Tubular decorating means

Abstract

 Tubular decorating means comprising transferring means (30) arranged for transferring a decorative pattern onto objects (2), belt means (14, 16) fixed to said transferring means (13) and arranged for moving said transferring means (13) and connecting laminar means (18) arranged for connecting said transferring means (30) to said belt means (14, 16).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to tubular decorating means, in particular decorating tape means for decorating ceramic products.

[0002] For decorating flat objects, for example ceramic tiles, apparatuses are known that are provided with a decorating tape comprising a closed-loop flexible sleeve and provided with an operating surface in which there is obtained a plurality of cavities of limited dimensions that cooperate for defining an ornamental pattern to be reproduced on a face of the aforesaid ceramic tiles.

[0003] The sleeve can be made of deformable polymer material, for example silicone rubber.

[0004] The cavities are arranged for receiving a decorating material, for example a fluid ceramic glaze, and transferring it to the face of the ceramic tiles.

[0005] The known apparatuses further comprise rollers that tension the decorating tape and rotate it to make it interact with the tiles, whilst the latter are moved by a conveying device.

[0006] Toothed belts can be fixed - through gluing - to an internal surface of the flexible sleeve that are arranged for engaging corresponding toothed wheels associated with the aforesaid rollers.

[0007] A drawback of known decorating tapes is that, owing to the stress received during use, the belts tend to become detached from the sleeve.

[0008] Another drawback is that the belts may cause the sleeve to wrinkle, detracting from the quality of the decoration.

[0009] A further drawback is that the belts may tension the sleeve in an anomalous way and deform it, so that the decorative patterns on the ceramic tiles are distorted.

[0010] An object of the invention is to improve known decorating tapes.

[0011] Another object is to obtain tubular decorating means comprising driving belt means firmly connected to transferring means arranged for transferring a decorative pattern to objects.

[0012] A further object is to obtain tubular decorating means provided with driving belt means fixed to transferring means arranged for transferring a decorative pattern onto objects in such a way as not to generate deformations of the transferring means.

[0013] In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided tubular decorating means, comprising transferring means arranged for transferring a decorative pattern onto objects and driving belt means fixed to said transferring means and arranged for moving said transferring means, characterised in that it further comprises connecting laminar means arranged for connecting said transferring means to said belt means.

[0014] Owing to this aspect of the invention, it is possible to obtain decorating means in which the connecting laminar means ensures improved mutual adhesion between the transferring means and the belt means.

[0015] In this way, the belt means is not detached from the transferring means even when the tubular decorating means is partially wound around roller means that tensions and/or drives the tubular decorating means.

[0016] The belt means, in fact, remains firmly fixed to the transferring means even if the aforesaid roller means has very reduced diameters and which are therefore such as to induce the transferring means to arrange itself in arched configurations defined by small bend radiuses.

[0017] In an embodiment, the connecting laminar means is embedded into the transferring means. This increases the adhesion of the laminar connecting means to the transferring means and, consequently, improves the fixing of the transferring means to the belt means.

[0018] In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided tubular decorating means, comprising transferring means arranged for transferring a decorative pattern onto objects and belt means fixed to said transferring means and arranged for moving said transferring means, characterised in that said transferring means comprises decorating sleeve means and supporting means embedded into said decorating sleeve means, said supporting means being fixed to said belt means. Owing to this aspect of the invention, it is possible to obtain decorating tape means provided with greater stiffness.

[0019] As the supporting means is substantially unextendable, the tubular decorating means is provided with transferring means that is less subject to deformation and therefore suitable for transferring a decorative pattern with greater precision.

[0020] Further, the belt means, since it is fixed to elements that are not very deformable such as the supporting means, does not in use deform the sleeve means. This prevents the quality of the decorative pattern from deteriorating, said decorative pattern being transferred by the decorating sleeve means to the objects with which the decorating sleeve means interacts.

[0021] In a third aspect of the invention, there is provided tubular decorating means, comprising transferring means arranged for transferring a decorative pattern onto objects and toothed belt means fixed to said transferring means and suitable for engaging with toothed wheel means for moving said transferring means, characterised in that said transferring means is substantially aligned with a pitch line of tooth means of said toothed belt means, said toothed belt means interacting with said toothed wheel means at said pitch line.

[0022] Owing to this aspect of the invention, it is possible to obtain tubular decorating means that is not deformed when the toothed belt means with which it is provided engages with corresponding toothed wheel means.

[0023] In particular, a portion of the transferring means that interacts with the objects can easily be positioned in such a way as to be substantially contained in a plane.

[0024] The invention can be better understood and implemented with reference to the attached drawings that illustrate an embodiment thereof by way of non-limiting example, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic side view of an apparatus for decorating objects provided with tubular decorating means;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the tubular decorating means;

Figure 3 is a lateral view of the tubular decorating means in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a partial section taken along a plane IV-IV in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail of Figure 4.

[0025] With reference to Figure 1 there is shown an apparatus 1 for decorating objects, for example ceramic tiles 2.

[0026] The apparatus 1 comprises a conveying device 3 that moves the ceramic tiles 2 towards and away from a decorating device 4.

[0027] The conveying device 3 comprises conveyor belts 5 that support the tiles 2 and transfer the tiles 2 along an advancing direction F.

[0028] The decorating device 4 comprises tubular decorating means 6, shaped as a decorating tape, and driving means 7 arranged for rotating the tubular decorating means 6 in a rotating direction R.

[0029] The tubular decorating means 6 comprises a surface 10, arranged for interacting with the ceramic tiles 2, on which there is obtained a plurality of cavities of small dimensions that cooperate for defining an ornamental pattern that has to be reproduced on the ceramic tiles 2.

[0030] The tubular decorating means 6 can be made, at least partially, of a deformable material, for example an elastomeric material, in particular silicone rubber, as will be disclosed in greater detail below.

[0031] The aforesaid cavities can be obtained in the surface 10 through laser incision.

[0032] The driving means 7 comprises a motor roller 8 and an idle roller 9.

[0033] The decorating device 4 further comprises a conveying conduit 11, arranged for pouring a ceramic glaze onto the tubular decorating means 6, and a doctor blade 12, positioned downstream of the conveying conduit 11 in relation to the rotating direction R and arranged for introducing the ceramic glaze into the aforesaid cavities and for taking the excess ceramic glaze from the surface 10. The idle roller 9 also acts as an abutting element for contrasting the doctor blade 12.

[0034] The idle roller 9 further acts as a pressing element that presses the surface 10 into contact with the tiles 2 to promote the expulsion of the ceramic glaze from the cavities and the transfer thereof to the ceramic tiles 2.

[0035] The motor roller is rotatable around a rotation axis A1, whilst the idle roller is rotatable around a further rotation axis A2.

[0036] The motor roller 8 is positioned above the idle roller 9, in such a way that the rotation axis A1 and the further rotation axis A2 define a substantially vertical plane.

[0037] In this way, the tubular decorating means 6 is arranged in an operational configuration X in which a first branch 25 of the tubular decorating means 6 and a second branch 26 of the decorating means 6 are arranged substantially vertically.

[0038] The tubular decorating means 6, in the operating configuration X, has very limited overall dimensions parallel to the advancing direction F.

[0039] This enables a plurality of tubular decorating means 6 to be positioned in sequence along the advancing direction F - to obtain on the ceramic tiles 2 composite decorative patterns - without this involving an elongation of the conveying device 3.

[0040] Further, the tubular decorating means 6 may have a very significant extent and thus be provided with a plurality of decorative patterns, or with a very complicated ornamental pattern (to enable ceramic tiles 2 to be obtained that are different from one another, for example imitating natural stones) without requiring significant overall dimensions parallel to the advancing direction F.

[0041] This brings a significant advantage over prior-art decorating rollers the diameters of which cannot exceed a maximum dimension in such a way as to enable the decorating rollers to be easily handled and installed on decorating machines.

[0042] The tubular decorating means 6, further, after being removed from the motor roller 8 and from the idle roller 9, can be folded and positioned in a container of limited dimensions.

[0043] This brings a significant advantage over prior-art decorating rollers, which, since they are provided with flanges with stiff ends, have very great overall dimensions, inasmuch as they cannot be refolded after being removed from a decorating machine.

[0044] With reference to Figures 2 to 5, the tubular decorating means 6 comprises transferring means 30 provided with a sleeve 13 made of deformable material, for example silicone rubber.

[0045] The tubular decorating means 6 further comprises a first toothed belt 14 associated with a first end 15 of the sleeve 13 and a second toothed belt 16 associated with a second end 17 of the sleeve 13 opposite the first end 15.

[0046] The tubular decorating means 6 further comprises laminar connecting means 18 arranged for connecting the first toothed belt 14 and the second toothed belt 16 to the sleeve 13.

[0047] With reference to Figure 5, the connecting laminar means comprises a laminar connecting element 19 having an end zone 20 fixed to the first toothed belt 15 and a further end zone 21, opposite the end zone 20, embedded in the tubular sleeve 13.

[0048] The laminar connecting element 19 may comprise rough surfaces, in such a way as to improve the adhesion to the first toothed belt 15 and to the sleeve 13.

[0049] In an embodiment, the laminar connecting element 19 is made of felt, or fabric.

[0050] The laminar connecting element 19 protrudes laterally from the first belt 14 in such a way as to define a tubular body having a perimeter that is substantially the same as that of the sleeve 13.

[0051] The first end zone 20 can be hot-glued or electrowelded to the first belt 15.

[0052] The further end zone 21 can be embedded into the silicone rubber that forms the sleeve 13.

[0053] The transferring means 30 may further comprise a flexible supporting element 22 - made of substantially unextendable material - embedded into the sleeve 13 in such a way as to increase the mechanical strength and the stiffness of the sleeve 13.

[0054] The flexible supporting element 22 can be made of plastics.

[0055] The flexible supporting element 22 comprises a plurality of through holes 23 that, during manufacturing of the tubular decorating means 6, enable a precursor of the silicone rubber in fluid state to arrange itself at both the opposite faces of the flexible supporting element 22.

[0056] In an embodiment that is not shown, the further end zone 20 is fixed to the flexible laminar element 22.

[0057] In another embodiment that is not shown, the flexible laminar element 22 is fixed to the first belt 15, in this case there is not provided the laminar connecting element 19.

[0058] In a further embodiment that is not shown, there is provided a plurality of flexible supporting elements 22 - each of which is substantially shaped like the flexible supporting element 22 - embedded into the sleeve 13, in such a way that between two adjacent flexible supporting elements there is interposed a layer of silicone rubber.

[0059] The transferring means 30 is substantially aligned with a pitch line P of the teeth 24 of the first toothed belt 15 and of the second toothed belt 17, the first toothed belt 15 and the second toothed belt 17 interacting with respective toothed wheels at the pitch line P.

[0060] This significantly limits, or even prevents, deformation to the sleeve 13 during operation of the tubular decorating means 6.

[0061] This further enables the sleeve 13 to arrange itself in contact with the motor roller 8 and the idle roller 9 along the entire transverse extent of the latter, so as not to form wrinkles or creases that would detract from the quality of the decorative patterns impressed on the ceramic tiles 2. The first toothed belt 14 and the second toothed belt 16 are fixed to the sleeve 13 in such a way that the teeth 24a of the first toothed belt 14 and the teeth 24b of the second toothed belt 16 are in phase with one another.

[0062] This enables very precise movement of the sleeve 13 and consequently very high quality of the decorative pattern transferred from the surface 10 to the ceramic tiles 2.

Claims

1. Tubular decorating means, comprising transferring means (30) arranged for transferring a decorative pattern onto objects (2) and belt means (14, 16) fixed to said transferring means (13) and arranged for moving said transferring means (13), characterised in that it further comprises connecting laminar means (18) arranged for connecting said transferring means (30) to said belt means (14, 16).

2. Tubular decorating means according to claim 1, wherein said connecting laminar means (18) comprises an end zone (20) fixed to said belt means (15, 16) and a further end zone (21) embedded into said transferring means (30).

3. Tubular decorating means according to claim 1, or 2, wherein said connecting laminar means (18) is electrowelded to said belt means (14, 16).

4. Tubular decorating means according to claim 1, or 2, wherein said connecting laminar means (18) is hot welded to said belt means (14, 16).

5. Laminar decorating means according to any preceding claim, wherein said connecting laminar means (18) is made of felt.

6. Laminar decorating means according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said connecting laminar means (18) is made of fabric.

7. Tubular decorating means according to any preceding claim, wherein said transferring means (30) comprises decorating sleeve means (13) and supporting means (22) embedded into said decorating sleeve means (13), said connecting laminar means (18) being interposed between said supporting means (22) and said belt means (14, 16).

8. Tubular decorating means according to claim 1, wherein said transferring means (30) comprises decorating sleeve means (13) and supporting means (22) sunk into said decorating sleeve means (13), said supporting means (22) being fixed to said belt means (14, 16).

9. Tubular decorating means according to claim 7, or 8, wherein said supporting means (22) comprises a plurality of supporting elements spaced apart from one another.

10. Tubular decorating means according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein said supporting means (22) is provided with a plurality of through holes (15).

11. Tubular decorating means according to any preceding claim, wherein said belt means comprises toothed belt means (14, 16).

12. Decorating means according to claim 11, wherein said driving belt means (14, 16) is suitable for engaging with toothed wheel means for moving said transferring means (30), said transferring means (30) being substantially aligned with a pitch line (P) of tooth means (24) of said toothed belt means (14, 16) at which said toothed belt means (14, 16) interacts with said toothed wheel means.

13. Tubular decorating means according to claim 12 as claim 11 is appended to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein said supporting means (22) is substantially aligned with said pitch line (P).

14. Decorating means according to any preceding claim, wherein said belt means comprises a pair of belts (14, 16) arranged at opposite ends (15, 17) of said transferring means (30).

15. Decorating means according to any preceding claim, wherein said belt means comprises a first toothed belt (14) provided with first teeth (24a) and a second toothed belt (16) provided with second teeth (24b), said first teeth (24a) and said second teeth (24b) being in phase with one another.

16. Tubular decorating means according to any preceding claim, wherein said transferring means (30) comprises a tubular portion (13) arranged for interacting with said objects (2) that is made of deformable material.

17. Decorating means according to any preceding claim, wherein in said transferring means (30) cavity means is obtained that is arranged for receiving a decorating material and transferring said decorating material to said objects (2).

18. Tubular decorating means, comprising transferring means (30) arranged for transferring a decorative pattern onto objects (2) and belt means (14, 16) fixed to said transferring means (30) and arranged for moving said transferring means (30), characterised in that said transferring means (30) comprises decorating sleeve means (13) and supporting means (22) embedded into said decorating sleeve means (13), said supporting means (22) being fixed to said belt means (14, 16).

19. Tubular decorating means according to claim 18, wherein said supporting means (22) comprises a plurality of flexible supporting elements spaced apart from one another.

20. Tubular decorating means according to claim 18, or 19, wherein said supporting means (22) is provided with a plurality of through holes (15).

21. Tubular decorating means according to any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein said decorating sleeve means (13) is made of deformable material.

22. Decorating means according to any one of claims 18 to 21, wherein in said decorating sleeve means (13) cavity means is obtained that is arranged for receiving a decorating material and transferring said decorating material to said objects (2).

23. Tubular decorating means according to any one of claims 18 to 22, wherein said belt means comprises toothed belt means (14, 16).

24. Decorating means according to claim 23, wherein said toothed belt means (14, 16) is suitable for engaging with toothed wheel means for moving said transferring means (30), said transferring means (30) being substantially aligned with a pitch line (P) of tooth means (24) of said toothed belt means (14, 16) at which said toothed belt means (14, 16) interacts with said toothed wheel means.

25. Tubular decorating means according to claim 24, wherein said supporting means (22) is substantially aligned with said pitch line (P).

26. Decorating means according to any one of claims 18 to 25, wherein said belt means comprises a pair of belts (14, 16) arranged at opposite ends (15, 17) of said transferring means (30).

27. Decorating means according to any one of claims 18 to 26, wherein said belt means comprises a first toothed belt (14) provided with first teeth (24a) and a second toothed belt (16) provided with second teeth (24b), said first teeth (24a) and said second teeth (24b) being in phase with one another.

28. Tubular decorating means, comprising transferring means (30) arranged for transferring a decorative pattern onto objects (2) and toothed belt means (14, 16) fixed to said transferring means (30) and suitable for engaging toothed wheel means for moving said transferring means (30), characterised in that said transferring means (30) is substantially aligned with a pitch line (P) of tooth means (24) of said toothed belt means (14, 16) said toothed belt means (14, 16) interacting with said toothed wheel means at said pitch line (P).

29. Tubular decorating means according to claim 28, wherein said transferring means (30) comprises decorating sleeve means (13) and supporting means (22) embedded into said decorating sleeve means (13).

30. Tubular decorating means according to claim 29, wherein said supporting means (22) comprises a plurality of flexible supporting elements spaced apart from one another.

31. Tubular decorating means according to claim 29, or 30, wherein said supporting means (22) is provided with a plurality of through holes (15).

32. Decorating means according to any one of claims 28 a 31, wherein said belt means comprises a pair of belts (14, 16) arranged at opposite ends (15, 17) of said transferring means (30).

33. Decorating means according to any one of claims 28 to 32, wherein said toothed belt means comprises a first toothed belt (14) provided with first teeth (24a) and a second toothed belt (16) provided with second teeth (24b), said first teeth (24a) an said second teeth (24b) being in phase with one another.

34. Tubular decorating means according to any one of claims 28 to 33, wherein said transferring means (30) comprises a tubular portion (13) that is made of deformable material and that is arranged for interacting with said objects (2).

35. Decorating means according to any one of claims 28 to 34, wherein in said transferring means (30) cavity means is obtained that is arranged for receiving a decorating material and transferring said decorating material to said objects (2).

Drawing