"PRESS FOR LARGE SIZE PRODUCTS" TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refers to an industrial press for large-size products such as ceramic products, if desired tiles, plates or the like.

STATE OF THE ART

Various types of industrial presses of hydraulic type are known for forming large- size ceramic products, on the order of several square meters, such as plates, tiles or the like, which have a structure or framework with vertical extension, adapted to connect together the movable and fixed parts of the presses themselves.

According to a commonly diffused embodiment, a press of such type has a structure with a portal-like shape, provided with at least two lateral uprights, opposite each other, connected by transverse portions, between which a free opening is delimited that defines the inlet mouth for the material to be formed; such opening is accessible from two opposite sides of the press, an inlet side and an outlet side.

The press can comprise means for supplying the material to be pressed, for example in the form of a conveyor belt that can be moved through the free opening of the structure, and power members adapted to exercise the pressing force on the material to be formed which, generally, is present in powder form.

One drawback of such type of industrial press regards the difficulty of obtaining, by means of only the pressing step, a finished product that meets the shape and finish requirements, and which therefore requires further processing, of mechanical type, so to be able to reach the desired shape and finish.

In particular, it is observed that during the pressing step, the perimeter portion of the pressed product, due to an upper and/or lower punch, is not uniform and regular.

A subsequent processing of the pressed product is thus necessary in order to obtain the desired shape and finish thereof.

Generally, therefore, one proceeds by mechanically removing the perimeter portion of the tile or plate, thus inevitably producing discard material - scrap - to dispose of.

This translates into an increase of the production costs and times.

It is observed that the production discard or scrap disposal process results quite difficult, since the same must be treated as special waste.

In addition, the tiles or plates thus produced do not have a uniform tensional/structural state between the central portion and the perimeter portion, which in turn affects the resistance of the product itself to the stresses to which it is subjected in use.

There is therefore the need in the field to overcome the above-reported drawbacks, with particular reference to the production of products such as tiles, plates or the like of large size.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The technical task of the present invention is to improve the state of the art. In the scope of such technical object, one object of the present invention is to implement a press for ceramic products adapted to obtain finished products such as tiles, plates or the like, whose perimeter portion is uniform and in accordance with the product specifications.

Another object of the present invention is to obtain an industrial press for large-size ceramic products, such as tiles, plates or the like, which allows obtaining finished products directly by means of only the pressing step.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a press for large-size ceramic products, such as tiles, plates or the like, which can be easily implemented in a production line.

This task and these objects are all achieved by a press for ceramic products according to the enclosed claim 1.

The dependent claims refer to preferred and advantageous embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be clearer from the detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of an industrial press for ceramic products with large size, illustrated as a non- limiting example in the enclosed drawings, in which:

figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a press according to the invention;

figure 2 is a schematic perspective sectional view, along the plane of section II, of the press pursuant to figure 1 ;

figures 3, 5, 7 and 9 are perspective views that illustrate in detail several steps of the pressing of a product by means of a press according to the invention;

figures 4, 6, 8 and 10 are sectional views that illustrate in detail the steps of the pressing of a product respectively depicted in figures 3, 5, 7 and 9;

figure 11 is a detailed perspective view of several components of the press according to the present invention, illustrated in an operative configuration;

figure 12 is a perspective view of the components pursuant to figure 11 , illustrated in a further operative configuration.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the enclosed figures, an industrial press for large-size ceramic products according to the present invention is generally indicated with the reference number 1.

Preferably, the press 1 according to the present invention is provided in use for pressing a material, if desired made of powder, in order to obtain ceramic products such as tiles, plates or the like. According to one version of the present invention, the material to be pressed can be selected from among ceramic powders in general.

It should be intended that the powder ceramic material to be pressed can be, if necessary, mixed with further substances as a function of specific attainment requirements, without any limitation of the objects of the present invention. The press 1 according to the present invention has a modular structure 2, of non-welded type or possibly welded, comprising a plurality of annular plates 3 arranged aligned in succession one after the other.

According to a further version of the present invention, not illustrated in the enclosed figures, the press 1 has a structure with a portal-like shape.

More precisely, the portal structure comprises at least two lateral uprights, opposite each other, connected by transverse portions, between which a free opening is delimited that is accessible from two opposite sides of the press, an inlet side and an outlet side.

Hereinbelow, a structure 2 for a press 1 according to the present invention of modular type will be briefly described, limited to the description of only the components necessary for understanding the same.

The modular structure 2 has a through seat 4 having at least two opposite portions in use, one lower 5 and one upper 6, preferably substantially rectilinear.

The modular structure 2 also comprises a bed 7 that can be supported at the lower portion 5 of the through seat 4, as well as a head 8 fixable in any suitable manner at the upper portion 6 (upper during use) of the through seat 4.

More precisely, the bed 7 can be supported by the annular plates 3 along the through seat 4.

According to such embodiment, the through seat 4 delimits, together with the bed 7 and the head 8, a work chamber 9 for housing power means, indicated overall with the number 10, intended to carry out the pressing operations. Since the structure 2 is of modular type, the size of the press 1 can be adapted as a function of specific attainment requirements.

It is intended that considerations analogous to those reported above with regard to the components present in a press 1 with a structure 2 of modular type also apply for a press 1 of the type comprising a portal structure, without 5 departing from the protective scope of the present invention.

Indeed, it is observed that, analogous to that described above, a press according to the present invention can comprise a portal-shaped structure which has a through seat provided with a lower portion and with an upper portion opposite one another, a bed supported at the lower portion and a head o connectable to the upper portion.

The bed and the head together delimit a work chamber for housing power means suitable for carrying out the operations of pressing a material to be pressed.

The press 1 according to the present invention, also comprises means for5 supplying the work chamber 9 with the powder material to be pressed, generally indicated with the reference number 11.

Preferably, the supplying means 11 comprise a conveyor belt 12, substantially ring-like, that passes through the through seat 4, and means for moving the conveyor belt 12 through the press 1, along a direction A of longitudinal o extension of the modular structure 2, not illustrated in the enclosed figures.

By way of example, the means for moving the conveyor belt 12 can comprise a plurality of rollers, not illustrated, including at least one motor, around which the conveyor belt 12 itself is wound. The actuation in rotation of the at least one motor roller determines the movement of the conveyor belt 12 and, 5 consequently, the advancement along the direction A of the powder material to be pressed arranged on top of the conveyor belt 12.

The means for arranging the powder material on the conveyor belt 12 are not described in detail, nor are they illustrated in the enclosed figures, since they do not form part of the present invention.

0 By means of the conveyor belt 12, it is possible to move the powder material, previously arranged on the conveyor belt 12 itself, in order to bring it below the power means 10.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the conveyor belt 12 can comprise - or it can be associated with - means for evacuating the air possibly present in the powder material to be pressed.

Such evacuation means can comprise elements such as seats and/or openings and/or channels and/or the like, provided in the conveyor belt 12, not illustrated in the figures.

Such elements are adapted to facilitate the evacuation of the air, possibly present in the powder material to be pressed, thus facilitating a uniform pressing thereof and preventing the formation of discontinuities such as interstices due to the air that possibly remains trapped inside the material.

Such discontinuities actually compromise the integrity and the mechanical performances of the pressed product.

The conveyor belt 12 has, in use, an upper branch 13, as represented in the section view illustrated in figure 2, which is extended along the direction A, substantially horizontal from an inlet portion B to the press 1 up to an outlet portion C of the press 1.

In use, at least one portion of the conveyor belt 12 is interposed between the bed 7 and the head 8.

More in detail, the upper branch 13 of the conveyor belt 12 is positioned above the base 7 and, preferably, in slidable abutment with respect thereto. Returning to that described above, the press 1 according to the present invention comprises power means 10 for pressing the powder material.

Such power means 10, one embodiment thereof being illustrated in more detail in figures 3-10, comprise at least one upper pressing element or punch 14, first opposite lateral holding means 15 for the material to be pressed and second lateral holding means 16 for the material to be pressed.

During use, the first lateral holding means 15 are aligned orthogonal to the direction A, while the second lateral holding means 16, during use, are substantially aligned parallel to the direction A.

The pressing element 14, as well as the first lateral holding means 15 and the second lateral holding means 16, in use, are adapted to retain and/or to exert respective pressing forces on the powder material to be formed, as is better described hereinbelow.

As fact, the press 1 according to the present invention allows obtaining a finished product, and thus does not require further processing, directly by means of only the pressing step.

The pressing element 14 can be vertically moved closer to/away from the conveyor belt 12 by means of suitable actuation means, not illustrated in the figures, e.g. of oil-pressure type.

For such purpose, it is observed that the press 1 can comprise, on top of the bed 7, a lower reinforcement matrix 17, in a position below the pressing element 14.

In use, the lower matrix 17 acts as a reinforcement element for the bed 7 at the pressing area on which the pressing element 14 abuts.

The lower matrix 17, in use, is positioned below the upper branch 13 of the conveyor belt 12.

The lower matrix 17 defines a plane on which the upper branch 13 of the conveyor belt 12 slides, thus providing, during the pressing step, a suitable uniform and stable support for the material to be pressed.

With regard to the pressing element 14, the latter can have a flat shape, with a substantially rectangular plan section.

More in detail, the pressing element 14 can have a pair of first sides 14' opposite each other and a pair of second sides 14" opposite each other.

The first sides 14' and the second sides 14" are substantially orthogonal to each other.

Preferably, the first sides 14' are aligned substantially orthogonal to the direction A of advancement of the conveyor belt 12. Consequently, the second sides 14" are aligned substantially parallel to the advancement direction A. According to one version of the present invention, the first lateral holding means 15 can comprise at least one pair of plate elements 15', each of which operatively connectable to the pressing element 14, on opposite sides.

More precisely, according to such version, the first lateral holding means 15 are connected to the first sides 14'.

According to a preferred embodiment, the first plate elements 15' can be shaped for example substantially as a knife, each positioned at one of the first sides 14' of the pressing element 14.

Preferably, each of the first plate elements 15' is extended for a length equal to at least the width of the conveyor belt 12.

Nevertheless, further embodiments are possible in which the extension of each of the first plate elements 15' is different from that described above, without departing from the protective scope of the present invention.

The first lateral holding means 15 can be moved along a substantially vertical direction, with respect to the pressing element 14, between a work position, in which they project below the pressing element 14 until they are arranged in abutment against the upper surface of the conveyor belt 12, and in particular against the upper branch 13, and a retracted position, in which they do not project below the pressing element 14.

The movement of the first lateral holding means 15 occurs by means of respective first actuation means 18.

By way of a non-limiting example, the first actuation means 18 can for example be of cylinder-piston type, or of any other type suitable for such purpose.

In practice, the first actuation means 18 are adapted to move the first lateral holding means 15 between the work position and the retracted position, described above, and vice versa.

The power means 10, according to the embodiment illustrated in the figures, can comprise means for guiding each of the first plate elements 15' along a substantially vertical direction, indicated overall with the reference number The guide means 19 allow maintaining each of the first plate elements 15' substantially horizontal during the movement thereof, thus ensuring that the entire lower portion of each of the first elements 15' correctly abuts against the conveyor belt 12, with the first lateral holding means 15 arranged in work configuration.

In such a manner, when the first holding means 15 are arranged in work position, the same are sealingly in abutment against the conveyor belt 12 and in fact constitute a substantially hermetic barrier adapted to hold the powder material during the pressing step.

By way of a non-limiting example, the guide means 19, as illustrated in the enclosed figures, can comprise a frame 20, for the connection of the guide means 19 and the first lateral holding means 15 to the pressing element 14. In turn, the connection frame 20 can comprise a plurality of abutment elements 21, e.g. pins, that are extended substantially horizontal from the connection frame 20 itself and which are engaged in corresponding openings 22, with substantially vertical extension, obtained along each of the first plate elements 15'.

According to one version of the present invention, the openings 22 can be shaped like slots.

Further embodiments of the guide means 19, with respect to that described above, are in any case possible, falling within the same inventive concept of the present invention.

The second lateral holding means 16 are instead arranged above the bed 7. According to an embodiment illustrated in the figures, the second lateral holding means 16 can comprise at least one pair of horizontal sides 23, opposite each other, aligned substantially parallel to the direction A of advancement of the conveyor belt 12.

In use, each of the horizontal sides 23 is substantially placed at a respective edge of the conveyor belt 12. Therefore, the horizontal sides 23 are spaced from each other by a distance substantially at least equal to the width of the conveyor belt 12.

By way of a non-limiting example, it is observed that the horizontal sides 23 are extended for a length equal to at least that of the second sides 14" of the pressing element 14.

The press 1 comprises second actuation means for moving the second lateral holding means 16, and in particular the horizontal sides 23, towards/away from each other between a work position and a retracted position, indicated overall with the reference number 24.

In the work position, the horizontal sides 23, opposite each other, are moved mutually close until they are placed at a mutual distance substantially equal to the length of the first sides 14' of the pressing element 14.

On the contrary, in the retracted position, the horizontal sides 23 are mutually moved away until they are substantially arranged at the lateral edges of the conveyor belt 12.

More in detail, in use, with the second lateral holding means 16 arranged in work position, each of the horizontal sides 23 is arranged substantially at a respective second side 14" of the pressing element 14.

In practice, it is observed that in use each of the horizontal sides 23 is adapted to laterally press the powder material and to stably hold it in position in order to ensure the uniform and compact molding of a perimeter portion of the pressed product.

The second actuation means 24 are adapted to maintain and ensure the alignment of the horizontal sides 23 during the various operative steps of the press 1, in order to ensure the correct alignment of the perimeter edges of the pressed product.

According to the embodiment illustrated in figures 11 and 12, the second lateral holding means 16 can comprise at least one pair of second actuation means 24, each operatively associated with a respective horizontal side 23. Nevertheless, further configurations of the second lateral holding means 16 are possible, with a greater or lesser number of actuation means 24, without departing from the protective scope of the present invention.

Each of the second actuation means 24 can comprise motor means 25 for moving a respective horizontal side 23, to which they are operatively 5 connected.

According to one version of the present invention, the second actuation means 24 can comprise motion transmission means 26, interposed between the motor means 25 and the horizontal sides 23, adapted to maintain the horizontal sides 23 aligned parallel to the direction A, during the movement of the latter from l o the work position to the retracted position, and vice versa.

In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, each actuation means 24 comprises a respective motion transmission means 26.

Each of the motion transmission means 26 can comprise at least one movable element 27, operatively connected to the motor means 25, such as an 15 electromechanical actuation with piston or the like, adapted to move a driven element 28 in turn connected to a horizontal side 23.

The actuation means 24 further comprise guide means 29.

By way of example, the guide means 29 can be shaped like a box-like frame in order to guide the mutual movement of the movable element 27 and the 20 driven element 28, in particular allowing maintaining the driven element 28 parallel to the direction A, during the movement thereof.

Therefore, the guide means 29 are adapted to guide the translation of the horizontal sides 23, maintaining them substantially parallel to the direction A.

According to one version of the present invention, the movable element 27 25 and the driven element 28 are mutually engaged with each other by means of respective tilted planes 30.

In practice, the translation of the movable element 27, controlled by the motor means 25, causes the translation of the driven element 28 in moving closer to or away from the movable element 27.

30 In practice, the driven element 28 is translated along a direction orthogonal to that of translation of the movable element 27.

Consequently, the relative movement of the horizontal sides 23 is determined, in mutual moving closer/away.

The motion transmission means 26 thus shaped allow stably maintaining the sides 23 aligned parallel to the direction A during the movement thereof and during the pressing step, in a manner such to apply a uniform pressure against opposite sides of the powder material to be pressed.

Nevertheless, further embodiments of the motion transmission means 26 with respect to that described above are possible, without any limitation of the protective scope of the present invention.

The first lateral holding means 15 and the second lateral holding means 16, the pressing element 14, the conveyor belt 12, during use, are adapted to respectively delimit the lateral, upper and lower walls of a work chamber in which the powder material to be pressed is held.

More in detail, it is observed that the walls of such work chamber, during the pressing step, are mutually sealed.

The shape of the work chamber obtainable in the press 1 according to the present invention substantially corresponds to the final form of the ceramic product, such as a tile, a plate or the like, that one intends to obtain.

In fact, in the press 1, the pressing element 14, the first lateral holding means

15 and the second lateral holding means 16, together with the conveyor belt 12 constitute a mold with movable walls.

In particular, the pressing element 14 and the second lateral holding elements

16 are adapted to respectively press the powder material on the top and laterally.

The work chamber thus delimited, being sealed, prevents the leakage of the powder material during the pressing step.

In such a manner, optimal pressing conditions are attained.

Advantageously, the pressed product thus obtained does not require further mechanical processing adapted to eliminate scraps or part of the perimeter portion of the obtained tile or plate, as instead occurs in the presses of conventional type for pressing powder material.

As is known in the field, the disposal of the production waste of the ceramic products is difficult, in particular regarding the disposal costs, since such discards must be suitable treated as special waste.

Reducing or substantially eliminating the disposal of such production discards advantageously translates into a significant production cost reduction.

By means of the press 1 according to the present invention, it is possible to directly obtain, during the single pressing step, finished products such as tiles or plates or the like even with large size, characterized by a high structural uniformity and by a high finish, in particular of the perimeter portion, and hence such that they do not require further processing for removing material. In particular, it is not necessary to remove part of the perimeter portion of the pressed products, as instead can occur when employing presses of conventional type.

Hereinbelow, a description of the operation of the press 1 according to the present invention is briefly reported, with reference to the pressing steps illustrated in figures 3-10.

Initially, the powder material to be pressed is deposited, by means of suitable arrangement means (not illustrated), on the conveyor belt 12, which advances it along the direction A, introducing it into the press 1 through the inlet portion B.

The material to be pressed is carried below the power means 10 present in the work chamber 9.

The advancement of the conveyor belt 12 is then stopped when the material to be pressed is situated below the pressing element 14.

In this step of supplying the material to be pressed, the pressing element 14 is lifted from the conveyor belt 12 and the first lateral holding means 15, together with the second lateral holding means 16, are in the respective retracted positions (see figures 3 and 4). Subsequently, the first lateral holding means 15 are vertically moved by means of the first actuation means 18 until they arrive in proximity to the work position, and arranged in abutment against the conveyor belt 12 (see figures 5 and 6).

In such a manner, two opposite edges of the tile, plate or the like are defined. Simultaneously, the second lateral holding means 16 are moved, in particular, by mutually moving closer the horizontal sides 23, until they are brought into the work position.

The movement of the second lateral holding means 16 can in any case be carried out after or before that of the first lateral holding means 15 without departing from the protective scope of the present invention.

In fact, by means of the second lateral holding means 16, the powder material to be pressed is laterally pressed, compacting it, and the two remaining opposite edges of the tile, plate or the like are delimited, with respect to those delimited by the first lateral holding means 15.

With the first lateral holding means 15 and the second lateral holding means 16 arranged in work position, the upper pressing element 14 is then moved, lowering it in approaching the conveyor belt 12 (see figures 7 and 8).

The pressing element 12 is lowered against the powder material to be pressed with a pressing force of value equal to that required, each time, as a function of the characteristics of the material itself.

Once the pressing step has terminated, the first lateral holding means 15 and the second lateral holding means 16 are moved from the work position to the retracted position, thus laterally disengaging them from the pressed product and allowing the expansion of the latter following the pressing step.

Then, the pressing element 14 is vertically moved, moving it away above the pressed product.

Then, the conveyor belt 12 is moved along the direction A, thus advancing the pressed product towards the outlet portion C of the press 1 and, simultaneously, proceeding with the loading of new material to be pressed. By operating according to such procedure, one ensures the continuity of working and a high production rate of the press 1.

From that described above, it is clear that the press 1 according to the present invention allows obtaining finished products, such as tiles, plates or the like, even with large size, which in particular have a compact and linear perimeter portion.

In particular, the perimeter portion of the pressed ceramic products thus obtained lacks discontinuities or defects.

The finished ceramic products thus obtained therefore do not require further processing for removing possible excess material at the perimeter portion thereof.

In addition, the ceramic products obtained by means of the press 1 have a structural uniformity, which advantageously translates into uniform resistance to the mechanical stresses to which such products are subjected during use. The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variants, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept.

In addition, all details can be substituted by other technically equivalent elements. In practice, the materials used, as well as the contingent shapes and sizes, can be of any type in accordance with the requirements, without departing from the protective scope of the following claims.