestone "S" is not entirely in contact with the gripping portion 4a'), the feeler 5a returns the rhinestone "S" to have the decorated surface entirely in contact with the end surface of the gripping portion 4a' and the outer portion entirely facing the stations <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, of the machine "M".

To correct such a positioning, the feeler 5a is movable according to an alternating linear motion between an extracted position (<FIG>), in which the feeler 5a is brought closer to the head 4a so that the rhinestone "S" is interposed between the feeler 5a and the head 4a, and a retracted position (<FIG>), in which the feeler 5a is distal with respect to the head 4a.

In use, therefore, in the monitoring station <NUM>, while the gripping portion 4a' retains the rhinestone "S" by suction, the feeler 5a passes from the retracted position to the extracted position to "straighten" the rhinestone "S" positioning it so that the outer portion is entirely facing outwards while the decorated surface is entirely in contact with the end surface of the gripping portion 4a' of the head 4a.

Advantageously, the possibility of correcting the positioning of the rhinestone on the head 4a prevents the adhesive substance from also being applied on the decorated surface of the rhinestone "S" in the gluing station <NUM>, making it opaque or ruining it.

Advantageously, the possibility of correcting the positioning of the rhinestone on the head 4a prevents the rhinestone "S" from being glued crooked in the release station <NUM>, i.e., having a part of the base portion visible, making the entire decoration visibly unpleasant.

Advantageously, the possibility of correcting the positioning of the rhinestones on the head 4a avoids having to remove the rhinestones "S" which have been poorly glued on the element to be decorated, reducing waste and the associated costs.

In the preferred embodiment, the feeler 5a is further configured to detect the presence of the rhinestone "S" on the head 4a and to generate a signal representative of a presence or absence condition of the rhinestone "S".

In the passage from the retracted position to the extracted one, the feeler 5a detects whether the rhinestone "S" is present on the head 4a or not. In the absence of the rhinestone "S", a signal representative of such a condition is generated and sent to the processing and control unit.

The processing and control unit is therefore further configured to process the representative signal and inhibit the application of the predetermined amount of adhesive substance in the gluing station <NUM> in the event of an absence condition of the rhinestone "S".

In other words, if the rhinestone "S" has not been picked up by the head 4a in the pickup station <NUM>, and therefore the feeler 5a detects an absence condition in the monitoring station <NUM>, the processing and control unit inhibits the movement of the gluing device 3a which does not deposit the adhesive substance on the empty head 4a.

Such an aspect is particularly advantageous, as it avoids a waste of adhesive substance when no rhinestone "S" has been placed on the head 4a. Furthermore, such an aspect is advantageous in that it prevents the substance from being deposited on the empty head 4a, clogging the suction duct 4c and therefore inhibiting a subsequent picking up of a rhinestone "S" by said head 4a.

In use, therefore, the transfer conveyor <NUM> moves a head 4a in the pickup station <NUM> so that the gripping portion 4a' passes from the proximal position to the distal position to pick up a rhinestone "S" from a seat 1c suitably placed at the pickup point "P" (<FIG>). Subsequently, the gripping portion 4a', together with the rhinestone, returns to the proximal position and the transfer conveyor <NUM> brings said head 4a to the monitoring station <NUM> so that a further head 4a occupies the pickup station <NUM>. In the monitoring station <NUM>, the feeler 5a passes from the retracted position to the extracted position so as to derive an absence or presence condition of the rhinestone "S" on the head 4a and, if present, correct the positioning thereof (<FIG>).

Once the feeler 5a is activated, the transfer conveyor <NUM> is moved again so that the head 4a passes from the monitoring station <NUM> to the gluing station <NUM>.

If the condition derived by the feeler 5a is a presence condition, the gluing device 3a passes from the rest position to the working position in the gluing station <NUM> to apply the adhesive substance on the rhinestone "S".

Once the adhesive substance has been applied, the transfer conveyor <NUM> moves the head 4a again, retaining the rhinestone "S", up to the release station <NUM> where the gripping portion 4a' passes from the proximal position to the distal position. In such a situation, the shutter passes from the open position to the closed position to interrupt the suction and release the rhinestone "S" on the element to be decorated.

The steps of picking up, applying, correcting the positioning of the rhinestone, deriving the representative signal and releasing the rhinestone are carried out simultaneously, as each station <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is occupied by a respective head 4a. At the end of each step, the transfer conveyor <NUM> is moved according to an intermittent movement so that each head 4a passes to the next station <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the machine "M" along the closed feed path "A".

In the preferred embodiment, between the monitoring station <NUM> and the gluing station <NUM>, as well as between the gluing station <NUM> and the release station <NUM>, there are "empty" stations <NUM>, i.e., stations <NUM> where the head 4a stops, while the previous and subsequent head 4a are in the "full" stations <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, between the monitoring station <NUM> and the gluing station <NUM> there is an empty station <NUM> in which a head 4a stops while the next head 4a is in the gluing station <NUM> and the previous one occupies the pickup station <NUM>. In such a situation, if there is no rhinestone "S" on a head 4a, or any other anomaly, the machine "M" has the necessary time to correct such an anomaly before bringing the rhinestone to one of the "full" stations <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

Advantageously, the machine "M" subject-matter of the present invention is fully automated and does not require any manual intervention by an operator.

Advantageously, the machine "M" is able to create complex decorations quickly and precisely.

In order to apply a rhinestone to an element to be decorated through the use of said machine "M" it is therefore possible to implement a plurality of picking up steps of a succession of rhinestones "S" by means of respective consecutive heads 4a of the transfer conveyor <NUM>. In particular, a step of picking up a first rhinestone "S" from the pickup station <NUM> is simultaneous with at least one step of applying the predetermined amount of glue to a second rhinestone "S" in the gluing station <NUM> and/or with a step of releasing a third rhinestone "S" from the head 4a on the element to be decorated in the release station <NUM> in order to increase the operating speed of the machine "M" itself.

Preferably, the step of correcting a position of the rhinestone "S" on a head 4a is also simultaneous with the step of deriving the representative signal in the monitoring station <NUM>.

Even more preferably, the two aforesaid steps are simultaneous with the picking up, applying, and releasing steps.

The present invention achieves the proposed objects, eliminating the disadvantages which have emerged in the prior art.

The machine "M" is fast and precise in order to meet the production rates required by the market.

Advantageously, the machine "M" is precise in that the gluing device 3a is able to deposit an amount of adhesive substance proportional to the size of the rhinestone "S" to be applied, thus avoiding smudging the adhesive substance on the decorated surface of the rhinestone.

The presence of the support in the release station <NUM> is also advantageous, as it allows an accurate and precise positioning of the rhinestones "S" even in the case of particularly complex decorations.

The machine "M" is fully automatic and, by virtue of the presence of the monitoring station <NUM>, does not require manual interventions even in the case of a failure to pick up a rhinestone "S" by a head 4a.

The machine "M" is also mechanically simple in its construction and operation.

The method of applying a rhinestone "S", subject-matter of the present invention, is reliable and precise for each type of rhinestone "S" to be applied and for each type of decoration to be made.

Claim 1:
A fully automatic machine (M) for applying rhinestones (S) to an element to be decorated, comprising:
- a pickup station (<NUM>) configured to supply a succession of rhinestones (S);
- a release station (<NUM>), arranged downstream of said pickup station (<NUM>), configured to allow a deposit of said rhinestone (S) on said element to be decorated;
- a gluing station (<NUM>), interposed between said pickup station (<NUM>) and said release station (<NUM>), configured to apply a predetermined amount of adhesive substance on said at least one picked up rhinestone (S);
- a transfer conveyor (<NUM>) provided with a succession of heads (4a), each head (4a) being configured to cyclically pick up a rhinestone (S) from said pickup station (<NUM>) and release the rhinestone (S) in said release station (<NUM>), each head being movable along a closed feed path (A) passing through said gluing station (<NUM>),
wherein said transfer conveyor (<NUM>) comprises a turret (4b) rotating about a rotation axis (X), preferably horizontal, so that said closed feed path (A) is a circular path along which said stations (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) are distributed;
wherein said transfer conveyor (<NUM>) is intermittently movable so that the picking up of a first rhinestone (S) in the pickup station (<NUM>) by a head (4a) is simultaneous with the application of the adhesive substance on a second rhinestone (S), retained by a further head (4a) in the gluing station (<NUM>), and is also simultaneous with the release of a third rhinestone (S) by a further head (4a) in the release station (<NUM>).