The subject of the invention is a multi-function table for mechanical processing of boards, especially tile boards, using a“dry” or“wet” dust-free method.

The invention relates to the renovation and installation services, especially to the tiling services In most cases, such a work is handled by small businesses or sole proprietorships.

Various tools for mechanical processing of boards are currently known on the market. However, these are hand-operated devices, such as, for example, a hand-held tile cutter. It is usually used on the floor, which might cause some discomfort when used for a longer time, due to high level of dusting and possible back pains. Various tables or trestles are available, such as for example the one from an American patent description US201000601 1 , describing a mobile modular worktable. The table enables the material to be solidly secured in any direction by removing or adding proper modules in the work area and creating appropriate workspaces used for snipping, welding, soldering, gluing, painting or cutting. However, such a device does not contain any drainage system for waste and it is necessary to transport the proper modules every time. The solution that has a conjugated dust removal system was presented in a Chinese patent application CN 108544013. According to that solution, two conjugated dust suction systems are placed underneath the work net, and there is also a suction system of ventilators. This solution is applied mainly for a workshop cutting of construction materials. A similar solution was presented in a Chinese patent description CN108127712, showing a method for dust removal during a mechanical processing of construction materials with scrap recovery, where the dust is collected by a suction fan.

It often turns out, that a pre-fabrication and assembly is needed on the spot. In such cases the problem is the size and weight of the equipment, and, in case of mobile tables - their single function. The main tools that are in use by the contractors are angle grinders and hand-saws for tile cutting. During the mechanical processing of tiles, there is a large degree of dusting, which affects the health of the people involved, as the dust has a negative impact on the entire body and the work environment.

As a result of the above, a multi-function table was designed, for mechanical processing of boards, especially tile boards: stoneware and glaze, using a“dry” method with the use of vacuum dust removal system, or a“wet” method with closed water circulation. The similar dust removal system is used in fine finishing of materials, during water or laser cutting, where a drip tray or a vacuum table is used.

The goal of this invention is to develop a new construction solution for a multi-function table for mechanical processing of boards, especially tile boards, with a dust-free wet or dry method, using a gravitational outflow of water mixed with dust. The tool based on this invention is based on a trough and a guide with clamps, where the pollutants are collected and distributed further. The matter of this invention is a multi-function table for mechanical processing of boards, especially tile boards, with a bowl and at least one rail, characterized in that it consists of a guide and at least one trough, which create a dust-removal system.

Preferably, the guide has a clamp.

Preferably, the trough contains a profile, fixed wall and mobile wall.

Preferably, the trough contains a drainage hole and a hole for suction.

Preferably, the rail contains a sealant.

Preferably, the bowl has legs.

Preferably, the guide contains a nozzle.

Preferably, the bowl has a console.

Preferably, the bowl contains a bracket.

Preferably, the bowl contains a drain.

Preferably, the guide contains a shelf for tools.

Preferably, the bracket has a limiter.

Preferably, the nozzle contains a stop ring.

Preferably, the legs contain a shelf, a water tank and a pump.

Preferably, the profile contains a plug.

Preferably, the bowl is equipped with a settling tank.

Preferably, the bowl contains a vacuum generating device and a particulate filter.

Preferably, the console contains a valve and a connection.

Preferably, the bowl contains a mounting guide.

Preferably, the bowl contains a board and a processing machinery.

The invention solves a problem of dusting in a workplace during mechanical processing of boards, especially tile boards and stoneware. The application of vacuum dedusting makes it possible to reduce dusting by up to 85% and decrease its emission into the atmosphere. It is very important, as a long-term contact with dust causes many respiratory diseases, such as pneumoconiosis or asthma, as well as skin allergies and eye diseases. Per health and safety requirements, it is necessary to wear protective clothing, however, it doesn’t always fulfill its functions. Also, sometimes the work conditions prevent wearing the clothing required by the health and safety rules. Working in such a dusty environment causes a dust intake through the entire body, also through skin. Using the particulate filters closes the dust up in a closed circuit and enables its further disposal.

Using a closed water circuit makes the table independent from an outside water source and minimizes the discharge of waste water. In case of using a settling tank for treatment of water mixed with dust, it allows to significantly clean the water. The assumption behind this invention is that it is based on using manual tools, such as angle grinders and hand-saws for tile cutting, hole saws, drills and milling cutters, which are standard pieces of equipment for tile layers.

The multi-function table according to this invention serves a few purposes at the same time. Apart from its main function of creating a dust-free work environment, thanks to the guide, it also enables a precise, simultaneous cutting of a few boards in a straight line and a possibility of drilling a hole. The table contains shelves for tools and legs, thanks to which it is possible to adjust the height of the workspace to suit person during mechanical processing of boards.

The possibility of using many materials, such as metal, polymer, epoxy or laminated, to construct the table allows reduction of the table’s weight, which has a significant influence on its mobility.

The disadvantage of the table according to this invention is the fact, that the mechanical processing of boards, especially tile boards and stoneware, can be done up to the maximum standard thickness, which is 15 mm.

The subject of this invention has been presented on the attached illustration, on which Figure 1 presents an axonometric view of the table, Figure 2 shows the construction of the table with the application of a trough for mechanical wet or dry processing of board using the dust-free method, and Figure 3 presents the vacuum circuit and the water circuit, Figure 4 shows the structure of the table for mechanical processing of stoneware or glaze with the dust-free method, Figure 5 shows a structure of the hydraulic system, Figure 6 presents the table equipped with legs, Figure 7 shows the table with an additional rail, thanks to which it is possible to process boards that are longer than the table width, Figure 8 presents the table with a mobile limiter, thanks to which it is possible to process more than one board at a time, Figure 9 shows the guide with a shelf for tools and Figure 10 presents the table with a shelf with a water container.

EXAMPLE 1

The structure of the table for mechanical, dust-free processing of boards, especially the tile boards, has been presented in Figure 1 . The table consists of a cube- shaped bowl (14) made of metal, polymer, epoxy or laminate, with minimum dimensions of 30x30 cm. In the upper surface, in the central part of the bowl, there is a cavity. On the rim of the cavity of the bowl (14) there are rails (4), the surface of which is covered with a sealant (5) which can be foam, rubber or silicone. A profile (1 ) is assembled between the rails (4). It contains a fixed wall (2) and a mobile wall (3). The board (6) is placed on the rails (4). A guide (20) equipped with a clamp (23), at least two clamps (23) is assembled over one of the rails (4). The fixed wall (2) contains a hole for suction (7) and the one to plug in the vacuum generating device (8), preceding the particulate filter (8a).

EXAMPLE 2

The limitations resulting from the properties of the boards require their processing in a certain way. Tile boards can only be processed with a“dry” method, while stoneware can be processed both“dry” and“wet”. The example of a typical trough designed for both“dry” and“wet” mechanical processing is presented on Figure 2. The trough (19a, 19b) is made of a profile (1 ), which consists of a fixed wall (2) and a mobile wall (3). The fixed wall (2) contains a hole for suction (7) and a drainage hole (7a) in a profile (1 ), located close to the fixed wall (2). In order to achieve a gravitational outflow of the polluted liquid, the profile (1 ) should slope at the minimum value of 0°.

EXAMPLE 3

Figure 3 presents the hydraulic system using the vacuum circuit and the water circuit. The board (6) is placed on a rail (4) with a sealant (5). The board (6) is secured with a clamp (23), assembled in a guide (20). In case of the“dry” mechanical processing of boards (6), the drain hole (7a) placed in the profile (1 ) is closed with a plug (9). The dust is extracted through the hole for suction (7) in the fixed wall (2). Then, the dust is collected in the particulate filter (8a) placed ahead of the vacuum generating device (8). The mobile wall (3) has a regulation of Dc the length of the profile, which has an influence on the pressure generated inside. In order to use the water circuit, for example to cut stoneware, it needs to be cleared by opening the drain hole (7a) by removing the plug (9). Then, water is supplied to the processing machinery (12) from a tank (10) with a pump (1 1 ). Water serves as a coolant for the tool. During processing, the mixture of water and dust is created on the surface of the board and flows under gravity into the profile (1 ), and then through the drain hole (7a) it is transported into the settling tank (13) in which it is cleaned. Cleaned water in returned to the tank. The advantage of such as structure is that it makes the tool independent from current water supply sources, and the sludge waste may be easily utilized.

EXAMPLE 4

The multi-function table for mechanical“dry” or“wet” processing of boards may not have any legs and be suited for work on a flat surface, as shown on Figure 4. The table is made out of a cube-shaped bowl (14) made of metal, polymer, epoxy or laminate, with minimum dimensions of 30x30 cm. In the top surface of the central part of the bowl (14) there is a cavity with at least one sloping surface, with the minimal slope of 0°. The drain (15) is located in the lowest point of the bowl (14). It is connected to an external water tank (10) equipped with a pump (1 1 ). Along the shorter edges of the bowl (14) there are brackets (18), making it possible to assemble the following elements inside the bowl (14), along its longer edges: outside trough (19a); rail with a sealant (4,5); inside trough (19b), rail with a sealant (4,5); another rail with a sealant (4,5) attached at least in the middle of the remaining, undeveloped edge of the cavity. The created space between the rails (4) is used for drilling holes. A guide (20) is mounted above the middle rail with a sealant (4,5), in a way that a gap enabling an easy movement of the board (6) is created between the top of the sealant (5) and the bottom of the casing. The guide (20) is made of a section, having at least one perpendicular wall, in which a profiled nozzle is placed (21 ). Inside the guide (20), there are at least 2 clamps (23), regulated with a set screw. The mounting guides (24) are mounted to one of the longer walls of the bowl (14). An extender or grips for cables can be mounted to these mounting guides. Additionally, the bowl (14) has a console (25), which is a plate equipped with taps for valves for adjusting the direction of flow of the medium into proper work channels and appropriate connectors for machinery.

EXAMPLE 5

Figure 5 presents a typical hydraulic system used in the multi-function table for mechanical“wet” or“dry” processing of boards. The troughs (19a) and (19b) are placed in the bowl (14). The dust is transported using vacuum created by the vacuum generating device (8) from an appropriate trough (19a) or (19b) and it’s steered with a valve (28) the tap for which is located in the console (25). Then the dust is collected in the particulate filter (8a). In the“wet” method, the water from the tank (10) is supplied to the processing machinery (12) or to the stop ring (22) using the pump (1 1 ). The water circulation is steered with the valve (28), the tap for which is placed in the console (25). Additionally, the console (25) contains the connection (29) for a quick switch to the proper processing machinery (12) that requires water cooling. During the processing with the use of appropriate troughs (19a) or (19b), under gravity the water is transported through the drain hole (15) located in the bowl (14) into the settling tank (13) and then into the water tank (10). The water used during drilling holes is supplied through the nozzle (21 ) mounted in the guide (20). There is a stop ring (22) on the nozzle. Then, the water with dust is discharged under gravity through the drain hole (15) located in the bowl (14) and transported through the settling tank (13) into the water tank (10).

EXAMPLE 6

The multi-function work table can be also manufactured in a free-standing version equipped with legs, as shown on Figure 6. The bowl (14) is based on legs (16a) and (16b). In order to achieve additional slope of the table, the front legs (16a) should be shorter than the back legs (16b). The length of the legs is regulated in steps. This makes it possible to adjust the height of the table to the height of the user. Additionally, the independent regulation of the height of the legs allows the adjustment of the slope of the workspace, which has an impact on the work ergonomics. For example, during “wet” processing, it is possible to adjust the speed of the drainage of water-dust mixture. In case of“dry” cutting, it allows to adjust the work surface in order to slit with “one cut”.

EXAMPLE 7

If it’s necessary to process boards, that are longer than the table width, it is possible to increase the table by adding an additional rail. The example of the assembly of the additional rail that widens the table was shown on Figure 7. The rail (4) with a sealant

(5) rests against the area of the bowl (14) and is assembled perpendicularly to the outer rail (4) with a sealant (5).

EXAMPLE 8

In case it’s necessary to achieve unified edges for many boards, a mobile limiter can be added to add an extra edge securing the location of the board and allowing to speed up the work. The method of assembly of the limiter is presented on Figure 8. Brackets (18) will be attached symmetrically to the shorter rims of the cavity of the bowl (14). A mobile limiter (27) will be attached to the brackets (18), blocking at least two boards

(6) in an even distance.

EXAMPLE 9

A shelf for tools can be added to the top of the guide. Its location in the guide contour makes it possible to safely put away tool, which decreases the risk of accidental hurting. Additionally, in case of using water-cooled tools, a free drainage of water within the table is possible. The location of the shelf is shown on Figure 9. The shelf for tools (26) is assembled on the top of the guide (20) between the clamp (23) and the edge of the guide (20). EXAMPLE 10

A leg of the table can be equipped with a shelf, on which the water tank can be placed. The example of a table with a shelf is shown on Figure 10. The shelf (17) is placed underneath the bowl (14) and attached to the back leg (16b). The water tank (10) is placed on the shelf.