Unit for decorating ceramic products

Abstract

 In a unit for decorating groups (5) of ceramic products (2), each group (5), defined by at least one product (2), is fed through a decorating station (12), where the group (5) is decorated by a decorating member (13) having a number of holes (22), which define patterns (3) to be applied to the products (2), and through which a decorating material is fed; the decorating member (13) being a flexible member movable along an endless path (P2).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a unit for decorating ceramic products, and in particular to a unit for decorating ceramic products with powdered or granular decorating material.

[0002] It is an object of the present invention to provide a unit for decorating ceramic products, which is cheap and easy to produce.

[0003] According to the present invention, there is provided a unit for decorating ceramic products with relative patterns; the unit comprising a decorating device for successively decorating groups of products, each comprising at least one respective product; the decorating device comprising at least one decorating member having a number of holes, each said pattern being defined by at least one said hole, and feed means for feeding a decorating material through said holes; and the unit being characterized in that said decorating member is a flexible member extending along an endless path; first actuating means moving the decorating member and the group for decorating with respect to each other in a given first direction; and second actuating means moving the decorating member along said path.

[0004] A non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a first schematic side view, with parts removed for clarity, of a preferred embodiment of the unit according to the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a partly sectioned second side view of the Figure 1 unit;

Figure 3 shows a cross section of a detail of Figure 1 in a first operating position;

Figure 4 is similar to Figure 3, and shows the Figure 3 detail in a second operating position.

[0005] With reference to Figures 1 and 2, number 1 indicates as a whole a unit for decorating ceramic products 2 with relative patterns 3. In the example shown, each product 2 is substantially flat, is substantially rectangular parallelepiped-shaped, and is defined by two substantially parallel major lateral faces 2a.

[0006] Unit 1 comprises an endless conveyor 4 for feeding a succession of groups 5 of products 2 in a given direction 6 and along a given path P1. Groups 5 are substantially equally spaced along conveyor 4, and each comprise a number of - in the example shown, three - products 2, which are aligned with one another in a direction 7 substantially crosswise to direction 6, and are fed along path P1 "laid flat", i.e. with relative faces 2a horizontal.

[0007] Conveyor 4 comprises a belt 8 looped about two pulleys 9 - one of which is powered continuously - which are fitted to a fixed frame (not shown) of unit 1 to rotate, with respect to the frame (not shown), about respective axes 10 substantially parallel to each other and perpendicular to the Figure 1 plane.

[0008] Unit 1 also comprises a decorating device 11 located along path P1 at a decorating station 12, and in turn comprising a flexible decorating member 13, which is moved by an actuating device 14 along an endless path P2, and is located over conveyor 4, at a given distance from products 2 for decorating.

[0009] Device 14 comprises two shafts 15 - one of which (hereinafter indicated 15a) is located beneath the other and is powered continuously by an electric motor 16 - which are fitted to said frame (not shown) to rotate, with respect to the frame (not shown), about respective axes 17, which extend substantially parallel to each other and to axes 10, and are substantially aligned with each other in a vertical direction A perpendicular to directions 6 and 7.

[0010] Each shaft 15 is fitted, at each free end, with a wheel 18 having a number of pins 19, which are equally spaced about relative axis 17, and extend radially outwards from the outer surface of wheel 18 to engage corresponding holes 20 formed along the lateral edges of member 13, and so rotate member 13 about axes 17 and along path P2.

[0011] Member 13 comprises a number of groups 21 of patterns 3, which are arranged along member 13 with substantially the same spacing as groups 5, and each comprise a respective number of patterns 3 (equal to the number of products 2 in each group 5), each of which is defined by at least one hole 22 formed through member 13, and is advanced in time with a relative product 2.

[0012] With reference to Figures 2, 3 and 4, device 11 also comprises a hopper 23 for containing a decorating material (in the example shown, a powdered or granular decorating material), and which extends in direction 7, is located between the two vertical branches of member 13, and in turn comprises a downwardly-converging top portion 24, and a bottom portion 25 defined by a tubular body 26 extending about shaft 15a and coaxial with relative axis 17.

[0013] Body 26 has a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of wheels 18, and comprises a top opening 27 formed radially through body 26 so as to face portion 24; and a number of bottom slots 28, which are equal in number to products 2 in each group 5, and therefore to patterns 3 in each group 21, are formed radially through body 26 so as to face member 13, and are each of a width, measured parallel to direction 7, at least equal to the width of a product 2, also measured parallel to direction 7.

[0014] Hopper 23 also comprises a valve device 29 for selectively controlling supply of said decorating material through slots 28, and therefore through holes 22, and which comprises a shutter member 30 defined by a tubular body 31 extending through body 26 and about shaft 15a, and substantially coaxial with axis 17 of shaft 15a. Body 31 comprises a top opening 32 formed radially through body 31 and facing opening 27; and a number of bottom slots 33, which are equal in number to slots 28, are formed radially through body 31, and are each of a width, measured parallel to direction 7, at least equal to the width of a slot 28.

[0015] Body 31 is fitted in rotary and axially fixed manner to both body 26 and shaft 15a, and is oscillated - with respect to body 26 and shaft 15a, and by an actuating device 34 - about relative axis 17 and between an open position opening slots 28 (Figure 3) and a closed position closing slots 28 (Figure 4).

[0016] Device 34 comprises two actuating cylinders 35, which are located on opposite sides of body 26 in direction 7 and inside the two vertical branches of member 13, are hinged to said frame (not shown) of unit 1, and have respective output rods 36, the free ends of which are hinged to respective levers 37 extending outwards from the outer surface of body 31.

[0017] In actual use, conveyor 4 and decorating member 13 are operated continuously to feed each product 2 through decorating station 12 in time with a relative pattern 3; and shutter member 30 is moved into the open position as patterns 3 travel past slots 28, to allow the decorating material to drop down on to products 2, and is moved into the closed position as the portions of member 13 with no patterns 3 travel past slots 28.

[0018] As such, unit 1:

is relatively compact in direction 6, by member 13 being looped about axes 17 aligned in direction A;

provides for relatively high output, by both conveyor 4 and member 13 being operated continuously and in time with each other;

allows relatively fast, easy replacement of member 13; and

allows selective configuration of each pattern 3 by selectively positioning and sizing relative holes 22.

Claims

1. A unit for decorating ceramic products (2) with relative patterns (3); the unit comprising a decorating device (11) for successively decorating groups (5) of products (2), each comprising at least one respective product (2); the decorating device (11) comprising at least one decorating member (13) having a number of holes (22), each said pattern (3) being defined by at least one said hole (22), and feed means (23) for feeding a decorating material through said holes (22); and the unit being characterized in that said decorating member (13) is a flexible member extending along an endless path (P2); first actuating means (4) moving the decorating member (13) and the group (5) for decorating with respect to each other in a given first direction (6); and second actuating means (14) moving the decorating member (13) along said path (P2).

2. A unit as claimed in Claim 1, and also comprising a decorating station (12) at which said decorating member (13) is located; said first actuating means (4) comprising a conveyor (4) for feeding said groups (5) continuously through said decorating station (12); and said second actuating means (14) moving said decorating member (13) continuously along said path (P2).

3. A unit as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein said first and second actuating means (4, 14) are timed with respect to each other so as to advance each said group (5) in time with the relative said patterns (3).

4. A unit as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, wherein said second actuating means (14) comprise two supporting shafts (15) for supporting said decorating member (13); said supporting shafts (15) being mounted for rotation about respective longitudinal axes (17) substantially aligned with each other in a second direction (A) substantially crosswise to said first direction (6).

5. A unit as claimed in Claim 4, wherein said second direction (A) is a substantially vertical direction.

6. A unit as claimed in Claim 4 or 5, wherein said feed means (23) comprise a hopper (23) having a bottom portion (25) extending about one of said supporting shafts (15) and having, for each product (2) in each group (5) of products (2), an outlet (28) facing said decorating member (13), and valve means (29) movable between an open position and a closed position respectively opening and closing said outlets (28).

7. A unit as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said bottom portion (25) is substantially cylindrical; said valve means (29) comprising at least one shutter member (30) substantially concentric with said outlets (28) and movable between said open position and said closed position.

Drawing