US20140235146A1 - Apparatus for treating a product - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus (10) for treating a product (11) is provided, in particular for tumbling a surface of the product. The apparatus includes vibration elements designed to move the product treatment composition and product retaining elements in the form of magnetic anchoring elements (12a,12b).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD
• This invention relates to an apparatus for treating a product.
• In particular, the apparatus is designed to carry out a surface treatment on a product, and it is preferably designed to polish or tumble a surface of the product.
BACKGROUND ART
• There are prior art apparatuses for tumbling products, or similar surface treatments on a product, in which a plurality of products is inserted in a container, together with a treatment, or abrasive composition, with the tumbling barrel driven to vibrate so as to move the products and the composition relative to each other, thus obtaining a corresponding product surface treatment.
• In some tumbling barrel models there are brackets or supports for mechanically anchoring products, which are inserted in the tumbling container.
• However, such apparatuses have setup times that are too long and limited versatility in terms of use. The anchoring brackets allow the bracketing of very specific types of products, which must be placed in very specific positions in the tumbling tank.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
• This invention proposes a novel solution, alternative to the solutions known up to now, and aims to overcome one or more of the above-mentioned disadvantages and/or problems, and/or to meet one or more of the needs mentioned or inferable from the above.
• Therefore, an apparatus for treating a product is provided, in particular for the surface treatment of a product, preferably for tumbling or polishing a surface of the product, the apparatus comprising means for supporting the product, means for containment of a product treatment composition, and means designed to move a product treatment composition relative to the product itself, the apparatus being characterised in that it comprises means for retaining the product which are in the form of magnetic anchoring means.
• In this way, it is possible to carry out a product surface treatment in a way that is particularly rapid and easy for personnel, also with maximum operating flexibility.
• In particular, the preparation of special magnetic anchoring means makes the apparatus setup stage particularly easy and rapid, before a subsequent surface treatment operation.
• Moreover, this means that, during processing, the products to be treated do not make contact with each other, thus avoiding any possible risk of damage to them.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• This and other innovative aspects of the invention are, in any case, set out in the appended claims and the technical features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed description which follows of non-limiting example embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
• FIG. 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of a first preferred embodiment of an apparatus according to this invention;
• FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the first preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to this invention;
• FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of the magnetic supporting and anchoring plate of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to this invention;
• FIG. 4 is a vertical longitudinal section of a second preferred embodiment of an apparatus according to this invention;
• FIG. 5 is a schematic top plan view of the second preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to this invention;
• FIG. 6 is a vertical longitudinal section of a third preferred embodiment of an apparatus according to this invention;
• FIG. 7 is a vertical longitudinal section of a fourth preferred embodiment of an apparatus according to this invention;
• FIG. 8 is a horizontal section of a fifth preferred embodiment of an apparatus according to this invention;
• FIG. 9 is a vertical longitudinal section of the fifth preferred embodiment of an apparatus according to this invention;
• FIG. 10 is a vertical longitudinal section of a sixth preferred embodiment of an apparatus according to this invention;
• FIG. 11 is a vertical longitudinal section of a seventh preferred embodiment of an apparatus according to this invention;
• FIG. 12 is a schematic top plan view of the seventh preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to this invention;
• FIG. 13 is a vertical longitudinal section of an eighth preferred embodiment of an apparatus according to this invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
• The accompanying drawings from1 to3 illustrate a firstpreferred embodiment10 of an apparatus for treating a respective product orpart11, in particular for polishing a surface “S” of the product.
• In particular, the apparatus is suitable for treating aproduct11 comprising an outer surface S to be polished, or to be subjected to tumbling, or barrel polishing.
• To carry out the surface treatment, the apparatus uses aproduct treatment composition13, designed to have an abrasive action on the product surface and, if necessary, designed to have a detergent action on said product surface.
• To obtain product treatment by the treatment composition or treatment means13, the apparatus comprises means designed to make the product treatment means13 move relative to theproduct11.
• Said means designed to make the product treatment means13 move relative to theproduct11, are in the form of means designed to make the product treatment means13 vibrate, in particular in such a way as to generate a vibrating movement of the abrasive composition relative to the surface S to be treated, in that way obtaining aproduct11 surface treatment.
• This apparatus comprises the use of product retaining means.
• Advantageously, the product retaining means are in the form of magnetic anchoring means.
• The anchoring means, in particular magnetic, are designed to retain theproduct11 on the product supporting means12, in particular holding the product stationary relative to the supportingmeans12.
• In practice, this apparatus comprises product supporting means, which are in the form of arespective plate12 forming a supporting and resting surface for the respective product or part.
• Theplate12 comprises an upper surface, relative to which, in particular, there extend upwards means, or aperipheral wall14 defining the containment means or tank for theproduct11 and for the treatment mixture or means13.
• According to the first preferred embodiment, as becomes clearer in this description, the supportingplate12 is also designed to transmit, in particular to the product and/or to the treatment composition, the vibration suitable for guaranteeing the desired treatment, that is to say, movement of the treatment composition relative to the surface to be treated.
• Advantageously, the supporting means12 also form or comprise magnetic anchoring means.
• In particular, the magnetic anchoring means are in the form of means which can be switched on and off. In particular they can be switched on to apply a retaining action, especially while the treatment is carried out, and switched off to eliminate the retaining action and allow removal of theproducts11 from the apparatus and their substitution with other products to be treated.
• In practice, asFIG. 3 clearly shows, the supporting plate orpanel12 comprises a plurality ofmagnetic anchoring sections12a,12b, formed by respective anchoring magnetic or magnetisable poles.
• The magnetic anchoring panel, which may be made in the substantially known way and therefore is not described in further detail, comprises a plurality ofsections12a,12bhaving opposite polarity, that is to say “north”, labelled ‘N’ inFIG. 3, and “south”, labelled ‘S’.
• Themagnetic anchoring poles12a,12bare of the type which can be switched on and off, in particular electrically, especially by the effect of a corresponding electric current passing through the turns of a corresponding electric winding, or coil, lying in the respective pole. All of this being known to experts in the field and therefore not illustrated and described in detail.
• According to the embodiment illustrated, which must not however be considered exclusive and limiting for this invention—other configurations being possible for thesemagnetic means12—themagnetic anchoring poles12a,12bcan be arranged in respective transversal and longitudinal lines of thepanel12 and are such that the poles adjacent to each other have opposite polarity and in any case produce a suitable retaining action on the product and on the containment means.
• In practice, according to the embodiment illustrated, in the longitudinal or transversal directions of thepanel12, apole12awith respective magnetic polarity is adjacent topoles12bwhich have an opposite magnetic polarity.
• Advantageously, to impart a vibration to the treatment means13, the supportingmeans12 are made to vibrate, therefore, they are in the form of vibrating means.
• Therefore, advantageously, the supporting means, as well as being in the form of vibrating means, are such that they also form magnetic anchoring means.
• These vibrating supporting and anchoring means are in the form of arespective plate12, forming the base of the containment tank ormeans14, on which plate the product is sustained, with an advantageousremovable layer121 interposed between them, designed to form a protective layer for theplate12, avoiding wear on themagnetic plate12 caused by the abrasive material.
• In particular, on the supportingplate12, or on the base of the containment means14, there is aremovable layer121, made of ferromagnetic material so as to allow advantageous magnetic field flows and to be advantageously held on theplate12.
• Advantageously, the removable layer is made in the form of ametal sheet121.
• Moreover, theremovable layer121 may be hermetically positioned above the supporting plate or the base of the containment means14, preventing the treatment or abrasive composition from making direct contact with theupper surface12′ of the supportingplate12.
• In practice, as illustrated, theremovable layer121 is positioned above and in contact with theupper surface12′ of the supportingplate12 and within theperipheral wall14, that is to say, within the containment means.
• As can be inferred fromFIGS. 1 and 2, there are therefore advantageous containment means14 for the product and/or the treatment composition ormixture13.
• The containment means14 therefore comprise a respective base wall, formed by the upper surface of the supportingpanel12, or by thesuperposed layer121, and a respective lateralperipheral containment wall14.
• According to this preferred embodiment, the containment means, in the form of a single tank orcontainer14, and advantageously designed to contain a plurality ofproducts11, comprise an extension in plan view which substantially corresponds to the plan view extension of the supportingplate12 from whose lateral edge they extend upwards.
• As illustrated, the containment means14 comprise means18 for draining the treatment liquid.
• The drainage means18 comprise atube18′, in communication with theinner chamber14cof the containment means14 and comprising opening/closing valve means, labelled18″, for draining the liquid.
• As illustrated, thecontainer14 also comprises alarge drainage outlet41 for the treatment composition, at the base of the treatment container or tank, opening into a respective wall of the peripheral orlateral wall14 of the container. Thedrainage outlet41 allows drainage of the composition from the container due to the movement, in particular to the vibrating movement of the container or of the supportingplate12, which moves the composition out through theoutlet41. As shown, thelarge outlet41 comprises a corresponding door which can be opened and closed again42.
• As illustrated, there are also means30 for vibration of the supporting means, said vibration means in particular being in the form of a vibration motor which is preferably fixed in position below the supportingplate12.
• In practice, the vibration means are in the form of acorresponding vibration motor30 and are suitably connected, in particular fixed or anchored, to the supportingplate12.
• In particular, the vibration means30 are supported on the supportingplate12 and are, advantageously, positioned below the magnetic anchoring and supportingplate12.
• As shown in the accompanying drawings, thevibration motor30 shaft preferably extends horizontally, that is to say, parallel with the magnetic supportingsurface12.
• The respective supportingplate12 is connected to abase120 of the apparatus, by elastic means which allow its vibration relative to the base and which are preferably in the form of springs, in particular helical springs extending vertically, the elastic means sustaining the supportingplate12 on theapparatus base120 and being labelled32 inFIG. 1.
• This apparatus also comprises, although not shown in detail in the accompanying drawings, advantageous control means for the vibration means and the magnetic anchoring means12a,12b. The control means are in the form of electronic processing means, for example a PC or a PLC.
• Advantageously, the control means are suitably connected, in particular by electric connections, to thevibration motors30 and to themagnetic poles12a,12b, and, to begin the treatment, they are designed to switch on the vibration means30 only after the magnetic anchoring means have been switched on.
• Vice versa, at the end of the treatment, the control means are designed to switch off the magnetic anchoring means, to allow removal of theproducts11, only after the vibration means30 have been switched off.
• The treatment composition can move in contact with the surface to be cleaned due to the vibrations imparted to thecomposition13 through the respective supportingpanel12, and, if necessary, through the containment means14.
• In practice, thetreatment composition13 is kept moving relative to the product to be treated by a vibrating movement.
• As illustrated, thecontainer14 designed to contain a plurality ofproducts11 to be polished, has a general quadrangular shape. In particular, as shown, it is square in plan view.
• As illustrated, thelateral walls14 forming the containment means or tank are fixed to the supportingplate12, to which they are fixed by screws V.
• As shown inFIG. 1, there are also advantageously product sustaining means125 comprising means which can be anchored to the apparatus by magnetic attraction.
• In this way, this apparatus can also be used to treat products, for example made of aluminium, plastic or other material, which are not ferromagnetic, that is to say, which are not themselves sensitive to magnetic attraction.
• In particular, the auxiliary means for directly sustaining the product are in the form of a body orbase unit125 made of ferromagnetic material, as illustrated, or, according to another embodiment not illustrated, simply having a layer or portion made of ferromagnetic material.
• As illustrated, the sustaining base unit orbody125 is in the form of a block of material with predetermined thickness and comprising alower surface125afor resting on the supporting means, in particular as illustrated, for resting on the base of the container. The sustainingbody125 also comprises asurface125bon which to rest acorresponding surface11bof the product to be treated11.
• Moreover, the sustaining means125 comprise means for securing the product to the supporting means, which, according to a preferred embodiment, are, in particular, formed by means which are inserted in a corresponding part, or hole, in theproduct11.
• In practice, screw means126 are provided, which are inserted in acorresponding hole125cin the sustainingbody125 and in afurther hole11amade in theproduct11, that is to say, a hole which opens in a corresponding face of theproduct11 for engaging with the sustainingbody125.
• FIGS. 4 and 5 show a second preferred embodiment of theapparatus10 for treating aproduct11, having components similar to those of the previous embodiment, labelled with the same reference characters, and which are not described again in detail to avoid making this description too long.
• The second preferred embodiment is also suitable for treating aproduct11 comprising a surface S to be polished or to be subjected to tumbling, or barrel polishing.
• In this second preferred embodiment, the containment means comprise containment means orcontainers140 designed to contain a single product. These containers for a single produce comprise, in particular, a base140awhose plan view extension is such that it contains and supports asingle product11. In practice, the width or plan view extension of thecontainer140 is such that it is slightly greater than the outer perimeter of theproduct11.
• That setup of individual containment means orcontainers140 for eachproduct11 allows savings in terms of the quantity oftreatment composition13.
• The containment means140 are preferably made of ferromagnetic material, or, like those of the first preferred invention, of metal, with theproduct11 also being made of ferromagnetic material or supported on abase unit125 made of ferromagnetic material, as illustrated for the first preferred embodiment.
• In practice, the containment means140 are also subject to the magnetic anchoring action, that is to say, they are magnetically anchored to the supportingmeans12.
• In this way, it is possible to position the containers at the most suitable points of the supportingpanel12 or within the containment means14.
• It also guarantees easy, simple product treatment, without compromising the automatic retaining action.
• These containment means140 can be removed from the supportingmeans12, for substitution, maintenance or simple washing, or for setting up theapparatus10 for operation as illustrated relative to the first preferred embodiment.
• As illustrated, the containment means140 comprise abase wall140a, which rests on theplate12, in particular on theupper surface12′ of theplate12 and on which theproduct11 or thebase unit125 supporting a respectivenon-ferromagnetic product11 rests.
• As illustrated, the containment means140 also comprise a lateralperipheral containment wall140b, extending from thebase wall140a.
• Thecontainment bodies140 are preferably made in the form of a tubular body, in particular with a circular cross-section, made of suitable ferromagnetic material, comprising a base140a, and open at the upper end, and directly fixed, by magnetic attraction to the vibrating supportingpanel12.
• In this way, a reduced quantity oftreatment composition13 can be used, basically just what is needed to treat the surface of a respective product which is contained in theindividual containment body140.
• Once the treatment is complete, the magnetic attraction can be switched off, freeing thecontainers140, and thecontainers140 can be lifted out of and removed from the machine, allowing access to the products treated11.
• According to a third preferred embodiment illustrated inFIG. 6, whose components are similar to those of the previous embodiments and are labelled with the same reference characters, and which are not described again in detail to avoid making this description too long, there are auxiliary product sustaining means125 which form, or comprise, arespective holder127, designed to receive or retain a corresponding part or end of theproduct111c.
• As illustrated, ascrew126′ engages with and locks theend111cof the product in theholder127.
• In particular, there is a respectiveinner holder127, designed to receive or retain a corresponding part or end of theproduct111c.
• This solution is particularly suitable for treating an item or product having a surface which cannot have attachment holes in it for insertion of a corresponding fixing screw, or if its resting surface is not large enough to allow its magnetic locking.
• According to a fourthpreferred embodiment100 illustrated inFIG. 7, whose components are similar to those of the previous embodiments and are labelled with the same reference characters, and which are not described again in detail to avoid making this description too long, there is amagnetic anchoring plate212, which can be positioned above and fixed to the base212′ of a treatment tank orcontainer214.
• Saidplate212 is like theplate12 of the previous embodiments and, to avoid a description which it too long, is not described in detail again.
• As illustrated, the addedmagnetic plate212 is shaped in such a way that it has an outerperipheral edge212aand an innerperipheral edge212bforming a free central space for insertion of theplate212 on a correspondingcentral projection213 of thetreatment tank214.
• There are advantageous means for switching theplate212 magnetic action on and off, which are connected to themagnetic anchoring plate212 through ahole212″ made in the base, or, in another embodiment not illustrated, in thelateral wall214′ of thetank214.
• Thepanel212 is fixed to thetreatment tank212 by means of correspondingscrews226 or fixing means for the panel or plate, in particular connecting to the base of the tank orcontainer214.
• Thisembodiment100 can form an apparatus equivalent to the apparatus of the previous embodiments, starting with prior art treatments machines, making minimal modifications to them, such as the threaded holes for theplate212 fixingscrews226 and if necessary thehole212″ for the connecting cable C to the control means.
• A fifthpreferred embodiment200 of the apparatus for treating a product is illustrated inFIGS. 8 and 9. This fifth preferred embodiment is in the form of a tumbling apparatus comprising a treatment tank orcontainer214 extending in a circular fashion. In this fifth preferred embodiment the components similar to those of the previous embodiment are labelled with the same character references and, to avoid making this description too long, are not described again in detail.
• This fifth preferred embodiment also comprises amagnetic surface12 superposed by a correspondingprotective layer121′ which extends with a ring shape in plan view.
• This fifth preferred embodiment comprises advantageous means201 for closing the container, in particular in the form of a lid which, when closed, rests on the upper edge of theperipheral wall214′ of thecontainer214 and can conveniently be opened.
• The closing means201 prevent the material or treatment composition from coming out of the treatment container.
• In particular, as illustrated, thelid201 is supported by the container and has a lowered closed position and a raised open position.
• In particular, as illustrated, thelid201 is hinged at a lateral wall of the container, at a point labelled202 inFIG. 9 and on the opposite side, or wall, has suitable fastening means203 for holding thelid201 closed.
• In this fifth embodiment, as illustrated, the vibration means ormotor30′, as in the fourth embodiment, have the respective shaft extending vertically, that is to say, perpendicularly to the magnetic supportingsurface12.
• In this fifth embodiment, as illustrated, the vibration means ormotor30′ are in thecentral housing213 and are fixed, byscrews130, to the vibratingmagnetic surface12.
• A sixth preferred embodiment of the apparatus for treating a product is illustrated inFIG. 10. In this sixth preferred embodiment the components are similar to those of the previous embodiment and are labelled with the same character references and, to avoid making this description too long, are not described again in detail.
• As illustrated, in this sixth preferred embodiment theapparatus base120 is suitable for supporting at least a first and asecond unit10a,10bfor treatingrespective products11.
• In practice, products already treated or to be treated can be loaded and unloaded to and from a respective unit, for example theunit10a, while theother unit10bis activated and operating for treating further products.
• In fact, while oneunit10ais in the operating condition, personnel can advantageously proceed with unloading and loading of theother unit10b. Vice versa, when theunit10bis in turn in its treatment phase forrespective products11, personnel can unloadproducts11 from theother unit10aand loadfurther products11 in thatunit10a.
• As illustrated, this sixth apparatus also comprises advantageous control means34 for the vibration means and the magnetic anchoring means12a,12b.
• The control means34 are in the form of electronic processing means, for example a PC or a PLC.
• Advantageously, the control means34 are suitably connected, in particular byelectric connections36, to thevibration motors30 and to themagnetic poles12a,12b, and, to begin the treatment, they are designed to switch on the vibration means30 only after the magnetic anchoring means have been switched on.
• Vice versa, at the end of the treatment, the control means34 are designed to switch off the magnetic anchoring means, to allow removal of theproducts11 and if necessary also the containers, only after the vibration means30 have been switched off.
• This sixth preferred embodiment shows how the containment means for thetreatment composition13 are formed by the product itself.
• As shown inFIG. 10, the product to be treated11 comprises, in particular, an inner cavity S formed by the surface to be polished and, in particular, being in the form of a mould having a first and a second part which fit together at opposite surfaces to form a dividing line.
• In practice, the mould consists of a first part and a second part which are brought close to each other and which, in use, receive the material to be moulded and are then moved away from each other to allow the material or product to come out. In practice, the first and second parts of the mould fit together to form a forming cavity S for a corresponding product, in particular in the form of a container, such as a glass bottle. However, it shall be understood that this apparatus is suitable for treating any type of product, in particular also a mould for plastic bottles or containers or a product of any other type having a corresponding inner cavity.
• The product treatment composition is housed in the cavity to be treated S of theproduct11.
• The treatment composition can therefore move in contact with the surface to be cleaned due to the vibrations imparted to thecomposition13 through theproduct11 itself and the respective supportingpanel12.
• In practice, a vibrating movement keeps thetreatment composition13 moving relative to the product to be treated11.
• As illustrated, thecontainer14 may be designed to contain a plurality of products ormoulds11 to be polished, as is the case for the one supported on thepanel10b, or it may contain asingle product11, as happens for those supported on thepanel10a.
• In particular, as illustrated, in this sixth preferred embodiment, theproduct11, in the individual containers of theapparatus10a, extends upwards beyond the upper end of the peripheral wall of the respective containment means140 and, also, upwards beyond, or above, the upper level of thetreatment agent15 housed in the containment means140 and outside themould11.
• Thetreatment agent15 is in communication through themould11 with thetreatment composition13, allowing the latter to be kept in the optimum condition, for example to supply it with a desired quantity of water or other substance.
• In that way, any dispersion of the abrasive composition outside the cavity to be polished in which the composition is housed can be avoided.
• From at least some of the above-mentioned preferred embodiments of the apparatus it can be inferred that a supporting and/or magnetic plate orpanel12 is provided, which is directly sustained or resting on elastic means, or springs,32,32 which allow its respective movement, in particular the vibrating movement.
• Therefore an apparatus is obtained whose structure is advantageously simplified, with limited weight and low demands on the actuator means30.
• In particular, it is clear, from the above-mentioned preferred embodiments, that the supporting and/or magnetic plate orpanel12 is positioned above the elastic sustaining means, or springs,32,32, which allow its respective movement, in particular a vibrating movement.
• From at least some of the above-mentioned preferred embodiments of the apparatus, it is also evident that the actuator, or vibration, means30 are directly sustained on the supporting and/or magnetic plate orpanel12.
• In practice, the actuator means or motor, or the vibrations means, are sustained on the elastic means, or springs, by means of the supporting and/or magnetic plate orpanel12.
• The supporting elastic means, or springs32, have a respective axis of extension, or of compression, which is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the main plane of extension of the supporting and/or magnetic plate orpanel12, that is to say, to the retaining surface of the latter, their axis preferably being vertical.
• From at least some of the above-mentioned preferred embodiments of the apparatus, it is also evident that the actuator or vibration means30 hang from the supporting and/or magnetic plate orpanel12.
• From at least some of the above-mentioned preferred embodiments of the apparatus, it is also evident that the actuator or vibration means30 hang below the supporting and/or magnetic plate orpanel12.
• As may be inferred, the elastic resting means for the supporting and/or magnetic plate orpanel12 comprise a plurality of elastic orspring elements32 which are peripherally distributed and preferably located close to or at the peripheral edge of the supporting and/or magnetic plate orpanel12.
• In practice, the supporting and/or magnetic plate orpanel12 comprises a lower surface, in particular a flat, horizontal lower surface, which rests on the transversal upper face of the respective elastic sustainingmeans32.
• As may be inferred, the actuator or vibration means30 are positioned radially internally relative to theelastic resting elements32 for the supporting and/or magnetic plate orpanel12.
• Moreover, as may be inferred, the supporting and/or magnetic plate orpanel12 comprises a direct or indirect resting surface for products or parts to be treated, having an extension, particularly in plan view, such that it can support a plurality of parts, which may be placed in any desired or suitable position on the resting surface of the supportingpanel12.
• Moreover, as may be inferred, thewall14 forming the containment means or tank, in particular the lateral wall of the latter, is connected in such a way that it can engage with or disengage from the supporting and/or magnetic plate orpanel12.
• In particular, thewall14 forming the containment means or tank, in particular the lateral wall of the latter, is connected by respective screws V, each inserted—in particular from the bottom—in a hole V′, preferably vertical, in the panel or frame of thepanel12 and also inserted in a corresponding threaded hole V″, also preferably vertical, in the bottom, at the respective lower edge of thewall14, extending around the periphery and/or forming the tank lateral containment wall.
• As illustrated, the fixing screw V comprises a threaded shank and a widened head which engages with an annular shoulder of the insertion hole V′.
• From at least some of the above-mentioned preferred embodiments of the apparatus, it is also evident that the supporting and/or magnetic plate orpanel12 forms the lower or base wall of the containment means or tank.
• As may easily be inferred fromFIG. 3, the supporting and/or magnetic plate orpanel12 has a load-bearing structure formed by arespective housing frame12t, in particular metal and ferromagnetic, forming respective means, orholders12sfor housing magnetic anchoring means or poles which are connected, in particular in a fixed way, to said frame.
• Moreover, obviously, the actuator means or vibration means30 are connected to the load-bearing structure12tof the supporting plate or panel.
• Moreover, as can be clearly seen, thewall14 forming the containment tank, in particular forming the lateral wall of the latter, is connected to the load-bearing structure12tof the supporting plate orpanel12.
• Moreover, as can be clearly seen, thewall14 forming the containment tank, in particular forming the lateral wall of the latter, is connected to a lowered peripheral portion of the load-bearing structure of the supporting plate or panel.
• As may be inferred from the accompanying drawings, in at least some of the preferred embodiments the supporting and/or magnetic plate orpanel12 comprises aperipheral edge112′ designed to receive coaxially and externally the lower edge of thewall14 forming the containment tank, in particular forming its lateral wall and in such a way as to form centring means for it during insertion of theperipheral wall14 on the supporting panel orplate12.
• FIGS. 11 and 12 show a seventh preferred embodiment of theapparatus300 for treating a respective product, orproducts11, having various components similar to those of the previous embodiments, labelled with the same reference characters, and which are not described again in detail to avoid making this description too long.
• Even this preferred embodiment is suitable for treating one ormore products11 comprising a surface S to be polished or to be subjected to tumbling, or barrel polishing.
• In this seventh preferred embodiment, the containment means comprise containment means orcontainers340 designed to contain a single product, or at the most a single group of products, in particular, a limited number of products, and having a plan view extension which is less than, in particular much less than, the plan view extension of the supportingpanel12.
• In particular, the panel is designed to support a plurality of individual containment means, in particular spaced out.
• These individual containment means therefore preferably have a plan view extension such that they contain and support asingle product11 and a respective cross-section which is preferably suitable for matching the outer profile or plan view shape of the product to be treated.
• In practice, the containment means of a single product or a single-product container may have a circular shape in plan view, as shown in the embodiment labelled a, or a (regular or irregular) polygonal plan view shape, in particular quadrangular, preferably square, as shown in the embodiment labelled b, or rectangular, as shown in the embodiment labelled c, or triangular, as shown in the embodiment labelled d.
• Preferably, the width, or plan view extension of therespective container340 is such that it is slightly greater than the width or plan view extension of therespective product11.
• That setup of individual containers or containment means340 allows savings in terms of the quantity oftreatment composition13.
• These containment means340 are made of ferromagnetic material, in particular metal, with theproduct11 also being made of ferromagnetic material or supported on abase unit125 made of ferromagnetic material.
• In practice, the containment means340 are also subject to the magnetic anchoring action, that is to say, they are magnetically anchored to the supportingmeans12.
• In this way, it is possible to position the containers at the most suitable points of the supportingpanel12 or within the containment means14.
• It also guarantees easy, simple product treatment, without limiting the retaining action applied to the product.
• These containment means140 can be removed from the supportingmeans12, for substitution, maintenance or simple washing, or for setting up theapparatus10 for different operation.
• As illustrated, the containment means340 comprise a lateralperipheral containment wall340b, extending axially and having a respective thickness.
• These containment means340 are open both at the bottom and at the top, that is to say, at both axial ends of the container body.
• In practice, these containment means340 comprise alower edge340afor directly resting on the supportingpanel12, in particular on its respective upper surface or on the removable upper layer.
• Therespective containment body340 is made in the form of a tubular body, in particular with a circular or polygonal (i.e.: quadrangular or triangular, as indicated above) cross-section, made of suitable ferromagnetic material, comprising an edge at the upper end, and which directly rests on the vibrating supportingpanel12, and in particular is retained in contact with the latter thanks to the magnetic attraction of the supporting panel.
• In practice, improved attraction of the individual product to be treated is achieved thanks to the fact that it rests directly on the supportingpanel12.
• Once the treatment is complete, the magnetic attraction can be switched off, freeing thecontainers340, and thecontainers340 can be lifted out of and removed from the machine, allowing access to the products treated11.
• The hold could also be improved by using an O-ring or hermetic seal means, in particular made of elastic material, between the lower edge of the individual product or part container and the supporting surface below. A respective recessed circular holder could be provided at the lower edge of thecontainer body340 for housing the O-ring.
• According to an eighth preferred embodiment illustrated inFIG. 13, whose components are similar to those of the previous embodiments and are labelled with the same reference characters, and which are not described again in detail to avoid making this description too long, auxiliary sustaining means425 are provided for a plurality of products, forming, or comprising,respective holders427, designed to receive or, if necessary, retain a corresponding part or end of thecorresponding product111c.
• In particular, said holders on thecommon base unit425 may be identical or different, as illustrated in this preferred embodiment.
• As may be inferred fromFIG. 13, advantageously said product sustaining means425 are retained or anchored to the apparatus, that is to say, to the supportingpanel12, by magnetic attraction.
• In this way, this apparatus can also be used to treat products, for example made of aluminium, plastic or other material, which are not ferromagnetic, that is to say, which are not themselves sensitive to magnetic attraction.
• In particular, the auxiliary means for directly sustaining the product are in the form of a body orbase unit425 made of ferromagnetic material, as illustrated, or, according to another embodiment not illustrated, simply having a layer or portion made of ferromagnetic material.
• As illustrated, the sustaining base unit orbody425 is in the form of a block of material with predetermined thickness and comprising alower surface425afor resting on the supporting means, in particular as illustrated, for resting on the supporting panel orplate12. The sustainingbody425 also comprises an upper surface425b, in particular on which the respective product rests or relative to which a corresponding retaining screw, or means, for the product extends, or into which there is recessed a respective inner holder for housing a corresponding end of the product.
• As illustrated, a first holder labelled “e” is designed to receive, resting on it, the part or product to be retained by corresponding fixing means.
• A second holder labelled “f” comprises means for fixing the product or part in a raised position relative to thebase unit425.
• Moreover, as illustrated, a third holder labelled “g” is in the form of a respective inner or recessedholder427, designed to receive or retain a corresponding part or end of theproduct111c. In particular, in this third embodiment of the holder “g” ascrew426′ engages with and locks theend111cof the product in theholder427.
• This solution is particularly suitable for treating an item or product having a surface which cannot have attachment holes in it for insertion of a corresponding fixing screw, or if its resting surface is not large enough to allow its magnetic locking.
• Moreover, the sustaining means425 comprise means for securing the product to the sustaining means, which, according to a preferred embodiment, are, in particular, formed by means which are inserted in a corresponding part, or hole, in theproduct11.
• In practice, screw means426 are provided, which are inserted in acorresponding hole425cin the sustainingbody125 and in afurther hole11amade in theproduct11, that is to say, a hole which opens in a corresponding face of theproduct11 for engaging with the sustainingbody125, or means whose respective front or end face engages with a corresponding portion of the product to be retained.
• As illustrated, the fixing means426 extend in a respective hole which is vertical or perpendicular relative to thebase unit425, or for the third embodiment “g” of the holder, in a respective hole which is horizontal or extending in the plane in which thebase unit425 lies.
• In particular, as illustrated, in the fixing means for the second holder “f”, the fixing means426 extend upwards, projecting beyond theupper face111cof the base unit.
• As shown inFIG. 13, the auxiliary sustaining means are in the form of a body orbase unit425 whose plan view extension substantially covers the entire plan view extension of the supportingpanel12.
• It shall also be understood that, in the embodiments illustrated, although preferably being positioned below the retaining and supportingpanel12, thevibration motor30 could also be positioned above thepanel12, or even at the side of thepanel12.
• The treatment composition may be like that illustrated in document WO 00/32355, whose content shall be considered an integral part of this description.
• The invention described is susceptible of industrial application. Moreover, it would be obvious to experts in the field that several changes and/or modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, described in depth above. In particular, experts in the field could easily imagine further preferred embodiments of the invention comprising one or more of the features described herein. It will also be understood that all the details of the invention may be substituted by technically equivalent elements.

Claims (26)

1-69. (canceled)

70. An apparatus (10) for tumbling or polishing a surface (S) of a product, the apparatus comprising means (12) for supporting the product, means (14,140) for containment of a product (11) treatment composition (13), and means designed to move a product (11) treatment composition (13) relative to the product itself, in which the supporting means (12) are in the form of a product resting plate which are connected to a base (120) by elastic means (32,32); said resting plate defining vibrating means designed to move the product treatment composition (13); wherein the apparatus comprises means for retaining the product which are in the form of magnetic anchoring means (12a,12b); and in that the resting plate forms or comprises said magnetic anchoring means (12a,12b).

71. The apparatus according toclaim 70, wherein the retaining means (12a,12b) are designed to retain the product on the supporting means (12).

72. The apparatus according toclaim 70, wherein the magnetic anchoring means are in the form of means which can be switched on and off.

73. The apparatus according toclaim 70, wherein the supporting means comprise a plurality of sections forming respective anchoring magnetic poles (12a,12b).

74. The apparatus according toclaim 70, further comprising actuator, or vibration means for the supporting means (12), in particular being in the form of an actuator or vibration motor (30) connected to the supporting plate (12).

75. The apparatus according toclaim 74, wherein the actuator or vibration means (30) are supported on the supporting plate (12).

76. The apparatus according toclaim 74, wherein the actuator or vibration means (30) are below the supporting plate (12).

77. The apparatus according toclaim 70, wherein the containment means (14,214) are designed to contain a plurality of products (11,11); and wherein it comprises means (18) for draining the treatment composition from the containment means (14,214).

78. The apparatus according toclaim 70, wherein the containment means (140) are magnetically anchored to the supporting means (12).

79. The apparatus according toclaim 70, wherein the containment means (140) are removable from the supporting means (12).

80. The apparatus according toclaim 70, wherein the containment means (140) are designed to contain a single product (11).

81. The apparatus according toclaim 70, wherein the containment means comprise a base (140a) which rests on the supporting plate (12).

82. The apparatus according toclaim 70, further comprising control means for the actuator or vibration means (30) and for the magnetic anchoring means (12a,12b).

83. The apparatus according toclaim 82, wherein the control means are designed to switch on the actuator or vibration means (30) only after the magnetic anchoring means have been switched on, and are designed to switch off the magnetic anchoring means (12a,12b) only after the actuator or vibration means (30) have been switched off.

84. The apparatus according toclaim 70, wherein the containment means (140) are made of ferromagnetic material.

85. The apparatus according toclaim 70, further comprising product sustaining means (125) comprising means which can be anchored to the apparatus by magnetic attraction; the product sustaining means (125) comprising means (126,126′) for securing the product to the sustaining means; the sustaining means being in the form of a body (125) made of ferromagnetic material or having a layer or portion made of ferromagnetic material.

86. The apparatus according toclaim 70, wherein the treatment composition (13) is housed in the container or containment tank (14,214) and is designed to have an abrasive action on the surface of the product (11).

87. The apparatus according toclaim 70, wherein the wall (14) forming the containment means or tank is fixed to the magnetic plate (12) and wherein the wall (14) forming the containment means or tank, in particular the lateral wall of the latter, is connected in such a way that it can engage with or disengage from the supporting and/or magnetic plate or panel (12).

88. The apparatus according toclaim 70, wherein it comprises a removable layer (121) on the supporting plate (12), or base of the containment means (14), the removable layer (121) being positioned above and in contact with the upper surface (12′) of the supporting plate (14).

89. The apparatus according toclaim 70, further comprising means (201) for closing the container, in the form of a respective lid which can be opened.

90. The apparatus according toclaim 70, wherein the product comprises an inner cavity formed by the surface to be polished and defining the containing means for the treatment composition.

91. The apparatus according toclaim 70, wherein the elastic resting means (32,32) for the supporting and/or magnetic plate or panel (12) comprise a plurality of elastic or spring elements which are peripherally distributed and preferably located close to or at the peripheral edge of the supporting and/or magnetic plate or panel (12), and wherein the actuator or vibration means (30) are positioned radially internally relative to the elastic resting elements (32,32) for the supporting and/or magnetic plate or panel (12).

92. The apparatus according toclaim 70, wherein the supporting plate or panel (12) forms the lower wall or base of the containment means or tank; the magnetic supporting plate or panel (12) having a load-bearing structure formed by a respective frame (12t) forming respective housing means (12s) for magnetic anchoring means or poles which are connected to the frame (12t); the vibration means or vibration actuator means being connected to the load-bearing structure of the supporting plate or panel; and the wall (14) forming the containment tank being connected to the load-bearing structure of the supporting plate or panel.

93. The apparatus according toclaim 70, wherein the containment means (340) comprise a respective peripheral lateral containment wall (340b) extending axially and having a respective thickness, the containment means being open at the bottom to form a lower edge (340a) for resting on the supporting panel (12).

94. The apparatus according toclaim 70, further comprising auxiliary sustaining means (425) for a plurality of products; wherein the auxiliary sustaining means (425) for a plurality of products are in the form of a common base unit (425) comprising a plurality of holders designed to accommodate a corresponding product; and wherein the auxiliary means are in the form of a body or base unit (425) made of ferromagnetic material or having a layer or portion made of ferromagnetic material.

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