WO2017017502A1

WO2017017502A1 - Drying apparatus for ceramic products

Info

Publication number: WO2017017502A1
Application number: PCT/IB2015/055787
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lanfranco Cantarelli
Original assignee: Siti - B&T Group S.P.A.
Priority date: 2015-07-30
Filing date: 2015-07-30
Publication date: 2017-02-02
Also published as: EP3329199A1; EP3329199B1

Abstract

An in-line drying apparatus (1, 100) for ceramic products comprises at least one first drying unit (2, 102), at least one second drying unit (2', 102') aligned in mutual succession, at least one channel (10, 110) for the transit of ceramic products to be dried, elements (11, 111) for supporting and conveying the ceramic products along a direction of advance (A), provided along said at least one channel (10, 110), and at least one box junction element (3, 103) interposed between said at least one first drying unit (2, 102) and said at least one second drying unit (2', 102'),and configurable in such a way as to provide an access passage into said at least one channel (10, 110).

Description

"DRYING APPARATUS FOR CERAMIC PRODUCTS"

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a drying apparatus for ceramic products, such as tiles, plates or the like.

In particular, the present invention relates to a drying apparatus of the in-line type, i.e. an apparatus in which the ceramic products transit on conveying means, such as rollers, entering with a determined degree of moisture and exiting with a lower degree of moisture, ready to be subjected to subsequent treatments and/or processing.

BACKGROUND

As is well known, in the manufacture of ceramic products such as tiles, plates or the like, following a step of forming by pressing, a drying step is provided to minimise the residual moisture content in the formed products, before subjecting them to the subsequent firing step.

Optionally, between the drying step and the firing step, there may be one or more intermediate decoration steps, in which, for example, enamels or decorating elements are applied onto the ceramic products.

As stated, drying makes it possible to reduce the moisture content of ceramic products and, consequently, to provide them with greater dimensional stability.

Drying can be accomplished by letting the products be air dried. However, this procedure requires excessively long times, incompatible with the time requirements of an industrial production line with a high production rate. To reduce the total duration of the drying process, in-line plants are provided, comprising one or more drying apparatuses that have at least one channel for the transit of the ceramic products to be treated. During the transit along the channel, the ceramic products are hit by strong jets or streams of hot air, at controlled temperature, thereby accelerating the process for the removal of moisture from said products.

The hot air, that is introduced into the dryer, subtracts moisture from the ceramic products and is subsequently returned outside the drying plant to be partly recovered and partly expelled through a dedicated chimney.

Traditional drying systems can have a modular structure comprising one or more thermal drying units/apparatuses aligned in mutual succession and operatively connected to means for blowing dry air within them. Generally, each drying thermal unit is fastened to the ground.

The thermal units have a thermally insulated chamber within which are provided one or more channels or tunnels along which the ceramic products to be dried are conveyed.

In the case of so-called "multi-storey" thermal units, there are multiple channels, stacked and aligned in mutual succession, possibly mutually separated by respective storeys.

Preferably, multi-storey thermal units can comprise from two to five mutually superposed channels.

Each channel is associated with means for blowing hot air into the channel itself and comprises a roller conveyor for the conveyance of the ceramic products.

The channels of each thermal unit have a respective inlet section, for the introduction of the ceramic products to be dried, and an outlet section. If multiple thermal units are installed along the drying plant, positioned in mutual succession, the outlet section of one thermal unit is associated with the inlet section of the next thermal unit. This arrangement is repeated for the remaining thermal units forming the drying plant.

At the aforesaid inlet and outlet sections respective openings are provided to put the individual channels in communication with the exterior.

Accessibility to the interior of the channels is limited by the conformation of the inlet and outlet sections as well as by the number of thermal units present in the plant. The opening provided at the inlet and outlet section, indeed, has reduced breadth. Moreover, in the case of an in-line drying plant having considerable length, the innermost portions of the channels, that are positioned distal from the inlet or outlet section, are hard to reach.

Therefore, execution of maintenance operations, be they ordinary or extraordinary, within the individual thermal units, and in particular the internal cleaning of the channels, e.g. to remove the shards of damaged products or the dust that is deposited during the operation of the dryer itself, is difficult and such as to require long machine idle times.

It is readily apparent that this difficulty is accentuated in the case of drying systems comprising a plurality of thermal units in mutual succession.

Hence, in the industry there is a need to have drying systems available whose maintenance is simpler and easier to perform, in order to minimise plant idle times and the costs associated with the maintenance of the plant.

PURPOSES OF THE INVENTION

The main purpose of the present invention, therefore, is to improve the state of the art pertaining to an apparatus for drying ceramic products.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for drying ceramic products whose maintenance can be conveniently carry out, within a solution with low production costs.

An additional purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for drying ceramic products configured to facilitate access to the at least one channel for the transit of ceramic products provided inside it.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for drying ceramic products configured to facilitate access to the portions of the at least one channel that are distal from an opening for the entry or exit of the ceramic products.

A further purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for drying ceramic products that can easily be implemented in an existing production line.

According to an aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for drying ceramic products according to claim 1 is provided.

The dependent claims refer to preferred and advantageous embodiments of the inventions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Additional characteristics and advantages of the present invention shall become more readily apparent in the detailed description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a drying apparatus for ceramic products, illustrated purely by way of non limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic side section view of a drying apparatus according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a drying apparatus according to the present invention in a first employment configuration;

Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of a drying apparatus as shown in Figure 2, in a second employment configuration;

Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of an additional embodiment of a drying apparatus according to the present invention;

Figure 5 is a schematic view of a component of the drying apparatus according to the present invention;

Figure 6 is a schematic view of an additional version of the component of Figure 5.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the accompanying figures, a drying apparatus for ceramic products according to the present invention is indicated in its entirety with the reference number 1.

In the description that follows, and in the accompanying figures, reference shall be made to a drying apparatus 1 that has an in-line structure, comprising at least one first drying unit 2, at least one second drying unit 2' aligned in succession, between which at least one box junction element 3 is interposed. However, additional embodiments of a drying apparatus 1 are possible with regard to the number and/or the arrangement of the drying units 2, 2' and/or of the at least one box junction element 3, without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention.

For example, a drying apparatus 1 according to the present invention can comprise at least one junction element 3 interposed every two drying units 2, 2'.

The at least one box junction element 3 is provided for the mutual connection between at least one first drying unit 2 and at least one second drying unit 2', as well as for delimiting a section for the passage of the ceramic products to be dried in transit along the drying apparatus 1.

The at least one first drying unit 2 and the at least one second drying unit 2' have the same configuration and differ from each other solely with regard to the respective positioning inside the in-line structure of the drying apparatus 1.

The at least one first drying unit 2 and the at least one second drying unit 2' have substantially box-like configuration.

As it is better described below, the at least one box junction element 3, in particular, is configured to allow easy access inside the drying units 2, 2' connected thereto, within a solution that is simple to implement and utilise. The present invention also relates to a drying assembly 4 comprising at least one drying unit 2 and at least one box junction element 3 associated therewith. In the accompanying figures, the arrow A indicates the direction of advance of the ceramic products along the drying apparatus 1.

As stated, the drying apparatus 1 can comprise at least one first drying unit 2, at least one second drying unit 2' and at least one box junction element 3 interposed between them. In this regard, it should be noted that the first drying unit 2 and the second drying unit 2' are mutually distanced by a distance 5.

The distance 5 substantially corresponds to the dimension, in use, of the at least one box junction element 3 along the direction of advance A. According to an aspect of the present invention, the overall length of the assembly 4 can correspond to the length of a traditional drying unit.

Therefore, at least one drying assembly 4 according to the present invention can be installed in a pre-existing drying line, as a replacement of a traditional 5 drying unit, without requiring any modification to the line itself.

The drying apparatus 1 has an inlet section 6, through which the ceramic products to be dried are introduced, and an outlet section 7 from which the dried ceramic products exit.

At the inlet section 6 is present at least one first opening 8, for the entry of the l o products into the drying apparatus 1.

Similarly, at the outlet section 7 is present at least one second opening 9 for the exit of the products.

The at least one first opening 8 and the at least one second opening 9 are put in communication with each other through at least one channel 10.

15 For this purpose, the at least one channel 10 extends over the entire length of the drying apparatus 1.

More in detail, each at least one channel 10 comprises at least one first segment 10' which extends along each drying unit 2, 2' and at least one second segment 10" which extends along each at least one box junction 20 element 3 comprised in a drying apparatus 1 according to the present invention (Figure 1).

The total number of first segments 10' and of second segments 10" of the channels 10 varies according to the configuration of the drying apparatus 1, and to the total number of the channels 10 themselves, as it is better described 25 below.

According to a version of the present invention, the drying apparatus 1 can be of the single-channel type, and have only one channel 10.

In this case, the number of first segments 10' is equal to the number of drying units 2 comprised in the drying apparatus 1 itself and, similarly, the number 30 of second segments 10" is equal to the number of junction elements 3 comprised in the drying apparatus 1.

According to an additional version of the present invention, the drying apparatus 1 can be of the multi-channel type.

In this case, the drying apparatus 1 has at least two channels 10 stacked on each other, mutually aligned.

According to this version, the number of first openings 8 and of second openings 9 is equal to the number of channels 10 comprised in the drying apparatus 1.

Moreover, the number of first segments 10' is equal to the number of channels 10 multiplied for the number of drying units 2 present in the drying apparatus 1. Similar considerations apply for the total number of second segments 10" comprised in a multi-channel drying apparatus 1.

It has to be noted that if the drying apparatus 1 is of the multi-channel type, it is possible to dry a greater quantity of ceramic products for the same in-line extension of the apparatus.

In use, the at least one first segment 10' is aligned to a respective at least one second segment 10" along a same channel 10.

In greater detail, if the at least one box junction element 3 is interposed between two drying units 2, 2', the at least one second segment 10" of a channel 10 is aligned with the at least one first segment 10' of the same channel 10 included in the aforesaid drying units 2, 2'.

Therefore, within the drying apparatus 1, the at least one channel 10 develops as a continuous path, free of discontinuities, for the transit of the ceramic products to be dried.

If the drying apparatus 1 is of the multi-channel type, each channel 10, similarly to what is indicated above, develops in a substantially continuous manner along the apparatus itself.

The drying apparatus 1 comprises means for supporting and conveying the products to be dried, indicated in their entirety with the number 11.

The supporting and conveying means 11 develop along each channel 10 present in the drying apparatus 1.

In particular, the supporting and conveying means 11 develop along the at least one first segment 10' and the at least one second segment 10" of each channel 10.

It has to be noted that the supporting and conveying means 1 1 provided along the at least one first segment 10' are aligned with those provided along the at least one second segment 10", in order to avoid shaking, which could damage the ceramic products conveyed along the drying apparatus 1.

According to a version of the present invention, the supporting and conveying means 1 1 can be configured as a roller conveyor able to withstand the operating temperatures necessary for drying the ceramic products. At least some of the rollers of the roller conveyor can be motorised, in such a way as to allow the controlled advance of the ceramic products along the at least one channel 10.

According to a version of the present invention, the entire roller conveyor is motorised to assure a constant, controlled rate of advance of the ceramic products to be dried.

According to another version of the present invention, not shown in the accompanying figures, the supporting and conveying means 11 can be configured as conveyor belts of the type able to be utilised at high temperatures.

According to an additional version of the present invention, not shown in the accompanying figures, the supporting and conveying means 11 can comprise one or more conveyor belts with a mesh structure or of the type able to allow the passage of air.

Additional versions of the supporting and conveying means 1 1 with respect to the above description can be embodied without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The drying apparatus 1 can comprise actuating means, indicated in their entirety with the number 12, for actuating the supporting and conveying means 11.

The actuating means 12 are provided, externally, along a lateral flank of the drying apparatus 1.

By way of non-limiting example, the actuating means 12 can comprise a 5 transmission chain or similar mechanical means, operatively associated with the at least one drying unit 2 and with the at least one box junction element 3 provided in the drying apparatus 1.

According to a version of the present invention, the actuating means 12 can comprise at least one drive unit associated with motion transmission means, l o The latter, in turn, are connected to the supporting and conveying means 11 , in such a way as to allow their synchronised actuation.

Regarding the supporting and conveying means 11 , according to a version of the present invention, they can comprise first rollers 13 and second rollers 14. The first rollers 13 are associated with the at least one drying unit 2.

15 Therefore, the first rollers 13 are provided along the at least one first segment 10' of the at least one channel 10.

The second rollers 14, instead, are associated with the at least one box junction element 3.

Therefore, the second rollers 14 are provided along the at least one second 20 segment 10" of the at least one channel 10.

The first rollers 13 and/or the second rollers 14 can be removably connected to the actuating means 12. The advantages of this feature within the present invention shall become readily apparent from the description that follows.

The actuating means 12 are configured to assure a synchronised rotating 5 actuation of the first rollers 13 and of the second rollers 14, in such a way as to assure a constant rate of advance of the ceramic products through the entire drying apparatus 1.

According to an aspect of the present invention, along the at least one channel 10 of each drying unit 2 are provided blowing means 15, not illustrated in 30 detail in the accompanying figures, for emitting jets of hot air at controlled temperature into the least one channel 10.

The blowing means 15 can be configured to direct the jets of hot air against the ceramic products in transit inside a respective drying unit 2 and of the at least one box junction element 3 associated therewith.

5 According to a version of the present invention, the blowing means 15 can be associated with means for the forced ventilation of hot air provided externally to the drying apparatus 1 and with diffused ventilation means provided internally to the drying apparatus 1.

In this regard, it is noted that the diffused ventilation means can be foreseen l o arranged along the at least one channel 10.

According to a version of the present invention, the diffused ventilation means can comprise nozzles positioned superiorly and/or inferiorly and/or laterally to the supporting and conveying means 1 1, to direct the hot air jets against one or more sides of the ceramic products to be dried and thereby

15 optimise the duration of the drying process.

According to a version of the present invention, if the drying apparatus 1 is of the multi-channel type, the supporting and conveying means 11 can be configured in such a way as to subdivide, by themselves, the space within the at least one drying unit 2 and/or within the at least one box junction element 3

20 and thereby to define the number and conformation of each channel 10.

According to an additional version of the present invention, within at least one of the drying units 2 comprised in the drying apparatus 1 can be provided shelves, not shown in the figures, able to separate the mutually stacked channels 10.

5 According to this version, the shelves can be positioned inferiorly to the supporting and conveying means 1 1.

The drying apparatus 1 can comprise sealing elements 16 interposed between the at least one box junction element 3 and the at least one drying unit 2 associated therewith, configured to assure air tightness at the portion 0 connecting the at least one box junction element 3 with the at least one drying unit 2.

In practice, the sealing elements 16 prevent the escape of hot air blown inside the drying apparatus 1 , thus optimising the efficiency of the drying apparatus 1 itself.

According to a version of the present invention, the sealing elements 16 can be configured as lip gaskets or similar means able to withstand high temperatures and to assure an effective seal.

As stated, the at least one box junction element 3 is configured to facilitate access inside the drying apparatus 1 and more specifically inside the at least one channel 10.

For this purpose, the at least one box junction element 3, in use, can assume a first operative configuration (Figures 1 and 2), in which it serves as a sealing connection element between a first drying unit 2 and a second drying unit 2', and a second operative configuration (Figure 3), in which it provides an access passage into the drying apparatus 1.

The at least one box junction element 3 in its first operative configuration defines at least one section for the passage of the ceramic products to be dried along the drying apparatus 1.

More specifically, with the at least one box junction element 3 placed in the second operative configuration, along the drying apparatus 1 is provided at least one passage to promote convenient access inside the at least one channel 10.

The breadth of the passage into the at least one channel 10 is such as to allow convenient access to an operator into the space delimited between two drying units 2, 2' adjacent to the at least one box junction element 3, from opposite sides thereof.

The drying apparatus 1 comprises at least one movable element 17 able to be associated with the at least one box junction element 3 and with the at least one drying unit 2, in order to provide or not to provide a passage for access into the at least one channel 10. According to a first version of the present invention, the movable element 17 is configurable as a lateral panel 18 or a lateral closing door of the box junction element 3.

The movable element 17 can be moved between a first operative position and a second operative position, as is better described below.

More specifically, when the box junction element 3 is placed in the first operative configuration, the movable element 17 is in a first operative position, associated in a sealed manner with the at least one box junction element 3 and/or with the at least one drying unit 2.

With the box junction element 3 placed in the second operative configuration, instead, the movable element 17 is in a second operative position, separated and/or removed from the at least one box junction element 3 and from the at least one drying unit 2.

The movable element 17, in the second operative position, provides an access passage into the at least one channel 10 of the drying apparatus 1.

The panel or door 18 can be of the thermally insulated type, as can the remaining walls of the at least one box junction element 3, to assure an effective thermal insulation of the at least one box junction element 3 itself and prevent, in use, the escape of heat outside the drying apparatus 1 through the latter.

According to a version of the present invention, the at least one movable element 17 can be shaped as a door hinged to at least one drying unit 2 proximal to the box junction element 3.

According to another version of the present invention, the drying apparatus 1 can comprise connecting means 19 configured to connect/disconnect the at least one movable element 17 to/from the drying units 2, 2' between which the at least one box junction element 3 is interposed.

For example, the connecting means 19 can comprise at least one bolt element or the like.

According to an additional version of the present invention, the connecting means 19 can be screws or bolts or mechanical means in general, able to determine a removable connection between two components.

According to an additional version of the present invention, the connecting means 19 can comprise means for centring the movable element 17, not shown in the figures, to assure a correct positioning thereof with respect to the drying units 2, 2' with which it can be associated in use.

By way of non-limiting example, the centring means can be configured as pins, cones or the like.

According to a version of the present invention, the connecting means 19 indicated above can be manually actuated.

According to an additional version of the present invention, not illustrated in the figures, the connecting means 19 can comprise pistons or similar elements able to be actuated automatically through respective actuations, in order to selectively and mutually engage respective portions provided in the at least one drying unit 2, 2' and/or in the at least one box junction element 3.

It has to be noted that the at least one movable element 17 is associated with the box junction element 3 from the side opposite the one where the actuating means 12 of the supporting and conveying means 1 1 are provided.

According to a version of the present invention, the at least one box junction element 3 can comprise a supporting frame 20 with which are associated lateral panels, plates or the like, at least one of which corresponds to the described movable element 17.

By way of non-limiting example, the supporting frame 20 can comprise two frame elements mutually connected through transverse elements, not illustrated in the accompanying figures.

The frame elements and the transverse element can comprise tubular elements, e.g., with square, rectangular, oval section, etcetera, or section bars or similar elements welded to each other.

However, additional configurations of the supporting frame 20 with respect to the above description are possible, without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention.

According to an additional version of the present invention, the at least one box junction element 3 can comprise two movable elements 17, e.g. a lateral panel and an upper panel.

The box junction element 3, at the movable element 17, is free of pipes, barriers or obstacles to make it easier to act on the movable element 17 itself and thus facilitate its movement.

Figure 4 shows an additional embodiment of a drying apparatus according to the present invention, indicated in its entirety with the number 100.

Hereafter, to indicate the components corresponding to those described previously, the same reference numbers will be used, increased by one hundred.

It is understood that the characteristics of the drying apparatus 100 that are similar to the previous embodiment shall not be described again.

The drying apparatus 100 differs from the previous embodiment with respect to the configuration of the box junction element 103, to that of the movable element 1 17 and to the ways in which the latter is connected to the drying units 102, 102' between which it can be interposed in use.

In greater detail, the movable element 1 17 corresponds to the box junction element 103 itself.

Therefore, the entire at least one box junction element 103 can be extracted/inserted from/into the drying apparatus 100.

According to the present embodiment the at least one box junction element 103 has a first open section 121 and a second open section 122, opposite each other along the direction of advance A.

In use, the first open section 121 and the second open section 122 are aligned substantially orthogonal to the direction of advance A and, therefore, they do not obstruct the passage of the products to be dried in transit through the at least one box junction element 103.

Similarly to what is described for the previous embodiment, the at least one movable element 117 can be moved relative to the drying apparatus 100 between a first operative position, in which the at least one box junction element 103 connects in an airtight manner a first drying unit 102 to a second drying unit 102', and a second operative position (figure 4), in which the at least one box junction element 103 provides an access passage into the drying apparatus 100.

In particular, with the at least one movable element 1 17 placed in the second operative position, the at least one box junction element 103 is extracted from the in-line structure of the drying apparatus 100, thus providing an access passage into the at least one channel 110 of the apparatus itself.

In detail, with the movable element 117 placed in the second operative position, the at least one first segment 110' of the at least one channel and the at least second segment 110" thereof are easily accessible.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the drying apparatus 100 can comprise means for guiding the at least one connecting element 103, indicated in their entirety with the number 123.

The guiding means 123 are configured to serve as support and guide for the at least one box junction element 103 during its movement between the first and the second operative position.

According to a version of the present invention, the guiding means 123 can comprise guides associated with the drying units 102, 102' between which, in use, is interposed the at least one box junction element 3.

By way of non-limiting example, the guiding means 123 can comprise a first guide 124, associated with the at least one first drying unit 102 upstream of the at least one box junction element 103 along the direction of advance A, and a second guide 125 associated with at least one second drying unit 102' positioned downstream of the at least one box junction element 103 along the direction of advance A.

The first guide 124 and the second guide 125 serve as supports for the at least one box junction element 103, in order to sustain it in use, between the at least one first and one second drying unit 102, 102'.

Moreover, the guiding means 123 support at least one box junction element 103 during its movement in the aforesaid operative positions.

By way of example, the first guide 124 and the second guide 125 can be shaped as angular section bars or the like, suitable for the purpose.

The at least one box junction element 103 may comprise displacement means 126 for properly positioning and displacing the at least one box junction element 103 with respect to the drying apparatus 100.

According to a version of the present invention, the guiding means 123 may optionally comprise tracks 127 able to be engaged by the displacement means

126.

It should be observed in detail that the tracks 127 can be made fast to the ground, in proximity to one side of the drying apparatus 100, from the opposite part from the one in which the actuating means 112 of the supporting and conveying means 111 are provided.

According to an additional version of the present invention, the displacement means 126 can be configured as wheels 128 or similar rolling elements (Figure 5).

According to an additional version of the present invention, the displacement means 126 can be configured as sliding blocks 129 or similar sliding elements (Figure 6).

The tracks 127 make it possible to guide the movement of the at least one box junction element 103 between the first and the second operative position described above, and vice versa, within a solution that is structurally simple to implement and has low construction costs.

The movement of the at least one box junction element 103 thus configured can be effected in different ways.

By way of non-limiting example, the at least one box junction element 103 can be moved relative to the drying units 102 provided in the drying apparatus 100 by means of a forklift or similar devices normally employed in a production line, hence without requiring additional investments for tooling a production line within which a drying apparatus 100 can be implemented. According to an additional version of the present invention, the at least one box junction element 103 can have, inferiorly, through seats 130 (Figure 6) configured to be engageable by the forks of a forklift, not shown in the accompanying figures, to facilitate the engagement and movement of the at least one box junction element 103 itself.

When the at least one box junction element 103 is inserted into the drying apparatus 100, the at least one second segment 110" and the at least one of the first segments 110' of the at least one channel 1 10 are mutually aligned to constitute at least one continuous tunnel, free of discontinuities, for the transit of the ceramic products to be dried.

Similarly to what is described for the previous embodiment, the drying apparatus 100 can comprise connecting means 1 19 to mutually connect/disconnect the at least one drying unit 102 and the at least one box junction element 103.

The connecting means 119 can be of the type with manual or automatic actuation in the ways described above.

A brief description follows of the maintenance of a drying apparatus 1, 100 according to the present invention;

If it becomes necessary to perform maintenance work inside the at least one channel 10, 110, initially the drying apparatus 1, 100 is shut down.

Then, one intervenes at the at least one box junction element 3, 103, removing the supporting and conveying means 11 , 1 1 1 therefrom.

The connecting means 19, 119 are actuated in order to mutually disconnect the movable element 17, 1 17 from the at least one drying unit 2, 102; 2', 102' between which is interposed at least one box junction element 3, 103.

The movable element 17, 1 17 is then placed in the second operative position, in order to clear an access passage into the at least one channel 10, 110.

If the supporting and conveying means 11, 11 1 are not directly accessible from the exterior, it is possible to proceed by disconnecting the actuating means 12, 1 12 from the supporting and conveying means 11, 111, and then to bring the movable element 17, 117 from the first operative position to the second operative position.

At the end of the maintenance work on the drying apparatus 1, 100, the reverse process is followed, bringing the movable element 17, 117 back from the second operative position to the first operative position and then actuating the connecting means 19, 1 19 into the engagement position.

At the lateral portion of the drying apparatus 1, 100, from the side opposite the one along which the actuating means 12, 1 12 are provided, a clear area, free of obstacles, must be provided, to facilitate the access and movement of the at least one movable element 17, 117.

With the at least one movable element 17, 1 17 placed in the second operative position, in fact, the at least one box junction element 3, 103 delineates an access passage into the at least one channel 10, 110 present in the drying apparatus 1, 100.

As it is readily understood, the internal maintenance of a drying apparatus 1, 100 according to the present invention, e.g. for removing shards or dust that accumulates inside the at least one channel 10, 1 10 present therein, requires considerably shorter times compared to traditional structures, thereby limiting the idle time necessary to carry out this activity.

Moreover, in the drying apparatus 1, 100 the at least one channel 10, 110 is easily accessible, to the point that it is possible easily to carry out work not only in proximity to the openings providing access to the at least one channel 10, 1 10, provided at the opposite end portions of the drying apparatus 1, 100 but also in internal areas of the at least one channel 10, 1 10 distal from the aforesaid access openings.

The maintenance of a drying apparatus 1, 100 according to the present invention is easy to carry out within a solution with low construction costs compared to traditional solutions. Moreover, the drying apparatus 1, 100 according to the present invention is easy to implement in existing production lines.

As stated, a drying assembly 4 according to the present invention, comprising at least one drying unit 2, 102 and at least one box junction element 3, 103, can replace a traditional drying unit without requiring any structural modification to the existing drying line.

The drying apparatus 1, 100 described above can be subject to numerous modifications and variations without departing from the scope of the claims that follow.

Claims

1. In-line drying apparatus (1, 100) for ceramic products comprising at least one first drying unit (2, 102), at least one second drying unit (2', 102') aligned in mutual succession, at least one channel (10, 1 10) that develops along said drying apparatus (1, 100) through said at least one first drying unit (2, 102) and said at least one second drying unit (2', 102'), for the transit of ceramic products to be dried, means (1 1 , 1 1 1) for supporting and conveying the ceramic products along a direction of advance (A), wherein said supporting and conveying means (1 1, 1 11) are provided along said at least one channel (10, 110), said drying apparatus (1, 100) being characterised in that it comprises at least one box junction element (3, 103) between said at least one first drying unit (2, 102) and said at least one second drying unit (2', 102'), said at least one box junction element (3, 103) being able to assume a first operative configuration and a second operative configuration, in which in said first operative configuration said at least one box junction element (3, 103) delimits at least one section (10", 1 10") for the passage of said ceramic products along said at least one channel (10, 1 10) and in said second operative configuration it provides an access passage into said at least one channel (10, 110).

2. Drying apparatus (1, 100) according to claim 1, wherein said at least one channel (10, 110) comprises at least one first segment (10', 110') which develops inside said one drying unit (2, 102; 2', 102') and at least one second segment (10", 110") which develops along said at least one box junction element (3, 103).

3. Drying apparatus (1, 100) according to claim 2, wherein, in use, said at least one first segment (10', 110') and said at least one second segment (10",

1 10") are mutually aligned, in such a way as to configure said at least one channel (10, 1 10) as a continuous path without discontinuities for the transit of said ceramic products.

4. Drying apparatus (1, 100) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising at least one closing element (17, 1 17) able to be movably associated with said at least one box junction element (3, 103) and/or with said at least one first drying unit (2, 102) and with said at least one second drying unit (2, 102') between which it is interposed.

5. Drying apparatus (1, 100) according to claim 1 and 4, wherein said at least one movable closing element (17, 117) is configurable between a first operative position, to delimit said at least one passage section (10", 110") of said at least one channel (10, 110) and a second operative position to provide an access passage into said at least one channel (10, 1 10).

9. Drying apparatus (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said closing element (17) is configured as a panel (18) or a lateral closing door of said at least one box junction element (3).

10. Drying apparatus (100) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said movable closing element (117) corresponds to said at least one box junction element (103).

11. Drying apparatus (1, 100) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising means (12, 1 12) for actuating said supporting and conveying means (11, 11 1), wherein said actuating means (12, 112) are provided along a lateral flank of said drying apparatus (1, 100), at the opposite part from said at least one closing element (17, 1 17).

12. Drying apparatus (100) according to claim 1, wherein said at least one box junction element (103) is configured movable with respect to said drying apparatus (100) between a first position, in which said at least one box junction element (103) is interposed and aligned between said at least one first drying unit (102) and said at least one second drying unit (102') to delimit at least one section (110") for the passage of said ceramic products along said at least one channel (1 10), and a second operative position in which said at least one box junction element (103) is extracted and/or moved away from said drying apparatus (100) to provide at least one access into said at least one channel (1 10).

13. Drying apparatus (100) according to the preceding claim, comprising guiding means (123, 124, 125, 127) for guiding and supporting said at least one box junction element (103) in said first operative position and in said second operative position.

14. Drying apparatus (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein said guiding means (123, 124, 125, 127) comprise a first guide (124) associated with said at least one first drying unit (102), and a second guide (125) associated with said at least one second drying unit (102'), said first drying unit

(102) and said second drying unit (102') being positioned respectively upstream and downstream of said at least one box junction element (103) along said direction of advance (A) of said ceramic products.

15. Drying apparatus (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein said guiding means comprise a track (127) that can be made fast to the ground.

16. Drying apparatus (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one box junction element (103) comprises lower displacement means (126), for placing and displacing said at least one box junction element

(103) relative to said at least one first drying unit (102) and said at least one second drying unit (102').