Patent Description:
As is known, in the industrial printing sector, particularly in the sector of the screen printing of containers, printing machines, commonly called "semiautomatic" machines, are currently used and marketed which are generally not provided with devices for drying the inks.

These machines are very widespread and are used since they provide fast and economical change of format, allowing to work on small samples or runs.

However, the lack of devices that allow to dry the inks immediately forces to use such machines only with inks of the solvent-based type, with consequent long times of execution of the related production processes and a printing quality that is not always satisfactory.

In fact, the production processes in which solvent-based inks are used require that after printing the operator stores the printed object in a storage area where the ink is left to dry in contact with the air for a time that can last up to <NUM> hours.

In other cases, the operator stores the printed objects in a carriage that is subsequently placed in a hot air oven, where the drying of the inks is obtained in few hours. <CIT> gives an example of digital printing machines which screen the perimetral edges of glass sheets, provided with a carriage that includes laser heads for drying simultaneous of the ink injected onto the glass.

In an attempt to obviate these problems, solutions have been also proposed which entail the use of inks of the UV type which are dried by means of traditional UV lamps, particularly quartz and mercury or mercury and halide UV lamps, applied on the printing machines or arranged in their immediate vicinity.

The use of these lamps, however, affects negatively the overall dimensions of the machines and their convenience in use, since it entails the need to provide bulking housings to protect the operators from UV rays.

Furthermore, these lamps produce a large amount of heat and therefore need extraction systems to extract the heat and the ozone generated by them.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a machine for drying inks of the UV type that is capable of improving the background art in one or more of the above mentioned aspects.

Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a machine for drying inks of the UV type that is compact, so that it can be placed to the side of the printing machine, in order to allow the operator to use both machines from a single station.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine for drying inks of the UV type that is versatile, so as to not require further accessories for changing format, and can be of high productivity in order to be able to work at the current working rates of printing machines.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine for drying inks of the UV type that can dry the UV inks with reduced consumption and with a reduced environmental impact.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine for drying inks of the UV type that is capable of ensuring maximum protection to the operators against UV rays.

Furthermore, an object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the background art in a manner that is alternative to any existing solutions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine for drying inks of the UV type which, besides being capable of offering the greatest assurances of reliability and safety in operation and in use, can also be relatively easy to provide so as to be competitive also from a purely economic standpoint.

This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a machine for drying inks of the UV type according to claim <NUM>, optionally provided with one or more of the characteristics of the dependent claims.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the machine according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:.

With reference to the figures, the machine for drying inks of the UV type, according to the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral <NUM>, comprises a supporting frame <NUM>, which forms at least one exposure chamber <NUM>, which can be accessed from the outside and accommodates inside at least one UV ray emission source <NUM>.

According to the invention, at least one carriage <NUM> is mounted on the supporting frame <NUM> and supports rotatably at least one supporting pan <NUM> for at least one object to be processed, such as for example a container or other type of object, which is provided, on its surface, with at least one print provided by means of UV inks, previously applied to the object to be processed, for example by a semiautomatic printing machine positioned conveniently in the vicinity of said machine according to the invention.

Again, according to the invention, there are means <NUM> for the rotational actuation of the pan <NUM> about its own axis in order to allow to rotate the object to be processed loaded on the pan <NUM>.

In particular, the carriage <NUM> can move with respect to the supporting frame <NUM> so as to be able to move the pan <NUM> from an exposure position, in which the pan <NUM> is arranged inside the exposure chamber <NUM>, in order to allow the execution of at least one step or cycle of drying of the UV inks by means of the exposure of the UV inks applied to the surface of the object to be processed arranged on the pan <NUM> to the UV rays emitted by the emission source <NUM>, to at least one respective access position, in which the pan <NUM> is arranged outside the exposure chamber <NUM>, in order to allow the loading of the object to be processed on the pan <NUM> or the unloading of the processed object, after its exposure to UV rays in the exposure chamber <NUM>, from said pan.

For example, in the access position of the pan <NUM> manual access to the pan <NUM> by a human operator is allowed, and said operator can thus manually provide, in each instance, for the loading on the pan <NUM> of an object to be processed on which said operator has previously applied printing with UV inks by means of an adjacent semiautomatic printing machine, so as to dry the UV inks following the subsequent movement of the carriage <NUM> with consequent movement of the pan <NUM> and of the object to be processed thereon in the exposure position.

More particularly, the rotational actuation means <NUM> of the pan <NUM> can be activated on command, at least when the pan <NUM> is in the exposure position.

Advantageously, the pan <NUM> comprises means for the centering and locking of the object to be processed with respect to the pan <NUM>, better described hereinafter, which allow the centering with respect to the axis of the pan <NUM> of any type of object to be processed, ensuring, at the same time, its appropriate retention in position in order to avoid its tipping during the drying cycle.

Conveniently, in order to allow high performances and a high production rate, it is possible moreover to provide means <NUM> for the automatic unloading of the processed object from the pan <NUM>, which can be activated on command when the pan <NUM> is in the access position, in order to allow the unloading of the processed object from the pan <NUM> without the need for a manual intervention by the human operator.

According to the preferred embodiment of the machine according to the invention, shown in the figures, the carriage <NUM> supports rotatably at least two supporting pans <NUM>, respectively at least one first pan 6a and at least one second pan 6b, each designed to support at least one respective object to be processed.

In this case, the carriage <NUM> is movable with respect to the supporting frame <NUM>, so that alternately one of the pans 6a, 6b is in the exposure position and simultaneously the other pan 6a, 6b is in the access position.

More particularly, the carriage <NUM> can, advantageously, move by translation, with an alternating back and forth motion, along a movement trajectory, between at least two stroke limit positions, respectively a first stroke limit position 9a and a second stroke limit position 9b, arranged at the opposite ends of the movement trajectory of the carriage <NUM>.

Again with reference to the illustrated embodiment, the exposure chamber <NUM> is formed advantageously in an intermediate region along the movement trajectory, between the first and second stroke limit positions 9a and 9b of the carriage <NUM>.

Conveniently, the pans 6a and 6b are arranged so as to be mutually aligned along a direction that is substantially parallel to the movement trajectory of the carriage <NUM>.

In particular, when the carriage <NUM> is in the first stroke limit position 9a the first pan 6a is in the corresponding access position and the second pan 6b is in the exposure position, while when the carriage <NUM> is in the second stroke limit position 9b the first pan 6a is in the exposure position and the second pan 6b is in the corresponding access position.

This solution allows the machine according to the invention to reach a high productivity with small space occupation, so as to be able to arrange the machine according to the invention conveniently to the side of the printing machine, thus allowing an operator to manually intervene, from a single station, on both machines, with consequent advantages also for the ergonomics of the repeated movement that said operator will have to perform manually with his arms several times over time.

It should be noted that the opposite sides of the exposure chamber <NUM> arranged along the movement trajectory of the carriage <NUM> are conveniently provided with respective access openings 3a, which allow the entry and exit of the carriage <NUM> and of the objects arranged on the respective pans 6a and 6b with respect to the exposure chamber <NUM>, and can be closed, during each cycles for drying the UV inks that occurs in the exposure chamber <NUM>, by means of respective protective doors <NUM>.

Conveniently, in order to keep the dimensions of the machine compact, the protective doors <NUM> are slidingly mounted on guides <NUM> and are actuated by automatic movement means.

Advantageously, the protective doors <NUM> are made of PMMA acrylic material, which is substantially transparent and of orange color, so as to reduce the glare of the UV radiation that otherwise would be unpleasant.

In this manner, the operator is capable of supervising the whole drying inside the exposure chamber <NUM> without being exposed to the UV radiation emitted by the emission source <NUM>.

More particularly, the protective doors <NUM> may, for example, be made of the material commercially known as ALTUGLASS <NUM>, which is specific for use with UV light, since it allows to filter UV radiation.

It should be noted that the UV ray emission source <NUM> in the exposure chamber <NUM> is advantageously constituted by at least one ultraviolet LED lamp <NUM> which, besides allowing the possibility to dry substantially instantly solvent-free inks by exposure to UV rays, offer considerable advantages both from the energy standpoint, due to their reduced consumption, and from the environmental standpoint, since they are free from mercury or other dangerous substances and do not emit ozone.

In the exposure chamber, the lamp <NUM> is mounted on a slider 12a which can be actuated in motion by means of a first worm screw 13a, which extends along a direction that is substantially parallel to the axis of the pans 6a and 6b and allows its optimum adjustment in height in the region to be dried.

In particular, said height adjustment of the position of the lamp <NUM> is provided by means of a first knob 14a, arranged outside the exposure chamber <NUM>, which acts on the first worm screw 13a.

As shown in <FIG>, the position of the lamp <NUM> can be adjusted also along a direction that is substantially at right angles to the axis of the pans 6a, 6b, preferably by means of a second worm screw 13b which can be operated by means of a second knob 14b, also arranged outside the exposure chamber <NUM>.

Advantageously, the centering and locking means comprise, for the pan <NUM> or each pan <NUM>, at least one sucker element <NUM>, for example made of silicone rubber, which is arranged axially with respect to the corresponding pan <NUM> and delimits a region which communicates with a suction duct <NUM> for connection to a vacuum source, not shown.

Conveniently, the centering and locking means of each pan <NUM> comprise moreover a plurality of claws <NUM> which protrude upward from the corresponding pan <NUM> and are designed to make contact with the object to be processed, which is arranged on the corresponding pan <NUM>.

The claws <NUM> are movable on command toward or away from the axis of the corresponding pan <NUM> in order to pass from a disengagement position, in which they are spaced from the object to be processed, to a retention position, in which they are arranged in contact with the object to be processed, and vice versa.

More particularly, each one of the pans <NUM> comprises a respective pair of plates, conveniently of a substantially disc-like shape, which are mutually superimposed and respectively constituted by an upper plate 18a and a lower plate 18b.

The upper plate 18a has first sliding seats 19a, substantially shaped like a slot, which are each engaged by a respective claw <NUM> and extend, with a circular arc-like extension, in a direction that is substantially radial with respect to the axis of the corresponding pan <NUM>.

In turn, the lower plate 18b has, for each one of the first sliding seats 19a, a respective second sliding seat 19b engaged by the same claw <NUM> that engages the corresponding first sliding seat 19a in the upper plate 18a.

The second sliding seats 19b extend in a substantially radial direction with respect to the axis of the corresponding pan <NUM> with a circular arc-like extension with the concavity directed oppositely with respect to the concavity of the corresponding first sliding seat 19a.

In this manner, the claws <NUM> are movable along the corresponding first sliding seat 19a following a rotation, in one direction or the other, of the first plate 18a with respect to the second plate 18b, about an axis that is substantially parallel to the axis of the corresponding pan <NUM>.

In greater detail, the claws <NUM> can be constituted by respective knurled knobs <NUM>, axially crossed by a threaded hole 20a, in which respective threaded pivots <NUM> are screwed which respectively engage the first and second sliding seats 19a and 19b of the corresponding claw <NUM> and have a respective wider head 21a designed to abut against the face of the lower plate 18b which is directed opposite with respect to the upper plate 18a.

In order to adjust the position of the claws <NUM> with respect to the axis of the corresponding pan <NUM> it is sufficient for the operator to loosen the claws <NUM>, by unscrewing the corresponding knurled knob <NUM> from the respective threaded pivot <NUM>, so as to unlock the possibility of relative rotation between the upper plate 18a and the lower plate 18b, about the axis of the corresponding pan <NUM>, and then rotate the upper plate 18a with respect to the lower plate 18b, about the axis of the corresponding pan <NUM>, so as to allow the threaded pivots <NUM> of the claws <NUM> to slide along the first and second sliding seats 19a and 19b.

Once the position of the claws <NUM> has been adjusted at the desired distance from the axis of the corresponding pan <NUM>, it is sufficient for the operator to tighten the claws <NUM> by screwing the knurled knobs <NUM> along the threaded pivots <NUM> in order to block the claws <NUM> and the possibility of relative rotation between the upper plate and the lower plate 18a and 18b.

In this manner it is possible to adjust the centering of the objects to be processed that have the most widespread diameters without the aid of accessories.

With reference, particularly, to <FIG> and <FIG>, the carriage <NUM> comprises a base body <NUM> mounted so it can slide along longitudinal guides 24a, 24b on a face that is directed upward of a supporting plate <NUM>, which is fixed to the supporting frame <NUM>.

Substantially at its opposite ends arranged along a direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal guides 24a and 24b, the base body <NUM> of the carriage <NUM> supports, so as to allow rotation about the corresponding axes, the first and the second pans 6a and 6b.

The actuation in motion of the base body <NUM> of the carriage <NUM> along the longitudinal guides 24a and 24b is provided by a closed-loop flexible motion transmission element <NUM>, such as for example a belt or the like, which is extended between at least a motorized pulley <NUM>, connected to a driving motor <NUM>, and a driven pulley <NUM>, so as to define at least one active portion 25a for moving the base body <NUM> of the carriage <NUM>, which is fixed to said base body.

Conveniently, the motorized pulley <NUM> is supported, with the corresponding movement motor <NUM>, by a housing 26a, which is fixed to the supporting plate <NUM>, on which an auxiliary guiding pulley 26b also can be optionally mounted so that it can rotate and has a diameter that substantially corresponds to that of the driven pulley <NUM>, engages the motion transmission element <NUM> and is arranged so that the corresponding axis is substantially parallel and spaced from the axis of the driving pulley <NUM>.

In particular, the flexible motion transmission element <NUM> extends below the supporting plate <NUM> and conveniently the actuation unit <NUM> and the guiding pulley <NUM> are supported by the face of the supporting plate <NUM> that is directed downward.

More particularly, the base body <NUM> is connected to the active portion 25a of the flexible motion transmission element <NUM> with a connecting portion 22a thereof, which passes through a through slot <NUM>, formed in the supporting plate <NUM>, between the longitudinal guides 24a and 24b, for example by means of connection elements <NUM>, which form, on the active portion 25a of the flexible motion transmission element <NUM>, folds or bends <NUM> at its points for fixing to the base body <NUM>.

It should be noted that conveniently on the supporting plate <NUM> it is possible to fix, at the opposite ends of the longitudinal guides 24a and 24b, stroke limit sensors 27a, 27b, functionally connected to the movement motor <NUM>, which are designed to detect the reaching, by the base body <NUM>, of the corresponding positions that correspond to the stroke limit positions 9a and 9b of the carriage <NUM> and to send a corresponding signal to the movement motor <NUM> to command its halting and the reversal of the direction of the rotation after a preset time.

A covering casing <NUM> can be conveniently fixed above the base body <NUM> of the carriage <NUM> and is provided with circular openings 33a and 33b through which the first and the second pans 6a and 6b are respectively accessible from outside.

Two lateral closure walls <NUM> are fixed at the ends of the supporting plate <NUM> arranged along a direction that is substantially parallel to the direction of extension of the longitudinal guides 24a and 24b, and are substantially at right angles to the face directed upward of the supporting plate <NUM>.

Bellows-like covering elements <NUM> can be interposed between the covering casing <NUM> and the lateral closure walls <NUM>.

As shown in particular in <FIG> and <FIG>, each pan 6a and 6b is axially fixed, for example by means of a flange <NUM>, to an axial end 37a of a respective hollow shaft <NUM> which, in turn, is conveniently mounted so that it can rotate in a bushing <NUM>, which is fixed to the base body <NUM>, advantageously by means of the interposition of a pair of bearings <NUM>.

The rotational actuation, with respect to the base body <NUM>, of the hollow shaft <NUM> about its axis and therefore of the corresponding pan 6a, 6b about the corresponding axis is, for example, provided by means of a first gear <NUM>, which is keyed on the hollow shaft <NUM> and is functionally connected to an actuation motor <NUM> conveniently by means of a belt drive element <NUM> that is extended between the first gear <NUM> and a second gear <NUM>, which in turn is keyed on the output shaft 41a of the actuation motor <NUM>.

Preferably, the actuation motors <NUM> of both pans 6a and 6b are of the step type and are controlled by a respective control unit managed by a suitable software.

This solution offers the possibility of precise control of the rotation of the pans 6a, 6b, so as to allow the possibility to introduce in the exposure chamber <NUM> even objects to be processed that have protrusions.

Advantageously, the hollow shaft <NUM> passes through a central hole <NUM> which is formed in the corresponding pan <NUM> and in practice is provided by two axial holes 44a and 44b which are mutually aligned and are formed respectively in the upper plate 18a and in the lower plate of the pan 6a and 6b, so that its axial end 37a is directed outward.

More particularly, a recess <NUM> is formed axially in the hollow shaft <NUM>, is open at the axial end 37a of the hollow shaft <NUM> and accommodates the sucker element <NUM>, while the suction duct <NUM> is connected to the other axial end 37b of the hollow shaft <NUM> and is in communication with the sucker element <NUM>.

Preferably, as shown particularly in <FIG>, the sucker element <NUM> is provided by a bellows-type sucker 15a, which is provided peripherally with two folds which allow its compression in an axial direction.

In particular, with this structure, when the sucker 15a, as a result of the vacuum created inside it via the suction duct <NUM>, grips the object to be processed which is arranged on the corresponding pan 6a, 6b, by virtue of its particular structure, it compresses, in this way retaining the object to be processed toward the pan 6a, 6b and thus ensuring a stable grip for the entire drying cycle.

In order to obtain this effect in the best way depending on the object to be processed, the sucker 15a is assembled to the hollow shaft <NUM> by means of a screw <NUM> which is crossed axially by a passage <NUM>, which allows to connect the internal cavity of the sucker 15a to the vacuum source, through the suction duct <NUM>.

In particular, the head 46a of the screw <NUM> rests against the bottom of the internal cavity of the sucker 15a, while its threaded stem 46b is screwed into an axial female thread <NUM> formed in the hollow shaft <NUM>, so that by screwing or unscrewing the screw <NUM> with respect to the female thread <NUM> it is possible to provide the height adjustment of the sucker 15a.

It should be noted that the degree of vacuum obtained in the sucker 15a and therefore its grip strength can be adjusted conveniently by a not shown pressure regulator interposed along the suction duct <NUM>.

With reference again to the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, substantially at each one of the stroke limit positions 9a and 9b of the carriage <NUM> there are advantageously corresponding automatic unloading means <NUM>.

In particular, the automatic unloading means <NUM> arranged at the first stroke limit position 9a are adapted to act on the processed objects arranged on the first pan 6a, when the carriage <NUM> reaches the first stroke limit position 9a, while the automatic unloading means <NUM> arranged at the second stroke limit position 9b are adapted to act on the processed objects arranged on the second pan 6b, when the carriage <NUM> reaches the second stroke limit position 9b.

More particularly, the automatic unloading means <NUM> comprise pusher means capable of producing, on the processed object arranged on the corresponding pan 6a, 6b, a thrust in the direction of a respective unloading chute <NUM> which is provided on the supporting frame <NUM> and extending, conveniently, laterally to the region affected by the movement of the carriage <NUM> and on the opposite site with respect to the corresponding pusher means, along a direction substantially at right angles to the trajectory of movement of the carriage <NUM>, in order to allow the conveyance by gravity of the processed objects, expelled by the respective pusher means from the corresponding pan 6a and 6b, into an adapted collection tank, not shown.

In greater detail, the pusher means are advantageously each provided by a device for the emission of at least one jet of compressed air directed toward the corresponding pan 6a, 6b.

Conveniently, each emission device consists of at least one respective nozzle <NUM>, which can be provided by a tubular element, supported by the supporting frame <NUM>, which extends substantially parallel and laterally to the trajectory of movement of the carriage <NUM> and has on its own lateral surface at least one outlet for the compressed air.

The advantage of the use of a device for the emission of a jet of air in order to provide the pusher means, instead of mechanical elements, is to provide the unloading of the processed objects from the pans 6a and 6b at a higher speed, with consequent higher productivity, and with a reduction of space occupation.

Conveniently, each nozzle <NUM> provides for suitable adjustments for optimizing the unloading depending on the objects to be processed.

A first possible adjustment of each one of the nozzles <NUM> is of the mechanical type and is provided by rotation of said nozzle about its own axis, in order to direct the jet of air in the best way, especially in presence of objects of small size; the second adjustment of each nozzle <NUM> can be performed by a pressure adjustment device arranged in the pneumatic supply circuit of said nozzle, which allows to adjust the pushing force of the emitted air jet; the third adjustment that can be performed on each one of the nozzles <NUM> consists of the possibility to vary the duration in seconds of the jet of air emitted by said nozzles.

By means of these adjustments it is possible to unload from the pans 6a and 6b any object in a controlled manner, preventing the objects from being both accidentally retained on the machine and propelled to the ground by falling outside the chutes <NUM> or, in any case, the collecting tank.

Advantageously, on the supporting frame <NUM> there is a data setting and control panel <NUM>, which is connected functionally to an electronic control and command unit of the machine, which allows the operator to set various operating parameters of the machine.

In particular, in the common case in which the objects to be processed have a cylindrical shape, the operator may, for example, set on the panel <NUM> the cycle of rotation of the pans 6a, 6b, i.e., the parameters related to the number of revolutions of each pan 6a and 6b and to the rotation rate with which these revolutions must be performed by each pan 6a and 6b.

Experimental tests have allowed to determine the combination between number of revolutions of the pans 6a and 6b, rotation rate of said pans and intensity of the UV radiation emitted by the emission source <NUM> that allows to provide the perfect drying of the UV inks applied to the printed surface of the objects to be processed.

In the case of objects with protrusions, such as for example a cup with a handle, the possible small distance between the lamps <NUM> and the object would instead risk causing a collision between the rotating object on the corresponding pan 6a, 6b and the lamp <NUM>, preventing the possibility to rotate the object through <NUM>°.

In this case, by virtue of the panel <NUM> the operator can set a cycle with alternate rotation of the pans 6a, 6b, i.e., setting, for the pans 6a and 6b, a partial rotation expressed in degrees, actuated in one direction and in the other, so as to be able to dry the printed region of the objects without them colliding against the lamp <NUM>.

The operation of the machine, according to the invention, is as follows.

Once the appropriate settings of the machine have been performed by means of the panel <NUM>, with the carriage in the first stroke limit position 9a, the operator arranges on the first pan 6a an object to be processed on which printing with UV inks has been applied in a printing machine.

At this point, the operator activates the means for centering and locking the object to be processed on the first pan 6a.

In particular, in order to do this, the operator loosens the claws <NUM> of the first pan 6a, by unscrewing the knurled knobs <NUM> from the threaded pivots <NUM>, and rotates the upper plate 18a of the first pan 6a with respect to the lower plate 18b, so as to make the claws <NUM> slide along the first sliding seats 19a until they are arranged in contact with the object to be processed.

At this point the operator tightens the claws <NUM> by screwing the knurled knobs <NUM> on the threaded pivots <NUM> so as to lock the claws <NUM> in the position of contact with the object to be processed.

The operator then operates the vacuum source so as to cause the activation of the sucker element <NUM> of the first pan 6a, thus obtaining a suitable retention of the object to be processed on the first pan 6a.

At this point, after opening the protective doors <NUM> of the exposure chamber <NUM>, the carriage <NUM> is actuated, so as to bring it from the first stroke limit position 9a to the second stroke limit position 9b, with consequent movement of the first pan 6a with the corresponding object to be processed in the exposure chamber <NUM> and simultaneous movement of the second pan 6b in the corresponding access position.

At this point the protective doors <NUM> of the exposure chamber <NUM> are closed.

While it is in the exposure chamber <NUM>, the first pan 6a is rotated about its own axis, so as to produce the rotation of the object to be processed that is arranged thereon, and at the same time the lamp <NUM> is activated, so that the object to be processed can receive the UV radiation on its lateral surface with consequent drying of the UV inks.

Also while the first pan 6a is in the exposure chamber <NUM>, the operator positions on the second pan 6b another object to be processed and, in a manner similar to what he did on the first pan 6a, performs the centering and locking on the second pan 6b of the corresponding object to be processed.

Once the drying cycle of the object arranged on the first pan 6a has ended, the protective doors <NUM> of the exposure chamber <NUM> are opened and the carriage <NUM> is moved again into the first stroke limit position 9a, so as to bring the first pan 6a, with the processed object arranged thereon, into the corresponding access position, and the second pan 6b, with the corresponding object to be processed, into the exposure chamber <NUM>.

At this point the protective doors <NUM> are closed again.

While it is in the exposure chamber <NUM>, the second pan 6b is rotated about its own axis, so that the corresponding object to be processed is also rotated, and at the same time the lamp <NUM> is activated, so as to perform the drying cycle also on the object to be processed that is arranged on the second pan 6b.

In the meantime, the means for the automatic unloading of the processed object arranged on the first pan 6a are activated.

In particular, when the carriage <NUM> reaches the first stroke limit position 9a and therefore the first pan 6a reaches the corresponding access position, after exiting from the exposure chamber <NUM>, the connection between the vacuum source and the sucker element <NUM> of the first pan 6a is interrupted, so that the processed object is no longer retained by the sucker element <NUM>.

The nozzle <NUM> that corresponds to the first stroke limit position 9a of the carriage <NUM> is then fed so as to strike the processed object arranged on the first pan 6a with a jet of compressed air which causes it to fall toward the corresponding chute <NUM> from which it reaches the collecting tank.

At this point, the first pan 6a is again ready to receive from the operator a new object to be processed, which is centered and locked on the first pan 6a by virtue of the corresponding centering and locking means, similarly to what has been described before.

Once the drying cycle of the object to be processed arranged on the second pan 6b has ended, the protective doors <NUM> are opened and the carriage <NUM> is actuated again in order to move it into the second stroke limit position 9b, so as to bring the second pan 6b, with the processed object positioned thereon, into the corresponding access position and the first pan 6a, with the new object to be processed positioned thereon, into the exposure position.

While a new drying cycle of the object to be processed arranged on the first pan 6a occurs, the processed object arranged on the second pan 6b is unloaded by the corresponding automatic unloading means, by means of the activation of the nozzle <NUM> arranged at the second stroke limit position 9b, so as to free again the second pan 6b and thus make it ready again to receive from the operator a further object to be processed.

At this point, the operation of the machine may continue as described above.

In practice it has been found that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects, a machine for drying inks of the UV type having been provided which is compact and has a high performance.

A particular advantage of the machine according to the invention resides in that, by virtue of the centering and locking means provided on the pans with the sucker element arranged axially, it is possible to obtain a correct and safe grip of the objects to be processed on the pans, without the need for accessories for format change.

It should be noted, moreover, that the possibility to adjust the position of the lamp <NUM> in the most correct position allows an efficient and fast drying of the inks.

It should be noted that the use of sliding and transparent doors of the drying chamber allows a view of the object being dried while keeping the machine safe, according to current regulations, without having to resort to bulky tunnels or protections in order to keep the UV radiation inside the exposure chamber.

Another aspect to be pointed out is that by virtue of its small dimensions, the machine according to the invention is easy to position to the side of the printing machines, thus allowing the operator to work ergonomically both on the printing machine and on the machine according to the invention from the same station.

It is also noted that the fact of providing two pans on the carriage allows the machine to reach high production levels, reaching up to <NUM>/<NUM> pieces/hour.

It is also possible to provide the possibility for the user to choose the use of only one of the two pans, particularly the one that is easier to reach for its position, leaving the other locked in rotation and unused.

The use of the machine according to the invention in the sector of screen printing allows to avoid the use of solvent-based inks, which are harmful to the health and the environment.

It should also be added that the use in the machine according to the invention of lamps with UV-LED technology allows furthermore to avoid the drawbacks of traditional UV lamps, such as high consumption and maintenance, presence of harmful substances such as mercury, generation of unwanted heat and ozone.

By virtue of the machine according to the invention, the production process as a whole benefits from considerable advantages, also in terms of time, since it is possible to print and dry immediately the objects to be processed without long waiting times.

The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the accompanying claims.

In practice, the materials used, so long as they are compatible with the specific use, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, may be any according to the requirements and the state of the art. The application claims priority from the disclosures of <CIT>.

Claim 1:
A machine for drying inks of the UV type, comprising:
a supporting frame (<NUM>), which forms at least one exposure chamber (<NUM>), which can be accessed from the outside and accommodates at least one UV ray emission source (<NUM>),
at least one carriage (<NUM>) which is arranged on said supporting frame and which supports rotatably at least one pan (<NUM>) for supporting at least one object to be processed which is provided, on its surface, with at least one print provided by means of UV inks,
means (<NUM>) for the rotational actuation of said at least one pan (<NUM>) about its own axis being provided in order to rotate said at least one object to be processed,
said carriage (<NUM>) being movable with respect to said supporting frame (<NUM>) in order to move said at least one pan (<NUM>) from an exposure position, in which said at least one pan (<NUM>) is arranged within said exposure chamber (<NUM>), in order to subject the UV inks applied to the object to be processed to the action of the UV rays emitted by said at least one emission source (<NUM>), to at least one respective access position, in which said at least one pan (<NUM>) is arranged outside of said exposure chamber (<NUM>), in order to allow the loading of said at least one object to be processed on said at least one pan (<NUM>) or the unloading of the processed object from said at least one pan (<NUM>),
said rotational actuation means (<NUM>) being activatable on command at least with said at least one pan (<NUM>) in said exposure position.