WO2012085889A1

WO2012085889A1 - Transferring means and method for manufacturing thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2012085889A1
Application number: PCT/IB2011/055933
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ermes Bigi; Marcello Fontanini
Original assignee: L.B. - Officine Meccaniche - S.P.A.
Priority date: 2010-12-23
Filing date: 2011-12-23
Publication date: 2012-06-28

Abstract

Transferring means, for transferring ceramic powders to a forming cavity of a ceramic tile, comprises a loading grid (1) provided with wall means (2) suitable for interacting in use with the ceramic powders, the wall means (2) comprising a plurality of walls (20, 21, 22, 23) of a module (4, 5) of a modular structure (3) of which said loading grid (1) is formed, the module (4, 5) being assemblable on and removable from a further module (4, 5) for forming said modular structure (3). The modular structure comprises a reticulated structure (3) and the module and/or the further module comprises a cell (4) or a group of cells (5) of the reticulated structure (3).

Description

TRANSFERRING MEANS AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THEREOF

The invention relates to transferring means for transferring ceramic powders from a supplying device supplying ceramic powders to a forming cavity for forming ceramic tiles, in particular a loading grid.

Loading grids are known that are generally mounted on a loading carriage, which is movable with reciprocating movement between supplying means and a forming cavity for forming a mould in a ceramic press, for manufacturing ceramic tiles.

The loading grids are supplied, normally through gravity, with variously coloured ceramic powder that comes from the supplying means .

The loading grids rest on a plane on which they slide when they are conveyed by the reciprocating motion of the loading carriage .

Such loading grids are substantially flat and comprise a border frame inside which a plurality of slats or a honeycombed structure extend.

The ceramic powder is thus contained in compartments of which the slats define containing walls, whilst the plane, on which the loading grid runs, defines a bottom wall.

When the loading carriage advances to the forming cavity, the ceramic powder arranged in the loading grid is pushed to the forming cavity by the slats.

When the loading grid reaches the forming cavity, the ceramic powder, which is no longer supported by the plane, drops through the force of gravity into the forming cavity, being thus transferred to the latter. In the meantime, the loading grid and in particular the border frame rests on a base plane of the mould.

The slats, which are generally obtained from steel sheets, can be parallel to one another or can be shaped, for example in the form of a wave or a plurality of waves, when veins similar to those of natural stone have to be produced in the ceramic tile. The honeycombed structure is also obtained from steel sheets that are folded and joined together and to the border frame by welding points.

One drawback of loading grids of known type is that they are craftmade. This causes rather long manufacturing time and high production costs.

Still another drawback is that the quality of the loading grids depends greatly on the skill of the operator who assembles and welds together the slats and the border frame. A further drawback is that a loading grid has to be manufactured each time on the basis of the dimensions of the ceramic tiles to be manufactured, of the dimensions of the mould and of the number of forming cavities in the mould, of the model of loading carriage used, this meaning that the manufacturer of ceramic tiles has to provide himself with a large number of loading grids and has to dedicate a zone of the facility to storing the loading grids. Moreover, the loading grids can be rather bulky.

The loading grids for loading large moulds are moreover rather heavy.

The greater the weight that the loading carriage has to move during reciprocal motion the greater the energy that has to be spent on this motion.

In order to reduce the adhesion between the loading grid and the conveyed ceramic powders, it is necessary to treat the surface of the loading grid that comes into contact with the ceramic powders, in particular the slats, with anti-adhesive material, for example PTFE .

This increases the time and costs of manufacturing a loading grid.

Further, in order to reduce attrition between the loading grid and the plane on which it slides, it is necessary to treat with antifriction material, for example PTFE, also the surface of the loading grid that comes into contact with the plane . This contributes to a further increase in the time and costs of manufacturing a loading grid.

One object of the invention is to improve known transferring means, in particular known loading grids for transferring ceramic powders to a forming cavity.

A further object is to obtain transferring means for transferring ceramic powder, in particular a loading grid, which can be produced at moderate cost .

Another object is to obtain transferring means for transferring ceramic powder, in particular a loading grid, which can be mounted easily, without a particularly expert operator being necessary.

A still further object is to produce transferring means, which can be used even if the dimension of the ceramic tiles to be produced, of the mould and of the loading carriage varies, without it being necessary to produce ex novo a different loading grid for any variation in dimensions.

A further object is to obtain transferring means for transferring ceramic powder, in particular a loading grid, which does not require large storage spaces .

Still another object is to supply transferring means for transferring ceramic powder, in particular a loading grid, that does not require surface anti-adhesion or anti- friction treatments .

These and other objects of the invention are achieved by transferring means according to claims 1 and 17, by a method for manufacturing a loading grid according to claim 12 and by a method for transferring powders according to claim 30. Owing to the invention, it is possible to simplify the loading grid production process, thus enabling production costs to be reduced greatly.

In fact, it is possible to produce modules of a modular structure to then be assembled together so as to obtain a loading grid of the desired dimensions. Assembling the modules does not require specific skill on the part of the operator and is much simpler than the assembling of slats in known grids.

Owing to the invention, it is possible to increase the extent of the modular structure on the basis of the dimensions of the ceramic tiles to be produced, of the mould, and of the type of loading carriage.

Further, the modules can be dismantled to reduce the dimensions of the loading grid.

The modular design of the loading grid enables the space to be limited that is necessary for storing the loading grids. In fact, the modules can be stored and assembled only at the moment of use .

Owing to the invention, the quality of the loading grid produced does not depend on the skill of the craftsman constructing the loading grid.

When the wall means is made of a material comprising plastics, the wall means can be produced by injection moulding .

The loading grid, having wall means made of a material comprising plastics, is much more slidable than loading grids with slats made of sheet steel.

As the weight of the loading grid is significantly reduced compared with known loading grids, it is possible to reduce the energy required for transferring the same quantity of ceramic powder to the forming cavity or, for the same expenditure of energy, increase the speed of the loading carriage, thus reducing the transfer times of the ceramic powder .

The invention can be better understood and implemented with reference to the attached drawings that illustrate some embodiments thereof by way of non- limiting example, in which :

Figure 1 is a plan view of transferring means comprising a plan view of the loading grid; Figure 2A and Figure 2B are plan views respectively of a module and of a further module provided in the loading grid of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3A and Figure 3B are enlarged perspective views of respectively the module in Figure 2A and of the detail III-B of the further module in Figure 2B;

Figure 4 is an enlarged and fragmentary plan view of coupling means provided in the module and in the further module ;

Figure 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary and exploded view of a portion of the loading grid in Figure 1 and illustrates connecting means provided in the loading grid;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the connecting means in detail VI of Figure 5;

Figure 7A and Figure 7B are enlarged perspective views of the connecting means in Figure 6.

With reference to Figures 1, 2A and 2B, transferring means for transferring ceramic powders from a device for supplying ceramic powders to a forming cavity for forming a ceramic tile comprises a loading grid 1 provided with wall means 2 that is suitable for interacting in use with the ceramic powders .

The loading grid 1 is substantially planar.

The wall means 2 is made of a material comprising plastics, for example a composite material comprising plastics filled with a filler.

In particular, the wall means 2 is made from an aliphatic polyamide, for example nylon, loaded with glass fibres.

The wall means 2 can be obtained by moulding, for example injection moulding.

Naturally, the wall means 2 can also be made of a material other than plastics.

The wall means 2 is mountable on and dismantleable from a border frame 6 of the loading grid 1.

The border frame 6 comprises four rods 60, 61, 62, 63, shown in Figure 1, arranged in pairs at 90°, which define a perimeter edge of the loading grid 1, inside which the wall means 2 extends. In particular, two rods 60 and 62 that are opposite one another are longer than the other two rods 61 and 63, which are also opposite one another, such that the plan shape of the loading grid 1 is rectangular. Naturally, the plan shape of the loading grid 1 can also be different from rectangular, for example square.

The wall means 2 comprises walls of a module of a modular structure of which the loading grid 1 is formed.

A modular structure is defined as a loading grid structure obtained by combining together and repetitively a plurality of modules in a planar direction, i.e. along a plane.

The modular structure comprises a reticulated structure 3, such as, for example, an alveolate structure, one module of which consists of a cell 4, shown in Figure 2A. The cell 4 has a substantially square shape.

The modular structure, and in particular the reticulated structure 3, may further comprise a further module, for example consisting of a group of cells 5, shown in Figure 2B.

In particular, the group of cells 5 has a substantially square plan shape and comprises six cells for each side of the square .

With reference to Figures 3A and 3B, each cell 4 or each group of cells 5 is provided with coupling means, in particular with shape coupling means 7, shaped in such a manner as to enable a cell 4 and/or a group of cells 5 to be assemblable with a further cell 4 or further group of cells 5.

The shape coupling means 7 comprises housing means 8 and protruding means 9.

In particular, the housing means 8 comprises a groove 10 and the protruding means 9 comprises an elongated element 11 that is slidable in the groove 10.

In the cell 4, the shape coupling means 7 is arranged at the corners of the faces of the cell 4, outside the cell 4. In particular, each cell 4 comprises two grooves 10, arranged on two consecutive corners, and two protruding elements 11, arranged on the other two corners .

The cell 4 has the shape of a hollow polyhedron and is devoid of two opposite faces, in particular an octahedron, with four larger faces 20, 21, 22, 23, that give the plan view of the cell 4 the shape of a square, interspersed with four lesser faces 24, 25, 26, 27, each lesser face being arranged substantially at 45° from the larger face adjacent thereto.

The group of cells 5 on the other hand comprises cells having the shape of a hollow cube devoid of two opposite faces - above and below in Figure 3B - and only the perimeter cells of the group of cells 5 comprise at least one lesser face. In particular, each row of perimeter cells of the group of cells 5 comprises only one lesser face and only the cell arranged in the corner between one row of perimeter cells and the row of perimeter cells that is orthogonal thereto comprises two lesser faces.

Considering the plan view of Figure 2B, the group of cells 5 comprises protruding elements 11 on two consecutive sides of the square and grooves 10 on the other two consecutive sides, considering that the sides of the square are definable by an ideal line that joins the lesser faces of the perimeter cells of the group of cells 5. In particular, the group of cells 5 comprises protruding elements 11 that are on the sides 28 and 29 and are adjacent to one another and grooves 10 on the sides 30 and 31 that are adjacent to one another.

As illustrated in Figure 4, the groove 10 and the elongated element 11 define a male-female joint, in particular a dovetail joint.

The groove 10 comprises an opening 12 from which an internal surface 13 extends that is connected to a bottom surface 14 of the groove 10 via a cylindrical surface 15. The cross section of the groove 10 increases from the opening 12 to the bottom surface 14 as far as the cylindrical surface 15, at which the cross section of the groove 10 decreases.

In a complementary manner, the elongated element 11 comprises a top surface 16 connected by a further cylindrical surface 17 to a side surface 18 that is tilted towards a connecting surface 19 that joins the elongated element 11 to the lesser face of the cell. The cross section of the elongated element 11 is tapered from the further cylindrical surface 17 to the connecting surface 19.

Still with reference to Figures 3A, 3B, cell 4 and/or the group of cells 5 comprise blocking means 32 for blocking a mutual movement between the cell 4 or the group of cells 5 and a further cell 4 or a further group of cells 5 when assembled together.

The blocking means 32 comprises a projection 33 and a recess 34 provided in the shape coupling means 7.

The projection 33 juts out from the top surface 16 from the elongated element 11 and the recess 34 is obtained in the bottom wall 15 of the groove 10.

The projection 33 and the recess 34 are provided near a first end 35, 36 respectively of the elongated element 11 and of the groove 10 and extend along the direction of longitudinal extent of the latter.

In one embodiment that is not shown, the projection 33 juts out from a central zone of the elongated element 11.

The projection 33, which substantially has the shape of a tongue, comprises a first abutting surface 39 arranged for cooperating with a second abutting surface 40 provided in the recess 34. The first abutting surface 39 and the second abutting surface 40 extend substantially along a plane that is orthogonal to the longitudinal extension direction of the projection 33 and of the recess 34. The first abutting surface 39 and the second abutting surface 40, when they are coupled, block longitudinal sliding of the elongated element 11 in the groove 10, as will be disclosed better below.

The blocking means 32 further comprise arresting means 41. The arresting means 41 is provided at a second end 37, 38 respectively of the elongated element 11 and of the groove 10.

The arresting means 41 comprises a first arresting surface 44 provided in a tooth 42 comprised in the elongated element 11. The tooth 42 protrudes from the elongated element 11 in a direction that is substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal extension direction of the elongated element 11. The arresting means 41 further comprises a second arresting surface 45 provided in a seat 43 of the groove 10, this seat being shaped in such a manner as to house the tooth 42.

The first arresting surface 44 and the second arresting surface 45 are substantially orthogonal to the direction of longitudinal extension respectively of the elongated element 11 and of the groove 10. When the first arresting surface 44 and the second arresting surface 45 are coupled, they block longitudinal sliding of the elongated element 11 in the groove 10, as will be disclosed better below.

The modules and/or the further modules are assembled together by sliding the elongated elements 11 in grooves 10 of adjacent modules and/or further modules, along a sliding direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal extension direction of each elongated element 11 and/or groove 10.

If it is assumed that a cell 4 and/or the group of cells 5 are maintained stationary, a further cell and/or further group of cells are moved to the cell 4 and/or to the group of cells 5 in such a manner that the first end 35 of the elongated element 11 of the further cell and/or further group of cells interacts with the second end 38 of the groove 10 of the cell 4 and/or of the group of cells 5. The sliding direction is in this case an inserting direction A, shown in Figures 3A and 3B. Naturally, the direction along which one or more modules and/or one or more further modules are coupled will be opposite the inserting direction A if it is assumed an elongated element 11 of a module and/or further module is kept stationary and a corresponding groove 10 of the other module and/or further module is moved thereto .

A tapered portion 46 of the projection 33 is arranged nearer the first end 35 to promote inserting of the elongated element 11 into the groove 10.

Once the elongated element 11 is inserted into the groove 10, it is slided along the inserting direction A, for example by applying a force on the tooth 42.

During sliding, the projection 33 presses against the bottom surface 14 of the groove 10 until the projection 33 reaches the recess 34, which it enters.

Owing to the deformability of the material of which is formed the cell 4 and/or the group of cells 5, - and thus also the elongated element 11, the projection 33 and the groove 10 - the elongated element 11 is inserted into the grooves 10 without it being necessary to exert excessive force on the tooth 42.

When the first abutting surface 39 of the projection 33 goes past the second abutting surface 40 of the recess 34 along the inserting direction A, the projection 33 enters and is entirely received in the respective recess 34.

From this position, which will be - indicated below as the blocking position, further advancing of the elongated element 11 in the groove 10 along the inserting direction A is prevented by the arresting means 41. In fact, in the locking position in which the projection 33 is entirely housed in the recess 34, the tooth 42 is housed in the seat 43 and the first arresting surface 44 cooperates with the second arresting surface 45 to prevent sliding of the elongated element along the inserting direction A.

In the blocking position, the first abutting surface 39 of the projection 33 cooperates with the second abutting surface 40 of the recess 34 to prevent a longitudinal extracting movement of the elongated element 11 from the groove 10, this longitudinal extracting movement being opposite the inserting direction A.

With reference to Figure 5, to fix the modular structure to the rods 60, 61, 62, 63 of the border frame 6 the loading grid 1 can comprise connecting means 47. The connecting means 47 is interposed between the modules and/or the further modules of the modular structure and the border frame 6, which is provided with a plurality of fixing holes 64.

In order to connect to each module of the modular structure, the connecting means 47 is provided with shape coupling means 7.

The connecting means 47 comprises a first terminal element 48 provided with the housing means 8. The connecting means 47 further comprises a second terminal element 49 provided with the protruding means 9.

The first terminal element 48 and the second terminal element 49 are functionally the same as one another and differ structurally only through the fact of comprising the housing means 8 or the protruding means 9. Subsequently, unless specified otherwise, the structurally identical parts of the first terminal element 48 and of the second terminal element 49 are disclosed using the same reference numbers. With reference to Figures 6, 7A and 7B, the first terminal element 48 and the second terminal element 49 comprise a portion of body 50 that has a substantially parallelepipedon shape. On a first face 51 of this parallelepipedon there is the elongated element 11 and/or the groove 10.

On a second face 52, opposite the first face 51, there is a hole 53. The hole 53 can be a threaded hole, or can be a hole arranged for housing a threaded bush, in particular a metal threaded bush, for example made of brass, which is not shown .

Through the hole 53 it is possible to fix the first terminal element 48 and/or the second terminal element 49 to a respective rod 60, 61, 62, 63. In fact, when the first terminal element 48 and/or the second terminal element 49 are mounted on a cell 4 and/or group of cells 5, the hole 53 is substantially aligned on a through hole 64 provided on the respective rod 60, 61, 62, 63. A fixing screw that is not shown traverses the fixing hole 64 until it reaches the thread or threaded bush in the hole 53.

The first terminal element 48 and the second terminal element 49 further comprise a further portion of body 54, which also, like the portion of body 50, has a substantially parallelpipedon shape, but has an area of cross section that is less than the area of the portion of body 50. From a face 56 of the further portion of body 54, this face 56 being opposite the first face 51 of the first portion of body 50, a flap 55 with a laminar shape projects. The flap 55 extends substantially orthogonally to the direction of longitudinal extension of the elongated element 11 and/or of the groove 10 and from a side of the further portion of body 54 opposite the latter.

The flap 55 comprises a head surface 57, that is further from the face 56, which is arranged for abutting on the respective rod 60, 61, 62, 63 inside the border frame 6.

The flap 55 of the first terminal element 48 and/or of the second terminal element 49 can have a different length, depending on which of the rods 60, 61, 62, 63 of the border frame 6 it has to abut on. In other words, a plurality of end elements can be provided that are substantially the same as the first terminal element 48 and/or the second terminal element 49 apart from the length of the respective flaps 55, which will be different from one another.

The flap 55 is arranged below the hole 53, considering the arrangement of the connecting means 47 illustrated in Figures 6 and 7B.

Figure 6 shows the detail of Figure VI sectioned along a plane parallel to a surface of the rod inside the border frame 6. The first terminal element 48 and/or the second terminal element 49 are fixed to a respective rod 60, 61, 62, 63 by fixing means, for example fixing screws, passing through the fixing hole 64 and the hole 53 on the first portion of body 50.

Between the first terminal element 48 and/or the second terminal element 49 a spacer 58 is interposed. In the spacer 58 there is a through hole 59.

Once the connecting means 47 has been mounted on the reticulated structure 3 and on the border frame 6, the through hole 59 is substantially aligned on the fixing hole 64 on the rod 60, 61, 62, 63 and on the hole 53 on the first terminal element 48 and/or second terminal element 49.

In this manner the fixing screws clamp together the rod 60, 61, 62, 63, the spacer 58 and first terminal element 48 or the second terminal element 49.

The head surface 57 of the flap 55 is thus pressed against the internal surface of the border frame 6 and the modular structure is thus stably fixed to the rods 60, 61, 62, 63. In the embodiment in which a plurality of terminal elements are provided that are the same as the first terminal element 48 and/or the second terminal element 49 but have differing lengths of the respective flap 55, there is also provided a plurality of spacers 58 having a different length from one another and intended for being interposed between the border frame 6 and the corresponding terminal element.

The rods 60, 61, 62, 63 are provided with openings 65 by means of which the loading grid 1 is mounted in a frame provided in a loading carriage of known type .

When mounted on the loading carriage, the loading grid 1 is arranged resting on a plane on which it slides when the loading carriage moves between supplying means supplying the ceramic powder and a forming cavity for forming a ceramic tile.

In the embodiment in which the cells 4 and/or the groups of cells are made of material comprising plastics, owing to the material with which are made the cells 4 and/or the groups of cells 5 and the end elements 48 and 49, the adhesion of the ceramic powder to the loading grid 1 is substantially the same as or even less than that of the ceramic powder present on known steel grids, without, however, it being necessary to provide an anti-adhesion surface treatment.

Further, sliding on the plane of the loading carriage of the loading grid 1 occurs with less friction than with known grids made of steel.

Further, also the total weight of the loading grid 1 is less than that of known grids, this permitting a certain energy saving for driving the loading carriage, which has to overcome less force of inertia linked to the lighter loads being conveyed.

When the loading grid 1 rests on the plane of the carriage, a cell 4 and/or a group of cells 5 identify compartments within which the ceramic powder is deposited.

Between a plurality of cells 4 and/or groups of cells 5 assembled together further compartments are defined that are bounded by walls that do not belong to the same cell 4 and/or group of cells 5.

This is possible owing to the arrangement of the shape coupling means 7 at the corners of the faces of the cell 4, and/or of the group of cells 5 outside.

Naturally, in embodiments that are not shown, it can be provided that the shape coupling means 7 is arranged in other parts of the cell 4, and/or of the group of cells 5, for example at the larger faces 20, 21, 22, 23 of the cell 4 or of the faces of a perimeter cell of the group of cells 5. When the loading grid 1 has to be produced, it is possible to assemble together the modules and/or the further modules in the quantity desired, already produced previously. In particular, for greater assembly speed, a number of further modules are assembled together until they occupy a large part of the final area of the loading grid 1. Subsequently, owing to the shape coupling means 7 it is possible to add the single modules, for example by rows, until the desired extension of the modular structure is reached, remembering that the first and the second end elements 48 and 49 occupy a certain, although limited, space .

Lastly, the modules and the further modules that are thus mounted are removably fixed by fixing screws to the rods 60, 61, 62, 63, that thus form the border frame 6.

For example, the loading grid 1 in Figure 1 is obtained by mounting eighteen groups of cells 5 and adding to these groups of cells 5 four rows of cells 4 that are parallel to the longer rods 60 and 62 and a row of cells 4 that is parallel to the shortest rod 63.

The idea that the loading grid 1 is obtained by assembling modules that are dimensionally different from one another, i.e. the module and the further module, enables a loading grid 1 to be constructed having a wide range of different dimensions to adapt to the dimensions of the mould and of the loading carriage, which may also not be standard. The modular design and the presence of modules that are dimensionally different from one another bestow great versatility on the loading grid 1.

The modules and/or the further modules can be further dismantled from one another to reduce the dimensions of a loading grid already produced by the combination of a plurality of modules and/or further modules .

When the dimensions of the loading grid 1 have to be changed, for example because it is necessary to change the dimensions of the ceramic tiles to be produced, it is possible to dismantle the modules and/or the further modules to reduce the dimensions of the loading grid 1, or mount new rows of modules and/or of further modules on those already present. In the first case, it may be necessary to cut the rods of the border frame 6, or replace them with shorter rods. In the second case, it could be necessary to procure new border frame 6 rods. Nevertheless, also in this case, the overall dimensions of the rods to be stored is certainly- less than that of an entire loading grid, so the storage space is considerably reduced compared with what is necessary for grids of known type.

In order to remove one module from an adjacent module, it is possible to act by means of a tool through a space provided between the recess 34 and the tapered portion 46 to impress on the elongated element 11 a force along a direction opposite the inserting direction A, until the first arresting surface 39 is able to pass the second arresting surface 40 in the direction of the applied force. In this position, by grasping the tooth 42 it is possible to extract the elongated element 11 from the groove 10.

In embodiments that are not shown, the modular structure can be different from the reticulated structure 3 illustrated. In particular, it can be provided that the cells have a different shape from the shape disclosed and illustrated with reference to the Figures .

In particular, when the wall means is made of a material comprising plastics, wall means 2 can comprise substantially straight walls that are parallel to one another so as to act as a loading grid with straight slats of known type.

In another embodiment, still with the wall means made of a material comprising plastics, the wall means 2 can comprise shaped walls, for example in the form of a wave, such as to act as a loading grid of known type for veined tiles .

In these last two embodiments, the shape coupling means 7 can be arranged at end edges of the straight or shaped walls. Alternatively or additionally, the shape coupling means 7 can be arranged on faces of the straight or shaped walls in positions interposed between the end edges of the straight or shaped walls.

From what has been disclosed so far, in the embodiments of the loading grid 1 in which are provided modules and/or further modules in the form of cells and/or further cells, the material of which the modules and/or the further modules are made can be different from plastics. On the other hand, in the embodiments in which forms of the modules other than the cells are provided, for example straight or shaped slats, the material of which they are constituted comprises plastics .

The modular structure disclosed with reference to the Figures extends continuously in two directions inside the border frame 6.

In one embodiment that is not shown, inside the border frame 6 one or more separating rods can be provided that are joined to two opposite rods of the border frame 6, for example the longer rods 60 and 62. This can be provided if the mould has a plurality of forming cavities. For example, in the case of a known mould having four forming cavities for ceramic tiles with main dimensions measuring 30cm x 60cm, three separating rods can be provided that are parallel to one another and to the shorter rods 61 and 63 and are connected to the longer rods 60 and 62. In this embodiment, the separating rods are functionally the same as the rods of the border frame 2, i.e. they comprise fixing holes to enable the connecting means 47 to be fixed. The connecting means 47 are present on both faces of the separating rods.

In this embodiment, instead of a modular structure that extends continuously between the four sides of the border frame 6, there is a plurality of structures, each mounted between the border frame 6 and one or more separating rods. Each structure of the plurality of structures can be a modular structure that can be similar to that of the embodiments disclosed above.

In the above description, the modules and the further modules are assembled together by coupling means, in particular the shape coupling means 7 with which the cells (4) and/or the groups of cells (5) are provided. In one embodiment that is not shown, alternatively to the coupling means, the cells (4) and/or the groups of cells (5) are connected to one another by fixing means.

The fixing means can be removable connecting means, for example screws or bolts .

In this embodiment, each cell 4, and at least some of the perimeter cells of the group of cells 5, are provided with holes for housing the respective removable connecting means. The holes can be provided on the walls of the cell, for example the larger faces 20, 21, 22, 23, or on the lesser corners of the cells, for example on the smaller faces 24, 25, 26, 27, if envisaged. In this case, the modules and/or the further modules are assembled together by placing two cells alongside in such a manner that the respective holes are substantially aligned.

Also in this embodiment, it is possible to obtain a modular structure, such as the reticulated structure 3 in a much simpler manner compared with the assembly of the alveolate grids of the prior art, inasmuch as it is sufficient to connect together the various cells 4 and/or groups of cells 5 by the removable connecting means, without particular skill on the part of the operator being necessary.

The removable connecting means can further comprise gripper means or clamp means that connects the cells and/or the groups of cells by clamping walls of the cells and/or of the groups of cells together. The gripper means or the clamp means can comprise two grasping elements between which a cell and/or a group of cells are interposed that are brought up to one another as between the grasping elements of a gripper or of a clamp.

In a further embodiment, the fixing means comprises adhesive means, such as, for example, a glue, or an adhesive substance, or an adhesive element interposed between two cells and/or adjacent groups of cells, as in particular a two-sided adhesive tape. Still in another embodiment, as an alternative to the shape coupling means 7, the cells 4 and/or the groups of cells 5 are assembled and fixed together by welding, for example if they are made of metal, or by means of pressure welding, if they are made of plastics.

In these latter embodiments of assembly using adhesive means or welding, the cells 4 and the groups of cells 5 are no longer dismantleable from one another. However, the method of production of the loading grid 1 is nevertheless simplified and less costly than known methods, inasmuch as it is sufficient to provide oneself with repeatable modular units, i.e. with cells 4 and/or of the groups of cells 5, already produced previously, and assemble the cells 4 and/or of the groups of cells 5 together until the desired extent of the modular structure, and thus of the loading grid 1, is reached. Also in this case, the overall dimensions of the modules and/or of the further modules are certainly less than those of an entire loading grid, so the storage space is significantly less than the storage space required for known grids. The loading grid of the desired dimension can thus be mounted and only at the moment of effective use thereof .

Claims

Transferring means, for transferring ceramic powders to a forming cavity of a ceramic tile, comprising a loading grid (1) provided with wall means (2) suitable for interacting in use with said ceramic powders, said wall means (2) comprising a plurality of walls (20, 21, 22, 23) of a module (4, 5) of a modular structure (3) of which said loading grid (1) is formed, said module (4, 5) being assemblable on and removable from a further module (4, 5) for forming said modular structure (3), characterised in that said modular structure comprises a reticulated structure (3) and said module and/or said further module comprises a cell (4) or a group of cells (5) of said reticulated structure ( 3 ) .

Transferring means according to claim 1, wherein said wall means (2) comprises shape coupling means (7) , said shape coupling means (7) comprising housing means (8) and/or protruding means (9) arranged in said module (4, 5) so as to cooperate in a shapingly coupled manner with respective protruding means (9) and/or housing means (8) arranged in said further module (4, 5), when said module (4, 5) and said further module (4, 5) are assembled .

Transferring means according to claim 2, wherein said housing means (8) comprises a groove (10) and said protruding means (9) comprises an elongated element (11) slidable in said groove (10) along a sliding direction (A) .

Transferring means according to claim 2 or 3 , wherein said wall means (2) further comprises blocking means (32) for blocking a mutual movement of said module (4, 5) and of said further module (4,

5) when they are assembled .

Transferring means according to claim 4, wherein said blocking means (32) comprises a first abutting surface (39) provided in a projection (33) and a second abutting surface (40) provided in a recess (34) , said projection (33) and said recess (34) being provided in said shape coupling means (7) and said first abutting surface (39) and said second abutting surface (40) cooperating in such a manner as to prevent the exit of said projection (33) from said recess (34) along a direction opposite said sliding direction (A) .

6. Transferring means according to claim 5 as claim 4 is appended to claim 3, wherein said projection (33) juts out from said elongated element (11) and said recess (34) is obtained in a bottom wall (14) of said groove (10) .

7. Transferring means according to any one of claims 4 to 6 as claim 4 is appended to claim 3, wherein said blocking means (32) further comprises a first stopping surface (44) provided in a tooth (42) and a second stopping surface (45) provided in a seat (43), said tooth (42) and said seat (43) being provided in said shape coupling means (7) and said first arresting surface (44) and said second arresting surface (45) cooperating in such a way as to prevent said elongated element (11) from exiting said groove (10) along a direction concordant with said sliding direction (A) , along which said elongated element (11) entered said groove (10) or said groove (10) has surrounded said elongated element (11) .

8. Transferring means according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein said modular structure (3) extends internally of a border frame (6) of said loading grid

(1) and said module (4, 5) and/or said further module (4, 5) are assemblable to and removable from said border frame (6) through connecting means (47) .

9. Transferring means according to claim 8, wherein said connecting means (47) comprises a connecting element

(48, 49) provided with said shape coupling means (7) to couple with said housing means (8) and/or said protruding means (9) arranged in said module (4, 5) and/or in said further module (4, 5) .

Transferring means according to claim 9, wherein said connecting means (47) further comprises spacer means (58) interposed between said connecting element (48, 49) and a rod (60, 61, 62, 63) of said border frame

(6) .

Transferring means according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said wall means (2) are made of a material comprising plastics.

Method for manufacturing a loading grid (1) arranged for transferring ceramic powders to a forming cavity of a ceramic tile and having a reticulated structure (3), comprising the steps of:

a. providing for a plurality of cells (4) and/or a plurality of groups of cells (5) suitable for defining a module and/or a further module of said reticulated structure (3);

b. reciprocally assembling said cells (4) and/or said groups of cells (5) for obtaining said reticulated structure ( 3 ) .

Method according to claim 12, wherein said reciprocally assembling comprises connecting said cells (4) and/or said groups of cells (5) through shape coupling means

(7) of which said cells (4) and/or said groups of cells (5) are provided.

Method according to claim 12, wherein said reciprocally assembling comprises connecting said cells (4) and/or said groups of cells (5) through removable connecting means .

Method according to claim 12, wherein said reciprocally assembling comprises connecting said cells (4) and/or said groups of cells (5) through fixing means chosen in a group comprising a glue, an adhesive substance, an adhesive element.

Method according to claim 12, wherein said reciprocally assembling comprises welding or pressure welding of said cells (4) and/or said groups of cells (5).

Transferring means, for transferring ceramic powders to a forming cavity of a ceramic tile, comprising a loading grid (1) provided with wall means (2) suitable for interacting in use with said ceramic powders, characterised in that said wall means (2) is made of a material comprising plastics.

Transferring means according to claim 17, wherein said wall means (2) is assemblable on and removable from a border frame (6) of said loading grid (1) .

Transferring means according to claim 18, wherein said wall means (2) comprises walls of a module (4, 5) of a modular structure (3) of which said loading grid (1) is formed .

Transferring means according to claim 19, wherein said modular structure comprises a reticulated structure (3) and said module comprises a cell (4) or a group of cells (5) of said reticulated structure (3).

Transferring means according to claim 19, or 20, wherein said module (4, 5) is assemblable on and removable from a further module (4, 5) of said modular structure (3) by means of coupling means (7) .

Transferring means according to claim 21, wherein said coupling means comprises shape coupling means (7) , said shape coupling means (7) comprises housing means (8) and/or protruding means (9) arranged in said module (4, 5) such as to cooperate in a shapingly coupled manner with respective protruding means (9) and/or housing means (8) arranged in said further module (4, 5), when said module (4, 5) and said further module (4, 5) are assembled.

Transferring means according to claim 22, wherein said housing means (8) comprises a groove (10) and said protruding means (9) comprises an elongated element (11) that is slidable in said groove (10) along a sliding direction (A) .

24. Transferring means according to any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein said module (4, 5) further comprises blocking means (32) for blocking a mutual movement of said module (4, 5) and of said further module (4, 5) when they are assembled.

25. Transferring means according to claim 24 as appended to claim 23, wherein said blocking means (32) comprises a first abutting surface (39) provided in a projection

(33) and a second abutting surface (40) provided in a recess (34), said projection (33) and said recess (34) being provided in said shape coupling means (7) and said first abutting surface (39) and said second abutting surface (40) cooperating in such a manner as to prevent the exit of said projection (33) from said recess (34) along a direction opposite said sliding direction (A) .

26. Transferring means according to claim 25, wherein said projection (33) juts out from said elongated element

(11) and said recess (34) is obtained in a bottom wall (14) of said groove (10) .

27. Transferring means according to any one of claims 25 to 26 as claim 24 is appended to claim 23, wherein said blocking means (32) further comprises a first stopping surface (44) provided in a tooth (42) and a second stopping surface (45) provided in a seat (43), said tooth (42) and said seat (43) being provided in said shape coupling means (7) and said first arresting surface (44) and said second arresting surface (45) cooperating in such a way as to prevent said elongated element (11) from exiting said groove (10) along a direction directed as said sliding direction (A) , along which said elongated element (11) entered said groove (10) or said groove (10) has surrounded said elongated element (11) .

28. Transferring means according to any one of claims 18 to 27, wherein said loading grid (1) further comprises connecting means (47) arranged for connecting said wall means (2) to said border frame (6) .

29. Transferring means according to claim 28 as appended to claim 22 or 23 or to any one of claims 24 to 27 as claim 24 is appended to claim 22 or 23, wherein said connecting means (47) comprises a connecting element (48, 49) provided with said shape coupling means (7) to couple with said housing means (8) and/or protruding means (9) arranged in said module (4, 5) .

30. Method for transferring ceramic powders to a forming cavity of a ceramic tile, comprising using a grid (1) provided with wall means (2) , said wall means (2) interacting during said transferring with said ceramic powders, wherein said wall means (2) is made of a material comprising plastics.

31. Method for transferring ceramic powders according to claim 30, wherein said grid is shaped like the loading grid (1) provided in the transferring means according to any one of claims 17 to 29.