Press with exhaust system

Abstract

A press for granular or powdery material, comprising: an upper plate (11) and a lower plate (12), movable towards and away from each other between a loading position, in which the two plates are at a greater distance, and a pressing position, in which the two plates are at a shorter distance; a conveyor belt (13) movable along a path, having at least one active stretch (14) parallel to the longitudinal direction (X) and arranged between the two plates (11, 12); two side walls (21, 22) arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction (X) so as to laterally delimit, together with the two plates (11, 12), a pressing compartment (V). At least one side wall (21) has a plurality of through holes (210) which communicate the pressing compartment (V) with the external environment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a press for granular or powdered materials. In particular, this invention relates to a press for producing ceramic tiles or slabs. Background Technology

[0002] For some time now, the press designed by the applicant has been available on the market, and it is particularly effective for pressing large ceramic plates up to 1800×3600mm in size.

[0003] The press includes an upper plate and a lower plate that are movable toward each other to press a layer of ceramic material in granular or powdered form. The ceramic material is fed via a conveyor belt into a pressing space between the two plates, the conveyor belt following a path having at least one movable extension disposed between the two plates. The press also includes two sidewalls arranged parallel to the direction of travel of the conveyor belt, which laterally enclose the pressing space.

[0004] Ceramic material is deposited in layers on a conveyor belt and carried by the conveyor belt into a pressing space between two plates. Once the ceramic material layer reaches a predetermined position relative to the two plates, the conveyor belt stops, and the plates move toward each other to press the layer.

[0005] The pressing of this layer is essentially a gradual compression of the ceramic material, which reduces the space between particles or microparticles and, in the case of particles in the form of hollow microparticles obtained through atomization, crushes the particles themselves. Crucially, a large amount of air diffused within the ceramic material can flow to the outside of the material itself, thus preventing it from accumulating inside the pressed plate and forming empty spaces. In fact, once the pressure applied by the plate has ceased, these empty spaces can expand and cause the pressed plate to crack. Alternatively, it can expand during the firing process without causing the plate to crack, provided it remains trapped within the pressed plate.

[0006] Currently, in order to expel air from the pressed material, the pressing cycle, especially the layer compression step and the sheet release step, is carried out relatively slowly in a gradual manner. Obviously, this leads to an increase in production time. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to provide a press that improves the characteristics of currently available presses.

[0008] The main advantage of the press according to the invention is that it enables air to be evacuated much faster and more efficiently than is currently required during the pressing of materials. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of one embodiment of the invention, which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0010] Figure 1 A schematic partial view of a cross-section taken in a plane perpendicular to the horizontal longitudinal direction X, according to a first embodiment of the press according to the present invention, is shown.

[0011] Figure 2 A schematic partial view of a cross-section taken in a plane perpendicular to the horizontal longitudinal direction X, according to a second embodiment of the press according to the present invention, is shown.

[0012] Figure 3 A schematic partial view of a cross-section taken in a plane perpendicular to the horizontal longitudinal direction X, according to a third embodiment of the press according to the present invention, is shown.

[0013] Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 They respectively show from Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 The view above shows the implementation method. Detailed Implementation

[0014] The pressing device of the present invention includes: a lower plate 12 having an upward-facing pressing surface; and an upper plate 11 having a downward-facing pressing surface. The two pressing surfaces have a rectangular outline in a plan view, with their sides arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y.

[0015] The two plates are activated to move closer and further apart, thereby performing the pressing of a deposition layer L in the form of a ceramic material layer.

[0016] The upper plate 11 may have a forming element F at its bottom that is directly or indirectly associated with the pressing surface. The forming element is configured to define a receiving contour on the layer L. However, the presence of the forming element F is not necessary.

[0017] The apparatus also includes a conveyor belt 13 having a movable extension 14 with an upward-facing support surface. The movable extension 14 is at least partially disposed between the upper plate 11 and the lower plate 12. Thus, the conveyor belt 13 and its movable extension 14 are arranged above the lower plate 12 and below the upper plate 11. The movable portion 14 of the conveyor belt 13 is movable along the longitudinal direction X to supply a layer L of material to be pressed into the space included between the two plates 11, 12. Using methods known to those skilled in the art, the layer L to be pressed is deposited upstream of the two plates on the conveyor belt 13, not shown in detail. The conveyor belt 13 is activated in a manner known in the art by rollers arranged relative to the path to be followed.

[0018] The pressing device may be equipped with an upper belt 18 having a movable extension at least partially disposed between the conveyor belt 13 and the upper plate 11. In this case, the forming element F is applied to the upper belt 18. The movable portion of the upper belt is movable along the longitudinal direction X according to the movable extension 14 of the conveyor belt 13. At least for the extensions disposed at the plates 11, 12, and partially upstream and downstream therefrom, both movable portions are parallel to the longitudinal direction X. The upper belt is also activated in a manner known in the art by rollers arranged relative to the path to be followed.

[0019] The lower plate 12 and the upper plate 11 together define the pressing chamber V, in which the load L is pressed.

[0020] The upper plate 11 and the lower plate 12 can move toward and away from each other between a loading position where the two plates are at a greater distance and a pressing position where the two plates are at a shorter distance.

[0021] When plates 11 and 12 are in the loading position, layer L can be supplied to the pressing chamber V via conveyor belt 13. If present, the upper belt moves synchronously with conveyor belt 13, bringing any forming element F into the central position for pressing. To press the load L, the plates move toward the pressing position and perform gradual compression of layer L. Preferably, but not necessarily, the upper plate 11 remains fixed, while the lower plate 12 is movable.

[0022] Two sidewalls 21 and 22 are arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction X to laterally define the pressing compartment V together with the two plates 11 and 12. Thus, the pressing compartment is defined at the top and bottom by the two plates 11 and 12, and on the sides by the two sidewalls 21 and 22. The two sidewalls are arranged substantially vertically and are adjacent to the sides of the plates 11 and 12.

[0023] Side walls 21 and 22 provide stability and / or reinforcement to the press structure. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the press includes a plurality of ribs, i.e., flat annular elements arranged parallel to each other in a vertical plane. The ribs are aligned along the longitudinal direction X such that corresponding openings are also aligned along the longitudinal direction X, to generally define a tubular space within which plates 11 and 12 are accommodated. Thus, the ribs support the pressure exerted by the plates 11 and 12. In this embodiment of the press, side walls 21 and 22 are connected to the ribs and help to support and / or constrain the ribs to each other.

[0024] Side walls 21 and 22, located near the side surfaces of plates 11 and 12, restrict or effectively prevent sufficient transverse airflow from the pressing chamber V at the outlet, effectively allowing airflow to exit only through the inlet and outlet areas of the compressor. For example, each side wall is in the form of a plate having a height measured vertically and a length measured horizontally parallel to the longitudinal direction X, the height being greater than the distance separating the pressing surfaces of plates 11 and 12 in their loaded positions, and the length being greater than or equal to the length of the pressing chamber V.

[0025] exist Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, preferably, but not exclusively, the upper plate 11 is provided with a protruding profile 11a on each side. The sidewalls 21, 22 are adjacent to and spaced apart from the protruding profiles 11a of the upper plate, thus defining a lateral space C substantially comprised between the pressing compartment V and each sidewall 21, 22. However, the presence of the protruding profiles 11a is not essential, as the upper plate 11 may be arranged with substantially smooth sides adjacent to the sidewalls 21, 22.

[0026] Advantageously, at least one sidewall 21 has a plurality of through holes 210 that communicate the pressing chamber V with the external environment. Due to the presence of the through holes 210, air ejected from the material during the compression step does not saturate the pressing chamber V, i.e., it does not increase the pressure within the pressing chamber V, but can instead be discharged to the external environment. This means that there are essentially no empty spaces or cavities within the pressed plate.

[0027] In the illustrated embodiment, the through-hole 210 faces the lateral space C, which in turn communicates with the compression chamber V.

[0028] The through-hole 210 may be provided with an extension 211 that extends from the respective sidewalls 21, 22 toward the pressing chamber V. Preferably, but not necessarily, the extension 211 opens near or at least partially inside the pressing chamber V. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the extension 211 extends above and beyond the side edge 15 associated with the conveyor belt 13 toward the pressing chamber V, as will be described in more detail below.

[0029] Preferably, but not necessarily, the through-hole 210 may be connected to a collection manifold, such as a single pipe, which also allows particles and / or particulates dragged by the air leaving the compression chamber V to be collected through a corresponding connecting pipe 212. Furthermore, the through-hole 210 or possibly the manifold may be connected to a suction circuit to further facilitate the expulsion of air ejected from the ceramic material layer during the compression step.

[0030] In the illustrated embodiment, the conveyor belt 13 includes two side edges 15 parallel to the longitudinal direction X and extending from the conveyor belt 13 at a predetermined height. Such side edges are described in publication WO2017149484. Preferably, the side edges are made of an elastically deformable material.

[0031] The side edge 15 functions to prevent particles or portions of layer L from escaping from the pressing chamber V and depositing in undesirable areas. In the movable extension 14 of the conveyor belt 13, the side edge 15 extends upwards to the side of the pressing chamber V. The side edge 15 can be arranged, for example, in the lateral region of the conveyor belt 13. During the pressing step, the side edge 15 is compressed between the plates, elastically deformed, and laterally closes the pressing chamber V.

[0032] To facilitate air exhaust, the side edge 15 is provided with multiple through holes 150. Also in the pressing position of the plates 11 and 12, where the side edge 15 contacts the upper plate 11, these through holes 150 maintain a communication channel between the pressing compartment V and the outside, so that air can be exhausted.

[0033] In the illustrated embodiment, the through-hole 150 maintains a communication channel between the pressing chamber V, the lateral space C, and the through-hole 210. Preferably, the forward circulation of the conveyor belt 13 is controlled such that the conveyor belt 13 stops for the pressing step at a position where the through-hole 150 of the side edge 15 aligns with the through-hole 210 of the side walls 21, 22. This alignment position facilitates the outflow of air from the pressing chamber V.

Claims

1. A press for granular or powdered materials, comprising: Upper plate (11) and lower plate (12), the upper plate and the lower plate being movable toward and away from each other between a loading position and a pressing position, the upper plate and the lower plate being at a greater distance in the loading position and at a shorter distance in the pressing position; a conveyor belt (13) being movable along a path, the conveyor belt having at least one movable extension (14) parallel to the longitudinal direction (X) and arranged between the upper plate (11) and the lower plate (12); two sidewalls arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction (X) to... The pressing compartment (V) is laterally defined together with the upper plate (11) and the lower plate (12): characterized in that at least one of the sidewalls has a plurality of through holes (210) that allow the pressing compartment (V) to communicate with the external environment, wherein the through holes (210) are connected to a collection manifold, wherein the upper plate (11) is provided with an extension profile (11a) on each side; the sidewall is parallel to and spaced apart from the upper plate (11) by a certain distance from the upper plate (11), such that a lateral space (C) is defined and included between the pressing compartment (V) and each of the sidewalls.

2. The press according to claim 1, wherein, The through hole (210) is connected to the suction circuit.

3. The press according to claim 1, wherein, The through hole (210) is provided with an extension (211) that extends from the corresponding side wall toward the compression chamber (V).

4. The press according to claim 1, wherein, The conveyor belt (13) includes two side edges (15) that are parallel to the longitudinal direction (X) and extend from the conveyor belt (13) at a predetermined height, wherein the side edges (15) are provided with a plurality of through holes.

5. The press according to claim 4, wherein, The conveyor belt (13) advances in a forward cycle, which has a stopping step during pressing at a position where the through hole on the side edge (15) aligns with the through hole (210) on the side wall of the pressing chamber (V).

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