Device for the dispensing of a powdered product on a ceramic manufactured article

Abstract

Device (1) for dispensing a powdered product (P) on a ceramic manufactured article (M) comprising: - a hopper (3) for the containment of a powdered product (P) to be released on a manufactured article (M) to be decorated; - a plurality of nozzles (4), each defining a relevant containment chamber (5) for containing the powdered product (P) communicating with said hopper (3) and provided with a relevant output gap (6); - distribution means (22) of the product (P) contained in the hopper (3) within the containment chambers (5); - releasing means (12) for releasing the product (P) associated with the nozzles (4) and selectively controllable to enable the dispensing of the product (P) through the relevant output gaps (6); wherein the distribution means (22) comprise two augers (23, 24) overlapping each other and placed between the hopper (3) and the nozzles (4), wherein, depending on the mutual way of rotation of the augers (23, 24), the helixes of vertically aligned portions (23a, 23b, 24a, 24b) of the augers are oriented with respect to each other so as to drag the product (P) along opposite directions.

Description

[0001] DEVICE FOR THE DISPENSING OF A POWDERED PRODUCT ON A

[0002] CERAMIC MANUFACTURED ARTICLE

[0003] Technical Field

[0004] The present invention relates to a device for the dispensing of a powdered product on a ceramic manufactured article.

[0005] Background Art

[0006] In the field of ceramics, the use of a process for obtaining textured surfaces has long been known, i.e., characterized by reliefs and / or depressions so as to obtain a three-dimensional effect, which involves the application of an adhesive substance in liquid form on the manufactured article to be decorated according to a predefined pattern, the subsequent dispensing of a powdered product on top of the adhesive substance so that it is made to adhere to the manufactured article itself, the suction of the excess product that has not adhered to the adhesive substance and, finally, the firing of the manufactured article thus decorated so that the powdered product is melted and a decorative layer in relief is obtained.

[0007] More specifically, as a result of the firing of the ceramic manufactured article, the powdered product joins the ceramic manufactured article to form a single body piece having a three-dimensional decoration on its exposed surface.

[0008] The phase of dispensing of the powdered product can be carried out in different ways, namely by releasing the product on the entire exposed surface of the ceramic manufactured article or only at the areas affected by the previously applied adhesive substance in order to reduce material waste.

[0009] Some devices for the dispensing of the powdered product of known type comprise: a hopper adapted to contain the powdered product, a plurality of nozzles arranged inferiorly to the hopper and provided with relevant chambers adapted to receive the powdered product from the hopper and control means for controlling the opening of the nozzles themselves.

[0010] In other words, the control means are adapted to control the opening time of the nozzles and, consequently, the amount of powdered product dispensed onto the ceramic manufactured article transiting beneath them.

[0011] In the event of the nozzles being selectively activated to dispense the powdered product only at the areas affected by the adhesive substance, it generally happens that some nozzles dispense more product than others, so the amount of product within the relevant chambers turns out to be different.

[0012] In the devices of known type, the powdered product is generally fed into the hopper by means of a dispenser which moves alternatively on top of the nozzles. These known devices do however have some drawbacks.

[0013] In particular, the dispenser that releases the powdered product within the hopper does not allow the chambers of the various nozzles to be filled effectively and timely. This is due to the fact that it only releases the product locally on top of the nozzles on which it is from time to time as it moves. It may therefore be the case that the nozzles that have released a greater amount of product and that are far from the position taken by the dispenser may contain an insufficient amount of product for the decoration of the manufactured article transiting below them.

[0014] It follows, therefore, that the mode of feeding the nozzles used in the devices to date on the market does not ensure their effective operation, thus risking compromising the quality and reproducibility of the decoration thus created.

[0015] Description of the Invention

[0016] The main aim of the present invention is to devise a device for the dispensing of a powdered product on a ceramic manufactured article that enables uniform and timely feeding of the nozzles responsible for releasing the powdered product on the ceramic manufactured articles.

[0017] Within this aim, one object of the present invention is to minimize the risk of nozzle malfunction due to the lack of a sufficient amount of product within it and, consequently, that the resulting decoration will be of poor aesthetic value.

[0018] Another object of the present invention is to devise a device for the dispensing of a powdered product on a ceramic manufactured article which allows the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art to be overcome within the framework of a simple, rational, easy and efficient to use as well as cost-effective solution.

[0019] A device for the dispensing of a powdered product on a ceramic manufactured article comprises: a load-bearing frame, a hopper associated with the frame for the containment of a powdered product to be released onto a manufactured article to be decorated, a plurality of nozzles associated with the frame and each defining a relevant containment chamber for containing the powdered product communicating with the hopper and provided with a relevant output gap, distribution means of the product contained in the hopper within the containment chambers, releasing means for releasing the product which are associated with a plurality of said nozzles and selectively controllable to enable the product to be dispensed through the relevant output gaps, wherein the distribution means comprise at least two augers overlapping each other, operable in rotation around a relevant axis and placed between the hopper and the nozzles, and wherein, depending on the mutual way of rotation of the augers, the helixes of the portions vertically aligned of the augers are oriented with respect to each other so as to drag the product along opposite directions.

[0020] Preferably, said augers rotate in mutually opposite way and the vertically aligned portions of the augers have helixes with the same way.

[0021] Preferably, the augers comprise at least one lower auger and one upper auger, wherein the lower auger has at least a first portion and a second portion that are adjacent to each other and the helixes of which have mutually opposite, and wherein the upper auger has at least a third portion and a fourth portion that are adjacent to each other and overlapping to the first portion and to the second portion respectively, wherein the helix of the third portion has the same way as the helix of the first portion and the helix of the fourth portion has the same way as the helix of the second portion, the lower auger rotating in the opposite way to the upper auger.

[0022] Preferably, the augers rotate in a concordant way with each other and the portions vertically aligned of the augers have helixes with opposite way with each other. Preferably, the augers comprise at least one lower auger and one upper auger, wherein the lower auger has at least a first portion and a second portion that are adjacent to each other and the helixes of which have an opposite way and wherein the upper auger has at least a third portion and a fourth portion that are adjacent to each other and overlap to the first portion and to the second portion respectively, wherein the helix of the third portion has an opposite way to the helix of the first portion and the helix of the fourth portion has an opposite way to the helix of the second portion, the lower auger rotating in a concordant way with the upper auger.

[0023] Preferably, the hopper has an unloading port arranged at the median area of the augers, wherein the first portion and the second portion are adapted to drag the product from the median area towards the ending areas of the lower auger, thus distributing the product inside the chambers, and wherein the third portion and the fourth portion are adapted to re-circulate the product from the ending areas of the upper auger towards the median area.

[0024] Preferably, motor means are provided adapted to drive at least one of the augers in rotation around a relevant axis.

[0025] Preferably, kinematic connection means of the augers are provided.

[0026] Preferably, the motor means are connected to one of the augers in a kinematic maimer and the connection means are adapted to transfer the rotary motion to the other of said augers.

[0027] Preferably, the connection means are adapted to transfer the rotary motion of one of the augers to the other so that the augers have the same angular speed.

[0028] Preferably, the connection means comprise at least one driving wheel associated with one of the augers and one driven wheel associated with the other of the augers.

[0029] Preferably, the driving wheel and the driven wheel are arranged at the axial ends of the relevant augers.

[0030] Brief Description of the

[0031] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a device for the dispensing of a powdered product on a ceramic manufactured article, illustrated by way of an indicative, yet non-limiting example, in the attached tables of drawings in which:

[0032] Figure 1 is an axonometric view of a device according to the invention;

[0033] Figure 2 is an axonometric view of a portion of the device in Figure 1;

[0034] Figure 3 is a front elevation view of the device in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the device in Figure 3 along the IV-IV track plane.

[0035] Embodiments of the Invention

[0036] With particular reference to these figures, reference numeral 1 globally denotes a device for the dispensing of a powdered product on a ceramic manufactured article.

[0037] The device 1 comprises a load-bearing frame 2, a hopper 3 associated with the frame 2 for the containment of a powdered product P to be released on the manufactured article M to be decorated, a plurality of nozzles 4 associated with the frame 2 and each defining a relevant containment chamber 5 for containing the product P communicating with the hopper 3 and provided with a relevant output gap 6.

[0038] It should be noted that product P can be of various grain sizes, e.g. of the type of fine powder, granules, grits, flakes or any other material in granular or substantially granular form suitable for making a relief decoration on the surface of a ceramic manufactured article M.

[0039] The frame 2 of the device 1 can be positioned, directly or indirectly, to rest on the ground. In particular, the frame 2 can provide extensions (not shown in the figures) for direct support on the ground, or it can be connected to the framework of a piece of equipment into which the device 1 is fitted.

[0040] Appropriately, movement means 7 of the manufactured article M are provided along a direction of forward movement 8. The movement means 7 define a supporting plane 9 of the manufactured articles M which is arranged inferiorly to the nozzles 4 and consist, e.g., of a motorized conveyor belt or of a plurality of motorized belts. The output gaps 6 of the nozzles 4 are then arranged facing the supporting plane 9.

[0041] The movement means 7 can be part of the device 1 or of a piece of equipment encompassing the device 1.

[0042] In more detail, the nozzles 4 are substantially aligned with each other along a direction of decoration 11 that is transverse to the direction of forward movement 8 of the manufactured articles M. The nozzles 4 are arranged along the direction of decoration 11 so as to cover the entire extension of the supporting plane 9 along the same way.

[0043] The device 1 then comprises releasing means 12 for releasing the product P which are associated with a plurality of nozzles 4, preferably with each of them, and selectively controllable to enable the dispensing of the product P through the relevant output gaps 6.

[0044] Preferably, the releasing means 12 are of the pneumatic type and comprise a pneumatic circuit 13 communicating with the chambers 5 of the relevant nozzles 4 and by means of which the vacuum is maintained within the chambers themselves, so as to retain the product contained therein. The pneumatic circuit 13 is provided with valve means (not visible in the figures) which are operable to introduce pressurized air into the chambers 5 so as to cause the outflow of the product P. As can be easily understood by the technician in the field, the time of opening of the valve means, during which pressurized air is thus introduced into the chambers 5, affects the amount of product P dispensed through the relevant nozzles 4.

[0045] Advantageously, the releasing means 12 of the product P associated with each nozzle 4 are operable independently of each other, so that dispensing through each nozzle 4 can be selectively controlled.

[0046] Different embodiments of the releasing means 12 which are known to the industry technician cannot be ruled out.

[0047] The device 1 then comprises distribution means 22 of the product P contained in the hopper 3 within the chambers 5 of the nozzles 4.

[0048] According to the invention, the distribution means 22 comprise at least two augers 23 and 24 overlapping each other, operable in rotation around a relevant axis and placed between the hopper 3 and the nozzles 4 wherein, depending on the mutual way of rotation of the augers 23 and 24, the helixes of the portions 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b vertically aligned of the two augers 23, 24 are oriented so as to drag the product P along opposite directions.

[0049] In the preferred embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3, the augers 23 and 24 rotate in a mutually opposite way and the portions 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b vertically aligned of the augers 23 and 24 have helixes with the same way.

[0050] More particularly, in this embodiment, the augers 23, 24 comprise at least one lower auger 23 and one upper auger 24 rotating in a mutually opposite way (i.e., if the lower auger 23 rotates clockwise, the upper auger 24 rotates counterclockwise and vice versa). The lower auger 23 has at least a first portion 23a and a second portion 23b that are adjacent to each other and the helixes of which have a mutually opposite way, and the upper auger 24 has at least a third portion 24a and a fourth portion 24b adjacent to each other and the helixes of which have mutually opposite way. The third portion 24a overlaps vertically onto the first portion 23a and their helixes have the same way of inclination and, similarly, the fourth portion 24b overlaps vertically onto the second portion 23b and their helixes have the same way of inclination.

[0051] In an alternative embodiment not shown in the figures, the augers 23 and 24 rotate in a mutually concordant way and the portions 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b vertically aligned of the augers 23 and 24 have helixes with mutually opposite way.

[0052] More particularly, in this alternative embodiment, the augers 23, 24 comprise at least one lower auger 23 and one upper auger 24 rotating in concordant way with each other (i.e., if the lower auger 23 rotates clockwise, the upper auger 24 also rotates clockwise and vice versa). The lower auger 23 has at least a first portion 23a and a second portion 23b that are adjacent to each other and the helixes of which have a mutually opposite way, and the upper auger 24 has at least a third portion 24a and a fourth portion 24b adjacent to each other and the helixes of which have a mutually opposite way. The third portion 24a overlaps vertically onto the first portion 23a and the relevant helixes have a mutually opposite way, and similarly, the fourth portion 24b overlaps vertically onto the second portion 23b and the relevant helixes have a mutually opposite way.

[0053] Appropriately, the hopper 3 has an unloading port arranged at the median area of the augers 23, 24, so as to unload the product P centrally with respect to the lower auger 23 and to the upper auger 24, i.e., at the junction area of the relevant portions 23a, 23b and 24a, 24b. The first portion 23a and the second portions 23b are adapted to drag the product P from the median area towards the ending areas of the lower auger 23, so as to distribute the product P within the chambers 5, while the third portion 24a and the fourth portion 24b are adapted to re-circulate the product P from the ending areas of the upper auger 24 towards the median area.

[0054] In other words, the product P that is released from the hopper 3 at the central area of the augers 23, 24 and is dragged outwards by the lower auger 23, meanwhile falling within the chambers 5 below and, once it reaches its axial ends, is brought back towards the central area by the upper auger 24. Appropriately, the device 1 comprises motor means 28 adapted to drive at least one of the augers 23, 24 in rotation around a relevant axis.

[0055] Advantageously, the device 1 comprises kinematic connection means 29 of the augers 23, 24. Thus, the connection means 29 are adapted to kinematically connect the augers 23 and 24 in rotation.

[0056] More particularly, the motor means 28 are connected to one of the augers 23, 24 in a kinematic manner and the connection means 29 are adapted to transfer the rotary motion to the other auger 23, 24.

[0057] Preferably, the connection means 29 are adapted to transfer the rotary motion of one of the augers 23, 24 to the other so that the augers 23, 24 have the same angular speed.

[0058] In more detail, the connection means 29 comprise at least one driving wheel 29a associated with one of the augers 23, 24 and one driven wheel 29b associated with the other of the augers 23, 24.

[0059] For example, the wheels 29a and 29b are of the type of sprockets meshing with each other (in which case the augers 23 and 24 will rotate with a mutually opposite way). It cannot however be ruled out that the wheels 29a, 29b may be of the type of pulleys connected to each other by a belt (in which case the augers 23 and 24 will rotate with a concordant way with each other) or of some other type known to the engineer in the field.

[0060] Appropriately, the wheels 29a, 29b are arranged where the axial ends of the relevant augers 23, 24 are located.

[0061] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the motor means 28 are connected to the upper auger 24 with which it is associated, at one of its axial ends, the driving wheel 29a that meshes with the driven wheel 29b fitted on the lower auger 23. Advantageously, the device 1 comprises distribution means 14 for distributing the product P dispensed through the output gaps 6 on the manufactured article M to be decorated. In other words, the distribution means 14 are adapted to adjust the amount of product P applied on the unit area of the manufactured article M transiting below the nozzles 4.

[0062] Preferably, the distribution means 14 comprise at least one roller element 15 arranged below the output gaps 6 and operable in rotation around a relevant axis X. In particular, the axis X of rotation of the roller element 15 coincides with the geometric axis thereof.

[0063] Appropriately, the roller element 15 is made to rotate so as to drag the product P coming out of the output gaps 6 in a concordant way with the direction of forward movement 8. In other words, the portion of the lateral surface of the roller element

[0064] 15 facing the output gaps 6 rotates in a concordant way with the direction of forward movement 8.

[0065] In more detail, the roller element 15 extends parallel to the direction of decoration 11 and is arranged facing each of the output gaps 6. In other words, the roller element 15 develops along the entire extension of the nozzles 4 along the direction of decoration 11.

[0066] Advantageously, the device 1 comprises adjustment means 16 for adjusting the rotational speed of the roller element 15. In fact, by adjusting the rotational speed of the roller element 15, it is possible to adjust the amount of product P released on the unit area of the manufactured article M. In fact, the higher the rotational speed of the roller element 15, the greater the amount of product P released on the manufactured article M, per unit area, and vice versa. The adjustment means

[0067] 16 are, e.g., of the type of motor means.

[0068] It has, in practice, been ascertained that the described invention achieves the intended objects, and in particular, the fact is emphasized that the described distribution means, provided with a pair of overlapping augers, enable optimized product distribution within the nozzle chambers. In particular, the presence of two helixes on each auger, oriented in a mutually opposite way, and wherein the helix of each auger is oriented in a concordant or discordant way with the helix of the other auger vertically aligned thereto depending on the way of rotation of the relevant augers, allows for a continuous and uniform distribution of the product within the nozzles below, without further movement.

[0069] In this way, a continuous cycle of product distribution within the nozzles is thus achieved which allows, on the one hand, to maintain the nozzles supplied with the powdered product to be dispensed onto the ceramic manufactured articles and, on the other hand, to recirculate the product that is not distributed within the nozzles.

Claims

CLAIMS1) Device (1) for the dispensing of a powdered product (P) on a ceramic manufactured article (M) comprising: a load-bearing frame (2); a hopper (3) associated with said frame (2) for the containment of a powdered product (P) to be released on a manufactured article (M) to be decorated; a plurality of nozzles (4) associated with said frame (2) and each defining a relevant containment chamber (5) for containing the powdered product (P) communicating with said hopper (3) and provided with a relevant output gap (6); distribution means (22) of the product (P) contained in said hopper (3) within said containment chambers (5); releasing means (12) for releasing the product (P) associated with a plurality of said nozzles (4) and selectively controllable to enable the dispensing of the product (P) through the relevant output gaps (6); characterized by the fact that said distribution means (22) comprise at least two augers (23, 24) overlapping each other, operable in rotation around a relevant axis and placed between said hopper (3) and said nozzles (4) wherein, depending on the mutual way of rotation of said augers (23, 24), the helixes of the portions (23 a, 23b, 24a, 24b) vertically aligned of said augers (23, 24) are oriented with respect to each other so as to drag the product (P) along opposite directions.2) Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said augers (23, 24) rotate in a mutually opposite way and by the fact that the portions (23a, 23b, 24a, 24b) vertically aligned of said augers (23, 24) have helixes with the same way.3) Device (1) according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that said augers (23, 24) comprise at least one lower auger (23) and one upper auger (24), wherein said lower auger (23) has at least a first portion (23a) and a second portion (23b) adjacent to each other and the helixes of which have a mutually opposite way, and wherein said upper auger (24) has at least a third portion (24a) and a fourth portion (24b) adjacent to each other and overlapping to said first portion (23a)and to said second portion (23b) respectively, wherein the helix of said third portion (24a) has the same way as the helix of said first portion (23 a) and the helix of said fourth portion (24b) has the same way as the helix of said second portion (23b), said lower auger (23) rotating in the opposite way to said upper auger (24).4) Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said augers (23, 24) rotate in a concordant way with each other and by the fact that the portion (23a, 23b, 24a, 24b) vertically aligned of said augers (23, 24) have helixes with a mutually opposite way.5) Device (1) according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that said augers (23, 24) comprise at least one lower auger (23) and one upper auger (24), wherein said lower auger (23) has at least a first portion (23a) and a second portion (23b) adjacent to each other and the helixes of which have a mutually opposite way, and wherein said upper auger (24) has at least a third portion (24a) and a fourth portion (24b) adjacent to each other and overlapping to said first portion (23a) and to said second portion (23b) respectively, wherein the helix of said third portion (24a) has an opposite way to the helix of said first portion (23a) and the helix of said fourth portion (24b) has opposite way to the helix of said second portion (23b), said lower auger (23) rotating in a concordant way with said upper auger (24).6) Device (1) according to claim 3 or 5, characterized by the fact that said hopper has an unloading port arranged at the median area of said augers (23, 24), by the fact that said first portion (23a) and said second portion (23b) are adapted to drag the product (P) from said median area towards the ending areas of said lower auger (23), distributing the product (P) inside said chambers (5), and by the fact that said third portion (24a) and said fourth portion (24b) are adapted to recirculate the product (P) from the ending areas of said upper auger (24) towards said median area.7) Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises motor means (28) adapted to drive at least one of said augers (23, 24) in rotation around a relevant axis.8) Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterizedby the fact that it comprises kinematic connection means (29) of said augers (23, 24).9) Device (1) according to claims 7 and 8, characterized by the fact that said motor means (28) are connected to one of said augers (23, 24) in a kinematic manner and by the fact that said connection means (29) are adapted to transfer the rotary motion to the other of said augers (23, 24).10) Device (1) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by the fact that said connection means (29) are adapted to transfer the rotary motion of one of said augers (23, 24) to the other so that said augers (23, 24) have the same angular speed.11) Device (1) according to one or more of claims 8 to 10, characterized by the fact that said connection means (29) comprise at least one driving wheel (29a) associated with one of said augers (23, 24) and one driven wheel (29b) associated with the other of said augers (23, 24).12) Device (1) according to claim 11, characterized by the fact that said wheels (29a, 29b) are arranged where the axial ends of the relevant augers (23, 24) are located.

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