IT201900007989A1 - MACHINE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF MODULAR WALLS AND RELATED PROCEDURE - Google Patents

Description

Description of the invention having as title:

"MACHINE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF MODULAR WALLS AND RELATED PROCEDURE"

FIELD OF APPLICATION

Embodiments described herein refer to a machine for the production of modular walls and to a related process.

These modular walls are made of plywood, chipboard or similar or similar materials and are used for the construction of walls in the field of civil construction or for exhibition stands, offices, showrooms or the like.

STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE

In the field of temporary and definitive building constructions, the use of modular and decomposable walls is known, for example plasterboard walls, chipboard walls or honeycomb walls, to cover internal walls or define internal partition walls of environments.

Such known walls normally require complex and costly installations. In fact, the installation of such walls normally requires expert or specialized labor. For example, installation may require the construction of a scaffold or the presence of a supporting wall on which to install these walls.

Such known walls are generally used for aesthetic applications as they are easily interchangeable or for temporary constructions such as, for example, exhibition stands. Generally, therefore, such known walls are not suitable for resisting considerable loads and / or for acoustically and thermally insulating certain environments.

Furthermore, known walls normally require complicated and often expensive procedures, in terms of costs and times, to be recycled and / or disposed of in landfills. This aspect, together with the complicated and cumbersome installation, determines high production and management costs of said walls.

Over the years, the need has arisen to perfect a modular wall that can overcome at least one of the drawbacks of the technique by defining a compromise between ease of installation, structural resistance, acoustic and thermal insulation and eco-sustainability and that can be used in permanent or temporary building constructions.

Therefore, there is a need to improve a machine for the production of modular walls and a relative process which allow the aforesaid modular wall to be produced in a simple and fast way.

In particular, an object of the present invention is the realization of a machine for the production of modular walls that can be easily installed even by an inexperienced user and that require a simple and quick installation.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a compact and efficient machine for the production of modular walls capable of producing standardized modular walls of high quality and in a short time.

A further object of the present invention is the realization of a machine for the production of modular walls, applicable in civil construction, in easily recyclable material and at the same time with good properties of resistance to loads and thermal and acoustic insulation.

A further object of the present invention is to define a method for producing modular walls which can be used in temporary and / or definitive building constructions which is fast and efficient.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a modular wall that can be easily installed, economically convenient, easily recyclable and usable both for temporary constructions such as exhibition stands or showrooms and for definitive or semi-definitive constructions in homes, shopping centers, offices or the like.

In order to obviate the drawbacks of the known art and to obtain these and further objects and advantages, the Applicant has studied, tested and implemented the present invention.

EXPOSURE OF THE FOUND

The present invention is expressed and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims disclose other features of the present invention or variants of the main solution idea.

In accordance with the aforementioned purposes, a machine for the production of modular walls in accordance with the present invention comprises, arranged in succession along a common work axis, a loading / unloading station, an adhesive dispensing station, a nailing station , an assembly station, said machine comprising a mobile carriage with reciprocating motion along the work axis in a return path between the loading / unloading station and the assembly station.

The present invention also relates to a method for producing modular walls provided with at least a first panel and a second panel opposite each other and with one or more longitudinal uprights interposed between the first panel and the second panel.

According to the invention, this method provides for:

- load the first panel on a trolley and the uprights in a temporary position on the first panel to define a provisional panel-uprights assembly;

- dispensing glue longitudinally both above the uprights arranged in the temporary position and on the first panel in a longitudinal position coordinated with a definitive fixing position of the uprights on the first panel;

- assemble the panel-uprights assembly with the second panel after moving the uprights from the temporary position to the final fixing position on the first panel;

- nail the uprights to the first panel and to the second panel to define the modular wall;

- unloading the modular wall obtained;

said method providing to move the mobile trolley along a work axis in a forward path between said loading step and said assembling step and in a return path between the assembling step and said unloading step.

Advantageously, the aforementioned machine and the aforementioned method make it possible to produce modular walls in a space with limited bulk and high productivity since the trolley performs an alternating motion from the loading / unloading station to the assembly station at least halving the size of the machine and at the same time speeding up the processing phases.

In fact, this method can be easily automated allowing the production of standardized modular panels in a fast, safe and efficient way.

In accordance with the present invention, a modular wall comprises:

- at least a first panel and a second panel opposite each other;

- a plurality of longitudinal uprights interposed between the first panel and the second panel and fixed to the latter, of which one or more intermediate uprights and, respectively on one side and the other of said one or more intermediate uprights, a first side upright protruding laterally from the panels defining a longitudinal protruding portion with respect to the latter and an opposed second lateral upright which falls laterally to the panels defining a longitudinal housing seat having a shape conjugated to the aforementioned protruding portion and configured to accommodate a respective protruding portion of another modular wall to be connected in an adjacent position.

This modular wall is easy and quick to install without the use of dedicated equipment and without the intervention of specialized operators.

Furthermore, this modular wall is made of wood that is easily recyclable and workable.

Consequently, this modular wall allows to reduce the costs of installation / dismantling, production and landfilling with respect to the known art.

Furthermore, this modular wall is made using the aforementioned method and the aforementioned machine so as to have high resistance to loads and stresses, making it suitable for use in civil construction as well as for temporary and temporary constructions such as exhibition stands, showrooms or other type of temporary set-ups.

The present invention also relates to an assembly of modular walls comprising at least two modular walls, as previously described, arranged side by side and connected to each other being the protruding portion of a modular wall inserted by interlocking into a mating housing seat of an adjacent modular wall. Advantageously, this assembly of modular walls can be easily installed and / or dismantled since it consists of the aforementioned modular walls.

ILLUSTRATION OF DRAWINGS

These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following description of embodiments, provided by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings in which:

- fig. 1 is a top view of a machine for the production of modular walls in accordance with the present invention;

- fig. 2 is a side view of the machine of fig. 1;

- fig. 3 is a top view of the modular wall in accordance with the present invention; - fig. 4 is a side view of the modular wall of fig. 3;

- figs. 5-8 are schematic illustrations of the production steps of the modular wall of fig. 3;

- figs. 9-13 are schematic illustrations of possible applications of the modular wall in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numbers have been used wherever possible to identify identical common elements in the figures. It should be understood that elements and features of one embodiment can be conveniently incorporated into other embodiments without further specification.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the various embodiments of the invention, of which one or more examples are illustrated in the attached figures. Each example is provided by way of illustration of the invention and is not intended as a limitation thereof. For example, the features illustrated or described as being part of an embodiment may be adopted on, or in association with, other embodiments to produce a further embodiment. It is understood that the present invention will include these modifications and variations.

Before describing the embodiments, it is further clarified that the present description is not limited in its application to the construction and arrangement details of the components as described in the following description using the attached figures. The present disclosure may provide other embodiments and be embodied or practiced in various other ways. Furthermore, it is clarified that the phraseology and terminology used here is for descriptive purposes and should not be considered as limiting.

With reference to the attached figures, in particular to figs. 3-4, a modular wall 10 according to the present invention comprises:

- at least a first panel 11 and a second panel 12 opposite each other; - a plurality of longitudinal uprights 13, 13a, 13b interposed between the first panel 11 and the second panel 12 and fixed to the latter.

In particular, the plurality of uprights 13, 13a, 13b comprises at least one intermediate upright 13 and, respectively on one side and the other of the at least one intermediate upright 13, a first lateral upright 13a and an opposite second lateral upright 13b .

The first lateral upright 13a can have a width ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 times the width of the second lateral upright 13b and / or at least one intermediate upright 13.

The first lateral upright 13a protrudes laterally from the panels 11, 12 defining a protruding portion 14 longitudinal with respect to the latter. For example, the width of the protruding portion 14, ie the dimension which protrudes laterally to the panels 11, 12, can be between 2 cm and 6 cm, preferably 3 cm and 4 cm.

The second lateral upright 13b retracts laterally to the panels 11, 12 defining a longitudinal housing seat 15.

This longitudinal housing seat 15 is of a shape conjugated to the aforementioned protruding portion 14 and configured to accommodate a respective protruding portion 14 of another modular wall 10 'to be connected in an adjacent position (figs. 9-10). According to an embodiment, the longitudinal housing seat 15 can have a depth greater than the width of the protruding portion 14 so as to ensure the complete insertion of the protruding portion 14 of a modular wall 10 in the longitudinal housing seat 15 of another modular wall 10 '. For example, the depth of the longitudinal housing seat 15 can provide for an increase of between 1 cm and 3 cm with respect to the width of the protruding portion 14. According to an embodiment, the first panel 11 and the second panel 12 are rectangular in shape and substantially parallel to each other.

According to an embodiment, the uprights 13, 13a, 13b are arranged substantially parallel to each other between the first panel 11 and the second panel 12. Furthermore, the uprights 13, 13a, 13b define through spaces 19 inside the modular wall 10 Such hollow spaces 19 can be advantageously used for the passage of the hydraulic and / or electrical connections during the installation of the modular walls 10, 10 'without the need to realize specialized passages for such connections, making the wall 10 easily standardizable. In addition, thermally insulating and / or sound-absorbing materials can be inserted in these passing cavities 19 to increase the thermal and acoustic insulation of the modular wall 10. In this way, this modular wall 10 can be easily and conveniently applied also in civil construction.

According to an embodiment, the uprights 13, 13a, 13b are connected to the first and second panels 11, 12 by means of fixing means 16.

Such fastening means 16 can comprise, for example, nails or similar or similar elements.

According to an embodiment, the uprights 13, 13a, 13b are connected to the first and second panels 11, 12 by means of glue 17.

According to an embodiment, the uprights 13, 13a, 13b are connected to the first and second panels 11, 12 by means of glue 17 and fastening means 16 ensuring a high seal and mechanical resistance to loads.

According to an embodiment, the length of the uprights 13, 13a, 13b is shorter than the length of the first and second panels 11, 12 so as to define two opposite transverse seats 18 which extend along the width of the modular wall 10.

These transverse seats 18 make it possible to facilitate the laying and installation of the modular walls 10, 10 'as will be described in more detail below.

According to an embodiment, the first panel 11, the second panel 12 and the uprights 13, 13a, 13b are made of wood material, for example chipboard, plywood, MDF or similar or similar materials. Advantageously, this material is easily recyclable, requiring reduced disposal, construction and installation costs. Furthermore, these modular walls 10, 10 'have a greater resistance to loads than the known modular walls.

According to the invention, with reference to figs. 10-12, an assembly of modular walls 100 comprises at least two modular walls 10, 10 'arranged side by side and connected to each other being the protruding portion 14 of a modular wall 10 inserted by interlocking into a mating longitudinal housing 15 of a modular wall 10 'adjacent.

According to embodiments illustrated by way of example in figs. 11-13, the assembly of modular walls 100 includes at least a first modular wall 10 arranged at an angle with respect to a second modular wall 10 'side by side and connected to the aforementioned first modular wall 10.

In particular, the angled connection between the first 10 and the second modular wall 10 'can be a transverse coupling, defining the reciprocal connection surfaces an offset coupling between respective protruding and staggered portions of the panels 11, 12 (fig. 11), or a butt coupling substantially at 90 ° between the panels 11, 12 (fig. 12).

By way of non-limiting example, the mutual connection surfaces in the transverse coupling can be arranged staggered, facilitating subsequent installation operations. In this case, the reciprocal connection surfaces may require a prior shaping operation to define respective protruding and staggered connection portions of the panels 11, 12, so as to ensure correct connection between the two modular walls 10, 10 ', as illustrated in fig. 11.

According to an embodiment, the modular walls 10, 10 'arranged at an angle can be fixed to each other by gluing and / or mechanical fixing, for example by means of screws. In this case, the reciprocal connection surfaces between the first 10 and the second modular wall 10 'can be suitably cut or shaped.

According to an embodiment, the walls 10, 10 'arranged at an angle can be fixed to each other by interlocking. In this case, further coupling uprights 13c associated externally to at least one of the panels 11, 12 of at least one first modular wall 10 can be provided. Said coupling upright 13c therefore protrudes laterally from the first modular wall 10 and can be configured to couple head transversely with a longitudinal housing 15 for a second modular wall 10 'to define an assembly of modular walls 100 substantially angled at 90 ° to each other.

According to an embodiment, this coupling upright 13c can be laterally associated (fig. 12) to at least one of the panels 11, 12 of at least a first modular wall 10 to define a substantially "L" -shaped coupling with a second modular wall 10 ' .

According to an embodiment, this coupling upright 13c can be associated substantially centrally to at least one of the panels 11, 12 of at least a first modular wall 10 to define a substantially "T" coupling with a second modular wall 10 ', as can be seen for example in fig. 13. This solution, for example, can be used to define partition walls within a room.

The assembly of modular walls 100 with walls 10, 10 'arranged at an angle to each other may have on one side a longitudinal housing seat 15 to accommodate a protruding portion 14 of a modular wall 10 side by side and on the other a protruding portion 14 arranged for be inserted in the longitudinal housing 15 of a further wall 10 'flanked to define the aforementioned assembly of modular walls 100. It is not excluded that this assembly of modular walls 100 may have respective longitudinal housing 15 or respective housings on both sides projecting portions 14 configured for connection with respective modular walls 10, 10 '.

According to one embodiment, for the installation of the modular walls 10, 10 'a method of laying them can be provided.

With reference to fig. 9, the installation method provides for the arrangement of guide strips 30 on a support surface 32 according to a scheme of realization of the final wall to be obtained. For example, these guide blocks 30 can be arranged on the support surface 32 to define a square which in plan defines, for example, the outline of a square-sized room for which the walls are to be created. Furthermore, these guide strips 30 are firmly fixed to the support surface 32.

The installation method subsequently provides for the vertical arrangement of the modular walls 10, 10 'so that the guide blocks 30 fit into the transverse seats 18 of the modular walls 10, 10' and that the modular walls 10, 10 'arranged side by side between they are connected by means of the interlocking of the protruding portion 14 of a wall 10 in the longitudinal housing seat 15 of the other side-by-side wall 10 '.

According to one embodiment, the installation method also provides for the insertion of connecting strips 31 in the upper transverse seats 18 at least between a modular wall 10 and another adjacent modular wall 10 '. In particular, the upper transverse seats 18 of the modular walls 10, 10 'arranged vertically are those opposite the aforementioned transverse seats 18 in contact with the guide strips 30 and can be indicated as lower. This solution makes it possible to strengthen the resulting assembly of modular walls 100 by further constraining the coupling between adjacent modular walls 10, 10 '.

Furthermore, these connecting strips 31 could be associated with a covering element (not shown) configured to close the resulting assembly of modular walls 100 at the top, simplifying the installation operations of this covering element.

According to an embodiment, the installation method provides for the fixing by gluing and / or mechanical connection (for example screws) of the guide strips 30 and / or connecting strips 31 to the first and second panels 11, 12 of the modular walls 10, 10 ' to strengthen the structural stability of the modular wall assembly 100.

The installation method can also provide for the fixing by gluing and / or mechanical connection (for example screws) of the modular walls 10, 10 'with respective modular walls 10, 10' adjacent, again to strengthen and consolidate the assembly of modular walls 100.

The installation method can also provide for the subsequent creation of through openings in the assembly of modular walls 100 to define, for example, windows and / or doors. Furthermore, the installation method can provide for the drilling of only one between the first panel 11 and the second panel 12 of the modular wall assembly 100 to define the access / exit points of the electrical and / or hydraulic connections.

According to the invention, with reference to figs. 1-2, a machine for the production of modular walls 10 comprises, arranged in succession along the common work axis X, a loading / unloading station 111, an adhesive dispensing station 113, a nailing station 112, a assembly 114.

The machine also comprises a carriage 119 movable with reciprocating motion along the work axis X in a forward path (indicated with an arrow A) and a return path (indicated with an arrow R) between the loading / unloading station 111 and the assembly station 114.

Therefore, the trolley 119 is configured to slide, through the aforementioned stations 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, in reciprocating motion along the work axis X having the starting point coinciding with the arrival point. This solution allows to considerably reduce the overall dimensions of the machine 110 while ensuring high productivity.

According to an embodiment, the loading / unloading station 111 is associated with a first magazine for loading panels 11 and uprights 13, 13a, 13b. This first loading warehouse 116 can provide, for example, three storage areas, one for the first panels 11, one for the first lateral uprights 13a and one for the remaining uprights 13b, 13.

According to an embodiment illustrated by way of example in fig. 1, the first loading magazine 116 can be provided aligned parallel with the loading / unloading station 111 so as to facilitate the loading operations of the assembly of panels 11 and uprights 13, 13a, 13b from the first loading magazine 116 to the trolley 119.

In the loading / unloading station 111 the first panel 11 is positioned on the trolley 119 and the uprights 13, 13a, 13b are arranged longitudinally in a temporary position on the first panel 11 to define a provisional panel-upright assembly 20.

The term "temporary position" (illustrated by way of example in fig. 5) indicates a position other than the definitive one assumed by the uprights 13, 13a, 13b in the modular wall 10 (figs. 3-4). This temporary position is only necessary for the production of the modular wall 10 and is not present in the final product, that is in said modular wall 10. For example, the uprights 13, 13a, 13b in the temporary position can be placed side by side parallel to their position definitive, i.e. arranged longitudinally to the first panel 11, in such a way as to facilitate the subsequent machining operations by the machine 110.

This panel-upright assembly 20 can comprise the first panel 11 or the second panel 12 and the one or more uprights 13, 13a, 13b in a disassembled or partially assembled condition before obtaining the final product, i.e. the modular wall 10 .

According to an embodiment, the trolley 119 is configured to translate along the X axis on a support frame 129 of the machine 110 by means of movement 120.

Such movement means 120 can comprise for example sliding guides 121 on which the carriage 119 is constrained to slide and a motor member 126 which moves the carriage 119 along said sliding guides 121.

However, other types of handling means 120 are not excluded such as, for example but not limited to, motorized conveyor belts or belts or similar and similar elements on which the trolley 119 or directly the panel-upright assembly 20 for handling can be placed. along the working axis X.

According to an embodiment, the glue dispensing station 113 is provided with glue dispensing devices 124 for dispensing glue 17 above the panel-upright assembly 20 moved into the glue dispensing station 113 by the trolley 119 along a first section of the forward path ( arrow A).

According to an embodiment illustrated in figs. 1-2 and 5, these glue dispensing devices 124 are configured to dispense the glue 17 longitudinally both above the uprights 13, 13a, 13b arranged in the temporary position and on the first panel 11 in a longitudinal position coordinated with a definitive fixing position of the uprights 13, 13a, 13b of the first panel 11. This final fixing position is the desired final position of the uprights 13 in the modular wall 10. The glue dispensing devices 124 can be arranged side by side along a direction transverse to the working axis X .

According to an embodiment, the glue dispensing devices 124 are arranged perpendicularly and above the work axis X.

According to an embodiment, the glue dispensing devices 124 are equal in number to the number of uprights 13, 13a, 13b.

According to an embodiment, the glue dispensing devices 124 are configured not to be moved along the work axis X. The glue dispensing devices 124 can be associated with a portion projecting vertically with respect to the work axis X of the support frame 129. This protruding portion is integral and fixed with respect to the support frame 129

According to an embodiment, this glue 17 can be selected from a group comprising glue, vinyl glue, silicone or other similar or similar adhesive substance or adhesive strips or other similar or similar elements.

Each glue dispensing device 124 has a pair of glue dispensing nozzles 125 17. In particular, a first dispensing nozzle can be configured to dispense glue 17 on the first panel 11, when an upright 13, 13a, 13b is in the temporary position, in the point at which said upright 13, 13a, 13b will assume its final position in the modular wall 10, while a second dispensing nozzle can be configured to deliver glue 17 over said upright 13, 13a, 13b in said temporary position.

In particular, each glue dispensing device 124 can have a pair of dispensing nozzles 125 arranged at different heights. For example, with reference to fig. 2, a first dispensing nozzle can be closer to the first panel 11 and a second dispensing nozzle can be arranged higher than the first dispensing nozzle in order to be closer to the upright 13, 13a, 13b.

The glue dispensing devices 124 can be configured to be operated when the carriage 119 passes from the loading / unloading station 111 to the assembly station 114.

In particular, the glue dispensing devices 124 are configured to dispense glue 17 when the trolley 119 is moving along the glue dispensing station 113 in the forward path (arrow A).

According to an embodiment, the position of the glue dispensing devices 124 along the support frame 129 can be adjustable.

According to an embodiment, the machine 110 comprises a command and control unit 128 to manage the operation of the trolley 119 and the glue dispensing devices 124.

In particular, the position of the glue dispensing devices 124 can be adjusted by this command and control unit 128 according to the production requirements.

According to an embodiment, with reference to figs. 1-2, the assembly station 114 is adapted to receive, from the glue dispensing station 113 the panel-upright assembly 20 by moving the trolley 119 along a terminal section of the forward path.

According to an embodiment, in the assembly station 114 the uprights 13, 13a, 13b are moved from the temporary position (fig. 5) to the final position (fig. 6) for fixing on the first panel 11.

This assembly station 114 can be equipped with a lifting member 115, schematically illustrated in fig. 1, to position a second panel 12, taken from a second loading magazine 117, on the uprights 13, 13a, 13b glued to the first panel 11 in a final position to obtain gluing also to the second panel 12 (fig. 7) to define a semi-finished modular wall 10.

The second loading magazine 117 can be provided alongside the assembly station 114 in a parallel position (fig. 1) or perpendicular to the work axis X. This lifting device 115 can also be used for loading the first panel 11 and the uprights. 13, 13a, 13b from the first loading warehouse 116 to the loading / unloading station 111 and / or for unloading the modular wall 10 from the loading / unloading station 111 to an unloading warehouse 118. Alternatively, this loading of the first panel 11 and of the uprights 13, 13a, 13b and this unloading of the modular wall 10 can be managed and performed manually by an operator. Furthermore, this lifting member 115 can be partially or totally automated by means of the command and control unit 128 in order to increase the productivity of the machine 110.

By way of non-limiting example, this lifting member 115 can comprise a movable arm, for example articulated, with a pressure-type coupling system, for example a suction cup.

Alternatively, such lifting member 115 can comprise a fully automated robotic arm. However, other systems, methodologies and / or devices for transversal / lateral transfer of panels 11, 12 and uprights 13 with respect to the work axis X are not excluded.

These transverse movements to the loading / unloading X work axis can possibly also be carried out completely manually.

The assembly station 114 can also provide devices and / or application means (not shown) for applying one or more layers of sound-absorbing and / or heat-insulating material above or inside the panel-upright assembly 20. In particular, this insulation can be inserted in the air spaces 19 provided inside the modular wall 10. However, it is not excluded that this application can be carried out in any of the other stations of the machine 110.

According to an embodiment, the nailing station 112 is adapted to receive from the assembly station 114 the semi-finished modular wall 10 with the uprights 13, 13a, 13b glued both to the first panel 11 and to the second panel 12 moved by the carriage 119 along a first leg of the return route (indicated by the arrow R).

According to an embodiment, the nailing station 112 is provided with upper and lower nailing devices 122, 123 to nail together the uprights 13, 13a, 13b, the first panel 11 and the second panel 12, obtaining a complete modular wall 10 .

In particular, the upper and lower nailing devices 122, 123 are configured to nail, by means of the fixing means 16, the uprights 13, 13a, 13b, the first panel 11 and the second panel 12 together when the trolley 119 is in movement along the nailing station 112 in the return path (arrow R). In particular, the trolley 119 passes twice in the nailing station 112 and twice in the glue dispensing station 113. When the trolley 119 passes from the loading / unloading station 111 to the assembly station 114 the nailing devices 122, 123 are not activated and the glue dispensing devices 124 are activated, vice versa when the trolley 119 passes from the assembly station 114 to the loading / unloading station 111. In this way a compact and efficient machine 110 is obtained.

The upper nailing devices 122 can be arranged side by side along a direction transverse to the work axis X.

According to an embodiment, the upper nailing devices 122 are arranged perpendicularly and above the work axis X.

According to a further embodiment, the lower nailing devices 123 are arranged aligned with each other and facing parallel to the upper nailing devices 122 in such a way that each upper nailing device 122 and a respective lower nailing device 123 are aligned staggered along the work axis X so as not to interfere with each other during the nailing operation.

According to an embodiment, the lower nailing devices 123 are arranged perpendicularly and below the work axis X.

According to an embodiment, the upper and lower nailing devices 122, 123 are equal in number to the number of uprights 13.

The lower nailing devices 123 and upper 122 can be, for example but not limited to, nail-firing devices.

According to an embodiment, the upper nailing devices 122 are arranged side by side and aligned with each other at a distance related to the distance between the uprights 13 in the modular wall 10 which is to be obtained. Same considerations can be made for the lower 123 nailing devices.

According to an embodiment, the distances between the aligned upper nailing devices 122, between the aligned lower nailing devices 123 and / or between an upper nailing device 122 and the respective facing lower nailing device 123 can be adjusted according to the parameters of the modular wall 10 to be obtained. These distances can be adjustable, for example by means of the command and control unit 128, in such a way as to bring the lower 123 and upper 122 nailing devices closer to / away from the semi-finished modular wall 10. Alternatively, such distances can be manually adjusted by an operator before operating the machine 110.

In particular, the lower 123 and upper 122 nailing devices face each other at a distance at least sufficient to ensure the passage of the carriage 119 containing the modular wall 10.

According to an embodiment, the adjustment of the distance between the upper nailing devices 122 can be synchronized with the adjustment of the distance between the lower nailing devices 123.

According to an embodiment, the upper 122 and lower 123 nailing devices are configured not to be moved along the X work axis.

The upper 122 and lower 123 nailing devices can be associated with the projecting portion of the support frame 129.

In particular, the upper nailing devices 122 can be associated with this projecting portion of the support frame 129 in a mirror image with respect to the glue dispensing devices 124.

According to an embodiment, the loading / unloading station 111 is adapted to receive the complete modular wall 10 from the nailing station 112, carried by the trolley 119 along an end section of said return path (arrow R), to unload the modular wall 10 obtained in the associated unloading warehouse 118.

The unloading magazine 118 and the first loading magazine 116 can be provided aligned parallel and laterally to the loading / unloading station 111 (fig.

1) so as to facilitate the operations of loading from the first loading magazine 116 of the first panel 11 and of the uprights 13, 13a, 13b onto the trolley 119 and of unloading the modular wall 10 from the trolley 119 to the unloading warehouse 118.

In particular, the first loading warehouse 116 can be provided on one side of the loading / unloading station 111 and the unloading warehouse 118 can be provided on the other side of the loading / unloading station 111.

According to an embodiment, with reference to fig. 1, the trolley 119 can be provided with positioning means 127 configured to constrain the panel-upright assembly 20 in a stable and fixed position to the trolley 119 itself in the passage from the loading / unloading station 111 to the assembly station 114 along the X axis and vice versa.

These positioning means 127 can be configured to block along the perimeter of the first panel 11 and of the second panel 12 to constrain them in the correct position to perform the different work phases along the X axis.

Said positioning means 127 can also be configured to constrain the uprights 13 first in the temporary position in the passage from the loading / unloading station 111 to the assembly station 114 along the work axis X and then in the final position in the passage from the assembly station. 114 to the loading / unloading station 111 along the working axis X. In this case, such positioning means 127 can be, for example but not limited to, of the vice type with pneumatic actuator configured to hold both ends of the uprights 13 , 13a, 13b first in the temporary position and then in the final one.

In particular, these positioning means 127 can be configured to release the uprights 13, 13a, 13b once one of the two limit switches of the machine 110 has been reached, i.e. the loading / unloading station 111 or the assembly station 114, and to hold the uprights 13, 13a, 13b in the desired position when the carriage 119 is in motion.

According to an embodiment, the command and control unit 128 can automatically manage, command and control the movement of the trolley 119 along the X axis, the transverse movements from the first and second magazines 116, 117 to the trolley 119 along the axis X and from the carriage 119 to the unloading magazine 118, the operation of the glue dispensing devices 124 and the operation of the lower and upper nailing devices 122, 123.

According to an embodiment, this command and control unit 128 can block the movement of the carriage 119 if it detects malfunctions or maintenance needs in the stations 111, 112, 113, 114 of the machine 110. For example, if the lower and upper nailing devices 122, 123 are nail guns, they can have a magazine 130 of nails and, in the event that this magazine 130 is unloaded, the command and control unit 128 stops the machine 110 and, in particular, the movement of the carriage 119 in such a way as to being able to replace and / or reload the loader 130. According to an embodiment, this command and control unit 128 can stop and / or put the machine 110 on standby in the event that the first and / or second loading magazine are empty 116 , 117.

It is not excluded that the aforementioned operations, performed by the command and control unit 128, can be performed by an operator in a completely manual or partially automated manner with the aid of the aforementioned command and control unit 128.

According to the invention, with reference to figs. 5-8, a method for manufacturing modular walls 10 involves:

- loading the first panel 11 on a trolley 119 and the uprights 13 in a temporary position on the first panel 11 to define a provisional panel-uprights 20 assembly;

- dispensing glue 17 longitudinally both above the uprights 13, 13a, 13b arranged in the temporary position (fig. 5) and on the first panel 11 in a longitudinal position coordinated with a definitive fixing position of the uprights 13, 13a, 13b on the first panel 11;

- assemble the panel-upright assembly 20 with the second panel 12 (fig. 7) after moving the uprights 13, 13a, 13b from the temporary position to the final position (fig. 6) for fixing on the first panel 11;

- nailing the uprights 13, 13a, 13b to the first panel 11 and to the second panel 12 to define the modular wall 10 (fig. 8);

- unloading the modular wall 10 obtained.

According to an embodiment, the method provides for moving the mobile carriage 119 along a work axis X in a forward path (arrow indicated with the letter A) between said loading phase and said assembling phase and in a return path ( arrow indicated with the letter R) between the assembly phase and the unloading phase.

This method allows at least to halve the space otherwise necessary for the production of these modular walls 10 ensuring high productivity and, at the same time, high quality of the aforementioned modular walls 10 obtained.

The loading phase can foresee making available the first panels 11 and the uprights 13, 13a, 13b. In particular, this loading step can provide for the removal of first panels 11 and uprights 13, 13a, 13b from a first loading magazine 116.

According to an embodiment, after or simultaneously with the loading step, the method further provides for binding the first panel 11 to the trolley 119 and the uprights 13, 13a, 13b to the trolley 119 in the temporary position on the panel 11. This release can be performed in the loading / unloading station 111. Advantageously, this release allows the subsequent steps of the method to be carried out correctly.

According to an embodiment, the loading and unloading steps are performed in the same loading / unloading station 111.

According to an embodiment, the glue dispensing step 17 takes place simultaneously with the translation of the trolley 119 towards the assembly station 114 in the forward path (arrow A) so that the glue dispensing 17 involves the first panel 11 and the uprights 13 , 13a, 13b for at least a length equal to the length of the uprights 13, 13a, 13b. This dispensing is performed in the glue dispensing station 113 by means of the glue dispensing devices 124.

Advantageously, the dispensing step exploits the relative movement of the trolley 119 with respect to the glue dispensing devices 124 arranged in a fixed position with respect to the direction of the work axis X.

According to an embodiment, the assembly step provides for positioning the second panel 12 above the uprights 13, 13a, 13b in the final position (Figs. 6-7). This assembly step is performed in the assembly station 114.

According to an embodiment, the assembly step provides for making the second panels 12 available. In particular, this assembly step can provide for the removal of the second panels 12 from the second loading magazine 117.

According to an embodiment, in the assembly step after moving the uprights 13 from the temporary position to the definitive position, the method further provides for securing the uprights 13, 13a, 13b and the first and second panels 11, 12 on the carriage 119 in the final position. .

According to an embodiment, the displacement of the uprights 13, 13a, 13b from the temporary position to the final position is performed by resting the latter on the adhesive 17 dispensed on the first panel 11 in the final position so that the adhesive 17 dispensed on the uprights 13, 13a , 13b faces upwards, i.e. towards the second panel 12.

According to an embodiment, before and / or after moving the uprights 13 from the temporary position to the final position, the method can provide for the application of one or more layers of heat-insulating material in the through spaces 19 defined between the uprights 13, 13a, 13b and / or sound absorbers or other types of material necessary for the subsequent use of the modular wall 10.

According to an embodiment, the nailing step takes place simultaneously with the translation of the carriage 119 towards the loading / unloading station 111 in the return path R (arrow A) so that the nailing is repeated at a fixed distance, preset in the unit command and control 128, along the entire length of the uprights 13. Said nailing takes place in the nailing station 112 by means of the upper and lower nailing devices 122, 123. Advantageously, the nailing step also exploits the relative movement of the carriage 119 with respect to the upper and lower nailing devices 122, 123 arranged in a fixed position with respect to the direction of the working axis X.

According to an embodiment, the step of nailing the uprights 13, 13a, 13b to the first panel 11 and of the uprights 13, 13a, 13b to the second panel 12 takes place simultaneously.

According to an embodiment, the unloading step provides for unloading the modular wall 10 obtained in an unloading warehouse 118.

According to an embodiment, the processing steps of the method can be completely or partially automated. In particular, the production method of the modular wall 10 can also provide for the control and management of the entire production method by means of a command and control unit 128.

It is clear that modifications and / or additions of parts or phases can be made to the machine 110 for the production of modular walls, to the relative process and to the modular walls 10 described up to now, without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by claims.

It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person skilled in the art will certainly be able to realize many other equivalent forms of machine 110 for the production of modular walls, of the relative process and of modular walls. 10, having the characteristics expressed in the claims and therefore all falling within the scope of protection defined by them. In the following claims, the references in brackets are for the sole purpose of facilitating reading and should not be considered as limiting factors as regards the scope of protection underlying the specific claims.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS 1. Machine for the production of modular walls (10), characterized in that said machine comprises, arranged in succession along a common working axis (X), a loading / unloading station (111), a glue dispensing station ( 113), a nailing station (112), an assembly station (114), said machine comprising a carriage (119) movable with reciprocating motion along said work axis (X) in a return path between said loading / unloading (111) and said assembly station (114). 2. Machine as in claim 1, characterized in that said loading / unloading station (111) is associated with a first magazine for loading (116) panels (11) and uprights (13, 13a, 13b) and in said station loading / unloading (111) a first panel (11) is positioned on said carriage (119) and uprights (13, 13a, 13b) are longitudinally arranged in a temporary position on the first panel (11) to define a panel-uprights assembly (20) provisional. 3. Machine as in claim 2, characterized in that said glue dispensing station (113) is provided with glue dispensing devices (124) for dispensing glue (17) on top of the panel-upright assembly (20) moved in said station for dispensing glue (113) from said trolley (119) along a first section of said forward path, said glue dispensing devices (124) being configured to dispense said glue (17) longitudinally and above the uprights (13, 13a, 13b ) arranged in said temporary position and is on the first panel (11) in a longitudinal position coordinated with a final fixing position of said uprights (13, 13a, 13b) on said first panel (11). 4. Machine as in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said assembly station (114) is adapted to receive, from said glue dispensing station (113) said panel-upright assembly (20) by moving said trolley (119 ) along an end section of said forward path, in said assembly station (114), the uprights (13, 13a, 13b) being moved from the temporary position to the final fixing position on said first panel (11), which station assembly (114) is equipped with a lifting device (115) to position a second panel (12), taken from a second loading magazine (117), on the uprights (13, 13a, 13b) glued to the first panel (11) in a definitive position to obtain gluing also to the second panel (12) to define a semi-finished modular wall (10). 5. Machine as in claim 4, characterized in that said nailing station (112) is adapted to receive from the assembly station (114) the semi-finished modular wall (10) with the uprights (13, 13a, 13b) glued both to the first panel (11) and to the second panel (12) moved by said carriage (119) along a first section of said return path, said nailing station (112) being provided with upper and lower nailing devices (122, 123 ) to nail together said uprights (13, 13a, 13b), said first panel (11) and said second panel (12), obtaining a complete modular wall (10). 6. Machine as in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said loading / unloading station (111) is adapted to receive said complete modular wall (10) from said nailing station (112), carried by said carriage (119 ) along an end portion of said return path, to unload the modular wall (10) obtained in an associated unloading warehouse (118). 7. Method for the production of modular walls (10) provided with at least a first panel (11) and a second panel (12) opposite each other and with one or more longitudinal uprights (13, 13a, 13b) interposed between the first panel (11) and the second panel (12), characterized by the fact that it envisages: - loading the first panel (11) on a trolley (119) and the uprights (13) in a temporary position on the first panel (11) to define a provisional panel-uprights (20) assembly; - dispensing glue (17) longitudinally both above the uprights (13, 13a, 13b) arranged in said temporary position and on the first panel (11) in a longitudinal position coordinated with a definitive fixing position of said uprights (13, 13a, 13b) on said first panel (11); - assemble the panel-uprights assembly (20) with the second panel (12) after moving the uprights (13, 13a, 13b) from the temporary position to the final fixing position on said first panel (11); - nail the uprights (13, 13a, 13b) to the first panel (11) and to the second panel (12) to define the modular wall (10); - unloading the modular wall (10) obtained; said method providing to move the mobile carriage (119) along a work axis (X) in a forward path between said loading step and said assembling step and in a return path between the assembling step and said unloading step. 8. Modular wall (10) comprising: - at least a first panel (11) and a second panel (12) opposite each other; - a plurality of longitudinal uprights (13, 13a, 13b) interposed between the first panel (11) and the second panel (12) and fixed to the latter, of which one or more uprights (13) are intermediate and, respectively, by a on the other side of said one or more intermediate uprights (13), a first lateral upright (13a) protruding laterally from the panels (11, 12) defining a protruding portion (14) longitudinal with respect to the latter and an opposite second upright ( 13b) lateral recessed laterally to the panels (11, 12) defining a longitudinal housing seat (15) of a shape conjugated to said protruding portion (14) and configured to accommodate a respective protruding portion (14) of another modular wall (10 ') to be connected in an adjacent position. 9. Assembly of modular walls comprising at least two modular walls (10, 10 '), as in claim 8, arranged side by side and connected to each other being the protruding portion (14) of a modular wall (10) inserted by interlocking in a mating housing seat (15) of an adjacent modular wall (10 '). 10. Assembly of modular walls as in claim 9, characterized in that it comprises at least a first modular wall (10) arranged at an angle with respect to a second modular wall (10 ') flanked and connected to said first modular wall (10), in which the angled connection between said first (10) and second modular wall (10 ') is a transversal coupling, defining the reciprocal connection surfaces a staggered coupling between respective projecting and staggered portions of the panels (11, 12), or a head coupling substantially at 90 ° between said panels (11, 12).