EP2629934B2

EP2629934B2 - An apparatus for treating a product

Info

Publication number: EP2629934B2
Application number: EP11799114.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Roberto Mingot
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-10-19
Filing date: 2011-10-10
Publication date: 2022-04-06
Anticipated expiration: 2031-10-10
Also published as: US20140235146A1; IT1401855B1; EP2629934A2; EP2629934B1; WO2012052873A2; ITBO20100631A1; WO2012052873A3

Description

This invention relates to an apparatus for treating a product, as e.g. known from document EP 1 378 322 .
In particular, the apparatus is designed to carry out a surface treatment on a product, and it is preferably designed to polish or tumble a surface of the product.

Background Art

There are prior art apparatuses for tumbling products, or similar surface treatments on a product, in which a plurality of products is inserted in a container, together with a treatment, or abrasive composition, with the tumbling barrel driven to vibrate so as to move the products and the composition relative to each other, thus obtaining a corresponding product surface treatment.
In some tumbling barrel models there are brackets or supports for mechanically anchoring products, which are inserted in the tumbling container.
However, such apparatuses have setup times that are too long and limited versatility in terms of use. The anchoring brackets allow the bracketing of very specific types of products, which must be placed in very specific positions in the tumbling tank.

Disclosure of the Invention

This invention proposes a novel solution, alternative to the solutions known up to now, and aims to overcome one or more of the above-mentioned disadvantages and/or problems, and/or to meet one or more of the needs mentioned or inferable from the above.
Therefore, an apparatus for treating a product according to claim 1 is provided.
In this way, it is possible to carry out a product surface treatment in a way that is particularly rapid and easy for personnel, also with maximum operating flexibility.
In particular, the preparation of special magnetic anchoring means makes the apparatus setup stage particularly easy and rapid, before a subsequent surface treatment operation.
Moreover, this means that, during processing, the products to be treated do not make contact with each other, thus avoiding any possible risk of damage to them.

Brief Description of the Drawings

This and other innovative aspects of the invention are, in any case, set out in the appended claims and the technical features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed description which follows of non-limiting example embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of a first preferred embodiment of an apparatus according to this invention;
Figure 2 is a schematic top view of the first preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to this invention;
Figure 3 is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of the magnetic supporting and anchoring plate of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to this invention;
Figure 4 is a vertical longitudinal section of a second preferred embodiment of an apparatus according to this invention;
Figure 5 is a schematic top plan view of the second preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to this invention;
Figure 6 is a vertical longitudinal section of a third preferred embodiment of an apparatus according to this invention;
Figure 7 is a vertical longitudinal section of a fourth preferred embodiment of an apparatus according which is not part to this invention;
Figure 8 is a horizontal section of a fifth preferred embodiment of an apparatus according to this invention;
Figure 9 is a vertical longitudinal section of the fifth preferred embodiment of an apparatus according to this invention;
Figure 10 is a vertical longitudinal section of a sixth preferred embodiment of an apparatus according to this invention;
Figure 11 is a vertical longitudinal section of a seventh preferred embodiment of an apparatus according to this invention;
Figure 12 is a schematic top plan view of the seventh preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to this invention;
Figure 13 is a vertical longitudinal section of an eighth preferred embodiment of an apparatus according to this invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

The accompanying drawings from 1 to 3 illustrate a first preferred embodiment 10 of an apparatus for treating a respective product or part 11, in particular for polishing a surface "S" of the product.
In particular, the apparatus is suitable for treating a product 11 comprising an outer surface S to be polished, or to be subjected to tumbling, or barrel polishing.
To carry out the surface treatment, the apparatus uses a product treatment composition 13, designed to have an abrasive action on the product surface and, if necessary, designed to have a detergent action on said product surface.
To obtain product treatment by the treatment composition or treatment means 13, the apparatus comprises means designed to make the product treatment means 13 move relative to the product 11.
Said means designed to make the product treatment means 13 move relative to the product 11, are in the form of means designed to make the product treatment means 13 vibrate, in particular in such a way as to generate a vibrating movement of the abrasive composition relative to the surface S to be treated, in that way obtaining a product 11 surface treatment.
This apparatus comprises the use of product retaining means.
The product retaining means are in the form of magnetic anchoring means.
The anchoring means, magnetic, are designed to retain the product 11 on the product supporting means 12, in particular holding the product stationary relative to the supporting means 12.
In practice, this apparatus comprises product supporting means, which are in the form of a respective plate 12 forming a supporting and resting surface for the respective product or part.
The plate 12 comprises an upper surface, relative to which, in particular, there extend upwards means, or a peripheral wall 14 defining the containment means or tank for the product 11 and for the treatment mixture or means 13.
According to the first preferred embodiment, as becomes clearer in this description, the supporting plate 12 is also designed to transmit, in particular to the product and/or to the treatment composition, the vibration suitable for guaranteeing the desired treatment, that is to say, movement of the treatment composition relative to the surface to be treated.
Advantageously, the supporting means 12 also form or comprise magnetic anchoring means.
In particular, the magnetic anchoring means are in the form of means which can be switched on and off. In particular they can be switched on to apply a retaining action, especially while the treatment is carried out, and switched off to eliminate the retaining action and allow removal of the products 11 from the apparatus and their substitution with other products to be treated.
In practice, as Figure 3 clearly shows, the supporting plate or panel 12 comprises a plurality of magnetic anchoring sections 12a, 12b, formed by respective anchoring magnetic or magnetisable poles.
The magnetic anchoring panel, which may be made in the substantially known way and therefore is not described in further detail, comprises a plurality of sections 12a, 12b having opposite polarity, that is to say "north", labelled 'N' in Figure 3, and "south", labelled 'S'.
The magnetic anchoring poles 12a, 12b are of the type which can be switched on and off, in particular electrically, especially by the effect of a corresponding electric current passing through the turns of a corresponding electric winding, or coil, lying in the respective pole. All of this being known to experts in the field and therefore not illustrated and described in detail.
According to the embodiment illustrated, which must not however be considered exclusive and limiting for this invention - other configurations being possible for these magnetic means 12 - the magnetic anchoring poles 12a, 12b can be arranged in respective transversal and longitudinal lines of the panel 12 and are such that the poles adjacent to each other have opposite polarity and in any case produce a suitable retaining action on the product and on the containment means.
In practice, according to the embodiment illustrated, in the longitudinal or transversal directions of the panel 12, a pole 12a with respective magnetic polarity is adjacent to poles 12b which have an opposite magnetic polarity.
To impart a vibration to the treatment means 13, the supporting means 12 are made to vibrate, therefore, they are in the form of vibrating means.
Therefore, advantageously, the supporting means, as well as being in the form of vibrating means, are such that they also form magnetic anchoring means.
These vibrating supporting and anchoring means are in the form of a respective plate 12, forming the base of the containment tank or means 14, on which plate the product is sustained, with an advantageous removable layer 121 interposed between them, designed to form a protective layer for the plate 12, avoiding wear on the magnetic plate 12 caused by the abrasive material.
In particular, on the supporting plate 12, or on the base of the containment means 14, there is a removable layer 121, made of ferromagnetic material so as to allow advantageous magnetic field flows and to be advantageously held on the plate 12.
Advantageously, the removable layer is made in the form of a metal sheet 121.
Moreover, the removable layer 121 may be hermetically positioned above the supporting plate or the base of the containment means 14, preventing the treatment or abrasive composition from making direct contact with the upper surface 12' of the supporting plate 12.
In practice, as illustrated, the removable layer 121 is positioned above and in contact with the upper surface 12' of the supporting plate 12 and within the peripheral wall 14, that is to say, within the containment means.
As can be inferred from Figures 1 and 2, there are therefore advantageous containment means 14 for the product and/or the treatment composition or mixture 13.
The containment means 14 therefore comprise a respective base wall, formed by the upper surface of the supporting panel 12, or by the superposed layer 121, and a respective lateral peripheral containment wall 14.
According to this preferred embodiment, the containment means, in the form of a single tank or container 14, and advantageously designed to contain a plurality of products 11, comprise an extension in plan view which substantially corresponds to the plan view extension of the supporting plate 12 from whose lateral edge they extend upwards.
As illustrated, the containment means 14 comprise means 18 for draining the treatment liquid.
The drainage means 18 comprise a tube 18', in communication with the inner chamber 14c of the containment means 14 and comprising opening/closing valve means, labelled 18", for draining the liquid.
As illustrated, the container 14 also comprises a large drainage outlet 41 for the treatment composition, at the base of the treatment container or tank, opening into a respective wall of the peripheral or lateral wall 14 of the container. The drainage outlet 41 allows drainage of the composition from the container due to the movement, in particular to the vibrating movement of the container or of the supporting plate 12, which moves the composition out through the outlet 41. As shown, the large outlet 41 comprises a corresponding door which can be opened and closed again 42.
As illustrated, there are also means 30 for vibration of the supporting means, said vibration means in particular being in the form of a vibration motor which is preferably fixed in position below the supporting plate 12.
In practice, the vibration means are in the form of a corresponding vibration motor 30 and are suitably connected, in particular fixed or anchored, to the supporting plate 12.
In particular, the vibration means 30 are supported on the supporting plate 12 and are, advantageously, positioned below the magnetic anchoring and supporting plate 12.
As shown in the accompanying drawings, the vibration motor 30 shaft preferably extends horizontally, that is to say, parallel with the magnetic supporting surface 12.
The respective supporting plate 12 is connected to a base 120 of the apparatus, by elastic means which allow its vibration relative to the base and which are preferably in the form of springs, in particular helical springs extending vertically, the elastic means sustaining the supporting plate 12 on the apparatus base 120 and being labelled 32 in Figure 1.
This apparatus also comprises, although not shown in detail in the accompanying drawings, advantageous control means for the vibration means and the magnetic anchoring means 12a, 12b. The control means are in the form of electronic processing means, for example a PC or a PLC.
Advantageously, the control means are suitably connected, in particular by electric connections, to the vibration motors 30 and to the magnetic poles 12a, 12b, and, to begin the treatment, they are designed to switch on the vibration means 30 only after the magnetic anchoring means have been switched on.
Vice versa, at the end of the treatment, the control means are designed to switch off the magnetic anchoring means, to allow removal of the products 11, only after the vibration means 30 have been switched off.
The treatment composition can move in contact with the surface to be cleaned due to the vibrations imparted to the composition 13 through the respective supporting panel 12, and, if necessary, through the containment means 14.
In practice, the treatment composition 13 is kept moving relative to the product to be treated by a vibrating movement.
As illustrated, the container 14 designed to contain a plurality of products 11 to be polished, has a general quadrangular shape. In particular, as shown, it is square in plan view.
As illustrated, the lateral walls 14 forming the containment means or tank are fixed to the supporting plate 12, to which they are fixed by screws V.
As shown in Figure 1, there are also advantageously product sustaining means 125 comprising means which can be anchored to the apparatus by magnetic attraction.
In this way, this apparatus can also be used to treat products, for example made of aluminium, plastic or other material, which are not ferromagnetic, that is to say, which are not themselves sensitive to magnetic attraction.
In particular, the auxiliary means for directly sustaining the product are in the form of a body or base unit 125 made of ferromagnetic material, as illustrated, or, according to another embodiment not illustrated, simply having a layer or portion made of ferromagnetic material.
As illustrated, the sustaining base unit or body 125 is in the form of a block of material with predetermined thickness and comprising a lower surface 125a for resting on the supporting means, in particular as illustrated, for resting on the base of the container. The sustaining body 125 also comprises a surface 125b on which to rest a corresponding surface 11b of the product to be treated 11.
Moreover, the sustaining means 125 comprise means for securing the product to the supporting means, which, according to a preferred embodiment, are, in particular, formed by means which are inserted in a corresponding part, or hole, in the product 11.
In practice, screw means 126 are provided, which are inserted in a corresponding hole 125c in the sustaining body 125 and in a further hole 11a made in the product 11, that is to say, a hole which opens in a corresponding face of the product 11 for engaging with the sustaining body 125.
Figures 4 and 5 show a second preferred embodiment of the apparatus 10 for treating a product 11, having components similar to those of the previous embodiment, labelled with the same reference characters, and which are not described again in detail to avoid making this description too long.
The second preferred embodiment is also suitable for treating a product 11 comprising a surface S to be polished or to be subjected to tumbling, or barrel polishing.
In this second preferred embodiment, the containment means comprise containment means or containers 140 designed to contain a single product. These containers for a single produce comprise, in particular, a base 140a whose plan view extension is such that it contains and supports a single product 11. In practice, the width or plan view extension of the container 140 is such that it is slightly greater than the outer perimeter of the product 11.
That setup of individual containment means or containers 140 for each product 11 allows savings in terms of the quantity of treatment composition 13.
The containment means 140 are preferably made of ferromagnetic material, or, like those of the first preferred invention, of metal, with the product 11 also being made of ferromagnetic material or supported on a base unit 125 made of ferromagnetic material, as illustrated for the first preferred embodiment.
In practice, the containment means 140 are also subject to the magnetic anchoring action, that is to say, they are magnetically anchored to the supporting means 12.
In this way, it is possible to position the containers at the most suitable points of the supporting panel 12 or within the containment means 14.
It also guarantees easy, simple product treatment, without compromising the automatic retaining action.
These containment means 140 can be removed from the supporting means 12, for substitution, maintenance or simple washing, or for setting up the apparatus 10 for operation as illustrated relative to the first preferred embodiment.
As illustrated, the containment means 140 comprise a base wall 140a, which rests on the plate 12, in particular on the upper surface 12' of the plate 12 and on which the product 11 or the base unit 125 supporting a respective non-ferromagnetic product 11 rests.
As illustrated, the containment means 140 also comprise a lateral peripheral containment wall 140b, extending from the base wall 140a.
The containment bodies 140 are preferably made in the form of a tubular body, in particular with a circular cross-section, made of suitable ferromagnetic material, comprising a base 140a, and open at the upper end, and directly fixed, by magnetic attraction to the vibrating supporting panel 12.
In this way, a reduced quantity of treatment composition 13 can be used, basically just what is needed to treat the surface of a respective product which is contained in the individual containment body 140.
Once the treatment is complete, the magnetic attraction can be switched off, freeing the containers 140, and the containers 140 can be lifted out of and removed from the machine, allowing access to the products treated 11.
According to a third preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 6, whose components are similar to those of the previous embodiments and are labelled with the same reference characters, and which are not described again in detail to avoid making this description too long, there are auxiliary product sustaining means 125 which form, or comprise, a respective holder 127, designed to receive or retain a corresponding part or end of the product 111c.
As illustrated, a screw 126' engages with and locks the end 111c of the product in the holder 127.
In particular, there is a respective inner holder 127, designed to receive or retain a corresponding part or end of the product 111c.
This solution is particularly suitable for treating an item or product having a surface which cannot have attachment holes in it for insertion of a corresponding fixing screw, or if its resting surface is not large enough to allow its magnetic locking.
According to a fourth preferred embodiment not part of the invention 100 illustrated in Figure 7, whose components are similar to those of the previous embodiments and are labelled with the same reference characters, and which are not described again in detail to avoid making this description too long, there is a magnetic anchoring plate 212, which can be positioned above and fixed to the base 212' of a treatment tank or container 214.
Said plate 212 is like the plate 12 of the previous embodiments and, to avoid a description which it too long, is not described in detail again.
As illustrated, the added magnetic plate 212 is shaped in such a way that it has an outer peripheral edge 212a and an inner peripheral edge 212b forming a free central space for insertion of the plate 212 on a corresponding central projection 213 of the treatment tank 214.
There are advantageous means for switching the plate 212 magnetic action on and off, which are connected to the magnetic anchoring plate 212 through a hole 212" made in the base, or, in another embodiment not illustrated, in the lateral wall 214' of the tank 214.
The panel 212 is fixed to the treatment tank 212 by means of corresponding screws 226 or fixing means for the panel or plate, in particular connecting to the base of the tank or container 214.
This embodiment 100 can form an apparatus equivalent to the apparatus of the previous embodiments, starting with prior art treatments machines, making minimal modifications to them, such as the threaded holes for the plate 212 fixing screws 226 and if necessary the hole 212" for the connecting cable C to the control means.
A fifth preferred embodiment 200 of the apparatus for treating a product is illustrated in Figures 8 and 9. This fifth preferred embodiment is in the form of a tumbling apparatus comprising a treatment tank or container 214 extending in a circular fashion. In this fifth preferred embodiment the components similar to those of the previous embodiment are labelled with the same character references and, to avoid making this description too long, are not described again in detail.
This fifth preferred embodiment also comprises a magnetic surface 12 superposed by a corresponding protective layer 121' which extends with a ring shape in plan view.
This fifth preferred embodiment comprises advantageous means 201 for closing the container, in particular in the form of a lid which, when closed, rests on the upper edge of the peripheral wall 214' of the container 214 and can conveniently be opened.
The closing means 201 prevent the material or treatment composition from coming out of the treatment container.
In particular, as illustrated, the lid 201 is supported by the container and has a lowered closed position and a raised open position.
In particular, as illustrated, the lid 201 is hinged at a lateral wall of the container, at a point labelled 202 in Figure 9 and on the opposite side, or wall, has suitable fastening means 203 for holding the lid 201 closed.
In this fifth embodiment, as illustrated, the vibration means or motor 30', as in the fourth embodiment, have the respective shaft extending vertically, that is to say, perpendicularly to the magnetic supporting surface 12.
In this fifth embodiment, as illustrated, the vibration means or motor 30' are in the central housing 213 and are fixed, by screws 130, to the vibrating magnetic surface 12.
A sixth preferred embodiment of the apparatus for treating a product is illustrated in Figure 10. In this sixth preferred embodiment the components are similar to those of the previous embodiment and are labelled with the same character references and, to avoid making this description too long, are not described again in detail.
As illustrated, in this sixth preferred embodiment the apparatus base 120 is suitable for supporting at least a first and a second unit 10a, 10b for treating respective products 11.
In practice, products already treated or to be treated can be loaded and unloaded to and from a respective unit, for example the unit 10a, while the other unit 10b is activated and operating for treating further products.
In fact, while one unit 10a is in the operating condition, personnel can advantageously proceed with unloading and loading of the other unit 10b. Vice versa, when the unit 10b is in turn in its treatment phase for respective products 11, personnel can unload products 11 from the other unit 10a and load further products 11 in that unit 10a.
As illustrated, this sixth apparatus also comprises advantageous control means 34 for the vibration means and the magnetic anchoring means 12a, 12b.
The control means 34 are in the form of electronic processing means, for example a PC or a PLC.
Advantageously, the control means 34 are suitably connected, in particular by electric connections 36, to the vibration motors 30 and to the magnetic poles 12a, 12b, and, to begin the treatment, they are designed to switch on the vibration means 30 only after the magnetic anchoring means have been switched on.
Vice versa, at the end of the treatment, the control means 34 are designed to switch off the magnetic anchoring means, to allow removal of the products 11 and if necessary also the containers, only after the vibration means 30 have been switched off.
This sixth preferred embodiment shows how the containment means for the treatment composition 13 are formed by the product itself.
As shown in Figure 10, the product to be treated 11 comprises, in particular, an inner cavity S formed by the surface to be polished and, in particular, being in the form of a mould having a first and a second part which fit together at opposite surfaces to form a dividing line.
In practice, the mould consists of a first part and a second part which are brought close to each other and which, in use, receive the material to be moulded and are then moved away from each other to allow the material or product to come out. In practice, the first and second parts of the mould fit together to form a forming cavity S for a corresponding product, in particular in the form of a container, such as a glass bottle. However, it shall be understood that this apparatus is suitable for treating any type of product, in particular also a mould for plastic bottles or containers or a product of any other type having a corresponding inner cavity.
The product treatment composition is housed in the cavity to be treated S of the product 11.
The treatment composition can therefore move in contact with the surface to be cleaned due to the vibrations imparted to the composition 13 through the product 11 itself and the respective supporting panel 12.
In practice, a vibrating movement keeps the treatment composition 13 moving relative to the product to be treated 11.
As illustrated, the container 14 may be designed to contain a plurality of products or moulds 11 to be polished, as is the case for the one supported on the panel 10b, or it may contain a single product 11, as happens for those supported on the panel 10a.
In particular, as illustrated, in this sixth preferred embodiment, the product 11, in the individual containers of the apparatus 10a, extends upwards beyond the upper end of the peripheral wall of the respective containment means 140 and, also, upwards beyond, or above, the upper level of the treatment agent 15 housed in the containment means 140 and outside the mould 11.
The treatment agent 15 is in communication through the mould 11 with the treatment composition 13, allowing the latter to be kept in the optimum condition, for example to supply it with a desired quantity of water or other substance.
In that way, any dispersion of the abrasive composition outside the cavity to be polished in which the composition is housed can be avoided.
From at least some of the above-mentioned preferred embodiments of the apparatus it can be inferred that a supporting and/or magnetic plate or panel 12 is provided, which is directly sustained or resting on elastic means, or springs, 32, 32 which allow its respective movement, in particular the vibrating movement.
Therefore an apparatus is obtained whose structure is advantageously simplified, with limited weight and low demands on the actuator means 30.
In particular, it is clear, from the above-mentioned preferred embodiments, that the supporting and/or magnetic plate or panel 12 is positioned above the elastic sustaining means, or springs, 32, 32, which allow its respective movement, in particular a vibrating movement.
From at least some of the above-mentioned preferred embodiments of the apparatus, it is also evident that the actuator, or vibration, means 30 are directly sustained on the supporting and/or magnetic plate or panel 12.
In practice, the actuator means or motor, or the vibrations means, are sustained on the elastic means, or springs, by means of the supporting and/or magnetic plate or panel 12.
The supporting elastic means, or springs 32, have a respective axis of extension, or of compression, which is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the main plane of extension of the supporting and/or magnetic plate or panel 12, that is to say, to the retaining surface of the latter, their axis preferably being vertical.
From at least some of the above-mentioned preferred embodiments of the apparatus, it is also evident that the actuator or vibration means 30 hang from the supporting and/or magnetic plate or panel 12.
From at least some of the above-mentioned preferred embodiments of the apparatus, it is also evident that the actuator or vibration means 30 hang below the supporting and/or magnetic plate or panel 12.
As may be inferred, the elastic resting means for the supporting and/or magnetic plate or panel 12 comprise a plurality of elastic or spring elements 32 which are peripherally distributed and preferably located close to or at the peripheral edge of the supporting and/or magnetic plate or panel 12.
In practice, the supporting and/or magnetic plate or panel 12 comprises a lower surface, in particular a flat, horizontal lower surface, which rests on the transversal upper face of the respective elastic sustaining means 32.
As may be inferred, the actuator or vibration means 30 are positioned radially internally relative to the elastic resting elements 32 for the supporting and/or magnetic plate or panel 12.
Moreover, as may be inferred, the supporting and/or magnetic plate or panel 12 comprises a direct or indirect resting surface for products or parts to be treated, having an extension, particularly in plan view, such that it can support a plurality of parts, which may be placed in any desired or suitable position on the resting surface of the supporting panel 12.
Moreover, as may be inferred, the wall 14 forming the containment means or tank, in particular the lateral wall of the latter, is connected in such a way that it can engage with or disengage from the supporting and/or magnetic plate or panel 12.
In particular, the wall 14 forming the containment means or tank, in particular the lateral wall of the latter, is connected by respective screws V, each inserted - in particular from the bottom - in a hole V', preferably vertical, in the panel or frame of the panel 12 and also inserted in a corresponding threaded hole V", also preferably vertical, in the bottom, at the respective lower edge of the wall 14, extending around the periphery and/or forming the tank lateral containment wall.
As illustrated, the fixing screw V comprises a threaded shank and a widened head which engages with an annular shoulder of the insertion hole V'.
From at least some of the above-mentioned preferred embodiments of the apparatus, it is also evident that the supporting and/or magnetic plate or panel 12 forms the lower or base wall of the containment means or tank.
As may easily be inferred from Figure 3, the supporting and/or magnetic plate or panel 12 has a load-bearing structure formed by a respective housing frame 12t, in particular metal and ferromagnetic, forming respective means, or holders 12s for housing magnetic anchoring means or poles which are connected, in particular in a fixed way, to said frame.
Moreover, obviously, the actuator means or vibration means 30 are connected to the load-bearing structure 12t of the supporting plate or panel.
Moreover, as can be clearly seen, the wall 14 forming the containment tank, in particular forming the lateral wall of the latter, is connected to the load-bearing structure 12t of the supporting plate or panel 12.
Moreover, as can be clearly seen, the wall 14 forming the containment tank, in particular forming the lateral wall of the latter, is connected to a lowered peripheral portion of the load-bearing structure of the supporting plate or panel.
As may be inferred from the accompanying drawings, in at least some of the preferred embodiments the supporting and/or magnetic plate or panel 12 comprises a peripheral edge 112' designed to receive coaxially and externally the lower edge of the wall 14 forming the containment tank, in particular forming its lateral wall and in such a way as to form centring means for it during insertion of the peripheral wall 14 on the supporting panel or plate 12.
Figures 11 and 12 show a seventh preferred embodiment of the apparatus 300 for treating a respective product, or products 11, having various components similar to those of the previous embodiments, labelled with the same reference characters, and which are not described again in detail to avoid making this description too long.
Even this preferred embodiment is suitable for treating one or more products 11 comprising a surface S to be polished or to be subjected to tumbling, or barrel polishing.
In this seventh preferred embodiment, the containment means comprise containment means or containers 340 designed to contain a single product, or at the most a single group of products, in particular, a limited number of products, and having a plan view extension which is less than, in particular much less than, the plan view extension of the supporting panel 12.
In particular, the panel is designed to support a plurality of individual containment means, in particular spaced out.
These individual containment means therefore preferably have a plan view extension such that they contain and support a single product 11 and a respective cross-section which is preferably suitable for matching the outer profile or plan view shape of the product to be treated.
In practice, the containment means of a single product or a single-product container may have a circular shape in plan view, as shown in the embodiment labelled a, or a (regular or irregular) polygonal plan view shape, in particular quadrangular, preferably square, as shown in the embodiment labelled b, or rectangular, as shown in the embodiment labelled c, or triangular, as shown in the embodiment labelled d.
Preferably, the width, or plan view extension of the respective container 340 is such that it is slightly greater than the width or plan view extension of the respective product 11.
That setup of individual containers or containment means 340 allows savings in terms of the quantity of treatment composition 13.
These containment means 340 are made of ferromagnetic material, in particular metal, with the product 11 also being made of ferromagnetic material or supported on a base unit 125 made of ferromagnetic material.
In practice, the containment means 340 are also subject to the magnetic anchoring action, that is to say, they are magnetically anchored to the supporting means 12.
In this way, it is possible to position the containers at the most suitable points of the supporting panel 12 or within the containment means 14.
It also guarantees easy, simple product treatment, without limiting the retaining action applied to the product.
These containment means 140 can be removed from the supporting means 12, for substitution, maintenance or simple washing, or for setting up the apparatus 10 for different operation.
As illustrated, the containment means 340 comprise a lateral peripheral containment wall 340b, extending axially and having a respective thickness.
These containment means 340 are open both at the bottom and at the top, that is to say, at both axial ends of the container body.
In practice, these containment means 340 comprise a lower edge 340a for directly resting on the supporting panel 12, in particular on its respective upper surface or on the removable upper layer.
The respective containment body 340 is made in the form of a tubular body, in particular with a circular or polygonal (i.e.: quadrangular or triangular, as indicated above) cross-section, made of suitable ferromagnetic material, comprising an edge at the upper end, and which directly rests on the vibrating supporting panel 12, and in particular is retained in contact with the latter thanks to the magnetic attraction of the supporting panel.
In practice, improved attraction of the individual product to be treated is achieved thanks to the fact that it rests directly on the supporting panel 12.
Once the treatment is complete, the magnetic attraction can be switched off, freeing the containers 340, and the containers 340 can be lifted out of and removed from the machine, allowing access to the products treated 11.
The hold could also be improved by using an O-ring or hermetic seal means, in particular made of elastic material, between the lower edge of the individual product or part container and the supporting surface below. A respective recessed circular holder could be provided at the lower edge of the container body 340 for housing the O-ring.
According to an eighth preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 13, whose components are similar to those of the previous embodiments and are labelled with the same reference characters, and which are not described again in detail to avoid making this description too long, auxiliary sustaining means 425 are provided for a plurality of products, forming, or comprising, respective holders 427, designed to receive or, if necessary, retain a corresponding part or end of the corresponding product 111c.
In particular, said holders on the common base unit 425 may be identical or different, as illustrated in this preferred embodiment.
As may be inferred from Figure 13, advantageously said product sustaining means 425 are retained or anchored to the apparatus, that is to say, to the supporting panel 12, by magnetic attraction.
In this way, this apparatus can also be used to treat products, for example made of aluminium, plastic or other material, which are not ferromagnetic, that is to say, which are not themselves sensitive to magnetic attraction.
In particular, the auxiliary means for directly sustaining the product are in the form of a body or base unit 425 made of ferromagnetic material, as illustrated, or, according to another embodiment not illustrated, simply having a layer or portion made of ferromagnetic material.
As illustrated, the sustaining base unit or body 425 is in the form of a block of material with predetermined thickness and comprising a lower surface 425a for resting on the supporting means, in particular as illustrated, for resting on the supporting panel or plate 12. The sustaining body 425 also comprises an upper surface 425b, in particular on which the respective product rests or relative to which a corresponding retaining screw, or means, for the product extends, or into which there is recessed a respective inner holder for housing a corresponding end of the product.
As illustrated, a first holder labelled "e" is designed to receive, resting on it, the part or product to be retained by corresponding fixing means.
A second holder labelled "f" comprises means for fixing the product or part in a raised position relative to the base unit 425.
Moreover, as illustrated, a third holder labelled "g" is in the form of a respective inner or recessed holder 427, designed to receive or retain a corresponding part or end of the product 111c. In particular, in this third embodiment of the holder "g" a screw 426' engages with and locks the end 111c of the product in the holder 427.
This solution is particularly suitable for treating an item or product having a surface which cannot have attachment holes in it for insertion of a corresponding fixing screw, or if its resting surface is not large enough to allow its magnetic locking.
Moreover, the sustaining means 425 comprise means for securing the product to the sustaining means, which, according to a preferred embodiment, are, in particular, formed by means which are inserted in a corresponding part, or hole, in the product 11.
In practice, screw means 426 are provided, which are inserted in a corresponding hole 425c in the sustaining body 125 and in a further hole 11a made in the product 11, that is to say, a hole which opens in a corresponding face of the product 11 for engaging with the sustaining body 125, or means whose respective front or end face engages with a corresponding portion of the product to be retained.
As illustrated, the fixing means 426 extend in a respective hole which is vertical or perpendicular relative to the base unit 425, or for the third embodiment "g" of the holder, in a respective hole which is horizontal or extending in the plane in which the base unit 425 lies.
In particular, as illustrated, in the fixing means for the second holder "f", the fixing means 426 extend upwards, projecting beyond the upper face 111c of the base unit.
As shown in Figure 13, the auxiliary sustaining means are in the form of a body or base unit 425 whose plan view extension substantially covers the entire plan view extension of the supporting panel 12.
It shall also be understood that, in the embodiments illustrated, although preferably being positioned below the retaining and supporting panel 12, the vibration motor 30 could also be positioned above the panel 12, or even at the side of the panel 12.
The treatment composition may be like that illustrated in document WO 00/32355 .
The invention described is susceptible of industrial application. Moreover, it would be obvious to experts in the field that several changes and/or modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

An apparatus (10) for tumbling or polishing a surface (S) of a product, the apparatus comprising means (12) for supporting the product, means (14, 140) for containment of a product (11) treatment composition (13), and means designed to move a product (11) treatment composition (13) relative to the product itself, in which the means designed to move the product treatment composition (13) are in the form of vibration means, in which the supporting means (12) are in the form of vibrating means, and in which the supporting means (12) are in the form of a product resting plate which is connected to a base (120) by elastic means (32, 32), so that said resting plate defining vibrating means designed to move the product treatment composition (13); it comprises actuator, or vibration means, for the supporting means (12), in particular being in the form of an actuator or vibration motor (30); the apparatus being characterised in that it comprises means for retaining the product which are in the form of magnetic anchoring means (12a, 12b); in that the magnetic anchoring means are in the form of means which can be switched on and off; in that the resting plate forms or comprises said magnetic anchoring means (12a, 12b), and in that the actuator or vibration means (30) are supported on the supporting plate (12) forming or comprising said magnetic anchoring means (12a, 12b).
The apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the retaining means (12a, 12b) are designed to retain the product on the supporting means (12).
The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the magnetic anchoring means are in the form of means which can be switched on and off and in that the supporting means comprise a plurality of sections forming respective anchoring magnetic poles (12a, 12b).
The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the actuator or vibration means (30) are supported below the supporting plate (12).
The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the containment means (14, 214 or 140) are designed to contain a plurality of products (11, 11) or a single product (11).
The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the containment means (140) are magnetically anchored to the supporting means and/or are removable from the supporting means (12) and preferably comprise a base (140a) which rests on the supporting plate (12).
The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that it comprises product sustaining means (125) comprising means which can be anchored to the apparatus by magnetic attraction and means (126, 126') for securing the product to the sustaining means; the sustaining means being in the form of a body (125) comprising a lower resting surface (125a) and being made of ferromagnetic material or having a layer or portion made of ferromagnetic material.
The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the product (11) treatment composition (13) is designed to have an abrasive action on the surface of the product (11) and/or is housed in the container or containment tank (14, 214).
The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that it comprises a removable layer (121) on the supporting plate (12), or base of the containment means (14), and in that the removable layer (121) is made of ferromagnetic material and is, in particular, in the form of a metal sheet (121).
The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the product comprises an inner cavity formed by the surface to be polished and, in particular, being in the form of a mould having a first and a second part which fit together to form a forming cavity for a corresponding product.
The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the elastic resting means (32, 32) for the supporting and/or magnetic plate or panel (12) comprise a plurality of elastic or spring elements which are peripherally distributed and preferably located close to or at the peripheral edge of the supporting magnetic plate or panel (12).
The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the wall (14) forming the containment means or tank, in particular the lateral wall of the latter, is connected in such a way that it can engage with or disengage from the supporting and/or magnetic plate or panel (12), and in that the supporting plate or panel (12) forms the lower wall or base of the containment means or tank.
The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the containment means (340) comprise an extension in plan view which is less than, in particular much less than, the plan view extension of the supporting table (12), and in that preferably the containment means (340) have a circular or polygonal shape in plan view.
The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the containment means (340) comprise a respective peripheral lateral containment wall (340b) extending axially and having a respective thickness, the containment means being open at the bottom to form a lower edge (340a) for resting on the supporting panel (12), and in that it comprises means for creating a hermetic seal, in particular made of elastic material, between the lower edge of the containment body (340) and the supporting surface below.
The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that it comprises auxiliary sustaining means (425) for a plurality of products in the form of a common base unit (425) comprising a plurality of holders designed to accommodate a corresponding product and in that the auxiliary means are in the form of a body or base unit (425) made of ferromagnetic material or having a layer or portion made of ferromagnetic material.