EP1439045A2 - Method and apparatus for decorating tiles - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for decorating tiles (1) involves decoration of one or more visible edge zones (3) of the tile by means of a machine at the same time with decoration of the substantially planar visible surface (2) of the tile. An Independent claim is also included for an apparatus serving for implementation of the proposed method.

Description

The invention initially relates to a method for producing tiles.

There is always a problem in the manufacture of decorated tiles a more or less strong edge formation, which is particularly the case with dark Decor is very annoying. The reason for this is in particular the falling of the visible side Edge areas of the tile compared to the rest of the essentially in one Flat face of a tile.

The object of the present invention is to propose a method which remedies this disadvantage in a simple, inexpensive manner.

The method according to the invention for producing tiles is therefore in particular characterized in that during, after or before the oversight which essentially lies in a flat visible surface of a tile a decor one or more visible sides falling away from the visible surface Edge areas of the tile can be mechanically decorated. In this way, there are no annoying joint areas when laying the tiles.

The decor can be applied to the visible edge areas using rollers, brushes or Like. Application agents are applied by machine.

In particular, it is possible that the visible edge areas, possibly like that Visible surface, mechanically, in particular by means of a rotary printing machine with rollers as a means of printing.

The decor is preferably applied by machine, in particular printing, the visible edge areas in the course of the manufacturing process the tile, on which the tile is pressed, provided with a glaze layer and their visible surface is provided with a decor, preferably on the decor The End.

Two mutually opposite visible edge areas can be used be mechanically decorated at the same time to make time and a special one Save the bracket of the tile.

The method according to the invention can further be supplemented by the fact that one or more perpendicular to the one lying substantially in one plane Visible surface of the tile mechanical side surfaces of the tile, e.g. With a sponge.

Again, for the reasons mentioned above, it is advantageous if two mutually opposite side surfaces of the tile simultaneously by machine be colored.

The vertical side surfaces are preferably colored after each the application of the decor on the assigned visible edge areas the tile.

The invention is also directed to a tile, which in a method of is produced with a thickness between about 5 and 15 mm, where one, possibly slightly convexly curved, sloping visible edge area with a width of 1 to 5 mm is provided with a decor.

The invention is also directed to a device for producing tiles, with the help of which, in particular, the previously explained method is simple Way can be performed.

Such a device is characterized in particular by the fact that it is or instead of the means for applying a decor to the essentially in one plane face of the tiles means for applying a decor on the front edge areas sloping towards the visible surface having.

The means for applying decor to the visible edge areas are preferably rollers, brushes or the like. Application means, with which also rounded Edge areas can be detected.

In particular, one or more rotary printing presses can be applied serve from decor to the visible edge areas.

In a special embodiment of the device according to the invention the rotary printing machines or the like. Means for applying a decor the sloping front edge areas on opposite one another Sides of a transport device carrying the tile to be decorated, which on opposite edge areas of the tile, preferably attack at the same time.

The transport device can preferably have two parallel to each other Support belts moved at the same speed in a substantially horizontal direction for the tile to be decorated.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the Tile two means in a row for applying a decor to the sloping front edge areas of the respective tile facing each other lying sides of the transport device arranged, which on each other opposite edge areas of the respective tile, preferably attack at the same time, with the horizontal tile between the two pairs of application means can be rotated by 90 ° about their vertical axis are. In this way, the method according to the invention can be carried out efficiently become.

The transport device can also one or more devices for Coloring the visible surface lying perpendicular to the essentially in one plane the tile may be associated with standing side surfaces of the tile, which e.g. has a sponge.

The inking devices can also be on opposite sides be arranged in the transport device and on opposite one another Attack side surfaces of the tile, preferably simultaneously, so that the tile from opposite sides during the coloring is held without additional funds.

Similar to the means for applying a decor to the falling ones Edge areas can also be placed one behind the other in the transport direction of the tile two inking devices can be arranged and facing each other attack lying side surfaces of the tile, whereby here too the horizontal one Tile between the two pairs of devices by 90 ° around their vertical Axis are rotatable, so that two mutually opposite side surfaces be colored one after the other.

In order to reliably apply the decor to the sloping sides Ensuring edge areas is in a further embodiment of the invention Device provided that the application of the decor on the rollers of the rotary printing machine that serve to cut off the edges on the visible side with its surface in its angular position relative to the horizontal Transport plane of the tile to the slope of the edge areas, e.g. between 0 ° and 50 °, preferably between about 10 and 25 °, are adjustable.

It is also advantageous if the speed of rotation of the rollers increases the transport speed of the transport device is adjustable to Avoid that the rollers on the tile cause them to stick to the Conveyor belt moves and the decor due to different speeds is blurred. Tile and rollers should be at their contact points preferably be the same direction and have the same speed.

For applying the decor to the falling edge areas on the visible side The tile is also advantageous if the one with the edge areas the tile contacting surface layer of the soft elastic roller Material, such as silicone material. If the superficial is too hard Roll application is difficult to apply decor.

It has also proven to be useful if the pressure with which the Attack rollers on the edge areas of the tile, <than 3 bar.

Furthermore, the invention proposes that the material surface of the Roll depressions, holes or the like. Bumps for applying the decor having.

Further objects, features, advantages and possible uses of the invention result from the following description of exemplary embodiments based on the drawing. All described and / or illustrated form Features for themselves or in any combination the subject of present invention, regardless of their summary in detail Claims or their relationship.

Fig. 1

in Draufsicht einen Abschnitt einer auf einer Wandfläche aufgebrachten herkömmlichen Fliese,

Fig. 2

schematisch einen Schnitt einer Fliese in deren Kantenbereich,

Fig. 3

schematisch eine Rotationsdruckmaschine zum Auftragen eines Dekors auf sichtseitige abfallende Kantenbereiche einer Fliese, und

Fig. 4

schematisch ein Fließschema für die Ausführung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens bei Verwendung von vier Maschinen zum Auftragen des Dekors auf sichtseitige abfallende Kantenbereiche einer Fliese sowie vier jeweils als Schwamm ausgebildete Vorrichtungen zum Einfärben der senkrechten Seitenflächen einer Fliese.

Show it:

Fig. 1

in plan view a section of a conventional tile applied to a wall surface,

Fig. 2

schematically a section of a tile in the edge area,

Fig. 3

schematically a rotary printing machine for applying a decor on the falling edge areas of a tile, and

Fig. 4

schematically shows a flow diagram for the implementation of the method according to the invention when using four machines for applying the decor on the falling edge areas of a tile and four devices each designed as a sponge for coloring the vertical side surfaces of a tile.

Fig. 1 illustrates in plan view a portion of a on a wall surface W applied conventional tile 1, its essentially in one plane lying end face 2 is already provided with a decor, while the visible edge areas 3, which run around the edge, still do not wear decor and therefore lead to an annoying edge formation at the Lay tiles. According to the invention, these edge regions 3 should also be provided with a decor.

The sectional view of FIG. 2 essentially illustrates a tile 1 visible surface 2 lying in a plane E, which is usually already with is provided with a decor, as well as with slightly convexly curved edges 3 of width a, with side faces perpendicular to plane E. 6 and a thickness b.

Fig. 3 illustrates schematically how the application of decor on the visible side sloping edge areas 3 of a tile 1 with rotary printing machines 4 takes place, which two on opposite sides of one another two support belts 9 in a transport plane formed transport device 8 arranged application means 5 designed as rollers contains. It takes place the application of decor on the edge areas 3 of a tile 1 instead after these pressed, with a glaze and their visible surface 2 with decor is provided. If the tile 1 on the transport device 8, the support belts 9 parallel to each other with the same transport speed in horizontal Direction (in the illustrated case into the plane of the drawing) is moved, arrives at the rotary printing press 4, only the falling ones Provide edge areas 3 of the tile 1 with a decor (and, if necessary, the vertical ones Side surfaces of the tiles 1 colored).

3, the rollers 5 of the rotary printing press 4 in one Angle α from 0 to 50 °, preferably about 10 to 25 °, adjusted and thereby with the corresponding falling edge areas 3 of the tile 1 in Be brought into contact. The rollers 5 are provided with a rotary drive. The speed of rotation of the rollers 5 should exactly match the running speed the conveyor belts 9 can be turned off so that during printing the decor prevents the roller surface from facing the edge areas 3 leading and lagging. Usual speeds are between about 10 and 100 m / min.

The color required for the decoration is supplied in metered quantities via addition devices 11 fed to the roller surfaces. The surface layers of the rollers 5, which come into contact with the tiles 1 made of a soft elastic material, preferably silicone material, the is easy to push in and deformable, so that any rounded edge areas the tile 1 can be fully printed. The roller surfaces are applied to the edge areas with a relatively low pressure (<than 5 bar) 3 pressed. If you only print on one edge area 3 of a tile 1, you need a back pressure on the opposite side of the Tile 1 so that the position of tile 1 does not change (in the vertical direction). This change in position can be prevented simply by in normal operation, both mutually with respect to the median longitudinal plane of the transport device 8 opposite rollers 5 to the passing Tile 1 can be pressed. If only one of the two faced each other lying edge areas 3 are to be provided with decor, nevertheless both rollers 5 pressed against the tile 1, but not one of the two rollers 5 supplied with color.

From Fig. 4 there is a system for decorating the visible falling Edge areas 3 of tile 1, with the help of which also all four edge areas 3 can be decorated efficiently. A tile 1 or successive Tiles 1 are on their path of movement by means of the transport device 8 illustrated by the facility. In the first position A they can be one another opposite edges I and II of a tile 1 in the visible edge areas with the help of both sides of the transport device 8 opposite each other lying rollers I and II of a rotary printing press can be decorated. Then follows the station B, in which the same edges in the area of the vertical Side surfaces can be colored using sponges I and II. Then tile 1 is rotated by one perpendicular to the plane of the drawing standing axis by 90 °, so that in the following stations C and D the edges III and IV are decorated in the visible edge areas and can be colored in the vertical side surfaces. It understands it goes without saying that in the area of each edge it is optionally decorated and / or colored becomes. This means that, if desired, certain visible-sided sloping Edge areas and / or vertical side surfaces of the tiles 1 undecorated or remain uncolored. Often the vertical side surfaces should not be colored because the tiles 1 can be better grouted without colors, because then the grout better on tile 1 (because of the better porosity) can adhere.

It is of course also possible to change the order of the rollers and of the sponges and, if necessary, rotate the tile 1 several times.

With the opposite position of the rollers and Firstly, sponges will save time if both of them touch each other opposite edges are to be treated, and it is the respective required back pressure due to the opposite application medium generated to change the position of the tile 1 in vertical and / or to prevent horizontal direction. The rollers and sponges are there preferably not only with the transport device but also with each other synchronized.

With the method according to the invention or the device according to the invention it is possible, especially white or otherwise slightly colored Lines or nerves and the like are to be applied largely true to nature and in particular also produce tiles 1, which decorated differently in the visible surface 2 are as in the sloping edge regions 3.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

tile

2

viewing area

3

edge areas

4

Rotary press

5

Application means (rollers)

6

faces

7

sponges

8th

transport means

9

cladding tapes

10

Coloring devices (sponges)

11

adding facilities

A

axis

e

level

W

wall surface

T

transport plane

a

width

b

thickness

α

angular position

Claims (22)

Method for the production of tiles, characterized in that during, after or before the decorative surface (2) of a tile (1), which is essentially in one plane, is provided with a decoration, one or more visible edge areas (3) sloping relative to the visible surface (2) ) the tile (1) can be mechanically decorated. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the decor is applied mechanically to the visible edge areas (3) by means of rollers, brushes or the like. Application means (5). A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the visible edge regions (3), possibly like the visible surface (2), are printed by machine, in particular by means of a rotary printing press (4) with rollers as application means (5). Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the mechanical application of the decoration, in particular printing on the visible edge regions (3) in the course of the manufacturing process of the tile (1), in which the tile (1) is pressed, is provided with a glaze layer and its visible surface (2) is provided with a decoration, preferably at the end. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that two mutually opposite visible edge regions (3) are simultaneously provided with a decor by machine. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that one or more side surfaces (6) of the tile (1) which are perpendicular to the visible surface (2) of the tile (1) which is essentially in one plane by machine, for example with a sponge (7), can be colored. A method according to claim 6, characterized in that two opposite side surfaces (6) of the tile (1) are machine-dyed simultaneously. Tile, preferably made in a process according to one of the claims 1 to 7, with a thickness between about 5 and 15 mm, in which a possibly slightly convex, sloping visible edge area (3) with a Width from 1 to 5 mm is provided with a specially applied decor. Device for the production of tiles, in particular in a method according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, in addition to or instead of the means for applying a decoration, it is separate on the end face (2) of the tile (1) which is essentially in one plane Has means (5) for applying a decoration to the front edge areas (3) which drop off from the visible surface (2). Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the means for applying decor to the visible edge areas (3) are rollers, brushes or the like. Application means (5). Apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, characterized by one or more rotary printing presses (4) with the application means (5). Apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the rotary printing machine (4) or the like. Means (5) for applying a decoration on the sloping front edge areas (3) on opposite sides of a transport device (8) carrying the tile (1) to be decorated ) are arranged, which attack opposite edge regions (3) of the tile (1), preferably simultaneously. Apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the transport device (8) has two support bands (9) for the tile (1) to be decorated, which are moved parallel to one another at the same speed in the essentially horizontal direction. Device according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that in the transport direction of the tile (1) two means (5) for applying a decoration on the sloping front edge regions (3) are arranged one behind the other on opposite sides of the transport device (8) and each attack on opposite edge areas (3) of the respective tile (1), preferably simultaneously, and that the horizontally lying tile (1) between the two pairs of application means (5) through 90 ° about its vertical axis (A ) is rotatable. Device according to one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that the transport device (8) one or more devices (10) for coloring the side surfaces (6) of the tile (1) which are perpendicular to the visible surface (2) which is essentially in one plane ) are assigned to the tile (1), which have, for example, a sponge. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that coloring devices (10) are arranged on opposite sides of the transport device (8) and act on opposite side surfaces (6) of the tile (1), preferably simultaneously. Apparatus according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that two coloring devices (10) are arranged one behind the other in the transport direction of the tile (1) and act on opposite side surfaces (6) of the tile (1), preferably simultaneously, and that horizontally lying tile (1) between the two pairs of devices (10) by 90 ° about their vertical axis (A) is rotatable. Device according to one of claims 11 to 17, characterized in that the rollers (5) of the rotary printing press (4) used to apply the decoration to the visible edge areas (3) with their surface in their angular position (α) relative to the horizontal transport plane (T) of the tile (1) can be adapted to the slope of the edge areas (3), for example between 0 and 50 °, preferably between about 10 ° and 25 °. Device according to one of claims 11 to 18, characterized in that the rotational speed of the rollers (5) can be adapted to the transport speed of the transport device (8). Device according to one of claims 11 to 19, characterized in that the surface layer of the rollers (5) which comes into contact with the edge regions (3) of the tile (1) consists of soft-elastic material, such as silicone material. Device according to one of claims 11 to 20, characterized in that the pressure with which the rollers (5) act on the edge regions (3) is <3 bar. Device according to one of claims 11 to 21, characterized in that the material surface of the rollers (5) has depressions, holes or the like. Bumps for applying the decoration.

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