Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an automated clay shaping device that aids a user in shaping clay into vessel of a user-defined dimensions in an automated manner by preparing clay of optimum viscosity that is suitable for shaping the clay.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Clay is shaped into vessels such as pots, jars, and bowls because of its malleability when wet, allowing artisans to form functional and aesthetic items. Clay vessels are widely used in everyday life for storing water, cooking, serving food, and preserving perishables, owing to their insulating and moisture-retaining properties. Shaping clay carefully is crucial to ensure the vessel’s structural integrity, functionality, and durability. Improper shaping lead to cracks, uneven walls, or imbalances during firing, affecting the vessel’s longevity and usability. Well-shaped clay vessels also enhance aesthetic appeal and contribute to cultural heritage in various regions.

[0003] Traditionally, clay is shaped into vessels using simple tools and hand techniques passed down through generations. Potters often use a manually operated or foot-powered pottery wheel to shape the clay. The potter centers the clay on the wheel and uses their hands to mold it into the desired shape, applying water to keep it soft. Tools like wooden paddles, ribs, and wire loops help refine the shape and texture of the vessel. For hand-built methods, coils or slabs of clay are used to construct the form. While effective, these methods require significant manual effort and skill, making the process time-consuming and labor-intensive. Achieving uniformity and precision is challenging, leading to inconsistencies in the shape and thickness of the vessels. Additionally, traditional techniques often result in a high rate of defects, such as cracks or air bubbles in the clay. The reliance on hand tools and manual processes also limits production efficiency and scalability, making it difficult to meet large demands.

[0004] CN103660013A discloses about a clay shaping device comprising a hopper, a feeding port, an automatic water gate box, a water feeding pipe, a tap water device, an extrusion device, a discharging port and stirring blades. The clay shaping device is characterized in that the feeding port is arranged above the hopper, the automatic water gate box is arranged on one side of the hopper, and the water feeding pipe is arranged above the automatic water gate box. The clay shaping device has the advantages that the clay moisture proportion is adjusted to be optimal, the mixed clay is extruded to the discharging port through the strong clay extrusion device, the clay lumps formed in one time are extruded under the acting force of the extrusion device through the discharging port to facilitate follow-up work, and the clay lumps processed through the clearing extrusion device are high in density, and brick having undergone firing is durable and cannot be damaged easily. Although, CN’013 discloses about an invention that relates to a clay shaping device. However, the cited invention lacks in shaping the clay into vessel of user-defined dimensions in an automated manner.

[0005] CN211135432U discloses about a negative pressure shaping device for a clay sand casting model. The device comprises an upper box body, a lower box body and a locking device, a first flange is arranged at the lower end of the upper box body; a second flange is arranged at the upper end of the lower box body; the locking device is located on the outer side of the upper box body and the outer side of the lower box body. The locking device is composed of a first fixing mechanism, a second fixing mechanism and a connecting rod. The first fixing mechanism comprises a first fixing rod and a sliding sleeve; the first fixing rod is vertically arranged on the lower side of the second flange; the sliding sleeve is connected to the first fixing rod in a sleeving mode, a connecting base is arranged on one side of the sliding sleeve, two connecting claws are symmetrically arranged at one end of the connecting base, first clamping grooves are formed in the connecting claws, the second fixing structure comprises a bottom plate and a movable plate, and the bottom plate is welded to the upper side of the first flange. Compared with a traditional clay sand casting model negative pressure shaping device, the clay sand casting model negative pressure shaping device is more convenient to disassemble and assemble. Though, CN’432 discloses about an invention that relates to a negative pressure shaping device for a clay sand casting model. However, the cited invention lacks in adjusting the viscosity of the clay in an automated manner by monitoring the viscosity of the clay.

[0006] Conventionally, many devices have been developed that are capable of providing a means for shaping clay. However, these devices are incapable of shaping the clay into vessel of user-defined dimensions in an automated manner, and fails in reducing manual efforts and consumption of time in the overall process. Additionally, these existing devices also lacks in adjusting the viscosity of the clay in an automated manner by monitoring the viscosity of the clay.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a device that requires to be capable of assisting a user in shaping of clay into vessel of different dimensions in an automated manner without manually touching the clay. In addition, the developed device also needs to mix the clay with water by monitoring viscosity of the clay in order to obtain the clay of optimum viscosity.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of providing a means to a user for shaping clay into a user desired dimensions of vessel in an automated manner, thereby reducing manual efforts and consumption of time in the overall process.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of preparing clay of optimum viscosity which is suitable for shaping in an automated manner by monitoring the viscosity of the clay, thus eliminating the need to manually prepare the clay.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of monitoring weight of the clay and accordingly notifies the user by means of voice notification regarding the weight.

[0012] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention relates to an automated clay shaping device that assist a user in shaping clay into a user-specified dimensions of vessel in an automated manner. Further, the device is capable of monitoring the weight of the clay available for shaping and accordingly notifies the user regarding the availability of the clay.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an automated clay shaping device, comprises of a platform affixed with ground surface by means of plurality of suction units arranged beneath the platform, a motorized expandable disc configured with the platform that is accessed by a user to place a wet clay that is to be shaped into a vessel, a touch interactive display panel installed over the platform to enable the user to provide input regarding dimensions of the vessel, a motorized expandable pulley arrangement integrated in the disc to provide appropriate extension to the disc in accordance with the user-specified dimensions, plurality of inflatable bags arranged beneath the disc and linked with an air compressor attached with the disc to inflate the bags in order to fill gaps created due to expansion of the disc to provide appropriate space for accommodation of the vessel to be shaped, a pair of soft grippers installed over the platform to shape the clay in accordance with the user-specified dimensions, and a motor configured with the disc to rotate the disc on axis in order to aid the grippers to shape the clay into the user specified vessel.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed device further comprises of a chamber is arranged over the platform to store the water and clay and installed with a motorized stirrer to mix the water and clay, a weight sensor is integrated in the chamber to monitor weight of the clay, a speaker installed over the platform to produce a voice command to notify the user regrading refilling of the chamber, a viscosity sensor is integrated in the chamber to monitor viscosity of the clay, an electronic nozzle installed with a water reservoir arranged over the platform to dispense a regulated amount of water within the chamber to regulate viscosity of the clay, and a battery is associated with the device for powering up electrical and electronically operated components associated with the device.

[0016] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of an automated clay shaping device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0019] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises,” and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.

[0020] As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

[0021] The present invention relates to an automated clay shaping device that shape wet clay into a user-specified dimensions of a vessel in a self-sufficient manner with minimal manual interference. Additionally, the proposed device is capable of preparing the wet clay in an automated manner by monitoring the viscosity of the clay.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1, an isometric view of an automated clay shaping device is illustrated, comprising a platform 101, plurality of suction units 102 arranged beneath the platform 101, a motorized expandable disc 103 configured with the platform 101, a touch interactive display panel 104 installed over the platform 101, a motorized expandable pulley arrangement 105 integrated in the disc 103, plurality of inflatable bags 106 arranged beneath the disc 103, a pair of soft grippers 107 installed over the platform 101, a motor 108 configured with the disc 103, a chamber 109 is arranged over the platform 101, a motorized stirrer 110 installed with the chamber 109, a speaker 111 installed over the platform 101, and an electronic nozzle 112 installed with a water reservoir 113 arranged over the platform 101.

[0023] The device disclosed herein comprises of a platform 101 incorporating various components associated with the device and developed to be positioned over a ground surface. The platform 101 serves as the core structure and is made from strong, lightweight and waterproof materials which includes but not limited to hardened steel, aluminum alloy, hard fiber, and composite materials. These materials offer strength and rigidity to the platform 101 making the platform 101 resistant to mechanical stress and pressure.

[0024] Upon positioning the platform 101, a user is required to activate the device manually by pressing a button installed on the platform 101 and linked with an inbuilt microcontroller associated with the device. The button is a type of switch that is internally connected with the device via multiple circuits that upon pressing by the user, the circuits get closed and starts conduction of electricity that tends to activate the device and vice versa.

[0025] After activation of the device by the user, the microcontroller generates a command to actuate multiple suction units 102 (ranging from 4 to 6 in numbers) arranged beneath the platform 101, for affixing the platform 101 with the surface. The suction unit mentioned above comprises of a bowl-shaped cup alike entity having two openings in which one side of the opening has a larger diameter and another side has a smaller diameter wherein the smaller diameter of the cup is attached with a suction pump via conduit that is interlinked with the microcontroller. On actuation, the suction pump creates a negative pressure which in turn generates a vacuum effect inside the cup that firmly affixes the platform 101 with the surface so that the platform 101 remains firmly affixed without tilting or sliding when in use.

[0026] The platform 101 is arranged with a chamber 109 stored with water and clay, wherein upon affixing the platform 101, the microcontroller actuates a motorized stirrer 110 installed within the chamber 109 to mix the water and clay to produce a uniform clay mixture suitable for shaping. The stirrer 110 consists of a rotating shaft attached to a DC (direct current) motor and fitted with multiple blades or paddles, which are positioned in a manner to cover the entire volume of the chamber 109. These blades are designed to agitate the clay and water, breaking down clumps and ensuring an even distribution of moisture throughout the mixture. On actuation, the microcontroller regulates the movement of the motor followed by the movement of the blades for mixing the clay and water to produce a uniform clay mixture.

[0027] Simultaneously, with the actuation of the stirrer 110, the microcontroller by means of a viscosity sensor integrated in the chamber 109 monitor viscosity of the clay. The viscosity sensor used herein consist of a sensor element and a transducer. The sensor element interacts with the clay by moving through the clay. As the sensor element moves through the clay, it encounters resistance from the clay viscosity. The transducer measures the force exerted on the sensor element due to this resistance and converts the measured force into an electrical signal. This electrical signal is further transferred to the linked microcontroller.

[0028] The microcontroller continuously processes the received signal in order to monitor the viscosity of the clay and compares the monitored viscosity with a pre-set threshold value of viscosity in the database of the microcontroller. In case the monitored viscosity exceeds the threshold value, the microcontroller actuates an electronic nozzle 112 installed with a water reservoir 113 arranged over the platform 101 to dispense a regulated amount of water within the chamber 109 to regulate viscosity of the clay.

[0029] The nozzle 112 used herein consists of a solenoid valve, nozzle tip, and control circuitry. When the microcontroller signals the need to dispense gas, the nozzle 112 activates the solenoid valve, which opens to allow the water to flow from the reservoir 113. The water then passes through a series of micro channels within the nozzle tip, which regulate the pressure and direction of the water over the clay in order to regulate the viscosity of the clay.

[0030] Once the clay of optimum viscosity is prepared, the user is required to manually place the wet clay that is to be shaped into a vessel, over a motorized expandable disc 103 configured with the platform 101. Upon accommodating the clay over the disc 103, the user is required to access a touch interactive display panel 104 installed over the platform 101 to provide input regarding dimensions of the vessel.

[0031] The touch interactive display panel 104 used herein is a type of Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) that detect touch input from a user. It consists of both an input unit (preferably a capacitive touch panel) and an output unit (a visual display). The capacitive touch panel is layered on the top of the visual display. The touch panel consists of an insulator such as glass, coated with a transparent conductor, such as indium tin oxide (ITO).

[0032] When the user touches the surface of the display panel 104 for giving input commands, the electrostatic field of the screen gets distorted, that is measured as a change in capacitance. This change in capacitance is used to determine the location of the touch. The determined location of the touch is then sent in the form of electrical signals to the microcontroller linked with the display panel 104.

[0033] The microcontroller further processes the received signals in order to determine details regarding dimensions of the vessel, which includes but not limited to parameters such as length, width, and height of the vessel. Based on which the microcontroller actuates a motorized expandable pulley arrangement 105 integrated in the disc 103 to provide appropriate extension to the disc 103 in accordance with the user-specified dimensions.

[0034] The expandable pulley arrangement 105 used herein comprises a series of interconnected pulleys, each connected to a small motor controlled by the microcontroller. Upon receiving the dimension data from the display panel 104, microcontroller activates the motors to either expand or contract the pulleys. In expansion mode, the pulleys move outward, increasing the circumference of the disc 103. In contraction mode, the pulleys move inward, decreasing the circumference of the disc 103 to regulate diameter of the disc 103 in accordance with the user-specified dimensions.

[0035] Once the disc 103 diameter is adjusted, the microcontroller actuates an air compressor attached with the disc 103 to inflate multiple inflatable bags 106 arranged beneath the disc 103 in order to fill gaps created due to expansion of the disc 103. The air compressor extracts the air from surrounding and increases the pressure of the air by reducing the volume of the air and which is further injected in the inflatable bags 106. The inflatable bags 106 are laminated of multiple thin polymeric films, when air is inserted in the bags 106 by means of air compressor, the films are puffed up to an amount of inflation required to fill gaps created due to expansion of the disc 103 to provide appropriate space for accommodation of the vessel to be shaped.

[0036] Upon inflation of the bags 106, the microcontroller actuates a pair of soft grippers 107 installed over the platform 101 to shape the clay in accordance with the user-specified dimensions. The grippers 107 operate as a robotic hand that is designed to shape the clay. The gripper incorporates a motorized mechanism that controls the opening and closing of the jaws of the gripper. The motor generates the necessary force to move the gripper’s fingers for the opening and closing of the jaws with precision. This motorized action is controlled by the microcontroller to shape the clay in accordance with the user-specified dimensions. Simultaneously, the microcontroller actuates a motor 108 configured with the disc 103 to rotate the disc 103 on axis in order to aid the grippers 107 to shape the clay into the user specified vessel.

[0037] During the shaping process, the microcontroller in association with a weight sensor integrated in the chamber 109 monitor weight of the clay. The weight sensor used herein is a particular kind of transducer, more especially a weight transducer, which transform a mechanical force that is applied as an input, by the weight of the clay, into a change in electrical resistance, which varies proportionally to the force being applied to the sensor. This change in electrical resistance is detected by the microcontroller linked with the sensor, in the form of an electrical signal.

[0038] The microcontroller processes the received signals from the weight sensors in order to monitor weight of the clay and in case the monitored weight recedes a threshold value, the microcontroller actuates a speaker 111 installed over the platform 101 to produce a voice command to notify the user regrading refilling of the chamber 109. The speaker 111 used herein is capable of producing clear and natural sound and is capable of adjusting its volume based on ambient noise levels.

[0039] The speaker 111 consists of audio information, which is in the form of recorded voice, synthesized voice, or other sounds, generated or stored as digital data. The digital audio data is converted into analog electrical signals. Further the analog signal is amplified by an amplifier and the amplified electrical audio signal is then sent to a diaphragm, which is typically made of a lightweight and rigid material like paper, plastic, or metal, and is designed to vibrate or move back and forth when electrical signals are fed to it. This movement creates pressure variations in the surrounding air, generating sound waves in order to generate the audible sound for notifying the user regrading refilling of the chamber 109.

[0040] Lastly, a battery is installed within the device which is connected to the microcontroller that supplies current to all the electrically powered components that needs an amount of electric power to perform their functions and operation in an efficient manner. The battery utilized here, is generally a dry battery which is made up of Lithium-ion material that gives the device a long-lasting as well as an efficient DC (Direct Current) current which helps every component to function properly in an efficient manner. As the device is battery operated and do not need any electrical voltage for functioning. Hence the presence of battery leads to the portability of the device i.e., user is able to place as well as moves the device from one place to another as per the requirements.

[0041] The present invention works best in the following manner, where the platform 101 as disclosed in the invention is developed to be affixed with ground surface via multiple suction units 102. The motorized stirrer 110 mixes the water and clay stored in the chamber 109. Simultaneously, the viscosity sensor monitors viscosity of the clay and accordingly the electronic nozzle 112 dispense regulated amount of water within the chamber 109 to regulate viscosity of the clay to produce clay with an optimum viscosity. The produced wet clay that is to be shaped into the vessel, is placed by the user over the motorized expandable disc 103 and further the user accesses the touch interactive display panel 104 to provide input regarding dimensions of the vessel. Accordingly, the motorized expandable pulley arrangement 105 provides appropriate extension to the disc 103. Upon extension of disc 103, the air compressor inflates multiple inflatable bags 106 in order to fill gaps created due to expansion of the disc 103 to provide appropriate space for accommodation of the vessel to be shaped. Afterwards, the pair of soft grippers 107 shape the clay in accordance with the user-specified dimensions. Simultaneously, the motor 108 rotates the disc 103 on axis in order to aid the grippers 107 to shape the clay into the user specified vessel. Furthermore, the weight sensor monitors weight of the clay and accordingly the speaker 111 produce the voice command to notify the user regrading refilling of the chamber 109.

[0042] Although the field of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. , Claims:1) An automated clay shaping device, comprising:

i) a platform 101 affixed with ground surface by means of plurality of suction units 102 arranged beneath said platform 101, wherein said suction units 102 actuates to create a negative pressure to affix said platform 101 with said surface;
ii) a motorized expandable disc 103 configured with said platform 101 that is accessed by a user to place a wet clay that is to be shaped into a vessel, wherein a touch interactive display panel 104 installed over said platform 101 to enable said user to provide input regarding dimensions of said vessel based on which said microcontroller actuates a motorized expandable pulley arrangement 105 integrated in said disc 103 to provide appropriate extension to said disc 103 in accordance with said user-specified dimensions;
iii) plurality of inflatable bags 106 arranged beneath said disc 103 and linked with an air compressor attached with said disc 103, wherein said microcontroller actuates said air compressor to inflate said bags 106 in order to fill gaps created due to expansion of said disc 103 to provide appropriate space for accommodation of said vessel to be shaped; and
iv) a pair of soft grippers 107 installed over said platform 101 and directed by said microcontroller to shape said clay in accordance with said user-specified dimensions, wherein a motor 108 configured with said disc 103 that is actuated by said microcontroller to rotate said disc 103 on axis in order to aid said grippers 107 to shape said clay into said user specified vessel.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a chamber 109 is arranged over said platform 101 that is developed to store said water and clay and installed with a motorized stirrer 110 to mix said water and clay.

3) The device as claimed in claim 1 and 2, wherein a weight sensor is integrated in said chamber 109 to monitor weight of said clay and in case said monitored weight recedes a threshold value, said microcontroller actuates a speaker 111 installed over said platform 101 to produce a voice command to notify said user regrading refilling of said chamber 109.

4) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a viscosity sensor is integrated in said chamber 109 to monitor viscosity of said clay and in case said monitored viscosity exceeds a threshold value, said microcontroller actuates an electronic nozzle 112 installed with a water reservoir 113 arranged over said platform 101 to dispense a regulated amount of water within said chamber 109 to regulate viscosity of said clay.

5) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a battery is associated with said device for powering up electrical and electronically operated components associated with said device.