WO2007063565A1

WO2007063565A1 - Sublimation machine

Info

Publication number: WO2007063565A1
Application number: PCT/IT2006/000263
Authority: WO
Inventors: Romano Zambetti; Francesco Cannata
Original assignee: Z.R. Di Zambetti Romano
Priority date: 2005-12-01
Filing date: 2006-04-20
Publication date: 2007-06-07
Also published as: ITBS20050150A1

Abstract

Sublimation machine (1) including a frame (11), means (4) for loading at least a metal section (3) to be sublimated associated with • the frame (11) and operating at least between a loading station (5), a sublimation station (6) and an unloading station (7) and sublimation means (16) operating on the section (3) and co-operating with the loading means (4) in the sublimation station ' (6) for sublimating the section (3), characterized in that at least a part of the sublimation means (16) is movable between at least an inactive position and at least an active position, wherein they are suitable for sublimating at least a portion of the section (3) in the sublimation station (6). The sublimation means (16) can be suitable for being moved at least between the two positions according to a. direction substantially perpendicular to the main axis of the section (3) or substantially parallel to such axis.

Description

SUBLIMATION MACHINE * * * * *

DESCRIPTION

The aim of the present invention is a sublimation machine. In particular, the sublimation machines subject of the present invention are suitable for being employed in order to sublimate bars or, more generally, metal sections, preferably made of aluminium or iron. It should be specified that by sublimation, one refers to low-pressure deposition, generally under vacuum, on a metal section of any drawing (for example the wood or marble grains) printed with inks on a thin film. More particularly, the drawing is transferred to a paint layer opportunely associated with the outer surface of the section itself, under specific temperature conditions which, for example in case of aluminium sections correspond at about 180-190⁰C. Generally, a metal section is sublimated for decorative and functional purposes in order to be employed, for -example, in the furnishing field, ^"especially outdoor or in places with a high humidity. Machines for the sublimation of metal sections, mainly consisting of a generally gas- or electric oven are known, wherein the sections, enter, remain there (for an average time of 3-5 minutes) and exit. During these opera- tions, the sections are arranged on carriages which can be both hand-moved and automated. In particular, on each carriage many sections are loaded, generally at least 15.

Downstream of the oven, the sections are enveloped, namely they are wound in- a thin film on which the drawing to be transferred on the sections themselves is printed. Next, the sections are connected to connectors, preferably associated with the carriage which accompany them in the oven, such that between the film and the^' section a vacuum is generated, generally both before entering the oven and during the residence, for a greater qualitative yield of the process. On the contrary, upstream of the sublimation, preferably always through such connectors, an air jet between the film and the section is activated, for allowing the extraction of the same from the film.

The known machines, however, show a series of drawbacks .

Firstly, in the known sublimation plants operational and logistic problems are constantly created, due to the high encumbrance of the sublimation machines, especially the oven, and the space required for the displacement of the carriages, above all because of the high length of the sections themselves. This latter drawback results particularly penalizing in the inlet and outlet steps from the oven, increasing the produc- tion lead time and the consumptions of the oven itself due to the high loss of heat. Furthermore, the energy consumptions of the oven are also increased due to the fact that the sections-, . being made of metal materials, internally absorb some of the heat supplied in the chamber.

A further drawback is that, as the internal chamber of the oven is of remarkable dimensions, it is difficult to maintain a uniform temperature, with problems on the quality of the finished product.

Finally, the known sublimation machines require a lot of manpower above all in the steps wherein the sections are associated with the vacuum-generating connectors. <

The aim of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks above mentioned.

Therefore, the aim of the present invention is to propose a sublimation machine which has limited hindrances and a rational lay-out so as to render easy and fast its use and to optimize the upstream and downstream interconnections with the other productive stations of the plant. Still an object of the invention is to show a sublimation machine which has lim- ited operating costs, above all at the oven level, and therefore has a low loss of heat and limited consumptions. A further aim is a sublimation machine which allows to obtain finished products with a high qualitative level and does not need a high presence of personnel. Finally, the aim of the present invention is to provide a sublimation machine which is easy ' to carry out and with a limited cost.

These and other objects, which will better result during the following description, are attained, according to the present invention, by a sublimation machine according to the appended claims.

The invention is detailed below with the aid of drawings which depict a merely exemplifying and non limiting embodiment thereof:

- figure 1 shows an axonometric top view of a sublimation plant including a sublimation machine according to the invention;

- figure 2 shows an axonometric top view of the sublimation machine of figure 1;

- figure 3 shows a first enlarged particular of the sublimation machine of figure 2;

- figure 4 shows a second enlarged ■ particular of the sublimation machine of figure 2;

- figure 5 shows a front view of the sublimation ma- chine of figure 2;

- figure 6 shows a top view of the sublimation machine of figure 2;

- figure 7 shows an axonometric top view of a sublimation machine according to the invention in a second embodiment .

With reference to the mentioned figures, a sublimation machine 1 according to the invention includes a frame 11, means 4 for loading at least a metal section 3 to be sublimated, operating at least between a loading station 5, a sublimation station 6 and an unloading^' station 7, associated with the frame 11, and sublimation means 16 operating on the metal section 3 and cooperating with the loading means 4 in the sublimation station 6 for sublimating the section 3. Such machine »1 is characterized in that at least a part of the sublimation means 16 is movable between at least an inactive position and at least an active position, wherein such means are suitable for sublimating at least a portion of the section 3 in the sublimation station 6. It should be specified that the sections 3 are generally elongated elements, preferably bars. The sublimation means 16 can be movable between the inactive position and a plurality of active positions so as to sublimate the section 3 during the relative movement of the sublimation means 16 and the section 3.

It is now described a. first embodiment of the sublimation machine 1 subject of the present invention. In such embodiment, the sublimation means 16 slide along the section 3 and, in particular, the relative movement of such means 16 and the section 3 takes place in a direction substantially parallel to the main axis of the section 3 itself.

Accordingly, the machine 1 further includes means 20 for displacing the sublimation means 16 along a direction substantially parallel to the main axis of the section 3 just during its sublimation and, preferably, during such displacement the section 3 remains steady relative to the frame 11.

This kind of sublimation is defined as a direct transfer, since the oven 17 moves with respect to the section 3 (which, as anticipated, can be in turn steady or moving) .

Advantageously, as it can be seen in figure 2, the sublimation means 16 include an oven 17 movable between at least an inactive position and at least an active position and equipped with radiating elements. Such elements, for example, can include lamps so as to heat the section_.3 by irradiation. In particular, in the sublimation station 6 the sublimation means 16 are instantaneously operating only on a longitudinal portion of the section 3, lower than its length. The oven 17, in fact, once the section 3 is brought by the loading means 4 in the sublimation station 6, is displaced from an inactive position to an active position, wherein it contacts a first longitudinal portion of the section 3 and, when this portion has reached such a temperature to allow the sublimation, it starts to slide along the section 3 para- llelly to its main axis, until the sublimation of the entire section 3 has been completed. At this point, the oven 17 is displaced to an inactive position until another section 3 is ready.

Advantageously, the sublimation means 16 include a detecting element for detecting the temperature in correspondence with the longitudinal portion of the section 3 that the oven 17 is instantaneously sublimating. Such element is operating on the displacement means 20 so as to move the oven 17 when- such longitudinal portion has reached the predetermined^' sublimation temperature.

Preferably, the oven 17 has a chamber 18 suitable for sublimating a longitudinal portion of the section 3 at a time, having at least two inlet openings 19 and in- sulating elements for reducing the loss of heat (figure 3) . Of course, in this case the radiating elements are associated with the chamber 18.

The oven 17 can also have a modular conformation, such that it can be extended for particular productive requirements .

According to the invention, the loading means 4 include at least an abutting element 8 suitable for housing at least a section 3, movable between the loading, sublimation and unloading stations 5, 6, 7. It should be specified that the abutting elements 8 are suitable for housing one or more sections 3, depending on the productive requirements.

Advantageously, as shown in detail in figure 4, the loading means 4 include a carousel 9, associated with the frame 11, ^movable between the three stations 5, 6, 7 to which the abutting elements 8 are associated. More particularly, each abutting elements 8 is represented by a bar on which at least a section 3 is abutted, or, as it can be seen in figure 4, by a couple of expansions on which the end portions 3a of at least a section 3 are abutted. The abutting elements 8 could also have other conformations and, for example, include some hooks utilizable if during the sublimation the sections 3 are arranged with the main axis perpen- dicular to the floor instead of parallel, as in the embodiment shown.

Preferably, the carousel 9 includes at least three abutting elements 8 so as to simultaneously serve the three stations 5, 6, 7.

The stepping time of the carousel 9 is defined from the sublimation time of the section 3, namely the carousel 9 is advanced between two following stations when in the sublimation station 6 the sublimation means 16 have finished the sublimation of the section 3.

Always according to the invention, two stations, for example the loading and the unloading one or the unloading and sublimation station can correspond. In this case, the carousel 9 includes at least two abutting elements 8 movable between the two stations. In a basic form of the machine 1, all the three stations 5, 6, 7 could also correspond: in this case, there will be a single fixed abutting element 8. Always according to the invention, the machine 1 further includes suction means associable with loading means 4, suitable for ensuring the adhesion between the section 3 and the sheet which has the print of the drawing to be transferred on the section 3 itself and detaching such sheet from the section 3 after the sub- limation. Such sheet is wound around the section 3 in an envelopment station 14 arranged in the productive process upstream of the machine 1 subject of the invention.

It is important that the adhesion between the sheet and the section 3 is carried out at least during the sublimation but, preferably, both in the loading station 5 and in the sublimation one. Furthermore, in the loading station 5 at least an operator is advantageously present, with the task of manually reducing possible wrinkles which are created between the sheet and the section 3, in order to increase the qualitative yield of the finished product .

The suction means then include vacuum-generating means (not shown) operating on the section 3, preferably in the loading and sublimation stations 5, 6, for creating the mentioned adhesion between the sheet and the section 3, and blowing means (also not shown) operating on the section 3 in the unloading station 7, for detaching the sheet from the section 3 with an air jet in order to allow the extraction of the section 3 itself. More particularly, the vacuum-generating means include a pump. In turn, the blowing means preferably include a motor and a compressor for withdrawing air from the environment and introducing it under pressure between the sheet and the section 3, in order to allow its separation and therefore the extraction of the section 3.

It should be specified that the sublimation machine 1 can also include only the vacuum-generating means or only the blowing _jneans .

The suction means further include selection means 12 operably interconnected between the vacuum-generating means, the blowing means and the abutting elements 8 for selectively activating the vacuum means or the blowing means on each abutting element 8 and, therefore, on the sections 3 with respect to the station in which such abutting element 8 is found. Preferably, such selection means 12 include a selection joint (not shown) operably connected with the vacuum-generating means and' the blowing means, having at least two outlets and a plurality of connecting ends 13, advantageously including solenoid valves, each operably joinable with such joint outlets and to each abutting element 8 (figure 4). In particular, the joint and the ends 13 co-operate such that the abutting elements existing in the loading and sublimation station 5 are operably associated with the vacuum- generating means, while the abutting element existing in the unloading station 7 is operably associated with the blowing means .

Moreover, during the emplacement of the abutting elements 8 between, the different stations 5, 6, 7, both the vacuum-generating means and the blowing means are deactivated for a consumption saving but above all because the high force imparted by the ends 13 for creating the vacuum would render very difficult, if not impossible, the displacement of the carousel 9. Generally, the sheet equipped with the drawing to be transferred on the section 3 is wound around the section 3 so as to show both the ends, placed in correspondence with the end portions of the section 3 itself, in an open position. For a higher qualitative yield of the adhesion process of the sheet itself on the section 3, therefore, the vacuum but also the blowing must take place in correspondence with both the end portions 3a « of the section 3 itself. Accordingly, at each end of an abutting element 8, a terminal 13 is preferably associated. Advantageously, the shown carousel 9 has a central bar 10 having, besides the supporting function, the transport ^' function of the connection cables to the suction means at both the ends 13 associated with the abutting element 8.

In the embodiment shown in figures 2 and 4, the carousel 9 includes four abutting elements 8, substantially placed at a mutual distance of 180°, each consisting of a couple of expansions suitable for housing the end portions 10 of a section 3, such that it is substantially parallel to the floor on which the frame 11 of the machine 1 is abutted. Such carousel 9 is therefore movable between four stations: a loading station 5 on the right, a sublimation station 6 in the upper part, an unloading station 7 on the left and a rest station 24 in the lower part, in which on the abutting element 8 no section 3 is housed. As it can be seen in figure 4, to each abutting element two ends 13 are associated, each being operating on an end portion 3a of the section 3. Such ends 13, through the selection joint, are operably connected with the suction means for activating the vacuum-generating means and deactivating the blowing ' means in the loading and sublimation stations 5, 6, for activating the blowing means and deactivating the vacuum-generating means in the unloading station 7 and for deactivating both the means in the rest station 24. The abutting elements 8 are supported and pivotally displaced through a central bar 10 connected to the frame 11 which transports connection cables which allow to both the ends 13 to be connected with the abutting elements 8. In other embodiments of the machine 1 subject of the invention, as already anticipated, two of the three loading, sublimation and unloading stations 5, 6, 7 or all the three could correspond. In this case, the ends 13 are suitable for activating the vacuum-generating means or the blowing means for a predetermined time, in which the carousel 9 always remains in the same position depending on the operation which is carried out on the section 3.

Furthermore, in other embodiments of the machine 1, the suction means could only include a selection joint or only ends 13 associated with the different abutting elements 8 always suitable for selectively deactivating the vacuum-generating means and blowing means with respect to the station on which the section 3 is found or the processing which is carried out on the section 3 itself.

According to the invention, the machine 1 further includes means 15 for transporting the section 3 from the envelopment station 14, in which to the section 3 the sheet having the drawing to be transferred on the section 3 itself is wound, to the loading means 4, associated with the frame 11. Advantageously, as it is shown in figure 1, the transport means 15 include a conveyor belt 23 which transports the section 3 close to the loading station 5 where it is positioned, pref- erably by operators, on the abutting element 8 which is located in said station 5. •

Furthermore, downstream the unloading station 7 there is a container 22 for the sublimated sections 3. Therefore, close to the unloading station 7, means 21 for withdrawing the sections 3 from the unloading station and carry them to the container 22 are arranged. In the variant shown, such means 21 are depicted by a fixed structure 25 having at least a portion 25a arranged along the displacement path of the carousel 9, so as to intercept the section 3 in correspondence with the unloading station 7 and transporting it by gravity to the container 22. Alternatively, for example, such means 21 can include at least a second conveyor belt. The machine 1 further includes adjustment and control means operating on the loading means 4, transport means 15, displacement means 20, sublimation means 16 and suction means in order to control the functioning thereof.

In a second embodiment of the machine 1 subject of the present invention, the sublimation means 16 are suitable for being moved between at least an inactive position and at least an active position according to a direction substantially perpendicular to the main axis of the section 3.

In this case, as it can be seen in figure 7, the sublimation means 16 include an oven 17, preferably suitable for bringing the sections 3 to the sublimation temperature, always by irradiation, extending at least along the entire length of the sections 3 themselves and therefore having a chamber 18 which can be both closed and open at the ends, suitable for housing all the section 3 during the sublimation. In particular, when a section 3 to be sublimated reaches the sublimation station 6, from the inactive position the oven 17 moves perpendicularly relative to the axis of the section 3 for reaching the active position and approaching to the section 3 itself. Furthermore, the oven 17 can sublimate the section 3 only when it has reached the active position or also during the movement from the inactive position to the active one or, next, from the active to the inactive position.

The second embodiment of the invention can have all the elements shown with regard to the first embodiment.

In a further variant of the invention (not shown) , the machine 1 can include means for moving the section 3 along a direction substantially parallel to its main axis during the sublimation, while the sublimation means 16 remain steady relative to the frame 11. In the inventive concept of the present invention, a sublimation plant 2 is also included, comprising at least a sublimation machine 1 above described (figure 1) . In fact, in a sublimation plant 2, the machine 1 subject of the invention can be doubled for greater productive needs or for simultaneously sublimating sections 3 with different patterns. The invention thus conceived is susceptible of various modifications and variants, all lying within the ambit of the inventive concept .

Indeed, the used materials as well as the dimensions could be any one, depending on the requirements. Furthermore, all the details are replaceable by other technically equivalent elements . The invention attains important advantages. Firstly, the sublimation machine subject of the present invention reduces the space need with respect to a traditional machine and improves the logistic management of the plant lay-out. In fact, it eliminates the need of using carriages for transporting the sections from the envelopment zone to the oven and from the oven to the warehouse of the finished products. Furthermore, the oven has a largely lower dimension than those traditional, as it sublimates a limited number of sections at a time and, in the first embodiment, it slides on the sections themselves. The ^" modification of the kind of oven has brought remarkable advantages also in the consumptions and therefore also in the production costs. In fact, especially heating the sections by irradiation, the drawbacks generated from a chamber of large dimensions are eliminated and the heat dispersion is very reduced. Furthermore, the machine shows rational and effective working interconnections with the other stations, both downstream and upstream, forming part of the production process of sublimated sections.

A further advantage is given in that the sublimation machine shown allows significant productive rates and a high quality at the product level, due for example to the possibility of maintaining a constant and even temperature on the portion which is sublimated and by the presence of the carousel, which allows the operator to position the sheet on the section in an optimal way, as he works with a very reduced number of sections at a time.

Finally, the machine subject of the present invention requires a-reduced employment of- manpower.

Claims

1. Sublimation machine (1) including: a frame (11) , means (4) for loading at least a metal section (3) to be sublimated, at least operating between a loading station (5), a sublimation station (6) and an unloading station (7), associated with said frame (11) and sublimation means (16) operating on said at least one metal section (3) and co-operating with said loading means (4) in said sublimation station (6) for sublimating said section (3) ; characterized in that at least a part of said sublimation means (16) is movable between at least an inactive position and at least an active position, wherein said sublimation means (16) are suitable for sublimating at least a portion of said section (3) in said sublimation station (6) .

2. Machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said sublimation means (16) are suitable for being moved between said at least one inactive position and said at least one active position on a direction substantially perpendicular to a main axis of said section (3) .

3. Machine (1) according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said sublimation means (16) are movable between said inactive position and a plurality of said active positions for sublimating said section (3) during a relative movement of said sublimation means (16) and said section (3) .

4. Machine (1) according to claims 1 and 3, characterized in that said sublimation means (16) slide along said section (3) .

5. Machine (1) according to claims 1 and 3 or 4, characterized in that said relative movement of said sublimation means (16) and said section (-3) takes place in a direction substantially parallel to the main axis of said section (3) .

6. Machine (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that it further includes means (20) for displacing said sublimation means (16) during the sublimation

/along said direction substantially parallel to the main axis of said section (3) .

7. Machine (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that during the displacement of said sublimation means (16) along said direction substantially parallel to the main axis of said section (3) , said section (3) is steady relative to said frame (11) .

8. Machine (1) according to any of the claims 4 to 7, characterized in that in said sublimation station (6) said sublimation means (16) are instantaneoμsly oper- ating only on a longitudinal portion of said section (3) , lower than the entire section (3) .

9. Machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it further includes means for- moving said section

(3) along said direction substantially parallel to its main axis during the- sublimation, said sublimation means (16) being steady with respect to said frame

(H) •

10. Machine (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said sublimation means (16) include an oven (17), movable between said at least one inactive position and said at least one active position and equipped with radiating elements.

11. Machine (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that said radiating elements include at least a lamp suitable for heating said section (3) by irradiation.

12. Machine (1) according to claims 10 or 11, when depending from any of the claims 4 to 9, characterized in that said oven (17) shows a chamber (18) suitable for sublimating said longitudinal portion of said section (3) , having at least two inlet openings (19) and insulating elements for reducing the loss of heat from said chamber (18), said radiating elements being associated with said chamber (18).

13. -Machine (1) according to claims 10 or 11, when depending from claim 2, characterized in that said oven (17) has a chamber (18) suitable for housing all the section (3) during the sublimation.

14. Machine (1) according to any of the claims 10 to 12, when depending from claim 6, characterized in that said sublimation means (16) include a detecting element suitable for detecting the temperature in correspondence with said longitudinal portion of said section (3) in said chamber (18), operating on said displacement means (20) for moving said oven (17) along said direction parallel to said main axis of said section (3) when said longitudinal portion in said chamber (18) has reached a predetermined sublimation temperature .

15. Machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said loading means (4) include at least an abutting element (8) suitable for housing said section (3) , movable between said loading station (5), said sublimation station (6) and said unloading station (7).

16. Machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said loading station (5) and said unloading station (7) are coinciding.

17. Machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said unloading station (7) and said sublimation station (6) are coinciding.

18. Machine (1) according to any one of the claims 15 to 17, characterized in that said loading means (4) include a carousel (9) equipped with at least two of said abutting elements (8) and movable at least between said loading station (5) and sublimation station for simultaneously serving said stations (5, 6) .

19. Machine (1) according to claim 18, characterized in that said carousel (9) includes at least three of said abutting elements (8) and is movable between said loading station (5), said sublimation station (6) and said unloading station (7) so as to simultaneously serve said stations (5, 6, 7) .

20. Machine (1) according to claims 18 or 19, characterized in that said carousel (9) is displaced between two following stations when in said sublimation station (6) said sublimation means (16) , have completed the sublimation of said section (3) .

21. Machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further includes suction means associable with said loading means (4) and suitable for ensuring the adhesion between said metal section (3) and a sheet at least during the sublimation and detaching said sheet from said section (3) after the sublimation, said sheet being wound around said section (3) in an envelopment station (14) such that during the sublimation, a drawing existing on said sheet is transferred on said section (3) .

22. Machine (1) according to claim 21, characterized in that said suction means ^' include vacuum-generating means operating on said section (3) in said loading station (5) and in said sublimation station (6), fitted for creating the vacuum between said metal section (3) and said sheet and blowing means operating on said section ,(3) in said unloading station (7) fitted for detaching said sheet from said section (3) for allowing the extraction of said section (3) from said sheet.

23. Machine (1) according to claim 22, characterized in that said suction means include selection, means (12) operably interconnected between said vacuum- generating means, said blowing means and said abutting elements (8) in order to selectively activate said vacuum-generating means or said blowing means on said abutting elements (8) depending on the station in which said abutting element (8) is found.

24. Machine (1) according to claim 23, characterized in that said selection means (12) include a selection joint operably connected with said vacuum-generating means and said blowing means and having at least two outlets suitable for being operably connected to said abutting means (8) .

25. Machine (1) according to claims 23 or 24, characterized in that said selection means (12) include a plurality of connecting ends (13), each of said connecting ends (13) being operably joinable with said vacuum-generating means and said blowing means and to each of said abutting elements (8).

26. Machine (1) according to the claims 24 and 25, characterized in that each of said connecting ends (13) can be associated with one of said outlets of said joint for selectively activating said vacuum- generating means or said blowing means depending on the station in which said abutting element (8) is found.

27. Machine (1) according to the claims 25 or 26, characterized in that said ends (13) include solenoid valves .

28. Machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further includes means (15) for transporting said metal section (3) from an envelopment station (14) to said loading means (4) associated with said frame (11) .

29. Machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further includes adjustment and control means operating on said loading means (4), said transport means (15), said displacement means (20) , said sublimation means (16) and on said suction means in order to control the functioning thereof.

30. Sublimation plant (2) characterized in that it includes a sublimation machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.