Packing of ceramic manufactured articles and process for the packing of ceramic manufactured articles

Abstract

The packing (1) of ceramic manufactured articles, comprises at least one ceramic manufactured article (M) having an elongated and slab- shaped conformation, the ceramic manufactured article (M) defining two faces (Ma, Mb) opposite each other, at least one containment body (2) peripherally surrounding the at least one ceramic manufactured article (M) leaving uncovered at least one portion of at least one of the faces (Ma, Mb), one or more reinforcing elements (5) associated with the containment body (2) where the partly uncovered face (Ma, Mb) is located and arranged transversely to the longitudinal development of the at least one ceramic manufactured article

Description

[0001] PACKING OF CERAMIC MANUFACTURED ARTICLES AND PROCESS FOR THE PACKING OF CERAMIC MANUFACTURED ARTICLES Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a packing of ceramic manufactured articles and a process for the packing of ceramic manufactured articles.

[0003] Background Art

[0004] In the field of packing of ceramic manufactured articles, such as tiles and slabs, packings generally made of cardboard of more or less variable thickness are known, depending on the desired stiffness of the packing itself and the desired degree of protection.

[0005] In particular, two types of packing are mainly known, namely a first type that involves covering almost the entire surface of the ceramic manufactured article, and a second type that instead involves covering the lateral edges of the ceramic manufactured articles and leaving at least one of its faces uncovered.

[0006] Generally, ceramic elements are substantially rectangular or quadrangular in shape and comprise a first face, intended to be turned towards the surface to be covered, and a second face opposite the first face and facing outwards once the manufactured article has been laid.

[0007] In the first type of packing, these comprise a central surface having a shape substantially coincident with that of the faces of the ceramic manufactured article and with which are associated a plurality of lateral surfaces, one on each side, connected to the central surface by means of a respective bending line.

[0008] The central surface receives and holds one of the faces of the ceramic manufactured article, while the lateral surfaces are appropriately bent along the bending lines to wind around the sides of the ceramic manufactured article in order to protect them from any impact and / or damage.

[0009] It is easy to appreciate how this first type of packing requires the use of a large amount of material and, consequently, a high industrial cost.

[0010] In addition, since the dimensions of the ceramic products to be packed can vary significantly from one another, the first type of packing also requires the storage of various sizes of packing material, which entails high storage costs as well as obvious limits to flexibility in the case of size changes that differ from the dimensions available in the warehouse.

[0011] In the second type of packing, on the other hand, the same comprises a plurality of lateral containment elements each of which has a central portion and two lateral bands connected to the central portion by means of respective bending lines.

[0012] The bending of such packings over the ceramic manufactured articles results in packings having a substantially C-shaped conformation that cover the sides, edges and vertices of the ceramic manufactured articles themselves, leaving portions of the first face and of the second face partly uncovered.

[0013] More specifically, such lateral containment elements are arranged contiguously with each other so that they partly overlap and are then locked together with each other so as to cover the entire perimeter of the ceramic manufactured articles to be packed.

[0014] However, this type also has its drawbacks.

[0015] In particular, in the case of packing of large-sized ceramic slabs, the length of which can be up to more than 3 meters, the containment elements covering the longer sides of the ceramic manufactured articles tend, in use, to lift up. This results in a weakening of the packing thus made, which can then break, thus increasing the risk of breakage or damage to the packed ceramic manufactured articles.

[0016] For example, the lifting of the containment elements with respect to the ceramic manufactured articles defines cavities which can be accidentally intercepted by other bodies causing them to break.

[0017] In addition, this drawback makes the movement of the packings thus made much more difficult because they are less adherent to the ceramic manufactured articles and, consequently, less stable during transport.

[0018] Description of the Invention

[0019] The main aim of the present invention is to devise a packing of ceramic manufactured articles which allows maintaining adhesion between the containment elements which partly cover the ceramic manufactured articles and the ceramic manufactured articles themselves, regardless of the size of the manufactured articles to be packed.

[0020] Within this aim, one object of the present invention is to reduce, compared with the packings of known type, the risk of unwanted breakage of the containment body of the ceramic manufactured articles and, therefore, of damage to the manufactured articles themselves.

[0021] Yet another object is to enable easy and safe movement of the packed ceramic manufactured articles, even in the case of large-sized slabs, e.g. having lengths more than 1 meter.

[0022] Another object of the present invention is to devise a packing of ceramic manufactured articles and a process for the packing of ceramic manufactured articles which allow the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art to be overcome within the framework of a simple, rational, easy and effective to use as well as affordable solution.

[0023] A packing of ceramic manufactured articles according to the invention comprises at least one ceramic manufactured article having an elongated and slab-shaped conformation, the ceramic manufactured article defining two faces opposite each other, at least one containment body peripherally surrounding the at least one ceramic manufactured article leaving at least one portion of at least one of its faces uncovered, and comprises one or more reinforcing elements associated with the containment body where the partly uncovered face is located and arranged transversely to the longitudinal development of the at least one ceramic manufactured article.

[0024] Preferably, the containment body covers the entire thickness of the at least one ceramic manufactured article.

[0025] Preferably, each of the reinforcing elements has two end portions placed between the at least one ceramic manufactured article and the containment body.

[0026] Preferably, the containment body comprises a plurality of containment elements arranged contiguous to each other and locked together with each other.

[0027] Preferably, the containment elements comprise at least one pair of transverse containment elements, adapted to cover the short sides of the ceramic manufactured article arranged transversely with respect to its longitudinal axis, and at least one pair of longitudinal containment elements, adapted to cover the long sides of the ceramic manufactured article arranged parallel with respect to its longitudinal axis, wherein at least one of the longitudinal containment elements is partly overlapped on one of the transverse containment elements.

[0028] Preferably, the packing comprises a plurality of longitudinal containment elements for each of the long sides, wherein the longitudinal containment elements are locked together with each other and partly overlapping.

[0029] Preferably, the end portions are placed between the ceramic manufactured article and a relevant longitudinal containment element.

[0030] Preferably, the reinforcing elements are spaced apart from the transverse containment elements so as to define free areas of the face of the ceramic manufactured article where the reinforcing elements themselves are placed.

[0031] Preferably, the packing comprises a plurality of reinforcing elements which are arranged spaced apart from each other so as to define between them additional free areas of the face of the ceramic manufactured article where the reinforcing elements themselves are placed.

[0032] A process for the packing of ceramic manufactured articles according to the invention comprises at least the following phases of: supplying a containment body defining an abutment surface; supplying at least one ceramic manufactured article to be packed having an elongated and slab-shaped conformation, the ceramic manufactured article defining two faces opposite each other; arranging a first face of the ceramic manufactured article resting on the abutment surface so that the perimeter edge of the containment body protrudes from the perimeter profile of the ceramic manufactured article;

[0033] - supplying at least one reinforcing element;

[0034] - placing the reinforcing element resting on a second face of the ceramic manufactured article opposite the first face and transverse to the longitudinal development of the ceramic manufactured article; - bending the perimeter edge so as to peripherally wind around the ceramic manufactured article and to partly cover the second face, the perimeter edge partly overlapping the reinforcing element;

[0035] - locking the perimeter edge together with the reinforcing element.

[0036] Preferably, the supply of a containment body comprises the sub-phases of: supplying a plurality of containment elements, of which at least one pair of transverse containment elements, adapted to cover the short sides of the ceramic manufactured article arranged transverse with respect to its longitudinal axis, and at least one pair of longitudinal containment elements, adapted to cover the long sides of the ceramic manufactured article arranged parallel to its longitudinal axis; arranging the containment elements in a contiguous maimer with each other so as to define a closed profile; mutual locking of the containment elements together.

[0037] Preferably, bending involves the overlapping of at least one pair of longitudinal containment elements, arranged from opposite sides with respect to the longitudinal axis, to respective end portions of the reinforcing element.

[0038] Preferably, placement is carried out so as to define free areas of the second face accessible from the outside.

[0039] Preferably, the process comprises the supply of a plurality of reinforcing elements and the placement provides for the mutual spacing apart of the reinforcing elements along the longitudinal axis so as to define additional free areas of the second face between them.

[0040] Preferably, the process comprises the supply of a plurality of said ceramic manufactured articles to be packed and the arrangement involves the mutual overlapping of the ceramic manufactured articles so that the first face of one of them is arranged to rest on the second face of the underlying ceramic manufactured article, the second face of the last positioned ceramic manufactured article being opposite the first face of the first ceramic manufactured article arranged resting on the abutment surface.

[0041] Brief Description of the Drawings Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a packing of ceramic manufactured articles and of a process for the packing of ceramic manufactured articles, illustrated by way of an indicative, yet nonlimiting example in the attached tables of drawings in which:

[0042] Figure 1 is an axonometric view of a packing according to the invention;

[0043] Figure 2 is an axonometric view of the arrangement phase of a ceramic manufactured article on the containment body of a process according to the invention;

[0044] Figure 3 is an axonometric view of the positioning phase of the reinforcing elements;

[0045] Figure 4 is an axonometric view of the bending phase of the containment body. Embodiments of the Invention

[0046] With particular reference to these figures, reference numeral 1 globally denotes a packing of ceramic manufactured articles such as e.g. ceramic tiles or slabs.

[0047] The packing 1 comprises at least one ceramic manufactured article M having an elongated, slab-shaped conformation, e.g. one or more ceramic slabs, and defining two faces Ma, Mb opposite each other, of which a first face Ma and a second face Mb.

[0048] The first face Ma is e.g. intended in use to be applied onto the surface to be covered, and the second face Mb is intended, in use, to face outwards.

[0049] The ceramic slabs can have lengths up to 3 meters or even longer.

[0050] In other words, the packing 1 may comprise either a single ceramic manufactured article M or a plurality of ceramic manufactured articles M overlapping each other.

[0051] The faces Ma, Mb have prevailing dimensions over the thickness, identified with the reference number S, of the ceramic manufactured article M.

[0052] In the event of the packing 1 containing a plurality of ceramic manufactured articles M, these overlap each other in such a way that the first face Ma of a ceramic manufactured article M faces the second face Mb of the adjacent ceramic manufactured article M. In this way, the first faces Ma and the second faces Mb of the various ceramic manufactured articles M are oriented to each other in the same way. More particularly, the stack of ceramic manufactured articles M thus overlapped has one of either the first face Ma or the second face Mb of the first ceramic manufactured article M facing downwards and the other of either the second face Mb or the first face Ma of the last ceramic manufactured article M facing upwards.

[0053] Therefore, regardless of whether the packing 1 contains one or more ceramic manufactured articles M, there will be a first face Ma facing upwards or downwards and a second face Mb facing downwards or upwards, respectively. The terms “upwards” and “downwards” refer to the orientation taken with the packing 1 resting on a substantially horizontal reference surface.

[0054] In the remainder of the description, reference will be made to a single ceramic manufactured article M with the understanding, however, that what is described applies as such even in the case of a plurality of ceramic manufactured articles M overlapping each other.

[0055] The packing 1 then comprises at least one containment body 2 peripherally surrounding the ceramic manufactured article M leaving at least one portion of one of the faces Ma, Mb uncovered. The other face Mb, Ma may be entirely covered by the containment body 2 or also be at least partly uncovered.

[0056] Advantageously, the containment body 2 entirely covers at least the thickness S of the ceramic manufactured article(s) M.

[0057] In the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, the containment body 2 comprises a plurality of containment elements 3,4 arranged contiguous to each other and locked together with each other. In more detail, the containment body 2 may consist of a plurality of containment elements 3,4 having an elongated conformation, which may have the same dimensions, which overlap each other and are locked together with each other, e.g., by means of adhesive means A (glue points), where a relevant longitudinal end stretch is located, so as to define a closed profile. Appropriately, the containment elements 3,4 have a substantially C-shaped conformation, i.e., they have a central portion 3a, 4a intended to cover the thickness S of the ceramic manufactured article M (or of the stack of ceramic manufactured articles C) and two lateral portions 3b, 4b, arranged on opposite sides of the central portion 3 a, 4a, each intended to cover a corresponding stretch of one of the opposite faces Ma, Mb of the ceramic manufactured article M (or of the stack of ceramic manufactured articles M).

[0058] These containment elements 3,4 have bending lines, shown in hatching in the figures, which are adapted to facilitate the subsequent bending thereof

[0059] More particularly, the containment elements 3,4 comprise at least one pair of transverse containment elements 3, adapted to cover the short sides of the ceramic manufactured article M arranged transversely with respect to its longitudinal axis X, and at least one pair of longitudinal containment elements 4, adapted to cover the long sides of the ceramic manufactured article M arranged parallel with respect to its longitudinal axis X, wherein at least one of the longitudinal containment elements 4 is partly overlapped on one of the transverse containment elements 3. In the case of ceramic manufactured articles M characterized by very large dimensions, e.g., exceeding 2 meters in length, a plurality of longitudinal containment elements 4 can be overlapped and locked together with each other (as in the embodiment shown in the figures) so as to cover the long sides of the ceramic manufactured articles themselves. Thus, in the case of large-sized ceramic slabs (i.e., having at least one side more than 1 meter), the containment body 2 comprises a plurality of longitudinal containment elements 4 for each of the long sides of the ceramic manufactured articles M, wherein such longitudinal containment elements 4 are locked together and partly overlapping.

[0060] According to the invention, the packing 1 comprises one or more reinforcing elements 5 locked together with the containment body 2 where the partly uncovered face Ma, Mb is located and arranged transversely to the longitudinal development of the ceramic manufactured article M.

[0061] The number of reinforcing elements 5 is a function of the length of the ceramic manufactured article M, so the greater its length, the greater the number of the reinforcing elements 5 present.

[0062] Preferably, both the containment body 2 and the reinforcing elements 5 are made of cardboard or the like, although the use of different types of materials cannot be ruled out.

[0063] More particularly, each of the reinforcing elements 5 has two end portions 5 a placed between the ceramic manufactured article M and the containment body 2. Appropriately, the reinforcing elements 5 have an elongated conformation and the end portions 5a correspond to the relevant longitudinal ends.

[0064] In more detail, each end portion 5 a is placed between the ceramic manufactured article M and the lateral portion 4b of a relevant longitudinal containment element 4. Specifically, the end portions 5a of each reinforcing element 5 are placed between the longitudinal containment elements 4 arranged on opposite sides with respect to the longitudinal axis X of the ceramic manufactured article M and adapted to cover the opposite sides of the same.

[0065] The reinforcing elements 5 are locked together with the longitudinal containment elements 4, e.g., by means of adhesive means A.

[0066] Advantageously, the reinforcing elements 5 are spaced apart from the transverse containment elements 3 in such a way as to define free areas 6 of the face Ma, Mb where the reinforcing elements themselves are placed.

[0067] In the case where there is a plurality of reinforcing elements 5, these are spaced apart from each other in such a way as to define, between the reinforcing elements themselves, additional free areas 7 of the face Ma, Mb where the reinforcing elements themselves are placed.

[0068] The free areas 6 and the additional free areas 7 are thus accessible from the outside and allow, e.g., the movement of the packing 1 by means of suction cup movement systems which intercept the ceramic manufactured article M where these free areas 6,7 are located.

[0069] The process for the packing of ceramic manufactured articles according to the invention is as follows.

[0070] The process first comprises the supply of a containment body 2 defining an abutment surface 2a and at least one ceramic manufactured article M to be packed having the aforementioned characteristics, i.e., having an elongated, slab-shaped conformation and defining two faces Ma, Mb opposite each other.

[0071] Preferably, the supply of the containment body 2 comprises the sub-phases of: supplying a plurality of containment elements 3, 4, of which at least one pair of transverse containment elements 3, adapted to cover the short sides of the ceramic manufactured article M, and at least one pair of longitudinal containment elements 4, adapted to cover the long sides of the ceramic manufactured article M; arranging the containment elements 3, 4 in a contiguous maimer with each other so as to define a closed profile; mutually locking the containment elements 3, 4.

[0072] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the abutment surface 2a is defined by one of the lateral portions 3b, 4b of the containment elements 3 and 4.

[0073] Next, a first face Ma of the ceramic manufactured article M is arranged to rest on the abutment surface 2a, in such a way that the perimeter edge 20 of the containment body 2 protrudes from the perimeter profile of the ceramic manufactured article M.

[0074] More particularly, the perimeter edge 20 of the containment body consists of the central portion 3 a, 4a and of one of the lateral portions 3b, 4b of the containment elements 3, 4, the other lateral portion 3b, 4b being arranged inferiorly to the first face Ma of the first ceramic manufactured article M to define the abutment surface 2a.

[0075] In the case of multiple ceramic manufactured articles M to be packed, the arranging phase also comprises placing each ceramic manufactured article M on top of another ceramic manufactured article M, such that the first face Ma of one of them is arranged to rest on the second face Mb of the ceramic manufactured article below.

[0076] The second face Mb of the ceramic manufactured article M or of the last positioned ceramic manufactured article M (in the case of more than one ceramic manufactured article M) is then opposite the first face Ma arranged to rest on the abutment surface 2a and facing upwards.

[0077] According to the invention, the process then comprises the supplying phase of at least one reinforcing element 5, and the placement phase of the reinforcing element 5 resting on the second face Mb of the last ceramic manufactured article M, in such a way that it is arranged transversely to the longitudinal development of the ceramic manufactured article itself

[0078] Next, the perimeter edge 20 is bent so that it peripherally winds around the ceramic manufactured article M (or the stack of ceramic manufactured articles M) and partly covers the second face Mb facing upwards. In this way, the perimeter edge 20 partly overlaps the reinforcing element 5. The bending involves the overlapping of at least two longitudinal containment elements 4, arranged from opposite sides with respect to the longitudinal axis X, to a respective end portion 5 a of the reinforcing element 5. More particularly, the free lateral portion 4b of at least two of the longitudinal containment elements 4 overlaps a respective end portion 5 a.

[0079] As a result of the bending, the perimeter edge 20 is mutually locked together with the reinforcing element 5.

[0080] Preferably, the locking together involves the application of adhesive substances A between the perimeter edge 20 and the end portion 5 a of the reinforcing element 5. Such adhesive substances A are e.g. applied onto the lateral portion 4b of the longitudinal containment elements 4 in such a way that, once the bending is carried out, they intercept the corresponding end portion 5a of the reinforcing element 5.

[0081] Appropriately, the placement of the reinforcing elements 5 is carried out in such a way so as to define free areas 6 of the second face Mb (of the ceramic manufactured article M or of the last ceramic manufactured article M in the case of a stack of ceramic manufactured articles M), where the reinforcing element 5 is arranged, that are accessible from the outside.

[0082] Advantageously, in the case where more than one reinforcing element 5 is arranged, the placement provides for their mutual spacing along the longitudinal axis X so as to define additional free areas 7, placed between the reinforcing elements themselves, of the second face Mb where the reinforcing elements 5 are arranged.

[0083] In use, i.e., considering the first face Ma of the first ceramic manufactured article M arranged resting on the abutment surface 2a facing downwards, the second face Mb where the reinforcing elements 5 are placed faces upwards.

[0084] It has in practice been ascertained that the described invention achieves the intended objects, and in particular, the fact is emphasized that the packing covered by the present invention allows the supporting body to be maintained adherent to the ceramic manufactured articles so packed.

[0085] In particular, the presence of the reinforcing elements makes it possible to avoid, in the case of manufactured articles having large dimensions, that the lateral containment elements are raised with respect to the packed ceramic manufactured articles, thus maintaining the compactness of the whole and allowing a safe and convenient transport of the packing thus made.

Claims

CLAIMS1) Packing (1) of ceramic manufactured articles, comprising at least one ceramic manufactured article (M) having an elongated and slabshaped conformation, said ceramic manufactured article (M) defining two faces (Ma, Mb) opposite each other, at least one containment body (2) peripherally surrounding said at least one ceramic manufactured article (M) leaving uncovered at least one portion of at least one of said faces (Ma, Mb), characterized by the fact that it comprises one or more reinforcing elements (5) associated with said containment body (2) where said partly uncovered face (Ma, Mb) is located and arranged transversely to the longitudinal development of said at least one ceramic manufactured article (M).2) Packing (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said containment body (2) entirely covers the thickness of said at least one ceramic manufactured article (M).3) Packing (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that each of said reinforcing elements (5) has two end portions (5a) placed between said at least one ceramic manufactured article (M) and said containment body (2).4) Packing (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said containment body (2) comprises a plurality of containment elements (3, 4) arranged contiguous to each other and locked together with each other.5) Packing (1) according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that said containment elements (3, 4) comprise at least one pair of transverse containment elements (3), adapted to cover the short sides of the ceramic manufactured article (M) arranged transversely with respect to its longitudinal axis (X), and at least one pair of longitudinal containment elements (4), adapted to cover the long sides of the ceramic manufactured article (M) arranged parallel with respect to its longitudinal axis (X), wherein at least one of said longitudinal containment elements (4) is partly overlapped on one of said transverse containment elements (3).6) Packing (1) according to claim 5, characterized by the fact that it comprises a plurality of said longitudinal containment elements (4) for each of said long sides, wherein said longitudinal containment elements (4) are locked together with each other and partly overlapping.7) Packing (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said end portions (5 a) are placed between said ceramic manufactured article (M) and a relevant longitudinal containment element (4).8) Packing (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said reinforcing elements (5) are spaced apart from said transverse containment elements (3) in such a way as to define free areas (6) of the face (Ma, Mb) of the ceramic manufactured article (M) where the reinforcing elements themselves are placed.9) Packing (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises a plurality of said reinforcing elements (5) which are arranged spaced apart from each other in such a way as to define between them additional free areas (7) of the face (Ma, Mb) of the ceramic manufactured article (M) where the reinforcing elements themselves are placed.10) Process for the packing of ceramic manufactured articles, comprising at least the following phases of: supplying a containment body (2) defining an abutment surface (2a); supplying at least one ceramic manufactured article (M) to be packed having an elongated, slab-shaped conformation, said ceramic manufactured article (M) defining two faces (Ma, Mb) opposite each other; arranging a first face of said ceramic manufactured article (M) resting on said abutment surface (2a) so that the perimeter edge (20) of said containment body (2) protrudes from the perimeter profile of said ceramic manufactured article (M); characterized by the fact that it comprises the phases of:- supplying at least one reinforcing element (5);- placing said reinforcing element (5) resting on a second face (Mb) of said ceramic manufactured article (M) opposite said first face (Ma) and transverseto the longitudinal development of said ceramic manufactured article (M);- bending said perimeter edge (20) so as to peripherally wind said ceramic manufactured article (M) and partly cover said second face (Mb), said perimeter edge (20) partly overlapping said reinforcing element (5);- locking said perimeter edge (20) together with said reinforcing element (5).11) Process according to claim 10, characterized by the fact that said supplying a containment body (2) comprises the sub-phases of: supplying a plurality of containment elements (3, 4), of which at least one pair of transverse containment elements (3), adapted to cover the short sides of the ceramic manufactured article (M) arranged transverse with respect to its longitudinal axis (X), and at least one pair of longitudinal containment elements (4), adapted to cover the long sides of the ceramic manufactured article (M) arranged parallel to its longitudinal axis (X); arranging said containment elements (3, 4) in a contiguous manner with each other so as to define a closed profile; mutually locking said containment elements (3, 4).12) Process according to claim 11, characterized by the fact that said bending comprises the overlapping of at least one pair of said longitudinal containment elements (4), arranged from opposite sides with respect to said longitudinal axis (X), to respective end portions (5a) of said reinforcing element (5).13) Process according to one or more of claims 10 to 12, characterized by the fact that said placement is carried out in such a way as to define free areas (6) of said second face (Mb) accessible from the outside.14) Process according to one or more of claims 10 to 13, characterized by the fact that it comprises the supply of a plurality of said reinforcing elements (5) and by the fact that said placement provides for the mutual spacing apart of said reinforcing elements (5) along said longitudinal axis (X) so as to define additional free areas (7) of said second face (Mb) between them.15) Process according to one or more of claims 10 to 14, characterized by the fact that it comprises the supply of a plurality of said ceramic manufactured articles (M) to be packed, and by the fact that said arrangement comprises the mutualoverlapping of said ceramic manufactured articles (M) so that the first face (Ma) of one of them is arranged resting on the second face (Mb) of the ceramic manufactured article below, the second face (Mb) of the last positioned ceramic manufactured article (M) being opposite the first face (Ma) of the first ceramic manufactured article (M) arranged resting on said abutment surface (2a).

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