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Patent Searching and Data


Title:
A DEVICE FOR GLAZING CERAMIC TILES
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2017/212393
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A device for glazing ceramic tiles comprising: a transport plane (2) for progressively feeding one or more ceramic tiles (T) along a transport direction (X); a containment cabin (3) which contains at least one portion of the transport plane (2); a plurality of nozzles (4) arranged internally of the containment cabin (3) and oriented so as to deliver a glazing fluid towards the transport plane (2). The nozzles (4) are placed above the transport plane (2) and are movable along a path (P) closed in a loop, which exhibits at least two portions which overlap the transport plane (2).

Inventors:
PALLADINI ALBERTO (IT)
Application Number:
PCT/IB2017/053305
Publication Date:
December 14, 2017
Filing Date:
June 05, 2017
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
CERTECH S P A A SOCIO UNICO (IT)
International Classes:
B28B11/04; B05B13/04
Foreign References:
DE2015699A11971-10-21
IT1217302B1990-03-22
CN104998789A2015-10-28
Other References:
DATABASE WPI Week 197127, 31 December 1971 Derwent World Patents Index; AN 1971-45808S, XP002767470
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
CASADEI, Giovanni (IT)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS

1 . A device for glazing ceramic tiles comprising: a transport plane (2) for progressively feeding one or more ceramic tiles (T) along a transport direction (X); a containment cabin (3) which contains at least one portion of the transport plane (2); a plurality of nozzles (4) arranged internally of the containment cabin (3) and oriented to deliver a glazing fluid towards the transport plane (2); characterized in that the nozzles (4) are placed above the transport plane (2) and are movable along a path (P) closed in a loop, which exhibits at least two portions which overlap the transport plane (2).

2. A device for glazing ceramic tiles according to claim 1 , wherein the path (P) is a circular path.

3. A device for glazing ceramic tiles according to claim 2, comprising a support structure (41 ), rotating about a vertical axis (Y), which exhibits a plurality of arms (42) arranged radially relative to the vertical axis (Y), each of which supports at least one nozzle (4).

4. A device for glazing ceramic tiles according to claim 3, comprising a feeding circuit which is structured to feed the glazing fluid to the nozzles (4).

5. A device for glazing ceramic tiles according to claim 1 , wherein the path (P) comprises two main portions (P1 , P2) arranged transversely to the transport direction (X).

6. A device for glazing ceramic tiles according to claim 5, wherein the main portions (P1 , P2) are parallel one to another.

7. A device for glazing ceramic tiles according to claim 5, in which the main portions (P1 , P2) are perpendicular to the transport direction (X).

8. A device for glazing ceramic tiles according to claim 5, comprising a moving assembly (43) for the nozzles (4) which comprises a transport member (44), arranged substantially according to the path (P), with which the nozzles (4) are associated .

9. A device for glazing ceramic tiles according to claim 8, wherein the transport member (44) comprises a rope or a chain.

Description:
"A Device for Glazing Ceramic tiles"

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a device for glazing ceramic tiles.

Prior art devices for glazing ceramic tiles comprise a transport plane for feeding one or more ceramic tiles along a transport direction. A containment cabin is arranged along at least a portion of the transport plane. A plurality of nozzles is arranged internally of the containment cabin, above the transport plane, orientated in such a way as to deliver a glazing fluid towards the transport plane. The ceramic tiles, advanced by the transport plane, transit internally of the containment cabin and are covered by the glaze dispensed by the nozzles.

In a case of small-format ceramic tiles, up to 60cm per side, the nozzles are fixed.

In the case of larger-format ceramic tiles, for example up to 180cm, the nozzles are mobile in outward and return motion along a path arranged transversally to the transport direction of the ceramic tiles, with the purpose of being able to cover a whole surface of the ceramic tiles without having to use an excessive number of nozzles.

As the speed at which the nozzles can be moved is limited because of the inertia forces developing on the inversion of the pathway direction, the spreading of the glaze on the surface of the ceramic tiles is not sufficiently uniform, and produces striped zones with different glaze densities.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a glazing device for ceramic tiles that enables obviating the drawbacks of the currently available devices.

An advantage of the device according to the present invention is that it significantly improves the uniformity of the layer of glaze spread on the ceramic tiles.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent in the following detailed description of an embodiment of the present invention, illustrated by way of non- limiting example in the attached figures, in which:

- figure 1 is a schematic view from above of a first embodiment of the glazing device according to the present invention;

- figure 2 is another schematic view from above of a second embodiment of the glazing device according to the present invention;

- figure 3 is a perspective view of the glazing device, in the embodiment of figure 1 ;

- figure 4 is a perspective view of the glazing device, in the embodiment of figure 2.

The device for glazing ceramic tiles according to the present invention comprises: a transport plane (2), structured for feeding one or more ceramic tiles (T) in advancement along a transport direction (X). The transport plane (2) might be for example a pair of motorised belts. Other examples of transport planes are known in the sector.

The device further comprises a containment cabin (3) which contains at least one portion of the transport plane (2). In substance, the transport plane (2) for a portion of the path thereof crosses the containment cabin (3) which is provided with an inlet opening and an outlet opening for enabling both the passage of the transport plane (2) and of the ceramic tiles (T) arranged on the transport plane (2). The containment cabin (3) has the function of preventing dispersion of the glaze into the environment, and is represented only schematically in the view from above, as it is a known structure to technical experts in the sector.

A plurality of nozzles (4) is arranged internally of the containment cabin (3) and is orientated so as to deliver a glazing fluid towards the transport plane (2). Preferably though not exclusively the nozzles (4) are of the "airless" type, with controlled opening and closure. For example, each nozzle is provided with an intercepting pin pneumatically piloted between a closed position and an open position of the nozzle.

The nozzles (4) are advantageously located above the transport plane (2) and are movable along a path (P) closed in a loop, which exhibits at least two portions which overlap the transport plane (2).

The predisposing of a loop-closed path (P) in fact obviates all the drawbacks linked to the alternating outward and return movement of the nozzles in the devices at present available. The closed path in fact does not require any inversion of motion direction, so the displacement velocity of the nozzles can be increased considerably with respect to the devices at present known. This enables obtaining a coverage of the ceramic tiles with a glaze density that is significantly more uniform than what is possible in the prior art.

In a first embodiment of the glazing device, illustrated in figures 1 and 3, the path (P) is a circular path. In this embodiment, the device comprises a support structure (41 ), rotating about a vertical axis (Y), which exhibits a plurality of arms (42) arranged radially relative to the vertical axis (Y). Each arm supports one or more nozzles (4), preferably at an end thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, each arm (41 ) supports two nozzles (4).

The embodiment of figures 1 and 3, with the path (P) of the nozzles being circular, is particularly simple, as it enables moving the nozzles (4) by means of only the rotating support structure (41 ), which can be activated in rotation by a single motor. A feeding circuit can be structured to feed the glazing fluid to the nozzles (4). The feeding circuit has not been illustrated in greater detail as it is within the scope of knowledge of the technical expert in the sector.

In a second possible embodiment of the device, illustrated in figures 2 and 4 the path (P) comprises two main portions (P1 , P2) arranged transversally to the transport direction (X). Preferably though not exclusively the main portions (P1 , P2) can be parallel to one another, as illustrated in figures 2 and 4. Preferably though not exclusively, the main portions (P1 , P2) are further perpendicular to the transport direction (X).

In the embodiment of figures 2 and 4, the glazing device comprises a moving assembly (43) for the nozzles (4). The moving assembly comprises a transport member (44), represented only schematically as it is known to the technical expert in the sector, and which is arranged substantially in accordance with the path (P). The nozzles (4) are associated to the transport member (44). For example, the transport member (44) might be in the form of a cable or a motorised chain, guided along the path (P) by support structures known to the expert in the sector.

The use of a path (P) comprising two main portions (P1 , P2) arranged transversally of the transport direction (X) enables adapting the glazing device to large-format ceramic tiles (T), in particular wide ceramic tiles, while maintaining the advantage linked to the possibility of moving the nozzles (4) continuously, i.e. without inversions of direction.