EP2760594B1 - Device and method for dispensing loose solid material - Google Patents

Device and method for dispensing loose solid material Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2760594B1
EP2760594B1 EP12769715.9A EP12769715A EP2760594B1 EP 2760594 B1 EP2760594 B1 EP 2760594B1 EP 12769715 A EP12769715 A EP 12769715A EP 2760594 B1 EP2760594 B1 EP 2760594B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
heating
vibrating elements
vibrating
elements
heat
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Application number
EP12769715.9A
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German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
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EP2760594A1 (en
Inventor
Gildo Bosi
Silvano Valli
Stefano Scardovi
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sacmi Imola SC
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Sacmi Imola SC
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Priority to PL12769715T priority Critical patent/PL2760594T3/pl
Publication of EP2760594A1 publication Critical patent/EP2760594A1/en
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B28—WORKING CEMENT, CLAY, OR STONE
    • B28B—SHAPING CLAY OR OTHER CERAMIC COMPOSITIONS; SHAPING SLAG; SHAPING MIXTURES CONTAINING CEMENTITIOUS MATERIAL, e.g. PLASTER
    • B28B11/00—Apparatus or processes for treating or working the shaped or preshaped articles
    • B28B11/04—Apparatus or processes for treating or working the shaped or preshaped articles for coating or applying engobing layers
    • B28B11/047—Apparatus or processes for treating or working the shaped or preshaped articles for coating or applying engobing layers by pooring, e.g. curtain coating
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B15/00—Details of spraying plant or spraying apparatus not otherwise provided for; Accessories
    • B05B15/50—Arrangements for cleaning; Arrangements for preventing deposits, drying-out or blockage; Arrangements for detecting improper discharge caused by the presence of foreign matter
    • B05B15/55—Arrangements for cleaning; Arrangements for preventing deposits, drying-out or blockage; Arrangements for detecting improper discharge caused by the presence of foreign matter using cleaning fluids
    • B05B15/555—Arrangements for cleaning; Arrangements for preventing deposits, drying-out or blockage; Arrangements for detecting improper discharge caused by the presence of foreign matter using cleaning fluids discharged by cleaning nozzles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05C—APPARATUS FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05C19/00—Apparatus specially adapted for applying particulate materials to surfaces
    • B05C19/04—Apparatus specially adapted for applying particulate materials to surfaces the particulate material being projected, poured or allowed to flow onto the surface of the work
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B28—WORKING CEMENT, CLAY, OR STONE
    • B28B—SHAPING CLAY OR OTHER CERAMIC COMPOSITIONS; SHAPING SLAG; SHAPING MIXTURES CONTAINING CEMENTITIOUS MATERIAL, e.g. PLASTER
    • B28B11/00—Apparatus or processes for treating or working the shaped or preshaped articles
    • B28B11/04—Apparatus or processes for treating or working the shaped or preshaped articles for coating or applying engobing layers
    • B28B11/044—Apparatus or processes for treating or working the shaped or preshaped articles for coating or applying engobing layers with glaze or engobe or enamel or varnish

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for controlled dispensing of a loose solid material, for example in granular and/or powder form, as well as a functioning method of the device.
  • the invention relates to a device for dispensing loose and possibly coloured material onto a surface of a product, for example with the aim of obtaining thereon a decorative effect.
  • the invention relates to a device for dispensing the material on a surface of a ceramic substrate, for example a bed of loose ceramic powder, a partially-compacted ceramic slab, a completely compacted ceramic slab, a dried ceramic slab or also a dried ceramic slab which is already partially-decorated with liquid colorants.
  • some decorating techniques are already known that enable recreating a predetermined graphic effect, such as for example a design, a veining pattern, a splash of colour or a nuanced effect, by means of controlled dispensing of a ceramic substrate of coloured material in the loose solid state, among which for example atomised mixtures, atomised glazes, grits, frits or the like.
  • This controlled dispensing can be performed with the aid of special devices, commonly known as printing heads, which comprise a containing hopper of the material to be dispensed, and a plurality of vibrating elements which are arranged reciprocally flanked such as to define an inclined accumulation plate which is suitable for restingly receiving the material exiting from a lower mouth of the containing hopper.
  • This accumulation plane is normally positioned at a brief distance below the outlet mouth and is inclined by a smaller angle than a friction angle which the material generates on the accumulation plane. In this way, when the vibrating elements are inert, the accumulation plane is able to obstruct and halt the flow of material exiting from the containing hopper.
  • a vibrating element enters into vibration, the material progressively slides thereon up to falling from an edge thereof, while new material exiting from the containing hopper accumulates on the vibrating element.
  • each vibrating element generally comprises a flexible blade suitable for defining a portion of the accumulation plane.
  • the body of piezoelectric material enters into a vibrating mode, at the same time setting the whole vibrating element in vibration, such as to cause a part of the accumulated material on the flexible blade to fall onto the underlying ceramic substrate.
  • the electric excitation signal is sent to each piezoelectric material body through a respective electric wire independently of the others, so that each vibrating element can be set in vibration and controlled individually, thus enabling a prompt management of the dispensing of the material, enabling a very precise distribution of the material on the surface of the underlying substrate to be decorated.
  • the electric excitation signals are managed by an appropriate computerised control unit, which is configured such as to regulate the flow rate of material which falls from each vibrating element, and thus the quantity dispensed on each surface unit to be decorated, modulating the frequency and/or the amplitude of the relative electric excitation signal.
  • a drawback of this solution consists in the fact that the material deposited on the accumulation plane tends to adhere to the surface of the flexible blades, forming a sort of encrustation which does not get removed even when the flexible blade is set in vibration.
  • This phenomenon is more greatly manifested on the flexible blades that are least used during the working step and is mainly caused by the moisture contained internally of the material which, in contact with the cold surface of the blade, tends to condense, wetting the accumulated material that compacts and increases its degree of adhesion.
  • This phenomenon is unacceptable as the encrustation of material remaining in adherence to the flexible blade reduces the outlet section of the containing hopper, and progressively alters the dynamic characteristics of the flexible blade.
  • an "encrusted" flexible blade is not able to unload the amount of material set during the calibrating step, thus introducing errors in dispensing which compromise or at least have a negative effect on the correct distribution of the material on the surface of the product to be decorated.
  • Other different methods and means are kown to achieve a regular distribution of a powdered material on a surface.
  • the document FR 1 575 436 A discloses an apparatus for handling powder material and creating a flow of material which falls through a bundle of parallel distanced rigid wires, horizontal and orthogonal on a receiving surface.
  • the bundle is subjected to vibrations, and the material can be conveniently electrostatically charged and or warmed, to regularise the distribution of the powder.
  • the structure comprising the bundle can be warmed to avoid adhesion of the powder thereto.
  • the warming of the whole structure is not suitable in the ceramic field, where maintaining a desired humidity of the powder is essential.
  • An aim of the present invention is therefore to obviate, or at least significantly mitigate, the above-cited drawback in the prior art.
  • a further aim is to attain the above objective with a solution that is simple, rational and relatively inexpensive.
  • a device for dispensing a loose solid material, according to claim 1.
  • the heating means act only on the substrate of material which contact the vibrating elements, and undesired modification of the humidity of the material mass is avoided, so that the material can maintain his convenient and desired humidity suitable for the following steps.
  • the heating means comprise one or more heating elements, i.e. elements singly suitable for emanating a quantity of heat which is then transferred to the vibrating elements.
  • Each of the heating elements can comprise for example an electrical resistance.
  • the heating means comprise a heating element configured such as alone to heat the whole plurality of vibrating elements. In this way, plant costs are advantageously reduced.
  • the heating means comprise a plurality of heating elements, each of which is configured such as to heat a respective vibrating element. In this way the control and effectiveness of the heating of each vibrating element is improved.
  • the above-delineated heating means are configured such as to heat the vibrating elements directly or indirectly, through a structure of a heat-conductive material that supports the vibrating elements.
  • the first solution has the advantage of greater heat efficiency, while the second solution has the advantage of being constructionally simpler.
  • the dispensing device can further comprise means for cleaning the vibrating element.
  • these cleaning means can be activated, manually or automatically, such as to remove the encrustation.
  • the cleaning means can also be activated and used to remove the particles of material to be dispensed which might have inserted and got trapped between two adjacent vibrating elements, such as to prevent the vibration of one of these vibrating elements from transmitting to another element, generating an undesired or wrong dispensing of the material.
  • the cleaning means comprise at least a blower device suitable for blowing an air current onto the vibrating elements.
  • This aspect of the invention has the advantage of providing a particularly simple solution for cleaning the vibrating elements of the residues of the material to be dispensed.
  • the vibrating elements can be provided with a non-stick coating, i.e. having a low coefficient of friction with respect to the material to be dispensed, such as, for example, FEP compounds (fluorinated ethylene propylene) or PTFE ( polytetrafluoroethylene).
  • a non-stick coating i.e. having a low coefficient of friction with respect to the material to be dispensed, such as, for example, FEP compounds (fluorinated ethylene propylene) or PTFE ( polytetrafluoroethylene).
  • each vibrating element is conformed such as to present a reduced thickness at lateral edges thereof facingthe adjacent vibrating elements.
  • This solution has the advantage of reducing the surface with which each vibrating element which faces the adjacent ones, correspondingly reducing the risk that particles of material to be delivered might get trapped between two adjacent vibrating elements and compromise the efficiency thereof, as explained above.
  • This invention further discloses a functioning method for dispensing a loose solid material, according to claim 10.
  • This method provides the above-mentioned advantage in relation to the device, i.e. to cause local evaporation of the moisture contained in the material to be dispensed, thus preventing formation of unwanted encrustations.
  • the heating step involves the vibrating elements to a temperature of between 30°C and 50°C.
  • This solution has the advantage of achieving a good results in terms of efficiency with moderate energy consumption.
  • the method includes the step of cleaning the vibrating elements.
  • This step of cleaning can be performed periodically or on command when necessary, and has the advantage of enabling the removal of any encrustation deposits formed on the vibrating elements of material and/or the particles of material that may be trapped between adjacent vibrating elements.
  • the cleaning step is preferably performed when the vibrating elements are inactive, i.e. when the dispensing device is halted, such as not to interfere with the correct dispensing of the material during production.
  • the step of cleaning involves blowing a stream of air onto the vibrating elements.
  • this aspect of the invention has the advantage of providing a particularly simple solution for cleaning residues of the material to be dispensed from the vibrating elements.
  • a dry powder material can be added to the air current, such as to advantageously increase the mechanical cleaning action of the air current on the vibrating elements.
  • Figure 1 schematically illustrates a blower device, for example an apparatus 300 for controlled distribution of loose solid materials, for example in granular and/or powder form on surfaces to be treated with such materials.
  • the apparatus 300 can be used in the ceramic field for distribution of one or more loose and possibly coloured materials onto a surface of a ceramic substrate, for example with the aim of obtaining a decorative effect thereof.
  • the ceramic substrate can be a bed of loose ceramic powder, a partially compacted ceramic slab, a dried ceramic slab and also a dried ceramic slab already partially decorated with other colorant liquids.
  • the loose solid materials distributed by the apparatus 300 can be atomised mixtures, atomised glaze, grits, fried or the like.
  • the apparatus 300 schematically comprises a support plane 400 for the ceramic substrate S to be treated, and at least a device 100 for dispensing a loose solid material among the above-mentioned materials in a controlled manner P.
  • the device 100 is positioned above the support plane 400, such that the material P dispensed therefrom can be deposited on the underlying ceramic substrate S.
  • the apparatus 300 can be equipped with suitable movement means that are, in general terms, suitable for enabling relative and coordinated movements between the support plane 400 and the overlying dispensing device 100, such as not only to distribute the material P over all the ceramic substrate of S but also to carry out designs or decorative motifs.
  • the support plane 400 is mobile, for example, defined by a slidable conveyor belt, and the dispensing device 100 is mounted on a fixed structure.
  • the support plane 400 is fixed and the dispensing device is mounted on movement means, for example a carriage device or an anthropomorphic robot, which enable the movement means to move with respect to the fixed support plane 400.
  • both a mobile support plane 400 and movement means of the dispensing device 100 can be provided.
  • the dispensing device 100 comprises a containing hopper 105, which is suitable for being filled with the material P to be dispensed.
  • the containing hopper 105 develops mainly according to a horizontal longitudinal axis A, with respect to which it exhibits a uniform section, substantially trapezoid, which tapers in a downwards direction.
  • the containing hopper 105 exhibits a wide inlet mouth 110 at the top thereof, through which the material P is loaded internally thereof, while at the bottom thereof it exhibits a narrower outlet 115 developing over the whole longitudinal development, through which the material P exits in a downwards direction by force of gravity.
  • the outlet mouth 115 can be subdivided in plan view into a succession of distinct passage mouths (not illustrated) that follow one another in the direction of the longitudinal axis A.
  • the passage mouths can be defined by a succession of vertical separator walls which are fixed to the containing hopper 105 below the outlet mouth 115.
  • the dispensing device 100 further comprises an accumulating plane, denoted in its entirety by 200, which is solidly constrained to the containing hopper 105 and is positioned a short distance below the outlet mouth 115. This distance can be comprised for example between 0.2 and 1 cm.
  • the accumulating plane 200 is orientated parallel to the longitudinal axis A of the containing hopper 105 and exhibits dimensions that are such as to contain, in plan view, the whole area of the outlet mouth 115. In this way, the accumulating plane 200 is suitable for restingly receiving the material P which exits from the outlet mouth 115 up to entirely halting the descent thereof.
  • the position and dimensions of the accumulating plane 200, with respect to the containing hopper 105, are such that it is normally destined to accumulate a quantity of material P which obstructs the outlet mouth 115.
  • the accumulating plane 200 can be slightly inclined with respect to the vertical such that the accumulated material P tends to slide towards a falling edge 205 of the accumulating plane 200, which advances past the outlet mouth 115.
  • the angle of inclination of the accumulating plane 200 is however smaller than the friction angle that the accumulated material P generates on the accumulating plane 200 itself, such as to guarantee the possibility of halting the flow of material P exiting from the outlet mouth 115.
  • the angle of inclination of the accumulating plane 200 can be for example less than 20°C.
  • the accumulating plane 200 is defined by a plurality of distinct flexible blades 210, generally rectangular in shape, which are arranged coplanar, parallel and flanked to one another in succession in the direction of the longitudinal axis A of the containing hoper 105 (see figure 2 ).
  • the flexible blades 210 are preferably made of a slim metal blade, for example steel. The lateral distance between each flexible blade 210 and the adjacent blades is sufficiently small to prevent the accumulated material P on the accumulating plane 200 from getting trapped between the blades.
  • the flexible blades 210 are projecting fixed to a common support structure 215.
  • the support structure 215 can comprise, for example, a clamping system suitable for clamping an end of each flexible blade 210, leaving the other end free to oscillate in a vertical direction.
  • the clamp system comprises two jaws, each of which is conformed as a flat bar prevalently developing in the direction of the longitudinal axis A, i.e. an upper jaw 216 and a lower jaw 217, interposed between which the flexible blades 210 are clamped. In rest conditions, the free ends of all the flexible blades 210 are aligned to one another such as to define the falling edge 205 of the accumulating plane 200.
  • the flexible blades 210 can exhibit a perfectly flat and square form.
  • the flexible blades 210 may be slightly concave, at least at the free ends thereof.
  • the concavity might be facing upwards, such as to concentrate the material P at the centre of each flexible blade 210, or it could be facing downwards, such as to concentrate the material P along the flanks of each flexible blade 210, or between a flexible blade 210 and an adjacent one.
  • a respective body made of piezoelectric material 220 is inferiorly fixed to each flexible blade 210.
  • the body of piezoelectric material 220 can be conformed for example as a relatively slim plate which is glued below the respective flexible blade 210.
  • the resulting vibrating group 235 can be mounted projectingly on the support structure 215, for example clamped together with the flexible blade 210 to which it is directly associated.
  • a respective electric cable 225 is joined to each body of piezoelectric material.
  • the electric cable 225 can be joined to the body of piezoelectric material 220 by a weld seam 230.
  • the weld seam 230 may not be present and can possibly be replaced by a different type of electrical connection, for example a rubber contact.
  • each body of piezoelectric material 220 can receive electrical excitation signals, typically alternating current signals or voltage sinusoid or square waves.
  • the body of piezoelectric material 220 is destined to perform corresponding mechanical vibrations, which consequently are transmitted also the a respective flexible blade 210.
  • the electrical excitation signals that are applied to the body of piezoelectric material 220 induce a mechanical vibration of the whole vibrating group 235 which overall comprises the body of piezoelectric material 220 itself, the weld seam 230, if present, which joins the body of piezoelectric material 220 to the electric cable 225, and the respective flexible blade 210.
  • the material accumulated on the corresponding flexible blade 210 progressively slides towards the falling edge 205 of the accumulating plane 200, from which it falls by force of gravity in a downwards direction, thus being unloaded onto the surface of the underlying ceramic substrate S.
  • the material P falls from the edge of falling edge 205, other material P exits from the outlet 115 of the hopper 115 so as the flow of material P unloaded is continuous and without interruptions.
  • the vibrating group 235 returns to a state of rest that halts the sliding of the material P on the flexible blade 210, and therefore dispensing thereof.
  • each flexible blade 210 exhibits a coating of non-stick material 211.
  • the coating covers at least the upper surface 211 of each flexible blade 210, i.e. the surface that is part of the definition of the accumulating plane 200.
  • each flexible blade 210 can be completely coated with non-stick coating material 211.
  • the non-stick coating material 211 generally has a lower friction coefficient than that of the flexible blades 210, so as to increase the smoothness of the accumulating plane 200, and thus facilitate the unloading of the material P when the flexible blade 210 is set in vibration.
  • the coating 211 can be realised with compounds of FEP (fluorinated ethylene propylene) or PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene).
  • FEP fluorinated ethylene propylene
  • PTFE polytetrafluoroethylene
  • the coating 211 is applied and made solid with the flexible blades 210 through operational techniques which are known.
  • the non-stick coating material 211 can be applied to flexible blades 210 of any shape and size, and therefore also to flexible blades 210 of different shape than the ones illustrated in figure 6 .
  • each flexible blade 210 is shaped such as to exhibit a reduced thickness at the lateral edges 212 which face the adjacent flexible blades 210, correspondingly reducing the surface of the lateral edges.
  • this reduction in thickness is obtained by shaping the lateral edges 212 of each flexible blade 210 such that they present a longitudinally-developing countersinking 213.
  • the countersinking 213 exhibits a rounded section profile with the concavity facing externally and downwards.
  • each flexible blade 210 has a substantially trapezoidal section, with the larger base facing upwards so as to define the accumulating plane 200.
  • the flexible blades 210 of the embodiment can also be coated with nonstick coating material 211 as described above.
  • the dispenser device 100 can be associated with a tension generator 500, which is electrically connected with the body of piezoelectric material 220 of each vibrating unit 235, through its electrical cable 225.
  • the tension generator 500 is configured such as to generate and apply the appropriate electrical excitation signals to each of the bodies of piezoelectric material 220, such that each vibrating group 235 of the dispenser device 100 can be set in vibration independently of the others.
  • the excitation signals are typically sinusoid or square wave tension signals.
  • the dispening device 100 further comprises heating means for heating the flexible blades 210 during functioning, such as to cause local evaporation of the moisture contained in the material P accumulated thereon, mainly such as to prevent formation of undesired encrustations.
  • the heating means are preferably capable of heating the flexible blades 210 to a temperature of between 30°C and 50°C.
  • the heating means may comprise one or more heater elements, i.e. elements suitable for generating and emanating heat that is then transferred to the flexible blades 210.
  • the heating means comprise for example a heating element 240 configured such as by itself to heat all the flexible blades 210 of the dispensing device 100.
  • the heating element 240 comprises one or more heating resistance elements (not visible), which are connected to a current generator 255 by means of an electrical connection 241.
  • the current generator 255 is capable of generating an electric current that passes through the heating elements, producing heat.
  • the heating resistance elements are enclosed in an external body 242 of the heating element 240, which is made of a heat-conductive material.
  • the external body 242 is shaped as a flat bar, which prevalently develops in the direction of the longitudinal axis A of the hopper 105, and is set in direct contact with all the flexible blades 210, interposed between the upper jaw 216 of the support structure 215 and the fixed ends of the flexible blades 210. In this way, the heat that emanates from the external body 242 of the heating element 240 is transmitted directly to the flexible blades 210.
  • the heating means comprise a heating element 240, entirely similar to the one described above.
  • the heating element is configured such as by itself to heat the flexible blades 210 of the dispenser device 100, but indirectly. More specifically, the external body 242 of the heating element 240 is not in direct contact with the flexible blades 210, but is applied in direct contact on the upper jaw 216 of the support structure 215. In this way, the heat from the outer body 242 of the heating element 240 is transmitted to the support structure 215 and from there indirectly to the flexible blades 210.
  • at least the upper jaw 216 of the support structure 215 is made of heat-conductive material.
  • the heating means comprise a plurality of heating elements 245, each of which is capable of heating a respective flexible blade 210.
  • Each heating element 245 comprises at least a heating resistance element (not shown), which is incorporated in an external heat-conductive material.
  • the electrical resistance of each heating element 245 is connected to the current generator 255 through a usual electrical connection (not shown), such that each heating element 245 can be powered independently of the others.
  • the external body 246 is shaped as a block, which is placed in direct contact with a respective flexible blade 210, interposed between the upper jaw 216 of the support structure 215 and the fixed end of the flexible blade 210.
  • the external body 246 of each heating element 245 is also distanced from the external body 246 of all the other heating elements 245. In this way, the heat emanated from the external body 246 of each heating element 245 is transmitted substantially only to the respective flexible blade 210.
  • the dispensing device 100 comprises means for cleaning the flexible blades 210, which can be activated manually or automatically, periodically or only on command, for example, in order to remove particles of material P that are encrusted on the flexible blades 210 and/or which have become trapped in the spaces between adjacent flexible blades 210.
  • the cleaning means comprise devices including one or more blowers 260 (of known type), which are individually capable of generating and blowing an air stream at high speeds onto the flexible blades 210, such as to mechanically remove encrusted and/or trapped material P.
  • Each blower device 260 can include, for example, a conveyor conduit 261 suitable for connecting a dispensing nozzle 262, with a tank 263 containing compressed air, and a valve 264, preferably electrically commanded, which is located along the conveyor conduit 261, for selectively preventing or enabling outlet of the air.
  • Each blower device 260 can also be associated to means for adding a dry powder material to the air current which is blown onto the flexible blades 210, such as to increase the mechanical cleaning action performed by the air stream.
  • the dry powder may be, for example a sand.
  • the means for adding the dry material to the air current can comprise a containing hopper 270 for the dry powder material and a conduit 271 suitable for connecting the hopper 270 to the conveyor conduit 261.
  • An electronic control unit 600 can be connected to the dispensing device 100, which is configured such as to generate and sent command signals to the tension generator 600, which command signals are suitable for activating, interrupting and regulating the electrical excitation signals applied to each body of piezoelectric material 220 of the dispensing device 100.
  • the electronic control unit 600 can further be configured such as to generate and sent command signals to the means suitable for creating relative movement between the support plane 400 and the dispensing device 100, such as to coordinate them on the basis of the distribution of material P which is to be obtained on the ceramic substrate S.
  • the electronic control unit 600 is further configured such as to generate and send command signals to the current generator 255, which command signals are suitable for activating, interrupting and regulating the electrical supply of the heating elements of the flexible blades 210, i.e. the heating elements denoted by 240, 245 according to the considered embodiment.
  • the electronic control unit 600 can maintain the heating elements 240, 245 constantly active, or it can activate the heating elements 240, 245 only for a limited time interval, which may be repeated periodically.
  • the electronic control unit 600 may also selectively activate only one or more of the heating elements 245, for example to heat only the flexible blades 210 which are less used for unloading the material P.
  • the electronic control unit 600 is also connected to the valve device 264 of each blower device 260, and is configured such as to generate and send command signals capable of selectively opening and closing the valve 264, in order to enable (or not) the blowing of the air current, preferably hot and containing dry powder, towards the flexible blades 210 in order to clean them.
  • the electronic control unit 600 can activate the blowing of the air current automatically or manually on command.
  • the electronic control unit 600 is configured to activate the blowing only when the dispensing device 100 is idle, i.e. when it is not being used to distribute the loose material P onto a ceramic substrate S.
  • the electronic control unit 600 may comprise a computer processing unit (CPU) in communication with a memorising unit 605 and an interface bus that can be configured to transmit control signals generated by the CPU to the tension source 500, and the various movement means.
  • the storage unit 605 can comprise various types of data storage systems, including optical, magnetic, solid and other nonvolatile memories.
  • the CPU is configured to carry out instructions in one or more control programs (software) stored in the memorising unit 605.
  • the control programs are written such as to implement all the calibration, control and management methods that will be described in the following, enabling the CPU to perform all the steps of the methods.
  • the apparatus 300 might include a plurality of operating devices 100 of the type described above, each of which can be set up to dispense a different material P, for example having a different colour, in order to create more complex decorations.
  • the dispensing devices 100 of the plurality can be flanked to one another, or with the longitudinal axes A of the respective containing hoppers 105 aligned with one another, or one after another in a perpendicular direction to the longitudinal axes A, possibly slightly offset with respect to one another in order to obtain compositions of graphics which include several types of powders.
  • the plurality of dispensing devices 100 can be mounted fixed with respect to a mobile support plane 400, or can be mounted on movement means suitable for moving the plurality with respect to a fixed support plane 400, or both solutions.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Ceramic Engineering (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Coating Apparatus (AREA)
  • Jigging Conveyors (AREA)
  • Superconductors And Manufacturing Methods Therefor (AREA)
  • Paper (AREA)
  • Crushing And Grinding (AREA)
  • Application Of Or Painting With Fluid Materials (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analyzing Materials Using Thermal Means (AREA)
  • Transition And Organic Metals Composition Catalysts For Addition Polymerization (AREA)
  • Saccharide Compounds (AREA)
  • Hydrogenated Pyridines (AREA)
  • Cleaning In General (AREA)
  • Drying Of Solid Materials (AREA)
EP12769715.9A 2011-09-26 2012-09-13 Device and method for dispensing loose solid material Active EP2760594B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PL12769715T PL2760594T3 (pl) 2011-09-26 2012-09-13 Urządzenie i sposób dozowania luźnych materiałów stałych

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT000073A ITRE20110073A1 (it) 2011-09-26 2011-09-26 Dispositivo per l'erogazione di materiale solido incoerente
PCT/IB2012/001787 WO2013045989A1 (en) 2011-09-26 2012-09-13 Device and method for dispensing loose solid material

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EP2760594A1 EP2760594A1 (en) 2014-08-06
EP2760594B1 true EP2760594B1 (en) 2015-11-18

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EP12769715.9A Active EP2760594B1 (en) 2011-09-26 2012-09-13 Device and method for dispensing loose solid material

Country Status (10)

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EP (1) EP2760594B1 (pl)
CN (1) CN103958073B (pl)
BR (1) BR112014007106B1 (pl)
ES (1) ES2555107T3 (pl)
IT (1) ITRE20110073A1 (pl)
MX (1) MX352544B (pl)
PL (1) PL2760594T3 (pl)
PT (1) PT2760594E (pl)
RU (1) RU2595708C9 (pl)
WO (1) WO2013045989A1 (pl)

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IT201800009274A1 (it) * 2018-10-09 2020-04-09 Air Power Group Spa Dispositivo applicatore di smalto in polvere per la decorazione di piastrelle o lastre ceramiche

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PT3198345T (pt) 2014-09-22 2021-02-25 Sacmi Linha para a produção de produtos individuais em sucessão num ciclo contínuo
CN114007764B (zh) * 2019-06-11 2024-03-26 系统陶瓷股份公司 用于粒状材料的分配设备
RU200101U1 (ru) * 2020-05-19 2020-10-06 Федеральное государственное бюджетное образовательное учреждение высшего образования Северо-Кавказский горно-металлургический институт (государственный технологический университет) Устройство для нанесения сыпучих материалов на изделие

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EP3656521A1 (en) * 2018-10-09 2020-05-27 Air Power Group S.p.A. Device for applying powdery glaze for decorating ceramic tiles or slabs

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MX2014003457A (es) 2015-06-17
RU2595708C9 (ru) 2016-11-10
ES2555107T3 (es) 2015-12-29
ITRE20110073A1 (it) 2013-03-27
RU2014110725A (ru) 2015-12-27
PT2760594E (pt) 2016-01-08
PL2760594T3 (pl) 2016-02-29
BR112014007106A2 (pt) 2017-04-11
RU2595708C2 (ru) 2016-08-27
CN103958073A (zh) 2014-07-30
MX352544B (es) 2017-11-29
WO2013045989A1 (en) 2013-04-04
EP2760594A1 (en) 2014-08-06
CN103958073B (zh) 2016-05-25
BR112014007106B1 (pt) 2021-01-12

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