ES2766859T3 - Machine to spray paints or powders on article surfaces - Google Patents

Abstract

A machine (1) for spraying paints or powders (P) on surfaces (S) of articles of manufacture (M), comprising: - first longitudinal guiding means (2) adapted to be anchored to the ground and defining an area of lower support (3) for an article (M) to be sprayed; - a support structure (6) that is slidably mounted on said first longitudinal guide means (2); - second transverse guiding means (7) associated with said support structure (6) and comprising a first pair of transverse guides (15, 16) the relationship of mutual confrontation and longitudinal displacement to define a first gap (17); - at least one first spray head (22) which is slidably mounted on said second guide means (7); - one or more reservoirs (23) for products (P) to be sprayed which are operatively connected with said spray head (22); wherein said at least one first head (22) is secured to a first substantially vertical post (24) fixed to a first carriage (25) movable along said second transverse guide means (7), said first carriage (25) slidably mounted on said first pair of transverse guides (15, 16) to slide in said first gap (17), the third guiding means (26) being associated with said first carriage (25) to guide said first post (24) in a first substantially vertical direction (V1), such that spraying is allowed in three mutually perpendicular directions; characterized in that it comprises at least one second spray head (29) mounted on a second substantially vertical post (30) that is fixed to a second carriage (31), said second transverse guiding means (7) comprising a second pair of guides cross sections (18, 19) in a mutually facing and longitudinally spaced relationship to define a second spacing (20), said support structure (6) comprising a pair of substantially vertical corbels (8, 9), said first pair (15) having , 16) and said second pair (18, 19) of longitudinal end transverse guides secured to the upper ends of said brackets (8, 9), said second carriage (31) being slidably mounted on said second pair of guides (18 , 19) to slide in said second gap (20), said second post (30) being movable in a second substantially vertical direction (V2) on the fourth guide means (32), rigidly attached to said second carriage (31).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Machine to spray paints or powders on article surfaces

Field of the Invention

The present invention is generally directed to surface treatments of articles of manufacture, and particularly relates to a machine for spraying paints or powders on the surfaces of such articles.

Background technique

In the treatment of articles made of concrete or other natural or artificial stone materials, protective products have long been known to be sprayed on the surfaces of such articles.

Products to be sprayed may include paints designed to impart a particular aesthetic effect or protective products, such as anti-corrosion agents and antioxidants in liquid or powder form, or mixtures thereof.

Spraying is performed by an operator in a booth in which the item is placed, using conventional manual equipment, such as compressed air spray guns.

A first disadvantage of this process is that it is not automatic, and requires very long processing times in a particularly harmful working environment.

Furthermore, these items are often very large, and their movement within the cabin before, during and after spraying is particularly complex, if not impossible.

In an attempt to eliminate, at least partially, such disadvantages, machines have been developed for the automatic spraying of paints or powders on the surface of slab articles made of concrete or stone materials.

Chinese Patent CN201907357 describes a concrete slab spraying machine comprising a tilt plate to support the slabs and a cross beam that moves above the plane, or along appropriate longitudinal guides. A carriage is mounted on the beam and is adapted to support a spray head that has a respective nozzle to send a jet of paint onto the slab that is being processed.

A first disadvantage of this prior art arrangement is that the structure comprises a mechanism for pivoting the slab support plate which is quite complex to prevent or limit the movement of the spray head resulting from the combination of the movements of the beam and carriage.

A further disadvantage is that the spray head and nozzle are mounted on the carriage with a very small degree of freedom.

These disadvantages are among the factors that hinder or prevent the uniform spraying of articles or concrete slabs that have non-straight profiles and that include curved, concave or recessed parts.

Another disadvantage is that the support plate cannot support very large articles and / or slabs, and their loading and unloading is very complex, due to the presence of the longitudinal guides.

A further disadvantage is that the support plate can only hold one slab at a time for spraying, so that the machine can only partially reduce total processing times.

Finally, no means are provided in this prior art machine to suck up paint or powders dispersed into the environment, or to dry paints or liquid products once the latter have been applied to the surfaces of the articles. EP2631041 describes a machine for spraying paints or powders on articles, comprising a support frame with transverse guiding means and a spray head slidably supported on the guiding means. The head is mounted on a post slidably supported on a carriage, in a respective vertical direction. A first disadvantage of this arrangement is that the machine requires very long processing times for uniform spraying of the paints over the entire surface of the article. An additional disadvantage is that the machine does not allow spraying more than one item at a time and has low efficiency. JP506223, GB2483892, US2005 / 188920, US5630876, US2588125, FR2813539, US4872417, US2009 / 120249 and EP2090374 describe additional machines or plants for spraying paints or powders on surfaces of manufactured items.

Description of the Invention

The aim of the invention is to solve the aforementioned technical problem and eliminate the disadvantages described above, providing a machine for spraying paints and powders on article surfaces, which has high efficiency and has good profitability.

A particular objective of the present invention is to provide a machine of the aforementioned type that can uniformly spray paints or powders over the entire surface of the article, even when the latter is large, such as is the case with road beams. or viaducts.

A particular objective of the present invention is to provide a machine of the aforementioned type that can uniformly spray paints or powders over the entire surface of the article, even when the latter is large, such as in the case of road beams or of viaducts.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a machine of the aforementioned type, which allows spraying of more than one article at a time.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a machine for spraying paints or powders on article surfaces that can reduce overall processing times.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a machine that can suck up paints dispersed in the environment and dried once they have been sprayed on the articles.

These and other objectives, as will be better explained later, are accomplished by a machine for spraying paints or powders on the surfaces of articles as defined in claim 1.

Furthermore, the machine may comprise means for sucking and drying paints and protective products, which are associated with the support structure.

With this arrangement, the machine is able to uniformly spray paints or powders over the entire surface of the article, even when the article is large in size, on complex surfaces including curves, cutouts, concavities or undercuts, and on more than one item at a time.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are obtained according to the dependent claims.

Brief description of the drawings

Additional features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of a preferred, non-exclusive embodiment of a machine for spraying paints or powders on surfaces of articles according to the invention, which is described as a non-limiting example. with the help of the attached drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a machine for spraying paints or powders according to the invention in a first state of application;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the machine for spraying paints or powders of Fig. 1 in a second state of application;

Fig. 3 is a separate front view of the machine of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a bottom view of a detail of the machine of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a side view of the machine of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a separate side view of the machine of Fig. 1, with a respective enlarged part;

Figs. 7 and 8 are front views of the machine according to two alternative embodiments.

Detailed description of an exemplary preferred embodiment

Referring to the attached figures, a machine is shown, generally designated number 1, which is designed to spray paints or powders P under pressure to create a particular aesthetic effect on the outer surface S of articles M, or to change their properties Surface, for example imparting a coefficient of friction, aggressive properties, or weather resistance, using protective agents, anti-corrosion agents, or the like.

Articles M can be made of a stone material, stone, concrete, iron, steel, aluminum, wood, plastic or other similar materials without departing from the scope of the invention, while the powders P may comprise sands, fillers, resins, plastics, release agents, glues, or other similar chemicals particularly suitable for spraying.

Furthermore, the articles M can have different shapes and can comprise slabs, beams, columns, blocks or the like, possibly of very large size and with any type of geometry, for example, with recesses, cutouts or with a C shape.

In the embodiment as shown in the attached figures, the machine 1 comprises first longitudinal guide means 2 adapted to be anchored to the ground and defining a lower support area 3 for an article M to be sprayed.

The first longitudinal guide means 2 may comprise a pair of rails 4, 5 which are fixed to the ground in substantially parallel and spaced positions with a transverse spacing p between centers, as shown in Fig. 1.

Machine 1 comprises a support structure 6 which is slidably mounted on the rails 4, 5 and second transverse guiding means 7 associated with the support structure 6.

Namely, the support structure 6 can have a pair of vertical brackets 8, 9, each having a pair of wheels 10, 11 at its base, which are slidably supported by the rails 4, 5 for the rectilinear translation of the support structure 6 in the support area 3 for the article M, above the latter.

The sliding movement of the wheels 10, 11 on the rails 4, 5 can be controlled by gear motor units 12 of known type, associated with each of the brackets 8, 9.

Furthermore, each pillar 8, 9 defines a respective housing compartment 13, 14 the purpose of which will become more apparent later.

In the embodiments shown in the figures, the second transverse guiding means 7 comprise a first pair of transverse guides 15, 16 the length of which corresponds to the transverse pitch p between the longitudinal rails 4, 5 and whose ends are secured to the brackets 8, 9 to stiffen the support structure 6.

The transverse guides 15, 16 face each other and are in longitudinally offset positions, thereby defining a first sliding gap 17.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention as shown in the figures, the second transverse guide means 7 comprise an additional pair of transverse guides 18, 19 similar to those mentioned above, and also having ends secured to the vertical brackets 8, 9 .

The second transverse guides 18, 19 are mounted in mutual confrontation and in longitudinally displaced positions, thereby defining a second sliding gap 20.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, not shown, additional pairs of transverse guides may be provided in addition to those described above, which have respective ends secured to the vertical brackets 8, 9 and which define respective slip gaps.

Also shown in Fig. 6, the support structure 6 can define a substantially vertical plane of symmetry n and the first 15, 16 and the second pair of transverse guides 18, 19 can be located on opposite sides of the plane of symmetry n.

Advantageously, housings 21 can be arranged on the sides of, and on the transverse guides 15, 16; 18, 19 to protect them and prevent impurities from entering the support area 3.

Machine 1 further comprises a first spray head 22 which is slidably mounted on the guide means 7 described above and which is operatively connected to one or more tanks 23 so that product P is sprayed by means of flexible hoses and at the least one pump, of known type and not shown in the figures.

Conveniently, each tank 23 can be housed in one of the compartments 13, 14 delimited by a respective vertical bracket 9, to follow the longitudinal movement of the support structure 6 and avoid excessive stretching of the hoses.

In accordance with a particular aspect of the invention, the first spray head 22 is secured to a substantially vertical post 24 attached to a first carriage 25 that is designed to move along the second transverse guide means 7.

Furthermore, third guide means 26, for example prismatic guides, are associated with the first carriage 25 to guide the first pole 24 in a substantially vertical direction V1, so that the spraying occurs in three directions perpendicular to each other.

In this way, the combined movement of the support structure 6, the first carriage 25 and the first pole 24 allow controlled movement of the spray head 22 within the entire lower support area 3 to quickly and easily reach any point of article M and favor uniform spraying thereof.

Advantageously, respective motor means 27 may be provided, which are adapted to cause the first carriage 25 to move along the second transverse guide means 7 and additional motor means 28 may also be operatively associated with the carriage 25 and the pole 24 to produce the vertical movement thereof along the third guide means 26.

The first carriage 25 can be slidably mounted on the first pair of opposite transverse guides 15, 16 which to be translated in the first gap 17 defined between them by the second motor means.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown in the figures, machine 1 comprises a second spray head 29, similar to the first one, which is mounted on a second substantially vertical pole 30 fixed to the second carriage 31, identical to the first carriage 25.

Like the first post 24, the second post 30 can be translated in a respective vertical direction V2 relative to the second post 31 along fourth guide means 32 which are rigidly attached to the second carriage 31 and by the respective means of engine 28.

Like the first carriage 25, the second carriage 31 can be slidably mounted on the second pair of cross guides 18, 19 to be translated at the second gap 20.

Furthermore, the second spray head 29 is operatively connected to one or more of the tanks 23 containing the products P to be sprayed, by means of respective flexible hoses, which are partially housed within the second slip gap 20 and a respective pump, both not shown.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, not shown, machine 1 may comprise additional spray heads mounted on respective carriages and at least one pair of carriages can be slidably inserted within each slide gap.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the first 24 and second 30 posts have respective spray heads 22, 29 mounted on opposite ends, i.e., an upper end 33 and a lower end 34 thereof. This will allow machine 1 to simultaneously spray both an article M resting on the ground and an appropriate support surface in the lower support area 3, as shown in Fig. 1, and an additional article M 'in a support area 3 'relative to the support structure 6, as shown in Fig. 2 and hanging by means of a bridge crane or an appropriate frame, not shown.

Possibly, the spray heads 22, 29 may be mounted at the same end, for example, the lower end 34 of the posts 24, 30 to cooperate within a single support area 3, for example the lower support areas relative to the support structure 6, as shown in Fig. 7.

In this embodiment, the machine comprises three carriages 25 having respective spray heads 22 mounted on the lower ends 34 of the posts 24 for simultaneous spraying of all faces of a channel beam located in the support area 3.

Furthermore, in an alternative embodiment of the invention, not shown, each post 24, 30 can comprise at least one pair of spray heads located at both ends 33, 34 or an additional head in an intermediate position.

Each of the spray heads 22, 29 may comprise at least one support 35 that is rotatably mounted at one of the ends 33, 34 of a respective post 24, 30 to rotate about a substantially vertical axis T1, T2.

Also, each spray head 22, 29 may have a respective nozzle 36 rotatably mounted on a respective bracket 35 to rotate about an axis substantially perpendicular R1, R2 to the vertical axis T1, T2, so that each nozzle 36 can be oriented in the three directions of space.

The movement of each support 35 and each nozzle 36 relative to the corresponding support 35 can be produced by respective independent motor means 37.

In addition to P paints and powders, the nozzles can also be supplied with high pressure air, water or pickling chemicals, so that machine 1 is capable of cleaning the surfaces to be treated. Furthermore, in the embodiment in which both heads 22, 29 are mounted at the lower end 34 of posts 24, 30, as shown in Fig. 7, their movement will allow the nozzles 36 to be positioned constantly above the article. M and send the paints or powders P dropping them from top to bottom. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, as shown in Fig. 8, the machine may comprise a plurality of nozzles 36 mounted on a single support 35 of a head 22 at a respective end 34 of a pole 24 to simultaneously spray all the interior surfaces S of a channel plate located in the support area 3.

In an embodiment of the invention, not shown, multiple spray heads 22, 29 instead of one, may be provided at each end 33, 34 of a respective post 24, 30.

As shown in the figures, vacuum operated means 38 may be provided, having a suction port 39 located within the support area 3 to suck up the dispersed particles of the products P to be sprayed.

Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 3, radiation means 40, preferably infrared lamps, can be attached to the support structure 6 and face the lower support area 3 or upper 3 'to dry the deposited P products. on the surfaces S of the articles M being processed.

The machine 1 comprises process control means 41 connected to the motor means 12, 27, 28, 37 to ensure the controlled movement of the support structure 6, of the carriages 25, 31, of the posts 24, 30, of supports 35 and nozzles 36 according to the shape and size of the articles M to be sprayed and the respective pumps.

The machine for spraying paints or powders on articles made of concrete or stone materials according to the invention is susceptible to a number of changes and variations, within the concept of the invention set forth in the appended claims. All the details of the same can be replaced by other technically equivalent parts, and the materials can vary depending on the different needs, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Although the machine has been described with particular reference to the attached figures, the numbers referred to in the description of the claims are only used for the purpose of a better understanding of the invention.

Claims (8)

1. A machine (1) for spraying paints or powders (P) on surfaces (S) of articles of manufacture (M), comprising: - first longitudinal guide means (2) adapted to be anchored to the ground and defining a lower support area (3) for an article (M) to be sprayed; - a support structure (6) that is slidably mounted on said first longitudinal guide means (2); - second transverse guiding means (7) associated with said support structure (6) and comprising a first pair of transverse guides (15, 16) the relationship of mutual confrontation and longitudinal displacement to define a first separation (17); - at least a first spray head (22) that is slidably mounted on said second guide means (7); - one or more tanks (23) for products (P) to be sprayed that are operatively connected with said spray head (22); wherein said at least one first head (22) is secured to a substantially vertical first post (24) attached to a first carriage (25) that can move along said second transverse guide means (7), said first carriage (25) slidably mounted on said first pair of transverse guides (15, 16) to slide in said first gap (17), the third guiding means (26) being associated with said first carriage (25) to guide said first post (24) in a first substantially vertical direction (V1), such that spraying is allowed in three directions perpendicular to each other; characterized in that it comprises at least a second spray head (29) mounted on a second substantially vertical post (30) that is fixed to a second carriage (31), said second transversal guiding means (7) comprising a second pair of guides transverse (18, 19) in relation of mutual confrontation and longitudinal separation to define a second separation (20), said support structure (6) comprising a pair of substantially vertical brackets (8, 9), said first pair (15) having , 16) and said second pair (18, 19) of longitudinal end transverse guides secured to the upper ends of said brackets (8, 9), said second carriage (31) being slidably mounted on said second pair of guides (18 , 19) to slide in said second separation (20), said second post (30) being movable in a second substantially vertical direction (V2) on the fourth guide means (32), rigidly attached to said second carriage (31). The machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said support structure (6) defines a plane of symmetry (n) substantially vertical, said first (15, 16) and said second (18, 19) being pairs of transverse guides located on opposite sides of said plane of symmetry (n). The machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that each of said spray heads (22, 29) comprises at least one support (35), which is rotatably mounted at one of the ends (33, 34) of a respective post (24, 30) to rotate about a substantially vertical axis (T1, T2). The machine as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that each of said spray heads (22, 29) comprises at least one nozzle (36), which is rotatably mounted on said support (35) to rotate about a substantially horizontal axis (R1, R2), so that it can be oriented in all three dimensions of space. The machine as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that said first (24) and said second (30) posts have respective spray heads (22, 29) mounted on opposite ends (33, 34), one upper end and a lower end respectively, for spraying the articles (M) located in said lower support area (3) or in a support area (3 ') located above said support structure (6). 6. The machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said one or more tanks (23) for products (P) to be sprayed are in selective fluid communication with the respective spray heads (22, 29) by means of appropriate flexible hoses, at least partially housed in said first (17) and said second (20) sliding separations. 7. The machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that it comprises vacuum means (38) having a suction port (39) located within said support area (3) to suck the dispersed particles of said products ( P) to be sprayed, and radiation means (40) attached to said support structure (6) to dry the products deposited on the surfaces (S) of the articles (M) that are being processed. The machine as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that it comprises connected process control means (41) to provide motor means (12, 27, 28, 37) designed to ensure the controlled movement of said support structure. (6), said carriages (25, 31), said posts (24, 30), said supports (35) and said nozzles (36) being according to the shape and size of the articles (M) to be sprayed.