Device for picking up and releasing electrodes for electrolytic cells and handling apparatus comprising said device

A device for picking up and releasing electrodes for electrolytic cells, said device comprising:

• a case (2), internally hollow, provided with at least one connection opening (21) and with at least one perforated wall (22) adapted to retain and release at least one electrode, said connection opening (21) and said perforated wall (22) being susceptible of being traversed by an air flow;
• an air conveyance system (3) mechanically connected to said case (2) and in fluid communication with said connection opening (21) in order to force said air flow within said case (2) through said perforated wall (22);
• wherein said air conveyance system (3) comprises:
• a ventilation duct (4), which is placed in fluid connection with the connection opening (21) of said case (2) and with an outside environment through a suction opening (41) and a discharge opening (42);
• at least one fan (5), which is connected to said ventilation duct (4) by means of an upstream connection (51) and a downstream connection (52) with respect to the connection opening (21) of said case (2);
• a shutter (6) placed to intercept said ventilation duct (4) and arranged to take on:
• at least one suction configuration, in which said shutter (6) places the downstream connection (52) of said ventilation duct (4) in fluid communication with the discharge opening (42) of said ventilation duct (4) and the upstream connection (51) of said ventilation duct (4) in fluid communication with the connection opening (21) of said case (2), suctioning air from the perforated wall (22) of said case (2) in order to retain a said electrode in abutment thereon;
• at least one blowing configuration, in which said shutter (6) places the upstream connection (51) of said ventilation duct (4) in fluid communication with the suction opening (41) of said ventilation duct (4) and the downstream connection (52) of said ventilation duct (4) in fluid communication with the connection opening (21) of said case (2) in order to suction air from the outside environment through the suction opening (41), blowing the air through the perforated wall (22) of said case (2) in order to facilitate the detachment of a said electrode therefrom.