APPARATUS FOR THE TREATMENT, IN PARTICULAR CUTTING, OF A MATERIAL.

Technical field

The present invention relates to an apparatus for the treatment, in particular cutting, of a material.

The material is preferably in a form of a respective body having a prevalent two-dimensional extension, preferably yielding or foldable, especially conformed in a tape or band-like form, i.e. in a form of a respective piece, and in particular in the form of fabric, leather or like raw materials, and being especially for making corresponding pieces for clothing, that is, for garments, apparel, or for other uses, for the furnishing industry, or for other uses. Background art

There are prior art apparatuses for cutting a fabric or the like, especially for making corresponding pieces for clothing, that is, garments, apparel, or the like, the apparatuses having a respective supporting surface, in particular for supporting and sliding the material, and cutting means of the material, in particular situated on the supporting surface.

In the sector, a need is perceived for having available a treatment apparatus for the specific material, in particular for cutting the material, which enable performance of accurate and precise work operations, and possibly such as to achieve a saving in terms of the labour required.

A further need is perceived in the sector for having available an apparatus, in particular a cutting apparatus, which functions well in any ambient condition, in particular also in low-temperature ambient conditions, or conditions with a high humidity level.

The sector also feels the need for an apparatus for treatment, in particular for cutting a material which has a relatively low construction cost. Moreover, the need is felt in the sector to have available an apparatus which are easy to use for the operators thereof.

Moreover, the need is felt in the sector to have available an apparatus that is sturdy and is not liable to easy breakage or wear.

Disclosure of the invention

The present invention therefore proposes a new solution as an alternative to the solutions known up to now and, more specifically, proposes to overcome one or more of the above mentioned drawbacks or problems and/or to meet one or more of the needs felt in the trade or inferable from the above.

An apparatus is therefore provided for treatment of, in particular for cutting, a material, the material preferably being in a form of a respective body having a prevalent two-dimensional extension, preferably yielding or foldable, especially conformed in a tape or band-like form, i.e. in a form of a respective piece, and preferably in the form of fabric, leather or like raw materials, and being especially for making corresponding pieces for clothing, that is, for garments, clothing i.e for apparel, or for other uses, for the furnishing industry or for other uses; the apparatus comprising a respective supporting surface, in particular for resting and possibly sliding the material, especially defined by a corresponding table, preferably flat and preferably having cutting means of the material, in particular situated above the supporting surface and, especially, means designed to generate a field of electrostatic attraction of the material on the supporting surface, characterised in that it comprises means designed to eliminate humidity at the supporting surface of the material.

In this way, it is possible to have available an apparatus, in particular a cutting apparatus, which functions well and effectively in any ambient condition, in particular also in low-temperature ambient conditions, or conditions with a high humidity level.

In fact, in this way any eventual presence of excessive humidity, especially in low ambient temperature conditions, the humidity is deposited on the material or the supporting surface thereof and can compromise the retaining operations of the material on the supporting surface and therefore compromise the quality of the treatment, in particular of the cutting of the material.

The invention further relates to a corresponding and advantageous supporting table of a material.

Brief description of the drawings

This and other innovative aspects, or specific advantageous features are set out in the appended claims, the technical features and advantages of which will become apparent from the detailed description which follows of preferred advantageous embodiments thereof which however must be considered purely as non-limiting examples on the invention; the description being made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is an overall schematic side view of a detail of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention;

Figure 3 is a lateral view of a first preferred embodiment of the table defining the supporting surface of the material utilisable in the present preferred embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention;

Figure 4 is a lateral view of a second preferred embodiment of the table defining the supporting surface of the material utilisable in the present preferred embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention;

Figure 5 illustrates a plan view of a glass slab for defining the table according to the present invention, with a particular illustration of the electrical connections for the conductive layer deposited on the slab. Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a preferred embodiment 10 of an apparatus for treatment of a material 11 , in particular for cutting the material 11 into a plurality of pieces, preferably used for making respective items of clothing, for example, garments, apparel, or others beside, or used for realising coverings for furniture, for example for realising a divan, an armchair or others besides.

In particular, however, the material is preferably in a form of a respective body having a prevalent two-dimensional extension, preferably yielding or foldable, especially conformed in a tape or band-like form, or in a form of a respective piece of material.

The material is preferably in a form of a fabric, leather or like raw materials, which is especially for making corresponding pieces for clothing, that is, for garments, apparel, or for other uses, for the furnishing industry, i.e. also for other uses.

The material comprises a respective layer, especially in a tape- or bandlike form, i.e. a piece, in particular made of fabric, leather or the like as mentioned in the foregoing, and, possibly, a secondary layer, preferably in the form of a respective sheet, especially made of paper material, in particular of paper, which is in particular designed for tracing lines for defining corresponding shapes, or shaped profiles, especially defining respective pieces of clothing and/or for tracing corresponding alphanumeric writing or the like for identifying the pieces.

The secondary layer of material is positioned above the primary layer, and in particular is intended to be cut together with the primary layer.

In particular, the material to be treated can therefore be made up of a plurality of layers to be treated simultaneously.

As may be inferred from figures 1 and 2, the apparatus comprises a respective supporting surface 12, in particular for resting, the material 11 , at a respective treatment zone, in particular for cutting the material, and especially defined by a corresponding table 13, preferably flat. As illustrated, the supporting surface 11 of the material is preferably in the form of a flat surface 12.

This preferred embodiment of the apparatus 10 also preferably comprises cutting means of the material, provided in particular at the supporting surface 12, i.e. operating or moving with respect to the material resting on the supporting surface 12.

The cutting means are not illustrated in detail in the accompanying figures of the drawings, though it is to be understood that they might be realised in a respective embodiment as disclosed in international patent application WO2010/073269, which is in the name of the present applicant, the contents of which, in the light of the present mention thereof, should be considered as being incorporated in the present description.

Preferably, therefore, the cutting means are in the guise of corresponding circular blade means, in particular which cut the material engaging against the underlying supporting surface 12, the cutting means being supported by a corresponding head, or movable unit, 15, preferably along, or relatively to, the supporting surface 12 and along, or relatively to, the material 11 , supported on the surface 12. In practice, the cutting means move transversely to the supporting head, defining therewith corresponding cutting trajectories or simply movement according to respective coordinates which are longitudinal and transversal to the apparatus or supporting surface 12.

Advantageously, the present apparatus comprises means designed to generate a field of electrostatic attraction of the material 11 on the supporting surface 12.

Advantageously, the means designed to generate a field of electrostatic attraction of the material 11 on the supporting surface 12 are in the form of means which can be activated and deactivated, in particular using corresponding electronic control means, preferably comprising computerised means for controlling the apparatus for treatment of or for cutting the material. Advantageously, the means designed to generate a field of electrostatic attraction of the material 11 on the supporting surface 12 comprise means designed to apply, or to induce, electrical charges on the material 11.

The present apparatus advantageously further comprises means designed to eliminate humidity at the supporting surface 12 of the material 11.

In this way, it is possible to have available an apparatus, in particular a cutting apparatus, which functions well and effectively in any ambient condition, in particular also in low-temperature ambient conditions, or conditions with a high humidity level.

In fact, in this way it can be prevented that in any eventual presence of excessive humidity, especially in low ambient temperature conditions, the humidity is deposited on the material or the supporting surface thereof and can compromise the retaining operations of the material on the supporting surface 12 and therefore compromise the quality of the treatment, in particular of the cutting of the material.

The means designed to eliminate humidity are advantageously in a form of corresponding heating means.

In particular, and advantageously, the means designed to eliminate humidity are in a form of corresponding heating means of the engagement surface 12 of the product.

The heating of the surface 12 further enables heating the ambient above it and/or the material to be treated, thus preventing any undesired retaining of the material.

The heating means of the engagement surface 12 of the product heat the table 13, defining the supporting surface 12 of the product.

Advantageously the means designed to eliminate humidity at the supporting surface 12 of the material 11 or the heating means, are internally provided at the table 13 internally defining the supporting surface 12 of the product, in particular between the upper surface 12 and the lower surface of the supporting table 13, as will however emerge more clearly from the following part of the present description. With particular reference to figure 3, which illustrates a first embodiment of the table utilisable in the apparatus according to the present invention, it can be inferred how, advantageously, the means designed to eliminate humidity at the supporting surface 12 of the material 11 or the heating means, comprise an electrically-conductive layer 16.

The respective electrically-conductive layer 16 is advantageously positioned below the supporting surface 12 of the product.

In particular, as illustrated, the respective electrically-conductive layer 16 is positioned at or internally of the table 13 defining the supporting surface 12 of the product.

The electrically-conductive layer is advantageously defined by a metallic layer 16 suitably deposited on the material of the table 13, in particular defined by a layer of metal oxide.

The metallic layer 16 that is deposited can preferably be advantageously obtained starting from a respective paste of metallic oxides, which is appropriately deposited on the material of the table, in particular as will become clearer from the following part of the present description which is deposited on a respective glass slab constituting the table 13, preferably with the layer having a thickness and/or geometry, possibly variable along the table, as a function of the respective operating power which is to be obtained.

The supporting table 13 is advantageously preferably made of glass.

In conformity with this first preferred embodiment of the table defining the supporting surface 13 of the material, a second electrically-conductive layer is advantageously provided, which is defined by a metallic slab 16', in particular made of aluminium, which slab preferably has a respective thickness, in particular about 0.5 mm.

In particular, as illustrated, in this first preferred embodiment of the table of figure 3, the electrically-conductive layer 16 defining the means designed to eliminate humidity at the surface 12 is positioned inferiorly with respect to the second electrically-conductive layer 16' defining the means designed to generate the electrostatic retaining field of the material on the supporting surface.

Advantageously, in a second preferred embodiment of the table illustrated in following figure 4, the electrically-conductive layer 16 for eliminating the humidity, or for heating the supporting surface 12 of the material, further defines the means designed to generate a field of electrostatic attraction of the material 11 on the supporting surface 12. In practice, in this second preferred embodiment the second layer or metallic slab is omitted, which leads to an advantageous structural simplification of the table.

Further advantageously, in both the first and second embodiments of figures 3 and 4, the supporting table 13 is defined by first and second slabs 131 , 132, superposed on one another, preferably made of glass, or at least one, preferably the upper one, made of glass, and in particular each having a relative thickness of around 6 mm.

In both the first and second preferred embodiments illustrated in figures 3 and 4, the electrically-conductive layer 16 is advantageously interposed between the first and second slabs 131 , 132 defining the supporting table 13.

In particular, as illustrated, the second conductive layer, or metallic slab 16' of the first preferred embodiment of the table is interposed between the first and second slabs 131 , 132 defining the supporting table 13.

The electrically-conductive layer 16 is advantageously deposited on the internal face of the respective first and/or second slabs 131 , 132 defining the supporting table 3.

In particular, and preferably, in the first preferred embodiment of the table illustrated in figure 3, the first electrically-conductive layer 16 is deposited on the lower slab 132, in particular on the upper surface of the lower slab

132.

Advantageously, in conformity with the first preferred embodiment of the table illustrated in figure 3, a corresponding layer of insulating material and/or plastic material 63, 163, in particular having a thickness of around 1.5 mm, is interposed, or positioned, between the metallic slab 16' and the corresponding surface of the first and second slabs 131 , 132 defining the supporting table 13, i.e. on the corresponding first conductive layer 16 deposited on the respective second slab 132.

In practice, in this way a table is obtained that is particularly sturdy and which exerts a considerable electrostatic attraction on the material to be treated and especially which enables obtaining ready heating, suitable for eliminating the humidity of the ambient, and thus enabling the use of the apparatus in any ambient condition.

Advantageously, in conformity with the second preferred embodiment of the table illustrated in figure 4, the single electrically-conductive layer 16 is deposited on the upper slab 131 , in particular on the lower surface of the upper slab 131.

Advantageously, in conformity with the second preferred embodiment of the table illustrated in figure 4, a corresponding layer 164 of PVB or polyvinyl butyral, preferably having a thickness of around 0.5 mm, is interposed between the electrically-conductive layer, in particular a metallic deposit 16 deposited on the surface of the corresponding slab 131 of the supporting table 13 and the opposite slab 132 of the supporting table 13.

In this case too, a table is obtained that is particularly sturdy and which exerts a considerable electrostatic attraction on the material to be treated and especially which enables obtaining ready heating, suitable for eliminating the humidity of the ambient, and thus enabling the use of the apparatus in any ambient condition.

Advantageously, as can be inferred by reference to following figure 5, the conductive metallic layer 16 comprises corresponding electric connecting means, in particular comprising a first and a second, and preferably a third 1601 , 1602, 1603 supply bars, especially made of silver paste, screen- printed on the respective slab of the table, having respective terminals 1604, in particular made of copper. Advantageously, as illustrated, a respective earth connecting bar 1601 is predisposed at a central zone of the respective slab 131 defining the supporting table 13.

A first and a second connecting bar 1602, 1603 to the electricity supply source are advantageously provided at lateral end zones of the respective slab 131 defining the supporting table 13.

In particular, the electrical charges may be in the form of positive or negative electrical charges, and preferably however in the form of negative electrical charges.

Further, as can clearly be inferred from figures 1 and 2, advantageously, the means designed to generate a field of electrostatic attraction of the material on the supporting surface 12 comprise means designed to induce a homogeneous distribution of electrical charges on the material 11.

More specifically, the means designed to induce the electrical charges on the material comprise means 14 for emitting electrical charges or ionizing means.

Further advantageously, the means for emitting electrical charges comprise a respective elongate ionizing bar 14, in particular elongate transversely to the longitudinal direction of extension of the supporting surface 12 and of extension of the material 11 to be treated.

Preferably, the means for emitting electrical charges operate before the material is conveniently treated, in particular before the material 11 is conveniently cut, and in any case, in particular after the same material has been laid out flat on the supporting surface 12.

As may be clearly inferred from figures 1 and 2, the means 14 for emitting electrical charges are positioned at the material 11 , in particular when the same material is positioned on the supporting surface 12 of the same material, especially defining the supporting surface of the material on which the cut of the material is to be made.

More specifically, the means 14 for emitting electrostatic, or electrical, charges are positioned above the material 11 , and in particular above the supporting surface 12 of the same material 11.

More specifically, the means 14 for emitting electrostatic, or electrical, charges are spaced, more specifically spaced perpendicularly, from the material, and in particular are spaced, preferably perpendicularly spaced, from the supporting surface 12 of the same material 11.

Advantageously, the means 14 for emitting electrical charges extend parallel to the material 11 , and in particular parallel to the supporting surface 12 of the material 11.

As illustrated, the material 11 and/or the supporting surface 12 of the same material 11 extend mainly along a longitudinal direction of extension of the apparatus.

Advantageously, the means 14 for emitting electrical charges extend transversely to the material 1 and/or to the supporting surface 12 of the same material 11.

Advantageously, the means 14 for emitting electrical charges and the material 11 , and/or the supporting surface 12 of the same material 11 , are movable relative to each other.

More specifically, the means 14 for emitting electrical charges are movable, in particular in a parallel fashion, with respect to the material 11 and/or to the supporting surface 12 of the material.

More specifically, the means 14 for emitting electrical charges are movable longitudinally to the material 11 and/or to the supporting surface 12 of the same material 11 , as shown by the arrow F in figure 1.

More specifically, the supporting surface 12 of the material 11 is defined by the upper face of a corresponding supporting table 3.

As mentioned, the supporting table 13, that is, the supporting surface 12, is preferably made of dielectric material, and preferably comprises glass, that is, it is made completely or mainly of glass.

Advantageously, the means designed to generate a field of electrostatic attraction of the material 11 on the supporting surface 12 also comprise means 16 designed to induce electrical charges on the surface 12 supporting the material 11.

Advantageously, the means 16 made of electrically conductive material are fixed relative to the supporting surface 12, in particular being integral with the table 13 defining the supporting surface 11.

Advantageously, the means 16 made of conductive material extend parallel to the supporting surface 12 of the material, in particular parallel to the table 13 defining the supporting surface of the material.

Advantageously, there are means 17 designed to induce a static distribution of electrical charges in the means 16 made of electrically conductive material.

Advantageously, the means 16 made of electrically conductive material are in connection, via the electric cable, with an earth 171 , and with an electricity source 172, in such a way that a weak electrical current can be generated to earth, which is such as to induce a static distribution of electrical charges, in particular positive, on the means made of an electrically conductive material.

This defines a corresponding and economically advantageous preferred embodiment of the means designed to induce a static distribution of electrical charges in the means 16 made of electrically conductive material.

To enable the material once processed, in particular cut, to be easily removed from the supporting surface 12, that is to say, conveniently processed without obstacles for subsequent processing, there are advantageous means 18 designed to neutralise an electrical charge which is present on the material 11 , and more specifically, the electrical charge which has been previously induced or applied on the material.

Advantageously, the means designed to neutralise the electrical charge of the material 1 are in the form of de-ionizing means, and in particular in the form of a respective de-ionizing bar 18.

In particular, the de-ionizing bar 18 is in the form of a bar transversely elongate to the longitudinal direction of extension of the supporting surface 12 and of extension of the material 11 to be treated.

Advantageously, the means 18 designed to neutralise the electrical charge of the material 11 are positioned at same material 11 , in particular when the same material is positioned on the supporting surface 12 of the same material, especially defining the supporting surface of the material on which the cut is made.

Advantageously, the means 18 designed to neutralise the electrical charge of the material 11 operate after the material has been conveniently treated, in particular after the material 11 has been conveniently cut.

More specifically, the means 18 designed to neutralise the electrical charge of the material 11 are positioned above the material 11 , in particular above the supporting surface 12 of the same material 11.

As illustrated, the means 18 designed to neutralise the electrostatic, or electric, charge of the material 11 are spaced from the material 11 , more specifically perpendicularly spaced from the material 11 , and, according to another viewpoint, are spaced, more specifically perpendicularly spaced, from the supporting surface 12 of the same material 11.

Advantageously, the means 18 designed to neutralise the electrical charge of the material 11 extend parallel to the material 11 , in particular to the supporting surface 12 of the same material 11.

Further advantageously, the means 18 designed to neutralise the electrical charge of the material 11 extend transversely to the material 11 and/or to the supporting surface 12 of the material 11.

Advantageously, the means 18 designed to neutralise the electrical charge of the material 11 and the material 1 , and/or the supporting surface 12 of the same material 11 , are movable relative to each other.

Advantageously, the means 18 designed to neutralise the electrical charge of the material 11 are movable, in particular in a parallel fashion, with respect to the material 11 and/or to the supporting surface 12 of the same material 11.

Advantageously, the means 18 designed to neutralise the electrical charge of the material 11 are movable longitudinally to the material 11 and/or to the supporting surface 12 of the same material 11.

Advantageously, the means 18 designed to neutralise the electrical charge of the material 11 are movable together, in particular on same movable unit, with the means 14 for emitting the electrical charges, in particular on the material 11.

Advantageously, there are means for activating and deactivating the means 14 for emitting electrical charges.

Advantageously, there are also means for activating and deactivating the means 18 designed to neutralise the electrical charge of the material, more specifically operating in an alternating manner to the status of activating and deactivating the means 14 for emitting electrical charges. Preferably, when the means 18 designed to neutralise the electrical charge of the material 1 and the means 14 for emitting the electrical charges on the material 11 are transported on the same movable unit, the means for activating and deactivating the means 14 for emitting electrical charges activate the emission of the charges during the step for feeding the material 11. During this advancement step, the means 18 for neutralizing the electrical charge are obviously deactivated. Next, upon completion of the cutting operation, the means for neutralizing the charge may be activated, during a corresponding movement of the movable unit relative to the material, with the means 14 for emitting electrical charges, which are, in a non-activated condition.

Advantageously, the apparatus comprises means 20 designed to convey the electrical charges "C" on the material 11.

In practice, advantageously, the present apparatus comprises means 20 designed to convey, or to transport, electrical charges.

Advantageously, the means 20 designed to convey the electrical charges, transport or convey the electrical charges on the material 11.

Preferably and advantageously, the means 20 designed to convey the electrical charges are in the form of means for blowing a corresponding flow of air towards the material 11 and/or towards the supporting surface 12 of the material 11.

In practice, there are means 20 for blowing a flow of air towards the material 11 and/or towards the supporting surface 12 of the material 11 , which convey respective electrical charges.

Further advantageously, the means 20 designed to convey the electrical charges 11 are in the form of an elongate blowing bar, or blade 20.

Advantageously, the means 20 designed to convey the electrical charges are at, or close to, the means 14 for emitting electrical charges, in such a way as to appropriately convey the electrical charges which are emitted from these means.

Advantageously, the means 20 designed to convey the electrical charges are at the material 11 positioned on the surface 12 supporting the material 11 , in particular when the same material is positioned on the surface 12 supporting the same material, especially defining the supporting surface of the material on which the cut is made.

More specifically, the means 20 designed to convey the electrical charges are above the material, and/or above the supporting surface 12 of the same material.

More specifically, the means 20 designed to convey the electrical charges are spaced from the material 11 , more specifically perpendicularly spaced from the material 11 , in particular being spaced, more specifically perpendicularly spaced, from the supporting surface 12 of the same material 11.

Advantageously, the means 20 designed to convey the electrical charges extend parallel to the material 11 , and/or to the supporting surface 12 of the same material.

More specifically, the means 20 designed to convey the electrical charges extend transversely to the material 11 , and/or to the supporting surface 12 of the material 11.

Advantageously, the means 20 designed to convey the electrical charges on the material 11 , and/or the supporting surface 12 of the same material 11 , are movable relative to each other.

Advantageously, the means 20 designed to neutralise the electrical charges are movable, in particular in a parallel fashion, with respect to the material 11 and/or to the supporting surface 12 of the same material 11. More specifically, the means 20 designed to neutralise the electrical charges are movable longitudinally to the material 11 and/or to the supporting surface 12 of the same material 11.

Advantageously, the means 20 designed to convey the electrical charges are movable together with the means for emitting the electrical charge 14 and/or the means 18 designed to neutralise the electrical charge of the material, being carried in particular on the same movable unit as the means for emitting the electrical charge 14 and/or the means 18 designed to neutralise the electrical charge of the material.

Advantageously, there are means for activating and deactivating the means 20 designed to convey the electrical charges, which operate simultaneously and/or in accordance with the status of activating and deactivating the means 14 for emitting electrical charges. More specifically, when the means for emitting electrical charges are activated or deactivated, the conveying means of the electrical charges 20 are also activated or deactivated.

Advantageously, the cutting means used in this apparatus are movable together with, in particular on the same unit as, one or more of the means 20 designed to convey the electrical charges, the means 18 designed to neutralise the electrical charge of the material, and the means 14 for emitting electrical charges.

In practice, advantageously, one or more of the means 20 designed to convey the electrical charges, the means 18 designed to neutralise the electrical charges of the material, and the means 14 for emitting electrical charges are supported on the same movable cutting head of the material, the head supporting corresponding cutting means of the material, in particular of the rotary blade type. More specifically, when the cutting head comprises a pair of supporting rollers sliding on the product 11 and on the underlying supporting surface 12, the rollers being longitudinally spaced from each other and the cutting means extending between the rollers, and one or more of the means 20 designed to convey the electrical charges, the means 18 designed to neutralise the electrical charge of the material and the means 14 for emitting electrical charges, these can also extend between the supporting rollers sliding on the product and supporting surface 12.

According to a preferred procedure suitable for generating a convenient electrostatic field of attraction, an ionizing device 14 firstly moves above the material situated on the supporting surface 11 of the slab 13, made of insulating material or dielectric material, conveying the electrical charges, in particular negative, emitted by the ionizer 14 on the surface above the same material 11.

This achieves, due to the effect of the connection to earth of the electrically conductive material 16, the attraction of positive electrical charges at the upper surface of the conductor plate 16, with the generation of a corresponding weak electrical current towards the earth point 172. After having treated, that is, cut, the material, the de-ionizing bar 18 may be passed over the material 11 and the material can be conveniently released and suitably processed downstream of the apparatus.

In practice, this provides an apparatus which is particularly effective and of limited cost, which is suitable for generating an advantageous and effective field of electrostatic attraction between the material to be treated, in particular to be cut, and the corresponding supporting surface of the material at the zone in which the material must be treated, that is, cut, and in particular which can operate in any ambient condition, including in the presence of a high level of humidity and/or at a low temperature.

In particular, the positioning of the resistive conductive layer 16 internally of the table 13, between the upper surface 13 and the lower surface of the table, enables obtaining a greater attractive and heating performance to the great advantage of the operating efficiency of the present apparatus and obtains a supporting table which has a structural resistance that is adequate to the specific use and suitable for durably supporting the stresses to which it is subjected.

Advantageously, the table or relative dielectric or insulating supporting surface 12 might be made of any suitable and desired material, in particular a material which is different from glass, for example, it could be made from rubber or felt.

It is also possible that one or more of the means 20 designed to convey the electrical charges, the means for emitting the electrical charge 14 and the means 18 designed to neutralise the electrical charge of the material have an inclination different from the one illustrated in figure 2, that is, they are conveniently tilting.

In the present apparatus, therefore, the heating means 16 are advantageously arranged between the first and second slabs 131 , 132, superposed on one another, of the table.

In this way a sturdy table is obtained and at the same time a greater vicinity of the heating means with respect to the upper rest surface of the product and therefore humidity is eliminated from the surface and from the material which occurs in a particularly effective way.

Advantageously, therefore, the means 16, 16' designed to generate a field of electrostatic attraction of the material 11 on the supporting surface 12 are arranged between the first and second slabs 131 , 132, superposed on one another, of the table.

In this way a sturdy table is obtained and at the same time a greater vicinity of the electrostatic field generating means with respect to the upper rest surface of the product and therefore an attraction of the material is obtained which is particularly effective.

The means 16, 16' designed to generate a field of electrostatic attraction, of the material 11 on the supporting surface 12 are advantageously internally provided at the table 13 defining the supporting surface 12 of the product, in particular between the upper surface 12 and the lower surface of the supporting table 13.

In practice, a table is obtained in which, advantageously, the electrically- conductive layer 16 is perpendicularly interposed, in particular the first and second electrically-conductive layers 16, 16" are perpendicularly interposed between the first and second slabs 131 , 132 defining the supporting table 13.

The invention described has evident industrial applications. It would be obvious to one skilled in the art that several changes and modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, described in depth above. It is also easy to imagine further preferred embodiments of the invention comprising one or more of the features described herein. Moreover, it will be understood that all the details of the invention may be substituted for technically equivalent elements.