Patent ID: 8640317

Claim:
A unit for supporting ceramic products ( 1 ) made by slip casting and having at least a first base portion ( 1 a ) and a second portion ( 1 b ), comprising: a first element ( 2 ) for gripping and supporting the product ( 1 ) at the second portion ( 1 b ); a second element ( 3 ) having a platform ( 3 a ) for supporting said first base portion ( 1 a ) of the product ( 1 ) and designed to support at least partially the weight of the product ( 1 ); elastic reaction elements ( 4 ), positioned and acting on the second element ( 3 ), for elastically reacting along a vertical axis (Z), wherein said elastic reaction elements ( 4 ) are interposed between the platform ( 3 a ) and a fixed surface (P) and comprise pre-loaded springs ( 4 m ) which are configured to give under the weight of the product ( 1 ) and to raise the product ( 1 ) along the vertical axis (Z) in such a way as to keep the product ( 1 ) in the desired position, wherein the product ( 1 ) is supported by two upper surfaces ( 5 ) of the first element ( 2 ), whereby adjustment along the vertical axis (Z) is provided to automatically compensate for weight loss and shrinkage of the product ( 1 ), by means of the pre-loaded springs ( 4 m ), in such a way that the height of the product ( 1 ) is always referenced to the upper surfaces ( 5 ), thus preventing product stress due to slipping, wherein the second element ( 3 ) has a frame ( 21 ) equipped with a first plurality of vertical columns ( 22 ) equipped with cradles ( 23 ) for accommodating stable coupling pins ( 24 ) provided on the first element ( 2 ).