ES1295361U - PLANT FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF CERAMIC AND/OR STONE SLABS (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

A plant (1) for the manufacture of slabs of ceramic and/or stone material comprising: - at least one movable support surface (2) along a direction of forward movement (D); - forming means (3) of at least one slab to be compacted (4) of ceramic and/or stone material on said support surface (2), provided with an exposed surface (5a), with a laying surface (5b), opposite said exposed surface (5a), and at least one first decorative effect (6) defined in at least said exposed surface (5a); - compaction means (7) of said slab to be compacted (4) to obtain a compacted slab (8); and - decoration means (9) of said exposed surface (5a); characterized in that said decoration means (9) comprise digital printing means (11) and in that they comprise detection and transmission means (12) configured to: - detect said first decorative effect (6); - generating at least one electronic data representative of said first decorative effect (6); and - sending said electronic data to said digital printing means (11); said digital printing means (11) comprising processing means (13) of said electronic data and dispensing means (14), operatively connected to said processing means (13) and adapted to supply at least one ink on said exposed surface (5a) of said compacted slab (8) to obtain at least a second decorative effect (10) based on said electronic data. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

PLANT FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF CERAMIC AND/OR STONE SLABS

technical field

The present invention refers to a plant for the manufacture of slabs of ceramic and/or stone material.

Background art

It is well known that, in many sectors of industrial activity, there is a particular need to renew manufactured products and to search for new ones to distinguish them from those of the competition.

This need is, in particular, of the industry dealing with the manufacture of slabs made of ceramic and/or stone material used for the manufacture, for example, of floors and/or coverings.

Today, the market increasingly requires special aesthetic effects such as, for example, the reproduction of natural rocks, such as marble or granite, characterized by the presence of "grains", that is, stripes of a different color with respect to the base material, with an irregular pattern and that cross the entire thickness of it.

The manufacture of slabs of ceramic and/or stone material generally involves a supply phase of a slab to be compacted made of ceramic and/or stone material on a support surface.

In particular, ceramic and/or stone material which may be composed of, for example, ceramic materials or a mixture of mineral compounds in granular form (for example, marble, granite), glass, mirror fragments, quartz powder , etc., as well as by resins that act as binders.

In order to obtain these aesthetic effects, the slabs to be compacted are made in such a way as to create an initial aesthetic effect that reflects, for example, the grains present in natural rocks. These grains can be made full-bodied or just on the exposed surface.

Subsequently, the slab is subjected to a pressing phase to obtain a compacted slab.

Depending on the type of basic material used, additional steps are then carried out, such as firing and subsequent cooling, in order to obtain a product with high mechanical and chemical properties.

The compacted slab is finally decorated through the use of ceramic pigments applied to the exposed surface, adding to the first decorative effect.

However, the methods of known type and the plants that implement them are subject to further refinement.

In the known methods, in fact, the decoration is not carried out in such a way as to take into account the decorative effect already present on the exposed surface of the compacted slab.

This can result in a finished aesthetic effect that is not very precise and defined and does not fully enhance the first decorative effect.

Description of the invention

The main objective of the present invention is to conceive a plant for the manufacture of slabs of ceramic material and/or stone that allows the aesthetic effects obtained with the ceramic material to be integrated in an extremely precise and defined manner.

Another object of the present invention is to design a plant for the manufacture of ceramic and/or stone slabs that allow a wide variety of aesthetic effects to be obtained quickly, easily and reliably.

Another object of the present invention is to conceive a plant for the manufacture of ceramic and/or stone slabs that allows overcoming the drawbacks of the prior art already mentioned within a simple, rational, easy and effective solution, as well as also affordable.

The objects mentioned above are achieved by the present plant for the manufacture of slabs made of ceramic and/or stone material having the features of claim 1.

Brief description of the drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more evident from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a plant for the manufacture of slabs of ceramic material and/or stone, illustrated by way of an indicative example, but not restrictive, in the attached tables of drawings, where:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the plant for the manufacture of slabs of ceramic and/or stone material according to the invention;

Figure 2 is an axonometric view of a phase of the first embodiment of the method according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the plant for the manufacture of slabs of ceramic and/or stone material according to the invention;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the plant for the manufacture of slabs of ceramic and/or stone material according to the invention;

Figure 5 is an axonometric view of a third embodiment of the plant according to the invention.

Embodiments of the invention

With particular reference to these figures, the reference number 1 globally indicates a plant for the manufacture of slabs of ceramic and/or stone material.

The floor 1 comprises at least one support surface 2 that can be moved along a forward direction of movement D.

The support surface 2 is, for example, of the type of a conveyor belt or the like.

However, additional embodiments where the support surface 2 is of the fixed type cannot be ruled out.

The floor 1 comprises means for forming 3 of at least one slab to be compacted 4 of ceramic and/or stone material on the support surface 2.

In the context of the present description, the expression "ceramic and/or stone materials" means materials of ceramic and/or stone type, such as marble, granite, minerals or other natural stones, in powder and/or granulated form. and/or flakes, and mixed with a cement-type binder or resins.

The slab to be compacted 4 comprises an exposed surface 5a and a laying surface 5b, opposite the exposed surface 5a.

More specifically, the exposed surface 5a is intended, in use, to be exposed, while the laying surface 5b is intended, in use, to be applied to a surface to be covered.

The slab to be compacted 4 is also provided with at least one first decorative effect 6 defined on at least the exposed surface 5a.

Plant 1 also comprises means 7 for compacting the slab to be compacted 4 to obtain a compacted slab 8.

The compaction means 7 are of a type known to the engineer in the industry and are of the type of a discontinuous press or a compaction belt.

Lastly, the floor 1 comprises decoration means 9 for the compacted slab 8.

The decoration means 9 are adapted to create a second decorative effect 10 on the exposed surface 5a of the compacted slab 8.

The plant 1 is also provided with means for drying the compacted slab 8, which are not shown in detail in the figures, adapted to give the slab the characteristic properties of strength and robustness.

The drying means are positioned between the compacting means 7 and the decorating means 9.

In other words, the decoration is carried out after a drying phase of the compacted slab 8.

According to the invention, the decoration means 9 comprise digital printing means 11 and the plant 1 also comprises detection and transmission means 12 configured to:

- detect the first decorative effect 6;

- generating at least one electronic data representative of the first decorative effect 6; and - sending the electronic data to the digital printing means 11.

In more detail, the detection and transmission means 12 comprise at least one electronic assembly 12a configured to store the electronic data.

In particular, the electronic data is sent by transmission devices known to the field technician and by methods such as transmission by radio waves, Bluetooth, wi-fi or the like.

Conveniently, the digital printing means 11 is provided with receiving means configured to receive and store the electronic data.

Also according to the invention, the digital printing means 11 comprise:

- electronic data processing means 13, and

- dispensing means 14, operatively connected to the processing means 13 and adapted to supply at least one ink on the exposed surface 5a of the tile compacted 8 to obtain at least a second decorative effect 10 depending on the electronic data.

The processing means 13 is configured to process the electronic data and generate a pattern to be applied to the exposed surface 5a through the dispensing means 14 by dispensing ink.

The dispensing means 14 comprises one or more dispensing heads configured to dispense one or more types of ink according to the developed pattern.

The pattern applied to the compacted slab 8 therefore defines the second decorative effect 10.

Floor plan 1 therefore makes it possible to determine the first decorative effect 6 present on the exposed surface 5a of the slab and to create the second decorative effect 10 as a function of this.

In a possible embodiment, the second decorative effect 10 is superimposed on the first decorative effect 6.

In this way, the second decorative effect 10 can be made to finish the first decorative effect 6, making it lighter.

Alternatively or as a combination thereof, the second decorative effect 10 can be made to complement the first decorative effect 6, thereby creating additional aesthetic effects.

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the present plant 1 where the detection and transmission means 12 are arranged upstream of the compaction means 7 with respect to the direction of forward movement D.

In more detail, in this first embodiment, the forming means 3 comprises distribution means 15 for dispensing at least one basic material B of the ceramic and/or stone type in the form of powder and/or granules and/or flakes on the surface of support 2.

In particular, the distribution means 15 are of the type of a hopper, which, as a result of the movement of the support surface 2 along the direction of forward movement D, deposits the basic material B on the support surface 2. .

Therefore, the slab to be compacted 4 is arranged with the laying surface 5b facing downwards and the exposed surface 5a facing upwards.

The forming means 3 also comprises application means 18 of at least one additional material A of the type of ceramic and/or stone in the form of powder and/or granules and/or flakes, of a color and/or type other than the basic material B to obtain at least one grain V, which defines the first decorative effect 6.

With reference to the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the application means 18 are disposed downstream of the distribution means 15 with respect to the direction of forward movement D.

The application means 18 comprise an injection tool 20 adapted to dispense the additional material A following a predefined path, that is, along a plane substantially parallel to the support surface 2.

The first decorative effect 6 can be limited to the exposed surface 5a or pass through the entire thickness of the slab to be compacted 4.

In other words, the grain V can affect only the exposed surface 5a or extend through the thickness of the slab to be compacted 4 until it even reaches the placement surface 5b.

For this purpose, the forming means 3 may comprise defining means 17 for defining at least one notch S in the slab to be compacted 4, arranged upstream of the application means 18.

Conveniently, the defining means 17 comprise at least one working tool 19 that can be moved along the predefined path.

Additionally, the working tool 19 can be moved along a direction of movement towards/away from the support surface 2.

In particular, the working tool 19 approaches the base material B, comes into contact with the exposed surface 5a and progressively passes through the thickness of the base material B moving towards the setting surface 5b.

The magnitude of the displacement that approaches the positioning surface 5b is therefore variable depending on the depth that it is desired to attribute to the notch S.

Once the desired depth has been reached, the work tool 19 moves along the predefined path to define the notch S.

It is easy to see that, according to this embodiment, the injection tool 20 follows the predefined path after the work tool 19.

In other words, while the working tool 19 defines the notch S, the following injection tool 20 simultaneously dispenses the additional material A into the notch S, thus defining the first decorative effect 6.

The working tool 19 is adapted to generate the notch by suction or movement of the basic material B.

In the particular embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the working tool 19 is adapted to suck up the basic material B.

The definition means 17 and the application means 18 are described in detail in the Italian patent application No. 102018000007275 filed by the same owner, which is incorporated in this invention as a bibliography and to which reference is made for more details.

Even with reference to the figures, the definition means 17 and the application means 18 they are arranged in a single decoration device 16.

The decoration device 16 can be, for example, of the type of an articulated arm provided with at least three degrees of freedom, or of the type of, for example, an anthropomorphic robot.

Therefore, the decoration device 16 is configured to house both the definition means 17 and the application means 18.

However, it cannot be ruled out that the definition means 17 and the application means 18 are arranged in separate decoration devices 16.

The decoration device 16 is further provided with an electronic control assembly 21 operatively connected to the definition means 17 and to the application means 18 and configured to store at least the predefined route.

The detection and transmission means 12 are adapted to store the predefined route as electronic data and transmit it to the digital printing means 11.

In more detail, the electronic control assembly 21 of the decoration device 16 is operatively connected to the electronic assembly 12a of the detection and transmission means 12, and the latter are configured to store the predefined path as electronic data.

Conveniently, the detection and transmission means 12 are in turn housed in the decoration device 16.

Preferably, the electronic assembly 12a coincides with the electronic control assembly 21.

Figures 3 to 5, on the other hand, illustrate further embodiments of the present plant 1, where the detection and transmission means 12 are arranged downstream of the compaction means 7 with respect to the forward direction of movement D.

In more detail, with particular reference to Figures 3 to 5, the detection and transmission means 12 are of the type of, for example, an image scanning device.

Conveniently, the sensing and transmitting means 12 comprises at least one of the following: capacitive sensors, color sensors, and optical scanners.

The particular convenience of providing the detection and transmission means 12 downstream of the compaction means 7, guarantees the effective determination of any aesthetic effect present on the exposed surface 5a of the slab.

In more detail, in a second embodiment shown in Figure 3, the forming means 3 comprise the distribution means 15 of the basic material B and the application means 18 of the additional material A, where the application means 18 are arranged upstream of the distribution means 15 with respect to the forward direction of movement D.

According to said embodiment, the injection tool 20 is therefore adapted to dispense the additional material A on the support surface 2, to define the grains V, and the distribution means 15 are adapted to distribute the basic material B above it. of the grains themselves.

According to this embodiment, the exposed surface 5a of the slab to be compacted 4 is therefore oriented downwards.

Conveniently, the floor 1 comprises means 25 for tipping the compacted slab 8, arranged downstream of the compacting means 7 with respect to the forward direction of movement D and adapted to arrange the slab to be compacted 4 with the exposed surface 5a facing upwards and the placement surface 5b downwards.

With particular reference to Figure 3, the forming means 3 may also comprise placement means 26 for flakes F made of ceramic material and/or stone, arranged upstream of the application means 18.

The positioning means 26 are of the type, for example, of a scale device provided with a pair of compaction rollers.

The function of the placement means 26 is to distribute a layer of flakes F on the support surface 2 before the placement of the additional material A.

In this way, the first decorative effect 6 is defined both by the pattern of the grains V according to the predefined path and by the arrangement of the flakes F on the exposed surface 5a.

As stated above, the detection and transmission means 12 are arranged downstream of the compaction means 7 and, in particular, they are arranged downstream of the tipping means 25.

In other words, the detection and transmission means 12 are adapted to determine the first decorative effect 6 actually present on the exposed surface 5a, with the latter facing upwards.

In a third embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5, the detection and transmission means 12 are still arranged downstream of the compaction means 7.

The forming means 3, on the other hand, comprise means for depositing 22 a mixture M of ceramic materials on the support surface 2 to obtain the slab to be compacted 4 provided with the first decorative effect 6.

In particular, the reservoir means 22 comprise at least one containment body 23 within which the ceramic materials are loaded and mixed.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5, the containment body 23 is of the type, for example, of a receptacle adapted to be filled with the mixed ceramic materials in order to obtain a mixture M provided with grains V.

The containment body 23 can move in rotation with respect to the support surface 2 to be placed at the same point where it is located and deposit the ceramic materials contained therein on the support surface itself.

The depositing means 22 also comprise at least one leveling device 24 adapted to place the mixture M on the support surface 2 to obtain the slab to be compacted 4.

The leveling device 24 is of the type, for example, of a roller that extends across the entire width of the support surface 2 and allows the mixture M to be leveled on the support surface itself and the slab to be compacted 4 to be leveled. is obtained, therefore.

Similarly to the first embodiment, the exposed surface 5a of the slab to be compacted 4 faces upwards.

The aforementioned deposit means 22 are described in detail in the Italian patent application No. 102018000007945 filed by the same owner, incorporated in this invention as a bibliography and to which reference is made for more details.

However, additional embodiments, not shown in detail in the figures, where the deposition means 22 are of a different type, cannot be ruled out.

For example, the containment body 23 can be of the type of a hopper with inclined walls, where the way in which the ceramic materials are loaded causes the formation of grains V. In addition, the hopper can be provided with vibrating elements applied to the walls and adapted to generate a vibratory movement to the ceramic materials contained therein. During deposition, the vibratory movement causes the ceramic materials to mix, which allows the slab to be obtained to be compacted 4 providing the first decorative effect 6.

Nor can it be ruled out that the containment body 23 is of the type of a mold provided with internal walls, defining, with the support surface 2, a plurality of cavities that can be filled with ceramic materials of a different type to create the grains V. Next, the mold is lifted from the support surface 2, thereby supplying the slab to be compacted 4 provided with the first decorative effect 6.

Further embodiments of the present plant 1 cannot be ruled out either, where the forming means 3 comprise a combination of the components described so far for the previous embodiments.

The operation of plant 1 in the implementation of the method according to the invention is as follows.

The method first comprises a supply of at least one slab to be compacted 4 made of ceramic and/or stone material provided with an exposed surface 5a and with a laying surface 5b, opposite the exposed surface 5a.

The slab to be compacted 4 comprises at least one first decorative effect 6 defined on at least the exposed surface 5a.

As described above, the first decorative effect 6 can be performed on the exposed surface 5a only of the slab to be compacted 4 or affect its entire thickness.

The procedure then comprises a compaction operation for the slab to be compacted 4 to obtain a compacted slab 8.

This phase is carried out by the compaction means 7.

Lastly, the method comprises a decoration phase of the exposed surface 5a. According to the invention, the decoration is carried out by means of digital printing 11 and the procedure further comprises the phases of:

- detect the first decorative effect 6;

- generating at least one electronic data representative of the first decorative effect 6; and - sending the electronic data to the digital printing means 11.

The decoration phase comprises a phase of processing the electronic data and delivery of at least one ink to obtain at least a second decorative effect 10 based on the electronic data.

In the first embodiment of the present method, which is shown in Figure 1, the detection phase and the generation phase are carried out using the detection and transmission means 12, before compaction.

Said embodiment foresees that the supply of the slab to be compacted 4 firstly comprises a supply of at least one basic material B of the type of ceramic and/or stone in the form of powder and/or granules and/or flakes, and of at least an additional material A of the type of ceramic and/or stone in the form of powder and/or granules and/or flakes, other than the basic material B.

The method then comprises dispensing the basic material B onto the support surface 2 and applying the additional material A to define at least one grain V of a color and/or type other than the basic material B.

Specifically, the application phase is carried out after the dispensing phase.

Next, the basic material B is distributed on the support surface 2 by the distribution means 15. The exposed surface 5a of the slab to be compacted 4 faces upwards.

Next, through the decoration device 16, there is a definition phase of at least one notch S along a predefined path and the application of the additional material A inside the notch S.

Specifically, the definition of the notch S is carried out using the definition means 17, by sucking out a portion of the basic material B.

The grain V defines the first decorative effect 6 of the slab to be compacted 4 and the detection and generation phases comprise the storage of the predefined route as electronic data.

Next, the slab to be compacted 4 is subjected to compaction and the subsequent decoration phase is carried out according to the predefined route.

In the second and third embodiments of the present method, shown in Figures 3 to 5, the detection and generation phases are carried out by the detection and transmission means 12, after compaction.

In particular, in these additional embodiments, the detection is carried out by at least one of the following: capacitive sensors, color sensors and optical scanners.

Therefore, the detection is carried out to determine the actual decorative effect present on the exposed surface 5a of the compacted slab 8.

According to the second embodiment shown in Figure 3, the supply of the slab to be compacted 4 comprises the supply of the basic material B and the additional material A.

Unlike the first embodiment, the application of the additional material A is carried out before the distribution of the basic material B.

Therefore, the additional material A is dispensed onto the support surface 2 by the application means 18 along a predefined path to form at least one grain V.

Next, the basic material B is distributed on the supporting surface 2 by means of the distribution means 15 to cover the additional material A. The exposed surface 5a of the slab to be compacted 4 is therefore facing downwards.

Conveniently, before the application of the additional material A, the method may also comprise a step of placing flakes F of ceramic and/or stone material on the support surface 2.

The placement phase is carried out by the placement means 26.

Therefore, in this case, the first decorative effect 6 is defined by the grains V and by the arrangement of the flakes F on the exposed surface 5a.

Next, the slab to be compacted 4 is subjected to compaction by the compaction means 7.

After compaction, the procedure comprises a phase of overturning the compacted slab 8 to arrange it with the exposed surface 5a facing upwards.

The overturning is carried out by the overturning means 25.

From there, the detection of the first decorative effect 6 defined on the exposed surface 5a and the generation of the electronic data takes place through the use of the detection and transmission means 12.

Finally, the compacted slab 8 is decorated by means of digital printing 11 based on the electronic data.

According to the third embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5, the supply of the slab to be compacted 4 comprises, on the other hand, a supply of a mixture M of ceramic materials and a deposition of these on the support surface 2 to obtain a slab to be compacted 4 provided with the first decorative effect 6 on at least the exposed surface 5a.

In more detail, the first decorative effect 6 can be achieved by one or more deposition means 22 described above, thus combining the different possible solutions.

Next, the slab to be compacted 4 is subjected to compaction and the first decorative effect 6 is subsequently determined by detection and transmission means 12. Finally, the second decorative effect 10 is applied to the compacted slab 8 by means digital printing 11.

In practice, it has been determined that the described invention achieves the proposed objectives and, In particular, it is emphasized that the plant for the manufacture of ceramic and/or stone slabs according to the invention allows the aesthetic effects obtained with the ceramic material to be integrated in an extremely precise and defined manner, thanks to the possibility of detecting and transmitting electronic data to digital printing media.

Furthermore, thanks to digital printing, the plant according to the present invention allows a wide variety of aesthetic effects to be obtained quickly, easily and reliably.

Claims (7)

1) A plant (1) for the manufacture of ceramic and/or stone slabs comprising: - at least one mobile support surface (2) along a forward movement direction (D); - forming means (3) of at least one slab to be compacted (4) of ceramic and/or stone material on said support surface (2), provided with an exposed surface (5a), with a placement surface (5b ), opposite said exposed surface (5a), and at least one first decorative effect (6) defined in at least said exposed surface (5a); - compaction means (7) of said slab to be compacted (4) to obtain a compacted slab (8); Y - decoration means (9) of said exposed surface (5a); characterized in that said decoration means (9) comprise digital printing means (11) and in that they comprise detection and transmission means (12) configured to: - detecting said first decorative effect (6); - generating at least one electronic data representative of said first decorative effect (6); Y - sending said electronic data to said digital printing means (11); said digital printing means (11) comprising processing means (13) of said electronic data and dispensing means (14), operatively connected to said processing means (13) and adapted to supply at least one ink on said exposed surface ( 5a) of said compacted slab (8) to obtain at least a second decorative effect (10) based on said electronic data. 2) A plant (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said detection and transmission means (12) are arranged downstream of said compaction means (7) with respect to said direction of forward movement (D ). 3) A plant (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said means detection and transmission devices (12) are arranged upstream of said compaction means (7) with respect to said forward movement direction (D). 4) A plant (1) according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said forming means (3) comprise: - distribution means (15) for dispensing at least one basic material (B) of the ceramic and/or stone type in the form of powder and/or granules and/or flakes on said support surface (2); - application means (18) of at least one additional material (A) of the type of ceramic and/or stone in the form of powder and/or granules and/or flakes, of a color and/or type that is not said basic material (B), to obtain at least one grain (V), which defines said first decorative effect (6). 5) A plant (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that said application means (18) are arranged downstream of said distribution means (15) with respect to said direction of forward movement (D), the exposed surface (5a) of said slab to be compacted (4) being oriented upwards. 6) A plant (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that said application means (18) are arranged upstream of said distribution means (15) with respect to said direction of forward movement (D), the exposed surface (5a) of said compacted slab (4) being oriented downwards, and by the fact that it comprises tipping means (25) of said compacted slab (8), arranged downstream of said compacting means (7) with respect to said forward direction of movement (D) and adapted to arrange said compacted slab (8) with said exposed surface (5a) facing upwards and said laying surface (5b) facing downwards. 7) A plant (1) according to claim 3 and one or more of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that said detection and transmission means (12) are adapted to store said predefined route as electronic data and transmit it to said digital printing means (11).