Patent Description:
Machines are known that allow the application of chemical substances on leathers, eco-leathers or synthetic leathers. Usually the chemicals to be applied can be represented by glues or adhesive substances, or by paints, or by layers comprising resins or polyurethane-based materials.

These known machines provide for example a conveyor line that places the leathers at the disposal of the treatment unit provided in the machine itself. In particular, the machine treatment unit is equipped with a roller on which the chemical substance to be applied to the leather is applied.

In known machines, the roller has, on its surface, a plurality of protrusions or recesses which allow the chemical substance to remain more attached to the roller.

Furthermore, the known machines provide a doctor blade which is pushed against the application roller by means of suitable pneumatic or hydrodynamic pistons, and this in order to remove the excess chemical substance.

The protrusions/recesses present on the surface of the roller, or in any case the surface of the roller in general, tend to wear out with use and this due to the abrasiveness of the chemical substance to be applied and/or the surface of the leather to be treated. The wear of the application roller means that, after a certain period of time, a too thin layer of chemical substance is deposited on the treated leathers, or, in extreme conditions, even that the deposition of chemical substance acting as a dye or glue is not uniform over the entire leather to be treated and, therefore, it happens that the treated leathers have lighter patches (where less chemical dye has been deposited, against the greater wear of the roller) and darker patches (where more chemical substance has been deposited dye, in the face of less wear of the roller) or in any case that the layer of chemical substance acting as glue is superficially distributed in a non-homogeneous way.

Currently, in order to monitor the operations of application of chemical substances on the leather and the state of wear of the application roller, to eventually implement the appropriate countermeasures, an operator is positioned downstream of the machine to visually check the quality of the treated leathers at the exit of the machine; in particular, if the operator visually detects signs of inhomogeneity on the treated leathers and on leaving the machine, the operator himself signals that the roller is worn out and that it is therefore necessary/appropriate to replace it.

However, this solution is not fully satisfactory as it requires the use of trained and dedicated operators, thus causing an undesirable increase in costs. Furthermore, the aforementioned control is carried out a posteriori on the leathers already treated and, therefore, the actual replacement of the roller takes place only after at least one leather has unacceptable quality standards, thus entailing an undesirable waste of leather. Furthermore, it is currently necessary for the operator to meticulously check all the leathers treated with the machine, otherwise it is likely that not one, but a plurality of leathers will be unsatisfactorily treated before the actual maintenance and/or replacement of the roller is carried out, further aggravating the disadvantages described above.

Furthermore, currently, in order to carry out different treatments, such as the use of different paints, or the deposition of greater or lesser quantities of colors, glue or other chemical substances in the fluid state, different and dedicated application rollers are mounted on the machine. To this end, some machines are equipped with a rotating frame on which a plurality of different rollers are applied and, if necessary, the frame can be rotated so as to bring the desired roller in correspondence with the leather to be treated, in order to thus apply on the latter the desired chemical. In this case it can be complicated to keep track of the operations carried out with each roller, and consequently of their state of wear. Therefore, in this context, it may undesirably happen that a roller is used without knowing its real state of wear.

<CIT> discloses a system for depositing a liquid on a sheet and subsequently forming an image.

<CIT> discloses a roller to which an IC tag is applied comprising a memory and the possibility of wireless communication for use in a photographic printing apparatus.

<CIT> discloses a rubber-coated roller for pressing a web of plant material obtained during tobacco processing. The roller has a plurality of concentric layers with different colors, in order to allow a quick and simple diagnosis of the wear to which the roller has been subjected.

<CIT> discloses an industrial roller which comprises a first signal carrying member seraially connected to a first set of sensor and a second signal carrying member serially connected to a second set of sensors.

<CIT> discloses an automatic wallpaper pasting machine comprising an ID tag storing identification information attached to a roller.

The purpose of the invention is to propose a machine for detecting and/or monitoring the wear of a roller for the application of chemical substances, preferably for the spreading of dyes and/or adhesives, on leathers, which solves at least in part the drawbacks of traditional solutions.

Another purpose of the invention is to propose a machine for automatically detecting and/or monitoring the wear of a roller for the application of chemical substances, preferably for the spreading of dyes and/or adhesives, on leathers.

Another object of the invention is to propose a machine for continuously, reliably and precisely detecting and/or monitoring the wear of a roller for the application of chemical substances, preferably for the spreading of dyes and/or or adhesives, on leathers.

Another object of the invention is to propose a machine which completely eliminates or at least significantly reduces any intervention and/or control by the operator.

Another object of the invention is to propose a machine which allows to foresee when it is necessary to carry out maintenance and/or replacement of an application roller.

Another object of the invention is to propose a machine which allows to know the state of the rollers used even in the case of the presence of interchangeable rollers.

Another purpose of the invention is to propose a machine that can be installed/used on-line in leather processing/treatment plants.

Another object of the invention is to propose a machine that can also be used in dirty or chaotic environments, such as a leather dyeing line.

Another object of the invention is to propose a machine that can be used to know the state of wear of a roller when it is mounted on a machine after having been previously used, and subsequently disassembled.

Another object of the invention is to propose a machine for monitoring the wear of a support roller.

Another object of the invention is to propose a machine for monitoring the wear of a support mat.

Another object of the invention is to propose a machine of simple construction and low cost, which can also be installed/implemented in existing and operational plants.

Another purpose of the invention is to propose a machine which has an alternative and/or improved characterization, both in constructive and functional terms, with respect to traditional solutions.

All these purposes, both individually and in any combination thereof, and others which will emerge from the following description, are achieved, according to the invention, with a machine for the application of chemical substances, preferably for the spreading of dyes and/or adhesives, on leathers according to claim <NUM>.

The present invention is here hereinafter further clarified in some of its preferred embodiments reported for purely illustrative and non-limiting purposes with reference to the attached drawing tables, in which:.

As is clear from the figures, the machine <NUM> according to the invention is preferably of the type configured to spread a chemical substance, preferably liquid and/or viscous, on a leather <NUM>.

It is understood that by "leather", here we mean two-dimensional leather products, natural and/or synthetic, in eco-leather, i.e. leather worked with specific methods and/or machine configured to reduce its environmental impact or in other synthetic materials, for example plastic, with characteristics similar or at least common to leather, and in general manufactured two-dimensional goods to be used in leather goods. Preferably, the leather articles to be treated are finished or substantially finished articles which are obtained in the final stages of the leather manufacturing, treatment and/or finishing processes.

In particular, the leather <NUM> can be of the discrete type - ie the articles to be processed can substantially be represented by a succession of single leathers separated and distinct from each other.

For example, said chemical substance can be a paint, or a glue, or a chemical substance suitable for making a coating on said leather <NUM>, such as a resin, preferably polymeric, or a polyurethane-based substance. In particular, said chemical substance may have different abrasiveness characteristics, which may depend on the particle size of any solid particles dispersed inside it, on the chemical composition, or on other properties.

Conveniently, the leather <NUM> can be made available by means of a suitable transport line, for example comprising a conveyor belt on which the leathers to be treated are positioned.

Advantageously, the machine <NUM> comprises at least a first roller <NUM> on which the chemical substance is deposited, preferably pouring it directly onto the roller at a blade <NUM> which can be applied to the first roller <NUM>. In particular, said blade can be positioned at the and/or or in contact with the surface of the first roller <NUM>. Advantageously, said at least one first roller <NUM> can have a plurality of recesses and/or protrusions <NUM> which allow said chemical substance to be retained on the roller itself.

Conveniently, the first roller <NUM> can be heated, in order to also perform a thermal treatment of the chemical substance to be deposited.

Advantageously, said at least one first roller <NUM> can be associated with at least one blade <NUM> (doctor blade) configured to remove any excess of said chemical substance which is present on said at least one first roller <NUM>.

Conveniently the first roller <NUM> can be rubber-coated.

Advantageously, the first roller <NUM>, and in particular its surface, can have an appropriate finishing, which for example can provide a plurality of recesses and projections, preferably ordered, in order to define asperities in which the chemical substance to be deposited can be collected.

Furthermore, the blade <NUM> is configured to define with the surface of the roller <NUM>, a basin, inside which the chemical substance to be deposited on the leather is poured and/or sprayed. Advantageously, the side walls of said basin can be made by means of a pair of laminar elements (not shown), which are positioned at the opposite ends of the blade <NUM>. Advantageously, said laminar elements can be configured to come into contact with the blade <NUM> and with the first roller <NUM> in order to prevent the chemical substance from escaping from the basin through passages that do not correspond to those desired, which are those in correspondence with the recesses and/or the points where the external surface of the first roller is not in contact with the blade <NUM>.

In a preferred embodiment said first roller <NUM> may be in the upper position with respect to the leather <NUM> to be treated in order to spread said chemical substance on the upper surface of said leather <NUM> to be treated. In an alternative embodiment, said roller can be in a lower position with respect to said leather to be treated, in order to spread said chemical substance on the lower surface of said leather <NUM>.

Advantageously in an embodiment shown in <FIG>, the machine <NUM>, can comprise a plurality of first rollers <NUM>, <NUM>' mounted on a frame <NUM> which allows to change the roller that must come into contact with said leather <NUM>. For example, there may be three or four first rollers <NUM>, <NUM>', preferably positioned at the vertices of a regular polygon. Advantageously, the frame <NUM> can rotate around an axis passing for the center of the polygon formed by the first rollers <NUM>, in order to change the roller which is in a position suitable for depositing said chemical substance on said leather <NUM>. Advantageously said first rollers <NUM> can have said recesses and/or protrusions in a different arrangement, or they can have a different shape and/or density, in order to deposit a greater or lesser quantity of said chemical substance on said leather <NUM>, according to the needs.

Conveniently, said at least one first roller <NUM> can be rotated by a motor (not shown), preferably electric, in a direction which can be equirotating or counter-rotating with respect to the direction of advancement of the leather along the transport line. Advantageously, said motor can be configured to rotate said first roller <NUM> with a speed of at least <NUM>, and preferably between about <NUM> and <NUM>. Conveniently, the rotation speed of the motor can be detected by means of a suitable sensor, preferably an optical sensor, or alternatively it can be measured by analyzing the working frequency of the motor, and in particular of the inverter that allows it to rotate.

Conveniently, said first roller <NUM> is associated with a first recognition element <NUM> which allows to univocally recognize said first roller <NUM>.

For example, said first recognition element <NUM> can comprise a frame number or in any case a stamped and/or engraved alphanumeric code on said first roller <NUM>, or on a plate associated with the roller itself.

Alternatively, said first recognition element <NUM> can comprise a succession of high contrast graphic elements substantially defining a code uniquely associated with said first roller <NUM>. Advantageously, said sequence can be one-dimensional - ie the graphic elements follow one another along a line - thus substantially defining a barcode, or it can be two-dimensional - ie the graphic elements follow one another on a surface - thus essentially defining a QR code.

Said first recognition element <NUM> comprises a first memory <NUM> configured to store information relating to said first roller <NUM> and/or its conditions of use, and/or the duration of its use and/or its state of wear. Advantageously, the first memory <NUM> is of the rewritable type. Advantageously, said first recognition element <NUM> comprises an electronic label configured to be written and/or read by means of proximity. According to the claimed invention, the first recognition element <NUM> comprises a circuit which acts substantially as a receiver and/or transmitter, in the radio frequency range. Basically, the first recognition element <NUM> is an RFID tag. Advantageously, in this way it is possible to modify, even in real time and in conditions of use, the information that is stored on the plate, and which therefore can represent and/or be referred to the state of wear in real time of the first roller <NUM>. Advantageously the label can be of the active, passive, semi-active, or semi-passive type, and is preferably of the passive type.

According to the claimed invention, the first recognition element <NUM> is inserted inside a suitable recess positioned on one of the two bases of the first roller <NUM>, and is advantageously closed again, so as to protect the recognition element itself. Advantageously, the recess can be closed so as not to compromise and/or disturb the reading of the associated information on said first recognition element <NUM>, as will be clear later. For example, this can be achieved by filling the recess itself with a suitable resin which is substantially transparent to electromagnetic radiation in the frequency range that is of interest. In particular, this can allow the first recognition element <NUM> to be repaired from splashes of paint or other chemical substances deriving from the rotation of the first roller <NUM>.

In one embodiment, said machine <NUM> can comprise a second roller <NUM>, preferably with a diameter greater than the first roller <NUM>. Said second roller <NUM> can be configured to be in contrast with said first roller <NUM>, that is, to come into contact with and/or to be in correspondence with the surface of the leather <NUM> which does not come into contact with said first roller <NUM>. In an embodiment said second roller <NUM> can also be configured to spread a further chemical substance on the face of the leather <NUM> which is opposite to that on which said first roller <NUM> spreads said chemical substance.

In a preferred embodiment, the second roller <NUM> can be configured to contact the lower surface of the leather <NUM> to be treated. In an alternative embodiment said second roller <NUM> can be configured to come into contact with the upper surface of the leather <NUM> to be treated.

Advantageously, said second roller <NUM> can be associated with a mat <NUM> configured to dampen the vibrations to which the leather <NUM> to be treated can be subjected, in order to make the coating of the chemical substance more homogeneous. In particular, said mat <NUM> can be made of polymeric materials or natural rubbers, preferably soft ones. In particular, the mat <NUM> can cover only the curved surface of the second roller <NUM>. In particular the mat <NUM> can be configured to come into contact with the surface of said leathers <NUM> on which said chemical substance is not applied.

In one embodiment, said mat <NUM> can be positioned substantially around and/or completely wraps said second roller <NUM>. In another embodiment, said mat <NUM> can substantially be a conveyor belt, configured to only partially wind said further roller <NUM> and be subsequently sent back to further rollers of the conveyor line. In a further embodiment, said mat <NUM> can be substantially part of said second roller <NUM>, which can therefore be a rubber-coated roller. A further support layer <NUM>' can be associated with said mat <NUM>, for example made of canvas, which allows the mat itself to be supported. Preferably, said further support layer <NUM> can be associated with the surface of the mat <NUM> which is not intended to come into contact with the leathers <NUM> to be treated.

Said mat <NUM> can in turn be subject to wear, due to the repeated transit of the leathers <NUM> in contact with its surface, and this can lead to its thinning, even inhomogeneous, and also can cause its cracking and/or breaking as a result of repeated stretching. This can lead to an uneven distribution of the chemical substance.

Conveniently, said second roller <NUM> can include a second recognition element <NUM>, substantially similar to the first recognition element <NUM>. In particular, it can be associated in a manner similar to that with which the first recognition element <NUM> is associated with the first roller <NUM>, for example inserted inside an appropriate indentation on one of the base faces or on the curved surface.

Conveniently, the mat <NUM> can be associated with a third recognition element <NUM>, for example positioned at and/or near one of its side edges. Alternatively, the third recognition element <NUM> can be positioned in correspondence with and/or in proximity to and/or facing the first recognition element <NUM> - ie positioned on the same side with respect to the apparatus <NUM> and the machine <NUM>. Preferably the third recognition element <NUM> can be positioned between said further support layer <NUM>' and said mat <NUM>.

Conveniently said second recognition element <NUM> can comprise a second memory <NUM>, substantially similar to the first memory <NUM>.

Conveniently said third recognition element <NUM> can comprise a third memory <NUM> substantially similar to said second memory <NUM> and/or to said first memory <NUM>.

According to the claimed invention, the machine <NUM> further comprises a first reading element <NUM> configured to read the information associated with said first recognition element <NUM>. For example, said first reading element <NUM> can be a barcode and/or Q-code reader R, or it can be a video camera configured to detect the frame number stamped and/or engraved on said first roller <NUM> or on a tag associated with it, or it can be a radio frequency circuit configured to read the information stored on said RFID tag.

Advantageously, the first reading element <NUM> can be positioned on the machine <NUM> in correspondence with and/or facing the first recognition element <NUM>, for example at the base of the first roller <NUM> to which the recognition element itself is applied.

Advantageously, in the embodiment in which the second recognition element <NUM> and/or the third recognition element <NUM> are present, the first reading element <NUM> can be configured to read and/or write information both on said recognition element <NUM> and on said second <NUM> and/or third <NUM> recognition element. Alternatively, the machine <NUM> can comprise a second reading element <NUM> configured to read information from said second recognition element <NUM>, and in particular from said second memory <NUM> and/or a third reading element <NUM> configured to read information from said third recognition element <NUM>, and in particular from said third memory <NUM>.

Conveniently said first reading element <NUM>, and/or said second reading element <NUM> and/or said third recognition element <NUM> can be connected to a suitable configured control and processing unit to process and/or store the information read by the devices themselves. Advantageously, the control and processing unit can be the same that controls the machine <NUM>, and in particular the rotation of said at least one first roller <NUM> and/or of said second roller <NUM>, or it can be different. Advantageously, the control and processing unit can be positioned remotely with respect to the machine <NUM>, so as to protect it from any environmental factors that could damage it. Advantageously, the connection between said first reading element <NUM>, said second reading element <NUM> and said third recognition element <NUM> and said control and processing unit can be made via cable or wireless.

In one embodiment, the first reading element <NUM> and/or the second reading element <NUM> and/or the third recognition element <NUM> may not be present, and the reading of the information relating to the first roller <NUM> and/or the second roller <NUM> and/or the mat <NUM> can be made by an operator, who subsequently inserts the data into the control and processing unit.

In another embodiment, the machine <NUM> may further comprise at least a first writing element <NUM> configured to store suitable information on the first recognition element <NUM>, and in particular on the first storage device writing <NUM>.

In particular, for example, said writing element can substantially comprise a radiofrequency antenna configured to store information on said first recognition element <NUM>, and in particular in said storage element <NUM>.

In a preferred embodiment, said writing element <NUM> can be included in said first reading element <NUM>.

in addition, the machine <NUM>, and in particular applying apparatus <NUM>, may comprise a second writing element <NUM> configured to write information on said second recognition element <NUM>.

in addition, the machine <NUM>, and in particular the apparatus application <NUM>, may comprise a third writing element <NUM> configured for writing information on said third recognition element <NUM>.

In one embodiment the first writing element <NUM> and/or the second writing element <NUM> and/or the third writing element <NUM> can coincide.

In a further embodiment said second writing element <NUM> and said third writing element <NUM> can coincide with and be separate and distinct from said first writing element <NUM>. In a further embodiment said second writing element can be included in said second reading element <NUM> and said third writing element <NUM> can be included in said third reading element <NUM>.

Advantageously, the information detected by the machine <NUM> can comprise:.

Advantageously, said information can be suitably stored and/or processed by the control and processing unit.

Conveniently, said information can be inserted directly into said control and processing unit by an operator, or it can be automatically detected by the control and processing unit itself.

Advantageously, an appropriate algorithm can be implemented in the control and processing unit which, starting from one or more of the information acquired by the control unit itself, is able to define the degree of wear and/or the expected residual useful-life of the first roller <NUM> and/or of the second roller <NUM> and/or of the mat <NUM> on the basis of the detected information.

Advantageously, said information can be stored in said first memory <NUM> and/or in said second memory <NUM> and/or in said third memory <NUM> by means of the first writing element <NUM> and/or the second writing element <NUM> and/or the third writing element <NUM>, in order, for example, to be subsequently read by said first reading element <NUM> and/or second reading element <NUM> and/or said third reading element <NUM> and transmitted to said control and processing unit.

Alternatively, said information can be stored and/or recorded on any other storage and/or recording medium.

Advantageously, the control and processing unit can comprise a suitable software module configured to store in a suitable database and organize in an orderly manner the information received from the first reading element <NUM> and/or from the second reading element <NUM> and/or from the third reading element <NUM>.

Conveniently, moreover, said first software module can be configured to implement suitable algorithms which, on the basis of the information entered and appropriate parameters, for example including the history of information relating to the use of other rollers, or information predefined by the manufacturer, and the information stored in said database is able to define the degree of wear and/or the expected residual useful-life span of said first roller <NUM> and/or said second roller <NUM> and/or said mat <NUM>. In particular, the first roller <NUM> and/or second roller <NUM> and/or mat <NUM> are defined as worn if one or more parameters measured or calculates ti result outside the predefined and/or operator-selected tolerance ranges. For example, the state of wear can be defined by the control and processing unit, based on the information contained therein, possibly processed according to suitable algorithms.

Furthermore, the control and processing unit can comprise a second software module configured to control the writing element <NUM>, and/or the second writing element <NUM> and/or the third writing element <NUM>, in order to control which information is written in said first memory <NUM> or in said second memory <NUM> or in said third memory <NUM>.

Conveniently, when the degree of wear of the first roller <NUM> and/or of the second roller <NUM> and/or of the mat <NUM> is higher than a predefined value and/or selected by the operator, the first software module can send a message (for example a notification, or in any other way by means of suitable output means) to the operator, in order to request a control and/or maintenance operation and/or replacement of the roller and/or the mat itself.

The operation of the machine <NUM> according to the invention is clear from the foregoing, and in particular it can comprise one or more of the following operations.

The first roller <NUM>, on which the first recognition element <NUM> has been installed, can be installed in the machine <NUM> and spread with said chemical substance.

Similarly, the second roller <NUM> and/or the mat <NUM> on which the second <NUM> and the third <NUM> recognition element have been installed respectively can also be installed on the machine <NUM>.

Subsequently, the conveyor line is activated so as to make available the leathers <NUM> to the machine <NUM>.

Advantageously, the operator can record the operating parameters and/or the appropriate information in the control and processing unit. Alternatively, all or some of the information can be automatically detected by the machine <NUM> by means of suitable sensors.

Advantageously, the control and processing unit can send appropriate commands in order to store said operating parameters and/or said appropriate information on the first memory <NUM> of the first recognition element <NUM> and/or on the second memory <NUM> of the second recognition element <NUM> and/or on the third memory <NUM> of the third recognition element <NUM>.

Subsequently, in one embodiment, the leathers <NUM> are made to pass into contact with the first roller <NUM> so that the chemical substance is spread on the surface of the leathers themselves. In this phase the leathers <NUM> are supported by the second roller <NUM>, and more particularly by the mat <NUM> (if present).

Correspondingly, relevant information and/or operating parameters are detected and/or recorded.

Advantageously, if the first recognition element <NUM> comprises the first memory <NUM> and/or the second recognition element <NUM> comprises the second memory <NUM> and/or the third recognition element <NUM> comprises the third memory <NUM>, it is possible for the operator to enter in said control and processing unit the information relating for example to the nature of the leather <NUM> and/or of the chemical substance, in order to allow it to be stored inside the storage element. Alternatively, the information can be stored inside the control and processing unit.

Subsequently, if it is necessary to replace the first roller <NUM> with a further first roller <NUM>', for example to carry out a different process, or to spread a further chemical substance different from said chemical substance, the first reading element <NUM> can detect the presence of a further first roller <NUM>' different from the first roller <NUM> thanks to the further first recognition element <NUM>' (substantially similar to said first recognition element <NUM>) present on said further first roller <NUM>'. Similarly, it is possible to carry out the same operations if it is necessary to replace the second roller <NUM> and/or the mat <NUM>.

Advantageously, the procedure for acquiring and/or storing the information is unchanged with respect to that used for the first roller <NUM>.

Conveniently, the data relating to different rollers <NUM>, <NUM>' are stored separately and in an orderly manner by the first software module executed on said control and processing unit. In this way it is possible to monitor the state of wear of several rollers <NUM>, <NUM>' even if these have to be used for periods of time interspersed with each other, or if they are used again after a period of inactivity.

Advantageously, the stored information is used to define the state of wear of the first roller <NUM>, <NUM>'. In particular, the information detected can be compared with the parameters which are stored inside said control and processing unit.

Claim 1:
Machine (<NUM>) for detecting and/or monitoring the wear of a roller for spreading a fluid/viscous chemical substance such as for example a dyes and/or adhesives on a leather (<NUM>), said machine (<NUM>) comprising a first roller (<NUM>), configured to spread said chemical substance on said leather (<NUM>), and to which a recognition element (<NUM>) is associated, which allows to univocally recognize said first roller (<NUM>) and comprises a corresponding first memory (<NUM>), said machine (<NUM>) being associated with a reading element (<NUM>) configured to reading the information stored in said first memory (<NUM>), characterized in that said first memory (<NUM>) is comprised within a first RFID tag and in that said first recognition element (<NUM>) is inserted inside a suitable reclosable recess positioned on one of the two bases of said first roller (<NUM>).