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EP-4735815-A1 - MODULE FOR OVEN WITH MODULAR STRUCTURE AND OVEN WITH MODULAR STRUCTURE

EP4735815A1EP 4735815 A1EP4735815 A1EP 4735815A1EP-4735815-A1

Abstract

Described is a module (100) for a modular oven for drying at least one continuous sheet, in particular an at least partly metallic continuous sheet intended to define electrodes of batteries of the jelly roll or pouch type. The module (100) comprises heating means for heating a continuous sheet and a box-shaped structure (101), delimiting an internal space (V), defined by a plurality of panels (1, 2, 3) welded to each other at respective welding edges to define a hermetic seal at the welding edges. Moreover, at least the side panels (1) define internally a respective gap at least partly filled with at least one thermally insulating material. At least one front panel (2) and at least one rear panel (3) comprise respective inlet openings (2a) and outlet openings, in such a way that a continuous sheet passes through the inlet openings (2a) and outlet openings passing through the internal space (V).

Inventors

  • SERAFIN, Mauro
  • MENEGALDO, Tiziano
  • MARTINI, Loris

Assignees

  • COMAS - COSTRUZIONI MACCHINE SPECIALI - S.p.A.

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20240625

Claims (20)

  1. 1. A module (100) for a modular oven for drying at least one continuous sheet (N), in particular an at least partly metallic continuous sheet intended to define electrodes of batteries of the jelly roll and/or pouch type, the module (100) comprising a box-shaped structure (101 ) defined by a plurality of panels (1 , 2, 3) and delimiting an internal space (V), the panels (1 , 2, 3) comprising a plurality of side panels (1 ), at least one front panel (2) and at least one rear panel (3), wherein the front panel (2) has at least one inlet opening (2a) for a continuous sheet (N) and the rear panel (3) has at least one outlet opening (3a) for the continuous sheet (N), so that the continuous sheet (N) passing through the inlet opening (2a) and the outlet opening (3a) traverses the internal space (V); wherein the module (100) comprises, or is connectable to, heating means for heating the continuous sheet (N) in transit through the internal space (V), wherein at least the side panels (1 ) are internally provided with a respective gap (I) that is at least partly filled with at least one thermally insulating material (200), and wherein the panels (1 , 2, 3) are welded to each other at respective welding edges (5) to define a hermetic seal at the welding edges (5).
  2. 2. The module (100) according to claim 1 , wherein the welding edges (5) are defined by internal edges of the panels (1 ) facing the internal space (V).
  3. 3. The module (100) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising at least one gasket (6) interposed between two adjacent panels (1 , 2, 3) to contribute to making the hermetic seal, the gasket (6) being preferably inserted in a peripheral recess (6a) of one of the panels (1 , 2, 3).
  4. 4. The module (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the module (100) does not have a load-bearing frame and wherein the panels (1 , 2, 3), which are welded to each other, give the boxshaped structure (101 ) a load-bearing configuration.
  5. 5. The module (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the panels (1 , 2, 3) each comprise a base wall (B), facing the internal space (V), made from stainless steel, and wherein the rest of the panel (1 , 2, 3) is made preferably from a different material, in particular carbon steel.
  6. 6. The module (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermally insulating material (200) comprises a layer of stone wool (201 ), disposed in a portion of the gap (I) proximal to the internal space (V), the layer of stone wool (201 ) preferably having a thickness which is less than or equal to 50% of the thickness of the gap (I), more preferably less than or equal to 30%.
  7. 7. The module (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermally insulating material (200) comprises a layer of polyurethane foam (202) injected or injectable into the gap (I) through at least one respective injection hole (7) made in the panel (1 , 2, 3).
  8. 8. The module (100) according to claims 6 and 7, wherein the layer of polyurethane foam (202) is overlaid on the layer of stone wool (201 ) and disposed at a distal position relative to the internal space (V), the layer of polyurethane foam (202) preferably defining a substantially complete filling of the portion of the gap (I) not filled by the layer of stone wool (201 ).
  9. 9. The module (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least the side panels (1 ) comprise, inside the respective gap (I), at least one respective reinforcing element (8, 8a, 8b), abutted against opposite main walls of the panel (1 ) and fixed, in particular welded, to at least one of the opposite main walls to define internal stiffening ribs of the panel (1 ), the reinforcing element (8, 8a, 8b) comprising a plurality of through openings.
  10. 10. The module (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one side panel (1 ) comprises an inspection window (9) provided with a hermetic seal.
  11. 11. The module (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the module (100) is connectable to an adjacent module (100) by a hermetically sealed connection at the inlet opening (2a) and/or at the outlet opening (3a), the hermetically sealed connection being preferably defined by a gasket fixed to at least one of the inlet openings (2a) and/or outlet openings (3a).
  12. 12. A modular oven (300) for drying at least one continuous sheet (N), in particular, a continuous sheet (N) intended to define an electrode of a battery of the jelly roll and/or pouch type, the oven (300) comprising a plurality of modules (100) according to one or more of the preceding claims, the modules (100) being connected to each other by a hermetically sealed connection at least at the inlet openings (2a) and outlet openings (3a).
  13. 13. The oven (300) according to claim 12, comprising at least one end module (301 ) applied or applicable to a respective module (100) of the plurality of modules (100), intended to define an end of the oven (300) and configured to transfer a continuous sheet (N) into, or out from, the oven (300), the end module (301 ) comprising a calibrated or calibratable opening to adapt to the thickness of the continuous sheet (N) in transit, in particular the calibrated or calibratable opening being defined by a pair of shutters (301 a) adjustable relative to each other in such a way as to define a through slot (F) that is adjustable in size.
  14. 14. A method for making a module (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , comprising the following steps: - providing a plurality of hollow panels (1 , 2, 3), each comprising a respective gap (I) which is at least partly filled with at least one thermally insulating material (200); - assembling the panels (1 , 2, 3) to define a box-shaped structure (101 ) delimiting an internal space (V); - mounting heating means on at least one of the panels and/or on the box-shaped structure (101 ) so that the heating means are thermally active on the internal space (V); wherein the step of assembling the panels (1 , 2, 3) is accomplished by welding the panels (1 , 2, 3) to each other at respective welding edges (5) to define a hermetic seal at the welding edges (5).
  15. 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the step of assembling the panels (1 , 2, 3) comprises interposing at least one gasket (6) between two adjacent panels (1 , 2, 3) so as to contribute to making the hermetic seal, preferably by inserting the seal (6) into a peripheral recess (6a) of at least one of the two panels (1 , 2, 3).
  16. 16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the step of providing the panels (1 , 2, 3) is accomplished by providing panels (1 , 2, 3) comprising a base wall (B), made from stainless steel, intended, in use, to directly face the internal space (V), and wherein the step of assembling the panels (1 , 2, 3) is accomplished by welding the panels (1 , 2, 3) to each other at the base walls (B).
  17. 17. The method according to any one of claims 14-16, wherein the thermally insulating material (200) comprises a layer of stone wool (201 ), disposed in the gap (I), and wherein the step of welding the panels (1 , 2, 3) is accomplished by welding the panels (1 , 2, 3) to each other at respective welding edges (5) adjacent to the layer of stone wool (201 ).
  18. 18. The method according to any one of claims 14-17, comprising a step of fixing at least one gasket, preferably at least one annular gasket, at one end of the module (100), in particular to at least one between the inlet opening (2a) and the outlet opening (3a), the gasket being suitable for defining a hermetically sealed connection to one end of another module (100), and in particular to at least one between the outlet opening (3a) and the inlet opening (2a).
  19. 19. The method according to any one of claims 14-18, wherein the panels (1 , 2, 3) are welded to each other in such a way that the panels (1 , 2, 3), which are welded to each other, define a load-bearing, box-shaped structure (101 ).
  20. 20. A method for making a thermally insulating panel (1 , 2, 3), in particular used in a module according to any one of claims 1 to 11 and/or in a method according to any one of claims 14 to 19, comprising the following steps: - providing a first sheet plate (L1 ), made from metallic material, preferably carbon steel, and a second sheet plate (L2), made from a material suitable for exposure to high temperatures and corrosion, preferably stainless steel; - forming the first sheet plate (L1 ) and/or the second sheet plate (L2) in such a way as to define a profile comprising at least one concavity of the first sheet plate (L1 ) and/or of the second sheet plate (L2), respectively; - placing a layer of thermally insulating material, preferably a layer of stone wool (201 ), on the second sheet plate (L2); - welding the first sheet plate (L1 ) to the second sheet plate (L2) to define a panel (1 , 2, 3) comprising a gap (I) so that the layer of thermally insulating material is interposed between the first and the second sheet plate (L1 , L2) to partially fill the gap (I).

Description

DESCRIPTION MODULE FOR OVEN WITH MODULAR STRUCTURE AND OVEN WITH MODULAR STRUCTURE. Technical field This invention relates to a module for an oven with a modular structure for drying at least one continuous sheet. Background art In particular, the invention relates to a module for an oven with a modular structure for drying a continuous sheet intended to define an electrode of a battery, for example a battery of the jelly roll pe, or a battery of the pouch type. There are prior art ovens for drying sheets of tobacco comprising a loadbearing structure, generally metallic, on which are mounted insulating panels to define a box-shaped structure. In detail, the box-shaped structure defines an internal space of the oven and the panels are configured for making a thermal insulation between the internal space and the outside environment. Although this type of prior art oven is functional for drying sheets of tobacco, the Applicant has noted that this technology is not suitable for drying a continuous sheet intended to define an electrode of a battery, for example a battery of the jelly roll type, or of the pouch type. In detail, a continuous sheet intended to define an electrode of a battery is at least partly made of metallic material and has zones provided with additional materials, for example layers in the form of paste or material to be dried, for the purpose of performing the function of an electrode. The heating of this material may generate dust and/or vapours which are contaminating for the environment and are therefore unsuitable for being released outside the oven without adequate filtration. In addition, the material to be dried may be subject to alteration if in contact with air, in particular at operating temperatures of the oven, for example subject to oxidation. It is therefore essential to avoid communication between the inside environment (that is to say, the inside of the oven in which the material is positioned to be dried) and the outside environment, since the presence of oxygen deriving from the outside environment would trigger oxidisation processes problematic for the drying process. The ovens of known type comprise a thermal insulation of the respective internal space, allowing, however, normal leaks between the outside and the inside of the internal space and are therefore not suitable for the selected use. In addition, the traditional ovens have a poor assembly versatility, since the geometry which can be made is constrained by the load-bearing structure on which the panels are mounted. Disclosure of the invention In this context, the technical purpose of this invention is to provide a module for an oven with a modular structure for drying a continuous sheet intended to define an electrode of a battery which is free of the drawbacks of the prior art. The aim of the invention is therefore to provide a module which allows a product to be obtained with a satisfactory quality. In the context of the same technical purpose, the aim of the invention is also to provide a module which complies with strict requirements for emissions of pollutants or contaminants. The aim of the invention is also to provide a module which allows a high level of installation flexibility, in particular which is not constrained to a predetermined geometry. In particular, the Applicant has noted that by welding between adjacent panels of a module for an oven for drying continuous sheets, made in such a way as to define a hermetic seal (except for small openings for the passage of the sheet), it is possible to obtain a satisfactory quality of drying of a sheet at least partly metallic. In effect, a hermetic seal obtained by welding contributes to creating a controlled and uniform environment inside the oven, which is crucial for a high quality drying process. In particular, the heat distribution is more homogeneous, reducing the risk of hot or cold points which could cause non-uniform drying of the sheet. The hermetic seal also allows an increase in the speed of the sheet without adversely affecting the quality of the drying, thus also improving the productivity. In addition, the Applicant has noted that the welding between adjacent panels, as well as a hermetic seal, defines a self-supporting structure of the module, which is more resistant and stable than a non-welded assembly. In particular, a welded structure is less subject to deformation and movement over time, maintaining the integrity of the oven even under harsh operating conditions, and reducing the need for maintenance and repairs, since the welded joints are less prone to wear or loosen than the mechanical joints. The Applicant has also noted that it is possible to make a weld of another type between adjacent panels, such as, for example, an intermittent or non-hermetic weld, creating a hermetic seal using welds interposed between adjacent panels. The invention relates to a module for ovens with a modular structure according to claim 1 and/or with one o