ACCESSORIES AND SUPPORTING SURFACE

Technical Field

5 The present invention relates to a process for the manufacturing of a supporting surface for furnishing accessories, in particular for tables and tops for kitchens and/or bathrooms.

Background Art

It is well known that supporting surfaces for furnishing accessories can be made 10 of different materials and through different industrial processes.

The supporting surfaces for furnishing accessories can be made of natural material (e.g. marble, granite, wood) which are suitably shaped according to the dimensional characteristics of the supporting surface to be made.

In this regard, it should be noted that the supporting surfaces have different 15 dimensions and conformation depending on their intended use and often comprise storage compartments to receive any additional furnishing components (e.g. sinks, hobs, or the like).

The supporting surfaces made of natural materials do however have some drawbacks, including the fact that they do not always meet market requirements 20 because they are often very expensive.

Secondly, the supporting surfaces made of natural material do not have an appreciable durability in terms of shock-proof and in terms of permeability to any staining agents.

As an alternative to natural materials, it is well known to manufacture 25 supporting surfaces with material of the type of resins or mixtures of resins and synthetic quartzes, which can be, e.g., okite, corian, laminate, or the like.

However, the supporting surfaces made with the above mentioned materials do have some drawbacks and, specifically, they often do not meet the aesthetic standards required by customers, as they hardly ever faithfully reproduce the 30 aesthetics of natural materials.

Furthermore, the use of supporting surfaces made of ceramic material and, in particular, porcelain stoneware is well known.

Porcelain stoneware is a ceramic product obtained by means of a process implemented in the ceramic industry that involves the processing of a basic material of a ceramic nature.

The basic material has different characteristics and composition according to the nature of the finished product to be obtained and, precisely, it can be composed of clays, silicates, minerals in granular form (e.g. marble and granite), quartz powders, resins and the like.

The process implemented to obtain porcelain stoneware involves first of all distributing the basic material on a special flat support in order to obtain a layer of basic material.

The layer thus obtained is compacted, decorated on the exposed surface, for example, through the application of ceramic pigments by means of digital printing, and then fired.

The porcelain stoneware obtained this way takes the form of large-size slabs which are then shaped to obtain the supporting surface and, specifically, are cut and, if necessary, bevelled at the edges.

The supporting surfaces made of porcelain stoneware do however have some drawbacks.

First of all, the table tops made of porcelain stoneware do not always meet customers’ aesthetic requirements because, for example, they do not reproduce the aesthetic characteristics of natural materials in a satisfactory manner.

In this regard, it should be noted that the natural materials often have veins of colour distributed through the thickness of the natural materials themselves.

To best imitate the aforementioned veins of colour, during the production process of porcelain stoneware, the basic material is sometimes deposited on the flat support so as to create different layers by colour and composition, which extend throughout the entire thickness of the supporting surface.

This way, what is commonly known as“full-body decoration” is obtained.

However, even the supporting surfaces made with full-body porcelain stoneware often have transverse surfaces that comprise veins of colour that do not faithfully reproduce the veins present in the natural materials.

In fact, while the main faces of the supporting surfaces can be decorated with high detailed precision using digital printing so as to depict realistic veins, the transverse surfaces cannot be decorated with digital printers and, therefore, do have veins of poorer aesthetic quality.

In addition to this, the supporting surfaces made of porcelain stoneware often have surface imperfections generated during the cutting of porcelain stoneware slabs, such as, e.g., microgrooves and pores inside of which dirt can be deposited.

Description of the Invention

The main aim of the present invention is to devise a process for the manufacturing of a supporting surface for furnishing accessories, in particular for tables and tops for kitchens and/or bathrooms, that allows obtaining supporting surfaces that are more aesthetically appreciable by customers.

Within the scope of this aim, a further object of the present invention is to devise a process for the manufacturing of a supporting surface for furnishing accessories, in particular for tables and tops for kitchens and/or bathrooms, which makes it possible to manufacture supporting surfaces that perfectly resemble natural materials.

Yet, another object of the present invention is to devise a process for the manufacturing of a supporting surface for furnishing accessories, in particular for tables and tops for kitchens and/or bathrooms that allows obtaining supporting surfaces which are impermeable to dirt and easily cleaned.

Another object of the present invention is to devise a process for the manufacturing of a supporting surface for furnishing accessories, in particular for tables and tops for kitchens and/or bathrooms that allows obtaining supporting surfaces the cost of which is as low as possible.

Another object of the present invention is to devise a process for the manufacturing of a supporting surface for furnishing accessories, in particular for tables and tops for kitchens and/or bathrooms that allows overcoming the above mentioned drawbacks of the prior art in a simple, rational, easy, effective to use and low cost solution.

The objects set out above are achieved by the present process for the manufacturing of a supporting surface for furnishing accessories, in particular for tables and tops for kitchens and/or bathrooms having the characteristics of claim 1.

The objects set out above are also achieved by the present process for the manufacturing of a supporting surface for furnishing accessories, in particular for tables and tops for kitchens and/or bathrooms, having the characteristics of claim 12.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be more evident from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a process for the manufacturing of a supporting surface for furnishing accessories, in particular for tables and tops for kitchens and/or bathrooms, illustrated by way of an indicative, yet not limiting example, in the attached tables of drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an axonometric view that illustrates the phase of providing the raw slab provided by the process according to the invention;

Figure 2 is an axonometric view that illustrates the phase of firing the raw slab provided by the process according to the invention;

Figure 3 is an axonometric view that illustrates the phase of modelling the fired slab provided by the process according to the invention;

Figure 4 is an axonometric view that illustrates the phase of decorating the shaped slab provided by the process according to the invention;

Figure 5 is an axonometric view that illustrates the phase of firing the decorated slab provided by the process according to the invention.

Embodiments of the Invention

With particular reference to these figures by reference letter I, II, III, IV, V are indicated the main phases of the process according to the invention, with which it is possible to obtain the supporting surface 1 for furnishing accessories according to the invention. In the context of the present discussion, it is considered that the supporting surface 1 manufactured according to the process which the present invention relates to, is used in particular in the manufacturing of tables or as a worktop for kitchens and bathrooms.

Alternative embodiments cannot however be ruled out in which the process which the present invention relates to, is implemented in order to manufacture a supporting surface 1 intended for a different use, such as e.g. staircase or landing surfaces.

The supporting surface 1 is made of ceramic material, preferably porcelain stoneware.

It should be noted that porcelain stoneware has low water permeability and, therefore, is frost-resistant and poorly stained.

The supporting surface 1 made of porcelain stoneware, therefore, is particularly suitable to be inserted in environments such as kitchens and bathrooms, or to be placed outside buildings in case it is used for the construction of outdoor tables. Alternative embodiments cannot be ruled out in which the process which the present invention relates to, is implemented for the manufacturing of a supporting surface 1 made of a material other than porcelain stoneware, e.g. ceramic or terracotta.

The phase I of the process according to the invention is shown in Figure 1 and consists in providing at least one raw slab 2 made of raw ceramic material.

The raw slab 2 is obtained, for example, through a process, schematically shown in Figure 1 , which involves distributing a ceramic basic material 3 of a powdery nature on a flat support and then compacting the layer thus formed to obtain the raw slab 2.

In the context of the present discussion, the compaction of the basic material 3 is considered to be carried out, e.g., using a press 4.

Alternative embodiments cannot however be ruled out in which the compaction of the basic material is carried out using different types of machinery, e.g. by means of rolling means.

The phase II of the process is shown in Figure 2 and consists in firing at least partly the raw slab 2 to obtain at least one fired slab 5.

During the phase II of the process according to the invention it is provided to convey on the raw slab 2 heat that favours the compaction of the basic material 3 thus obtaining the fired slab 5.

The raw slab 2 is conveniently fired in special kilns where the temperature is between 800°C and 1250°C, for example.

The phase III of the process is shown in Figure 3 and consists in modelling at least partly the fired slab 5 to obtain at least one shaped slab 6.

The supporting surface 1 , depending on its intended use, must have dimensions and shape adaptable to the characteristics of the environment in which it is installed.

For example, the supporting surfaces 1 to be installed in kitchens or bathrooms must adapt to the dimensions of the other furniture already present and, often, must contain additional furnishing components such as washbasins or hobs.

The fired slab 5 obtained during the phase II of the process often has a substantially rectangular shape and extends over very large areas, which do not suit the dimensional characteristics required for the supporting surfaces 1.

In this respect, it is necessary to change the shape of the fired slab 5 and reduce the dimension thereof to obtain the shaped slab 6.

The phase III involves cutting the fired slab 5 in order to shape it according to the dimensional characteristics of the supporting surface 1 to be obtained.

In the particular embodiment shown in the figures, the shaped slab 6 is substantially L-shaped and comprises a storage compartment 7 for an additional furnishing component (a washbasin).

Alternative embodiments cannot be ruled out in which the shaped slab 6 has a different shape; the shaped slab 6 may e.g. have a substantially circular shape and/or comprise two storage compartments 7.

The shaped slab 6 comprises at least one exposed surface 8 and at least one lateral surface 9 transverse to the exposed surface 8.

Conveniently, the shaped slab 6 comprises a laying surface 10 opposite the exposed surface 8, the lateral surface 9 extending between the exposed surface 8 and the laying surface 10.

When using the supporting surface 1 obtained by means of the process according to the invention, it is planned to allocate it in the room of destination so that the laying surface 10 is not visible to the outside and faces downwards. The exposed surface 8, on the other hand, is visible and facing upwards during normal use of the supporting surface 1.

In the particular embodiment shown in the figures there is a plurality of lateral surfaces 9 with a substantially straight extension.

Alternative embodiments cannot however be ruled out in which the lateral surfaces 9 have different conformation.

Advantageously, the lateral surfaces 9 comprise at least one connecting stretch 11 with the exposed surface 8.

During the modelling phase, the sharp edges between the exposed surface 8 and the lateral surfaces 9 are eliminated and, specifically, the connecting stretch 11 is created with a substantially curvilinear extension.

The presence of the connecting stretch 11 reduces the angularity of the shaped slab 6 making it easier to handle and facilitating the subsequent phases of the process according to the invention (as it will be better explained later).

The connecting stretch 11 conveniently has a radius of curvature R ranging from 0.1 mm to 50 mm.

The phase IV of the process is shown in Figure 4 and involves decorating the shaped slab 6 with ceramic pigments 12 to obtain at least one decorated slab 13 which is decorated at least partly on the lateral surface 9.

Conveniently, the phase of decorating IV consists of a hydrographic decoration. The hydrographic decoration IV comprises at least the sub-phases of:

providing at least one container 14 containing at least one floating liquid 15; distributing the ceramic pigments 12 on the free surface of the floating liquid 15 to obtain at least an overflow decoration 16.

The floating liquid 15 is preferably water.

The ceramic pigments 12 are mixtures of very fine grain size colouring particles which, for example, are dispersed in a liquid solution which conveys the ceramic pigments 12 themselves.

The mixture containing the liquid solution and the ceramic pigments 12 is commonly known as ceramic ink.

The ceramic ink is distributed on the free surface of the floating liquid 15 according to a predetermined pattern, which varies according to the appearance that the supporting surface 1 must have.

The ceramic pigments 12 remain in suspension on the free surface of the floating liquid 15, without dispersing, thus defining the overflow decoration 16, i.e. a floating pattern.

The sub-phase of distributing the ceramic pigments 12 usefully comprises at least the steps of:

providing at least one film element 17 comprising at least one first face 18 and at least one second face 19 opposite each other;

applying the ceramic pigments 12 at least partly on the first face 18 to obtain at least one decorative element 20 comprising the film element 17 and the overflow decoration 16;

placing the decorative element 20 on the floating liquid 15, in which at least one of the first face 18 and the second face 19 is arranged on the free surface of the floating liquid 15 and the decorative element 20 floats on the floating liquid 15;

dissolving the film element 17 by means of at least one reagent substance

21.

In the particular embodiment shown in the figures, the film element 17 is substantially a polyvinyl alcohol-based hydrographic sheet.

The ceramic pigments 12 are distributed on the first face 18 according to a pre- established pattern, corresponding to the overflow decoration 16 one wishes to obtain.

The decorative element 20 thus obtained is placed on the free surface of the floating liquid 15; in the particular embodiment shown in the figures, the second face 19 directly contacts the free surface of the floating liquid 15 and, therefore, the first face 18 remains facing upwards. Alternative embodiments cannot however be ruled out in which the decorative element 20 is placed on the floating liquid 15 so that the first face 18 directly contacts the free surface of the floating liquid 15, with the second face 19 facing upwards.

Subsequently, the reagent substance 21 is distributed on the decorative element 20 and reacts with the film element 17 by dissolving it, leaving in suspension on the floating liquid 15 only the overflow decoration 16 which, on the contrary, does not react with the reagent substance 21.

In the particular embodiment shown in the figures the reagent substance 21 is a liquid that is sprayed on the decorative element 20.

Alternative embodiments cannot however be ruled out in which the reagent substance 21 is of a different nature; for example, the reagent substance 21 may be of a solid nature and be dissolved in the floating liquid 15 or be of a gaseous nature and be diffused directly on the decorative element 20.

Furthermore, it cannot also be ruled out that the film element 17 may be made of a material with a high degree of water solubility and adapted to dissolve in contact with water, which therefore acts both as a floating liquid 15 and as a reagent substance 21.

The hydrographic decoration phase IV usefully comprises at least the sub phases of:

inserting the shaped slab 6 in the container 14, the overflow decoration 16 being adapted to adhere at least to the lateral surface 9 to obtain the decorated slab 13;

removing the decorated slab 13 from the container 14.

During the sub-phase of inserting the shaped slab 6 in the container, the exposed surface 8 is placed on the free surface of the floating liquid 15 in a centred position with respect to the overflow decoration 16.

The presence of the connecting stretch 11 conveniently helps to maintain the surface continuity of the overflow decoration 16.

The insertion of the shaped slab 6 in the container results in an increase in the hydrostatic pressure of the floating liquid 15 which exerts a force on the overflow decoration 16 which is pressed onto the shaped slab 6.

Thanks to the surface tension of the floating liquid 15, the overflow decoration 16 contacts the lateral surfaces 9 adhering thereto.

In the particular embodiment shown in the figures, the overflow decoration 16 extends so as to adhere not only to the lateral surfaces 9 but also to the exposed surface 8.

In practice, the overflow decoration 16 is impressed on the exposed surface 8 and on the lateral surfaces 9 without interruption.

Advantageously, at least one of the exposed surface 8 and the lateral surface 9, preferably both, has a roughness ranging from 2 pm to 50 pm.

This feature favours the adhesion of the overflow decoration 16 to the exposed surface 8 and to the lateral surfaces 9.

The desired level of roughness can be obtained, if necessary, during the phase of modelling III of the fired slab 5.

Conveniently, the phase of decorating IV may comprise the phase of applying at least one coating layer on at least one portion of the shaped slab 6.

The object of the coating layer is to help the adhesion of the overflow decoration 16 to the surfaces to be decorated and to allow better control of the colour development of the overflow decoration 16 itself.

The coating layer is preferably waterproof.

The phase V of the process is shown in Figure 5 and involves firing the decorated slab 13 and the ceramic pigments 12 to obtain the supporting surface 1 for furnishing accessories.

During the phase V of the process according to the invention it is provided to convey heat on the decorated slab 13 in order to fire both the decorated slab 13 and the ceramic pigments 12.

The firing of the decorated slab 13 takes place, e.g., inside special kilns where the temperature ranges from 800° to 1250°C.

Preferably, the temperature of the phase V is different from the temperature of the phase II; for example, the phase II occurs at a high temperature (ranging from 1000°C to 1250°C, preferably 1200°C), while the phase V occurs at a lower temperature (ranging from 800°C to 1000°C, preferably 900°C).

It cannot however be ruled out that the phase II may occur at a lower temperature than the temperature at which the phase V occurs.

Conveniently, the firing phase of the decorated slab 13 comprises the sub-phase of placing the decorated slab 13 on at least one holding surface 22.

In this regard, it should be noted that the decorated slab 13 may also show a very complex conformation as a result of the modelling carried out in the phase II and, therefore, may have poor resistance to shock and vibration and may be damaged during the movement thereof.

When placed on the holding surface 22, on the other hand, the decorated slab 13 distributes its weight evenly on the holding surface 22, thus facilitating the movement thereof and reducing the risk of breakage.

Conveniently, the decorated slab 13 is placed on the holding surface 22 which rests on the laying surface 10 and with the exposed surface 8 facing upwards. Advantageously, the phase of firing the decorated slab 13 comprises the sub phases of:

heating the decorated slab 13 and the holding surface 22;

cooling the holding surface 22, the decorated slab 13 being adapted to be cooled by heat exchange with the holding surface 22.

The cooling of the holding surface 22 is achieved by conveying a flow of cold air on the holding surface 22.

Advantageously, the holding surface 22 is made of a refractory material with a very high thermal inertia, which thus favours the gradual cooling of the holding surface 22 and, consequently, of the decorated slab 13.

The decorated slab 13 is very sensitive to temperature changes, especially in the areas where there is a narrowing of the exposed surface 8 due, for example, to the presence of the storage compartments 7.

Thanks to the presence of the holding surface 22, the cooling of the decorated slab 13 takes place gradually, thus avoiding any breakage of the decorated slab 13 due to thermal shock.

Advantageously, the process according to the invention may comprise, after the phase of decorating and before the phase of firing the decorated slab 13, the phase of applying at least one protective layer of ceramic glaze on at least one of the exposed surface 8 and the lateral surface 9.

The phase of applying at least one ceramic protective layer is not shown in the figures.

The protective layer of ceramic glaze is a substance in the liquid or solid state (e.g. grit) which is applied to the decorated slab 13 to protect from scratches and shocks the overflow decoration 16 impressed on the same decorated slab 13 during the process according to the invention.

The protective layer of ceramic glaze also gives gloss to the decorated slab 13. The protective layer of ceramic glaze is then fixed to the outer surface of the decorated slab 13 during the phase V of the process.

In the event of the application of the protective layer of ceramic glaze being provided, the process may also comprise the phase of smoothing at least in part the supporting surface 1.

The smoothing phase is not shown in the figures and consists in partially removing the material present on the exposed surface 8 and/or on the lateral surfaces 9 in order to give a higher level of gloss to the supporting surface 1.

As an alternative to the smoothing phase, the process may comprise, after the phase of firing the decorated slab 13, the phase of lapping at least part of the supporting surface 1.

The phase of lapping is not shown in the figures and consists of partly reducing the roughness of the exposed surface 8 and/or of the lateral surfaces 9 in order to eliminate any surface imperfections that may make the supporting surface 1 imperfect to the eye and to the touch.

Specifically, during the lapping phase, it is envisaged to move on the supporting surface 1, the lapping means (e.g. a grinding wheel) on the exposed surface 8 and on the lateral surfaces 9.

Advantageously, the process according to the invention may also comprise a phase of applying at least one decoration on the raw slab 2.

The phase of applying the decoration is not shown in the figures and involves applying coloured pigments on the raw slab 2, e.g. by digital printing, to obtain the desired decoration and then fixing them by means of the phase of partly firing the raw slab 2.

In other words, the phase of hydrographic decoration IV can be applied to virgin, i.e. not yet decorated, shaped slabs 6 or to shaped slabs 6 that have already been partly decorated on the exposed surface 8.

It has in practice been ascertained that the described invention achieves the intended objects and in particular it is underlined that the process which the present invention relates to, allows obtaining a supporting surface for furnishing accessories with an aesthetic appearance very similar to those of natural materials.

In particular, thanks to the phase of decorating it is possible to decorate the lateral surfaces of the supporting surface and to obtain a homogeneous and continuous decoration between the exposed surface and the lateral surfaces, thus making the supporting surface as similar as possible to natural materials.